Category: Writers Block
Hey evry one:
Here's the other half of my story.
When I arrived at Guide Dogs, it was just as I remembered it. But I couldn’t help feeling uneasy and nervous. All the what ifs started flooding my mind, and my heart started to pound. As I unpacked my suitcase, I started to look at things a little differently. As nervous as I was, I new that this was just another chapter in my life, and another adventure.
After talking to my other classmates, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who was nervous. Actually, talking to the other students made me feel welcome and at home.
The first few days went smoothly. As the instructors went over all the commands, I felt relieved that I remembered a lot of the information.
Working with Juno was a little tricky at first because I had to put my full trust in the trainers. I also had to be confident and trust myself and remember to stay calm and focused.
After two and a half days of juno work, the big day finally came. Everybody was excited and nervous all at the same time. We thought that if we ate our lunch fast, our dogs would come sooner. At 1:00, we all gathered on the couches to get our dogs. As I sat listening to all the dogs’ names, I couldn’t help but be a little scared. Not so much of the past, but of the future. I just wanted it all to work out. Then the big moment came, I heard “Kim you’ll be receiving Guide Dog Voyager. A male black lab.”
As I sat on my bed, I was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. My heart was pounding, and every time I would hear a dog walk by, I’d freeze. Finally the door opened, and Yvonne came in with a beautiful black lab. Voyager came up to me, sniffed me once or twice, and then started sniffing around. As I sat on the floor with him, petting him and talking gently to him, I had know idea just how special he really was.
As the course progressed, I learned how to work with Voyager, take care of him, and most importantly, learn to trust myself and control my emotions. When I was with Voyager, I felt calm, I didn’t feel so stressed. I also became more open, and made friends. Tim, Carry, Lorie and Lisa were only some of them, but I felt like I connected with all of them. Carry was a special person. She was in training to become a Guide Dog instructor, and for ten days was a wonderful blind person. It felt so easy to talk to her. She was always very encouraging. Lorie, Tim, and Melissa were very funny people. They’d always make me laugh, and almost every night we’d sit on the couches, and while Tim played the guitar Melissa, Lorie, and me sang the Blues. Lisa was kind, encouraging, and a wonderful person to talk to. Each day was a new and exciting one for all of us, and we all helped each other through the good and the bad times.
Finally graduation day came. I couldn’t believe it. I had hoped for this day for a long time, but I never thought it would come. As we sat down, I started to cry, not because I was upset, but because I was so happy. It all seemed like such a dream, it didn’t seem real. After Graduation, I realized just how real it was.
During the last week of training, the trainers turned the remaining students Lorie, Tim, Tom, and me loose in Burbank. As I walked the streets of Burbank, I realized just how free I was. Even though the trainers were keeping an eye on us, I felt completely free. When I finally put trust in myself and Voyager, I was able to navigate unfamiliar streets. I felt that finally something went right and that Voyager and I would be successful together.
We’ve been together almost 3 months now. He is a wonderful companion and friend. He’s not just a dog to me, he’s my baby and my best friend. Even though we’ve only been together for a few months, I trust him with my life, and feel like I’ve known him forever. We both help each other, and love each other very much. I feel that over the years our love, trust, and companionship will continue to grow, making us a very good team in the end.
Update:
Voyager and I have now been together 2 and a half years now. Were just as close as we’ve always been, and I’m greatful everyday that I have him. He is still the love of my life, and I think that will never change.
Reading that brought tears to my eyes. It seems like graduation with Steven was just yesterday, and here we are almost three months later,still going strong. *smile*