Around noon local time (6 eastern) I had a call from the guide dog training
school and will train from home on 11 or 18 November with a young dog. I'm a
bit sad as it does mean an end of the working road for me and
Astrid. She was such a lively, naughty pup (who had to go back to the school 
to be re-trained) that I never thought I'd write this. She
is with me and I must decide her future. I don't know what to choose. I'll
let the trainer observe and tell me how she takes the young dog. Finances
unfortunately also plays a role when I decide what to do - I'll get prices
on her medicine tomorrow. I'm grateful that should it prove impossible for 
me to make things work out to let her stay on, she has the loving home where 
she was raised which she can go back to.

At the same time I'm grateful that God worked it out for me this way as I
was here such a short time before my father's stroke and this will give me
time to get to know the area. It will also not be as stressful as staying at
the school and attending a formal class. This young dog will be my 3rd and
the class routine would also be somewhat boring as I've gone through it
twice before.

An uncanny coincidence is that I have a retired dog who will celebrate a
birthday when I train. My first dog, Tisha, had her birthday while I was at
the training school training with Astrid more than 900 miles away. This time 
God
grants me grace as Astrid will be with me and celebrate her birthday while
she and I adjust to the pup.

I will send more info about this long awaited mystery canine when I know 
more.

My father continues to make progress while receiving the speech and 
physiotherapy. I'd have loved to skype him now to talk about the new dog. 
Astrid was his favourite dog of the 2 I've had so far, even though she was 
the least talented guide she has such a loving heart.

Thanks for everyone's prayers for me over the past months and please
continue to pray that everything will work out for us.

May all on the list have a blessed day
Coco