The dog with the gentle soul, loving heart, intelligent brain, and sense of fun!

Last week, I was honoured to be asked to be guest speaker at an annual general meeting for an organization that supports children with disabilities. As I was preparing to enter the building, a little boy approached us. I was just about to put Tulia's harness on. The boy came up to us and asked very nicely if he could pat my dog. I said yes as she was not wearing her working harness. He patted her and then turned to go inside with his mom. She came up to us and told me that he is afraid of dogs and never ever before has asked to pat any dog. Tulia must have given off a special vibe. She is a special dog but then I am biased. So lucky to be the one she shares her life with every day.

High tech low tech both fascinate the public.

yesterday, two other hosts and I launched a radio show by and for and about people with disabilities. I will blog more about the show soon. I am still absorbing the launch and how it felt. However, I want to say this. We had media coverage from CBC radio and CBC television in Canada. The tv man was in the studio filming us as we did our show. This is community radio so we have to do all aspects of it. Conduct the interviews, play the music, operate the sound board. Everything. I had my iphone in the dock and was running music from it. I turned the speech off and ran it from my braille display so radio audiences don't hear the sound. The journalist was fascinated by this. And then, in the next breath he wanted to make sure he got a photo of the guide dog lying under the desk. What a contrast between two of the things that help me to lead an independent life. My guide dog (low tech in many ways) and my braille display and my phone (high tech) but both so important and essential. Here is the link to go and find our show. Once you get to the site, search for welcome to my world or tuesday at 9:30 AM. CKCU radio

Guide dog anniversary

Time sure flies. It was on this day in 1992 that I met my very first guide dog. Female black lab Gwenny. She was reserved and not sure about me. She whined a little and pined for her trainers. But, being a lab, once I fed her, she was more comfortable with me. Our first walk was scary. For me anyway. Fast and wild and I did not know whether to trust her. I've only had a few weeks of guide dogless travel since and really would never be without a guide again if I can help it. For as long as I can hold a harness I hope to have a furry friend by my side. Not just for the guiding. The guiding is great. For the team work. For the partnership. For the being beside you through everything. For the laughter. for the times when the dog gets you to play or cheers me up when I am sad. For those times when they have saved my life. And each one has at least once. For the sound of a dog's peaceful breathing while asleep. For the smiles they bring to others. For the stories they let me tell. I have had the pleasure of working with 4 wonderful guide dogs. At the moment, my second black lab is here. Lying on her bean bag. Snoring lustily. But it is of Gwenny I think today. She started me on ,this path andwhat a path it is. Love you Gwenny dog! And all of the others too. And love all of you who have given of your time and talents to help to create and train my wonderful guides. You know who you are. Thank you!

Belated happy international guide dog day.

I had a busy day yesterday. Out with my guide dog. She guided me across streets. She found a garbage can, an audible crossing pole, a bus stop, our house, two buildings, a chair, a bus seat, a counter, a table. She lay quietly beside me in a coffee shop while I worked. She lay beside me in a meeting. She was and is a part of my day. She played at home with her green rubber bone which once smelled like mint but now just smells like dog. She ate, she lay on her back tail wagging while I patted her stomach. She was there for me. Making me smile. Helping me move through the world. On Monday it will be my 21st anniversary with guide dogs. Really? Where does the time go? Tulia is my fourth. Happy happy international guide dog day and thanks to guide dogs for the blind (see link below) for training all of my wonderful guides. And thanks to the raisers who raise them. The trainers who trained them and matched them with me. And to Gwenny, Margaret, Gia, and Tulia for all that you are and for walking this path with me. Guide dogs for the blind Inc.

Even at the dentists, my dentists, the dog gets more attention!

This morning, my guide dog and I went to my dentists for my regular cleaning. My dog first tried to turn down a street instead of going straight. I made her go back the way I wanted only to find that the sidewalk was blocked and there was major construction. Should have listened to her. She found the medical building. Have not been there in 6 months. She found the elevator. She found the dental office. She found me a chair. We went into the back to get my teeth done. So then, my hygienist asked if she could pat Tulia. The receptionist too. They are dog people. I took her harness off and they came and patted her and she rolled about. But, what did the dental people say and do? Oh yes they patted her belly ETC but then looked at her mouth. Commented on her perfect front teeth that I brush and her under bite. Smile! After a time, I asked if they might get back to cleaning my teeth! That Tulia is so darn cute! And smart! After we left there, she found a coffee shop. thenot, I had to go and teach someone to use their IPHONE. She found the building, the office and everything. She's home now lying at my feet snoring contentedly. She brightens all my days and those of others around me too.

Snow and kindness

We have had a lot of snow here. It is still coming down. Early this morning, I put on coat and boots and took the guide dog out. Winter travel can be somewhat challenging. When it is snowing, it muffles sounds. Cars sound quieter. People's footsteps are quieter. there is something peaceful about that but it can be challenging too. Also, banks of snow at driveways and corners make it challenging to move about. We had taken a short walk and I was coming back home when I met someone I don't know well but have chatted with before. She said how great my dog was and that she was watching closely as we walked and looking back at me to make sure I was okay. I'm not sure that was what she was doing actually. She probably was but she might have also been saying, "Hurry up. Let's get inside." then, she passed me a dog biscuit and said she knew she could not feed or interact with my dog in harness but she wanted her to have it. Snow, kindness, christmas spirit. What could be better than that?

Happy birthday to my wonderful guide dog.

Where does the time go. My little Tulia guide dog is 4 today. Already? She is such a great dog! Everyone loves her and she is a great worker and lots of fun. I wish it was sunny for her birthday. She loves that. But it is cold and cloudy. We had a game with her favourite squeaky ball and now she is curled up in her bean bag bed.

Three funny things done by the dog!

My guide dog is a character. She has always been a character. I always love having guides with great senses of humour and great self possession and she has it all. So, yesterday, she did three funny things. I was out for lunch with my mom. We entered the restaurant. Mom was guiding me and Tulia was walking beside me but not working. As we passed a table, she gently placed her little black head in a lady's lap. She's never done this before. The lady let out a little squeak but then said how beautiful Tulia was. How much she loved dogs. Tulia then sat down right beside my leg. "Did I do that? did I?" After a while, it was pretty funny. Next funny thing. After the lunch, I was home and went looking for my slippers. Who was lying on them both warming them up, yes it was the Tulia. They were nice and warm when I put them on. Next funny thing. All weekend I have had internet trouble. In fact, 2 times my mac computer shut off by itself. The internet was not working. I was about to call my service provider and also apple about my mac. When, I discovered that one of the many dog beds around here, had moved slightly and was up again the wall where a plug to the power bar was. so when Tulia would flop herself down on her bed, she ended up turning off power to the computer and also to the router. Problem solved. Moved the dog bed over.

The dog's memories live on.

It has been more than a year and a half since my third guide dog Gia died. And more than two years since we worked together as a team. But still she is remembered. This morning early, Tulia and I were out for a walk. A man said good morning to us with a cheerful accent from somewhere like Jamaica or one of those lovely warm islands. Then he asked if my other dog had died. he said he used to see us all of the time. He said she was such a nice dog. Then he paused and said, "All of your dogs are nice." Tulia was sitting beside me as we chatted and she tilted her head and leaned it on my leg. I'm sure she was giving him the look she does with everyone. "I am the cutest dog ever! Isn't that right?" On another note, I was with someone who has early stage dementia the other day. Tulia sat with her head on his leg. He said, "This dog has the kindest eyes." Later, he asked the nurse where that nice dog was.

Taxi anyone?

I've mentioned this before here, but, I will say it again. My guide dog has a phenomenal memory. The other day, we walked to a taxi stand at a near-by hotel to get a cab. Yesterday, we passed by there again. When we reached the stand, my dog sat down and bumped me with her head. "This is where those cars are that you like!" I laughed and laughed, patted her and we moved on. She is truly a genius of a dog. Maybe I should get someone to teach her to play chess? I was never good at that myself!

reading minds?

Today something hit me. No not literally. When you first get a new guide dog, you and the dog don't know each other. I've loved each of my dogs almost right away. Felt comfortable with them. happy. Safe more or less (more safe as time passed) But, there comes a time, when dog human relationship has evolved to the place where I feel that sometimes we do not need to say anything to each other. Sure, I still give commands. Sure I still praise. sure we communicate. But there are things I know and my dog knows. It hit me today. As we walked along, Tulia paused. Not the pause that means, "I'm figuring something out." But a pause and a pull towards the grass that says, "Hey, can we stop while I have a pee. So off with the harness and she hit the grass. Then, as we walked, ahead of us in the block, a dog barking menacingly. A dog in a car. Jumping at the windows. Barking. All might be okay but I thought, "Well we could walk past that dog or we can cut through this building on my right and avoid the dog altogether. I did not say, "Right inside. or anything else. I was just thinking a bit when Tulia swung right, pranced to the door and showed me the handle. Then, later on, I was thinking about construction ahead and thought I would turn right and go around the block. Again, I was about to say right, but we had already turned.

Dog's calmness makes me calmer too.

A lot of people around me have been going through serious health problems and difficult situations. It has shaken me up greatly. Yesterday afternoon, I was working at my desk but thinking about all that is going on. Feeling sad and overwhelmed. And then, suddenly, a little black lab head bumped my arm. a dog appeared. Wagging her whole self. Living in the moment. Dragging over a rope with which to play her most favourite game of tug. And tug we did. Her whole self wagging. Then, she flung herself on to my legs. Rubbing her head all over me. Wagging, snorting, rolling. and somehow I felt better. Got that sense that life is to be lived joyfully. That things will be what they are but we can get through them and we will. And how did she know that I needed her to do that, just right at that very moment?

Sorry for junk mail posts and a cute Tulia story.

I am sorry that sometimes some post sneaks on here telling you to click or join or something. I may have to go in and change my blog settings so this doesn't happen. Don't click on anything unless it is in a blog post from me just to be on the safe side. Today, my guide dog and I were on the bus. A man across from me said, "That is an old old dog." I'm not sure if he was blind himself as no one but no one calls Tulia old. If anything, they say she looks like a young pup. I said that no she wasn't old. Others on the bus chimed in and said she didn't look old at all. Then, he said, "That dog is looking at you like oh it is so sad you are blind." I almost laughed out loud. Patiently, I said, "Well, I don't think so because if I wasn't blind, she'd be out of a job!" The people around us roared with laughter. Then he said, "That dog doesn't like being with you very much." At this, Tulia tilted her neck and kissed me right on the face. Everyone in the bus roared some more with laughter. So did I. Then of course, Tulia hammed it up. Tilted her head at the people and someone said raised and flicked her eye lashes. The man didn't make any more comments and we soon got off the bus with people around us still snickering. Takes all kinds I guess.

How old is a guide dog when it starts working?

A friend of mine wrote on my facebook wall and asked me about when a guide dog is old enough to take the responsibility of being a guide dog. It varies a little with each dog. First, when they are puppies, they go and live with a family who trains them how to be good dogs and gets them used to all kinds of situations. Then, they go in for formal guide dog training. All of my guides have been a little under two years old when matched with me. Some can be about a year and a half and some can be older. Thanks as ever to all of the puppy raisers who read this. Without you, our dogs could not be the calm and socialized beings they are! And thanks to the guide dog trainers reading this (especially those who trained my wonderful Gia and Tulia) you have given me a gift that is the most precious thing I could ever get.

So glad to hear an annoying squeaky toy!

We have had a tough few days. Somehow, my guide dog sprained her foot the other day. She is on anti-inflamatories and rest. No work for her for a few days at least and minimal work for a week or two depending on how things go. She was quiet and loved her chewable pills. This morning, I heard a sound I have not heard in a few days. The squeak of a squeaky toy. She is still not allowed to play but her even wanting to is a good sign. I have always found the sound of that toy annoying but today it sounded great!

Visit from the guide dog school.

Each year, our field representative from the guide dog school pays us a visit. The great thing about Guide Dogs For the Blind is that they will also come and see you if you have any issues at any time. but, each year, they visit and offer you the chance of getting together and going for a walk, learning a new route, or working on anything you would like to learn. Our visit was on Friday and we worked on getting to the new vet's place. We tried various ways of getting there to find the safest and best one. My guide dog found everything. Remembered everything and worked like a pro. even yesterday, she found me new audible crossing buttons at another street. This is her new particular skill. Finding the poles with the audible buttons. It is quite amazing. When the visits are over, all of my guides have gotten quite silly when they get home. Rolling about and prancing. Like they just passed a very important exam. It is so cute!

guide dogs in and out of harness. The differences.

Yesterday, I had a long day of working in various places and ways. i left the house early in the morning and got back near dinner time. My guide dog Tulia was in harness most of the day. when she is in harness, she is calm and professional. at one point yesterday, someone asked if they could pat my dog. about 6 or 7 people were in the room at that time. I took her harness off and she instantly became her off duty self. Wagging and rolling about. Wanting her stomach rubbed. the people were amazed at the change. not that our guides do not like working. They love it but they are working. so they are more serious and focused when working. And here is another myth. Our guides do not work when we are in our houses. They are loose and playing and sleeping and doing what dogs do. my dog is currently sleeping at my feet. And, there is nothing more comforting than a dog sleeping on your feet.

Find the bench.

Today, I was waiting for a friend outside of a coffee shop. It was nice and warm and so I decided to wait outside. There used to be a bench there to sit on so I figured I would find it. I told my guide dog to find the bench. She walked forward and stopped. I didn't think we were near the bench yet but I put out my hand and came across not a bench but a table and chairs. They had rearranged the outdoor furniture but Tulia found me a seat anyway. Smart dog!

We should all have dogs at our feet when working.

I am working on my blog and e-mails and learning a story. I know, it's early here but I am a morning person. Tulia is laying right by my feet. If I get stuck, a bit worried about my story learning, feeling like I have so much work and not enough time, I reach down and pat her. She thumps her tail, or goes right on snoring gently and somehow I feel better. I am less stressed. More centred and calm. I keep reading articles about work place stress. Maybe every office should have a dog?

20 year anniversary.

20 years ago today, I met my very first guide dog. At the time, I wasn't sure whether or not I would like traveling with a guide dog. I had been a white cane user from a young age and felt confident with that. I was a good traveler. A part of me wondered though what it would be like to travel with a guide dog instead. It was tough adjusting at first for both of us I am sure. But soon, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. With each dog, the first few walks seem strange. Gwenny pulled hard and swerved around things at the last minute. Margaret pulled less but was very dog distracted. gia floated along in a way. Tulia bounced. After a few walks, each dog's gait and movements seemed normal and I am sure they took some getting used to me too. This morning when I got up, I listened for Tulia squeaking as she stretched and then bouncing over wagging her whole self to say hi. Gia always stayed in bed until I was ready to go downstairs. For my wonderful guiding girls, (black lab Gwenny, yellow lab Margaret, golden retreiver Gia, and black lab Tulia) thank you for sharing the adventure. For allowing me to walk with dignity and confidence and for being who you are. For those who trained them, (you know who you are smile) thank you from the bottom of my heart. For the puppy raisers of any of my dogs (you know who you are) what an amazing gift you give us. Thank you.