(photo of Rain, service dog in training, when she was 4 months old, taken in May 2004)I had begun my research on Service Dogs the year before I began my search for her and a year before I actually found her. I didn't know who she would ultimately be but I had a good idea: a Dobie girl; sweet; intelligent; smart; a willing worker; any color but black; natural ears and from big but not "king size" parents. I looked at many Doberman litters. I knew I would find her.
She was born January 3, 2004 and I visited her in her birth home, for the first time in February. She was the only girl in the litter. She was the only one who wasn't black. Her parents were sweet, not at all bothered by me picking up their babies, both big and smart. She shared the beginning of her life with her litter mates of course but also a miniature dark brown adult daschund. She was inquisitive and enjoyed visiting with me. When I set her down on the floor she ran over to the little daschund's padded cloth domed house and went inside, turning around and peering out at me. She was so CUTE!
This was my first glimpse of the little girl that would become my mobility service dog, Rain.
