Our boy made it. He graduated. It was a given, he's a genius afterall. Well, not really. He's cute. He's clumsy. But genius isn't really the word that comes to mind when I think "Talos."
Graduation is a big day for the family that raised the graduating dog. It's the day when it all becomes officially official. Talos has been with Kathy since last February, but Graduation makes it so. It's a mere formality, but it's an important formality.
It's emotional. It's funny. It's ridiculously important to us puppy-raisers.
The puppy raisers speak at Graduation. We get to say whatever we want as long as it's 5 minutes or less. When I still had Talos and thought about what I'd say at Graduation, only tears would come forward. Big, fat, salty and warm. And they were a little hard to turn off. So I just quit thinking about it. I'd figure it out as the date got closer, I told myself.
The date was here before I knew it. I hadn't thought of a single word to say. How do you sum up 15 months of love, laughter, teaching, and heartbreak in five minutes? How do you convey the amount of love you poured into "your" puppy? How every day was planned around him? How even thinking about him leaving was painful?
You don't. Because that's not the focus of Graduation. The focus is on the NOW. The bond between "your" dog (who isn't really yours anymore, and hasn't been yours for almost a year) and his new person. How much their lives are intertwined.
All I was worried about was getting through the 5 minutes without crying. I winged it. I didn't have one word written down. It wasn't the most articulate speech, but I got through it. And Talos shined bright up there on the stage with Kathy.
We are very proud of Talos and the work he's doing. Or rather, the life he's living. For him, it's not really work. It's just who he is and what he does. Don't we all wish we had that kind of a job?
Such happy news. Congrats to all of you.
Thanks, Roxanne. We sure are proud. And now we’re focusing on Caysun and her training. And I feel that possessiveness creeping in with her, too. Meaning *I’m* feeling very possessive of her — loving her way too much, setting myself up for another heartbreaking turn-in…The life of a puppy raiser! :0
Congrats to Talos! He looks like he’s a special pup, and his graduation shows all the lovely hard work put into him.
Congratulations Talos!!! LOVE that puppy picture! So cute!
I think Talos will always be my most favorite puppy of yours.
What a day it was! Minus the fact that I was high on pain pills, recovering from surgery, and fighting infection, I managed to get through it. That day I truly gained a family of 6 plus give or take the number of dogs! I love you guys more than words could say and I am happy and proud to call you family.
Having a purpose makes humans happy. I guess we’ll never know how important that is for dogs. But if it’s as important to dogs, Talos must be in his bliss. And someday Caysun will be too.
And that’s the gift you give these puppies you raise.
I hope you’re enjoying a peaceful end of the year–accounting aside. 🙂