Guide Dog Users of Washington State

Portrait of Eloise Artist: Shirley Dickerson

She made a clear distinction between work and play, and she could change roles at the snap of her harness clip. She loved her work, but she also enjoyed a romp in the yard or a run through the sprinkler.

My constant companion at work and in familiar places as well as my guide when we struck out traveling where neither of us had gone before, she was ever faithful and ever willing to work. Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle. She knew her work and was totally dependable.

The date of her retirement was somewhat arbitrary, March 12, 1993. We both knew that the work was becoming more difficult for her and cataracts were beginning to cloud her vision. We both wanted her to have some carefree years into her retirement. We could not bear to give her up, though, and we kept her.

She became my husband's companion and friend. They both loved Frisbee games and she would play with him until she dropped. There were four and a half retirement years for her, and most of them were spent in good health. As she aged, though, she became senile and paced our yard in the sunny spring and summer days of that last year. She would then lie to rest in the shade of our driveway in anticipation of being first of our dogs to hear the car coming home.

She went from us, for the last time, with the consideration of a grande Dame taking her leave. We had wondered how we would care for her as the warmer days of fall turned to winter. She seemed to know it was time for her to go. She would not have been able to tolerate another Walla Walla icy season.

My grief for her spanned several years.

First there was the loss when I went off to work without her. She was glad to stay home for the first few days, but then she would follow me to the door and I had to poke her head back in before I could cclose it.

Then there was the grief of knowing that she could no longer climb the stairs to sleep in our bedroom. She had already adopted a favorite couch on the main floor.

There was grief when we remodeled and took away her couch. She never accepted another bed or blanket and slept on the floor.

In the end, there was grief at watching her failing health. She seemed to distance herself from us and she liked to be out pacing in the yard.

Eloise was scheduled for adoption and went to live with Erin and her family in Exeter, California about two to three months later, when the necessary arrangements were completed. She lived with the puppy raisers until she began her formal training at Guide Dogs for the Blind at about 18 months of age.

Two weeks prior to her graduation, she met Joleen Ferguson, her new life partner, March 17, 1984 and graduated March 31, 1984. This was one month ahead of her class. Also completing formal training and graduating (although not at the same time) were Empire and Edith.

Following her graduation, she moved with Joleen to Walla Walla, Washington where her career began and continued for nearly 9 years. She accompanied Joleen daily to St. Mary Medical Center and traveled considerably. During this time, she and Joleen were nearly inseparable, and she developed a very strong attachment for Joleen's husband, Clif, as well.

On March 12, 1993, she retired from guide work and became a loyal companion and best friend to Clif Ferguson. Her early retirement days found her traveling to work with Clif and taking every opportunity to instigate a Frisbee game.

As her sight and hearing deteriorated, and she became weaker in her hindquarters, she found pleasure in resting in the Ferguson yard in the shady driveway area hoping to be first to notice the return of either of her beloved family members.

In the end, she went quietly and calmly to her final resting place at the merciful hand of her veterinarian, Dr. Hobkirk. Clif, Joleen, and Ainsley were at her side.

Preceding her in death were Mr. Cat Ferguson, Bosley Basset Ferguson, and Folly Basset Ferguson. She is survived by Clutch Basset Ferguson, Lulu Basset Ferguson, and Ainsley Labrador Ferguson, GDB as well as Clifton and Joleen Ferguson also at the home. She has many other family members and countless friends and admirers who will miss her greatly.

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