Breton's Journey as a Future Guide/Assistance Dog Ends

On Monday we learned that the results from Breton's PennHip exam on Feb. 11 weren't good. I admire Dogs with Wings for their commitment to raising the very best of dogs who some day enter service and are healthy, even tempered, happy and well trained for their job. The standards they set are high as it is very important that the person who receives one of their dogs doesn't have to worry about things like possible health issues in the future. It wouldn't be fair to the client or the dog. Breton's test results show that she is at greater risk than they can accept for future hip degeneration or arthritis and therefore has been removed from the program.

We have lovingly welcomed Breton into our family as a permanent member. We will put her on a special diet, make sure she stays trim and gets lots of exercise in order to prevent possible problems from ever beginning with her hips.

I am looking around at other programs within the city where she can still be of service as she loves to work and has such valuable skills to offer.

As for me, I hadn't expected this to end so quickly, and now with two dogs in our small house, we have some serious decisions to make about raising another puppy in the future. For now, I have other projects on the go with Dogs with Wings, and so will still get a regular dose of puppies and dog training.

Puppy Blossoms

By Shannon Northcott

You were given a seedling for one year to foster and help grow. Most seed packets come with instructions, but instead they told you they would help cultivate the young life in your care and one year later, when it blossomed you would give it back. They were looking for an extraordinary flower and only that type could do. You knew the standards were high, but felt the odds were favourable.

Roses, Baby’s Breath and Forget-Me-Not's mean love, but wouldn’t do.

Marigolds are comforts of the heart, and Junipers symbolize protection.

Ivy represents friendship; Lilies and Orchids, beauty; and the Daisy innocence.

Although these flowers would bring joy and love to the lives they touched, they couldn't do the job.

You doted over the life in your care, nurtured and helped it to grow.

Just before it blossomed, they tested the flower that was going to open. They said you did your job well and that it wasn’t your fault.

Your flower belongs to the bouquet of love, comfort, friendship, beauty and innocence.

There is an entire bouquet of extraordinary flowers, and as much as you wanted your flower to belong there too, it just can’t.