South Orange County puppy raisers' club website.
Maybe I mentioned her before; Nikki was matched up with Shelby when she was in class at GDB. Although Shelby had some medical issues throughout the class, everything was going well. Shelby was very confident fast walker, and even the cutest poodle couldn't distract her when she was at work! At every rout, they flew the streets of San Rafael! She had everything that Nikki had pictured in a guide dog! They were 2 days away from graduation when Shelby all the sudden realized that guiding is not what she wanted to do most of her life... (I won't go into details here.)
We guide dog puppies are brought into the world with a great expectation to succeed. Our parents have a histry of producing successful litters. Then we receive the best care, socialization, and training through our puppyhood. But just like not every NFL star's kid is the next generation of football player, not everyone makes it all the way to become a guide dog or a breeder. Some dogs are career-changed at one point or another.
Does that mean failier? No! not at all!!! I think that God gives every dog a different gift; for some of us, it's to become a guide, and for others, to pull a wheelchair (like my buddy Jake). And don't forget the power of pet dogs! They bring millions of pleasures & laughers to their owners!
Shelby was career-changed on 12/13, 2007, and now living in Southern CA as a wonderful companion. While working with Nikki, she gave Nikki a great impression of walking with a guide dog! It took Nikki almost a decade to decide on getting a dog as her mobility aid. When she had to say goodbye to Shelby, she almost thought about not getting another dog. But she couldn't forget the amaizing feeling of flying through the streets with Shelby.
Nikki & I have been a team for about 6 months!!! Wow!!! Time goes by quickly!!! We are doing pretty well, I think. We've worked out some kinks & stuff, and still more to work on. We sometimes get frustrated with each other, but hey that's life!!! I can never be Shelby, Nikki's very first Perfet Guide! But I'm sure that Nikki realizes that I can offer something that is very unique to me!
Love,
Princess Coral
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2 comments:
This has nothing to do with your post - but... the ship I was on during my cruise to Alaska was called the Coral Princess and it made me think of you! :)
Hahaha, I have to get on that ship!!! Nikki went on a Mexico cruise in March, but I was left behind...
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