My name is Nutmeg and I live in Weddington, North Carolina. I am a 16 year-old Golden Retriever and getting gray in the muzzle area. I'm "maturing" nicely and enjoying old age. In my "golden years" (no pun intended) I decided to help my Mom and Dad raise little puppies.
My Mom and Dad, Linda and Grady, and I raise very special puppies for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). CCI is a non-profit organization that raises Assistance Dogs for people with physical disabilities.
Assistance Dogs help people by pulling a wheelchair, retrieving items that were dropped, alerta person that the phone or doorbell are ringing, opening up the refrigerator and getting items out (and then closing the door), helping their partner get dressed, open doors, and being the "best friend a person could have"...just to name a few things! These dogs "love to work" and help their partner on a daily basis. These dogs are "the cream of the crop".
Before they can become a "graduate" they have to be a "puppy". So, at 8 weeks of age until about 14 months we are a foster family for them. We socialize them, teach them 30 commands (things they need to do) and love, love, love them! (Yes, even when they are real little and biting my toes or hanging of my ears!) I even "put up with" Linda putting these crazy hats on me for a photo op with the new puppies for EVERY holiday!
The first puppy we raised was Hollen. Hollen was born on 3/29/96 in Citrus Heights, California. She arrived at our home Memorial Day weekend, 1996. She is a Golden Retriever and graduated on Valentine's Day, 1998 from the Northeast Regional Center. She is living in Holly Hill, Florida and is helping her new partner, Dana. Dana, Linda and Hollen are an Assisted Service Team. This type of team consists of two people and a dog. We were able to visit her recently and saw the numerous ways she helps. It was great seeing her in "action". Hollen's mom is Jill and her Dad is Ninja. Her breeder/caretakers were Rachel and Holt and she was named after the Hollenstein family. Hollen's sister Holza and brother Hoffman, and good friend Steven G. also graduated with Hollen on Valentine's Day 1998.
Hollen's picture gallery.Our second puppy was Foster, another Golden Retirever. His birthday is June 17, 1997. Foster graduated on May 15, 1999 as a Service Dog and is working in New Jersey with Cathy.
Foster was part of the famous "F Troop" consisting of Foster, Frances, Fleming, Fletcher, Fonda, and Fair. Their parents were Bitsy and Therrio. They were born in Santa Rosa, California.
Foster is very smart and loves to retrieve things. He loves water and was REALLY surprised to find out he couldn't walk on water! He wasn't sure what it was the first time we went to the lake this summer and ran in the water from the shore to retrieve a toy. Well, I know better, and walked in -- then swam to retrieve the toy. Foster ran in and all you could see was the tip of his tail for a few seconds. His head came up and he looked back at me like, "Why didn't you tell me the bottem fell out of the ground?" We couldn't get him out of the water this past summer. He and his friend GB love to swim.
We are so proud of our Foster-Oster. In October of 1999 Foster "walked down the aisle" as Cathy married Lorenzo. Wht a touching scene. Foster is a wonderful dog who can do amazing things. He is doing what life was meant for him to do.......giving Cathy the gift of independence.
Foster's picture gallery.Dorothy (Dorfee) arrived on October 4th, 1998. Dorfee is also a Golden Retriever and was born on 7/25/98.
Our Christmas present was a bit early. She was a tiny little thing and a spitfire too! We tease her that "We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!"
Foster taught her a lot before he left for college and now it's my job to help her learn the "ins and outs". She is now getting to the stage where she appreciates my wisdom.
Dorfee learned "hurry" (which means to potty on command) within the first few weeks, so I guess Foster and I are doing something right.
We were very lucky to have Hollen, Foster and Dorothy together for a picture in October. I don't think having three active CCI dogs raised by the same puppy raisers in the same place at one time happens very often.
Dorfee was thrilled to meet Hollen and realizes she has BIG shoes to fill. Hollen, Foster and Dorothy are so much fun and I do like helping Linda and Grady raise them.
Unfortunately Dorothy had hip dysplasia and couldn't continue in the program or go on to "college". Dorothy is living in Alabama with a former CCI puppy raiser as their pet.
LuLu, puppy #4 arrived in November of 1999. She was born on September 8, 1999 to Rebecca and Firecracker. LuLu is also a golden retriever. She has 6 brothers and sisters: Linus, Laura, Linnea, Lido, Lenny, and Louise. LuLu was named after a family member of her breeder/caretaker. LuLu's favorite song is "Little LuLu" from the cartoons. (You have to be old enough to remember this!....grin)
Her breeder/caretaker was Maureen and Stephen. LuLu is as smart and as cute as a "button". She loves to snuggle. LuLu loves to socialize and goes to the bank, restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, library, malls, flies on airplanes, concerts and goes to theme parks as part of her training and socialization. LuLu loves to swim also and will enjoy the summer with her friend GB and myself at the lake. LuLu was the first CCI puppy to become "staff" at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina. She will "always" be very special to the staff/faculty and students.
After 6 months of Advanced Training LuLu had a "change of career" on August 1, 2001. She was/is our social butterfly. LuLu came home as a beloved pet and is now a therapy dog.
Lori, LuLu's trainer said that LuLu is a "free spirit" and we should all take life lessons from her. (That's our Little LuLu!)
This is our tribute to LuLu and her trainer Lori:
Linda and Grady were recognized by CCI for their volunteer efforts by having a puppy named "DONLEY" in memory of Linda's parents Richard and Agnes Donley formerly of Buchanan, Michigan. Donley is a chocolate lab and was born on March 31, 2000. She was raised by Gail in Florida and began advanced training in June of 2001. Donley decided she wanted to be a pet and was
adopted by a family in Florida.
Linda and Grady started raising Canine Companion for Independence puppies after their friend, Neva, gave them a book called "Chelesa: The Story of A Signal Dog". This book is about a UC Berkeley professor who has a hearing dog. After reading the book they thought what an appropriate way to "honor"
their parents who always "gave back" and helped others.
Dulcie, puppy #5 arrived on December 8, 2000. She was born September 17, 2000. She is a female golden who was donated from Kathy Burgess who is the owner/breeder for Golden Quest Farms in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Dulcie is
very cute, curious, has a wonderful personality and is a quick study. Daily
she bring us joy and laughter.
Dulcie went to work with Linda at a Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina and was a guest "speaker" in many classes. The students/staff and faculty love her! She received her "honorary degree" in
Human Services with a speciality in Developmental Disabilities.
Dulcie studied at the University of CCI in Farmingdale, NY but decided she'd rather come home and be a therapy dog like LuLu. So, she and LuLu are certified through Therapy Dog International and make people's lives happy by visiting with them. Dulcie does love to retrieve and she picks up all the dog food dishes after they get done eating and picks up any other thing you ask
her to. She loves to carry plastic hangers from the bathroom to the laundry room or pick up your clothes for you.
Check out our "links" below to take you directly to GoldenQuest Retrievers.
O'Keefe, puppy #6 arrived on February 27, 2002. He was born on December 27, 2001. He is a golden retriever and also the nephew of LuLu, (puppy #4 that we raised). O'Keefe's dad is Lido and Mom Guilmette. There were 8 pups in this litter: O'Keefe, O'Leary, O'Neil, Opie, Ovida, Orianne, and Olive.
O'Keefe was named in memory of Patrick and William O'Keefe, two NY firefighters who lost their life on 9/11/01.
O'Keefe was our happy go lucky "little guy". He brought smiles to everyone as you just couldn't resist being charmed by him. He wiggled from head to toe. In July 2003 O'Keefe was career changed because he had hip dysplasia. He now lives with Linda's brother and is enjoying walking on the beaches of Lake Michigan.
We will be sharing some of our pictures with you and give you some links to other web sites that you might enjoy. Settle back and enjoy seeing my family and friends. They are "PAWSOME"!!
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This Puppyraiser/Service Dog Ring site is owned by
Linda Moorer.