[nagdu] Kirby

[cheryl echevarria]

love and kisses to both you and Kirby. She has been a good dog and companion to you Meghan.

Our prayers at the Echevarria family go to you and your family.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel CST-1018299-10

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, Inc.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Meghan Whalen<mailto:mewhalen at gmail.com> 
  To: nagdu at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org> ; wagdu at nfbwis.org<mailto:wagdu at nfbwis.org> ; buddy-l at yahoogroups.com<mailto:buddy-l at yahoogroups.com> 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 8:24 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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