[NAGDU] tough decisions

Wed Dec 13 22:55:28 UTC 2017

I know it sounds odd, but this makes me feel a little better. My old boy
Irish sometimes has accidents in the morning when he first gets up and we're
getting ready to feed him. He poops sometimes, so now I just put his relief
harness on him and catch his poop so that makes it a lot better for him, he
seems to be doing all right once he gets up and around. His arthrisit or
whatever is the problem with his joints is pretty touch but we have a ramp
for the cars and can use the paratransit lift so that has really extended
his time to be able to work. I tried to retire him a couple months ago but
he started chewing up everything that belongs to me like shoes and cds and
whatever else he could get ahold of and he just got really sad and
withdrawn. I started taking him with me again whenever I can and he just
brightened up so much and doesn't seem to care that it's hard getting up at
times. Fortunately, my life is pretty basic these days just going to and
from work and church and things like that. I guess it's that whole thing
that Sherri mentioned about doing what's best and giving them the best
quality of life that you can. I figure he has worked for me for all these 10
years and been there for whatever I asked, I can make some adjustments for
him so he still feels needed and a part of things, too. I know that's not
always an option for people depending on their situation, too, and that
really makes it hard. Irish will be 13 in January and other than his joints
giving him trouble, his health seems to be quite good. I was concerned that
people might be upset that I still work with my dog, but I've received so
much support and people have really appreciated Irish's desire to still want
to come with me. I think coworkers really missed him when I was leaving him
home and were glad to have him back at work again and I think they
understand better than I expected that I'm not trying to force him to work
and that was a relief to me.

Sherri and Tara, my heart goes out to you with the decisions you have to
make and I know you will do the best for you and for your dogs as well. 

Charlene
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherri Brun via
NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:45 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sherri Brun <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] tough decisions

Thanks so much Tracy.  Bailey has regular poop accidents in the house as
well, but this diarrhea just mortifies her.

Sherri
		The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.  
Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into
reality.

Sherri Brun
flmom2006 at gmail.com
President NFB of Central Florida
NFBF Newsline Marketer
Phone:  1-844-827-7371

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:03 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] tough decisions

Hi Sherry.
Sorry to hear this.  It's bad when your old friend isn't well, and worse
when the vet can't figure it out.  My old gal Echo lost control of her
relieving when she got to be 17.  We tried a diaper, which didn't work very
well.  Then we left a relieving harness, bag attached, on her most of the
time, and that contained things a bit.  And we got pretty good at cleaning
the carpet.  So I feel your pain.
Good luck to you and your old gal.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherri Brun via
NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 1:32 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org; flagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sherri Brun
Subject: [NAGDU] tough decisions

For the past 3 weeks on and off, my now 15-year-old retired guide dog Bailey
has had severe diarrhea to the point where I left her at the vet to be
observed.  I thought she was doing better, but she now has it again.  It is
very frustrating.  She gets so sad when she has an accident and it really
takes work on my part to make sure everything is cleaned up.  I am taking
her to the vet today to see what they say.  They said this time, they will
probably want to run blood work.  The last episode was a bacterial diarrhea.
She has to fast for 24 hours when she gets this.  She doesn't understand why
I haven't fed her today.  I want her to have a good life-what is left of it.
I have had her a long time.  Have not made any final decisions.  I just wish
she would get well.  She is pretty healthy otherwise, aside from some
arthritis, which she takes medication for.  Thank you for letting me vent.

Sherri

                                The National Federation of the Blind knows
that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.
Every day we raise the expectations

of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind
people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what
holds you back.  

Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into
reality.

Sherri Brun

flmom2006 at gmail.com

President NFB of Central Florida

NFBF Newsline Marketer

Phone:  1-844-827-7371

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