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Friday 15 February 2008

Sad day

I know this is not to do with craft, but I'm sure that any readers will forgive this post creeping in here.

When John first had a guide dog (some eight years or so ago) he was still going up and down to London for evening meetings etc and the dog gave him independence that hadn't been possible with the use of a white cane.

Having suffered a heart attack and a consequent heart bypass op in the autumn of 2005, John's health hasn't been too good, the complications of diabetes catching up with him in all sorts of ways, he has had to settle for a less active lifestyle (not that it was that active before that!).

Over the years, John has also had quite a few problems with ulcers on his feet which always take ages to heal. Recently he had one on a toe that went from bad to worse affecting the health of the whole foot and he had to have the toe amputated. He's had an ulcer on the other foot, which, thankfully, has now healed after quite some time. It is now thought that one of Josey's hairs might have got into the ulcer and made it worse (however careful we are with cleaning and grooming Josey, it's inevitable to have stray hairs).

Because of the recent foot problems, John hasn't been able to go out with Josey at all, so she hasn't actually worked on the harness now for over a month.

We've had to very reluctantly come to the conclusion that it's no longer viable for John to have a guide dog because the need for one isn't as great and the dog herself isn't getting the exercise she needs when walking with him because his pace is now much slower and he has to stop quite often because of breathlessness. And a lot of the time now he has to have a taxi rather than public transport to go anywhere.

So, after much discussion and tears, earlier this week John phoned Guide Dogs and the result of a phone conversation yesterday was that Josey would be taken back. We were told we would get a phone call telling us when this would be - little did we know it would be so quick as a call at 8 o'clock this morning and someone came to get her about 11.30 am.

She will be six in May, so she still has a working life of about four years left, so Guide Dogs are going to access her in the next couple of weeks to see whether it's viable to allocate her to anyone else (depending whether there's a suitable person to match her to) - if not, she will be adopted by someone on their list.

This is a very sad and difficult time, especially for John. Obviously we will both miss her so much and for John it's the realisation that he really isn't that fit.

We're hoping that Josey will continue to work as a guide dog because she has always been so willing and confident.

30 comments:

  1. awwww Hazel, I'm so sorry to hear you've had to give Josey back - I know what an important member of your family she was and how you loved her.

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  2. awwwww hun Im sorry to read this news, but can understand totally your reasons and agree its the best all round. Im sure shell find a lovely home and will bring joy, love and support to someone else in need as she has for you and John. Thinking of you both Im sure it will be strange for a while not having her around, so shout if you need to chat. loadsa love to you both xxxxxx

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  3. So sorry to hear about that Hazel. Must have been a very hard decision to come to. I am sure she will be loved and cared for wherever she may go.....{{hugs}}

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  4. Oh Hazel, that is sad news. I'm sure you and John will miss having Josey around, she must have been a companion as much as a worker, especially as time wore on. I hope Guide Dogs are able to place her with someone who will get the full benefit of her training and her willing nature. If not, I'm sure she'll find a loving home where she gets lots of love and long walkies. Take care of yourselves {{{hugs}}}.

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  5. AwwwHazel that is sad news, i hope she will be rehomed with someone who is kind and will look after her like you two did ((((hugs))))

    Andrea xx

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  6. Sorry to hear that Hazel, that must of been a very difficult decision, Im sure she will be found a loving home.

    Tracy
    x

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  7. Oh hazel, how sad for you both. I am sending a big hug X

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  8. Such a touching story, Hazel. Must be a very difficult time for you and your husband. Thinking of you both, and of course Josey, who I am sure will find a great new home and continue her excellent work, giving somebody a new lease of life. Best wishes, Melanie.

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  9. Sorry to hear your news Hazel.. as part of the family I am sure it was very difficult to make the decision.. but I am very sure that she will continue to work hard.. and help make someone else a little more independent..
    Thoughts are with you at this difficult time xx

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  10. Oh Hazel.
    So sorry to hear your news. It must be so hard, cannot imagine how I would feel if it were me.
    I hope you will both find comfort knowing Josey will be enabling another person to make their life more independent.
    {{Hugs}}
    Carole

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  11. Oh I'm so sorry to read this news. It must have been such a heartbreaking decision to make.
    Thoughts are with you and John.

    ((((Hugs))))

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  12. Oh Hazel, what a decision to have to make. I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you all

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  13. Oh Hazel I am so sorry to read this and I can feel your pain. Thinking of you both and sending as many hugs as you can handle.

    Wendy -x-

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  14. Hazel and John you are both showing how much you love Josey by
    making the heartbreaking decision to part with her.

    I'm sure you would have kept her if you could , now you've given her the chance to mean as much to someone else as she means to you. After all it is what she is trained for and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.

    lots of hugs for all

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  15. Oh I'm sorry to hear this Hazel. But bless you both for making such a selfless decision. I'm sure Josey will go on to be fulfilled in a new home, and bring all the open doors Guide Dogs bring, to someone else.
    Hoping that you adjust to your new situation soon. (((((HUGS)))))

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  16. What can I say, Hazel. Such a difficult thing to do, for both of you. Remember that your crafting friends are all with you and thinking about you. Maybe you could make a special scrapbook of Josey when you feel ready to celebrate the happy times you have had together.

    Janice xxx

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  17. Aah {{{{HUGS}}}} going yer way. I think it's such an unselfish decision that ye have made and I am ashamed to admit I don't think I would have been able to do it. The fact that someone else will benifit from yer decision is just......... brilliant. Loads of {{{{HUGS}}} going your way xx

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  18. aww, so sorry to hear that Hazel. Thinking of you both.

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  19. I am so sorry to read this. It must have been so hard for you both.

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  20. Hazel

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, john and josey at this sad time. I hope you are ok and believe that Josey will go to a good home where they will love her as much as you and john did.
    Please pass my regards to john and best wishes for a healthier few months ahead

    Much love

    Sally xxxxx

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  21. How sad Hazel, but you have made such a selfless and sensible decision and I'm sue Josey will be much loved and appreciated by her new owner. Thinking of you both and hoping that John will feel a bit better soon.

    Lynn W. X

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  22. Hazel my lovely, I'm soo sad and sorry to hear your news. Josey will be missed terribly by both you and John, and I'm sure she will miss you too, as you've worked so closely together. She WILL find a new home, and her purpose in life, apart from "a working life" will be to give love to others, as she gave to you both.

    I'm also concerned about John, and hope that he does improve with his health.

    I'm definately thinking and praying for you both. Have faith and be positive, it will shine through for you all in the end.

    Lots of Love Beth XX

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  23. Sad news Hazel, but sounds like it is the best idea for both Josey and your husband. Thinking of you all.

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  24. Hazel, what sad news and such a difficult decision for you and John to have had to make.

    Just remember that the skills that Josey was taught were perfected by the loving and caring nature of you both.

    Sending you and John some more {{hugs}}.

    Take care and remember, we are all here for you.

    xxx

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  25. awwwww....so sorry to hear this Hazel, big hugs to you and John.

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  26. What sad news Hazel. I hope Josey finds someone to love her as much as you did.
    Hugs to you both.
    Sheila-x-

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  27. You two are such an insperation,
    you have done such a lovely thing letting Josey go to someone else.I'm sat here crying so i hsve no idea how you must be feeling.Sending loads and loads of hugs to you both.
    Maybe in a while you could do a georgous scrapbook of Joseys good times :)
    Love H

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  28. aww poor John (and you) I guess he feels like he is losing his independence as well as a companion.

    I hope Josey settles in her new home - will they let you know how she gets on?

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