In this issue, retirement for a loved friend follow-up, Angela and Barrie welcome their 33rd foster, Motorcycle Ride for Dog Guides a huge success and much more!
Retirement for a loved friend follow-up
As mentioned in the last newsletter, June 1st marked a bitter sweet day for Green Capes, as one of our well known and loved friends officially retired after a full eight years of faithful service.
This month, we are happy to note that Atticus is indeed enjoying his retirement, living with his original foster family where he grew up and enjoying all the perks that retirement brings.
From visiting and playing with old friends, to going for swims in the lake and enjoying daytime naps on the sofa and nightly sleeps in a real bed, Atticus is enjoying every moment.
Below are some images from his first few weeks of retirement, showing Atticus with his friend Lily (a black Lab), running in the park, and enjoying naps in the sun and on the furniture.
“Enjoy your retirement, Atticus. You deserve it!”
Angela and Barrie Watts
39 years, 33 dogs and 3 generations!
Green Capes Lions Club members Angela and Barrie Watts just welcomed their 33rd foster and hopeful future Dog Guide Maddox, an adorable 8-week-old, cream-colored standard poodle!
Maddox is also the third generation that Angela and Barrie have fostered in one poodle line!
They fostered Geneva, born in 2018, who was selected as a breeder (and then fostered by Maureen Walker and Janice Martin, also a Green Capes member). Geneva had 3 litters and a total of 32 puppies (in the M (2022), R (2023) and D (2025) litters), before she retired as a breeder (and was adopted by Janice).
Angela and Barrie also fostered Rufus from the R-litter (who is now a breeder), and Dixie from the D-litter. And little Maddox is the son of Ren from the R-litter!
Dixie is currently in the Hearing Assistance Dog program but was home for a few days while her trainer was on vacation, so she was there to welcome Maddox! And what better time than to also invite Mamma/Grandma Geneva for a 3-generation meetup?
Way to go Angela and Barrie! Congratulations on 39 years of fostering for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, fostering your 33rd future Dog Guide, and 3-generation poodle trifecta!
Thank you for all that you do!
Photos, clockwise from top left:
- Maddox, 8-week-old fluffy sturdy cream standard poodle puppy looking directly at the camera
- From Left to Right sitting in a row, silver standard poodle Geneva, cream standard poodle puppy Maddox and silver standard poodle Dixie
- Two silver standard poodles Dixie and Geneva, lying identically side-by-side, with tongues out, and one front paw out and one front paw curled under
- Angela, seated with Maddox on her lap and Dixie and Geneva sitting in front of her
- Barrie standing and patting Geneva who sits at his feet
- Janice standing holding Maddox, with Dixie and Geneva at her feet
- Maddox playing with Aunt Dixie, while Grandma Geneva relaxes
Motorcycle Ride for Dog Guides a huge success!
In June, Green Capes sponsored the Motorcycle Ride for Dog Guides, presented by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
The scenic motorcycle ride, which took place on June 20th, started at the Oakville training school and ended at the Breslau facility (near Guelph).
Over $42,000was raised, exceeding the $40,000 goal for the event, and the funds will help match more life-changing Dog Guides with those who need them most, empowering freedom, confidence, and independence for individuals across the country.
- Top left: A Dog Guides information booth with a red tablecloth, banners, brochures, and a volunteer in an orange event shirt. A black dog lies on the grass in front of the table.
- Top center: Several of our regular smiling volunteers wearing bright orange Ride for Dog Guides shirts stand and sit behind the registration table displaying hats, forms, and promotional materials.
- Top right: Barrie, a volunteer in an orange Ride for Dog Guides shirt chats with a client in a wheelchair accompanied by a large cream-colored guide dog. A red motorcycle is parked in the background.
- Middle left: Dixie, a large silver standard poodle wearing a green service harness stands beside a very small dog dressed for the ride in a motorcycle jacket and white helmet.
- Middle center: A line of motorcycles led by a silver touring bike leaving Oakville at the start of the ride, with riders wearing helmets and orange shirts.
- Middle right: The oldest rider at 92 years dressed in a black leather jacket and helmet stands beside a white touring motorcycle with a yellow Labrador guide dog wearing a green harness.
- Bottom left: A close-up of Dixie, a silver standard poodle lying on the ground wearing a green Dog Guides vest, next to the Green Capes stand.
- Bottom center: Two guide dogs, a yellow Labrador named Denzel and a black Labrador, rest with their fosters Victoria and Rhianna beneath a red canopy tent at Mohawk, the first stop on the ride.
- Bottom: A large group photo of dozens of participants wearing orange Ride for Dog Guides shirts gathered with motorcycles, guide dogs, volunteers, clients and supporters on a sunny day.
Join the GCLC Team!
Free 2 month trial membership
Are you interested in helping Canadians with disabilities receive the gift of independence, safety and happiness a dog guide brings? Then how about becoming a member of the Green Capes Lions Club, and helping us raise funds in support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides! Not sure if becoming a member is right for you? No problem – you can join the club for free as a trial member for two months, and see what we are all about!
Did you know that there are fewer than 25 full-time members at Green Capes? Anyone is welcome to join, from anywhere in Canada! Most members are past or present puppy raisers, graduates and supporters, and we all work together to help make today’s puppies tomorrow’s Super Heroes!
Green Capes meets monthly via Zoom and currently conducts events in southern Ontario and northeast British Columbia. Not only do we help raise funds in support of Dog Guides, we also work to spread knowledge and awareness about dog guides, and the benefits they bring to Canadians.
For a small annual fee of $97 (pro-rated, if applicable), plus a one-time Lion’s International setup fee of $50 for new memberships, full members are able to host and participate in fundraisers, lead or participate in various club committees and enjoy various fun and exciting members-only Club activities. Full members also have a voice at our monthly and annual member’s meetings, and can vote on various motions that will help guide our future! Members can even run for a position on the Club Executive, and help be a guiding light for the club and our future goals!
There is no better time to join, and a great opportunity to change the life of a person with a disability. Join the Green Capes Lions Club today, and help make today’s puppies tomorrow’s Super Heroes!
If you are interested in joining, just reply to this message and our membership coordinator will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Have a fun and enjoyable summer!