Guiding Eyes puppy

[Gatto Nero]

Hard to believe but Perkins will be leaving us next week to begin his formal training to be a Guiding Eyes dog. My wife has done an amazing job with the big lug head. I hope and trust that he makes it through and will someday be a huge help someone who needs him.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

Hard to believe but Perkins will be leaving us next week to begin his formal training to be a Guiding Eyes dog. My wife has done an amazing job with the big lug head. I hope and trust that he makes it through and will someday be a huge help someone who needs him. Attachment 8065

Saw mrs gatto down at Heaths today as she was out getting Perkins used to people. Great dog. Hope everything works out

[donnamatrix]

Gatto: great job. I don't know how you do it... I know it is for the best of causes, but I think my heart would just break. I remember your original post when your daughter was doing this as a project. She also did a great job. You guys rock!

[tis]

I agree, donna. I couldn't do it either. I would fall in love with every dog and not be able to give it up.

[dpg]

No way I could do it either!!! I'd want to keep them. Two questions:

1: Does it ever happen that a family refuses to give up their dog after taking them on as a pup? What happens then?

2: Do any dogs ever "not make the grade" and if so are they offered back to the original family that had them?

Anyone know?

[jerseyonbear]

We have friends that have a beautiful golden. she didn't make the cut as she is so afraid of thunder. What a great dog and pet she is

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by dpg

No way I could do it either!!! I'd want to keep them. Two questions:

1: Does it ever happen that a family refuses to give up their dog after taking them on as a pup? What happens then?

2: Do any dogs ever "not make the grade" and if so are they offered back to the original family that had them?

Anyone know?

I don't know the full answer to question #1 whether it happened but I can tell you that is not an option. These dogs are owned by Guiding Eyes and they are very expensive to breed, and train. I don't recall if we signed anything to that effect but it's very clear what you are getting into when you take on the responsibility.

As for questions #2, Yes it happens all the time. I don't know the percentages but they are very strict about the performance and health of each dog that gets thru. Some may not qualify as Seeing Eye dog but may qualify for something else like for an autistic child. Some become bomb or drug sniffers. Some are cut out right from the get go. When Perkins leaves here on Saturday he will go back to the NY headquarters and be tested for all kinds of things. Health is a big one, of course. If a puppy has 3 or more ear infections they are cut from the program. If they are habitually afraid of something, such an an umbrella or a vacuum they are cut. When that happens the family that raised them gets first crack at keeping them but if they don't want them there is a long list of people waiting to take them. I am told that even once they are let out of the program they are continually tracked and checked up on.

[dpg]

I'd beat mine with a vacuum to be sure I got it back.......Naw just kidding....I couldn't do that wouldn't want to give them up. Waiting for my pup to be born any day now from a breeder we went through. He won't be swimming "up there" this summer but hopefully next he'll be in and around M'boro.

[Happy Gourmand]

This is one of the most inspirational and heart string tugging threads ever on this site.
Thank you for sharing the stories of Rhiana and Perkins. They are 2 very special dogs in the care of a very special family.
I am sure that the thought if giving up these special animals is very difficult, but also, the thought that they will greatly enhance the life and well being of a sight impaired person must also give you a great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Thank you.

[cillovely]

Awesome story. Labs are just amazing but I'm prejudiced. Trying not to cry as I read these stories. Part of why I choose to get a lab was becuase I used to see a blind gentleman taking the same train as me with his seeing eye dogs, all of which were labs. I was always facinated with him guiding the blind man out and about in Boston.

Speaking of this man, do you happen to know why he would have different ones after less than a year or so. This man I've seen with about 4 or 5 different dogs over the past 7 years.

My big lug head is 5 months now and about to take his first vacation on the lake. He's going to love it since water is like 2nd nature to him.

And just to throw in a pic of my gatto.

[polarisman14]

Kudos to you guys doing that. I don't think I could handle losing a member of the family like that every year, even looking at the big picture and realizing how much good it does for someone else. It's great that there are people like you out there that are willing to make that sacrifice. I can't imagine it would get easier the more you do it, either. It's a shame that dogs don't live as long as humans--I can guarantee I'm going to have a very hard time (hopefully not for 10-15 years!) when my golden passes.

[Gatto Nero]

My daughter informed my last night that I have been remiss in my duties by not keeping up with this thread so I will do my best to bring us back up to date on the matter.

We left off last July when Perkins went back to GEB in NY for his formal training. Although he was progressing very nicely in his training, while he was there he developed the habit of protecting his food. He would growl while eating when approached by other dogs and/or his trainers. For this reason alone it was determined in early January that he would be released from the program.

As his puppy raisers we were given the opportunity to take him back as a full time pet. Unfortunately, we are just not the position to take on another dog full time right now so after we made the very painful decision to let him go. If you think it was hard to give him up to the program then just try to imagine what my wife and daughter went through knowing that we could now get him back and keep him forever but in the end had to opt out.

Perkins was placed with a very nice couple from Kentucky that were the lucky ones at the top of the 7 year waiting list. We have traded pictures and stories and continue to stay in touch. As an added bonus it turns out that the woman has a sister right here in Meredith, which she visits every summer. She has promised that when she comes again Perkins will be with her so we will be able to see him again.

Because we are currently in the process of a major renovation to our house my wife and I decided that we would hold off raising another puppy until that project is completed in early summer. That lasted about a month until mid February when she was asked to take on an 8 week old puppy just for one month while they located a full time family for her. Any guesses how that worked out?

Good guess..

I am pleased to introduce Ohio..(we don't name them)..The saga continues.

[KarenM]

I have to agree that this is the best thread on the forum! What a wonderful, caring woman you have raised. And it sounds like both you and Mrs. Nero have huge hearts and kind souls!

[RLW]

KarenM, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Kind words said.

[Gatto Nero]

At just 4 months old Ohio past her first test and received her training vest yesterday. Its kind of a big thing in the Guiding Eyes world. Now she's official so she has the same rights as a true service dog when out in public. In other words she cannot be denied entry in to stores, restaurants etc while wearing the vest.