Sunday, August 24, 2008

A New Beginning

On Friday the puppies were fluffed and buffed. Bev took a few last photos and both Bev and Herb got in a few last cuddles. The foster homes, who have been anxiously awaiting these five little puppies, were all ready for their new arrivals. Everyone met at the Helping Paws training center and the foster homes cuddled and played with the puppies wondering which one would be theirs. Finally it was time and the puppies were given to their new home. There were lots of smiles and laughter as the puppies started the next phase of their life - service dogs-in-training. Over the next two to three years these special families will work with these dogs daily at home and in public. They will attend weekly training classes where they will learn the skills needed to train the dogs over 70 cues, starting with basic obedience skills and socialization and progressing to specialized service dog skills such as opening a door, turning on and off lights, getting help, retrieving items, and the list goes on and on. When the dogs are ready to graduate Helping Paws will give these dogs to an individual with a physical disability. The love and time the foster homes invest in these dogs will help someone else live a more independent life. What an awesome gift and what special people these foster homes are. If you would like to follow these dogs on their new journey, consider sponsoring a puppy through the Blue Coat Benefactor program. For more information on this program and on Helping Paws in general, please visit the Helping Paws website; www.helpingpaws.org. A new website is currently being developed and will be released in September.














Bev and Herb returned home without the puppies but thanks to Herb's creativeness, there will always be a reminder in their yard of Sheba's first litter.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

To my little ones, Momma Cheryl has sent a care package for each of you. Great-Aunt Asa and I did alot of taste testing so each package is just right. We missed coming to your placement on Friday, Momma Cheryl was very sad. Be good and have fun learning all the new things you'll need to be that special partner to help someone, someday. We are very proud of each of you.
love, Daddy Jack

Speak(er) said...

Puppy withdrawal - twice in one year. How shall we cope!

Food Freak Frank said...

I know that this is an old post, but I just had to comment and say that I love the puppy silhouettes along the fence. What an amazing idea. Looks like you had a beautiful and healthy litter. Thanks for posting!