Everyone loves a puppy, right? So can you imagine bringing home a beautiful, squirmy, bundle of joy at 8 weeks old and know you'll have to give him up when he's 14 months old?

Natalie Martino, 17, of Saylorsburg is going to try because she is training a puppy for Canine Companions for Independence.Natalie, a junior at Pius X High School, has to do a service project of 20 hours her junior year and 25 hours her senior year. She loves children, and for years has been going to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School after her classes to tutor and help the younger students with their homework. She thought that would be her service project.Her mother, Linette Martino, was a student at Lehigh Carbon Community College doing her occupational therapy assistant internship at the Slate Belt Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A physical therapist at the center and her husband had a Canine Companion puppy in training and brought him in to visit the residents."Everyone just loved him. I saw how the dog brought such a change to the atmosphere at the center. I asked them more about the program. I was so moved by what these animals do for people," says Linette.One of the stories the couple told Linette was about a young man who became a paraplegic and felt his life was over. He didn't see the need to get out of bed.But when his father introduced a Canine Companion to him and told the young man he had to be responsible for him, he now can't wait to get up in the morning because he has a purpose.Linette told Natalie about the program."I started to think about it. I love dogs. Our family has always had dogs. I thought I'd like to do this," says Natalie.But she had her work cut out for her when her mom told her she had to ask her father, David Martino."It was a hard sell. Her father knew we'd have to give the dog back, and he thought it would break her heart," says Linette.Like most dads, he finally caved in and the Martinos applied for the program.On Oct. 16, Linette and a friend drove to Metford, New York, and picked up 8-week-old Leonardo, a mixed breed, half golden retriever and half golden Labrador. Leonardo was already named, as were his three brothers and sister from the same litter. All their names begin with the letter L.Linette received some instruction before she left. Natalie, Linette and Leonardo attend classes twice a week.They have to teach Leonardo 30 commands, from sit to learn how to be quiet. They take him everywhere to acclimate him to society. He has to learn how to become "invisible," as if he is not in the room.At 5 months old, Leonardo is all puppy and wants to play."I've learned that puppies require a lot of patience. Sometimes he makes me upset, like when he gets me all wet when I give him a shower," Natalie says with good humor.So far the hardest thing for her was training Leonardo to go "potty," which he has to respond to the command word, "hurry."The easiest thing so far? "Falling in love."She says it will be hard to give up Leonardo but she keeps telling herself how he will someday make someone's life happier and easier."I keep telling myself he has a greater purpose," says Natalie.Linette says that only four out of every 10 dogs in the program make it. The standards are very high."If he doesn't make it, we'll definitely keep him," says Linette.Her husband already has hopes Leonardo will flunk his testing. Their son, Matthew, 21, joins in that sentiment.But as much as they already love him, Natalie and Linette are hoping he does pass."He will change somebody's life. It's a selfless thing to do, to love them and let them go. It's a way to pay it forward," Linette says.