Happiness is a Warm Puppy!

Today was finally the day. I have been WAITING for this day to come--when "Beto--World Famous CCI service-dog-in-training" would come to our house for me to puppy sit. One month and ten days ago we lost my son's sweet Lauren--his CCI service dog that he had been matched with when he was only six years old. What emptiness there is in my heart with Lauren gone--but because of the huge blessing Lauren was to Austin and our whole family, my dear friend and her daughter are puppy raising another CCI puppy. Investing. Giving to someone they do not even know, so that the blessing can keep going on. But my kitties aren't too sure about this whole idea......




After checking Beto out, with him safely tucked away in his kennel, Pumpkin decided he had better keep an eye on this thing. And the safest place seemed to be the top of the fridge! You know, close to the action but far enough away to retreat.















What a grand and glorious dog I am! I have a mission in life. I will grow and learn and go on to help make a human's life so much better.












I am learning so well too. See how good I can do the "Sit" command? And this is NOT easy. First of all, I am a puppy and therefore I want to MOVE, not SIT. Second of all, this floor is slick and therefore my feet slide if I hold my "Sit" too long!














Puppy sitting. Sitting and loving on a puppy.
Beto--CCI service-dog-in-training. A miracle growing up to change a life.

Meet Beto!

At long last, here he is! Beto--Canine Companions for Independance service dog in training! Beto is a Golden/Lab cross from CCI's breeding program. CCI choses their breeder dogs carefully, for the traits and temperments best suited for success as a service dog. There are MANY people involved in raising just one service dog to the point of graduation and being matched with a disabled person. My dear friend Kristal, and her daughter Briana (shown with Beto!) are volunteer puppy raisers for CCI. Beto is their fourth CCI pup to raise. Volunteer puppy raisers care for a CCI pup for a year to a year and a half. But it is not just feeding and pottying the dog--it is much more involved than that.






During the time that Beto lives with Kristal and Briana, they will pay for all expenses themselves--including vet shots, special food, and THREE sets of training classes. In addition to dollars, there is the additional "cost" of sleepless nights while potty training (try every two hours anyone?), and constant watching and supervision--not to mention hours and hours of training and practicing the basic obedience class things.












When Beto is old enough (around five months) they will start taking him out with them into the "real world". He will go to the grocery store, and learn that he cannot stop and sniff at the bread on the shelf. He will hear unfamiliar noises and learn that he must remain calm. He will attend church and learn that sometimes you just have to curl up and take a nap while you wait patiently for your person to be ready to leave. He will even visit resturants, and learn that you do not get to eat food that is not specifically given to you, even if it drops in front of your nose!










Later Beto will be turned in to the professional dog trainers, and he will learn to turn on and off light switches, open cupboard doors, walk behind or next to a wheel chair, and around--oh, fourty other commands!















And all of us who are fortunate enough to meet Beto, will pray and wait and watch. And maybe, if Beto agrees, he will become a Miracle. And will change someone's life forever.

Sometimes Miracles have Fur

Once upon a time, there was a young boy who was born with a handicap. Due to a stroke that occurred before birth, he couldn't run or play like other children. While thankful that he could walk, he would still often trip over uneven ground, mats at store doors, threshholds, etc. He tired easily. When other children played games, he stood out and watched. He wore a brace on his hand and another brace on his foot, and was asked all the time why he had those "things" on him. He grew so that he didn't want to play outside in the sunshine and fresh air, because he fell so easily.

One day, his mother was told about a wonderful organization that trained Best Friends. Very Best Friends. The kind that wouldn't laugh at you if you fell, or tease you because you may look different than other kids. Friends who would help you pick up things and keep you from falling. Friends who would listen to you and stay by your side when others were off playing games that you couldn't.

This family filled out a very long application for one of these wonderful Best Friends. One of their friends started praying immediately for the Best Friend who wasn't even born yet--that God would create the perfect Best Friend for this boy. And given time, after waiting around two years, this boy was finally matched with his new Best Friend--a beautiful, sweet, and sensitive Golden Retriever named Lauren.

When Lauren wore her cape, her boy had a handle to hang on to and didn't trip and fall over so many things. When other kids left the boy as they went to play, Lauren stayed with him. When they were home in their own back yard, Lauren enticed her boy to run and play in the fresh air and sunshine, and if he fell she covered him with kisses. No longer was he the boy with funny things on his hand and leg--he was now the boy with the very cool dog who got to go everywhere with him.

Eleven years flew by in a flash, with boy and dog facing each new challenge together. The boy grew taller and more confident. His Best Friend grew a bit white in the face. But still, they were a team. And they were together.

And then--one day, his Best Friend woke up sick. She could not eat. She could not stand. And when the sun went down that day, his Best Friend was not with him any more. She would now sleep in the grave, awaiting the Lifegiver to come and wake her up again. And then the boy and his Best Friend will be together again--never more to part. A team. Always.

Sometimes, miracles have fur.
Canine Companions for Independance
www.cci.org

Lauren--November 26, 1997-October 8, 2010