Seeing her help him

This past weekend, my family had the pleasure of finally meeting Ellie and her person! We have been in contact, but have not had the time to set a visit date.

Paul, his wife Priscilla, and Ellie live just a short drive from us. On the ride to see them, we were talking about when Ellie was a puppy. All the funny antics she had and how she matured over time with us.

Ellie's first car ride as a puppy. Ellie has her head resting on my knee.

Ellie's first trip to the library! Sitting in her tiny working coat with children's books behind her.

We pulled up, reminded everyone to "ask Paul if you can pet HIS dog" when we see them. Well, let just say I got about halfway through the asking protocol and Ellie went nuts!

Ellie dashing around the house.

Ellie loving on dad

Ellie laying on the floor as I give her a huge hug

Ellie playing tug with her "Little miss helpful" toy

Ellie giving dad more love :)

My family listening to Paul share his story and Ellie laying in the middle of us smiling at the camera.

Ellie holding her stuffed bone laying on her back... in my lap!

Ellie came up to mom and rested her head against mom's leg. Elie stood like this for quite a while while mom scratched Ellie's sides.

Ellie just loved all the attention! Ellie laying on her back between Kaitlyn and I.

Ellie and her buddy Collin

Ellie giving me some kisses :)

Ellie was jumping out of her skin she was so excited! We brought her a special gift. Ellie's LLBean tote bag that her sponsors sent us. In the bag was a nylabone, rope toy, stuffed bone, her pink blanket from when she was a puppy, and a toy called a "little miss helpful".

After Ellie calmed down and we had talked with Paul and his wife Priscilla for a while, Paul put Ellie's work coat on and showed us all they do together. After every command Paul would instruct Ellie to do, Ellie would do her job then turn and look at us with a huge smile and her tail wagging.

Ellie doing her "Block" command... standing in front of Paul.

Ellie in her down. She still lays with her back legs and front legs sticking out to the side!

Ellie giving Paul a big hug.

Paul, Priscilla and Ellie. Such a great family!

Ellie leaning on Paul... with a huge smile of course!

A few days after we saw Ellie, Priscilla emailed me a picture of Ellie with her toy. Apparently, anytime they tell Ellie to "go get your toy", she goes and gets her "little miss helpful".

Ellie sleeping? on her side with her "little miss helpful" toy between her two front paws.

Paul, we are so happy you and Ellie were matched. I couldn't have asked for anyone better!
Ellie, keep up the good work. Do your job, stay focused. Love your people.. although, that's not very hard for you to do! :) See you at the Walk-A-Thon!

My sweet girl

Sorry for the delay in sharing such exciting news...

ELLIE IS MATCHED!!!

Ellie is matched with a veteran who just needs a sweet, cuddly companion :) And seeing that Ellie is sweet and cuddly, she makes the perfect dog for the job!

Many people have asked if there was a puppy raiser day for Ellie, and I'm sad to say, no. Maybe sometime in the future there will be a puppy raiser day for the paws for patriot program. We shall see!

The same "wait 3 months until contact" is still a rule between my family and Ellie and her person. Those three months allow for bonding time between Ellie and her person, to make sure they wok well together and also so Ellie won't be distracted by us Boyles :)

I cannot wait to see my girl again! July is actually the 4th month with no contact... so meeting day will be soon!

    Have a blessed and happy 4th of July!

          Meagan

Ellie May

Look how good she looks in the harness!

Ellie has been career changed due to hips. SEGDI has decided to evaluate Ellie to be a Paws for Patriots candidate. We are excited about this possibility for Ellie as we know she would be a wonderful help to someone who has risked their lives for us.

This is our first dog who is being evaluated for this program so we can't wait to hear more!

   Love you Ellie girl!

         Meagan

Boyle's Everyday Adventures...

I might be at college, but that doesn't mean you can't keep updated with the Boyle Bunch!

Meagan has set up a blog for her family that they will try to update often.

Please check out :   http://boylefamx5.blogspot.com/
Or, just click the picture of the family on the right.

Thanks!!
    Ellie May

Four years worth

Molly 1B6

Golden Retriever

Therapy Dog in Orlando, FL

August 2007 - March 2008

 

 

 

Clarke 8M6

Goldador

Guide Dog in Florida

April 2008 - September 2008

 

 

 

Eve 2X8

Black Labrador

Guide Dog in Florida

October 2008 - January 2009

Ellie 12PD10
Golden Retriever
In "College"

March 2010 - January 2011

 

 

 

We always gets a family photo with the dogs we raise, right before they go in for training. With Ellie, we completely forgot! I was pretty mad at myself, thinking "What "if" this is the last dog I raise, I will always regret not getting a picture!" ("IF" is in quotation marks... meaning probably won't be my last, but you never know) Well, after coming to my senses, I realized the last visit with Ellie's sponsors, they took pictures while we were enjoying strawberry shortcake on their beautiful porch! So I quickly emailed and asked for a copy of the pictures! My only regret is, Sadie our personal pet is not in the picture. But that's ok. She's camera shy.

The longest break I've had (break: time between pups) was only 2 months long. That time was between Eve and Ellie. Our family plan was to take a LONG 6 month or so break before getting another puppy. Thanks to someone as SEGDI *cough* MELINDA*cough*, that break didn't last very long. 

Melinda knows we as puppy raisers lovers, addicts, cannot possibly say no to a sweet, little, bundle of wiggly joy! But I'm serious this time about a break. Hear that Melinda? :o)

Missing Ellie like crazy,
 Meagan

Dad's cell phone

Wow. Talk about a flash back in time! I never play with dad's cell phone, but this evening I noticed it laying on the piano and I thought I would take a peak at what photos he had stored on his memory card.

This would be Eve aka "Eve-ous", "Eve-r-beaver", "Evie", when we were at the Florida Aquarium.

This is Eve at the beach... yes we are playing with a *shhhhhh* BALL *shhhhh*.

And here the lastest baby....

She's a sweetheart =-)

*cough* yeah, um, don't ask about the leash. Lets just say, I keep all my new pups away from my nice leather leash until they are out of the chewing stage.

Typical puppy... who cares for pictures?!?!

Back when "come" meant something to little Ellie dear

Ohhh I miss kissing that furry little head... and paws, after she had a bath that is.

I thought for sure I had a video of my sweet Ellie chasing Sadie around the tennis court. I was very disappointed to realize I did not. Yes, park rangers, when you are not around (like you ever are) I let my dogs run free in the "fenced" area. They are still "on leash" so you can't complain about the "dogs must be leashed" rule :)

     Oy, so missing Ellie,
            Meagan

My house...

is so very quiet without her

 Wednesday, Ellie's sponsors sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They smell amazing and look perfect as a center piece in the dining room! The picture doesn't do the flowers justice!

 

I took these pictures this morning. Ellie has matured into such a sweet little girl. Her temperament is so gentle and easy going. I think it really shows on her sweet face.

The drive to SEGDI on an IFT day is very hard... you purposely drive slow and try to get caught by every red light. That annoying lump in your throat gets bigger, and everything seems to go by so quickly.

I was so thankful, SEGDI was busy. People were coming and going, the January class was in session, so Ellie was watching the other dogs and getting excited about her surroundings. Distractions are a plus when your baby is going to college.

*Tip, no make-up on IFT days... trust me*

 

Ellie was so excited to go "exploring". She was tugging and pulling to go see more. No looking back for my little girl! 

After we said our tearful goodbyes, we always go and see the puppies. 

As well as seeing puppies, we also saw two familiar little female pups that are in heat right now. Little Flora and Popi were acting happy and go-lucky as they always are!

Meg's puppies!!! Aren't they adorable? Meg came out to say hi for a few minutes... she's such a sweetie!

 

 Puppy hugging was a lot of fun. Evan really enjoyed seeing the "Dah" :)

The house is so quiet. My room feels empty. But we are happy to see the huge decrease in dog hair floating around our house!

No more busy breaks before going into a store, no more waking up to a puppy rearranging her bedding, no more "forward straight" commands while crossing the street, no more saying "coat on".

Oh, we will miss this little girl. Very much.

Love,

Meagan