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Greetings, readers! We have some big news. The Our Place to Paws Web site is almost complete. We're about a day away from our launch. Please check the URL often until it appears, magically, online, before your eyes! It could be just hours away...and please, take a moment to think some thanks toward our hero, Joe Brandt, Web designer extraordinaire at A2Z Websites, for toiling away until 3 a.m. all week to try to get us online.

Has your cat, dog or other pet ever stood by you during a tough time? Dogs are notorious for helping or even rescuing their human companions, but cats might surprise you, too.

Over the past few weeks, I have been recovering from knee surgery that required me to be on the couch, unable to walk, for a week. The surgery was followed a few days later by a lousy flu bug that added to the misery.

Curly, curled up on a pillow.

One of my shelter-rescued cats, Cali, curled up on a pillow that sits on an end table next to the couch, and slept there for most of the week. I know she likes that pillow, but I was surprised that she stayed in that spot for nine days straight, looking over at me occasionally and stretching her paws in my direction. Usually Cali moves around the house at various points during the day.

I tried to tell myself that she was just enjoying the heat from the nearby radiator. But when I was finally well enough to leave the room and spend time in front of the computer in the den, Cali immediately got up and followed me. And that’s where she is right now, as I type.

Have your animals ever comforted you during a tough time, or sensed that you weren’t feeling your best? Write to us, and we’ll share your story with our readers. Feel free to send photos!

Also, please check in on our blog. There are some announcements there about two Ohio dogs who are desperately in search of a good home.


In this issue:

Toucan,
submitted by Richard W., New York




Zoe and Striker,
submitted by Wolf G., Massachusetts




Little Blue Heron,
submitted by R. Carras, New York

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, located in Yorktown Heights, NY has become one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, graduating more than 6,000 guide dog teams. The not-for-profit organization provides professionally trained dogs, training and lifetime support services to students free of charge with funds raised solely through the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations and civic organizations. Linda Damato, Regional Marketing Manager for Guiding Eyes, answered some of our questions about guide dogs and their training

When were dogs first trained to assist visually impaired people? There is some evidence suggesting a relationship between dogs and blind people dating back to the first century, found on a mural buried in the Roman ruins. Again during the

Volunteer Puppy Raiser Rachel Monahan with one of her charges

Middle Ages, a wooden plaque details a dog leading a blind man. In 1780, a hospital for the blind in Paris attempted to train dogs to aid the sight impaired. In 1819, an Institute for the Education of the Blind in Vienna mentioned using dogs to assist the blind. Then, in 1847, Jakob Birrer wrote about his experiences of being guided by a dog he trained himself. The first modern guide dog training schools were established during the First World War, to enhance the mobility of returning veterans who were blinded in combat, often by poison gas.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduated its first guide dog team in 1956. Since that time, we have graduated more than 6,000 guide dog teams. Our graduates have come from 48 states and 12 countries. Their experiences at the school and with our guide dogs have earned us a reputation as one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world.

Why are certain breeds of dogs best for guide dog training? Most of our puppies are Labrador Retrievers, although a few Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are trained. The dogs have been selectively bred to enhance their traits of self-confidence, serene disposition, willingness to work, ability to take responsibility, good health, intelligence and initiative. They are truly remarkable dogs.

Do the dogs "enjoy" their training and work? Guide dogs enjoy their work immensely, and they get a lot of satisfaction from a job well done, though there is no room for typical dog fun during the work day. Even when the handler doesn't need assistance, a guide dog on the job is trained to ignore distractions and keep still. This is because a guide dog must be able to come to the handler's workplace or be in public places without creating a disturbance.

Read much more of this interview, including information on the special relationship between visually impaired people and their canine friends -- and on how to become a volunteer puppy raiser -- here on our blog.

Cats empathetic? I disagree
By Daisy

I noticed up above that your editor tried to tell you that cats are – don’t even think it – empathetic creatures. She implied that we actually care if you’re sick, or hurt, or just a little sad, and that we’ll try to comfort you.

Before you get any crazy ideas, remember who is who in this relationship. You are the human, and I am the cat. I am here to grace the world with my presence, and you are here to serve as my house maid. That means cleaning my litter box on a daily basis so that I don’t have to dip my paws in anything remotely dirty, feeding me upon demand, making sure that I have cool, clear water available at all times, and vacuuming regularly so that I don’t have to be bothered with lying down in my own hair.

If I am sleeping on a chair you want to sit on, simply don’t sit there. If I am curled up on top of you, simply don’t move. On occasion I also prefer that you follow me with a damp paper towel wiping up paw prints if I stepped in something on the kitchen counter. Yes, I said the kitchen COUNTER. Don’t go there.

Now it’s true that I will slice up anyone that tries to harm you with a single claw and reflexes like lightning. And OK, perhaps I will roll over and look as cute as possible to try to make you smile, especially when you’re feeling blue, or I’ll rub against you and fall on my side. And maybe I’ll curl up next to you at night and purr to try to comfort you. Truthfully, if anything happened to you, I’d…

Wait, what am I saying here? I lost my train of thought. I think I’m done for now. Go get me some fresh water, will you?

Who could resist these two old country gentlemen and their horse, Patches, who goes everywhere they go…in the car! (Thanks to reader Rachel D. in Colorado)

We all believe our cats are specially talented, but this one plays the piano – and looks pretty cute doing it. (Thanks to reader Lateefah V.-S. in New Jersey)

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"There are stars to light the way and ways to light the stars." - Richard Wexler

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