Parka honored by Deaver-Phoenix

Good morning fellow canines!

My Dad shared with me last week that we were honored at our graduation from GDB on December 14 by the Deave-Phoenix Foundation. Dad thought it was a Denver-Phoenix group, since he has worked in both areas with his previous Lab, Zane. But it was not.

GDB is a great group to be proud of since they worked so hard to train me, they placed me with the wonderful Limberg family, especially Becki, and they groomed me into a full fledged guide dog rady for prime time. This is an expensive training process as I went through college in about 8 months, which is longer than most. I had some issues to work out and finnaly became the "demo dog" at the graduation prior to mine.

Thank you folks att he Deaver-Phoenix Foundation in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I don't know where that it, but Dad said it is a beautiful sunny place. I'm in Colorado no and we have had some really sunny days too!

Thanks for supporting Guide Dogs for the Blind. They are a first-class organization!

Much love and licks, Parka

Happy New Year! 2009 will be fine!

Good morning fellow canines and moody felines,

Happy New Year from Colorado! Yes, it's 2009 and I'm just fine. I'm two years old and looking pretty HOT, if I don't say so myself. Don't I look pretty sleek in that picture?

I have a really good buddy from Oregon as we shared licks during college as we got to know our new partners. I want to introduce Danville to you. He's a good looking LAB, what a hunk! And he's older than me, so we might want to go out on a date, the next time we meet!

Here is a happy message from Danville,

"Dear classmates and their partners,
Laurie and I wish you a very happy New Years. I know that Fellini, Georgene and Parka will bring in the New year when the clock struck midnight or at least I hope they did."

I hope that you all have a great New Years and it bring joy and happened to you all. Laurie wants me to tell his friends that he hopes that they have a great New Years and hope that they are doing well to.

Things are going well for Laurie and me these days. Laurie has been trying to do some clicker training this week with the light poles that have the signals that make sound when I push them to cross the street. Doesn't she know that I try to avoid these poles? But I get lots of kibble! Woo Hoo!

We had one thing go wrong last week for us and I will tell you about it. We were out for daily walk and Laurie asked me to stop at Starbucks in Lafayette. After we left there, we were walking up the street to go and it was after noon and I needed to go to the bathroom real BAD!

Well, I was so interested in p-mail that Laurie tripped over something on the side walk and she fall down on the ground. She messed up her ankle, but at least gave me a break and did not blame it on me. Laurie is such a great partner, don't you think?

After I went potty, Laurie had me rework the problem and I strutted my stuff after that. That has been the only thing that has gone wrong since we have been home from school.

On last Sunday, we went on a four mile hike with a BIG group that we hang out with and I enjoyed it and was walking fast since there was no curbs to worry about on this walk.

Please give a big hug and kiss to your partners from me and Laurie!"

Wow, Danville sounds like he is really on the move as they close out 2008. Dad and I went back and forth to work yesterday! What a great walk. We even went to the Vet's office and I got myself weighed. I weigh 54.9 pounds and have gained some weight.

Ny new year's resolution is to ask Dad to get me some Nutraslim instead of Science Diet. I've got to watch my girlish figure you know!

Lots of love, licks and belly rubs, Parka

Wanted: New Locomotive!

Good morning,

As many of you know, the leader of the Zane Train is being sent back to his original home depot. Zane must not have been able to handle the stress of guide work. Even though I will miss Zane terribly, I have to move on and find a new locomotive to get the Zane Train moving again.

I have made application to GDB for a new guide dog. I have completed my medical physical and I am now in the qeue to be reviewed for a new dog. My first choice would be in-home training, but there is a long waiting list for in-home training and this requires a great match of dog to handler.

Therefore, I have requested first available spot which is currently Boring, OR in the Nov/Dec class. My first class was the same time frame in San Rafael last year. It is hard to imagine that I would already by a "retrain" student, but that's where I am and I look forward to getting approved for class ASAP.

I request that all my friends out there, keep praying and sending positive energy for me to be approved for the next class because I really look forward to having a guide dog. They really make a difference for me!

Zane is currently staying at a foster home in the San Rafael area until the puppy truck picks him up on Oct. 24 to return him to Beea, CA to go back home to the Johnpeers. They are so excited to have him back and I am glad that he going where he is LOVED very much.

All the best to everyone, love, Richard

Zane update & VisionWalk Colorado

Good morning friends,

I am still very sad that Zane was unable to be my partner and support for the 3rd Annual Colorado VisionWalk which was held yesterday in Denver. Almost 500 people and lots of their canine friends participated on a beutiful day in the Rockies. Everyone asked "where is Zane?" It was so difficult to explain that something had happened almost 3 weeks ago and Zane lost his confidence to work.

A report from GDB on Friday indicated that after four attempts to work with Zane failed to get him to work in harness. They reported that Zane is totally his fun-living and playful self, even with his harness on as he ran around the grass paddock, but when the harness is picked up, Zane gets nervous and anxious and does not want to work. This is so sad. Zane was such a GREAT guide dog.

The instructors at GDB will give him one more week to respond and get back on track. I request everyone to pray for a miracle and for Zane to restore his confidence. Thanks for your support.

Regarding the Colorado VisionWalk, we started yesterday at $95,035 raised and after lots of money came in from all the walkers and teams, we are somewhere around $110,000 raised. We have to post all of this information to the website to confirm how much new money came in. We will continue to keep counting money well into October and November to reach our goal of $125,000!

Thanks everyone for your support for the mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness to find preventions, treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases!

Keep praying and help bring Zane back to Denver.

Love, Richard

ZTC5: College in its final phases

Good day fellow senior classmates,

Note: Zane requested Dad to complete this training update.

It has been quite a challenging pace of training over the past three to four months and it is so gratifying that we can now move into our senior phase of training to become a guide dog. We have passed the basic training, the intermediate phases of obedience, distractions and obstacles. We have passed the advanced phases of buildings, elevators, stairs, escalators, trains and so much more. Now we have entered the final phases.

Phase 9: Advanced overhead and obstacle training

This senior phase means that we have to take more responsibility in knowing when there is an overhead obstacle, narrow passage, traffic check or whatever it is. The instructor is blind-folded and we must do our job such that the handler is kept safe and out of harm's way. We must exercise intelligent disobedience and await the handler to recognize the problem before proceeding. Once we have successfully passed this phase, we can now move into the final phase of training in preparatiion for blind students.

Phase 10: Prep for Class Training with Students

Each one of us had to go through another thorough physical examination to ensure that we were heallthy and medically ready for the rigors of class training with a bunch of blind students. This is what we have been being trained since we were about six to eight weeks old. We have gone through all the training with our puppy raiser, the four months or so of training with our coach and instructors. This is the time to "fish or cut bait."


Our coaches and instructors now put us through all final testing to ensure that each one of us pass our tests with flying colors. I know I passed fudging only on sniffing some food, but I did not eat it! What was key is that all instructors were blind-folded for ALL tests, so we had to do very well or we could have not passed.


It might be worth recalling that only about 50% of the guide dogs that start the guide dog process, actually make it through to this point. So we went through all the final tests:

- final traffic checks and intelligent disobedience

- final obedience commands including food refusal

- final buildings and stairs and elevators and excalators

- final guide work using all commands and recognition of obstacles in all settings


Dogs that passed all these tests could be put in class-ready status. We do not get a diploma, but we do sort of graduate as "sum-a-good-doggie."

This was some really tough training, but I can attest that I have used just about every phase of the training in some form or fashion with Richard. I appreciate all the hard work that my Coach Jessica and all her colleagues put into making me a number ONE guide dog.

In class 680 (Dad's), there were 28 of us ready for prime time guiding. 18 studetns in total came to GDB that November, 2007 looking for a new set of eyes. 20 of us actually were used since two of us had to be career-changted. I'm so happy that I found Dad. He is such a great handler and my new friend.

Hoorah, throw my graduation cap in the air!

Zane

ZTC4: College Training - Phase 5 and 6

Good day college classmates and wanna-bees,

Note: Zane asked that Dad complete his training update, since he has returned to college!

It feels good to have passed my sophomore phase of college. I have really learned my guide work cammands and stopping where I am supposed to stop for my handler. Even with lots of distractions, I am doing about 75% of my commands without getting distracted. Then I passed the test while my coach was blind-folded executing all my commands while being distracted. I was feeling like pretty hot stuff!

Phase 6: Advanced Training - Buildings, stairs and more!

Well, that feeling of being HOT stuff quickly dissipated when we began entering big buildings with lots of stairs and doorways and elevators, oh my.


Our coaches first introduced us to working in buildings and targeting doorways, stairs and elevators. I had no idea that we had to learn so much. But a few days of clicker training and great kibble rewards, I learned when it was appropriate to stop at a doorway to ensure that my handler had room to clear.


Then we started going up and down stairs and this was very tricky. I wanted to just take off and run down the stairs, but I had the instructor hanging onto my harness and I had to go up and down these stairs at a pace that would not make them fall. You should try that some time, it's not that easy!


And next were elevators. No problem, right? We just walk up to these HUGE doors and wait for them to open. And then we had to march across this crack in the floor and make it inside before the door closes on our tail. This took me a few tries to learn to do this, but I finally got it and I was always ready to get out of that elevator without too much prodding.


The biggest challenge of all for this phase was learning intelligent disobedience. Is that an oxymoron?


Initially, the instructors started with narrow clearances and taught us that we should not continue our guide work until the handler found the obstacle and praised us which acknowledged that the handler was aware of the obastacle. Now to be clear, we could not move foward even if instructed until we were sure that the handler was well aware of the narrow passage.


After passing this specialized disobedience training, then we were prepared for a more advanced level of disobedience around traffic issues.


Phase 7: Traffic Training

As a member of the Junior class, the training was now getting more intense. We now embark on traffic conditioning and training. You ask, what's a traffic check? We learned the following: when crossing a street and a vehicle makes a left turn in front or at you; when walking down a street sidewalk and a vehicle backs out in front of you; when walking down a sidewalk and a parked car starts up and may potentially back up; when crossing streets and someone turns near you or crosses the street at the wrong time.


We had to learn about all of these and how to respond by turning to the side or pulling our handler back to clear safely or putting our head in front of the handler and not moving. We would repeat this process for days until we passed 100% of the time. There could be no errors in this training.


We did most of our training in San Rafael with some work in the neighborhoods. In addition to this very crucial training, we also began to do some overhead training, which means we have to be aware of tree branches that hang down and can whack our handler in the head. Also, signs or other low hanging obstacles are very important for us to learn that they are there and we should stop or go around them if it was safe to do so.


Phase 8: Escalators & Subways & Trains

After passing those tough tests, we moved forward to learn escalators, subways, trains, buses, etc. When we were introduced to escalators and learned the technique for riding them and exiting safely, we also had to learn to wear those funky booties on our feet. I felt like a Budweiser Clydesdale horse, since I was a high-stepping dog.


When getting onto the escalator, the handler would approach the moving stairs and when I was ready, she would say, "OK, let's go!" I would jump onto the moving stairs and try to stay put while she was holding onto my leash very tightly. I watched as she would put her hand onto the moving hand rail to be ready when it flattened out which meant it was time to exit. She would say, "Ready, Ready, Let's go!" I would then leap off the moving stairs and land safely outside in the hall. Boy, was I happy to be off that moving monster!


Plus I would give a little high-stepping dance to acknowledge that I had safely made it. We also learned how to go from the escalators to the subway platforms and operate safely getting on and off the subway trains. I have used this training a lot with Dad when we are traveling through airports. I really appreciate this training. The one big thing we learned on the subway platform was to be intelligently disobedient when asked to move forward when that would take us closer to the path of the train. NO WAY! I'm not moving over there!


If all that was not enough, we learned to work on sidewalkless streets in the neighborhood near the campus. I know that sounds kinda funny, a sidewalkless street. That's just what it was. A street that did not have sidewalks so we had to move in and out of parked cars. Dad and I use this a lot where we live in Denver. We live on a sidewalkless street.


Wow, I am tired just sharing all this stuff we learned in our Junior phase. I passed again, but this phase took about three to four weeks to complete.


We are almost cooked! Stay tuned as we get close to meeting our new partners.

Zane

ZTC3: College Training - Phases 3, 4 and 5 & First Test

Good day fellow classmates,


Now that we have graduated our freshman phase which is through basic obedience training, it's now time to upgrade our training experience. In Phase 2, I learned clicker training, basic obedience commands, collar pressure and especially, using a harness and getting the feel of it while walking on a treadmill. Can you believe it?


Phase 3: Initial guide work training

Now, the fun begins in our sophomore phase of college. This is when we really start feeling like guide dogs. This is when my guide dog classmates started guide work pattern training. The coaches pattern train each of the dogs, which means for me, Jessica showed me exactly what she wanted me to do, essentially “patterning” the correct responses."


Being a model student (?), I learned very quickly. She taught me to target "up curbs." That means as Jessica and I crossed the street, she would ask me to "find the curb" and when I found it and put both front paws up on the curb, she would "click" to indicate that I had done it properly and then give me a treat. Boy, do I like this part of the training. FOOD! So I had my eyes peeled for the next "up curb" so I could find that curb and be rewarded with a treat. More kibble means happy dog.


We were doing most of this training in the neighborhoods around the campus. They were lots of million dollar homes in this area (I understand that means they're nice, but what I hear today on CNBC, they may be half-million dollar homes!). I'm sorry that I had to pee a few times during this training. You might say that I left my mark in their neighborhood.


Then, while I'm concentrating on finding these up curbs, Coach has to throw in a few distractions. First, it was this good-looking French poodle that just happened to saunter by while I'm trying to find a curb. What did I do? Well, I missed the curb and just kept walking toward that poodle. Ooops, that was a mistake. No kibble.


Then they brought out these BIG German shepherds and had them barking their heads off at us as we walked by , but I did not pay any attention. I knew this was a trap and I wanted my kibble treat. All bark and no bite.



After we had mastered this neighborhood area, the coaches loaded us up in the bus and took as to downtown San Rafael for a trip through the city. Wow, all these cars, trucks and buses were making so much noise while I was trying to find a few curbs. But after a few days, I did not pay any attention to those vehicles and paid more attention to that clicker because I knew FOOD was not far behind. Besides, my puppy raiser had me around motorcycles and huge front-end loaders. These were like toy vehicles.

Phase 4: Intermediate Pattern Training

Now it was a daily routine to hop onto the bus at least twice a day and do our guide work in downtown San Rafael.

Now, Coach was teaching us to respond to many other "clicks" along the way. Next we had to learn the down curbs too. That means that I had to stop right at the edge of the down curb, Jessica would click and then I would get my kibble. Sometimes, there was no curb, just a down ramp or an up ramp and that meant that I had to stop right at the bottom of the ramp. I like these ramps because they are so much easier to go down and up.


Now as we were starting to get more responsibility, we learned how to go around obstacles like poles or trees or bushes and when we did it right, we earned more kibble. I like this training a lot!


With this advanced clicker training, also came a lot more distractions, like people walking down the street and trying to catch our attention, people walking by with their pet dogs to distract us, a few bicycle riders that looked like they were coming staight at us, so I had to pull the Coach to the side to ensure I kept her safe.


This phase of the training was the most difficult. I had to learn all these guide work commands like Right, Left, Forward, Halt, Hop Up, Steady and NO!, while the coaches were throwing all sorts of distractions at us. After a couple of weeks, I was doing really good. My most favorite sound was not only the clicker, but also the two most important words in guide work training, "GOOD BOY." I almost always got a treat to acknowledge a great job that I had done.


Phase 5: Preliminary Test #1

Now that I had gotten the great basic and intermediate training, it was time for the rubber to meet the road, or should I say, the paws on the concrete. Now my coach will be blind-folded and we went on a short route through San Rafael and I was measured to see how well I did.


This test really evaluated everything that I had learned, especially lots of distractions while my coach barked out the commands. In additiion, Coach Jessica also put me in the Sit position and then teased me with food at my feet. How dirty could they get? But when they say "NO", I must obey and not touch that food. I only fouled up once when I put my head down to sniff it, but I did not eat it.


Ah yes, many of my classmates as well as I passed the test and once we had passed this very first true test of our training, we had then graduated from the sophomore phase of our training.


Now it was time to continue the program with advanced training. A few of my classmates had to return to intermediate training because they did not pass. This is tough stuff!


Upward and onward,

Zane

ZTC2: 10 Phases of Guide Dog College Training

Fellow Classmates & Collegians,

It was really tough to make that transition from the constant love and attention that I received with the Johnpeer family as I returned to San Rafael to begin my college training experience. It was great to see my brothers again, Zippy & Zeus, plus all the other pups that I frolicked with during those first few weeks before I was shipped off to Brea, CA. Guess what, we're not pups anymore!

But now I hear the coaches talking about all the work that they are planning for su. I know that my future is to be a guide dog for people like my Dad, Richard, so I'm sharing my training stories to let everyone know what I had to go through to become a guide dog.

My coach Jessica was very helpful in providing a lot of this information. Thank you, Jessiva. I want you to know that I miss you very much. Your dedicated efforts really paid off. I love what I do!

The training is divided up into phases, instead of a number of weeks or months to complete the training. That means that each of us have to successfully complete each phase before we can move on to the next phase.

There are 10 phases and each one lasts one to three weeks, depending on what the coaches are able to get done each week and how well twe adapt and learn what they are being trained.

Phase 1: Physical exams

I got to know my doctor, a veterinarian, very well. She gave me a complete physical exam and took lots of
x-rays to make sure my bone structures were in top condition. But the most fun part of this phase for me was being introduced to our community run. Man did I love that! I got to run like a wild dog, up and down the length of the run, trying to take the toys away from my classmates.

I really looked forward to the two or three group play sessions each day as the coaches watached us to ensure that our play behavior was enjoyable, but controlled. Those of us who get a little bit too excited & aggressive and get angry are put into a different session so their behavior can be modified and improved. The coaches were taking us on walks all over the beautiful campus at San Rafael. This is such a lovely place with lots of walks that curve all over the place. I really needed to learn my way around, especially to the play areas!

We were also given lots of kennel enrichment. This allowed us to get to know all of the kennel staff who took such good care of us. They took care of all of our medical needs, groomed our coats, cleaned our ears and brushed our teeth. I really like my teeth brushed, because I love chicken!

My puppy raiser Dad, Gary, did such a good job of preparing me for college, I passed Phase One with flying colors! Mainly black.

Phase 2: Basic Obedience Training

Now that we have been certified to be in great shape and great health, it's time to begin basic training. Gary and the Johnpeers did a great job because I recalled many of these commands!

All of my classmates and I were given intensive training on the clicker and how to respond to the clikcer when doing what we were told and receiving our reward kibble. I really enjoyed this training because I LOVE kibble, so I made sure I did what I was requested to do.

The coaches taught us how to respond to collar pressure. I think everyone knows that we wear these loose fitting chain collars when tightened, get our attention. The coaches show us how to respond to a "light yank" of the chain which means "obey." There is a "hard yank" of the chain which means "obey NOW." I learned to respond very effectively with the light yanks.

Now, this training was really tough. Can you believe that they would put food at our feet and then tell us not to eat it? What, are they crazy? I'm a Lab and I LOVE to eat! But, with lots of practice, we were taught not to teak the food and wait until commanded to do so. Heh, I got it eventually, as long as I listened!

We then moved into basic obedience comands like Sit, Stay, Down, and Come. These were easy because the Johnpeers really drilled me on these commands.

But, the final part of this phase, was really challenging. Can you believe that the coaches put us on a treadmill so we could get the feel of pulling into the harness while maintaining a consistent pace? I had never been on a treadmill and it was a little scary. The surface kept moving under me so I had to keep walking or fall on my muzzle! It took me a few days to get this process down, but I finally got the swing of it and it was kinda fun. I kept telling my coach to "speed it up!" Let's go faster!

This is just a couple of the phases, but you can see that we go through some very intensive training.

Stay tuned for additional phases. College is tough. But now I know it was worth it. So I guess I made it through my freshman phase!

Lots of Greek love, you know our fraternity! (Zeus would get that)

Zane

ZTC1: From Puppy Days to College Daze!

Fellow Freshmen Collegiates,

As I sat inside that cage, I was really perplexed. I had been having the time of my life. Now, I was sitting inside a truck, feeling like a caged lion whose freedom had just been taken away.

Where was I going? Why did Gary and Vicki put me on this truck? I did not want to leave them. Have I done something wrong? All of these questions and no answers.

Gary was crying. Why was he sad? I was the one that was sad. Was I never to return? Oh, the pain I felt in my heart. I just laid my head down in the cage and cried myself to sleep. Gary called it the "puppy truck" and said we were heading back to San Rafael, where I was born.

San Rafael, where is that? Will I be going to stay with a new family? Why did Gary and Vicki get rid of me?

That was certainly the saddest day of my life.

As we approached San Rafael, I started hearing the sounds of lots of dogs barking. I seemed to remember this sound. Could I have been here before?

My heart started pounding, my tail started wagging, and I was feeling a sense of exhilaration and excitement.

Oh gosh, is this where I was born? Maybe Zippy and Zeus would be here.

Then we turned into the campus and I knew what Gary had been talking about. This must be college!

I saw the sign at the entrance, "Guide Dogs for the Blind." It was then I realized that I would be starting a whole new adventure in my life.

As we unloaded from the truck, the person who put a leash on me was a "Canine Welfare Technician (CWT)." Welfare? Is this some government program?

I found out later as I listened inside my kennel cage that it was the job of the CWT to help make sure all the returning dogs get what they need: attention, kennel enrichment, play time, etc.

How could anyone give me as much attention as Gary did? Gary took me everywhere in his Jeep. I felt like I was part of the upholstery.

The CWTs were actually a lot of fun and took us into a big area to play, to run and chase Kongs and rubber rings. It seemed like we were playing all the time!

My eyes lit up as I thought about all the other dogs that were there to play with. I really enjoyed stealing things from Marcel, but now I could fight for the dog toys with all my fellow freshman. This was really going to be fun and maybe not such a bad change after all.

I knew that I would never forget the great time that I had with the Johnpeers, but now I was at college, enjoying my freshman days of getting to know the campus, all the instructors and CWTs that had been making such a fuss over me. I was really feeling special.

My new kennel home was a very stimulating environment, with lots of noise and dogs everywhere. Zippy and Zeus were there, too, and I got to play with them!

But I kept wondering: what's next for me? My mind was all a whirl. Oh well, it was time to eat. Yummy.

Rah! Rah! Sis Boom Bah! Hey, do I get a freshman beanie?!

Zane

Sense - Abilities # 9 - Approval Process at GDB

Happy Days are coming soon,.

Dad submitted his application for a guide dog in July. He had no idea how long it would take to get an answer. He had discussed it with his company and felt the mid November class would work best for his schedule.

In early August, a representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) called to confirm they had received his application and had a few more questions.

In early October, GDB sent a representative named Emily to our house to meet Dad, Mom and Cuzzie, my soon-to-be doggie sister. (See how excited Dad was about getting a guide dog?!)

"Emily wanted to learn more about where I would live and work. She wanted to assure herself that I could provide a good, healthy and safe living environment for my guide dog," said Dad.

She also wanted to learn more about Dad's eye condition, how well he could use his cane and did he have the required orientation and mobility skills?

She checked his orientation and mobility skills while walking with him around the neighborhood. He was very nervous as they walked down the street, with Emily right behind him watching his pace, the sweep of his cane, his skill at crossing streets, how he handled changing grades along the way, and much more.

"Emily also wanted to know how well I monitored the traffic flow at intersections to determine the best time to cross the street," he said.

She also wanted to see how he negotiated obstacles and how well he knew the streets in the area where a guide dog would regularly walk with him.

In addition, Emily wanted to know the type of work he did, what types of mass transit he might use, the frequency of his out of town travels and the size of the cities that he visits as part of his job.

Before she left, Dad said that she did “Juno training” with him, which means that she pretended to be a guide dog, named Juno, and asked him to give her the commands like the ones he would learn at guide dog school.

When they got home, Emily said, “You really learn fast!” That made Dad feel very good.

The interview took about three hours and Dad passed the test.

Emily told him, "Only about 35% of the students that apply actually qualify for guide dog school.I think you have an excellent chance of being accepted, but the ultimate decision is not up to me. It's decided by a committee that weighs all the factors.

"A board reviews all applications and your application will have to go through the normal process."

However, she felt very positive and said she would "pencil" Dad in for the mid November class.

There was yet another call from GDB late in October. All they needed was for Dad to pass a physical. He got a physical the next day, and the doctor faxed the report to GDB.

Then the wait began. It was already late October and the class would start on November 19, so time was short.

Well, we all know what happened, right? Dad was approved on October 27. He recalled the emotion and excitement of being approved.

He screamed out loud in the office and his assistant wondered what was going on.

"I'm just excited and thrilled. I have been approved for guide dog school!"

Ah, isn't that nice!

Zane

PS One of Mom's friend's said, "Gee, I didn't know Richard wanted to be a guide dog." (ha ha ha)

Sense - Abilbilities #8 - Is a guide dog for me?

Dad in Georgetown, CO, at the edge of a cliff - YIKES!
Boy, did moments like this make Mom nervous!

G'day mates,

I bet you're wondering how Dad ended up at guide dog school in the first place. It's not like you just arrive at the front door and announce you want a guide dog! There is a process that can take many months. Here's how it happened for Richard.

He went to a business meeting in Ogden, Utah, and several working guide dogs were there. There were also some puppies in training from the Guide Dogs for the Blind school in California.

Different guide dog owners shared what a difference having a guide dog had made for them, such as how their lives had been saved so many times when the dog did "intelligent disobedience" and disobeyed commands that would have put their partner in danger.

"Wow," Dad thought, "what a sense of safety and security that would give me."

He knew it was time to get serious about applying for a guide dog. He had a few near misses with cars at intersections, run himself into some sign posts . . . you get the picture. Ouch!

But getting a guide dog is a BIG decision. Any dog requires 24/7 maintenance, lots of grooming and weekly care. Having a guide dog is a whole new level of responsibility.

"With a white cane, you just fold it up and put in the corner of the room. You can't do that with a dog!"

But Dad loves dogs and felt that the responsibility would not be anything new (he already had one dog, my sister Cuzzie), and decided to go for it.

He picked up an application for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) from Mr. Boulter, an alumni student right at that meeting in Ogden.

When he got home, he told Mom, "It's time for me to get a guide dog. What do you think? I feel that this will provide me with more independence, freedom, a sense of security and safety."

Do I feel proud! I provide all of that for Dad. I'm so glad that he chose to come to guide dog school and that I was the one that got to go home with him.

Claudia, my new Mom, was thrilled and relieved as this would give Dad not only more freedom, but make his life safer as well.

You see, it's not just the blind person who is taken care of by guide dogs like me. "The family members get their stress levels reduced when their loved one is protected," Mom said.

By mid-July he had completed his application and mailed it to GDB. He was so happy that he had started the application process because he knew it would change his life forever.

The initial application has several parts: a section that requires information from an eye doctor and three references of people that know you. He got that complete, faxed it in and waited with intense anticipation.

Gosh, how long do we have to wait to know when Dad got approved?! This suspense is killing me!

Thanks, Dad, for having confidence in Guide Dogs for the Blind, the college that I graduated from.

Lots of Big Licks,

Zane

Zane Train Part 8: Departing Home Depot for College

As the sun sets on Brea . . .

My puppy raiser experience was one that I would never forget. The top picture is Gary & Vicki, the bottom Kim & Kate, not too long before I headed off to "college" in San Rafael, CA.

Overall, I recalled the Johnpeers would give me a high “B” at this point in my career. "B" ... that stands for Brainy, Brawny, Beautiful, and Bubbly!

Time was flying and as my 18-month birthday approached, Gary and Vicki knew that the day of my ultimate recall to San Rafael was approaching. That would indeed be a milestone in my life and in their lives, too.

They have seen other dogs recalled and knew that the likelihood of my failure as a guide dog was moderately high, as only about 40% of the dogs made it to become guide dogs.

Wait a minute, what's this about failure? Ain't no way that's going to happen to me! I plan to graduate "summa-good-doggie!"

The Johnpeers have seen several dogs given a “career change” which is a fancy way of saying that, for one reason or another, they were dropped from the guide dog program and would not end up as a working guide dog for a visually impaired person. But they have seen other dogs in our puppy group pass and that kept their hopes up.

I guarantee, I'm a "Diamond in the Ruff!" You will someday see me sparkle and shine!

They seemed fully prepared to say goodbye to me some day, and I sensed the sadness that losing me would cause them. They said that their reward for all the time they have invested in me would be the happiness and freedom I would some day bring to a person who was blind or in need of a service dog.

And that's Dad, Richard, and I love taking care of him. He loves me so. Dad has told me many times that Gary has said, "if you don't want Zane anymore, you can send him back and we will be glad to take him!" You know, it's great to be LOVED that much. I really feel special.

It’s almost time to leave my first home depot. It’s now early summer 2007 and the heat has made it toasty in southern California. Even with my black coat that is shedding a lot due to the heat, I hope I never have to be where it is cold.

Can you believe it? I ended up in Colorado and I LOVE it!

Gary brushed me a lot, my coat was so shiny and smooth after it had been brushed. A dog is no different than a human; both look good when they are in public. And sometimes, I even looked better groomed than Gary!

Well, as I have got older, I heard comments from Gary and Vicki that my remaining time with them was getting short and that big changes were in store for me. Their biggest wish was that I would do great when I was recalled for my professional training.

In July, I knew that eventually I would graduate to become a working guide dog for a blind person. I wondered who they would match me with once I was trained?

I was sure all the other puppy raisers felt the same. All have grown attached to their incredible dogs who would go on to provide so much freedom to those that were visually impaired, giving them a new kind of life than they may have ever known.

Yes, we have a higher calling than just being a pet.

I climbed into the Cadillac for the last time. Off to the kennels and the puppy truck for my return to San Rafael.

"Good-bye Gary, Vicki, Katie and Kim. College awaits me."

A little tear passed down my muzzle.

Lots of love, Zane

Great Scott-ie! Fireworks Weekend Buddy

Light me up, Scottie!

This past weekend, Mom, Dad and I spent four days at the Bears Inn, a very special bed & breakfast in the mountains at 8,000 feet in Evergreen, Colorado. To my surprise, when we walked inside, there was this feisty little, very soft, wiry-haired Scottie dog.

Guess what his name was? Scottie!

So right away I was ready to draw on some re-runs that I have seen Dad watch of Star Trek, and I was ready to say, "Beam me up, Scottie!"

It was fun to joust with one another and run around the big dining area, outside on the patio and one time we were leashed together and I got to drag him around the back patio. What a feeling of power!

One time, Scottie found a live bird and, after a few moments, it was a dead bird. He brought it to me to show me his catch.

I immediately picked it up and took it to Dad to show him MY prize! Dad was disgusted, Mom grabbed it and disposed of it. They are just no fun.

Scottie really misses me since we left on Sunday. Vicki, the owner of the Inn, sent Mom an e-mail the day after we left.

"Scottie waited outside the Wildflower (our room) the other morning in hopes of seeing Zane. Please let him know Scottie misses his new friend."

Then again yesterday . . .

"This is the third morning in a row that Scottie has checked for Zane first thing in the morning!"

I had such fun with Scottie and can't wait to go back and play with him again.

The vacation was great: watching the fireworks in Idaho Springs . . . well, I slept through that. . . but it was fun being at the musical concert in the Evergreen Park . . . well, slept through most of that, too . . .

I just LOVE being around people, even strangers. Why? Because of all the people that came by to love me up. That's what I love! Mom says I'm a real people magnet.

Scottie, until we meet again, lots of big licks and tail sniffs!

Zane

Here's the web address for the Bears Inn, which I HIGHLY recommend:
www.bearsinn.com

Zane Train Part 7: One Year Under My Fur

Happy Birthday!

On February 23, 2007, I became one year old. I was getting very used to my routine. I had grown a lot and now, as a 60-pound dog, I had outgrown a couple of Gary’s old cars. I weigh 65 1/2 pounds today, at 2-1/2 years old, so I'm still a lean and mean loving machine!

I could no longer fit into Gary's 1928 Model A Ford. Dad even got to drive that old car around the neighborhood. Amazing!

Even the front floor of the old Jeep that Gary uses so much was getting hard for me to get into but with some wiggling and adjusting, I still could. Today Mom's Subaru, she put a nice pillow on the floor that really gives me a comfy ride for long trips.

On weekends, I usually road around in the old Cadillac. In early Spring, I got to go to a “Fun Day” at Disney Adventure in Anaheim. There were about 75 other guide dog puppies there and it was a time for me to be compared to them. Can you believe people get so nutzo over a Mouse?! I know a cat that would love that mouse.

Overall, I did well, but I did eat some scraps off the floor at a restaurant where we were being observed by a dog trainer. There were a number of other exercises that day and I did well at most. Gary’s greatest wish was that I succeed in my training after I am recalled sometime in the summer of 2007.

I'm one year old now and really getting my wheels under me. It won't be long before I will be going to "college." I now know that all the training and exercises that Gary put me through was well worth it.

I really want to thank the Johnpeers for their dedication and support. Everyone who does puppy raising knows how important it is. But do you understand HOW important?

Maintaining the tough discipline that really kept me, a wild Black Lab, under control and well-behaved, was extremely important. Some people may have thought they were being TOO TOUGH, but that's not true.

I need to listen to my partner when he barks out a command and respond appropriately. I may even have to "disobey" them to keep my partner safe. I can do that because I am SO well trained by my puppy raisers.

Thanks again Gary and Vicki for providing insights from the days I spent with you. Thanks for making me such a well-disciplined and effective guide dog.

Now back to the birthday cake. Yum, banana cake, don't tell anyone!

Zane,

Chief Engineer of the Zane Train