April 16, 2019

In just two short months, on June 17th, it will be 8 years since I entered the hallowed realm of retirement. During this time, I’ve studied art history, learned to draw and paint, took piano lessons, traveled to many interesting places with my husband, golfed, enjoyed family vacations in Hawaii and family BBQs at our home, welcomed three grandchildren into our family, spent many wonderful evenings enjoying dinners with friends, and most recently, raised our dog Daisy from puppyhood (she’ll be two years old May 3rd). During all this time, the one thing I haven’t done is actively donate my time to an agency in need. That is, until now.  

On Friday, April 12, 2019, my husband and I welcomed into our home a tiny, yellow ball of fluff and energy that we named Poppy. Through the puppy raiser program at Guide Dogs of America https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org, we’ve begun our adventure of raising a dog who has a truly special purpose. She has been bred for the gift of sight. 

There will be puppy classes, advanced training classes, trips to and from the GDA campus in Sylmar, monthly meetings and outings with our regional puppy raising group, gadding about town and our neighborhood with Poppy in her GDA jacket and…if Poppy passes all medical checks, we will return her to GDA in 16 to 18 months for guide dog training school. IF Poppy completes that training, she will be teamed up with a person who needs a sharp set of eyes and a brain full of knowledge to get her new human from place to place.

As I sit outside with Poppy on this beautiful morning, watching her nap peacefully after a fun play time of squeaky toys and tug-of-war, I am overwhelmed with emotion thinking of and praying for the possibility of Poppy being the gift of sight for someone in need. I’ve witnessed first hand what that gift means and how it’s given life back to that person and can think of no other thing I want to do with my time than to help play a part of giving that gift to someone else.

So, the journey has begun! This is our sweet Poppy.