[nagdu] could have, would have, should have

[Shannon Dyer]

Hi, Daniel.

I'm really, really sorry things had to end the way they did. It sounds like you put a lot of effort into trying to make it work, and it's just a shame that it didn't.

As sad as you are, I hope there's a part of you that realizes that you did what you had to do. We depend on our guides to keep us safe, and it doesn't sound like he was capable of doing that. Unfortunately, you were injured because of this.

I can understand why you might not want to go through the experience again. All I can say is to do what you feel is best for you. Please know that good dogs do exist, and it's very possible for you to end up with one.

Shannon and Caroline
Shannon Dyer
Alumni Council Member,
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc
®  and
America's VetDogs®,  The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc ®
Providing "Second Sight" ® since 1946
371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787
Office: 631-930-9000, Toll-free: 866-282-8047
solsticesinger at gmail.com
To make a donation that can change a life...contact the Guide Dog Foundation at
www.guidedog.org 
or America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps at
www.vetdogs.org
Visit us on facebook at: 
www.facebook.com/GuideDogFoundation or www.facebook.com/AmericasVetDogs

On Feb 26, 2012, at 3:16 PM, DJS wrote:

> Hello all,
> 
> 
> 
> I don't know if some of you remember me, but I was a participant in the list
> about 3 years ago. I had the guide dog, Scout. He was the one who ran me
> into my pond, crashed me into the grocery cart and busted my tooth, etc.
> 
> I had 2 trainers out from the school to work with me, but his behavior never
> really got above about a "c". I still kept working with him, because I just
> loved him so much, and he was such a loving dog.
> 
> I always looked past running into an occasional doorway, or a post here and
> there.
> 
> The final straw came last month when we were walking and a truck backed out
> of a driveway on a very busy street and knocked us both out into the street.
> The dog suffered no injuries thank goodness, but I suffered a concussion and
> several bruised ribs.
> 
> As usual, he was not paying attention to what he was doing.
> 
> To make a long story short, the school came and career changed him about 2
> weeks ago.
> 
> I am pretty much devastated.
> 
> I know, and most of you at the time I got him, told me I should return him,
> but did I listen? NO.
> 
> I so wish I had. I feel I have wasted so long a time. I really thought I
> could make it work.
> 
> The trainers kept telling me to work on different techniques, and I did. I
> wanted it to work so badly. Of course when they picked him up, they told me
> it was a total mis-match from the beginning, and that I should never have
> left the school with that dog.
> 
> A lot of good that does now - over 3 and a half years later.
> 
> 
> 
> This has been such a bad experience from the beginning, I don't know if I
> will ever want to go through the experience again.
> 
> 
> 
> I guess I am looking for some words of wisdom from you guys, and some help
> to go through this grief I am feeling at losing my best friend, even though
> he was not the best guide dog. 
> 
> 
> 
> You can be critical of me too, just please not to hard just yet, because I
> am so sad.  I only wish I knew then what I know now.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks for any support.
> 
> 
> 
> Daniel
> 
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