Leona

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="09a00640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Welcome to Shefaro Borzoi and Boer Goats </B></FONT><B>  </B><A HREF="http://www.shefaro.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.shefaro.net"><U><B> home</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="default.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Special Dogs JKL"><U>Special Dogs JKL</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id162.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jhena"><U>Jhena</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id268.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kiska"><U>Kiska</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyanne"><U>Kyanne</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id176.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lazlo"><U>Lazlo</U></A>   |   <B>Leona</B>   |   <A HREF="id267.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Legalas"><U>Legalas</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id205.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Leonardo"><U>Leonardo</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id265.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lola"><U>Lola</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id266.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lola Rouge"><U>Lola Rouge</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>There is a right way and a wrong way to live with sighthounds.  Learn what not to do click </B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><A HREF="http://www.shefaro.com/windrockgreyhounds" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.shefaro.com/windrockgreyhound"><U><I><B>WINDROCK</B></I></U></A><I><B>.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Leona April 27, 2003</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="106ea8990.jpg" border=0 width="168" height="153" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Leona</I></div> <div> <B>Shefaro Alejandra's Leona</B></div> <div> <B>Annette L.  Riley, California </B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>It all started</B></I> at Shefaro when Leona and littermates were born March 9, 2003, sired by Ch.  Shefaro Amadeo's Rodrigo, out of Ch. Shefaro's Alejandra.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1068902c0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="106a902c0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> April 6, 2003, Leona wrestles with brother, Nickolei.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="106c90b00.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="176" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>June 14, 2003 - Leona</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="11b313ce0.jpg" border=0 width="275" height="206" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> <B>Hijo and Leona in Shefaro Park</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="107640f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Green ear from tattoo ink and sand on her face, Leona's a stunning girl.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="107840540.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="340" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>September 7, 2003</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11b640e90.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="233" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>October 13, 2003</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="11b440f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>October  2003  Leona and </B><B>Hijo</B><B> at Shefaro</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="11e8902c0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="11ea90e50.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="485" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Top - left to right, Sherry, Tracy, Burt</div> <div> Borzoi - Rodriga, Lazlo, Angelica, and Leona. </div> <div> <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Leona"><U><B>Leona</B></U></A> is the first of the Shefaro kids to become a Certified Service and Therapy Borzoi.  I am extremeley proud of her and my alliance with Gentle Giants, Burt and Tracy Ward.   Shefaro Borzoi will not only aspire to greatness in the show ring, but in lifesaving, meaningful work.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="13c190040.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="260" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Leona"><U><B>Leona</B></U></A><B> (Lioness) s Shefaro's first service dog.   Pictured with Annette.   After Annette's service Doberman, Sheena,  passed on, she was looking for a new service dog.  Leona chose Annette while Annette was visiting Gentle Giants.   Leona has moved into Annette's home and heart and is beginning training to become a Certified Therapy Dog.  She will wears a vest designating her status and will accompany Annette wherever she goes.    I am proud to be Leona's breeder and delighted with the new role she will play in Annette's life. </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="13f98c7c0.jpg" border=0 width="396" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B> Leona replaces Annette's beloved Doberman, service and therapy dog, who passed away.  Things that Sheena did are what Leona will be trained and expected to do: </B></div> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>1)  Detect seizures before they happen. Sheena has consistently detected on-coming seizure activity anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes prior to their onset. Sheena's ability to alert me to the onset of a seizure helps afford me the time to get myself to safe place and avoid unnecessary injury during seizure activity.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2)  Retrieval of items such as keys, etc. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3)  Bracing:  I have difficulty in my left side motor skills at times.  Having a tall service dog affords me the security  of bracing when I lose balance. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>4)  The stimulation of my service dog often helps me get back to focus.  I may lose my ability to get my name from my head to signing a check.  Just the stimulation of Sheena when this would happen would bring  me back to full function.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Annette writes:   "To those of us who are challenged in life with a physical, neurological, or emotional disability, our "Service Dogs" are angels sent from heaven...friends who give us joy, hope, and help us live life to the fullest. =)  </B></div> <div> <B>You can also go to websites on Seizure Dogs and look for additional info until I get more formal.  Balance will be Leona’s huge help.  I hope our bond affords her the same intuitiveness as Sheena in the detection of on-coming seizures.  Some are trained, but Sheena was a natural.  I won’t be comparing Leona to Sheena.  They are two completely different angels."</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>(note: the first thing trainers look for in a good</B></div> <div> <B>service dog is PREY DRIVE!!!  That's the key in getting them to fetch,</B></div> <div> <B>respond to treats and commands.)</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="140390970.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="151" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Love between Borzoi and her new Mom. </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1404905e0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="350" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Leona has Annette well trained.  </B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="140590360.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="310" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>It all ended</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>when Leona met Annette, only this ending is a new beginning. </div> <bR> <div> May 23, 2004</div> <bR> <div> Dear Tracy, Burt, and Sherry: </div> <bR> <div>  I just had to write this note to express my gratitude and love for you all.  It all started when my husband, Patrick, and I came to drop off some paperwork on a rescue we were picking up for Tracy and Burt.  Patrick and I had been looking a long and hard for the right companion to take up where my “Sheena” left off.  Sheena was only 7 years old when she was diagnosed with mass cell cancer.  Sadly, Sheena died in November 2003.  I have attached her photo.  </div> <bR> <div> Back to my story on meeting Leona.  Patrick and I arrived at Gentle Giants Rescue to drop off paperwork from a shelter.  Knowing my situation and desire to find another service companion, Tracy brought out a couple of good prospects for us to meet.  I had done some research on the Borzoi and asked Tracy if I could meet the Borzoi gang.  All of the sudden Tracy disappeared into her home.  The next thing I know a beautiful cluster of gazelle like creatures came out of the house running out through the lawn.  It was truly “splendor in the grass.”  They disappeared behind the shrubbery and before I knew it they were all over me with their tender manner of kisses.  I have never experienced anything like a Borzoi welcome in my life.  </div> <bR> <div> I have been so blessed since the moment I met my Leona, or rather the moment Leona chose me.  There are many things you can train a dog to do for a human, but a connection like this is “like finding precious gold.”  It is so very important to have this connection in addition to the proper training that goes along with a service dog.  Having this INCREDIBLE temperament in a dog along with Burt’s, Tracy’s, and Sherry’s daily support, guidance, and availability has been unbelievable.  Sherry’s timely responses to my needs and questions along with her assistance in helping me to understand Leona (and this remarkable breed) has been such a blessing in helping me understand Leona’s needs, and helping Leona to understand mine. </div> <bR> <div> P.S.  Sherry…I wish all breeders would take the time and effort to help their new adoptive families the way you have helped me.  I can tell in Leona that you have worked hard at setting the bar high for the temperament of this breed.  Moreover, you have set the bar high for others to follow in making sure that the quality of life you breed has a quality of life in their new home.  Leona’s temperament was evidenced when she walked into our home and blended right in with her new sisters:  “Sweetness” (our Gentle Giants Rescue - Dane), “Bumper” (our Gentle Giants Rescue - foster Dane), “Hannah Banana” (the wisenheimer Weimaraner), and “Miracle (our sweet Boxer). </div> <bR> <div> Thank all of you so very much…and GOD BLESS!!!</div> <bR> <div> Yours truly,</div> <bR> <div> Annette L. Riley</div> <div> Litigation Support Services Inc.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="14064bec0.jpg" border=0 width="331" height="492" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>A very nice email from another service dog owner.  Thank you Pam Reid for your support and understanding that Borzoi CAN do it all.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>July 2004</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>From: Pam Reid</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>To: Sherry Faye Rodarmor</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Subject:  Re: Service Dogs</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Thanks Sherry,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>You are welcome to reprint what I sent you. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>An interesting aside to the accomplishments is my bitch Brocade.  One day icy day during a snow storm, I was putting the dogs in the run.  I slipped and fell.  Fortunately for me, Brocade was under my hand.  She braced and took my falling weight on her shoulders.  From that moment until the day she died, in every slippery weather condition  Brocade would place herself next to me under my hand -- just in case.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Borzois are truly amazing dogs.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Pam</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Sherry Faye Rodarmor <Shefaro@webtv.net> wrote:</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>    Pam,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    I believe I replied to your email from my computer, but, if not, please</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    forgive me. Thank you for taking the time to email. I am proud of</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Shefaro Borzoi accomplishments and service is another way to showcase</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    how wonderful they truly are.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    I would like to excerpt your email and put it on Leona's page, if you</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    don't mind. I shared it with Leona's "other mothers," Tracy and</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Annette.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    God Bless.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Sherry</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>    Sherry Faye Rodarmor</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Shefaro Borzoi and Boer Goats</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    San Antonio, Texas</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Home State of President George W. Bush</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Home of NBA World Ch. San Antonio Spurs</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Home State of Lance Armstrong 5x Tour de France</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    http://www..shefaro.com</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>    Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 21:17:30 -0700 (PDT)</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    From: Pamela Reid</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Subject: Service Dogs</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    To: shefaro@webtv.net</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>    Hello,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    I thought you would like to know that I had two wonderful borzois in NJ for the last 10 years.  As the Director of a center for people with a wide variety of disabilities I was privileged to bring my Sasha see many people with disabilities: Cerebral Palsy, blind, deaf, wheelchair users, and just about any mental or physical disability you can think of. Sasha was a tall borzoi, but he would crouch when approaching people who were afraid and gently put his head on their laps patiently waiting for them to respond.  Spastic people and people with screeching voices did not affect him.  He simply looked at them with understanding of their true beauty. The beauty, that we often do not see ourselves. People responded with the same understanding.  It was truly a privilege to witness.  Sometimes miracles happen when you least expect them.  Sasha is gone now, but I am thrilled to find that you continue to provide dogs who can give this useful service.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>     </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    I want to applaud your use of your dogs in this kind of work.  The dog deserves the highest praise, the breeder of such a fine animal deserves my respect and the people who receive their affection my admiration..</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Thank you for your efforts in this field.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>     </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    Pam Reid</B></I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Leona and Annette travel to Las Vegas for Annette's son's wedding.  Pictured in a Limo, as it should be for royalty like Leona! </B></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="14bee2b00.jpg" border=0 width="482" height="432" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>