[OAGDU] Dog Update

[Asia Quinones-Evans]

Hello everyone,

I would like to give everyone an update on Greyson. While at Bell camp I
spoke to several other guide dog handlers about their current dogs and past
dogs and asking some questions on retirement.. I have been wanting to know
more information on what to start looking for about possible retirement
weather its Greyson's choice or I make it for him. Through out most of this
year I have noticed Greyson slowing down with his speed on any kind of
walk. He only has been speeding up when he is super excited about a route.
I could say that this could be due to boredom or old age. I noticed that
when I got home from Bell camp Greyson was showing strong signs of
discomfort. I thought it was just his allergies because this is the time of
the year where they get bad. I still have to get him his shot but he made
me very concerned on August 20th which was this past Sunday. He started to
whine with basic movements and he has only done this when he has had a
severe paw injury in the past. On August 22nd  I brought him to the vet's
office and they did an evaluation on him. He is showing crepitus which is
joint cracking or popping in his knees and hips. The vet also stated that
he is showing the beginning signs of arthritis in those joints. The vet
said that he most likely made the beginning of the issues worse laying on
the concrete floors at the camp. I did not know I would have had the offers
  of people to drive me back and forth from the hotel I stayed at the night
before the camp and the night after the camp. If I knew this I would have
brought his memory foam bed. To make him more comfortable the bet
prescribed  Rimadyl. This is an anti inflammatory to give him some relief.
I do not know if he will have to stay on this medicine until he retires or
just until this batch is done and the current irratation is gone. He is on
joint supplements because they are ingredients in his kibble. I have
considered adding some sort of fish oil to give him some more benefits.
This is hard for me to see that he is showing signs of joint discomfort.
Greyson is not even 7 years old. I will keep everyone updated with any
future incidents. He is still showing great enthusiasm to work just with a
slower speed. I do push him hard with lots of college campus work and
several miles walks when I get out in my neighborhood. He is showing great
improvement after being on the medication for several days.

This is even harder to write. I was going to take my old husky Chance to
the vet today because of some health issues he started to show while I was
at Bell camp. This was not successful at all. He did fine for about 2 to 3
blocks and then his walking became so bad I had to start taking stops about
every 6 to 10 feet. I did not even make it 3/4 miles to the vets office
when he layed down on the ground and refused to move. My dad had to come
home anyway due to something that happened at work so he picked up the
three of us. Greyson, Chance and I and brought us back home. I know Chance
is not or has never been a service dog but this is still very hard. I can
write a large story about his background but to put it simply he was a
rescue. I have had him over 11 or 12 years. I know he has lived a great
life from the life he came from. The vet estimates Chance to be around 13
or 14 years old. After talking with my dad we will be putting him down
tomorrow just so he does not keep suffering. My concern after this happens
is how Greyson will act without his best friend around anymore. They have
been great friends since I brought Greyson home over 5 years ago.
-- 
Yours truely,

Asia Quinones-Evans

Phone: 440-670-6509
Email: aevans.nfb at gmail.com


Live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back
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