March- April Newsletter

We are Puppy Raisers

We are puppy raisers.
We come from many walks of life.
We are young and old.
We have a deep love of animals.
We are willing to serve.
We hope to raise puppies for the visually impaired.
We take pups into our hearts and homes at about 8 weeks of age.
We love them.
We nurture them for 12 to 14 months.
We comfort them.
We do all we can to protect their health.
We groom them.
We let them sleep on the floor next to our beds.
We crate train them.
We teach them obedience.
We take them with us nearly everywhere we go.
We encourage our puppies.
We help our puppies overcome their fears when faced with the unknown.
We plan vacations to accommodate them.
We buy kongs, tug toys and nylabones for them.
We raise our puppies in accordance with GDB standards.
We make sure that they receive quality veterinary care.
We read and study the Puppy Raising Manual.
We take the time to share our experiences, and passion for these puppies with the public.
We educate the public and make inroads for the program to have success, and access.
We are sometimes turned away from a restaurant or an event.
We always remember that we represent Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
We respect our puppies and hold them in high regard.
We attend meetings and activities at our own expense for the well being of the puppies.
We often drive for several hours to attend guide dog activities to benefit our pups.
We let our puppies go for "puppysitting" within our groups.
We sometimes let our pups go for a time to be evaluated.
We sometimes have to transfer our pups for their well being.
We set our feelings aside and give our puppies back to GDB for training.
We hear someone say "I could never give the puppy back; I would love it too much!"
We grieve and feel an incredible sense of loss when our puppies are recalled.
We try to remember why we raised a pup just to say "good-bye."
We feel sad when our pups are career changed.
We feel glad to know they are coming home.
We rejoice when they make it to class.
We share the joy with the graduate and their families.
We can say good-bye now.
We have loved well.
We are puppy raisers.

Found on a GDB Puppy Club website

Dear Dogs and Cats,

When I say to move, it means to go someplace else, not to switch positions with each other so there are still two of you in the way.

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing

a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object.

Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.

It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I
also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut,

it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.

I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years--canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt.

I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About My Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay
off the furniture. (That's why they call it
"fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Dogs and cats are better than kids ...they eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called,

never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions,

don't wear your clothes, and don't need a gazillion dollars for college - and if they get pregnant, you can sell the children.

Found on a GDB puppy club website

Clovis Rodeo Parking

Our club will be parking cars for the Clovis Rodeo once again on Friday, April 22^nd through Sunday, August 24^th. The Parking lot is located on the

Clark Intermediate track and field grounds, on the corner of 5^th and Music Ave. Gate is located off of Music Ave. We will have a sign up sheet for what days

work best for each family.

Raisers need to bring at least one parent with them to help with this event. Please wear your club’s blue shirt and leave your pups at home for this event.

As soon as your scheduled time is up you are free to go.

Friday--Rodeo starts at 5:30pm-arrive at 4:00pm finish at 6:30pm

*Saturday--Rodeo starts at 2:00pm-arrive at 12:00pm finish at 3:00pm

Sunday--Rodeo starts at 2:00pm-arrive at 12:00pm finish at 3:00pm

Parking is fairly easy to find, as rodeo hasn’t started yet. You can Park any where around 5^th and Music Ave, then just go to the Music Ave gate on Clark School grounds.

* If assigned Saturday parking—The Rodeo Parade will be going on---please come in off of Sunnyside Ave, you will need to turn West on to Jefferson between 5^th

and Bullard. (usually Clovis PD officers there) explain that you are working the Rodeo grounds and need to be there by 12 noon for VIP parking lot.

Hope to see you all there. Call Cierra or Mary if you have any questions.

Fun Day 2005

Fun Day this year at Guide Dogs for the Blind is Saturday, August 6^th. No theme has been decided on yet. Our club has again blocked rooms at

Best Western Novato Oaks Inn. Please call and reserve your room. The phone number is (800) 625-7466. The room rate has gone up this year; it will be $98 per night.

We are also reserved for our trip on Sunday, August 7^th taking the ferry to San Francisco to Pier 39. Puppy raisers are free with a Guide Dog puppy;

the rest of us will pay full fare. The rate for adults this year is $12.30, youth ages 6-12 is $9.20. Youth under 5 are free. On the weekend,

youth under age 12 accompanying an adult will travel free

Submitted by: Mary

Obedience Class

Obedience will be moving back to Bicentennial Park in Clovis as of April. We will meet by the batting cages as usual. In April, we will meet on the 6^th and 20^th.

Class will be from 6-7 pm. Career Changes and well-behaved pet dogs are welcome along with all of the Guide Dog Puppies (over 4 months old).