- Joined
- Jan 30, 2002
- Messages
- 7,269
Bad news, good news...an everyday thing. Below is a letter from a friend I received today.
This is a small thing in the way of the world, but touching, nevertheless.
Amy is the high energy younger sister of a life-long friend. Amy is about 38 years old now. She lost her sight in her early 20's.
Keenan was a high-energy yellow lab. He dragged her down the street (sort of) more than a quiet amble. They got along well.
They did a lot together, both for each other and for others. Neat and hard-to-imagine relationship.
I'm celebrating Keenan's life. A small thing...but.
I'm writing to let you know of the unexpected and sudden loss of Amy’s guide dog, Keenan. He was swimming in Duck Lake next to our Mom’s place in Wisconsin on Saturday and even guided Amy from the lake up to Mom’s house when she called for him. There were no signs of trouble, just a happy retriever. But yesterday afternoon an undetectable mass around his spleen ruptured. After all Keenan has meant to and done for Amy and her family, putting him through an emergency surgery that had a minimal chance of success was not an option.
Keenan and Amy were brought together almost nine years ago at The Seeing Eye, a Guide Dog School in New Jersey. He helped Amy through the many years she worked in downtown Chicago, guiding her on the trains, buses and throughout the city streets. They even made a couple of television appearances together and Keenan was at her side when Amy crossed the stage to receive her masters degree from NIU. He was at the baptisms of Andrew (4) and Madeline (2) and he has helped Amy and Pat raise these two active toddlers.
Keenan went on countless airplane flights with Amy, even once to fight for ADA rights in Washington, DC. He was with her at the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, the Catholic Guild for the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind. Amy and Keenan visited schools to help children understand more about guide dogs, blindness and how not to be afraid but to be supportive and understanding. After their presentations Amy would remove Keenan’s harness so he could just “play” with the children. The letters Amy received from these young people reflected how much they learned in just a short time. While they were impressed with Amy’s cool assistive technology, it was Keenan who always stole the show.
Keenan was entering into retirement, although he would still work on a moment’s notice if Amy needed him. He was 11 years old. As a family, we were all grateful when Keenan came into Amy’s life because we knew he would guide her path and keep her safe. We all loved his gentle demeanor and admired his steadfast work ethic.
Be well and safe.
This is a small thing in the way of the world, but touching, nevertheless.
Amy is the high energy younger sister of a life-long friend. Amy is about 38 years old now. She lost her sight in her early 20's.
Keenan was a high-energy yellow lab. He dragged her down the street (sort of) more than a quiet amble. They got along well.
They did a lot together, both for each other and for others. Neat and hard-to-imagine relationship.
I'm celebrating Keenan's life. A small thing...but.
I'm writing to let you know of the unexpected and sudden loss of Amy’s guide dog, Keenan. He was swimming in Duck Lake next to our Mom’s place in Wisconsin on Saturday and even guided Amy from the lake up to Mom’s house when she called for him. There were no signs of trouble, just a happy retriever. But yesterday afternoon an undetectable mass around his spleen ruptured. After all Keenan has meant to and done for Amy and her family, putting him through an emergency surgery that had a minimal chance of success was not an option.
Keenan and Amy were brought together almost nine years ago at The Seeing Eye, a Guide Dog School in New Jersey. He helped Amy through the many years she worked in downtown Chicago, guiding her on the trains, buses and throughout the city streets. They even made a couple of television appearances together and Keenan was at her side when Amy crossed the stage to receive her masters degree from NIU. He was at the baptisms of Andrew (4) and Madeline (2) and he has helped Amy and Pat raise these two active toddlers.
Keenan went on countless airplane flights with Amy, even once to fight for ADA rights in Washington, DC. He was with her at the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, the Catholic Guild for the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind. Amy and Keenan visited schools to help children understand more about guide dogs, blindness and how not to be afraid but to be supportive and understanding. After their presentations Amy would remove Keenan’s harness so he could just “play” with the children. The letters Amy received from these young people reflected how much they learned in just a short time. While they were impressed with Amy’s cool assistive technology, it was Keenan who always stole the show.
Keenan was entering into retirement, although he would still work on a moment’s notice if Amy needed him. He was 11 years old. As a family, we were all grateful when Keenan came into Amy’s life because we knew he would guide her path and keep her safe. We all loved his gentle demeanor and admired his steadfast work ethic.
Be well and safe.
And the dog's loss was so sudden. Hope she's OK.
). I can only hope to be his equal, for the average noble dog is filled with more goodness and grace and loyalty than the most hand-picked cream of the crop humans.