December 21st

December 21st has been creating quite a stir most of the year. Considering that the sky hasn't turned on odd color, it's not raining popcorn, and we are all still here it seems only fitting to make the day special somehow so for your reading pleasure today we bring you a poem written by one of our families, and two emails from families with service Dogs from our program.

Dan’s special Delivery

Twa’s the night before Christmas all snowy and white
All the D.A.D’s they were resting before their big flight
And Dan he was saying his final good byes
As he turned around slowly and covered his eyes….

He crouched down beside them as the tears finally came
As he explained to them all they’ll now call you by name
Giving kisses and hugs, to each and every one
He knew that tomorrow his mission was done…

Dan knew deep inside what he was doing was right
As he finished his sleigh to leave before light
He loved them so much and didn’t want them to leave
But raising these D.A.D.’s were so families don’t grieve…

“I Love you so much” he said to them all
As he finished the loading of D.A.D.’s big and small
He got them all in and wrapped them up tight
To protect them from the cold of this Christmas Eve night…

The last one was loaded; Dan stepped in his sleigh
As he grabbed onto the reigns one D.A.D. wanted to play
He put her back in all comfy, cozy and snug
As he prepared to lift off she gave Dan a D.A.D. hug….

The oldest ones have their first flight to remember
To get these puppies home on the 25th of December
The children were all waiting as were husbands and wives
For their D.A.D.’s to come home to save some “D” lives…

Now Malachi, Now Louts! Now Sugar and Belle!
On Archer on Koa! On Angle and Blaze!
To the front of the sleigh to grab all the reigns!
We have to leave now we have to leave fast..
Or Christmas will soon be part of your past..

Where’s Ironhide and Elvis? Dan said loud and clear
As he heard the two barking, they came up on the rear
Protecting the puppies out of instinct for sure
Dan knew right then a there we need a “D” cure…

Through the cold and the wind and the darkest night sky
Dan weaved and he steered as he waved his goodbye
To all of the trainers left there down below
As he flew out of sight it then started to snow…

The puppies were all playing in the sleigh covered white
Hoping to be home by the new Christmas light
Wiggling and rolling and laughing you see
As their Santa, Dan Warren flew over that tree…

And out of the clouds the D.A.D.’s flew through the snow
As the puppies were all barking at the site down below
Ironhide and Elvis knew their job wasn’t done
As they watched the D.A.D. puppies having some fun…

They older one’s knew their destination arrived
As Blaze and the rest saw Dan wiping his eyes
He couldn’t explain, he couldn’t foresee
How the puppies would react to their kids having the “D”…

As he delivered them all with the help of the best
He knew that these children would surely be blessed
When they awoke the next morning they all ran to see
What Santa Dan Warren had for them under their tree…

They snuggled and loved them and promised they would
As they sprang to the window as fast as they could
But out in the distance what did they see
Dan and the D.A.D.‘s flying over the trees…

He finally looked back as his team turned around
And saw the town gathering down there on the ground
Now back to the farm as he waved his good byes
And the children saw this time Dan wiping his eyes….

Written by: Sherry Dillane
Dedicated to: Dan Warren
December 20, 2012
In honor of what he does for his families and our kids!

What an amazing Christmas tale! Now onto the letters! The first one was written by Elvis' family. Elvis is a Diabetic Alert Dog from our program. Elvis' job is to let Kinz's parents know when blood sugars get too high or low. For someone with diabetes this can be crucial for keeping them alive and healthy.
Dan!

Just wanted to tell you and everyone at Warren Retrievers Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hope you all enjoy the holidays and your time with your loved ones! The work you all do matters to so many families!
I didn't set my alarm last night (I have been brave enough to do this here and there), because my alarm is my comfort zone even though Elvis usually (90% of the time) wakes me way before it would go off...but it's all I have had and known since diagnosis 3 years ago, its my "what if".
Elvis continued his job diligently and woke me to 3 different highs, each needing corrections last night/early morning. My New Years resolution is to let go of my alarm and all those fears that come with it that have held me prisoner since diagnosis...hypoglycemia as brought an even larger twist to our routine because Kinz has NEVER woken up to a single low.
We have our boy who alerts all day and night, he is never off duty no matter what...Elvis is the much needed answer to our prayers! never thought I could get to this point. From our heart and home to yours, warm wishes this season to you all!
Sincerely
Jesica and family

WOW! Elvis has certainly been doing the job he was trained for. 

Now our next letter comes from Theo's family, Theo lives with not only a great human family but a wonderful K-9 family as well. Theo has been doing a great job at setting a good example for the other dogs in his home.

Dan,

Theo has matured into an athletic, beautiful, well-behaved young man. He is as smart as a whip, eager to please, loving, and he is without question, my go-to service dog. He is almost 100% perfect on activating our phone system to call for EMS assistance when I am down. As a result, Griffin, our 5-year-old English lab has become much better at the service part of his responsibilities.

Dan, you would be so impressed with both Theo and Abby. They are happy, well-loved, and loving pets and Theo takes his service responsibilities very seriously. He is absolutely stunning to look at—all muscle, a beautiful head, alert eyes, tall, about 80 pounds (but lean—not a bit of fat on him), and a beautiful russet color. Abby is much more shy than Theo but so sweet, smart, and well-behaved. We almost didn’t have to train her; she just learned everything we want her to do by watching our 4 other dogs. Please let us know if you want updated pictures of Theo and Abby—you would be VERY proud as are we. We definitely will be getting our next puppies from Warren Retrievers—no doubt about that! You are so right when you say that Warren Retriever labs respond best to love, training, and good communication. Praise is the path to learning for them.

Happiest of Christmas to you and a blessed New Year,

Carole and Don

We should all try to set such good examples for our peers to follow. Great job Theo!

Well that is it for today, All of us from Service Dogs by Warren retrievers want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you or someone you know could benefit from having a Service Dog for an invisible disability please visit our Contact us page.

To read more information about the types of services our medical alert dogs can provide please Click Here!

To help contribute towards our programs, so another family can get a much needed service dog please Click Here!

Our offices and staff will be on holiday from the close of business on 12/21/2012 

until 1/2/13 at 9:00 am. 

We are so excited to welcome the New Year as our organization continues to grow! 

Be safe and enjoy this time of year!