He was born on 4-4-08. He now weighs 70-80lbs. He's going back up to Guide Dogs for the Blind for level 2 training on Monday. He has been such an awesome dog to raise and I will miss him dearly. After this - next time I see him will hopefully be at his graduation.
I Love You Guillermo
- Mood:
indescribable
I have been told that unless I am actually blind, I am not allowed to bring my "puppy in training" into my local post office (on Moorpark) - even after talking to the manager. I somewhat laugh at this because my drivers license actuallys says "Corrective Lenses Required" - which would indicate some level of blindness. I have also been told the same thing for bringing him with me to the prison to see Dave/Og.
I took Guillermo into my local Safeway (Midtown) where I was stopped by the security officer and asked - where my permit was for my dog. I asked him to talk to the store manager, and eventually once finding a supervisor of Safeway - I was allowed to continue to shop.
I have also walked into Dollar Tree where I was yelled at across the store, stopped and told I could not bring the dog in. I asked if they allow service animals, and they were kinda baffled and not knowing how to answer I continued to walk away. They said "we have food for sale in this store, we can't allow him in here." I said to them, he's allowed in ALL grocery stores, what would make a difference here?
Tonight I was wanting something sweet to eat and stopped at Yum Yum donuts and walked in with Guillermo. The guy behind the counter said the dog could not be in the store. I asked - excuse me? You don't allow service animals? He said no, not in here. I said would a letter from Santa Clara Health and Safety change your mind - you know, the ones who allow you to stay open, or can close you down if the place is not clean. He muttered something, I got the letter and showed it to him. Reluctantly he served me my old fashioned glazed donut I got to go and left.
All these times I have been in these places, Guillermo has had his Halti on and his green Guide Dogs for the Blind, "puppy in training" jacket on. I have been stopped in other grocery stores, but once they see the jacket they say "Hi! - Oh, he's a guide dog?, Is there anything I can help you find?", and then walk away. I don't mind that, or educating people who come up to him and ask questions, but for those who want to argue ADA and not allow access, I want to just scream in their face, smack them up the side of the head, and have them understand. A lot of times I have to take a deep breath and think before I speak.
I am volunteering my time, training this puppy so that it can help a blind person when it completes it training, and actually I have a vested interest in the training. I know I will be blind one day. This is not a surprising thing for me, it's genetics unfortunately. Both maternal and paternal female sides of the family have had macular degeneration for many many years. My g'ma who is 95 now has it, my g'ma who died at 88 had it, my great g'ma had it on both sides and my great great g'ma probably had it and was the reason why they were both blind. My aunt currently has the floaters in her eyes, and my mom has had problems driving at night for about the past 10 or so years.
Thank you for allowing me to bitch, and please - educate those around you about service animals!
- Mood:
grumpy
- Mood:
giddy - Music:olympic marathon
- Mood:
tired
- Mood:
chipper
He has gone back to his raiser and we had a good week. We went all over the place. The Post Office, the chiropractors, Petsmart, Payless Shoes, Michaels Crafts, Una Mas, My parents multiple times to run around loose, TGI Fridays, my niece's Juliana's overnight, BJ's Restaurant, Tanforan Mall, Santa Clara Hilton, Jamba Juice, Comcast, and other places I can't even remember now. He kept testing me, seeing what he could get away with. Last night he went to my Puppy Raiser group and was so hyper. He got to see his sister (littermate) again. He performed ok in group, but still tested me when we walked around 'bait' items on the floor, lunging for them and me still having to correct him for it. I learned a lot, but definately enjoyed my time with him. I have one more time to puppysitt before I get my own puppy to raise. Clea my kitty dealt with him well. She was interested in what he was, but Bossie was just so much bigger than she is, and would move quickly and that would spook her and cause her to hiss. Unfortunately now, Clea will have to go back to eating on the floor instead on sleeping and eating on my bed.
- Mood:
peaceful
He is a big dog, about a year old and gorgeous. However, sometimes he's as dumb as a pile of rocks. Even his owner said that.
When he rambunciously walked in, he scared the bejebers out of Clea who was sleep on the floor in the livingroom. He came directly up to her, startled her, she jumped about 3 feet in the air, started hissing and running into the bedroom. I picked her up and put her on the bed and she's pretty much staying on her throne.
We've had problems today with loading up into the truck and sitting on the floor, or even sitting on the passenger side of the truck. We've had problems going to the bathroom - we won't go and haven't gone since 6:30am. It's now 9pm. I've tried 5 times now.
I sprained my thumb tonight trying to grab the drag leash as he was on his way out the door, wanting to socialize with the neighbor dog, who weighs 200lbs and would eat him for dinner, after he was covered with drool. My thumb hit the carpet and missed the leash. Damn aposable thumbs.
We went many many places today. We started off at the post office. All would assume a fine place, but hell broke loose. First I was asked if I had a dog with me and that dogs weren't allowed in the post office. The customer at the counter told the clerk that he looked like a service dog and I said he was a dog for guide dogs for the blind. She just kinda muttered and shut up. Then a guy there wanted to pet Boswell, which was fine, but the lady leaving the post office, stepped in the loop of his bow of his tennis shoe, tripped, then her other heel went into the hole where the 2 doors meet and she fell on her hands and knees and some guy somewhat catching her. I felt bad because all I did was let this guy pet my dog.
From here we went to the chiropractors - no problem, Mom and Dad's where we ran around in the back yard and I got some stuff printed out - no problem, The school where Mom works - no problem, Petsmart to get Clea some treats - no problem, Payless Shoes - no problem, Una Mas for lunch - no problem, Michaels - no problems, Target - no problem, and then home.
Clea is doing pretty good. She has been staying on my bed, however she did venture down and while Boswell was sleeping she walked around and under the desk and came up behind him, checking him out. Yea- there is some peace and harmony in the house.
Now if I can only get him to go potty so I don't have to clean up the mess. And I was worried about me being lazy and not taking the dog out to go.
- Mood:
frustrated
- Mood:
excited
- Mood: excited
- Music:kitty crunching kibble
This is something I am doing for myself to keep myself occupied and entertained while Dave is away. Today I was able to get my application form filled out and turned in and I was presented with the Guide Dog Puppy Raising Manual. YEA!! I got to walk Firefly - the newest puppy in the class a bit and we did great, and then I got to "introduce" & "protect" the bait of Shredded Cheese while the other dogs worked on their recall - A COME with distractions around them. Earlier I was talking myself out of going tonight - It's only 1 hour, not really worth the drive, don't feel like getting out of bed (I'd been in bed all night and all day sleeping) etc., but I'm so glad I did. I got to hear how dog sitting went for the guy who is a week ahead of me and what all happened. Next Monday is another field trip on Light rail to Downtown
- Mood: pleased
- Music:timer ticking away
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