[nagdu] 7 years ago...

[Natalie]

What an awesome tribute to Nixon, Jen.  Others are right; the new dog will 
be in your hands in a minute.
Best,
Nat and Liam Joshua

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jen&Nixon" <jenandnixon at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 1:27 PM
Subject: [nagdu] 7 years ago...


> It is a special day tomorrow, Nixon and I celebrate 7 years together. It 
> is
> hard to believe it was that long ago!
>
> He walked across the stage with me for my college graduation, acted as 
> ring
> bearer for my sister's wedding, traveled to the US once a year, started 
> the
> pet sitting business together, bring comfort to clients at my volunteer 
> job
> at Red Cross, saved my life from "evil" cars, jumped on his puppy raiser
> when I went to visit them, sleeping upright at restaurants not caring in 
> the
> world showing off his "parts" (LOL!), halloween dress-up contest winner as
> angels, Cougars hockey games, setting off fire alarms at college (he
> accidentally leaned against fire door while waiting to go into class),
> chocolate escapades, "lumpectomy" surgeries, swimming at Forest for the
> World, many bus rides, newspaper appearances, TV show taping for Red 
> Cross,
> sleeping through job interviews, barking in his sleep at Toastmasters, 
> visit
> to ER at California campus during alumni board of directors meeting and
> sleeping in the director of training office while getting my dislocated
> shoulder back in place, sleeping at weekly bowling leagues, and lastly, 
> his
> overflowing bandanna wardrobe!
>
> Nixon is and has so many wonderful friends in Prince George and many will
> miss him around town, including staff and volunteers at Red Cross, Tim
> Hortons, my doctors, bowling alley, past toastmasters meetings, city 
> council
> sub-committees, college, etc.
>
> He seems to be enjoying retirement, despite confusion yesterday morning 
> when
> I went to work. Mom took him on an off-leash walk behind our countryside
> property. He never felt so thrilling to get to sniff anything, including 
> all
> his pee-mail. He is still, at this moment, sleeping in on my bed and it is
> past 12 noon!
>
> I'll never forget the feeling when I got Nixon. Sadness, as I was going
> through the motions of "second-dog syndrome"... thinking, as we sat down 
> on
> the floor together in my dorm room, him staring at me: "Who the #%$#% are
> you? Why am I not back in the kennel with my buddies?" I just teared up.
> Something must've clicked the following morning, and the thrilling feeling
> of the first walk.... I will never for get, only after a block, "Here you 
> go
> Jen, you are on your own..." It seemed like we've been together for years!
> We sailed along the streets of Gresham smoothly!
>
> I will be purchasing a brand new collar for Nixon, hopefully I can find
> something stylish for him and get a new tag, "I'm happily retired!"
>
> Okay, I'm going to close this before I tear up. It is a happy day, but 
> also
> sad, as I start the journey back to using "Pete" until I await news on my
> class date.
>
> Jen, soon-to-be retiring Nixon, and Mystery Guide Dog #3
> Pampered Critters Pet and House Sitting Services
> Prince George, BC
> pamperedcritters at gmail.com / www.pamperedcritters.ca
> <http://www.pamperedcritters.ca/>
> "Like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pamperedcritters
>
>
>
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