Blogging With a Laptop

Thanks to the folks at the BVIC, I will be able to continue to treat all readers to my Guide Dog Anticipation since they've loaned a new laptop loaded with ZoomText (a screen reader) and MS Word. Although GDB does have a shared computer, it will make things a little easier to blog and check mail, etc. I'm a very lucky lady to be part of the BVIC. They are a wonderful organization who are willing and able to help in so many aspects of my vision loss. There's a lot of work for so many people in training a Guide Dog, training the Guide Dog user, and all the people like BVIC behind the scenes who cheer you on. Check out the BVIC website at www.blindandlowvision.org .

The Anticipation is Growing!!

Today was the day we went to the pet store and bought some of the needed dog supplies for when the Guide Dog comes home. I got the crate, which was highly recommended by my GDB Regional Resource, a soft bed for the crate, a mat for the tie-down area in the kitchen, 2 stainless steel bowls for food and water, a food mat, and cleaner (safe for pets) if there's an accident. The crate is portable and after a few months, can be folded up and put away when needed again. The bed can be used with a tie-down during the night. Eventually, when everyone in the house settles down, the dog can go off tie-down. The bowls are sturdy with inset handles and rubber around the bottom to keep from slipping.

It's exciting to actually have some real tangible items the dog will need. It's less than 2 months before I leave for GDB and the CLOCK IS TICKING!

Getting in Shape for Guide Dog Training

August 1, 2010 became "Get in Shape for Guide Dog Training". There is a little over 2 months before I go to Guide Dog school and I need to be ready. I've been walking most everyday, but now I need to walk at least a mile a day. I started my workouts using free weights and aerobics to compliment the walks. It's been too long since I did regular workouts and after starting yesterday, my muscles are sore and I'm tired. I'll do the weights every other day (I mean, I don't want to get stronger than the dog)! The training at the school is rigorous for 3 weeks, with only 1 day off, and that day I still need to take care of the dog. I mean when I get home I don't want to be too tired to walk with my dog.

Meeting a Guide Dog on the Rec Trail

Today, was a truly lovely day; although the sky was overcast, normal for July, we met a lovely couple walking toward us on the Recreation Trail. The lady acted as "sighted guide, even though her husband had his Guide Dog on leash with the harness lying flat on the dog's back. As we approached each other, my husband naturally reached out to say hello to the couple and the woman said to her husband before we met, "I think I know that man". I'm not sure if she really had ever met him, but we got to talking about Guide Dogs. He had a yellow 8 year old Lab, a real mellow sweet dog. He quietly told her to sit, then touched her ear and she lay down. She was so mannered. He said this was his third dog and all three he'd gotten at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. They were both very enthusiastic that I was going there, feeling it was a very positive environment. We didn't talk too long, but she did say over the years they have not discouraged people, especially children, to come up to the dog as they felt people needed to learn more about blindness and Guide Dogs. It certainly gave me more inspiration to my Great Adventure!

Training My Cat Like a Guide Dog?

I decided to train my cat, Minime, to find food items I drop on the kitchen floor, like a frozen pea or corn. She used to go right to them because she's always hanging around the kitchen during meal preparation. Well, as soon as she found something, I'd praise and rub her but didn't give her any special treats. Because she likes to eat too much, I try to be careful of her diet; however, after a while she wouldn't go right to the food item, she'd just sit and stare at it andwatch me try to find it by myself. After hearing how Guide Dogs are trained to perform certain actions with praise and one small kibble treat, I decided to try it on Minime. Well, it's been working like a charm; every time somethng falls from the kitchen counter, she runs right to it, sits there and waits for her praise and one bite of her kibble. Now, she's running all over the house looking for things to bring me. This girl can't get enough treats!

Dog 101 (TV Series)

I've started recording and watching Animal Planet's TV series Dogs 101. It showcases various breeds, including the Labrador which is widely used in Guide Dog work. Today, was a real fun show because it focuses on Lab pups from the time they're born to when one was adopted at about 8 weeks of age. They're so darling, it would be fun to start off with a pup. Of course, I'm lucky not to have to go through the usual puppy problems, chewing shoes, clothes, and the inevitable "accidents". But the program had a real positive spin and was follow up by another program which focused on the adult Lab, mainly what a loving, eager to please animal it is plus being a quick learner. I'm sure going to need that part of it.

My Million Dollar Guide Dog

Well, this will be a really pampered Guide Dog. We've replaced 3 carpeted rooms with bamboo flooring, while the rest of the house has tile floors, except for one room. I've got one corner of our bedroom already set aside for the "Dog" and will be starting to place tie down hooks at various locations in the house so that it just can't wander around and scare the cats. And to top it off, we now have the whole half of our back yard, which was just full of weeks and diret, covered in artificial turf. They say dogs love it and I believe they must, because it feels so soft and looks like grass. He/she should have a great time back there during play time and when it rains the dog won't be running arond in the mud. Certainly, all of this improves our home value, but really it should improve the Guide Dog's disposition. The cats aren't too happy about losing all that carpet they were clawing up, NOW WE HAVE TO GET ANOTHER CAT TREE!.