TWO ongoing EVENTS (scroll to bottom for behind the scenes)

MEMORIAL BLOG:  CCI named a puppy after me at the request/encouragement of long-time (repeat) puppy raiser Laurie Dunne. It was one of the most rare and out-of-the ordinary things that is so incredibly humbling it felt like a strange out-of-body experience. The blog entry here is a memorial of eternal gratitude to the most amazing, wonderful, loving, giving person in the world (Laurie), and to the CCI Puppy Raisers and volunteers who are the most incredible people, that I genuinely & eternally consider my family and dearest friends with genuine unconditional love and support. It started out for me in 2001 with the "Power of Intention" that I wanted to create a better world around me after experiencing personal life trauma. So I searched for an activity or people with whom I could experience some unconditional love. I came across CCI and jumped in so deep that, for the year I took off work to attend a school program, I was involved every week with doing activities for CCI from community outreach at schools, hospitals, civic centers, and booths, to puppy sitting, and starting to capture the quarterly graduations in photos. Whenever you need a big dose of antidepressant, jump into a puppy pile and all the troubles of the world get licked away. Although the quarterly turn-in got tougher over the years because I was bonding with so many of the dogs. 

After one particular graduation, one of the Puppy Raisers gave me a beautiful framed gift, which I didn't get to open until driving home because I was working, photographing the graduation ceremony, then packing gear. So sitting in a highway traffic parking lot was the first opportunity to unwrap it. I cried so hard that I had to pull off the road. I love the CCI people and particularly the Puppy Raisers eternally as my true family. There have been wonderful, fun, and beautiful memories with them, and helping to empower others with the miracle of a dog.... and more memories still being created. 

The photo gallery below starts on 11/14/2007 with Laurie picking up puppy Sergi (I have to say "puppy" in front of his name, otherwise there's confusion in my head (haha)). The next day Sergi meets Sergi, along with Ronnie visiting from Israel. Sergi matriculated 2/7/09 and graduated 8/22/09. The first photo you'll see in the gallery is a beautiful custom cut collage from Laurie to me and Kirk, the recipient of puppy Sergi. Ok, hard to type this now with these tears!  

This is only one short story. Each puppy and volunteer Puppy Raiser has unique and incredible stories to tell of their journey raising a puppy. And it definitely takes a village. The PRs are volunteers and the school survives solely on donations. Many PRs continue doing it, and not all puppies makes it through to graduation and placement. It takes appx 18 months until the puppy matriculates into full-time advanced training, and six months to graduate. That means they're approximately two years old when they finish their training and placed with a recipient. 

Capturing so many of these special moments in photos is a privilege, and seeing what happens at graduations is a blessing. With love and gratitude, -Ken

Link to blog of puppy Sergi

Video of puppy Sergi first meeting