Friday was one of those bitter-sweet moments in life that we all go through. Our boy Zed got "called up" and left home to start his new adventure in life. From the first day he set paw at home, some 16 months ago, we knew this day would come, for Zed is a Guiding Eyes For The Blind puppy.
And being such we always knew that his duty would come a calling. We always understood in the back of our mind that he was always a loaner puppy, his time with us would always be borrowed time.
Always, always, always..
But no matter how hard we tried to keep that thought and worked really hard at keeping our emotional attachment to Zed tempered by that reality..it never really worked.
From the first, we immediately found out that Zed was a special boy. He integrated extremely quickly into our home life and with his "Big Brother" Ray. Ray does not suffer puppies gladly. And since Zed didn't pick on him, at least not much, the two of them would become good friends.
Zed was always up for a new adventure and accompanied us on many of our day trips along the Maine coast, always eager to meet new people, There was something about his demeanor that begged for a head scratch. Could that wagging tail have something to do with it? He was very attracted to these lobstermen from Stonington or was it their lobster bait?
When the 2012 boating season arrived little Zed immediately took to it without hesitation, but also needed a little assurance from his "mother".
Here they are enjoying their very first boat snug, one of many to come.
This soon became standard ship board behavior and continued even to his very last boat ride.
Just a couple of days after this day on Lake Megunticook, Zed was gone.
Off for "college", to the campus of Guiding Eyes For The Blind in Yorktown Heights New York.
His next big test will be his In For Training exam and hopefully a new adventure of becoming a companion and of course guide to whom some blind person will entrust their life. It is for this higher calling that we say farewell to our good boy Zed.
Good luck Zed. We will miss you.
You have a special spot in our hearts.
The bitter with the sweet......
Mike, I'm sure his new master will appreciate all that Zed brings.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan. They are all hard to let go of but Zed, more than the others.
DeleteHey Mike, Great job. I know it's a bit heartbreaking, but it is so much appreciated. I work at the Center for People with Disabilities and one of my co-workers has a guide dog. You folks that train them are heroes to me. Zed is a beautiful pup and will now become someone's best friend. Thanks for what you do.
DeleteI appreciate that Howard. All the credit goes to my wife who does it all..Zed was her 13th or 14th..
DeleteVery moving post, both for your personal loss of Zed, and for the reason for that loss, his higher calling. You can feel good about your part in providing loving and loyal "eyes" for some deserving person.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim. The reward is well worth the giving up part...
DeleteLucky to have a pet like Zed, he is appreciated--thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWe were very lucky to have Zed in our lives for over a year. Thanks for the comment Bill.
DeleteI am starting to feel attached after only reading your words and seeing the photographs- it must have been very hard for the both of you, but I am sure satisfying to know what he will be doing and that you took a part in it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words Peter. We really appreciate them!
DeleteVery nice- must be really hard- don't think I could do it.
ReplyDelete