Reveling in my guide dog day walk.

On this dog anniversary day, had to write a second post. Working working on various things at home. But, when you have a dog and the spring has finally arrived, then you need to get out and walk. And so we did that. While out on a walk today, met some very badly behaved (not aggressive) dogs.
First dog was barking and lunging at the leash. Tulia glanced at it but kept going. The man was trying to get the dog moving but having little success.
Tulia found our crossing poles and a garbage can and a door and the coffee shop and mailbox.
Then, on the way home, another yapper coming right at us, barking and jumping. The woman said, "I have a dog here." I smiled and didn't say what I was thinking which was, "Yes I know you do." She said, "It is just a little dog." As it jumped and barked. I said, "Would you mind getting it under control please." "I have trouble doing that," she said. This whole time, Tulia is seated calmly beside me. She says, "YOur dog is better behaved than mine." Jump jump bark bark. "Perhaps," I said, "YOu could pick it up and carry it away." "Good idea." Like she had never thought of it. She did that. Away they went, barking and bouncing. Once they were gone, Tulia banged my leg with her head. Yes, I know, you are so civilized and good Tulia.
Home we went without further mishap.

Does my dog want a cup of tea?

I know my guide dog is smart. If she was a person, she would probably be an academic person, calm and refined, listening to classical music, reading, drinking tea. This morning, I was opening a new box of tea. Taking the foil off it. She ran in all excited. I do not usually let her in the kitchen and she stays out but she bounced in and was wagging and sniffing. Should I pour a nice pot of tea in her water bowl do you think? And what kind of tea do you suppose she would like?

Great things about being blind. Touching colours.

Yesterday I wrote about colours and sounds.  Today, it is colours and textures.  Textures have always been very important to me.  Similar to those of you who can see items of clothing, I will not wear an item of clothing if I don't like the way it feels.  I couldn't stand to do that.  Even if someone said it looked better on me than anything else in the store, I would absolutely refuse to wear it.  Textures also remind me of what colours must be like.  I also associate textures with people's voices.  The feel of velvet which I love, I associate with some people with rich deep voices.  Velvet also reminds me of dark colours.  Soft silky and thinner material reminds me of lighter colours and people with high, clear bell-like voices.  Polar fleece somehow reminds me of reds or oranges and people with mid-range and full rich voices.  I love the feel of my guide dog's silky ears, smooth feeling cool stones, knitted sweaters and scarves, inticrate tapestires that I can touch, pottery dishes, the materials I discussed above.  I hate the feel of raw hamburger, burlap, slimy tofu that comes packed in liquid, any bumpy cloth,  outdoor walls that are bumpy and rough.  Some people's voices that I don't like remind me of some of these materials.  Now all you storytellers will be bombarding me with messages asking what your voices remind me of I'm sure.  I may or may not be able to answer!  None of you sound like burlap though.  That is reserved for certain people like my kindergarten teacher who wouldn't let me do anything in class.  When my retired guide dog Gia died a few months ago, I worried that I wouldn't remember what her fur felt like.  I still do remember it.  That long silky golden fur.  Touching that reminded me of water gently flowing over rocks or the sunshine.