Another dog guide graduation filled with tears, laughter, hope for the future and such an immense feeling of joy. Tootsie has graduated as a Service Dog with the Lion’s Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and we are so proud of her!
Regular blog readers will know that Tootsie joined our family at 6 1/2 weeks of age and was the cutest, sweetest little bundle of black fur that you could imagine. As a Toronto girl I was used to hearing construction workers yell “hey, tootz!” to women constantly so I may have wrinkled my nose up when I first heard the name but now it means this girl to me.
Tootsie is a very feminine little dog who loves to cuddle and be with people. She has a very calm energy although she can rip around a yard after a frisbee with the best of them! Her foster parents – my daughter, Jody, and her partner, Michael – fell in love at first sight and last night was a very joyful reunion for all of us.
We had the chance to spend a couple of weeks with Tootsie over the summer as her trainer took vacation and she demonstrated some of her new skills for us but she has a tool box full of them that she will use to give independence to her new Mom. Tootsie has been taught to open crash doors, tug open cupboard doors and the refrigerator, get laundry out of the dryer and pick up dropped items among other things. Bred for their smarts and disposition, these dog guides love to work and frequently pick up new skills on their own to help their partner.
Tootsie has been matched with the most perfect woman – a calm and gentle lady and we instantly adored both she and her husband. She and Tootsie are already great partners and we absolutely know that Tootsie will have a wonderful, rewarding life with her new Mom and Dad.
Jody and Mike got a lot of kisses and hugs from Tootsie
The kisses kept coming whether they were paying attention or not
Jody and Tootsie
Glancing over during the graduation ceremony I saw this – it sums up Tootsie’s devotion to her new Mom
Group shot in the training room
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