Time to read: About 3 minutes

Assistance Dog Nixon is Retiring 🦮♥️

(September 2024)

By Nina Smith, TravelPaws Founder

After 6 years of partnership, my wonderful Guide Dog Nixon has officially begun his transition to retirement. Like many Handlers have said, our dogs truly do let us know when they're ready. I noticed Nixon simply wasn't himself; all of a sudden he was slowing down, getting more distracted, and was no longer eager to get into his harness. Although he now thankfully has a clean bill of health, he has also been on a health journey recently which was difficult for him. One day I decided to leave him at home for a rest and he seemed relieved, like he was already settling into the new role of retiree! Whilst he will be on light duties for a while as I go through the process of getting my next Guide Dog, we've already hit some major milestones like our last flight together.

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for me coming to terms with his retirement—gratitude for our time together, but also uncertainty. Some days I feel so resolved and others I'm a blubbering mess. I’ve wondered if we’re both ready, and have been feeling both excited and guilty about the idea of getting another dog. For now, I just want to say thank you to my beautiful boy. Nixon has been dependable, calm, and incredibly capable, and I’m so grateful that I can keep him and give him the retirement full of love and fun which he truly deserves.

The following video is dedicated to Nixon, thank you.

#Accessibility Video Description: Emotional music plays as Nixon, a golden Labrador, looks up at falling cherry blossom petals. The text reads, "After 6 years of loyal service, Guide Dog Nixon has officially begun his transition to retirement!" A montage follows: Nixon guiding Nina through a shopping centre with the text, "Since the day we first met back in 2018..." before transitioning to a clip of Nixon sitting in a plane seat footwell with the caption "we've travelled the world." The following clips show Nixon resting his head on a plush red seat in a boat in New Zealand, walking in Christchurch with Nina and her mum Kathryn, and sitting in front of a temple in Japan. The last clip in the series shows Nina's Japanese host mother looking lovingly at a photo of her with Nina and Nixon as other family members sit around the dining table watching. Next, the caption, "and enjoyed our own backyard" appears as Nixon lies on an Australian beach with Nina and then lays at her feet while the pair enjoy a dolphin cruise in Port Stephens. Then, the caption "We've advocated for our community..." appears with a clip of Nixon sitting at Nina's feet as she chats with Ro Allen, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, followed by Nixon guiding Nina into the Assistance Animal Relief Area at Melbourne Airport. When the text, "...and tried new things" appears, Nina is shown in riding gear introducing Nixon to a light brown horse, before the pair are shown sitting in the centre of a singing group happily participating. Next, clips of Nixon playing with a plush toy, receiving pats, and adjusting to boots are accompanied by the caption, "All whilst having plenty of fun." As the music softens, the screen fades to black with the text, "Thank you for being faithfully by my side." The music rises as clips show Nina and Nixon walking toward the camera as they get off a train in Tokyo, walk down a hill in Wanaka, cross a bridge in Melbourne, and hike through a rainforest in Mount Worth. The final clip shows Nina gently patting Nixon as they sit next to purple Lupins by Lake Tekapo, with the text, "I look forward to giving you the retirement you deserve—full of love (and treats)!" The video ends with a picture of Nixon sitting looking very handsome in his identifying harness in front of a blurred green backdrop.