Two weeks home, three weeks as a team

I just realized,
This time two weeks ago, I was packing up to go, about to do one last work session with my instructor, and getting ready to leave. It makes me really sad to think the rest of my class is in that same place today, all going home today, packing up, and ready to go!
Also, on a more happy note, Essence and I are celebrating three weeks together as a team. She still has problem areas, things we really need to work on, but, wow, we're getting there!!

another day on the job

Today was another day and very calm one for essence, she is content and sleeping under my desk. I'm really happy with her performance. She handles the 69th street terminal like a little pro!! that is a big transit terminal, and many busses subways and other forms of public transit wiz in and our of it constantly, not to mention the people crouds of them!! she does just fine!!
,

Essence on the counter

This morning as I stopped by the local pretsel place, my wonderful dog essence decided to jump on the counter, Of course I corrected her and gave her a leash correction for that, but isn't it great to have a young dog!!

essence and I back to work at last.

Well, today is our first day back to work, and things are going mostly fine! Essence did the rout to the bus just fine, and has used the park area here just fine, just peaing, no number 2. That's just what everyone wanted to hear. Anyway, my trainer came and we did a very short rout to the areas we need to use here and she did just fine, she did snatch a dorito on the steps, but that was kind of my fault, I wasn't paying attention to her and what she was doing. More later from the Essence Chronicals

sleeping, at last!!

Well, I just realized, I was sitting here at my keyboard, and guess what folks, guess what, can you guess??
She's actually sleeping, we've found the off button, yayayayayayayay!!!

Essence in the city

Today was a really great day for essence and I, we worked doubles with another team, I thought it could have been more organized, the instructor seemed a bit hap-hazzard about things, things like, who's leading, space between teams, and other minor details that I'm used to Graham managing. We did a simple rout here in the home area, and she was really slow and pokey, but then we went to the city, and she
picked it up no problem!! Her pace is good, and her pull is amazingly strong. I think we'll have to steady her down a bit, but I'd much rather steady down a bit than continuously hopup a dog in non guide dog lingo, that means I'd rather ask a dog to go a bit slower than try and try to get them to go faster!!
I think things are going to be ok!
Tomorrow I go back to work, and that should be interesting~!
More from the ETails later

First day of home training

Today was the first day of home training with garry, the geb field instructor.
I am not sure I like him, I'm not sure he's been really trained in teh geb way, and some of the advice he gave me seems contrary to the geb model. He frustrates me very much, and doesn't seem to understand what I need. I've tried to explain what I need, but have gotten very frustrated.
Essence is doing better in the house, although, I still don't know what she is doing when she is releiving her self. Noone has addressed this with me, they all act like, "well, you are action, so you should know what you are doing!" I felt that my needs were not met fully.
I plan to talk about all of this during my exit interview.
Angie and essence

first full day home with essence!

Well, after my first full day home with essence, I'm feeling used up!!
She doesn't always come when I call her in the back yard, she tries to eat everything that might be on the floor.
and she is hyper!!
We've done some short routs with her, and she misses every curb, and tries to turn right instead of crossing the street!! I do have an instructor coming on monday, and he will work with me for a week, I'm really grateful for that!!
that's all for now, but pray for me to have patience with this dog!!

Home with Essence

Today I brought Essence home, we got home about2 hours ago. and it's been work the whole 2 hours!! We did a really short walk in harness, 2 blocks, and we parked twice! she's been introduced to Liz, my roomate, and the cats. The older cat patches wanted nothing to do with her, and ran to her room, Caleb was scared at first, but seemes to be adjusting!
We will see what the night brings, she is on leassh right now, and laying mostly calmly as the cat runs too and fro!
More of the essence chronicals later
I hope, hope she settles down!!
Angie and crew!

One distracted essence

Today we did some long routes, as well as worked on food distractions. My trainer would throw popcorn at her, and she would have to leave it! If she did so, she got freeze dried liver, a very smelly treat.
She did pretty well, but got it only once.
We also worked on off leash obedience wich was really cool. Also, we got our pictures taken. There was some question weather I would have to stay an extra week because of the dog switch, but I will be able to go home on friday wich i am glad about, but there are some things I wish I were staying for!
Ah well, what can you do.
Angie and essence

essencia

Today was another great day with essence, She works so well for me!! I am so very pleased! We are working on sniffing issues, as well as food distraction. There is the chance that she and I may have to stay another week, but maybe not! We will decide tomorrow!

Her essence

Today was another great day with essence! She is working beautifully! We did play, and she loves to play tug-o-war! She is very driven!! When there is a bird, she drives right toward it, No, I'm just kidding!
She does get distracted by birds, squirls, and other things, but for a young dog, she is working really really well for me!!!
Graham, my instructor said that you wouldn't know that I've only had her for 48 hours! She loves to lick, alot! and she has a very mobile nose, that will get her into nothing but trouble! She is a bit of a scavenger, but we will work on that little anoyance!
I want to start work with her with the Halty next week, if Graham thinks she needs it and is ready for it!
that's all for now, We will know on tuesday weather we need to stay an extra week or not! We may have to, if so, oh well, I won't like it, but what can you do??

The essence of a dog with drive!!

Today was the first time I worked essence on the streets, She did well, verry well in fact.
We have her on a prong collar for now, so she can settle down a bit, she is a little fireball! She is sweet, but very active, quite a handfull! We are working with her, and I'm seeing some improvement already.
Her work is great, but she needs some behavior modification and we are working on that!
That's the latest from the essence of a dog.
Angie and Essence

Essence

Well, I got a new dog, her name is essence! she is a little yellow lab, about 68 pounds or so. She is a bit on the hiper side, but we can work on that! We did some work with her, and she works beautifully pulling out at a nice fast pase, yayayayay we'll have some issues with her but I think she will work out fine, I hope!
God knows what he is doing with her, and with me, so I will put my trust in him!

Horton is no more!

This afternoon, My trainer decided that Horton, the sweet sweet yellow lab I had wasn't working out for me. They have taken him away, and will get me another dog. I pray that he will be happy with someone else!

More later

Horton goes to work

Today was the first time we worked our dogs, horton did great the first time, lots of pull, and a great pase! The second time we were a bit on the slow side, but things will work out!
This evening we got nylabones for the dogs, these are really safe bones that the dogs can chew and chew and not hurt them. He has already put some big marks in his! I've started introducing the Crate I brought, it's my portable crate that I take everywhere! He is a bit hesatant about it, so I'm introducing it slowly, and keeping it very positive! I will start feeding him in it, and that will be helpful! We also got what are called martingale collars, they are mostly flat, nylon collars, but about 25 percent of it is chain! and they wear it when they are not working. I got to pick a color and of corse I picked Blue!!!!
He is sitting under my desk while I am writing. Things are going quite well with him, he's a real lover boy!!! and I love love love that !
He licks my face, and is generally playfull, although, when he is in harness, he's very very calm!
That's all I'll say for now, but I think, God willing, this could be a match made in heaven!
Angie and Horton

Horton

Sorry for the delay, things have been a bit hecktic, and so I'm finally getting the chance to post.
I got here on monday, and got settled in. I had to give Chief back about an hour after I got here, that was really really really hard!
Tuesday was all practice, getting to know the commands, and getting ready for the dogs.
Today, that was the really hard part, the wait was terrible!!
Anyway, as you might have guessed, I got a dog named Horton. He is a yellow lab, and so cute I could eat him alive!
The first thing he did when we met was put his paws on my legs and lick me all over!!
It was so so cute.
From going from Chief, who bearly licked at all, this dog is so effectionate!
tomorrow we really start! The hard work begins. We learn to work with the dogs in harness, and learn what they are like on the streets!
I'll sign off for now, but I want to say, it feels good to have a dog at my side again!!!
Angie and Horton signing out!

Day 1

Good Morning, I'm writing from my home for the last time, I leave for amtrak in about an hour, and just wanted to thank all those who have called or written with your support, Thanks, it meands alot!
Now I've got to go finish getting ready, and calm my nerves!!
Signing out!

One more night

Oh, give me one more night!
cause I can't wait forever,
Just one more night?

I have had the coris of that song in my head the whole day, So a few minutes ago I had to go look up the lyrics, they don't fit, but the coris does.
Oh, I really do only have one more night!
I wonder if my emotions I've been trying to fight,
My feelings on another flight, bound for nowhere land!
But, if I break, if I crack, I'll never be able to go back! I'll Cancel my trip, I'll just unpack, and not give Chief back!
So I won't crack, I won't break,
That damn Trip I'll take.
I pray for strength,
God, you know my fears, you know the unshead tears, How can I face it.
Well, at least I know I'm human, I just went and cried on chief, he was having none of it, he informed me that I was only allowed to have happy memories. and that makes sense,
why cry, why howel in to the unhearing wind, it helps nothing!!
Instead, i'll think of the happy times,
The times when He saved my life, the times when we plunged daringly in to the unknown. This dog tought me so much!
More tomorrow from GEB,

Packing

Today is the day to finalize my packing, and get all in readiness.
I've still got to find my rain coat, I'm not sure where it is!
Other than that, I've got to do a few loads of laundry, some house cleaning, and I think I might give Chief a Bath!
I've also got to charge up my trekker, it's fun to run it on the train to see how fast we're going.
I'm surprised that I'm not more emotional, I'm wondering if there's something wrong with me. Shouldn't I be more upset? shouldn't I be more sad or something??
I do love Chief, I really do. And I will miss him. Ah, I don't know what else to say, maybe I'll go back to bed for a while. ! !

2 more nights here, then i'm off!!

A tribute to a dog

This is a tribute to my first Dog, Gina.
I will post the several poems that I've written about her here.
The first one is called RockDog
your all I have in an ocean of doubt
your all i have in a sea of despair
When the tide turns ugly
your like a rock in the waves
solid as a stone
when i'm all alone
when the world turns upside down
your always around
making sure i'm okay
and sending fear on it's way

The second one is called My trusted eyes

My trusted eyes
Ever so wise
My trusting guide
Takes obsticles wide
By humans we slide
Over the grownd we glide

My trusted eyes
Forever wise
My trusting guide
Always by my side
A gift from God
You are my forever dog

All day we flow
From place to place
you make my heart glow
and put a smile on my face

my trusted eyes
I hate good byes
I hate so longs
And I hate no mores
With each of your snores
I know I’m yours

With every wine
I know your mine
But when the time comes
To say good bye
A part of my heart will die
For nearly two years
You’ve guided me safely
And taught me so much
At guiding eyes
A perfect match was made
And my fate was placed in to your paws
You hold my life
and I hold yours
you’ve opened doors
and even dirtied some floors
you’ve carried your weight
and your so great
such a wonderful dog
a priceless companion
with every lick
and every click of your claws
with every happy wag of your tale
I know together we can not fail
With a romp
And a bath
And a solid chew of your favorite bone
I no I will never be alone
With you by my side
And the last one for tonight is called Dog
Dog

my dog

my companion

my child

my friend

my teacher

my dog

my guide

my eyes

my sense of freedom

you are to me what some might call independence

you are to me what i would call a blessing
letting go of fear
holding on to hope
you have tought me to be free

I will put one more in here, I wasn't sure I would, but I think I should, THis is a Tribute to GEB, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, where I have gotten Gina and Chief, and where I will return on monday for my third dog.
SO here it is, it's just called GEB

when you come to Guiding Eyes you get quite a surprise
it's usually a lab but not
always the case
what ever it is it usually licks your face
and in a matter of weeks your boarding
your plane. train or car
and you know that you'll get far
with your geb dog by your side
and a
sense of overwhelming pride
you know you'll never be alone
with your dog chewing a bone
for after all,
they are just dogs!


Thank you GEB your program is wonderful

And one more to finish it off, Only one more, I promise.
This poem is for my first guide dog trainner, who is nolonger with the school. She gave me my foundation in guide dog work, and I am forever indebted to her.

This last one, it really is the last one is simply called Yvette

`` I'm on my own
your not here with me
not where you were
not showing me how to do
the things I've learned
and in my eyes
the tears arive
tears of joy
and tears of sorrow
and when the sun rises tomorrow
I'll be on mhy own
but in my heart
and in mhy thoughts
you will remain
for ever
not just a memory

That's truely it, the hours tick away, and I'm almost packed, Just one load of laundry, and I'm done. Too more days until lift off!

Three more nights, no more frights.

Good morning all, This morning, I got my room number at GEB, it's Room 16, and my phone number there is 914-930-3386
Call when ever you like. I'm most likely to be in my room after 8:00 PM.
If you don't get me, leave a message!
I've been telling everyone, if you want to know what's going on, tune in to the blog. I'll be trying to write in it every day From Geb.
Next wednesday is dog day, the day when we get our dogs.
Here's a poem I wrote about dog day, I wrote this poem a very long time ago.
d day
all of us are waiting for this day,
when our faits are placed in the paws of a dog big or small,
black or yellow,
male or female,
first or 10th partial or total,
we all wait the same, we all fear the same.
and we all dream of dogs, labs in fact, nothing like the
love and effection of a lab, there's no better feeling then being licked by a dog except being licked by your dog, it's extecy.
your home and life is sweet
I wrote that when I got chief,
That's all for now, Now I've got to pack, and generally get ready. THe retirement party has been canceled, because alot of people who were going to come can't for different reasons. People have been coming by here and there to see Chief and saying good Bye!
Oh, I just had a strange thing happen, as I was re-reading the post I just wrote the screen reader I use, JAWS, was repeating the last word of the post which at that time was Good Bye, so I heard those two words like 10 times again and again, freaky!!.