As part of our Puppy Love Month campaign, we asked some of our Puppy Raisers to write a letter to their puppy’s future handler, sharing a snapshot of all the work (and love) that goes into future Assistance Dogs. Juliana is currently raising Leaf, and recently shared a letter with us.
Puppy raisers help build strong foundations for our puppies who have the potential to become future Assistance Dogs. By raising a puppy for Dogs for Better Lives, you will become a part of a team dedicated to helping others. Changing the life of a family in need to live a more independent lifestyle with the help of the assistance dog you helped raise.
Interested in becoming a Puppy Raiser? Visit our Puppy Raising page for more information or to apply.
To: Leaf's Future Person/Handler
From: Puppy Raiser Juliana & Puppy in Training, Leaf
Dear Leaf’s Future Person/Handler,
Hi! My name is Juliana and I have the privilege of raising DBL puppy, Leaf. I wanted to share a little bit about how his puppy months are going and how much he is loved.
Leaf is currently 8 months old. He spends his days chewing bones, receiving cuddles, and playing with my own dog, Lola. He loves playing with her even more than he loves tennis balls and belly rubs – which is a lot!
Leaf is a gentle, smart, and loving puppy. We spend time visiting different places like coffee shops, libraries, outdoor malls, and more, and he has already learned sit, down, stay, heel, front, side, leave it, back up, and under. It is exciting to watch him think as he learns new skills. He has even shown off his good behavior at my office. Sometimes he is hesitant to go on new adventures, but once we get going he warms up quickly (especially when there are treats involved).
I can’t express how truly lucky I feel to raise Leaf and get to witness his growth and goofiness each day. You won’t find a sweeter, sillier dog. For all his playfulness, Leaf’s favorite thing to do at any time of day is cuddle. If you’re sitting on the floor, rest assured he will crawl into your lap and snooze as long as you’ll let him. I will miss his quirky personality and loving spirit, but it makes me so excited to think that each day Leaf gets closer to meeting his forever person!
Love,
Juliana and Leaf
