To My Puppy Raiser

Anyone want to know what a guide dog does? Here's a great poem that
explains. I call it an Ode from Rusty!

Title: To My Puppy Raiser

Written by: LINDA LINDEMAN-DeCARLO Puppy Raiser
Willoughby, Ohio

I¹m going to be a Leader Dog, hear me when I say,
It¹s what I want, it¹s who I am, and I will have my day.

You did your job as raiser, got me on the right track,
Now I¹m going to learn to guide, I don¹t think I¹ll be back.

I¹ve done my year of social, I¹ll now train with the best,
I¹ll know what I am doing, I will put your fears to rest.

I¹ll work out in the world and I¹ll never be alone,
I¹ll get my master safe to work, and then I¹ll get him home.

I¹ll wait in heavy traffic until it¹s safe to cross,
And my master will obey me, Œcause he¹ll know that I¹m the boss.

Loud noises won¹t distract me, I¹ll always stand my ground,
And I promise that I¹ll stop at curbs, and puddles, go around.

I was born to be a Leader Dog and I will serve him well,
For I know his vision is impaired, that much I can tell.

I'll become his best friend and will never steer him wrong,
And I will cuddle up with him, and sleep the whole night long.

I¹ll be a perfect Leader Dog, you can count on me,
It¹s what I want, it¹s who I am, it¹s what I¹m going to be!

Copyright 2007 - May be reproduced with byline intact.

Born August 4, 2003, Rusty was indeed already predestined for his
lifelong journey--to be a Leader Dog. "Leader Dog" is the name of a
school. The general term for a dog guiding the blind/visually impaired
is a dog guide.

The first year of his life, Rusty was socialized and grew up on a
cherry farm in Michigan. His puppy raisers told me that he loved to
run in the fields. He loved to go to the fruit market and bury his
nose in the peanut boxes. Before his raisers could stop him, he had
peanuts in his mouth, eating them joyfully. Indeed, peanuts are one of
his favorite treats.

His companion in those days was a Beagle named Barney. He and Barney
were best buds and played lots.

After a year on this farm, he was taken back to Leader Dogs for more
advanced training. Before training, however, they did medical
examinations on him to determine if he was healthy enough for such a
great feat. Obviously, he passed the test, cuz he's with me.

Well anyway, he stayed in the kennels until he was picked up by a
trainer. Daton Johnson picked him up and Rusty was given four months
of HARD work. Ideally, after the four months, Rusty was to meet his
"forever person" (The person he would spend the rest of his life
guiding). But the class had no match for Rusty.

A friend of mine told me as I prepared to go to Leader Dogs that there
was a match made in heaven just for me. That match was definitely
Rusty. He couldn't be put to work then, so he waited another four
months. I'm sure this was frustrating for Daton who had worked
tirelessly with Rusty. It had to be also hard for his raisers who
waited anxiously for news of Rusty's "forever person."

Well, I came to Leader Dogs on July 31. I was introduced to Rusty on
August 3 of 2005!

More later, cuz I've got to feed Rusty!

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