I have always loved animals, especially dogs. I borrowed books about guide 
dogs from the school library. I dreamt about my own dog which I would get 
one day. She would love me and just be able to tell my thoughts and would 
instantly know where I would want to be taken to.

Tisha (a cross between a Labrador and Golden Retriever) was a black bundle 
of energy when she came into my life at 21 months. She was a strong willed 
dog and definitely not willing to be bossed around by this stranger! She 
deliberately walked me into a rubbish bin opposite a church one sunday while 
I was still on class...yet I loved her deeply from the start. Ejay was our 
trainer and she said she'd know we had established a bond with our dogs as 
soon as we called her by our dog's name. It didn't happen while I was on 
class, but I did address my close human friend as Tisha so I guess that 
qualifies...

When I brought her home I was the only person she knew and she realised I 
might just be presentable after all. There are so many special and humorous 
moments together to remember. She was my loyal, faithful guide dog for nine 
years and two months. She had such a sense of direction and excellent 
traffic skills. She was able to walk to the Library in another town after an 
absense of three years! Unfortunately she tried her best to become a skilled 
gardener, but my gran was not impressed. She was also my daughter and 
learned to love me too.

She enjoyed close to three years' retirement being spoilt to bits by my 
mother and it was wonderful to visit her there where she was cared for and 
happy. Today (27 March 2008) at 15:12 local time (09:12 EST) we reached the 
end of our journey together. I stayed with her when the vet gave her the 
injection and she went into a peaceful sleep.

There will be a gap in my life without her. She was thirteen years and ten 
months old.

Farewell Tisha, Mommy loves you...