[nagdu] Retirement and transition between dogs

[Nicole Torcolini]

Lexia is my first guide dog, so I have not gone through  the transition
period. However, I have had times that, for various reasons, I have had to
use the cane instead of taking Lexia. People don't really treat me
differently, but some do ask where Lexia is.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 4:36 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Retirement and transition between dogs

Hi friends,

I hope you all are doing well.  I wanted to give you all an update and ask a
couple of questions.  I have had to make the decision to retire my dog,
Brie, at the end of this year.  She has slowed down so much that I cannot
walk with her comfortably, and she does not seem to want to work.  Actually,
her behavior is misleading.  She wants to work, be with me, go places, but
guiding seems to be difficult for her.  I recently moved to go to grad
school on a larger campus.  I do much more walking per day than she has been
used to.

Since it is November, and I am still working on my application, I may have
to wait until the end of next semester for another dog.  This means that I
will be using the cane full time next semester, and Brie will have to live
with my mom.  I do use the cane from time to time, but using it full time
will probably be a huge change for me.  I am sure that some of you have
experienced.  I can think of many things I will have to get used to in the
transition from nearly full time dog to full time cane use, but if you guys
have any other advice, I would be very interested.  Also, I am wondering...
Did your friends and families treat you differently when you went from using
a dog to a cane?  Weird question, but my nature is to anticipate everything.

Any advice you all might have on this transition would be most welcome.  I
was not expecting to retire Brie this early, but as usual, she made up her
own mind.  :)



--
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National Federation
of the Blind performing arts division secretary, Missouri Association of
Guide dog Users President, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008 "For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."
John 3:16

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