My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Thursday, May 13, 2010

As Children, What a Guide Dog means ...

Natalie and Kendall were 12 and 10 when I received my first guide, Pantera. Adam joined our family shortly after I received Cricket.
From Natalie : Having a guide dog in our family has meant a worry-free life. It has made our family more 'normal'. I honestly don't worry about my mom, I can drop her off at the airport and pull away from the curb, knowing that she'll find her way safely to the gate. I can meet my mom for lunch and know that she'll navigate through crowds just fine. I feel like my mom is able to be who she wants to be because of the dog.

From Kendall: It is great that my mom has freedom and confidence thanks to a guide dog. She doesn't walk into stop signs anymore :D.

From Adam (married to Natalie):
I married into this guide dog family, which means I came late in the game, and was frankly ignorant about what it meant to have a guide dog. However the learning curve is small, and with patience from my wife and her family in answering many questions, I now have a greater understanding and feel a small connection to Cricket. Having a guide dog in the family means watching a miracle. I tend to watch Cricket work more than I watch my own surroundings when I walk. I watch Cricket be the eyes of someone else, but more so, I watch my mother-in-law be braver and more resilient than anyone I have ever known. This I know for certain, a guide dog means always been licked when the dog is off harness, it means listening to people talk about Cricket as I walk through the mall, and it means being a better person for having joined the family.

7 comments:

Beth and Alfie said...

You have such a neat family - and it's neat to hear their take on Cricket's very special place as a part of that family. What a blessing!

Lacey said...

What a wonderful tribute to you and your guide dogs. It truly is a miracle and such a blessing in everyone's life. Your family is so beautiful and supportive. Love you!

Clive said...

It is lovely to hear from your family about how important and special it has been for them all - having a Guide Dog around them working with their Mom.

Lovely post.

- Fiona

Infrequent Flyers said...

It's so interesting to hear their perspectives--and to think about the ages at which they were introduced to guide dogs. To Natalie and Kendall, having a guide dog in the family is probably a natural part of their lives, since they were rather young when you first got Pantera.

wendy said...

Those were awesome comments from your family members. I have learned alot from you blog-----I can't imagine YOUR life and the companionship of your dog.
far beyond a pet
part of the family

Becky Andrews said...

Thank you so much for your sweet comments!

s day @ sdayrunning.blogspot.com said...

I love this idea! I love hearing from everyone! I think what having a guide dog from a "friends" perspective is the opportunity for me to be amazed at the independence and beauty of the guide and Becky. It means being inspired by both of them!
Love you both