Guide dog Ohara officially retired from its post after serving 10 years besides Chang Kuo-jui, a System Engineer of the TKU Center of Resources for the Blind, on March 4, making it the first retired guide dog in Taiwan after reaching its retire age. After the retirement, Ohara was sent to a foster family in Yilan County to enjoy its retirement.

Chang said he was still trying to accept the fact that Ohara that has been with him everyday for the past decade, is gone away. “It is time for him to take a rest,” Chang said, “after all, Ohara is 12 years old and is too old for doing the job as guide dog anymore.” Remembering those days with Ohara, Chang said that it is more like a family member of him. “Whenever I was in a bad mood, Ohara would immediately sense my emotion and he will quietly sit besides me and let my touch him.” It took him quite a long time to accept the fact that Ohara is leaving, Chang said. “I have visited him at Yilan for several times, and I know he is in good hands now,” he said, adding that he wishes Ohara can enjoy his times in a new environment.

The new guide dog taking Ohara’s position is a three-year-old Labrador Retriever, Effem, from Japan. Chang said in comparison with Ohara, a dog that is more independent in nature and a leader among dogs, Effem is a much more chicken-hearted dog. “I hope I can get along with Effem the sooner the better and build a closer bond with him,” said Chang. ( ~Yeh Yun-kai )