[nagdu] Kirby

[Marion Gwizdala]

Neghhan,
    What a touching post! Your words echoed within me as I remembered making 
the difficult decision to retire my Louiza! All of our guides have a special 
place in our hearts! Give Kirby a scratch behind the ears for Sarge & me!

Peace!
Marion



----- 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 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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