We Have an Official Date - She's Heading to College!

When we picked up Watson on July 30th last year, we knew she would be with us for about a year.

At that time a year seemed so far away.

Now, a bit more than a year later,
her IFT (In For Training) looms over our head.

We have received official notice that her initiation to College will be September 22nd at SEGD's campus in Palmetto, Florida.

Now IFT doesn't seem so far away.

How does time fly by so quickly?

Photo Shoot at Bayou Bend, Museum of Fine Arts Houston

I am a docent at Bayou Bend, which is the home for American Decorative Arts for the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

A short time ago one of the Museum's guests came with her Guide Dog. It is not something we encounter often at Bayou Bend.

They know that I Puppy Raise a Guide Dog in Training because Watson has accompanied me to lectures.

When they asked me if I could write an article about Service Dogs I was very happy to do this, because part of my role as a Puppy Raiser is to help educate the public about Guide Dogs and the important role they fulfill.




Every good article needs photos to tell the story.

Watson and I enjoyed a photoshoot in the historic Bayou Bend mansion.

I will say, as good as she is, I was still nervous with her around precious objects of art.

And I will also say, I did let out a sigh of relief that Watson was the perfect Guide Dog Puppy and we left everything exactly as we found it!

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

A Little Foster Brother

Generally we do not foster rescues and Puppy Raise at the same time. This is because we value our sleep and our sanity.

But our rescue group was desperate. So, we agreed to foster Brutus, a 7-month-old golden retriever puppy.

The first 5 nights we listened to Brutus' bedtime barking. Then we had the pleasure of getting up at least twice during the night to let a desperate puppy out to do his business. That was followed by the joy of barking at 4:30am. If we were really lucky, we got to sleep in until 5:30am.


In addition to the sleepless nights, Watson faced something she had never experienced before.

Rejection!

Watson received barking in her face for her efforts to initiate contact. Brutus was NOT open to a new friendship.


We were starting to question why we had agreed to do this.

Watson definitely questioned why we had subjected her to this.

Then, the second morning at 4:30 am, Brutus looked at Watson, picked up a toy, and tentatively started playing with her.



WOW! No more rejection.

They fell in love.

If Brutus had a perfect day, it would consist of non-stop play, with breaks only for copious amounts of food to feed his voracious appetite!




Sometimes I am sure Watson wished Brutus would dial down the energy and exuberance. When Watson tried to take a break, Brutus would taunt her to play.

Watson exhibited phenomenal tolerance.

Brutus and Watson learned from each other and helped each other grow.

Together they walked so much better, each trying to stay together and keep up with each other. Watson taught Brutus to ignore the other dogs. Brutus kept Watson motivated so she wouldn't stop for her stubborn foot-plants.

 When Brutus barked at imaginary ghosts, Watson never let out a peep. After a while, Brutus stopped barking (basically.) 

If they ever got separated during the day, the first thing they did when they got home was rush to greet each other.

After 3 weeks of fun and positive energy, Brutus found his perfect forever family.

We are thrilled Brutus now has 2 teenagers, a 2-year-old golden retriever brother, and a mom and dad that are thrilled to welcome him into their family. He has quickly brought joy to their family and renewed energy to his new 4-legged brother.



In our home, he brought us all joy and left a little hole in all our hearts. But we are happy to know that he has a great new life ahead of him.

Happy Tails Brutus.

10,000 "Hits"

This journal is a way to record our life with our Guide Dog Puppy.

It is a way to watch our puppy grow and mature over the year we spend together.

It reminds us of our adventures,  misadventures and learning experiences that we have shared with a sweet little bundle of puppy.

It started with our first Guide Dog puppy, Bucky, in 2013. He returned to SEGD's Florida campus to go to college in August 2014.

We took a Puppy Raising hiatus and returned to Puppy Raising Watson in July 2017.

It has been a joy to look back at photos and read about our times together.

The memories bring a smile to my face.

Friends asked me to keep them posted about our life together, so I have shared our simple story with them.

What has surprised me is how the following has grown and how many people have followed our lives together.

Maybe it is because sometimes the world can be a wild, crazy and scary place, and it is a break to read about a simple harbour of innocence without politics, opinions, advice or negativity.



The blog has now reached well over 10,000 "hits"!

I am amazed and humbled.

People reading are from around the world. Some are from places I have never visited and do not know anyone that lives there!

Countries include Albania, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Philipines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, United States, the United Kingdom, and the Ukraine!

WOW! It is fun for me to see the stats counter grow and see where people are following from.

I am overwhelmed by the interest in our simple life.

Thank you for your support.

Five Puppies Arrive in Houston

Five new puppies arrived in Houston and there were a lot of excited people waiting at the High School for the South Eastern Guide Dogs' van to arrive.

One of our Puppy Raisers, Jenni, started raising her first Guide Dog puppy when she was in High School.

Jenni continued to University with more Guide Dog puppies by her side each year.

Last year she graduated from university and started her first  "adult" job. Her current Guide Dog puppy accompanies her to work every day.

And that Guide Dog puppy is Cami, Watson's sister!

Jenni has started a new pilot program with FFA (Future Farmers of America) and several high schools in the Houston area.

The 5 Guide Dog puppies that arrived in Houston will spend the next year of their lives being raised by the FFA high school students, which will include attending high school classes with them!





A local TV station was there to record the arrival of the puppies and the students being handed their new bundles of sleepless nights.

I am sure over the next year there will be many changes in both the puppies and the students.

It will be fun to watch the puppies grow, mature and learn over the next year.

I am also excited to watch the students grow, mature and gain confidence over the next year.

I am so proud of you Jenni Scamardo!

Congratulations for making this program happen!

Happy Birthday to Bucky

Bucky was the first Guide Dog puppy that we raised. 

He was Career Changed due to minor hip dysplasia and then was adopted. 

He just turned 5 and his dad sent me this picture. 

He is now living the Good Life in Florida. 

Happy 5th Birthday Bucky. 

It looks like you have hit the Jackpot.

Congratulations! 

Happy Birthday To Watson and Cami

Time sure flies when you're having fun!

Watson turned one year old on May 26th.

She celebrated her birthday with her sister Cami (left.)








It was very impressive that the two of them showed such self-restraint posing in front of their dog-friendly birthday cake.

Especially considering how much they loved it once they got to taste it. (L- Watson, R- Cami.)


Watson doesn't look like a puppy anymore.

She looks like a stunning, photogenic model.

For top-shelf dog food!

Watson would be thrilled to have that gig. Especially if they paid in product!