Dogs with wings born
From Canada.com
Dogs with wings born
Jennifer Fong, edmontonjournal.com
Published: Sunday, March 30
"Purple" is part of a litter of six puppies born on Saturday that will be trained by Dogs with Wings. Debbie Csongradi/Special to the Journal
EDMONTON - On Saturday afternoon, five-year-old Labrador retriever Libby gave birth to dogs with wings.
Bred by Edmonton-based charitable organization Dogs With Wings Assistance Dog Society, the six black and blond retriever puppies will be trained to become service dogs that will work with the blind, autistic and physically disabled.
Dogs With Wings has been training guide dogs and service dogs since 1996, and have graduated 62 dogs that are now out in the community living and assisting someone in need.
In a year or two, Libby's little ones, along with another litter of four to six Labrador puppies to be flown in next week from Nova Scotia, will join their ranks.
The only trouble with having so many puppies? Finding homes for every one of them can prove a challenge, no matter how cute and cuddly they are.
Dogs With Wings are now searching for foster families that are willing to raise the puppies and bring them to weekly training classes for a year.
"It's a big time commitment," said Elisa Irlam, founder and director of training at Dogs With Wings. But "being able to say that they've helped someone live a more independent life … Once they get to meet the client — they're invited to graduation and such — they can see just how much that dog has helped someone. That's what makes it all worth it."
And with puppies this adorable, how could anyone say no?
jfong@thejournal.canwest.com
To see photos and video of the puppies, and read a blog detailing their births on Saturday, please visit www.dogswithwingspuppies.blogspot.com.
