Calvin's Weekend

Happy dog running in the snow

Dogs playing together in the snow

Calvin eating a stick in the snow

Close up of Calvin!

Calvin unwrapping a present 

Calvin all tuckered out on his bed!

Pictures from Ski for Light Trip!

Does anyone ever get jealous of the “dog’s life”...

...such an expression has been badly misused. Sick as a dog – if they did not eat poop they would be a heckuva lot healthier … So short into my blog for today and I digress already … These thoughts came to me when I overheard someone say they were sick as a dog. As with people, if you respect the temple, it will reward you with good health. Dogs need good, food, plenty of water, exercise, love and a 5 foot bean bag chair to rest on and smacko, they live happy, healthy and a nice long life … Like us, if you feed them junk, keep them up late and stress them out all the time then you will have a dog sick as a human …

Anyway, jealousy. That is what I have brought you here today to discuss … I actually found myself being a little jealous that Calvin gets all the comments such as , “oh my lord, you are so cute”, “what a handsome dog”, “I LOVE your dog”, “hey puppy, want a cookie”. Especially that last one really gets me.

One day last week I was having a sort of bad day, ok, it really sucked, and someone remarked how beautiful and handsome Calvin was was. Well, they did not exactly say Calvin but were clearly talking about him. They said, if I recall, “what a gorgeous boy”, so I said without missing a beat, “thanks, is my dog cute too?” … Guess I gotta be careful who I say that.

So I was not exactly jealous of him but I did think of not shaving anymore and letting my ears grow.

Colorado – some more words on my Ski for Light trip and my fantastic voyage with A and C, J and c and all of Calvin’s family in Denver …I lucked out with some really great weather for my first few days in the Denver area and Calvin was likely thinking, where is all this damn snow you kept promising … and why is our house not so comfortable, beautiful and where is outr front yard so I can relive myself without you hovering over me? Oh, and can I have a little brother or sister …

Talk to your mother I told him. He just stared at and licked the floor.

Anyway, I may have mentioned that the days in Denver before skiing were great, full of great times for Calvin, especially the day we discovered he loves the mud, sorry Stinky, the m-u-d … We spent an afternoon on a dog walk that more resembled the Wide World of Dogs .. it was an expanse of over three miles across and wide with a path near some water, fileds and about fifty unleashed dogs. He was with his friends chloe and Roman and just ran himself silly. It was a great test of his recall which he did pretty well … when a, C and I all called him but I have never seen such a fantastic place for dogs. What a fantastic Disney for dogs it was.

After the few days of great weather we made our way to the Denver Airport to catch the shuttle to Snow Mountain Ranch, the Colorado YMCA, the site of our week or snow and frivolity … and lots of illness … Sunday and Monday were quite nice, Calvin had some chance to leap like a rabbit in the deep deep snow but Tuesday and Wednesday proved to be a bit more challenging. I knew we were in trouble when on the morning of Tuesday while taking Calvin out for his morning tradition of watering the grass and copping a squat he took about three steps outside and just stopped. He looked at me, tried to breathe, looked back at me and said, “where is MY down coat?” …I gave the usual command forward with the slight hand motion indicating to proceed. Nope. Do not think so. Sorry, really do not have to go that badly.

Calvin, forward.

Riiiiiight.

Calvin FORWARD. OK but you are going to pay for this.

That day he decided he would pee at low levels but find the highest snow bank he could to poop. Being Dr. Science, I realized I may not make it up there in my pj's so the next time I made a mental note to put on long underwear for this part of the day.

Did I mention it was -35F or so … Yup. Friggen cold. Calvin did teach me a lesson but really seemed to enjoy being King of the Mountain.

So of course he spent little time outside for the next couple of days. I, however, was not as smart. Partially because my fantastic ski guide would never let me live it down if I skipped these two days, and partially because I figured if I have been through what I have over the last two years, a little cold would not stop me .. I AM Canadian after all, in theory at least …

So for those two days I donned two pairs of long johns, two or three wicking long sleeve tops, toque, neck and face wrap, tow pairs of socks and a hot water bottle near my halenyechas (note – ask your Jewish Grandmother) …

I manged to ski 5Km the first two days, 15 the Wednesday and ten the Thursday and Friday … I took my time of two and a half hours on my first ten km trail down to one hour and fifty minutes on the Friday but race day was the “worst weather conditions in 36 years of Ski for Light” and about half of the trails were wipped out by the wind … I recorded a time of 2.11 for the race but both guide and I, affectionately turtle and rabbit thought we did better …

I literally collapsed to the snow after finishing and despite being all bundled up, face almost completely covered Calvin managed to recognize me and came over for a victory lick … his puppy raisers were there too but they did not lick, just were incredible support.

Hope everyone gets a chance to look up Ski for Light on the web and gets just a taste of what a fantastic organization it is, run mostly by volunteers that give up their time, pay for the week same as us skiers do and still have the best attitude … I hope at leat a few of you consider coming as guides in the future.

Cheers for now

Gotta walk Calvin … it is raining, do they make doggie diapers?

Part Deux: Snow White, oh so White and Cold … Calvin goes Home and learns why he is not a Sled Dog

OK OK OK, relax, rough TP was not the highlight of Ski for Light (SFL), but next time I am bringing my own.

My trip began on September 27^th with a short plane ride from SJO to DIA, Denver International where two sweethearts of the snow, companions of the canines, friends for life and you-can-not-find-nicer-people- people anywhere met me and Cal at the airport. And C co-raised Calvin and since they live in Denver, or nearby, I was invited to spend a couple of days with them, their puppies before heading up to the 9K elevation for a week of adventure, fun skiing and temperatures wwwaaaaayyyy below zero.

A and C met me right on time and of course Calvin went nuts when he saw, little did he know that it was the beginning of a week or more of getting to be in the comfort, care and love … I can easily say that they made me and Calvin right at home, I was totally relaxed and had a fantastic time for the next few days until I headed up to Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, CO – did I get that right? Anyway, I urge you, dear reader, to check out SFL online, although the website does not do the level or dedication, organization and care that exists within this group.

Before we talk about the week of skiing, is Snooze open yet, kind of hungry … or for some of that great homemade granola …

Calvin had a reuniting with not only his mommies but his brother and sister and was in doggy heaven for the next few days. He took right to his old home, remembered where he was fed, took him only five minutes to go there and got some great outdoor time, including a 3 or so mile walk around a enclosed open dog park … Open fields. Dogs all off leash and not a single incident other then Calvin getting muddy and wet … Pics to follow …

The Denver area is so dog friendly it is amazing. Great friends, Snooze and the dog park … hhhhhmmmmm

I was able to visit the amazing Red Rock concert hall, walk a few steps, counted them like Rain Man, had some great dinners highlighted by the one hosted by A and C’s friend’s C salad … I stayed hydrated, rested and loved every minute of it … If my trip had ended there it would have been worth it, for me and for Calvin. He did not know who to turn to for fun, who to play tug with and hardly got to guide me as I was in the hands of friends … friends like family …

For those of you who do not know these Colorado people, this is the best way to explain it, and I hope no one is offended because they care like family and give friendship unconditionally, just like Calvin, unconditional love … We both, Calvin and I, are looking forward to going back for more visits … with some Apolo and TJ’s in hand …

And yes, I will pack lighter next time …

Next blog, Ski for Light, go do your homework and see what they are all about on line and think about being a guide next year, or a dog walker (Calvin walks are already reserved) or just a volunteer and I will see you in Utah for sure, the location of their next event … January/February 2012

Cheers for … where is that Bailey’s …

Ski For Light, not a cult but the coolest organization in a really cold place – Calvin and the White Stuff

Once again, I am remiss in my blog-sponsibilities so I take a few moments before my evening shift of work to put a few thoughts down on my recent trip to Colorado, a visit with Calvin’s family and my trip with Ski for Light.

Amazing. Incredible. Friends for life. Golden to be home to soft toilet paper.

That is about it, talk soon,

David and Snow Dog.

Everyone is a doggone critic

Recently I started to get Calvin used to being home alone, in his kennel. I started slowly and made it up to about 30 minutes, maybe 45. I recorded the room so I could listen to what happened whilst I was out. I also, based on Guide Dog's advice put on the radio so he had some company of sorts.
Upon my return, he seemed no worse for the experience, as usual was very excited to see me as if I had been gone five minutes or five days. There was no pee or anything unusual in his crate, although I am told they will not do that in their own space. Good enough.

So I sat down to some lunch and played the recording. He was completely silent except for a few minutes in the middle of the time.

Oh, yes, did I mention that the Bee Gees were playing on the radio during that time.

====

If I failed to give credit to my niece, I do it now for coining the phrase, "I have been Calvinated" … she made this up in reference to getting full of his hair … he is shedding now so I am in constant state of Calvination.

Calvin new Sharks mascot

Calvin has been hired as the Sharks new lucky dog and mascot. I have been to 5 games this year and the Sharks are 4-1. Tonight they broke a 6 game losing streak with Calvin and I there.

Just thought you blog readers would appreciate this and know he is available to rent for your favourite team ...

Oh, and Calvin loves sauerkraut, if that is how one spells that ...

Just a short blog for now,
cheers
David and CalvinSJ Doggie

Ski For Light...really, Calvin and I are going to the snow and the elevation of Colorado

Speaking to a very close relative of mine recently I realize I have been remiss in sharing some travel plans that Calvin and I are planning later this month. Well, in reality Calvin has not had much to do with the actual plans other then to say over and over again “do not forget my food Dad … and my toys … and my bed … and my food … did I mention the food?”

Anyway, this is a trip that I had to miss last year. Was sort of kind of a little preoccupied with stuff. There is an international organization called Ski for Light, jfgi.

Go ahead, JFGI.

They put on local and international cross skiing events for blind and disabled people, or as E would say peeps … They also do down hill skiing but I am not quite there yet …

Anyway, they get about 150 volunteer sighted guides and 150 blind folks who want to do some cross country skiing, and you have a week of adventure. I have heard great things from friends who have attended, some with some very outstanding results and I am eagerly looking forward to the week.

Each day features early moring yoga, followed by exercise class, breakfast, skiing, lunch, more skiing, dinner, evening programs and then some form of entertainment, dances, hot tubbing etc …

I am working on getting more in shape for this week, - Calvin and I have started a Karate class. More like I take Karate and Calvin whines and cries because he thinks I am being attacked … but I think I had that in my last post …

Anyway, Calvin is doing great. Tonight was a difficult night as I went to a company dinner and he had to wait for dinner until very late and he is a little annoyed with me – he is currently not talking to me.

Back to the skiing trip – no Calvin does not ski with me, He stays in the room, orders room service, orders movies on the pay per view and makes prank calls to Australia ….

The SFL organization actually gets dog walker voluntters but I have special treat for Calvin and myself. My fantastic puppy raisers, sorry did that again, Calvin’s puppy raisers live in Colorado and they will be hosting for a couple of days and then joinig us for part of the week to get some special Calvin time …

The week should be great and I will hopefully have some pics to post and my laptop to blog a bit …

Check out their website for more details and wish us luck

Cheers

Calvin and David, human waste engineer

Poop Happens, but in a pocket?

I once agin apologize for such a long lapse between posts, lots has happened most importantly a visit from my brother and niece, or as Calvin came to know them, toys and a place to shed, I mean REALLY shed … My very intelligent niece came to me one day during the visit and said she had been “Calvinated”. The image fits perfectly as I now try to use a lint brush to take off some calvination from my clothes. Good thing those things are only a buck at Target.

Some other recent events and thoughts.

As the title of this post suggests, I was taking Calvin for a early evening stroll today and as we walked, rather briskly as usual, he all of a sudden pulled over for a “pit stop”. This was an unexpected stop as he had already pooped a lot today. I guess the cool air and the quick pace stimulated him in more then one way. Anyway, he did his things(s) on someone’s lawn, as best I could tell as by this time it has become rather dark. Now usually I would pick up the poop, in a bag and leave it there if I could not find a garbage close by or take it with me if we were close to home. Neither of these were the case so I bravely put the bagged poop in my hoodie pocket. I could carry it in my free hand but I use that for signaling turns and forwards to Calvin and the bag swinging seemed to distract him. Well, it must be love or a great respect I have for him because not only did I put the bag in my pocket but I forgot it there and came very close to busting the bag on the walk. The hoodie is safe but just to be safe it is going in the wash and I may have overwashed my hands a bit … He did not seem to get the commitment but he did do a great job on the walk, blew by three dog distractions and found home without any trouble …

Other news – Calvin and I, certainly myself, are very much looking forward to a trip to Colorado at the end of the month for a Ski for Light event – essentially it is a cross country skiing trip to a town called Granby in Colorado … As a huge bonus, we will be visiting and staying with Calvin’s puppy raisers for a couple of days before the week of skiing and they will be joining us for a few days to make sure Calvin gets the attention he wants … I continue to be amazed by the loyalty, commitment and care the puppy raiser community has for their jobs, or rather passions. Thanks guys, Calvin will have a great time …

One funny story, that happened recently and I can look forwad to it happening every time I practice my Karate.

Recently I started taking Karate, just a few sessions so far but I am really enjoying it. Calvin I am not so sure. He gets pretty restless while I am training and I had to put on his gently leader for the last class to keep him calm. But when I was home this weekend and started to practice my first Kata Calvin went absolutely nuts. Jumping all around, running between legs as he does when wants to play and jumping up trying to kiss, or attack me.

Now this is the kind of reaction I have tried to get out him during play and it works to some extent but the karate really seems to get him riled up. When I put on music and try to dance around he mostly just sits right down and looks at me, probably saying, “Dad, you look silly, please stop … you just can not dance” or it appears I am in some kind of serious pain and he wants to make sure I am ok … either way, the Karate gets him playing like nothing else… it may be hard for me to really practice but I, for now, still think it is really cute.

Overall, things are going very well with him. He has filled out a bit, seems to be stronger, more solid and still maintains his boying figure …

He still maintains the everlasting optimism for food and is the happy morning alarm clock I needed in high school. He has truly made me a morning person, and an afternoon napper.

And no E, that is not a dog belly button …

Beauty and the Beast Pose for a Rare Photograph

The Happy Dance and Other Peculiar Dog Behaviours

You ever notice, dear dog owner, the never ending optimism of dogs as they follow you around the kitchen, hoping for a treat and you never ever fed them out of your hand any people food … It is particularly odd for Calvin as he has this weird trained behaviour of not eating any human food in the house even if I drop it. Unlike outside in restaurants where anything below knee level is fair game …

Calvin follows me all around my kitchen, and not just follows me but insists on being right behind my feet or standing between my legs at optimal tripping angle. He never ever gives up so it is a good thing I can not see his expression as I would surely fall for the sad eyes.

I also love the happy dance he does when it is feeding time … he stands in one place and tap dances like he is about to get steak or has to really pee …the click click click of his nails is so rhythmic …hard not to smile and be happy.

And why, dear reader, does he not hear me when he is directly next to me during guide work or obedience work but if I am at the other end of the house and I even touch his food bowl he comes barreling from inside his kennel at lightning speed …

(oh, look who just came out of his bed to take a drink ,,, it is after ten pm young man, who do you think will be taking you out in an hour … good night Calvin)

Why is it they insist on cleaning themselves on their you-know-wheres and then insist on licking your face … Sure I pick up his poop, sure I stick my hand in his mouth if he eating something other then kibble, sure I brush his teeth, rub his tummy and clean his paws from the rain but even humans have their limits … I mean this kid even eats gum off the underside of tables at restaurants, yes you read correctly …ggggrrrrrr-oss.

Next time we will discuss why they think they are children and really behave as such … sleep well my friends and dream of big bowls of kibble

Calvin and human david

My Thanksgiving Thoughts … a week Later

I had some thoughts on what my first US Thanksgiving as a Naturalized Citizen meant to me … they are a week late for a number reasons but mostly because life has been busy but in good ways … I have little time to write these things, later at night is a most reflective time. It is so late that Calvin just crawled off to bed which means he must really be tired because he hardly leaves my side …

As interesting as the last almost two years have been, and it is difficult for me to think about where I was when this crazy ride started and where I am today because it makes me wonder where I will be in two years, or in eight or so when I may have to retire Calvin .. I am thankful for him every day and all the incredible people who brought him to me …

People, that is what I am most thankful for. I am appreciating all my loyal friends, my entire family and my co-workers who have supported me over this roller coaster.

I am thankful for their past, present and future support, friendship and their continued good health and improved health.

I am thankful for those friends I have made on this recent journey, people who do not know the meaning of give up or surrender. They truly define chutzpah. They know who they are and I am thankful they have come to help so I may perhaps help them and others.

OK, I am also thankful for the Habs, that the Giants won the World Series without Barry Bonds and of course for the Allouettes showing the Canadian folks that it was NOT a fluke last year and if you want to try for a third round, bring it on, sorry K.

Cheers and may everyone get a tummy rub, Calvin seems to really enjoy them

David and guide dog Calvin

Saturday night - part deux

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

The Saturday Night Post, November 13th, 2010 - all the news fit to print ... before the site crashes

OK, another shot at this ... I got some tech advice so this should work ..
The last I left our canine hero, we were in week two of training and the first week had it poopy days, or the days i could not even find the poopy ... but that got so much better I no longer fear the scoop or the scoop of the poop ... what I do fear is Indian food ... when Calvin hounds some up off the floor of my favourite place and transports it home and deposits it on my living room floor the next day - with a very familiar scent from the night before ... i.e., spicy food does not digest in dog's digestive tract ...

Anyway, back to week two of trianing ... from wht I can recall ... Clearly I was learning quite a bit, like how to function on less and less sleep ... there were more very very late night as we were fortunate to have San Jose weather in usually rainy Portland ... I had way too much cold weather clothing and mot enough clean underwear, um, sorry mother, I mean not enough clean t-shirts .. so I did laundry more often and, well stayed chatting with my new little family/friends ...

I do recall one evening when abut five of us decided to watch a movie so we spent about way too long choosing a movie, a vhs movie I might add, from the dorm's collection, settling on one with Steve Martin called Mixed Nuts ..

Joke - how many blind folks does it take to start a movie?
Answer - five, four guide dogs and about thiry minutes ...
Only to find out that someone with a very off sense of humour or bad braille skills put Shrek Two in the Mixed Nuts box ... so down to two remaining willing participants we watched that one ...

Funny, I do not think we all tried to watch another movie ...

Some word about Calvin and his guide work, at this stage ... Not sure if I posted about this before but as much trouble as I was having with obedience, his guide work, or rather our team work went very well from the get go ... Our first walk I kept saying to myslef, this is amazing ... so much build up to this point and now I am walking (with my eyes closed) and not hitting anything. Later I found out we are supposed to let our instructions know if we close our eyes - for us low vision folks .. oops ...

We walked routes in the small town near the dorms, called GResham which a little bigger then Ste-Agathe for you Montreal folks and sort of like a small district in San Francisco ... the hardest thing for me there was remembering the streets we were to walk on our own later that week, the firt week ... in retrospect, concentrating so much on what direction I was supposed to be travelling I forgot to think about guide work and just followed Calvin ... On Thursday in that first week we did out first two night routes for which I have no vision at all except if there is street lights and my days hanging under light posts are done and over ...

With the chill night air giving Calvin a little extra energy, or the thought of the bean bag chair tht awaited him at the end, he sped off that first route with a little extra bounce in his step ... I just KISS, as our supervisor kept telling us to do and just went with him. I am sure it helped to know that our instructors were following close behind but I had mo idea how close .. anyway we breezed through it and it was sort of an emotional moment for me as I never ever thought I would be able to walk alone at night again ... OK, stop crying D, it is not big deal ...

Calvin did not walk me into anything that night or any other night ... yet .... He did almost walk me into a tree another day route and I am reminded about that so let me tell you about Calvin, trail walking and booties ... somewhere later in the second week, we went to a new area to experience, among other things, trail walking. Now this was not hiking, just trail that had small rocks, pebbles or packed dirt ... So I found Calvin's Kryptonite - he slowed right down and he did not make me change my socks and underwear as often ... sorry for the image ... He was kind of slow so my instructor suggested n the way back we try his little booties that we are given for escalator and cold or hot weather travel ... they are also for walking on surfaces that may hurt his little pads ... So here we are at the beginning of the trail and I am struggling to put four little velcro attached booties on the dog with all the style of socks and sandles style and he is not loving this but as with most other things he is trusting me and staying in place. Staying so much that after I was dripping in sweat and his little booties were on, I pick up the harness and give him the forward command. No response. Command repeated. Nope. I put down the harness ahndle,lean over and give him a pep talk that Gene Wilder would be proud of talking to his monster to walk ... Nada. On my instructors suggetion I pull him and he stumbles forward. Victory. Perhaps we will move some ... and then , BOOM! Like underdog his neurons connect, oh yes, I can walk in these and proceeds to run like speedy gonzalez, me slipping on the rocks barley keeping up, not to mention my footing ... My instructor is porbably thinking I may be in trouble because she sort of yells for me to stop grabs my arm and I see about three inches in front of me her ahd and right behing that a nice solid, tree ... that was a close one. Mental note, get heavier booties for the dog.

Well, I will make this part one of the post and not push my luck .. if this posts successfully, I will continue it later or tomorrow ...

On the next post ... "This is why we can not have nice thngs ..."

posts-poned ... I am not going to post for the rest of the week unless they fix this computer or I have more time to fuss with it ... it stalls way too much and I have so little time, I will keep recorded notes and post when I get home ... sorry

testing october 18

tetesting october this bette work this time

I have been taught, not really learned completely yet how to get him to sit, lie down, heel, andd acome near me so I can put on his leash, harness etc. The obedience stuff like this has not gone too well. He is very distracted but I think that is partrially I am still somewhat tentative in my obedience commands and also there are many distraactions here. He has a ton of energy which is what I asked for so I can ony blame myself but that also means that during guide work and play timehe is really going fast and is easy to work with. By awork I mean guide work which has gone very welll or rather much better athen obedience work but I guess that will get easier as I get more confortable with that part of our time.I have received pretty much all of the equipment I will need which inclues a leash, a harness, some really cute booties for escalator travel or wet conditions. I got his second and third toys today, a bone and a rubber ring for pull games. The bones they are allowed are called Nila bones, no reagular bones are allowed or suggested but I hear from some folks in my class that they give their old guides sterilized marrow bones or something like that. Even in the toys, Guide Dogs never suggesta any ball, toys that can be torn apart or will distract them from guide work. Stuff like tennis balls are common in the world so if they see them as toys they can become distracted ... but rules may be made to be broken .. for now I will follow them and then when we are back home I will see what he can be good with. Mostly also anyathing that they can destroy and eat that will cause problems are out ...I did discover that some of my obedince issues can be resolved if I can get a bean bag chair. In general it is discouraged to allow the dog on any furniture because they can not distinguish between your sofa at home and those elsewhere ... but when I plop down on a bean bag chair he becomes a sicty pound lap dog and just sits on my lap and sleeps ...He also has the really cute habit of holding my hand or rather putting his pay in my hand and just staying like that ... for family, that is what reminds me of Walden so I really like that in calvin... Calvin also like to rest his head on my knee or leg and just rest there. This afternoon when he was taking a quick nap, as was I, I leaned over the bed to where he sleeps on the floor next to me and while he was snoring, he put his paw on my hand ..And yes, he snores but I have him set up for a sleep apnea assessment ... got it F?I learned how to clean his ears which he is not so fond of and also to brush his teeth today which he loves ... mostly it tastes like chicken, the toothpaste smells like chicken and not the good kind but he really loves it.Good news for me he seems to be a quick reliver - which means within minutes of going out for bathroom duties he goes very quicky. I am learning how to scoop the poop tomorrow, so far they have been doing that for us ...So far I have gone up and down on my experience in terms of being really pleased with my perfprmaace and being really frustrated. The word has gotten around the staff here and they are calling me a bit of a perfectionist ... I just do not agree but that I think I should have learned how to do much of what we have been shown. I know it has ony been a few days or less but overall I am thrilled on my choice to come hereand my choice of choosing Guide Dogs versus other schools ...I have worked through some of the obedience things and as handlers of this blog can attest to, it is difficult the first time, or so I am told but still the first actual guide work went really well. Calvin hardly makes any mistakes and I am sure most of them are because I am saying the wrong this or in the wrong way but he has already stopped me from walking across a street with a car that webt too early and guided me through sidewalks with lots of obstacles ... I walked the same route that he guided me through just with a white cane and I was really amazed of all the things I found that he just blew past safely.He is a really fast walker so out full speed guiding pace will be faster then what I I can do with a cane ... the one thing I notice is that I no longer have to find obstacles in order to avoid them.Of course, our first two guided walks were kind of emotional for when I finally sat down and thought if what doors he will open up for me. I did much of my guided work today with my eyes closed to feel what it will be like at night. We will have to do a solo night walk anyway to graduate. Trust is quickly building and is of course cirtical for the team.Team is what we call the handler and guide duo and I really feel like we are quickly approaching that even it awill still take weeks or months for us to bond and there is complete trust ... Pretty soon we will be finishing each other's sentences.A work about the school and the instructors and trainers. I could not have wished for a more supportive group. Althoug I have nothing to compare it to, when I have been almost ready to throw the towel, they have instinclively stepped and got me what I needed. I have had a few of those moments but I guesss these experiences have been much like the past months for me so as long there is more progress then setbacks then I am OK.There is just so very much info to remember and so little time or down time I hope I recall half of it. If not, I am sure Calvin will remind me.We have done much of our trainig in a small town closeby called Greshem, not sure how it is spellt but on Saturday we start guide work in Portland and I belive that is where we will have our final test ...The dorm here remains very comfortable and the meals continue to be outstanding ... I have had all from scratch meals, clazones, chicken vegatable lasagne, fallafel (tomorrow so we will see if it as good as Falaffel Drive In) ... for breakfast tomorrow I am having bagels that the chef makes herslef here .. I will suggest a special bagel breakfast with eggs and cheese ... I call it a bagelette ...We recieved our first toys for the dog tonight and I had my first play session with him. They suggest only a ten or fifteen minute session so we played tug with a rubber donut .. and my mild mannered dog who all I heard from all of a sudden started to growl and bark like he was about to attack but all the while his tail wagging madly ... He is going to be a ton of fun ...He seems a little more energetic then the other dogs in my class but I am the youngest here so I am happy about his character .. he always seems really happy to see me but I am his food and toy for the next ten years or so, I am happy to oblige ...Well, he has been alone for almost an hour now, on tie down in my room so I better go as I have some lecture material to read and I have dog slobber all over my clothes so I think I better shower ..I hope this has not been too boring for you, if you got this far ...I am sure I am missing some funny moments but I will try to post earlier tomorrow or next time so I can be more awakecheers to allDavid and CalvinCalvin and his Hobbies

Hello all, this computer is talking really funny so I am going to just type and hope afor the best. I tried to post last night and twice the night before but the only one that went out was the details of Calvin ... so here is a recap of what I think I missed to post and what has happened over the last two and half days, my time with Calvin so far.

May I introduce

My new friend.

Pics perhaps later this week

He is a pure yellow lab, he is 23.5 inches tall, weighs 63 pounds, he has darker ears and tail.

His name is Calvin.

Yes, Karen, his name is Calvin.

We had some interesting obedience issues today but I will learn.

Now I really need to sleep

until tomorrow

Hair of the Dog

Helloall and to all a good evening - the proper title for this first real post might as well have been "My first day of rehab" as no slight to how I spent my Saturday night or those in attendance. Let me explain, briefly, kind readers.

Last night I had the honour of attending a wedding of a very good friend of mine, you know who you are. Without naming names or going into details, I did not think I could drink that much, and I refused easily more then half of the drinks I was offered. The food was fantastic and endless. As some of readers will recall my expression, which is common amongst the kids of my time, I almost drank my face off. So, hence I felt as if I was checking into reahb today rather then  guide dog training - perhaps this is an intervention and I am really getting a service dog that will keep me away from food and alcohol.

Anyway, the wedding was great, and I did manage to get a few hours of sleep. It is now about 9pm Sunday evening and I am sitting aone in the computer room of the Boring Oregon campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

My experience so far ahas been extremely positive - the staff I have met so far are warm, friendly and very supportive. I expected nothing less and I have not been disappointed so far. I have only met four of the staff and I am very much looking to meeting the trainers and as I found out just today, my new companion.

Yes, I will get my dog tomorrow so tonight marks the last day I will not pick up the poop and I am looking forward to it.

The weather is a little rainy, as expected but the new dorm facilities here are great and, bonus, the kithcen and chef are amazing. Tomorrow I am havong a veggie empanada for lunch and grilled salmon with basmattie rice for dinner. I had three brownies today so I will be hitting the treadmill after thos post ... or not.

My class is small, only six of us, three newbies and three getting their next guide. They too are really nice and great resources for what I am about to experience.

Did I mention I am exhausted and a bit hung over ...  I think I just heard Lindsay Lohan down the hall ...

I will try to post again tomorrow with pictures but not sure I will have time ... plus the machines in the computer room are rather old - they have floppy drives. AT least they are 3.5" drives and not the five and a quarter ones ... it may crash at anytime but then again so may I ...

So the dogs are on campus, the trainer I met does know theur names and they already have an idea of which dog each of us are getting but they will not tell ...Apparently they used to play some jokes on handlers before they gave them their dogs to mess with their minds. This is an environment that my father would love, lots of chances for practical jokes ... I know he would have been proud today - when they were giving us the tour and showed us the smoking area I asked how many of their guide dogs smoke ...

OK, good might Gracie ..

A demain
Go Habs Go
David and woof ...

Woof.

Woof
Woof