Willis has settled in quite nicely in his new home with his puppy raiser family. Learning all the basic commands, being exposed to as many ordinary, as well as extraordinary stimuli is all a part of his education....of course there is always time to play with the two legged little brother!
For more information on how to become a puppy raiser for the Guide Dogs of the Desert please contact: Trina Began (tbegan@gddca.org) and Kevin Towner (ktowner@gddca.org)
"Only a life lived for others is worth living" -Albert Einstein
Willis continues to make great strides in his training. He is venturing out to
many new places and perfecting his commands. He frequents restaurants, movie
theatres, church, schools and of course malls. On Sunday the 23rd, Willis'
cousin, Rugger (Petco's guide dog student of the year 2011), will be graduating
from Guide Dogs of the Desert and going home with his sight impaired partner.
Congratulations Rugger!
Hello All,
Kelly and I like to remember you, our loyal clients and friends, over the Holidays. Many times it's a little something other times it's donating to really worthy cause in honor of you.
Over the past several years we have been involved in an organization based in Palm Springs, 'The Guide Dogs of the Desert'. We first became aware of this group when a client became a puppy raiser to a golden retriever named Jake. Puppy raisers take a pup home at 8 weeks and hand raise them with basic commands in a 24/7 atmosphere. At 18 months the dog goes back to the facility and goes through intensive training. Some 'make it' others don't. After training, the sight impaired individual and the dog do training together at the facility where the person stays and trains 24/7 for several weeks to get the dog used to his person and the person used to the dog. Graduation is a huge day of celebration. The day when the dog, paired with his sight impaired person, goes to his new home and his new life's work.
Benefactors from all over the county, state and country support this incredible organization. Sight impaired San Diegans have had their lives changed and new independence gained because of the Guide Dogs of the Desert. A continued effort to fund this amazing group is an ongoing job. One of their innovative ways to garner monetary support is to allow the public to 'name a guide dog'. Best laid plans and 'nature' doesn't always go hand in hand. The pup we wanted to name for our holiday 'gift' to you was not born until almost February! We were just notified that our little yellow lab pup is ready to be assigned to a puppy raiser. We never wavered on what to name the little guy, Willis, a reflection of the man who supported so many San Diego animal and humane causes and the founder of our company, Willis Allen Real Estate. Willis actually means 'protector' and we believe that is the perfect description of what a guide dog truly does.
Our loyal clients will be getting regular pictures and updates of what this little guy is learning; the adventures he is having with his puppy raiser, the paces he will go thru with his trainer and the eventual story of his new life with his forever person. We hope you enjoy your 'gift'. It will be one of the most memorable ones we have done to date!
Thank you for your ongoing support of us as a team, and have a wonderful spring!
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