by Jenine Stanley
No, this isn’t a story of navigating a busy shopping mall during the holiday season with your trusty guide dog. It is a holiday “tail” of some great gifts for the dog lovers in your life though. Here, Guide Dog Users Inc. (GDUI) presents its wonderful holiday gifts! All proceeds from these items go directly to the work of GDUI, the largest organization of guide dog handlers in the world.
Have you ever wanted a guide dog or wished you could give a loving home to a retired or “career change” dog but decided that you just couldn’t have pets because of the expense and time for feeding, grooming and vet care? Well, GDUI has the perfect dog for you. Our selection of Labradors, golden retrievers and German shepherd dogs come with or without custom-made leather harnesses. These adorable stuffed animals don’t bark, shed and never have to be taken out in the cold or rain for relief breaks. The GDUI kennels have lots of puppies, and even nearly life-sized dogs, all waiting for good homes. Here’s the perfect gift for a puppy raiser or friend who loves guide dogs!
For that touch of class, GDUI offers guide dog theme jewelry. The guide dog pin features a Labrador in harness with the words “Best Friend” in braille. Our birthstone necklace makes a great gift to commemorate the birth dates of all the guide dogs in your life, puppies you have raised, or even the birthdays of your children and grandchildren. This necklace comes in silver or gold with your choice of gemstones.
To help keep that pet looking its best, gift givers can choose from GDUI’s wide array of grooming items. Our Miracle Coat waterless shampoo, Petkin pet wipes and teeth cleaning pads help keep any dog, guide or family friend, smelling great. Specially formulated breath pills keep away the dreaded “dragon breath!” Our selection of brushes and combs, including the popular Zoom Groom line, handle the pet hair during the holiday season and beyond.
GDUI also offers some gifts designed specially for the guide dog handler. Our unique harness pouch features a flap for storing flat items like credit cards or paper money and a clip for holding your keys. It fits any harness design with its classic black style. The GDUI harness sign explains in easy-to-read words and graphics “IGNORE WORKING DOG,” a great gift for that first time handler.
Of course, we could not leave out the most important gift recipients, the dogs! GDUI carries many safe toys for pets and guides alike. The Goody Ship, ball and bone hold treats for hours of safe chewing. We also carry the Kong line of toys plus various types of bones. Your dog can have a comfortable traveling bed with GDUI’s Comfort Pack, a soft folding bed with non-skid rubber backing. This bed comes in a carrying case with pockets to hold all your grooming supplies. It makes a great carry-on bag for your dog when traveling.
What about those hard-to-buy-for dog lovers in your life? How about letting them know that a donation to GDUI supports advocacy efforts around the world? A donation of any size on behalf of a friend, family member or dog lover is welcome and will help continue services like the GDUI Empathizers, who continue to help so many face the loss of a guide dog. How about giving a guide-dog handler you know a yearly membership in GDUI? Memberships are only $10 per year! For those who like dog-related reading, how about an audio edition of Dog Fancy Magazine or Pawtracks, the GDUI quarterly publication.
ACB members know the special honor of receiving a life membership in the American Council of the Blind. You can reward the work and dedication of your favorite guide dog handler with a life membership in GDUI. Life memberships cost $250 and may be paid in installments.
Still looking for that perfect gift? We can help! A call to Jane Sheehan at the GDUI offices can get you started. All of the great gifts mentioned above can be found in the 2000 GDUI catalog. If you don’t have a copy of this publication, just contact our national office at the address below!
Guide Dog Users Inc., 14311 Astrodome Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906; e-mail jcsheehan@smart.net. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Within the U.S. and Canada, call toll-free: (888) 858-1008. Outside of North America, call (301) 598-5771.
GDUI wishes you and your four-footed friends a happy and safe holiday season!