Ferrari, A Breeder Dog

by Pam Kalkus

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Wendy & Ferrari
at Guide Dogs for the Blind
February 2005

Ferrari came to us and HPWT in July of 2003 on a plane from New York. He is the product of cross-country bloodlines, so we knew that GDB had a lot invested in him. He was a beautiful, gentle, cuddly black lab who was perfect. Everywhere we went, people wanted one just like him. He became quite a well-traveled and bold teenager and remains today that vigilant stallion you see on the Ferrari emblem at the races.
   On February 5th, we (Tonya Santaus, Pam, Wendy and Kira Kalkus) all went to his graduation in San Rafael. Being a "Breeder" meant that he was presented to "society" like a débutante with a tail and a blue scarf, as part of the future of Guide Dogs. The idea of him bringing new life to GDB was especially poignant for me because I had been undergoing cancer treatment during his entire puppyhood. He had all the beautiful hair I lost and took care of me (kissing my sore hands, keeping me company, and getting me outside to walk) everyday. Having him leave on that puppy truck in September meant that this era of my life as "patient" had ended and my new life as "survivor" had begun. A quote from Wendy's speech at graduation said: "The new life he will bring to Guide Dogs will in turn bring new life to the blind people his many puppies will guide." As I said, my new life comes from just thinking about how this great turn of events came out of such a difficult time.
   To see him at graduation was very good closure for our family. He looked so handsome, thin, fit and silky. All morning we relaxed together at the little waterfall garden on GDB's campus. After the ceremony we got to see how he adores his new breeder keeper, Susie, who will keep him at her home in San Francisco for all of his days. We got to meet Susie's daughter who flew down from Seattle; Bob Phillips (GDB's CEO); and lots of important GDB staff. They sought us out because Susie had been so involved in the program. But she said to Wendy, "We're celebrities because we're Ferrari's family."
   Wendy, his true puppy raiser, will say that seeing him again so serious and so true to his calling was very rewarding. He was very happy to be with us but was totally grown-up and dignified. witnessing Wendy with her puppy and the other graduates on stage being sent on their way was hardly enough of a chance to thank GDB, HPWT, and Ferrari for our "one Golden Year."