[nagdu] Kirby

Fri Jul 15 14:59:29 UTC 2011

Meghan,

I am so sorry that Kirby's career has ended so early and that the loss
of sight for her to guide you has been so difficult for her. But she is
blessed to have you to be her friend and care giver for the rest of her
life and to guide her now in blindness while she learns the joy of
simpply being a dog while your Dayton boy steps in to take over te work
of guiding both of you.

Thank you for sharing your tribute to Kirby so beautifully. As I move in
to the post-five part of Mitzi's career and begin to take her for
granted, the stories and emotions of those who are further along that
road than we are always remind me to take time out to appreciate her in
her life and her work for me. And to tell her so!! I know that everyone
who has shared their experience and deep feelings over the retirment of
a cherished guide will make me stronger when the time comes to make that
decision for her, and that will be a good thing for her, too, since I
will be better prepared to make the best decision by having learned so
much.

Best to you and Kirby both in this time of transition. May you have many
years of friendship to come.

Tami

On Tue, 2011-07-12 at 22:22 -0500, Meghan Whalen wrote:
> I'm sorry about Plato...so sorry.  It's never the right time.
> 
> Kirby is only 6.5, but she has cateracs and doesn't do well in dim 
> lighting and can't really see obstacles if they're below her eye level 
> or over her head.  She walks right under tables and only realizes when 
> my wrist colides with the table top, trips over trash can lids, bricks, 
> yard trimmings and other rubble left on sidewalks...and she takes every 
> mistake so so hard.  I can't stand watching her lose more and more 
> confidence in herself.  She will be spoiled for many years to come.
> 
> Thanks again for your message,
> Meghan
> 
> On 7/12/2011 8:35 PM, Mike wrote:
> > 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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> >
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> '
> 
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