So last August, I retired my guide dog Luther, and on November 1st, I set out for Portland where I trained for 2 weeks with a new dog.
Lars is his name, a little black lab with a lot of spunk and character, a good match for me I think.
Upon bringing him home, the next few months were spent introducing him to routes I take on a daily basis, and observing the interaction between Luther and Lars.
For a few months when I returned home with Lars, Luther was not as playful as he is these days, due to a sudden weight gain that occured thanks to the people who were looking after him when I was away getting Lars.
Anyway, the point of this post is to talk about my retired guide, and the fact that I do still work him now and again.
Luther loved his work, always willing to please and always attentive when on the job.
Even today when I bring his harness down from the wall where it hangs, he goes dog crazy, jumping around wagging his big tail and just being silly.
Somebody, who has remained, somebody because they do not have the nerve to confront me themselves, went to the trouble of calling the guide dog school where Luther and Lars are from, and reported me for working my retired guide.
The school then followed up with me, at which time I explained what I was doing and why I was doing it.
For those people who have working dogs, no matter what their job is, very rarely will that dog exhibit behavior that would indicate that they do not love what they do. Luther is no exception.
If my dog did not like working, would I actually make him do it? Honestly, I am not a slave driver.
The day Luther lacks excitement when I bring his harness off the wall, is the day he no longer “goes to work” but until that day, if it makes him happy, then it will continue to be a part of his life, and mine.