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

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

New Beginnings

After returning home late Sunday and having two packed days/nights at the office, this morning it is feeling like I have a few minutes to breathe and reflect on my new beginning with Georgie. She is a beautiful dog. I love her confidence in her guide work. I love her ability to have such great initiative. I love how her whole body wags with happiness. I love her fascination with her new red kong. I love to see her slowly (a new guide needs to take it slow) forming a relationship with my family and Cricket. I love her energy. I love the gift of freedom that once again I have felt.


Pantera was my 30 something guide ... carried me through grad school, raising our family, and becoming a confident woman who is blind.
Cricket was my 40 something guide ... up for many adventures with such love and compassion, easy traveller, there with me as my career flourished.
Georgie is my nearing 50 something guide.  We are creating our 50 something list.  One of my colleagues said - I just have a feeling you two are in for some great things - indeed.

As I sat on the bench outside my office with her yesterday for a few minutes, I realized I have sat in this spot with all three of my guides - taking a little break to enjoy some sunshine. Georgie has settled into the pillow that Cricket occupied at the office without any hesitation. She will get a new one soon. The whole process of transition from one guide to the next is a process of letting go, opening up and loving again - holding a special place in your heart for each beautiful guide and the lessons learned.
Cricket is happy and doing well. She enjoyed a nice long walk with Steve.  I took her outside this morning to have our little time watering the flowers.  I look forward to this weekend when the four of us can enjoy a walk together. We have a favorite nice wide sidewalk to do just that!

Thank you to all in the GDB Community who make these beautiful partnerships happen.  It is truly inspiring and I am forever grateful.

3 comments:

KB said...

I can see how the transition would be an emotional process - opening your heart to Georgia and still loving Cricket. Thank you for these posts about the transition. They're beautiful and very educational.

Raiser Erin said...

Got a little teary eyed reading about your transition. So beautifully written.

3 labs 4 me said...

Well said Becky. Having 3 beautiful labradors of my own, I know that I love each one of them differently, but at the same time, I love them all the same. Our hearts are big enough to love them all. How lucky are we that each one fills our lives with such joy!