[nagdu] 7th anniversary

[Tracy Carcione]

Next week marks 7 years of Benitude!  7 years ago this weekend, I worked 
Echo over to the diner for a nice breakfast, came home, hung up her harness 
for the last time, and took off for The Seeing Eye during a tropical 
rainstorm that ended up knocking down trees and wires at home.  Jim Kuch had 
just started as TSE president.  I think his first official duty was to 
welcome my class. That was quite a class.  2 guys were sent home in disgrace 
for failing to act like civilized adults.  1 dog decided the guide dog gig 
wasn't for him, and showed it by starting a dogfight, and, next day, walking 
up to the edge of a subway platform and looking over the edge.  It was the 
most eventful class I've had since my first class at GDB, where one guy was 
a psycho and physically attacked another guy for turning down the radio.  I 
sure hope my next class isn't quite so full of drama.
Ben and I took a long time to become a good working team, about 2 years. 
And now we're in that sweet spot, where we know each other very well and 
work together as a real team.  Older dogs are the best.  The trouble is, it 
doesn't last as long as I'd like.  Here is where I envy a horse guide's 
longevity.
I'm not telling him, but Ben has totally earned his pension with full 
benefits.  He's entitled to spend his days lying on his back on the bed, if 
he wants, but I hope he will want to give me another year before retiring to 
the lazy life.
Here's to you, my handsome boy!
Tracy