[nagdu] Over The Rainbow Bridge

[Tracy Carcione]

Thanks Louise for all your stories about Nate.  I can tell he led a full,
rich life.
Tracy

> Celebration of life for Nayttor Tayttor:
>
> This was written by Nate and Louise Johnson.
>
> Nate was born on November 22, 2002 at GDB California Campus.
>
> I joined my puppy family in February of 2003, and enjoyed my time there. I
> was very well loved and learned a lot with my puppy family.
>
> I arrived back at GDB’S California Campus for my formal training in
> February 2004. My trainer was Darren Walsh who was an apprentice at that
> time.  I learned slowly, but I never forgot what I learned. My training at
> GDb was longer than other guides. I became ready for class when I
> understood what was required of me, as a guide dog.
>
> The first time I was partnered in class, didn’t work out for the two of
> us.  I went back to the kennels to wait for my perfect match.
>
> My time in the kennels was special, as many different ones like trainers,
> staff and volunteers spent countless hours with me. They played with me in
> the paddock, took me for walks, spent time grooming me and gave me the
> love and support I needed.
>
> On January 12, 2005 I was taken back up to the dorm, to meet my new
> partner Louise. The circumstances of her life didn’t allow her to travel
> to class sooner. So I became known as “NATE MATE YOU AIN’T TO LATE”.
>
> I left for guide dogs on January 9 2005. This next few days I wonder what
> dog I would receive and would they become part of my life, and my
> families. On January 12 I received Nate, a black lab, and my life took a
> turn for the better.  I remember picking up the harness for the first
> time, and taking the first walk it felt wonderful, and scary because I
> knew that I had to put my trust into Nate.  Over the next three weeks
> training was very hard, but rewarding there is one story that stands out
> in my memory, as I didn’t know on the last Thursday afternoon before
> graduation, if we were ready to face working at home. This story is hard
> to explain, but please close your eyes and feel my nerves, and what
> happened that afternoon on my mile and half walk.
>
> I was dropped off, and it was a straight walk back to the down town
> lounge, should be an easy walk. When we were walking down the sidewalk it
> was a wonderful feeling that I could go and walk with joy in my heart.  We
> were about half way back when it happened to us. Guide dogs are trained to
> walk on the left side of sidewalks. This makes it easier for them to see
> traffic or people coming toward them. That way they can react if
> necessary.  Nate had a habit of walking on the left side of the sidewalk,
> and he moved over and we went up a little ramp, not steep at all. So I
> didn’t   realize that there would be a problem. He stopped about ten
> steps later, and wouldn’t move. I tried a few times, and I didn’t
> understand why he wouldn’t move, but I put down the harness, and looked
> around.  A few minutes later one of the trainers came up to me, and asked
> me if I wanted any help
> Yes I did but I said no thank you, I have to figure this out for myself,
> and I know there is a simple answer. I felt like I didn’t deserve this
> guide dog, as I couldn’t get him to work for me. I was crying, and I
> wanted to go and hide. I said I don’t deserve this wonderful guide dog,
> because he doesn’t want to work for me. Standing there for the next few
> minutes, I was wondering what I had done wrong. The trainer came back, and
> said one thing can I give you a hint, I said yes. Where is the traffic,
> listen for the cars? I turned and listened for the traffic, and realized
> that it was farther away from my right side then it should be. I turned to
> the trainer and said I am too far to the left of the road, and I am too
> close to the building. I should move closer to the road.  So the trainer
> asked me how I could do this. I looked around and said maybe turn around.
> I could go back and see if my Nate, and I can figure out where we went
> wrong on the last part of the walk, before the problem.  I turned around
> and picked up the harness, and said Nate forward he moved, Joy filled my
> heart.  It started us walking down the little ramp, and I knew what to do.
>  I told Nate left, and we went and found the curb. Then I told Nate to
> turn left, and off we went.  I found out later back at the lounge that I
> had been standing up about two feet from the side walk, and Nate decided
> that he didn’t want me to step off this wall. I arrived at the next
> crossing, the trainer came up and checked up on me. She made sure that I
> was okay, I said please stay near.  I feel shaken, but I still want to
> finish the rest of the walk. She gave me a quick hug and off we went on
> the rest of the route.  That crossing was okay, but the next crossing Nate
> did not cross straight. So we redid it, and then off we went again. We
> were in the last block, when He decided he wanted to stop in a door way. I
> had to encourage him we weren’t stopping for a bagel. So off we go
> again, and turn into the lounge, and went inside, the cheers went up.  My
> Class mates had been informed of what was taking me so long, and the story
> was around there, and the praise and cheer was wonderful.  The class
> supervisor came up to me, and congratulated me and said I believe you are
> ready to go home with Nate. The tears started falling, and I cried very
> hard, and said to her how can you mean this, as this was the worst walk we
> have ever done.  She said no it was your best one, as you figured out how
> to solve your own problems.  I was scared and happy at the same time, and
> glad others thought we were a team. This story is something I always will
> remember, as it taught me so much about myself, and what a guide dog can
> do for us, and a specially  for me.
>
> On February 5, 2005 we graduated from GDB, and my puppy family came to see
> me. I was so happy to see them, and saw many tears of joy that day. I flew
> home that evening with my new handler, as her youngest son was going to
> celebrate his seventh birthday the very next day. I was Dylan’s birthday
> wish. I was sad because I was not able to visit longer with my puppy
> family whom I loved very much.
>
> I Nate over the next few weeks settled in, and became part of their
> family. I enjoyed having kids around to play with. I enjoyed watching them
> play hockey outside, and thought the tennis balls should be mine. Mom
> worked with me out there many afternoons, as I would not listen all the
> time. She did obedience out there and many times she even had to turn our
> backs to the tennis balls as I just wanted them. It took mom most of that
> spring to get me to walk by the hockey, and not want the tennis balls. Mom
> could not ever leave tennis balls in the house where I could find them. I
> did find one here or there, and would chew it up.
>
> This next story is about three guide dogs and three boys, and a slide. Yes
> three dogs taking turns going down the slide, and you know they all
> behaved so well. The boys would take them up the stairs and, then let them
> slide down the slide. Nate was the youngest dog there and really enjoyed
> himself.
>
> My two oldest sons were in a ten K run, called the Vancouver Sun Run that
> spring, and we went into down town Vancouver, and Nate did a wonderful job
> in the crowd that day . We went again the next year to support the boys.
> Nate was my only guide to attend the run.
>
> We worked as a team over that spring and summer, and there were good
> routes and there were hard ones also.
>
> That fall on Nate’s third Birthday we traveled into Vancouver, to pick
> up Dylan’s new glasses. Dylan thought that was very special and still
> remembers that Nate would do that for him. I only had him for one birthday
> and bought him a new bone. Nate did chew Nyla bones in about six to eight
> weeks.
>
> That New Year’s day of 2006, we went to a baseball field that was closed
> in, and all had fun, two guide dogs, and Dylan running around, and Nate
> could have played longer. Nate had been there many times when we could get
> an hour or so without rain that fall and winter.
>
> That spring Nate’s health went downhill and for six weeks he just
> worried me as he wasn’t getting better and I knew something was very
> wrong.
>
> He left to go to see Dr. Patty on May 18 2006, and with the belief that
> they could find the health problem and send him home. Under three weeks
> later he retired do to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
>
> Thank you Nate for being a special part of my family. You gave so much to
> me over 15 months at home with you. You worked very hard to learn what
> places we needed to go. You and I were figuring out many things over this
> time and you taught me so much that today I am a better person for having
> you in my life.
>
> On father’s day that June he returned to his puppy raiser family, and
> has lived with them to this day.
>
> I did go and visit in their home before going back to guide dogs in August
> that year. Nate came to graduation for Hercules, Hawk and Kiara. I also
> had a visit from him on one Sunday when in class with Hawk.
>
> Nate lived a full life with the family, and he became a therapy dog for
> [LAPS] Loving Animals Providing Smiles in Napa, where he encouraged   many
> people.
> Nate gave so much to all he knew and never stopped taking care of people
> in his life time. On August 21, 2015 Nate went over the rainbow bridge and
> he is not in pain any more.
>
> You will be missed Nate, as you were full of life, and kept all on our
> feet. You could play for many hours, and bring a smile to all around you.
> I will remember you had so much energy that was fun to watch you figure
> out how to use it.
> Rest in Peace my special Nayttor tayttor will love you always mom
>
> Louise and princes Kiara who is helping mom through this sad time
>
>
>
>
>
>
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