Pasta

Megan and Pasta

I knew I would love having a Guide Dog, but I could never have imagined how great it would be to have such a wonderful companion, especially on a crowded college campus. The connection I have with my guide-Dog, Pasta, is very strong, and I love her very much. She makes walking around campus so easy. Now, I don't have to worry about bumping into people, trash cans and randomly placed signs. Pasta goes around everything. If a car comes out of nowhere, she knows what to do to keep us safe. I found out what a fantastic memory she has one night not long after returning home with her. I had recently learned a new route to and from my night class to get around some construction, but I wasn't very sure of it yet. I must have told Pasta to turn too late or something, but the next thing I knew, we were at a curb, which we weren't supposed to be. I did a 180 and told her to go forward, hoping to retrace my steps and start again, but I once more had a poor time/distance estimate and wound up somewhere else that was unfamiliar. Even though I didn't know exactly where I was, Pasta seemed to know right where we were. Her demeanor changed from her normal, happy, speedy self to an even happier dog with an extra spring in her step. I can't describe it, but I can tell when she recognizes a place. So, I trusted her and let her guide me without giving her direction. This may not have been the best thing to do, but I trusted her eyes and memory better than my memory alone. After a minute, she walked me up to a building I didn't recognize. I was trying to get to steps to take me up to the shuttle stop where I could catch the shuttle to the dorms, so I knew I shouldn't be at a building. I told Pasta to hop up, directed her away from the building, and said "let's go home." She kept walking with a bounce in her step, and the next thing I knew, which probably was about 20 minutes later, she had brought me all the way home, and we had never walked that way before! Before I had Pasta, I would have been terrified alone in the dark with my cane, but with her, I was not afraid. I trusted that she would keep me safe, and she did. Her amazing memory got me all the way home! The trust I have in her has grown exponentially since that night. I know now that she will take care of me, and even if she doesn't always get me home, I know she will keep me safe. I trust her with my life every day.