Opportunity knocks!

It all started when I decided that I would take my guide dog puppy in training with me to the workshop I was delivering to the Ontario Library Association “Super Conference”.

Scarlett is a black, Standard Poodle puppy, and my job as a foster mom is to socialize her, and help her to be the best puppy in training she can be. It's important for her to experience elevators, escalators, crowds, stairs, ramps, loud noises and everything that a disabled person might need a dog guide for.

Scarlett and I got dressed in our finery – hers included the green coat, that identifies her as a guide dog in training. Off we went to the Metro Convention Centre to speak. We arrived a little early so I had a chance to take Scarlett on a walk around the conference centre. We were coming up to a restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel that is attached to the conference centre, it's important that Scarlett learn to move around diners and wait staff. I asked for permission to walk her through the restaurant and when it was given, we began our tour.

Immediately in front of us, was a beautiful young girl in a wheel chair – there was an instant rapport between her and Scarlett. I walked over to the wheel chair and asked Scarlett to sit. Like a well-behaved little girl she did what I asked and waited for me to tell her what she could do next.

The young girl asked if she could pet Scarlett. I told her and Scarlett that it was “okay” and almost immediately the love affair began. Both young ladies were delighted with each others company! There was plenty of petting, lots of hand licking and there was even some snuggling when the young girl got out of her wheel chair and sat on the floor next to Scarlett.

Lauretta Reid is 13 and lives in Orillia she is the Poster Girl for this year's Easter Seal Campaign.

I told Lauretta and her family all about dog guides and how important it is to have foster parents who are willing to socialize the puppy before it goes for formal training.

When I asked Lauretta if there was anything I could do to help her……..she said she would like to train dog guides! I immediately said I would introduce her to my daughter who lives near Orillia, and trains dog guides. Serendipity? Who knows!

I told Lauretta I'd never met a Poster Girl before and she offered to give me an autographed copy of her poster. “Better yet, she said, how about a copy of a book written about her?”

I was thrilled ………..and when I saw that the book was written by Robert Munsch, I was ecstatic. Robert's books have been part of my family since my children were born.

All of a sudden I realized that the gentleman who offered to take a picture of Scarlett and Lauretta was none other than the author Robert Munsch! I couldn't have been more excited!

Opportunity knocked………. I took a dog guide puppy for a walk, met a lovely young lady, an incredibly supportive family, and an amazing author who has been a role model for so many of us who would like to be just like him!

The book is called Zoom and was written by Robert in response to Lauretta's letter asking him to write about a wheel chair.

To Lauretta and her family, and to Robert – many thanks for being part of my walk – it certainly was a journey of discovery!

What a day………I'll be following up with Lauretta, and my daughter has promised to help her realize her dream of becoming a dog guide trainer.

Robert Munsch is the author of more than forty picture books, including, Love You Forever, We Share Everything, Alligator Baby, and More Pies.