Dear Natarsha

Hello, my name is Griffin and I am the latest recruit for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia. Thank you so much for sponsoring me! I was born in Victoria on the fourth of October 2010 and I'm a Golden Retriever boy. I'm very lucky because as a sponsored puppy I
get to write and tell you all about my training to become a Seeing Eye Dog. I'll also send you photos so you can watch me grow!

Guess what? Seeing Eye Dogs have their 50th Anniversary this year so my siblings ' and I have been named 'the golden anniversary litter'. All seven of us feel so privilegedl

On the 21't of November it was SEDA's Annual Open Day in Kensington Victoria and lots of people came to visit. Being the golden anniversary litter we got lots of attention. Everyone said how cute we were. We had so much fun and tumbled around
all day. We also enjoyed lots of pats, photos and seeing so many wonderful people.

The SEDA team explained to me as pups in training we have our very own dress code. When I'm a little older and I'm out in public I will wear a blue puppy coat with 'L' plates on it to let everyone know I'm in training. I won't be allowed pats or to eat or go to the toilet while I'm wearing it, I'll have to be on my best behaviour - but as soon as it comes off I get to muck about like all pups do. The coat is like practice for being in a harness when I graduate as a Seeing Eye Dog. I'm really looking fonvard to putting on my blue puppy coat - I'm going to feel so important when I'm wearing it!

By the time you read this letter I will have flown to Brisbane in a big plane and setled in with my puppy caring family. They will look after me for the next year or so and will teach me basic commands like 'sit', 'down' and how to eat and toilet on command. I will also have to learn to walk steadily on a lead and even master my right from my left!

I will write again soon and tell you how everything's going. Thank you so much for being my special sponsor it really means a lot to me having someone to share all my new experiences with.

Until next time, big hugs and licks
Griffin