Kiwi, The Guide Dog

[waterabbit]

Hi All! Finally got a picture of Kiwi! Allyson and Kiwi are really having a great time, even with all the classes and training. Kiwi is doing well on street crossings, except for the other day when she started to go off course a little bit. I asked Ally what happened, and apparently they walked past a fish market and Kiwi was unfairly tempted!! :laugh2 Ally graduates this Saturday, and meets her puppy raisers. I did find out that Kiwi just turned 2, and weighs 68 lbs. Her nickname in the kennel was Super Model because of her long legs! I'll keep everyone posted!!

[johnwa]

Wonderful! Kiwi is a Lab, right? :)

[waterabbit]

You are correct, Johnwa. I had to create a new thread when she ended up getting a lab, instead of the one I was using on goldens in service. This class had one lab/german shepard mix ,all of the others were labs. They have goldens there, but none graduated with this particular class. Guiding Eyes for the Blind has beautiful dogs :) don't you think?

[fourdogfarm]

Kiwi's eyes just melt my heart! What a loving face!

jump2

[Tailer'sFolks]

Great Picture of your Daughter & Kiwi! Congradulations to both of them & your entire family. Keep us posted, Lab or not! That's my vote anyway!

[jacisgold]

They look like the best of friends already. I agree----I hope you can keep us posted. Would love to be updated. :)

[Brandy and Charlie's Mom]

Oh, I'm in love. Look at the face, and that posture! :029 :029

[sammydog]

That is a fantastic photo! Thanks for sharing!

[Skokie]

Congratualtions!! Beautiful Lab. My previous dog was a yellow lab, Tara, She died May 2004. She was a great dog.

If you remember my previous post about my friend that raises guide dogs from about 8 weeks until they go into their training will be getting another one in September.

Look forward to hearing more about Kiwi.

[IloveLucy]

A beautiful dog for a beautiful young woman! What a match!

[gnhykn]

What a great match! I see it in thier faces. The fish market was just a little too much temptation?! Did she meet the puppy raisers yet? What a unselfish thing to do on their part, raise that wonderful pup for another. Yes, please keep sending stories of how its going!

[waterabbit]

Hi All! Thanks for all the positive feedback on Allyson's guide dog, Kiwi. They graduate today :021 , and Ally gets to meet the couple who raised Kiwi. I wonder if Kiwi will remember them! Ally has many stories of the wonderful things that she and Kiwi have accomplished. For example, they were at the train station on Wednesday and Ally had to make the dog try and walk off the platform with her. Kiwi curved around Ally's legs in the front and pulled her to the right, so Ally was no longer facing the drop off point on the tracks. This dog is truly a talented young girl!! Ally went into the mall to get her haircut, and Kiwi laid at her feet the whole time, and when the lady was cutting her bangs, Kiwi rested her head on the ladies foot. Too sweet! Kiwi has moved her bed in the dorm room from the foot of Ally's bed to in between where Ally lays her head and Ally's nightstand. :) Ally's roomate, who has partial vision, told Ally when she is not in the room, Kiwi rests her head on Ally's bed waiting for her to return. I think they are going to be inseparable!! I will keep everyone updated and post more pictures when Ally comes home next week. I pray Sundance and Prince will be nice to their new step-sister. :eek:

[jacisgold]

Sounds like an awesome start to a wonderful relationship. Keep us posted. :)

[Tailer'sFolks]

Great Job Ally & Kiwi! Fantastic working together, does sound like a good match.

I hope your two do respond well to their visit! More Pictures Please!

[waterabbit]

Hi All! Ally and Kiwi graduated without any problems! :029 A couple from Conn. were Kiwi's puppy rasiers. They came to graduation and brought their neighbors and another lady who is thinking of becoming one. So there was a good sized group there to meet Ally. This was the ninth puppy that the couple has raised for Guiding Eyes. They brought Ally all of Kiwi's baby toys, and a photo album of Kiwi growing up!! I thought that was wonderful!! I welled up with tears because I was so happy that Kiwi had been so loved. They are going to stay in touch through email and phone. Kiwi went nuts when she saw her mom and dad :) They had a hard time saying goodbye to Kiwi. :( I can't imagine how hard it must be to give back a dog after over a year... They get another puppy in September, they wait until they have seen the last puppy graduate and meet the new owner before taking another pup. I hope they realize how grateful we are that they helped Ally and others. We will never be able to thank them enough for what they have done, but I think Ally's freedom to live a full and rich life is all they want. Ally's bringing pictures of the couple, and Kiwi's baby pics, and I will post them when she comes home :)
Skokie- Tell your friend "thanks" from us :)

[Daniela (UK)]

Congratulations on the graduation!!!
I'm so glad that I finally found some time to catch up on your story.. it's so heart warming!

I love the picture of your daughter and Kiwi, they look like the best of friends already.. what a great match!

Keep the stories and pictures coming!

Daniela

[PuppyWalker]

I am a New Zealander (a 'Kiwi') who is currently puppywalking a golden x lab for the NZ Foundation of the Blind. Hearing success stories like your daughter's is fantastic - it really helps cement in my mind that Keeley is going to have a wonderful life when she is matched with her blind handler. It will certainly help when I have the heartbreaking task of saying goodbye to her!

I hope things are still going well for Ally and Kiwi :)

[Tailer'sFolks]

I'm itching for an update of Ally & Kiwi...

Also, how is Sir Prince? Do hope all is well.

[ketu's mom]

I just caught up wit this thread. What a beautiful story. I wish Ally, Kiwi and your family the very best.

[waterabbit]

Hi all! Ally and Kiwi are doing very well. They are truly each other's best friend. They are going everywhere together, with the exception of movies and clubs. We found out that Kiwi's momma Wella, is having another litter of guide dogs on March 9th. (due date) She is having nine pups this time! :eek: Ally has stayed in touch with her puppy raiser, and the other students from class. The only problem Ally is having are the people who pet Kiwi before they ask if it's ok. It's funny that afterwards they will say, " I'm not supposed to do that, right?" Oh well, she is cute...

[waterabbit]

Hello All! Kiwi's momma, Wella, had eight babies on 3/8! She had six girls and 2 boys, all black! It's nice to know that there are eight more possible guide dogs in the world. :029

[Seamus' Mom]

My neighbors have, as a pet, one of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind dogs that didn't "make the cut" as a puppy. He's a black lab and truly one of the most wonderful dogs I've ever met. He's absolutely gorgeous and has the best temperment in the world.

[waterabbit]

Hi All! Kiwi was diagnosed with Epilepsy yesterday, and was started immediately on Phenobarbital twice a day along with a weeks worth of valium. We go back in a month to check her levels. Her future as a guide dog is in question. The vet at the school said he has seen 20 guide dogs with epilepsy. Most do not have any seizures while in harness and working. Something about being calm and focused while doing their job. If Ally feels she can not trust Kiwi she will have to get another dog. I think that if Kiwi responds well to meds, she should be given a chance. If it doesn't work out... well, Ally will decide what's best for the two of them. Keep paws crossed for Kiwi and Ally. I will let everyone know how Kiwi and Ally are doing.

[Tailer'sFolks]

Geez, that's not the best news now is it!! I hope the meds do the trick! All our paws are crossed & special thoughts heading your way...

[Molly McLaughlin]

What an incredibly difficult decision. We're crossing our paws as well hoping that it works out.

Molly and Chroma

[waterabbit]

Hi All! An update on Kiwi. She is having a hard time on the meds. She drags her back feet ...like shuffeling in slippers. (Hope that makes since) :) She has become kind of wild and jumpy in the mornings...she's very thirsty and she sleeps a lot. I hope the side effects will disappear soon. Ally has not been able to work her, and won't until she straightens out her meds. Thanks, talk to you soon :003

[Tailer'sFolks]

Our pawpawpawpaws are crossed for all of you,Special Hug to Ally, n an ear nibble to Kiwi...

[waterabbit]

Hi All! Kiwi had her first checkup since being put on the meds! Luckily, she hasn't had any seizures since, but the side effects are a problem. She is wetting while sleeping, and because of the meds, after she has her hyperactvity time she tends to go to sleep. Don't know how she will do in a classroom with Ally, but their going to try. The good news is after Ally's last class is over this semester, she will take the summer off. Hopefully, Kiwi will even out on her meds! Our vet seems to think it's a fifty/ fifty chance she will work out as a guide dog. Not the best odds, but at least they have a chance. I would hate to see Kiwi not doing what she has been born to do...

[Tailer'sFolks]

Any update on Kiwi & Ally? I hope all is going well. If you have already informed us, I missed it...Thinking About You, Ally & Kiwi.

[waterabbit]

Hi Tailer's Folks!! It has been a hard year for Ally and Kiwi. After the diagnosis of epilepsy, she also developed a incontinence problem, which of course requires meds. Since the epilepsy started and Kiwi was put on PB, she seems odd at times. I call her sparkle, because right before her pills she has this look that can only be described as sparkley. :confused: She unfortunately loses her concentration around food, ( the PB has made her have an enormous appetite) so Ally does not take her to any place where there is food readily available. :laugh2 The good news is that Ally is in college, and Kiwi does fine working the campus. I told Ally by the time she is through with her Masters, Kiwi should be about ready to retire, and she can get another dog that won't have the special needs that Kiwi does. Of course, Grampa and Gramma ( My husband and I ) will take Kiwi into our home for her retirement years. She is such a sweet dog and she takes everything in stride. I'll post some pics soon ( I got a new laptop and need to install my photo program) Thanks for thinking about Ally and Kiwi. :)

[Tailer'sFolks]

Glad they are still working together & will continue to a Masters!! Go For It Ally!! Ahhh, Kiwi, you must be a good girl to have a waiting Gramma & Grandpa to spoil you in your later years. I will enjoy seeing a few pictures when you get your new puter working the way you want! :)

[MaddiesMommy]

wow i was just reading up on your story.. i was so happy for your daughter and kiwi , then to hear of her health problems brought tears to my eyes.. i hope all is working out.. as far as something you said about people petting before asking.. you can always go to www.sitstay.com and they have service vests, and you can get them with a patch that says ask before you pet.. i had a deaf aussie a few years ago who was a bit jumpy and startled easy so i got him a service vest that said "I AM A DEAF DOG" and i had the patch "please ask to pet me" and it worked great! good luck and i look forward to another update soon!