[nagdu] Kirby

[Julie J.]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Miss Kurby!  I hope her 
next years are full of comfort and happiness.

Julie


On 7/12/2011 7:24 PM, Meghan Whalen wrote:
> 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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