Category: Animal House
Hello guys,
Well, Chelsea and I got home yesterday, and it went very well. She was so good. I got her a crate at wallmart to, and it was under a hundred bucks! That was really good, and she likes sleeping in it. She didn't whine at all either, like I thought she would. Well anyway, I took her on her first walk today. Boy was that something. I took her to the bank which is only 5 blocks from my house. So we went on our way, but there was construction by the time we got to the third block, and we were suppose to make a lefthand turn there, and I didn't know there was construction. I just wanted her to take me to the sidewalk, so then she showed me a garbage can, and I was like, oh ok, garbage can, let's keep going, but then I noticed after I almost fell, oh ok, there's a gap in the sidewalk, not good. lol. So then we got to the bank without any more problems, but it was the walk home, that got interesting. So she didn't wanna go around the construction again, so she took me into this area that had a ffence and stuff, so then I was like, oh wait, we're not on the sidewalk we're suppose to be on. So then she took me around the whole building so then I thought we could do it again. But we didn't. I don't even remember which way we turned anymore because she was basically taking me around, and I was dum and confused. lol. I know that it's not suppose to be that way, but the construction just threw me off guard, and her to I think. But somehow we made it home. Somehow, she got to me the next street over from the one we start from, and took me up one block to 5th street, and I live on 4th. So then I had to walk around that block again, and then I knew where I was. I'm glad that there is a rough patch at the end of my sidewalk, because I was like, oh good we're on the right sidewalk now, so then I had to try and tell her to find my house. Then someone I knew came up on the other side of the street and called out, and I said hi, and by that time I was so tired I didn't care. lol. So I took Chelsea's harness off and she got to pet Chelsea and she fell in love with her and said how pretty she was. She was so fond of my other dog she didn't think she'd like her, but I guess this lady does. Anyway, so I found my way in side, and she just took a drink of water, and while I was putting her harness away, she went right into her crate. I couldn't believe it. I was like, ok I was just about to pick up your leash and take you there, but never mind, lol. So I went in side and closed it and put the fan on for her, so I might join her for a nap soon to. But it was something. So I say the next time I go out, i'm having someone sighted go with me. But that's my funny and kindda cool story for now. It wasn't really frustrating, I just wanted to go home. It just didn't work out as smoothly as I planned, but at least we did it. I'll just take the other route next time. lol.
Just more stuff I'll have to consider if and when I apply at guide dog schools again. Actually the only things that are really holding me back at the moment are financial concerns, well that and I'm living in a small studio apartment. Thinking about it now I don't really think there'd really be enough space for a fifty-plus pound dog along side me here, even if I didn't have my cat to consider as well. The problem is that the only really feasible place to put a doggie bed is on the left side of my bed, but the lady from Guide Dogs was concerned about the baseboard heating system. The ones in my apartment don't get all that hot for some reason, even when I have them on. I may still apply at GEB or GDF at some point, I'm just sort of torn on that score at the moment.
As for your first walk, I imagine I'll have my own share of similar misadventures when we start out. I imagine every guide dog user does. Your dog might even save your life. I know my friend Laura's dog Aspen's done that at least once when some idiot driver didn't pay attention to what was around him and pulled out in front of her really fast. I believe that sort of thing is what the folks at GEB use for traffic checks. I only hope I don't have a heart attack the first time that happens to me.
I'm sure the more you guys work as a team, the better your walks will go, but at least you got home ok.
I don't have a bed for my dog, but he does have his own blanket.
I have never been able to find a crate big enough for my dog under $100 so that is really good.
Yes they do that for trafic checks at GEB.
Well tonight I went for a walk with her again with a sighted friend. She was still caucious and always looking around. She did find the bank on our way home, and was like, do you wanna go there? So I had her go to the door, and i praised her to let her know that yes I'd like to go here sometime, just not now, but I'm glad you found it for me anyway. And then when we were almost home, I told her let's go home, and she found it without me telling her wich way to go . So I was extremely happy that she knows where the bank is now, and where home is. And this is only her first time being out to. So she's really smart. I'm glad for that. She kindda afraid of cars that just pull up out of nowhere, or loud motorcycles or maybe she's trying to protect me, I'm not sure of which, but she was really good at the restaurant, and all that. I had a good time with her tonight. I'm going to do some more walking with her tomorrow and see what happens.
I've just moved into a new apartment, and things have been nuts for Whit and me. One thing that I have to do with her is I have to do an entire route with her. I know with myself, I could learn parts of a route and what was around me just for whatever reason when I had my cane, but with Whitney, I have to be careful about what I show her. I feel like right now, it's a slower process, but i think in time, it'll get better. She's already adjusting to college life, so... yeah.
just keep at it songbird. when myself and zonta got home and we did our first walk by ourselves, she walked me into a pole and over a road into the field she'd peed in the day prievious, and i've even had to tweek the route a bit so as to b safer, but do keep at it because when you work together and it goes well there's nothing like it, feel free to message anytime if you want to chat.
Hi,
I'm puppya, and I have had 2 dogs so far, and I just love them! They have kept me sane when there wasn't any other option! My second dog, golden retriever Delilah, is still working like a champ! Oh I just can't say enough about my relationship I form with dogs. I also love other animals, too; however, dogs just have my heart!
I'm also around to talk, so if you want to, just let me know.
Thanks to all that have posted. Well, chelsea has another problem. She sometimes likes to veer in the street. Has anyone else had that problem before? My instructor told me not to use my right hand when I say streight, because my left hand might push on the harness a little, so I don't. And I feel like the tention in the harness is good, so I dunno what the problem is. I'm sure my old guide did it a little to, but I just can't remember. But she did really good yesterday while I was walking to a friend's house. She didn't veer at all on the way there, then when we were walking home, she only veered on one street. But the other time we walked to his house, she was fine on the way there, but on the way home she diagonally crossed the street. It was so frightening. I didn't know she diagonally crossed either. i guess it was probably because I was worried about crossing the street I guess. But anyway, I got help from a nice lady and for some reason she walked me all the way home. So I guess when we left from his house yesterday, she didn't wanna leave at first so I had to get her going. She might've remembered the last time we walked, she didn't do such a hot job, so she didn't wanna go. But once i got her going, it was good, and we made it home without getting lost. So hopefully as this bond and team grows, I think she'll get better. She's getting better at listening to me, so we'll see what happens. But I love her though, she's really a good girl and a good companion. So we'll see how the rest of the week goes with traveling.
hey again,
Zonta likes to veer to the left sometimes, but if i can catch her in time when we're not walking really fast or if i just have my aware hat on and know where we are in terms of spacial awareness i can say to her straight on and she does it no problem. if you keep having problems like this then just maybe tell her to steady a bit so you can catch the veering in time to tell her no, also the crossing dyagnally has happened to me two, its very frightening especially when you dont know its happening, like yourself when it happened to me i reckon it was because zonta knew i was worried about crossing the street, now where this happened was on a part of the road where there are intersections, so what i did was turned completely around the corner of the road i wanted to cross so when i did zonta had no option but to go straight, and now we do that all the time and she is great now.
hope this helps
thanks so much for these posts. although i know these things are frustrating reading about them gives those of us who are applying for a dog a realistic idea of what to expect. i'm so excited and can hardly wait.