Joop - final chapter

When he arrived - 8 weeks old

So our last fur baby - Joop (hard to believe he was actually ever that small!) goes "on class" today with the Irish Guide Dogs and starts his life as an Assistance Dog.  You can read more about their role here.

I am unable to express enough thanks to his amazing trainers who saw him through the training process with their patience and true belief in him.

Oct 2017 - amazing what changes a year brings!

I am sure he will be loved by his new family - what a Christmas gift!!!! Wishing him continued success from one very proud Mom! (even though I am shedding a few quiet tears too!).

Don't be fooled by this cutie! He is a rogue!

Many of you know that we puppy raise for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and are so kind to check in to see how the puppies that we have "raised" are doing. 

Our last puppy Joop is now in Advanced Training as an Assistance Dog and is doing well.  He is an out and out rogue but everyone that meets him adores him!.  We happened to meet him recently with his amazing trainer out and about on a training walk and were delighted to see he is maturing nicely.  (He was thrilled to see us!).

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind are looking for puppy raising families around Ireland at present and full details can be found on their website here.

Meanwhile, fingers crossed that our fourth puppy is successful in his training!.  Don't be fooled by the innocent looking face!.

Joop wearing his assistance dog jacket and a gentle leader

Joop leaves for "big school"

Our fourth furry ball of fun arrived last April and left two weeks ago to return to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind for (as it is called in our house) "big school".  He was a rogue!, very stubborn and by far the brightest puppy we have had over the past number of years.  He took to all tasks and adventures with a great sense of ease.

Here he is getting to grips with travelling in the car - unsure about the jump and the distance!  He was about 9 or 10 weeks old in this photo.

We had a lot of snow in early March and Joop LOVED it!  Here he is off lead enjoying a walk early once morning.  We all miss him terribly but know that he has gone off on a new adventure with his new trainer (who also adores him!) and we get regular updates.  

Snow Angel!

Reports are that he has settled extremely well in kennels and loves all the other dogs.  He is just 13 months old and is much bigger than the 8kg he was when he arrived!.  Best of luck to him and his siblings on their new adventure. 

You can read about our previous puppies here, here and here.  If you want to know more about becoming a puppy raiser for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind please click here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.