'Pick of the Litter' episode 2 sends our canine heroes 'Off To Puppy College' for some warm and sad moments
Episode 2 of 'Pick of the Litter' that aired on December 27 gave us a closer look at the six adorable guide dogs (and the families that raised them) that we were introduced to in the pilot episode of the show last week - Raffi, Tartan, Amara, Pacino, Paco and Tulane.
In the first episode, we learned that the dogs have to pass an evaluation test after being put through their paces by the dog trainers and their families, in order to prove that they will be viable candidates for the Guide Dogs for the Blind school in California. Here are our biggest takeaways from the second episode 'Off To Puppy College'.
Demanding Program
The training regime that the dogs have to go through is challenging, exacting, and definitely asks a lot out of the dogs and the families that have raised them. In order to pass the evaluation, the dogs have to show that they can be well-trained and well-mannered. These canines have to be able to operate on a schedule with minimum supervision, and remain calm and obedient at all times. After all, they will be holding their eventual visually-impaired owners' lives in their hands... err, paws.
And it's not just their behavior that's being rated - even the dogs' parents will be evaluated to make sure that genetically speaking, they're made of the right stuff and possess a good pedigree. Even if the canines are not cleared for guide dog training, they might still be considered for the school's breeding program, since good genes play a key role in ensuring that the dogs will be healthy and live a long life free of medical complications.
Heartwarming and Heartwrenching
Needless to say, watching these mischievous pups grow up to become cute, adorable and well-mannered dogs is incredibly touching and deeply satisfying. We get to see the warmth, love, and dedication that is showered on these dogs by the families that raised them, but we also get to witness some pretty disappointing moments when some of the dogs are deemed unable to make the cut for the guide school training. We are also given intimate access to some sad, painful moments with the dog raisers and their families once their dogs have been selected to go back to the guide school for another 12 weeks of training. It honestly feels and looks like they are losing a member of their family. Parting really is such sweet sorrow. On that note, see you next week when we take a look at Episode 3!
