Many Singaporeans will be familiar with one Labrador guide dog called Esme.
On Aug. 22, Cassandra Chiu, who is the first woman guide dog handler, announced that Esme has passed away.
Guide dog Esme has passed away
Chiu shared that Esme died on Aug. 21 at around 9pm.
She also wrote that Esme, her very first guide dog, was an "inseparable part of her".
"Over the 7+ years Esme was with me; she was an inseparable part of me; we were joined at the hip and did everything together."
Esme was born on Jan. 1, 2010 at Guide Dogs Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, and was quite the charmer since young.
Both of them met on November 6, 2011, when the former was at Guide Dogs Victoria for a month-long training.
Esme then followed Chiu to Singapore later in December that year and has become playmates with Chiu's daughter as well.
Globe-trotting dog
With Esme, Chiu was able to travel to places such as Myanmar, China, Japan, Australia, Europe, or the United States.
Esme was also unfazed by loud sounds such as fireworks, and had no issues with 27.5-hour long haul from Houston, Texas to San Francisco, California to Singapore.
In 2018, Esme retired from her job as a guide dog due to old age, and was adopted by Chiu's friend in April 2019.
While Chiu is saddened by Esme's death, she's comforted by the fact that it is no longer in pain as it has crossed the rainbow bridge.
"I am heartbroken, of course, because I will never stroke her fluffy head, twirl her floppy Labrador ears, or feel her strong body lean against mine ever again.
I will miss her, so very much, more than any of my other dogs who have gone off to the rainbow bridge before her.
I write with a flicker of joy, and a small smile on my face, because Esme is in a better place, no longer feeling pain, while I get to have so many fond memories of her."
Moving tribute shows Esme's contribution to people who are visually impaired
In a moving tribute, Chiu said that they were "a perfect match" from the beginning, and over time, Esme had become the symbol of what an independent life looks like for people who are visually impaired.
She recalled one of their walks in Australia when Esme was able to bring her around an unfamiliar city with ease. She was "completely clueless", but Esme helped to guide her back to the meeting point.
"Esme started to be a symbol to me, of what independence for a blind person really means."
During the time in Singapore, Esme had helped changed the perception towards guide dogs, which are different from pets, and educated the public on the importance of guide dogs to blind persons.
"Over the years, with Esme’s poise, patience, grit, confidence, and charm, we slowly brought about more awareness on the role of a guide dog. We went to schools, businesses, various government agencies and shared about how a guide dog can give a blind person independence, confidence and safety."
More acceptance of guide dogs today
In Chiu's book "A Place for Us", she recalled that she used to face challenges in gaining permission to allow Esme into Tanglin Shopping Centre.
However, much has changed since then as the duo made their way around Orchard Road where Chiu works at.
Most major buildings along Orchard Road now accept guide dogs.
Here's the excerpt of her book:
You can also learn more about guide dogs in Singapore here:
Top photos via Chronicles of Esme the Guide Dog/Facebook