In the last issue of the newsletter we shared a letter from Roscoe, the Guide Dog who lived with Ann Davis, a member of Pretoria Lodge, and her family.  In this issue we share a second letter from Roscoe, originally published in the South African Theosophist in 2007 and 2009.

The Highest Ideal in Life is to Serve

Greetings, Friends.  I am Roscoe the Guide Dog, the black Labrador who wrote to you.  I told you all about my puppyhood.
Well, I have good news and bad news!  It was with a very sad heart I left home and moved to H.Q.  I missed home and school so much, but gradually all the mates I knew as pups started arriving.  We had so much to catch up on, share and discuss.  No-one had heard about Theosophy, so I became very popular.

This was High School: proper harness work, new places to see and explore, new commands to learn.  It was hard work and very exciting.  I was now taught to LEAD.  (“To be a good leader one has to be a good follower first.”)  I have a good memory and I began to stretch it in all directions.  I remember Auntie Ann quoting one of Einstein’s sayings at last year’s prize-giving: “A mind stretched never goes back to the same place.”  It is TRUE.

The day came when H.Q. told me that I had passed everything and my posting was going to be in Cape Town.  Auntie Ann was invited to H.Q.  I was so pleased to see her.  A blind-fold was put on her, then my harness was put on and I TOOK the lead around the shops and streets using robots, steps, escalators and lifts.  I was so proud to be in charge.  My trainer walked behind and I passed my test perfectly.  Auntie Ann now knows what it feels like to be blind and she was so tired!  She took me home to Pretoria so that I could say goodbye to the family, the T.S. and to all the children at school.  They had a Civvies Day and raised money for my air fare to Cape Town.  On Sunday the T.S. members made a collection to pay for my specially made harness.  Normally dogs are crated to travel.  But I travelled as a proper Guide Dog inside the plane with my trainer.  It was WONDERFUL!

In Cape Town I was introduced to blind Annemie (Ann and me !)  Now is that a coincidence or destiny?  I was so excited to start my new job.  Remember I went to Primary School at Loreto and High School at H.Q.  Now I was going to go to Cape Town University where Annemie was a student.  This was REAL stuff!!  I was back in classrooms and attending lectures and there is so much to learn.  The students are just grown up kids.  Annemie had another guide dog called Liesel.  The working life of a guide dog is about ten years.  She is also a black lab just like me.  At first we both went to the University.  My trainer gave me tips about where to cross and Liesel showed me what smells to recognise and many other doggy tips.  It is a long walk to the university but I try to remember everything so I can recall the day when I get home and I tell Liesel all the day’s news.  Then she does not miss out on anything.  I tell her all the “hatched, matched and dispatched”.  I am like her newspaper!
So the good news is, I passed.  I am a very busy guide dog.  I have a good home and live life to the full with lots of love, work, play, companionship and sharing.  I am living the TRUTH of Theosophy and life.  Remember the four gifts of experience – relationships, work, illness and loss.  They are all part of life and learning.

One of the Truths is that not all dogs trained graduate to be guide dogs.  Do not be sad as it was simply not their destiny.  Some go for further training and are used for police tracking, for finding drugs and people; some are used for the deaf or disabled for picking up dropped things.  Career opportunities are many.  The truth is to find the right path for each dog individually.  The trainers know.  All this specialised training and discipline prepares us for now and the next life.  I keep reminding Liesel that it is important, even though she is retired, to live each moment to the full and be ready so that on the point of death she can stay focused and follow the LIGHT.  She is more psychic than I am and can see angels and nature spirits.  I am sensing things more now that I know the job and I am beginning to know and observe people’s thoughts and intentions.  I have to keep Annemie safe.  I must deepen my meditations but I am so tired after a long day of working I tend to drop off to sleep at the moment.  This will improve as my legs get stronger and I have more stamina.

Annemie wrote to Auntie Ann and told her how wonderful I am and how I have given Liesel new life since I bounced into the family.  Annemie has now started lecturing at the university – just like Auntie Ann!  I listen enthralled.  If students do not listen I go and give them a nuzzle to wake them up, because Annemie cannot see.

I hear all about the news from the Lodge and the wonderful lectures that have been going on.  I heard all about Uncle Tom going to the T.S. Conference in Finland.  There are Guide dogs all over the world.  Did you know that dogs were used a lot during the World Wars in the field and on the ships?  There are records of how animals saved lives and warned about bombs and torpedoes.  Most ships had mascots.  It was never planned; it was as though the animals chose the ships or a soldier and it happened on both sides.  The animal kingdom is very special.

Auntie Ann is now thinking of having a new puppy to train.  I am glad I was in the right place at the right time.  It is all planned.  HEY!
Look out for the animals and birds around you and try to understand what they are doing and what they are trying to tell you.  There is communication going on all the time, so use your inner eyes and ears to be aware.  Do stop and say hello if you see a guide dog and tell them you know me – they might be one of my mates!

WOOF!  WOOF!  WOOF!

Roscoe, the South African Theosophical Guide Dog
Dictated to Auntie Ann Davis by Roscoe