May 1, 2002
We met Licorice today – Jonathan, Beth and Mom went to pick him up. What a sweetheart- so calm and gentle – and he looks like a mini Jade.
Our first stop was a trip to the pet store to pick out a bowl, some toys and a nice cozy bed.  Licorice had fun sorting through the rawhide chewies that were at puppy level Lucy and Jade were a bit leery of his puppy activity level but otherwise okay.  The cats looked on in disbelief and were most annoyed. 

May 2, 2002
Licorice slept well all night- we never heard a peep.  He was very full of beans when he woke up – for 2 older dogs who don’t do mornings this was really annoying. Later in the day he had his first outing to the Uof G library and Stone Road Mall.  One big event-Jasper and Jordan were playing pool and he decided to poop right on Jasper’s foot – so nice!!!

May 15, 2002
Where has the time gone…Licorice has now been here for 2 weeks.  He has had many adventures – trips to the mall, Ultra Mart, the hospital to see Beth’s grandma and a brief trip to Mom’s work.  House training is still not a certainty so extended trips will have to wait just a bit longer.  Uncle Gord was very impressed at how he settles down when he puts on his “smart coat” – he’s thinking of getting one for Aunt Janet!!!  Jade is really intimidated by him, Lucy and the cats are annoyed at his immaturity.  He is teething and nothing is sacred.  Shredding newspapers is especially fun.

 My story began on December 4, 2001.   My mother Whisper gave birth to me and my 5 sisters and 3 brothers at her home at Bralex Kennels.  My father Bubba was very excited that day.  Five of us were Black Labs and four were Chocolate Labs.  My parents took such good care of us and they loved us all very much. 
 Our owners asked their daughter Natashia to choose a name for me.  She looked at my shiny black coat and thought that "Licorice" would be perfect.
 Whisper and Bubba are Canadian Champions.  Some of my older brothers and sisters and cousins have gone on to be service dogs and search and rescue dogs.  We are all very proud of them.
 

       On May 1, 2002 I met my new foster family.  They loved me so very much and I loved them too.  I was excited to go to their house.  My foster Mom and Dad had 3 sons, Jonathan, Jordan and Andrew.  They also had 2 dog friends for me, Jade and Lucy and 3 cat friends, Ashes, Charcoal and Cinders.  I thought it was fun to chase them…they thought I was immature!

 It was fun to dress up for special  occasions like Christmas.

I went to the Easter Egg Hunt with my friends. 
Jade won a lovely hat.
 

My foster Dad and I loved to go out together.  Sometimes we would stop at Tim Horton's and the nice lady would give me a timbit.  Then we would head off to the grocery store together.   I got to watch the cart.  All the people would stop and talk to us…I liked that so much.  I became friends with many of the cashiers. 
 
 

I loved going for walks in the woods near my home. 
 
 

We would stop by the stream and I could splash in the water.

 
 

My foster Mom took me back to Bralex Kennels where my life had begun.   After 15 months I met my Dad, Bubba, again.  He told me he was very proud of me.

My loving mother Whisper was there and she told me how much she loved me.  My sister Peggy 
Sue and my brother Cole were there too…we had such a 
wonderful time together 
 
 
 

Our owner Tari watched me grow.  She said I was calm and gentle and that I was being chosen to do something very special. 
She decided that I would be perfect to become a service dog.

All the puppies in training would meet for classes and sometimes we would train at the mall.  My favourite was the nights we trained at the pet store...we got to look at all the toys.

My foster family took me many places.  When we went out I got to wear my special jacket.  I went to restaurants, hospitals, schools, malls and I even went to work with my foster Mom.  She called my jacket a smart coat because when I wore it I was calm and became very smart!

One of my favourite games was playing hockey with an empty plastic bottle…

…or playing tug-o-war with my best friend Jade.
My days were usually very busy.  My foster family tried to take me out somewhere almost every day.  I liked going for car rides.
 

When we got home then I could get my toys and play.  I loved chasing a ball or a stick.

I loved splashing in my very own pool…

…and looking for fish.

Mealtime was one of the best parts of my day…I could hardly wait.
 

At the end of a fun day, I was tired and fell asleep with my buddy Jade
 

On August 8, 2003 my foster Mom brought me to the National Service Dogs Kennels for my training.  My foster family was very sad and I didn't understand at first.  My foster mother hugged me and reminded me of what my owner had said when I was a small puppy - that I was going to do something very special someday.  She explained why we had been working so hard together all these months and that now I was going to go to school to learn how to help a little boy who needed me.  She told me not to be sad, and to remember that my foster family would love me forever and that I would be in their hearts, always.

 Soon I understood what my foster Mom meant. 

 I went to live with some of the dog friends I had seen at my classes.  Wade and Allison and Chris would come and put on our "smart coats" and take us out in the van almost every day.  They taught us many new things and played with us and then at the end of the day we all got to go outside together and wrestle.
 I thought about my foster family and my parents Bubba and Whisper…I wanted to make them proud.  I worked very hard.

 Now Wade says that I am ready.

 My foster family has come to say goodbye. 
 I will miss them. 

 I have had so many people to love me and now I want to share my love with you, Amanda. 
 I will be your friend forever.  I will protect you, comfort you and always be loyal to you.  We will share special moments together and I will be there if you are sad or alone.  I will be by your side whenever you need me.  I will be the light in your eyes and I will give you my unconditional love forever.

Graduation took place in November of 2003 and Licorice is now with his new family
 

Letter from Carol.. Hi Tari: I wanted to send you a quick note to fill you in on Licorice's new family.  They are wonderful and they love him to pieces!!  Their names are Shawn and Joyce ****  and they have a 7year old daughter Amanda who has been diagnosed with autism since she was 4.  They both came for the training week.  They have 2 Huskies that they are giving away to close friends because they want to devote all their time and attention to Licorice.  They were so grateful to have Licorice and he really seemed well connected with them too.  You would have been so proud of him.  I have pictures that I will e-mail to you.  It was a very emotional night. Licorice gave us his kisses goodbye but it was clear how nicely he had connected to his new parents  He has defintiely found his special place.  I gave the family the scrapbook that I made.  I have attached a copy of the narrative that I put with the pictures.  I hope that I was accurate with the information from his early months. Let's be sure to keep in touch. Carol