Pantera & Cricket

Today, we are getting to see Pantera's puppy raising family (the Kelloggs/Taylors) at the airport. I am so excited for them to meet Cricket and we will be able to share memories of Pantera together, plus will be able to hear all about their adventures in Australia. Thinking of seeing them again has brought back so many wonderful memories --with them and Pantera. We experienced so many 'firsts' together.


This is one of my favorite pictures of Cricket and Pantera together. Cricket seemed to 'look up' to Pantera as her wise older sister. This is the night before Pantera died. I love this picture for many reasons (except I know that Pantera was in a lot of pain in this picture) . . .first of all this picture just represents the loyalty that these guides have -- they are both looking so lovingly and devoted. After Pantera retired and Cricket joined the family, Pantera bonded further with Steve and stepped back and let Cricket be my guide. She was ready to be retired and so she made the transition to the second guide so much easier for me. Friends who knew Pantera told me . . .she was such a classy dog, she passed on the guide dog title with dignity to Cricket. Pantera was a devoted guide dog and took her job very seriously, and loved being a guide dog. I knew when she quit running to the door at age 11 she was telling me it's time to be done with the work. It was hard to hear that message so I thank her for telling it to me loud and clear. Some words to describe her personality would be: devoted, dedicated, content, mixed with a little bit of stubborness and fun. I wore yellow her last three days with us . . because that was her puppy raiser's favorite color and Pantera brought so much sunshine into my life. Natalie put together such a special tribute for  Pantera when she died in March.