...or should the title be "How I went down"?
It began as a lovely Wednesday afternoon. I met Fame and Debbie at Lowe's where we walked around and Debbie showed me how to interact with people wanting to pet Fame, how to let Fame look around and experience new things. Then we went to Starbucks for an iced coffee and tea.
Once back at my house we unpacked Fames overnight things...crate, blankies, toys, stuffed bones, food, etc. Fame and I had a nice dinner, she slept well in her crate (I slept well in my bed) and the sun rose on Thursday.
We played ate breakfast, rested, played in the backyard, went for a short walk in front of the house and Fame had a stuffed bone while I had lunch.
Then it was off in the car for a trip to The Knitting Corner. She was wonderful. Laid at my side with only a few reminders. Sure, a few balls of yarn were tasted, but nothing harmed.
Once home, we had dinner and settled in with Judge Judy. I thought...hmm, how about another walk!
So off we went, just across the street, not to far. We met a neighbor and chatted a minute, and turned back for home.
And there he was...Evil Eyed Cat. Now I knew how Bailey reacted to this cat (barking a very high shrill bark) and I've even walked Nixon by this cat (barking and wagging of tail). What I didn't know was that Fame didn't have much experience with cats...and an Evil Eyed Cat at that!
I felt her stiffen and saw the hair on her back stand straight up and she stopped. I put the leash in my right hand, took her collar with my left and hustled her along, talking to her. She relaxed, looked at me. So I released her collar and as I went to put the leash back in my left hand she made her move.
She turned back to the cat and took off jerking my arm. I had no choice but to follow. But I lost my footing and fell forward flat on my stomach with my right arm outstretched.
My arm hit hard. Every muscle was screaming. Thanks to my neighbors I was able to get back home.
So here I sit, a week and a few days later, still not able to move my arm out to the side. But the colors are interesting...red, black green...from below my elbow to my shoulder. Each day it gets better. I went to the grocery store yesterday. The hard part was clicking in my seat belt. Never realized how hard it is.
So, that's the story.
But while sitting around doing nothing I've had the gutters cleaned. And replanned my backyard. They'll be out in the next week or so to rip out the azalea's, trim back the gardenia's, and put in more pathway's for pots. This winter we'll do a big trim on the 3 crepe myrtles. This should allow more sun the the yard.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Friday, September 04, 2009
Arm & Puppy update
With the bum arm, I had to make the decision to postpone receipt of puppy. A few pups arrived this week and the rest will be here early next week. I still can't brush my teeth with my right hand so there is no way I could handle an 8 week old puppy!
I'm hoping by October releases I'll be ready and able to handle a baby.
And I am reading your blogs about soups and sheep and little ones going off to school, just trying to keep the arm rested so am not commenting.
I just watched Cat Bordhi's video on her new book. Hmmmmm, sock may be in my future. Interesting concept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6d076POJ04
I'm hoping by October releases I'll be ready and able to handle a baby.
And I am reading your blogs about soups and sheep and little ones going off to school, just trying to keep the arm rested so am not commenting.
I just watched Cat Bordhi's video on her new book. Hmmmmm, sock may be in my future. Interesting concept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6d076POJ04
Monday, August 31, 2009
short update
Great day/night with Fame. We saw a cat. We passed it. I thought she had forgotten, she hadn't. My right arm is messed up. Can't drive. Details when I can type better. Hope this doesn't mess up my chances.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Puppy Adoptions, Toys & Vet Services
To answer KatieGirl's question about dogs that do not make it as a service dog, yes they are offered to their raiser for adoption. If the raiser does not wish to adopt, then they are offered to the public. I believe the fee is $1500.00.
I think I mentioned that if the dogs do not make a good guide for a blind person,then they may be trained for an austic child, or drug/bomb sniffing or search and rescue. Then they are offered for adoption.
Last nights class was interesting. We watched a video made by Debbie & Fame and a few others. It showed how to work with your dog through a normal day. Example, Debbie was putting clothes in the wash, Fame was on a "go place/stay". Debbie dropped a sock and said something like "not your's" in a pleasant voice, few more clothes in the wash, drops another sock and repeats. Debbie continued to speak to Fame about what a good dog she was. Fame stayed laying on her rug and watched Debbie load the washer.
And we watched little Aries figure out what he needed to do on his own last night. He's great with commands sit/down but could he figure it out on his own? So his raiser was asked to sit in a chair without commanding Aries and ignore him, pretend she was speaking to someone.
As we (15 or so all crowded in a hallway) held our breath Aries tried really hard to get her attention, (he looked up at her, there was no jumping) when he couldn't, he looked around a bit and then layed down next to the chair. When the trainer said "good" we exploded with applause and Aries received a "puppy party" (about 10 pieces of kibbe) Exercise took maybe 20 seconds if that.
And speaking of toys...Target had a sale so few new toys came home with me today. And I bought a treat bag for me. Clips on your belt/waist band.
And a huge Thank You to Dr. Brooks of Chesapeake Animal Hospital He's agreed to sponsor my puppy for his/her medical needs.
I think I mentioned that if the dogs do not make a good guide for a blind person,then they may be trained for an austic child, or drug/bomb sniffing or search and rescue. Then they are offered for adoption.
Last nights class was interesting. We watched a video made by Debbie & Fame and a few others. It showed how to work with your dog through a normal day. Example, Debbie was putting clothes in the wash, Fame was on a "go place/stay". Debbie dropped a sock and said something like "not your's" in a pleasant voice, few more clothes in the wash, drops another sock and repeats. Debbie continued to speak to Fame about what a good dog she was. Fame stayed laying on her rug and watched Debbie load the washer.
And we watched little Aries figure out what he needed to do on his own last night. He's great with commands sit/down but could he figure it out on his own? So his raiser was asked to sit in a chair without commanding Aries and ignore him, pretend she was speaking to someone.
As we (15 or so all crowded in a hallway) held our breath Aries tried really hard to get her attention, (he looked up at her, there was no jumping) when he couldn't, he looked around a bit and then layed down next to the chair. When the trainer said "good" we exploded with applause and Aries received a "puppy party" (about 10 pieces of kibbe) Exercise took maybe 20 seconds if that.
And speaking of toys...Target had a sale so few new toys came home with me today. And I bought a treat bag for me. Clips on your belt/waist band.
And a huge Thank You to Dr. Brooks of Chesapeake Animal Hospital He's agreed to sponsor my puppy for his/her medical needs.
Monday, August 24, 2009
My Day with Fame
Raising a puppy as a service dog is much different than raising a puppy to be a full time pet. I took classes 15 years ago on how to raise a pet. I now must learn how to raise a service dog.
Little things I didn't think about, like, offering a reward (piece of kibble) and dropping it before getting it into the dogs mouth. I would normally just point to it for Bailey to pick up. You don't allow a service dog to pick up something dropped (food, clothing, anything!) because you don't want them to pick up something a blind person might drop.
On walks, no stopping to smell/mark because they will be leading a blind person and you certainly don't want that to happen while walking the blind person to work. They'd be late everyday! Now that's not to say they won't have the opportunity to greet other dogs or humans. Sure, but not everytime.
Holding the leash. I learned in Puppy Kindergarten with Bailey that the loop is held in the right hand and slack in the left. A service dog leash is all held in the left hand. The dogs will wear a collar & leash with harness and the blind person will hold it all in their left hand.
Calling them to you. Hahahaha! How many of us would do this: Bailey come here. Bailey Come here. tug on leash BAILEY Come here!!!! pull really hard BAILEY I SAID COME HERE! Then I go over and get Bailey fussing at him the entire time. It is a LOT different..something like this....Fame, Let's Go! count to 10. Fame, Let's Go! count to 10. Walk to her, get her attention with a kibble, Fame, Let's Go! and walk. There's lots more you can do to get the puppy's attention, but that's the big change for me. No pulling or tugging on the leash.
That's just the tip of the iceberg so to speak.....and when Debbie offered me the opportunity to have Fame for the day I said Yes! I need the practice. Habits are hard to break.
So at 8:00 Debbie brought over Fame (with her crate, reward kibble pouch, toys, peanut butter filled sterlized bones and several comfy blankets and pillows).
Debbie walked her around the house. Even upstairs, where no one has gone in months or with the amout of yarn and Guild things on the floor could even walk!
Then to the back yard so that Fame could "get busy". She did. Then off for a walk around the block. Debbie led Fame and pointed out to me what to let her, or a puppy, explore as it would give Fame new experiences to add to her list. Storm drains, manhole covers, they smell different in each neighborhood. We met "Amber" the dog. Debbie had Fame sit. Amber seemed a bit skittish so we chatted with Ambers mom and then continued our walk.
Half way around the block, I took the leash. That's where MY training comes in. Keeping her next to me in a heel, when to call her back to me, how to call her back to me, what to let her explore, how to recognise a new experience for her.
Just the 1/8 th of a mile I walked leading her showed me how much of a routine Bailey and I were in. It's been years and years since I walked up my driveway holding onto a leash. I would always (after checking for traffice) drop B's leash and let him race across the street, up the drive way and to the porch.
So yes, I have many routines to relearn.
Debbie left us after our walk. Fame and I played in the back yard. She took a nap in her crate. Got Busy a few times. Spent a good 2 hours playing with her blue square block in the house. At dinner time, Debbie came for Fame. She showed me how to use serving dinner to Fame as a learning experience for her. It was nice having a dog in the house again.
Later this week Fame will come to spend a few days and nights with me. She and I both will have new experiences.
Having a 60 pound dog in your house is much different tha having a 18 pound dog in your house.
Little things I didn't think about, like, offering a reward (piece of kibble) and dropping it before getting it into the dogs mouth. I would normally just point to it for Bailey to pick up. You don't allow a service dog to pick up something dropped (food, clothing, anything!) because you don't want them to pick up something a blind person might drop.
On walks, no stopping to smell/mark because they will be leading a blind person and you certainly don't want that to happen while walking the blind person to work. They'd be late everyday! Now that's not to say they won't have the opportunity to greet other dogs or humans. Sure, but not everytime.
Holding the leash. I learned in Puppy Kindergarten with Bailey that the loop is held in the right hand and slack in the left. A service dog leash is all held in the left hand. The dogs will wear a collar & leash with harness and the blind person will hold it all in their left hand.
Calling them to you. Hahahaha! How many of us would do this: Bailey come here. Bailey Come here. tug on leash BAILEY Come here!!!! pull really hard BAILEY I SAID COME HERE! Then I go over and get Bailey fussing at him the entire time. It is a LOT different..something like this....Fame, Let's Go! count to 10. Fame, Let's Go! count to 10. Walk to her, get her attention with a kibble, Fame, Let's Go! and walk. There's lots more you can do to get the puppy's attention, but that's the big change for me. No pulling or tugging on the leash.
That's just the tip of the iceberg so to speak.....and when Debbie offered me the opportunity to have Fame for the day I said Yes! I need the practice. Habits are hard to break.
So at 8:00 Debbie brought over Fame (with her crate, reward kibble pouch, toys, peanut butter filled sterlized bones and several comfy blankets and pillows).
Debbie walked her around the house. Even upstairs, where no one has gone in months or with the amout of yarn and Guild things on the floor could even walk!
Then to the back yard so that Fame could "get busy". She did. Then off for a walk around the block. Debbie led Fame and pointed out to me what to let her, or a puppy, explore as it would give Fame new experiences to add to her list. Storm drains, manhole covers, they smell different in each neighborhood. We met "Amber" the dog. Debbie had Fame sit. Amber seemed a bit skittish so we chatted with Ambers mom and then continued our walk.
Half way around the block, I took the leash. That's where MY training comes in. Keeping her next to me in a heel, when to call her back to me, how to call her back to me, what to let her explore, how to recognise a new experience for her.
Just the 1/8 th of a mile I walked leading her showed me how much of a routine Bailey and I were in. It's been years and years since I walked up my driveway holding onto a leash. I would always (after checking for traffice) drop B's leash and let him race across the street, up the drive way and to the porch.
So yes, I have many routines to relearn.
Debbie left us after our walk. Fame and I played in the back yard. She took a nap in her crate. Got Busy a few times. Spent a good 2 hours playing with her blue square block in the house. At dinner time, Debbie came for Fame. She showed me how to use serving dinner to Fame as a learning experience for her. It was nice having a dog in the house again.
Later this week Fame will come to spend a few days and nights with me. She and I both will have new experiences.
Having a 60 pound dog in your house is much different tha having a 18 pound dog in your house.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Yesterday and Today
How do I feel about no costumes? 1/2 of me is saying Yippee! and the other 1/2 saying BooHoo..
Yipee because there's less clothing for me to care for on a weekly basis, I'm not able stop at the grocery store or where ever on the way home... I did...once...the stares and strange looks made me a bit uncomfortable. And the layers of the Colonial era costume makes for a very warm me.
BooHoo because it is FUN!
But I do understand why it's not financially feasible to costume 30 volunteers and 5 employees with $300 costumes. And asking us to pay for our own would limit who would want to volunteer. And most of them do need replacing. And replaced with the correct fiber. The shift I am wearing is made from a modern cotton (and it feels like a bed sheet) In 1725 cotton was very very expensive so my shift would be made of wool.
So for now we'll dress in costumes for special events.
And in Puppy Training News
Fame spent the day with me.
"I LURV my blue square"
"I wonder how many dogs live around here?"
Yipee because there's less clothing for me to care for on a weekly basis, I'm not able stop at the grocery store or where ever on the way home... I did...once...the stares and strange looks made me a bit uncomfortable. And the layers of the Colonial era costume makes for a very warm me.
BooHoo because it is FUN!
But I do understand why it's not financially feasible to costume 30 volunteers and 5 employees with $300 costumes. And asking us to pay for our own would limit who would want to volunteer. And most of them do need replacing. And replaced with the correct fiber. The shift I am wearing is made from a modern cotton (and it feels like a bed sheet) In 1725 cotton was very very expensive so my shift would be made of wool.
So for now we'll dress in costumes for special events.
And in Puppy Training News
Fame spent the day with me.
"I LURV my blue square"
"I wonder how many dogs live around here?"
Thursday, August 20, 2009
2 things
I've followed Maggie for many years. Way back when I practically lived in San Francisco. Check out her Aug 17th post (you may have to click on older posts at the bottom) for the top 10 dance videos.
A few weeks ago I answered a question on Cliodhna's blog. I love old movies and had just put this on my Netflix list. And I won! Check out the stitch markers
Tangerine Scream
They're very pretty....and she's the one who began the Stories of the Traveling Stitch Markers!
A few weeks ago I answered a question on Cliodhna's blog. I love old movies and had just put this on my Netflix list. And I won! Check out the stitch markers
Tangerine ScreamThey're very pretty....and she's the one who began the Stories of the Traveling Stitch Markers!
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