Whitney’s living large.
- Stretch your legs on an airplane: no one tucked under the seat in front of you
- Learn a lesson in humility: people no longer say “She’s beautiful!” when you enter a room
- Sleep: the 5 a.m. “I’m hungry” wake-up call happens in Pennsylvania now
- Get through TSA without being wanded
- Take an escalator without cringing at the thought of paws getting caught
- Move through the kitchen without worrying you’ll step in a water bowl
- Jump out of bed rather than gingerly checking for a dog underfoot first
- Leave your luggage unzipped without worrying that a creature will dig in there for a bag of almonds…or a lacrosse ball
- Spend an entire lazy day at home=no one needs to go out
- Miss them. A lot
- Smile to picture the retiree now, back with old friends in a hilly, wooded country town with nothing to do but play
- Count the days until you’ll meet your new pup – only 13 more to go.
I think number 10 through 13 are going to outweigh numbers 1 through 9. May it pass quickly.
Amen!
Good luck Beth and Mike for when your new pup comes home. The mistake I made when puppy standard poodle, Lana, joined our family was that I assumed the new pup would arrive as mature and as wise as our previous and much beloved poodle. I forgot how much our dog had to learn. And she did learn. I know you have been through this before so I’ll bet you know much more about it than I do.
Happy New Year.
Oh, Michael thanks so much for this. While yes, we have been through this before, I always forget it ever happened once that early rough patch is over. I put it in the past, out of mined.
I assume all over again that the new pup will arrive as mature and as wise as the previous one, so honestly, thank you for reminding me that will not be the case!
Eyebrows up! I, along with Whitney, have matured in the past ten years and hope I’m better prepared to accept the mistakes (and critiques about the new dog that will inevitably come from well-meaning observers) this time around.
Powerful list.
Flattering comment from a powerful sister — get ready to guide me through Maggie Daley Park when you arrive with the gradkids Saturday!
I think the time will pass by fast, however it will be spent by thinking beyond those 12 things.
We are all looking forward
to your new pup. See u soon.
I bet it will go by quickly, too. Our Finke family homemade Christmas party is this Sunday and all my siblings are coming from near and far, lots to catch up with (and we still haven’t finished making our homemade gifts!). Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Audrey. Happy new year
Beth, I love this posting. I feel the freedom, the sadness and the anticipation.
Thanks for the high praise, Diana. While writing it I thought of the things we talk about in memoir-writing class= use strong verbs, shorter sentences, write honestly. And like so many of the essays you writers bring to read aloud in class, this one was therapeutic to write as well.
Well that choked me up! Love you and good luck in January.
Yep. Looking forward to introducing my new dog to the Foucré/Fischer nation. Happy new year!
I love this list! Best of luck =! These 13 days will hopefully fly by for you. Keep us all posted!
Lots of love to you Beth! Jenny and Dennis
So great that Whitney has a perfect retirement place with folks who already love her. And equally great to sense your eager anticipation for the new puppy who will steal your heart as well as the almonds and lacrosse ball.
Beautifully put, my friend. Happy New Year!
Hi Beth!
My lesson for the day is that I had just assumed when the time comes and a guide dog retires, they still remain in the home, even if a new pup comes along. I had honestly not even thought about retirement for dear Whitney. I hope I’m not alone in my obviously incorrect assumption. I’m sad to learn Whitney will not be with you, but happy that you’ll be sharing your great wisdom and love with a new friend. Best wishes to you and your family for 2020!
Victoria, your assumption was not all wrong. Some people do keep their retired dogs at home, and when they return with a new guide dog the previous one is just a pet.
Oh, and Ali, Jenny and Dennis: thank you for your good wishes. Very much appreciated!
I will miss her but look forward to meeting the newbie.
Carol A.
❤️
❤️!
Carol, what a coincidence: I feel the same way.
And Dean, this may be a first. Have I left you speechless!?!!??
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