When I was 16, (a year after I lost my sight) I decided that I wanted a dog guide, or what some people call a seeing eye dog. That term, "Seeing Eye" is actually a dog from that dog Guide school, Seeing Eyes for the Blind, located in Morristown, New Jersey. I didn't get my dogs there. I got all of my dogs from Leader Dogs for the Blind, located in Rochester, MI. By clicking on that link, you can find more information about the Leader Dog organization.
I have to say right up front that all of my dogs have been great! The first was Otto, a black lab from nose to tail. When I was 16, he was my almost constant companion, and my best friend. Going to Leader Dog to get Otto was really an interesting experience, and was probably the coolest thing I did up to that time. He helped me grow up, and also to realize what a big responsibility having a dog was. Since I was only 16, I got to take Otto to school with me. This was pretty cool, and Otto was well known throughout the school.
My second dog from Leader Dog was Rebel. He was a Lab/Shepherd mix, and, compared to Otto, he was pretty high strung. I got Rebel in May of 1985, right after I started grad school.
My third dog was Shiner. He was delivered to my apartment in Lockport, NY, in February 1990. He too was a Lab, and had the calmest temperament of them all. I think he was also the smartest.
My fourth dog is Cooper. Once again, a Lab. I got Cooper in July 1998 when we moved to Chapel Hill, NC.
As I said above, all of my dogs were very smart. They all worked well for me, and had very distinct personalities.
I have to say here that I would like to thank Leader Dogs for the Blind, Lions Clubs International, and especially Art Fleming (who trained all of my dogs) for all their hard work with these amazing dogs. They are the best friends a person can have.
Click on the Lab tongue to go to the Award's website.
 | This Ring of Labrador Retrievers site owned by Dave Oberhart. Entire List | Next Page | Previous | Next 5 | Random |
NEW CANINE CROSSBREEDS:
Collie + Lhasa Apso
Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport
Spitz + Chow Chow
Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot
Bloodhound + Borzoi
Bloody Bore, a dog that's not much fun
Pointer + Setter
Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet
Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier
Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed
Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso
Peekasso, an abstract dog
Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel
Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever
Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists
Newfoundland + Basset Hound
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors
Terrier + Bulldog
Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes
Bloodhound + Labrador
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly
Malamute + Pointer
Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway
Collie + Malamute
Commute, a dog that travels to work
Deerhound + Terrier
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end
Bull Terrier + Shitzu
Bull Shitzu, a gregarious but unreliable breed
source: unknown
Return to Top
Return to My Homepage