[nagdu] How long is "successful"

[Tracy Carcione]

Meghan, that's a very good poem.
I too had troubles.  My second dog was killed when we were hit by a car, 
going home in an ice storm at night.  He was wonderful, but we only had a 
year together. My third dog could not deal with the stress of my Big City 
lifestyle, and I retired him after about 2 years of trying.  I'd definitely 
put him into the "unsuccessful match" pile.
But, since then, my dogs have had long worklives, and I hope the same for 
you.
Tracy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Meghan Whalen" <mewhalen at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 07, 2013 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] How long is "successful"


>I agree that success is very difficult to define.
>
> Even though I have had four dogs in just under eight years, all of my dogs 
> have been incredibly successful. I mean, they have all done their jobs 
> very well. As far as training goes, they were sound and in no way would I 
> complain. There is then the matter of health/genetic soundness to look at, 
> and in one situation, the Seeing Eye did give me my successor dog for 
> free, because they felt responsible for what had happened.
>
> Jade, my first guide, worked for 19 months. She retired with two different 
> eye conditions. She had panis and corneal spotting. She started startling 
> at obstacles on her left side, and she favored taking the right-hand route 
> whenever possible. Panis is genetic, so TSE gave me my second dog free of 
> charge.
>
> Kirby was also a fantastic guide. She never missed a beat. Sure, we had 
> our typical new dog struggles, but we got through them, and she was such a 
> perfect lady. At about five years of age, I noticed her starting to get 
> shaky and unsure while working at times. I was having to encourage her to 
> work all of the way up into curbs. I guess I just figured it was something 
> with her getting a little older, as she had always been sensitive. I took 
> her in for routine eye exams, and she had cataracts. There was a lot of 
> back and forth and uncertainty as to if they were causing her problems, 
> but her work continued to decline. I admitted to myself that her vision 
> was being compensated when she walked right under several tables at a 
> restaurant and only realized when my arm hit the table. She took all of 
> her mistakes very personally, so it was unfair to ask her to keep working 
> when it was making her so upset every time she made a working error. Kirby 
> retired in July of 2011 when she was about six and a half. I still 
> consider her a success, though. Her cataracts were early onset age 
> related, so I don't really think that was genetics...just bad luck.
>
> Dayton, my third guide was fantastic. I raised and trained him from just 
> twelve weeks of age. We worked together until this March. In December, he 
> was attacked by loose dogs, and he never could really recover. He had been 
> interfered with several times by other dogs, and those times had set him 
> on edge, but positive interactions with other dogs were able to set him 
> back on track. After the attack, though, he was physically ill any time he 
> had to work around other dogs. He was very nervous and afraid to even be 
> in the same room as another well-trained guide. It took him over eight 
> hours to get used to and feel secure about other service dogs who were 
> completely ignoring him. I retired him for many reasons. When I decided to 
> owner-train, I promised myself that I would only work my dog as long as he 
> could behave to the same standard as a well-trained dog from a program. I 
> was never going to use my love for him or the fact that I trained him as 
> an excuse for anything.
>
> I now have Vrona, a little female shepherd from Seeing Eye, and she, too 
> is a wonderful little worker. I see no reason right now why she won't work 
> for years to come. I consider her a successful match. I can't predict the 
> future, and I sure hope that many years of the future have her at my side. 
> I don't think I have the heart to go through another short working career 
> with a dog.
>
> Still, my point is, I had 1 dog who worked for 19 months, 1 for a little 
> over 4 years and 1 for almost 2 years; incredibly short careers, but very 
> successful as far as doing their jobs. Jade could be considered 
> unsuccessful due to genetics, but I still am unsure as to if I wouldn't 
> consider her a success. Jade, Kirby and Dayton probably all would have 
> worked until they were old and grey if circumstances other than their 
> training hadn't gotten in the way.
>
> And, in closing, if you made it this far, here is a poem I recently wrote 
> about all of the transitions I have been through with my dogs.
>
> Here she is, your brand new guide,
> the first to match you stride for stride.
> Her beauty striking, her eyes so kind,
> When she is leading, relax your mind.
> She loves her job, and it is true,
> That through her guiding, she'll love you, too.
> Nineteen short months, too soon goodbye,
> One last hug, you're too strong to cry.
> And here she comes, your second girl,
> all wags and joy, a precious pearl.
> She loves you deeply, you make her complete,
> With grace and dignity, you two will defeat,
> Coast to coast, sidewalk and hall,
> Campus, trails, bustling shopping malls.
> With silken coat and nuzzling nose,
> She walked away, and the door did close.
> He stumbled in with a puppy's tread,
> meant for another, but he was your third instead.
> Your second girl helped you raise him steady and wise,
> and with pride and gusto, he became your eyes.
> You taught him sit, come, stay and down,
> Left, now right, easy, take me around,
> Together you grew into a beautiful team,
> built on deepest love, the reality of a dream.
> And when he left, so young and spry,
> You reached down deep, just one more try,
> so here she is, your number four,
> Young and eager, go more more more!
> Fourth to guide you, but still number one,
> for each team created is a miracle done.
> So hold her close, let her soak up your tears,
> for though she is new, she can feel deep your fears.
> Love her deeply, forever and strong,
> Assure  you both that she comes along,
> for the turning of pages, for the passing of time,
> A decade of devotion, for you're both in your prime.
> Eight short years have passed since that first dog arrived,
> and we know your heart's broken, we know that you strive,
> To not be afraid, to give it your all,
> But always remember that sometimes we fall,
> and your new girl will be there, this eager new pup,
> She'll wait here patiently, and she will pick you back up.
> Together you'll grow, your bond will be tight,
> and with the pair you're becoming, there's no end in site.
> Meghan
>
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