Nira, Guide Dog for the Blind – Retired
Nira was the first Guide Dog puppy that we raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She was a female Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix and was born on September 13, 2012.
During her time with us, Nira was an exceptionally smart dog, learning the basic training at a very fast pace. She was also just a wonderful, sweet, and gentle natured animal.
Nira graduated from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California and was presented to Robert (Buster) Brown as his new guide dog. She was his constant companion and faithful guide until her retirement. Now Nira is enjoying life as Buster and Donna Brown’s “pet”.
Joust
Joust was the second puppy we received from Guide Dogs to raise.
We were so fortunate to receive another exceptional puppy in Joust. He was so very smart, gentle, and intuitive.
When Joust was recalled to Guide Dogs for his formal training it was discovered he had a medical condition which disqualified him from being a guide. His “soft trachea” prevented him from being able to wear the heavy harness required of a guide dog. This got Joust “Career Changed” (we don’t say a dog failed).
Guide Dogs for the Blind works with other Service Dog organizations, and due to Joust’s amazing performance at school he was sent to Dogs 4 Diabetics. There he performed exceptionally well and graduated with flying colors.
Joust is now a working Diabetic Dog and partnered with a wonderful woman who is so very happy to have such an outstanding animal.
Gordy
Gordy is the third Guide Dog puppy we raised.
Although Gordy is yet another exceptional animal, he just didn’t have the desire to be a working dog so was Career Changed. He is now our pet and enjoys the everyday life of a regular dog.
We love Gordy very much, are thankful Guide Dogs allowed us to keep him, and are now using him in the training of our fourth puppy.
One of Gordy’s favorite things to do is spend the day on Saturday at the Cinder Hills Kennel romping and playing with “his buddies”.
Piano, Guide Dog for the Blind – Puppy in Training
Piano is our current and fourth guide dog puppy. She is a black female Labrador, born on 4/10/2019.
We received Piano when she was 11 weeks old and she started to impress from the very beginning. We had been told she was “a pistol” on the ride over from San Rafael so be ready. But, on the drive from Phoenix back to Flagstaff, she settled in very quickly and was a dream.
Piano just continues to amaze and impress both Heidi and me. She learns everything so quickly and remembers it all so well.
Piano has taken to our other dog, Gordy, like we could never have imagined. She sleeps right next to him in the same bed during the day, has to have the same toy he has, and loves playing with him.
One of our club members told us , “Piano is a trainers dream”.
