July 29, 2005 - 11:44 PM
I thought I'd write again, this time to fill in more of the details of our yesterday.
Amelia drove me to Port Orchard where we picked up my Dad and then went to the Family Pancake House for breakfast. My sister Carolyn works as a waitress
there and she had my Dad's car. After breakfast, the girls headed to Grandma's to wait for Aunt Carolyn to get off work so that they could give her a
lift home, and Dad and I took off for Vancouver. Geneva rode curled up at my feet, not the most comfortable trip for either of us, but we both survived
both directions. With one rest stop and a bit of traffic, we were at the Red Lion hotel on time for my 11:00am appointment. This was to check out this
hotel as a possibility for our 2006 WCB state convention. Pam gave us a nice tour, but unfortunately, this property is just too small for our convention
needs. However, I do think it would make a nice place for one of our board meetings. Anyway, after the tour we headed into the restaurant to wait for
the Riverside chapter members who were to arrive at 12:30. Fortunately, the 3 members arrived by 12:15, lunch was ordered and we had a good hour of conversation
and sharing of ideas. It was a very productive meeting. A little before 2:00, we headed back to the car with an extra passenger (Dad gave the chapter
President a ride home). On the road again, with one stop for gas and beverage, it was 85 degrees out, we found ourselves in some rush hour traffic and
a lengthy, hot drive. Geneva panted much of the time. And when she wasn't panting, she was moaning and groaning. I don't think she felt like she had
enough room. My feet would have to agree. smile After our visit at the Doubletree with her puppy raisers, Dad and I stopped for a burger at a place called
Better Burgers where we sat outside in a picnic area. By then it was after 7:00 but it was still hot out. We hit quite a bit of traffic going through
Tacoma, even at that late hour. But by 9:00pm we were back home again.
Now I wanted to take a moment to share a little more about our time at the Doubletree. Besides Geneva getting very excited when she realized who was standing
before her, I was very pleased with how well she behaved when I put her harness back on and had her work from the lobby to the little lounge area where
we had our visit. Even though she had been so excited to see Dick and Claudia and was just about coming out of her skin with happiness, when the harness
went on and I gave her the "forward" command, she was all about doing her job for me. The same thing happend at the end of our visit when it was time
to head out to the car. Again I put her harness back on and we walked through the hall and lobby to the exit. Dick and Claudia followed us out and I
could hear them talking behind me commenting on how nice we looked working together. I was so proud!
The visit was very special as they shared with me stories of Geneva's puppyhood. I learned that Dick gave her the nickname Evil because when they first
got her off the puppy truck at 8-weeks of age, she greeted them bearing her teeth. I learned that she got the normal bumps and scrapes that any youngster
receives, but for her it was a fish hook caught on her lip, an absess on her lower jaw, and although she didn't get hurt from it, she even jumped out of
the car window. I learned that she was raised with an older German Shepherd boy named OMally and a career-changed golden girl named Chantilly. No wonder
she fits right in with our crew so nicely. I learned that Geneva was their third puppy for GDB, their second shepherd. So far, all 3 of the dogs they've
raised have graduated with a partner. Their fourth pup will be sent to guide dog college very soon.
I've mentioned before that the Frisbie's live in Denver. Well, Dick is a retired History Teacher who now works part time for Frontier Airlines and Claudia
works at Talking Book Publishers. It was very obvious to me that they love these puppies very much and care deeply for their future. Dick mentioned that
he has seen some handlers come through the airport that weren't too kind to their dogs and he always hoped that whoever would receive one of the dogs they
raised would be loving and caring handlers. I know in my heart that I put his mind at ease where Geneva's concerned.
Dick said that our visit made their trip. They left on a cruise today, but he said that our visit would be the highlight of the trip.
Before ending our visit, Claudia read to me an exerpt from a book about the history of the Seeing Eye. It's a poem about a German Shepherd and certainly
one that carries my sentaments for my Geneva. I copy it below for your enjoyment.
Giving hugs to Dick and Claudia before getting in the car was like saying good-bye to family. I just have a feeling I'll see them again.
"My dog is a shepherd, just what I want. She maketh me to rise early every morning. She leadeth me beside garbage cans and parking meters, and she restoreth
my freedom. She guideth me in the paths of safety for my life's sake. Yea, though I walk through the thunder of the railroad station and among the mongrals
of Flagger Street, I will fear no evil, for she is with me. The creek of her harness and the jingle of her collar, they comfort me. She prepareth my
hand with affectionate licks and nibbles, and my love for her runneth over. Surely, with affection and correction, I shall follow her all the days of
her life, and she will dwell in my heart forever."
By Larry Liggin, (from Love In The Lead, by Peter Putnam)
How truly blessed I am. I know Geneva is a very special guide dog. But now it's easy to see why. She had a very special family raising her.
Hugs & wags,
Cindy and Geneva
