Please enjoy this audio-video tribute to Hugh, the wonderful guide and companion to Fran Marie Franks for 11 years, from July 2008 till June 2019. Video and original song by GDB volunteer Lauren Renée Hotchkiss.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Friday, December 20, 2019
A Tribute to Hawk
On November 22 2009 Hawk came into this world for a very special reason: to become my guide. He was one of six puppies born in the H litter that day. Hawk met his puppy raisers John and Amy at the end of January 2010.
Hawk learned so much from them over the next year and a few months. One very special thing he learned from them was you could tell him to sit and stay and he would as long as you wanted him to stay. He returned to GDB for his formal training at the end of April 2011.
I met my black Hawk on August 31 2011 at 10:00am and knew he was very special.
We had a hard time in the first few walks figuring out each other. Thanks to my class supervisor, Kelly Martin, who used helped us figure it out. We are all trained to use words to help us become a team. It turns out Hawk needed me to not say anything walking down a sidewalk - that would distract him. But I will share that Hawk loved praise at each corner! As soon as we started bonding in training we became a wonderful team that walked at Hawk’s speed until he retired.
We graduated from GDB on September 17, 2011, and yes, his puppy raisers came and he fully enjoyed seeing them.
Hawk enjoyed playing tug from the very first day I received a tug toy. He played tug with many people. Hawk would figured out your strength and played with you at your level.
Hawk always took his time and made sure I was safe when we were out working together as a team. Hawk went to many meetings with me over the years. Hawk made many friends everywhere he went, including other guide dogs.
Hawk settled into our home and from the very first visit from my brother Donald Hawk bonded with him. My brother early the next year started redoing floors in our home and Hawk became known as "Traffic Jam." He would always be where the tools were and most times laying on the next tool my brother was going to use.
In early summer of 2014 Hawk couldn’t cross a street so he semi-retired. On November 1, 2014, he guided me for the last time. He went to live with my brother as a beloved pet.
Two weeks ago we found out that Hawk had spleen cancer. We were hoping for a longer time with him to be able to spoil him, but he took a turn for the worse and we agreed to let him go. When he crossed the rainbow bridge, Hawk was with a small group of people who loved him to the very end.
Love you always my special black Hawk.
- Louise Johnson
Hawk learned so much from them over the next year and a few months. One very special thing he learned from them was you could tell him to sit and stay and he would as long as you wanted him to stay. He returned to GDB for his formal training at the end of April 2011.
I met my black Hawk on August 31 2011 at 10:00am and knew he was very special.
We had a hard time in the first few walks figuring out each other. Thanks to my class supervisor, Kelly Martin, who used helped us figure it out. We are all trained to use words to help us become a team. It turns out Hawk needed me to not say anything walking down a sidewalk - that would distract him. But I will share that Hawk loved praise at each corner! As soon as we started bonding in training we became a wonderful team that walked at Hawk’s speed until he retired.
We graduated from GDB on September 17, 2011, and yes, his puppy raisers came and he fully enjoyed seeing them.
Hawk enjoyed playing tug from the very first day I received a tug toy. He played tug with many people. Hawk would figured out your strength and played with you at your level.
Hawk always took his time and made sure I was safe when we were out working together as a team. Hawk went to many meetings with me over the years. Hawk made many friends everywhere he went, including other guide dogs.
Hawk settled into our home and from the very first visit from my brother Donald Hawk bonded with him. My brother early the next year started redoing floors in our home and Hawk became known as "Traffic Jam." He would always be where the tools were and most times laying on the next tool my brother was going to use.
In early summer of 2014 Hawk couldn’t cross a street so he semi-retired. On November 1, 2014, he guided me for the last time. He went to live with my brother as a beloved pet.
Two weeks ago we found out that Hawk had spleen cancer. We were hoping for a longer time with him to be able to spoil him, but he took a turn for the worse and we agreed to let him go. When he crossed the rainbow bridge, Hawk was with a small group of people who loved him to the very end.
Love you always my special black Hawk.
- Louise Johnson
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Beautiful Spunky Sparkly Gretchy Girl!
Gretch, lovingly raised by Kristina and Judy Logan and
Kathy Hawkins, was according to them,
“the perfect puppy!” So who am I to argue. My first memory of Gretch is
sitting on the floor in my room at GDB with my new little yellow labby girl curiously nibbling at the rhinestones on my jeans. I kept that pair
forever, but the Gretchy Girl never did that particular cute thing again. Gretch
had enough sparkle and spunk that she didn’t need any denim bling to work her
magic. Gretch had adventures, like
chasing wild turkeys on a deserted beach in Molokai and rolling in Norwegian
cow (don’t know that word in Norwegian). Gretch enjoyed showing off her tricks,
including ringing my back door bells
when she wanted to go out and turning somersaults in my lap finishing big with lots of tail wagging and
ankle biting. Those were my ankles.
I will never forget when I returned home
from a clicker workshop and was trying to clicker train my cat to play the
piano. Gretch became impatient, deciding to show everyone what was required by
jumping up and loudly planting her front paws on the thunderous bass keys. From
then on, it was a good idea to keep the
lid down unless I wanted an impromptu concert. Gretch grew into her job as a
guide while always doing little extras for me like locating Roomba when it
didn’t return to its home base and on more than one occasion, locating mittens dropped in snow. She loved
jumping up for elevator buttons and APS poles. My little tax day retriever
retired just shy of her eleventh birthday when I brought Paxton home.
She went
on to enjoy a life of leisure with the cat and two much younger working male
lab guides, to whom she became very attached, adding cougar to her resume.
Gretch enjoyed being top dog, getting fed before the guys and going in and out
first. Gretch’s journey into old age was peaceful, with her fifteenth birthday
representing a satisfying high point two months ago. Her last morning will
always be imprinted on my heart, as we enjoyed the gift of one final breakfast
she got to start on before the boys and
one final treasured grooming session, where if only briefly, Gretch lifted her
front paws for me. Gretch was my fifth guide dog, and she was my favorite, as
all of the others have been and will continue to be. Rest in peace, my
beautiful spunky sparkly little Gretchy Girl!
Sheila with Paxton
Monday, February 13, 2017
Celebrating the Life of Sebastian
By: Mazen M. Basrawi
It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my guide dog Sebastian. He was an extraordinary dog and lead an extraordinary life, even by guide dog standards. He traveled to 30 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. I am a trial attorney for the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and Sebastian was with me when I appeared in over a dozen federal courts in five states. One judge would insist that he be introduced on the record every time we appeared. He was my secret weapon at trial, distracting the jury with his snores and sleep-barking and sleep-running when the other side put on their case.
For over nine years, Sebastian was a loyal and faithful friend, and always watched out for me, even when I wasn’t working him. He had a gentle and energetic soul, full of youthful exuberance even in his old age. I will never forget how he would put his muzzle underneath my forearm and with a strong jerk, fling it up over his head so that I would pet him. He had an uncanny ability to connect emotionally with almost anyone. He was beloved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, including President Obama who called him by name. He was a regular at the White House, and was given the most rare of privileges of going to the residence to drink out of Bo Obama’s bowl; I was not even invited for that particular perk. He was with me in some of my most difficult moments, and some of the best in my life, including in the delivery room when my daughter was born. My family and I are thankful for having shared our lives with him. May he rest in peace.
It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my guide dog Sebastian. He was an extraordinary dog and lead an extraordinary life, even by guide dog standards. He traveled to 30 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. I am a trial attorney for the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and Sebastian was with me when I appeared in over a dozen federal courts in five states. One judge would insist that he be introduced on the record every time we appeared. He was my secret weapon at trial, distracting the jury with his snores and sleep-barking and sleep-running when the other side put on their case.
For over nine years, Sebastian was a loyal and faithful friend, and always watched out for me, even when I wasn’t working him. He had a gentle and energetic soul, full of youthful exuberance even in his old age. I will never forget how he would put his muzzle underneath my forearm and with a strong jerk, fling it up over his head so that I would pet him. He had an uncanny ability to connect emotionally with almost anyone. He was beloved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, including President Obama who called him by name. He was a regular at the White House, and was given the most rare of privileges of going to the residence to drink out of Bo Obama’s bowl; I was not even invited for that particular perk. He was with me in some of my most difficult moments, and some of the best in my life, including in the delivery room when my daughter was born. My family and I are thankful for having shared our lives with him. May he rest in peace.
In Memoriam of Hayden
By: Angus MacKinnon
On March 19, 2003,
A small bundle of fur said,
“HELLO WORLD!!”
And without knowing,
The lives he would change,
And places he would go.
With structure and rules,
He grew into,
A guide dog extraordinary.
As the best present,
A blind person could have,
He introduced freedom.
As he grew into a loving role.
The world loved him back,
While he showed the way.
He gave love, compassion and strength,
To one and all,
Even when the job was done.
As I raise my glass,
I remember how,
He gave and gave and gave.
He is now an angel,
To watch over,
The people needing a guiding light.
On March 19, 2003,
A small bundle of fur said,
“HELLO WORLD!!”
And without knowing,
The lives he would change,
And places he would go.
With structure and rules,
He grew into,
A guide dog extraordinary.
As the best present,
A blind person could have,
He introduced freedom.
As he grew into a loving role.
The world loved him back,
While he showed the way.
He gave love, compassion and strength,
To one and all,
Even when the job was done.
As I raise my glass,
I remember how,
He gave and gave and gave.
He is now an angel,
To watch over,
The people needing a guiding light.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Remembering Jerri
By: Susan Zubillaga - leader of Gold Rush Guides of Sacramento
Jerri Bitler was my best friend for 18 years. It seemed like we knew each other forever until recently, now it seems like it was only a short while. I first met Jerri when she came to a puppy club meeting. I was raising Ultra, an unruly black Labrador that seemed to love Jerri! I remember handing Jerri the leash and her saying “What do you want me to do with this?” We both laughed, and that started the best friendship anybody could ever ask for.
We would talk every day; she is the one person I could call with anything on my mind and she would just listen – sometimes that’s all you need to feel at peace. No matter how my life was going, Jerri was there on both the sunny days and through the thunderstorms. She was someone that you could always count on to be there. She was a great person to be around, somebody that would take the time to talk to everybody in the room, no matter how long she had to be there. She always made people feel like they knew her forever, even if it was the first time they had met.
My heart hurts, I feel so lost without my friend, my “other mother.” I miss her so much already and wish I could hear her voice and laughter just one more time. I love you.
Jerri passed away peacefully on September 5, 2016. She was a puppy raising leader with the Gold Rush Guides of Sacramento for almost 15 years and raised several puppies for GDB. We are forever grateful for her dedication to our mission and we extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her. Thank you, Jerri – you are truly missed.
Jerri Bitler was my best friend for 18 years. It seemed like we knew each other forever until recently, now it seems like it was only a short while. I first met Jerri when she came to a puppy club meeting. I was raising Ultra, an unruly black Labrador that seemed to love Jerri! I remember handing Jerri the leash and her saying “What do you want me to do with this?” We both laughed, and that started the best friendship anybody could ever ask for.
We would talk every day; she is the one person I could call with anything on my mind and she would just listen – sometimes that’s all you need to feel at peace. No matter how my life was going, Jerri was there on both the sunny days and through the thunderstorms. She was someone that you could always count on to be there. She was a great person to be around, somebody that would take the time to talk to everybody in the room, no matter how long she had to be there. She always made people feel like they knew her forever, even if it was the first time they had met.
My heart hurts, I feel so lost without my friend, my “other mother.” I miss her so much already and wish I could hear her voice and laughter just one more time. I love you.
 |
| Jerri with guide dog puppy Ursalyn |
Jerri passed away peacefully on September 5, 2016. She was a puppy raising leader with the Gold Rush Guides of Sacramento for almost 15 years and raised several puppies for GDB. We are forever grateful for her dedication to our mission and we extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her. Thank you, Jerri – you are truly missed.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Remembering Michelle Miller
“Happiness is like a
butterfly. The more you chase it, the
more it eludes you. But if you turn your
attention to other things, It comes and sits softly on your shoulder” – Henry
David Thoreau
Remembering
our friend Michelle Miller –
Guide Dogs
for the Blind Alumni Association Board Secretary
Memorial by Becky
Andrews, Past Chair GDB Alumni Association Board, and Leanne Bremner,
Vice-Chair GDB Alumni Association Board
It is with great sadness we said good bye to
our dear friend Michelle Miller who died unexpectedly this February. Michelle was devoted to her golden retriever
guides, first Tuft who she worked with for 11 years, then Tango who has been
her partner since 2008.
Michelle was well connected to the GDB
family. She was involved in her local
Alumni Chapter and puppy raisers. Michelle
served as a dedicated member of the GDB Alumni Board from June 2011 until her passing
in February 2016.
Michelle was
respected and loved by our Alumni Board and all who knew her. She quickly became a leader in this
organization serving as our secretary for the past three years and on various
committees. Her ability to capture the
notes of a busy meeting were appreciated and admired. Michelle was a gifted and
articulate writer not only as she served on the board but in her professional
life as well.
Michelle served on numerous committees and was the one you could count on to step in and go above and beyond. Michelle was the chair of the last Alumni Reunion, Paws Around the World in September 2015 which was held for the first time in Portland. She kept the Board on task with her organizational skills, sense of humor and leadership. Her email closing line reminded us the value of working together as it read: ‘teamwork is dreamwork.’
Michelle had a
warmth and genuine kindness that was infectious. She was patient, confident, resilient and
tenacious. She truly embodied her
guiding principles – a life filled with constant enrichment, integrity and a
love of sharing life’s gifts.
Michelle had a
way of lifting your spirits whether you were with her in person or connecting with
her online. She was known for her encouraging
emails that always included an inspiring quote at the end. One of her most recent ones was from Mark
Twain: Kindness is the language which
the deaf can hear and the blind can see. She would often insert *smile*
into her email message, which brought a sparkle and a warmth to the message she
was conveying. If you were fortunate
enough to have been around Michelle, you left your time with her feeling good
about yourself.
Michelle had many hobbies and interests, including
writing, urban ministry, cooking and shopping, and a love for travel. She visited many exotic places throughout the
world.
She had a passion for butterflies - their uniqueness,
colors, and exquisiteness. She felt that
butterflies were symbolic for all new endeavors and adventures. Another favorite quote she would often share,
“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is
always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you”
- Nathaniel
Hawthorne.
While Michelle had a soft voice, she was a strong
advocate. She inspired us all to find
our voice and be heard. We are committed
to keeping her beautiful spirit and memory alive. We can do this by being kind and inclusive to
those around us just like Michelle showed us.
We can share our voice in a positive way advocating just as Michelle
demonstrated to us.
We love you Michelle.
We miss you. We thank you for
your many contributions to the GDB Community.
2015-2016 Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Board
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