On Saturday evening, (10/25), we received a phone call from Karlyn's new mom!! She is a wonderful single lady who lives in Carlsbad, CA, and she works for a foundation that is closely linked with Canine Companions for Independence. We talked for over an hour that evening, and she even let me face time with Karlyn. Karlyn has lost a lot of weight from her time in Advanced Training, but I'm sure that she will be gaining it back over the next few months. When I called Karlyn's name, (over the face time phone link), Karlyn got very excited - She REMEMBERED ME!!! Karlyn started looking all over her new home for me, and it was so touching, that I started crying. I didn't mean to confuse Karlyn. Her new mom and I have emailed and kept in touch almost everyday. I have received a couple of short videos that have meant the world to me. It is so bittersweet knowing that my little girl has a wonderful home and also that this is truly means she no longer has any chance of coming home to me. BUT, I can tell that she and her new mom were truly meant to be together. If we humans are lucky - we will get to have that one pet who leaves very large paw prints on our heart and soul for the rest of our lives. Mine was a golden retriever named Gloria, who came into my life in 2000 for 10 1/2 short years. I believe that Karlyn and her mom have already started forming the same bond. In the meantime, I am doing my best to give them the space, time, and distance that they need, (only replying to her questions when she contacts me, and reassuring her that she is doing everything right with Karlyn). But I am so cherishing the photos and videos that she sends me of her new forever companion.
