Monday, June 30, 2003

Today was a trip to Longwood Gardens, and it made for a long day. We mostly practiced already known commands with our dogs, such as go touch, retrieval commands and go pay. Showbo did well and only gave me confusion once. When we were doing the go pay command, Showbo paid the clerk perfectly, but she dropped all my dollars in change onto the floor. A trainer assisted Showbo, and eventually, I got my change.

We did a lot of walking today through the gardens, which exhausted the best of us. In fact I was so tired after lunch, Darleen gave me a ride on her scooter. Actually, I was not on her scooter, I was on her lap on the scooter, and our dogs followed us to our left. It was fun!

Some days I struggle with accepting the whole blind and MS thing, but I know that God will heal me of these things in His time. I am looking forward to more independence in my traveling with Showbo, and I hope to someday teach Showbo to be my chauffer. Would that be cool, or what? She will also be a great guide when I am in public with my husband, and I have to use the ladies room.

As far as my original goals, I believe Showbo will be more than able to fulfill them. She is still awesome! She has learned to follow my leader when I am in public, which has increased my independence a little by destroying my necessary use of someone else’s elbow. Go, Showbo!

Well, it is once again time for bed.

Tuesday, July 1, 2003

I cannot believe it is already July, journal. Today was a beautiful day with spring-like weather.

Man, today has been the longest day thus far. I am sure this feeling is directly related to the trip to Longwood yesterday, but whatever. This morning was a horrible experience trying to dress Showbo in her harness. She has patience during all the other materials, but the harness thing just is not working well. Showbo backs away a lot, causing me to yank her with her leash, and then she turns her head to the side just when I think the harness is going over her head. It is so freaken frustrating!

The actual trip to Canine Partners was eventful, again, but this time it was a good thing. We stopped in Pet Smart to get the dogs some booties for their feet. I think Showbo dislikes her booties, because they do not match the rest of her. We do not want the princess dog to look silly. J

Of course we started with journal sharing, and the other 3 members of my journal group were late. This was the first day of late attenders, which ensures that yesterday was too exhausting. Anyway, one of the trainers, without mentioning any names, treated these latecomers with hostility when she drilled them with rejection at the door. The late recipients needed to fight her as if they were at a public location dealing with rejection. The times of denial in the public requires us to show the law book about service dogs, which I hope to never have to do.

After reviewing some previous commands, we learned the take it and tug command with the refrigerator door, and then we had a wonderful lunch. Lunch was provided by the family who hosted Showbo as a puppy for 2 weeks. Remember, the rest of the time for Showbo’s puppihood took place in a prison.

Well, then came the dreaded long discussion about the end of my relationship with Showbo. Ugh, I would rather not think about that right now. The whole scare of her possibly having a poodle disease was enough for at least one month, if not longer. It would be unpleasant for me, and everyone around me, if Showbo or Cyera decided to go to 4-legged heaven. Right now, they are my only 2 daughters, but I do hope to change that someday. Hint, hint, David!

Let me tell you something else. Showbo is so dainty that she cautiously does her services. Examples of this idea include her slightly touching the automatic door button for fear of breaking a nail and her giving a slight tug for the refrigerator door like a girl. Oh, when does the princess dog end, and the service dog begin? This lack of a transition may be my fault, but she is just so awesome!

As Darleen said a few times today, Showbo plans to give me 110% for at least 8 more years, retire as a wonderful pet and then pass away. Well, whenever she passes from me, I want it to be quick and painless, because I have absolutely no desire of "seeing" her in pain. However, I try to remember she is only a doggy, not a human with a soul. Again thanks to everyone’s prayers for her biopsy, though!

Ok, enough of my babbling until later. Bye.

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Good morning, everyone. With Showbo and me, there is always a different first to talk about. This morning was Showbo’s bowel movement on Canine Partner’s property since we have been together, and David was not there. I did use someone else’s eyes, but only after the actual skin of my hand touched "the stuff" directly. Yuck! I immediately found a sink to wash my hands, and then Showbo had her stitches removed, which were from her recent biopsy. Now, I am able to give Showbo a more thorough brushing without fear of hurting her.

Today is the halfway point for team training, and we had a discussion about how Canine Partners does follow-up with all the recipients. I think it sounds more rough than it really is, but I guess I will find out soon enough.

We began the day with journal sharing, and some people still expressed sadness about yesterday’s discussion about ending a partnership. I handled my emotions well during this time, and then we practiced some more basic obedience. Showbo and the other service dogs now have permission to use her retrieval skills at home. Each dog chose a certain item to retrieve, and I chose a bowling ball. That idea did not go well, therefore, Showbo will practice retrieving laundry, which is of course dirty prior to her putting her doggy saliva on it.

Showbo was extremely overjoyed when she became free from her harness, because she had a long day in it. It is so cute when Showbo has playtime, especially with Cyera. I love hearing Showbo growling at her toys, chasing a hissing Cyera through the house, and/or winding in circles between my legs.

Well, after an excursion to Pet Smart in the afternoon, Showbo’s nails are painted purple, which now match her collar. She has a doggy pillow, a bell, and a treat bag. Not to forget Cyera, I also bought some little fuzzy mice, which was Showbo’s idea. As soon as we entered the store, Showbo independently guided me to the cat section. It was great!

Ok, time for bed.

Thursday, July 3, 2003

Oh, I did not sleep well last night. My bladder was overactive, and everytime I tried to unhook Showbo and get to the bathroom, I had a little accident. It was so awful.The morning finally came, and we prepared ourselves for the mall. Well, we prepared everything except Showbo’s bowels. Showbo took a dump right in the main corridor of the Exton Mall. Poor little poodle; we were both very embarassed. The whole mall thing caused stress for the both of us, because it is an unfamiliar area. Then, I found a human bathroom to allow time for us both to regain our composure, and for me to pee. What a great start!

Each recipient was given a list of tasks to finish before noon. Knowing Showbo’s talents, I used some of our time to visit the winery and get a free sample. Believe me, I could have used a lot more than a sample at this point. While at the winery, Showbo did a terrific go pay, and then we enjoyed a lunch at McDonald’s.

We finally left the mall, and we practiced some more door openings and go pay commands at the movie theatre. The whole group did well, and the movie, Finding Nemo, was excellent. Showbo received a lot of compliments today from strangers, and I believe this beautiful poodle may help me to promote my Herbalife business, as well as promote Canine Partners for Life.

The recipients have permission to now enjoy any public place, therefore, Showbo and I will go out somewhere tonight. Then, we will be off to bed.

Ugh. Showbo just peed in the house while going after Cyera. I guess I need to change her bathroom schedule now that she is getting more comfortable and relaxed. Please pray there are no more excretion excursions from Showbo. Thanks, bye.

Friday, July 4, 2003

Journal, happy Fourth of July!

I first want to tell you about the heart worm pill I tried to give Showbo a few days ago. The heart worm pill is designed to taste like dog treats, which is to make the dog actually want to eat it. Not Showbo, though. The little poodle had it on the floor while she proceeded to lick all the treat flavoring on the pill, leaving the pill itself lying on the floor. Mind you, everyother service dog happily ate their pill, but Showbo must like getting things stuffed down her throat. She reminds me of my sister when she was younger and could not swallow pills.

Yesterday’s journal assignment was to compare Canine Partners to other service animal organizations. This entry is better late than never. Actually, I totally forgot. Well, I have had a variety of contact with people of different backgrounds and disabilities, and Canine Partners has appeared the most strict. However, they also show genuine concern for the recipient and the dog, now and throughout the future of the partnership. Go Canine Partners!

Ok, back to today. At first, I was not a happy camper when I realized we had team training on a holiday. Dave had off work, and therefore, he joined me. The whole day was filled with great fun and games, which became very competitive. We, the recipients, only placed a little stress on our dogs, but they all survived.

We played musical hoops, where we made the circle thing and walked around hoops on the floor adjacent to the music. When the music stopped, our dogs needed to get their behinds in the hoop and sit down. Showbo had no problem fitting her little self within the hoop, but I could not help her find an empty hoop. We did not come even close to winning, but we were not the first group out of this unfair game.

Following lunch, we played a board game similar to family feud, where we formed 2 teams. The dogs were required to perform certain activities, which were found on a card. Each activity was assigned a mysterious number of points, and we needed 5 more points to reach the finish line. Showbo and I volunteered to do the activity, which was to walk side by side without the leash. She stayed beside my side for about 15 feet and back, and then she performed a perfect sit. Our team got 5points, making us the winners. Yea!

Showbo did not experience the luxury of hearing noisy fireworks, but I know she would handle them beautifully. This little dog has little fear!

Ok, I will talk to you later.

Saturday, July 5, 2003

Once again, we had team training. Showbo helped me to dress this morning, because I wanted her to make herself useful. I placed my whole clothing attire on the floor, and then I asked her to take it while I pointed at the pile of clothes. Let me tell you how cute and smart this poodle service dog is! She so kindly gave me a clothing item and returned to her doggy pillow, where she decided to lay down. She waited for my next take it command and gave me another item, which was followed by her returning to her pillow to lay down. This routine happened a few more times until I was completely dressed and her job was done. Showbo, do not hurt yourself or exert too much energy. It was an awesome morning!

Did I say it was an awesome morning? Well, right until Dave and I were late for team training, and I was drilled at the door about having no pets. David abandoned me, which better never happen again, and I decided to fight for my rights, and Showbo’s rights. Eventually, they let us in. Like I said in an earlier entry, Canine Partners is strict, and maybe even a little mean, in my opinion. David and I will never be late again, at least for team training. One step at a time for promptness, you know?

Most of the day consisted of lectures, and lectured, and lectures… One exciting thing happened when Showbo was taking me from the bathroom to the barn through the grass. I got stung by a bee. Isn’t that exciting?

Darlene’s parents provided a wonderful lunch, and then we did some obedience. We practiced stationary commands, such as sit and down, and we learned to recall our dogs in a different manner than usual. We needed to put them a stay position, walk far away and call them to come. Immediately after saying come, Showbo, I needed to tell her to down. I guess that this incident would occur if she about to get hit by a bus or something. Showbo walked a few more paces and did her down on my second command. Then I called her to come again, and she joyfully came to me. During this whole recall thing, Showbo moved in a perfectly straight line, according to observers. What a neat and proper poodle, unlike some people! J

Dave and I went to the late night swim tonight within our community. I put Showbo in a down position attached to a lounge chair, and we then went to the hot tub. Later, David told me Showbo was standing and looking for me. I called her, she saw me, and I put her in another down position from the hot tub. What a good dog!

Ok, good night for now. By the way, tomorrow is our first and only day off team training, but I may still talk to you, if you are lucky.