[nagdu] Kirby

[Meghan Whalen]

Today was one I will not forget anytime soon.  I took a short walk with 
my Kirby, and together, we understood this is too hard for her.  She 
stumbles over objects on the sidewalk and can only safely move us around 
obstacles if they are at her eye level.  Each time she failed to make a 
clearance, she jumped back and tried to self-correct, but she couldn't 
see the obstacles to successfully do so.

I am going to do my best to remember the confidence in her pull as she 
found our driveway on the way home rather than focus on what she 
struggled with.  Our last few steps together in harness were just as 
graceful and confident as every stride we have shared over the years, 
and I am going to hang onto that.

Devastated is an understatement.  She as rarely if ever worked over the 
last month, because I have been in denial, and I didn't want the 
constant reminder that it was time.  I decided today that I would make 
the decision as to if she was fully retired when we arrived back home, 
and sadly, my lady cannot do what she loves anymore.  Our bond is one 
that is so strong that she is at my side whenever I am home.  She is my 
constant shadow, and she longs to be with me when I am away.

This dog has my heart, just as her predecessor and her future successors 
will, though she has her own unique piece of it.  Kirby is the dog who 
taught me to pause and enjoy the little things.  She is the one who 
taught me to work hard and play even more hard.  It is my hope and my 
dream that her retirement will be filled with enough hard play to help 
her not miss her work so much.

Thank you for pairing my footsteps with pawprints for over four years.  
Thank you for soaking my tears in your coat when I felt lost in life.  
Thank you for the many times you refused to go into the street when I 
told you to, because a last minute car blew a light or turned in front 
of us.  Thank you for making it through those first two years together.  
You gave me a run for my money, but all of the work was worth it, 
because in the end, together, we were perfection.  I want you to 
understand that though you are retired, though eventually I will move 
your harness from the hook by the door, I will never let go of the bond 
we share.  No one will ever replace you.  My new guide will do things 
differently, and I will always remember your grace, your kindness, your 
doubtless devotion and faith...I love you Kirby Lee!

Let's hang up the harness, play some fetch, romp at the lake shore and 
race through the sunshine.  You are staying right here beautiful one, 
and I will make your world meaningful again.