[nagdu] 2 dogs around the house

[Meghan]

My retired guide could not stand it.  She grew distructive, had accidents in 
the house, howled and was generally miserable.  As time progressed, it got 
worse.  After about two and a half years, my optimism dwindled, and I took a 
realistic look at things.  She was only happy when I was home, and I left 
the house every day.  It was time for her heart to stop breaking, so she is 
now the center of attention with a family a few hours from here.

It broke my heart and completed hers, so I know it was the right decision.

That does not mean I will never keep a retired guide, it just means that 
another home was what was best for Jade.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charlene Ota" <caota at hawaii.rr.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] 2 dogs around the house


> This has really been an interesting topic and people have some good
> experiences and insights. I'm curious if anyone's had a dog that really 
> had
> a hard time after retirement seeing you go out with the new dog and leave
> them behind. I've heard about this happening in the past with some dogs 
> and
> others don't mind.
>
> Charlene
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Steve Johnson
> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:53 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] 2 dogs around the house
>
> Much like Julie, I also have 2 dogs in the house.  I retired my previous
> guide in the summer of 2008, and had similar concerns.  My retired guide 
> is
> now in charge of homeland security and will alarm when something is not
> right.  I was kind of concerned that this habit would carry over to my new
> guide, but so far so good.  They are both black labs, and get along great.
> Although I am pretty sure that he thinks she is a pain in the ass, he
> tolerates her, or at least that is what he tells me!  She does try to get
> him to play, and to this day, there has never been any type of squabble
> between the two, and there actually really good friends!  They especially
> like when their other dog guide friend London comes over to play with 
> them!
>
> It is great that you are asking as I am quite sure you will find a variety
> of responses.  Ultimately, it is up to you.  When I did retire my previous
> guide, I had thought about this and questioned if I did place him outside 
> of
> my home, what might actually happen?  I remember the fact that we are the
> longest relationship and most secure thing in these dog's lives, and it
> really bothered me to think how depressed my best friend might be if I did
> place him out of the home.  Still today, if I am gone out of the house on 
> a
> trip he still nervous awaits me with his puppy sitter, and moans and jumps
> everytime he hears a noise.  This is not meant to persuade you, but to 
> shed
> a little more insight on how so many of us ask similar questions and have
> similar thoughts.
>
> Whatever decision you make, we are all sure it will be the right one for 
> you
> and your family.
>
> Best wishes to you and your pup,
>
> Steve, Misha and Ripley
>
>
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