Monday, turn in day....

Well, it is now 8 PM on Monday and I have to say that although today was emotional, it really was not so bad.

I woke up to the sound of puppies at 6:45 (good sleepers, these pups, hope their raisers will say the same!)  I fed and watered 7 pups, 2 dogs and 3 kids.  Once all the human members of our family were dressed, we took some time to give our last hugs and kisses to our favorite babies.

Greta and Miss Pink

Anna and the Bonus Puppy Miss Polka-dot

Caroline and Mr. Red

Tried for one last group shot but boy these pups were squirmy!!

PAWS or BUST! 

The girls went off to school and Rosie and I went off to Paws to drop off the puppies.  We left them in the kennel with Aimee and Dr. Jeanne who had a day planned for them.  Evaluations, shots, etc.  I took my time and cried, of course!  Almost the minute they were confined in the kennel, each pooped and peed.  Aimee grabbed the mop and I smiled, having already cleaned up my last puppy mess for a while.  

At least two of the pups are spending tonight with their new foster families and all should be home by Wednesday.  I now know what pup is what name, but I will keep the secret until all the raisers have met their charge, then I will share.  

On my was out,  I ran into Keeley's raisers who had just arrived at Paws from the Detroit area.  They were dropping off their foster puppy, Chai for "college" and picking up Keeley.  It was comforting to have a chance to chat with them for a few moments.  It is a bittersweet day for them as well.

Rosie and I took a walk and ran into some friends and by the time we got in our car to leave the Paws campus, in Wayland,  I think we were both ready to go.  We went to school to pick up the twins and the students showered Rosie with love and attention.  It has been so long since she has been around the school yard, it warmed my heart to hear all of the shouts of "Rosie, I have missed you".

Back at home, it  has been busy afternoon catching up on all the neglected tasks around here.  Every now and then I pause thinking I hear a puppy crying.  I am sure it will take a while to get that sound out of my head.  

As I checked my email this afternoon, I received a message from Jill, a woman that I do not know.  She is waiting for a successor assistance dog after loosing her pervious dog.  She shared her story and reminded me of the way her 2 former assistance dogs have changed her life.  This made me smile, cry and smile again.  I cannot thank her enough.  Jill, your timing is impeccable.  

The "Special K" litter's time with our family is over, but their path to greatness has only just begun......

The Last Day

Written Sunday, June 6.  


I am really sad.  I know that it is time for the Special K’s to move on, but never the less, I am sad.  The following is a sampling of the crazy mixed feelings that have filtered through my head for the last 24 hours.....

They are smelly, my house smells like a barn and I want to be able to go to our cottage, it is time for them to go.

But, they are sweet, I love the cuddles, watching them play provides hours of smiles.

But, they smell....BAD!!!

But, it is summer and when they are outside the smell really isn’t that bad.

They are LOUD, the neighbors have been tolerant but whiny pups outside at 6:30 am is really pushing it. 

And, Miss Purple and Mr. Orange, oh boy, need I say more?  
But, Purple and Orange are so, so funny!!!  

But, they are still babies, shouldn’t they stay together, they are pack animals. They need each other and they need us.

But, they will get plenty of love from their foster raisers and they will get so much attention in their little capes!  

But, I will miss them terribly.

But, my house will smell fresh .

But, poor Anna, she is going to be hardest hit by the puppies leaving, she just adores them.

But, Andy is up to his eyeballs in puppies and I think if I told him they were staying he might be the one leaving, at least to a hotel.

But poor Rosie, won’t she be sad and miss her babies?

But, I’ve been told that she won’t even remember in a few days and she gets to go to the cottage and have doggie play dates again......

There is just no two ways about it, the last 8 weeks have had their ups and downs, joys and sorrows.  These puppies are absolutely great little dogs.  Each has a unique personality and each has been my favorite over the past 8 weeks.  I would keep any one of them if I had that option.  They are headed into families where they will be loved, cared for, taught manners, taught obedience, and readied for “college”, where they will learn the hard stuff.  The stuff that will enable them to literally, without a doubt, CHANGE A LIFE.  That’s what makes me tear up .  These puppies, these tiny dogs, my little golden nuggets that I have held in one hand, that I have loved so much for these weeks are leaving here to embark on a mission that will culminate in CHANGING A LIFE.  That to me is awesome, in the true sense of the word.  That is the reason that I cry, bittersweet tears and tomorrow will bid my babies farewell and godspeed.  Be good dogs and tell your raisers to please write.   We love you and are so proud of you already.  

Some Final Visitors

It is hard to believe that it took 8 weeks for the Murphy and Ella to walk up the street to see the pups.  Jenna just wanted to play with my girls so I never got a picture of her and the babies!  Glad you guys made it!  

Milnes Cousins were not to keen on snuggling wet and smelly pups so we just got a good cousins pic instead while the pups played in the swimming pool.  Taylor and Hannah will be on the lookout for Kaden as they live in the Lansing area, too.