Guide Dogs

                  

NEWS FLASH: For those of you who may have been here before, the individual puppy pages have been updated with lots of details. Click on the pictures above or here to visit Ruffles, Clarabelle, or Amiga's pages.

Here are various pictures of us and our guide dog puppies. The yellow lab is Ruffles. Ruffles graduated on Nov 13, 2004 in Oregon class 106 and moved to Omak, WA (north central WA near Canadian border) with her new blind partner, Ted Clough. The black lab is Clarabelle. She is still in training with us. We are members of the guide dog group  Sightmasters based in Beaverton, OR raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Click here for more info on how I got involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind. The puppy under the word Guide Dogs is Amiga. We got Amiga Wednesday March 23, 2005. She and Clarabelle overlapped by a few days. Clarabelle was very sweet to the baby.

Clarabelle went back to the Oregon Guide Dog campus on Saturday, March 26, 2005. It is very hard on me to bring the puppy back when they are recalled, despite the fact that I know from the day I get them that approximately one year from that day the puppy will be recalled. Clarabelle took it with pride and maturity. She was at peace and ready to take on the next challenge. GO CLARABELLE. Clarabelle remains at level 10, the top level, awaiting a perfect match with a human partner.

There is so much to tell about each dog that they get their own page in addition to this photo gallery. Click on their pictures above in the title to go to their pages.

I know that the pictures are too big if you click on them. I will fix someday. Just download them (right click while cursor on picture and select "Save Picture As") then you can resize them locally.

 

Jackie and Amiga at beach in Seaside

Amiga and her mommy Jackie are enjoying themselves on this stormy day at Seaside Beach in Oregon near the Columbia River/Washington border. Amiga is 10 weeks old.

Rich holds Amiga on the beach

Grandpa Rich holds 10 week-old Amiga at the beach in Seaside, Oregon.

Amiga on beach at Seaside, Oregon at about 10 weeks old

Like all puppies, Amiga loved the ocean. Here she is at Seaside, Oregon at about 10 weeks of age.

The famed Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy truck

This truck shuttles Guide Dog puppies between the two campuses in San Rafael, California (where they are all bred) and Boring, Oregon. It is about an 11 hour drive. The truck is equiped with heating and cooling in the kennels, and can handle inclemate weather. March 23, 2005

A happy Rich holds his new baby guide dog puppy Amiga

Standing in the hooded shirt to my left is our guide dog leader Nancy Prewitt. Amiga, the puppy, just came off the puppy truck seconds ago. It is love at first site for both Amiga and Rich.

Rich smiles at Guide Dog campus with Amiga

Having just met Amiga off the puppy truck, Rich tries to get her to "do her business". March 23, 2005

Cyndi loves Amiga

The feeling is mutual. Here is Amiga within an hour after coming to her new home for the first time. She is ready for a nap. March 23, 2005

Amiga and Clarabelle meet at last

Clarabelle says, hey, I'm the guide dog puppy in this house. Just a couple days from now, Clarabelle returns to guide dog campus to begin her advanced training. We love you Clarabelle. March 23, 2005

Amiga plays with Clarabelle

My daughter Jackie supervises closely while Amiga plays with Clarabelle. Guide dogs are not allowed to play rough, but Amiga is so young she doesn't know the rules yet. March 23, 2005

Amiga and Rich on Boring, Oregon Guide Dog campus

This is just minutes after the little sweetheart arrived on the puppy truck. This shot is looking out into parking lot of the fabulous Guide Dogs for the Blind campus near Portland, Oregon. March 23, 2005

Jackie, Cyndi and Amiga snuggle under the watchful eye of Perdita, our oldest cat

The cat is wondering when this guide dog puppy madness is going to end. They just keep coming and coming. The family, even the cats, enjoy the company. March 23, 2005

Ruffles and Rowdy

This is Ruffles at her new home in Omak WA with her new sister Rowdy and her new blind partner Ted Clough.

Ruffles and Smitty

Ruffles meets her new feline brother Smitty. Smitty wants nothing to do with the new member of the family.

Ruffles and Black Cat

Black Cat goes through his days as if Ruffles wasn't even there.

Our guide dog club Sightmasters at an apple cider mill in the winter of 2003.

Ruffles is listening to Rich give his speech at graduation. From right to left: Rich, Jackie, Ruffles, Ted and Guide Dog instructor.

Rich relaxes with Clarabelle.

Clarabelle at work in my office at Fios.

Ruffles in harness on graduation day.

Rich and Ruffles prepare for Phantom of the Opera at apartment in Seattle.

Jackie and Ruffles before Phantom in Seattle apartment.

Rich, Cyndi and Ruffles on their way to Fios 2003 holiday party.

Ruffles "helps" Jackie with her homework.

Ruffles loved the snow during big storm in winter 2003.