Paws & Read

 

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Erie Region Newsletter

 

Winter 2006

 

 

 

Annual Holiday Puppy Party

 

The Annual Holiday Puppy Party on December 5 was a great success. All Puppy Raisers went home with a large bag of Iams dog food plus a Holiday Tote full of goodies for both puppies and raisers. Puppy Raisers also received the newly designed Ambassador/Raiser Jacket. The apparel in the GEB Boutique was on display and everyone bought toys for their puppies from Paws & Shop to put under the tree. This made for a lot of wagging tails during the Holiday Season. Santa was on hand for pictures with all the puppies. Our thanks to Mr. Claus for taking time from his busy schedule to help out at our party.

Blind Graduate Dorothy and Guide Dog India were our special guests.  After taking a tour of our puppy classes, Dorothy shared her experiences of having a Guide Dog and answered questions from Puppy Raisers at the wrap-up sessions. Dorothy is an assistant Occupational Therapist in a nursing home and has recently completed computer classes at a local university. Our sincere thanks to Dorothy and India for making the evening a very special one. 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Meltdowns

 

So far, this winter season has been highlighted by temperature fluctuations, causing large piles of snow, and carefully constructed snowmen, to melt away quickly by rising temperatures and subsequent rain.  Some young puppies are discovering grass and mud for the first time, while others insist on licking what dirty snow remains.  All the mud, sticks, remaining leaves and yucky snow contain mold and bacteria that can cause intestinal problems for a puppy.  Puppies have a very keen sense of smell and will attempt to eat everything in sight.  Keep an extra eye on your puppy when you go outside.  If you have a question about something your puppy may have ingested, contact your Area Coordinator immediately.   

 

Between the snowy and raining periods, ice often forms on sidewalks and stairs.  Puppies slip and slide just like humans, however humans need to keep track of only two feet while our companions have four paws to keep under them!  Keeping your puppy off the ice is the best solution to preventing injuries. Finally, watch out for those paw pads!  Salt can harm a puppy’s pad.  Check the sidewalk for salt before taking your puppy for a walk.  If you find yourself and your puppy walking on salt, be sure to wash the paw pads as soon as possible in warm water and dry them thoroughly to prevent a rash.

 

 

 

 

Local Heroes

Comings & Goings of our Puppies

 

Best Wishes go out to the following dogs and their proud owners.  Congratulations for a job well done!

§          O’Neill said good-bye to his raisers Jody & Merlin.  O’Neill is their 3rd puppy.

§          Parnell gave Katie a big hug as she said good-bye.  He is Katie’s 1st puppy.

§          Paxton said good-bye to Richard.  Paxton is their 3rd puppy.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

      If A Dog were your Teacher

 

You would learn…

 

When loved ones come home, always greet them happily.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

Avoid growling when a simple nudge will do.

When it’s in your best interest, don’t bark or whine.

On warm days, lie in the grass on your back.

On hot days, drink plenty of water and lie under a shady tree.

On bitter cold days, find a cozy place and take a long winter’s nap.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joys of a long walk.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If your scolded, don’t pout … run right back and make friends.

Let people touch you.

When someone is having a bad day, sit silently close by, nuzzling the person gently.

Always be loyal and faithful.

 

 

 

Happy 1st Birthday

 

Puppy’s Name       DOB

 

Gomez                  9/30/04

 Julie                      10/11/04

 Jack                     10/11/04

Orleans                 11/6/04

Vargo                    12/3/04

Felice                   1/29/05

Honey                   2/2/05

Huck                     2/2/05

KC                        2/7/05

Montana                2/8/05

Meadow                2/8/05

 

 

 

Web Wise

 

Have you logged on to our region’s web site recently?  If you’d like to share a digital picture of your puppy, please email it to the web master. The site is updated weekly with new puppy pictures and more…. 

 

 

Puppy Jeopardy

 

Want to win a Bonus Bone?  Below is the Puppy Jeopardy answer in the Pesky Parasite category.  The first class participant to provide the correct question at the next class wrap-up earns a Bonus Bone.  Good Luck! 

 

          The parasite that carries Lyme Disease & Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in certain areas of the country.