Bittersweet Ending

For most exciting times/days (like today), there is usually a downer. Well today my leader`s called and I thought for sure they were just calling to say the meeting was cancelled. Well my mom answered the phone and she sad she had some bad news. I was thinking oh no did DeSoto die, was Focus career changed, is Ryder ok? Well it turns out that Focus was career changed.

They did not really say why but mostly because he was so high powered and hyper. I can`t say I am surprised at all, cause that was Focus. When I read blogs and they say my "I have just been hit by a train" I never could emotionally understand that until now. As much work as Focus was he was my favorite, and all dogs are different. I love DeSoto and Ryder dearly but Focus just had something about him.

My family and I keeping him is 100% out of the question. We can not have a high powered dog that needs miles of walking daily. We could not leave him home alone, he would chew everything up, and kenneling him all day is not fair to him. I`d love to keep him and it breaks my heart that I can`t. I know of a family in town that is really interested in him, he just lost his 14 year old lab that was a hunting dog. Hunting would be great for Focus, and he could go to work with them, and I could see him a lot.

Since it is snowing like crazy, we are not able to make it over the hill for at least a few days. I`ve been talking with my brother who lives in the bay area about picking Focus up this week and keeping him till my mom and I are able to make it over, and he agreed to that. So Focus will get to live in a house again! He is also very interested in keeping Focus and he could go to work with his as well. So both options are great and I know Focus would be happy in either one of them.

SUMMARY: Focus is a large, strong, male yellow lab. He is very personable with an active curiosity level. He has a moderate energy level when he has an outlet for his energy. If cooped up and not exercised for a while, he can become busy and more energetic. He adjusted quickly to the kennel, gets along well with all other dogs and enjoyed having a roommate. He enjoys human interaction as well, quickly bonding to his primary handler. His progress in training was good. He learned quickly, really enjoying clicker training and food reward.
He does have a sensitive side when focused; he is willing and well-intentioned, but occasionally impulsive around dogs and food requiring above-average strength to manage the distractibility. His positive qualities are endless; however, with his size and strength, it would be very difficult to match him with a visually impaired client.
Focus is a dog that needs a job – a job to this dog would be to go jogging every day or to play fetch with the kids. (Possibly Search and rescue). He also would greatly benefit from consistency in the home, high expectations and fair handlers.

I just want to say that Focus, you did an amazing job, you made it all the way through training and you just decided it was not right for you. Good job my boy and I can`t wait to see you!

Katlynn & Ryder