I first met our girl Camber in the Guide Dog kennel when she was 9 months old. She was brought in from her puppy raising home because she had just too many "issues," and was a bit too much puppy for her raiser.
I was working in the kennel back then and had noticed her right away because of just how darned cute she was, but also because she so stressed out and just hating the kennel and was even scraping the skin off her nose trying to escape under the kennel gate. I went into her kennel to give her some much needed attention and as I bent down to try to soothe her she promptly lunged at me knocking me to a sitting position, where she then crawled into my lap and began to lick and lick and lick...
Needless to say I knew then and there that this little Golden girl needed to get out of the kennel and into a more calming environment. I asked if I could take her home for the evening, to get her out of the kennel, and they graciously said "yes." And that's when it all began.
After much evaluating by the training staff they decided this little puppy was just "too much dog," and would be career changed from the program. Fortunately I had my application in to adopt a dog, and after my official "fence check," I was able to adopt her.
And now after living with her for 12 years it so very sad to have to say good-bye to her. We got to see her grow from that loving "too much dog" puppy, to a graceful and loving dog.
She loved San Rafael, Sausalito, Guerneville, Goleta, Volcano, Crissy Field, Fort Funston, Palm Springs and the last couple years living in San Francisco. And along with Russel and I, she had her best friend Junior living with her most of that time. We were a wonderful team...
Thanks to all family and friends who were such a big part of her life, and thanks to the GDB Kennel, Training and Vet staff who were there with her at the beginning, the middle and at the end.
We love you Camber....good girl.
