May 27, 2011
We have been home a week today. It has been an interesting week because we have been alone without a trainer right beside us to tell us what to do. Handling other dogs and people are a real interesting delimmer. I sort of remember what the commands are but when it happens my mind goes blank. Jenny is very similar to a child, in that she is going to push it to see how much she can get away with. Then there is me who wants her to be happy and love me and i do not want to be to hard on her. We are working on finding the right balance. I will have to let you know how things go. This is a constant work in progress.
We went to the vet and I was toldly exhausted after the experience. The vet was wonderful but Jenny had a hard time settling down with all the other dogs and all the smells. Then we went to the dog store and it was so exciting for Jenny, o boy new smells food people kids, o boy. Needless to say it was correction and sit many times.
Jenny met alot of new people and she loved everyone and thought they should love her too. So, once again it was alot of corrections and sitting. She is wonderful but we have alot of work to do. We did go to publix and she did great, very few corrections and no sitting.
Today, it is raining and of course the rain does not matter a hoot to Jenny. She loves it. However, then I have a wet dog and we have to dry off with towels and wait for her to dry.
So, I rate the first week with a solid B-. Will log later with more of our adventures. nancy
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
WE ARE HOME
Sunday May 22, 2011
Jenny and I are home. It was quite an adventure coming home, first we traveled in a van for about a hour and a half. Then we got to the airport and found out our plane was delayed for at least an hour. The airport is an experience all in itself. OK, the first thing is going through security, the collar and harness are going to set off the alarms, so the dog is going to be patted down. That was alright with Jenny but the security person was unsure, so they had to call someone else to actually pat the dog down. Then there was the bathroon. I now know with out a doubt that we must wait for the big stall because there is no way we can both get in a normal stall and do any bisness because we can not turn around,.. Getting on the plane was a little trickey as we had to walk up the steps to the plane, they are just to darn narrow, but we managed. The plane ride was unadventful., it was Jenny's first time on a plane. So, we arrived in Greenville, SC and we found out that summer had arrived in the south.
Jenny was a little excited and we had to work on calming her down but again we managed. She likes the condo and seems to be adjusting to the heat. We are exploring the grounds around the condo. She has met several people and we are trying to follow the guide lines the school gave us. So far we have not met any dogs we have seen them but no contact has been made.
We are continuing to bond with each other. It is so wonderful , she is so great. I am so happy and conttented. Right now she is laying beside me sleeping and I can not stop smiling. I am so thankful she is the perfect guide dog.
I will continue logging about our new life together. Hope you all are having a great day too. nancy
Jenny and I are home. It was quite an adventure coming home, first we traveled in a van for about a hour and a half. Then we got to the airport and found out our plane was delayed for at least an hour. The airport is an experience all in itself. OK, the first thing is going through security, the collar and harness are going to set off the alarms, so the dog is going to be patted down. That was alright with Jenny but the security person was unsure, so they had to call someone else to actually pat the dog down. Then there was the bathroon. I now know with out a doubt that we must wait for the big stall because there is no way we can both get in a normal stall and do any bisness because we can not turn around,.. Getting on the plane was a little trickey as we had to walk up the steps to the plane, they are just to darn narrow, but we managed. The plane ride was unadventful., it was Jenny's first time on a plane. So, we arrived in Greenville, SC and we found out that summer had arrived in the south.
Jenny was a little excited and we had to work on calming her down but again we managed. She likes the condo and seems to be adjusting to the heat. We are exploring the grounds around the condo. She has met several people and we are trying to follow the guide lines the school gave us. So far we have not met any dogs we have seen them but no contact has been made.
We are continuing to bond with each other. It is so wonderful , she is so great. I am so happy and conttented. Right now she is laying beside me sleeping and I can not stop smiling. I am so thankful she is the perfect guide dog.
I will continue logging about our new life together. Hope you all are having a great day too. nancy
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Going Home
May 19, 2011
Well, i signed the papers and my sweetie is mine and we are going home tomorrow. YEA. It has been a long journey and the first stage is complete, now the adventure will begin. I am packing and trying to make sure I get everything together and not forget anything. So, this is short and sweet. Thanks everyone for all your help talk to you all soon. nancy
Well, i signed the papers and my sweetie is mine and we are going home tomorrow. YEA. It has been a long journey and the first stage is complete, now the adventure will begin. I am packing and trying to make sure I get everything together and not forget anything. So, this is short and sweet. Thanks everyone for all your help talk to you all soon. nancy
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The puppy raisers
May 15, 2011
What a great day. I met my sweetie's family, who took care of her from the time she was 7 weeks old until they turned her over to the trainers. The family consist of a mom, dad and 3 daughters, can you believe it. Their oldest daughter is graduating this year and is planning on majoring in nursing, They have a 14 and 12 year old daughters We have so much in common. They are a wonderful family. They told me my sweetie was the first of a litter of 11. My sweetie is the first puppy they have raised for the guide dog program. They are raising another one now, which will be the second one for the guide dog program. You must understand they do this job for free. They are not paid for doing this, they do it because they want to help. Just unbelievable loving people. My sweetie was so happy to see them and we both enjoyed the visit.
The count down has started for us to go home. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have learned alot and we still have much more to learn, but we are getting ready to fly on our own. This wil be our last week and they will be keeping us really busy. There will be another night walk, a solo walk and an obsticle course. Should be interesting. Will try to keep you updated.
Until then take care and I will be thinking of you all. nancy
What a great day. I met my sweetie's family, who took care of her from the time she was 7 weeks old until they turned her over to the trainers. The family consist of a mom, dad and 3 daughters, can you believe it. Their oldest daughter is graduating this year and is planning on majoring in nursing, They have a 14 and 12 year old daughters We have so much in common. They are a wonderful family. They told me my sweetie was the first of a litter of 11. My sweetie is the first puppy they have raised for the guide dog program. They are raising another one now, which will be the second one for the guide dog program. You must understand they do this job for free. They are not paid for doing this, they do it because they want to help. Just unbelievable loving people. My sweetie was so happy to see them and we both enjoyed the visit.
The count down has started for us to go home. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have learned alot and we still have much more to learn, but we are getting ready to fly on our own. This wil be our last week and they will be keeping us really busy. There will be another night walk, a solo walk and an obsticle course. Should be interesting. Will try to keep you updated.
Until then take care and I will be thinking of you all. nancy
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Big City
May 11, 2011
Today, they loaded us up in the vans and took us into the city. My sweetie and I were not to sure about the big city. There were lots of people, cars, trucks, buses, sirens and airplanes. There was so much noise and movements, it was distracting for my sweetie and me. The smells were not fresh. In other words, I was so out of my comfort zone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My sweetie and I started our walk with our instructor and were faced with a mass of people. The sidewalk was full and it was hard avoiding running into everything. However, my sweetie did a great job, I did not. We had to walk into an area under construction and it crammed everyone closer together. It was scary and I did not like it at all. It was like being on a merry-go-round, with things flashing all around you but it really is just the people moving fast. We nade it back and said never again.
I absolutly know I need space and cleaner air. I am not a city girl. We will be going home a week from Friday and I am so ready. I miss my bed.
Later all I must go to bed as 6 comes to early. nancy
Today, they loaded us up in the vans and took us into the city. My sweetie and I were not to sure about the big city. There were lots of people, cars, trucks, buses, sirens and airplanes. There was so much noise and movements, it was distracting for my sweetie and me. The smells were not fresh. In other words, I was so out of my comfort zone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My sweetie and I started our walk with our instructor and were faced with a mass of people. The sidewalk was full and it was hard avoiding running into everything. However, my sweetie did a great job, I did not. We had to walk into an area under construction and it crammed everyone closer together. It was scary and I did not like it at all. It was like being on a merry-go-round, with things flashing all around you but it really is just the people moving fast. We nade it back and said never again.
I absolutly know I need space and cleaner air. I am not a city girl. We will be going home a week from Friday and I am so ready. I miss my bed.
Later all I must go to bed as 6 comes to early. nancy
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Education and Training continues
May 8, 2011
I know it has been awhile since I posted but so much has been going on and I have been too tired to think. My sweetie has been training me and I seem to be a moderately slow learner. I absolutely can not remember which way is right or left. Thank goodness my sweetie can read my mind. The instructors have been putting us threw the ringer, but we are surviving!!!! They took us out and one of the instructors was in a car and scared the bejesus out of us. They came screaming up to us as we were crossing the street and my sweetie did the right thing and stopped me, however it did not stop my scream or my language. The devil car continued to turn in front of us and my sweetie got smart and did not want to cross the street when she saw the bad devil car. What a day! My sweetie is smarter than me.
Being trained to use a guide dog is alot of work and you really need a good memory. Oh, I forgot you also need to have alot of energy which is somewhat I am lacking at the moment. We are up at 6 and by the time the day is over, I am draging myself to a single bed and I am just plain tired. I do not want to admit that age may have something to do with all this, but really 14 straight days are alot. My feet, arms, legs and perty much everything aches. Thank goodness for Advil!!!!!! You know, I never really believed in stretching and warming up before you went out to walk... but I do NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, I have complained enough. I am learning so much and every minute is worth it. This is not as easy or simple as I thought it would be, but I know I am learning how to do things to make myself and with my sweetie, we are a real team that can face the world and whatever it throws at us.
So, until next time Happy Mothers Day to all. nancy.
I know it has been awhile since I posted but so much has been going on and I have been too tired to think. My sweetie has been training me and I seem to be a moderately slow learner. I absolutely can not remember which way is right or left. Thank goodness my sweetie can read my mind. The instructors have been putting us threw the ringer, but we are surviving!!!! They took us out and one of the instructors was in a car and scared the bejesus out of us. They came screaming up to us as we were crossing the street and my sweetie did the right thing and stopped me, however it did not stop my scream or my language. The devil car continued to turn in front of us and my sweetie got smart and did not want to cross the street when she saw the bad devil car. What a day! My sweetie is smarter than me.
Being trained to use a guide dog is alot of work and you really need a good memory. Oh, I forgot you also need to have alot of energy which is somewhat I am lacking at the moment. We are up at 6 and by the time the day is over, I am draging myself to a single bed and I am just plain tired. I do not want to admit that age may have something to do with all this, but really 14 straight days are alot. My feet, arms, legs and perty much everything aches. Thank goodness for Advil!!!!!! You know, I never really believed in stretching and warming up before you went out to walk... but I do NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, I have complained enough. I am learning so much and every minute is worth it. This is not as easy or simple as I thought it would be, but I know I am learning how to do things to make myself and with my sweetie, we are a real team that can face the world and whatever it throws at us.
So, until next time Happy Mothers Day to all. nancy.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
So Much To Learn
May 2, 2011
It has been a few days since I last posted. The reason is because I am so tired when I finally get back to my room and have time to think, I only want to sleep. My sweet dog and I have to learn so much together and it is going to take some time. We are progressing , but at a slow pace. Our instructor is wonderful and says we are right on time. I have to remember the correct command and my sweetie has to follow the command even if it is the wrong one. Like when I tell her turn right but I really mean left.
Anyway, we are doing fine hope you all are too. nancy
It has been a few days since I last posted. The reason is because I am so tired when I finally get back to my room and have time to think, I only want to sleep. My sweet dog and I have to learn so much together and it is going to take some time. We are progressing , but at a slow pace. Our instructor is wonderful and says we are right on time. I have to remember the correct command and my sweetie has to follow the command even if it is the wrong one. Like when I tell her turn right but I really mean left.
Anyway, we are doing fine hope you all are too. nancy
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