My family raised a guide dog puppy for the blind during my senior year of high school. Not only was it so much fun to have a puppy in the house but, it was also very rewarding and life changing. To raise him and train him to be able to take control of another person’s life is a huge commitment. It requires a lot of focus and control. For us, it was a family effort. Through this incredible experience I learned some very important life lessons that I will be able to reflect on and use for the rest of my life.
1. Responsibility
You are responsible for caring and raising a little pup. You must train them according to the rules, take them with you wherever you go, walk with them to the bathroom at midnight, be strict, and above all, be loving.
2. Dedication
To are committed to raising a puppy that will someday be reason someone is able to gain independence. You cannot give up.
3. Confidence
In order for your puppy to be confident, you must be confident. He watches your body language. If you are unsure about what to do, your little pup will also be unsure. When your little guy is on his own he needs to be confident with every decision he makes.
4. Unconditional Love
They are dependent on you for everything and they will go everywhere with you. You must train them so that some day, someone can be dependent on them. This can only be done through love.
5. The Ability to Change a Life
You are making such a positive impact in somebody else’s life. You are the reason that some day they might be able to go places without another human besdie them, instead they have a furry friend.
If raising a Guide Dog Puppy for the Blind is something that interests you, I would highly recommend it. Just be warned, it is a lot of work, but nothing you won’t be able to handle! It is truly an extraordinary experience that you will never forget. I hope these life lessons inspire you. They apply to everyone in all of life’s situations.