Over the years...

Molly 1B6

Golden Retriever

Certified Therapy Dog

since 2007

Raised in Florida with her first puppy raisers, but finished by my family.

Molly as a very fluffy puppy! Molly is standing beside a huge metal water bowl.

Molly all grown up with her blue puppy in training coat on. TECO our power plant is behind her.

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Clarke 8M6

Golden Retriever x Yellow Labrador Retriever

Working Guide Dog

since 2009

Raised in North Carolina as a puppy, but finished by my family here in Florida.

Clarke as a cute little puppy with her blue working coat on...

Clarke all grown up sitting on our friends dock with the water behind her.. she was such a sweet girl!

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Eve 2X8

Black Labrador Retriever

Working Guide Dog

since 2010

Raised by my family.

Eve as a puppy sitting in overgrown weeds.

Eve all grown up on our friends dock with the water behind her... Eve is laying down and smiling at the camera.

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Ellie 12PD10

Golden Retriever

Veterans Assistant Canine

since 2011

Raised by my family

Ellie sitting on our porch smiling at the camera with a hot pink bow in her fuzzy hair. This girl knew how to pose!

Ellie sitting in our front yard. As Ellie got older, she became a little more serious. Ellie is looking very determined and focused in this picture.

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Dave 3FF10

Black Labrador Retriever

???

since???

Raised by my family

Dave as a puppy laying under our couch with his head and front paws sticking out.

Dave looking very distinguished after a romp in the yard.  He is quite a handsome dog.

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To be a guide dog or breeder, a dog must be perfect from head to toe. Ears, Eyes, Teeth, Neck, Shoulders, Elbows, Feet, Heart, Lungs, Internal Organs, Hips and Knees. For working as a guide dog, they also have to be sound in training, and not afraid of anything.

Dog Anatomy Diagram

Yesterday, we found out our sweet Dave-man, is a little less then perfect.

While I was at work, my mom got a call from our Area Coordinator, Sue. Sue informed us Dave will be neutered. And he has been dropped from the Guide Dog program due to slight hip dysplasia.

Dropped meaning not suitable for guide work, but can excel in other programs. Such as Veteran Assistants, Canine Companions, Therapy Dog or Ambassador Dog. 

There are a lot of mixed emotions. A little sad, kind of happy, maybe a touch of confusion. Sure you would think after all the hard work we did making sure Dave was ready, we might be really upset. But in all honesty, I am SO glad they have the technology to x-ray the dogs hips and elbows and check for dysplasia. I'm also glad they have all the other opportunities for Dave-man.

I was kind of hoping that Dave would make a breeder so we could be his host family. But somewhere out there is just the right job for Dave. And I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Dave's next step is to pass the Canine Good Citizen test and will go from there.

Since I have yet to raise a puppy who becomes a breeder, I guess my puppy raising days are not over!