Followers of our Safe & Sound blog know that my Seeing Eye dog Whitney will be retiring soon. She sleeps more than she used to, she walks slower when leading me through Chicago, and every once in a while she loses focus. All that said, she is still one smart dog.
Whitney, looking appropriately heroic. (Courtesy The Seeing Eye.) Who can fill her paws?
Whitney was leading me home from downtown Chicago a few weeks ago when I sensed her veering ever so slightly off the sidewalk. Not toward the street, but in the other direction.
The sounds of silverware and people chatting and laughing was a big clue. Aha! We’re in an outdoor plaza. Whitney must have smelled some good food and couldn’t resist.
I stopped a moment to get my bearings, and when a man came up and asked if I needed some help, I said yes. “I got off-kilter there for a second,” I told him, pointing in the direction I thought was south. “Am I still on the sidewalk on Dearborn, heading south?” He said I was, so I picked up Whitney’s harness and gave her a command. “Whitney, forward!” I said, and she pulled me forward.
But the man followed me.
”Where are you going?” he asked. “Do you live alone?” He told me he was single, kept following me, telling me how strong he is, how tall, how good looking, how much he could help me. When Whitney stopped at the next red light, the pedestrians waiting alongside us were a comfort.
But I couldn’t stay there forever.
When the light turned green, I focused on Whitney as she guided me across the street. ”You made it,” the man said. Oh, no. He was still there. He was still following us. I tried to stay calm, but inside I was panicking. C’mon Whitney, this is real. You’ve gotta get us home. I encouraged her to hurry along, but instead of continuing forward, she veered again, this time leading me to a door.
“That’s the bank,” the man following me said. “You don’t want the bank.” He was right. I did not want the bank. I’d never ever been to that bank. I didn’t even know there was a bank there. I just wanted to get home.
Just as I was about to scold Whitney for her mistake, a blessed thought occurred to me. “Oh, yes,” I said, loud enough for the man to hear me. “The bank. Good girl, Whitney!” I opened the door and left the man behind.
Inside, I stood in the middle of the lobby catching my breath and listening intently to the door I’d come through. I didn’t hear it open again. The man must not have followed in after me.
Did Whitney know what she was doing, leading me to that door when she did? I think yes. Her age may be affecting her physical work as a guide, but mentally she still knows ways to keep us safe. The lobby was small, and it didn’t take too long for a guy working there to notice the blind woman with the Seeing Eye dog there. “May I help you?” I had no idea what bank I was in, but I figured I didn’t have an account there, so I told him so and explained. “Some guy out there was following me, and…” I gave him the whole story. He asked if I wanted to sit down. “No,” I said. “I just want to shake that guy off my trail and get home.”
As it happened, this guy was a bank executive. He was off for a business meeting in a fancy building just south of there, the same direction I was going. “I’ll walk you,” he said. “Just give me a minute to gather my stuff.”
The exec told me his name, gave me his card, and walked Whitney and me two or three blocks in that direction. He looked behind us along the way, assuring me no one was following us any more. When he had to head in for his meeting, I felt confident Whitney would get me the rest of the way.
And she did.
Wonderful, beautiful, sweet story and ever so diligent and protective Whitney is. You will miss her.
I sure will. Thanks for understanding, Linda.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Whitney sensed something and was reacting. Last spring, after dark, I walked our Standard Poodle Lana. She’s extremely outgoing and friendly. Noises from houses, cars, or people never spook her. On this walk, she stopped and began to lightly growl which is extremely unusual for her. I could see at least one person inside the car. I had no reason to think anything was wrong, but I decided to cross the street and return home by going around the block in the opposite direction to avoid that car and person or persons. I’ll trust my poodle’s judgement anytime. I’m glad Whitney’s still on the job.
Me, too.
Wow a really scary moment, Whitney was on it. Good Dog Whitney.
She is a good dog. And in this particular circumstance, much more street smart than I was. Glad she was there.
Wonderful story Beth. Love that Whitney. ♥️♥️♥️
You always have, Nancy. And I do, too!
Oh sweet sweet Whitney!! I agree that she had some sense of danger! So glad you followed and found a safe place. And thank you to the bank exec for helping too!
Yes. The bank exec was quick on his feet, and so happy he could help. As was I!
Good job Whitney!!
Yup. She’s still got it.
So glad for the happy ending to this scary experience.
Thanks. Me, too.
Ughhh . . . Well handled by Whitney and you. It is amazing how creeps can take advantage even with so many people around. I am relieved for you.
Beth, I almost cried when reading your post. Yes, I’m sure that Whitney’s 6th sense knew to help you get away from your stalker. Whitney deserves extra treats! Kudos to the banker who made sure you got home safely!
Socco, Whamo boffo for Whitney. You go, girl!
Yes. She has superpowers!
Awe! This is so touching! How scary for you and what quick thinking you have! This makes me cry. What a sweet girl Whitney is. I am glad you’re okay and thankful that bank executive cared enough and could walk you!
Beth, I’m glad you were able to think quickly when in the midst of such a scary situation to take advantage of being at a bank. I’m relieved that you’re ok – likely shaken, but you did manage to shake him and get home ok. I’m grateful for that.
Yes, I have so much to be grateful for. Including friends like you, Suzanne. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
So pleased for the happy ending.
And kudos to Whitney. “Good dog!”
What, me worry?:) Seriously, from the day Beth came home with her first Seeing Eye Dog, those dogs have meant almost as much to me as they have to Beth. The power of The Seeing Eye has a ripple effect.
Scary, sad, but a good ending.
You must have felt very vulnerable. This is the first time I’ve heard you talk about an experience list this.
So sad to have Whitney growing old. You have been going through this process for a while. I know you said you already have a home for Whitney. Hope your new guide dog is coming soon.
XOXO….. glad you are safe.
I guess the only somewhat similar situation was when I was pickpocketed in the city. It wasn’t scary, though, because I didn’t know it was going on! I’ve been scared by bad traffic and dangerous construction areas and of course the time my heroic Harper was sideswiped by a vehicle, but this is the only time I can think of where I thought a human being on foot might do me harm, and that does leave me feeling more vulnerable. . As Leone said above, though: glad for the happy ending. , but I have felt vulnerable in traffic and
That was a great story, little scary at parts, but good ending. Nice people out there, especially in banks, huh? Way to go, Whitney!
Sue
You know, Sue, there are nice people everywhere –including in the south suburbs! Thahnks for the happy comment.
I’m glad that this was the first creepy incident of this sort, and let us hope it is your last. Good girl, Whitney! I know you will miss her, but I bet she will thrive in retirement. Wishing her lots of naps, toys, and treats.
Oh, my, yes. Four vailiant Seeing Eye dogs have kep me safe over the years, and of all of them, Whitney is the one who is going to appreciate her upcoming retirement the most.
It never fails to amaze me how intuitive animals are. Yes, I’ll bet Whitney led you to that bank on purpose. And quick thinking on your part got you out of a scary situation. I’m so glad. Hugs to you both.
Hugs back to you, too, Hava.
Hugs to Whitney, and you, too! What a girl.
Ay! What a story! I was torn between whether it would be good for you to go home and give away your address and stepping into a business. Whitney did it!!! She sensed your discomfort and acted. I just want to hug her!
And yes, there are good people everywhere, even in the city.
Hugs back to you, Nancy. And to you, too, Annelore. If this ever happens again (let’s hope not!) I’ll know to just walk into a business. That, or just start screaming for help. You are so right, Annelore. I didn’t want him to know where I lived…
I hope you’re sending a letter to the bank executive’s boss/manager, telling this story again. Whitney would be happy to share the credit with him, I’m sure.
We all need to be street wise . Creeps do not make exceptions. Whitney however is both exceptional and street wise.
Thank you for sharing Beth !
Oh, Nancy, thank you for reading my post — and commenting here. You are right: Whitney is one streetwise, exceptional pup.
These days I keep thinking I have nothing left to write about. Then WHAM! You come up with a pot boiler just on your walk home. My dog Henry is 18 lbs and very docile but I have no doubt he’d sense danger and rip someone’s throat out. Well, that is if he could reach it. I’m glad Whitney just made the turn. When are you going to New Jersey?
I think the smaller dogs –Heny at 18 lbs., for example — are the ones bad guys should fear the most! I feel I should write an entire blog about when I’ll be returning to New Jersey for “SED #5” but here’s the Cliff Notes: a class started Sept. 2, and I wasn’t called to join that one. My medical paperwork isn’t formally completed and am eagerly awaiting a physical check-up with doc this Friday, Sept. 20, to make that official, still missing things like TB test and such. Then a class starts in early October, perhaps if they find an exceptionally perfect match for me they’ll call me for that. Another class starts in early November, ditto on that one. If no exceptionally perfect match comes up by December, I will be matched with the “pick of the litter” in that string of dogs and definitely start training in New Jersey with SED #5 on December 2.
*SED #5=my fifth Seeing Eye Dog.
[…] « Update on Whitney: Still Keeping Me Safe […]
Geesh! One more thing. Who needs one more thing? Obviously the move into the bank was teamwork. Good job Whitney, Harper, Hanni and Dora. Wishing you great team work with #5.
We were Whitney’s first family, the “puppy-raiser.” I loved her so much, and am happy we’re both able to follow her through your posts, & to know she is/was such an asset and great guide dog (I told her every day that I loved her, but she had a higher purpose, & was destined to be a great asset to a special person. Seems I was not wrong!) We recently lost our Golden Retriever, Whitney’s playpal for her first 18 months (the time in which we raised Whitney.) I always dreamed of getting Whitney back one day (although I realize that is foolish, as well as selfish – speaking of which, I secretly hoped she’d fail the program so I could keep her as she was that great!) I hope, Beth, that Whitney continues to be a stellar dog, and thank you for sharing her through your posts. At this time, I’m looking into getting a dog to keep as my own, but train to be a therapy dog to bring into nursing homes & hospitals. It amazes me how much love we both give & receive from our furry friends! *hugs*
[…] blog, only to read that after 8 years of awesome service, it was time for Whitney to retire. I commented to that blog post, letting Beth know I was glad to hear that Whit had been such a great dog for her and was sad that […]
Leave a Response