<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">It is a good ending for
the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">I love<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">The story about Enzo, and the summary</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">works well.</font><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">You’ve made it clear
that Enzo is a work in progress<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">since he
has not had time to have a lengthy history with yu<o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">. The statement that you
may be with the lasst guide dog in your life is very poignant, but I think
there will be another one. You’re not that old. <o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Chapter 27</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Little Coyote</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"> In June of 2015, I was back at The Seeing Eye for
18 days of training. My instructor was once more Sue M. I am now matched
with Enzo, a beautiful gentle German shepherd dog who thinks he should be
allowed to sit on car seats. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">Are guide dogs not
allowed to sit on car seats?<o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">He loves his crate as a place of his own to retire from
the hurly burly of our home. He doesn’t play with toys but is a power chewer. I
left class early when he detoured up a flight of steps and I fell, bruising my
right knee. I didn’t get to go to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">New
York City</st1:city></st1:place></font><font size="3"> for the first time in my nine trips to the
Seeing Eye. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Was it your dog’sfault
that you fell?</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As much as it hurts to lose a dog to illness or a need
for a career change, Enzo has already begun to teach me that we must be ready
to look forward and let the past stay in the past. We live in the now and that
can be a pretty great place to be.</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">Enzo has a lovely soft coat in the black and tan pattern.
The tan portions of his coat are a reddish strawberry blonde color. His ears
tilt outward giving him a somewhat cock-eyed headset. He is endlessly curious.
If we are walking down a hallway of examination rooms at a dental or doctor
appointment, he will pop his head around to look into all of the open doors we
pass. If allowed, he would greet everyone we pass with a friendly sniff. He
hates going the same direction he has gone before. My husband Curtis gave him
the moniker of coyote, because he is mischievous. If I am not alert, he will
purposely turn the opposite direction from the one I need to take. It isn’t
because he doesn’t know where we should go, but his curiosity about what else
might be out there. When I catch him out, he readily obeys my commands and
takes the route I insist upon. He isn’t interested in toys, but will stealthily
steal them from my husband’s large shepherd and hide them. Then he will lie
down and wait for Keeno, Curt’s shepherd to begin franticly looking for the
missing toy. He will look on innocently as Keeno races about looking for it.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">I love the description
of Enzo.<o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">Too many<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">‘he’s.’ Vary the sentence structure for
interest.</font></span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">I retired three years ago, to care for my husband who now
uses a wheelchair. We moved into town to what we call our aging in place home.
Enzo likes to work and adapts well to any changes in our routines. He is always
eager and ready to escort me out the door to catch a bus, ride a paratransit
van or catch an airplane. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">When<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">you say ‘escort,’</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">do you mean he isn’t coming with you on the
bus?<o:p></o:p></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3">I am now experiencing a bit of vertigo and he changes his
pace and works hard to keep me safe. He moves across in front of me when we
approach stairs and doesn’t allow me to step forward until he sees that I have
my hand on the handrail of stairs or escalators. At age seventy, I don’t know
if there will be a tenth dog in my life, but I can look back on fifty years of
walking with friends at my side. Through times of trial and sadness, joy and
laughter, I have had the pleasure of sharing my life with nine wonderful guide
dogs. Were they perfect? Of course not! They were each different and performed
their jobs in unique ways. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">If
my dogs could talk, they might explain their careers like this:<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">More
Than A dog<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">When
you see me walk by,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">You
might praise my good looks,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">You
might think that I am working too hard.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Though
my harness is heavy,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I
wear it with pride.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">My
duties are many.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To
alter our course<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To
go around things,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Those
that move and remain still.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To
tell about steps,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Both
up and those down.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To
watch out for traffic,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To
look left and right,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">And
to also look up.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Too
remember the places we have been.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To
guide and protect.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I am
more than a dog.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I am
a friend a confidante,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">A
guardian, a pathfinder.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I am
a comforter, and a seeker<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I am
a guide dog.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Beautiful.</span></u></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Since receiving my first guide dog Tammy in 1968,
eight successor dogs have taken up their stations at my left side. Each
dog shouldered the responsibility of guiding to the best of his or her
ability. Each brought a savor and enjoyment to my life with their
companionship. They walked beside me for a while, sharing my journey,
helping me to meet and overcome the challenges inherent in being a blind
woman. From each dog, I learned lessons that have enriched my life.</font></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"> They have been
responsible for my being able to board planes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font size="3">early, occasionally even being moved from the economy seating I</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">can afford to first <br></font><font size="3">
class. They have given me the opportunity of meeting likeminded people
who also<br>
love dogs. They have kept me safe and made it possible for me to go where I
want, when I want and added immeasurably to the quality of my journey by
assuring I didn’t have to walk alone. </font></span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Two of my dogs had serious medical problems and two
quit guiding due to stress. Because I entrust my safety to every canine
partner, a bond of mutual respect and love has developed between me and each
successor dog. Only by weighing the complex interactions between me as
handler and my dog, can I determine when that moment has arrived to start
looking for a retirement home for my partners. Because I form a very
strong bond with my dogs, I try to allow myself plenty of time between
dogs. This is partly so as not to make unfair comparisons between the new
pup and the old experienced guide. I also want to get so frustrated by
having to use a cane that I remember why I use a dog by choice. I am patient
with my new friend as he learns the ropes of what I expect from him. I
don't believe anyone makes these decisions lightly or frivolously. Like
any other relationship, outsiders can’t readily judge the depth of the bond
between blind person and dog guide. How and when to retire a dog is
always a wrenching decision. The blind handler is the one who should make the
decision. He or she can ask advice from vets and from the school's field
staff if not sure of the dynamics of changes observed in how well the dog
guides. Only the handler can decide whether to slow one’s lifestyle to
accommodate an aging friend or when it is time to retire a loyal companion. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I hope you have enjoyed reading this book,
sharing the journey I have walked with the companionship of nine unique dogs.
Thanks to the puppy-raisers who gave a piece of their hearts to each puppy they
prepared for a life of service, the trainers who work to impart the skills
necessary to guide a blind person, to the dedication and intelligence of the
dogs themselves, life as a partner in a guide dog team is possible. If you
enjoyed getting to know my nine partners in crime, I will share a final gift of
humor. Here are three additional sketches of life as a guide dog from the dog’s
perspective, which I have written over the years.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9738364539msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div>