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Nicole

@nicolechristina89

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Counsellor 🧠 Psychology Student 👩🏼‍🎓 Nail Tech 💅🏼 Guide Dog Puppy Raiser 🦮
Kindness always ♥️

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My cheeky boy. Mr Murphy.

Such a patient boy. The best temp big brother to pur guide pups. Avid food watcher.

For all the shit I say in jest about him. He is a mummas boy, or for anyone who has a snacking at that moment in time.

🤎🤎🤎 by @nicolechristina89

Some of the videos of Tara, Andrew and I doing blindfolded walks. Poor Tara has always had to slow down for me as I walk slower with my back and I felt a bit tall for her. Also I needed to do it barefooted as having a number left leg and foot plus zero vision would have meant disaster.
That was actually such a mental adjustment to trust Tara as placing a foot I cannot feel down was scary without sight (and of course Gill would have made sure I didnt walk into anything too haha) you can see in the first video I needed to adjust.

But how cool is it!! I don't think I'll ever get over this

Thank again @_gill11_ so so special by @nicolechristina89

Guess who I got to see today 😭 both Andrew and I got to do blindfold walks with her too which I'll post when I have some energy because wow. How these dogs can be this intelligent, composed and still be happy playful dogs who remember their people is incredible. And then the trainers 😭 I am eternally grateful Gill her trainer allows us to experience this. How do you train these dogs?! It is mind blowing 🤯
And Norman got to see Tara again too. He also sat in on some meetings which I am sure all his input was ground breaking and all actioned immediately.
I was a bit of a distraction to Miss Tara.... what can I say its hard being the favourite. But I can assure you she guided both of us so confidently.

How is this magical being that I had to run outside to not shit on the floors doing this?! Helping change someone's life!! It is not lost on me how incredible this journey is. Tara is SO loved. I could see that with every shire worker that knew her and especially from her B&B boarder and her trainer Gill. Yes we think we're the only ones who can love them. It is just not true. They're loved by so many. In so many ways. Were a stepping stone.
I still sobbed on the drive home though. Precious girl you're doing so good and I am so proud of you. by @nicolechristina89

Norman's first experience in Timezone and being handled by Gill @_gill11_ so much noise and unknown objects and he just cruises on through.
As a 9 month old puppy still this is super impressive. He also sat at a Cafe with dogs walking past, kids playing and lots of foot traffic.
We think we won't love the next one as much but then your heart expands to fit them in.
So proud of Norman. And of course Tara and Beryl. by @nicolechristina89

N O R M A N

This boy is the sweetest guy. He is such a relaxed and loving doggo.
When you feel like you can't love the next pup as much as the last they steal a little bit of your heart

Dogs are just the absolute best creatures.

The excitement to learn what he will grow up to be is super special 💙

Norman - the saddest looking happiest dog in the world 🌎 by @nicolechristina89

When the most serendipitous moments occur, I would like to think Ozzy had a hand in this one today of all days.
I was in Busselton for an MRI which that also had me not happy and I finished, turned out onto the main road. And I see an orange jacket and think aw yay a guide dog. Then I notice Gill (Tara's Trainer @_gill11_ )is walking the guide dog. THEN I realise it IS Tara. It took everything in me to not yell out the window. Obviously not a sensible move on a main road.

Then I missed a turn so messaged Gill and said I just saw her and Tara. Then I drove off and dog ran in front of my car and I nearly hit it. So stopped again and saw Gill had called me and told me to come meet them.

My heart and soul needed to see this girl today.

How fucking special are dogs. I am so lucky to know so many.

Notice my handbag thrown on the ground. That was the excitement level by @nicolechristina89

A year ago we were making the hardest decision and I've missed you everyday since. I still think I see you peeking around corners with your tongue hanging out, but when I turn you disappear.
I miss your loud old man stretches, your hot fur from laying out in the Karratha sun at midday, I miss your happy squeals when we walked in the door. I just miss you so much.
Ozzy the $100 Port Hedland pup, the best big brother to so many foster dogs, 2 guide dogs and of course Murphy. If you met Norman I know you both would be playing non-stop because you could never resist no matter how tired you felt.
We love you. We miss you. The most special boy and heart dog. by @nicolechristina89

An update on Miss Tara because I get asked weekly because she is a very loved lady.

She has been training hard with Gill, learning so much! She’s halfway through her formal training
She is leading out nicely in harness, slowing for up coming road crossings & stopping straight at all curbs independently, knows her straight lines and all directional commands-responding the first time every time. Her obstacle work is great and she is giving me heaps of room on the right shoulder obstacles.
She is a speed demon, I struggled to keep pace with her. So they’re working on slowing down in busy areas to allow her to make decisions.

What a special, clever and happy girl she is! We miss her so much but wowee are we proud of her. by @nicolechristina89

I am so proud of this big guy. After the last week our confidence took a beating. So getting back out and about with Norman for some training reminded me of some important things. Discussing his strengths and hearing how people just adore his big loving heart.

I can’t wait to see what he does and who he will help. He’s so relaxed and affectionate. 7 months of Norman 🐕‍🦺 by @nicolechristina89

I wanted to update those who are interested.
Crunchie had HEAPS of interest and the rescue were doing home checks etc for the special little man. He will find his perfect family - as much as it hurts that isn’t us. I was so excited and proud to have this amazing soul with us.

I know it is what was best for everyone living creature in our house. But I won’t lie, we were absolutely devastated and heartbroken to take him back to his foster mum.
However, he was SO excited to be with them and his foster mum was so kind to Andrew and I as we were an absolute mess on her driveway.

One of the positives to come out of it all was the reigniting our desire to foster again down the track. For the short period of time Crunchie was here he made such a massive impact.
Also I want to thank everyone who commented and understood. “Failing” out loud felt huge and confronting.

Crunchie is ok. We’re ok. Everything will be ok 🤎 by @nicolechristina89

Not a post I wanted to make. Andrew and I are riddled with sadness and guilt.
We are not the right home for this beautiful soul. We’ve been making ourselves sick trying to make this work but the dynamics in the house just aren’t working and as much as our hearts want to do this the timing isn’t aligning to let us.
He is the most beautiful boy and he needs the space to thrive.

There is a shit tonne of awful feelings along with this all. A big one being shame. I’m trying to afford myself and Andrew the kindness I’d give to others. When we say we are going to do something we do it, however we’re in too deep and logically the best for Crunchie and for our household this impossible decision has to be made. by @nicolechristina89

Happy dog. Dirty car by @nicolechristina89