Sometimes, being a journalist means bearing witness to tragedies— natural disasters, crimes, illnesses— and those are all vital to report.

But sometimes, being a journalist means you get to spend a day with a spunky puppy who is training to be a Leader Dog for the Blind.

Read the story and view the full gallery on OurMidland.com here.

Hannah Piper trains Leader Dog for the BlindDANIELLE McGREW TENBUSCH | for the Daily News
Blue, a five-month-old Labrador, is in training to be a Leader Dog for the Blind. Midland native and current Michigan State University student Hannah Piper is raising her for the Rochester-based nonprofit. LOOK AT THIS SWEET PUPPY FACE! I'm in love. 

Not pictured:  The puppy, Blue, trying to lick my camera. (That definitely happened. After all, she's still a puppy.)

Her puppy raiser, Hannah, is balancing training with being a senior at Michigan State University, working as a lab assistant, and being a leader in the university's ROTC Army program! 

Hannah Piper trains Leader Dog for the BlindDANIELLE McGREW TENBUSCH | for the Daily News
Matt Thomas, Catey Regis, Hannah Piper and Nicholas Masters listen to their professor, Dr. Patricia Wilson as Blue, a five-month-old Labrador, rests during a macroeconomics and public policy class on Thursday, Dec. 8, in East Lansing. Hannah Piper trains Leader Dog for the BlindDANIELLE McGREW TENBUSCH | for the Daily News
Hannah Piper puts future Leader Dog Blue's vest on outside Berkey Hall at Michigan State University on Thursday, Dec. 8, in East Lansing. The vest signals to Blue that she is working; Piper removes it when Blue relieves herself, gets playtime or otherwise has time off work. Hannah Piper trains Leader Dog for the BlindDANIELLE McGREW TENBUSCH | for the Daily News
Lt. Col. Jeff Winston pets future Leader Dog Blue as Hannah Piper holds her on Thursday, Dec. 8, in East Lansing. When the five-month-old Labrador is wearing her vest, she is working and can only be pet in limited circumstances.
"We saw the advantage here in the program of her getting some experience with hands-on training animals as she develops herself to become a vet for the Army,Ó Winston said.