May-July 2004 Newsletter

December 2004- January 2005

“I Can’t Wait”

“It’s my turn. It’s my turn. I can’t wait,” I yelped anxiously, awaiting my departure.

All of us Guide Dog puppies are born to parents that are chosen to be bred for their genes, size, and temperament. I was born on March 25, 2004. My mother’s name is Fortuna, and my dad’s name is Tiburon. I was able to live with my mother, brothers, and sisters for a mere eight weeks. At eight weeks old, I was taken from my family and was put in this big, boxlike thing that moved. When we arrived in Fresno, there were three people waiting for me: a young boy who had a hair color like mine and love in his eyes. A teenage girl who was so excited to hold me it made me feel wanted. I later found out that the third person was their mother, Marciann, who had a look of youth, a kind heart, and a willing hand. The boy was called Loren, and the girl was called Brendyn. A family that could not have been better. There was always someone to play with or be with.

I was so excited. There were probably six other dogs there. Brendyn put me on the grass to “Do your business”. Why does she keep saying this to me? When I was done going potty, she said, “Good boy, Merced”. Who is Merced? Loren and Marciann took turns holding me, and it felt nice because I really missed my family. Brendyn carried me into another boxlike thing, which I found out is called a “car”. So off I went again. Marciann drove the “car,” and, after a short nap, we stopped somewhere. Brendyn carried me out of the car, and I saw a large dog house. Marciann then said, “We’re home”. I was home. That’s where I was going to live.

Marciann brought me outside and played with me and told me, “Do your business”. I don’t understand. I wanted to cry. I was so confused, so frustrated. I just wanted to know what they were saying and what it meant.

“I did it! I did it! I did it!” Do your business, I mean. I figured it out, it means go potty. Marciann, praising me, said, “Good boy, Merced”. But who is Merced? Is that my last name? I know Good Boy is me, but I can’t figure out Merced. “Wait. I get it all now. My name is Merced. Good Boy means I did it. I’m beginning to understand their language. I can’t believe it, I’m Merced!”

When I turned four months old, I was put in the car, and Brendyn started driving. I was scared and excited all at once. I was scared because I have only been put in the car for two reasons; the scary one is the man in a white jacket and really long, painful needles. I think they called him a “vet”. On the other hand, the other place I have been taken is to play with the other puppies. Today was so different and so much more fun. Brendyn put on my green Guide Dog vest, which all of us puppies know well and love. That vest meant puppies. The green vest meant time for me to work. To my surprise, it wasn’t puppies this time. Brendyn had brought me to this gigantic building with the word “Michael’s” on it. As Brendyn and I walked in the door, there was a big gust of wind, which felt as good as getting my belly rubbed. For it was a hot summer day. Once we got through the door, onto the cool, slick floor, I just laid down. It was so refreshing and cool, and it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, besides when I get a new toy. Brendyn, in the nicest way possible, got me up, and we started walking through the store. The smells were so intriguing. There were things I had never smelled before. I was so excited, so many people, so many smells, so many toys I want to play with.

Everyday is a new experience, a new surrounding. I get to go to baseball games, grocery stores, school, fairs; I even get to ride on boats. That last one I’m not all that happy about. I was brought to San Rafael, Guide Dogs inc. Brendyn and her boyfriend, Rian, brought me. It was so much fun. There were so many things on the floor, like dirt, hair ties, and balls. I wanted them all so very bad. Every time I went after one, though, I was corrected. I knew by then that when I’m corrected not to do it again or I keep getting corrected. I don’t really car for my collar being tugged on. It doesn’t hurt; it’s just annoying. There were probably two hundred puppies and dogs there. So many scents all over the place. I got so excited; I peed on the grass once I got a glance of all the dogs. The next day, Brendyn, Rian, Marciann, and I rode on a ferry to pier 39 with about fifteen other dogs, including my best friend, AJ. The boat made me sick. I just lay down and didn’t move the whole way there or back.

I was once told by a wise dog, my mother, that I was here to help. She said that I was to be raised in a family, and at about fourteen months, go to San Rafael, for what she said was extensive training. I was also told that if I made it past the training, I would be a blind person’s companion, their eyes, and their guardian.

“I can’t wait”

Submitted By: Brendyn K.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still, with most dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds, while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads. And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor; some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.
The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care, in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.

On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay,
surveying the lawn at the end of this day.
Something was different, that little cat knew. Tonight something would happen, it had to be true. For that day as the workers had left to go home, they'd wished Merry Christmas! Before starting to roam. The dogs had noticed it too during this past week's walks; the trainers seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.
In the mall where they worked through the maze of people and stores, there were decoration and music and distractions galore! Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear, but some balked at the man on the sleigh and those fake looking deer.

The cat was almost asleep too when he first heard the sound, a whoosh through the air and a jingle around. It reminded him of a dog's collar when the animal shook, but this sound kept on growing. He'd better go look.

From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk, as the kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk. Once before people had worked on the roof, and come down through the trap door to a chorus of "Woooof!" But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound, as this man dressed in red made his way right on down. He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot, then made his way right to the trainers' coffee pot. A shepherd sat up, not fully awake, then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake. That did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise. In spite of the din, the old man kept his poise. He filled the pot full and it started to brew, then he pulled up a chair and took in the view.

Dogs all around him, so carefully bred, he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led. Some had stopped barking and looked at him now, while others delighted in their own deafening howl. Laying a finger in front of his lips, the jolly old man silenced the excitable yips. "You all may not know me, but I'm Santa Claus," the old man smiled and took a short pause, While he filled up his mug with hot liquid and cream, "I've always wanted to stop here. It's been one of my dreams."
The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa's sack. "Yes, little kitty, that's an empty pack." Santa smiled as he drank and looked at those eyes, deep brown ones and gold ones held wide in surprise. Some of these dogs, he'd seen just last year, in their puppy homes, cute and full of holiday cheer. He'd seen the effects of a pup on the tree, but now they were here at the school, just waiting to be.

"I didn't bring you presents or bones just to chew.
I'll tell you something better, what you are going to do. "You all will work hard and the trainers will share, both praise and correction, gentle and fair."
"You'll go lots of places and face big scary things.
You'll ride buses and subways and hear fire sirens ring." "Cars will drive at you but you will stand strong, not moving into danger, not moving toward wrong." "And then just when you think that this trainer's the best, the kindest, and funnest person, toss away all the rest," "That trainer will begin to ignore you and give you away,
handing your leash over despite your dismay."

"Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be a blind person. That's a person who can't see."
" This man or this woman may see just a tad, but their view's missing parts or the focus is bad."
"So you, well-trained dogs, will act as their eyes. You will work as a team and discover the size"
"Of this great world we live in, because you will go
a million new places with this person, you know."
Santa sipped at his coffee and looked over the brood, knowing what he had to say next might sound kind of rude. "Not all of you will make it and become canine guides. Your time here isn't wasted though. You won't be cast aside." "Some of you will be drug dogs and some will find bombs. Some will become pets in a home with a dad and a mom." "All these things are important. People wait on long lists, to receive such good dogs as you, the school folks insist."

The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup as Santa turned, smiling at each wide eyed pup.
"The best gift of all is to give something back. That's why there's nothing for you all inside of my pack." Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen,
and petted and scratched each dog again and again. "Now next year and many more years after that, you all will give gifts wherever you're at." "You might lick a hand that's had a bad day,
or notice a car and step out of the way." "You might help catch a crook or discover some loot,
or just bring some joy to a tired old man in a funny red suit." "Your master will love you and treat you with care. In return, your training and trust will always be there."

After the last dog had been petted and soothed,
Santa put away the coffee pot and made ready to move. Up the ladder he rose to the door high above, with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his gloves. And all the dogs’ ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"

--Author Unknown—