June 28, 2005 - 10:49 PM
Four weeks ago today, I was introduced to a sweet four-legged German Shepherd named Geneva. I met her with high hopes, big dreams and lots of wonderment.
Hopes that she would be a good match for me. Dreams that we would be right for each other, a good team, together for a long time to come. And all the
time wondering how it would all unfold. How would her transition be? Would our other dogs accept her? Would I be able to love her as I have loved my
dogs in the past? Would I find it easy to trust her and work with her? Would she want to work for me? Would she be happy here? Would she love me?
And so the wondering went on and on.
And then I took that harness in my hand for the first time and gave her the first command, "Geneva, forward." And away we went with all my wondering left
behind me and all my hopes and dreams getting stronger. It has been a magical four weeks. Yes, we are still growing as a team, and I know from past experience
that this process will continue over the next ten months or so. But we are getting stronger every day. I know Geneva loves me as much as I love her.
I think she's truly happy here, and if her wagging tail could be her smile, she's smiling darn near all the time.
This past weekend, Geneva had her first experience of me leaving her behind at home for more than just a couple of minutes while I take another dog outside.
This time it was for nearly 8 hours while my daughters and I went to a country music concert at the Tacoma Dome. We went to see Blaine Larson (a local
guy who's making it big), Gretchen Wilson (the Red Neck Woman of country who has a raw yet beautiful singing voice which I just love) and Kenny Chesney
(proving to us Saturday night why he's won Entertainer of the Year the past 2 years at the ACM awards). While I was gone, Geneva never whined, ate her
dinner, went outside and did her business for Lyle, and was just a good girl the whole time. Oh yes, she was very happy to see me when I got home, but
I was thrilled to know that she was fine without me too. smile
Prior to the concert on Saturday, Lyle, the girls and I went to a friend's home for their open house. They have built their retirement home on the peninsula
about 10 miles the other side of the Hood Canal Bridge. So this was a big driving day for Amelia, but she did great and we had a nice time.
I've learned that Geneva is not real fond of clothes shopping for me. But I have to admit that when we hit 3 hours in the same store, I was nearing the
end of my patience too. We ended up being there for just under 4 hours, got some good deals and I think we were all happy when we finally walked out the
door.
Today, Nick came out to work with Geneva and I on using the Gentle Leader (also known as a head collar). This is an optional tool to use especially for
high distraction areas and since we'll be at the ACB convention all next week in Las Vegas, I wanted to feel comfortable with using it before I was thrown
into needing it. I don't know if I will next week, but if I do, I'm ready now. Nick made sure it was fitted to Geneva properly, and although she didn't
like wearing it much, she worked fine in it and I got a good feel for how it feels from the handlers perspective. Nick was only here about an hour, but
in that time, we walked around the block here in the park and then walked inside of Walmart where there were more distractions. Oh yes, he did treat me
to a Latte on the way back to my house, so all and all it was a very productive morning.
Now I have a little side news to share. When I spoke with the McDermott's a little over a week ago, knowing the great loss they have experienced by Geneva
being placed back into the training program and now being with me, I had encouraged Nancy to consider taking in a career changed dog from GDB. This way
they would have a pet for the rest of his/her life and not have to worry about it being taken back, and a dog that was intended to be a guide dog but for
whatever reason couldn't be, would then have a good home. Of course, deep down I'd hoped that somehow Spud would make it to their home. And although
that didn't happen, I have learned from the Frisbie's, Geneva's puppy-raisers, that the McDermott's now have a 17-month-old, male, Yellow Lab named Ryder.
I am so thrilled for this family and for Ryder, and I pray that somehow Katie and her parents will see the important role they are now playing by giving
Ryder a permanent home and a purpose, and that they will be able to find some closure with their loss of Geneva, feeling confident and at peace that she
is now where she belongs, with me as my guide.
I am so amazed by God's goodness, even though I shouldn't be. He sees us through the hurts and pains and reminds us that He is always in control as he
provides us the needed strength to make it through those times and prepares us for the bigger plan He has for us. I could have never known when I was
making the tough decision to send Spud back that Geneva was being missed by another family as she trained to become my guide dog, and that Ryder would
need a caring home from a family that needed him too. I have a feeling there's much more to this story than any of us will ever know, but it is all a
constant reminder how everything we do effects other people and how we're effected by the events that take place in our lives, etc.
Okay, enough philosophizing for now. I'll just end this by saying, Praise God for every little and big blessing He has given me.
Hugs & wags (AKA smiles),
Cindy & Geneva
