Friday, May 17, 2013

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Jammy Comes Home

 Today, we are going to Southeastern Guide Dogs to pick up Jam.  We will be adopting him and bringing him home to live with us.  We got the call a week ago that he had been dropped from the guide dog program because of a medical problem: he has a soft trachea.  On Wed. he had a fluoroscopic test and we will be getting the results of that test and a medical plan for him when we pick him up.

I think we, as most puppy raisers do, put all of our eggs in Jam's basket, hoping that he would be our first dog to make it as a guide dog puppy.  From all his reports and comments, he was an excellent dog, smart, good with his commands and very sweet to work with.  Unfortunately, he was also plagued with a bit of separation anxiety and a persistent cough that made him honk like a goose (which was the trachea problem). Southeastern gave him their very best shot and their best effort and for that we thank them.

We are thankful that we have not filled up our house already with dogs (Bingo was aggressive, HRH Berkeley was not best friends with Willow) so that we can take Jam back with us as he has a special place in our hearts.

I am also very, very nervous at seeing him.  It is a puppy raiser's dream to be remembered.  I remember the first Guide Dog U when we took HRH Berkeley back and one of the graduates stood up to talk about her experience with her guide dog.  As she walked up to the podium, her guide dog caught sight of her puppy raiser, who just happened to be in the audience returning another dog.  The guide dog completely lost control and bolted to the puppy raiser in a paroxysm of joy.  The crowd of puppy raisers, in unison, sucked in their breath with a collective "AH!" Each was thinking, "I hope that is me one day."

Jam may not have made it, but he is an amazing boy.  All we care about is having our sweet boy back at home and giving him a happy healthy life.

And if he bolts towards us in a paroxysm of joy, my day will be complete.

11 comments:

  1. I remember that Guide Dog U day very well with my first pup, Joey. I was shocked at that guide dog taking off like that until I heard he saw his puppy raiser. Yea, I hoped that would be me some day.

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    1. It was a great day, but bittersweet too as he had to leave his second mom (his trainer!). Everyone who meets Jam loves him.

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  2. WE said it doesn't matter if he makes a Guide dog or not, just having someone to love him is the bestest!

    The Mad Scots

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    1. Jammy is a lucky boy. He had a few people in line who would have adopted him. He is very lovable!!

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  3. Jammer seems like such an awesome dog. He is going to so bless your family.

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  4. I am so sorry that Jam was career changed, but glad they found out about his problems. Jam is a special boy, and I am so happy for you to get him back!

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    1. Our house is super crazy, but awesome now! It is great to wake up to Jammy in the house. He has such a wonderful energy.

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  5. I'm sorry to hear that jam was career changed, but so glad to hear that he'll be rejoining your family.

    Rogue has similar soft trachea issues and I'll be watching your blog to see what sorts of things the school suggested you do with him.

    Brooke, Cessna, Canyon & rogue
    (You can now find us at http://www.ruledbypaws.ca)

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    1. He has an interesting diagnosis: he has an extra fold of skin in his trachea. He won't ever be wearing a collar again, he just has a harness. He also can't be walked in hot weather and we shouldn't allow him to get overheated as that causes that extra skin to swell. We also need to keep him fairly calm. When he gets too excited he can start the goose honking as well. We are scheduling an appointment with all his test results with our vet to see if there are any medications that they want us to try with him. So far, nothing has been indicated.

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  6. I'm so sorry that Jam was cc'd, he sounds like a very special boy and I'm sure you guys are going to have a lot of fun with him as a pet. Good luck!

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    1. He is a special boy. Coach has fallen in love, Willow loves him and the neighborhood thinks we are crazy for having three labs: one of each color! 8-)

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