Zane Train Goes Home!

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