When Rosamund lost her eyesight at the age of two, her doctors said that she would probably die within three years. But today at 70-years of age she has outlived all those doctors!

Her parents wanted to make her independent, so they expected her to do everything any child would. “When I was five, mother taught me how to wash dishes,” said Rosamund. “I could tell when they were clean by my fingers.  I vacuumed by moving furniture to the side of the room so the vacuum wouldn’t miss any dirt. 

I did not get away with anything! If I lost something, I had to ‘look’ for it.  After I grew up and became a parent myself, when my children had to clean their room, they would ask their sighted father to inspect it because he never checked under the bed.  But I was a thorough inspector and always found their hidden messes!”

Rosamund attended a school for the blind and paw-ticipated in school sports, and became a physical therapist.  View her at the school at the age of five: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBMAx1GvZ8g

“One day it snowed six inches” recalls Rosamund, “and I was scared when I could not discern the difference between the sidewalk, grass and road with my white cane.  So, I phoned Guide Dogs for the Blind and told them I needed a dog.”

People who donate a certain amount to the organization can name a guide puppy, so Rory’s donor’s youngster named my pup after her rabbit!

“A cane is not as safe, fast or as much fun as a dog,” said Rosamund.  “We walk 3-4 miles a day, which keeps us fit. Rory also walks me to exercise classes.

Rory gives me freedom and I feel secure with her because she indicates and avoids uneven sidewalks and construction areas.”

Outside Rory negotiates Rosamund around paw-destrians, lamp posts, garbage cans, mail boxes and benches.  If a car stops for them paw-tially in a crosswalk, Rory guides Rosamund around it. Sighted people do not realize all the walking hazards.

“When we are about to cross a street,” said Rosamund, “and I command her ‘Forward’, even if I can’t hear a bike or electric car approaching, she won’t move. 

In malls she maneuvers around baby strollers, water fountains and booths. She finds store doors faster than I can.  She knows the words for ‘elevator’ and ‘escalator’ and finds the tops and bottoms of them for me.  Rory gives me added confidence and security to venture out into the world. We work as a team.

Rory only works 3-4 hours a day when we leave the house. At home she is a normal dog who loves rolling on her back, chewing her toys, chasing balls and befriending anyone at the front door. She loves working and the praise. When she hears me with her harness, she excitedly runs to get into it.  At that moment, she switches character and totally focuses on guiding me.

Rory’s memory is amazing! Once I had an appointment in a new building. We entered the foyer, I said ‘elevator’ and she guided me to it. I knew which floor button to push because they were marked with brail, but I had no idea which way to turn when we exited. Often we are the only ones on the ride up.  When we exited, because the room numbers were not tactile, I told her to take me to the nearest door, she did, we entered, and the receptionist directed us further. We left that office and entered the correct one, #403.

A year later, we went back to that building and Rory walked me to the elevator, and when we exited she took me directly to room 403.

For a different appointment, my husband drove and parked us close to the building.  We walked to the door, took the elevator, and arrived on the fifth floor.   Months later, Rory and I took the bus across town and it let us off at the far end of the block.  I was not sure which direction to go, but Rory did! She walked us straight to the building, even though she had never walked down that street before!

Rory must wear a digital watch under her fur!  Faithfully, at exactly 4:30 p.m. she lifts my husband’s elbow with her nose for playtime.  Animals are brilliant. Humans have underestimated their intelligence for too long. We hope Rory changes their paws-pective.”

Everyone wants to feel loved and useful and Rory and Rosamund do this for each other. And Rory’s moment of fame featured in MODERN DOG magazine never went to her head!

On a funny note; one warm day Rosamund was walking the twelve blocks home up a steep mountain road when Rory deemed it too hot to walk.  Rory heard a bus approaching a few blocks away, she sat at the curb and wouldn’t budge.  The bus arrived, the driver opened it’s doors and jokingly asked, “Does your dog want a ride?” Rosamund responded, “Yes.  As long as I can come with her.”  Everyone on board was giggling at the dog catching the bus!

“Never touch or talk to a harnessed service dog,” teaches Rosamund. “Distracting them could endanger its handler. It costs $35,000 to train a guide dog. The money comes from donations and is appreciated by Rory, myself and other guide dogs recipients because they gift us a greater freedom.”

Does your pet have a miracle, talent or funny story?

Mary Ellen's Silver Persians swam their way into readers and viewer's hearts! They have appeared in International magazines and newspapers around the world. (France, England, Canada, China, Germany, USA, etc.)

Also, several National and International TV shows featured the swimming felines teaching pet-water-safety. And their furry faces appeared on a line of shirts.