[nagdu] Took Chet for a walk

[Margo and Arrow]

boddy, I know as much as I can know about how that felt for you.  I've been 
through those probably last times, too, and it is bittersweet no matter what 
the reason for the probably the last time is.

those times are wonderful but sad, too.

Margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Buddy Brannan" <buddy at brannan.name>
To: "the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 11:30 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Took Chet for a walk


> Hey y'all,
>
> I did something today that it was probably better that I didn't do, but 
> curiosity had gotten the better of me. Having now done it, I almost, but 
> only almost, wish I hadn't. I took Chet for a walk.
>
> For those who don't know, I retired Chet in October, when it became clear 
> that his work was starting to slip, with a combination of dog distraction 
> issues, anxiety during long car rides, and a general slowing down after 
> just a short time into a walk. Chet's getting kind of bored, and I was 
> wondering how he would react to a walk in harness, you know, for old 
> time's sake.
>
> You know the expression, "The spirit is willing but the body is unable" 
> (or something like that)? This seems to be the case, at least to some 
> extent. When I got the harness, Chet all but dove into it, doing his usual 
> running around in a circle first. And then, we were off. That first block, 
> I was asking myself, "Why did you retire this dog?" We were walking at a 
> good clip, Chet seemed alert, we were both feeling great! But then, we 
> turned the corner, and I remembered. He slowed down. A lot. It was hard 
> not to overstep him. The harness handle just sat in my hand, requiring 
> nearly no grip at all. Even so, Chet avoided obstacles, and I think, 
> though cannot be certain, he spotted a dog in the home stretch, because he 
> started looking off to his left as we were crossing a street, and our 
> course veered that way (toward the parallel street) somewhat--although he 
> made the crossing fine anyhow. When we got home, Chet seemed very, very 
> pleased with himself.
>
> So why do I almost wish I hadn't done this, you might ask? Partly because 
> I know I made the right decision. I expect that his slowing down is making 
> it that much easier for his mind to wander enough for him to be distracted 
> by the things that have always distracted him, namely, four-leggeds coming 
> towards or near us. I also confirmed my suspicion that he would very 
> likely have a very difficult time with another dog doing his job, even 
> though it's one that he cannot do as well anymore as he once did. And 
> mostly, because it reminded me how much I miss working a dog. As if I 
> needed reminding. But man, did it feel great. Kind of bittersweet, though, 
> because it probably is the last time.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40verizon.net