Craig asked me to write my thoughts about his getting a
guide dog. I agreed because, after all,
it was my idea. Well, almost my
idea.
Three years ago while attending Craig’s 35th Stanford
Reunion weekend, I sat next to one of his classmates. She is an ophthalmologist and noticing how
much Craig did not see, she began asking me questions about his journey. We continued to talk as we walked to the
stadium for the football game, Craig being in front of us. Watching Craig, she asked me if Craig knew
how much he did not see. I told her that
he had long accommodated his lack of vision and that I did not think he realized
just how little he actually saw. Then
she asked me the question that led to Craig’s guide dog adventure, why doesn’t
Craig have a guide dog? I couldn’t give
her a reason, except to say that he doesn’t think he needs one. I told her that I worried every day when he
leaves the house for his trip to KTVU in Oakland. The return trip in winter, in particular, was
worrisome because he walks a good distance to BART along a busy street where at
one point there is a freeway off ramp.
Craig was nervous the Sunday afternoon I dropped him at
Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. I think he was fearful that he was not blind
enough to deserve a guide, that somehow, he would be discovered as a
fraud. After living with his lack of
vision for more than 30 years, I knew,
without a doubt, he needed this dog and I needed it too!
We are now almost 2 months into having Chase as part of
our family. Craig has managed to add the
needs of caring for his guide dog into his routine. It took some work on his part to fold the
chores of daily grooming, relieving, and feeding his black Lab into his getting
ready for the day, but Craig’s methodical approach to life worked to his
benefit for this adjustment. He even
accommodated my complaints about the shedding of dog hair, buying a grooming
tool to help minimize my work. After
all, after having a yellow lab and shepherd mix for a dozen plus years, I chose
a no shed poodle when I wanted another dog added to our household four years
ago. I was wearing black for the first
time in years and liking it!
Chase is a gorgeous animal. Square head, deep brown eyes, and the floppy
lab lips which allow slobber to lovingly drip down your pant leg when he plops
his head affectionately into your lap.
He is smart, mellow, and not dominant.
I had a dominant dog once, and it caused a lot of problems. Cody, my standard poodle, is not dominant and
I wanted him to be able to enjoy having another dog join our household. Chase fits the bill and they play well
together. In fact, Cody who weighs 30
pounds less actually can intimidate Chase when in full play.
Chase, the guide dog, gives me peace of mind. I can send Craig off to his day and know that
he has someone watching out for him.
Chase is big and can look intimidating. I like that someone would think
twice about approaching Craig on the street.
“Does your doggie bite?” should be the first thought to pass someone’s
mind before approaching Craig. That is
just fine with me. Oakland is one of the
most violent cities in California and why not have a guide dog that
intimidates?
The downside of having a guide dog is when Craig and I
walk, I have to be behind them a few paces.
Not exactly the most intimate way to take a stroll, and don’t I like
walking behind my fella like a subservient wife! However, the upside is that I do not have to
be responsible to lead Craig through crowds, which I find truly
exhausting. I look forward to our first
traveling experience through airports, crowded streets, and sightseeing with
Chase doing all the guiding.
So those are my thoughts at this point in our journey
with a guide dog. I appreciate the work
Craig has to do in order to decrease my worry.
I hope Craig is able feel that a
guide dog is worth all of that work.
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