We woke to rain this morning and it continued intermittently throughout the day. Still, the weather is very mild as compared to what it might be.
It was a long day today beginning as usual at 5:30. I was told to be ready to go out at 9:30 and decided to take advantage of the early morning to do my laundry. As it was washing, I groomed Puffin in the grooming room nearby. I also had some time for some stretching exercises before the clothes were ready for the dryer.
I met with a person on staff and soon it was time to go out. My clothes spent the day waiting for my return. That is something I would rather not do as others may want the machine. There are three washers and dryers for the 20 of us.
We went into town and walked a few blocks to a hotel and practiced negotiating the revolving doors and the various floor surfaces and halls.
We arrived back at the dorm just in time to park the dogs and give them water and then go to a lecture at 11:00 on access laws regarding our dogs. Soon after that there was lunch.
This was the day that we could purchase items from the gift store set up in a room near the dining room. I waited my turn, but my time to go out came sooner than my time to be waited on.
This afternoon, we went to Starbucks and practiced clicker work again. Then we went through the courthouse. It gave us two opportunities to practice going through the metal detectors and negotiate narrow halls with stairs throughout.
On our arrival back at campus, two in our small class were dropped off at the vet’s office to learn about the health histories of their dogs. My turn is still to come.
We got back to the dorm in time for me to retrieve my laundry and begin putting it away before feeding and parking the dogs. Then came dinner and a lecture at 6:30. It was instructions for beginning to leave our dogs in the rooms for brief periods on their tie downs and to gradually extend the time. They need to remain quiet and to not be destructive. We were given a bell that can be clipped to the dog’s collar so that we can hear them moving about as we begin to give them some freedom to be off tie down in the room with us present. We have been working on teaching them to “Go to your place.” I think it is tomorrow evening when they will be expected to go there and stay there as the food is delivered to our rooms by the trainers.
We have been using old harnesses and tonight, we were issued the new ones that we will be taking home. The leather is stiff and we will begin gradually to increase the time that the dogs will be wearing them as the leather softens.
There was a birthday party scheduled for one of the students after the evening park, but Puffin said “No!” She was on her bed and did not budge so I yielded to her fatigue and chose to finish putting my laundry away. I did not insist that we do this one additional thing. I am also very tired and will be glad when sleep comes for me as well.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
WE DID IT!
I cannot say that the Elm Street solo came off without a hitch, but the trainer said we did well and we did live. Just to give you an idea of the factors involved:
We walked the rout once Monday morning and twice yesterday with the instructor giving information as we worked on memorizing the details. There were 9 turns, 5 controlled intersections (with signals) and 3 crossings without lights. There was one accessible signal that we crossed coming and going. (Accessible means that it have an audible indication that the walk sign was illuminated. It is a T intersection. They had set up one barricade for the dogs to negotiate by going into the street. There were pedestrians and dogs on leashes. The whole trip was about 1.3 to 1.5 miles in length.
In this walk, I sideswiped a vehicle that was parked and a fence along the way. We reworked these errors. Some cars ran the red light when the walk sign indicated that the walk sign was illuminated. This caused me to second guess my line of direction. I chose (wisely) not to go and waited for the next light. I spent the extra time there deciding that my original line of direction was correct. At the next intersection, I failed to line up correctly after Puffin tried to turn down the side street rather than taking me to the down ramp. The trainer was there to set us straight while we were still in the street. Once, on a curve, Puffin took me to an intersection that we had not stopped at before rather than following the building line. I knew it was not the quiet side street I had expected and the trainer asked if it seemed different. He helped me resolve my question and we continued on our way.
Although it is called a solo, the trainer is never far away. He or she is just silent unless or until there is danger involved and he comes to our rescue as needed. It is not that we should do the rout without errors; it is that we learn to resolve the situations that do come up. We are, after all, much more familiar with our own communities than this one. I personally like the challenge, but some of us really stress over the solo walks.
This afternoon we worked on an area that does not have sidewalks. There were definite curbs that we walked along. At every corner, the dogs are to follow the curb around until we are facing down the side street. Then we check with our right foot for the curb edge and turn to put our back to it. The dog is then to take us across this side street and continue around the corner and on down the street we were on originally. We are to indent corners at every turn so that we know that we are passing a cross street. I find this technique very tedious and try to avoid walking where there is no sidewalk whenever possible.
We ended the afternoon with a stop at Starbucks and had a chance to visit. Then we worked on clicker training targeting the counter. Clicker work is optional, but we all four in our small group chose to participate.
We arrived back at the dorm in time to feed the dogs, take them out, go to dinner, and then attend an evening lecture by one of the veterinarians. Following this, it was almost time for the 8:00 p.m. park time.
It was raining at the last park of the day and I used a towel to dry Puffin. She was very cute. She suddenly got very playful with the towel. For now, it is difficult to play much because she is to be either on leash with me or on tie down in the room. I have not started leaving her alone at any time except to be in the bathroom as to shower. Soon she will earn increased freedom in the room and it will be easier to play with her. She has lots of energy and loves to play. There is still lots of puppy in this little bird of mine.
Another busy day is behind us. Stop back tomorrow to see what it will bring.
Thanks for your continuing interest.
Huffin’ and Puffin
We walked the rout once Monday morning and twice yesterday with the instructor giving information as we worked on memorizing the details. There were 9 turns, 5 controlled intersections (with signals) and 3 crossings without lights. There was one accessible signal that we crossed coming and going. (Accessible means that it have an audible indication that the walk sign was illuminated. It is a T intersection. They had set up one barricade for the dogs to negotiate by going into the street. There were pedestrians and dogs on leashes. The whole trip was about 1.3 to 1.5 miles in length.
In this walk, I sideswiped a vehicle that was parked and a fence along the way. We reworked these errors. Some cars ran the red light when the walk sign indicated that the walk sign was illuminated. This caused me to second guess my line of direction. I chose (wisely) not to go and waited for the next light. I spent the extra time there deciding that my original line of direction was correct. At the next intersection, I failed to line up correctly after Puffin tried to turn down the side street rather than taking me to the down ramp. The trainer was there to set us straight while we were still in the street. Once, on a curve, Puffin took me to an intersection that we had not stopped at before rather than following the building line. I knew it was not the quiet side street I had expected and the trainer asked if it seemed different. He helped me resolve my question and we continued on our way.
Although it is called a solo, the trainer is never far away. He or she is just silent unless or until there is danger involved and he comes to our rescue as needed. It is not that we should do the rout without errors; it is that we learn to resolve the situations that do come up. We are, after all, much more familiar with our own communities than this one. I personally like the challenge, but some of us really stress over the solo walks.
This afternoon we worked on an area that does not have sidewalks. There were definite curbs that we walked along. At every corner, the dogs are to follow the curb around until we are facing down the side street. Then we check with our right foot for the curb edge and turn to put our back to it. The dog is then to take us across this side street and continue around the corner and on down the street we were on originally. We are to indent corners at every turn so that we know that we are passing a cross street. I find this technique very tedious and try to avoid walking where there is no sidewalk whenever possible.
We ended the afternoon with a stop at Starbucks and had a chance to visit. Then we worked on clicker training targeting the counter. Clicker work is optional, but we all four in our small group chose to participate.
We arrived back at the dorm in time to feed the dogs, take them out, go to dinner, and then attend an evening lecture by one of the veterinarians. Following this, it was almost time for the 8:00 p.m. park time.
It was raining at the last park of the day and I used a towel to dry Puffin. She was very cute. She suddenly got very playful with the towel. For now, it is difficult to play much because she is to be either on leash with me or on tie down in the room. I have not started leaving her alone at any time except to be in the bathroom as to shower. Soon she will earn increased freedom in the room and it will be easier to play with her. She has lots of energy and loves to play. There is still lots of puppy in this little bird of mine.
Another busy day is behind us. Stop back tomorrow to see what it will bring.
Thanks for your continuing interest.
Huffin’ and Puffin
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
GLIMPSING THE FUTURE
The schedule remains similar each day with various activities scheduled around the constants of wake-up, feeding dogs and parking them, and meals for us.
Today we walked the Elm Street loop in the morning and again in the afternoon. According to my GPS in virtual mode, it is 1.3 miles, but estimates are that it is about a mile and a half.
We did much better with stopping at down ramps of streets, but today was the day for clearance issues. My nose was the first casualty. The initial pain was considerable, but there are no bruises, only tenderness. The new route affords many more obstacles to be negotiated. It is also a bit longer than the Maple-South Street Loop. I think we will be ready for the solo walk on the Elm Street loop tomorrow as scheduled. The trainer will be following, but will not give the information along the way. We will be on our own unless there is a safety issue.
Besides the work in town, we had instructions and practice in giving our dogs massage. Puffin loved her part in this.
My trainer also worked again with me on her problems with the vacuum cleaner. He is using food to tempt her to get near it. We are to the stage where he is turning it on. Puffin is not impressed, but she does like the treats.
We also worked on clicker training to target our chairs in the dining room. Puffin is already good at locating my chair, but we will be moving again in a few days to sit in different places with others in our class. Then we will work on targeting the new location with the clicker.
Various staff members sit among us during lunch and, at our table today, we heard about a comprehensive renovation project scheduled for the dorm area. It is expected to begin in mid November of 2012. There will be no December class. The classes during the first months of 2013 will be held off campus until the dorm becomes available for occupancy again. It sounds like a very ambitious undertaking--much needed to bring the dorm into the new century. The current building was completed in 1964.
Today we walked the Elm Street loop in the morning and again in the afternoon. According to my GPS in virtual mode, it is 1.3 miles, but estimates are that it is about a mile and a half.
We did much better with stopping at down ramps of streets, but today was the day for clearance issues. My nose was the first casualty. The initial pain was considerable, but there are no bruises, only tenderness. The new route affords many more obstacles to be negotiated. It is also a bit longer than the Maple-South Street Loop. I think we will be ready for the solo walk on the Elm Street loop tomorrow as scheduled. The trainer will be following, but will not give the information along the way. We will be on our own unless there is a safety issue.
Besides the work in town, we had instructions and practice in giving our dogs massage. Puffin loved her part in this.
My trainer also worked again with me on her problems with the vacuum cleaner. He is using food to tempt her to get near it. We are to the stage where he is turning it on. Puffin is not impressed, but she does like the treats.
We also worked on clicker training to target our chairs in the dining room. Puffin is already good at locating my chair, but we will be moving again in a few days to sit in different places with others in our class. Then we will work on targeting the new location with the clicker.
Various staff members sit among us during lunch and, at our table today, we heard about a comprehensive renovation project scheduled for the dorm area. It is expected to begin in mid November of 2012. There will be no December class. The classes during the first months of 2013 will be held off campus until the dorm becomes available for occupancy again. It sounds like a very ambitious undertaking--much needed to bring the dorm into the new century. The current building was completed in 1964.
Monday, January 9, 2012
FLYING LOW
I thought it would be a great idea to use the Puffin sound as a ring tone for my phone until I heard its call:
http://www.junglewalk.com/popup.asp?type=a&AnimalAudioID=12957
(Copy and paste the link)
We flew low this morning during our first Elm Street loop walk. Word is that we will solo on it this Wednesday.
This afternoon, we walked to Century 21 and negotiated escaladers. It seems that Puffin would rather fly than ride such a thing. The trainer assured me that her hesitation was due to my own lack of confidence getting on and off. We will both improve.
There were two lectures today: one on traffic and another on dog food. I learned that my Puffin prefers dog food to flying and diving for fish in the icy, arctic waters of the Atlantic and Pacific.
As always, we had a busy schedule today:
5:30 wake-up call with trainers coming around to each of our rooms with pans of food for each of our dogs. Within minutes they had polished their dishes and we were ready to go out to “Park Time”. After many minutes, we had time to get ready for breakfast.
7:00 Breakfast. (Food is always very good)
8:00 Meet at the lobby to go out on our first trip. Two of us were driven to town and I was first to go with the trainer.
9:30 I returned to the campus with a shuttle driven by staff.
9:45 Groom Puffin
10:00 Joined staff at coffee break
10:30 Park Time
11:00 Traffic Lecture
12:15 Lunch
1:00 Afternoon trip to town with the trip as described.
2:30 Free time in the dorm. I sat by Puffin’s bed and checked my e-mail as she slept beside me. I must admit that I also caught a few winks.
4:00 Worked with the trainer on vacuum cleaner issues for several minutes (Puffin was frightened by one on our first day together)
4:30 Feeding Dogs and Park Time
5:15 dinner
6:30 Lecture on Dog Food
8:00 Park Time
More tomorrow.
Huffin’ and Puffin
http://www.junglewalk.com/popup.asp?type=a&AnimalAudioID=12957
(Copy and paste the link)
We flew low this morning during our first Elm Street loop walk. Word is that we will solo on it this Wednesday.
This afternoon, we walked to Century 21 and negotiated escaladers. It seems that Puffin would rather fly than ride such a thing. The trainer assured me that her hesitation was due to my own lack of confidence getting on and off. We will both improve.
There were two lectures today: one on traffic and another on dog food. I learned that my Puffin prefers dog food to flying and diving for fish in the icy, arctic waters of the Atlantic and Pacific.
As always, we had a busy schedule today:
5:30 wake-up call with trainers coming around to each of our rooms with pans of food for each of our dogs. Within minutes they had polished their dishes and we were ready to go out to “Park Time”. After many minutes, we had time to get ready for breakfast.
7:00 Breakfast. (Food is always very good)
8:00 Meet at the lobby to go out on our first trip. Two of us were driven to town and I was first to go with the trainer.
9:30 I returned to the campus with a shuttle driven by staff.
9:45 Groom Puffin
10:00 Joined staff at coffee break
10:30 Park Time
11:00 Traffic Lecture
12:15 Lunch
1:00 Afternoon trip to town with the trip as described.
2:30 Free time in the dorm. I sat by Puffin’s bed and checked my e-mail as she slept beside me. I must admit that I also caught a few winks.
4:00 Worked with the trainer on vacuum cleaner issues for several minutes (Puffin was frightened by one on our first day together)
4:30 Feeding Dogs and Park Time
5:15 dinner
6:30 Lecture on Dog Food
8:00 Park Time
More tomorrow.
Huffin’ and Puffin
Sunday, January 8, 2012
WE ARE HUFFIN' AND PUFFIN
For now, there is only text. Puffin is a female yellow lab; 23 inches, 54 pounds; and soon to be 2—February 12.
We seem to be well matched in pace and pull. She is fast and eager with signs that she will show good initiative—all qualities that I am looking for in my new partner. She is very affectionate and a bit vocal. I am wakened several times in the night with her looking for a pat or confirmation that all is right.
For now, there are no pictures. I hope to remedy this soon, but I can say that she has a silky coat, lighter on her under side. Her ears are darker and she is slightly darker than Trinity by my trainer’s best guess. She is playful and seems to enjoy her nylabone and Cong. She is also an eager worker.
If you want to know what the training process has been, check out the first nine days of my blog with Trinity and compress things into 7 days and you will have a general idea of what we have been doing. We completed our solo of the South Street loop today.
The delay in beginning this blog was due to considerable fatigue with jet lag and lost sleep. So far, since New Years Eve, I would say that I have had one good night’s sleep.
I am unable to send e-mail messages and that is the way I had hoped to add entries to my blog. Failing that, I needed to have enough free time with enough energy to rediscover how to post entries directly to the blog site. If this works, then I will be blogging more regularly.
We seem to be well matched in pace and pull. She is fast and eager with signs that she will show good initiative—all qualities that I am looking for in my new partner. She is very affectionate and a bit vocal. I am wakened several times in the night with her looking for a pat or confirmation that all is right.
For now, there are no pictures. I hope to remedy this soon, but I can say that she has a silky coat, lighter on her under side. Her ears are darker and she is slightly darker than Trinity by my trainer’s best guess. She is playful and seems to enjoy her nylabone and Cong. She is also an eager worker.
If you want to know what the training process has been, check out the first nine days of my blog with Trinity and compress things into 7 days and you will have a general idea of what we have been doing. We completed our solo of the South Street loop today.
The delay in beginning this blog was due to considerable fatigue with jet lag and lost sleep. So far, since New Years Eve, I would say that I have had one good night’s sleep.
I am unable to send e-mail messages and that is the way I had hoped to add entries to my blog. Failing that, I needed to have enough free time with enough energy to rediscover how to post entries directly to the blog site. If this works, then I will be blogging more regularly.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
NOW THERE IS SADNESS
This is a post that I have tried several times to compose over a period of nearly a month. There is so very much to say and my emotions run the gamut. How can I express everything in a message short enough that you can read in one sitting?
When last I posted here, I had just returned home with Trinity, a wonderful new guide and companion. I fully expected to spend the next eight or more years with this beautiful, loving, enthusiastic, and energetic girl.
It is a good thing that we cannot foresee the future as it often takes some unexpected turns. This was the case for Trinity. There were two things that were reoccurring over the first several months that seemed more to be pondered than things to be concerned about. There were the partially loose stools that several food switches (all quality foods) did not seem to help. Then there was the intermittent barfing. Sometimes, she barfed so very hard that it seemed as is she would choke. After a night of 1-2 episodes, she seemed fine in the morning and for several weeks or months. Her appetite was not faltering. At first, we felt that it was just something that dogs do from time to time.
When we were together a year, we attended the American Council of the Blind in
I had taken her to the vet as a precautionary measure the day before we left because she had had one of her vomiting episodes the previous day (July 4). I thought it might be related to the fire works although there were no other outward signs of stress. At the convention, she was vomiting several nights in the hotel room or in one case, at a meeting. Still, I attributed it to stress of the convention.
A few weeks after our return home, I decided to make another food switch and this was a particularly bad one. She had diarrhea that I first attributed to the new food. Once we had completed the gradual change, I added pumpkin in an effort to firm her stools with no luck. Off we went to the vet with a stool sample. It was negative for bacterial infection.
A week later, she had a terrible night of vomiting and diarrhea several times and this necessitated another vet visit. First there was a blood sample and urine specimen. Then another food switch prompted by the vet. Within a few days, there was more vomiting and the vet did x-rays and a barium swallow. He then recommended we go to the vet school some 150 miles away. We spent parts of 3 days there and they did many tests—more x-rays, blood work, abdominal ultrasound, and then endoscopy and multiple biopsies of her stomach and intestines.
They found that she has a very small liver that they did not consider to be problematic as her liver function tests were normal. She did have diffuse inflammation of her stomach and intestines. Another trial of different antibiotics and probiotics did not resolve her symptoms. Then the vet suggested that I do another food switch that would contain no grain or corn and would contain a protein source that she had not been exposed to previously. I went to the pet food store and found a food as different as I could that met the requirements and began feeding it. Within a few days her stools were firm. Whereas she had been having loose stools but only one every other day, she began having 2-3 a day with good consistency.
The vet thought I should be able to continue to work her, but it was not to be so. She had been refusing to work after breakfast preferring to go back to the house and to her bed. At times she would want to quit working during an afternoon walk. We went out of town again and she barfed in the hotel room after ingesting some inappropriate leavings she had found under the restaurant table.
Finally, I had no choice but to contact the school and let them know that I would need to retire her. This was a very sad day. It was late October when I began the steps to apply for a new dog. I also needed to make a decision for Trinity’s future.
Knowing that she is an active dog and only three and a half, I realized we could not give her the time and exercise she would need. I made another painful choice to return her to Seeing Eye for placement with a family.
It is a hard thing to relinquish any dog to the care of another person, but when that dog has been an extension of your left arm and has served as your eyes—has saved your life and has been a constant friend, it is very hard indeed. She was with me during all that I did including church, symphonies, operas, visits to friends, classes, meetings, daily long walks and so much more…Now, add the concerns and special care that her digestive problems have required. It is very difficult not to know the details about decisions being made for her or what her day is like. I do know that she is currently in the kennels at the school and they have made another positive food switch. She has a kennel mate and is happy. I know they get the best possible care and I know that they have play time, but a kennel is not a home. Now, I hope that someone on the long list of potential adoptive families will be willing to take her with her medical problems that will have to be managed with appropriate food for the rest of her life.
With this sadness comes the promise of a new partnership. Just days before she went back to the kennel, I received word that I have a match for the class beginning January 2 and will fly across the country on New Years Day to begin training with a new dog.
Now, there is sadness, but joy comes in the morning.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
WE'RE HOME AT LAST
It’s time to let all of you know that we made it home safely and are beginning our life together.
Thursday was a very long day. The wake-up call came for me at 3:30 EDT. This time I showered first and Trinity’s food was brought at 4:00. After relieving and grooming her, I had a hasty breakfast in the common lounge and quickly finished packing those last-minute details. My suitcase with all the new things I had been given topped the scale at about 49.5 pounds with a 50 pound limit.
My instructor took two of us to the airport together and we moved quickly through security and to our gate. She was heading home to Florida and I to Washington State. In Security, I had trinity sit as I went through the metal detector first and then, once I was clear and still holding the end of the long leash, I called her to me. She was then checked for having set off the security alarm with her metal collar and harness.
The first leg of my flight was from 7:10 EDT to 10:10 PDT. It was uneventful. Trinity rode at my feet under the seat in front of me. When I went to the bathroom, I took her with me there. We are both small and she, like all of my previous dogs, can fit in there. I did open the door and let her out before flushing the noisy toilet. There is something that I had never known about before. Some, if not all, planes have curtains that can be drawn outside the bathroom to give a larger area for people with mobility issues who may need more room. I suggested that the attendant might hold her leash, but she offered the curtain instead. I chose to take Trinity in and close the door.
My nephew met us at SeaTac and took us to lunch to help pass the time of the 3.5 hour delay before my smaller plane took us to our local area.
It was 3:00 when we arrived home. I took Trinity to explore the house on leash, going to each room in turn. Our Basset was spending the afternoon at doggie day care to give us some time alone.
We had 4 places to go that afternoon. We visited pet Co and purchased a new bed that Trinity loves. It is a 3-inch thick egg crate pad with a fleece cover on the top. Next we went to Haute Daug to let Trinity and EZ meet in the lobby, neutral territory.
After taking EZ home, we set out again for a quick stop at Home Depot and then went out for a fast dinner at Jack in the Box.
Still 97 degrees at 8:30, it was just too hot for the initial walk on the day of arrival. Most of the time during all the errands I went sighted guide with Trinity.
My suitcase had been tagged for the evening flight and Clif went to retrieve it later. Thankfully, I had obtained an extra serving of food to put in my carry-on.
Friday, after the morning routine starting at 6:15, I walked with Trinity partly around two blocks and then made my decision to continue on to church. She was doing well and there was little traffic. There was one signal intersection and most of the walk was along residential streets. On arrival we visited with a few people and visited the various rooms where we sat briefly before walking home. We spent the rest of the day doing as little as possible and resting from our trip.
Yesterday, we walked down town, just over a mile, to a restaurant where we met my husband for breakfast and then walked home. We did little else that day. There was relatively little traffic. She did well with a few work errors to be expected.
Today we walked to church where we spent about 3 hours. We were called up front at the beginning of the service and Trinity was introduced and I had a minute to review the basic rules about not engaging her.
We are still resting lots and trying to recover from jet lag and the heat that has followed us home. I plan to keep Trinity on leash for the two weeks that is recommended to minimize any problems with her adjusting from kennel life to home life again. I must admit that this is somewhat tedious work, always having the leash in one hand.
It seems as if this is a very good match. She works differently from Sydney, but she is doing well. There is less pull in the harness and that is good for my shoulder. She was calm in church and when out. She and EZ are both on leash when they are in the same room. EZ wants to be friends, but Trinity is somewhat put off by her advances. We have two cats. The white one went nose to nose with her immediately when they saw each other. The black one is keeping her distance for now, but is narrowing the gap between them. The other animals do not have the run of the house, so they are not always with us.
Thanks much for following this adventure. I will be watching it for any comments and answering any questions that are posted.
Thursday was a very long day. The wake-up call came for me at 3:30 EDT. This time I showered first and Trinity’s food was brought at 4:00. After relieving and grooming her, I had a hasty breakfast in the common lounge and quickly finished packing those last-minute details. My suitcase with all the new things I had been given topped the scale at about 49.5 pounds with a 50 pound limit.
My instructor took two of us to the airport together and we moved quickly through security and to our gate. She was heading home to Florida and I to Washington State. In Security, I had trinity sit as I went through the metal detector first and then, once I was clear and still holding the end of the long leash, I called her to me. She was then checked for having set off the security alarm with her metal collar and harness.
The first leg of my flight was from 7:10 EDT to 10:10 PDT. It was uneventful. Trinity rode at my feet under the seat in front of me. When I went to the bathroom, I took her with me there. We are both small and she, like all of my previous dogs, can fit in there. I did open the door and let her out before flushing the noisy toilet. There is something that I had never known about before. Some, if not all, planes have curtains that can be drawn outside the bathroom to give a larger area for people with mobility issues who may need more room. I suggested that the attendant might hold her leash, but she offered the curtain instead. I chose to take Trinity in and close the door.
My nephew met us at SeaTac and took us to lunch to help pass the time of the 3.5 hour delay before my smaller plane took us to our local area.
It was 3:00 when we arrived home. I took Trinity to explore the house on leash, going to each room in turn. Our Basset was spending the afternoon at doggie day care to give us some time alone.
We had 4 places to go that afternoon. We visited pet Co and purchased a new bed that Trinity loves. It is a 3-inch thick egg crate pad with a fleece cover on the top. Next we went to Haute Daug to let Trinity and EZ meet in the lobby, neutral territory.
After taking EZ home, we set out again for a quick stop at Home Depot and then went out for a fast dinner at Jack in the Box.
Still 97 degrees at 8:30, it was just too hot for the initial walk on the day of arrival. Most of the time during all the errands I went sighted guide with Trinity.
My suitcase had been tagged for the evening flight and Clif went to retrieve it later. Thankfully, I had obtained an extra serving of food to put in my carry-on.
Friday, after the morning routine starting at 6:15, I walked with Trinity partly around two blocks and then made my decision to continue on to church. She was doing well and there was little traffic. There was one signal intersection and most of the walk was along residential streets. On arrival we visited with a few people and visited the various rooms where we sat briefly before walking home. We spent the rest of the day doing as little as possible and resting from our trip.
Yesterday, we walked down town, just over a mile, to a restaurant where we met my husband for breakfast and then walked home. We did little else that day. There was relatively little traffic. She did well with a few work errors to be expected.
Today we walked to church where we spent about 3 hours. We were called up front at the beginning of the service and Trinity was introduced and I had a minute to review the basic rules about not engaging her.
We are still resting lots and trying to recover from jet lag and the heat that has followed us home. I plan to keep Trinity on leash for the two weeks that is recommended to minimize any problems with her adjusting from kennel life to home life again. I must admit that this is somewhat tedious work, always having the leash in one hand.
It seems as if this is a very good match. She works differently from Sydney, but she is doing well. There is less pull in the harness and that is good for my shoulder. She was calm in church and when out. She and EZ are both on leash when they are in the same room. EZ wants to be friends, but Trinity is somewhat put off by her advances. We have two cats. The white one went nose to nose with her immediately when they saw each other. The black one is keeping her distance for now, but is narrowing the gap between them. The other animals do not have the run of the house, so they are not always with us.
Thanks much for following this adventure. I will be watching it for any comments and answering any questions that are posted.
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