I just wanted to share the story that Dogs for the Deaf wrote about my visit with them!
I just love it, WOOF WOOF. I will miss them so much! We had such great adventures!
Pups visits Dogs for the Deaf
On Monday, March 1, 2010, Pups arrived here at Dogs for the Deaf in Central Point, Oregon. All of our staff, volunteers, dogs, and cats were so happy to meet him and be his hosts for a week. We’d planned a lot of fun activities to keep Pups busy, so we made him his very own itinerary. Monday night Pups turned in early so he’d be all rested up and ready to start his adventures on Tuesday morning.
Here in beautiful southern Oregon, there are so many scenic places and exciting adventures to choose from that it’s impossible to see and do it all in one week, but we sure did try! During his week with us Pups visited the historic Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point, the Rogue River, Cole M. Rivers fish hatchery and Lost Creek Lake above Shady Cove, Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill, Naumes, KDRV Channel 12 and Grange Pet Co. in Medford, Rogue Creamery and Lillie Belle Farms Chocolates in Central Point, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Theaters in Ashland. Pups also attended local Rotary and Chamber events, our Dogs for the Deaf Dinner Club Paw-ty at 4 Daughters Irish Pub in Medford, and the annual Chocolate Festival in Ashland. Everywhere Pups went, he made new friends!
While Pups was visiting, he was on the local news… not just once, but twice! Pups appeared on KTVL Channel 10 and KDRV Channel 12. He asked our President and CEO, Robin Dickson, to do the interviews because he is a bit shy.
Pups favorite adventure was meeting Alia, Hearing Dog in training, and Devo, DFD Demo Dog and fellow black Labrador. Pups spent part of his 3rd day here with Alia and her trainer, Kaye, who showed Pups what it’s like to be a Hearing Dog in training. Kaye showed Pups how to alert her to sounds like the telephone ring, the kitchen timer, name call and the door knock. Alia helped by showing Pups how she works the sounds. Pups developed quite a crush on Alia! Later, Pups met Devo who, with the help of his trainer, Carrie, gave Pups a demonstration of what an Autism Assistance Dog does. Pups got to be part of the demonstration by pretending he was an autistic child, attached by a tether to a lead on Devo. Carrie walked Devo on a leash and then Pups pretended to bolt, just like an autistic child might, which can be very dangerous if the child runs into traffic. Devo provided an anchor and Pups wasn’t able to go anywhere. Pups thought this was pawsome and told us his mom tells him to stay out of the road!
Here at DFD, every day at noon is doggy nap time, and Pups loved taking naps in our 5-star kennels! We dim the lights and play soft music. The floors are heated so the dogs stay nice and warm in cold weather. Pups said “What a nice way to treat a guest!” Judy, DFD Adoption Coordinator, told Pups that we treat all our dogs this way, every day. Pups said he felt like one pampered pup, and then promptly fell asleep in his cozy Pet-O-Bed™.
Pups asked us “What happens to the dogs who decide they don’t want to be Hearing Dogs or Autism Assistance Dogs?” We explained that these dogs go on to become Miracle Mutts (special dogs for special people), Harmony’s Hounds (dogs with special needs), or Career Change Dogs. They find forever homes with good people who will love them and care for them. No matter what, they always have a home here with us at Dogs for the Deaf because once we rescue a dog from a shelter, we make a lifetime commitment to that dog. It made Pups very happy to know that we rescue our dogs from shelters in Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho.
Thank you for visiting us, Pups. We miss you and hope you enjoy all of your upcoming adventures. You were such a well behaved guest and we had a terrific time!
By:
Kristine Kellogg-Garrison, Web Manager/Photo Manager, Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.
