May-July Newsletter

How Does Your Garden Grow?

     Summers, backyards and puppies-the perfect combination, right? As long as you know what is in your yard or garden, it is. Even though our puppies should be supervised while outside; any puppy (and labs especially), can be notorious for foraging. They can be very quick at consuming anything that catches their eye. While yards can have potential problems all year, we spend more time there in the warmer months.

     Some popular landscaping plants and garden vegetables can be toxic to pets if ingested. A list of toxic plants can be found on the ASPCA’s website. (www.aspca.org) Click on Animal Poison Control Center) A few of these include: azaleas, calla lilies, holly, tulips and the green parts of tomato plants. Also found on the website are a list of non-toxic plants.

     Also, keep track of what pesticides/lawn chemicals you use. Of course, all of these should be stored out of reach of your puppy. Most products list on the labels any cautions needed for pet safety. If mixing these products in a separate sprayer, be sure to keep original labels. After spraying be sure to allow time for product to dry before permitting your puppy to play or relieve on the lawn. Also use caution with snail bait, gopher poison, etc. as many of these are flavored to attract the intended pest. Unfortunately, they may also attract your puppy. Some of the new snail and slug baits say they are safe for pets, so always read the label and always keep the puppy away any garden product.

    If you are concerned about something your puppy ate, the Puppy Raising Manuel (page 2-5) says "In the case of possible poisoning, consult a veterinarian immediately. Different poisons require specific treatments, and many times the speed of your response can make a crucial difference in your puppy's prognosis. After your puppy is stabilized, your veterinarian should contact a Guide Dog veterinarian to determine what further treatment should be provided. Immediately after you have initially consulted with your veterinarian, inform your leader of what has occurred and the advice you have received."

       Does this mean you and your puppy have to hide inside all summer? Not at all!  The key word is "supervise", "supervise", "supervise".   Know what is in your yard in case of accidental ingestion. When planting new vegetation, consider selecting those from the non-toxic list. While at public places such as parks watch you puppy carefully. Always assume that parks have been sprayed. Taking a few simple precautions can assure a fun filled and safe summer for you and your puppy.

Submitted by:  Karen H.

Hotel Etiquette

¨ Never allow your puppy to run free, except in your room preferably with a dragline and only if he has been taught not to bolt out of doors.

¨ Always have your puppy jacket on your puppy in the hotel.

¨ Always have plenty of clean-up supplies, even for older dogs.

¨ Relieve your puppy often to avoid having an accident in your room.

¨ Have water available at all times during the day, but limit water intake at night to avoid an accident or having to take the puppy out in the

middle of the night.  To avoid wetting the carpet, use the bathroom floor for water bowls.

¨ Unless on bottom floor, be considerate of people trying to sleep below you.

¨ Have some way of securing your puppy during the night (crate or tie down).

¨ Do not allow your puppy on the bed.

¨ Take some favorite toys to keep puppy entertained.

¨ As a puppy raiser, you are representing Guide Dogs when you take your puppy into public places, so always try to leave a positive impression.

¨ Have a fun and safe trip. 

Submitted by:  Melanie H.

Remember… Fourth of July is NOT a good holiday for puppies.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR GUIDE DOG PUPPY TO 4^TH OF JULY EVENTS!!!

Leave your puppy at home in a crate, preferably in the middle of the house with a radio or television on.

PUPPY RAISER MEMORIES....

Do you remember the first day when you got your puppy? 

Remember those first nights of housebreaking?

And don't forget the first night in the crate!!

Gee, wasn't it neat to find out what a clean up bag was?

Wasn't even neater to use it with a bunch of people looking?

And of course we all remember the “walks" in Manchester Mall.

Have you ever heard? "Is that one of them blind dogs?"

Oh boy, a puppy Christmas party! This'll be fun!

Will they ever make puppy coats that actually fit?

How about your first city bus ride?  That's always fun.

Wow, How many times does a pup have to see the vet?

Have you ever wondered if your pup's middle name is "That’s Enough"?

And if you try to tell me that your pup is perfect, then you're pulling my leg.

Do you ever get sick of hearing: "How can you give them up?"

Now it's time to return your puppy.

Week after week you watch for those phase reports to see your puppy climb through the phases.

That proud day when your little puppy graduates and is doing the job he or she was born to do.

Isn't it great to start all over again?

This really sums up what it's like to be a puppy raiser.  We raise these puppies with all of our love

and dedication and in the end it all pays off one way or the other.

Submitted By: Cierra V.

K-9 Corral Fun Day

Get your western gear and saddle up because its time for this year’s western style fun day! Fun Day is a great way to bond with not only your puppy, but with other raisers as well. Once you have arrived at Guide Dogs for the Blind, you receive a fun bag of goodies along with a littermate book that lists all the littermates. Fun Day is filled with activities for raisers and their puppies to participate in; such as games, a vet check area, raffles with really neat prizes, stations where you learn more about Guide Dogs’ departments and several booths from different puppy raising groups that sell lots of cute dog merchandise; such as toys, shirts, grooming items, bandanas, etc. The area that is always fun to go to is the area where you can meet your puppy’s littermates and look through photo albums of your puppy’s parents. If you’re hungry, there is always a great BBQ lunch prepared. And don’t forget to stop by the kennels and see all the dogs and the adorable puppies that are always fun to watch.

Submitted by:  Mollie N.

It’s Almost Ferry Time!

Our club will be going on July 25^th (the day after Fun Day) on the Larkspur ferry to San Francisco, going to Pier 39 and then coming back on the ferry. We will be back in Larkspur by 3:20pm.  This trip is a great adventure for puppies and all of us!

We take the 9:40am ferry from Larkspur and arrive at the San Francisco ferry building at 10:30am.  We will take the trolley bus to Pier 39 and have a couple of hours to browse.  Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf are both within walking distance also.  We’ll all meet back up to take the trolley bus back to the Ferry Building and take the 2:30pm ferry back to Larkspur.  Golden Gate ferry wants all of the Guide Dog pups on the same ferry due to our group ticket.

Once again the puppy raiser and puppy will be 10 cents each and they will all be on one group ticket.  All other family members will be buying their own tickets at the ticket window.

Prices are for round trip tickets.  Adult fares are $12.30, youth 12 and under are $9.20.  Children 5 and under are free.  There is also a discount fare on the weekends.  Youth 12 and under travel free with one paying adult (there is a limit of 2 youth per full fare adult ticket).  Cash and credit cards are accepted at the ticket window.  Please plan to be at the ferry terminal by 9:15am so that you have time to get in line to buy tickets.

Directions to the ferry terminal from San Rafael are to take S. 101 to the Sir Francis Drake exit.  This is the first exit past San Rafael on 101.  As you go up the hill on 101 as you leave San Rafael, you’ll need to get into the right lane.  You will want to be in the right lane turning left as you come off the freeway.  The left lane gets you back on the freeway.  The ferry terminal is on the right and you’ll need to find a parking spot.  Parking is free in the lot.

We will have a big group; Puppies With a Plan will come with us, as well as a puppy-raising group from the Sacramento area.

Hooded sweatshirts will work well; it can be cold weather in San Francisco in the summer.  Carry a bottle of water, as everything is pricey in S.F.  If your pup is excited on the way, he will be tired on the way back.

Submitted by:  Mary H.

Before I was a dog parent…

Before I was a dog parent: I made and ate hot meals unmolested. I had unstained and unfurred clothes and furniture. 
I had quiet conversations on the phone, even if the doorbell rang.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got to bed or if I could get into my bed.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I cleaned my house everyday. I never tripped over bones, kongs, and crates or invited other puppies over to play.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I didn't worry if my plants, cleansers, plastic bags, TP, soap or deodorant were poisonous or dangerous.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I had never been peed on, pooped on, drooled on, chewed on or pinched by puppy teeth.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I had complete control of my thoughts, my body, my mind. I slept all night without sharing the room with a crate.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I never looked into big soulful eyes and cried. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't 
stop a hurt. I never knew something four-legged and so furry could affect my heart so deeply.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I had never held a sleeping puppy just because I couldn't put it down. I had never gotten up in the middle of the 
night every 10 minutes to make sure all was well. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important.
 
Before I was a dog parent: I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction 
of being a dog parent.
 

Submitted by:  Mary H.

BIRTHDAYS!!!!

                                                                                   Elizabeth J.----------------------May 9                         Mary H.----------------------June 14   

                                                                                   Mark F.-------------------------May 16                       Morgan T.--------------------June 19

                                                                                   Hannah B.-----------------------May 23                       Allison B.---------------------July 16

                                                                                   Stacy S.-------------------------May 26

                                                                                   Eric Q.--------------------------May 31

New Arrivals!!

Hannah B. received “Yeager”

Chloe B. received “Salem”

Elizabeth J. received “Myra”

Brendyn K. received “Merced”

Kristina L.& Kathy H. received “Gretch”

Mollie N. received “Fiddle”

Joe T. received “Nino”

Chris W. received “Gary”

Allison D. received “Greta”

Phase Reports as of July 1, 2004

Lenora-----Phase 2

Halsey-----Phase 2

Ramla------In Class

Tentative Recalls

 Bradley-------August

Joan----------August

Optional Fun Days

August 22-Monterey County Fun Day at Monterey Fairgrounds.  Walk through the fair with Tami Shankle.

September 18-Morro Bay Harbor Cruise-See Mary for details