[Cagdu] Fw: in tribute

[Ken Volonte]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Pamela Caryl 
To: Ken Volonte 
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: in tribute


Oh, Ken!!!!!!

Ken Volonte <kenvolonte at comcast.net> wrote: 
  It was a fast switch from my old guide Roydy to Gulliver; just a short Juno walk to determine my pace, and then I was ushered into the instructors' office where I met Gulliver.

      The first thing I noticed about him was how slim he was.  Roydy had weighed 84 pounds.  Gulliver was ten pounds lighter.  He was 25 inches at the shoulder.  

      Then I noticed his head.  It was a great broad head with a huge face.  Immediately I started scratching his ear, he licked me with the tip of his tongue.  When I didn't correct him, he licked me with a long slow stroke that covered half my face.  This was going to be like living with Dino.  

      As if to emphasize his size, he gave a raspy snarl and held my hand in his big mouth for just half a second.  My hand was covered with dog slobber.  

      After that intro, all bets were off.  Gulliver licked me and climbed on me much to the embarrassment of Kathie Pits my instructor.  "He's very friendly", and indeed he was.  

      He was also very cautious with a slower pace than I was used to.  He was so cautious that I didn't think he could take the busy crossing at Pacific and Alpine.  This was where many of my dogs had washed out.  

      The day before graduation, Todd and I drove back to Stockton just to see how Gulliver would react.  He paused only a second before crossing without a hitch.  He'd work out just fine.  

      Gulliver was very forgiving of my mistakes and hard on himself when he would let his attention wander.  Perhaps it took him a while to realize that I really was blind and not some impostor wearing sleep shades.  Dogs can tell.  Soon enough, people would see me all over town.  

      It was during this initial bonding period that I had to relearn something that all guide dog users need to know. It does not do to believe the yells of a public who will comment on every street crossing.  They will say the most terrible things in their efforts to be helpful.  "That dog's no good.  He needs to be trained", or in the next block, "That dog took you right through that construction.  He's amazing!"  

      I felt safe with Gulliver, not only because of his caution, but because of his protectiveness.  I think he saved me from being mugged once or twice. 

      We knew Stockton by day and night.  We knew where all the best waitresses were, the ones that would give Gulliver something special brought from home.  They would always say the same thing: "I know I'm not supposed to, but he's just so cute". 

      Cute wasn't the half of it.  In addition to his talents as a guide dog, Gulliver could act.  He had big sad eyes that could pierce even the most resolute heart.  He accentuated his sad look with trembling, slobbering and stomach gurgling noises.  I can't swear to this, but I think he could make himself look skinnier. He's a yellow Lab.  What can I say.  

      Now it's time for Gulliver to retire.  He's ten and a half and it's getting hard for him to climb stairs and he doesn't do those dolphin leaps the way he used to.  

      Through the years, he's guided me and been in every sort of conveyance you could imagine.  We've even marched with the National Federation of the Blind in Atlanta this summer.  Indeed!  We were the first ones back to the hotel.  It makes me wonder why I'm retiring him.  

      I'll miss him; but he's going where there is a little Jack Russell Terrier named Bella.  She'll keep him young, and his replacement will keep me young.  Maybe that's why I use a guide dog.     




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