[nagdu] question about working mya.

[Lori Dent]

Hi Rhonda,

Firstt of all, I want to wish May a very happy 5th birthday. You said she is 
starting to slow down and what kind of helth issues is she having?

My previous dog was a German Shepherd named Leo and he had to be retired at 
the age of five do to having hip dysplaysia and he was slowing down a lot 
and couldn't do the walking like he once did. May will let you know when she 
can't work for you anymore.

Leo got to the point when I got ready to leave the house and I got his leash 
and harness out and come him to me he wouldn't get up and he would turn his 
head away from the harness when I showed it to him and he would totally 
ignore the harness and me. But if I put the harness down and just had the 
leash he was right there. So this was telling me that he didn't want to be 
my guide anymore because he was hurting from his hip dysplaysia but he still 
wanted to go with me or be with me but not as my guide. So I made the hard 
decision after talking with LeaderDogs to retire him after working with him 
for five years.

I would say watch May closely and see if she gives you any indecation that 
she doesn't want to work for you anymore. And if May starts avoiding the 
harness that is a sign. Maybe you can call Pilot and talk to your trainer 
about May's slowing down and any helth issues she is having and then go from 
there weather or not it's getting close to think about retiring her. Good 
luck. Take care.

Lori and the Gipper