As you know, Bob and I are in Canada this week visiting with all of my friends from my days living here, as well as the MIRA USA students who are in training to receive their MIRA guide dogs. We had a great trip North on Saturday, in large part because we flew JetBlue from Raleigh with a connection through New York’s JFK airport. And yes, I got a bowl of ice. Funny thing is, my ice arrived before Bob’s drink. I must admit, I had to quietly chuckle to myself when that happened.

Whoa…that JFK Airport is  a huge place, but you want to hear the best part? The crew of our plane went above and beyond the call of duty to make our journey safe and enjoyable. Sam,(or was it Kenneth? Bob and I can never seem to agree on these things) the pilot from the first segment, Flight #1106,  even escorted us around the concourse to our connecting departure gate. Now that’s service.  I felt like such a celebrity.  I love JetBlue.

So…I’ll let you now how all of our students are as soon as Bob and I see them, but until then, just remember, if you are going to be flying soon, Go JetBlue. And tell them Devon sent you.

Yours Truly,
Devon (Wings) Baillie

Whew! It's Hot!

Gosh, I didn’t know it could get this hot. Today it was ninety-nine degrees at 5:00 p.m. here in the Sandhills where we live. No wonder they call it the Sandhills. If this keeps up we won’t have to worry about mowing grass, we can just plant a lot more cactus!

I sure envy my MIRA canine friends in Canada right about now. The summer weather up there is just my cup of tea, or would be if I drank tea, but you know what I’m trying to say. The good news is that Bob and I are going to see everyone next week. You know what that means? It means I get to fly with Bob and lick an ankle or two when someone walks down the aisle of the plane. I just love doing that, and although Bob tells me I shouldn’t, he also laughs when it happens, so I know I’m not really being bad.

I can’t wait to see all of the students and meet their new dogs. We will have a lot to talk about, I am sure. Boy, do I have stories to tell them. At this point they can only imagine how exciting and important a MIRA dog’s life is, while I can testify that it is the best job in the world. I love MIRA, and I love Bob and Elaine and my best friend, Dixie.

Your Friend,
Devon

Whew…what a week. We arrived home last Saturday evening and went straight to dinner with our friends, John and Sylvie. I missed them! John makes Bob laugh, and then I start laughing, too. It’s fun to be with them.

The week was pretty quiet at work. We are still getting accustomed to our additional office space. Now that Bob, Beth and I are on one side of the wall and Candy and Sandy on the other, it’s a lot quieter at work, however, I don’t know everything that’s going on anymore. I have started positioning myself on the floor by the door so that I can look into both rooms at once (everyone thinks I do it because it’s cooler, but I really do it so that I don’t miss any of the action!)

Last night we went to a Hooties party “wrap” at Pam’s house so that we all could see the video of the show. I laughed so hard when TC came out on the floor doing his Tina Turner routine I thought I was going to have to excuse myself. He was very funny, and I could tell from the crowd’s reaction that he was a favorite of theirs. No surprise that he was crowned Queen.

I just wish that someone at that party had, you know, “accidentally” dropped a piece of their hot dog or hamburger. Alas, it was not to be…

So, that’s about it for the week. Tomorrow Bob and I are going on a road trip with our friend, Chris. I’ll miss being in the office, however, I am always up for a road trip. Then Monday is a holiday, (yes, Bob, it is-the banks are closed) so I will get to stay home with Bob and Elaine and play with my best friend, Dixie. I love holidays…

Your Friend,
Devon

Bob & Devon Share A Quiet Moment

Seems like there is never a dull moment around here. We all had a nice long holiday over the Fourth of July, and it was very relaxing, however, I worried about the students going to Canada because as a well traveled canine, I know how stressfull things can be when flights are not on time, and so on. Luckily, no one experienced any delays, and they are all settled in and working hard already. I think they meet “their” dogs, tomorrow. Gee….I remember what that was like when I met Bob. I was so excited to see him I practically knocked him over with my enthusiastic greeting! I just knew Bob and I were meant to be together. Thank goodness he felt the same way.

Beth’s holiday was really memorable as she was driving down May Street in town on Saturday and a 200 pound bear lumbered right across the street in front of her car. Boy, I wish I could have seen that bear, and I bet Beth’s face was a sight to behold, too. Word has it the bear climbed a tree, took a nap, and ambled down at his leisure after five hours, whereupon he left town. I really would have loved that scene.

And how about the Kingston Trio? They put on a great performance at Owens Auditorium at SCC last evening. Bob, Elaine and I had front row seats courtesy of my friend Tim. I love her. Although I am still a classsical canine, I must admit these guys were pretty darned good. The audience was very appreciative, especially when one of the trio made a little “woofing” sound for my benefit. Being a celebrity definitely has its moments. I would have responded, but then Bob would have cautioned me to use my inside voice, and I get a little confused about all of that because when I am talking and I am inside, isn’t that my inside voice? People are funny.

In any case, it has been a good week so far and its only Wednesday. It’s fun being a MIRA dog.

Love,

Devon

It has been such a busy period I am not even sure where to start to fill you in. The last time I posted we had just arrived in Canada, and it is now ten days later, we have been back for a few days, and life is still moving along at mach speed. Yikes!

We spent most of our days visiting the MIRA students while they were in training (well, we had to wait until the end of each day when the lessons were over, because even Bob is not allowed to interfere with the rigorous training schedule) Still, we hung out and enjoyed talking with my friends Helene, Gille, Karen, Johanne, and, of course, Eric. They were all so happy to see me and remarked at how well I am looking. Of course, that is because Bob takes such good care of me. (If only I could get more treats out of him….)

What to say about the dogs? Well, you can see for yourself in this photo of the MIRA USA Class of 2011 that all of the dogs are pretty special. I am so proud of them. They have been working really hard to help the students learn everything they need to know to go home and start their new lives. And you know something? Not one of them complained. MIRA dogs know they have important and serious work to do. I was allowed to give them a little talk about what it means to become a part of the MIRA USA family and they were really appreciative. I love being a celebrity.

So, we have been home for a while and already Bob and I have been to our weekly Rotary meeting and we spoke at the Aberdeen Lions Club luncheon. (Nobody dropped any food on the floor, even though I kept hinting) This may be a quiet time of the year, however, I can just sense the momentum picking up. That’s ok, though, because we have a lot of blind students to pair with guide dogs and we are going to do whatever it takes to help them realize their dreams.

Love,

Devon Baillie

MIRA’s Chief Ambassador