 OUR GIFT...
Trojan Horse Antiques & Collectibles is proud to be involved with a wonderful charity - Guide Dogs of America ~ An International Guiding Eyes Program dedicated to providing seeing eye dogs to blind individuals from across the United States and Canada. Not only do we donate money and manage their online fundraising shop, we are also volunteering more than a year of our time and energy to be a foster family for a guide dog puppy in training. In this capacity, we are known as Puppy Raisers.
The adorable little fellow pictured in all these photos is our beloved Brando -- a male Labrador Retriever. He was born at the GDA 8-acre campus on May 25, 2000. His four brothers and sisters are also learning to be guide dogs.
 Guide Dogs of America is a non-profit organization run completely on private donations. They do not receive any government funding. As it takes nearly two years of training before these dogs are provided to their new blind owner, a certified guide dog is worth approximately $30,000. These remarkable dogs are provided FREE of charge to their blind and visually-impaired owners, giving them the freedoms and independence that many of us take for granted.
If you've been looking for a charity that needs YOUR help, this could be just the one. Please open your heart and give as much time and/or money as you can afford. And, don't forget to check out the Guide Dogs of America Gift shop on their website for authorized logo items, where 100% of your purchase price goes directly to GDA to provide financial support of their seeing eye dog program!
A Day in the Life of a Guide Dog .....
Some people are under the misconception that guide dogs (and puppies in training) are always "on the job". While this may be true in public when they are wearing their puppy jacket or leather working harness, guide dogs get to be normal everyday dogs at home.
Brando is very fond of our 1-year-old Great Dane named Becky. As you can see, he was only about twice the size of Becky's head when he was 3 months old. In spite of their vast size difference they have been, and still are, the best of friends. They sleep on one dog bed, play tug in the yard at every opportunity, will drink from a water bowl at the same time, and will even share the opposite ends of the same rawhide bone.
Guide Dogs Put to the Test - Did you know there is not one but TWO incredible stories of guide dogs who lead their blind owners to safety from the World Trade Center on September 11th? Congratulations to yellow Labradors Dorado and Roselle for staying focused and having the courage to do their job under the most extreme circumstances. Click the dog names above to read their stories.
Have questions about guide dogs?
Visit our Guide Dog Resources page.
Thanks for visiting
Trojan Horse Antiques & Collectibles
"Our Gift" Page ~ Dedicated to all our Guide Dogs of America puppies-in-training
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