The Dreaded Day: Turn-In Day. It vexes all puppy raisers, but I’m especially traumatized by turn-ins. You’d think that with enough experience, I’d get better at it. Have fewer tears. Hurt a little less.
Nah.
It’s always the same: the day is filled with dread, I wish that time would stop (and I could run away with Caysun before anyone knew the difference), there’s the final panic when I know it’s time for me to leave, and of course, the inevitable tears.
Yesterday was no different. On a whim, as I was walking out the door to drive to Service Dogs of Virginia, I grabbed my iPad and decided to document the day. Lots of people ask what it’s like to raise a service pup for a year, then just hand him (or her) back over. Let me tell you friends, it’s torture. Not the whole part — most of it’s the most fun you’ll ever have in your life. But you pay for it on turn-in day. Or, at least, I do.
Here are the videos documenting what turn-in day is all about. There were laughs, there were tears.
Video #1:
Video #2:
Video #3:
Video #4:
Video #5:
Video #6 (Final Video):
Even with all those tears, we’re anxiously awaiting the next pup to grace our household. Are we brave? Or stupid? I don’t see the difference, really… Either way, I’ll end up crying.