Guiding Eyes for
the Blind
Erie Region Newsletter
Fall 2006
Historic Milestone
2006 marks an important milestone in Guiding Eyes
history: 50 years of service to our graduates.
The continued dedication of the staff, volunteers and contributors will
ensure many years of future success.
Congratulations!
Tribute to a Dog
The one unselfish friend that you can have in this
world,
The one that will never desert you,
The one that never proves ungrateful,
is your dog.
Your dog will stand beside you in prosperity and in
poverty,
in sickness and in health.
He will sleep peacefully when near your side.
He will lick the hand that has no food to offer.
He will heal the wounds that come with the roughness
of the world.
If riches are lost and your world falls to pieces,
He will remain as consistent as the sun in its
journey through the heavens.
Fall Season Reminder
Hunting Season is opening soon, initially with bow
and arrow, then shot gun. The season
closes in mid-December. As a
precaution, do not walk in fields, meadows or open pastures with your
puppy. Most hunters are cautious and
courteous. But, some hunters shoot
first and ask questions after it’s too late. Most hunters wear bright colors to
distinguish them from the game. So, you
can see them but they can’t always see you and your puppy. When exercising your puppy outside your
yard, utilize an empty tennis court, empty parking lot or playground. Keep
yourself and your puppy safe.
Local Heroes
Comings & Goings of our Puppies
Best Wishes
go out to the following dogs and their proud raisers. Congratulations for a job well done!
§
Joyce & Dianne gave
lots of hugs to their sweet as Honey puppy. Honey is Joyce’s 22nd puppy and Di’s 3rd
puppy.
§
Leonard said farewell
to his 3rd puppy KC.
§
Meadow gave lots of hugs and kisses to Sandi &
Julieanne. She is their 1st
puppy.
§
Adell and Mary Ellen
& Barry said a heartfelt good-bye to Montana. He is Adell’s 5th puppy and Mary
Ellen and Barry’s 17th puppy.
§
Sam said farewell to Susan. Sam is her 1st puppy.
§
Able gave his raisers Susan & Dan big hugs before
leaving. He is their 2nd
puppy.
§
Julie said good-bye to Emery,
her 1st puppy.
§
Lila kissed Barb & Ben’s tears as she
said “I’ll be fine”. Lila is their 1st
puppy.
§
Sharon
and Mike said good-bye to Linus, their 2nd puppy.
§
Milo yoddled his favorite song to Pat as
he kissed her farewell. He is their 1st
puppy.
§
Mary Ellen & Barry
kissed Sassy as they said good-bye.
Sassy is their 18th puppy.
Welcome to
the newest members of our region:
§
Barkley was
welcomed into the home of Susan. He is Sue’s 2nd puppy.
§
Patience, Dianne’s 4th puppy, was welcomed with lots of hugs
and kisses.
§
Ripley has found a happy home with
Richard. He is Rich’s 5th
puppy.
§
Gail’s 11th
puppy Fortune was welcomed with big hugs.
§
Finley found a happy home with Tonya. He is Tonya’s 2nd puppy.
§
Sarah & Kathy
welcomed Goldie into their heart and home. She is their 1st puppy.
§
Diva was welcomed into the home of Doreen with lots of
warm hugs. She is Doreen’s 2nd puppy.
§
Haiku was happy to join Hillary and Susan after her long
ride from GEB. She is their 1st puppy.
§
Yardley joined Barb a few days before Lila said goodbye. She
is their 2nd puppy.
Web Wise
The Health Care
section on the CDC Web Site is now available.
This new section features information on feeding, exercising, grooming,
common illnesses, flea/tick control, vaccines and much more. Check it out at cdc.guidingeyes.org. You must log in as a puppy raiser to have access
to this new feature.
The
following letter was written by blind graduate Lynnette whose guide dog Quincy
was raised in our region. This guide
dog team visits the Buffalo area in October before participating in the annual
Walkathon.
“It warms
my heart to know how loved Quincy is in your community. So I just want you to know that he is doing
great! I’ve recently made two major changes in my life. I was out of work for
almost three years, but now with my boy at my side, I went back into the
workforce. My second piece of news is
that we bought our first home. Before we lived in a townhouse with a very small
courtyard, which wasn’t sufficient for Quincy. When we wanted to play, we had
to go to a park. Now we have a big
beautiful back yard for him so he can run and play ball.
I am writing this letter to thank you for
loving my boy so much. He has changed
my life. I was diagnosed with retinal
pigmentosis when I was 26. As my sight deteriorated, my life began to fall apart.
I could no longer work as a model and clothes designer. All the simple freedoms I once enjoyed such
as taking a walk, shopping and driving a car were gone. When Quincy arrived, the light and hope came
back. We have been a team now for
almost 2 years. I don’t know where or what I would be without him. He gave me
the confidence and courage to go back out into the world again. My family and
friends cannot believe what he does for me each day and the amount of love he
has in his heart for everyone. He is my eyes and my best friend. You all had a
big part in raising him to be the wonderful boy he is today. For that I can
never thank you enough.”
Upcoming Events
Please stop by to lend your support at these events! However, unless you
and your puppy
are scheduled to work at an event, please refrain from bringing your
puppy with you.
September 23 Immanuel
Lutheran Church Bazaar in East Aurora from 10 AM - 4 PM
September 29 HSBC
Corporate Presentation - $1,300 donation from August Dress Down Day
October 21 Clarence
United Methodist Church Apple Festival
October 29 Westinghouse
Retired Employees Banquet
Happy 1st Birthday
Puppy’s Name DOB
Hansel
July 2
Zed July 23
Puppy Jeopardy
Want to win a Bonus
Bone? Below is the Puppy Jeopardy
answer in the Health Care category. The
first class participant to provide the correct question at the next class
wrap-up earns a Bonus Bone. Good Luck!
The disease represented by the “L” in the DHLPP vaccine.
It is caused by a type of bacteria called spirochetes.
Visit us at www.guidingeyes-erie.org