Jockey Saved My Life

 

Hello Everyone!

 

I just had the most amazing experience I have ever had with a guide dog. The subject line says it all. Jockey really did save my life!

 

I was crossing a busy street here in Quincy and I was with my friend Chris who is partially blind and uses a cane. The light changed and it was our turn to walk across the street. Unfortunately, the light only lasts about 15 seconds. So, you really have to book it across. We crossed right in the crosswalk where we were suppose to and my friend Chris walked ahead of me using his cane. Suddenly about half way into the crossing, a woman yells out "wait". During our training, GEB really enforces that when crossing streets, we must follow our dogs. So, when the woman yelled wait, I did not panic and continued to follow Jockey. Next thing I knew, Jockey very forcefully backed me up away from an on-coming car and curled in front of me. Just as Jockey backed me up, I heard a car's breaks screeching to a halt. As all this was taking place, I remained calm and confident in Jockey and praised him. When the car stopped and all was safe, Jockey confidently completed the street crossing and brought me to the up curb. When we stepped up out of the street, I dropped the harness handle, got down on my knees and hugged and praised Jockey. It was a very bonding moment.

 

Fortunately, my friend Chris was walking very quickly and was at the up-curb when the on-coming car came. I guess what happened was that the light changed as Jockey and I were crossing in the crosswalk and some idiot decided they would just start driving. I really don't understand how that person could have missed 2 blind people in the crosswalk. Perhaps that person shouldn't be driving and needs a guide dog too. (smile) I did not think to get the license plate number and report it because I was more concerned with paying close attention to what Jockey was doing. Some folks have a real nerve!  

 

Its an amazing feeling to be able to entrust your life to a guide dog. In the past couple months, Jockey and I have become so much more bonded but, tonight's traffic incident has really cemented our bond. GEB does a wonderful job at training our dogs to act as our eyes. Had it not been for Jockey tonight, I probably would have been hit by that on-coming car.

 

Much thanks to GEB trainers and puppy raisers for all the great dogs you give us. And keep up the amazing work that you do!

 

Milissa and Jockey, The Energizer Doggy
E-mail: milissa.g@comcast.net
Check out my music on my website at:
www.MilissaGarside.com
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