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Walk for Guide Dogs honours a true and special friendship After Francois became visually impaired, due to a stroke after her husâ€" band‘s death in 1998, this "ordinary, but extraordinary woman," as her daughter describes her, was slowly giving up on life. And only after a lot of persuasion from her family and the numerous friends she encountered throughout the years of volâ€" unteering and helping others in the comâ€" munity, did Francois apply for a dog guide with Lions Association of Canada. Despite her low hopes that she‘d be granted a dog because of her age and a long waiting list, the association came through and, free of charge, presented Francois with a perfect companion. Grades one & two and Grades five & six attend in the mornings from 8:30 to 11:30. Grades three & four and Grades seven & eight attend in the afterâ€" noons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. HeadStarte School fills by middle of June. Early registration is recommended. Early registration discounts apply â€" May($525), June($550), July($575), Aug.($600). , ® St. Jude‘s Tutoring School â€" 888â€"6620 Five months after applying, Francois met threeâ€"yearâ€"old golden retriever Clementine, and the story of their unique friendship unfolded. "People from the Lions Association preâ€" dicted it would take mom and Clementine about six months to bond, but they clicked instantaneously," remembers Francois‘ daughter Mary Lou Perreault. "There was a whole difference in my mom‘s attitude. Clemmie, as mom called her, knew she was meant to be with mom." She first learned basic skills during her first year with a foster family. Then she passed through a sixâ€"month training proâ€" gram in Oakville, one of the Lions Associaâ€" tion of Canada‘s breeding kennels and the training centres. Finally, many months and thousands of dollars later, she was ready to polish up her skills, which would meet Francois specific needs. n only one year, they developed a bond Ilhal even some lifelong friends don‘t experience. Clementine guided Rita Francois from her lonely world of helplessness to the path of happiness and independence. In return, Francois gave Clementine a purpose in life. Clementine had been intensively preparing for this fellowship ever since she was a puppy. O s â€" Lions Association of Canada provides all the dogs guides â€" whose training costs range anywhere from $4,000 for each hearâ€" ing dog guide, to over $6,000 for a canine vision Canada dog, to about $10,000 for a special skills dog â€" free of charge. _ And Clementine proved the cost of her training was worth every penny. But besides operating light switches and doors, retrieving items for her, helping Francois move and activating her life alert system, Clementine demonstrated the capability of giving a priceless friendship that left everyone stunned even at the end of Francois‘ life. "After mom‘s last fall, Clemmie was in the hospital with her 24 hours of every day. When mom died, she jumped on her bed, register by phone, by mail, on line (stjudes.com), or in person at 420 Weber St. N, Waterloo, across from St. David HS Aug. 6 to Aug. 30 â€" A four week/half day academic preparation for the new school year August Head Starts School licked her hands several times and placed her head on mom‘s chest with a big sigh that said, ‘It‘s over now,‘" Perreault recalls, pausing for a moment to fight back tears as the memories of her mother‘s death unfold. But, as Clementine gently leans her golden head on Perreault‘s knee, her lips curve into a weak smile and she slowly conâ€" tinues. "At mom‘s funeral, Clemmie put her paws on mom‘s coffin several times, like she was saying, ‘You‘re really not coming back,‘" says Perreault. Like a meteor that lights up the sky for a moment before it diminishes, leaving a long track of light behind, Francois‘ short friendship with Clementine is now glowing in the memory of her family and numerous friends. It motivated a group of dedicated people to organize a fundraising event Walk for Dog Guides in Memory of Rita Francois. "After mom‘s death, I called Lions Assoâ€" ciation of Canada and asked if we could keep Clemmie. We were so grateful they allowed us to adopt her, we decided to help them by fundraising. "We have a lot of interest, a lot of supâ€" port," says Perreault, the walk director. "Our sponsors are just great. They are: Ralston Purina, Schneider‘s, Home Hardware, Westâ€" Jeanâ€"Luc Perreault and Clementine will participate in the Walk for Guide Dogs, which takes place June 9 in Waterloo Park. samia cusota moto In the ashes of their unique fellowship, a new hope has been born. LIFESTYLE Attendants of the walk and their fourâ€" legged friends will have an opportunity to see a dog trainer in the act, participate in dog contests, take photos, see an antique police car and fire truck with a dalmatian. ern Bakers, Kitchener Beverages... I hope I‘m not forgetting anyone." _ The event is scheduled for June 9 in Waterloo Park. A hot air balloon ride for two, a 50â€"piece tool set, clocks, doggie bags, radios, teleâ€" phones and gift certificates, are only some of the prizes available for all the particiâ€" pants. "Because this is for dogs, they will also be entered in the draw for prizes. Dogs will also get yellow and purple bandanas," explains Perreault. Perreault said the goal of the walk is to give an opportunity to one more person in need to experience the special bond, friendship and unconditional love dog guides have to offer. The walk will take place at the Waterloo Park hospitality area (enter off Westmount Road). Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. _ "Of course, we hope to raise more than that. But our goal is to help at least one perâ€" son gain independence. "One person who will never walk again," says Perreault. Waterloo Collegiate Institute is holdâ€" ing a fashion show tonight entitled Perâ€" spectives starting at 8 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets can be purchased for $5 by calling 747â€"1567 and leaving a message with your name, and the number of tickets you would like to purchase. More than 4,000 students from Waterloo Region and Wellington Counâ€" ty will be visiting Doon Heritage Crossâ€" roads this week for the seventh annual Waterlooâ€"Wellington Children‘s Groundwater Festival. The event will run from 5â€"8 p.m. at the school, located at 323 Keats Way in Waterloo. The fashion show will feature clothâ€" ing from local independently owned businesses including Gloss, Cadence, Quest, Speed, Revival Erban Corner, Green Monkey, Boardwalk, The Other 5 Toes, Red Coral, Mycal Phyillips and Kindred Spirits, as well as clothing made by WCI fashion students. With the help, support and involveâ€" ment of many community businesses, local corporations, secondary schools and postâ€"secondary institutions this weekâ€"long educational festival provides students with a handsâ€"on interactive learning environment. Activities, demonstrations and displays will chalâ€" lenge both children and adults to conâ€" sider the source and importance of water to themselves, their society and the natural environment. Visitors are welcome and encourâ€" aged to take part in the festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular admission applies. The event will include food, games, as well as a silent auction with items ranging from restaurant meals, to a Lazy Boy recliner, to a custom home design. There will also be a penny auction, carnival games and a used book, video and puzzle sale. Food will include pizza, hot dogs, cotton candy, frozen yogurt and baked goods. Krispy Kreme doughnuts will also be sold for $6 per dozen. Keatsway public school will hold a community Fun Fair June 6. Students get wet at Doon Crossroads WCI students host fashion show svirot, i0 onz pomigg in Waterioo mazybpa s r:" u a a Ask for details WATERLOO NORTH . Northfield at the Parkway | 0.9 Keatsway school holds fun fair |°/o FINANCING ww waterloomazda.com