The Story of Texan

A Guide Dog Raised in Have Paws Will Travel Puppy Club

Dedicated to the Kindergartners of Miss Pam's class at the Ricks Center, 2003-2004, who all loved Texan, too.

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Story by Andrea Loughry Pictures by Andrea and Miranda Loughry

Texan in his shipping crate at the airport	Texan arrived in Colorado on August 13, 2002. The fuzzy golden retriever puppy was only ten weeks old! He lived with his puppy raisers, Andrea and Miranda, for a year. He had a lot of growing up to do before he would be ready to be a Guide Dog! Andrea, Jasper, Abolene, and puppy Texan

	Miranda loved her new little puppy! Miranda hugs Texan

Texan gets stuck in a fence.	Some of the things Texan did as a puppy were silly!

Andrea and Miranda taught Texan obedience and house manners. They took Texan everywhere in his green puppy coat, so he would be used to everything he might encounter some day while leading his blind person. This is called "socialization." Texan went to the office with Andrea		Texan participates in "Doggie Tales," a reading program for kids and dogs.

Texan liked to play in the snow.	When Texan wasn't wearing his green coat, he could play like any other dog. Texan had dog and cat friends, and a big yard to play in while he was growing up. $Jasper, Abolene and Texan$ Golden retrievers Jasper and Abolene were Texan's friends.	$Mimi the cat paws Texan's head$ Texan with friend Mimi Cat.

After a year with Andrea and Miranda, Texan was all grown up and ready to be trained to lead a blind person. On October 5, 2003, Texan was loaded onto a truck from Guide Dogs for the Blind. It took him to the Guide Dog school in Oregon, where the trainers taught him everything he needed to know to lead a blind person. Miranda and Andrea got a new puppy to raise from that same truck. His name was Emmett.		Andrea, Joe and Miranda pose in front of the puppy truck with Texan and new puppy Emmett.

Miranda picked the best kennel for Texan.	There are kennels that the dogs stay in during their trip, inside the truck. Each dog gets its own little cage. Miranda picked out the best spot for Texan for his trip. Andrea tells Texan "good bye, I love you, do your best." just before closing the door to his kennel on the truck

It took Texan six months to learn to be a Guide Dog. When he was ready, Texan was matched with just the right blind person. Texan and his person have to like to walk at the same speed, and get along in other ways to make a successful team.
Texan and his new partner, Don	Texan was matched with a man named Don, who lives in Idaho. Don lost his sight when he was about twenty-four years old, and the doctors don't even know why. He can still see a little from the corners of his eyes, but he needs Texan to help him, because he cannot see well enough to walk safely.
Don lived and trained at the Guide Dog school for three weeks to learn how to work with Texan. When the two were ready to graduate, Andrea and Miranda were invited to come and present Texan at a special graduation ceremony. They flew all the way from Colorado to Oregon to wish Texan and Don well. Graduation day was April 3, 2004.

$Texan remembers me!$ Texan wagged and wiggled when he saw Andrea and Miranda. He remembered them! Texan liked the toys Andrea brought for him.	Before the graduation ceremony began, Andrea and Miranda got to meet Don and see Texan again. Don was excited to meet Texan's raisers and thanked them for raising such a wonderful dog! $Don, Texan, Miranda and Andrea in the day room$ Don, Texan, Miranda and Andrea get to spend time together before the ceremony begins Texan remembered his raisers when he saw them, but he knew that Don was his new master and wanted to keep close to him, too.	Miranda said the best part of graduation was getting to see Texan again.

Miranda, Andrea, Texan and Don pose for official photos.	While the raisers, dogs, and graduates are all together, official pictures are taken. Everyone makes a new and special friend on graduation day, because of our love for our dog!

After the pictures, it's time for the graduation ceremony. There's a big auditorium with a stage and an audience. Each blind person gets to say a few words about their experience training with their new dog.	Miranda told the audience, "Bye-bye Texan, I love you, do your best."
Then the raisers present the dog and talk about what he was like when he was a puppy.

	Don and Texan are seated on stage with the other graduates during the ceremony.	The dogs, their partners, and raisers stay on stage while other dogs are presented. Texan's class had nine dogs and their partners in it.

Texan finds the stairs	After the ceremony, Andrea and Miranda took Don and Texan out for dinner. It gave them a chance to spend more time together, and Andrea and Miranda got to see Texan guide his new partner.
Texan finds the stairs	Texan stops at the top of the stairs so Don will know they are there.

	When Don gives the "forward" command, Texan guides him down the stairs.

Texan looks all around for obstacles in the way.	Andrea and Miranda were so proud to see Texan work! Texan and Don walk with Miranda on the Guide Dog Campus	Texan pulls into harness so Don can follow him easily.

Andrea and Miranda loved seeing Texan, but it was a sad day, too. Although they will keep in touch with Don after graduation, Andrea and Miranda will probably never see Texan again. Miranda gives Texan a final long hug

Andrea is proud of Texan in his new harness. The dream that raiser and dog shared together came true today!	Texan was happy to see Miranda again, but now he belongs with Don.

	Texan is devoted to his new partner. That's the way it should be! Texan rests his chin on Don's boot.