Living for most of his life, its task is to travel with him through the alleys of the big city, and navigation is its instinct.
The 11-year-old Deanna, who is now a seventy-year-old mother-in-law, has retired from her mission of guiding the blind this summer. Today, she sits beside her master and enjoys peace.
After nine cold and heat together, Zeng Jianping regarded Deanna as his family early. Although his dog could no longer be his GPS, he still promised to take good care of it and protect each other.
In 2012, Deanna, who was only two years old, arrived in Hong Kong after being trained in the United States and became the first group of guide dogs in Hong Kong to obtain internationally recognized qualifications. He served as Zeng Jianping’s eyes to navigate him.
"I often tell my friends that there is no family member at home who can stay with you 24 hours a day, but Deanna has been with me 24 hours a day for many years." No matter how far away on business, Zeng Jianping and Deanna are almost inseparable. It is a long business trip that also accompanies him. Whether in spirit or life, this Labrador supports Zeng Jianping every step of the way.
"If it takes me without it, I may not be able to do many things. It has helped me for so many years. I should repay my gratitude and take good care of it in old age."
The life of not being used to removing the blind saddle can no longer accompany the owner for 24 hours
Working for most of their lives, many people have not adapted to the choreography of life, and their hearts are a little empty when they retire, and Deanna is no exception.
For the past nine years, Deanna wears a guide saddle and uniform when she goes out to work every day, and travels through public places, restaurants, and transportation facilities. Deanna, who just unloads her "Gear (equipment)", no longer has "privileges."
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Yu Xiyang, a guide dog instructor of the Hong Kong Guide Dog Association, said, “Because there may be many places where they have removed their uniforms and guide saddles, they may not be able to enter the mall again if they have a chance, and they will not be able to ride again. They can no longer follow the visually impaired 24 hours a day. For some guide dogs, they will be a little uncomfortable in their retirement life at the beginning, but the paparazzi will adapt over time.”
......Anyone who refuses to bring a guide dog to a visually impaired person, including a guide dog who is undergoing guidance training with a visually impaired person, enters premises that are permitted to the public, or refuses to provide him with services or facilities , It may be regarded as a violation of the Disability Discrimination Ordinance.
EOC Chairman Chen Zhangming (2018)
The "successor dog" appeared worried about the status of being insecure
In order to allow Deanna's mother-in-law to have better rest and care, Zeng Jian Pingyuan originally arranged for Deanna to share the same room with the foreign servant's sister. Even if he was out, there were people taking care of and accompanying Deanna.
But Deanna didn't seem to understand his intentions: "After two or three days, I heard from my family that it seemed to be very ill, and its tail was weaker and weaker. It was very different from before." Zeng Jianping felt that Deanna might be unhappy, "Later It went back to my room to sleep, just like it used to be, and fed it with food. Maybe he thought that Daddy would still take care of it and love it, so it was happy."
Deanna officially retired, and the mission of going out to work with Zeng Jianping every morning was taken over by the "Xin Ding" Vinnie.
Zeng Jianping pointed out that it is not easy for Deanna to adapt to the "dog life" of retirement. "At first I picked up the saddle for the blind. I would definitely come over when I went out. Later, it was known that it was not worn by it, but I sometimes said to it, " Deanna, you are good, stay at home" I am very good, it will not insist or grab it out."
Once again, after Zeng Jianping and the worker’s sister took Deanna and Vinnie downstairs to urinate, he went out immediately, but Deanna stood at the gate and looked at the glass door for a long time. A very spiritual dog."
I don’t know my successor, Vinnie.
In addition to getting used to the "dog life" of retirement, Deanna also has to get used to Vinnie who takes over her job.
"At first when Vinnie asked him to play together, Deanna didn't play or pay attention to it." Zeng Jianping said that the two dogs need time to run in. "Gradually the two dogs grab toys together. Deanna will even grab the toys and ask Vinnie to play together. Then Two dogs were chasing after each other." Zeng Jianping finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It was discovered this year that there was a problem with its joints while walking. Later, through the Guide Dog Association and veterinarians, it was thought that it was 11 years old and it was time to retire.
Guide dog user Zeng Jianping
Zeng Jianping: "If it took me without it, I might not be able to do many things. It has helped me for so many years. I should repay my gratitude and take good care of it in old age." (Photo by Lin Songhua)
Guide dog retirement surges must be adopted by foster families or the public
But not every retired guide dog is as lucky as Deanna to continue living with visually impaired users.
Yu Xiyang said that general retired guide dogs will be given priority to the care of guide dog users, followed by (guide dogs) former foster families, or adopted by the public.
After all, dogs are getting older and their health is not as good as before. They need special care and medical expenses.
"If a guide dog user has measured his abilities, whether it is financial or physical, he may not be able to cope with an old big dog. There is a good chance that he will return it to the association and then decide to find a foster family." Yu Xiyang said. It is not easy for blind dogs to find foster families. "We have all received a lot of different (adoption) applications, but maybe everyone hopes that with a young paparazzi to accompany you, you can go out more outdoor activities, or you can have more Time to accompany my family."
The Hong Kong Guide Dog Association has introduced guide dog services since 2011. 2021 is just the 10th year. Guide dogs generally have to retire between 8 and 10 years old. There has been a wave of retirement for guide dogs. As of October this year, there have been 8 retired.
According to the association's data, there are about 32 guide dogs in active service, and 12 of them are expected to retire in the next five years.
Yu Xiyang said that the association is preparing a retirement guide dog fund, and hopes to subsidize guide dog users in the future to alleviate their worries about taking care of retired guide dogs financially, or that there will be partial assistance for public adoption and other adoptive families in the future. , Making it easier for them to adopt and take care of guide dogs who are selflessly paying for the visually impaired.
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