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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=pamcaryl@sbcglobal.net href="mailto:pamcaryl@sbcglobal.net">Pamela
Caryl</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=kenvolonte@comcast.net
href="mailto:kenvolonte@comcast.net">Ken Volonte</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Friday, August 17, 2007 7:53 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: in tribute</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>Oh,
Ken!!!!!!<BR><BR><B><I>Ken Volonte <<A
href="mailto:kenvolonte@comcast.net">kenvolonte@comcast.net</A>></I></B>
wrote:
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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!" </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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".</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
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