My Heart is full but I am crying!

Life got away from me this past couple weeks of puppy visit, evaluations, vet checks and family pick ups! All the while doing training, cleaning, playing and loving my little valentines before sending them to their furever homes! This "journey" is so rewarding but at the same time, it is a little hard to say goodbye. My last 2 weeks has been a roller coaster of emotions! I love putting these love bugs into the arms of happy families but it definitely pulls on my heart strings. I feel so blessed that the families all understand my perspective and are GREAT about sending me pictures and updates when they get home!

In preparation for this big change we were busy around here!! Trying our best to get the pups to learn sit, down, spin, work on the leash and be comfortable in a crate are the top goals before sending them home. With 8 of them, I had to split them up, some 1 on 1 time and some in pairs. I am forever amazed at how quickly these little young brains learn! It is a very special time for me and I relish every minute of this training time.

Part of being comfortable in the crate was feeding them individually. This helps them like the crate and I hope helps slow down the franticness of mealtime!!!! They are always STARVING.....or so they say. I have come to learn that these sweet little angels do tell lies. They are always hungry and never tired.

Personality evaluations are so fun and quite revealing. As well as I think I know the puppies, they surprise me sometimes! We set up a pen area with all new stuff they have not seen before and a new person they have never met. The intend is to rate their reaction to each item for assertiveness, confidence, motivation level, nerve strength, touch tolerance, energy level, sound and sight sensitivity, prey drive, human focus, tenderheartedness, and dog friendliness. Granddaughter Myah and her friend Rohnan came to help, along with Amy Hebert and her friend Sadie. It's an extremely useful exercise for matching the right puppy with the right family and I thank my volunteers for the help and input!

Just a couple days after evaluations we were all off to the vet! Granddaughter Sierra came to help with that adventure! All went well, 1st vaccines were given and microchips implanted. Travel certificates issued and we are almost ready to go home!

Everyone needs a bath before they go home. Ears cleaned, nails trimmed, teeth brushed.......all the things before we meet our new families. And I get a great hug! After any exercise, experience, etc each puppy gets a hug. Good for me and them to be handled and held close to my heart, every day since day 3!

I get one more group hug and with their puppy, puppy, puppy recall and then they go home. They will always come to that call for the rest of their lives.

The Good news about puppies is that it pulls all the grandkids in for a visit. Another reason my heart is full!