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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi, everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope to be able to be on tonight’s call, but I might not be home in time. Last Friday evening, my husband retired his service dog Pumpkin after an eleven-year partnership. Let’s just say it wasn’t easy. Pumpkin’s puppyraisers, Patti and Don, came to pick her up, and Pumpkin was so happy to see them. They are a lovely couple who foster and finish dogs for Susquehanna Service Dogs. They have a retired dog Steel who was in Pumpkin’s puppy group, and the two dogs obviously recognized each other. Pumpkin will have a good life in her new home, but our home is too quiet. In what can only be described as surreal, Laurence began limping badly when Pumpkin left, being unable to weight bear on his left front leg. We needed a security guard to take him out to our van on a handcart, and a staff member of the animal emergency clinic had to carry him in on a stretcher. To make a long story short, Laurence has severe arthritis in one toe and has begun an anti-inflammatory drug. The initial dose didn’t sit well, so he got an anti-diarrhea drug on Sunday night. He hasn’t pooped since, so, as soon as he has a normal poop, he can come home. The vet is thinking that he was reacting to pain and stress rather than the drug since the Guiding Eyes vet told me Laurence had had this medication as a pain reliever after being neutered. When he comes home, I can start working him and hope he is able and willing to work. I keep telling myself that this is only a toe, but it is a major issue for Laurence. If we can bring him home this evening, I might be able to be on the call depending on time. If this doesn’t work out, my September submission could be “Dogless in Philadelphia.” Thanks for your understanding and support. I will send my critiques in an another email.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sally<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>