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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi all. There has been a question about why
I'm retiring Gulliver. To understand my thinking, perhaps you need to know
something about my previous guide Roydy. He was a good worker, but along
about the time he was seven or eight, he started having bladder
infections. Finally, the treatments weren't working for any more than a
few weeks. I retired Roydy when he was just eight and a half, and it
haunted me because he was so young. Had I done all that I could have
done? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Now, Roydy was back with his
raisers and their two little kids. I knew he was having a great time just
hanging out and being a pet. I was unprepared for the phone call which
informed me that Roydy had died of bladder cancer. He had been in pain for
a long time, and finally, his quality of life was such that he had to be put
down so that he wouldn't suffer any more. I'm glad I retired Roydy when he
could still run and play with the kids for a while, when he could still have
some dogness in his life. I retired him at just the right time from my
point of view. A couple more years and Roydy was gone. He died of
bladder cancer. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Now, as to Gulliver and his
condition; he will gladly do any guide work that I ask of him, but it's very
hard for him to wake up and get started. Whereas in the past, if Velvet
and I weren't up by nine o'clock and getting ready for our day, Gulliver would
race around the house, leap on the bed, wine, bark and try everything he knew to
get us up and moving into a bright new day that was full of promise. Now,
it's just so hard for him to start out, and when we've finished our walk down
and back to breakfast, he just collapses on the floor exhausted. It's time
for him ////to frisk and play and be a companion for my gentle friend who loves
animals and has a heart for what all of her animals have felt. I hope that
this is a more /complete explanation for my decision. I'd appreciate calls
or emails from anyone who wants to talk. Don't clog up this list, but
write or call me privately. Thanks in advance for all your support and
comments. You are a much beloved family of friends. Ken
V. </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>