The sight of the pregnant dog wandering the empty streets, looking for help, is a heart-wrenching one. She had been abandoned by her previous owners and left to fend for herself, but now the time had come for her to give birth. As her contractions intensified, she knew she needed help to bring her puppies into the world safely.
In her search for assistance, she stumbled upon a nearby resident’s house, and she immediately knew she had found a potential lifeline. She began to bark and whine, hoping to draw attention to her plight. The resident, hearing the commotion, came outside to investigate and found the pregnant dog in distress. They knew they had to act fast to help her.
The resident brought the dog inside their home, creating a warm and safe space for her to give birth. As the hours ticked by, the dog labored tirelessly, bringing new life into the world. One by one, her puppies emerged, each one tiny and perfect. With each new arrival, the resident marveled at the strength and courage of the dog, who had endured so much to bring her puppies into the world.
As the days went by, the resident and the dog formed a special bond. The dog, grateful for the help and care she had received, showered her rescuer with affection and love. And the resident, moved by the dog’s resilience and strength, made the decision to give her a forever home. She had proven herself to be a loyal and loving companion, and she deserved nothing less than a life filled with love and comfort.
The story of this pregnant dog is a testament to the strength and resilience of animals in the face of adversity. Despite being abandoned and left to fend for herself, she never gave up hope, and she found help when she needed it most. Her story also highlights the power of compassion and kindness, and the incredible bond that can form between humans and animals.
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Guide Dogs of America Needs Volunteer ‘Puppy Raisers’
Working with wonderful woofers, the sort of furry joy-bringers that make a difference in people’s lives?
Pitching in with a pack of incredible pups can make a lasting impression on a person’s mind, outlook, and, for sure, their spirit, too.
And that chance to lend a hand, your time, some empathy and understanding, and a whole lot of love is coming up, on Dec. 11, thanks to a “puppy raiser” training session with Guide Dogs of America.
This is a virtual happening, via Zoom, and it will be the final online information event before in-person gatherings return to the Sylmar campus in 2022.
Guide Dogs of American pairs trained pups with “… individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism,” with dogs also being placed in “hospitals, schools, and courtrooms.”
“Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient,” states the organization on its site.
And helping the organization achieve its mission?
Puppy raisers, those dedicated volunteers who are among some of the first people a young, in-training dog gets to know, trust, and adore.
If you choose to pursue volunteering for this life-changing role, there’ll be a few initial considerations, as well as matters you’ll want to mull.
One consideration? Where you reside. You and the puppy in your care will need to call upon the Sylmar campus on occasion, and attendance at both monthly puppy group meetings and “puppy kindergarten classes” is required.
The Dec. 11 information session will address what you can expect from meetings and classes, as well as what at-home life will be like with the future guide dog you’re helping to raise.
Questions covered include the breeds and types of puppies that volunteers raise, what can be expected in terms of puppy proofing and such, what out-of-pocket expenses might look like, and how long the puppy will live in your home.
And, yes: “(W)hat happens when the dogs ‘go off to college’ to begin formal training” is also a central topic of the session, as well as how dogs are paired with their forever people once they’ve graduated.
The word straight from Sylmar? “We ALWAYS need puppy raisers,” says Stephanie Colman, the coordinator of the puppy program.
So even if you can’t join the December Zoom, you can plan to attend an in-person information session on the Guide Dogs of America campus, in early 2022.
Could this be your new year’s resolution?
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