My Eyes, My Friend

By Wendy Mae Hunter/Phillips

A yellow Lab is all I have
To guide me on my way,
But trust and love and faithfulness
She gives to me each day;

Like God above she gives her love
To help the blind to see,
To keep me safe protecting me
A special guide to be.

My eyes, my friend, I never knew
Could be so possible,
God created this little dog
Trained to be responsible;

Time well spend to teach this dog
The blind her eyes to be,
This yellow dog was sent from God
My eyes and friend to me.

For eight full years she was my guide,
And then to friends did go;
To live her last days happily,
To others loving so.

And now she goes to lands unknown
Her life well lived in love;
She gave so much to those she touched,
And now she lives above.

I want to thank those in her life,
Who sacrificed their time
To give their love to Bandana,
Phyl’s dog and also mine.

Bandana, March 7, 2000 – Dec. 1, 2011
You were loved by many and will be missed

In Memory of Darlene Wahl

A former national park ranger who inspired an entire generation of school children on San Juan Island and throughout the region died Friday (November 4, 2011) in her San Juan Island home following a two and half-year fight with cancer.

Darlene Wahl was born July 10, 1961 in Madison, WI. Sight-impaired at birth, Wahl never allowed her disability to stand in the way of a multitude of achievements including higher education, world travel and work that provided adventure as well as the richness of experience.

"She once told me (her disability) wasn't something that stopped her," said her husband, Ken Arzarian. "She just had to figure out a way, to do the things she wanted to do."

And she did just that, graduating in 1979 as co-valedictorian of her class at Queen of Apostles High School in Madison, where she also lettered in varsity cross-country and track. This was followed by a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Morehead State University and a Master of Science Degree in Outdoor Education and Recreation from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse.

Fluent in Spanish, Wahl completed a portion of her graduate studies in Spain and Guatemala, and then volunteered as a teacher for a school for the blind in Costa Rica.

When Wahl wasn't studying or competing, she played the guitar and sang; went canoeing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, caving, downhill and cross-country skiing; and rode horses and taught horseback riding. Her cross-country skiing skills resulted in her selection for a 500-mile, 45-day expedition in March-April of 1982 across Lapland. The trek through Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway culminated in audiences with the kings of Sweden and Norway.

Wahl also developed a passion for lighthouses, and compiled a body of knowledge broad enough to result in an invitation to present a paper at a National Park Service symposium several years ago.

Wahl's anthropology studies opened the way to her selection as a Field Leader for Earth Watch winter archaeological digs in Belize, Central America from 1984 to 1987. She also worked as an archaeological technician at the National Park Service's Midwest Regional Archaeological Center in Lincoln, NE in 1991-1992.

But being a park ranger was always Wahl's first love. Before arriving at San Juan Island National Historical Park in 1999, she was a seasonal ranger at Isle Royale National Park, MI, and an NPS volunteer lighthouse keeper at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, WI.

On San Juan Island, Wahl worked with local teachers in developing the "Habitats" curriculum for the Friday Harbor Elementary School, a program that stemmed from the self-guided walk she authored for the Jakle's Lagoon/Mount Finlayson trail network.

She was also an enthusiastic living history re-enactor, developing a camp-follower character that dispensed tobacco and other sundries to soldiers. Wahl and her Guide Dogs, Fayette and then Ingrid, marched together in the 1860s color guard formations in the Friday Harbor Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades in Friday Harbor and Eastsound. Wahl and her dogs also participated in the annual Encampment at English Camp.


"Darlene was as game as anyone I've ever worked with," said Mike Vouri, San Juan Island National Historical Park chief of interpretation. "She had a great sense of humor as well as an acute sensitivity and perceptiveness that made her the ideal NPS interpreter. Our visitors always knew they were welcome when Darlene staffed the counter, conducted a guided walk or encountered them on the trails when she was out with Fayette or Ingrid."

Moreover, Wahl's sight impairment was an inspiration to school children, said Vouri. "In addition to explaining the role of service dogs and how people should behave toward them, Darlene also told them not to allow anything to stand in the way of pursuing their dreams," he said. "She certainly did not."

She was preceded in death in fall 2008 by her well-known and beloved Guide Dog, Fayette.

Remembering Denver

by Bonnie Finsthwait, co-leader, Auburn Foothills Guiding Eyes

In 1998, I received a fluffy, 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to raised named Denver. I had been raising Guide Dog puppies since 1985, and knew from the minute I held Denver in my arms that he would go onto a great career as a working guide. Denver was energetic, smart, and quick. He loved to work and found such joy in being with people. It was a pleasure to handle him and as I watched him step forward into life as a working guide in September, 2000, I was very proud.

His first blind partner loved him immediately and they did very well together. They lived in a small rural town in Nevada with no sidewalks, and little traffic. Unfortunately, this gentleman died suddenly in May of 2001 and Denver was returned to GDB.

After a month's retraining, Denver was placed with another gentleman, to graduate in July, 2001. Denver continued this career for the next eight years in the Sacramento Area with lots of traffic, living in an apartment building and heading off to an office each day. He adjusted well to this new environment as I knew he would.

In late 2009, I received a called that Denver was being retired, and was given the opportunity to adopt him as my pet! What a joy it was to see him again and know that we had come "full circle" together! And, after not seeing each other for eight years, he remembered me and was as overjoyed to see me as I was him!

Denver spent the next year and a half on our ranch in the Sierra Foothills "at pasture" enjoying the freedom of our land and "educating" the new Guide Dog puppies I have continued to raise. In July of this year, Denver died of natural causes in my arms. His big heart just stopped...

I have always felt so fortunate and privileged to raise these wonderful dogs, and Denver gave me the gift of his love in his puppyhood and then in his elder years. He worked hard, played hard and loved much...he was a sweet soul who gave his all to his people. Goodbye Denver.

Remembering Nutmeg and Luge

by Michael Dickerson

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of Nutmeg. She left us on September 17th of this year. Nutmeg, and her buddy Luge, were with me for 13 years each. They were inseparable from each other as I was with them. They were the best friends a person could ever hope for and that I've ever had. They filled my life in ways I hadn't thought possible. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them.I will miss them terribly. Thank you for letting them come into my life.

Nutmeg

Luge

Remembering Spreckles

by Linda Freund

October 6, 2011

Dear Friend,

Sunlight streams through the window pane
Unto a spot on the floor….
Then I remember,
It’s where you used to lie,
But now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
And muted echoes sound…..
Then I remember,
It’s where you paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road,
And up beyond the hill,
Then I remember it can’t be yours….
Your golden voice is still.
But I’ll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
And lay them with the absent voice
And unused dish along the wall.
I’ll wrap these treasured memorials
In a blanket of my love
And keep them for my best friend
Until we meet above.

Jazzy Shulleeta

June 15, 2000 – July 7, 2011
By Sheila Shulleeta

My retired guide, Jazzy, died from lung cancer on July 7, 2011. She was my first Guide dog, my loyal friend, my teacher, and my “love-dog”, as I liked to call her. The wise folks at Guide Dogs for the Blind were the matchmakers for our partnership. They knew Jazzy and I were meant to be together and, thankfully, ignored me when I said, “All I want is one of those yellow Labs.”

My Jazzy-Girl became the center of my universe at the moment we met. There was no more “I” or “me”; it instantly became “we” and “us”. We were in-tune, in-sync, and in-love. My Jazzy-Girl gave me love, independence and the confidence to get out and do whatever I wanted.

Our first summer together we flew from Portland to Albuquerque, boarded a train to Las Vegas, NM, and then bounced around in a jeep as it navigated up 8,000 ft. to a remote, stunningly beautiful, and ecologically balanced section of the mountains of northern New Mexico. Jazzy was barely 2 at the time and handled everything with grace and ease. She kept me on the trails and skillfully guided me from campsite, to mess hall, to meditation hall, and to the ladies room. When it was time to go home, the other retreatants thanked me for bringing Jazzy’s awesome healing energy to the setting.

The following year we cruised to Alaska together. After just a day of adjusting to the new relieving situation, Jazzy was soon guiding me all over the ship and ports of call. Every night when our cabin steward turned down my bed he did the same for Jazzy; folding her favorite blanket back and leaving a kibble in the center. Jazzy brought him joy every day with her wagging tail and happy spirit. There were tears in his eyes as he said goodbye to her at the end of the cruise.

Jazzy was also a devoted hospice volunteer. Her calm, loving nature brought smiles to dying patients’ faces. They loved to rub her silky ears and feel her cold nose in their hands. Jazzy’s presence stirred the patients’ memories of dogs they had loved throughout their lives and they were sometimes able to share those stories with me.

Another time, again in hospice work, we met a young boy who had just lost his father. He had Asperger’s and struggle with human relationships. He fell in love with Jazzy and Jazzy loved him right back. She just knew how to “be” with him. My sweet Jazzy eased his pain.

These are just a few examples of what Jazzy did every day of her life. Whether we were on some big adventure or simply riding the bus to get groceries, Jazzy was there for me. She helped me grow and change into a better person. She brought me happiness, love, and independence. She gave me her eyes--and so much more--while keeping me safe. While my heart aches from missing her I can also smile thinking about the time we spent together. Jazzy lived a rich, interesting, fun, and meaningful life as part of my family. She will live on forever in my heart.

The Path With a Guide Dog

by Larry Marcum --a tribute to his retired guide Galleon

Two months ago I retired my first Guide Dog Galleon after more than nine incredible years of him guiding me. Since retiring him I have had to go back to using the white cane, which I rarely used since receiving Galleon in January of 2002. Going back to the cane has been frustrating to say the least, but more than anything I have realized that I again feel like a blind man. That may sound strange, but I had not totally realized over the nine years with Galleon that he took so much stress out of my travels, how much he was truly guiding me, how there must have been so many obstacles that he effortlessly took me around that I did not know were there, that I now find with my cane. Now the tired shoulder muscles, headaches, and hunched back have returned. I now realize that while Galleon guided me I was able to walk standing straight up with confidence and being able to forget, at least during the time that we were walking, about my blindness and really allow my other senses to take in and enjoy our surroundings.

Galleon became such a part of me that I now realize how much we became one - a team. Although I always had my left hand holding a harness handle, it became so natural that I did not feel blind while out in public. Over the years we became so attuned to each other, it got to where I rarely needed to give him commands, he just seemed to know where I wanted to go.

Galleon and I flew over 20,000 miles together. On one trip we flew to Washington D.C., where Galleon guided me to stand at the Lincoln Memorial, which was a lifelong dream of mine. Galleon guided me up the steps of our nation’s Capitol, and to stand at the wrought iron fence surrounding the White House. As Galleon guided me to the Vietnam Memorial Wall, because of my small tunnel of vision, all that I first saw was a wall just a few inches tall. But as he guided further along, the wall was soon looming way over my head, with so many names on it that boggles the mind. Galleon guided me around the World War II Memorial where I was privileged to see our veterans reminisce together about that war. With my limited vision I got to see the never-ending hills of Arlington Cemetery that hold our freedom fighters of past wars.

We traveled together on planes, trains, buses, taxis, and boats. We walked on beaches, trails, cities and parks. He was at my wedding, several funerals, parties, church and meetings. We won awards together, played in the snow, walked in the rain, and sweated in the heat. He has come and sat at my side when I cried, and danced with me in joyous times. For more than 3,000 nights he has been at my bedside all night, every night, never once getting up and wandering until my feet hit the floor in the morning.

My greatest realization about guide dogs is that a guide dog does more than guide; a guide dog helps a person to live their dreams. Thank you, my Galleon for helping me to live so many of my dreams!

Galleon continues to live with my wife Ida and I, enjoying retirement here at our mountain home, and oh, how he will enjoy the company of my new guide in October! You see, because of so many caring, giving and dedicated people associated with Guide Dogs for the Blind, I am blessed to get to return there September 25th to begin the path with my next Guide Dog.