Shirley is going to college

 

        Well everyday Shirley and I have routine things we do and one of them is to check the mail; just something we do every afternoon. Today there was a stack and on top was a card and it was a Birthday card for her. She will a year old in a couple of days; Thank you SEGD!  But I noticed another letter addressed to us about Shirley we knew the time was near and even more of a reminder is half our group goes in this week Ellie ,Sarge, Andrea ,and Rex hope I didn't forget anyone . Well, you probably guessed that it was Shirley's "In for Training" letter. I knew that this letter would be coming in the mail soon, but when I read it, I was still shocked. Shirley will be heading back on December Tenth, and that day will be bitter sweet. It will be a little difficult not having Shirley around the house. I do know whatever career she is chosen for she will perform to the best of her ability.

No More (pre-) Harness Training

Today Shirley and I went to our training, which mainly focused on preparing for our 10-14 month evaluation. I found out what happened at the last meeting, which was about the guide dogs will not be wearing the harnesses outside the meetings from now on. Talk about a rude awakening only because I had a great story to tell ! Shirley loves the harness, and when we go out on our outings people seem to be more respectful of  Shirley's space , compared to the vest. For example, while we at St.Augustine my parents and I noticed the different attitudes of people. When she wore the harness people would give her space and parents would control their children a little more. It is like Shirley almost became invisible in the crowd, which is a good thing for her. With the vest it is a different story. She becomes a lot more noticeable and little kids try to pet her or say "Look at the puppy!" I just think that Shirley does not need that much attention at this stage of the training. Shirley is a petite dog and the vest makes her look so much younger than she  really is.

When I started working with Shirley I always looked forward to getting her to the stage of wearing the harness and it was refreshing to get the harness we both seemed to stand a little taller . I just think one incidence should not ruin  the time, respect. and dedication  for all. There will always be a bad apple or a misunderstood situation with the vest or harness; This doesn't seem to be the right solution, and one episode should not change the whole program. Hopefully, Southeastern Guide Dogs will soon review their decision on  this policy. I train Shirley through collar and leash and exposes  so harness or vest will not change that.

Note: I would love feedback and information on this.

Shirley

Sorry for being out so long! Keeping up with  homework and getting used to school again has taken me awhile, and spending time with Shirley making sure she gets the exposures she needs. Also, we've been working on some things, and Shirley is doing great. Consequently, leaving little time to document. But now we are back.

Well, Shirley is eleven months old now. Time is flying by and now that half our group is getting ready to go in for training I realize our time together is becoming short. She's been in a harness for about a month now. She loves to wear the harness and when she see it she knows it time to work. A harness cost over $300 to repair, so don't let your guidedogs chew it!

Shirley and I have attended several dog meetings, (e.g. the beach) of course she loved the water. I noticed she has a different personality when she does and does not have the harness on. A big old playful pup without it on, and all business and more ladylike with the harness on. She had to wear the coat due to the rain. 

We spent the weekend in Saint Augustine! Shirley was a pro! The people are very aware of guide dogs and are quick to speak up and say great job or no no don't bother her she's working. I think this is due to the famous deaf and blind school located at St.Augustine. She was all business: she went to Ripley's and to the  fort and shops and train rides and a ghost tour and crowds of people and bus tours of elementary school aged kids and she was perfect  (that is one of the things we are working on). Below are several pictures of Shirley and I! 

Early morning run

Sanford Airport

Shirley was amazing this was her first day back after 5 weeks on campus and she handled it like a pro.

                                             catching up

SOME FUN

getting weighed

                                                                  waiting on   Luggage

Shuttle pactice, these dogs are amazing you would not believe how many dogs and people we got on this bus. 

                            We participated in a full TSA screening with a few of us including my dad was picked for a random screening . All the dogs were amazing this was a nice practice round for the handlers to build thier confindence about air travel with a guide dog.

If this photo if chosen will appear in the TSA Magazine .The TSA agents and all the airport Staff made this a great puppy exposure. Everyone was very accommodating. This is a great smaller airport , their SFB slogon fits Simpler. Faster. Better .

Shirley is BACK

  We went down to the campus on Friday to pick Shirley up, if you havn't been following along she was down there for her heat cycle. She was there for five weeks. First, we went to the puppy center to pick her up, but she wasn't back yet (she was at the admin building), so while we waited we had papers to sign and as we did that one of the keepers said "And you know she's pregnant.", you should of seen our jaws dropped and simultaneously yell what , the lady looked at us said "Oh no thats not Shirley's paper well the news goes to Diva not Shirley" maybe that was some kind of puppy kennel humor. So off to the admin office and she was there with a trainer all calm and sweet hanging out .We walked over and it took a few seconds and when she realized it was us she jumped for joy. That's a good feeling! As a result of her stay the main thing we have noticed right away is she has really mellowed out to the point she's a different dog. Before kennel time she had 2 settings on /off and off was sleeping .She was the type of dog you would give the down command and she would look at as if to say been there done that- stay where really really ....and she liked her space.  She would even eat fast were talking a matter of seconds,  now she's like the lady in lady and tramp she'll look at the bowl and back at you as if to say all this for me ok i'll try crunch crunch , she has even left a few nuggets, unheard of before now. And she is super sweet now; she offers a lick and then lays down across your feet :)

Finally!

Shirley will be coming home on Friday. It has been about 5 weeks, and we really miss her. I can't wait! 

Saturday at Forest Lake Manor

Saturday Morning our group meet in Daytona at Forest Lake Assisted Living .Shirley is still missing in action .Still at SEGD. So, I worked with Leo, thank you Ms Peggy . Our first challenge was an obstacle course where the dog has to go around many objects that can occur on walks. They prefer that the dog decides which way to go around the object, and the handler makes corrections if that is not a viable option. This helps build the dog's decision making and independence. Then we took a quick tour of the building and met a few of the residents , which was a good exposure for the dogs. At the end we got together for a group picture.