One of the most frequent remarks I encountered while out and about with Kirby, my puppy-in-training, aside from the inevitable “Oh my goodness, he’s adorable,” was, “How can you possibly give him up? I could never do that.” Truthfully, as I embarked on this journey of puppy raising, I wasn’t entirely certain I could either.
As a puppy raiser, the affection I develop for these incredible dogs is immense. For the fourteen months Kirby was with me, he truly held a piece of my heart. I used to be among those who wondered from a distance, “How can anyone raise a dog knowing they must relinquish them in the end?” I was convinced it was something beyond my emotional capacity. Yet, here I am, having experienced the profound fulfillment of raising a puppy and entrusting him to his higher calling as a Guide Dog. This is the story I want to share, hoping to illuminate the heartwarming reality of guide dog puppy raising.
Puppy raising wasn’t initially on my radar, nor was it my idea. It was my mother, recently retired from teaching and seeking a way to contribute, who first explored the idea. Being a devoted “dog family,” engaging in something dog-related seemed a natural fit. My mom thoroughly researched various organizations and was particularly impressed by the esteemed reputation of Guide Dogs of America. She enthusiastically completed the puppy raising application. Personally, I harbored significant reservations about the entire process, especially the inevitable “turn-in day” when I would have to return the puppy to the training school. As an avid animal lover with a deep soft spot for creatures of all kinds, I am emotionally sensitive. I can watch tear-jerking human dramas with relative composure, but when an animal is in peril on screen, particularly when an animal dies, I become a blubbering mess. Childhood trauma from Bambi’s mother’s demise still haunts my dreams! The thought of raising a dog, only to give him back, regardless of the noble cause, felt like it would shatter my spirit. On the day our family was interviewed by our local area leader for puppy raising, my primary question was how to mentally and emotionally brace myself for the impending heartbreak of “turn-in day.” Our wise area leader simply advised, “Attend a graduation ceremony. You’ll understand then why we are able to say goodbye.”
A few weeks later, I found myself at my first guide dog graduation ceremony. The venue was filled with a diverse and heartwarming crowd: puppy raisers, friends and family of the graduating visually impaired individuals, and past graduates. If you’ve never witnessed a guide dog graduation, it’s a profoundly moving experience. Both the visually impaired graduate and the puppy raiser of their graduating guide dog are given the opportunity to speak. The puppy raisers spoke first for each graduating team. Tears welled up in my eyes almost immediately as each puppy raiser recounted the day they first welcomed their tiny, eight-week-old bundle of puppy love into their arms. They spoke of the immense joy of being part of the dog’s formative journey, taking that small, untrained puppy and nurturing it, instilling basic obedience and crucial socialization skills, until they returned a well-mannered, competent 16-to-18-month-old dog back to Guide Dogs of America for the next phase of advanced training. They shared anecdotes of fun outings and enriching experiences they had enjoyed with their puppies during the raising period. Above all, they spoke passionately about the deep love and powerful bond they had formed with their puppies. I saw reflections of my own potential feelings in these puppy raisers, realizing I wasn’t alone in the deep affection one develops. It became clear that these puppy raisers didn’t experience any less emotional pang when they allowed their puppies to move forward and embrace their higher purpose as guide dogs. In fact, I understood then that you couldn’t truly be a dedicated puppy raiser if you didn’t wholeheartedly adore and become deeply attached to these dogs. This love is the very foundation of their early training and care.
Then, it was time for the visually impaired partners of each graduating team to address the audience. If I thought the puppy raisers’ speeches had moved me to tears, I was utterly unprepared for the emotional impact of the graduates’ words. Listening to those ten individuals share their personal stories completely transformed my perspective on guide dog puppy raising. Despite their varied backgrounds and life circumstances, their core message resonated with powerful unity. Every single graduate spoke with immense gratitude and heartfelt emotion about the life-altering gift they were receiving in being matched with their new guide dogs. They described how their world, as they knew it, was expanding exponentially, how new opportunities and adventures were now accessible because of the “eyes” they now had by their side. They recounted experiences that blindness had previously stolen from them, experiences that sighted people often take for granted daily – like walking with a confident pace and feeling the wind on their face, or venturing out at night, something some hadn’t done safely in years. Most profoundly, they emphasized the newfound self-sufficiency and independence their guide dogs bestowed upon them, liberating them from feeling like a burden to their loved ones. Their new canine partners were not just pets; they were leaders, guides, and protectors. The graduates’ immense gratitude was palpable. I witnessed firsthand the renewed confidence radiating from them, the vibrant energy in their spirits that their guide dogs had ignited.
While the puppy raisers’ heartfelt stories had brought tears, listening to the graduates speak evoked an even deeper well of emotion – happy tears, tears of profound understanding. I placed myself in their shoes, imagining the daunting reality of navigating a visually-oriented world without sight. In that poignant moment, I felt a profound sense of purpose. If I could contribute even in a small way to improve the life of someone who was blind, then I was compelled to act, to put my soft spot for animals to truly good use. After attending that graduation ceremony, my internal dialogue shifted dramatically from, “How will I ever be able to give up my puppy?” to “How could I possibly NOT give up my puppy to become such an extraordinary gift to someone who needs him so much more than I do?” I am now privileged to be the puppy raiser for Team Jirby, having raised Kirby who became one half of this incredible partnership. My experience with Kirby was so deeply rewarding that I eagerly embraced the opportunity to raise Gable, my second puppy-in-training. Now, when people ask me the inevitable question, I answer, “Yes, of course, saying goodbye is incredibly difficult, turning in a puppy who feels like a living piece of your heart is undeniably hard.” But my resounding answer to the question, “How could you give up your puppy?” is always, “HOW COULD I NOT?”
Editor’s Note: This blog was authored by Jen Buehler, a dedicated puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of America in our Orange County chapter. Her first guide dog puppy, Kirby, went on to become part of the beloved “Jirby” team. She is currently raising her second guide dog puppy, Gable.
