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Day 59

  • Writer: patti brehler
    patti brehler
  • Jun 3, 2021
  • 2 min read

August 6, 2016

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Karen's house and puppy camp

Even though my sleeping bag swaddled me, I was not on the ground. Sleep was gentle, considering I had two glasses of wine the night before. Or, maybe, because of.


My original FB post:

Postcard from the road. Eau Claire, WI. Saturday, August 6, 2016

The a-frame camper Karen Voss set up for me to stay in feels like the Taj Mahal. And for the second night in a row, there was no end to fajitas, cheese and crackers, corn on the cob, guacamole, and more. If I stay here any longer I'll need to ride another 1000 miles just to work off the food.

My arrival coincided with the 3rd annual "puppy camp" put on by a group of Wisconsin and Minnesota Leader Dogs for the Blind puppy counselors. Eighteen puppies and more than 36 volunteers gathered to learn positive training skills to help their Future Leader Dog puppies succeed.

It was a fun halfway-house-like partial transition to "real life" off the road. I'll be home by next weekend...


A large group of people and Future Leader Dog puppies in training post in a large training facility.
2016 Puppy Camp!
Two women stand on either side of a young yellow lab dog wearing a blue jacket. The woman on the right is leaning over to pet the puppy. In the foreground are a couple people sitting in chairs watching, and an older yellow lab wearing the same blue jacket lying on the floor.
Practicing meet and greets.

A man wearing a green shirt leans to the right to feed a yellow dog a treat. the dog has its front paws on a narrow platform.
Platform work.
A woman wearing a lime green shirt bends over to coax a young black lab into an airline crate. There are other people with dogs behind them.
Crate and separation training.

A woman leans forward, luring a small black lab puppy between two rows of white chairs. Underneath the chairs are things like stuffed animals and bags of popcorn.
Negotiating a movie theater aisle.
A young woman walks between a line of blue cones with a black lab wearing a blue jacket. The lab is licking his nose. A woman stands in the background.
Loose leash walking between cones.

A woman wearing a black shirt walks with a black lab toward the camera and a small red cone. A stuffed dog is to the left.
Loose leash with distractions. I'm one!
A woman leads a yellow labe to a table with plastic bins on the right. She is in stocking feet. Several other women are in the background in a line.
Going through an airline security check.

A close up shot of a German Shepherd dog asleep on a floor.
How I felt, too, by the end of the day!
Two women stand to the left in front of a group of people sitting on folding chairs with puppies on the floor next to them.
Great job Deb and Karen!

My feeding at dinner after a long day of puppy training was less frenzied. I skipped the wine. In between platefuls, the group pumped me for details behind some of my Facebook "postcards from the road." The black bear strolling along a northern Wisconsin back road was a favorite, as was my chance rescue by the superintendent of schools in Simms, Montana.


[Again, you'll need to read the book for full details!]


Most of the group were leaving in the morning. One of the counselors, Beverly, was hosting another training session for her local puppy group the next day, with Deb helping.


A selfie of eight women with huge smiles.
Selfie with the counselors staying at Karen's house. Rocks stars all!

When Karen said she was staying home, I decided to spend another day with her. We are connecting.


A selfie of three women, all wearing glasses and blue shirts!
Selfie with Karen and Deb. We match!

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