Much loved and never forgotten

23 March 1994 to 25 Sept. 2008

To remember and honour my Taisha,

My Challlenge

This past week, I faced a challenge which took great courage;

My third guide dog, a beautiful golden Labrador girl, Taisha, small but strong!, gentle, sweet and patient and very intelligent, a loyal friend by my side, a joy and a blessing,I had to face that the time had come for her to go to her final rest.

Living was becoming increasingly harder for her.At fourteen and a half years, I knew my beloved dog would not manage the heat of the pending summer.

Through the sudden grief that I felt with the realization that I must make a decision to let her suffer and struggle no longer,I had to find the courage to go through the process to put her to sleep.

Many people tell me how hard it has been for them to say goodbye to their old dogs and I want to share with you here that with my Taisha,it was spiritual;

I felt every precious moment,in sharing the last hours with her, deeply and truly and then,as she breathed her last breaths,in my ear as I spoke lovingly to her in her ear,I felt that I was feeling every moment to the fullest, the pain and the truth of it.

As my tears fell on her and those last private minutes,I stood and touched her body and shared with the vet and my friend how peaceful she looked.

I felt blessed by the love in the room,hugged and thanked my vet for the help she gives to guide dogs and especially to mine.

I felt blessed to have my beautiful girl as my guide and friend for thirteen years andI felt blessed by the love and true hearts of friends who supported me during this painful time.

The culmination was a sign that my friend shared with me as we got into the car outside the vet; a white dove fluttered its’ wings as if to call our attention to it as it sat on the roof right above where Taisha lay. To me, this was a spiritual sign of peace to both me and my Taisha. I am grateful for that also.

Now, I feel that I have crossed the raging river and I made it with loving friends and God who strengthens me. In sharing this with you, my intention is to encourage you in times that challenge and wish you courage.

Walking To The Beat of New Paws

Six weeks ago, a new wonderful companion and guide came into my life after many months of being without a guide dog.
As a life coach, I am reflecting upon the qualities required of me, and of my dog and I as a team, to achieve a strong relationship that in turn means an excellent working team.

Coaching is part of my life, as I use these qualities not only with my clients and my professional life but also in the development of a wonderful relationship with my dog.

How do you encompass them in your own life?

* Patience:
I found it hard to be without a guide dog and to have to rely on a cane to get about.
One of my strongest values of Freedom was restricted.
The wait for my golden Labrador Elton was worth it.
Patience is an ongoing thing as I must be patient with him as he tries his best, at just 22 months, to learn the ways I want him to go and behave.

* Flexibility
During the intense 7 days a week for a month, I needed to be flexible to fit in with the guide dog trainers schedules and to do as I was instructed.
Elton had to be even more flexible, having come from living in a kennel in a guide dog centre, flying across Australia to meet me and adapt to a new home and a much more demanding day.
He has adapted to longer hours of concentration and obedience, guideing me on busy trains, buses, my favourite beach cafe, to shopping centres and patiently waiting whilst I am at work.
My body has also had to adapt to a strong young dog, striding out. Every dog feels different to walk beside, like dancing with a new partner.

* Reliability
Whilst my new guide dog builds his skills to become a wonderful guide dog whom I can rely upon, I to must be reliable to care for him from the best consistent feeding,
to regular preventative health visits to the vet, grooming and plenty of walks to hoan his training to higher levels.

*focus
Distraction and lack of focus from either member of our team will mean my dog does not work well in guiding me safely and accurately.
It is up to me to focus on the important factors in his training and to maintain that training consistently, as well as keeping his mind on his job.

* Responsibility
All of these qualities culminate in being responsible.
When we take responsibility in our daily activities and for our lives, progress can occur.
Blaming is not productive and often in coaching. where the coach can help a client to identify blaming, change can happen from feeling stuck to a more empowering perspective of seeing a way forward to new possibilities.

* Celebration and Gratitude
The joy of walking safely and freely with my new guide dog is something to be grateful for and to celebrate every day.
In the future, we will widen our travels to include air travel and possibly other countries as I have done with my previous dogs.

If having your own personal coach could help you see clearly your own vision for your life, move forward on your own best path for your life, live your dreams and be who you truly want to be,
then email me now
for although I am on the move, travelling back to Jamaica from Australia,
I have a U.S. phone conference line
which allows total confidentiality
so coaching can occur no matter where you are located in the world.

View the vidio now…I can see clearly now
and enjoy the Afro-Caribbean message