Archive for April 2011
4/26: Television, Pinecrest, and SpringFest
The week started with a bang! Bob, Beth, one of our MIRA students, Mary Mikels, and yours truly were on television Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m. (thank goodness we taped it and didn’t have to be up that early!) on WRAL Fox 50 Tar Heel Talk with Sonya Williams. What a nice, pretty lady she is. I’m sure she would have given me a treat if it had been allowed. I keep hoping…
This week we are going to give a talk at Pinecrest High School on Friday. That’s the school A.J. Johnson, another MIRA candidate, attends. Bob and I are going to talk about the important work of a guide dog – something I happen to know a lot about.
Then on Saturday you can come and see us at SpringFest in downtown Southern Pines. We will be sharing a booth with our friends from the Moore County Pet Responsibility Group – some of the best people around! Look for us at the corner of New Hampshire and Broad Street by the Horse of a Different Color. We will be there between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Hope to see you.
Later,
Devon
4/28: Classical Guitar
Wow… did we do something cool tonight. We went to Owens Auditorium at SCC to hear a classical guitar concert presented by Robert Trent from Radford University and some of his students. I liked that music. (And I really liked that we sat in the very front row where I had lots of room to stretch out and get comfy for the performance – it’s a dog thing) I saw some of my friends, too, (Tim, Dolores, Dr.Dempsey) so that made it an even better night. Oh, it’s fun to go out with Bob and Elaine….
4/21: Hello from Devon
Hi. I’m Bob’s Bernese Mountain guide dog, Devon, and because Bob always says that I am the celebrity that he accompanies, I am getting my own regular blog spot! You know, sort of a “dog’s eye view” of life at MIRA, which, under the circumstances, really makes sense now that I think about it.
Whew! Where to start? Bob and I have been so busy these last few weeks, I can’t even begin to tell you all of the places we have been and things we have done. Here are two of my favorites.
The first week end in April (so Bob tells me) my canine friends from Canada came to visit. Four guide- dogs-in- training came down to demonstrate their skills to the students who are going to be getting dogs from MIRA USA this coming summer. Boy, did we have a great time! When I wasn’t on my harness (which means I wasn’t working) Bob and Eric let me romp around in the field with “the kids.” We tumbled over each other and chased each other around. It was just like I was a pup again. Eric, who is the big guy who runs MIRA Canada and who trained me to be a guide dog, seemed really happy to see me looking so well and so happy living with Bob and Elaine and my best friend, Dixie doodles. I assured him in my very best dog manner that I love every minute of my life. After all, I have a really important job.
Then I guess about a week went by- who knows in dog time?- and two local high schools, Pinecrest and Union Pines, held a joint FunRun walk as a MIRA benefit. It was out at the Virtues’ farm(good friends of mine) and did we ever have fun. Bob and I walked a little of the way (I could have gone further, but he wanted to socialize-what can I say?) so we hung around and talked to people who came to support MIRA. Chip Best and his folks at Outback donated a grilled chicken luncheon that smelled absolutely wonderful. Alas, I was not allowed to confirm my suspicions. Oh, yes, and the King Costanza band provided some rockin’ music. Sometimes Bob and I dance, but I guess he wasn’t in the mood that day. In any case, it was a great day for MIRA: those kids raised over $6,000 ! I am so proud of them.
Well, gotta go, but check back, soon, for more MIRA life as I see it….
Devon Baillie
Bob to Speak at PH Members Club
Bob will be the speaker on May 4th at the Women’s Special Event at the Pinehurst Member’s Club. He will be there with Devon to share his story as well as the stories of children needing guide dogs. The event begins at noon with wine and juice, followed by a luncheon at 12:30. The program begins after lunch. Members and their guests may make a reservation by calling the club at 910.235.8100, ext. 1. Attendees are encouraged to bring their used cell phones for collection. All proceeds benefit MIRA Foundation USA.
4/13: MIRA Guests of Western Harnett Lions Club
Bob, Beth and Devon were guests of Rick Foster, the Western Harnett Lions Club and the Lee County Wildlife Club at a special event arranged for eleven area blind and visually impaired men and women. We met on the grounds of the Lee County Gun Club for a few hours of target practice. Rick, who is the President of the Western Harnett Lions Club, arranged this outing as a way for this group to experience something a little out of the ordinary. The instruction was superb, the weather cooperated, and everyone returned safe and sound! It was a good day all around and we wish to thank everyone involved for making it such an enjoyable experience.
4/24: Hooties Rehearsal
The intrepid cast of the Southern Hooties – When Real Men Become Women for a Good Cause, met for rehearsal today at 4:00 p.m. This show is going to be hysterically funny – Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire go to Broadway with a touch of glam thrown in now and then! It’s a show you won’t want to miss. To learn more see Upcoming Events elsewhere on this site.
4/29: Pinecrest High School Visit
Bob and Devon attended two of Mrs. Joan Hilsman’s classes at Pinecrest today. A.J. Johnson, one of the MIRA students in line to receive a dog this year, was in the first class that Bob addressed. Students listened attentively while Bob gave them a bit of MIRA’s history and talked about the many ways a guide dog can assist someone who is blind. A.J. told the class he was very excited about getting his dog because he knew it was “really going to change my life.”
In between the class sessions, Bob caught up with the Sherwood twins, Evan and Landon, who were the organizers at Pinecrest for the hugely successfull High School FunRun MIRA benefit held on April 10th. It was a great day all around, as the twins gave Bob an additional $500.00 they had collected in contributions, while Bob presented them with the Colby Virtue scholarship in honor of all of their work, together with the Devon Cup trophy honoring the school that raised the most money for MIRA. This trophy will stay at Pinecrest for a year until next year’s event.
