[nagdu] Number of DOGS!

[Ken Ace]

I truly appreciate your candor. I have bonded sooo closely to this being I
just can't imagine my life without him. I know how that sounds and I am not
prone to depression, I am a DAV with 50 surgeries under my belt so I can
handle adversity like the rest of us. But this dog is truly special.
Thanks,
K&A

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Buddy Brannan
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 6:36 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Number of DOGS!

So, I'm really not sure why schools are still setting expectations for an
average working life of 8-10 years. If you ere told to expect 10 years,
while this may be something your dog can deliver, I'd say that in general,
this isn't, on average, very realistic. My experience, and informal
observations as long as I've been a guide dog owner, tells me that 6-8 years
is more realistic. While I think 8-10 years may well have been the norm in
days past, a combination of generally softer dogs, plus faster, more hectic
and stressful working conditions, quieter and faster traffic, all contribute
to on average shorter working careers. Both of my previous dogs each worked
roughly 6 and a half years each, and I felt privileged and pleased to have
gotten that amount of service from them. So, just saying, if you get fewer
than 10 years, don't by any means feel cheated. 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Aug 17, 2013, at 6:13 PM, Ken Ace <ken at acenovels.com> wrote:

> I was going to wait till tomorrow to broach this subject but in 
> listening to members I have noticed that several of you are on your 4th,
5th or 6th dog.
> Ace will be four in Jan. and I sincerely hope he out lives me.
> 
> How long have your dogs lasted in service. I was led to believe that I 
> could expect ten good years of service. I am pushing 73 and frankly 
> can't imagine another dog.
> 
> Perhaps I was very lucky in getting Ace because he is very close to
perfect.
> 
> K&A
> 
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