Read Online Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog & the Woman She Rescued by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher
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opinion.
I took the bait. “Hmm, I think you’re right. Just like you love to play the piano, this would be the same as knowing how to play in your head, but never practicing. You’ll never really learn how to play unless you practice what you know.”
“That’s what I think! I couldn’t live my life restricted by a three-foot line either. I’ve come to the conclusion that tryingto shelter her by keeping her on a leash the rest of her life is doing her no favors; that’s living in an unrealistic bubble world. I need to train her to live in the real world—the world she can’t see with her eyes. This world has challenges and dangers. Her life is full of sharp edges, drop-offs, and a wood-burning stove. She needs to learn to listen to my voice of guidance and then steer around those potential dangers on her own. I feel like the best course of action is to train her to be obedient while she is on the leash and even more so when she is off.”
I need to train her to live in the real world—the world she can’t see with her eyes
.
With the deterioration of Mia’s remaining eye, Laurie’s presence and purpose in her life took on a fresh focus. She determined to help Mia develop the ability to survive in a new and different way.
Mia had already proved that she could overcome with ease the obstacles within her home and backyard without a leash. Since Mia would be off line in unknown environments while in her master’s presence, Laurie needed to teach Mia to know and do three things: trust, believe, and listen. Mia must trustLaurie’s eyes to become hers. She must believe in Laurie’s decisions. And she must listen to Laurie’s voice. The only way Mia would able to accomplish these things is if she was allowed to practice them.
After many rehearsals, Laurie took Mia to the impressive Oregon Coast, with its miles of empty seashore. It was the perfect place to teach Mia how to trust, believe, and listen. Laurie could think of no setting more inspiring for coaching her friend.
Once the two of them arrived at the beach, Laurie released her wriggling dog from her leash. Mia was thrilled! She bounced around Laurie in big goofy leaps, always blindly looking up in the direction of where she believed her master’s face might be. Mia’s ecstatic body language seemed to shout, “Thank you!” Then, true to her species, she set off to investigate her new surroundings.
Fully living up to its reputation, the magnificent Oregon Coast delivers, no matter what the weather. The gray skies that day only added to the deepening sense of drama created by the heavy surf. Towering spires of black basalt rose like timeless cathedrals within the exploding waves. The cold wind whipped Laurie’s hair and tore at her clothing. She braced herself against the torrent and mused,
Days like these make me know I’m alive!
Laurie hurried to join Mia. While strolling along the beach,she watched her dog approach potentially dangerous chunks of driftwood.
“Careful!”
Mia hesitated and turned slightly toward the sound of her master’s voice.
Laurie continued to warn. “Careful, careful!”
In a surprisingly short time, Mia learned that
careful
meant “move forward slowly.”
Laurie was pleased with Mia’s responses to her cues.
“Good girl, Mia!” Laurie called out praises for each good choice her clever dog made. Excited and proud of Mia’s progress, Laurie added other commands such as “wait” and “stay.” When Mia needed to step over something to avoid a hazard, Laurie added “step” to her list of commands.
Satisfaction filled Laurie to see her blind dog having so much fun. With minimal coaching from her master, Mia was a happy dog again, and she raced from one point of interest to another. Anyone watching her run along the beach would not have known Mia was blind. Laurie smiled as she watched her dog discover one captivating scent after another.
This day might not be long enough for Mia to explore it all
.
Laurie
I took the bait. “Hmm, I think you’re right. Just like you love to play the piano, this would be the same as knowing how to play in your head, but never practicing. You’ll never really learn how to play unless you practice what you know.”
“That’s what I think! I couldn’t live my life restricted by a three-foot line either. I’ve come to the conclusion that tryingto shelter her by keeping her on a leash the rest of her life is doing her no favors; that’s living in an unrealistic bubble world. I need to train her to live in the real world—the world she can’t see with her eyes. This world has challenges and dangers. Her life is full of sharp edges, drop-offs, and a wood-burning stove. She needs to learn to listen to my voice of guidance and then steer around those potential dangers on her own. I feel like the best course of action is to train her to be obedient while she is on the leash and even more so when she is off.”
I need to train her to live in the real world—the world she can’t see with her eyes
.
With the deterioration of Mia’s remaining eye, Laurie’s presence and purpose in her life took on a fresh focus. She determined to help Mia develop the ability to survive in a new and different way.
Mia had already proved that she could overcome with ease the obstacles within her home and backyard without a leash. Since Mia would be off line in unknown environments while in her master’s presence, Laurie needed to teach Mia to know and do three things: trust, believe, and listen. Mia must trustLaurie’s eyes to become hers. She must believe in Laurie’s decisions. And she must listen to Laurie’s voice. The only way Mia would able to accomplish these things is if she was allowed to practice them.
After many rehearsals, Laurie took Mia to the impressive Oregon Coast, with its miles of empty seashore. It was the perfect place to teach Mia how to trust, believe, and listen. Laurie could think of no setting more inspiring for coaching her friend.
Once the two of them arrived at the beach, Laurie released her wriggling dog from her leash. Mia was thrilled! She bounced around Laurie in big goofy leaps, always blindly looking up in the direction of where she believed her master’s face might be. Mia’s ecstatic body language seemed to shout, “Thank you!” Then, true to her species, she set off to investigate her new surroundings.
Fully living up to its reputation, the magnificent Oregon Coast delivers, no matter what the weather. The gray skies that day only added to the deepening sense of drama created by the heavy surf. Towering spires of black basalt rose like timeless cathedrals within the exploding waves. The cold wind whipped Laurie’s hair and tore at her clothing. She braced herself against the torrent and mused,
Days like these make me know I’m alive!
Laurie hurried to join Mia. While strolling along the beach,she watched her dog approach potentially dangerous chunks of driftwood.
“Careful!”
Mia hesitated and turned slightly toward the sound of her master’s voice.
Laurie continued to warn. “Careful, careful!”
In a surprisingly short time, Mia learned that
careful
meant “move forward slowly.”
Laurie was pleased with Mia’s responses to her cues.
“Good girl, Mia!” Laurie called out praises for each good choice her clever dog made. Excited and proud of Mia’s progress, Laurie added other commands such as “wait” and “stay.” When Mia needed to step over something to avoid a hazard, Laurie added “step” to her list of commands.
Satisfaction filled Laurie to see her blind dog having so much fun. With minimal coaching from her master, Mia was a happy dog again, and she raced from one point of interest to another. Anyone watching her run along the beach would not have known Mia was blind. Laurie smiled as she watched her dog discover one captivating scent after another.
This day might not be long enough for Mia to explore it all
.
Laurie
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