Things I forgot and more

I am taking a day of vacation today because a group of Southeastern puppy raisers are going to downtown Charlotte for the day. I thought this would be wonderful for both me and Shannon so I'm going. She does wonderful work around traffic and streets, and if anything it will help build my confidence. She is such a wonderful girl and I see it more and more each and every day.
Yesterday two instructors from The Seeing Eye came to my work and took me to lunch. We walked to this wonderful mexican restaurant that all most everyone at work really likes. We go at least once a week, its so good we get cravings for the food. I could have not been happier with Shannon's work! She was right on with everything even a traffic check in the middle of crossing Central Avenue. We had the light and I gave her the forward command, and while we were in the middle of the street this stupid big truck decided to turn right in front of us. She stopped pretty far away from the truck thank goodness. I really believe some people can't drive. The instructors said we looked really great together and Shannon had a great pace and pull. Speaking of traffic checks the other day while walking to the bus stop this car tried to pull out of one of the parking lots and Shannon stopped. The car backed up and waited for us to cross the parking lot. I've had two traffic checks in like three days. I can't stand it when cars think they can just pull out in front of me or anyone else. Guess they are not paying attention or something. I really can't stand Louise Avenue near to work, I avoid that intersection as much as I can. Yesterday when The Seeing Eye instructors were there I crossed Louise with Shannon if nothing but to build my confidence. One of the instructors told me that me and Shannon were more than capable of crossing the intersection but choose not too. Shannon did wonderful, but I don't think I feel comfortable crossing by myself. Shannon's work yesterday sure built my confidence as well as our confidence as a team.
Shannon and Muffin have been playing all morning long. They played so much last night that Shannon put herself in her crate. Now she is happily chewing on a bone and Muffin is outside.
The other night I was grooming both girls and Muffin must have saw something because she started barking like crazy. She went down to the landing on the stairs and barked some more before she decided it was ok to come back inside. The only time she ever barks is when she wants Shannon to play with her. Muffin's been wanting to play allot here lately.
I was all most out of food and decided to switch them to Natural Balance. Its a really good food from the research I have done. I started the switch yesterday and they both love it and want more. Right now I am feeding the duck and potato and the price is fairly reasonable for a thirty pound bag. If you want to know what's in your dogs food then go to
www.petfooddirect.com
Then select the brand of food your dog is currently eating. They also have cat food as well. Some of the stuff in dog food is pretty gross, but natural balance is an all natural food.
I guess I am going to end this for now, I will more than likely update when I get home. Until next time...

long over due update

This is what I have written in my journal over the past few weeks.

April 1, 2010

I am so glad that spring has finally came and hopefully to stay this time. The weather has been so wonderful this week sunny and warm. Yesterday and today I took Muffin and Shannon out to let them play and they had a blast. I brought a ball outside to throw and Shannon would not let Muffin have it. I would throw it and Shannon would take off running and no matter how fast Muffin ran she could not keep up with her. It’s so wonderful that they get along so well together; they came inside and continued to play some more. Shannon kept running around with the ball in her mouth. She was so happy you would have thought she had won a million bucks. She was not dropping that ball for anything and of course was very proud of herself.
This week we have gotten out and taken a few walks in the wonderful sunshine. We walked with a group of people from work to get lunch at this wonderful restaurant and Shannon's work was amazing.
I forgot to post this but one-day week before last Muffin was at home by herself and threw herself a party. I had this bag with some treats and a edible bone and Muffin ate it all while I was at work one day. I got home and Shannon went and told on Muffin because she brought me some plastic from the bone that Muffin ate. She has not done anything like that since; I made sure everything was put up so she couldn't eat it. She was on a diet and I think being on a diet pissed her off or something because that's not like Muffin at all.
I found a few websites that you can buy NFL and college team stuff for your dogs!!!
Shannon had a Birthday on Tuesday, she turned two years old. If she is as amazing as she is, I can't imagine how amazing she will be about a year from now once she grows out of her wanting to act like a puppy stage.
I guess I'll end this for now, hopefully I did not forget anything. Until next time, hope Muffin and Shannon

April 13, 2010

I have not updated in a while, and part of the reason is that I have been pretty busy.
Shannon has put herself to bed because playing with Muffin has made her tired and she has no more energy. She did this last night as well. When Muffin gets tired of playing with her she just goes and jumps out of the dog door. Weekend before last they were playing and Muffin got sick of it and went and jumped out the door as if to say I'm out of here. She stayed outside for about ten minutes and then decided to make her way back in. I thought it was so funny and then Shannon turned around looking for her. Muffin has been coming to get me with my mom at the bus stop and when Shannon sees her she gets really happy. They get along so well together and I couldn't be happier. Tomorrow two instructors from The Seeing Eye are coming to get me from work and we're going to lunch!
Last Wednesday I took a day of vacation and went several places one being the mall and Shannon did amazing work. She really has one speed and that's full force. She was staying really close behind this person trying to pass them and at one point she was in a foot race. Then this girl from all the way on the other side of the mall screams to the top of her lungs there's a dog and takes off running. I couldn't help but laugh about that one, some people are just crazy.
Saturday I went to this dog festival, which was pretty fun. Muffin got to go and she was so happy and had herself a ball. There were a few people I knew that went and they took Muffin for me so I could work Shannon who other dogs don't faze her at all.
The other day a friend and me were in this restaurant. This lady comes up to me and comments on how pretty Shannon was and started talking to us. She started talking to me and asked me if I lived by myself and how I Fed my dog and I tried to explain it to her and then she asked me how I knew where her food dish was at. Do people think because I am blind that I can't find my way out of a paper bag or do people just not have any common since??? It’s sure frustrating that I am treated differently just because my eyes don't work. I really don't get some people at all. Maybe they don't know but come on feeding a dog is not rocket science and yes I live by myself and do just fine thank you very much.
ON another note I was in a basketball pool at work and won so I got a hundred bucks, which I can't complain about at all. Funny thing is I don't know much about basketball, now football that's a totally different story.
The weather has been absolutely amazing lately. It was really hot early on last week but on Thursday night it rained and really helped allot. I had to give Shannon a allergy pill because she would have to stop playing with Muffin to sneeze. Last weekend it was beautiful and perfect to sit outside in the sun. Shannon and Muffin played outside and I threw a toy, which Shannon would not let Muffin have. Muffin kept running around after her trying to get it but Shannon was just too fast. Muffin came inside and is beside my chair panting while Shannon has put herself in her crate.
I guess I am going to end this for now, hopefully I did not forget anything. Until next time... Hope Muffin and Shannon

another update

I have to write about how wonderful Shannon really is. I can't believe today I have had her home a month, it doesn't seem that long all ready. She is currently under my desk relaxing for now until she thinks it is time to play with Muffin some more. The weather is wonderful and I can tell Shannon seems to have more energy. Today me and a friend from work walked to this wonderful mexican restaurant a few blocks away. This place is so good we eat there at least once a week. Shannon's work was wonderful and her street crossings were perfect. ON the way back we went to cross and this stupid cable truck was blocking the entire cross walk in the far lane. Shannon had to go out of the cross walk to get me around the stupid truck. I truly believe if I could drive I could drive better than allot of people on the road. Thank goodness for Shannon. I thought about flipping the guy off but that probably would have not been too nice. I'm not sure but I think its against the law to block the entire cross walk. I guess when the light changed the guy figured out he couldn't make it and just stopped there or something. Shannon truly makes me smile every day and she is starting to learn the places I go to allot. We go somewhere once and when we go back again she remembers that we have been there before. I have to show her something once and that's about all it takes. We were out some this past weekend and through out the week. Guess that's all for now, will update when I have a chance. Until next time...

time for an update don't you think

I really wish I had the energy that both Shannon and Muffin have. They have been playing all morning long and its been nice to sit there and watch them. One would get a bone, the other one would want it, so they would take bones away from each other. They did this bone switching thing for about an hour. They always play in theevenings when I get home and get all there energy out. This week has been a pretty busy and crazy week. I am trying to learn with Shannon how to cross this not so great intersection near my work. The corner is strange and Shannon kept wanting to not stay in the cross walk. I don't use this intersection on a regular basis, but it is a good thing to know in case I ever have to cross there. I could cross there going to and from the bus stop, but I choose to go down and around which is much easier with not allot of traffic, just the way I like it. The intersection is very busy and when I cross I feel as though the traffic is right on top of me. I was told it was really close and I don't think I would feel comfortable enough crossing that street by myself. My instructor and Shannon's trainer from The Seeing Eye came out on Thursday and helped us with the crossing. One thing that seemed to have worked is when I start off in the street give Shannon the Straight command through out the crossing. Once I did that she did wonderful going from curb to curb. My instructor and some one else is going to be back down next month and I'll take all the help I can get. The other day Me Shannon and a few people from work walked to this wonderful new mexican restaurant and Shannon did wonderful. There is a pretty busy street you have to cross to get to the restaurant and she crossed that street perfect. Her work is still wonderful and I couldn't be happier. Now Shannon is demanding that I pet her so I might as well end this. Until next time...

week in review

I have been home only two weeks and I am becoming a slacker as far as updating this thing. Shannon has been doing wonderful of course. One day I decided when getting on the bus to go for a walk and on a little adventure to go to another bus stop. We walked to where the bus stop is sourt of located, but there was just one problem I couldn't find the pole with the sign indicating the bus stop. Shannon had no idea I was looking for this certain pole, so i took out my cane and tried to find the thing with no luck. I stood there for a few minutes waiting to see if a bus came by and one did and drove right past me because I was not standing at the pole. If a person is not standing at the bus stop pole most drivers will not stop. In the city of Charlotte the bus stops are not consistent, some are in the middle of a block while others are near the corner. Some are on the traffic side of the street and others are on the building side of the street. There really is know way of knowing unless you frequent a particular bus stop from block to block where the bus stop poles are located. It was so frustrating because I ended up having to walk back to the familiar bus stop. There are several places I could take the bus in the city, but if I don't know where the bus stop is exactly located its pointless and I am very limited in where I can travel independently. To top it all off it had started raining at this point which just added to my frustrations. Traffic sounds so much different and allot closer in the rain. Shannon could have cared less that it was raining, but I was not thrilled about getting wet. I found out a few days later that the bus stop pole I was needing was on the building side of the sidewalk and not the street side of the sidewalk. I have talked to a few people and there is a proposal to the city to put some type of indication as to the exact location of the bus stops. Something needs to be done for sure. Another thing that was pretty frustrating was that my efferts to be more independent and do something I have never done before did not work out to well. I am going to work with Shannon on finding certain places I frequent allot and that stupid bus stop pole is one of them. One day last week me, Shannon and a good friend from work went for a walk. Shannon did wonderful and had quiet a few distractions that we encountered. We were walking down this side street right near to work which had sidewalks. There were allot of loud annoying barking dogs inside of fences and Shannon totally ignored every one of them. All and all it was a good week and now Shannon and Muffin are playing imagine that one. Hopefully the rain is gone for a while and the sunny warm weather that is back is back to stay for a while so we can get out and take nice walks. On another note its Sunday afternoon and there is no football on, don't exactly know what I am going to do with myself for the next four and a half months. I am a huge football fan if you have not figured that out all ready, I watch it when it comes on and pretty much until it goes off. NFL network will have to do for now I guess. If anyone knows where I can get team stuff for Shannon let me know. I will update again when I have a chance! Until next time...

Great Article about The Seeing Eye puppy raising program

I found this article while going through my e-mail and thought it was worth sharing.

Puppy Tails Seeing Eye 4-H Club helps train guide dogs
February 24, 2010
By Katelyn Farago
RandolphRoxbury This Week

Linda Kabis of Ledgewood began raising puppies for the Seeing Eye more than 13 years ago when her daughter, Kristin, expressed an interest in getting a dog.

Since then, Kristin — now 25 — has raised 11 guide dogs. Her mother is in the process of training her 17th.

Letting the dogs go after she spends more than a year training them is " hard," Kristin said.

"It never really gets easier, but it's worth it."

One of Kristin's dogs went on to guide a college student who was blind, she said, while another left to serve a blind woman who was the mother of twin 2-year-old boys.

"It's a really wonderful public service," said Linda. "And it's a really nice way to learn to love something and let it go."

In 1997, Linda Kabis and Sue Filak took over leadership of Puppy Tails, a Morris County 4-H Club that partners with Seeing Eye to train volunteers to raise puppies for the blind. Every Tuesday, the two conduct host a training workshop at Bethlehem Church in Randolph, where members work on basic obedience skills with their pups. The workshops cover everything from basic commands such as "sit" to training the dogs to stay off of the furniture and preparing them for things they might encounter while serving their owners.

At a recent meeting, the dogs were exposed to a large American flag in the hope that they would be accustomed to it the next time they saw one. Filak also tried to expose the dogs to several other distractions, such as a crinkling plastic bag, to train them to stay focused.

Puppy Tails has a membership of 26 puppy-raisers, 9 and older. Twenty-six canines between the ages of 7 weeks and 15 months old are being trained. Once the dogs are about a year old and have learned basic obedience, Seeing Eye recalls them for more intensive training.

"It's like, just when you get them behaving like you want them to, they take them back," Filak of Hopatcong said with a laugh.

When the dogs finish their training, they are placed with their visually impaired owners. The puppy raisers receive letters from Seeing Eye, updating them on where their dogs are in training or where they will be living with their new owners. And every August, the Seeing Eye hosts a picnic for the puppy raisers, during which various recipients with guide dogs speak about what the dogs have done for them.

"That's a big part of why I do it," said Shaina O'Connell of Succasunna, who has been a part of Puppy Tails for nine years.

Now 24, O'Connell began raising dogs for the Seeing Eye when she was 15. At the time, she said, she wanted a dog and was looking for a volunteering opportunity. Because her parents were not too keen on the idea of getting a dog, she said taking one in temporarily was a compromise.

Today, O'Connell is raising her 11th Seeing Eye dog — a 6-month-old yellow Labrador named Van Gogh. By day, she is a veterinary technician at an animal hospital. She described one of her fondest memories volunteering with Seeing Eye as one particular August picnic, when a student thanked her for her volunteer work as if she had personally raised that student's dog. She said the experience has stuck with her over the years.

Diane Spadola of Randolph is raising her second Seeing Eye pup. The activity began as a 4-H project for her daughter, but when their first puppy, Joyce, ended up being too strong for her daughter to handle, raising Joyce became a family project. Joyce is now in the intensive phase of training at the Seeing Eye in Morristown, and Spadola said her family is raising Vernie, a 9-week-old golden retriever.

It was difficult to see Joyce move on, Spadola said, but she tries to remind herself that the puppies she fosters are meant for other things

"It's not our dog," she said of Vernie. "We have them because they are destined for bigger and better things. I just think it's really rewarding when you see how much freedom that these dogs can provide."

Kayla Eversen of Chester is only 12, but she already has fostered three dogs. She is currently raising Skittles, an 11-month-old German shepherd.

"It's really fun because you get to have a different kind of dog every year, and they all have different personalities," she said.

It feels good to know that they are going to help people when they leave, she said, "but it's still sad to let them go."

Eleanor Abramson of Wharton expressed a similar sentiment about seeing her last pup move on to the Seeing Eye training.

"It's really sad, and I really missed her because she was my friend," she said. "And yet, at the same time, the more you're involved in the program, the more you want them to succeed."

Abramson is now raising Odette, an 11-week-old German shepherd whose two sisters also are being fostered by members of the Puppy Tails club. Members describe them as the triplets of the group: Odette, Orna and Oprah.

Oprah is being reared by 11-year-old puppy raiser Christian Brunner of Hopatcong.

"It's kind of rewarding to know that you're helping someone," he said.

When asked what has been the most difficult skill to teach Oprah, Christian said: "Probably just to be potty trained."

first few days back at work

I have all ready checked e-mails and facebook and know I have been a slacker and not been posting like I probably should. Shannon and Muffin are currently playing and loving every minute of it. They really love each other and that's a wonderful thing for sure. Wednesday was my first day back at work and I was kind of disappointed that the snow couldn't give me just one more day off. It snowed a pretty good bit on Tuesday starting that morning and not stopping sometime into the night but the ground according to the weather report was just to warm for the snow to stick. I was so not with it on Wednesday forgetting my cell phone which I never do as well as my watch and heck who knows what else. It really felt strange being back at work after having been away for over a month. So many people at work kept telling me how beautiful Shannon was and I told so many how she was such a wonderful girl. We have worked to and from the bus stop and she did amazing. This one street is not a straight crossing and she did perfect. I have said this many times before but nothing at all phases her, she has fit right into work and everywhere else I have gone. She is always very excited to see Muffin when we come home from work and they play so hard and get all there energy out which is a very good thing. There is a guy at work who is afraid of dogs. Shannon is always smiling and when she smiles she shows her teeth. Her nick name at work is lion because someone at work told me she kind of looked like a lion with all of her furr and showing her teeth when she smiles. . I think its funny and we joke around about it allot at work. Shannon wants attention because she keeps hitting my hand as I am trying to type and then she decides to go and play with Muffin. Guess that's all for now, I will keep updating when something happens. Until next time.

second trip home

Yesterday was one of those days that the weather is just perfect not too hot and not too cold, I absolutely loved it. I hung out with Lori all day and I can't complain about that at all. We decided to not go to downtown Charlotte but instead we saved gas went to her house for lunch and went and took a walk around my college campus. I really miss Wingate and if I could go back I would, never thought I would say that. I was able to work SHannon around campus yesterday and she did wonderful. I can't believe I remembered as much as I did, once we started walking it all came back to me. Shannon's work was flawless, I made a mistake on one street crossing but that was all on me. There was no traffic so it was difficult to tell if I was lined up to cross correctly or not. I passed by all of my old apartments and everything else around. It was a great walk for sure, I love those times when I can take a walk with really no point of intrest in mind. Shannon worked like she had been on that campus several times before. I can't even put into words how amazing she is, with Shannon by my side I feel as though I can accomplish anything. She is the closest thing to me having my sight for sure. Shannon came home played with Muffin some and put herself to bed, I knew she was tired then. I am enjoying my two days off before I have to go back to work on Wednesday that is if it doesn't snow. Its been a nice day relaxing and doing what I want for a change. Some people may thing guide dog training is a vacation, its far from a vacation, sometimes busy, sometimes stressful, and sometimes fun. I can say it has all caught up with me and for the last day and a half I have been pretty tired, but I think I am getting my energy back. I will post again once something worth writing about happens. Until next time.

first trip home

I have to write and report about mine and Shannon's first trip home. Yesterday I relaxed for some of the day and then went out with my friend Lori. Shannon did wonderful for the most part accept for one thing which I will try to describe to the best of my ability. We went to this one place and as me and Shannon were making our way inside the door there was this brick thing that was in the shape of an L. with the long part of the L. up in the air with nothing under it. The part that was up in the air was about five feet tall. To top it all off not sure if this made a difference or not but the stupid fancy thing was black and it was dark. Shannon all most cleared me but not all the way and I go crash into the thing. Don't worry I was not hurt at all, I don't have a hard head for no reason now. I corrected her and we reworked it and she got it right. On the way out I worked with her again and she did pretty good. I worked with her until we got it right. I didn't run into the stupid thing again but all most. I'm just glad I was not using a cane because my cane would have went right under that thing for sure. From what I was told there was more than one its some kind of art. Some kind of unsafe art I might add. This kind of thing really goes to show that guide dogs are not perfect and make mistakes too. I'm not exactly sure how wide the opening was between these things and the door, but when me and Shannon were working on her missing the unsafe obstacle it seemed like there was not much room between them. Lori was behind my right sholder the entire time and watched Shannon work me around those things. After that adventure we made a wal-mart run where Shannon did wonderful work. Lori was so wonderful letting Shannon work and observing from behind. She was giving me dirrections so I could direct Shannon where to go. Lori is so wonderful I told her last night she would be a great guide dog instructor. She is very patient and if you have to rework something five times to get it right it doesn't bother her at all. So many people don't understand how important it is to rework an error most people will say will you hurry up and come on. Guide dogs sometimes don't compensate enough and when that happens its very important to correct the dog and do it until the dog gets its right. I can't wait to work Shannon in the city, me and Lori are going this weekend to work with Shannon on the bus stop and around where I work. We may even go downtown and do some work there. In the wal-mart parking lot last night we had a good traffic check someone pulling out of there parking space. Shannon and Muffin my retired guide dog absolutely love each other. They are both here beside my chair side by side, wish I had a camera. Not sure what I am going to do today, but I will keep updating as I can, stay tuned. Until next time...

Home early

Home why you ask because they sent us home early. Sorry I did not get on here and post last night, I didn't do much stuff with the computer at all. Tuesday night it started snowing and the snow flakes from what I was told were the size of fifty cent pieces. It kept snowing and freezing rain all night long and there is another storm coming in today so to play it safe they sent us home yesterday. My flight left at 12:15 and I was so happy to go home. I left for the airport around 9:45and arrived in Charlotte at 2:15. I came right home and let Shannon get adjusted. She met Muffin and they loved each other so wanting to play. Freckles one of my cats did not like it too much that another dog was in her home and hissed at Shannon. I put her outside for that one. I showed Shannon around the house and she is so relaxed and happy that you would have thought she had lived here her entire life. She has a crate and a brand new bed and she slept there last night and I did not hear a sound out of her. She has been going outside to use the bathroom just fine. Wednesday were our last two trips one in town and one to wal-mart. Shannon did wonderful on both, part of the town trip was a solo, and wal-mart we were sent to find something and she was great. I told her outside when we were leaving and she took me right there. I'm probably going to relax and unpack today, I need it. It is sure nice finally being home and seems so much warmer than up in New Jersey. I took Shannon out this morning in shorts believe it or not. I will continue to post about our progress so stay tuned. Until next time..

Tuesday's trips

in less than 48 hours I will be home and I can't wait. This mornings trip was in town and it was raining which was not too much fun. Shannon could have cared less even though she was pretty wet. She worked wonderfully through it all being very slow when we approached snow or melted snow. The end of the trip was a short solo and I did fine. I was doing doubles with another person in class. It was some where we had ben before and that I knew pretty well so I was ok. The bottom of my pants were wet so I had to put them in the dryer when I came back. This afternoons trip was pretty short but it was still a good trip. We did some store work in wal-mart and Shannon was like always amazing. Two more trips tomorrow to the mall I think and doing the bus and train and I will be able to go home. I'm leaving from here pretty early on Thursday morning because my plane leaves around eight. They are suposed to get snow up here on Friday and I am so glad I will not be around. If I don't see anymore snow for a few years it will be too soon for me. Guess I'm going to go hang out for a while, I'm all most finished packing, one more load of wash and I'll be done and that can wait until tomorrow night. I'll write tomorrow I'm sure. Until next time...

Rainy Tuesday morning

Yes! Its Tuesday all ready and I was going to put Monday in the subject line. One more day closer to going home. Its raining/snowing/icy outside not fun at all. Yesterday and Sunday were really nice days, I think Sunday was the warmest day yet. Sunday night we all went to this restaurant that had really good food. I ate way too much of course, and think I have gained some of the weight I had lost back but not totally sure of that. Yesterday the morning trip was outside doing street and traffic work. Shannon was amazing, I didn't have to get onto her at all. She slowed for the snow and the cracks in the sidewalks and we had wonderful street crossings. In the afternoon I did some more store work which was nice. I had my exit interview and vet visit yesterday as well. Four more trips and the airport and I'm home. Sunday it was like 65 degrees at home which made me want to go there even more. Sunday was a really nice day to relax and when I get home I'm going to be doing allot of relaxing for sure. My nose is stuffy and my head hurts, off to take care of that and go eat in a few minutes. Will write more sometime. Until next time.

short update

Yesterday was Saturday and we only had one trip in the morning. The trip was walking to duncan Donuts one way and coming back another. I did doubles with another student and things went pretty good. Shannon was great and at one point we were really going fast down the block. I have to admit that I'm ready to go home. I have enjoyed my time here but I'm ready to work Shannon in my home area. Three more days of training and I leave on Thursday morning. Yesterday afternoon I tried packing all my stuff to make sure it would fit in case it didn't I could send some stuff home. I think everything will fit but it will be pretty tight. Last night a few of us hung out for a while. We watched a video and ate snacks. Today is a pretty relaxing day, all of the students and a few instructors are going to a restaurant tonight which should be really fun. I'm not sure what else is going on today, but I'm going to take advantage of relaxing. All most time for breakfast and I want something to eat imagine that one. I'll write when I have more to say. Until next time...

New York

My current facebook status says: In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York
New York, New York
That is lyrics to a chorus of a song that just totally fit today. I have never been in a city as big as New York in my entire life. At first it was pretty overwhelming but I was able to relax and take it all in. If you can work a guide dog in New York you can work a guide dog anywhere in the world. Shannon did absolutely wonderful and did not seem stressed out at all. She worked wonderful around all the people and everything going on. She did get a little distracted at one point by some horses, birds, and a dog. Once I got onto her she really did wonderful work. We started out at 42nd street and took the subway down to 59th street. We walked a few blocks to Central Park and walked around for a few minutes. Then we walked some more to 45th street all most the entire time walking along 8th street. We turned at 45th street and crossed 8th street walked toward 7th street or somewhere around there and went into the ESPN Zone restaurant and had lunch. It was a really cool place and I did not get out of there without buying something of course. The food was wonderful too so I can't complain. The blocks were pretty short and at one point Shannon kept wanting to take me into the expensive stores. There were so many people and so much traffic that I couldn't do that every day. I did enjoy myself and I can now say I've ben to New York. It would be a good place to take a vacation for sure, there is so much to do and see. This trip really helped me know that I have a very confident guide dog in Shannon. When she is in harness for the most part she is very focused. It just amazed me that with everything going on nothing at all seemed to bother her. I think I was more anxious than she was being in a big place having no idea where I was at. Not much longer until I get to go home, It wil go by fast I am sure. I don't have anymore trips today and one tomorrow. Shannon now has her head in my lap and she is so adorable. I think I am going to relax until its time to feed her. I feel much better today for sure. Until next time...

long day

I know the subject line for this one says it all. Today was truly a long day and I am ready for it to be over. This morning a few students left to go home, they have had a guide dog from here before. This time next week I will be home with my wonderful girl Shannon. This mornings trip was probably the longest one I have been on and by the time it was over I was sure ready to be back. Shannon did wonderful work but again I can't stay on my two feet. My right foot got caught in a crack and you guessed it down I went. I have bad ankles and I don't think that helped any at all. They started to hurt and maybe that's part of why I went down. When I was little I broke my right foot so it turnes out to the right and when I try to make it straight it hurts. Its always that foot getting caught in the cracks of these sidewalks. I am fine I got right back up and went on my way. When I fell Shannon went down with me and I was more worried about her than myself. She started wagging her tail and giving me kisses as if to say are you all right. For the rest of the trip she was so sweet and so careful. I did not work with my instructor but another instructor because my instructor was at the airport. He told me that me and Shannon worked wonderful and our trip was very good. I had to joke about the fact that I fell again, I'm just so thankful it was only my knee and that I didn't twist my foot. I had to go to the nurse when I got back and she put some stuff on my knee that burned. Shannon put her head in my lap as if to say what can I do to help which was so sweet. That trip was so long that when I got back I was so hot that I took off everything I could get away with for sure. This afternoon I went on another much quieter and not as long of a trip. I stayed on my two feet this time and Shannon was wonderful as always. She was so careful taking me around all the snow and everything else. I am in some pain, my ankles, legs, knee, and arms all hurt. I guess I am just falling apart or something. This morning we had a meeting about guide dog access and the guide dog laws. The meeting was pretty intresting I must say. I'm tired and want to go relax, I think I'm going to New York tomorrow but not totally sure yet. One more week, just one more week, praying I can make it through all right. Hopefully I will not be as sore tomorrow. Until next time...

Wednesday trips

My subject lines are not that creative at all. It seems though about all I have done today is eat. Breakfast was these wonderful pancakes and I had more than I should've. Lunch I didn't eat much because I was so full, and this afternoons trip was going to get ice cream which I had a vanilla milkshake, and dinner is in a little over an hour. Thank goodness for all the walking or I would really be in trouble ha ha ha. This mornings trip was doing some more country work which I was not too thrilled about. You basically walk in the road with no sidewalks and the dog has to stay as far over to the left as they can. You have to stop every so often to make sure your not out in the street. I'm just glad I don't live in the country, and hopefully I'm done with that trip for a while. There was no traffic and it was way too quiet out there, if you got lost you would pretty much be S O L. I kept having to tell Shannon to stay to the left. It was just difficult and annoying. My instructor worked with her for a few minutes and she was so happy to get back to me it was so adorable. This afternoon we went and had ice cream and walked a few blocks to the place. Shannon did perfet street crossings and everything. Some of the students in this class are leaving tomorrow and there will not be many of us left. Last night we had a meeting on dog attacks and what to do if your dog is attacked. There was a short video which I requested a copy. Hopefully I will not ever have to deal with a thing like that. Shannon had a bad dream last night I think because she barked pretty loud, she sure has a big bark for such a small sweet girl. Not sure what is going on tonight, probably not a meeting because of so many people going home. One week and I'll be going home. I miss home in some ways, training is starting to make me pretty tired. Some people I'm sure think guide dog training is a vacation, its so not a vacation its work on both the new dog and the handler. Its pretty cold outside but thankfully not allot of snow around on the sidewalks. Its hot downstairs and just sitting around makes me hot. I've not wanted a coat all day long even working outside. I am probably going to go home and think fifty degrees is shorts weather, don't be surprised ha ha ha. Guess that's all, going to go check e-mail before its time to feed Shannon. I'll write sometime soon. Until next time...

Tuesday trips

Today's trips went very well I should say. Last night it started snowing but because it was pretty warm yesterday the snow pretty much melted as it hit the ground. There was only about an inch that stuck and the roads were not bad at all just a little wet. We went on our trips this morning and mine was to the court house and doing some work inside the building going through the metal detectors. The walk there was a short walk and Shannon did wonderful. We walked around for a while and Shannon did wonderful with everything. When going through a metal detector The handler puts the dog at sit, makes a long leash, goes through and then calls the dog. This was good practice for doing them in airports and other places. This afternoons trip was a walk to a bank and doing some work inside of the bank. We walked back and had to work some strange street crossings and Shannon was amazing. She did wonderful work inside the bank as well. Last night we had the going home lecture, even though I am staying the entire time I have had a dog before. We discussed how to handle your dog when getting home around all your family and friends. The Seeing Eye strongly suggests leaving the dog on leash with you for two weeks and then gradually giving the dog freedom in your house. We discussed introducing other dogs to your new dog which I don't think Muffin will have a problem at all. Most of the stuff I all ready knew from having a dog before. Some of us ordered pizza last night and it was pretty good. During my trip this morning it was snowing and was so cool. Its the kind of snow that is nice coming down but not all over the ground. It was snowing pretty hard too. Not sure what else is going on tonight. I need to post this and get ready to go and feed Shannon. I will write more when I am able. Until next time..

Monday's trips

I totally forgot to post something that is like two days old. Its pretty important to me at least. I had to come down here and write while I still remembered it. Saturday afternoon my trainer had to take Shannon for a few minutes to reatake her picture because she was not sitting still. My instructor was also Shannon's trainer and when I first got her she would get really excited to see him. We had pictures the other day with our dog and a photo of our dogs by themselves. When my instructor came to get Shannon she seemed happy to go with him. I went to sit and wait on them to come back, they were not gone very long at all but I started to miss Shannon. When they came back I could tell she was coming down the hallway. Shee saw me and pulled my instructor really hard to get to me, I remembered him saying gees. She was so happy to see me, I have not ever been around a dog that was as happy to see me as Shannon was that day. I really think she knows she is mine, because when my instructor walks by she will sometimes wagg her tail and that is pretty much all. I love her so much and when she wants attention she will do what ever it takes to get it. The morning trip went very well, we did some city work in town and Shannon did wonderful taking me around all the snow banks. We did a country trip this afternoon where there are no sidewalks and I am so glad I don't live in that kind of area. I had to bring my cane to check to make sure I was at the edge and not out in the street. Every so often I had to suggest left to Shannon and I felt like the entire time I was saying left left. It was a pain and I'm glad it is over. Not one of the most enjoyable trips for sure. At Southeastern we did allot of country work but I don't remember ever using my cane. I have not ever walked where there are not sidewalks so I don't really remember. There was hardly no traffic maybe two or three cars, it was extremely quiet which was probably the only nice thing about it. Shannon did wonderful work taking me around the snow on the edge of the street. When there are no sidewalks I feel kind of lost. Shannon was happy but I know she is always happy no matter what. She wanted my attention so bad earlier that she put one of her big paws on my leg as if to say pet me now. The weather is calling for more snow tonight maybe around three to five inches. After I leave here I am sure I will not want to see snow for a long time. Its pretty when you can stay home, but going out and doing trips in the snow is no fun for this North Carolina girl. Not sure what else is going on for the rest of the afternoon. I have asked to have Shannon's puppy profile e-mailed to me and when I get it I'll try to post it here. I made the photo of Shannon my profile picture on facebook. I have been told she looks allot like Muffin so it may be hard to tell them apart. I will write more soon I am sure. Until next time...

Short update

I could have posted yesterday, but we did not go on any trips. The day was pretty relaxing which was just what I needed. There is a photo of Shannon on facebook now. One of the instructors took the photo with her phone and tagged me in the photo. Its on my profile somewhere I think. She was a brat though when we were trying to get the picture. She would not sit still for nothing and I had to get onto her. Sometimes she gets really really happy and I have to calm her down. I think there are two photos on facebook. I finished the book I was reading and hung out. Football is not on for another six months and I have no idea what I am going to do with myself. It felt kind of strange being a Sunday and no football was on at all. I did play allot with Shannon yesterday which she loved. I really think her three favorite things are work, play and seeking attention. No idea what is going on today, I'm sure I'll find out at breakfast, and of course I want food. Saturday night I did not feel very good, for some reason my throat hurt, I took some medicine and felt fine. We had a short meeting Saturday night and that was pretty much all. If I didn't write in my last post A soda exploded every where the other day, and it was kind of funny. The book I have been reading is about the history of The Seeing Eye. I don't read very many books but this one intrested me. Some of the staff who are still working at The Seeing Eye are in the book which is cool. I read it in about three days, I think that's a record for me. I will post hopefully when I get back today if I have time. Until next time...

Saturday trip and more

I am staying downstairs for a while because I am washing my clothes. Last weekend when I did wash I left my stuff downstairs to go on a trip I came back after lunch to change out my stuff from the dryer. My clothes were folded and something was missing. I'm staying until they finish this time for sure. Today because its the weekend we only have one trip and this morning we did some more work in stores. We went to a coffee shop and worked from there. I went into a sporting goods store and worked on the escalators one more time and Shannon did wonderful going both up and down. When you get on you work the dog up to it then put your hand on the moving bar and step on with one foot. When you are about to step down the dog is at heel one step behind you. Once you step up or down you hold the back strap of the harness and once the bar moves you step off with your dog. Shannon could have cared less for sure. It was different than what I remember at Southeastern, I may be wrong because its been eight years but I think we worked the dogs on. I only did it once so I can't fully remember. I went into pet smart and got some food to change Shannon from iams. She did wonderful work in the store she sniffed a few times but those things happen. Her clearence work was wonderful in both places. We walked to and from the coffee shop and her work was wonderful. She is a very loving girl and I am falling more in love with her every day. Something happened yesterday to someone in class that made me laugh so hard I cried. A few groups went to the mall and this one person was working with the follow command with the dog. You give the follow command and the dog follows whom ever is in front of you. The dog stepped out and took off and the person ran into a really large sign knocking it over. At that point all anyone probably could do was laugh, people passing by stopped to see what was so funny. Just the way the story was told made me laugh so hard I cried. I just pictured this big sign falling over and allot of laughter. This class is amusing for sure, I get at least one good laugh a day. Again dogs are not perfect and things happen no one was hurt accept hurt from laughing so hard. The rest of today and tomorrow is pretty much relax time which is amazing. I got Shannon a few more toys today so I'll be able to play with her some later. We got about five inches of snow at my house. Muffin would not go out in it last night and this morning she needed to pee so bad she went near the door. She does not like storms and will avoid them at all costs. I guess I am finished for now, will post more when I have a chance. Until next time...

Friday trips

Today has been a pretty good day. I did nto get down here this morning because I started a book and it is pretty good so I have been reading it during my down time. The book is called Love Leads The Way The Miracle of The Seeing Eye. Last night we had a meeting on giving our dogs freedom in the room and leaving them alone. The suggestion was to leave them alone for a few minutes and after a few times of everything going ok extend the time longer and longer. I left Shannon for a few minutes and she could have cared less. When I came back she was happy to see me wagging her tail. This morning we were going to go to the court house we walked there and it was closed. The trip this morning was probably my worst yet. There was allot of snow and being from North Carolina I'm not that great walking in snow and ice. I'm kind of afraid of falling. We get boots for our dogs for when its hot or there is salt on the ground to melt the snow. The salt is not good for a dogs paws. Shannon did not like the boots at all, she was stepping high and pulling strange in the harness for a few minutes. I was pulling back on her because of all the dang snow and she wanted to play. She was goofing off and I had to get on her at the start of the trip. After a while things began to come together but I was frustrated and that was not a good thing. I decided after lunch that I was not going to worry about it anymore, those things happen its all about building a relationship that is not always perfect. Every relationship takes work and its the same with a relationship between guide dog and handler. Shannon loves attention and is happy just getting it. She was very playful this morning and had allot of energy. I had some time after lunch and I played with her before I left for my next trip. We went to Century twenty-one a department store and worked around the store and on the escalators. I am not a fan of those things at all, I went up with Shannon and I was some what unsure. We got off and she was wagging her tail so hard and every bit of anxiety I had went right away. We did it a few more times and she did wonderful. Her clearences in all the stores we have been in are wonderful, she didn't even try to sniff walking through the pet store yesterday which totally amazed me. My last guide dog would sniff every chance she got. Her work was wonderful getting there and back, the only thing is she bumped me into that same durn parking meter. Its really becoming a joke, its out a little further than the rest. There are like five of them on this one block but for some reason if I'm to bump into any of them its that same durn one. I could have not been happier with the trip this afternoon. Shannon was such a good girl and totally amazing in the store. She is relaxing by my chair as I type this, I can't even put into words how wonderful this girl truly is. When we came back she was wanting to play and being goofy, flipping upside down and rolling around on the floor. She is always so happy and that really makes me smile. She is even happy working and smiling all the way. Not sure what is going to happen tomorrow. I saw on facebook that its snowing at my house, I kind of wish I was at home to enjoy it. Muffin is doing wonderful which totally makes me happy. I'm going to relax and probably read some more of this book. Until next time.

We made it out today

My current facebook status from this morning says snow on the ground, snow on the ground, walking like a fool when there's snow on the ground. I was not sure this morning if because of all of the snow if we were going to be able to get out today. We did but I didn't have to walk like a fool with snow on the ground. The first trip this morning was to a local super market in town. I worked Shannon around for a while and she did wonderful. I had to get onto her once for sniffing but that was all. I spent money for the first time since I've been here. I got a twelve pack of diet coke and some donuts of course. I tried to find the tasty cake brand but this store didn't have them. This afternoon we went to a pet store about twenty minutes away and at first I worked Shannon around and purchased her a few toys. She did wonderful work and did not even atempt to sniff a thing until I was ready to pay. She noticed some treats on the counter and sure wanted those things. When we got back I gave her one of her toys to play with and she loved it. The Seeing Eye feeds a veariety of foods but Shannon is on iams. I want to change her food when I get home after a few days. Muffin my retired guide dog is on Natures recipe and I'm thinking about putting Shannon on the same thing. Suggestions are welcome of course. I have also thought about Natural Choice or Natural balance. I'm intrested on what other people feed there dogs. The pet store we went to today has all most any type of food you can think of. I'm getting ready to go and find out if they have a web site so I can check it out. Tonight we have a short meeting and a classmate is leaving tomorrow so I'm going to help her pack. Shannon is responding to me more and more everyday, she is truly an amazing girl and the closest thing I have to my sight. Not sure what tomorrow holds, but I'll update when I can. Today was a pretty low key day, I heard the sidewalks were still pretty bad. Until next time.

What day is it?

Any of my follwoers miss me??? ha ha ha!!! Posting a short update before breakfast, have to know everything right??? Not even sure what today is, the days are all starting to run together. We got allot of snow not sure exactly how much, but its extremely windy outside this morning. Shannon stopped playing in the snow long enough last night to do her thing outside. Not sure if we are even going anywhere today, heard the roadss were pretty bad. If we do it will probably be wal-mart or something like that. On another note my parents lost power yesterday at home because of the high winds. A tree fell down I think. Not sure when I am coming home, I am leaning toward staying the whole time because there are still something I want to do like going to New York city. We have all ready missed like about two days of class because of snow. I got here late because of snow and ice. We may not get out today so there goes another day because of you guessed it snow. I still have some time to think about it though. Seems as though facebook has changed there site and no one likes it. I don't go to the regular site anyway, so I don't really care. I use the moble site on my computer or lite.facebook.com Some people are so mad they are thinking about deleting there accounts. Guess that's all, Its way too early and I need a soda. I have a headache and a stuffy nose. I opened my window this morning and felt allot better. I must be allergic to something in this building or all the heat. If we go to wal-mart I'm getting some sodas for sure. Can't forget I'm hungry imagine that one. Until next time.

snow day

I have not seen as much snow today ever in my life. It started snowing last night and I don't think has stopped. I think it slowed down for a little while and then after lunch picked back up again. Me and one of my classmates went outside to see the snow. It was coming down so hard I could hear it. We went out a few steps and both of our dogs wanted to play in the snow. Shannon has wanted to play all day and this morning she was flat down in the snow. We did not go out today and she is full of energy. We had a few meetings where we watched two videos on The Seeing Eye, and the vet came and talked to us for a while. We also had a meeting on dog care and were taught how to pill our dogs, clean ears, and anything else we needed. I also was told about Shannon's puppy raisers and she had a wonderful puppy home. I found out about some of the things she likes, all about the other dogs she got to play with, and in the puppy profile it said she was easy to raise, a great dog who was not ever distructive, and loved to please. Everything made me smile, and I know I have a wonderful and special girl. I noticed this morning Shannon doing what I like to call a frog pose. Her back feet are out as far as they could go, and she is on her stomach. It was so adorable and made me laugh. She has been so playful today and did not want to go out when it was time for her to go to the bathroom. All she wanted to do was play in the snow and she got a little too excited. One of my classmates made up part of a song that said Shannon stop playing in the snow, its time to park you know. I thought it was very amusing. Maybe in about an hour she will bwe too tired to play in the snow. I went back to my room and played with her and hopefully got some of her energy out. I was able to go out and see the snow and wow is it allot. I'm not sure if we will go out tomorrow or not, depends on how much more snow we get. I did have the option to order some extra stuff like leashes, food bowls, and brushes. I am still not sure if I am staying the whole time or not, I should know something soon though. Last night we didn't have a meeting, so I pretty much relaxed. There are some students that I am sure want to go out tomorrow, but if its not safe I would just soon stay here. Guess that is all, not much happening on a snow day for sure.

trips today

I really think we are going to get the snow the weather report is calling for which would be just fine with me. When I was on the afternoon trip a few snow flakes fell. The morning trip went well, I had to get onto Shannon because she was paying attention to this guy and all most ran me into a pole. I had to work on the street crossings because I was not going straight across. The reason for this is that I was pushing Shannon and was not lined up correctly. I have this habbit of when I get to a down curve I am lined up to cross the street but I turn my body just before I am about to cross. Other than that the trip went very well, I was doing doubles so that seemed to help allot. The second trip I did allot better with my street crossings and Shannon did great work accept for at the end when she ran me into someone. I had to get onto her because she had plenty of room to go around. These things happen, guide dogs like us are not perfect. They make mistakes, and we make mistakes it is all part of working as a team. A guide dog and handler is a relationship and any relationship takes work. Dogs will test there handlers by doing things like not clearing obstacles. Its the handlers responsibility to let the dog know with a leash correction that is not acceptable. It does not mean that the dog is a bad dog, the dog just made a mistake. In the past with my first dog when I would give her a direction and she would do as I told her and I told her left instead of right the public assumes that the dog knows where to go and its the dog who was not doing there job correctly. The handler has to know where they are going and the dog takes them by the directions they give. A dog can not judge traffic its the handlers responsibility to know when its safe to cross. A dog only does what it is told, if the handler messes up its not that the dog is not a good dog. I know through out the all most eight years working my first dog I made lots of mistakes. Mistakes are sometimes how you learn. I hope I explained that all correctly, I'm not the best at explaining things. The second trip I did doubles as well, if it snows tomorrow we may not be able to get out and do any work. This trip is our second solo trip and it was pretty difficult. I think I am free for the rest of the night which is fine with me. I'm kind of tired and just want to relax. Shannon sure has a goofy side and was trying to show it today, and she sure enjoys playing. I tried to get my soda this morning but the drink machine for some reason didn't like one of my quarters. I was too lazy to walk all the way up to my room on the top floor to get one quarter. One of my classmates had a soda that was hot but I drank it anyway. It was very sweet of her to give me one. I did get a few laughs today before lunch and before my first trip. The inside joke was braught up again one that I probably will never live down. I think that is all for now, going to check e-mail I think. More tomorrow, hoping we get snowed in.

early morning update

I could really use a soda right about now. I think as soon as I am done posting this I'm going to go and get one. The weather is still calling for snow to start today around four P.M. I have noticed something around here that when its going to snow the weather gets warmer. Thirrty degrees back home is freezing but I guess I have been here so long that I'm getting used to the cold. I went outside this morning with a sweat shirt and a shirt under neath. I was hot so had to go inside and change. We have our two trips today, but if it snows like the weather channel says we probably will stay in tomorrow. I think the weather channel is calling for like twelve inches or something like that. If it happens it will probably be the most snow I've ever seen in my life. Shannon is so adorable when she wants attention she is going to get it. I was trying to type a few minutes ago and she kept on takeing her nose and hitting my hand as if to say pet me forget that stupid thing you are using. She is being very playful today, I had to get onto her outside because she saw her trainer and went nuts. She likes to put her head in my lap which is so sweet. Last night we had a meeting about dog food, toys, and some other stuff. The school gave us some letters and a few DVD's about going home with our dogs which are really good. The traffic meeting was great but to the point which is nice. We talked about traffic checks and ways you can untrain your dog for traffic. For example stepping out in front of the dog before giving the forward command, rushing the dog across the street, and its never a good idea to cross in the middle of a block its not safe. You should always listen to the traffic and determine when its safe, its never a good idea to go in the middle of a light because you don't know how long you have until it changes. Sighted people tend to cross in the middle of a cycle, but I don't. I don't care if I have to wait an entire cycle I'm not doing it even if the person says its safe to go. Its not good for me or my dog. On that trip yesterday I used muscles that I didn't even think I had. One thing I did forget there was an obstacle both times and Shannon did wonderful taking me around it. It was some tape across the side walk and we had to go slightly into the street to get around it, just at the edge of the curve. There are allot of fun people in this class. A few of them make me laugh really hard. There is an inside joke that the entire class knows about by now, and its hysterical. Yes the indside joke involves me imagine that, and allot of people in the class are giving me a hard time. Its one of those things that what happens at The Seeing Eye stays at The Seeing Eye. I laughed so hard the other day I started crying, I thought I was not going to make it to the top of the stairs. I should be getting some photos of Shannon e-mailed to me. When I get them I'll try to post them here, but I will post them on facebook for sure. Guess I better get ready to go to breakfast and get my soda. I'm hungry imagine that. I'll post later on I hope.

can't even remember what day it is

The days are just starting to run together for sure. Yesterday was a very quiet day which was totally amazing. There were no trips at all, so I hung out and relaxed. Last night we had a super bowl party with so much food. Sandwiches, chips and several kinds of dip, hot dogs, shrimp, and even some ice cream. I have to say I had way to much to eat, but that happens sometimes. The super bowl was wonderful, at first I thought the Colts were going to beat the Saints, and at half time the score was ten to six Colts. The Colts scored one Touch Down in the second half and it was all Saints the rest of the game. The final score Saints thirty one Colts Seventeen. The game sure made me happy, I wanted the Saints to win. Allot of people came and ate, but I think there were only about four of us students watching the game.
Today has been a busy day for sure. We started working on a new trip which is pretty long that we have to solo on Wednesday morning. This mornings trip was great, Shannon did wonderful work. She did run one curve that we had to rework. There was a dog distraction and she wanted nothing to do with the other dog. There was also a traffic check which she did wonderful. I did doubles this morning and this afternoon with two different students. This afternoon Shannonb did wonderful work again. We had one traffic check and it was some one pulling out of a parking lot. Shannon has a goofy side, but when she is in harness she is a wonderful worker. It takes allot to distract her which I totally love. This trip has allot more traffic and allot more people walking around. She doees wonderful with street crossings and everything else. I think we are working on the same trip tomorrow. The weather is calling for snow to start tomorrow night, but who knows if the snow will really happen. We have a meeting at four about traffic, and another tonight about what types of food to feed your dog. I don't know if I posted this or not, but I found out Shannon was born on March 30, 2008 and there were including her ten in her litter all the goldens names started with the letter S. Shannon is 23 inches tall and weighs about fifty sevedn pounds. She was so good last night at the party with all of the food around her, she could have cared less. That is all for now, but I will post probably tomorrow. If there are any questions feel free to ask away. If anyone has sent e-mails I have them, but the web mail site is a pain, so I will respond when I get home. Don't want you to think I am ignoring you.

Day six only one trip

I was disappointed this morning when the weather forcast was calling for allot of snow and New Jersey didn't get much at all. I think we got about an inch and that was all, the weather was forcasting anywhere from three to ten inches. I heard Washington D. C. got allot of snow though. We had to do our Saturday trip with snow on the ground, that was a real experience. Its the first time I have worked a guide dog in the snow for sure. We did the same trip as yesterday accept this time I did not have to do the entire thing myself. I was able to do the solo with someone else and that was wonderful. With all the snow it made it easier as well. The traffic sounds allot different when it is snowing, so we were able to help one another know when it was safe to cross. We both got back and did not make any wrong turns. Shannon ran me into the same parking meeter, and I joke now that she is making sure I am awake and paying attention. She ran me into a different pole today, but accept for that she did wonderful. She wanted to play in the snow, and I had to get her going a few times. I did not fall believe it or not, there were some slick places for sure. After the trip I hung out until it was time to leave. A couple of us were having allot of fun. There is this guy who is really funny and we were talking about the super bowl, and he said he would watch it but he didn't know much. He asked who was playing and he thought the Colts were the Texas colts. I didn't get a chance to say the Saints were playing until a long while after that. He didn't know that the Cowboys were a Texas team and in Dallas. . A few funny comments were made, and honestly that conversation when to hell in a hand basket. Its one of those times when you laugh so hard and can't explain what happened later. I was laughing so hard I was crying. It was four of us in the conversation. When you get four people together all making comments it gets pretty funny. I explained all the NFL teams and where each team was, and therr were some funny comments about that as well. I have to say this morning it was really cold, when I came back inside the training center, I really thought my butt was forzen and has to get warm. My left hand was pretty cold too, the wind was blowing and blowing some snow around. I am so glad that solo is over, a few of us went and got donuts afterward and I had some hot chocolate which was really good. Last night did not consist of much, someone made some really good milk shakes and of course I had to have one. Its pretty quiet for the most part today, we don't have anymore trips and tomorrow is a free day which is fine with me. Its the day of the big game the Super Bowl. There are a few football fans in this class for sure me included. After while I am going to find out Shannon's birthday and some more information about her. If I had to guess I would say she is around two years old. Ohter than that not much else, I will write later.

Day five and trips

Its Friday but sure doesn't feel like it. New Jersey is suposed to get snow, but not sure how much. From what I have heard each weather station says a different amount. We have one trip tomorrow, but if there is allot of snow I am sure it will be canceled. This morning I had a really bad headache thart just would not go away. Last night we had a meeting on how to control our dogs in public. If you are talking to someone and are stopped for more than three seconds your dog should be sitting, that way your dog has something to do. If not the dog could be doing something that it shouldn't when you are not paying attention. Your dog is only as well behaved as you make it. This morning we had a meeting on the dogs sinces which was very intresting. The first trip in town this morning went very well, Shannon ran me into the same parking meeter as yesterday and we had to rework it. We also had to rework a dog distraction, but other than that she did wonderful. The trip this afternoon was our practice solo and I went by myself. We did fine accept for Shannon brushing me up against a bush, not clearing me for a hanging object, and going into this Church parking lot. I turned one block to soon but made it back ok. My instructor was very proud of the trip, and I have to admit I was a little worried I would get lost. The trip was about ten blocks long, you walk four blocks and turn left, walk a block and turn left, walk four blocks and turn left walk a block and turn right to cross the street back to the training center. Shannon did wonderful work and I couldn't have done it with out her. We had a traffic check and a big obstacle in the way. The instructor that pulled out in front of me yesterday and I called a jack ass thought it was hysterical. My instructor told me he hadn't seen him laugh so hard. I was sure given a hard time at lunch, and started calling him J. A. for Jack ass. I am so glad I survived the solo, and can relax. Hopefully trips will be canceld tomorrow! Sunday should be pretty much a free day. I don't think we have much until or after dinner. I am off for now, but will update when I get another chance.

day four morning and afternoon trips

I have all ready completed both of my trips for today. The morning trip went really well, accept Shannon ran me in to one pole of some sourt. I had to correct her and rework it and she did wonderful. Going into lunch she bumped me into the side of the wall and we had to rework that one as well. On the second trip she ran me into a traffic sign and we reworked that one and she did perfect.
The first drip was a doubles trip where one block I would lead out and the next block the other student would lead out. Shannon did wonderful work and she did amazing during the traffic check. She got a little distracted by a dog on the sidewalk, but my instructor told us we looked great. The second trip I did by myself just me and my instructor. We had two traffic checks on this trip and as I was pulling out to cross a car turned in front of me. I said that jack ass turned in front of me and it was the planned traffic check. Shannon did wonderful on both, she made me very happy. There was some snow and ice on the sidewalks and she did wonderful slowing down for all of it. We had some obstacles in our way and she did great. She tried to eat some snow and I had to get onto her for that. She loves putting her head in my lap and leaning against me which is so adorable. We have a solo on Saturday morning and we are working on the trip now. I'm not sure if we have to go by our selvs or if we will be able to do doubles. I know the way pretty well and am doing good judging the traffic patterns. When the parallel traffic serges its safe to go, but you should always listen for turning cars. My instructor keeps telling me that we look like we have been together for years. There is a call for snow tomorrow night, they are calling for a few inches but not sure if it will even happen. I think we have dinner and a meeting tonight but not totally sure. I am literally falling in love with Shannon, she is just more than wonderful. There is a command that Seeing Eye Uses Hup Hup which is used when the dog stops for some reason or slows down in the middle of a block. Its also used if you don't know if you need to go forward or not, you can tell the dog to hup hup and the dog will find the way. There is only a left handed leash correction and a double handed leash correction. Southeastern has a right handed leash correction where you correct with your right hand and I'm having to get used to notb using it. A left handed correction you drop the harness handle and pull back on the leash. Its different for sure, but I'll get used to it. I think that's all for now, will update soon.

more from yesterday

Last night we worked the dogs in harness for the first time to dinner. We are now starting to work the dogs in the building. At Southeastern we never were allowed to work the dogs in the building. We did not work the dogs until we got to the place we were going and got out of the vans. At Seeing Eye we are allowed to work the dogs in the building and on and off the vans. Shannon is so wonderful and so well behaved. Each morning I playh with her to get some of her energy out and it seems to work really well. At Seeing Eye we do not use the find command, its forward, left, and right. There is also a suggested right right or left left command. I am not a fan of stairs at all, so I choose to heal Shannon down the stairs. Today I think we are going to add some more blocks to our trip in town, which should be really fun. Yesterday we started judging traffic and telling the dog to go forward when we thought it was safe. Last night my instructor told me that me and Shannon look like we have been together for years. That comment really made me smile for sure. Today we are starting something different. Instead of all of us going to town at the same time there is going to be first trip and second trip. If you are on first trip you go into town and come back. Second trip waits to go into town at around ten in the morning. I really think I am going to like this allot better, when I sit around I get really tired and my energy goes away. All this good food isn't helping much either. In a few minutes it will be time for breakfast and I'm hungry. Facebook did something really strange this morning. I loged in and was checking updates, I went to another page and it wanted me to log in again. That has never happened before, and I didn't log in, I got out of the site. May try to get back on in a little while. For now that's all, but I'll update when I have another chance.

afternoon trip

The morning trip was canceled because of snow. I think N. J> got a few inches. It was pretty relaxing this morning which was just fine with me. Me and my instructor did some obedience work and Shannon did wonderful. We worked on come, heal, sit, down, and instead of the stay command Seeing Eye uses rest. The come is different as well from what I am used to. At Southeastern when you give the come command the dog comes and sits in front of you. At Seeing Eye the dog comes around to your left side and sits. It is taking some getting used to, but I know I will be fine. I don't usually write aboue food but today we had Mackaroni and Cheese my favorite, and it was wonderful. I have not consumed the junk food that I consumed yesterday for sure. Today we did the same trip as yesterday, the only difference was that I did doubles which means me and another student did the trip at the same time. I would lead for one block and cross the street, and the student I was doing doubles with would lead the next block and cross the street. It was great, and allowed me to really trust Shannon. She did wonderful work and I couldn't have been happier. We also experience what is known as a traffic check. This is when a car pulls out in front either out of a drive way in the middle of a block, or out in front in the middle of a street crossing. Shannon noticed the car and suddenly stopped from what I was told about four feet away. I was really proud of her for that! We had about an hour meeting this morning discussing traffic checks and street crossings. When there is a traffic check the dog is suposed to either stop or back up. The dog is rarely ever in a posision where they have to back up, but it can happen. The snow has all most all melted, we encountered some today while walking, and Shannon was focused on working but from what I was told by the look on her face she wanted to play in the snow. She always seems happy while working, but when we were walking across the snow her ears were back. She is a very happy playful girl who always wants to please. Tonight we start working our dogs in the building to meals. We were all taught in the class how to use a tool known as the gental leader. It works when a dog is pulling to hard, and has other uses I am sure, but I don't like the thing and will be glad when I don't have to use it anymore. Shannon is not a fan either. I have talked to my family and Muffin is doing great which makes me happy. I know she will be happy to see me when I get home. I don't think there are any other meetings tonight. There is dinner of course and that's pretty much it, I'm going to take advantage of relaxing for sure. I will update more once I have time. That's pretty much all for now.

short post

I have a few minutes, so I thought I would give you guys an update.
Last night was pretty quiet. I pretty much relaxed because I was tired for some reason. I heard Shannon bark for the first time last night. I guess she heard something outside and had to tell me all about it. We got nyla bones and I gave it to her last night, she played with it for a few minutes, and then didn't want it anymore. For those who don't know a nyla bone is a big hard toy that dogs absolutely love. They can chew on it for a really long time and it does not go away. Its a great toy for stress relief. This morning she was very proud of herself for going to the bathroom, and she wanted to play once we got back in my room. She is a very playful girl, and I know I will have lots of fun playing with her once I get home. There is snow on the ground, so it will be intresting working her today. Hopefully I won't fall and bust my ass, that would not be cool. I fell yesterday with nothing on the ground. We got a few inches, and if it were this much back home everything would be canceled. I am sure we will do both trips into town today. It was snowing last night and was pretty cool. This North Carolina girl isn't used to snow at all. Its all most breakfast time and I want something to eat. GTG when it comes to food I'm out like a fat kid in dodge ball.

day two and second trip

I will go ahead and say you don't even want to know what all I have eaten today. Grits, three donuts, two tacos, chocolate cake, and some rice. I have not eaten anything but junk. My instructor keeps giving me a hard time saying I ate forty donuts. Don't know why I've had so much junk, but if its around and its donuts Hope will take care of them if no one else wants one. The second trip went very well, first trip on sidewalks and around not much traffic. Shannon did great but for some reason my foot got stuck in a crack in the sidewalk and down I went. I felt fine afterwards but my knee hurt just a little. Kind of reminded me when I was in training with Muffin I fell and twisted my foot. I have not fallen in all most eight years, so guess I was due for one. My instructor keeps on telling me how good me and Shannon look together. I really think we were meant for each other. This afternoon we did a second trip in the same place as the first trip this morning. This time I started judging the traffic and telling Shannon forward when it was safe to go. We had a wonderful trip and I stayed on both feet this time. I must sure be thinking about Muffin, because I have called Shannon Muffin two times today. I said Muffin sit and Shannon sat. I didn't realize what I had done at first. This morning we had a meeting on leash corrections and how to give one by putting a little tug on the leash. One thing I learned is your dog is as well behaved as you make it, and gets away with things you let it. That is so true, because the dogs behavior falls totally for the most part on the handler. The dog will do what you let it get away with. One part of the meeting discussed praise and a happy voice is praise, touching the dog is praise, giving the dog a hug is another form of praise. There were a few diminstrations which were pretty funny. I laughed so hard I cried. When you give a leash correction you pull the leash as soon as the dog does something you don't want such as a work error for example running a curve. If you wait a second or two the dog has moved on to something else, and the correction is not as effective. We also discussed dogs being afraid of things and ways to work through it. If the dog is showing a sign of fear never correct, that could make the dog more fearful. Being confident will help the dog. It may snow tonight but I really hope not, I have not ever really worked a dog in the snow before. I am done with trips for today, all that is left to do is take care of the dogs and dinner. I will be glad to relax for sure. Shannon is doing great and I really love this girl. I will update when I get another chance.

Guide dog info

I know I was mean and made my readers wait by not telling you guys what I got. The suspense is over! I got a female golden and her name is Shannon! Like I said yesterday she is extremely sweet and I am falling in love with her. She gives allot of kisses and loves to be touching me in some way. She still gets excited when she sees her trainer, but last night she sat there while I was brushing her and totally ignored him. When I got her yesterday the wait seemed like forever. I told my instructor yesterday what I wanted in my next guide dog, and I kept on trying to get him to tell me but of course he wouldn't. Yesterday when I met her she reminded me so much of Muffin. She came up to me as if I was the best person in the world. I thought of the first time I met Muffin and cried. I was some what embarrassed but there wasn't much I could do about it at that point. I was so happy that is for sure. If you want to know what she looks like I can't tell you. My instructor told me but I was crying to much and not paying attention. Our first walk went wonderful and my instructor was very pleased. She made it through last night just fine and she's doing great right now by my chair. I have been told several times that she always looks like she is smiling. I didn't get a german Shepherd, but I know I am going to be happy with my girl. Muffin will just love her I am sure. Me and one other person got Goldens. I think there are two Shepherds in the class, and the rest are labs and lab/goldens. There are seventeen students in the class including me from all over the country, from Washington State to Florida. Not sure what is up for today, but I know it will be a busy one. If any of you have tried to comment and thought it didn't go through, keep commenting away. I have it set so comments come to me first through my e-mail and I have to post them to the blog individually. If you want to know anything feel free to ask. I will try to be as detailed as I can, but sometimes time may not allow it. I will post every chance I get I promise! More later!

New Guide Dog is finally here

I posted on facebook that I was going to keep everyone in suspense on what dog I got and I am going to do the same here ha ha ha. I had to wait and so do you ha ha ha. I am mean I know, but you will find out soon enough. I went to Southeastern Guide Dog in Florida for my first dog and there are some differences in methods I guess you can call it. Here the leash goes around your wrist and then in between your thumb and index finger. This way the dog can not get away. At Southeastern the leash just went between your two fingers. Muffin got away from me one or two times so that makes since. A heal is when the dog walks right next to your left leg not pulling out in front. When the dog is under a chair/table for example the leash is put under your foot and then under your leg. This keeps the dog from moving very far away. I will tell you that I all ready have my dog, and we have went on our first walk together. There is a nature path which is a very relaxing easy walk. My instructor kept on telling me how good me and my dog looked together. Another instructor who was observing all of the students told me that he didn't know who was smiling more me or the dog. The first trip was great, and I am really starting to love this dog. After lunch and the time I got my dog seemed like a really long time. My instructor was also my dogs trainer, so you can only imagine the excitement when my instructor comes any where near. It will get better over time I am sure, its the first day so you can't expect much. I have no idea what tomorrow holds, but I am sure I will be pretty busy. I won't keep you in suspense much longer I promise. One more meeting at seven and I have the rest of the night to myself. I'm kind of tired, didn't sleep much last night, and its starting to catch up with me now. I didn't have much energy this morning at all, thank goodness for diet coke! Sometimes I don't know what I would do with out it, and today was one of those days. I'm off for now, will post soon!

day one

If there are spelling mistakes or typos sorry, I am too lazy to go back and fix them. I will try my best not to make mistakes. Its the second day of guide dog training and its all ready been a busy morning. Each group of about three or four students is assigned to an instructor who works with the students and there dogs. In order to find just the right match the instructor goes out with each student individually with a guide dog harness and a leash to get the walking speed and the persons pull. The walk was about eight blocks long, and I have a medium to fast walking pace. One thing I kept wanting to do was go before the instructor which is not a good thing for working with a guide dog. The dog has to go first not me as the handler. When I would go first we joked around and called it a false start, throw some football terminology in there. Other than that I did pretty good, we get our dogs around one in the afternoon just after lunch. I have no idea of what type of dog I am going to get. I really want a golden or a shepherd, but that does not mean I will get one of those dogs. There are two people here who have guessed what state I am from based on my accent. I thought it was pretty funny, and both people had to guess all most every state in the Southern United States before figuring it out. I did not get to watch the Pro Bowl last night, have no idea who won, so someone let me know please. Its way too cold for me, the wind is what makes it so cold here. Back home schools are closed because of the ice and snow, and if I was at work I would have had a free day off from work. My work goes by the schools which is a wonderful thing. Guess not much until lunch and then I will have my dog. I will update as soon as I have a chance.

didn't think I was going to be able to update

I really did not think I was going to be able to update this blog for some reason. When I tried to log onto the website directly the computer would not open the web page for some reason. I had to get to the site a different way. I am down in the computer lab by myself and its nice and quiet. In other news the plane ride was ok, I am not a real fan of flying, but I made it all right. I landed in Newark airport on time thank goodness. I got here around lunch time and have not had much time for anything. If I have not returned phone calls or facebook messages I will get to it I promise. We got to work with a few dogs that are class ready which was allot of fun. Dog day is tomorrow and I am getting excited. I got to work with three and my favorite was a female golden, she was very happy and sweet. She reminded me allot of Muffin who I am missing all ready, I really needed a dog fix. The food is amazing andThe the people are so nice as well. I did get to tell my trainer what I wanted as far as my next guide dog is concerned. When I find something out I will post. When I got here it was cold as crap. I thought North Carolina was cold, but 16 degrees is too much for this North Carolina girl. There are a few football fans in this class which is a wonderful thing. At least I will not be watching the super bowl alone thank goodness. Sorry this post is not organized at all, I am in a real hurry and can't really think. I will write later when something else happens. If you want to know anything just ask. GTG Wine and cheese party, have to get upstairs fast.

Crazyness

This is some of what I posted in my journal yesterday with some more throne in from today.

1/30/10
To say the past two weeks have been crazy is an understatement. I've got a few minutes and need to post like a week ago.
I am all most packed thank goodness. Some of my clothes are washing as I type this, and aside from cleaning my house and throwing the last few things in my suitcase I am set on go for the most part. I called yesterday and confirmed my flight leaving tomorrow morning at 8:45, which means I will have to be at the airport around 6:30, which is pretty early. I had to go and get a new ID, because mine had expired and I did not know about, I don't keep up with that crap. No it’s not a driver’s license on the back it says not for vehicle operation thank goodness. When I walked into the DMV, the person helping me asked if I had my permit. I couldn't help but laugh at that one, do I really look that young. I'm 25 not 15 and I can't see. I would not even want to think about me driving on the road. They have this new thing now where you don't get your ID card that day, you get a receipt and the card is sent in the mail. I had to call the airline yesterday to make sure I was going to be able to board the plane. Hoping my flight want is delayed because of the threat for snow, sleet and ice. I just hope I have all ready landed in New Jersey before all that crap decides to happen.

1/31/10
My flight after all was canceled. Because of all the snow/ice. I found out last night after I had all ready printed my boarding pass. The snow came in around 5 in the afternoon and this morning it was snowing/raining according to the weather forecast. I’m glad the flight was canceled because I don’t know how I would have made it to the airport safely. I’m not sure exactly how much snow we got, but it’s enough to not want anymore for a while. Last I checked my new flight was on time when I went and printed out my new boarding pass. My plane is supposed to leave tomorrow morning at 9:05 A>M. I’ve done nothing today but relax which was really nice. Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight, I am starting to get excited. If not there is always something on TV and the Internet. The next time I post will hopefully be from New Jersey sometime tomorrow. This snow/ice needs to go away like yesterday.

Muffin

Meeting and training with my first guide dog is an experience I will always remember.
I was somewhat nervous going to a place I had never been before, not knowing anyone, and flying on a plane for the first time. I arrived at Southeastern Guide Dogs campus on June Third 2002 not knowing at all what to expect. I knew I was going to get a dog, with know idea of what dog I would get. I remember the first night talking to one of the trainers and asking about the dogs that were ready to be matched in this class. Each class there are about thirty dogs that are fully trained for guide work and ready to be matched to perspective handlers like myself. Those dogs that do not get matched get pushed back to the next class. I remember the trainer telling me some of the dog’s names, and the name Muffin interested me. I asked about Muffin, and after what he told me I remember saying that I would love to have Muffin.
The next day was full of excitement and it seemed like the wait would never end. Finally around three in the afternoon we were able to meet our dogs. The funny thing was that I was matched with Muffin. When she came to me she was extremely excited, but when we got back to my room and after about five minutes she wanted a tummy rub. The only thing I knew about her at that time was she was a yellow lab golden retriever female. The 26-day training was not easy. There were times when training was very stressful, and I learned then that guide dogs are not perfect. I knew that everything was going to be all right though on the last day. Every morning and every afternoon the class did what is called obedience exercises with the dogs. Giving commands such as sit, down, stay, come. Each day things got more difficult having the dog listen to your commands while the trainers were doing everything possible to try and distract the dogs. Muffin all most always got distracted by balls and especially food. This particular day the instructor wanted each person in the class to have there dog sit, stay, and drop the leash and after a few minutes call there dog to come. It was my turn, and I knew Muffin was going to go for what ever it was to distract her. I gave her the commands and walked away. The instructor came around her with balls, food, and who knows what else. I told her to come and she ran straight to me ignoring everything around her.
A few months later I started my first semester at Wingate University. During the time I was in college Muffin sure was wonderful. If I wanted to go somewhere and no one wanted to go with me, I just went. It felt so wonderful to be independent and not have to wait on some one else. During class she sure knew when fifty minutes was up. Muffin sometimes got class let out early because she wanted to leave so bad. She was the only one who could ever sleep in my English classes, and when she got bored she sure let the instructors know. She was always a wonderful icebreaker for me to start conversations with other people. The first person I met during orientation week my freshman year started talking to me, and I remember one of the first things she saying to me is wow that dog is focused. We still keep in contact even now. Students on campus knew Muffin’s name and not mine. In 2007 we walked across the stage together during my college graduation, and Muffin had her own cap and gown.
About a year later when I got my first job Muffin was with me. She was with me when I landed my second job in February of this year. She did wonderful learning things, I could show her something once and she picked up on what ever I was teaching her.
Around June of last year Muffin started showing signs of not wanting to work anymore. About two years prior Muffin started becoming afraid of thunderstorms. It was not a big deal until one night we got caught out in a storm, and all she was focused on was getting to the car as fast as she could. This was a safety concern, and so I contacted Southeastern Guide Dogs for some advice from a trainer. I was given some suggestions, and was told that Muffin had a good two years left to work. One day last June a storm came up while I was waiting on the bus. Muffin got really nervous and tried to pull me onto every bus that stopped. Not too long after that she started becoming afraid of the traffic. She would try to pull me into parking lots to get away from the cars instead of staying on the sidewalk. One day I missed my stop while riding the bus, and got put off a few blocks down, there was allot of traffic and Muffin totally refused to work. I knew then something was not right, so I contacted Southeastern because I knew I was going to have to retire her pretty soon. She has worked some since then, but only when I had to work her. Today was her last day at work as a guide dog, and she really knew. This afternoon I put the harness on for the last time, and as we were walking to the bus stop I told her it was her last time. She truly has been a wonderful guide dog for the past eight years, and I will never forget the wonderful things we experienced together. We went so many places, rode on buses, trains, planes. You name it we probably did it, for the past eight years Muffin has been by my side through it all. I sometimes have said she is the extension of my left arm. I am sure my next dog that I will meet in a few days will be just as wonderful, but nothing can or will take the place of Muffin. She will be able to live the high life now, and I know she can’t wait. Retiring Muffin has not been easy, but knowing she does not want to work anymore has made it so much easier.

Why I decided to get a guide dog

I have been blind my entire life, and when I was about six years old I began using a white cane to get me from place to place safely. I relied on my cane for several years all the way through high school. Growing up I had not ever thought of getting a guide dog. I felt that a dog would be too much responsibility, after all you don’t have to feed a cane, you can leave it anywhere and it doesn’t matter. I did ok using my cane, so why would I want to change anything. This all changed one day during my junior year of high school.
I was becoming more independent with my cane, crossing streets, riding the bus in Charlotte, and I felt pretty confident using a cane. One day I was in downtown Charlotte working on independently crossing lighted intersections. A blind person has to listen to the traffic at all times, and in listening to the traffic you will know when it is safe to cross. I had the light and went to cross, but I did not cross the street straight and did not end up where I could easily find the sidewalk. I was disoriented, and it took me a while to figure out how to get back on the sidewalk to continue to my destination.
A mobility instructor is trained on how to help blind or visually impaired individuals independently learn to travel from place to place safely. This particular time my instructor was with me, and once I found the sidewalk I was pretty frustrated. I then asked her if I was safer crossing a busy intersection with a guide dog. She told me that yes a guide dog was safer, in that the dog would not pull a person out into traffic, but the handler has to know when it is safe to cross. It was then that I decided I wanted a guide dog. I used to be scared of dogs because a big dog pushed me down when I was little. I knew a lady who allowed me to pet her guide dog, and the dog was so calm not trying to jump or anything. When I told my parents that I wanted a guide dog they couldn’t believe it but supported me. .
I wanted to wait until I had graduated from high school, and the summer between my junior and senior years I started researching guide dog schools. I applied to few, but in the end I chose to go to Southeastern Guide Dogs near Tampa Florida. I was accepted for training in the spring of my senior year, and one-week after my high school graduation I was on a plane to Florida to get a dog that would totally change my life.