[nagdu] Belle

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Joy,

Keeping that pact is absolutely heart rending, but it is the right thing to
do.  It is the final gift you can give a beloved friend and partner.  I
still get all teared up when I remember the pets I have had to do that for,
but I can never regret that I did.

Congratulations on your soon-to-be real time 2-year-old.  I always love
hearing of people's adventures with a new partner as they learn each other's
ways and build a whole new guide dog team.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Joy Relton
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 9:43 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Belle

Annalisa,

Thank you for your consideration of my feelings and for caring. No, it
doesn't hurt as much, although I still get tears in my eyes when I think of
her. I miss her very much. But, to be honest, I get tears when I think or
talk about any of my dogs. They all have a very special place in my heart
which they earned. 

Belle was only eight-and-a-half years old. She had a liver disease which
came on very quickly causing her to drop weight, stop eating and become very
listless. We gave her medication to help with the acidity in her stomach but
nothing else was warranted. I make a pack with each of my dogs that I will
give them the most respect and the best care that I can for their life. I
will not prolong their lives or do anything to give them pain for my sake
and there just wasn't anything to be done. It's funny, I used to joke that
she was eight going on two. Now, I'm going to be reminded in real time of
what it's like to be with a two year old. I plan to return within the next
two months but haven't been given that absolute confirmation. I'm already
dreaming about meeting my new partner, but the gender and the breed changes.
This is good because I don't want to get my heart set on a particular breed
or gender. After all, it's not fare to the dog either. They stuck with me
too.  



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of AnnaLisa Anderson
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 7:11 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Belle


Hi Joy,

I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about Belle.  Did she have medical
issues come up?  Pardon my asking, but I'm wondering because I thought she
was still fairly young?  I don't mean to pry, if it's still too painful to
talk about don't feel like you have to answer.

Take care.

AnnaLisa and Sundance



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