Puppy Pictures, One Month

The puppies are growing fast, so here are some updates.  They are starting the weening process this week and are LOVING the puppy mush. Jackie is also happy to have more free time away from the pups. 

Tioga is off to Colorado to serve...

Sometimes things don't turn out the way you think they will.  This has been the case for our sweet Tioga.  When we acquired her last October, we intended to use her as part of our breeding stock.  We loved her solid, cheerful disposition, and she brought such delight to our team.

As we do with all of our breeding stock dogs, we had her genetically tested to ensure that she would not have any genetic issues with her eyes or hips.  Imagine our sadness when Tioga's results came back showing that she was "affected" with PRA-- bottom line, Tioga may eventually go blind.  With this information, we could not use her to breed nor could we in good conscience place her as a medical service dog.  So what to do with the precious creature?  As lovable and solid as she is, we really desired for her to "work", and not be re-purposed as a pet.

We started thinking about therapy dogs.  It seemed that this would be the perfect new job for Tioga, since their jobs are not to provide medical support, but comfort and emotional support.

Tioga has now left us to go and serve someone for the rest of her life.  Today Tioga arrives in Colorado to meet her new master, Amy, who serves others in the name of Christ using therapy dogs for Canines for Christ.  This wonderful creature will be greatly missed around our home base, however, it is great to know that she is on her way to serve and change another life for the better.

Tioga is a "bomb proof" dog.  We have dropped a pan near her sleeping black head and she barely acknowledged it.  Yet, as soon as you say her name she will jump up from a deep sleep, ready to assist you in any way you might need her.  Tioga is a great dog that will bring MUCH joy and peace to many in her new role as a four-legged ambassador for Christ in Colorado.

Jackie

what now?

Say hello to Jackie!  She is our petite, sweet, 14 month old, dark chocolate lab that we acquired from Chilbrook Labradors in West Virginia.  We chose to add her to our breeding program because of her great lineage. Jackie has 13 generations of service dogs in her history!  Her father Ranger, is an amazing dog. Being a champion in nearly every way possible, he is a spectacular dog!


Jackie is being trained as a DAD (Diabetic Alert Dog) service dog.  This training is great for intelligent Jackie, as it gives her a job to do. It also gives her a future as a possible DAD, because we can place her as a DAD when we are finished using her in our breeding program.   This training benefits everyone.  She has also learned helpful tasks such as getting a juice out of the fridge and bringing the blood glucose meter to her handler.

at the dentist

We are very proud of our hardworking agile girl and are looking forward to seeing her puppies in the future!

Bailey and Jackie

   

training

working

Introducing: Duty Dogs

Years ago our 4 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  Thus our journey into the Diabetic Community began.

Initially, we were shocked and somewhat dismayed at the thoughts of a life with diabetes management playing a central role.  However while at Children's Hospital we quickly realized the fact that our son's disease was manageable.  This was not necessarily the case for many of the boys and girls who watched prone in their beds as he rode around the halls on the hospital tricycle.  I was struck at the understanding that soon we would be taking our son home and many of these children would not return to their earthly homes.  This acquiescence began the process of God building gratefulness in our hearts for our son's condition of insulin dependency and for the tools used to enhance management.  We thank Jesus for the many tools at our disposal helping overcome the challenges this disease presents.

The most unique tool is a K9 monitor, Bailey.  Known as a Diabetic Alert Dog or more accurately a Diabetes Alert Dog.  We are proud breeders and trainers of these wonderful canine assets.  You can see more about our Duty Dogs by going to www.dutydogs.com.  Diabetes alert dogs help diabetics by smelling their changes in blood glucose or blood sugar.  The dogs can be trained to alert on highs or lows.  Thus helping to mitigate the extreme swings that are found in every T1D's life.  Lowering the peaks and raising the valleys of these extremes will help to lower the A1C results, thus lowering the risk of long term complications consistent with the disease.

This can be especially helpful for diabetics who suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness.  This condition causes one to not realize when their blood sugar levels are dropping dangerously low. Type 1 Diabetics who suffer from this condition are often found in need of support from the wonderful servants tied to the 911 services.

We are delighted to train dogs specifically to serve people with this condition.  A diabetes alert dog can help a diabetic return precious liberty and peace of mind back to their life.  These wonderful K9 monitors often allow the trips to the ER to be dramatically reduced for their diabetic handlers.

For more information on the offerings of DAD dogs visit our Duty Dogs website.