[Flagdu] facing a loss

[Sherri]

Hello all,

I hope cross-posting is allowed and apologize if it isn't, but I don't think 
I can write these words more than one time.

I am writing because all of you who currently have or have had a guide dog 
or have puppy-raised one understand this like no one else can.

My dog Bailey, who turned 11 last October was diagnosed with a growth near 
her anal area. You know, they say check your dogs, but I never thought about 
checking there! Anyway, they got her in for surgery today. The vet says the 
growth looks suspicious, but won't know for sure until we get the pathology 
report back in about a week.

If you don't own a guide dog, or if you haven't puppy-raised one, then you 
cannot begin to understand the depth of the pain I am feeling right now. 
Bailey is such a good and loving dog. She still seems in really good health. 
Her senior blood work was good. She has no cataracts. She can still climb 
stairs and when it is cold, she jumps up on my bed without any difficulty. 
She still loves to go for walks and recently handled our NFBF convention 
flawlessly. My roommate and I always called our dogs "silly", because they 
both had an element of mischief about them and Bailey still does. She still 
has that puppy look in her eyes. She has done so much for me, but more 
important than any guiding she has done, she has truly been devoted to me 
and such a good friend.

The vet says that she has been surprised before, but expects this mass to 
come back malignant. My family says I shouldn't worry until I know 
something, but I had to have my previous 2 guide dogs put to sleep and I 
just don't know how I can do it again! I will go pick her up at the vet 
later this afternoon. She is coming out of her anesthesia. (She didn't 
understand why she didn't get breakfast this morning.)

I so much appreciate the time you have taken to read this post. I am hoping 
and praying the vet is wrong! Thank you for being there for me.
Sherri and my wonderful yello lab Bailey

Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one 
is paying attention.
Sherri Brun
NFBF Newsline Chair
flmom2006 at gmail.com