A Piece of My Heart

 This is a tough blog to write.....And one that will probably make me cry...Again.

Last Thursday I got a call from my CFR.

 Levi, a "transfer pup" I'd raised, had passed away the night before. She would have been 4 in July.

 Levi was the first pup I'd raised completely on my own....no parental help..... and my  "hook" back into puppy raising....

 I still remember that phone call right before New Years. "Celeste found you a female golden, she's 8 months. Do you want her?' (Of course!)

We had to sneak her out the back door of Guide Dogs because they were on Parvo quarantine....but it was love at first sight....

 Especially for this guy....

 Levi was the first puppy he helped raise....

 And the day we returned her was the first time he's ever told me he hated me.....

 (Don't worry, he didn't mean it! At least I hope not)

 Levi was always a special girl....

 She broke in my workplace to puppies...

 (and they still tell stories of her leaving my desk to play with my neighbors and then hearing the lunchroom door open and hurrying back to her spot; puppies are on tie down now)

  (my favorite photo of her)

 I loved raising her... (Remmy may not have appreciated it at times)

 She even made it into the Guide dog calendar in this photo with Remmy!

 She was dorky....

And Goofy....

 

And sometimes just plain weird...

 

 But I loved her.....

 And he loved her....

Her partner loved her....

 And Remmy even tolerated her....

 Each puppy comes into our house and takes a small piece of our heart......

 

And then they leave and go off to do what they were meant to. You come to believe that in time that little part of your heart will repair itself.  Only her time got cut short. And she was able to remind me, even though she was 3,000 miles away that she still had a piece of my heart.

 Levi,
You were an awesome, wonderful and amazing pup/guide dog. I will never forget closing the barn doors and letting you run crazy up and down (and then touch noses with the pony). You were the first puppy I got to bring long term to work and Ocho, Azara and Hensley thank you for making a good impression on the bosses. You were my "travel-sized" buddy and I will never forget you!
-Sheila