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

Devon on the road to fame

Bob always says that I am the celebrity he accompanies. Pretty funny, don’t you think, since I am just a dog? But guess what? It turns out I AM a celebrity (not exactly sure what that means, but it has something to do with everyone always fussing over me). Why, oh why, don’t they just feed me, instead? I loved that cookout, remember, folks? Oh, well.

In any case, Elaine, Bob, and I went to the theater tonight at Lee Auditorium. Nice place, by the way – I get a big wide aisle seat every time we go. I highly recommend it – lots of room to stretch out. The show was called “On the Road to Fame” and it had a lot of song and dance in it which is just about my favorite form of entertainment, next to the symphony. I am really a classical canine, but that’s a story for another day.

You know what was cool about Fame? Cinny Beggs, who has worked her you know what off to bring good theater to Moore County, singled out YOURS TRULY and introduced me to the entire audience as a “very special guest ! Wow…I love her.

Bob invited me to stand up and do a kind of doggie-bow to the crowd. For a working dog, albeit one who admittedly gets my fair share of attention, it was very exciting to hear my name called out over the sound system in that large auditorium. At first I got really excited because I thought I had won something…

Alas, that was not the case. Nevertheless, for a few special minutes, your friend, Devon Baillie, was truly on the road to fame. And I loved it!

Thanks, Cinny, for being my friend, and a good Friend of MIRA.

XOXO,
Devon

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

When my mobility instructor told me about Bob Bailey, MIRA, the possibility of me getting a guide dog, this summer, I didn’t think much of it. I loved the idea, but it seemed too good to be true. It was only when I met Bob, Eric, Beth, everyone, that my dream began to morph into reality. When I first met Devin, I looked at him and told myself, “That’s what I want, that’s what I’ve been dreaming of.” Although Devin wasn’t the first guide dog I’ve ever met, he was the first that seemed real.

Now that I know that I’m getting a dog, my life has completely changed, I have a new perspective on everything. High school doesn’t seem scary anymore; I know I won’t be viewed as a freak. When people see the cane, their first thought is, “What’s wrong with her?” But when they see a dog, they think, “OOOOOOW, dog!”

I’m beyond excited to go to Canada this summer, it’s gonna be amazing, absolutely amazing! I don’t think I can wait to July. This is a huge step towards independence. Sure, I know I’ll still be nervous when I’m wandering in unfamiliar territories, but it sure will be reassuring to know that I’m not entirely alone.
Being a teenager is no easy task. You always want to be accepted, be liked, to be viewed as an equal. Normal teenagers feel that, so to be a blind teenager… well let’s just say it’s no picnic in the park. But with a guide dog, things might change. I don’t want people to just be my friend because I have a dog, but it will help kids approach me better. For some reason, my blindness intimidates them.

I’ve always loved dogs. I currently have two; Tim, who is a pug doxsen mix, and Steve who is a beagle. I love them more than anything, and I think they’ll love my guide dog just as much as I will.

Usually, the idea of going to a different country for a whole month, would probably cause some anxiety for me. The food, my surroundings, my home, the people, and even the language will be different. But I’m not even the slightest bit worried. It’s like I’m finally going to start my life, to venture beyond my homes walls.

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