A Very Good Girl

"Hi Santa! Oh, just a couple things this year...maybe a new bowl...and a bone...

...and a few bully sticks...and a squeaky ball...and a new blue octopus...and two wubbas...
a wiggly snake...some elk jerky...and a roast beef!"

Merry Christmas To All!

Thank you to our wonderful field photographer, S, for the merry shots!

Holiday Pupdate

Why, look who's pranced in for a pupdate!


It's Roo-dolph!


A character, as always. Each time a Roo pic pops up in my email, it totally makes my day!

Here's our little college co-ed, training with her big bro and sorority sistas.


Is it possible? Have those ears gotten even bigger? She must be listening very closely to her Advanced Trainer!

She's adapted to her new surroundings beautifully and things are going well. Her trainer let me know that Ruby has a nice formal retrieve developing and they've started working on some of the specialized tasks she'll need to perform as a service dog for a person with a mobility-related disability. They're also working on holding a long down/stay in restaurants and meetings. Lots of practice this holiday season with calmly greeting strangers at the door. And she's made great progress with her outdoor loose leash walking, while still having tons of fun in the snow!

Best of all, her trainer said that Ruby's a joy to work with. And we all know something about that, don't we! From the time Roo was a tiny pup, she's been a sunny, curious and enthusiastic girl. Coupled with her sharp focus, she's got a beautiful future ahead, whatever that future brings!


Happiest of holidays from the whole Roo Crew and our best wishes for a very joyful New Year!

Thank you, S, for the awesome pix and many thanks to Ruby's Advanced Trainer for the wonderful work she is doing and for sharing Ruby's progress with me.

The End Of The Beginning

The bond between a service puppy and her raiser lasts a lifetime, but there is also a very clear beginning and end to their relationship. Ruby will always be a part of my heart, but my role in her life has now passed. During the sixteen months that she lived in our home, she was truly our girl; we loved her immeasurably and did our best to provide her with the most solid foundation possible. We were an essential stop on her journey, but her destination is ahead.

The week leading up to our last day together was emotional, but I knew she was ready and I was ready, too. I ached when the time came to pass the leash. Handing her over was painful, yet it was heartening; it was a tough and proud moment, powerful but very quiet.

Then it was done and and Ruby was off. And you know something? Letting her go felt very, very right.

I want to thank everyone, our friends, family, and so many who've reached across the miles and through the screen for your overwhelming support over these past few days. Your phone calls, hugs, texts, cards, comments, blogs, tweets, and emails flew straight to the place in my heart that needed filling and I am so very grateful. You made a difficult week so much easier.

Ruby's journey will remain online and even though it may be awhile, if I receive updates about her, you will too! So, be sure to keep us in your blog readers and check in with us on Twitter.




As my responsibility for raising Ruby ends, my commitment to raising awareness for service dogs grows stronger. Through the many years that I've been involved with service dog organizations, I've met hundreds of people who have asked about the lives of service puppies before they move on to partnership. If you've just found this blog and are curious about service puppies, think you might be interested in raising a service puppy in training, or have any questions about our experience, please feel free to send me an email.




It's been a few days now since turn-in, and everything is falling into place. Even though I miss her, I'm feeling very positive and I've had a kind note from her Advanced Trainer letting me know that Ruby is adjusting well. She's going to thrive in her new environment and I have confidence that her organization will ensure that wherever fate brings Roo, she'll be well cared for and loved.

So, let's tack some happy pix up here to finish this post!

To celebrate our final weekend with Ruby, Mr. Raiser and I took the dogs on a road trip to Aspen, CO. Aspen is very pet-friendly, and at this off-season time of year, very price-friendly, too. The weather was glorious, Kiva and Ruby were in rare form, and we have memories to last a lifetime.

I could watch this nature channel all day.

Clearly, I am but a Pez dispenser.

Just like last year, Roo snoopervises the Christmas Tree decorations.

Shaun's right. Dogs can look up.

One last giant thank you, to my husband, Jeff. Mr. Raiser, you are the most calm, cool, composed, imperturbably patient person who ever held dog or camera. Or both. Often at the same time. You took a zillion great photos and they rock and so do you.

Turn-In Day

This afternoon, we'll load up the car with a precious passenger, drive for awhile, make our stop, then say goodbye to our girl. I'll pass the leash, and a new journey will begin for all of us.

She'll have a goodie bag of snacks-to-go and plenty of her usual food to help ease the transition. Her favorite toys are all packed and ready...it's their big adventure, too! The screechy monkey toy seems to be hiding (and I was kinda hoping he'd want to make the trip), but I think he's just being loyal to his Kiva. I'm sure I'll find him later tonight nestled in the toy basket with the rest of the home team.

I've just got to hunt down the last of Roo's medical records. I'll leave you for now with a shot of our little yellow co-pilot, taken this past weekend on a road trip in her honor, a celebration of her time with us.

These Last Few Days

Very emotional, and sometimes it just comes out of nowhere. I'm driving down the road, singing a tune, and all of a sudden I realize I can't see through the windshield. I've had to wear sunglasses inside the supermarket at 6pm. Yesterday, a friend tweeted some kind words, we both got a little choked up, and I replied that I gave up wearing mascara a week ago. (Someone quickly tweeted me back a link for a free sample of Maybelline, which made me laugh, so thank you for that, unknown twitter person.)

As I was petting Ruby the other day, lost in my thoughts, the tears really started. I kissed her head as I sobbed and she gave me the oddest look. Then she began to wag her tail and pounce around...which is what she does when she's nervous. I collected myself so as not to upset her any further and the realization struck me like a bolt: "This dog is nervous because she's never seen me cry like this before." It's not that I hadn't experienced painful times over the past year, but she's been such an uplifting presence, that even on very dark days, her spirit alters my whole frame of mind.


I raised this little yellow service puppy for sixteen months and she has reinterpreted happiness for me. I can only dream of what she'll bring her future partner.


(Thank you to our dear friends, Dennis & Mickey, for traveling on this journey with us and for the beautiful photo.)

Fix

One of the things I'll miss about Ruby (one of the everythings I'll miss about Ruby) is watching her respond to the word, "Fix." All dogs get caught up in the leash from time to time, and it can be challenging for a person with a disability to sort out a tangled leash. "Fix" cues the dog to untangle herself from the leash. Really helpful...and pretty cute.



Our service puppies are taught "Fix" very early on, Ruby picked it up quickly. Just position the leash behind the puppy's leg, then gently pull the leash toward you. The light pressure of the leash will cause the puppy to naturally lift her leg, and the leash slips back into place. I've gotten such a kick out of watching Ruby "Fix," I'll have to teach it to every pup I know, to get my own fix! There are few things more adorable than a puppy lifting her tiny paw to get that pesky leash where it should be.

Fun-Size Halloween Treat...Or Trick?

Hey, this puppy CAN see ghosts...and they're very soothing.

Dr. Frankenstein And His Assistant

THE OPERATING THEATER

SCALPEL! (It's ok, he has a Ph.D.)

RUBY'S NEW BROTHER

IT'S ALIVE!!!

Red Rocks, A Perfect Day

About a week left with Ruby, not a moment to waste! I've never seen a more beautiful autumn than the one we've been having in Colorado. It's an open invitation to get outdoors and just enjoy the sunshine with our two best girls.

As our NY friend, Dennis, says... "Bark Diem!"

Every day spent with Kiva and Ruby is perfect, but there was just something extra-special about this one. We took a ride to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison, where there's a rambling, pretty trail that's easy on Kiva's old bones. Climbing a mountain with Ruby would be exciting, but right now it's challenging enough just to keep her snoot up and off the ground!

Mmmmm...dirt! And twigs! Bugs! Dust! Leaves!

As the trail winds along the rock formations and through meadows and valleys, we got in some good loose leash walking practice.

But really, we just wanted to savor the beauty of being together.

Of course, Mr. Raiser and I had to make sure the girls hit the stage – they're our rockstars! I had a great view from where I was sitting.

But the best seat in the house is right next to the ones you love.

Photos In The Shoebox

Ruby's time with us now is so fleeting, I feel as though each moment with her is instantly dated from years past. Like those old snapshots of people you've loved.

We've gotten the date for her turn-in, November 8th. It's funny; until just now, I didn't know you could – very literally – experience every emotion at once.

Goodbye, And Best Wishes, To Brother Raven

Many of you have come to know and love Raven (Ruby's brother) through the wonderful guest posts written by his raiser, Barb, for this blog. Earlier today, Barb let us know that Raven is ready to move on to the next level. He'll be leaving tomorrow to enter Advanced Training.

Baby Raven cultivating that famous patience for shopping

Raven holds a special place in my heart, side-by-side with our Ruby, and Mr. Raiser and I wish him and his Advanced Trainer the very best.

Carving an award-winning jack-o-lantern last fall

Barb and her husband, Tom, have given Raven the most wonderful foundation possible. A service puppy could not have had a better start, and could not have been more loved, than Raven has been.

New Year's Day Hike with Mom and Dad

Many thanks, Barb. For keeping us up-to-date on Raven's progress with your funny posts and great photos, for the invaluable advice you've given to me and the other puppy raisers at Canine Partners of the Rockies, and for all of the laughs we've shared, as well as the tears. I know that no matter what Raven's future holds, he'll be an extremely happy, well-adjusted, and phenomenal dog thanks to your very special love and care.

Cheap Date

Ruby: Let's go to the movies!
Raiser: Good idea! But training you at the movies can get expensive...

The solution? Elvis! (But then again, isn't he always?)


Raiser: $2.50, now that's a deal even you can't shake a stick at!
Ruby: Mmm, sticks!

Ruby: One Jujubees please, and a two-pack of sticks. Pine flavor!

She wanted to see one of the animated flicks, but we were on time for "The Other Guys" so that's what I chose.

Ruby: "The Oth...WHAT?"


Sigh. I have to say she was right. "The Other Guys" was not the best movie I've ever chosen. Although she was pretty delighted to get 8 out of 10 on the trivia before the show, which I honestly thought was too good for a dog. They make those waaaay too easy.


We were early and the theater was pretty empty, so we did some training in a large space in front of the screen. We worked on long stays as well as some of the basics – sit, down, stand, etc.

Contextual learning is very interesting. Because she had never practiced in this space before, it felt unfamiliar and she had trouble with simple commands, like "down." She did pretty well on sit/stays, although if I traveled too far away and waited too long to return to her, she'd get antsy, break her "sit," and start tentatively walking toward me. To help her gain confidence, I decreased the distance between us and she'd hold her "sit" till I returned or gave her the "here" command.


Since the theater was so empty, I chose a seat in the companion seating section where the rows are set in from the main aisle. I wanted her to practice sitting quietly next to me as the movie played. But those seats were only about three rows from the front, and when the movie started, it was so loud, I was afraid it could harm her ears. So we moved to the last row in the back of the theater where the sound was much easier on both of us.

And there we sat...for about 40 minutes. It was all we could take. Ruby was right, we should have waited around for "Dogs and Cats: The Revenge of Kitty Galore!" Unfortunately, we had to give "The Other Guys" two dewclaws down. Great cast, I had high hopes, just...not that funny. However, it did have guns, explosions and yelling, and none of that fazed Ruby in the least. She never flinched, no fear at all. So, half a star for that, and 'cause we still like Will Ferrell, regardless.

Autumn in Colo-Roo-Do

We Love Nordies

If you're a future Service Puppy Raiser, here's a tip. When you train your puppy in the mall, if that mall has a Nordstrom, do yourself a favor and begin there. It's just so...pleasant.



Under the undies.


Cute pup...but really just an excuse to take a picture of THOSE BOOTS.


Going to stores with Ruby is one of the things I'll miss most. She's great company – calm, interested, patient, and fun. It's like shopping with a good friend.

I decided to celebrate my pal's retail success by taking her to lunch. Just us girls. Well, she really needs the practice. And Nordstrom's turkey & cranberry on multi-grain happens to be very delicious.

Going up!


Staying put under tables in restaurants for entire meals is not yet Ruby's strong suit – she's very nosy! I've seen a big change over the past few weeks, though, where I can tell she's really trying. She gets squirmy, but works hard to control herself and remain under...


...or at least close to...or at least in the vicinity of...the table.


Thanks to our friend, Lea, from Embrace Pet Community (who witnessed this squirrelly Roo behavior at the Petties Awards luncheon), I crack up every time Ruby assumes this position. Lea has christened it "Ruby's 'Tocks" – an instant classic!

Hide-A-Squirrel Winner

Congrats to SweetSue and thanks to all who entered and celebrated our 200th post with us! I had a great time reading about all of your pets!

What She Brings

Ruby is 17 months old and now that we're in the homestretch, I've been thinking a lot about our time together over the past year. I hold so much in my heart, but one thing above the rest.

I think any of us would say that when we're out alone or with friends – at restaurants, movies, or particularly when we're shopping – we don't interact much with the people around us. Why would we? Everyone is busy, preoccupied with their own errands and agenda. Not much eye contact or connecting with random strangers. All of these little worlds doing their best not to collide.

The scene is altered when you're out with a service puppy. I'd take Ruby out at 12 weeks old and I knew we'd have lots of attention because she was just so adorable. As she got older, I expected the public's curiosity. But without fail, wherever we are, people see us and smile. They invite eye contact. They start conversations, ask questions, or just say something kind.

I took her to the mall the other day for some training.


A few minutes after I took this shot, an older couple sat down in that seat and watched us work. Ruby and I were really concentrating, totally in the zone, practicing some difficult things with lots of distractions, and she was really nailing it. I knew the couple was watching, but I didn't make eye contact with them until we finished. Then I sat in the chair across from them, smiled, and saw them just beaming.

We started to chat about Ruby and her training. They told me about a person in their church who had also raised a service puppy. I told them about my Kiva. I learned about their precious dogs who had each lived to the exact same age and each passed away on the very same day, fifteen years apart. We talked about movies! We just...talked.

We got to know each other, even if only for a few minutes. I met these wonderful people, no longer strangers, over a smile.

That is what has struck me so deeply. People see us together, they respect us, recognize what we are doing, and they are happy. And that makes me indescribably happy in return.

We tend to think of service dogs for their physical assistance, but they bring just as much, or more, to their partners on an emotional level. One of the reasons I decided to raise a service puppy is because I am so aware of, and so grateful for, the joy that Kiva has brought to my life. Because of her, I wanted to give back, to help bring a unique joy and presence to someone else's life.

Yet raising this service puppy has brought so much to my life as well. To truly enjoy the company of strangers. To meet and know people I otherwise never would have. To have the opportunity to talk with so many people about her training.

To see smiles everywhere I look.

I reflect on the number of people we pass in a day and wonder how many hearts and minds my little service puppy has burrowed into. When someone who has encountered us sees a person with a disability, perhaps they'll think of Ruby. Maybe they'll remember what she was learning, and better understand the challenges that person faces. And rather than look away or stare, they'll smile.


Update: Let's share the message! Please cast your vote for Raising Ruby for "Best Blog Post" at the 2011 Petties Awards and help us spread the word that smiles, rather than stares, can make a world of difference for individuals with disabilities. 

Just click here to vote: http://dogtime.com/petties

Tweet

Guest Post: Raven Gets Ready For Homecoming

Dear Sister Ruby –

I have been following your blog and you are right, we are big dogs now!

Last weekend was very exciting, while you went to a great brunch and learned lots of interesting stuff, I got to help my friend Laura get ready for her homecoming…

Here she is last year (notice that I am not ON the sofa)
They are so cute when they are little aren’t they?


Flash forward – Here I am Friday night shopping at Forever 21 with her. I was very interested in the first 100 dresses but after my mom went charging out after dress #101 (and it wasn’t even in spots) I decided that I would just practice my down with an implied stay and hope she didn’t forget me. Oh, the life of a highly trained Service Dog (in training) is tough but I am sooooo ready in case my potential partner is a teenage girl….


After all that excitement, Laura found a great dress, got ready in time with lots of help from Reina and me and had a fabulous time at the dance. I gave her some extra attention on her way out, just so she remembers that I am the dude who loves her best.


I can’t wait to hear what your next adventure is…

Raven


(Hey Bro, a boy with such patience in the fitting room? That's gotta be worth at least two Frosty Paws AND some elk jerky! Laura looks absolutely beautiful, and her blue dress with your black coat is stunning – you make a great pair! Love, Sis Roo)

200th Post And A Great Giveaway!

Blogger tells me this is our 200th post, which I find astounding, and WOOHOO! I'm never one to turn down any reason to celebrate! Pop the champagne – it's Party Time here at Raising Ruby and you're all invited! Let's also raise a toast to our fantastic guest posters/photographers, Mr. Raiser, Barb and Raven, and D. Cheers to all!

Just for fun, go ahead and turn back the clock, scroll down the sidebar over there on the right, and enjoy some puppy posts from July and August 2009. Zombified by the 24-hr excitement of housebreaking, I posted that first shot, got the whole family involved in training, and assessed our progress. Even then, I knew this was going to be a fantastic ride, but I never could have imagined the friends we'd make along the way and the incredible support of our readers.

Thank you. For riding shotgun with us and for sending your love and encouragement from across town and across thousands of miles.

And it's not a party without presents, so here's ours to you: A Great Giveaway courtesy of Kyjen! I've been a fan of their products for many more years than I'm even gonna tell ya, and I bet they're some of your favorites too: Plush Puppies toys, Outward Hound gear, and lots more.

My two experts agree, the gift for our lucky Giveaway winner is a classic:

HIDE-A-SQUIRREL

"Best Toy Ever! Fun, Challenging, Mentally Stimulating!" – Kiva Dog

"Best Squirrels Ever! And I Do Know My Squirrels Inside And Out!" – Ruby Dog

To enter, just leave a comment telling me what your pet is an expert in! (I love to read about everyone's pets!) Or you can enter by email, just click here. Emails come straight to me and your address will only be used to let you know if you've won!

Good Luck!!!

Beaglese: Entries must be received by Sunday, October 10th. Winner will be announced Monday, October 11th or Tuesday, October 12th if I'm exhausted on Monday. Contest open to residents of the USA and Canada. Winner will be chosen at random from all comments/emails received. Drawing will be supervised by the Dog Firm of Kiva & Ruby and method may or may not be something like this.

Guest Post: Ruby And A B(r)unch Of Scientists

This past Sunday, I attended brunch with some of my colleagues, accompanied by Ruby. It was Ruby's first brunch, and her first time among science geeks. Here is Ruby with my friend and grad school professor Jim, and two more friends, Emily and Ruth. Even though Ruby is wearing a cape, she is still studying for her Ph.Doggy.


Ruby was (fairly) well behaved while we all enjoyed a fantastic brunch. There was a lot of discussion about actinides, natural organic matter, and colloids (topics that make most non-scientists' eyes glaze over), but Ruby took it all in stride. Here is a photo of her in a very nice "down stay," worthy of a Nobel Prize:


Of great interest to Ruby during the course of our science brunch was the Law of Gravity. Wanting to make a contribution, she re-enacted a scene from the past, her tribute to Sir Isaac Newton and his great discovery:


This led Ruby to happen upon her own great discovery, also involving a fallen apple:


Thanks Jim, for a wonderful brunch. Ruby not only enjoyed learning about field-flow fractionation, and participating in a heated discussion about hematite colloids, she also found the plums in the back of your garden most intriguing!

– Mr. Raiser