Guide Dog Puppy Raisers

Archie's Guide Dog graduation August 27, 2011

2011-08-27T23:32:00.001-07:00

Silly Guide Dog Puppy - Mermaid

2011-07-31T08:54:00.001-07:00

Mary Ann Epstein
909.539.7196
REALPRO Innovations Inc.
maryann@realpro.la

Mermaid is the cutest little yellow lab

2011-07-30T22:17:00.001-07:00

Petey and Mermaid had a good time the last few days.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Archie is ready to go back to school May 1, 2011

2011-04-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

Archie was just a baby when he met the SMMOC group. It wasn't long before he became a regular on Saturday mornings. It is so important that our puppies be able to attend meetings so they learn good manners and are able to relax around groups of people. Thank you to all of the attendees for being a part of Archie's early training.

Archie and Mona playing tug

2011-04-09T20:07:00.001-07:00

Guide Dog Puppies in Training playing together. Archie and Mona are almost ready to go back to Guide Dogs for the Blind for formal training.

Mona and Archie can be together if they have their haltis on

2011-04-02T19:51:00.001-07:00

It is so nice they they don't have to be separated by the tie-down or playpen. Without the halti they play too rough.

Archie and Mona

2011-04-02T07:54:00.001-07:00

.

I see that the last time I posted here was when Mona visited in December. I will try to continue to post here but also want to invite you to my new, well, not so new anymore blog.

Archie and Mona

2010-12-23T15:06:00.001-08:00

Don't tell Glenda but Archie is spending some time with Mona. She is a very cute one year old. Archie will be one at the beginning of January.

Archie and Glenda - Guide Dog Puppies in Training

2010-11-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Glenda came to spend the weekend with Archie. My favorite way to let puppies play in the yard is to use the tug rope. They stay close together and don't play as rough. Glenda (the good witch) is about 8 months old. She is such a cutie - soft fur and wavy down her back. Archie did very well playing with her, they are buddies. Very cute.

Gwen Reimann, leader of “Diamonds in the Ruff” puppy raisers

2010-11-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

Gwen Reimann, leader of “Diamonds in the Ruff” puppy raisers of Los Angeles County for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., was the guest of honor at a Surprise Celebration on Saturday, November 6, 2010, in Sycamore Canyon Park in Diamond Bar, CA.

Gwen’s guide dog friends and raisers, past and current, contributed pages and photos to make a huge scrapbook of guide dog puppy memories. Known for her sunny disposition and out-going friendly personality, Gwen was thanked for her dedication, patience, guidance, encouragement and helpfulness by raisers and guide dog friends.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Gwen was introduced to Guide Dogs for the Blind by a childhood friend and family. Later when Gwen and her husband Jack moved San Rafael within walking distance of the campus, it was just natural that she would volunteer. Of course like most campus volunteers she yearned for the coveted job of puppy tester! But there was a long waiting list because there was (and still is) rarely an opening, which occurs only upon the relocation or death of a volunteer. In the meantime Gwen accepted any job they gave her including stuffing envelopes. She was around so much and got to know everyone and all the stories that one day in a pinch she gave her the first of many guided tours. Finally she was rewarded with that special job of puppy testing.
Later it was a sad day when she announced to Guide Dogs that her husband was being transferred to Los Angeles and she couldn’t volunteer for them anymore.

Then she learned that she could still volunteer for Guide Dogs while in Los Angeles but under the auspices of 4-H who were responsible for the youth raisers who raised the GDB pups in their homes. When Jack and Gwen settled in Diamond Bar in 1970, Gwen contacted Connie Henry of Los Angeles puppy raisers and volunteered. She also met the puppy station wagon when it came down to deliver the pups to the raisers. Later she was asked to be a leader of Pomona Valley 4-H puppy raisers. For a long time the group was affectionately known as “Gwen’s Group” which met in Diamond Bar. Then in the late 90’s the group adopted the name “Diamonds in the Ruff” suggested by Dan Wheeler.

2010 marks Gwen’s 40th anniversary of volunteering for 4-H in Los Angeles County and near 50 years for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.

Archie is much happier today

2010-11-08T17:52:00.003-08:00

You can see it by the way he is walking with his head held high!

Archie, taking an afternoon nap.

2010-09-22T13:08:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Whistler - 7 years old

2010-09-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Whistler is 7 years old now. Wow, where has the time gone? I love looking back at the puppy pictures. To see Whistler as a Guide Dog Puppy in training and then as a Working Guide Dog - Awww I was so proud to be "Whistler's Mother"!

Archie hanging out in Corona

2010-08-29T10:20:00.001-07:00

Archie hanging out in Corona.

Guide Dogs and Puppies in Training attend Angel Game 8/23/10

2010-08-29T09:47:00.001-07:00

Archie and the fish at Embassy Suites

2010-07-20T10:02:00.001-07:00

Pilot Graduates as a working Guide Dog!!

2010-07-11T12:56:00.001-07:00

June 19, 2010 Pilot Graduated as a working Guide Dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA. Pilot was partnered with a wonderful man named Gary, living and working in Baltimore, MD as an accomplished laywer. Gary decided to keep his retired guide so Pilot has a new buddy as well. I am so excited for the adventures he will get to accompany Gary on. Love you Pilot. Good luck, I know you will do a good job and take care of Gary.

Elbert attends the LA Opera Ring Cycle

2010-07-11T10:42:00.001-07:00

June 26, 2010

Elbert (working Guide Dog) has season tickets to the LA Opera Ring Cycle. LA Opera Tweeted this picture of Elbert sporting a white bow tie, a black fur coat and specially designed "ring" jewelry attached to his collar.

Happy Birthday Hooper - 3 years old

2010-07-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

DOB July 3, 2007

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

July 4, 2010

Guide Dog Puppy Raisers day at the Hollywood Bowl

2010-07-11T10:09:00.001-07:00

June 26, 2010 We took the Guide Dog Puppies to the Hollywood Bowl for an Abba Fest concert. We meet before for an outdoor dinner then take our places for the show. This has become an annual event we look forward to every year. Thank you to Shavonn Springfield for making this happen for us.

Archie waits by his food bowl

2010-07-11T09:40:00.001-07:00

April 17, 2010

Archie is so cute, he will sit by his food bowl just before 5 pm. I think he can tell time.

Group photos - San Diego Fun Day 4/25/10 Guide Dog Puppies in Training #GDB

2010-04-25T20:23:00.001-07:00

Group photos - Not easy to get that many people and puppies together. Also a great look at the puppy truck.

Guide Dog Puppy San Diego Fun Day 4/25/10

2010-04-25T15:41:00.001-07:00

You can see there are so many people involved in raising these Guide Dog Puppies. Today there were families receiving new puppies and families returning their Puppy to Guide Dogs for formal training. The rest of the events are exercises to show how well our puppies are doing. Rick held a great clinic on stay, come, down, etc. using hoola-hoops. We had a police car running the lights and sirens. There was also a bus for practice. Other stations had to do with obstacles and distractions. What a great day - nice and cool too. Any questions, contact www.guidedogs.com.

Pilot in the kennels at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael

2010-04-19T02:53:00.001-07:00

These photos came from Diane who went to GDB for Phaedra's graduation. Congratulations Phaedra!

She said Pilot got an end unit with a view of people passing by. How cool is that. Keep up the good work Pilot - we miss you!

Untitled

2010-03-31T15:16:00.001-07:00

via Pixelpipe

Archie

2010-03-31T15:15:00.001-07:00

Too cute!

via Pixelpipe

pilot

2010-03-31T15:14:00.001-07:00

Pilot and Elbert at Chinatown

via Pixelpipe

http://www.bluetreemarketing.com/site/include/public/newnpo/npo_page.php?npoid=42&auctioneventid=42

Support Guide Dogs for the Blind by participating in the Online Auction

2010-03-22T10:34:00.001-07:00

Good-bye Pilot, Hello Archie

2010-03-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

My new computer

2010-02-11T17:40:00.001-08:00

The highlight of my day

via Pixelpipe

Guide Dog Puppy meeting 1/9/10

2010-02-06T09:42:00.001-08:00

via qik.com

Zebra in Chino Hills

2010-02-01T13:53:00.001-08:00

Zebra on Peyton in Chino Hills

via Pixelpipe

Pilot at the Verizon store.

2010-01-31T11:17:00.001-08:00

4th time in 3 days!

via Pixelpipe

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONALD! 5 years old

2010-01-30T18:34:00.001-08:00

Today is Donald's Birthday. He is living in Santa Rosa with a wonderful gentleman - they are a great team.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2010

2010-01-03T04:50:00.001-08:00

Pilot looks like he is lit up :-) We had a great time at John and Leslie's house. Wishing you all a very happy and successful 2010!

Live streaming of Pilot and his "cousin" Sarah

2009-12-27T17:29:00.001-08:00

We have had a wonderful time with Dan, Juliana and Sarah. Pilot & Sarah are really having a great time. Click on QIK to see more of the videos.http://bit.ly/Pilot_Sarah

http://guidedogpuppyraiser.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/live-streaming-of-pilot/

Live streaming of Pilot and Fanning today

2009-12-20T15:25:00.001-08:00

They are so cute running in the yard - the leaves are off the trees and it is a beautiful day in So. Cal.

Pilot and Nadia 11/29/09

2009-11-29T10:08:00.001-08:00

This was supposed to have a video with it. I was trying to send it directly from the Droid. Back to the drawing board. Stay Tuned!

~MA

Diamonds in the Ruff - Guide Dog Puppy Raisers

2009-11-21T07:05:00.001-08:00

Diamonds in the Ruff - Guide Dog Puppy Raising Club, Diamond Bar from Mary Ann Epstein on Vimeo.

Pilot had fun in Las Vegas

2009-10-28T09:38:00.001-07:00

There were meetings and parties and lots of people who wanted to pet him (I suspended the rules and let them). Pilot was so good. The parties were crowded with lots of feet coming his way. He didn't bite any ankles!!

Happy Birthday to Pilot and his siblings!!

2009-10-22T19:15:00.001-07:00

10/22/2008

Dad is Tiburon

Mom is Ryka

Patch * Persia * Pilaf * Pilot * Piper * Polka * Polo * Purdue

The “P” puppies are 1 year old. Here is Pilot’s 1 year old picture.

Parsnip spent the weekend with Pilot

2009-10-11T22:27:00.001-07:00

Parsnip is just 4 months old. What a cutie she is.

Pilot and Nadia at the church festival today. They were so good and happy to spend time together.

2009-10-04T22:19:00.001-07:00

Family Resource Day at Junior Blind of America

2009-09-27T12:24:00.001-07:00

We had a good time. Got to spend time with Elbert (Dan and Carol), Anya (Melissa), Alisa (Pat), Saturna (David), Pilot (Mary Ann), Polo (Joan)

and a Retired Ambassador Guide Dog.

The families had the opportunity to collect information and pet the dogs. It is a good introduction to future Guide Dog users.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Guide Dog Whistler - 6 years old

2009-09-18T10:28:00.001-07:00

Today is Whistler's Birthday. He is 6 years old. I hope Stacey and Whistler have a great day. http://bit.ly/zoWn9

Elbert and Dan are back together!

2009-09-14T06:20:00.001-07:00

How do you feel about going back to work after a vacation? We'll have to get a report from Elbert after a few days.

Elbert - then and now

2009-09-13T13:34:00.001-07:00

Elbert was responsible for the hole in the carpet. This is Elbert then and now.

My Birthday Gifts

2009-09-13T07:21:00.001-07:00

My Birthday Gifts!!

Pilot and Elbert at Wells Fargo Center Stage event today

2009-09-10T16:33:00.001-07:00

Just came back from a powerful Wells Fargo Center Stage event in Long Beach. The guest speaker – Tino Diaz, NAHREP Chairman.

Elbert and Pilot

2009-09-09T11:01:00.001-07:00

Elbert and Pilot are having so much fun.