Thursday, April 5, 2007

Another Fateful Call

Yesterday we heard from the Guide Dog school. Louise, head of the puppy department was calling to let us know that Paige's hip Xrays had come back, and her hips are not good enough to be a breeder. She is to be fixed and will go in for training with her siblings on May 19.

I will confess sadness that she isn't going to be a mommy, mostly because with her experiences with Tai and other puppies, she showed great interest and aptitude, but I honestly believed that even being fixed, she wouldn't go in for this Turn-In. I thought they would wait, also because she is a rehomed dog. I was wrong. And to be honest, I'm not ready to go through our second turn-in in ten months.

So the next six weeks will be interesting, time for more intensive training, as well as that our first dog Voight, a working guide in Orange County, is coming back to stay with us for two weeks while his partner goes out of the country.


Please keep Paige in your thoughts during her surgery, as well as in her preparation to be turned in. She has come a long way since we got her in November, a 12 month old who barely knew how to sit. We believe in her - and more preparation too!

10 comments:

Erica said...

For those of us that just started reading your blog (me!), can you give me a brief explanation of what all this means? I'm confused but I want to understand! Turn in?

Sarah said...

Good luck Paige! It's always sad when they don't go on to that. I've had 3 that I thought would be breeders but they didn't work out. She will do great, though! We'll be thinking of her during these last few weeks, especially surgery day!

8675309 said...

Okay, I am SO SAD now. :(

I was hoping my Paiges would get to be a mommy...

...but I know she'd make a great guide, too. Or, if she doesn't want to do that, she'll be a world-champion couch potato and snuggler.

I might steal her. Think I could hide her someplace and no one would ever know?

Jake and Joanna said...

Sorry to hear your little girl won't be a breeder, but hopefully she'll gone on to make a great guide dog!! And how exciting that you get to see Voight!!! Have fun with him! :) Kiss Paige and little Tai for me.

matt and amy said...

Thanks you guys for the sweet thoughts, we appreciate it. Erica, turn-in what we call it when the puppies in training go back to the guide dog school for their formal training (the part where the licensed trainers teach the dogs the harness. We also sometimes call it IFT - in formal training.
Jenny, I understand that Canada is beautiful this time of year...and we've had those thoughts before.

Natalie said...

I'll take her in!! Toronto sound good for Paige? :)

Hobbes Dogs said...

Canada right now = not beautiful. It's supposed to be spring, but it is snowing!! Perhaps by May it will be better though - I'm sure there are many of us up here who wouldn't mind a visit from other dog people.

GDA LAB said...

Sad new about Paige but she will be the best of what ever she decides to do..... she has had you and Matt so she is on the right track for her future.

Sarah said...

Just wondering if you still want to read my blog. I went private, but if you do, email me at sarahspups@hotmail.com and let me know. Thanks!

The Puppy Raising Roller Coaster said...

AWW I know what this is like as I just went through it with Mork. He was on Stud watch and then they decided against it and sent him in to training. Unfortunately it isnt the same with femalse as the did take sperm for him but them may not use it. Good wish and puppy kisses to Paige as she continues on her journey.