Air Force photo by Margo Wright

After more than nine years of being the eyes and trusted friend to Scott Moffett, Sapphire retired this week. Mr. Moffett, a Tinker phone operator, has relied on his friend to guide him through the maze of Bldg. 3001 and other buildings since shortly after coming here in 2000. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

Tinker operator retires seeing-eye dog

Published June 22, 2007
By Kandis Murdock
Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs

Tinker Air Force Base -- Losing a member of the family is difficult.... whether they have four legs or two.
Sapphire, a seven-year veteran of Team Tinker, officially retired from her post as a seeing-eye dog for blind switchboard operator Scott Moffett.
   "She is a member of our family. It's going to take an adjustment period," said Col. Kyna McCall, 72nd Communications Squadron commander.
   Sapphire started working at Tinker Air Force Base in Apr.2000.
   Though patches of gray intertwine with the Labrador's shiny black coat and a few extra pounds pad her tummy, the 11-year-old lab is still energetic as ever.
   "She is still a really good guide dog. She loves to walk," said owner Scott Moffett.
Despite Sapphires eagerness for her job and her nine-year companion, it was recommended that she retire.
   "The agency recommends guide dogs work up to 8-10 years," Mr. Moffett said.
   The decision to retire Sapphire was not as agonizing as the place of her retirement. Moffett had a choice to keep her as a pet, return her to the agency, or give her away to another loving family.
   It was out of love that Mr. Moffett and his wife Linda decided to return Sapphire to the agency. The couple said the agency has long waiting lists for people wanting to adopt retired guide dogs.
   The Moffetts chose not to keep her because of their long work days and other activities that keep them away from the home for the majority of the day.
   Mr. Moffett lost his vision due to cataracts and glaucoma. He got Sapphire on March 5, 1998 as a birthday present. He had to take four weeks of training at the Lions World Services for the Blind in Little Rock, Ark. to become proficient in using his cane before he could receive a guide dog.
   He said in the long-term future he plans on getting another guide dog, but the three-weeks needed off from work would be financially impractical at this time.
   For now, Mr. Moffett will just bask in the memory of his companion, partner and friend.
"She was my partner and I am going to miss her just being around," he said, pausing to hold tears back.