Day 484 - Week 70 GOODBYE

How can you raise a puppy and then let her go in 18 months?  If I had a quarter for every time I was asked that, I'd be a wealthy girl!  My answer today?  I don't know how to say goodbye to my baby.  It hurts a lot right in my heart and soul!

Everything in life has a beginning, a middle and an end.

Today marked the end of my time with Eve but a new beginning for both of us!  484 days and 70 short weeks!

I've gone through some very difficult times in my life, like all of us do - the break up of a long term relationship, the death of my mother...and today marked another emotional, difficult day.  This time however, there is sadness and joy at the same time.  

I cried myself to sleep last night and I woke up with tears streaming down my eyes and they wouldn't stop all morning!  I couldn't stop holding my baby!  How was I going to say goodbye today?

We packed all of Eve's things...her 2-mattress high bed (all about comfort for the princess), her favourite toys, her blankets and off we went to pick up Ellen who was coming for support!  WOW did I ever need her today.  This was 100 times harder then I thought it was going to be.   My head is pounding, the tears won't stop flowing!

We arrived in Ladner and we went in to meet the trainers.  I thought I was going to be a basket case the entire time but I wasn't.  Eve will be training with Henny and as I write this she is off to her new boarding home.  She is going to a couple who have boarded before, they have 2 girls around the ages of 8 and 10 and another dog!  I think that's what made the drop-off easier.   Knowing my baby was going to a family full of people who will love her for the next 5 months and another puppy to play with.  I couldn't have asked for anymore.  I know she is probably having the time of her life right now!

Eve will begin advanced training next week and will be in a harness almost immediately.  She will be with 3 other guide dogs in her training monday to friday 9-5.  A real working girl!  

I will receive a call tonight on how she is doing but I already know what they will tell me.  Eve is just fine, it's me that misses her so much!  

Thanks to everyone who sent through their text well wishes today.  I just need a few days to get used to not having her around.  She is the best thing I have ever done in my life and she has changed me forever!

After we packed all of Eve's things into the office (OMG she sure has a lot more stuff then McGregor does!), I gave Evey another hug and lots of kisses and told her I loved her.  See you in a few months my baby!

We started our very first blog with a profile picture of Eve and I together when she was a pup.  Today I post the picture we took together yesterday in the Okanagan.  I will keep you posted as I hear about Eve's progress.

Would I do it all again....?  ABSOLUTELY!

Day 476 - Week 69 BABIES

We are not going to talk about what happens next week, so let's just move on.  We had our last obedience class on friday.  Eve was a nightmare.  She wouldn't walk, sit, stand, down or anything.  Talk about stubborn. I did get some tips on how to handle her when she slams on the breaks and we have practiced the past couple of days and it actually works.  I can't let her win.  I don't slow down and we just keep on going.  We are going to continue to practice very hard this week, so she will be all set for advanced training.

We saw Michael and Cody for dinner this week and then shopping yesterday... and Eve was bad!  She just wanted to play with Cody in the store.  She was so excited to see him. We finally managed to make it to Joey's for lunch and then the misbehaving continued.  Finally when it was time to almost go home, she fell asleep!  Oh Evey!

Great news...Eve has lost 3 lbs.  She is looking slim and trim.  Gorgeous!

Here is a photo of my two favourite babies.  They are almost the same age.  Eve turned 1 1/2 years old yesterday on the 14th of January and Dane is just over 1 1/2 years.  This is Dane watching his favourite puppy having dinner.  So cute!

Day 466 - Week 67 THE DREADED EMAIL

Happy New Year everyone!  Eve enjoyed another flight on Westjet to Kelowna for Christmas.  She even climbed up on one passengers lap when I wasn't looking!  She gets so much attention!

There is no easy way to say this so I might as well just spit it out!  Eve is off to college on Monday, January 23, 2012.  I received that email we all dread and all I read was that I needed to bring Eve in on Jan 23.  I instantly burst into tears and couldn't even finish reading the email.  I shut down my blackberry as I stood in the park all alone in the pouring rain with Eve and cried.  She looked up at me as if to say "What the hell is wrong with you!?"  But I'm ok now!  I'm so proud of her and I am so pleased she is heading off to advanced training.

Eve has changed me.  She has taught me to be a better person, to be kind and to help our fellow human beings.  My charity work does not end with Eve, in fact it is just beginning.  I have felt no greater satisfaction then the role I have played to assist someone who is blind or who has autism.  Eve is playing a bigger role in life and I can't wait to meet the special someone whose life she is going to change.  How unbelievably special and gratifying that is!

I love this puppy and I'm going to miss her deeply.  I have had some chats with her and she is prepared for college.  She promises to listen to her instructors and to work as hard as she can.  She tells me she loves me every day when she just has to touch me and cuddle with me.  Sometimes I will just be working away and she will climb up on my lap.  I look down from my bed as I write this and see my little baby sleeping away and know that in just a couple short weeks there is going to be a big void in that spot.

We went to the dog park today, like we do most days.  I'm sure her friends are going to miss her there - Buttercup the Newfoundlander, Chloe & Kiera the Pitbulls, Moshi and Lily the Hounds, Luke & Titan the Chocolate Labs, Winston & Hank the tank Bulldogs, Stanley the bully Golden Retriever, Caesar the German Shepherd, Oliver the Boxer, Winston the Spaniel, Butter & Jambon & George the French Bulldogs, Duke the Great Dane, Tony the Pinscher, Precious the Rottweiler, Pickle the Pug, Luca, Moe, Chloe the Leonberger, Dougal the Golden Doodle, Tucker the Pug, CJ & Benson, the Golden Retrievers, Kobe the Golden Retriever and so many many more we have met along the way.  And especially her best friend CODY who has showed Eve what it takes to be a guide dog...so hopefully she will be a step above the rest!  Eve will miss them all but particularly their owners who she perhaps loves more than the dogs themselves!

Need to sign off for now...