[nagdu] Kirby

Julie Phillipson jbrew48 at verizon.net
Fri Jul 15 15:22:26 UTC 2011


oh Meghan what a beautiful tribute to Kirby .  I'm glad she will still be 
able to stay with you.  Good luck with your new pup.
Julie and Viggo
Julie Phillipson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tami Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 10:59 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Kirby


> 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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