Category Archives: Banta

International Guide Dog Day

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Banta on her graduation day - May 2011

Today is International Guide Dog Day and I would like to pay tribute to all the wonderful canines in the world who make life better for their handlers and enjoy the work they do. I am so blessed by my association with a great organization like Guide Dogs for the Blind as a puppy raiser. Being a puppy raiser is truly a win-win situation. Today I am especially proud of Apex and Banta the two puppies we raised who are now working dogs. They love their jobs and both are happy, loved and rather spoiled pooches. Give your dog and extra bit of attention today in honor of all the guide dogs in the world, past, present and future.

Apex - January 2011

I recently read “Thunder Dog” by Michael Hingson and then recommended it to my local book club. Many of the book club members enjoyed it so much that they shared it with others. Roselle is a great example of how amazing guide dogs are. Have you read any books about guide dogs that you enjoyed?

One Year Ago

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Banta and Prestwick

It was one year ago today that we put Banta on the truck for Guide Dogs for the Blind. So I sent an email to Mark and Banta to let them know I was thinking about her. Mark sent back such a fun message and pictures of Banta with his previous guide Prestwick. The two of them look so much alike in their coloring that I was amazed. She looks so happy and I can tell how much Mark loves her by the way he talks about Banta.

Here is some of what Mark said about Banta:

We went to a hospital today forblood work and another test.  Banta was very excited.  Banta wentstraight to the lab and cafeteria with no direction from me.  She got alittle confused on the way to the Dr’s office, but it is a huge hospital withmany connected buildings.  I was very happy she remembered since we werelast there in June.  She is so funny when she is remembering routes shelearned but does not do frequently.  When she finds something she startsdancing around wagging her tail like crazy, I’m sure the food reward she getshas no influence on her excitement.  People probably think I am crazybecause I am usually laughing and talking to Banta like she is a person on dayslike today.  My first 2 dogs would walk towards their target and then turnand keep going.  As Banta approaches her target she speeds up thensuddenly jumps and does a 90 degree turn in the air then takes off towards hernext target.  I can’t help but laugh because she turns her work into agame and has fun.

Two Years Ago Today

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Beautiful Banta on the fresh green grass
It was two years ago today that we first met Banta. She came off the puppy truck with lots of attitude, ready to go out and explore the whole world. Though she was a challenge at times, there was a moment in those first couple of weeks that I saw a glimpse of the dog she could grow up to be. We so enjoyed her wonderful spirit and we know that you do to. Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about the two of you especially on this day. I sent an email to her handler in honor of this day and here is some of what he said about Banta:
She still has the attitude that she probably had coming of the puppy truck. Boy, I am finding out how stubborn she can be. Now most of our challenges have to do with her stubbornness, and what I call retaliation for going where she may not want to go. For example, if she does not want to walk to the grocery store, she will make it a long, slow, and miserable walk. When she wants to work she is a star.  She is very destination oriented, which is good and bad. If we are somewhere new she targets every door she sees. She still makes me laugh when she is happy and jumps off the curb and I can feel her bouncing up and down as she walks. She is a lot of fun to play with, but again only how and when she wants.
It is fun to get news of how she is doing. He really understands that sweet and spicy girl. I’m so glad for the good match they are for each other. They have been working together for about four months now. Time sure goes by fast these days.

Two Mile Stones – Banta & Casey

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Today is Banta’s 2nd birthday. I sent her a figure 8 tug toy because it was her favorite tug toy of all the ones we had and it held up pretty good. I got it sent off early and then waited a few days to send an email to Mark to let him know it was coming. Well I waited too long and the package got there before my email. Because he has no vision I didn’t send a note or anything with it. I just figure my email would take care of that. This is what he said:

Hi Raelyn and Bill

We got the box on Friday.  Thank you very much.  She loves it!  I was wondering where it was from, I have not had anyone over yet who could read the box to me to see who sent it.  Mystery solved.

Banta is doing very well.  We will be working with another trainer this Wed and Th.  I do not remember if I mentioned, I only agreed to the 2 week class if I had 1 week of at home training.  We do not have many working issues, just a few minor things that need to be worked through.

We had 12 straight days of thunder storms, some severe, and only 1 storm seemed to bother her.  We had 2 lightening strikes very close to our house.  We learned the next day there was some pool furniture hit by lightening about 50 feet outside our door.  I think that is when we both jumped.  Now we are getting very hot weather.  Since we have been back we have either had very hot weather or hot weather with high humidity.  I think this has caused Banta to be a little less energetic than when we were in training.

We had a very long day today.  I took the day off work and went to 3 Dr. apts. at 3 different hospitals.  She did really well.  We only had some difficulties for the last 20 minutes, I hope she just got tired.  I was really happy with how she worked almost all day.  I get so many comments about how well behaved she is and how beautiful she looks.

Mark and Banta 

The other mile stone was Casey went into season today. I knew it was coming so it was a relief in someways that it finally got here. She has had some behavior changes the last couple of weeks with destructive chewing and peeing on walks etc. She even started to swell up a bit the last day or two. Lisa wanted to get a chance to have her over for a couple of days before she goes back but she had to cut it short when Casey came into season. So 28 days and counting of house arrest for Casey. The bad part is she will only have a few days a freedom before she goes on the truck back to GDB. It reminds me so much of the timing that Banta had too.

Banta’s Book – conclusion

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Once Banta started her formal training as a guide dog she moved along quickly. On May 16th Mark was introduced to Banta who had all the traits he wished for in his third guide except her smaller size. We got to meet Mark and see Banta at their graduation on May 28th. It took her a couple of seconds to realize who we were and then she exploded with excitement to see us.

We knew Banta needed just the right kind of handler and Mark is that person. He said, “I think GDB did a perfect job matching Banta and I. As soon as they handed me her leash I fell in love with her, she is a great little girl.” Mark calls her Little Bit and Reina which is Spanish for queen.

[photo: Mark and Banta on the GDB campus with rocks, a willow tree and calla lilies in the background – Banta has turned to the side a little and looking up at Mark]

Banta’s Book – Businesslike

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Businesslike: efficient, practical, capable

The first time someone called Banta a calm dog I was shocked. Then I realized that she indeed had grown into being a calm and businesslike puppy. When out socializing she was so great to work with. She quickly learned what was expected of her and handled everything like a pro. It is amazing what a year of maturing can do.

[photo 1: close-up of Banta laying alertly in our dinning room, photo 2: close-up of Banta as Bill scratches her neck before graduation at GDB, photo 3: Banta standing on the landing looking straight ahead, photo 4: close-up of Banta puppy in training collar with it brass plate with contact information for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Banta’s tattoo#]

Banta’s Book – Bullheaded

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Bullheaded: obstinately opinionated

As a puppy Banta was a challenge. She would sometimes do things just because she could, in kind of a rebellious way. For example on walks she would pick-up something off the sidewalk not because she really wanted it but because you had prevented her from doing something else she wanted to do and it was her way of showing her independence. One thing you didn’t want to get into with Banta was a battle and trying to get something out of her mouth was one of the worst battles. As she matured Banta chose not to be so bullheaded about things and it was rare for her to pick-up something off the ground.

[these photos where taken by photographer Lisa Thompson in a studio setting with a white background – Banta is 5 months old – photo 1: Banta with brown reindeer antlers, with a silver jingle bell tied on with green ribbon, on her head – Banta is looking at the floor with her ears pulled back and down, photo 2: front view of Banta sitting in her puppy jacket – she has a very focused look in her eyes, photo 3: Banta laying on her side with a red Santa hat draped across her head with the white fur ball on the top in her mouth]

Banta’s Book – Bright

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Bright: animated; lively; cheerful

Banta has such a bright and cheerful attitude to life. Her big spirit can fill up not just a room but a whole house. She is a bit of an oxymoron because she doesn’t require lots and lots of sustained exercise like 5 mile walks. But she vibrates at a fairly high frequency. She does things with all her heart and spirit. She enjoys life and gives it all she has.

[photo 1: close-up of Banta with her head turned to the side – her mouth is open with her tongue hanging out, photo 2: close-up of Banta with her tongue curling up to lick her nose, photo 3: Banta on her back with her legs in the air and her body and head twisting in opposite directions, photo 4: close-up of Banta laying on the floor of our family room with her mouth open reaching for a sterilized bone]

Banta’s Book – Breeder

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Breeder: an animal that produces offspring

On November 3rd, 2010 Banta was recalled for breeder evaluations to Guide Dogs for the Blind’s San Rafael campus.

On December 9th we got word that Banta had been “pulled” for breeding but still had final testing to go through before being confirmed as a breeder.

On February 9th, 2011 we finally got word that Banta’s breeding clearances were in and she was officially a breeder.

One week later, on February 16th, we found out that Banta was going to be spayed. It seems her drama queen side came out and she had started to react negatively to needles and other equipment commonly used with breeders and it became clear that they didn’t want to use her as a breeder. Banta, that was a very short career as a breeder!

[photo taken the day Banta was recalled to GDB – photo 1: Bill standing in front of the GDB puppy truck with Banta sitting by his side – the truck has photos of young lab and golden retriever puppies, photo 2 & 3: close up images of Banta in the kennel on the puppy truck – one she is looking to the side the other she is looking straight ahead with a curious look on her face]