July, 2008

Claudius relaxing by the fish pond.

Claudius a/k/a Sir-Lie-Alot!

Claudius LOVES to play with empty water bottles. As soon as he hears the sound of someone squeezing an empty plastic bottle he hops up and is ready to play. Here he has rolled over on his back trying to get his "toy" out of the rocks and monkey grass. I'm thinking that he must have played with plastic bottles as a puppy, because he sure responds to the sound. Maybe Nicole Triplett can tell me if I'm right here!!!!!

Claud's favorite treat -- well his ONLY treat -- is doggycicles. He knows exactly where they are kept and when he hears me open the freezer drawer, he hops right up and sticks his nose in the freezer. (Doggycicles are made by putting a few pieces of his dogfood in ice cube trays, filling them with water and freezing). I don't think Claud is very fond of the Houston heat and humidity, but he loves his doggycicles.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Hearthstone News

March 2008


LOCAL RESIDENT GRADUATES FROM GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
AND BEGINS POWERFUL LIFETIME PARTNERSHIP

Mr. Paul Phillips of Houston (Hearthstone) graduated recently with a Yellow Labrador Retriever Guide Dog named Claudius at his side. The duo completed a month of intensive training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, Calif. Graduation took place on Saturday, February 2, 2008, at the 11-acre campus, located 20 miles north of San Francisco.


Graduates of Guide Dogs harness the incredible power of the human-animal bond. These remarkable canines offer warm companionship, safe mobility and foster confidence and independence. During the course of training, skilled Guide Dogs and their new partners learn to negotiate stairways, elevators, overhead obstacles, crowded sidewalks and busy streets. The dogs are trained to avoid distractions and disobey commands to cross a street if traffic is approaching.


Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization supported entirely by private, charitable donations and the time and talents of dedicated staff members, puppy raisers and other volunteers working together toward a common mission. For more information, contact Guide Dogs for the Blind via the internet at www.guidedogs.com and/or toll-free at 800-295-4050.





Paper: Houston Chronicle
Date: Thu 02/21/2008
Section: ThisWeek


Resident, guide dog complete training


Cy-Fair resident Paul Phillips and a guide dog named Claudius participated in a recent graduation ceremony after completing a month of intensive training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, Calif., 20 miles north of San Francisco.


During the training, skilled guide dogs and their new partners learn to negotiate stairways, elevators, overhead obstacles, crowded sidewalks and busy streets. The dogs are trained to avoid distractions and disobey commands to cross a street if traffic is approaching.


Guide Dogs for the Blind has built its program around both the functional and personal aspects of a guide dog partnership. The school, which aims to match each person with the right dog, develops a personalized training program and provides post-graduation support services. The school has produced more than 10,000 trained guides for graduates across the United States and Canada since 1942.


Students are offered air transportation, room and board, training, equipment, financial assistance for veterinary care and support services free of charge. They also are invited to return for training with a new guide dog when their current guide dog retires.


Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization supported by private, charitable donations and the time and efforts of its staff members, puppy raisers and other volunteers. For more information: www.guidedogs.com or 1-800-295-4050.

What a difference a dog makes...

How much do we all take our vision for granted? There are the obvious things like being able to see your family, watch TV, read a book, read this blog, but think about all the freedoms you would lose if you woke up one day and couldn't see. How would you occupy your time? What would you do to make money? How would you navigate the simplest of routes? How frustrated would you be to suddenly become fully dependent on your family for even your most basic needs?

Now imagine being given a second chance of sorts, a way to gain some of that freedom back. Well, that gift was given to my Dad in the form of an 85 lb yellow lab courtesy of Guide Dogs for the Blind. On February 2nd at a ceremony held in San Rafael, California my Dad and Claudius celebrated the completion of four weeks of intensive training and let me tell you what a difference a dog makes.

Claudius is the most amazing animal I've ever seen in my life. Besides the fact that he's an absolutely gorgeous dog, he is so amazingly trained that it will completely blow your mind. I swear he has facial expressions. When my Dad puts the harness on the Claudster he stands about four inches taller and you can tell this dog means business...he even walks differently. When he's not "working" he is a loving and sweet pet that my kids have absolutely fallen in love with, well he's a pet we've all fallen in love with.

Besides being a way for my Dad to gain some independence he is also a companion. Someone for my Dad to spend his days with, he's a new best friend and a symbol of second chances.

To the family who raised Claudius and all his trainers, thank you. Thank you for giving us Claudius and for the hope and happiness it has restored in our family. He is an absolute miracle and we are so in love.

Love,
Erin
(Paul's daughter)

March 2008

Claudius loves to run ....... My brother-in-law, Larry Pederson, took us ice fishing on Lake Ashtabula near Valley City, North Dakota. The Claudster had a blast running on the frozen lake ..... much more fun than sitting in the ice house!

THE CLAUDSTER

Enjoying a walk on the college footbridge

Valley City, North Dakota