7 dogs went in to advanced guide dog training yesterday. 2 litter mates to Yohan (Yam & Yasha) - they knew each other instantly though they haven't seen each other in over a year.
He's in the same kennel as Vicky, another new arrival that day. They're getting on well. And Valko is her litter mate who arrived as we were handing over, he was brought up within a couple of miles, so they know each other through fundraising.
This part is hard. But we did it. We are strong. And those pups are so needed.
It was always about getting to this point for me. Now I'm here I actually have no idea what to do next.
My friend and puppy raiser legend phoned this morning to check on me. They raised Valko who was being taken into the kennels at Cork at the same time as Yohan.
She asked how I was doing, I said OK, but to be honest I'm struggling. She said she spent the last day crying and tidying the house.
Valko was their 9th puppy. It never gets easier judging by what she said. I asked her to give her other dog a cuddle from me.
We left the call crying.
#IrishGuideDogs
#MastoDaoine
#DogsOfMastodon
Yohan and Yara, siblings of the 2024 'Y' litter spent their last free run together today.
They've already had a year of intense training. We lived about 10 minutes away from each other.
Yohan enters advanced guide dog training this week. Yara enters next week.
Our last go through the shopping centre we've done our weekly training in. And our last goodbyes at the other centre which helps people with intellectual disability.
Yohan has now completed his year long training with me as his puppy raiser. We have one more event which is a fundraiser. Then he'll head in to big (guide dog) school.
At the beach this morning getting some nice pics of Yohan for the Irish Guide Dogs newsletter. This is in preparation for when he goes in for his advanced training.
It was a glorious sunny day. And honestly, I think I'll take memories of him running around in the shallows today with me forever.
He is a Good Dog.
Feels like he'll be OK.
Yohan is 1 today. Here he demonstrates his 10 months of intensive guide dog training discipline to date with the zoomies. Happy birthday, ye silly bugger.
At the beach at sunrise.
We spent all day in my doctors and then hospital. Dog was a big hit. Several different departments tried to keep him. He did really well. He settled wherever we went. Accepted all the cuddles he could get. Lots of good experience for him. Absolute star.
Yohan met his sister Yara for a play date. They are 5 months old and in training to become guide dogs.
When they meet it's like Fight Club but in dog form.
Day 10 puppy raising for Irish Guide Dogs;
We went back to the same shop as yesterday. This time we went fully into the store. He could do sitting in the store. And the only products he really showed interest in sniffing was the dried heather.
#IrishGuideDogs
#MastoDaoine
#dogsofmastodon
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Day 6 of puppy raising this Irish guide dog. Bought lots of new IGD approved rope toys, chews and a snuffle mat to try and divert pups natural tendency to nip. My youngest played with him in the garden running up and down. And now they're both knackered. Pup is sleeping at youngun's feet.
