I had a big day this week! I had an eye exam!
Every year the ACVO (American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) Vision for Animals Foundation offers free eye exams for service and therapy dogs. So this year the Mom Person decided that seeing as how I’m starting to get up in years, so to speak, we might as well take advantage of the offer. And Dr. Beaumont says that I have some beautiful perfect eyes! Yay for me! (I had trouble not laughing when she put on those funny goggle things!)
But the experience put me in mind of my long lost days as an almost Guide Dog and a book that we have that is one of the Mom Person’s favorites that always makes her cry and that she gives to just about everybody she knows. It’s about a Guide Dog puppy. The book is called Through Otis’ Eyes, Lessons from a Guide Dog Puppy. It’s written by Patricia Burlin Kennedy and illustrated by Robert Christie. It was published by Howell Book House in 1998.
This book is kind of an adult picture book, but we have read it with kids of various ages and had some great discussions about the life lessons that it presents. I think that ultimately it is suitable for all ages!
Otis was a guide dog pup that Ms Kennedy raised for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc., a guide dog school in New York. This book is a thoughtful journey through her year with Otis and a look at the things that she learned from him. It begins when Otis is a wee pup with “Through Otis’ eyes I see the wonder and excitement of experiencing the world”. It moves on to “that sometimes the needs of others are greater than my own”. And ends with “Through Otis’ eyes I see that finding a purpose beyond myself makes life truly rich”.
Ms Kennedy is a very wise woman and I think that she had a very special bond with her Otis.
There are 97 pages in this book. On each spread is a simple lesson and a beautiful picture of Otis. And at the end of the book is a list of all the Guide Dog Schools and Associations in the United States. (I know that there are also Guide Dog Schools in other countries around the world). Ms Kennedy and Mr Christie both got it all absolutely right. And the Mom Person is crying right now just thinking about Otis.
So if you don’t mind a few tears, I highly recommend this book!
For more information about guide dogs visit the National Association of Guide Dog Users at their website.
You can find teacher resources and activities about eyes and vision at the American Optometrist Association website.
Be sure and check out more great picture books and resources at Susanna Hill’s!
And now lets see what the world looks like through a guide dogs eyes —
cool post – It’s always neat to see the world through someone else’s eyes. And the book looks like it holds important lessons for us all.
Thanks Ms Heavenrich! I like it when people try to see what a dog’s world is like. I try really hard to understand what life is like for you humans. Sometimes it seems like you make it too hard for yourselves! This is a nice book though and I think that you would like it!
Am tearing up just reading the mom person’s review Rhythm! ‘Through Otis’ Eyes’ reminds me of a book we love here called ‘Life to the Max’ featuring Max the Airedale which is inspiring and beautiful.
Look how sweet you are during your eye exam; you are a legend Rhythm.
You are pretty funny Ms Love! I’m not familiar with Max! I’ll have to look for that book and see what he has to say. Thanks!
I always want to give the guide dogs a hug and I have to remind myself they’re working and we aren’t supposed to touch them. Kudos to all the families who selflessly raise them for others.
That is very true Ms Greenley!! It takes a lot of concentration to be a good working dog. Sometimes it’s hard to resist a welcoming person. It helps if people can respect that and just ignore the workers. The nice thing about my current job is that it’s all about being hugged and petted!!
What a beautiful thing that dogs can ease someone’s pain and guide them through life. Thanks for sharing this one!
You’re welcome Ms Del Boccio! Thanks for stopping by! We dogs love our work as human companions and helpers!
What a fascinating topic. Thanks for sharing this useful book.
Thanks for stopping by Ms Roberts! I think it is a book that all dog people (and maybe non-dog people?) can learn from.
What a fascinating topic. Thanks for sharing this useful book. My 8-year-old was just asking thoughtful questions about blindness yesterday. ‘Can’t wait to tap this resource.
It seems that most kids never see people who are blind and have a hard time understanding what’s going on and what a dog can do to help. I think that a lot of adults are in the same place!
Rhythm, I bet you were an adorable pup just like Otis! I can imagine why your mom gets teary over this one and has stacks of copies for gifts! Glad your eyes are fine!
Thanks Ms Marple! Yes, it’s good to know that I don’t really need those glasses! My eyes are fine! The Mom Person’s eyes — I’m not so sure.
Rhythm – this is a wonderful blog and book recommendation. Glad your peepers checked out okay. My eyes are a different story….I have to keep squinting and moving the page farther away!
haha! peepers! that’s funny! My Mom Person I think is a lot like you maybe — she has glasses all over the house and is always saying – Rhythm! Find my glasses! I just laugh at her. I think you will like this book. And I think it will make you teary.
You were very brave having your eyes checked, R. Sometimes Mom tells me I need my head examined. I don’t think it’s the same thing…..
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Getting the eyes checked was an ok experience! Those ladies were REALLY NICE! And had very yummy treats! And afterwards we went to McDonald’s for french fries! Yummmmm! Those Mom Person’s can be so funny sometimes. You just have to wonder about them.
What a wonderful book! I’m totally sold on it 🙂 Service dogs are amazing, and do so much for people. It’s nice to have a book that helps kids recognize this. LOVE the video!
Thanks Ms Hill! It is a lovely book. That Otis is one cute guy! I’m glad you liked the video. It was a fun find. I think I’m going to find me a camera like that.
Cute! I like the video!
Isn’t that a great video! I sure enjoyed the walk with Alma! I want to get a camera like that and make my own video!
I would LOVE that video, Rhythm!
Beautiful review. Love Guide dogs, and loved the video, thanks.
Thanks Ms Diane! Guide dogs are pretty special animals for sure! Glad you liked the video. I thought it was a fun walk!
This sounds like such a special book. Thanks for sharing it.
We like it a lot at our house. I think you would like it as well! Thanks for stopping by!
What a cool post Rhythm! Glad your eye exam was good. Loved the book selection.
Thanks Ms Tilton! I was worried I might have to get real glasses or something! Whew! It’s a relief that that’s not happening! I think you would like this book!
Great book…great video…and awesome photos! It was fun seeing the world from the eyes of the guide dog…and that is probably how the world looks to small children, being hustled along by parents. 🙂
Thanks Ms Kirkfield! Isn’t that a fun video?! I think that kids and dogs see the world in much the same way.
That is so true! And they are always up for a game of catch or a word of praise. 🙂
Yes indeed!!!