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

Friday, October 11, 2013

Cricket Q & A

Thanks for your love to us! Much, much appreciated. Cricket has a wag back in her tail. I was going to say bounce in her step - but that feels like a stretch :).  She is still walking slowly. I wanted to answer some of the questions I have received about Cricket at this time.
Time outside in the sunshine is such a nice place to heal!  
How old is Cricket? How long has she been working as a guide dog?
Cricket turned 8 in June.  Cricket and I became a team February 2007 (6 1/2 years).

What happened to Cricket?
On Tuesday Cricket had surgery where four mass removed -- two on her right side, one on her left side and one in her mouth that was underneath a tooth that also had to be removed.  We know they are all benign except the one in her mouth. We will find out the result Monday or so.  Thank you Dr. Ben Brown for your wonderful care of our Cricket.  Cricket's staples will be removed in two weeks upon which we will evaluate if she is ready to work.  

Will Cricket be able to be a guide dog again?
I sure hope so, however, what is best for Cricket is of top concern. A guide dog like a person at times gets sick or has an injury that needs to be taken care of and they take time off work to heal. The top priority is for Cricket to get healthy. Cricket is getting much TLC and recovering well from her surgery. When she is fully recovered, I think she will again love to work. We will see.  She will let me know.

I am so inspired by the love and care that Guide Dogs for the Blind gives to their dogs and their graduates.  They have been so supportive of us in this process.  Thank you, GDB!

How do you get around without Cricket?
I have walked with a guide dog for 16 years so when my guide is not able to work it is a bit of a challenge.  I pull out the white cane and refresh on my skills.  I am fortunate that Cricket, even while not serving as my guide, has been able to join me at work where she has a nice comfy bed to recuperate.  Thursday I have a work conference out of the office where my cane skills will be put to the test and Cricket will stay home ... not something she does too often - an adjustment for us both!

We are staying close to home this weekend to help her heal.  Hope you have a great weekend!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks Becky. Good luck to you both and happy weekend!

Lablove said...

May all be well and Cricket soon be back to being your wonderful, loving partner. Thank you for sharing so much love and inspiration with your readers.

GOOSE said...

Becky my MOM spoke to Miss Lydia today and she told her about my friend Cricket. Please know that she is in our thoughts and prayers as are you. While I am not a working dog like Cricket I do know what it means to be a team with my MOM. And this can not be easy for either of you. Sending healing, gentle nose pokes to Cricket.
Blessings,
Goose

Becky Andrews said...

Thank you for your sweet comments.
Kathy - Loving getting to know you!
Lablove - gosh yourname says it all, right!
Goose - yes you and your mom are such an amazing team - you would understand!

Becky Andrews said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Infrequent Flyers said...

That is a really cute picture of Cricket. Keep us posted on the results tomorrow. Cricket has a great life, so glad she can still go to work with you and enjoy most of her normal routine.

william Peace said...

Sending healing thoughts.

My Name is JACY said...

Love you Becky and Cricket! Sending so much love!

Unknown said...

I am Joyce, Betty Ryan's mother, and I helped raise Cricket during her early months. Thank you for all the information you've posted. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Cricket. Hope she mends quickly. I'm glad she's receiving such loving care. She's a sweetheart!

Unknown said...

I am Joyce, Betty Ryan's mother, and I helped raise Cricket during her early months. Thank you for all the information you've posted. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Cricket. Hope she mends quickly. I'm glad she's receiving such loving care. She's a sweetheart!

Becky Andrews said...

Joyce - How lovely to connect with you. Thank you for your love for Cricket :).