IMHO a very worthwhile organization to receive the attention of FReepers and donations from the same.
man are my daogs barking...
Bump to you for Memorial Day 2008
arrrrRRRRROOOOOOOO!!!!! DOGGIE PING
Hard to beat a cold nose and warm heart
When I saw they were in Smithtown, NY it rang a bell with me. My son had a guiding dog (a great Yellow Lab) that was trained there. "Mathew," was with him for 6 years, and then retired from guide service and came to live with me to rest after he became ill. He had saved my son from disaster when he was in college by keeping him from walking into a construction ravine on campus that he was not notified about. To accomplish this, Mathew practiced what they call "intelligent disobedience, " and blocked my son's way so he would not fall into the deep rut.
From the moment Mathew joined our family he displayed that he was not only a protector, and a pet, but another and very special soul. I still remember how Mathew greeted me daily by placing his head on my knee when I came in and sat down. He would just stand there, looking up at me and wagging his tail as though he were saying "Welcome home, now sit and relax!" He was the most loving, loyal, and comical dog we ever had who filled our house with his spirit and had everyone's admiration. When he passed, at 10, the entire neighborhood had a ceremony for him, he was simply remarkable, and has always been missed. No dog could have been better - no person more loyal.
Hearing that Guide Dogs for the Blind now trains America's VetDogs brought back all those memories, and I know that the military members who receive these dogs now have that wonderful relationship to look forward to with their dogs from this organization. What a worthwhile gift to give our men and women who are serving our country. America's VetDogs will get a donation from our family for sure!