Happy 7th birthday Joy
Let me tell you a little story.
Once upon a time, in a place they called GuideDogs Victoria, a litter of puppies were born with the intention to one day become a guide dog. This particular day happened to be the 7th of February, 2008. This particular litter turned out to be the J litter. Two such pups to that litter were named Jussie and Joy. Let's concentrate on Joy because it's such a cool name for what would hope to be a very joyful little dog.
Joy spent the first six weeks of her life doing what every puppy does best; eating, sleeping and playing with her littermates and parents Farren and Davey.
Then however, Joy's little world was turned upside down as she was taken into the care of a loving couple who would be in charge of her upkeep for a year or so. During this year she would be socialized by her new parents, to all sorts of environments and situations. Her basic training would also be taught and maintained.
Joy soon began to love these people and settled into her new home wonderfully. It took her a little bit longer to be toilet trained. She kept having accidents in the laundry, but this behaviour was soon diminished with a lot of love, patience and perseverance.
Joy went everywhere with her new parents; she went to work with them, to the cinema, to the footy and even occasionally the beach. Joy had a lot of energy and she'd rung along that sand like there was no tomorrow. She would occasionally try and drink from the water too; She soon realized for obvious reasons, that was not such a great ida.
Fast forward to when Joy turned 1; it was in fact Black Saturday, a horrible memory but it was her first birthday. She was doing very well and growing up very fast. Her parents loved her more than anything and would never dream of giving her up if they didn't have too, but alas, this time was coming all too soon.
Six glorious months went past and someone from GuideDogs Victoria, came and picked Joy up (the saddest day for her and her parents who had been so kind), took her back to her birth place where she was to undergo an intensive week of assessment. This involved walking with an instructor through all different environments to gage how she reacted.
Joy, the wonder dog passed with flying colours and went on to do eight months extensive training to become a guide dog, (or dog guide as it has become better known).
I receive Joy when she was 22 months old, graduating from a four week training program in December of 2009.
S
This is the reason for the story; she turns 7 today. The years have flown by; it's amazing.
Joy, I love you to the moon and back! You're everything I want/need in a dog guide and companion.
May you live for a very long time to come. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you; Please go on living and loving. :)
Disclaimer: The timeline told in the above story is the actual process that does take place.
We get told all the information relating to them the day we get them during class, eg, birth date, parents names and puppy raiser/carers name should they decide to give it.
Note I did contact Joy's puppy raisers not long after class and even though we did intend to meet, it never happened. I was told that among other things, Joy did have a few accidents in the laundry as a pup.
(www.guidedogsvic.com.au)
Once upon a time, in a place they called GuideDogs Victoria, a litter of puppies were born with the intention to one day become a guide dog. This particular day happened to be the 7th of February, 2008. This particular litter turned out to be the J litter. Two such pups to that litter were named Jussie and Joy. Let's concentrate on Joy because it's such a cool name for what would hope to be a very joyful little dog.
Joy spent the first six weeks of her life doing what every puppy does best; eating, sleeping and playing with her littermates and parents Farren and Davey.
Then however, Joy's little world was turned upside down as she was taken into the care of a loving couple who would be in charge of her upkeep for a year or so. During this year she would be socialized by her new parents, to all sorts of environments and situations. Her basic training would also be taught and maintained.
Joy soon began to love these people and settled into her new home wonderfully. It took her a little bit longer to be toilet trained. She kept having accidents in the laundry, but this behaviour was soon diminished with a lot of love, patience and perseverance.
Joy went everywhere with her new parents; she went to work with them, to the cinema, to the footy and even occasionally the beach. Joy had a lot of energy and she'd rung along that sand like there was no tomorrow. She would occasionally try and drink from the water too; She soon realized for obvious reasons, that was not such a great ida.
Fast forward to when Joy turned 1; it was in fact Black Saturday, a horrible memory but it was her first birthday. She was doing very well and growing up very fast. Her parents loved her more than anything and would never dream of giving her up if they didn't have too, but alas, this time was coming all too soon.
Six glorious months went past and someone from GuideDogs Victoria, came and picked Joy up (the saddest day for her and her parents who had been so kind), took her back to her birth place where she was to undergo an intensive week of assessment. This involved walking with an instructor through all different environments to gage how she reacted.
Joy, the wonder dog passed with flying colours and went on to do eight months extensive training to become a guide dog, (or dog guide as it has become better known).
I receive Joy when she was 22 months old, graduating from a four week training program in December of 2009.
S
This is the reason for the story; she turns 7 today. The years have flown by; it's amazing.
Joy, I love you to the moon and back! You're everything I want/need in a dog guide and companion.
May you live for a very long time to come. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you; Please go on living and loving. :)
Disclaimer: The timeline told in the above story is the actual process that does take place.
We get told all the information relating to them the day we get them during class, eg, birth date, parents names and puppy raiser/carers name should they decide to give it.
Note I did contact Joy's puppy raisers not long after class and even though we did intend to meet, it never happened. I was told that among other things, Joy did have a few accidents in the laundry as a pup.
(www.guidedogsvic.com.au)