[nagdu] Kirby

[Mike]

Hi Megan,
I remember meeting you at convention only a couple of years ago it seems, 
when you had just gotten Kirby and I had my previous dog, Plato.
My heart goes out to you as well. Plato had to be put down before he could 
retire.  It is good to hear that Kirby will be able to enjoy retirement with 
you.
Mike Sivill

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Meghan Whalen" <mewhalen at gmail.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; <wagdu at nfbwis.org>; <buddy-l at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 5:24 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Kirby


> 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.
>
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