Coming soon: The final conclusion of all of the adventures of Marly and Aerie. You have read about their hijinks in San Diego, New York City, and Washington D. C. This final adventure will take you to Hawaii. Aloha!

• – Salud to Puppy Racers –

I want to boast about Ben and Charlotte Cooper, Jewels puppy raisers. Jewels and I graduated on April of 2013 in Boring, Oregon, that was the first time I met Ben and Charlotte. Before graduation day I got a call from Charlotte. I was in my dorm. I can still remember the excitement in her voice.

She said, “I’m so happy that Jewels is graduating as a guide dog. Ben and I knew she was going to make it.”

In her voice I detected happy tears, I could feel the strong bond and love that had cultivated in their relationship. I must tell you that I was a little nervous, because after talking to her I had mix feelings I hated taking Jewles away from them. On the other hand, I had elations about receiving her.

When I hung up, I bend down faced Jewels and said, “Hey where is Charlotte and Ben, where are they Charlotte and Ben?”

She looked at me and immediately started wagging her tail wildly and started running around the room like a nut. Honestly, I had never seen her behave that excitedly. I thought… Juliet, you’ve only known her for one week chill, it’s all going to be good.

Graduation came quickly, the minute we walked into the reception room she spotted, her puppy raisers (her first human parents)! and as I suspected Jewels became a whirling dervish. I was basically dragged to them, and she jumped on Ben.

Smiling and not really too sure of what was going on I said, “Hello, I’m Juliet. I Guess you are the Coopers.”

Well after that it was a piece of pie. The ceremony went quite well. They were lovely and their love for Jewels was obvious overflowing. When they handed me Jewels leash, she officially became my guide-dog. At this moment, my love was also overflowing not just for Jewels, but also for Charlotte and Ben. When we returned to our seats it was the perfect time for me to asked them, “How do you guys feel about letting Jewels go back home when she gets retired? “

Together they answered, “Oh yes!” I could hear their smiles and a wave of peace and gratitude showered me, I felt so happy I can’t explain it. You see, my first guide dog Marly died before she retired, but this was not going to happen to Jewels.

After the ceremony we sat around enjoying our refreshments, and getting to know each other. The conversation was delightful and brought me more happiness.

Charlotte said,” Juliet we have been puppy raisers for a while. In fact, we were puppy raisers for Jules’s grandmother. Her name was Pauline.”

I was aesthetic and said, “Wow, that is beautiful. I can’t believe it.”

Then Ben with a grin, he said, “Oh, you really think so? Well, we were also Jewels mother’s puppy raiser, Kathleen.”

With astonishment I said, “What? Is this for real!”

Then Ben giggled with his mischievous smile and, said,” The topper is they were both perfect breeders.”

With our good-bye we promised to keep in touch which we did.

Going home was exciting My husband Peter and his guide-dog Aerie would be waiting with welcoming love. When I thought of Aerie, I felt a heavy heart. She was a beautiful yellow Labrador who had loved and worked with Peter for ten years and was ready for retirement.

Sorrowful and anxious we waited for GDB to call and tell Peter they had found a dog. During this time, Aerie and Jewels became good friends. It was good for Peter and I to see them together because it exhibited that Aerie was ready for a more relaxing life with her puppy raiser mom, Susan. Peter had already made arrangements for when the time came Aerie and Susan

could enjoy all the vacations that had been planned for her retirement.

Well, it finally happened GDB called Peter and told him that they had the perfect dog for him in San Rafael. Therefore, Peter packed it up and went to class. He graduated with a beautiful Yellow Lab named Sapphire. She was called a brick because of her red tint in her hair.

Our new adventures with Jewles and Sapphire were superb, the dogs loved each other. Peter and I began to worry about Sapphire’s retirement. WE wanted the girls to retire together, but what could we do? Would the Coopers take them both? Well, I couldn’t take it any longer it was just clinging on me.

We’ve had our dogs for a month and we went to Las Vegas and on a beautiful balcony drinking a bottle of champagne I said to Peter, “I’m going to call the Coopers and ask them if they want Sapphire. I think we need to figure her retirement.”

Peter said, “Okay, if it turns out positive, we will finish this bottle of champagne now”.

Well, the news was positive, and we finished the bottle of champagne.

For seven years we kept in contact with the Coopers. We went to conventions together, so Jewels and Sapphire could spend time with them and we all became better friends.

In January of 2020 we started the process with GDB to get our new dogs. In May we received our acceptance letter for the next class, shortly after, we received another letter telling us that the school was shutting down due to the pandemic, and we would be informed when the class would take place. well unfortunately, it took another 2 years. Peter and I became anxious because we wanted Jewles and Sapphire to have a good long retirement, and if this would go any longer, they would get too old to be retired.

Summer turned to Autumn and Peter at last received a call from GDB

A lady on the phone said, “We have a guide for you. She is a female Yellow Labrador, forty-seven pounds and nine-teen inches long. What do you think?”

Peter said, “That sounds great, but that is not a Yellow Lab that is a Chihuahua.”

Then she laughs and said “Okay we’ll see you in December.”

We called the Coopers to let them know Peter was entering class in December and GDB would let them know when Sapphire could be adopted. They were elated and now plans were in motion.

Peter arrived in Boring, Oregon December 5th and that was the last night he spends with Sapphire.

In the morning he said to Sapphire, “I’m going to miss you, but I’m happy that you are going to Ben’s and Charlotte’s home in the country, and soon Jewles will join you.”

It is hard to give up your guide dog, but it was comforting knowing Sapphire was going to be loved and care for.

Within a few weeks Sapphire was settled with the Coopers and their adorable Yorkie named JAXS.

In mid-January I received a call from the campus in San Rafael California, I answered, “Hello.”

A lady said, “Is Juliet there.”

“Yes, this is me.”

Lady said, “This is GDB in San Rafael, and we have a guide dog ready to go for you. She is a Yellow Labrador 51 pounds 20 inches. We have room in a class starting in two weeks. “

I Hung up dazed I was in shock not knowing how to feel. The time had come, I realized that Jewles would be with me for only two more weeks. I was confused: I was happy, I was sad, I had to call Charlotte.

The next thing I did is called Charlette to tell her the good news.

I said,” HI Charlotte, I’m going up to San Rafael to train with my new dog.”

Charlotte was so positive and happy, she said, “Great Sapphire will welcome Jewles.

When she said that I felt so happy because I knew that both dogs were to be safe and happy.

The process took about a month and Jewles went to Riddle in the puppy van. The cooper and their neighbors welcomed Jewles with love. The reunion was amazing. They put Sapphire in the backyard and let Jewels in. BIG SURPRISE. It was a wonderful reunion the best ever. There is a video on my Facebook and website.

In the big picture guide-dog handlers could never have guide-dogs if it wasn’t for the puppy raisers. From our hearts to all the puppy raisers a big thank you with appreciation and love.

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