DECISIONS AT BEARY WOOD LODGE

Fellow-blogger Sharon, at "After / Gadget " started an Assistance Dog Blog Carnival last fall.  Sort of like a quarterly collection of blog postings about a specific theme, but somehow concerning assistance dogs.  

Follow this link to the FIRST Assistance Dog Blog Carnival, hosted by Sharon, the theme of which was an Assistance Dog "First."  (To read my contribution, click on My FIRST: Future Leader Dog Puppy.)

Coming up next week is the second "issue" of the Assistance Dog Blog Carnival, this time hosted by L^2 at "Dog's Eye View."  L^2 selected this quarter's theme, DECISIONS.

My submission follows:

DECISIONS MADE AT BEARY WOOD LODGE

Gypsy sprawled out on the daybed; FLD Mike curled up at my feet on the rug under the kitchen table.  I enjoyed a long drink of cold water.  Our 2 1/2 mile "slog" (can't really call it "jogging" I'm so slow) on the sandy dirt roads surrounding the Beary Wood Lodge tired all of us out.  And September still held plenty of summer.

Unexpectedly, the phone rang.  Cell-phone coverage at my brother's cabin is non-existent due to being surrounded by the Huron National Forest, so Andy had a phone-line with DSL Internet installed.  I forgot that before we lost "bars" on the drive up I programmed my cell to forward all calls to the cabin.

"Hello, Patti?"  It was Sandy, from Leader Dogs for the Blind.  Yes.

"I wanted to give you a choice for next week."

FLD Mike was going back to Leader Dogs the next Monday to begin his "formal" guide-dog training.  A month earlier, Sandy wanted me to "overlap" and take another puppy before Mike returned, but our townhouse rules prohibit more than two "fur-bearing" animals.  Leader Dogs is desperate for puppy-raisers (hint, hint).  Instead I agreed to take my third puppy five days after returning Mike.

"I know we have next Saturday already scheduled for you, but we have a male puppy ready that you could take home the same day you bring Mike back," Sandy explained.  She went on to tell me what breed-stock this puppy came from, but as a fairly-rookie puppy-raiser, I wasn't familiar with his parents.  "Or, you can keep the Saturday appointment.  I just wanted to give you the choice."

I wasn't quite sure what Sandy was asking of me.  When you apply to raise a puppy, you can specify your preference for sex and/or breed; once a puppy becomes available, you schedule a pickup time that works for you.  Beyond this, the specific puppy you receive is totally random.  Did Sandy want me to take this returned puppy?  Was there an issue with him that she thought I could handle?

"There's nothing wrong with this puppy," she said.  "The family that took him realized they were in over their heads--they have small children and this was there very first puppy.  Ever."

Well, I thought as I stood up from the table and began pacing around the cabin, better to return him early, than risk future problems. 

I guess I would rather wait until Saturday, I said.  I think I need a few days to get over Mike.  After I returned my first Future Leader Dog puppy, Rosie, in July of 2009, I waited until November to get FLD Mike.  It IS a sad day when you bring your puppy back, and I didn't want to jump right in with a new, demanding bundle of fur.  Andy and I took our big bike ride to Green Bay, Wisconsin in August of 2009, and besides, if Rosie were to be career-changed, I wanted her back; I wanted to keep my options open.

"Oh, I understand that," said Sandy.  "Okay.  But.  There is something else you should know.  The yellow-lab puppy that's coming in for you is from a donated litter.  The breeder told us she is worried about him, something about him being too small or something.  We won't know for sure that we'll take him until we check him over."

If you don't, does that mean I'll have to wait longer for another puppy?  Or can you hold the returned one until Saturday?  I asked.  I had to admit that I wasn't excited about taking a couple-of-weeks-older puppy--they grow SO fast.

"If you want a yellow-lab, you'll have to wait.  But we do have another black lab male you could take Saturday, from Sy and Sienna's litter."  Another breed-stock pair I didn't know.  "I just wanted to give you a choice." 

I hesitated, paused in my pacing.  Okay.  Well, what will be the most helpful to you?  I still wondered if there was something else behind Sandy's call, but maybe she didn't want to come right out and say.

"Whatever YOU want," she said.  "I just wanted to give you the opportunity to decide." 

I started pacing again.  Why was this becoming so difficult for me?  I suppose it didn't really matter.  I agreed to raise a puppy and whatever helped Leader Dogs would be fine with me.  This wasn't so when I applied for Rosie and Mike.  I requested a female black lab the first time (and waited nine months before I receive her); I never owned a male dog.  Part of my reason to raise a puppy for Leader Dogs was to practice my own "dog" skills, so the second time I requested a male.  Of any breed.

I think it might have been my puppy-counselor who told me, "If you don't care what sex, you'll always get a male."  I guess most people want females!  This third time the sex of the puppy didn't matter to me, but my niece Natalie thought it would be neat if I raised a yellow lab.  So I requested a yellow lab.

At any rate, I was overwhelmed with all the options.  In the long run, it really didn't matter.  Whatever puppy I took home wasn't going to belong to ME.  In less than one year the puppy would return to Leader Dogs for the Blind to fulfill his destiny.  My role was just his beginning.

I decided to raise my first Future Leader Dog puppy to strengthen and test my own skills.  My decision to raise a second Future Leader Dog puppy came on the heels of a thoughtful sermon by  my brother, Reverend Jim.  (See my post from May 19, 2010.)  I HAD to raise a second puppy--because I COULD and someone needed me to.

At the annual "Puppy Days" at Leader Dogs for the Blind last July, Jim Platzer and his Leader Dog Maddy inspired me again.  (Read my post from August 5, 2010 to learn about "Maddy's letter.")  There was no way I could NOT raise another puppy after listening to Jim explain how Maddy changed his life.

Really, Sandy, it doesn't matter to me.  I'll do whatever helps you.

"It's your choice," Sandy replied.

We weren't getting anywhere!

Eventually, we decided that if Sandy couldn't find another raiser for the returned puppy, I would take him the Saturday after I returned Mike.  If she found him a home, I would hold out for the donated yellow lab puppy.  If Leader Dogs decided not to accept the yellow lab, I'd be happy with the black lab male from Sy and Sienna's litter.

Whew.

I didn't know that making a decision like this could be so difficult!

Which puppy did I end up with?  Sy and Sienna's little black lab puppy, dubbed "Mr. Blue" by the host family of his mother, Sienna.  (The host family ties colored ribbons on the pups to tell them apart.)  Sandy found a raiser for the returned puppy, and the breeder never brought the little yellow lab to Leader Dogs.

Looks like my decision about any future puppies I raise will be easier--I'll just get male black labs!

FLD Gus, formally known as "Mr. Blue."

Puppy Report from Beary Wood Lodge

Sign on the cabin.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Andy is taking advantage of being upnorth by visiting Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Alpena and Fairview.  He manages a distribution activity for 45 Michigan ReStores.  FLD Gus and I come along for the ride (the fall colors are turning), and a little bit of training.

Check this website for more information about the ReStores:

http://www.habitatmichigan.org/habitat-humanity-restores, or go to http://michiganrestores.org/ to locate a ReStore near you.

"Is that a 'paws' dog?"

I look up from encouraging a bandana-wearing FLD Gus around a group of men who are squatting at the end of the aisle trying to pull an old microwave oven off a shelf that is blocked by a dusty television set.  Gus isn't nervous about squeezing by, I just want to be sure he doesn't try to  leap toward the men for attention.

"No, he is a Future Leader Dog," I answer.  "For the Blind."

"He's adorable.  May I pet him?"  The woman, a thin, gravelly-voiced fifty-something, has her hands full.  An oversized white-vinyl handbag is slung over her right shoulder and she's holding a painted porcelain pitcher, several videos, and a wooden nic-nac shelf.

Well, sure, but let me get him to sit down, and please don't let him put his mouth on your hand.  Just take it away if he does.  I have to help Gus into a SIT, and even hold his mouth he is so excited when she juggles her load to bend over and dangle her fingers in front of his face.  The phrase, "please don't let him put his mouth on your hand" is my new mantra with FLD Gus.  He is a bit mouthy and I don't understand why strangers think it is okay to insert their hands into his velociraptor-chops!

"Do you know Judy Carne?"  she says as she straightens up and readjusts her purchases.  Before I can reply, she continues.  "You know, she adopted a new rescue dog.  It's only been two weeks since Chance died.  She really trained him well..."  The woman goes on like this for more than a few minutes.  I don't think she notices that my attention is on FLD Gus, who has broken his sit and is investigating bins of miscellaneous plumbing parts.



FLD Gus and I at the Alpena ReStore.



Somehow Gus and I make our break and exit the Alpena ReStore.  Andy takes our picture outside the newly painted building.  Off to the Oscoda County ReStore located in Fairview, over 50 miles away.



The ReStore in Fairview is housed in a house!  FLD Gus manages the three wooden steps up to the porch and we enter.  The staff and customers in this ReStore seem to know what to do when they meet a service-dog-in-training.  FLD Gus is warmly welcomed, but no one "dive bombs" him.

FLD Gus: mirror play!

Just to the left of the entrance is a stack of mirrors leaning against the wall.  Gus turns and is instantly taken aback.  Another puppy!  He hunches down into a "play bow," hops up, and bumps his nose against the mirror.  He entertains everyone as he entertains himself, pawing and nudging his twin.

FLD Gus and "twin."

This ReStore is great for training.  I heel Gus up a carpeted staircase to the second floor, which he handles just fine.  Going back down is another matter.  Tooooo scary!  I coax him down one step, but he isn't going any further.  I don't want to frighten him, so I pick him up (my, he's getting heavy) and carry him down.

At the front desk, I answer many thoughtful questions about Leader Dogs for the Blind and raising puppies.  I take this opportunity to work on name recognition, sit, and leave it with Gus in a new setting.

After a while, Gus decides to rest and settles into a down.  When a local customer arrives ("She raises Boston Terriers," the manager says) I tell Gus, SIT.  He pops up into a SIT.  "How old is he?" the Boston Terrier raiser asks.  Just over eight weeks, I answer.  She responds, "And you  taught him to do that already?"

I smile.  Don't you just love it when your puppy shows off for you?

Good boy, Gus!

FLD Gus and I at the Oscoda County ReStore.