GDUI: Wednesday wind down 1


Today is the last day of the GDUI convention. We took it easy this morning, but that didn’t stop us from being really really tired!

At lunchtime, we went to the GDUI luncheon. We were super lucky with the people at our table, getting to sit with several people we wanted to spend more time with. At our table was Lena who has the most gorgeous German Shepherd Dog, Deb with a beautiful Golden, and Daniella whom we ate dinner with last night, and her GSD. We enjoyed talking with them a lot!

Next we heard a story of a guide dog user who went on a three day hike to the tallest peak in Maine. It was a truly touching story of trust and accomplishment. Awards were next, and finally a closing. It was really a great convention, and we had so much fun and felt very accepted and heard.

We were still exhausted, so we headed up to our room to rest for a couple of hours before we met up with Maria with Lacey, a chocolate lab. We took an adventurous walk to Dinosaur’s BBQ again, and arrived before the crowd. With great food as our guide, we had great conversation. We talked about all kinds of service dog issues, but especially advocacy and some of the history of things that PSDP has been involved with. We had a great time!

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped and got some really great pictures together. They and a few pics of the last session are below. We were again still exhausted, so we headed up to our room, where I promptly fell asleep! I only just now woke up, and am heading to bed as soon as I finish this blog entry! Enjoy the pictures!

A shot of the room during the last session, with about fifty people sitting at tables with loads of dogs underneath tables.
A shot of the room during the last session, with about fifty people sitting at tables with loads of dogs underneath tables.
Veronica, a woman with long brown curly hair, wearing a bright pink and orange dress with ruffles, sits in the luncheon smiling at the camera.  Hestia, a small black and white dog with big googley eyes and a smushed nose wearing a red mesh vest, lies on Veronica's lap with a paw resting on her arm, fast asleep.
Veronica, a woman with long brown curly hair, wearing a bright pink and orange dress with ruffles, sits in the luncheon smiling at the camera. Hestia, a small black and white dog with big googley eyes and a smushed nose wearing a red mesh vest, lies on Veronica’s lap with a paw resting on her arm, fast asleep.
Brad is wearing a very colorful flower shirt, a bright pink blazer, a light blue scarf, and a blue plaid hat.  He sits in his wheelchair at the luncheon, smiling at the camera.
Brad is wearing a very colorful flower shirt, a bright pink blazer, a light blue scarf, and a blue plaid hat. He sits in his wheelchair at the luncheon, smiling at the camera.
Veronica with Hestia and Maria with Lacey stand in front of some large planters with red flowers in them. They each have an arm around the other, Veronica giving a contented smile and Maria a gleeful one.  Maria is a woman with shorter brown hair, wearing a yellow shirt with white flowers on it and a very cute blue sweater with mesh lines across the shoulders.  Lacey is a chocolate lab with a slightly whitened face, wearing a brown guide harness.
Veronica with Hestia and Maria with Lacey stand in front of some large planters with red flowers in them. They each have an arm around the other, Veronica giving a contented smile and Maria a gleeful one. Maria is a woman with shorter brown hair, wearing a yellow shirt with white flowers on it and a very cute blue sweater with mesh lines across the shoulders. Lacey is a chocolate lab with a slightly whitened face, wearing a brown guide harness.
This picture focuses on Hestia and Lacey.  Hestia is looking slightly to her left, mouth slightly ajar.  Lacey is looking into the camera, with her mouth open and her tongue slightly hanging out.  You can see Veronica and Maria's legs next to their respective dogs and "LeaderDog.org" on the chest strap of Lacey's leather harness.
This picture focuses on Hestia and Lacey. Hestia is looking slightly to her left, mouth slightly ajar. Lacey is looking into the camera, with her mouth open and her tongue slightly hanging out. You can see Veronica and Maria’s legs next to their respective dogs and “LeaderDog.org” on the chest strap of Lacey’s leather harness.

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