Life with Cupid

03/03/2024

I get to see Cupid soon. She will graduate April 13th and we hopefully will get periodic updates from her new, forever person.

A personal update though, I wasn't ready to start a new KSDS journey YET but, they had 23 puppies needing raisers, so I brought home Fritz on January 19th. If you want to check out her page it is Following Fritz! See you over there too!

23/08/2023

Got news on Cupid! It is with mixed emotions though that I announce it. Cupid has found her career as a facility dog. I wanted in my heart for her to make it as a service dog. I taught her skills and commands above and beyond what was required of me to teach her, skills that Romeo performed for Alex. In a way I feel like I let Alex and Romeo down, but at he same time I am so proud of Cupid. She is such a love bug (hence her name), that being a facility dog absolutely fits her personality. Instead of helping one person or family with every day living, she will bring joy, happiness and friendship to an entire community. She is so cute and her personality is so infectious that you can't help but love on her. She will be loved on and get attention from LOTS of individuals. She is expected to graduate in Spring of 2024!
Here is one of her first training pictures to the last picture I have of her on my phone which was taken on turn in day (6-12-23). There was a lot of love, lots of activities, lots of travel, and even more training and even some frustration between the dashes of these two pictures.

05/07/2023

Happy July 4th!! I really did turn her in June 12th, this pic is from Memorial Day when I still had her. Even if it is just a picture it is still good to see her sweet face. She passed all her health "inspections" at K-State so I won't get her back unless she is a career changer. I have heard a little from KSDS, Cupid is doing well! They all love her and even the vets and techs at K-State wanted to keep her! She is very well loved, but that doesn't surprise me one bit.

12/06/2023

Last sleep in this bed. Dropping off this sweet girl "at college" tomorrow morning. Life as she knows it is about to drastically change, and she will be put to all kinds of health and behavioral tests starting tomorrow. Lots of people praying she makes it, but some "sweet" intentioned kids have told me they're praying she doesn't. A lot of kids posed with Cupid this morning, but some just couldnt! Lots of tears by both kids and adults this morning at church. Cupid you are loved by many and will be greatly missed, however, we know you were born and bred for this very moment!! Whatever purpose God has you, I'm sure you are up to the task. Sweet dreams Cupid Ann!!

07/06/2023

We are starting to experience some lasts. On Mondays and Tuesdays I work until 6 and hand feed Cupid on the way home in the car. Yesterday was her last late dinner hand-fed by me while driving. Today she experienced her last Storytime with the kids and her final trip to the Overbrook Public Library. Yes there were tears, both on the way in and the way out. Tomorrow will be her final full day in the office at church. The experience of puppy raising has been great, but this turn-in date is tugging at the heart strings.

28/05/2023

It's been a while since I posted but better get caught up. These are just a few of our pictures from Texas a month ago. She LOVED the water, went to church on the beach and met , went to Texas Sea Center, walked on the pier, rode the ferry over to Crystal Beach, and went to Galveston. We only have her 2 more weeks...

10/05/2023

We have been on both sides of this story now. Our journey began and our lives were dramatically impacted and forever changed by KSDS and Romeo's puppy raiser. Now I am 34 days (not that I'm counting down, I want time to slow down) away from Cupid's turn-in date, and my puppy raiser promise fulfillment to Alex. This is why puppy raisers do what they do. Cupid was born and bred for this, but my heart isn't ready yet.

https://fb.watch/kqCdmzVlLu/?mibextid=Nif5oz

01/05/2023

So Cupid got to visit two more states -- Oklahoma and Texas. She is the best traveler! We left Wednesday night and made it to Norman, OK. Thursday was pretty much a travel day but we stopped at Bucees. Pretty sure it was the first one Patrick and I have ever been to.

26/04/2023

So there was a challenge posted in the puppy raiser group to do the "name game". This is an exercise in self-control for the puppies in training. She was in the down and wait position the whole time I was arranging her food. I offered her one piece of kibble for being so self-controlled, but she waited for the whole shabang!! Well, if you look close I could write her name again with all her drool. I predicted that would happen, and boy was I right.

22/04/2023

So Little Miss Cupid can be the sweetest puppy ever, or she can be so ornery. She was a lot of both this week. One of the girls in our youth group didn't feel good and Cupid was absolutely exhausted. Cupid fell asleep and allowed G to sleep on her. So sweet!!
Sydney's baby Bella found the mud puddle in the ditch and rolled and rolled and rolled. Cupid had some self restraint, but still managed to get muddy herself.

09/04/2023

Cupid is a very happy dog today! All afternoon at a park in Emporia. She also wants to wish everybody a Happy Easter. HINT--Turn the picture upside down and it is just as cute. Photo credit Sydney O'Brien

01/04/2023

This just happened at Nebraska Furniture Mart. She is such a good girl!

01/04/2023

So here is Cupid's latest "service". She has taken my socks off for awhile now, but now she can take off my shoes. She can follow Patrick too, so she did his as well. We found out her turn in date which was in the KSDS March newsletter. Cupid goes back June 12th.

17/03/2023

28/02/2023

The cuteness overload of memories on my phone! Thought I would share a few of my favorite throwback puppy pics.

19/02/2023

View this Snap from Crystal on Snapchat!

19/02/2023

One year we have been matched.....She is 41% ornery and 59% sweet! Happy gotcha day Cupid!!

14/02/2023

With a name like Cupid, she has to wish everybody a Happy Valentine's Day!!

28/01/2023

Past her bedtime, she put herself to bed!!! Right after the Mavs scored a goal.

28/01/2023

Cupid's first hockey game!!

06/01/2023

I know she is a good girl, but even I was impressed with this! Normally these two have a love-hate relationship.

01/01/2023

Happy New Year!!

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas!!

25/12/2022

Last sleep before Cupid turns one year old!! Happy Birthday (eve) to the entire KSDS Reindeer litter. Cupid may very well be the lovebug of the litter, but she is also an ornery one!

10/12/2022

10/12/2022

Cupid has learned all of this In less than a week. She is so smart!!

29/11/2022

2513.3 miles. Good thing Cupid doesn't mind traveling. We left Thursday evening after Thanksgiving dinner was over and all our family had left. We drove to Colby and arrived after midnight. We moved Sydney to Twin Falls, ID. No new states for Cupid, but a lot of beautiful scenery. We drove from Colby, Ks to Green River, WY Friday. Saturday was Green River to Twin Falls. Sunday was Twin Falls to Dillon, Co and then Monday we made it home. We were all glad to be out of the car! Here are some pics of some of the beautiful scenery, two of the state signs, and all the people Cupid got to hang out with on Thanksgiving Day (minus Kit and Teresa)!!

31/10/2022

Happy Halloween!!

26/10/2022

I ain't afraid of no ghost!! Well Cupid never ceases to amaze me just how laid back she really is. She was completely unimpressed with this dancing ghost. Just the way we want her to be -- unphased!!