My Nonprofit Reviews

Being a Puppy Raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind

The night before Helen left for IFT, I felt the lump in my throat. The feeling was a mixture of sadness and joy. Sure, I would miss Helen. But the joy Helen brought to my life out-weighted the sadness. Helen was a blessing – she even had angel wing markings on her back to prove it. Her speckled ears were so soft and beautiful and so comforting to pet. Helen loved everyone…her rear-end would wiggle like crazy whenever anyone would come over to the house. She wanted to be everyone’s best friend. Well, she certainly was my BFF this past year (pst…don’t tell my pet dog Riley).

Helen was a great companion. She pretty much followed me around all day – while I was on the toilet, in the shower, getting dressed, blow drying my hair, doing the laundry. When she wasn’t following me, Helen was following Riley around. I think Riley will be the only one in the house happy to see Helen go.

When quarantine happened, I had to share Helen with the other four people in the house. Helen became a study-buddy and pleasant distraction to my daughters. Helen loved doing yoga and workout videos with the girls. When she heard them filling up their Hydroflasks with ice, Helen would come running – she loved ice cubes! Helen loved getting up early with my husband and Riley while the rest of us slept in. Saturday was my morning with Helen to garden and investigate bugs together.

This morning after Zoom church, the five of us watched Helen’s IFT video. She did such a great job. I guess all those days vacuuming, blowing drying my hair in front of a fan, walking over ladders, and bug watching with Helen paid off. She will make a great mom or guide dog one day. Thank you GEB for trusting me with Helen this past year. Whatever her future holds, Helen will continue to be a blessing to everyone she meets.