Hi friends,

This will be the last update for my experience at Guide Dogs for the Blind in Oregon, training with my Guide Dog. However, I <do> hope to post from time to time with adventures that Berry and I share or cute stories. Also, my puppy-raising club is hosting a reception, to celebrate my graduation with Berry, my 25 plus years of being a 4-H leader and 23 years of leading a Guide Dog raising club. I’ll certainly want to include that in my journal.

OK, back to my last day at GDB. The talking alarm clock went off, announcing it was five forty-five, for the last time for class OR 135. I got up, showered and dressed before feeding, watering and relieving Berry. After breakfast, I packed up most of my things and waited for Jack to show up. Jack made it by 9:45. Among other things, he brought three notebooks that he had put together about my experience at GDB. They included all the entries I had written for my journal (except for the last two days), printed out in large print (and edited) with pictures inserted into the front and back covers. The picture on the front cover was of my first walk with Berry and showed us at the bagel place (where else?). On the back cover is a picture of Berry and me taken from the back, walking in down town Portland. I wanted to give each of my raisers a notebook filled with my adventures with Cranberry. Hopefully, they’ll include these last entries and some pictures that we will print out and send to them. I am keeping one of these notebooks for myself and will also put a copy of the program from graduation and other mementos that I will be collecting, including items from my reception.

Jack helped me finish packing while I changed into my outfit that I chose to wear for graduation. Lunch was served at 11:00, (an hour and a half early to accommodate graduation) and we wouldn’t have time to change afterwards.

All of us students were very excited and nervous about graduation We knew that the raisers would be on campus at 11:45 and come to the dorm about noon to meet us, in person. One by one, the trainers came to our rooms to tell us that our raisers were waiting and finally, it was my turn. Keith came to get me and Jack followed, with camera ready. Keith escorted me to meet my raisers, Chris and Sharie and Sharie’s husband, Douglas. Cranberry was so excited to see her raisers and I handed over the leash to them so they could bask in the excitement and I would not have to insist on perfect behavior.

Chris, Sharie and Douglas were so happy to see Cranberry. They were amazed at how much Berry had matured since they had turned her in at 12 months. They were also very proud of Cranberry for completing her training, then continuing her training with me. We had a great time talking and sharing stories. I gave both families the notebook with the copies of my journal. Neither of the women had read my journal so they will have some new things to read about.   I also gave both families one of my favorite puppy raiser books, "Through Otis’ Eyes".

Chris and Sharie had gifts for Berry and me. Berry received a big Galileo bone and a Kong and I received a small photo album with the cutest baby pictures ever!!  I was so happy to have the photos and so thankful that I was able to meet Berry’s raisers. 

I received another gift that surprised me.  The woman who I presented Farina to sent me a beautiful rose corsage.  (Farina, a female shepherd raised by me, graduated last February.)  I had Chris help me put the corsage on and the bright red and soft pink roses looked stunning on my turquoise silky blouse.  Thanks so much, Patty!!  I could feel your presence and love at graduation. 

Before the actual graduation started, there was the photo session of the raisers, grad and dog, well documented by Jack and Douglas (and GDB’s photographer). Then, a few moments to take Cranberry to relieve before I handed her leash over to Chris and Sharie. They took my girl over to the auditorium’s ‘waiting room’ where they would wait for their turn to present Cranberry to me.

The rest of the students and I were escorted to the auditorium and seated on the left side, in the same place where we had rehearsed. Somehow, I ended up in the wrong seat (although it was the seat I was told to sit in). When I got up to move, I saw my 2 ½ year old granddaughter, Ellie, coming up to me with her arms stretched out. I had to reach down, pick her up and give her a big hug. I saw my family sitting close by and gave them a big grin. I was very excited!!

I finally got seated in my correct seat, as did the rest of the students, and the ceremony began. There was a short and emotional slide show, then Keith started out with an overview of our class training and recognition of those raisers who raised dogs that were career change. These are the dogs that didn’t make it as guides, but whose raisers devoted the same love and attention of those who did. After the overview, the presentation of the dogs started.

Usually, the dogs are presented alphabetically, according to the last name of the student. However, one of the students had sprained her ankle a couple of days earlier and she was first and received her dog from a wheel chair. The rest of the students were presented in order. For those that have never been to a graduation at GDB, the student is escorted up onto the stage from the left. (For this graduation, it was Carolyn who did the escorting.) The raiser with the dog comes up from the right and all meet in the middle. At our graduation, Claire announced the student’s name and told what dog they were receiving. Then, the name of the raiser(s) were announced, at which time, the leash was passed from the raiser to the student. Both the student and the raiser(s) were allowed some time to say a few words. Often, this was very emotional and I doubt if anyone in the audience had dry eyes (including me!!). When it was my turn to receive my dog, I could tell that there was my cheering section off in the corner! I had to really concentrate on keeping myself pulled together and thankfully, I was able to do so.

After I finished saying how happy I was to have so many friends and family in attendance and thanking the instructors and staff at GDB, I said a special ‘Thank You’ to my raisers. I mentioned that I knew what they had gone through in raising Cranberry and how much I appreciated the sacrifice they made. (For those that don’t know, my family and I have raised 30 pups for GDB and 2 pups for Summit Assistance Dogs.) Both Chris and Sharie said a few words, but I just don’t remember what they said. I was just too emotional. (I’ll look forward to watching the tape of the graduation and <really> listening to what was said.). After Chris and Sharie were done, I turned to hug them both and realized that Michele, my puppy raising advisor (or Community Field Rep), was on stage. She had a check to present, on behalf of all the leaders in my area, to pay for my harness, I knew they were going to do this and I felt deeply honored.

Trying to hold back tears, I hugged Michele, then Becky escorted me to my seat. Chris and Sharie took their place behind me. Again, I hardly remember what else happened during the rest of the graduation – it was all a whirl.

Following the presentation of the dogs, there was a short demonstration of guide work. Becky handled the dog, a yellow lab whose name was Treese.

Then it was over!! I made my way off the stage with my raisers. Once on the floor, I could hardly move as many, many friends and family were making their way over to me to congratulate me and meet Cranberry. My family was there: my husband, Jack, my parents, two sisters and brothers-in-law, my son and daughter-in law and granddaughter. Several puppy club leaders and past leaders were also there: Cheryl, Melissa, Lorne & Cheryl, Nancy & Lelly, John and Sheryl, Nancy & Mark, Bernie & Mary, Jack & Diane, Carol & Dave, Char & Nelson, Suzi, Julie, Meagan & Kristin, Gary and, of course, Michele. (If there were others who I have missed, please accept my apologies……..) There were also my pastor, Fred and his wife, Judy, colleagues from school, Dennise and Cherie, a very special past 4-H member, Christine and her family and many, many other friends. Thank you all so much for your show of support and love.

My raisers spoke briefly with me, then headed out to the restaurant where we were meeting some guests for dinner. I knew I’d catch up with them at a later time.

I finally made my way out of the visitor’s center and back to the dorm, with my family and a few friends following. They were interested in seeing my room, where I had lived for the last month. Also, my sister, who was heading back home, wanted to see Berry work just a bit. (We were told not to work our dogs on this day, but in the parking lot behind the dorm, it was quiet with few people, so we gave a quick demo.) My sister also has limited vision.

Finally, I was able to say good bye to my dear roommate, Geri. She is a very special lady and I’ll always hold her closely in my heart. The people started to clear out of my room, Jack and I packed up my last items and we made it out to the front parking lot. As we waited for my parents to prepare to leave, Michele drove by, stopped her car and came over to our car to say a special congrats and good bye. Thanks, Michele……..

By this time, it was about 4:30 and Jack and I hurried into Gresham where we were celebrating with a dinner at a local restaurant with family and friends. I had reserved the chairs next tome for my puppy raisers and across from me sat my e-mail friend, Becky from Texas. I felt really honored to have Becky in attendance. Along with Becky, Mary Alice, Nancy and Mark, my Dogbark friends, were there. Also, sitting across from me was Joanne, a new friend from the GDB puppy raiser list, and longtime friend, Debbie. . Joanne had her small pup on her lap, who slept through the entire dinner. Char and Nelson, raisers from my home area, were at the end of the table, near my parents and Doug, Leena and Ellie sat on the other end. I think that was all there was.

We ate and chatted until about 6:30, then all headed on our way. I spent several minutes saying a special good bye and again, thanking my raisers for the gift that I received. I’m hoping that they will remain long time friends.

I had decided, that since Becky had come such a long way to come to my graduation, that I should stay in town overnight, so we could get to know each other a bit better. I checked in to the hotel next to the restaurant where my parents, one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Alice and Becky were staying. Nancy and Mark were staying close by so after all were checked in, we met in the lobby of the hotel and chatted for a long time. We thought about getting together for breakfast or brunch the next day, but instead, decided to eat at the hotel and go to Multinomah Falls the next morning. It was pretty late by the time we all said good night and headed off to our rooms.

What a wonderful, memorable day it was!! I enjoyed seeing so many of the special people that have been apart of my puppy raising journey and on into my journey as a Guide Dog user. I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did.

It is now quite late and I have stayed up way past my bedtime finishing up the last day’s journal page for my experience at Guide Dogs for the Blind. As I said earlier, I hope you will check my journal from time to time to see what Berry and I are up to.

So, from Berry and me, we wish you the best.

And now, to satisfy a curiosity, if you don’t mind, would you let me know who you are (first name only is fine) and where you call home. I’m interested in finding out how far my journal has ‘traveled’ around the world. It has been open to all and I hope you enjoyed it.

Janine and Cranberry