A Cute Little Alumni From the Class of 2014

When I was just a little boy (8 weeks old), my first home where I was born - Canine Partners for Life (CPL) , said to me -- go and learn little boy - your new mommy (Amanda Joyce – Class of 2014)  will teach you ways of the land, to love and help others, and be kind to all (and try and learn a few skills along the way).  Be a good boy and listen – great things will come.  And so mommy Amanda couldn’t wait for my arrival - we both were so excited.  I went to live in my new home with a service dog named DeeDee who helped mommy’s sister Alex (Class of 2010) with daily tasks and physical support.  My new home was so much fun.  I couldn’t believe what DeeDee could do for Alex.  I wanted to grow up and be just like DeeDee.  Mommy said, “Frolic,  this will take a lot of work, focus and schooling”.  She had lot’s of patience with me and worked every day to teach me right from wrong.  She gave me lots of hugs and kisses along the way (and special treats too!).  And then… mommy said “it’s time little Frolic, we must now go to St. Mark’s so I can learn as well and you can learn basic commands and socialization skills”.   Our senior year was so much fun – but at times it was really hard too for us.  Mommy had lots of school work and she had to work with me too.  Sometimes I was just a little challenging and pretended I didn’t understand what she said but through it all we loved each other very much and helped each other through tough times.  Each morning we put our uniforms on and off we went to St. Mark’s.  I got to see all my friends, sleep on their  book bags during class, go to games and pep rally’s – I just couldn’t help it, my tail was always wagging,  I was so happy!  The teachers were great – they’d even bring me presents ‘cause I was cute!   During the year mommy also had to take me to special puppy classes and for special tests to see if I was doing a good job progressing.  They didn’t scare me though – they were a breeze.  The year passed so quickly and now it was time for graduation.  We were both so excited but also a little sad because me and mommy knew what that meant.  After being together every day by each other’s side for the past year – I had to go off to my special school at CPL for a year where I could learn special skills to become the best service dog ever.  Mommy also had to go off to school to live to be the best Biomed Engineer ever.

Mommy cried happy tears as I moved away to begin formal training at CPL for the next year.  It was hard to be separated at first but I got to visit throughout the year and mommy came back to see me often.    I had to work hard and continue to focus to try and be the best service dog I could be.  Did you know only real special dogs graduate as Full Service Dogs?  My second year really went fast too and guess what?  Yep that’s right - I made it!  I made it to full service dog status and just graduated Sunday with my new daddy.  My new daddy is the best – he waited on the list so long for me (3 ½ yrs) – he even had to wait for me to be born.  Wow – can you believe it?  That’s how I know he loves me so so much – and I love him even more.  He has something called Parkinson’s Disease and he really, really needs me.  Me and my daddy want to spend all our time together helping each other and doing things together.  I’m so lucky, I can help him walk, stand, transfer. I can pick things up for him and get things for him – I’m so excited.  I am giving him confidence to go places.    I want to be strong for him and I want to listen to him.  I look in his eyes and see a loving, caring daddy – one that I can depend on just like he can depend on me.  We are partners for life.
 
We just finished Team Training together these last 3 weeks and we did great – he threw away his cane and just wants me! We graduated yesterday from CPL and you know what?  Yep, I got to sit next my mommy’s sister Alex (Class of 2010) at CPL graduation.  Alex just got a new service dog too.  Her name is Shandy.  Shandy was my buddy in the playyard  at CPL.  Don’t worry, DeeDee is happily retired now at age 11 and get’s to do whatever she wants – she lives with my old family still.  Thanks to Mommy Amanda for all her hard work that first year and a special thanks to St. Marks, all the teachers and my friends for letting me learn in school with everyone – I am so lucky.
 

Thank you God for the best life ever – and I’m just 2!

P.S.  Me and my daddy are driving to my new home today in Virginia.  It will be just the 2 of us but we have each other to count on forever.