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“Top Dog” Workshops Prove Successful

Dixieland’s Newest Member

2005 MEMBERSHIP DUES

FUNDRAISER

ZACK’S TALES

DIXIELAND NEEDS YOU

“Top Dog” Workshops Prove Successful

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“The place is going to the dogs!” joked Lisa, the desk clerk at the Holiday Inn at Myrtle Beach. Dixieland Guide Dog Users hosted it’s first annual series of workshops there on Friday, November 12, 2005, and they were extremely successful. At least 35 guests from 9 states and representing 7 guide dog schools were registered for the all day affair.

Our day began with a delicious hot breakfast and then Pastor Bobby Hiott, (Creekside Advent Christian Church) offered a moving prayer to get our event started. When he began the special “Blessing of the Guide” to each of our dogs, there was not a dry eye in the room. Connie, the Pastor’s wife, and Dorace would escort each team up to him and he would kneel down and caress each dog as he openly prayed. What an experience! I’m told that event alone was worth most participants’ trips.

After the “Blessing of the Guides” Helen Arnold, (Southeastern Guide Dog School) gave a very informative talk on “How/When to Retire Your Guide” and offered a little grief counseling. Helen has almost 4 decades of experience as a handler and has obviously encountered just about every situation imaginable.

David Lioux, (The Seeing Eye), gave us some great hints on Pedestrian Safety and Street Smarts. He cautioned us how we can avoid being the victim of crime by remaining aware of our environment and locations. Later David talked about attitudes and how we can take control of a lot in our lives.

A couple of doctors from North Carolina, Betty Akiba and Joe Strain, got things loosened up a bit by teaching us “ the Tellington Touch.” Their instructions on getting in touch with our guides were relaxing to all. Later they offered individual training to anyone who requested it.

Jane Sheehan, (Treasurer, GDUI), gave us a historic tour of GDUI and how it has evolved since its inception. She told us about the major accomplishments they’ve achieved and talked about their gift catalog and the benefits of being a member.

Patsy Jones, (Treasurer, DLGDU), then shared with us Dixieland’s brief history and the major accomplishments we’ve made such as helping to pass “Layla’s Law” in South Carolina.

Stephen Clark, (Southeastern Guide Dog School), was our special guest luncheon speaker. He told us about the I.M.P.A.C.T. program he heads at Ridgeland Correctional Center and the benefits everyone receives from their work.

Over $1000 in door prizes were distributed. In fact, everyone who attended won a neat gift. Tweetie Ford ,aka, Linda Thompson, and Nancy Levi did a wonderful job getting our entire community involved in our event.

If you attended our workshops, then you know first hand the warm, loving fellowship shared by all. If you were not able to attend, please make plans to attend our next workshop. A special committee will meet later this month to determine the particulars. If you have suggestions/comments on our next location or agenda, please let me know.

Dixieland’s Newest Member

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Tweetie Ford is our newest Dixieland member! Tweetie graduated from Southeastern Guide Dog School, where she was matched with a beautiful black Goldadore, Heidi. Tweetie lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and has been a tremendous asset to me personally and to Dixieland Guide Dog Users, in general.

Welcome, Tweetie!

2005 MEMBERSHIP DUES

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Well, fellow Dixielanders, it’s that time again! With the celebration of this new year we realize it’s time to pay our 2005 membership dues. Billy Mack, Secretary, sent out hard copies of applications to all existing members. Please be sure to complete yours, attach your $10 check and return it to Patsy Jones, Treasurer, immediately. She has to submit all monies to GDUI by February 1. Send yours TODAY!

FUNDRAISER

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Last year Dixieland Guide Dog Users collected almost $300 from the used ink jet printer cartridges you donated. That money was used towards our successful “Top Dog” workshops.

We are so pleased with the success of that fundraiser, we have decided to continue collected used ink jet printer cartridges this year.

We receive $2 rebate for each reusable cartridge, so please do your part. Ask your neighborhood attorney’s/doctor’s/mortgage company’s office to donate their used ink jet printer cartridges. It’s a great way to convert trash into money!

I’m especially happy to report that much of the proceeds we collected last year came from those cartridges provided by Ms. Letty Yonce , Ms. Cheryl Gajadhar, Ms. Teresa Poole, Nancy Levi and Tweetie Ford. Congratulations, ladies! Please keep up the good work.

You can send your ink jet cartridges to me or, if you live in the Columbia area, just give them to Patsy Jones. Our goal is to raise enough money for each Dixielander to attend our next workshop. So, please do your part! Send your used cartridges today!

ZACK’S TALES

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Hi, everyone!

It’s me, Zack, the greatest guide dog in the whole wide world! If you don’t believe me, just ask me!

I wanted to wish all of you guys a happy New Year! My mom has already started this year out by putting me to work-big time! I don’t mind, though! I love to work and I really love to take my mom places. She needs me, you know.

Last month Aunt Dorace took Aunt Kathleen and her guide, Maya, and Mom and me to Walmart’s. I led Mom to the doggy counter so I could pick out my new toy when Aunt Kathleen called for us. It seems as though some lady was shopping and saw her and Maya and thought they were Mom and me. She called us over so we could meet her. When the nice lady saw me, she shouted, “Zack! You look just like you sound on the radio!” Everyone laughed.

Since my book, Zack’s Tales-Travels of a Guide Dog. was published, I’ve become quite a celebrity! We visited over 30 schools last year and we appear on a local radio station (the Bridge) the first Monday of each Month. Mom talks about her blind people’s stuff and I get to lick on Morgen and the other nice ladies there. Oh, it’s a tuff job, but someone’s got to do it. I’m just one big lucky dog, I guess.

At the Association for the Blind’s Christmas party last month, the guy registering us recognized me immediately. He said, “I know that fella! I’ve got his book! He’s a pretty good writer, too! He’s Zack!”

“That’s great, “mom said. “Do you know who I am?”

“No,” he replied, “but I know he’s Zack.”

Well, folks, I’m getting tired and Mom’s got lots planned for us to do this week. It’s been great yapping at you and i’ll look for you in the streets. Take care and God bless.

DIXIELAND NEEDS YOU

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Fellow Dixielanders, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. This is your organization and we need your input. If you have any comments/suggestions/requests please let me hear from you. We’ll do our best to keep you informed, educated and aware.

You can telephone me at 843-571-0737 or email me at

retired51837@msn.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Take care and God bless.

Audrey Gunter, President

Zack, Executive Director for the President

Dixieland Guide Dog Users