[nagdu] could have, would have, should have

[DJS]

Hello all,

 

I don't know if some of you remember me, but I was a participant in the list
about 3 years ago. I had the guide dog, Scout. He was the one who ran me
into my pond, crashed me into the grocery cart and busted my tooth, etc.

I had 2 trainers out from the school to work with me, but his behavior never
really got above about a "c". I still kept working with him, because I just
loved him so much, and he was such a loving dog.

I always looked past running into an occasional doorway, or a post here and
there.

The final straw came last month when we were walking and a truck backed out
of a driveway on a very busy street and knocked us both out into the street.
The dog suffered no injuries thank goodness, but I suffered a concussion and
several bruised ribs.

As usual, he was not paying attention to what he was doing.

To make a long story short, the school came and career changed him about 2
weeks ago.

I am pretty much devastated.

I know, and most of you at the time I got him, told me I should return him,
but did I listen? NO.

I so wish I had. I feel I have wasted so long a time. I really thought I
could make it work.

The trainers kept telling me to work on different techniques, and I did. I
wanted it to work so badly. Of course when they picked him up, they told me
it was a total mis-match from the beginning, and that I should never have
left the school with that dog.

A lot of good that does now - over 3 and a half years later.

 

This has been such a bad experience from the beginning, I don't know if I
will ever want to go through the experience again.

 

I guess I am looking for some words of wisdom from you guys, and some help
to go through this grief I am feeling at losing my best friend, even though
he was not the best guide dog. 

 

You can be critical of me too, just please not to hard just yet, because I
am so sad.  I only wish I knew then what I know now.

 

Thanks for any support.

 

Daniel