In the past 16 months, my puppy has visited 15 states. She’s befriended a pot-bellied pig, some horses and several friendly dogs. She’s graduated from college. She’s worked at a high school and in a newsroom. She has even begun dating a California boy.

And, yesterday, she received the most important phone call of her life.

“We’re calling back the counties,” Deb said. “Sometime in the middle of January.”

The counties. My Trego. Trego is one of 10 puppies born at KSDS, Inc., on July 11, 2008. The pups in her litter were all named after Kansas counties.

Deb, the puppy raiser coordinator for KSDS, Inc., offered me the chance to raise another puppy. She told me she’d put our letters in the mail with the official callback date. I told her I’d start crying now.

Trego is a service dog in training. I’ve known since I got her last September that she’d be called back to Washington, Kansas, to finish her training. I knew I’d have to give her up. I just didn’t know it would be this soon.

“March,” I used to tell people. “Sometime in May.”

“It could be any time between March and May… We’re not sure… I won’t get much notice.”

But not ever, “Sometime in the middle of January.”

So today I am sad. I am heartbroken, actually, because our countdown has begun too early. I have about six weeks with the puppy I used to call a “wiggly-butt pee machine.” She still wiggles her butt and shuffles her feet when she walks, but now that puppy is a dog. She’s a grown up who can fly on an airplane and ride on a train. She’s confident in crowds and is conscious of the fragility of little children. She comes when I call her and (sometimes) pees on command. I am heartbroken that this grown up dog will leave California in six weeks, but I am so proud of what she’s about to do. Our friend Lisa calls her a prodigy. She says these puppies are ready early, and that’s something extra to be proud of them for. I’m trying to believe her.

Regardless of how I feel about it, in about six weeks, Trego will return to Washington a confident, happy, healthy dog. And in about six months I will walk with her as she graduates, just like she walked with me.

And that day will make this heartache worth it.

3 Responses to “Puppy prodigy”

1. Ann Thompson Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 9:52 am

   I know how hard losing Trego will be but please always be proud of what you have done to get Trego ready to serve. As someone who has a friend who will be using a special needs dogs soon, I thank you for your help in raising a dog that will someday help her.

2. Lisa Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm

   Ellie wishes her sister much success at college! Ready to ride out there with you to return her cry with you and be so happy with you on the way back (and all those pee stops on the way!).

   Trego truly is a prodigy (she just should have shared some of that confidence with the Ells-bells). We love you TREGO!!! Can’t wait to see what your future holds (your second time through college *grin*).

3. Estrella Says:
   December 19th, 2009 at 7:08 am

   Congratulations!

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