July 31, 2005 - 10:37 PM
This month began with a busy weekend and ends with a busy weekend.
Yesterday, Lyle and I went to the GDB graduation in Boring Oregon. We ended up riding with Judy & Dick From, a nice puppy-raising couple. They picked
us up shortly after 9:00am and we arrived at the campus with just minutes to spare before the graduation starting. We did make a couple of stops along
the way.
As we walked through the grounds, it was obvious that Madison and Geneva recognized this place. Geneva pulled with excitement and all of the other doggies
there were quite distracting for her. But we managed just fine.
The graduation was very enjoyable. It lasted over an hour with presentations and demonstrations to educate about the program at GDB. The dogs were presented
by the puppy-raisers to the graduates and then the graduates and puppy-raisers each shared a response. Some of the talks were very emotional and some
were just as funny. Randy, one of the people who was encouraged to get a dog through reading my Spud emails was second to the last to be presented Topper,
a black Labrador Golden Retriever cross. The extra special thing about this match is that Topper was raised here in Bremerton by my friend Andrea. Andy
always use to refer to Topper as the Top Dog. And without knowing that little piece of info, Randy has also been referring to Topper as the Top Dog.
Andy shared that her first puppy she raised for GDB about 12 years ago had made it as a guide dog and had retired and since passed away, just before she
received Topper to raise. You can't imagine how surprised she was when she found out Topper's name, as that first puppy's name was also Topper. What
would the odds be that Andy would get a dog with that same name? GDB doesn't duplicate names of puppies in training or working guides.
Anyway, after the graduation, some people took a tour of the facility and we hung out visiting. We then went to a local restaurant together, Randy & Topper
and his family and those of us who came with Andy for support. There were 17 of us plus 8 dogs, the youngest being Andy's 14 week old German Shepherd
pup, Duke.
The drive each way was over three hours and we got home at 10:00pm on the dot. So it was a long day. But what a nice time indeed.
Today, Geneva and I went with the girls to Silverdale for Whaling Days, an annual event for the area. The Rainbow Girls had a face painting booth and they
also sold cotton candy. So I was a chaperone. One of my young friend's, Nicole, stopped by and sat to visit with me for a while. She shared with me
about her experience at Rocket Camp last week and showed me her new accessible cell phone. We sat under the shade of a big tree staying cool in the 80
plus degree weather chatting while Amanda and Amelia painted faces.
My watch battery died today, so this afternoon, Amelia drove me to the Mall so I could get it replaced.
This evening, our friend's Jack and Frances dropped by and we ended up going out together to Lin's Teriyaki, a little family owned restaurant just up the
street from us. We had a very nice time visiting, and the food was delicious as always.
Well, I must say, this has been a very busy month. And since I leave first thing tomorrow morning for the airport to fly to Pasco, I have a feeling August
isn't going to be any less busy. But I thank God for all the opportunities He affords me, as He provides me continuous good health and safety. And I'm
very fortunate to have a supportive family, who allow me to go and do and be.
Geneva and I have made it through two months together now. We're growing stronger as a team and I love having her at my side. I'm excited to see where
we'll be in another two months.
Hugs,
Cindy & Geneva
