Update from Yohan's trainer:
He's settling in well. Mixing with other dogs nicely. Got two goes around the centre on a long lead to get used to the new sights, sounds and especially smells.
He's kenneling in with Valko, a dog he knows from before he went into the centre. Boarding with Vicky didn't work because she very sensitive.
Throughout the call she emphasised how much they have their welfare at heart.
7 dogs went in to advanced guide dog training yesterday. 2 litter mates to Yohan (Yam & Yasha) - they knew each other instantly though they haven't seen each other in over a year.
He's in the same kennel as Vicky, another new arrival that day. They're getting on well. And Valko is her litter mate who arrived as we were handing over, he was brought up within a couple of miles, so they know each other through fundraising.
This part is hard. But we did it. We are strong. And those pups are so needed.
It was always about getting to this point for me. Now I'm here I actually have no idea what to do next.
My friend and puppy raiser legend phoned this morning to check on me. They raised Valko who was being taken into the kennels at Cork at the same time as Yohan.
She asked how I was doing, I said OK, but to be honest I'm struggling. She said she spent the last day crying and tidying the house.
Valko was their 9th puppy. It never gets easier judging by what she said. I asked her to give her other dog a cuddle from me.
We left the call crying.
#IrishGuideDogs
#MastoDaoine
#DogsOfMastodon
Yohan is now in kennels in Cork to begin the next stage of his training. The next video is a compilation of some of the lovely images my husband and others made of him over the year with us.
The time he ran up the garden with a mug is the moment we knew he was in our hearts forever.
7 puppies went into Cork today to begin the next part of their adventure. Best wishes to those puppy raisers. Every one a broken heart tonight.
Yohan and Yara, siblings of the 2024 'Y' litter spent their last free run together today.
They've already had a year of intense training. We lived about 10 minutes away from each other.
Yohan enters advanced guide dog training this week. Yara enters next week.
Our last go through the shopping centre we've done our weekly training in. And our last goodbyes at the other centre which helps people with intellectual disability.
Yohan has now completed his year long training with me as his puppy raiser. We have one more event which is a fundraiser. Then he'll head in to big (guide dog) school.
Yesterday was a busy day.
Yohan had a really energetic play with a lovely local boxer pup.
Then we said goodbye to some groups and shops we regularly visit. They were all lovely, as they always are. This was his last visit. No idea how I got through it without bawling me eyes out.
Yohan returns to Irish Guide Dogs for his advanced training next week. We have some more goodbyes to do tomorrow. And I've been trying to make a lovely keepsake.
Ah yeah, I reckon he's good to go to big school next week. Nothing to see here
Yohan had his final exam this week. The supervisor took him through his paces checking all sorts. He's very happy. Obviously he can't guarantee whether Yohan will pass through his advanced training but said it's looking really good for him.
I'll be honest I had a big wobble today. Very teary. Yohan doesn't go in for a few more days. So I'm enjoying the time we have & reminding myself of the reasons, and the people, I am doing his training for.
At the beach this morning getting some nice pics of Yohan for the Irish Guide Dogs newsletter. This is in preparation for when he goes in for his advanced training.
It was a glorious sunny day. And honestly, I think I'll take memories of him running around in the shallows today with me forever.
He is a Good Dog.
Yohan had his stitches removed yesterday. This is his first zoomies since the op. More info in alt text. Yohan is a 14 month old guide dog puppy in training.
Feels like he'll be OK.
Yohan will be going back to Cork soon to start his formal training.
CW eye contact
Yohan is 1 today. Here he demonstrates his 10 months of intensive guide dog training discipline to date with the zoomies. Happy birthday, ye silly bugger.
Ar an trá
(at the beach)
