Yesterday was Capone’s Goodbye Party after our bimonthly training session with my CCI and therapy buddies. Our bimonthly training group provides practice and socialization outings for service dogs, therapy dogs, and pups in training to be service dogs or therapy dogs. So far I am the only shelter dog with an unknown pedigree in that group but we are hoping to change that because shelter dogs do rock. *
The party after the training was a blast. Fortunately, we have one more week before we really have to say goodbye to Capone. Since we are best buddies I will get to play with Capone the evening before he travels south where he will start his professional service dog training.
We also welcomed a new CCI in training puppy. Isn’t he adorable? We call him the easter bunny as he arrived Good Friday and is just as fluffy. He is a Golden Retriever. All of the CCI dogs are either a purebred or mix between Labrador and Golden Retriever. Operation Delta Dog has decided to take service dog training to a whole other level and is solving two big problems with one great solution. ODD is helping shelter dogs by adopting them and training them to assist veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Purple Heart Greyhounds is another organization that’s worth mentioning. This organization trains retired racing Greyhounds to become PTSD Service Dogs.
Saying goodbye is hard but it is like Winnie the Pooh said: “How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Benji
* Notice that four of the six dogs are wearing a Gentle Leader. This leader is not a muzzle but helps provide stress-free walks.
Life of Benji 
It’s hard to say good bye… but there is always the chance for a reunion or that we meet again… everything happens twice in life… like the post(wo)man who rings twice too… oh wait a minute where is she today? Maybe on the way to florida with your buddy capone?
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WOL. Let me know what’s in the mail this time. Benji.
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I refused to take walks when my person put a gentle leader on me. Just sat down. Didn’t move. Over and over again. She hasn’t tried that again in 13 years. Poppy.
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Good for you. I just walk with my magic cape and it keeps me walking magically. Benji.
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You are absolutely right…shelter dogs do rock. Your group looks so pawsome!
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Making friends and then leaving is tough. Maybe someone will have a tea and bone party for the participants each year?
Shoko and Kali
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Yes, shelter dogs do rock!
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😀 Benji
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Benji, Winnie the Pooh is a very wise bear. The puppy looks so cute, loo very young for going to school.
Have a nice weekend, my doggie friend.
Kosmo
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The pup is not going to school yet. He is being raised by a puppy raiser. It will take about 16 months before they can enroll in professional training. You have a great weekend too. WOWO, Benji.
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Oh, I was wondering how that puppy can sit in a classroom when he should be playing like a hurricane and then fall a sleep in a second.
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Haha, this puppy sure plays and sleeps a lot!
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