[NAGDU] Seeing Eye

Don Marr dpm51 at earthlink.net
Sat Mar 16 10:25:22 UTC 2024


She did something similar to me too, don

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Leslie Hamric via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 11:31 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Leslie Hamric <lhamric930 at comcast.net>; Buddy Brannan <buddy at brannan.name>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Seeing Eye

I remember one of my funniest moments at TSE.  I was working Morgan and all of a sudden this little old lady came in our path,  or so I thought. Morgan had plowed me right into her and my classmates dog had done  the same. she said how she was going to report us.  I was working Morgan and all of a sudden this little old lady came in our path,  or so I thought. Guess who it was? It was Sue, wone of the instructors. Sue was pretending to be this little old lady that was going to report us because we ran into her with our dogs. I started apologizing profusely and so did  my classmate. And then Sue just started laughing her head off.
Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher

> On Mar 15, 2024, at 10:13 PM, Buddy Brannan via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> It’s by Peter Putnam, and it’s on BARD. A couple recordings of it, in fact. Seeing Eye used to have a plain text version availble. I have it, not sure if it’s still available from TSE as plain text or not.
> 
> 
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV, WRVB670 - Erie, PA
> Email: buddy at brannan.name
> Mobile: (814) 431-0962
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Mar 15, 2024, at 9:12 PM, Lyn Gwizdak via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi guys,
>> 
>> This is great reading about TSE from many graduates. It was 1993 when 
>> the first renovation happened. They put a whole new second floor dorm 
>> wing expanding the number of student rooms so they no longer had to 
>> have 2 people to a room anymore.
>> 
>> There's a book about the history of TSE called "Love in the Lead: the 
>> 50 year history". Forgot who wrote it.  The book was originally 
>> written for TSE 50th anniversary. It has been updated since then. It 
>> is available at the school. If anyone wants to read it, call the 
>> school. It may be on BARD or from an NLS library for the Blind. I 
>> have the print paperback version since I can read regular books with 
>> my magnifying glasses. There's great old photos in it.
>> 
>> Lyn and Aristotle
>> 
>>> On Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 8:46 AM Vanessa Lowery via NAGDU 
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Dave and I were in class together when he got vanilla. Oh but the 
>>> story that I can tell about the employee who worked at The Seeing 
>>> Eye who lost his dog. It's a long story so here goes. David had gone 
>>> into his room and I guess thought he had put the dog on tiedown. Or 
>>> at a minimum had closed his door all the way and was just letting 
>>> the dog hang out in the room. Well, his door was not closed all the 
>>> way. So unboned Dave, who was beginning to lose his hearing, vanilla 
>>> snuck out. Vanilla had it into the room of another student (room 
>>> unoccupied at that moment), and stole that students dogs nail bone.
>>> 
>>> Vanilla was found by housecleaning staff out in the hallway enjoying 
>>> said Nyla bone. Dog was collected and handed over to an instructor. 
>>> Bone was collected and taken down into the office that the 
>>> instructor used at that time affectionately known as the swamp 
>>> (Bonnie, you would remember the swamp).
>>> 
>>> Student and dog and who's running the invasion theft had taken place 
>>> returned to their room only to find that they couldn't find the not bone.
>>> So Joan Markey is summoned to look for the bone in the room. No 
>>> luck. Joan goes down into the swamp, find an bone that wasn't there 
>>> before, and determined that it was probably the missing bone.
>>> 
>>> In the meantime, Dave discovers that he's missing a dog. I was 
>>> downstairs in the foyer waiting to be picked up to go to church. I 
>>> hear somebody creeping down the stairs and in a loud whisper calling 
>>> the dog. Of course, I am sitting in the foyer many many feet away 
>>> hearing this and quietly laughing. Especially because it was Dave.
>>> 
>>> Dave disappeared back upstairs, at at some point, he and Van were 
>>> reunited. Fast-forward to lunchtime. Dave, Joan, and I sat at the 
>>> same table. Or at least I think Dave was also at the table. Anyway 
>>> at least most of the involved parties were there, but gosh! That was 
>>> in 2004. One of us started telling the story from one of the 
>>> perspectives. I can't even remember which perspective. Missing dog, 
>>> missing bone, or hearing Dave search for his dog without any luck. 
>>> As we all told our segments of the story putting the entire 
>>> situation together, our table was in stitches as we laughed and 
>>> laughed. One of the funniest memories that I have ever had while at The Seeing Eye!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Vanessa and the zoo
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 15, 2024, at 2:28 AM, Bonnie Mosen via NAGDU 
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I met Mr. Whitstock in my first class. I think he had a Shepherd 
>>>> named
>>> Meghan.
>>>> I believe he retired not long after that.
>>>> Dave Loux is such a nice guy.
>>>> He had Abigail when I first met him in 1990.
>>>> When I worked at TSE he had Alice and Vanilla. Vanilla was such a 
>>>> sweet,
>>> funny dog.
>>>> She would steal yvonna's toys, and one day after all the toys were 
>>>> gone
>>> she tried to take Yvonna.
>>>> I guess she thought the big fluffy golden was a toy dog.
>>>> Cheers
>>>> Bonnie and Eclipse
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Joy via NAGDU
>>>> Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 11:25 AM
>>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>> Users' <
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: joy.relton at icloud.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Seeing Eye
>>>> 
>>>> Oh yes, If I'm not mistaken he once had a Saluki which is an 
>>>> Egyptian
>>> dog, I think.
>>>> 
>>>> Also do you remember Mr. Whitstock? For those who don't know these
>>> gentlemen, I believe were some of the first blind employees at The 
>>> Seeing Eye. Of course, there have been and are others.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Margo Downey 
>>>> via
>>> NAGDU
>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 1:01 PM
>>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>> Users' <
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: Margo Downey <margo.downey at roadrunner.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Seeing Eye
>>>> 
>>>> Oh, I remember Zilla and David. Awesome people.
>>>> 
>>>> Margo and Tami
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Buddy
>>> Brannan via NAGDU
>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 3:50 PM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Cc: Buddy Brannan
>>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Seeing Eye
>>>> 
>>>> Zilla was a sweetheart. Maybe retired when I got Chet, but even if 
>>>> she
>>> wasn’t, she was definitely in evidence and was absolutely 
>>> delightful. And yeah, David Loux. Great guy.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV, WRVB670 - Erie, PA
>>>> Email: buddy at brannan.name
>>>> Mobile: (814) 431-0962
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 14, 2024, at 2:33 PM, Vanessa Lowery via NAGDU 
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I never met more Frank, but my best friend in North Carolina (my 
>>>>> home
>>> state) did get to meet him. Did Krokus was there when I was in 
>>> training with my first dog in 1982. So was Dan Booke pronounced 
>>> Booker). I never worked with Roger Taylor in class. Nor did I do so 
>>> with Gary Matoon. But I did get to know both of them. Gary was a 
>>> hoot, and I must confess, I never was one of the victims of a Roger 
>>> Taylor prank, but I'm sure that he could be quite ingenious about 
>>> it. An and then there was absolutely sweet, gracious ROBERT 
>>> Woodstock. What a gentleman. and David Loux. And for us dinosaurs, 
>>> how many of you remember the person on the housekeeping staff, zilla 
>>> husbands. She had the most wonderful laugh, so we would all do 
>>> anything to get her to laugh. And then there was Paul Parsley, the school mom! You either loved her or hated her, but you grew to respect her.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Vanessa and the zoo
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 14, 2024, at 1:57 PM, Joy via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hi Jessica,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> My first class was in 1976. I didn't meet Mr. Frank. I did meet Mr.
>>> Crocus and Mr. Debeta. Of course, I also got to know Mr. Gary Mattoon.
>>> Please forgive my spelling in the names. Mr. Mattoon trained my 
>>> second dog Zenith but Lucas Franc trained Zenith and I together. 
>>> Lucas used to call him Atoshi.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Mr. Roger Taylor my first trainer with Vicki (my first Vicki) was 
>>>>>> a
>>> story teller. Since my dad was also a story teller I was right at 
>>> home. He was also a practical joker. He once swopped the harness of 
>>> a 1 hundred pound shepherd for a 40 pound shepherd during dinner. In 
>>> those days, I can't remember if we still do this, we hung our dogs' 
>>> harness on the back of our chair during dinner when we first started 
>>> using them because they were stiff and hadn't yet gotten enough softening by the saddle soap.
>>> Anyway, the man who used the larger shepherd was a very tall man 
>>> from Louisiana and he has the wonderful slow southern accent. The 
>>> woman who had been matched with the smaller shepherd, and my 
>>> roommate, was a smaller woman from Canada. When we got up to leave 
>>> after dinner and began to put on our dogs' harnesses I can still 
>>> hear Joe say "something sure is wrong here because there's no way this is gonna fit on my dog."
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> In those days everyone was called by their last names. It was to
>>> maintain an atmosphere of respect.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Once when I was walking down the street with Vicki a man came up 
>>>>>> to me
>>> and told me that he was with the police and  wondered if I had a 
>>> license to operate my dog. I sputtered for a while and then asked "do you know Mr.
>>> Roger Taylor?". The man started laughing.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> There are some things which have changed and become more modern 
>>>>>> at The
>>> Seeing Eye, but, to me, the one thing that remains the same is the 
>>> emphasis on quality of breeding and training of dogs. In my 
>>> experience, if you come with an attitude that you want to learn how 
>>> to work with your new partner and ask lots of questions you end up 
>>> with a partner who will work with you for years. There are going to 
>>> be some partnerships which don't work, but I believe that it is the 
>>> minority of the partnership. Of course, that isn't much comfort if you are the one experiencing the issue at the time.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Also, in 2005 I collapsed with a burst aneurism in my brain and 
>>>>>> was in
>>> intensive care for a month and then in rehab for another month 
>>> before I came home. My husband called The Seeing Eye and got advice 
>>> as to what to do to help Belle adjust to the new situation. The 
>>> support was incredible.  I was not aware of anything for about a 
>>> month but my husband had the support that he needed. Once I began to 
>>> recover The Seeing Eye was there to support Belle and I as we began to work together again.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jessica Sears 
>>>>>> via NAGDU
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 6:54 AM
>>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>>>> Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: Jessica Sears <jlsears86 at gmail.com>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Seeing Eye
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I am so fascinated by old Seeing Eye stories we are sharing. I 
>>>>>> would
>>> love to hear more from people on how things really have changed from 
>>> early 80's to now. I wonder if anyone is here that met the real Morris?
>>>>>> Jess
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Thu, Mar 14, 2024 at 12:49 AM Suzette May via NAGDU 
>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hi Everyone,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I went to The Seeing Eye in September/October of 2022 for my 
>>>>>>> guide, a large, long, male Sable German Shepherd named Boden.  I 
>>>>>>> had Lukas Franck as my instructor and Joan Markey was our class manager.
>>>>>>> Anyone remember the high school route? Well, Lukas was quite 
>>>>>>> fond of that one and I think I did that beast about 3 or 4 
>>>>>>> times. They haven't had that as a route for years but we did it.  
>>>>>>> I think that thing was uphill both ways.  It sure felt like it.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> As far as retirements go,  I know Lukas retired at the end of
>>> September.
>>>>>>> Lee Johnson retired earlier in 2023, I think. I was sad to hear 
>>>>>>> Jeff McMullen retired. Joan Markey started at The Seeing Eye 
>>>>>>> within a few years of Lukas so that might happen in a year or two.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Nice to see all the different schools on here.  It's interesting 
>>>>>>> hearing everyones stories.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> *Suzette May*
>>>>>>> *PS139.13 at gmail.com <PS139.13 at gmail.com>*
>>>>>>> *512-564-0152*
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Wed, Mar 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM Julie A. Orozco via NAGDU < 
>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hi everyone,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thank you for all the comments about Seeing Eye. It is great to 
>>>>>>>> know I
>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>> have an excellent class manager who will answer questions and 
>>>>>>>> listen to concerns. I'll tell a little more of my story below 
>>>>>>>> in case more reassurances are forth coming.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I retired my second dog in the fall of 2021 shortly before my 
>>>>>>>> daughter
>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>> born. I did not complete the application process for my third 
>>>>>>>> dog for a while after that because well, motherhood. So I 
>>>>>>>> haven't worked a dog in almost 2 and a half years, which is the 
>>>>>>>> longest I've gone without the harness in my hand since 2008. I 
>>>>>>>> only had to wait like 5 months between
>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>> first and second dogs.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> My life has changed completely in the last several years. I am 
>>>>>>>> a mom of a toddler now, and I feel like I need a unicorn of a 
>>>>>>>> dog. I live outside of Washington DC and take the metro a lot, 
>>>>>>>> walk a ton, and definitely deal with plenty of chaos and 
>>>>>>>> crowds. But I need a dog that will be gentle and forgiving of 
>>>>>>>> my toddler and tolerant of young children in general, since
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>> looks like we'll be taking her to day care on a daily basis.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I am so nervous. Not only do I feel like I'm looking for a dog 
>>>>>>>> that might not exist, but I also fear a mismatch. I know 
>>>>>>>> everyone has them, but I haven't had one yet. My first two dogs 
>>>>>>>> were great matches, and my second dog in particular was an 
>>>>>>>> amazing worker and could pretty much read my mind.
>>>>>>> So,
>>>>>>>> I'm not sure I can get that level of awesome in a dog again. 
>>>>>>>> The Seeing
>>>>>>> Eye
>>>>>>>> is a new school for me, and although I've seen great dogs come 
>>>>>>>> out of there, I'm still nervous. I will be spending three weeks 
>>>>>>>> away from my family to
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>> this, and I want that time to count.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> There is truly nothing like working a dog though. Even with the 
>>>>>>>> rideshare denials and the airline forms, I have to do it. I 
>>>>>>>> have to try and do my best to make it work. I do plan on asking 
>>>>>>>> lots of questions when I'm there,
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> I'm not shy. So hopefully that will help.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I'm so glad there are so many happy Seeing Eye graduates on 
>>>>>>>> this
>>> list.
>>>>>>>> Hearing about your experiences is definitely helping. So thank 
>>>>>>>> you, and thanks for reading.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Julie
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Julie A. Orozco J.D.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>>>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
>>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>>> NAGDU:
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ps139.13%40gmail.
>>>>>>>> com
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>> NAGDU:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jlsears86%40g
>>>>>>> mail
>>>>>>> .c
>>>>>>> om
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/joy.relton%40i
>>>>>> clou
>>>>>> d.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/val4dogs%40gma
>>>>>> il.c
>>>>>> om
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/buddy%40brannan
>>>>> .nam
>>>>> e
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>> 
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40ro
>>> adrunner.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>> 
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/joy.relton%40iclo
>>> ud.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/bonnie%40mosen.o
>>>> rg
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/val4dogs%40gmail
>>>> .com
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/gwizdaklyn%40gmai
>>> l.com
>>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/buddy%40brannan.na
>> me
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lhamric930%40comcas
> t.net


_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dpm51%40earthlink.net


--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
www.avg.com




More information about the NAGDU mailing list