This was Anna Marie Kaplan and her faithful guide dog, Jetty, 10 years ago. just recently it was time for Jetty to retire and spend the rest of his days sleeping on the couch and getting his belly rubbed. Aaaaaah, the good life!

     It was time for Anna Marie to get a new guide dog, but making the transition was not going to be easy. Some major changes needed to take place, the first being, retiring her current guide dog. "Retiring Jetty was very difficult," said Anna Marie. Guide dogs are such loving companions to their owners they just become part of your life, part of you. "You are so in sync with eachother that you become this six-legged creature."

     Another challenge Anna Marie had was starting from scratch. Hobbs became Anna Marie's new guide dog in November 2007. "He's such a big knucklehead, I just love him!" While she and Hobbs are getting along great, Anna Marie is still feeling a little insecure when it comes to getting around. "It's like starting all over again. I have to get back in the habit of giving commands. Where Jetty would just know to take a right I have to tell Hobbs, 'Right!'"

     It will take some time before Anna Marie and Hobbs both feel confident and secure. In the meantime they will spend time bonding and getting to know eachother. This will make them a great guide dog team.