At the most random times I think of the most random memory of Cassie. Maybe it's the fact that after she got used to our turtle pool she went crazy, or maybe it's the fact that she could run and run and run and run and even if she was breathing really hard she'd still run some more. Everytime a memory comes to mind I smile at first, then I get sad, remembering the day we said goodbye, then, of course, I want to cry, but I don't. I loved that dog so much, and I still do. Until next time...

This is Sparky. We had the pleasure of pet sitting him for 3 weeks. He was hilarious! He made us laugh with his incoordination in catching anything we through at him. I guess he was just goofy. Well, and adorable. He was a big ball of love and SO obedient. It was like he got joy out of doing what you wanted him to do. I love him and his enormously long tongue!!!

Crazy self

I think all my friends think I'm crazy. I'm SO excited about this new puppy I have random outburst of excitement about how many days are left 'til we get him. Btw, that would be 6 right now. I don't know, I just can't wait for him to get her. I personally think it has something to do with the fact that my family has never had a dog as a pet and raising Guide Dogs is the closest we get. And, I love it! I love taking the puppy everywhere we go, like it's normal and, like always, I love the attention. I can't wait to take a million pictures of our new pup. Until next time...

It seems like just yesterday...

As I look back at all the times we had with all the dogs in training that have come into our home I realize, that it all seemed to happen so fast. It's been over a year since we first got Hamlet and in some ways it feels so much shorter. I find myself thinking back to certain hilarious memories I have of all the 6 that had a little chance to get to know the Rectors. I find myself wishing I had done more of some things, like taking Cassie out on the deck with our Turtle pool, and wishing I had done some things less, like scold them when they're the least bit wrong. But in the end, it still seems like just yesterday... Until next time...

As the days count down 'til we get our new puppy, there are so many thing on my mind, but one in particular are my expectations. I already expect so many things to happen. For instance, I expect him to be an angel and obey my every command, I expect that he'll just know when play time is and when work time is. I expect everyone to love him and I expect him to love me the most. But I think that instead of expecting all these things, I'll just see what happens and do my best to help him become a wonderful Guide Dog. Until next time...

I couldn't resist posting this pic. Cassie was playing with her brother, Toby on our deck. It's a little blurry because they were moving so fast, but to me, that doesn't really matter 'cause it's such a great face.

9 more days 'til we get our new puppy! As I count down the days I can't help but think of all the fun things will do with the new puppy. He'll swim in our little turtle pool. (Don't worry, it's less than a foot deep.) He'll be introduced to plenty of new toys and a few old ones. We'll take him to Wal-mart, the movies, out to eat, and pretty much everywhere else we go...well at least when we can 'cause he'll be so young, he won't last long in some places. I can't wait to pick him up, hold him in my arms, and cherish every moment I have with him.

This is one of the first pictures Brian took of Cassie. On the day we got her, we also met her brothers and sisters, Toby, Rocky, Spike, and Duchess. They were all so adorable and though I wasn't there when we first got her, the moment I saw her, I fell in love, well, if you can fall in love with a dog. Anyway, we raised her for 10 months, got to see her through her birthday, and cried as a trainer took her away from us. In fact, I'm almost crying right now thinking about it. Cassie will always have a very special place in my heart and on my wall.

This is Lucky. We puppy sat him after Hamlet left. He visited us for a total of about 6 weeks. I adored him SO much! He loved to cuddle, he, as you can see, loved my sunglasses, and he followed us around the house. I loved playing games with him and, of course taking pictures. Lucky was matched but apparantly walks to slow, but that okay, there will be someone to love Lucky half as much as he loves them.

HAMLET!!!

This is Hamlet. He was the first Guide Dog in Training we received. We got him on August 15th, 2008. He was the cutest thing in the world and his sleepy eyes were unbelievable. He just got released from the program down at Florida and is going to a good home and he'll be in our hearts and computers forever.

Importance of Guide Dogs

Some people say that they could never raise Guide Dogs because they couldn't give it away. Well, I guess to me, if I had that thought process, I couldn't raise Guide Dogs either. I could say I do it for me because my parents don't let us have regular pets, or I could say I do it for the dog because they actually accomplish something in their life, but neither of those are the answer. I do this for the blind person. They're the one that truly benefit the most from this. They're the ones that end up with a companion to go with them everywhere and act as their eyes. So, yes, I do love the experience of raising a Guide Dog and taking it everywhere, but in the end, it's always for the blind person. Until next time...

I'M RAISING GUIDE DOGS!!!!

Hi, everyone, my name is Amy Rector. I'm 15 years old, the youngest in my family, and most importantly, I'm raising Guide Dogs!!! :D It's really very simple. You apply, get a dog, teach it basic obedience and socialize it for a year. Then you take it down to Florida, say goodbye, and hope it becomes a Guide Dog for a blind person. I will be getting a new dog on May 22! We've fully raised one dog and helped raise 5 others. Those dogs were Hamlet, Lucky, Cassie, Cindy Jae and Sparkie. We've come into contact with many other dogs and can't wait to get a new 8 week old puppy!!!! Until next time...