Preparing for the Seeing Eye

The last three months have been a long and winding journey--to sum it up, retiring Phil, my second dog from the Seeing Eye, was probably the single most hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
Over a few months beginning in early September, signs of kidney and liver problems began to show up in routine tests for him. At the time, he seemed healthy and after some follow-up tests, the vets decided to let things progress normally. However, in late October, He became extremely ill and I had to take him to emergency care. At that point, things didn't look promising. Over the next month, he would get better and then worse again--it was a horrible, horrible roller coaster ride. Vets would recommend retiring him and then I'd see positive signs so i would decide against it. However, a day came that he was in bad shape and to continue providing me with the dog I needed and to provide Phil with the best quality of life I could, we all knew he couldn't work anymore. I returned him to the Seeing Eye on a Tuesday, a week and a half before thanksgiving. At last report I heard he was still very sick but had been adopted out to someone who could take care of him. This is what he needed, the medical care for him was enormous in the end, he was my concern, and I only cared about doing what was best for him.
While giving back a dog was the last thing I had ever planned on doing, it was the best thing for Phil. he was a sick puppy. he had given so much of his life to give me the life I have. He went to work everyday irregardless of how bad it was even in the end; it was what he knew as his job. If only we as humans had the dedication that he had as a dog. Walkinga way from him and saying good bye was hard; I lost part of me that day; He took me through four years of college, a move to Maryland, and through a fast paced, exciting job everyday for a year. He did all of this but was so much more, truly my best friend, my companion, my eyes, my protector, my comforter, and truly the love of my life. I loved that dog and I know that someone has the greatest companion in his retirement. One day buddy, in this life or the next, our paths will cross again, you'll always be that dog that took me through some of the roughest yet the best days of my life.
On the 22nd of December, I found out that I had been accepted in the February 5, 2011 class back at the Seeing Eye. While going back is never easy after retiring a dog, I am so ready. Phil would want me to continue the life that he gave me; my life is so fast paced; traveling for work keeps me extremely busy so I know that when the class is over, it will be back to the pace just as me and Phil were at..
It is now three days before class. I am taking the Amtrak train from BWI airport to Newark, New Jersey. I am so excited--while I have flown countless times, I have never taken the train. This will be very exciting as I embark on this journey. I have packed already--yes I am so ready. I have every intention of blogging eachd ay for everyone's benefit and posting pictures as possible. So stay along, take the ride with me and read as you can.