I've suffered depression too, maybe not on your scale, but I have, and its not nice I know. I know I'm going to have to say goodbye to all my dogs, but equally, as I genuinely love dogs, I cant live without one. I was in depression when my last dog died, and only really started to live again when I got Wren. Big hugs though. I'm sure you;ll be able to love another dog, not in the same way perhaps and have many happy memories of the current one. Just enjoy the time you have and face the retirement when it actually comes. When Wren retires, she should be able to stay with us but its not possible for everyone.
Julia----- Original Message ----- From: "Nadine Lattimore" <nadine.lattimore@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <guidedogchat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2014 5:10 PM Subject: [guidedogchat] Re: Retirement Thanks Louise And yes of course Julia we all have to go sometime.It was a big consideration while deciding to go for a dog or not and in the end a very good friend on his eight dog told me I should not restrict what could be before I have even had the chance. Depression is a horrible thing, it warps my emotions and effects every aspect of my life - aspects that even sight does not touch.
And yes I suffered from depression before ever I was blind! Nadine Lattimore
On 1 Feb 2014, at 23:34, "Louise Johnson" <herclouise@xxxxxxx> wrote: Hi retiring a guide dog is one of the things I don't like about having a guide dog. I hate the beginning of working with a new dog as you are thinking that your other dog new the route and many other things you do in your daily life. I am on my fourth guide dog and the last three guide dogs retired for different reasons and I with my first one wasn't even thinking of it. My first son made the choice for me as he had a health issue and I couldn'tkeep Loris my guide dog and I lost a lot of freedom as pushing a baby buggy is hard and using a white cane My third guide dog decided he had enough work and he decided that he didn't want to work for me and Hercules was six and ahalf years old and I thought I still had time to work and enjoy him but he took and said I have had enough of this. Retirement is hard for each guide dog owner and we all have to figure outhow to get through it and it is not easy for us. I hope your dog will workfor a long time yet. I hope you two put in many more miles as a team good luck and if you want a friend to talk to please remember there are friends on this list like me who would gladly help From Louise and Hawk . -----Original Message----- From: guidedogchat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:guidedogchat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of J Kimbell Sent: April 3, 2002 1:31 AM To: guidedogchat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [guidedogchat] Re: Retirement Well, it comes to them all in the end, unfortunately. Just par for the course of keeping dogs of any kind. I had my Border Collie for almost 15years, and when I had to say goodbye to her I was devastated, I tell peopleto try and remember the good and funny times. Its all you c an do. Julia----- Original Message ----- From: "Nadine Lattimore" <nadine.lattimore@xxxxxxxxx>To: <guidedogchat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2014 10:28 PM Subject: [guidedogchat] RetirementI dread it, if I really sit down and think about retiring Q I start to cry.Yes I am a soft soul at the best of times but I think I can safely say I have good reason. Quartz is my first guide dog and the situation in which we came to be a working unit was traumatic. I was sighted until approx 10 years ago, suffering very deeply with depression and not a fan of dogs. When I qualified with Q 5 years ago I was desperately trying to regain my independence by using a guide dog who I knew I would grow to love. But so much more has happened in these intervening years. I have become comfortable in my new skin and am living life not just going through the motions. There are good times and bad, but I no longer compare everything I do to what I could have done. Q turns 7 next month and we are tighter than ever. He travels everywhere possible with me, numerous European trips a year and will be remembered as the 1st Irish Guide dog to attend the Paralympic Games, he is the team mascot and my shadow. In perfect health at present, but I know I will have to start making decisions in the not too distant future. Nadine Lattimore ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.930 / Virus Database: 2425.1.1/5035 - Release Date: 05/31/12 07:34:00 ---This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.http://www.avast.com
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