Community Connection
The newsletter for volunteers of Guide Dogs for the Blind | November 2007
The Power of Partnering: Career Change dogs are on the Search!
Wanted: Search Dogs. Essential Job Functions: “High drive” dogs with a particular passion for tug-ofwar. Must love toys, and be persistent in games of hide and seek. Requires dashing through twostory piles of rubble, picking sure-footedly through extreme obstacle courses and sniffing out “victims”
concealed amid various obstructions, such as metal or plastic tubes or plywood “caves.”
For six very special GDB career change dogs, that particular job description turned out to be their
calling: they have been trained and placed as Search dogs by the National Disaster Search Dog
Foundation (SDF) based in Ojai, Calif.
SDF was founded in 1995 by retired school teacher Wilma Melville, after she and her own advancedcertified search dog, a female black Labrador Retriever named “Murphy,” had been deployed to the
site of the Oklahoma City bombing. SDF is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization whose
mission is to find and train search dogs, match them with firefighters and other first responders, and
see these teams deployed to search for people buried alive as a result of natural disasters or terrorist
attacks.
The dogs are trained in simulated disasters, which include conditions described above. A dog’s
reward for making a “find” is a rousing game of tug-o-war with a trainer or a “victim” and a favorite tug
toy. So the canine trainees must be so “toy obsessed” that each dog will eventually persistently
search through a variety of challenging environments to find a “victim” who holds a toy and rewards
the dog with this favorite game.
To date 175 SDF teams, certified by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, have been deployed at events including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita,
Ernesto and Dean; the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11; the La Conchita mud slide in
Ventura County, California; the Winter Olympics in Utah; building collapses in Miami and Los
Angeles; missing person searches; and a building explosion and floods in New York State. The
search teams’ job is to make sure that no live victims are left behind.
The Foundation usually obtains its dogs from shelters and dog rescue groups, and provides lifetime
care for its released or retired dogs. GDB dogs, which have been selectively bred for decades for the
docility required of guidework, are generally not high-energy and assertive enough for disaster search
work. However, in the case of the six GDB career change dogs that have gone on to search
occupations, that job was right up their alley. Of the six, there are three that are still actively doing
search work: Alani (now Lani, a female German shepherd cross), Fritzie (a female German
shepherd), and Cadillac (now Caddie, a male black Labrador retriever).
Lani, paired with firefighter John Stewart
Lani and John live in Albany, NY, where John works with the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. As
part of New York Task Force 2 John and Lani were deployed in May of 2006, to flash flood-related
destruction in Sullivan County, NY. Some people were missing and the team searched piles of debris
washed up by rushing water. The duo was part of a force that searched 75 homes in a flooded area
of this county; they traveled to the affected areas by boat.
John’s wife, Darcie, says: “Lani goes pretty much everywhere with us. She’s been to Washington DC,
and to White Face Mountain. When we go to the lake, Lani has her own life vest to wear and she
hops right into the boat with us. She loves to swim. She has fit right in with our family.”
Per John, “Lani and I train with our training group about twice a week, and we train on our own every
day. People are always surprised at how agile she is – for her size, she is very fast. She loves toys.
She would play 24/7 if there was someone to play with her. She is so driven; she’ll do what it takes to
get her toy reward. We’ve gone on two big deployments, and most recently, we’ve been asked to talk
to groups of kids in the DARE program (for the prevention of illegal drug use) on Mondays. We do
demos and the kids love watching Lani. I always tell them she came from GDB and she had a career
change. We always say how glad we are that she ‘flunked out’ -if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t be my
partner now.”
Fritzie, paired with firefighter Ron Horetski
Fritzie and Ron are members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Lancaster Urban
Search and Rescue Unit Task Force 130. Since graduating from SDF in March of 2007, the two have
been working toward FEMA certification, so that they can be ready for deployment if and when
disaster should strike.
Ron says: “Fritzie and I train twice a week with our training group and we train every day on our own.
Fritzie is really active, athletic and hyper ---exactly what we want in a search dog. She loves to play
with her toys. She loves to tug. She loves to run. She has found every ‘victim’ she has looked for in
training. I take her with me all the time; she’s with me 24 hours a day. Right now with the education
she’s getting as a search dog and with all the training and hard work we are doing together, we think
we will be ready to pass the FEMA certification test at the end of the year.”
Caddy, paired with firefighter Jasmine (“Jaz”) Segura
Caddy and Jaz are members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and California Task Force
2. Jaz writes: “Caddy and I train 2-3 times a week with our training group, and we work every day
together. He lives with me in Redondo Beach and goes to work with me at the station. We are
together 24/7. Caddy lives for the search. He loves to play tug – the harder you tug, the happier he is.
I am so lucky that he was given the opportunity to be a search dog – the Search Dog Foundation was
the right place for Caddy to go. I am so glad I have this amazing dog - I am so grateful that he is my
partner.”
Several other career change dogs have participated with the SDF for significant periods of time, were
released for various reasons, and now benefit from the Foundation’s Lifetime Care Program: Genny
(formerly Genevieve, female German shepherd), Reilly (male golden retriever), and Jed (formerly
Samuel, male yellow Labrador Retriever).
To learn more about the Search Dog Foundation, please visit www.searchdogfoundation.org.
If you “Gave at the Office” we want to thank you!
It is during the fall season that many companies as well as federal and state agencies hold workplace
giving campaigns to encourage staff to donate or get involved with charities in their communities.
Guide Dogs for the Blind is proud to participate in workplace giving campaigns nationwide linking
generous employees with the opportunity to improve the quality of life for people who are blind. We
would like to thank those of you who contributed to Guide Dogs through payroll deduction or a onetime gift this year.
Remember to also check with your human resources department to see if your company has a
Matching Gift Program. You can essentially double your gift to Guide Dogs as many companies
match dollar-for-dollar the contributions their employees make. Check your company's matching gift
guidelines to see if your gift qualifies. Complete the form and send with your donation to:
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Development Department
P. O. Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94903
Our Development Department will verify receipt of your gift and return the form to your company for
matching funds.
If you think your company or agency department would benefit from one of our speaking
presentations, please contact Lori Mogan, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager
at lmogan@guidedogs.com.
Creating Community
Southern California update
T hank you to everyone who kept our graduates, volunteers, puppy raisers and staff in their thoughts
during the devastating fires in Southern California. We appreciate all of the calls and notes of
concern. The Guide Dog family overall was very fortunate. We contacted all of our graduates in the
area and do not know of a graduate being evacuated or having any issues. Though two different fires
came fairly close, our staff members Keith Tomlinson and Rick Wilcox were not evacuated.
Several puppy raising families were evacuated and sadly, the Rindskopf’s, a long-time raising family,
did lose their home in Ramona. Because they were out of town at the time, they were unable to save
anything from the fire; fortunately their neighbors were able to rescue all of their animals. Guide Dog
puppy Horatio was with them at the time. The family is currently living in a rental home. If you would
like to assist them, the Puppy Raising Department will be accepting gift cards of any kind and
forwarding them to the family. Please send correspondence to: Rindskopf Family, c/o Guide Dogs for
the Blind, Puppy Raising Dept, PO Box 151200,
San Rafael, CA 94915-1200.
We hope that this situation prompts everyone to look at their emergency plan for themselves and their
pets. Be sure that you have an evacuation plan, an emergency contact outside of your area for
everyone to call and report to and get updates from, and enough emergency supplies for you to
provide for everyone in your family for 72 hours.
Alumni Association News
Since the establishment of the Alumni Association in the Fall of 2005, many exciting developments
have occurred; specifically, we are especially enthusiastic about the formation of Alumni Association
Chapters throughout the country. These chapters are formed by GDB alumni, but membership may
be open to puppy raisers, volunteers, and any other interested GDB supporters as well. Activities that
the various chapters have been involved with include advocacy trainings, social gatherings,
fundraisers, conference and convention participation and much more!
To find a chapter near you, or to learn how to start one, go to the alumni section of the GDB website!
Here is a note from one of our newest chapters:
Hello! Let us introduce the new Greater Toronto Area GDB Alumni Association Chapter.
Our chapter started in May 2007 and is growing strong. We have had four meetings so far with the
number of members growing each gathering. Our last meeting was held in Toronto.
We would like to personally thank Guide Dogs for its support in helping us get up and running and
providing insight to our success. We hope that our chapter will grow more and more as time goes on.
Hope to see you at an upcoming meeting!
President Judy German and Boulder
Vice President Brad Gillespie and Rinelle
Secretary Chris Schiafone and Boise
Treasurer Penny Hartin and Oliana
Canes and Tails
Canes and Tails is a quarterly newsletter for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists, rehabilitation
professionals, teachers, and service providers in the field of blindness and visual impairment.
http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=news_newsletters_canes
What Joining the Legacy Society Means to Me
by Susi Cherry, GDB volunteer docent & Legacy Society member
The word “Legacy” means bequest, endowment, gift and tradition. The word “Society” means
association, culture, fellowship and camaraderie. Together these words define Guide Dogs for the
Blind. Within this organization, staff and volunteers alike come together to form a unique fellowship.
It was an easy decision to join the Legacy Society. I love tradition. I love to give! I love the culture, the
fellowship and the camaraderie at GDB. All these elements are what make Guide Dogs for the Blind
so unique. Many of my friends, with their wonderful Guide Dogs, have opened my eyes to show me
the value and independence that a Guide Dog offers.
As a volunteer docent on the California campus, I have seen the first time Guide Dog users put down
their canes, hold their heads high, grab the harness handle and venture into a brand new world, with
amazing confidence. They are a team!
I have also seen experienced Guide Dog users make the difficult decision to retire their guides, after
years of trustworthy service. They return to the GDB campus to meet and train with a new tailwagging friend - a friend that allows them to see again, to move more freely and confidently
in the sighted world. This is a wonderful gift, the lifetime commitment that Guide Dogs for the
Blind offers its graduates. All at no cost! Do you know of any other organization that promises lifetime
commitment?
Tradition! Gift! Fellowship! These are the qualities that give me pride to be a supporter of Guide Dogs
for the Blind’s Legacy Society.
If you would like to join the Guide Dog Legacy Society, please click here
http://www.guidedogs.com/legacy. For more information, please contact Bob Sonnenberg, Associate
Director Planned Giving, at (800) 295-4050 or email bsonnenberg@guidedogs.com. Thank you for
your consideration.
Update from our Partners:
Hills Pet Nutrition
From time to time we’ll be sharing news from our Partner in Nutrition, Hill’s Science Diet. As you know
Guide Dogs for the Blind is excited to renew our relationship with Hill’s and use Hill’s Science Diet
dog food formulas as the exclusive nutrition for all of our program dogs.
If you are interested in providing natural nutrition for your pet* dog, you may be interested in knowing
that Hill’s is also the maker of new Nature’s Best, the first and only natural dog food that is clinically
proven to provide complete, balanced nutrition. The new Nature’s Best is about ingredients. Only
natural, wholesome ingredients like real chicken and now, real lamb. And since healthy dogs thrive on
whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables, Nature’s Best includes cranberries, apples, carrots and
more. Simply put, it has all the ingredients you want and none that you don’t.
To learn more about Hill’s Nature’s Best and get a FREE sample go to:
www.hillspet.com/naturesbest.
*This refers to personal pet dogs that are not in one of Guide Dogs’ programs.
Responsible Pet Ownership: Tips from our Experts
Teaching Your Dog Not to Jump on People
A dog that jumps up on people is both a nuisance and a potential safety hazard; it is annoying to have
one’s clothes muddied with paw prints and a small child or elderly person could easily be injured by
overenthusiastic greetings.
Consistency is the key to teaching a dog to keep “four on the floor”; everyone in the household should
follow the rules. The easiest way to teach a dog to not jump up is to require that it sit before and
during greetings. You will need to have a leash on the dog to enforce the sit for several weeks or
months until he has learned the behavior. Low key, sincere praise will help keep the dog calm. Using
food treats to reward good behavior will speed up the learning process. A young pup may need to be
held in position on the floor (one hand on rump and the other on the collar) when greeting.
Practice by staging interactions with friends and family. The dog will learn the behavior more easily if
the greeters stay at a distance at first and don’t make eye contact. It may take several weeks before
someone can actually pet the dog while it sits on a loose leash.
Have visitors ignore the pup until several minutes have passed and the initial excitement is over. Do
not allow interaction with the dog until it settles down; no eye contact, speaking, touching commands,
etc. In severe cases the visitors may need to turn their backs and face the wall when the dog jumps
up. The dog will initially continue to jump up for attention but eventually will give up in frustration and
offer a sit.
Praise quietly, then the guest may turn around and bend over to pet the dog; if it jumps up the person
should immediately turn away again. With consistency the dog will learn the only way it can get the
attention it craves is to sit!
Explain the training process to your guests before their visit and enlist their help; if you know your
visitor can’t or won’t help, put the dog away so that your weeks of patient training are not undermined.
Dogs jump up to get to our faces; once your dog has learned to sit for attention instead of jumping,
give him what he wants – crouch down as close to his level as possible, look him in the eyes and tell
him what a great dog he is!
Tee Off in Style for GDB
Graduate Frank Frand, the coordinator of the annual “Tee Off for Dogs” fundraising golf tournament in
Fullerton, Calif., is selling reflective safety jackets to support the May 26, 2008 event. The 2007 event
raised $25,000 for GDB!
The fleece-lined, hooded jackets have a bright yellow front with the Tee Off for Dogs logo which
depicts a Lab holding a golf club in her mouth, ¾ front zip; black sleeves and back. The back has an
image of a working guide dog in harness outlined in reflective tape. The jackets sell for $35 plus
shipping. To order or for more information about the tournament, call Frank at: 714-662-2397, email
ffrand@msn.com or visit http://www.teeofffordogs.org.
Diary of a Dog Dummy, installment #1
By hopeful dog adopter, Jennifer Bernstein-Lewis
As someone who has never owned a dog before, I thought I could be a different voice (compared to
all the dog experts and pet lovers that you encounter at GDB!), and chronicle the adventure of my
decision to welcome a dog into my life.
It’s not entirely true to say I’ve never had a dog. When I was about 7 years old, my well-meaning but
ill-prepared family adopted a Samoyed, who we creatively named Snowy. Snowy was sweet, gentle,
and obedient. Snowy was also put on this planet to live with a pack, pull sleds through the snow at
great speed, and enjoy Artic climates. Her life in our San Fernando Valley home, alone for a great
deal of the day while her family worked and went to school, was as uncomfortable for her as our 100
degree summers. After several years of trying very hard to turn a sled dog into a house dog, we had
to admit she would be happier with, at the very least, some shade and some room to run.
Later in life, I would find myself a manager at a local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SPCA). There I learned quite a lot about dogs and their behavior. I managed dog adoptions, and
helped reunite lost animals with their families. But like so many shelters, we had to deal with issues of
overpopulation, and unfortunately had to euthanize animals as well.
Despite my lack of experience with ever really having a dog of my own, however, I’m ready! I have
always had cats – they can be left alone for long stretches, happily live in small apartments, and be
quite content with never setting foot outside – but dogs! Dogs are the opposite. But I am feeling ready
to take the risk, accept the joy with the responsibility, reap the rewards of the unconditional love and
learn the trick to catching all the poop in one pass of the bagged hand.
So why now am I throwing my hat into the ring? Maybe it’s that my life has finally reached what
seems like a plateau; I own my first real house, my daughter has grown a little, my husband has
admitted how much he would like a dog as well.
I have submitted applications for both career change adoption and to become a breeding stock
custodian. For anyone who has filled out these applications, you know you must be very honest with
yourself (does walking from my desk to the mailroom count as an hour of exercise per day?) And to
pinpoint the reasons why I want a dog? It’s like asking me why I wanted my child. For a thousand
reasons, for one reason, for reasons I don’t know. And a breeder dog – me? With my past history of
having to euthanize unwanted puppies at the shelter, could I participate in an active breeding
program? I can only say that my sincere trust and admiration for GDB, and seeing the organization’s
treatment of each dog that it brings into the world is what made that decision for me. Coming from a
former shelter worker, that is saying a lot.
I have so much to learn! Since I work at Guide Dogs, however, I am surrounded by people who
literally know how to speak to dogs. Certainly, that will be a lot of help, but it’s intimidating as well!
Surely my absolute lack of practical knowledge will show (I can see it now… me getting tangled in
yards of flexi-leash as my knowledgeable coworkers observe….) Maybe getting a dog will be akin to
having my child: mistakes will be made, but lessons will be learned. But I know I’m ready, because in
my mind’s eye I so clearly see my family with a dog in our home, on our trips, in our lives.
So, now I wait. Any one of those dogs in the kennels could be ‘mine’ and I just don’t know it yet. In the
meantime, I’m starting to notice that the world is full of information about dog training, dog products,
etc; is this information more prevalent than ever before, or am I simply paying more attention? (Like
when I was pregnant – seemed like the whole world was pregnant too!) I’ve waited more than 30
years for this; I can wait a little longer. Wait, is that the phone?....
Look for the second installment in a future issue!
News from Puppy Raising
Graduates in 2007
Dedicated to saluting our graduate guides
We are proud to present our recent graduates listed below with the state where they will live and
work. Congratulations to those puppy raisers and leaders who have participated in each graduation.
Without your love and dedication, these successes would not be possible:
CALIFORNIA: Bryant, Cooper, Damian, Duke, Easter, Eubanks, Evita, Jada, Layla, Lyle, Markie,
Martine, Mitchell, Nairobi, Ninotchka, Othello, Philly, Pringle, Rally, Ramsey, Skip, Tamera, Tawny,
Tennyson, Tula
CANADA: Adrian, Burbank, Cedric, Lauren, McDougle, Sonar
COLORADO: Elle, Kagami
FLORIDA: Lido
IDAHO: Epic
ILLINOIS: Blizzard, Cyrus, Mariko, Sweden
KENTUCKY: Ben
MICHIGAN: Baskin
MINNESOTA: Dodds, Elliot, Skippy
MONTANA: Reggie
NEBRASKA: Thatcher
NEVADA: Anastasia, Nabisco, Manolo, Tigger
NORTH CAROLINA: Twyla
OHIO: Dermot, Moby, Nando
OREGON: Orbit, Rosie, Sheffield, Tempe, Warner
PENNSYLVANIA: Satchel
SOUTH CAROLINA: Rafael
TENNESSEE: Navarone
TEXAS: Cornelia, Haiku, Hula, Octavia
UTAH: Alcatraz, Clint, Morton
VIRGINIA: Geisha, Radiant
WASHINGTON: Bogie, Burma, Conchita, Durwood, Georganne, Matt, Randy, Swanson
Making Headlines!
Guide Dogs for the Blind has joined forces with the Canine Cancer Genome Project Guide Dogs (part
of the National Institutes for Health) to help reduce cancer in both dogs and humans. Enjoy an audio
interview as geneticist Dr. Elaine Ostrander explains the work being done to identify genes that cause
cancer and how dogs in general, and dogs from Guide Dogs, in particular, are aiding in this effort.
Visit www.gooddogpodcast.com.
A first-of-its-kind program kicked off in Salt Lake School District with tearful goodbyes, joyful hellos
and six wagging tails: http://deseretnews.com/article/1%2C5143%2C695214286%2C00.html.
Breeder’s Digest
Litter Announcements
Labrador Retrievers:
8/18/07 Jay x Cassie – 2 males, 5 females
8/20/07 Thompson x Stevie – 3 males, 5 females
8/21/07 Benjamin x Vanilla – 2 males, 3 females
8/27/07 Kentucky x Esther – 5 males, 1 female
8/28/07 Dylan x Joyann – 3 males, 3 females
8/31/07 Kentucky x Doralee – 4 males, 4 females
9/1/07 Dylan x Cedar – 3 males, 1 female
9/3/07 Buck x Nana – 3 males, 3 females
9/4/07 Baker x Holland – 5 males, 3 females
9/4/07 Thompson x Winda – 2 males, 2 females
9/5/07 Domingo x Debra – 2 males, 2 females
9/9/07 Domingo x Harmony – 1 male, 6 females
9/10/07 Denzel x Parkay – 5 males, 2 females
9/19/07 O’Connor x Trina – 2 males, 3 females
9/21/07 Buck x Bubbles – 4 males, 2 females
9/21/07 Neo x Stella – 6 males, 1 female
9/23/07 Dylan x Winter – 4 males, 4 females
9/25/07 Benjamin x Raven – 4 males, 4 females
9/26/07 Astro x Anam – 4 males, 2 females
9/26/07 Bruce x Heritage – 2 males, 4 females
9/29/07 Domingo x Eve – 4 males, 3 females
9/30 07 Baker x Brenda – 2 males, 2 females
10/1/07 Benjamin x Darlene – 4 males, 2 females
10/1/07 David x Belinda – 5 males, 2 females
10/1/07 Russo x Noramae – 4 males, 4 females
10/5/07 Tate x Benicia – 3 males, 3 females
10/9/07 Tiburon x Giovanna – 3 males, 1 female
New Breeders
Labrador Retrievers:
Cabby – black male, raised in OR
Cagney – black female, raised in OR
Chris – yellow female, raised in CA
Damara – yellow female, raised in CO
Dulcinea – yellow female, raised in CO
Enid – black female, raised in CA
Gretchen – yellow female, raised in CA
Marikay, black female, raised in NV
Michelle – black female, raised in CA
Saylor, black male, raised in OR
Winter – black female, raised in CA
Labrador Golden Cross
Cheyenne – yellow female, raised in CO
Want to see a slideshow of this issue’s litters? Click here:
http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PhotoAlbumUser?view=UserPhotoDetail&PhotoID=16071&position=1
&AlbumID=8225
Classifieds
GDB style leather leashes - $23 includes shipping. Contact Deb McAllister/Born To Lead, (801) 4791094, or email to: debmcallister@msn.com
Latigo leather leashes, with brass clips and rings - Contact Cheryl Anderson/Santa Cruz County
Puppy Raisers, (831) 335-3183, or e-mail: aeanders@pacbell.net
Gripper Leashes – Because these specialty leashes are made of cotton-poly blend material, with
rubber gripping, they are great for wet weather conditions, and for working with stronger dogs.
Special pricing for GDB puppy raisers, $30. each. Also available in shorter 3’ length with “O” ring,
$13. each. $4. shipping per leash. Both available in green or black. Contact Sightmasters South
Puppy Raising Club, (503) 659-5847, or e-mail: yellowboys3@msn.com
2008 Calendars Start your preparations for the New Year with these fun and colorful calendars that
feature GDB puppies from the Elk Grove Puppies with a Vision Club. Calendar size 8 ½” x
11”, $10.00 each plus shipping. Contact Sam Michaelson/Elk Grove Puppies with a Vision, (916) 8262619, or e-mail: josam2223@comcast.net
Sidekicks for Sight of Douglas County, Colorado, has updated their website with new specialty items.
Magnetic ribbons, zippered hoodie sweatshirts, colorful t-shirts, and much more. Visit their online
store for pricing and availability: http://sidekicksforsight.bravehost.com/
Tie Downs Your choice of 2, 3, 4 and 5 foot lengths, and custom sizes also available. $7.00 each plus
$3.00 shipping. Contact Beth Yturralde/Praise Four Paws, (619) 482-3199, or email to:
beth_yturralde@yahoo.com
Specialty Floaty Pens, now priced at $3.00 each, or 2 for $5.00. Hand Sanitizer in customized Guide
Dogs for the Blind holder and belt clip, $5.00 each. Contact Jack Brey/Santa Barbara County
Sightseers, (805) 937-7773, or email to: jackbrey@verizon.net
Puppy Coat Sleeve New and improved for 2007! Sturdier sleeves are now made of dark green nylon
lunch bag type fabric, with “GUIDE DOG PUPPY” in white lettering. Also has an inside plastic pocket
for puppy ID card, and velcro around the front strap. $7.00 each plus $1.00 shipping. Contact Jerri
Bitler/Gold Rush Guides of Sacramento, (916) 635-8308, or e-mail:
pupraiser4gdb@yahoo.com
Animal Illustrations by Sarah Hopkins. Using colored pencils and watercolors to create detailed, lifelike portraits of animals, Sarah can capture the individual personality of your dog. She has worked
with our puppies-in training, career change and breeder dogs, and will donate a percentage of her
proceeds to Guide Dogs for the Blind. Visit her on-line for a complete description of her services,
pricing and contact information: http://www.pets-n-pencils.com/
Bitch Britches: the best item to have for in-home boarding of intact females in season. These
washable cotton britches come in one size, and fit most GDB puppies. Available in a variety of colors
and fabric patterns for $10 per pair plus shipping. Belly bands for incontinent males also available.
Contact Becky Bain/Leading With Love Puppy Raising Club, (719) 380-8816, or e-mail:
rbain9@earthlink.net
Shop on-line now! Specialty scarves with graphics for career change, retired guides, and breeder
dogs, “Puppy Raiser,” and “Be Patient” t-shirts, designed especially with our puppy raising community
in mind, and “Believe in Me” denim tote bags. Help support the Have Paws Will Travel Puppy Raising
Club of Arapahoe County, Colorado, and view and purchase on-line:
http://www.hpwtdogmom.org/club/info/store.html
Calendar/Mousepad/Notepad, all in one! This multifunctional desktop tool helps you keep track of
meetings, travel schedules, and events. Features current, last and next month at a glance,
and a “things to do” list, with photos of GDB puppies and raisers on outings and at home. Size 7 ¼” x
8”, can also be hung on the wall. Fabulous stocking stuffers! $7.00 each Contact Cathy Koch/ Shasta
Guide Dogs, (530) 241-2503, or e-mail: shastaguidedogs@sbcglobal.net
Long lines - 20’, strong, yet soft and comfortable to handle. Perfect for recall practice or dragline.
$9.50 ea. Plus shipping. Orders of 10 or more $8.50 plus shipping. Contact Janet Gift/Yolo Eyes for
Others, (530) 758-4200, or e-mail: janetgift@aol.com
Bandanas with special lettering. Choose “Puppy Raiser,” “Breeder,” “Retired,” or “Career Change”
embroidered below the puppy raising logo. Available in 5 colors, $12.00 each. Contact Jerri
Bitler/Gold Rush Guides of Sacramento, (916) 635-8308, or e-mail: pupraiser4gdb@yahoo.com
Patriotic puppy raising shirts featuring different breeds with American flags. T-shirts are $15,
sweatshirts are $25. Shipping included. Visit on-line for a preview:
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~mcgd/t-shirts.html. Contact Sandy Ferguson/Monterey County Guide
Dogs, (831) 455-1585, or email: mcgd@earthlink.net
Decorative metal art garden/plant stakes. GDB breeds with or without harnesses. 12” stake with 8”
dog silhouette. $10. each, plus $2. shipping. Whimsical puppy jewelry, $8. per necklace
bead, plus $1.50 shipping. Contact Janine Prindle/Future Vision 4H Club, (360) 825-5369, or email:
janineprindle@comcast.net
Bumper Stickers - “Future Guide Dog on Board,” and/or “I’m Proud to be a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser,”
green lettering on white. $2. each plus shipping. Ask about quantity discounts. Contact
Beth Nelson/TLC Guide Dog Club, (970) 495-9903, or email to: bnelson2312@frii.com
Guide Dogs for the Blind
PO Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94915-1200
Phone: 800-295-4050
Fax: 415-472-0128
Sarah Netoff, Editor
E-mail: iconnection@guidedogs.com