[nagdu] Need advice on dog retirement planning

[Alysha]

Hi Janice,
I'm sorry to hear about Destiny's health problems. That would be such a hard
thing to go through, and I wish you and her the best.

Alysha

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Janice Toothman
via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 8:35 PM
To: Shannon Dyer; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Need advice on dog retirement planning

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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