Attention All Supporters of the Zane Train,
Zane has been retired from guide work, but God's blessings have created a return to his puppy raiser home. There is much love and affection for him there and Zane will make a powerful difference for all the people that he is going to meet and cheer up and spread his puppy love. See below.
Richard and Claudia,
I just got the call from Rick Wilcox, our southern California advisor for GDB asking if we want Zane back or if we'd want him to go into the "Buddy" program where he would be adopted by a person less than 18 years old that will eventually need a guide. I told him that it was your wish and our desire to have him back with us as soon as possible and that's what was decided. Now we need to figure out transportation for him....we could either drive up and get him this weekend or wait till the 24th when the Puppy Truck makes a regular run to Arizona via our city. We could pick him up then. I'll talk to the girls and decide.
We're so excited to see him again. His future is now set and there will be no more major change of scenery for him. He will have a safe, stable and enriching environment with us although he won't have the social status he once had!
We'll let you know what we decide to do as far as his transportation back to his "first family".
PS: Rick knows the trainer that worked with Zane and spoke highly of him. He had no more insight into his condition than you already gave me..in fact less. Rick's job is mainly to decide placement for Zane and he is coordinating his efforts with the puppy placement office at GDB.
Gary
That's great! I know he will love being back with all the LOVE that you
guys will give him.
I couldn't be happier for him.
Thanks for the best wishes. Onward and upward. Richards! www.RacetoCureBlindness.org
I'm sure you'll get a retrain approval. I don't envy you having
to go through another physical but I'm sure you'll do well at that too.
And we know you feel comforted that Zane will be back with us. It's the
next-best-place for him for sure. How he can settle down to a life of
relaxation.... and plenty of food for little work (is he a registered
Democrat?). He won't have to worry about any more significant life style
changes, new people to get used to, the stress of working, and all the
expectations one has of a guide dog. He has certainly changed our lives and
yours too, so he has made a good mark on this world. Without him we
wouldn't have been introduced to the Faubions and the Foundation for
Fighting Blindness. We'll do our best to put him to useful service as he
again gets used to the sunny Southern California climate and lifestyle. He
will get to go with me on most of my job-site investigations and all the
drillers, geologists, neighbors and clients I work with already know and love
him too. I hope he won't miss the snow too much! I've alerted the
girls to hide all their socks and Vicki has the vacuum cleaner all shined up and
ready to go (black hair)!
We certainly will keep you posted on each and every development as it pertains
to Zane's return to us. And clear out your inbox to make way for numerous
photos of him!
Gary
What a great sequence of events. Zane will be home soon!
Hugs and kisses all around, Richard
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7 comments:
Ahh that's so good that Zane gets to go back with his raisers. It definitely seems that they will love and cherish him.
Zane, glad that you're going back to your first home! Looking forward to hearing how you are doing.
Richard. Please forward this note to Zane.
Dear Zane, well, all my begging and prayers have paid off....you're coming home to your "first family" in southern California where your pace of life till be a tad bit less slower. While we're so excited to get you gack, we are also heartbroken that you'll no longer get to lead Richard around those snowbanks in the Denver area as well as through the airports nationwide. He is so proud of you and this must be so difficult for him. You've been such a good ambasador for both GDB and for the Foundation for Fighting Blindness and so you must be a really confused dog right now. Zane, we understand now that your early retirement from the Guide Dog program is evidence of just how difficult a job you had. It must certainly be a more stressfull job than most of us could ever realize. You made the right decision just to stop working as you did a few weeks ago. Had you continued to work, you could have put Richard and yourself in peril. You didn't do that which was fantastic. You did nothing wrong to cause this change in your life.
It won't be all rest and relaxation when you come back. Vicki has plans to put you into service somehow. We are all scratching our heads to see just what line of work will suit you. We just can't envision you being used soley as a "pet" although what an incredible pet you'd be.
See you in two weeks....we are preparing your den this weekend!
PS: I understand from Richard that you've taken a fancy to eating cantalope. Guess what, it's off your diet!
Love, Gary and the rest of your "first family".
Richard/Claudia
Our thinking right now is that we might wait till the Puppy Truck comes to southern California on the 24th and pick Zane up from the truck as it passes through town (it makes a stop in nearby Ontario). It would cost us at least $300 to $400 to run up there this weekend to get him. Given the state of the economy, and considering the fact that he's perfectly safe there (probably really enjoying is visit by now), it's probably the best and safest way to get him transported from San Rafael to Brea. As he has lost his puppy-in-training status it would be difficult to travel by car with him and we would never leave him in a car alone while we went into a restaurant. Besides, the earliest I could get away anyway wouldn't be till this weekend as I've got a big field project this week and they will be wanting a written report next week.
Like you, I can't wait to get my arms around that big boy and "take a licking". I'm sure he'll save some for you! Licks have never been a problem for him.
We'll keep you posted on the plans or if they should change and do keep us informed of any progress you make towards getting a new guide.
PS: have you had time to catch up on some black-hair cleanup work around the house? It'll probably take a few weeks. Katie was vacuuming the airplane Sunday and said she was finding lots of black hair in the rear seat cushions. It's hard to tell for sure but I'm sure much of it belongs to the Zanetrain!
Gary
Richard. Please forward this note to Zane.
Dear Zane, well, all my begging and prayers have paid off....you're coming home to your "first family" in southern California where your pace of life till be a tad bit less slower. While we're so excited to get you gack, we are also heartbroken that you'll no longer get to lead Richard around those snowbanks in the Denver area as well as through the airports nationwide. He is so proud of you and this must be so difficult for him. You've been such a good ambasador for both GDB and for the Foundation for Fighting Blindness and so you must be a really confused dog right now. Zane, we understand now that your early retirement from the Guide Dog program is evidence of just how difficult a job you had. It must certainly be a more stressfull job than most of us could ever realize. You made the right decision just to stop working as you did a few weeks ago. Had you continued to work, you could have put Richard and yourself in peril. You didn't do that which was fantastic. You did nothing wrong to cause this change in your life.
It won't be all rest and relaxation when you come back. Vicki has plans to put you into service somehow. We are all scratching our heads to see just what line of work will suit you. We just can't envision you being used soley as a "pet" although what an incredible pet you'd be.
See you in two weeks....we are preparing your den this weekend!
PS: I understand from Richard that you've taken a fancy to eating cantalope. Guess what, it's off your diet!
Love, Gary and the rest of your "first family".
Princess Coral,
Zane sent me by tele-puppy that he is looking forward to meeting you and giving you a BIG KISS!
Watch out Coral, he could be dangerous!
Richard
I'm so sorry Richard. It sounds like Zane will be very happy being back home with his puppy raisers!
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