OUR GIFT..... (Brando Page 2)
Learning to be a guide dog is hard work. Brando gets out every day, and everyone in town knows his name... from the tellers at the bank, to the post office staff and the bag boys at our local grocery store. Being so "pupular" really wears him out, but he loves being the center of attention. When he gets home after a long day, taking a nap is his number one priority. And, as you can see, this secure little guy will fall asleep just about anywhere.
December 25, 2000 ~ Brando's 7 Month Birthday
Brando whispered to Santa... "I want to be the best Guide Dog in the whole wide world". With a twinkle in his eye, Santa asked him, "Have you been a good boy this year?" Brando answered, "Yes, Santa, I practice my special Guide Dog skills every day. My Mom is very proud of me." "Well then", Santa said..... "It will be so."
January 26th ~ 8 Months + 1 Day Old ~ Brando's First Snowfall
Yes, we even get snow here in sunny Southern California! Brando wasn't sure what to make of the cold white stuff, as you can see from his curious look. After spending an hour or so sniffing around, he and his pal Becky got revved up and raced around the yard approximately 427 times, before the sun came out and everything started to turn to mush (and MUD!) Our boy has never been happy when it's hot.... he seemed to really like the cold weather. Isn't he getting big? We haven't put him on the scale lately, but he's got to be pushing 70 pounds by now.
February 2001
"Baby" Brando was called in to GDA to be fixed. We didn't even know he was broken!
 March 2001
Brando took a trip to Colorado. It was his first time on an airplane, and he handled the confined space during the 2 hour ride very well. Mom, on the other hand, sat with her knees wrapped up to her chin to give him more room. :-)
The American Airlines flight crews were very kind and helpful -- we would highly recommend them to others traveling with service dogs.
"I smell the elk but where are they hiding?"
April 25, 2001
Brando is 11 months old today. Thinking about his birthday reminds me that he's not a puppy any more, and it won't be long before he heads back to GDA for his formal training. In fact, I'll be taking him there next week for his preliminary evaluation -- getting his physical and having his first "road test" with a GDA trainer. I'm very proud of his progress and look forward to him becoming a guide dog, but I'm not ashamed to admit it brings tears to my eyes to think of him leaving us...
Brando Goes Global
April 30, 2001
Brando visited the Anaheim Convention Center to attend the International Collectors Exposition. He was generally not very excited about all the shopping mom was doing, but he did enjoy stopping by the Cardew Designs collectible teapot exhibit to meet Paul Cardew (see photo at right). The folks at the Cardew booth were very welcoming, and Paul even took time out from his busy teapot signing schedule to offer Brando a "spot of tea" (water).... from a Cardew teacup! Needless to say this drew quite a crowd, and they became the center of attention with cameras flashing all around. Brando was honored as the first 4-legged and youngest member of the Cardew Collectibles Club, and we're told that he will be featured in an upcoming edition of the Teapot Times published in England and distributed worldwide. Brando may not be the first guide dog puppy-in-training to be in the spotlight, but he's probably known the furthest away!
Thanks for visiting
Trojan Horse Antiques & Collectibles
"Our Gift" Page ~ Dedicated to Brando & Guide Dogs of America
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