[NAGDU] retiring our guides

[sonfire11 at gmail.com]

My mother's guide worked up until the day before he died. He absolutely
refused to stop working, but still let her know that he was almost done. The
next day, he started to walk out of her bedroom, but never made it. He was
11 years old.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Elizabeth Campbell via
NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 1:19 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Elizabeth Campbell <batescampbell at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] retiring our guides

Hi everyone,

 

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer when it comes time to retire
our guides. I think it depends on one's circumstances.

In my case, my first dog Bates simply refused to work one day shortly after
he turned 9 years old. It was a sudden and sad loss, but he was quite
definite that he no longer wanted to work.

He did not do well left alone and had accidents in my house on several
occasions.

When I got my second guide, I thought things would improve since Bates had
company, at least for part of the day. However, he was very hostile toward
Gabe and would literally chew open Gabe's food bin and gorge himself if I
forgot to close the laundry room door.

I gave Bates to family friends, a couple  from Colorado. Bates thrived in
that environment because the weather was cooler, and the husband had the
beginnings of alzheimers, and Bates was good company for him.

My second dog Gabe had a stroke about three years ago, and I had no choice
but to retire him immediately. He is adjusting to being home by himself for
much of the day, and he never gets in to any mischief in the house. However,
he is starting to have accidents,and this is something I need to address
with my vet.

I do have someone who walks him during the day and makes sure that he gets
outside.

I am now working with my third guide Barbara,and the two get along really
well, they just like competing for my attention.

I don't know if this helps, but these have been my experiences.

 

Best to all.

 

Liz

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