Remembering Chip

By GDB alumna Andrea Guidice

Mr. Snake, also known as Chip or Sphinky or Mr. Sniffy pants or Chippee the dog or Monk, has crossed the rainbow bridge. In his beautiful warm yard in Florida, on a blanket with his retirement mom and dad holding him, he did what he so loved to do - he went to sleep in the sun. Laural and Jonathan gave Chip the most generous gift possible, they gave him a peaceful death before he was caused to suffer. My gratitude for this finds no words.

In May, Chip was diagnosed with an aggressive form of throat cancer. Since the diagnosis, he had been brave and strong, and if it is even possible, he was more spoiled then usual. Doggie ice cream was part of his daily diet! Laural and Jonathan provided a safe, loving, prideful home for Chip in his retirement; a loving family unit in which to joyfully, exuberantly relax after seven and a half years of service. He had eighteen months of soaking up the Florida sun, taking leisurely morning and evening walks, patrolling the fence line, playing ball and Frisbee, and enjoying brotherly canine companionship with Eubie.

Now you know of his last 1.5 years but what of his 7.5 years with me as my trusted guide? Where/how to tell that tail? I met Chip in the early evening hours of March 21, 2001, the beginning of a truly wondrous journey. Chip guided me along countless sidewalks both quiet and busy; always knew his right from his left (though I often didn't); worked through buildings of every stripe; tackled escalators and elevators; walked in rain snow heat cold and wind; avoided obstacles of all descriptions (and some that totally defied description); climbed up and down billions of stairs; passed through millions of doors; navigated airports in at least ten states; patiently approved and vetoed my purchases over and over and over; and "found" counters, empty seats, sinks, rest rooms, hotel rooms, home and more.

Along with the routine tasks of guiding - and the not so routine times when Chip saved me from getting hit by cars, falling off a loading dock or bashing my head on a huge overhanging tree limb - he also guided me through three of the most difficult times in my life. Just over a year after Chip and I were partnered, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Our life course took an immediate, dramatic and drastic swerve. I went from working full time and being an active person to being mostly bed and house bound. This caused Chip to enter a semi retirement phase at age 4. Remarkably, he did not eat me in my sleep and his guidework never suffered. Regardless the length of time that stretched between each time I harnessed him up, or how simplistic most of the routes might be, he could step right back on to the streets of San Francisco and guide like we had been working in the city every day. Along with his resilient guidework was his attitude. He never got angry or bored with his abrupt change in lifestyle. Dealing with CFS was almost more then I could handle, but having Chip so gracefully transition to our new life was one of his greatest gifts to me. Not having to worry about him and having a rock solid guide as my partner made so much more manageable.

At the end of 2007 Chip helped me through another huge life transition. My husband and I split up and I was single for the first time in 13 years. Chip soaked up my tears, listened endlessly to my woes and worries, snuggled with me and was a strong solid constant companion guiding me physically and emotionally into my new life. And in January of 2008, I embarked on yet another first: I moved in to my very own apartment, living alone for the first time in my life. Well not alone of course because there was Chip keeping me brave and making it all okay. Together we explored our new neighborhood. With Chip by my side I got my bachelorette sea legs and even started to flourish.

As the CFS remitted some and I conquered my new hood, the summer of 2008 approached and Chip had another gift to give. His gift to me was to get me ready for his successor, Yolo. As summer wound down into fall and Chip and I had our last dance, he helped me understand that he was happy to be retiring and that I needed to be open and accepting of my next guide. He went to his new home with a joyful heart and allowed me to go to Yolo with a guilt free one.

In February of 2010, Chip had a final gift for me. I visited him in his retirement home where he showed me his new life, his happiness and his peacefulness. He gave me eleven days of his healthy Chippee self to hug on and indelibly plant on the drawing board of my heart. As gifts go, this one was priceless.

I have written and written and yet I feel as if I have told none of it. Such an enormous dog, soft and gentle, calm and steady. Wise and silly with little ears, a dusty rose nose and a tail with a little crook at the end. Remembered by all who met him, coveted by many, loved by all, Chip has left gentle paw prints on our hearts. Oh, my dear sweet Chip my heart hurts and I miss you so. If I try very hard I can feel your velvety ears under my fingers and your soft fur against my cheek. I so wish you were here to soak up my tears tonight. I love, respect and thank you so very much for all your years of service to me.

I honor you always and forget you never,

Andrea