On the airwaves with KOIT-FM and Guide Dogs for the Blind...

Once again I've hit the airwaves to talk about our wonderful organization, Guide Dogs for the Blind. A big thank you to Sherry Brown and KOIT-FM for inviting me to be a special guest on her "Today's World" talk show. It airs pretty early Sunday mornings, so for you "not so-early birds" the podcast is linked below.

http://koit.radiotown.com/todaysworld/

It was a great way talk about the many programs at Guide Dogs, and to also alert everyone that our 6th Annual Napa Wine Gala is coming up September 27th. We hope to see everyone in Yountville for this incredible event. For details on our Wine gala go to:

http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=news_events_winegala

Loving you all from here...

Happy 4th of July Holiday

Wishing you all a safe, fun and festive 4th of July Holiday. Remember as you celebrate with family, friends and pets, that this is the National American holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Remember to let your "inner puppy" out to play........!

We're gonna miss you guys...

A very fond farewell to Justin, Mitch and Mochi.....leaving San Fran and the Russian River for the big state of Texas. We're gonna miss you, and we'll be keeping you all in our good thoughts and prayers as your new adventures begin.

We'll be loving you guys from way up here...

Remembering our girl Camber...

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.

Memorial Day Weekend in Volcano...

Our holiday weekend in the foothills of Amador County was especially fun with family, friends, neighbors and pooches. Special thanks go to our gracious hostess Doreen who welcomed us all to her lovely mountain home. The barbeques were roaring, everyone brought some special side dishes, wonderful wines were flowing, and the weekend was wrapped up with a visit to downtown Volcano for goodies at the St. George Hotel, and then a visit to "Heaven on Earth," the beautiful home, gardens, vineyards, peacocks and animals belonging to Willie and Carolene.

Just look at how much fun we're all having.....it could not have been a more festive weekend!