We had a wonderful trip down to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Training School and Canine Development Center over this past weekend, even if
the trip home was slow due to some pretty snowy weather.
Although it was difficult to say good-bye to Noel, the puppy
that we have been raising for Guiding Eyes for the past 16 months, we were
blessed to be able to bring home a new little bundle of fluff to begin
training. Alberta, a black
Labrador retriever, is just 9 weeks old and is a very sweet girl. I am
looking forward to watching her grow, teaching her new skills, and exposing
her to many public places in preparation for her future career as a Guide Dog.
Even though we did not name her or get to pick her out, Alberta
has a very special name. One of my dearest Aunts, my father's sister,
was named Alberta. She used to
sit next to my sister and I at church every Sunday while my mother sang in the
choir, and I got to know her very well. Little Alberta
will be raised in loving memory of my beloved Aunt Birdie and my dad, who
recently passed away.
