By Gary Lewandowski

On April 24, 2019, Leader Dog Mom “Trinket” officially became a “Retired Leader Dog Mom!”

She gave the Leader Dog organization four great litters, all so very different but all just fantastic little individual Future Leader Dogs! Some have already gone on to become guide dogs while others have settled into a great life with loving families as career changed dogs, while others are with their puppy raisers or undergoing training now at Leader Dog!

The experience has taught my wife Lori and I patience, and more especially a real appreciation for the miracle of birth and how amazing the natural instincts of these remarkable dogs are.

Being a host family is a lot of work, and yes, there were a couple heartbreaks along the way, which comes with doing this, but weighed against the rewards and the satisfaction of knowing that the efforts can and will make a strong and positive change in someone’s life make the experience invaluable.

The good far outweighed the bad for sure!

So now OUR Trinket will enjoy a great life in our home that will be her forever home, and she will be rewarded with many years of love and spoiling!

Will we host another Leader Dog Mom? Well, if this fantastic experience working with an organization that is so very meaningful in changing the lives or people with blindness is any indication of how we feel and how proud we are to be a part of it, I guess that question has already been answered!

And for those who may be considering becoming a host home for a LD Mom or Dad… you will never regret that decision and the experience! It is indeed life changing and in a very good way!

Photos courtesy of Gary Lewandowski