Blind Bill Irwin loses dog

[moxie]

Bill Erwin, the famous blind AT thru hiker and author tied his seeing eye dog to a tree at the Augusta, Maine Walmart, then drove off with his wife in their RV forgetting the poor dog. When they discovered their mistake several hours later and returned to the Walmart the dog was no where to be found. Fortunately someone found the poor dog and brought him home and when the story got out the next day Bill's dog was returned to him. It is very fortunate this didn't happen while Bill was on the trail or the book "Blind Courage" instead might have been "How to Walk Into Trees and Live To Tell". Anyway, Bill and the dog are back together. It is just amazing to learn a blind man who hiked the entire AT can manage to lose a seeing eye dog while shopping at Walmart.

[Appalachian Tater]

I think it's even more amazing a blind man can drive an RV.

[smokymtnsteve]

I think it's even more amazing a blind man can drive an RV.

summer is here in AK..sunlight 24 hour a day and the road seems to be full of blind RV drivers..

since it's tourist season can we shoot them?

[attroll]

I find that kind of shocking to, to forget your seeing eye dog that you tied to a tree. Something that important you would think you would not forget.

Anyways I am glad all turned out well.

[Hikerhead]

Thank God that he didn't tie the dog to the bumper.

[J5man]

App Tater,your reply may have been the funniest thing I have ever read on this site!!!

[jrwiesz]

summer is here in AK..sunlight 24 hour a day and the road seems to be full of blind RV drivers..

since it's tourist season can we shoot them?

Only with proper guide and license; oh, and not on the same day as you fly in.

[oldbear]

I think it's even more amazing a blind man can drive an RV.

Well I guess that explains the reason for instructions written in Braille at drive thru ATM machines

[D'Artagnan]

That reminds me of the guy who, after buying a new RV, got it out onto the highway, set the cruise control, then proceeded to get up and go to the back to fix himself a cup of coffee. I don't think it worked quite the way he intended.

[LIhikers]

summer is here in AK..sunlight 24 hour a day and the road seems to be full of blind RV drivers..

since it's tourist season can we shoot them?

You need a special stamp for your hunting liscence but beyond that it's open season...

[TOW]

I think it's even more amazing a blind man can drive an RV.

He definetly was not driving............

[Outlaw]

He definetly was not driving............

Is that because he was navigating and giving a guided tour? I imagine that would be hard to do without his faithful guide dog by his side. Glad to hear the two got re-united!

[Wanderingson]

Hey--ever seen Bill's Dog?




Either has he.


BWAAAAAH

[Marta]

Hey, I can believe Bill forgot his dog.

A few years ago I got to where I was going, got the two kids out of the car, locked it, and sped to the appointment I was late for. When I stepped inside the building, I was haunted by the feeling I'd forgotten something. The 6-year-old tugged at my sleeve. "You left Forrest in the car." Oops.

He was only a week old and I wasn't used to having him around yet. ;-))) He was unharmed by his five minutes sleeping in a locked car. He turned 21 a couple of weeks ago.

Marta/Five-Leaf

[attroll]

Hey--ever seen Bill's Dog?




Either has he.


BWAAAAAH

Well, not true. Bill is not totally blind. He is legally blind. There is a difference.

[1n the Sun]

why didn't he bring hte dog inside to shop? It's allowed, you know?

[Rain Man]

Well, not true. Bill is not totally blind. He is legally blind. There is a difference.

Actually, Bill Irwin is totally blind, not just legally blind. Heck, _I_ am "legally blind" without my glasses/contacts.

Nevertheless, this whole thread smells of "urban legend" to me.

RainMan

.

[Moxie00]

Nevertheless, this whole thread smells of "urban legend" to me.

RainMan

.

It is not urban legend-first if you have ever been to Maine there is no "urban" north of Portland and the jury is still out on Portland. It actually did happen at the Augusta Walmart, was on all the news TV and newspapers. A local truck driver saw the dog was a seeing eye dog, called his boss and the police and took the door home. Bill got his dog back the next day. Go on line to any Maine newspaper or WCSH.com or any other Maine TV station and read the story for yourself.

[firemountain]

Why was he tieing up his seeing eye dog in the first place? Doesn't he need that to see! He is allowed to bring it inside with him.

On another note his book was awesome and inspirational. I have a great deal of respect for his hike.

-Early Bird

[pokeyhontas98]

A local truck driver saw the dog was a seeing eye dog, called his boss and the police and took the door home.

Was the dog tied to a door?