[Critique Group 1] Leonard's comments on Deana

[tuchyner5 at aol.com]

Terrific two-piece chapter.  The ;poem captures theemotional/mental conniptions  that goeson in the writer as she ;prepares to leave home to find her new guide dog. 



 



Chapter22



IrishEyes



At this point I haven’t a clue about what the title refers to.  I’m reminded of the old song, Irish Eyes. 



 The preamble is very good..



Itmight seem that after such a difficult ending to our working life together, Imight have been to heart-sick after losing Phoebe to return for another dog. Igrieved but also picked myself up and prepared to try again. At the end of eachdog-handler relationship, regardless of why the team ends a partnership, itmeans beginning again from the very start. The handler must be willing to opentheir hearts to a new friend. each of my dogs leaves paw prints on my heart andcarves out a unique space in my life. The reason I refer to my dogs assuccessors is that they can never replace the previous dog and there will neverbe another Tammy.  



when you get a new dog, is the trainingtogether mostly about developing a new work relationship, while using basicallythe same commands? Or do all the dogs respond a littl bit differently?Intuitive and logically I think I know the answers, but I have no experience tobase my beliefs on. Either way, for the uninitiated , some space devoted tothis issue would be really good. 



 



ALady In Waiting



Ilove the title. I think it has twomeanings. Primarily it refers to the woman handler who is waiting expectantlyand nervously to see who her next partner will be. But the guide dog is alsowaiting to get a handler. I guess the word  ‘Lady’ in the title wouldonly be appropriate if the dog was to be female. 



 



Whatto pack?



Sturdywalking shoes,



Herfavorite dress for pictures.



Raincoatjust in case,



Anopen-heart.



 Great stanza.



Whatto leave?



Regretsfor what was,



Sorrowfor what has ended.



Does that sorrow ever completely leave. I would expect not.



Longingfor the past,



Secondthoughts.



 



Whoawaits?



Whowill fill the void?



She’slike a mail order bride,



The guide is also  mail order. Thehandler travels to the dog, but the dog goes home with the handler.



She’sfull of questions,



Noanswers.



 



Hope-filledheart,



Anticipation.



Herheart struggles to open,



Tobegin again,



Wonderful.


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