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lindsey22295 Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 7:44 AM |
Hey all.
As some of you know I raise guide dog puppies for the blind in my spare time. Bruin was the first dog I raised and he was with me throughout my junior year and senior year of high school. He was also my first (and only-the success rate isn't very high!) dog to graduate. He graduated with a blind man named Todd in June 2006 and has been living and working in Indianapolis,IN with Todd for the last three years. Last week Bruin was hit by a car and died. He would have been 5 this September and had many years of guiding ahead of him. I learned this news this morning and I am completely heartbroken. He was such an amazing dog and I feel utterly horrible, but I can't even imagine what Todd is going through. The bond between a blind person and their guide dog is indescribable. I suggest watching this video if you are interested and want to learn more about it. Actually I highly recommend it!
Soul Mates
I just wanted to share this as sort of a tribute to what an amazing dog he was and educate people about the bond between a blind person and their dog. I have been crying off and on all day today and have been walking around with a hole in my chest. I don't know if it is hard for people unfamiliar with guide dogs to understand this because my friends at college who don't see me with guide dogs didn't really "get it" as to why I was so upset, but my best friends from high school all cried at the news because I guess they were around him so much. He really was such a major part of our lives.
I love you so much Bruin! <3
Now, I hope you guys don't mind if I share some pictures with happy memories! :)
Baby Bruin!
He loved the beach so much.
Bruin and Todd's Graduation Ceremony
At graduation
Todd and Bruin came back to visit us for a week and we went sightseeing all over in San Francisco since Todd had never been. This is after a long day of walking and Bruin is as cool as can be!
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Nikki Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 8:10 AM |
| Lindsey, I'm so sorry for your loss. Bruin looked like such a cool dog. It must be so hard, especially since you raised him and had such a close bond with him. I really commend you for the great work you do raising these dogs to help people and hope you'll be able to make new memories with another wonderful dog soon. My journalism mentor and co-worker is disabled and uses a wheelchair to get around. He has a guide dog who we all love and who has really become the office pet. They're such smart, loving animals. It must be like losing a friend. RIP Bruin. |
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weirdmom Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 3:01 PM |
| Lindsey I am so sorry to hear this news. It makes me so sad for you and Todd. What an awful loss. |
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minnmess Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 3:16 PM |
| Im really sorry to hear about Bruin, Lindsey! |
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Meridith Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 3:44 PM |
| Oh Lindsey, I'm so sorry! This makes me so sad! My heart goes out to you and Todd. |
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Turtleneck Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 3:56 PM |
| Sorry for your loss, and Todd's. I hope he can find a new furry friend soon. |
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SamuraiSandy Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 4:15 PM |
| Oh Lindsey, I am so sorry! This makes me so sad! |
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fenchurch Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 5:55 PM |
| Lindsey I'm so sorry for your loss, I can fully understand how upset you must be feeling. |
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lindsey22295 Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 7:12 PM |
Aww thanks so much guys. It really helps a lot!
Turtleneck wrote: I hope he can find a new furry friend soon.
I hope so too! |
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Rammsfer Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 8:11 PM |
| l'm so sorry Lindsey. lt was such a beautiful dog. |
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hennypenny Posted Thu 28 May, 2009 9:25 PM |
| Sorry for the loss Lindsey:( |
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lindsey22295 Posted Fri 29 May, 2009 7:29 AM |
Article about it
The street corner where it occured was mentioned so I of course google mapped it. I was expecting some crazy traffic area, but no, it is a quiet little residential street that couldn't have a speed limit over 25 mph.
Oh and what kind of fucking person hits a dog and doesn't stop?!?! Excuse my language. |
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monkey Posted Fri 29 May, 2009 8:52 AM |
| very sad news, sorry for your loss. |
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weirdmom Posted Fri 29 May, 2009 3:38 PM |
lindsey22295 wrote: Article about it
The street corner where it occured was mentioned so I of course google mapped it. I was expecting some crazy traffic area, but no, it is a quiet little residential street that couldn't have a speed limit over 25 mph.
Oh and what kind of fucking person hits a dog and doesn't stop?!?! Excuse my language.
That is so horrible. Obviously I don't even Todd but I feel so bad for him. The part that really got to me is that he feels like he has lost his sight all over again. That makes sense and is so heartbreaking. |
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