The quarterly publication of
Guide Dog Users of Arizona
http://www.gdua.org
In order to skip to the next section you can search for the three asterisks
"***" which are placed at the start of each section.
***
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings all! We did it! Despite the fact that the Legislature's 130-day
session was dominated by Arizona's $6.1 billion budget, language was
included in House Bill 2036 for guide dog protection! Most bills didn't
even come close to passing. Out of 1,182 bills introduced, only 30 percent
made it to the Governor's desk.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Senator Laurie Daniels of Phoenix,
ldaniels@azleg.state.az.us
and the wonderful support of Representative
Marian McClure, of Green Valley,
mmcclure@azleg.state.az.us
, HB 2036 was
amended in the senate house to include provisions for protection against
attack by uncontrolled or loose dogs. (Please don't hesitate to send a note
of thanks to these hard working legislators)!
Special thanks to Kevin Chinn, second vice president of Guide Dog Users of
Arizona and Jon Steuerwalt for the incredible amount of time and energy they
devoted to getting this bill passed. Their drive and persistence combined.
With all the hard work of GDUA members, friends and family made this bill a
reality.
In this issue of Waggin' Tails, GDUA is proud to share the final version of
HB2036 signed into law by Arizona's governor Hull on Thursday, May 23, 2002.
We also have lots of other important news in this issue so please read on!
Ginger Bennett
President, Guide Dog Users of Arizona
***
Hats off to GDUA!
State of Arizona Passes Guide Dog Protection Law!
House of Representatives - Forty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
2002
HOUSE BILL 2036
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 13-2910, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; RELATING TO
OFFENSES AGAINST
PUBLIC ORDER.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 13-2910, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
13-2910. Cruelty to animals; interference with working or service animal;
classification; definitions
A. A person commits cruelty to animals if the person does any of the
following:
1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjects any animal under the
person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment.
2. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly fails to provide medical attention
necessary to prevent protracted suffering to any animal under the person's
custody or control.
3. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly inflicts unnecessary physical
injury to any animal.
4. Recklessly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.
5. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly kills any animal under the custody
or control of another person without either legal privilege or consent of
the owner.
6. Recklessly interferes with, kills or harms a working or service animal
without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.
7. INTENTIONALLY, KNOWINGLY OR RECKLESSLY LEAVES AN ANIMAL UNATTENDED AND
CONFINED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE AND PHYSICAL INJURY TO OR DEATH OF THE ANIMAL IS
LIKELY TO RESULT.
8. Intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal under the person's custody
or control to cruel neglect or abandonment that results in serious physical
injury to the animal.
9. Intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.
10. Intentionally or knowingly interferes with, kills or harms a working or
service animal without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.
11. INTENTIONALLY OR KNOWINGLY ALLOWS ANY DOG THAT IS UNDER THE PERSON'S
CUSTODY
OR CONTROL TO INTERFERE WITH, KILL OR CAUSE PHYSICAL INJURY TO A SERVICE
ANIMAL.
12. RECKLESSLY ALLOWS ANY DOG THAT IS UNDER THE PERSON'S CUSTODY OR CONTROL
TO
INTERFERE WITH, KILL OR CAUSE PHYSICAL INJURY TO A SERVICE ANIMAL.
13. INTENTIONALLY OR KNOWINGLY OBTAINS OR EXERTS UNAUTHORIZED CONTROL OVER A
SERVICE ANIMAL WITH THE INTENT TO DEPRIVE THE SERVICE ANIMAL HANDLER OF THE
SERVICE ANIMAL.
B. It is a defense to subsection A of this section if:
1. Any person exposes poison to be taken by a dog which THAT has killed or
wounded livestock or poison to be taken by predatory animals on premises
owned, leased or controlled by the person for the purpose of protecting the
person or the person's livestock or poultry, and the treated property is
kept posted by the person who authorized or performed the treatment until
the poison has been removed, and the poison is removed by the person
exposing the poison after the threat to the person, or the person's
livestock or poultry has ceased to exist.
The posting required shall provide adequate warning to persons who enter the
property by the point or points of normal entry. The warning notice which
THAT is posted shall be readable at a distance of fifty feet, shall contain
a poison statement and symbol and shall state the word "danger" or
"warning".
2. Any person uses poisons in and immediately around buildings owned, leased
or controlled by the person for the purpose of controlling wild and domestic
rodents as otherwise allowed by the laws of the state, excluding any
fur-bearing animals as defined in section 17-101.
C. This section does not prohibit or restrict:
1. The taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by or pursuant to
title 17.
2. Activities permitted by or pursuant to title 3.
3. Activities regulated by the Arizona game and fish department or the
Arizona department of agriculture.
D. A PEACE OFFICER, ANIMAL CONTROL ENFORCEMENT AGENT OR ANIMAL CONTROL
ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY MAY USE REASONABLE FORCE TO OPEN A VEHICLE TO RESCUE AN
ANIMAL IF THE ANIMAL IS LEFT IN THE VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION A,
PARAGRAPH 7 OF THIS SECTION.
E. A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 6 or
9 10 OF THIS SECTION is liable as follows:
1. If the working or service animal was killed or disabled, to the owner or
agency that owns the working or service animal and that employs the handler
or to the owner or handler for the replacement and training costs of the
working or service animal and for any veterinary bills.
2. To the owner or agency that owns a working or service animal for the
salary of the handler for the period of time that the handler's services are
lost to the owner or agency.
3. To the owner for the owner's contractual losses with the agency.
F. An incorporated city or town or a county may adopt an ordinance with
misdemeanor provisions at least as stringent as the misdemeanor provisions
of this section.
G. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 1, through 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
OR 12 OF THIS SECTION is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. A person who
violates subsection A, paragraph 7 through 8, 9, 10, 11 OR 13 OF THIS
SECTION is guilty of a class 6 felony.
H. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Animal" means a mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.
2. "Cruel mistreatment" means to torture or otherwise inflict unnecessary
serious physical injury upon an animal or to kill an animal in a manner that
causes protracted suffering to the animal.
3. "Cruel neglect" means to fail to provide an animal with necessary food,
water or shelter.
4. "Handler" means a law enforcement officer or any other person who has
successfully completed a course of training prescribed by the person's
agency or the service animal owner and who used a specially trained animal
under the direction of the person's agency or the service animal owner.
5. "Service animal" means an animal that has completed a formal training
program, that assists its owner in one or more daily living tasks that are
associated with a productive life-style LIFESTYLE and that is trained to not
pose a danger to the health and safety of the general public.
6. "Working animal" means a horse or dog that is used by a law enforcement
agency, that is specially trained for law enforcement work and that is under
the control of a handler.
***
2002 GDUA/AzCB Spring Fling!
Once again GDUA joined forces with the Arizona Council of the Blind to hold
our fabulous annual spring gathering! Congratulations to newly elected
board members Dave Rutledge, Tina Birenbaum and Larry Colbert as well as new
GDUA secretary RaLynn Harris! Special thanks to past board member Mike
Hinkle for his work on the board and generous donation at our white cane
walk last October. Congratulations are also in order for our two new
delegates, Janice Williams and Dave Rutledge who were elected to represent
GDUA at the National GDUI convention in Houston this July.
Our Friday night festivities began with the GDUA general business meeting
followed by dancing/music and refreshments in the main conference center.
GDUA members and supporters enjoyed guide dog school updates from a total of
six guide dog school representatives and an update was given on the current
status of the Arizona guide dog protection bill. Becky Barnes from Guiding
Eyes for the Blind gave a fabulous presentation on the movement of guide
dogs and Seeing Eye representatives Mike Moran and Chelsea Morrow presented
tips on dealing with potentially dangerous situations.
Big thanks to Janice Williams and Kevin Chinn for rounding up all kinds of
cool door prizes! Plans are already in process for our fall GDUA convention
so please let the board know if you are interested in serving on the
convention committee for our autumn gathering. GDUA also has many other
committees where we could use your help! Please call today and see how you
can contribute to our organization.
***
The German Shepherd
Versatility on four feet
By Carolyn D'Orta
Copyright 2002 by Canis Major Publications
All rights reserved. Used by permission
http://www.canismajor.com/dog
Introduction
Characterized by its great adaptability and physical prowess, the German
Shepherd Dog is respected, admired, and utilized throughout the world. One
of the most easily recognized and one of the most popular of all breeds, it
is acclaimed for its versatility, renowned for its intelligence, and beloved
for its devotion and loyalty to its owner.
Surprisingly, the GSD has been in existence as a distinct breed for only
about 90 years. The breed traces its ancestors to a widely diverse group of
sheepherding and farm dogs in Germany. In the late 19th Century, informal
breeding groups of sheepherders banded together through a common interest in
their dogs and attempted to produce dogs with the desired working
attributes.
The initial group disbanded, but another society formed in 1899 flourished.
This group, Der Verein fur Deutsche Schaeferhunde (sv) was founded by Max
von Stephanitz, a cavalry officer known as the father of the breed.
The GSD came to the US as early as 1908, but its popularity rose
dramatically after World War I, when returning soldiers told of the heroic
dogs' work with the Red Cross, at the front, for the police, and on guard
duty. In addition, Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart, two beloved silent film
stars, captured the hearts of the American public.
Today, the German Shepherd is distinguished for his loyalty, courage, and
ability to retain training for a number of special services. Members of the
breed are widely used by police officers and the military, as guide dogs for
the blind, guardians, drug and contraband detection dogs, and Search and
Rescue dogs. Most, however, are purchased to serve the important role of
devoted family friend and protector.
Temperament
A sound temperament is of the utmost importance in a good companion.
Temperament is inherited, and therefore is a direct result of the dog's
breeding.
The character of the German Shepherd Dog is one of self-confidence and
nobility. Although a mature German Shepherd will not wear his heart on his
sleeve, he should be approachable and outgoing. Strangers may be regarded
with some suspicion, but the dog should be neither overly sharp and
aggressive nor cringe with fear.
A sound German Shepherd makes an excellent companion. An unsound one is a
disaster waiting to happen.
Because of a desire to have a family protector, many GSD puppy buyers think
they need a very dominant, aggressive dog -- an unwise choice for a family.
Sound GSDs are naturally protective of their homes and families.
Puppies will begin to show some awareness of "their" people and "their"
space at about five or six months of age and will display a desire to warn
of approaching strangers. An alert dog and a few warning barks is all the
protection most families require.
For those who have a true need for more serious protection, a sound,
balanced dog is still the best choice. Such a dog can be trained in formal
personal protection by a competent instructor. An overly aggressive or
unsound dog should not be trained in protection, for it will be a danger and
cannot be trusted. Anyone planning to acquire a personal protection dog
should choose the dog and the trainer carefully, for a poor dog or a poor
trainers can court disaster.
Physical attributes
On the physical side, the German Shepherd is of middle size with enough
weight to be effective as a herder or a patrolman, but not so big as to be
cumbersome. This is a trotting dog that can cover a lot of ground very
gracefully, with almost no effort. The impression of the dog should be one
of ruggedness combined with nobility, power, agility, and elegance.
The GSD generally weighs 75-95 pounds, with males usually larger than
females. Males should be 24-26 inches at the withers (top of the shoulder
blades), and females 22-24 inches. Although larger dogs exist, excessive
size is not desireable.
Diversity
Popularity of the breed has led to a great deal of diversity. Colors are
black and tan, black and red, black and cream, black and silver, solid
black, sable, and white. White is considered to be a fault in the US and
white shepherds cannot enter breed classes at shows.
Coats come in a variety of lengths from short to long. Long coats are a
fault in the show ring.
Since many fanciers have specialized in a single area of interest, some dogs
are better suited for the show ring, some are better suited for protection
training or obedience competition, and some are best suited to be good home
companions.
While each of these roles is not mutually exclusive, a knowledgeable breeder
can be a big help in selecting the right dog to fit your needs.
Fitting a GSD to your family
Those considering a German Shepherd Dog as a family addition should make
sure that this breed is the best fit for the situation. The dogs are strong
in body, spirit, and mind. They need much attention, love, and firm guidance
as they grow -- which they do quite quickly.
As a gawky, awkward teenager, a GSD may unintentially knock over a small
child or a frail elderly person. Their strong, happy tails can clear tables,
and their powerful jaws and teeth wreak havoc on furniture.
This is a slowly maturing breed with a long puppyhood, so the new owner must
be prepared to provide kind but firm discipline and a secure environment to
help the dog develop into a well- behaved adult. German Shepherds are active
dogs. They love to run and explore their surroundings with their excellent
noses. They require considerable exercise, especially while growing. This
exercise can be provided by an active owner, another dog or two, or a fenced
yard or dog run. Tying this dog to a house is unacceptable, as it will
create frustration, boredom, and a potentially dangerous dog.
German Shepherds are very sociable dogs. They need attention and
companionship. They do not do well if left in isolation from people and
other companion animals.
They make excellent family dogs, because, although they sometimes pick one
person as their special person, they can relate well to all members of the
household. If they are raised with children, they will develop an abundance
of tolerance to the grabbing and poking of tiny fingers.
Raising a puppy with young children takes extra patience and effort for
parents. Often the fast-growing puppy will use his teeth in playing with
children and their toys, sometimes resulting in scratches. Young children
often excite puppies who want to wrestle and chase -- like they did with
their littermates.
Children can undo all the work a parent has done in training the puppy
because a small child is neither firm nor consistent with the pup. As long
as parents realize that they will need an extra dose of patience, the German
Shepherd puppy can grow up side by side with the children and be a source of
lasting memories for all.
Care and training
German Shepherds are keenly intelligent and enjoy learning. Basic obedience
training is excellent for them. Many of them enjoy learning tricks as well
(or more!)
This is a natural breed, meaning that it does not require clipping or
unusual grooming. Only occasional baths are needed. German Shepherds are
double-coated with a coarse, water-resistent outer coat and a heavy, woolly
undercoat. They are heavy shedders, especially in spring, and require
regular combing. This is definitely not a dog for those who cannot abide dog
hair on the furniture, carpets, clothes, etc.
Popularity
As with many breeds, popularity has had its drawbacks. Many dogs of poor
quality and unsound temperament have been brought into the world by
unknowing backyard breeders and puppy mills. Many of these unfortunate
puppies are in poor health and have genetic abnormalities and poor
temperaments.
So, if you've decided to buy a German Shepherd, it is well worth your while
to find a responsible breeder with a broad knowledge of the breed and the
ancestors of the dogs he is working with. Although its helpful, just having
Mom and Dad on the premises is not a hallmark of a good breeder.
A responsible breeder will know about the hereditary problems in the breed,
have a working knowledge of genetics, and will take precautions to minimize
the chances that your pet will endup with a health or temperament problem. A
responsible breeder will also offer a written sales contract and a written
guarantee of the health and soundness of their puppies. He wants the puppy
you take home to be a welcome and successful addition to the family as much
as you do and will make every effort to match the right puppy with you.
Good breeders can be found through referrals from veterinarians, breed or
kennel clubs, established kennels, and training clubs. Prospective puppy
buyers can talk to breeders at dog shows.
Purchasing a fine dog from a responsible breeder costs very little more than
buying a poor quality dog from a pet store or an unknowledgeable person. A
good breeder cares about the puppies he brings into the world and about
where they are placed. (Don't be surprised if the breeder asks questions
about you, your home, and your plans for care of the dog so he can decide if
he wants to place a puppy with your family.)
Before purchasing a GSD, visit a dog show or observe a training class to
decide if you are interested in training and competition. If so, the breeder
can assist in selection of the puppy that has the most promise in these
areas.
Even if you do not intend to compete, basic obedience training is a must.
The German Shepherd Dog has a proud and distinguished heritage. A sound dog,
raised well, makes an owner forget that other breeds even exist. If this is
the breed for you and your family, you will never have a better friend.
Carolyn D'Orta
[Dog Owner's Guide Profile : The German Shepherd
(
www.canismajor.com/dog/germansh.html
)] is a part of the Dog Owner's Guide
internet website and is copyright 2002 by Canis Major Publications. You may
print or download this material for non-commercial personal or school
educational use. All other rights reserved. If you, your organization or
business would like to reprint our articles in a newsletter or distribute
them free of charge as an educational handout please see our reprint policy.
This article first appeared in Dog Owner's Guide, the Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,
bimonthly canine newspaper for pet and show dog owners. To subscribe by mail
send your mailing address and a check for $10.00 for 6 issues to:
Dog Owner's Guide
8461 Denallen Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45255
(US only, please)
or see our website subscription page for more information. Your
subscriptions help keep this website available.
***
Waggin' Tails Needs You!
GDUA is hopeful that someone will step forth and take on the challenging
task of getting our quarterly newsletter out in a timely fashion! Waggin'
Tails serves as an important link to our members and we really need to share
as much news with our members as we can. We are always looking for
informative articles and information to share with our GDUA members so don't
hesitate to send your news along for inclusion in Waggin' Tails.
Special thanks to Tim Renyer who has done a great job formatting Waggin'
Tails in the past. Tim will be leaving us this summer to pursue a new career
as a lawyer!
Good luck Tim!
***
Tribute to Joanne Vieira
BY Don Noller
Editors Note: Many of you who attended the first GDUA Annual Fall Gathering
last October may remember Joanne. She was a GDUA member and an incredible
help behind the scenes at the convention and we all truly appreciated her
cheerful assistance. GDUA deeply appreciated this fine woman and we will all
miss her very much.
Our Christmas season this year was touched by sadness, and by a
profound sense of loss. Desi Noller's mother, Joanne Vieira, passed away on
November 11, as a result of complications from surgery for an abdominal
aortic aneurysm. We are going to miss her so very much, but we are
confident that she is in a better place. Not having her to call upon for
advice or just for some good mother/daughter conversation leaves such a void
in Desi's life. Pager misses his "Grandma" too. She was one of his biggest
fans and defenders. All three of us are going to miss our weekly
get-togethers for good fun and good food. The residents in Joanne's
apartment complex are missing Joanne in a big way as well. She was always
there to help everyone, whether it is for a ride to the store or doctor, or
to lend a hand in some project, or a shoulder to cry on. We would like to
take this opportunity to thank all of you who have sent cards, made phone
calls to us, and/or made a contribution to Guide Dogs for the Blind in her
memory. Your expressions of love and sympathy have been greatly
appreciated.
***
Santos comes to Phoenix!
Petulma Area Chamber of Commerce news for June 2001
Source:
http://www.petaluma.org/news/june2001.html
"Santos has a new job."
Not to mention a new home, and a new lifestyle. Santos is the
young yellow Labrador Retriever that became familiar in Chamber
circles last year as the constant companion to then-president
Thom Knudson. Santos, a lovable pup, was in training for a higher calling -
to become a guide dog for a blind person.
From the outset, his life was not the life of a normal pup.
Strangers couldn't come up and scratch him behind the ears, or slip him a
handful of dog treats. Santos was going through guide dog basic training,
which meant to learn a broad range of social necessities including eating
only from a bowl.
Knudson, who was training Santos as part of a program with Guide
Dogs for the Blind, Inc., out of their San Rafael facilities, said that his
role was to teach Santos how to behave in a large number of social
situations. The actual training in working with blind people was to come
later, in the dog's postgraduate training with professional trainers.
Santos' new home is with RaLynn West of Phoenix, Arizona. A 19-year-old
college student who plans on teaching in special education, she is engaged
to be married. RaLynn and Santos completed an intensive one-month
in-residence course in San Rafael before graduation. Santos is RaLynn's
first guide dog. Knudson, acting very much the proud parent, is delighted
with the match. He said Santos was first matched with another woman, but it
didn't click. "He was too strong for her," Knudson said. "He's a strong dog,
an extremely smart dog, but it didn't work out. This match, however, is
perfect.".....
Editor's Note: As a high school student at South Mountain High in 1999 ,
RaLynn won an "Ability Counts Community Award", sponsored by the Phoenix
Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues and the city's Equal Opportunity
Department. This program "recognizes individuals and organizations who have
significantly contributed to the advancement of people with disabilities".
RaLynn Harris, formally RaLynn West, now serves as GDUA's new secretary!
Welcome RaLynn and Santos!
***
Canine Clippings
GDUA's very own gossip column!
Send in your juicy tidbits to GDUA today!
*GDUA treasurer Don Noller spotted a woman with a sleek-looking German
Shepherd cruising ninety miles an hour down a busy avenue...turns out it was
GDUA board member River Forest and her new guide Bonnie from the Eye Dog
Foundation of Phoenix! Way to move out River and Bonnie!
*New guy in town? That's right! GDUA member Scott Learned is currently in
class at The Seeing Eye training with his new German Shepherd Baylor! Good
luck to Scott and Baylor!
*Meet Arizona's newest "cover dog"! Check out
http://www.gdui.org
to see
Kevin Chinn's yellow lab Lenny decked out in his new GDUI 30th Anniversary
scarf! That's one cool dog!
***
GDUA's FIRST VICE PRESIDENT TAKES A HIKE!
(Editor's Note - Imagine my delight when I was searching the net and came
across this juicy piece of gossip about our very own first vice president!)
With guide dog, Arizona woman conquers Grand Canyon
By Bethany Broadwell
Reprinted from iCan News Service, June 21, 2000
Desi Noller had always wondered "Just how big exactly is the Grand Canyon?"
When she met her husband, he told her he had hiked to the bottom of the
canyon several times. A year after their marriage, some of Don's relatives
suggested an anniversary hike that would include Desi and her black Labrador
guide dog, Lisa. "I felt as though I had been presented with the challenge
of a lifetime!" Desi said.
Desi doesn't remember any access problems on her grand adventure that took
place on Feb. 27-28, 1995. Lisa was "one of the very few guide dogs to ever
have hiked the canyon," she said. Park officials only requested assurance
that the hikers would leave the trail when mules approached, Lisa would not
bark at the mules and that the hikers would bury Lisa's waste.
According to Desi, these were the only special requirements for their hike
down the 7.3-mile Kaibab trail and their 9.5-mile hike up the Bright Angel
trail. With usual hiking challenges of carrying the water they needed and
avoiding slippery spots along the way, Desi managed to go the distance with
one person in front and one behind her. "The guys kept me informed of trail
conditions, but Lisa was responsible for guiding me," she said. "Going down
is a lot trickier because your foot reaches out into space and you can't
really tell where it's going to land until you're already there," Desi said.
However, going up presented its own challenges when a rainstorm blew in and
made hiking up the canyon treacherous. "I really believe that some of the
most challenging moments of my life were spent at that point on the trail,"
Desi said. "I was so tired I couldn't imagine how I could possibly take
another step!"
While Desi urged her hiking companions to take Lisa ahead without her, the
group urged her to the top and she reached her destination clinging to
Lisa's harness in triumph. Sadly, Lisa is no longer sharing adventures with
Desi. She died of old age in September 1999. Still, Desi doesn't spend her
life pursuing bold activities. The Grand
Canyon adventure was a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.
"With the Grand Canyon trip, I guess there was a part of me that just wanted
to be able to say I had done it, but even more than that was my desire to
try to understand in some small measure just how big the canyon really is,"
she said. So many times people use adjectives like "breathtaking" or
"awe-inspiring" to describe the splendor of Arizona's natural landmark.
Those adjectives might just apply to some of the hikers, too.
***
Arizona assistance dog partners now have a new resource!
by Liz Carabine
We are pleased to announce the formation of the Arizona Service Dog Brushup
Association {ASDBA}. We are a nonprofit organization whose goal is to form
a network of Arizona's assistance dog teams, therapy dog teams and puppy
raisers to share information and ideas. At our quarterly meetings we
practice skills to ensure quality assistance dog teams, share suggestions on
training and
equipment, and offer resources for such things as pet healthcare, other
assistance dog organizations and accessibility issues.
For more information about this new group, please contact Lynn Houston (602)
997-5010, Barb Lincoln (602) 993-1053, or Liz Carabine (623) 587-7865. Hope
to see you there.
***
The Bond
By Karen Ann Young
Copyright 1997
(Reprinted from Puppy Praddle, fall newsletter of Guide Dog Users of Oregon)
This black dog, with a face I can't see,
How dare he think he can replace Audrey.
What does he have in common with her?
Nothing at all, no way, no sir!
He's big, she's small, he's fast, she's slow.
He's goofy; she's the sweetest thing I know.
Her coat is blonde, his is black as coal.
He knows me not, she's in my soul.
Well, I'll put the harness on
And prove to the trainers this dog is all wrong.
Ok, let's go, you big dopey jerk,
Let's see whatcha got once I put you to work.
Yeah, okay, he has a comfortable pace.
He's determined to please, yet all over the place.
He's trying too hard, he's gettin' on my nerves.
Hmm.I sort of like the way he handles the curbs -
His muzzle around my knee; is he protecting me?
Straight across the street, could it be true?
He's dodging the traffic! He's sound! Who knew?
I'll take him home, but just for a trial.
I suppose I should give him a chance for a while.
If he doesn't do things exactly right
They're getting him back without a fight.
Gee, I can trust him when crossing the street,
And he's anxious to board every bus that we meet.
He didn't flinch when the air brakes hissed!
(Audrey's panic will never be missed.).
Some years have passed now, by the way;
I'm almost convinced that he's here o stay.
Audrey's passing was hard on me, true,
But ya know, that Merlin, he helped me get through.
He came to me, as in tears I lay.
With his big sloppy kisses, he wiped them away.
Somehow, without notice, my feelings have changed;
Loving this big sappy mutt isn't strange.
"Mr. Personality", that's what they croon
Whenever my Merlin enters a room.
He lights up the joint, his ears set like rosebuds.
He's a Curious George, oh what sniffin' that nose does!
He brightens my life with his pure joyful spirit.
Don't you put him down, I'll just not hear it!
He sees that harness, he's ready to go.
He's sweet and he's clever, and seems always to know
That keeping me safe and getting me there
Is what he's to do, so he does it. But rare
Are the times his work is work without feeling -
It's love, it's trust, it's with heart that he's dealing.
He's older now, and has slowed a bit, too,
His expression breaths wisdom, his gaze always true.
He's graying around his chin and his muzzle.
What was it once, long ago, had me puzzled?
What was Audrey's and Merlin's common thread?
I was bound there was none, but I see now instead
The bond Audrey shared with me surely compares
To the bond that exists between me and that bear
Of a lab - my Merlin, my companion, my friend.
That bond is everlasting, there can be no end.
***
GDUA Contributors and Sponsors
*Special thanks to Dana and Dorothy Cox of Santa Rosa, California for their
generous gift in loving memory of Betty Bennett, mother of GDUA president
Ginger Bennett. This generous gift will be used to kick off GDUA's new
guide dog protection campaign.
*Many thanks to The Westbrook Village Lions Club of Peoria and the Sunland
Village Retirement Community in Mesa for contributing to our Friday night
celebration at this year's spring meeting!
***
Guide Dog Users of Arizona Board List
Ginger Bennett, President
13201 S. Wakial Loop Apt 1095
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Phone: 480-598-5154
Email:
gbennett@att.net
Destene (Desi) C. Noller, First Vice President
4400 W. Missouri Ave. Lot 295
Glendale, AZ 85301
HOME: 623-915-9111
Email:
pagerdog@earthlink.net
Kevin Chinn, Second Vice President
8350 W. Bloomfield Road
Peoria, Arizona 85381
Home phone (623)412-8350
Email:
kmchinn@qwest.net
RaLynn Harris, Secretary
6810 N. 35th Avenue #L
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Phone: 602.864-0155
Email:
azdopey@swlink.com
Donald R. Noller, Treasurer
4400 W. Missouri Ave. Lot 295
Glendale, AZ 85301
HOME: 623-915-9111
Email:
donoller@earthlink.net
River Forest, Two-Year Board Member
4943 E Indian School Rd Unit 1
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Home: 602-266-5543
Email:riverrcforest@cox.net
David Rutledge, Two-Year Board Member
910 W. Gurley St., Space 105
Prescott, AZ 86305
Home: 928-541-1225
drutl@myexcel.com
Tina Birenbaum, One-Year Board Member
615 S Hardy Dr Apt 65
Tempe, AZ 85281
Cell phone: 602-430-8456
Email:
tinabir@extremezone.com
Larry Colbert, One-Year Board Member
2117 S Ventura Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Home: 480-894-2639
Email:
larry_colbert@att.net
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