As the first week came to an end, I realized that the long days were much more mentally andemotionally challenging then physically ... Sure the walks or routes were challenging but they only lasted and hour or so and when there were victories along the way, or setbacks but recoveries attained with the help of their fantastic instructors and support staff, it was better then what I had been experiencing for most of the last 18 months ... one step forward, three steps back ... Being my first guide, I was only beginning to realize all the doors he would open for me, and to this very day I continue to do so. Except for the doors he runs me into but most of those are my fault ... No kidding, no doors have hit me but my legs and hear have hit a few tree branches .. if any GDB employees are reading this, or handlers, yes I re-worked those occurences ... sometimes I am not sure Calvin does not do this kind of thing because he knows at the end is some food reward ... Yes, these guides are very food motivated ... Moreso then someone in the last hours of Yom KIppur ...
So the week ended much much better then it began. There were definite days early on when I was convinced I was making a huge error and was ready to go home ... I was put on a list somewhere and everyone kept asking how was I doing ... even some of the other dogs were caught talking to Calvin in the corner telling him to give me a break and sit once or twice ... It got to a point where I would say sit and he would lie down ... Not sure if this was because he was listening to me, scared or just tired of hearing my voice I just took it as a victory.
I do remember one bus trip we took from the dorms in Boring to Gresham. The instructors told us that for those rides, the dogs had to remain sitting. Lying down there would not be enough room for all of us and standing was too dangerous for them. I still belive that that was a load of poop but it was meant to get us to control our dogs and do something they were not used to. Thanks for telling us that they had really never been asked to sit on a vehicle before. Well all the other dogs mostly got it. Calvin? Well, let's just say I was considering slew footing him to get him to sit ... I went a few rides struggling with how to get him to sit and stay ... finally the supervisor took pity on my and showed how to hold onto him close to his collar, put one leg behind him and just not let him move. I went the next three rides with a sitting dog and was so very proud until a little voice from the back of the bus asked why I was doing that when they told us the day before we could have them lie down. So we were a little different. It was not the first time and won't be the last.
The days leading into the second week and the first few days, until Wednesday slowed down a bit. We had less guide work, more doen time and things started to really feel more natural. We went shopping in a mall, I walked with another team and did a bit of gift shopping. Had my first contact with a member of the sighted public with a dog. In line at a bookstore there was a father with his two young sons. We were second in line to make our purchases so I said, "Calvin, sit pleas". Yes, i say please and thank you. Just being polite to my four legged human.
When I said that I heard a ruckus, yes a ruckus from the group in front of me. With a sad voice the younger of the two brothers told me "MY name is Calvin". The Dad offered to trade my Calvin for his.
No way I said. Not for anything.
Getting tired now and tomorrow I have a Guide Dog for the Blind Puppy Raiser of Mid Peninsula outing ...Calvins first group play date ... I will report on that tomorrow or early in the week since this blog seems to be working now ...
Oh, yes, for those not aware, I also became an Naturalized American citizen and started back at work last week. and i turned 45. Here's to the next a45
until tomorrow friends and family
david
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