Meeting Harrington

I held her face in my hands and said in the midst of tears, "you be a good girl," and gave her one last hug. I know she cried too, but our parting was inevitable. My heart ached with a blend of gratitude and intense sadness for Lucy had been a vital part of my life for seven years. Although I knew it was time for her to retire and become "just a dog".



I have had the privilege to work with Leader Dogs for the past fourteen years. The first one entered my life in August, 1991. Layla was a black Labrador retriever, beautiful and dedicated. At age ten, she was forced to retire. Layla lost her depth perception and was no longer able to see steps. The unique bond we developed made it painful for us to part.

Although I had no choice, I felt like a traitor-- Layla had given me the best years of her life and now all I could give in return is a simple good-bye. My heart was shattered. How difficult it was to express my love for her…I'd hoped she sensed my sorrow when she saw my tears as I hugged her neck. But even then she endured the pain with the strength and dignity she had always displayed. I was without a dog for two days. And they were nothing but torture and despair.

Lucy came none too soon. She was a yellow Labrador, My love for her increased slowly. It wasn't immediate because I found myself wondering whether I'd made the right decision. Lucy proved to be a great Leader Dog. She dedicated her life to working everyday for seven years, providing me with the feeling of self-assurance as well as the ability to travel independently both in my neighborhood and workplace.

When Lucy turned eight-years-old, she made the decision to retire. Lucy personally chose her new home and the most gracious and loving people she knew. She now is enjoying retirement in Columbia, Illinois and is reaping her reward of love and care she so richly deserves.

Time for my next leader dog. I walked down my front steps and got into the car with my husband and we headed for the airport. My thoughts brought me back to my dear Lucy, but I sighed with relief knowing she and I had made the best decision for her and for me. A career change was due for Lucy and a comfortable life of retirement lay ahead for her.



Upon arriving in Detroit, the Leader Dog staff met me at the airport. There were several other blind and visually impaired people that accompanied me to the Leader Dog School in Rochester, Michigan. As we rode from Detroit to Rochester, we each were eager to get acquainted and begin our personal journey which would end, when we left the school with a new Leader Dog. Some of us had dogs before and others were getting their first one. Each of us was excited and ready to begin a new chapter in our lives.

Upon arriving at Leader Dog, we were taken to our rooms and were given time to unpack and become familiar with the gorgeous facility. This facility had been built since I last was at Leader Dog. It is a ten-million-dollar physical plant and it truly is like a resort. The hospitality the staff gave us was incredible. Every staff person is so unbelievably dedicated and supportive. True, it is their job to be always there for the students, but each staff member truly exceeds "Just doing a job". The staff is so compassionate and focused on helping students to become as successful as their individual abilities will permit.

After dinner, a trainer interviewed me. I answered specific questions that pertained to my personal needs and expectations of a Leader Dog. Quickly, the trainer announced that he had a dog on his string that would be perfect for me.

The next two days were spent learning about master and dog expectations, carrying an empty harness to become accustom to traveling with a dog, and becoming more familiar with the facility.

On Wednesday at one o'clock, we began receiving our dogs. I received a male Golden Retriever named Harrington. Harrington is eighteen months old. He weighs 62 pounds and is overflowing with love and energy. Again, I wanted to immediately fall in love with the new dog, but I simply could not. Even though I knew in my head my retired Leader Dog Lucy was happy, in my heart I was trying to hold to her memory.

From the moment a student receives his or her new Leader Dog, it is expected that the team will have twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week contact. This must be observed in order for the bonding process to occur. Quickly, I decided to give Harrington a nickname. I felt Harry was a more appropriate name for this boy. Harry tried to become the "light of my life." He was determined that I would soon realize he was the center of my attention. The only time he wavered on his decision was when his trainer came near him. Harry loved and adored his trainer and simply could not miss any opportunity to get her attention. It mattered not to him if the attention was positive or negative.

There were nineteen students in our class. I came in as the nineteenth student. This caused a bit of a problem due to the fact that there were three trainers and each trainer was to be assigned six students. Since I was an extra person, I was presented with the challenge of not having an assigned trainer. This was a situation that was known before my arrival and the training team assumed a rotation schedule that would provide my training. It was a new experience for me to have all the trainers working with me. I was so grateful for the opportunity to come at this time that I was determined to make the situation work. At the initial contact with Leader Dog, I explained it was necessary if possible for me to come to Leader Dog during the June class. I am the Braille teacher at Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri and I planned to work summer school, which was scheduled to begin on July fifth. I needed a new Leader Dog, but my time was so limited. I had asked to be permitted to come home as soon as the new dog and I were ready to work independently, so I could begin working in my home community and workplace.



The daily routine of our working day is the following:
At 6:00 a.m. the alarm clock rings loudly. The dogs are taken out for park. (Relief purposes.)
Return to student bedroom and water dog.
7:30 Breakfast.
8:30 Load bus and travel to worksite.
11:00 a.m. Return to Leader Dog. Park and water dog.
12:00 Lunch
1:00 p.m. Load bus and travel to afternoon worksite.
4:00 p.m. Return to Leader Dog. Park and water dog.
5:00 p.m. Feed dog. (This happens only once a day.)
5:30 p.m. Dinner
6:15 p.m. Water dog.
6:30 p.m. Evening Lecture.
8:00 p.m. Park dog for the last time before retiring for the evening.
8:30 p.m. Free time. 10:00 p.m. Observe quiet hours.

Harry and I progressed quickly and on the tenth day of training my trainers and I decided that we were ready to come home. I was so pleased and felt so confident that Harry and I will become an excellent working team. I know this takes many long hours of work and months of bonding for this to happen.
On Saturday, June eighteenth, the greatest joy of my journey took place. Never before was I introduced to the puppy raisers that loved and nurtured my first two dogs. I met Molly, Harry's puppy raiser. As I waited in anticipation, I prayed that she would like me and would feel her effort, love, and sacrifice would be worth her struggle.



The other students and I sat on plastic chairs in the banquet room, waiting to meet our puppy raisers, our emotions running wildly through our minds. Molly approached Harry and me with love and devotion. Her spirit of serene understanding and fulfillment filled my heart when she began to say to Harry, "Puppy, puppy." At first Harry did not recognize Molly, but when the realization of who she was came to him, he went crazy with emotion. Harry jumped up to kiss Molly and then instantly fell to the floor rolling on his back and with all of his heart wanting Molly's love and attention. It was apparent to me that Molly and Harry had been so close. So bonded to each other. There were so many questions I wanted to ask her. I wanted to know all of the cute things Harry had done as a puppy. What he liked and disliked and how she brought herself to let him return to Leader Dog and become a service animal.