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 ..."