[nagdu] An update on me.

Deanna Lewis DLewis at clovernook.org
Wed Aug 20 12:47:41 UTC 2014


Hi Marion,
Thank you for your message. I am sorry to hear about Kappie, poor thing. Send Merry a hug from me.
Pascal will be going to live with his Grandma (my Mom), so he will be spoiled rotten! They live about 20 minutes from me, so I will be able to see Pascal at least once a week. 
Deanna and Pascal

-----Original Message-----
From: Marion Gwizdala [mailto:blind411 at verizon.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 1:26 PM
To: Deanna Lewis; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: RE: [nagdu] An update on me.

Deanna,
	The decision to retire our dogs is a very emotional, difficult decision. Merry recently retired her guide dog, Kappie, at 6 years old due to a torn CCL. Kappie's spirit is still willing but her flesh is weak! Will you be keeping Pascal with you?

Peace!
Marion



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deanna Lewis via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 9:01 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
(nagdu at nfbnet.org)
Subject: [nagdu] An update on me.

Hi all,
I have some sade news to share.
I am retiring my guide dog, Pascal in a few months. Over the past year or so he has become frightened of things that never used to bother him. Things like loud noises, heavy traffic, flying, thunderstorms, etc. When he gets upset he has these anxiety attacks, where he will either shut down completely, or move very quickly to try to run away from whatever is bothering him. During these, he will also cry out with a whine so loud it's like a scream. Sometimes, when the attacks occur, I can't tell what triggers them. A few days ago, we were waiting at a bus stop and he had one. At first, these things would occur sporadically, but within the last few months, his fears and anxiety issues have increased. I've worked with several trainers and called the school many times. At first his whining appeared to be behavioral, but then it later became a fear response. I've been working him on light duty (no more than a mile a day) and this has helped. I will continue to work him on light duty until  he officially retires.
Honestly, I've been debating retirement for over a year, but I finally filled out the application in June. It's been a roller coaster of emotions, but I finally made the right decision. I applied to Guide Dogs for the Blind and have been accepted for training. Pascal is from Guide Dogs for the Blind as well. I am not sure when my class date will be yet, but hoping before the end of the year, so I can get the new dog settled in before winter really hits. If I do go before the end of the year, I will be going to the Oregon campus, which I hear is very beautiful.
Just wanted to update y'all, and I will keep you posted.

Deanna and soon to be retired, Pascal




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