Leta
In Advanced Training

A letter from Leta ...

L.E.

Ambler, PA

January 11, 2002

 CCI Headquarters- Northeast Regional Training Center
Farmingdale, NY

To whom it may concern:

I have read with great interest your classified ad seeking puppies interested in pursuing a career as a service dog.  Since your needs match my interests, I thought this letter would give you an opportunity to get acquainted with me. 

I am a gorgeous eight-month old Golden retriever, born on May 16, 2001 in California.  I am the daughter of Novia and Alexander, and have six sisters and one brother.  On July 12, 2001 I came to Live with Susan and Rory in Ambler, PA, where I currently reside.  They are like a mom and dad to me. 

I also have a new sister named Ria, who was in the CCI program for awhile.   She is also a golden retriever and I love her very much.  She is truly my idol!

I also have a cat named Sally whom I absolutely adore.  I love to follow her around when she goes hunting.  We play a game similar to “red light green light” where she’ll stalk, and I’ll stalk, then she turns around and glares at me and I freeze in position.  It is a great deal of fun and I just KNOW she enjoys my company when she’s hunting.  She just doesn’t admit it. 

I am a diligent worker, having been in the workplace since the tender age of nine weeks.  I take the commuter train into Philadelphia each morning, and am by far the best commuter on the train.   I settle into my seat and take a nap until the train reaches my stop.  I have a lovely office on the 17^th floor of a high-rise building in Philadelphia, and am extremely popular with my co-workers.  We have some lively interaction around the coffee machine each morning. 

Being an industrious puppy, I will take on an occasional part-time job, such as being a Reindeer for Santa at the North Pole workshop at my office for the employees’ children on Christmas Eve.  My sister Ria was also a reindeer – we were like a two-dog petting zoo for the children.  Then, Santa suddenly got called away to deal with a production problem in the Toy Workshop, so Ria and I filled in for Santa, posing with the children who got back into line to have their photos taken with us!  I think we were more popular than Santa was, but don’t tell him I said that because I don’t want to get coal in my stocking next year!  

All work and no play makes L.E. a dull dog, as they say.  Work hard, play hard is my motto.  I love sports, and I take my fun seriously.  I am an excellent runner and retriever, and play mean games of both soccer and football.  I love to swim, both at my lake house in southern New York, and at my friend Wendy’s pool near my home.   She invites me and my other CCI friends to enjoy the facilities at her house.  It is like visiting a resort – she pampers us. 

I attend puppy class, primarily with my friends Selby, Fresia, Tiffany and Freeman.  We do lots of fun activities and have contests where we show off our skills.  I love to win the contests.  I try to stay humble, but sometimes it is hard.   Ria is often the “demo-dog” and shows us what we’re supposed to know to move ahead at CCI.  I have learned a lot from Ria, and I admire her very much.

I go to church every week and am a very popular member of the congregation.  I must admit though that I get very sleepy when I enter the sanctuary, and sleep through most sermons.   No offense to our good pastor! 

Although I am not much of a shopper, I do like to peruse the dog food aisle of our local Acme.  Everyone loves me there!  I like to go to restaurants, too.  I usually get preferential treatment. 

Count me in as a firm advocate of education.  I will be lecturing at a local Nursery School and will address a Middle School assembly in the next couple of weeks.  I also participate in a reading program with inner-city first graders and listen patiently to the kids reading.  I also get a lot of pats and hugs from them.  It is good because a lot of these children are afraid of dogs, so I help them to know that they don’t need to be afraid.  I also participated in the SnoopyFest Dog Walk and a CCI Awareness Day. 

When I was only at home for two days, Mom and Dad whisked me off to a CCI function where an auction was held, the proceeds from which directly benefited CCI.   Mom “Shamelessly” hustled me from one bidder to another and because I was just so darn cute, the bidding was very high.   I don’t know if that was exploitation, but it was effective!   

I wear my CCI cape everywhere, so we’ve had lots of opportunities to educate people.   I must say, I do have a touch of “animal magnetism”.  People always stop us to ask what club I belong to.  I get a little tongue-tied at times, so Mom or Dad usually step in to explain about CCI. 

Dad has a truck that I love to ride in.  I can’t wait till I’m old enough because he’s going to teach me how to drive!  I also look forward to getting back to the lake this summer.  I can’t wait to get back into the water and swim and swim and swim.  I’m going to invite all of my CCI friends to come visit me there. 

Well, whom it may concern, I do hope that this introductory letter has given you insight into my life.  I am a happy-go-lucky dog with a genuine zest for life, and also have a face that could melt any heart.  I would be happy to supply references upon request. 

I expect to enter advanced training in August 2002.  I hope we’ll have an opportunity to make something happen.  Have your people call my people.

Sincerely yours,

Leta II

(aka L.E.)

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