HOME AT LAST

It has been some time since I have blogged.  I thought once Eve left that it would be the end of my journey.  Thankfully it is not!  Eve's trainer Henny, invited me to meet Eve's family and to see what she had accomplished.  On April 11, I met them and spent about 3-4 hours with them and had lunch and my eyes were opened to the journey this family is going through.  I was proud to hear that Eve had already changed their lives in such a short time.  It was sad to say goodbye again not knowing if I would ever see Eve again.  I kissed her and told her to take care of them and she pulled away from me and got into the vehicle with the kids.  In one way it broke my heart but in another way I knew my job was accomplished.  Bitter sweet so they say!

A few weeks later I received an email from her  mom.  I was thrilled!  She wants to stay in contact and it was such a relief to know that.  I have been invited to come and visit their home this summer and I can't wait.  I went to a BC Guide Dog function this past weekend and Bill Thornton made special mention of Eve.  Their 19th Autism Support Dog and the only dog who has gone to the home of 2 autistic children...twins in fact!  I smiled proudly with a couple tear drops falling from my eyes.  I still miss her!  But so happy she is home at last!  Right where she belongs!  I love you Evey!

This is a picture of Eve with her family.  One of the children walks behind Eve and has a harness around her waist which is attached to Eve and the little boy is holding on to the handle on Eve's back as their mom guides them through the mall.  I have a ton of admiration for their mother and hope Eve is bringing them exactly what they need!

MOVING ON AGAIN

More crying lately.  Last week I was able to meet up with Eve after 8 1/2 weeks apart.  It was amazing! Ellen came with me and made a video of us reuniting.  I watch it over and over again.  When she looked up and saw me, I don't think I have ever seen her so ecstatic!  It was awesome!  I spent about an hour and a half with Henny showing me all of Eve's training.  We then had about 15-20 minutes of play time at the end.  I went home feeling really good but then cried myself to sleep that night missing her!  Oh my...I'm such a baby!

One week later, Eve's boarding family had to say goodbye.  I received an email from them last night letting me know that it was their last night with her and that there would be lots of tears in the morning.  It was so nice to hear from them.  This morning they let her go and I received another email.  And I'm telling you, I cried a lot today.  I felt like I was giving her up all over again and my heart was going out to that family, remembering the day I had to say goodbye.  They love her a lot.  The picture below is of the two girls this morning having their morning cuddles.  I sure love that...what a sweet picture!  We are going to set up a time soon to meet and I can't wait to thank them for taking such amazing care of Eve and loving her so much!  

Two of my friends told me today that is is pretty amazing how many lives Eve has touched already!

Off Eve went to Vancouver Island to live with her new family.  I'm sure they are already having a ball with her!  I cannot wait to go to the Island to meet them in a couple of weeks.  I'm a very proud mom.

I best be going, as I have not much time to organize their scrap book of Eve's first year and a half!

SHE DID IT!

This is probably the proudest moment of my life!  Today I received the most amazing news that my baby Eve was going to be an Autism Support Dog!  I just knew that was her calling.  She is so amazing with children and I like to think that all the time she spent with my nieces and nephews has paid off.  Especially the little ones - James & Dane.  She was always so gentle with them!

When I went to see my family last month, James waved to me from the window and then he looked at his mom and said "Aunty just doesn't look the same without Eve"!  How sweet is that!

Of course I cried again when I got the news today!  I'm just so thrilled.  I hope I can meet her new family who has already been chosen.  In the words of Michael Fulton "I can see her brightening some little kids world!"  My tears are tears of so much joy.  I'm so happy!  I already know how much joy Eve is going to bring to this family and maybe one day I can see it for myself!

Eve is moving to Vancouver Island to finish her training and be placed with her "FOREVER FAMILY". No more shuffling her between families.  Although she does settle in with anyone pretty quickly.  Her trainer told me that her boarding family loves her and Eve gets so excited to see them when she comes home from training.  But to finally go to her Forever Family makes me very happy!

Almost 8 weeks without her and I miss her so much!  I get to see her next week and I can hardly wait!  Just six more sleeps till we are reunited!

For those of you who have forgotten, this is a picture of Michael (who started it all for me), who is blind with Eve and his amazing guide dog, Cody!

RELEASE WITH LOVE

Week 2 without Eve was better than the first week, although I still ache for her.  I  miss that sweet face and I miss our routine!  A good friend told me to RELEASE WITH LOVE!  How perfect is that!

I received my second update on Eve this week from Henny her trainer.  Eve has settled in nicely in her new home and her new boarding family loves her.  I couldn't be happier!

Henny advised that they spent the first week getting to know each other and she was even downtown!  Henny had a bit of a struggle with Eve the first couple of days on walks as she has been stopping quite frequently.  But she was doing better towards the end of her first week of training.  She was also doing well off leash but still having a challenge with recall.  She likes to play with Henny but not so much with other dogs.  She is such a people person, my baby!

That's the first update of her advanced training and I sure wish I could run into her! Next update is in about 6 weeks or so.
This is a picture of Eve on her first day of advance training with her classmates.  They are sitting in the back of the van.  I can't remember their names but I'll find out.  Eve of course is the gorgeous little  one in the middle!  They are all so beautiful!

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...