DARLENE WAHL

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Tribute to Fayette

By Darlene Wahl

posted 11/06/2008
This is a huge heartfelt "Thank You" to a most wonderful dog, Fayette, my German Shepherd guide dog and friend. And also an appreciative "Thank You" to all who loved and appreciated her and showed her kindness. She made many wonderful friends and fans! Fayette took initiative and did many things above and beyond her training. Her deep brown, soulful eyes held a quiet wisdom. Faye also had a silly, fun-loving side. Fayette could almost wriggle out of her skin (and harness) as she tried to contain her delight when she'd spot a special friend.

Fayette was always part of life's ups and downs, the happy and the sad times. She was the ring bearer for Ken and my wedding—I think people took more photos of her then us!

The depth of our relationship, overflowing with mutual love, trust and concern is still beyond my comprehension. After ten years of our working partnership, we were both still adjusting to the transition of her retirement and my return in late July with a new, young guide dog, Ingrid.

Fayette was superb in her guide work, allowing me to travel efficiently and safely in the city and on the trail. She was selfless in her loyalty and devotion, putting me first and doing things way beyond her training. She worked for LOVE, pure and simple. Fayette moved with grace from the wilderness of Olympic National Park to Capitol Hill; from ‘wild' caves to canoe camping; from concert hall to chaotic hockey arena. Fayette was a natural on stage with the band Sugar on the Floor, and the San Juan Singers. As an actress she played, "Rufus" in the play, "Smoke on the Mountain". She wasn't fazed by travel by horse drawn carriage, zodiac, river raft, the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis or cross country train trips. She'd even lie patiently on my suitcase on a tiny float plane.

Although she sometimes doubted my judgment about some of our activities and adventures, ("do you really want to bushwhack up the back side of Young Hill?" or "why are you hoisting me up and down ladders in this battleship or up and down a rocky headland?"), her loyalty kept her by my side.

Fayette was an exemplary ambassador for Guide Dogs for the Blind, in San Rafael, CA where she was trained. She also made a fine impression as an honorary National Park Service Ranger. Fayette helped me lead hikes and school programs and participated in living history for nine years at San Juan Island National Historical Park.

In fact, her last duties before retirement were marching in the 4th of July parades in Friday Harbor and on Orcas Island as the mascot of the Park's 1860s, Company D.

She helped supervise volunteers working on beach surveys and prairie restoration. Fayette helped seek out dead birds with Ken and I on our monthly Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team walk of South Beach. She also led visitors up the spiral staircase of Outer Island Lighthouse at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior.

Thanks you Fayette, and all the animals who share our lives and give so much. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

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