May 18, 2001 was a special day for all of us at GDA. First of all, television cameras were filming this event for an Animal Planet program called THAT’S MY BABY. During the pregnancy, birth and progress of my litter, cameras recorded our lives. I was born March 26, 2001, and had seven siblings; some of us yellow, the rest were black Labradors.
Although I was not camera shy, it was so hard to say who was more excited that day in May; as we all met at the nursery for the first time. Mommy, Daddy and Grandma were waiting to meet me and I was very anxious to see what they looked like and where I would spend the formative months as a puppy in training. The moment that the trainers called out my name in the nursery, my puppy raiser Daddy came forward with a beautiful red collar and leash and put it on my tiny neck. He had a friendly smile, a beard, and strong arms; and I knew we would be buddies right away. While Daddy was holding me, Mommy and Grandma came to meet me and everybody seemed to be laughing and crying at the same time. After a brief good-bye to my siblings, we drove home to Ontario. Mommy held me in her arms, so I could see out the window as Daddy drove. Grandma was so thrilled she was crying almost all the way home. While we were on what they call a freeway, Mom described all the scenery and told me what cities we were driving through and what was special about each place. She told me we would drive many places and I would be on the floor of the car most of the time. She was happy I did not get car sick; and I had a soft receiving blanket on her lap in case I wanted to snooze during the hour drive to their home. The receiving blanket design had puppies and kitties on it, and was very cozy. I am not bragging, but I kept hearing Mommy and Daddy say that I was the prettiest baby they ever saw, and they took lots of photos of me from that day forward. I do not remember even having to smile, but I always looked happy in the pictures!
Before we met, Mommy and Daddy were advised to choose my name according to the letter of the alphabet. All my brothers and sisters, as well as myself, have names beginning with letter “B”. Shortly after learning to respond to my name, I asked my puppy raiser parents how they decided to name me BLAZE. They explained how the school goes through the alphabet and the name we receive cannot be in use for another puppy in training or a working guide dog. So, Mommy and Daddy spent many days before my arrival thinking of names that would be dignified, unique and meaningful. When discussing my future name, they knew it should be a name that they also liked, and one that would get our attention. So, Mom and Dad explained how I came to be named BLAZE. After looking everywhere and even making up names that had no actual definition, Mommy and Daddy picked my name and Louise approved it and had it printed on my nametag even before I met my puppy raisers.
When we arrived at their home in Ontario, I was told that Blaze was chosen because it had a special significance. My name refers to a bright burst of flame, a bright light. The definition also means to burn or shine brightly; or to be excited. Since I did not yet have a very big vocabulary, I was glad to know they chose this name with the thought that I could represent a bright and exciting future for my new owner; that I may be a burst of energy and new light or vision to guide my prospective owner. It was a simple, strong and direct name that I would respond to when called by my puppy raisers. (They discovered that I did not always respond to my name immediately-especially if I was busy playing!) Once, Grandma thought I had a hearing impairment; since I was kind of “ignoring” Mommy when she asked me to come to her! Of course, my ears work just fine, and they feel like silk, I’m told.
The first week at home, Mommy and I weren’t sure what each of us was trying to communicate with our facial expressions by staring at each other. Daddy had two adult sons already and had dogs in the past, so he seemed more familiar with what to expect of me. But Mommy and I learned together, the first week, Mommy got very little sleep; every time I looked at her, she thought I had to go outside and get busy. So, that is where we went every 90 minutes. She carried me down the stairs and out to the yard; all the while telling me how special and beautiful I was. The grass is much cooler and damp at three a.m. and the yard looked different in the moonlight. Of course, I obliged and “got busy” every hour and a half just to pacify Mom.
Many times during the first several weeks, Mommy would hold me in her left hand while she looked through the manual on how to raise me with her right hand. She was surprised that I did not always follow or do exactly what the book said.
As time passed, I had many adventures at home as well as in public places. Following the completion of all my puppy shots, Mommy and Daddy told me we were going on a very long trip in their new motor home! We were going to visit family in Chicago! I was quite excited that I would start traveling and see so many pretty places, as well as meeting Mommy’s relatives. She told me one of my cousins was about 4 yrs older than I was; but Sadie and I looked so much alike that there was no question we were related. Both of us were very playful and had yellow fur. We took turns trying to take Barney the dinosaur from each other’s mouths.
While traveling through the Midwest, I was able to walk around the inside of the coach. One day, I was especially quiet and Mommy thought I was enjoying a new chew toy. Well, I was chewing, but it was not a toy. The beautiful blue carpet under the dinette bench tasted delicious until Mommy put a quick stop to that; replacing it with a toy made for puppies instead.
On this trip, we did lots of sightseeing. I took bus rides and attended craft fairs and county fairs, meeting lots of animals. We even went to downtown Chicago, called the Loop. I saw fireworks and was very brave, they looked pretty, and the loud noise did not scare me. We went to restaurants and even stopped at a casino. Everywhere we went, people stopped to look at my GDA jacket and asked lots of questions. They discovered I would be a working service dog, rather than a family pet. Of course, I would still be a part of the family with whom I would eventually live.
Upon returning from our vacation, I was enrolled in obedience classes for some basic pointers on puppy behavior. It was quite enjoyable for me and the best part of each class was the playtime with the other puppies at the end of our sessions. We attended weekly classes and met other puppy raisers from our school, as well as raisers from Canine Companions for Independence; an organization that provides service dogs also. We also attended monthly meetings in Diamond Bar to work with our group leader and our classmates from Guide Dogs of America. Once in a while, Mom and I had to have some tutoring that we were very grateful to have. We also had a costume party for Halloween. I was dressed as a bride and even won first place at our party. The prize was a 6 lb. jar of dog treats. Of course, that was too much for me, so I shared it with my puppy pals.
Mommy and Daddy’s primary job was to take me out in public so I could meet people and get accustomed to everyday sights and sounds. We had many restaurant trips, where I sat or laid down under the table. At times, the waiter did not see me and was a little surprised once realizing there were three of us at the table! One of our rules is never allowing me to eat human food; and I was not really tempted to try it at home or in public. Some of the patrons asked mom and dad if I wanted to have their steak bones to take home in a “doggie bag.” What is a doggie bag? Is there a puppy inside??
Mommy took me to Mass with her on weekends and I also attended a Folk Mass with her and the Miller family. The Millers brought Liberty, a Golden Retriever puppy in training. We both listened to the great music played in church, while resting quietly on the floor.
When Mommy or Grandma had a doctor’s appointment, I would accompany them to Kaiser Permanente facilities. Sometimes, the security guards or doctors and nurses remembered my name even before recognizing Mommy or Grandma.
I went to the train station to watch the Metro Link trains and listen to the train whistle. We had several trips to the local malls and I enjoyed shopping in every store. Even sitting next to a bench, people watching, was a great experience for me. It was so wonderful when everyone who passed us wanted to pet me. I was well behaved and did not mind at all when children and adults approached me. When I was very, very young, I would roll over on my back when approached. Mommy quickly informed me that was not ladylike or acceptable behavior in a mall…or anywhere else, for that matter!!
We went to the movies and I got to see Star Wars on a very big screen at the theater. I was part of the parade for the 4th of July in Claremont. Our GDA group participated in walking the parade route, and we even got a prize!
Our puppy group went whale watching and it was my first time on a boat. It was fun until Mommy and many other puppy raisers got seasick. Maybe our two extra legs on deck kept us from getting sick. Even the whales knew not to show up that day, since the water was so rough and choppy!
Mommy and Daddy have a huge back yard and playtime was lots of fun. They threw some of my toys or just ran around on the grass with me. I had a wading pool that was so much fun to splash in when it was hot outside. My Uncle Dennis has a big pool meant for humans. But Uncle Den allowed me to take my first dip in his pool. Although most canines know how to swim, or at least how to “dog-paddle”, Mom did not take any chances. First, Daddy went into the pool with my boy and girl cousins. Mom was quite worried about my maiden voyage to the water. Mommy does not swim very well at all; but she was willing to save me if she had to. Well, not to worry! I loved the water and swam across the width and length of the pool to see all my relatives. Mommy later dried me off with my own towels, embroidered with my name on them.
One of our adventures included a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. It was really a neat place and full of rides and shops. I was allowed on a few of the rides, but it started to rain very hard, so we were limited in our choices. We rode the train and watched Snoopy skating on ice and that was great! I have not tried to ice-skate yet! When it was the holiday season, I got to meet Santa Claus and tell him what I wanted for Christmas! His beard did not even scare me!
When it snowed in the mountains, Mommy & Daddy took me to Wrightwood. They thought it would be fun to show me something they called “snow”. It was slightly chilly when my paws first felt this white powder underfoot. But, once again, it was something new and exciting to play in. Mom and Dad made snowballs and I dug into the ground, looking for more of them.
The months passed quickly, and soon it would be time for me to return to GDA for my formal training. I was almost 16 months old and wanted to say good-bye to all my friends and family with whom I became acquainted. I even went to see Dr. Sidhu, my veterinarian. I wanted to thank him for always being so kind and seeing me when I needed anything; and Mommy and Daddy brought him a photo to remember me. Dr. Sidhu let me weigh myself on the big scale, and I was almost 54 lbs!
The date of August 10, 2002, arrived…my turn in date. After Mommy and Daddy had a luncheon with the other puppy raisers, it was time to say good-bye until graduation. I was going to be working in harness and learning many more lessons about what is needed to be a guide dog. I would miss Mommy and Daddy very much, but I had a kennel mate to keep me company while we were in this final phase of our training. Mommy and Daddy could call the school to check on my progress, and they did that. The training department told them once I decided to work more than play, that I was a very good student. The start of my next adventure would be graduation day!!
The day has arrived that I have been matched with the person who will be my new partner, the person for whom I will be the guide. It was so exciting to meet Vivian on Dog Day, she told me she lives in Washington State with her husband. She has had guide dogs before me. Vivian will be going back to college, so once again, I will be at school, but this time my work will be different. I will get to guide Vivian to her classes, but she is the one who will be doing the studying and the homework!! But I think I will learn a lot of new lessons, just by being at her side. Our graduation from GDA in Sylmar will take place May 4, 2003. I am so excited to be going home with Vivian. Now my work as an official Guide Dog truly begins!!
Blaze is our first puppy and we have asked to get a second one as soon as the next litter is available. Louise mentioned that might be the beginning of summer.
While I was working at GTE, the United Way asked employees if we would like to contribute to any organizations they had listed. I decided to support GDA, and was added on their mailing lists for several years. When I retired from the telephone company in 1999 (after 29years!) I thought I would be bored since I had no hobbies, children, or pets. My husband still is working, so he also stays busy. When I suggested this venture to him, David was enthused and agreed we would try this. I was excited because it was a project we could do together as a couple, while helping someone else at the same time. We kept receiving the newsletters and read the articles mentioning that the school needed puppy raisers. So, our life was forever different and our eyes saw life in a new perspective after we called to volunteer ourselves as puppy raisers.
We were interviewed in December 2000, and got a phone call in April 2001, that we would be getting a puppy in May. We were overcome with joy and excitement and got the house ready for our soon to arrive new baby, BLAZE! I was a “stay-at-home” mom from the beginning, while David continued to work. He is a peace officer, and the nature of his police work prevents him from having the puppy at his office. He is frequently called upon to go to court or to serve search warrants, as well as arrest the bad guys. Therefore, David helped me on evenings and weekends with raising Blaze. I must say, Blaze seemed to pay more attention to him than to me at times.
We took Blaze to many places as you read about in her biography. She seemed to adapt well to all people and places and was always admired for her demeanor (and her sweet face) in public.
Although David had children and dogs before we met, this was truly a unique experience for both of us, and we felt that Blaze taught us so much and gave so much back to us. We learned more than we ever could imagine and enjoy being part of the group that is Guide Dogs of America.
Read the story about Blaze in training