Cindy

Remember that post I wrote earlier this month about my puppy raising anniversary? I have to tell you about a special woman who played a huge role in me becoming a raiser and through all things she taught me through raising, she helped shape me into the person I am told. Cindy was my Regional Coordinator when I first started raising. She was the one who contacted me about coming to classes, took me along through classes, and let me handle her dog Mattie at classes. She taught the PPC I went to and answered my DAILY calls when I was sitting a dog for my trial sit. I'll never forget how I called her literally every single day when I was watching Russ asking question after question. Was I doing this right, was I using the right words, what do I do if he barked, what should I do when he pulled? Every time I dialed that phone, she answered as happy as ever, never sounding angry that a 14 year old was harassing her! Our phone conversations were a regular occurring thing, she called me to deliver the news that I had been matched to a puppy, she called and said "I have bad news, you won't be able to sit Teddy for me." I remember my heart literally dropped, I thought something awful had happened and I wasn't going to be allowed to raise, then she said "Because you've been matched to a puppy!" Cindy seemed just as excited as I was for being matched to sweet Beau and once again, she was there to answer all my questions via phone, email, and in person at classes.

Cindy helped me through my first raising experience, she helped me learn the right way to handle a dog and how to best teach Beau and help him grow. Because of her, I became the raiser I am today, she helped me learn how to then also be a class helper and teach other raiser's, which now has turned into me being a Region Coordinator in the Lower Westchester Region. I can't thank Cindy enough for her guidenace and support through the past 7 years of puppy raising. If she hadn't made me feel so welcome into the Monroe Region I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't be so involved with a wonderful organization not only as a volunteer, but now as an employee doing my dream job.

Sadly, this wonderful woman was diagnosed with cancer in October and is still battling it. She has raised 16 puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind and was a Region Coordinator for several years.
Please keep Cindy and her family in your prayers.

And to Cindy, thank you. Thank you for everything! Thank you for all your help and for making my puppy raising journey a fun and special one! Thank you for giving me desire to become a RC to help even more raiser's become the best they can be to make the best guide dogs!