Yes, I Stepped in Dog Poo

This morning, Melanie and I had a great walk again through downtown San Rafael. The instructors backed way off and just told me the number of blocks, of course crossing streets along the way. We also walked into City Hall, took the elevator 3 flights up and took the stairs down. The instructors did help with that part since it was new. However, Melanie did everything almost perfectly. It was a cooler day and after our day off yesterday, she was raring to go.

This afternoon the instructors took us to the fenced outdoor dog play area, where you can take off the leash and harness and just let the dog run around and play. It was also a time for Melanie to learn to come to me when I called her (with a treat reward for returning to me, which she did with gusto. The instructors left me with her to get another student and I could play with her, throwing dog toys, etc. and then walk back to the dormitory without the instructors. All that worked out perfectly; HOWEVER, while walking around in the dog area looking for the toy Melanie decided not to bring back to me, I stepped in dog poIo which I didn't realize until I was back in my room. Well, you can just imagine how much fun it was trying to get all that gunk out of those thick ridged soles. I don't even think it belonghed to Melanie since many other dogs use it throughout the day. That's one of the hazards of a dog, but I'd rather have my shoes drying out on the patio then never to have ben with Melanie.

Rainy Restful Sunday

Unfortunately, the rain kept my plans for a lovely walk with Melanie and a picnic by the waterfall and goldfish pond on hold until next Sunday. That was okay, since I had to catch up on laundry. A couple of other students with their dogs joined me and Melanie for a box lunch in the Day Room. As usual, there was another surpise from Melanie. While the 3 of us were chatting and eating for about a half hour, Melanie was lying on the floor by my side being apparently a very obedient dog. One of the other students was checking her dog because she thought he was chewing on something. Lo and behold, it was "darling" Melanie who very quitely chewed through her leather leash and just stood up. I couldn't believe she did that without my feeling her, but she did. Well, she's still just a puppy after all; in fact, her birthday is 1/12/09, so she'll be 2 years old this January. I understand their still considered puppies untill about 2 1/2 years of age. We went to the weekend instructor's office and got a new leash. She suggested I keep her on a shorter leash so I can keep track of what she's doing under the table. She got a brand-new tug ring and played with it yesterday; however, while playing with it on her own, she pretty much chewed through that, which, again is pretty hard to do. When I get home I'm pretty sure I'll need to hide all the shoes in a safe place. She's cute but what a mouth.

Saturday is a Tired Day

The Anticipation and the hard work and too much fun is kicking in. I am really tired today, not used to such a rigorous schedule. Today we practiced correcting Guide Dog mistakes, first using the Juno handle and then with the dog. Melanie did really well, there were only a couple of little mistakes, but ones that need to be addressed and the next time she did it, it was perfect. The instructors also handed out dog booties for dogs working in extreme weather, riding escalators, or even areas that may have glass or other substances to hurt the dog's feet. They come in small, medium and large and, of course, Melanie got the small size. We put them on and it was so cute, because the booties look like little red sneakers and the dogs first start walking around picking their feet up higbecause it feels so strange, but they finally get the hang of it.

This afternoon, one of the kennel personnel gave a talk and demonstration on T-Touch, various massage-type hand movement massas over the dog for every possible ailment they might have. When I was done, I needed a massage too. The good thing is tomorrow is a free day and I can just relax with Melanie, take a picnic lunch out on the grounds and listen to the waterfall while having my lunch and playing with Melanie. This is the life!

Walking with my Guide Dog Pony

It's hard to believe I've beeann here 5 days already. I had 2 walks in downtown San Rafael today, this morning and afternoon. My little Melanie is a dynamo on our walks. I wanted a peppy dog because I'm a fast walker and once we get going, we're flying down the sidewalks. As soon as there's any obstruction or problem she slows down and carefully guides me around it and then we pick up our pace again. It's absolutely terrific. She stops at every street curb and waits for the proper command to go. Right now we're back in our room and she's on her mat on tie-down next to the head of my bed and she's chewing on a brand-new nyla bone and having a ball. I really believe we'll be best friends for a long time.

Talk to you later.

Correction to Thursday's Blog

You know I'm working hard because I said I had a petite 158 lb. Lab. She is reallShe'y only 58 pounds. That one I can handle. Well, I'm getting ready to go out and relieveMelanie for the 4th or 5th time today. She's worth it.

Sorry I'm Late

Today is Thursday and I'm sitting here with my new Guid Dog. Her anme is Melanie, she's a petite 21", 158 lb., black, female Lab. She's adorable. I've had to use GDB's computer because the no one's wireless laptops are connecting to the Internet. They're working on it but I don't when my next blog will be.

This is a wonderful experience at GDB. The instructors are great, the food is great and the students are great. You can see I'm having a wonderful time; but, there's work from morning to night. So, it's not just fun and games.

I send out my thanks to my BVIC O&M instructor especially, because without her help with the Juno harness and O&M, I'd be up a creek. Hopefully, I'll get another chance to blog before too long.

THIS IS IT!

Yikes!! The final night before I go to GDB tomorrow. I'm so glad it's finally here so I can stop cleaning floors, mirrors, clothes, organizing cat menus and cat sitter, packing/unpacking/packing again. I'm about as ready as I can be. Actually, it was good to have so much to do with all this nervous energy building up. Now my husband can have the cats all to himself, etc. I feel like I'm going to the hospital to have a baby. In a way, I am.

Again, I want to thank everyone at the BVIC for their support because without their encouragement, enthusiasm, and training, I don't see how this new life change would have happened. Tomorrow at this time, I'll be in my room trying to unpack all that stuff. Yah, I'm Happy!!