Farewell, dear McClure! I will miss seeing beautiful you. Thank you for being so good to our Michelle, and have a wonderful time being as happy as such a good dog should be in the country.

*Big hug* Michelle!! I couldn't have said it better than Sarah. I know how much you love that gorgeous dog, and I'm sure he'll be thinking of you too while playing to his heart's content in Ontario.

I didn't get a chance to reply to your other threads, but I'm loving the items you got from Marianne and I hope you have a safe and marvelous trip. Can't wait to read more about your new dog. Will he/she be allowed to go and play with McClure once in a while?

Awwww, what a sweet sendoff for McClure. I hope he enjoys his new life.

Happy retirement McClure! How bittersweet, Michelle. But it sounds like he's going to a great place.

Aww (((hugs))) Michelle. It is awesome that you have thought out a wonderful retirement for McClure. I know how much you will miss him as much as I'm sure he will be thinking of you when he's busy digging for bones or chasing squirrels.

Thank you McClure for taking such wonderful care of Michelle and being by her side every step of the way. Hope you find many bones, balls and squirrels at your new home.

That is so wonderful that McClure will be retiring with your parents, so he can still be part of the "family." He looks & sounds like such a hardworking sweetheart.

Out of curiosity, how many years so guide dogs/service animals typically work before they retire?

I cannot wait to hear about your new dog!

Michelle, you must be so sad to let McClure go. I'm sure it makes it easier that he will be with your parents and you can visit, but I know that it must still hurt.

I volunteer with an animal rescue group, and now I'm curious--what happens to most guide dogs when they retire? My guess is that a lot of people don't have wonderful families like yours, waiting to take them in. Does the agency make sure they are taken care of?

I'm new to the forum so don't know you that well but you obviously have a beautiful heart as well as beautiful style. I think McClure will miss you everyday, you hold a bond which will never break, but he will have lots of distractions to fill his time and an extended family to shower him with love.

A big hug from me and the best of luck at guide dog training.

Hugs, tears and kisses all round. A big cheer for KILLER McClure who enriched Michelle’s life like only a doggie can. We LOVED his YLF presence. Our pets increase the style quotient of this forum by a thousand percent!

Michelle, what a perfect retirement scenario for McClure AND you. You can visit at any time. I can just imagine how much you miss him though. Being on holiday away from my baby girls is enough to drive me to drink. Hang in there sweet pea, and look forward to welcoming your new baby into your life. We can’t wait to meet the cherub too.

When are you off?

Oh, Michelle, what a wonderful send off to one amazing doggie. I hope he thoroughly enjoys his retirement and gets spoiled rotten by your parents!

Can't wait to hear about your adventure in going to meet your new pup.

Michelle - I can't imagine how hard this must be for you. My heart goes out to you. And a big hug to you and to McClure. How often will you get to visit him?

Thank you so much, all, for your thoughts and lovely words. They mean a lot.
Angie, I'm leaving tomorrow! I'll be NJ before noon. I think Maya asked you to connect us on a previous thread so we could try and plan a get-together... Hope you don't mind doing that.

I'm onto it! Sorry :0(

Have a wonderful time.

Gertrude and I wish you and McClure the best of luck! How old are guide dogs when they begin their service?

Good luck to your sweet McClure, Michelle and a big hug to you! I know you'll miss him but it's nice that he'll be with your parents.

Big cheers to McClure, and big hugs for you, Michelle!

McClure will be in the best of hands in his retirement and although it must be hard for you, must also be a relief that he can make a new home with your family. Your parents will no doubt spoil him like crazy :)

You may have left for NJ but I wish you the best of times getting to know your new companion.

Oh Michelle, what a bittersweet ending. Even though McClure is off to a wonderful retirement and you can still visit, it is always so hard to part with a beloved pet. I have been thinking recently of going abroad for an extended period of time and the ONE THING that makes me reconsider is my kitty! Of all the things to hold me back! Even though I know she will be well looked after, the thought of being away from her for any length of time fills me with pangs of separation anxiety.

That said, it must be a good feeling that he is still a part of your family and will be living like a furry little prince. While no one can replace him, I'm sure the new pup will fill the void in no time at all.

(((hugs))) i've got tears in my eyes here!!! x

oh michelle, *hugs*. i don't have any pets myself, but i know you and mcclure had a special bond, and i know it must be hard to say goodbye. how wonderful of you to give him such a lovely "retirement home" to go to!

Michelle I am sorry to hear that it is time for McClure to retire. Sounds like he will be in very good hands though - that is lovely. Good luck getting acquainted with your new guide!!!

Big hugs Michelle! It sounds like McClure will be in great hands and a wonderful retirement home as a well-deserved reward for his devoted service to you. I find guide dogs absolutely amazing for their dedication and loyalty. Dogs and their owners have such a unique bond, something that I'm glad to have experienced with my own dogs, but I can't even begin to imagine the level of the bond between you and McClure.