I would like to introduce you to a very special, likable working dog named Marlie. She became Harriet Brooks' guide dog in 2006. When Marlie was 18 months old, she was put in training for two years. She came from the Pilot Dog school in Columbus, Ohio.
When she finished her training, she was placed with Harriet Brooks to be her guide dog. They both had to show that they were compatible together.
She was a beautiful black Labrador dog. When her harness was on, she was in full attention to the safety of her owner. Many times Marlie would not let Harriet enter a car, if she did not recognize the smell to be safe.
Dogs have about 300 million olfactory cells or about 50 times as many as humans. In a dog , the functions of breathing and smelling are not jumbled up together. When air enters a dog's nose, it splits into two separate paths, one for breathing and one for smelling. When the dog exhales, the air going out exits through a series of slits on the dog's nose. New odors entering are not disturbed by the exhaled air. I hear many studies have been made concerning this.
Marlie has had two bouts of cancer. She rebounded well each time. I am very sorry to say that when she got sick the third time she died.
Some of her friends have some special memories to share. We remember how happy she always was to see you if you came to visit. She jumped up and rolled and ran to get her ball to play. You were treated royally if you were a visitor in her house. When she had her harness on she always was in her working mode and when it was off she free to jump and play.
Kids were some of her favorite people. She loved to find small tidbits on the floor to eat. Harriet taught her the routine for taking walks. Sometimes Marlie took her to church on Sunday, without being told. She loved her master, Harriet, with all her heart.
Many at the senior center are feeling her loss. Marlie, you were a perfect guide dog. We are happy we got to know you and love you and we will miss you always. She was 10 years old.
I have seen some beautiful sunsets lately. I hope everyone will watch for them.
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