[OAGDU] Dog Update

[Marianne Denning]

 We had to put one of my guy dogs down and she had a best friend who was just our pet. The pet grieved her loss for a little while but then she made the adjustment. I know it is very hard and I truly understand what you are going through.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 25, 2023, at 1:37 PM, Asia Quinones-Evans via OAGDU <oagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 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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