Within three weeks of returning Argo to the Southeastern Guide Dog Inc. (SEGDI) training center in Bradenton, FL, we have learned that he has hip dysplasia in his left hip. This disqualifies him from the guide dog program, and, because of the physical demands of the other service options offered by SEGDI, he was not “career changed.” He went from being considered as a breeder dog one week to being neutered and released from the organization last week.
You can imagine what an emotional roller-coaster this has been: Phil and I were happy to raise him, full of hope that he would help a blind person someday, sad to see him go but optimistic about his future, had somewhat adjusted to his absence, and are now distressed to hear of his physical problem.
Argo showed no signs of dysplasia while he was with us – he walked and ran and and never limped at all. But, he is young, and sooner or later, this condition will catch up with him. We have seen the x-ray, and it clearly shows the problem joint.
So, what now?
There are other programs where Argo can be useful perhaps visiting children in hospitals, going to nursing homes, and/or letting autistic children read to him at the library. He was bred to be a service dog and on the inside, he is still wired that way. So maybe Argo can fit in somewhere else. If you don’t make the basketball team at school, you play recreational ball, find another sport, or pursue another activity. There are many times in life where people have to “reinvent” themselves. Apparently, this happens in the dog world, too.
Still, explaining to family and friends, especially children, what has happened to Argo hasn’t been easy. Why didn’t he make it? Will he ever get well? What will he do now?
Phil and I had discussed it long before Argo left for training. If he were ever up for adoption, we wanted him to come back to us. So, we are adopting him. He can play with Murphy and Jack again, greet the neighbors, go camping, keep me company when I write, and just be my loyal friend. Just because he did not succeed at a goal and has a physical problem does not change our love for him.
Come home, Argo, come home soon. We have all have missed you.
