sad day for me

Hear Again

Hear Again

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hi everyone,

as some of you may know, i have a 12 year old guide dog named tigger.

we've been together for the past 10 years and she has been a truly wonderful dog -- more than i could ever ask for.

unfortuantely, today i had to make a very difficult decision. i've decided to retire her from guide work due to severe carpal tunnel in my left wrist and the fact that tigger is experiencing "accidents" on a frequent basis.

since it will be at least another month before i train with a new guide dog, i've decided to "semi-retire" her so that i can still use her in public when i need to.

due to the severe carpal tunnel in my left wrist, my next guide dog will be trained to work on my right side. that's going to feel strange, but we'll see how it goes.

just thought i'd let you all know. :(
 
Oh hear again, I'm so sorry. I know that really can hurt, and be a weird/sad experience to get a new guide dog.
 
awww how sad.. i hope the new dog you get will be as close to great as tigger is :)
 
typeingtornado19 said:
Oh hear again, I'm so sorry. I know that really can hurt, and be a weird/sad experience to get a new guide dog.
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thanks, typeingtornado. <hugs> today i feel as if i've lost a part of myself.

i'm so numb right now that i haven't had time to cry, but i'm sure the tears will come.
 
I'm very sorry that you had to make this decision but I'm sure it's all for the best, for you and Tigger.

I hope things go smoothly for you in the transition with your new dog.

When you say that Tigger will be "retired", does that mean you will still keep Tigger as a pet, or does it mean Tigger will be going to a new home?
 
violet said:
awww how sad.. i hope the new dog you get will be as close to great as tigger is :)
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thanks, violet. <hugs> i do too. when my trainer asks me what kind of breed i want for my next guide dog, i'm going to tell him/her a lab. i love labs and was thrilled when i received tigger.
 
Oh boy, with all the bad news going around lately. Webexplorer lost a dog just yesterday as well..
I'm sure Tigger was a great dog. She is trained to work with your left only?
How severe is your CT? Have you looked into getting it relieved?

All things are difficult before they become easy.
 
when tigger is "retired".... what will happen? does she still live with you?
 
Reba said:
I'm very sorry that you had to make this decision but I'm sure it's all for the best, for you and Tigger.

I hope things go smoothly for you in the transition with your new dog.

When you say that Tigger will be "retired", does that mean you will still keep Tigger as a pet, or does it mean Tigger will be going to a new home?
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thanks, reba. <hugs>

when a guide dog is retired, the handler can either keep their dog or place it in a new home.

when my previous guide dog sugar retired, i gave her to an elderly man who lived on the other side of town. what was so nice about that situation was the fact that his wife of 52 years and 11 year old golden retriever died months apart of each other, so it was the perfect time for him to receive sugar.

as far as tigger is concerned, i'm definitely going to keep her as a pet because i can't stand the thought of giving her away. we're too closely bonded. if truth be told, i don't think i'll ever receive another guide dog who was as intelligent and loyal as tigger.

another reason why i want to "semi-retire" her is so that i can continue to have her as a pet. if i choose to "retire" her, it means i will have to find her another home. then again, if it ever came down to that, my sister would gladly take care of her, so at least i know i could continue visiting tigger as often as possible.
 
I'm so sorry to hear that Hear Again. <very sad> Having Tigger guide you must form such a deep bond. I hope that she can at least stay with you as a pet.
 
Hear again, I am sorry to hear about Tigger's retirement. I sure hope you will adjust to the new dog. Will you keep Tigger or will go to a new home? I am a yellow lab lover too, they are so heavy especially males than females. My Lucky dog is 100 lbs. and stands about my height cute dog. It will take time hang in there.
 
Jiro said:
when tigger is "retired".... what will happen? does she still live with you?
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tigger can either live with me or be sent to live with a friend, family member or other person i choose. however, i've already decided that she will stay with me. i don't have the emotional strength to give her up.
 
Hear Again said:
thanks, reba. <hugs>

when a guide dog is retired, the handler can either keep their dog or place it in a new home.

when my previous guide dog sugar retired, i gave her to an elderly man who lived on the other side of town. what was so nice about that situation was the fact that his wife of 52 years and 11 year old golden retriever died months apart of each other, so it was the perfect time for him to receive sugar.

as far as tigger is concerned, i'm definitely going to keep her as a pet because i can't stand the thought of giving her away. we're too closely bonded. if truth be told, i don't think i'll ever receive another guide dog who was as intelligent and loyal as tigger.

another reason why i want to "semi-retire" her is so that i can continue to have her as a pet. if i choose to "retire" her, it means i will have to find her another home. then again, if it ever came down to that, my sister would gladly take care of her, so at least i know i could continue visiting tigger as often as possible.
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oh??? now I see why you're so sad about it... You must find her a home because of conflict with current guide dog?
 
Nika said:
I'm so sorry to hear that Hear Again. <very sad> Having Tigger guide you must form such a deep bond. I hope that she can at least stay with you as a pet.
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thanks, nika. <hugs>

yes, tigger will continue to stay with me as a pet. there's no way i'm giving her up. we're too closely bonded and i don't think i could handle that emotionally.
 
Sorry I didn't see your post. I'm glad you are keeping her as a pet. She sounds like a very sweet dog!
 
Jiro said:
oh??? now I see why you're so sad about it... You must find her a home because of conflict with current guide dog?
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nope. i'm allowed to keep tigger even if i bring another guide dog home. if it turns out that my next guide dog and tigger don't get along, i could always have my sister take care of tigger.
 
Hear Again said:
nope. i'm allowed to keep tigger even if i bring another guide dog home. if it turns out that my next guide dog and tigger don't get along, i could always have my sister take care of tigger.
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ooooh ok then you shouldn't be this sad! at least she'll be with you all the way.
 
Hear Again said:
nope. i'm allowed to keep tigger even if i bring another guide dog home. if it turns out that my next guide dog and tigger don't get along, i could always have my sister take care of tigger.
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Thats cool, even if they didnt get along, at least you could visit a lot.
 
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