[nagdu] Need advice on dog retirement planning

[Janice Toothman]

Hi Alysha,
I have had to retire my first guide dog due to seizures and health 
concerns at a relatively young age. I wondered if was doing the right 
thing because she still seemed to want to work.  However, the GDF 
expressed concern for not only my safety but also Destiny's if she was 
to have another seizure.  So I made the painful decision that you are 
facing even though she probably could have worked longer if it was not 
for health and safety reasons.

Unfortunately, I just completed an internship and am looking for a job 
and my parents are elderly.  I would love to keep Destiny once I receive 
a new successor dog but it is not possible at this time.

I feel your pain as you contemplate you options and what is best Hammer 
and you in the future.
Janice

On 7/17/2014 7:45 PM, Shannon Dyer via nagdu wrote:
> Hi, Alysha.
>
> This is such a hard thing to have to go through. I've done it twice.
>
> I kept my first guide. My partner took over most of her care, and that worked out really well. We were on opposite schedules, so the dog wasn't alone for long periods of time. This was especially important since she was prone to having seizures.
>
> My second guide went to live with my grandmother after I retired her. The plan was that my grandma would foster her until one of my aunts could take her. Sadly, the Caroline dog died young and never did get to live with my aunt.
>
> I had some trouble having Caroline cared for by my grandmother. She let her gain a lot of weight and didn't groom her. I talked with her about it, and she said she'd try to do better. I think Caroline would have been better off with my aunt. I would have kept her myself, but she was super possessive, and would have been very upset watching me work with a new dog.
>
> I wish you luck with your decision.
>
> Shannon and the Acelet, who hopes his retirement won't come for a long time
> On Jul 17, 2014, at 6:23 PM, Alysha via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I unfortunately think the time is approaching when it will be best for my
>> first guide, Hammer, to retire. He's still healthy, but I've noticed him
>> slowing down a lot and becoming more hesitant and less enthusiastic when he
>> works. Sometimes, I take him for walks off harness with a sighted guide, and
>> he seems to enjoy these outings much more than he does when he has to work.
>> So I'm evaluating my options for what to do when he retires, and I was
>> hoping those of you who have gone through this process before could share
>> how you decided your dog's retirement plans and how it worked out.
>>
>>
>>
>> I've always wanted to keep Hammer for his entire life. I think it would make
>> the process of getting a successor dog a lot less emotionally draining for
>> me, and he would be able to stay in a familiar environment with me. I know
>> with me he will always eat the best food and get the best vet care possible.
>> He is very laid back, and I honestly don't think he would be upset seeing
>> another dog working with me. But I have a full-time job, so he would be
>> alone all day. I would likely have to get a dog walker to come in the middle
>> of the day because he is a frequent reliever. I live in a condo, so I don't
>> have a yard or lots of space for him to run and play. I have two pet birds,
>> and I'm afraid I might be spread a little thin with having the two birds and
>> two dogs.
>>
>>
>>
>> My aunt and uncle have expressed interest in adopting Hammer after he
>> retires. They're huge animal lovers, have a ton of land in Nebraska, and my
>> aunt owns her own accounting business so could take Hammer to the office
>> with her to hang out during the day. After my grandfather passed away, they
>> took care of his elderly dog and were quite patient and good with him until
>> he also passed away. She has a new rescue dog now though who acted
>> aggressively toward Hammer and made him very nervous on our last visit. I'm
>> not sure if the dogs would get used to each other or if it would be a
>> continuing problem. I live in Virginia, so I can't really work on
>> introducing them over time. I know another great family who might be
>> interested in adopting Hammer after retirement, but they work full-time, so
>> Hammer would be alone during the days there too.
>>
>>
>>
>> I just want to do what's best for Hammer, but I'm having a tough time
>> figuring out what that might be! So I'd love to hear your experiences and
>> any advice anyone might have about this huge decision. Thanks for reading!
>>
>>
>>
>> Alysha
>>
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