<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blind woman reunited with guide dog after having it 'repossessed' <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Anderson Sarasota Herald-Tribune <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>March 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>On the day they took Didi away, a blind woman's world grew even darker. Depression set in, hopelessness, even thoughts that maybe life was not worth living, not without her guide dog and companion of eight years. She had nightmares, attended grief counseling, and for 77 straight days, all she could do was wonder: What is Didi doing right now, this minute, and is she OK? Susan Blake said she was shocked when a representative from Southeastern Guide Dogs showed up at her house in Mount Dora in March and took Didi back to Palmetto. What gave them the right? Actually, they claimed, a contract did.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>According to a document signed by both parties, Southeastern Guide Dogs could repossess' a dog if it is not being properly cared for, and the organization alleged Didi, a black Labrador, was dangerously overweight, sick, needed surgery and was prone to stray from home.. Blake said that, yes, Didi could lose a few, and OK, she was behind on some shots, but otherwise she was fine. Blake said she had not heard from anyone at Southeastern Guide Dogs for a year until the day someone showed up and pulled the dog out of my arms like a suitcase. The organization eventually gave Didi to some people in Lake City, who had raised her as a puppy. They had no right to come into my yard and swoop her up out of my arms,' said Blake. That is theft.' <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>The 66-year-old Blake, who has been visually impaired since being born premature, though she does have some sight, sought the help of an animal attorney in Gainesville named Marcy LaHart. She was able to secure a writ of replevin from a judge, declaring Blake owner of the dog, and it was returned to her on May 20. A final hearing on the matter is set for next month. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>‘We are surprised and concerned about this development, as our priority has been and remains the wellbeing and health of Didi,' said Muffy Lavens, media relations manager at Southeastern Guide Dogs. We are evaluating our options before determining next steps.' <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Marion Gwizdala, an advocate for guide dogs who worked with Blake, said it is possible a lawsuit will be filed in the future against Southeastern Guide Dogs. What we are hoping to do is put Southeastern Guide Dogs and other dog training programs on notice,' said Gwizdala. If you are going to take our dogs away we're not going to sit by idly and let you do it. What they did was cruel and abusive.' <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Everything's not as it was in the relationship, considering the 9-year-old Didi was gone 77 days. Didi is a little hesitant to go to the spot where she was removed, and Blake says she has a fear the dog could be taken away again. But the dog's personality is slowly returning, and she is back to chewing on her teddy bear, chasing her ball and providing a sense of independence to her owner. I keep looking down,' said Blake, and saying, 'I can't believe you're here. I can't believe you're here. It's a miracle. There is a happy ending to this because she's home where she belongs. She's not going out of my sight now.' <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(813) 626-2789<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion.Gwizdala@verizon.net <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>