Today we are going to be on the bus most of the day travelling back to Athens from Thessolonki. I saw the date and realized today was Pantera's birthday. Pantera was my first guide who died this past March so this is her first birthday she hasn't been here to celebrate with us. She would have been 13 so she lived a great life and worked as my guide for 9 years. As I mentioned, each year she was a guide for her birthday I baked dog bone sugar cookies and used it as an education opportunity to teach about guide dogs throughout the day. A few of my memories with Pantera. I remember ...
When the Olympics came to Utah we loved all the events! Pantera was right there enjoying as well. Pantera seemed to love the challenge of guide work in crowds. We waited in line for 3 hours in Park City to get our berets that were so popular during the Olympics. We have a fun picture with all of us, including Pantera, in our berets.
When Pantera was dog of honor at her puppy raiser's wedding and I was matron of honor! Such a fun memory and special event to share together.
When we were on a family vacation in San Francisco - it was SO hot and Pantera had walked all day ... we arrived to go to the Giants baseball game and got out of the car - she would not budge. She was so tired and the pavement was hot - so we took off her harness and Steve carried her through the parking lot before she got back dressed and walked into the stadium!
When we had a retirement party for her! What a sport. She loved that party and wore her 'retirement' party hat all night and ran to the door and greeted the guests as they arrived. This was unusual for Pantera - she was usually a little more reserved. She knew this party was for her!
When she got into the bread on the counter and then laid there by the remaining evidence!
I remember Pantera for her grace in welcoming Cricket into the home and as my new guide. I was so glad she knew her time had come to retire (it took me a little while longer to admit that!) and became the wise older sister to Cricket. She made bonding to Cricket so easy as she seemed to eloquently pass the harness off and say - its your turn Crickers.
Love ya, Looners (as she was affectionately known around our house.)
The journeys of Becky, blind from retinitis pigmentosa, and her beauitiful guide dogs.
5 comments:
Happy Birthday to Pantera! I'm sure she's watching you having fun out there:)
Thank you so much for posting from Greece! I'd love to go there some day. Sounds like the food is not the ones we have here, huh? I like Greek Salad with feta cheese, but I guess it's not a real Greek food... Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Nikki - Yes, there is definitely a lot of feta cheese and greek salads here!
These dogs...they have no idea, just no idea how much we love them.
I'm sure that Pantera celebrated her birthday in her new home in heaven. Your memories of Pantera brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad that I was able to share in her retirement party. It was a special night for her & she knew it!
Hi
Hope you are having a great time. We have so many great memories of Pantera and the freedom she gave you. Now we have Cricket to thank for helping our girl.
Mom
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