IT WAS an all-in family affair when puppy No. 1, Tassie, came to live in the Morrison family’s Woronora home.
They shared in the excitement and sense of achievement that came with helping train her.
So when it was time to hand Tassie back, they decided to do it all over again.
Now Elana is tugging at the family’s heart strings.
Mother Amber Morrison said she was initially hesitant when the opportunity came up to help train a future guide dog.
But the feeling was short-lived, with elder son Jackson readily taking on the responsibility of early morning toilet training and feeding.
‘‘It only took Lexie two hours for the pup to fall asleep on her lap,’’ Ms Morrison said.
‘‘It pretty well added another dimension to our family.
‘‘It’s so rewarding, we’re all in it together.’’
They had Tassie for a year before they handed her back to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for further training.
The bitter-sweet moment of handing over Tassie was tempered by meeting second pup, Elana, that same day.
The Morrisons are looking forward to Tassie’s graduation ceremony, which Ms Morrison said was going to be similar to seeing a member of the family graduate.
HELPERS WANTED
Guide Dogs NSW urgently needs volunteers from Sutherland Shire who can raise a puppy, which will potentially become a guide dog for someone who is blind or vision impaired.
Puppy raisers must feed, groom and exercise their pups daily, with the organisation providing a support network, food and vet care.
Puppies stay with families from the age of about eight weeks to 14 months, when they return to the Guide Dog Centre to be assessed for training.
Carers need a fenced backyard, car access and must be able to devote a minimum four hours’ a day to the pups.
Details: guidedogs.com.au or phone 45797555.