Sorry!

Holy cow! Has it really been 2 months since I have updated this blog?!? I am so sorry! Life has been a bit nuts for a while.

Leon and I are doing okay. We moved into my new apartment on December 1. He now has enough room to play inside if the weather is yucky and a big yard outside the building to play on (on a long line) when the weather is good.

I didn't wind up graduating with my M.S. I have a good GPA, but didn't pass one section out of three on my comprehensive exam, so I didn't get to graduate. :(

Trying to figure out where to go from here. Looking into another program --will be meeting the adviser in January to go over things. Looking for part-time work still.

Getting back into really working with my dog --I kind of went on auto-pilot a bit with him for the past month and a half and let some things slide that I shouldn't have. But we are working on it and he's still working wonderfully! He takes really good care of me!

The Wed. before Christmas, we went to Santa's Wonderland in College Station. HUGE place, lots of lights and people --very overstimulating place for me (but had fun) --Leon thought the hay ride was boring (he laid down and took a nap), but thought the hustle and bustle of Santa's Town was fun! He was a little sniffy here and there, but overall he kept his focus well and did fantastic!

At my family's get-together on Christmas Eve, he even handed out presents to everyone --and didn't drop a single one! :D

Have to head to bed soon, so I leave you all with a photo of Leon at the church before our Santa's Wonderland outing. And, yes, he wore those for the entire outing. :)

Filler Post

I did get video of our Rally runs at the dog show the weekend of the 8th and 9th, but I haven't uploaded them yet (I know...I've been slacking off in that area). I have an exam this week and comps this weekend, so I will try to get those videos up on Youtube before too much longer.

Life has been hectic and crazy. I had a 2 night hospital stay. Had medical tests done the past couple of weeks --have a new diagnosis to add to my slew of health issues (neurocardiogenic syncope --which explains my dizzy spells when I stand for more than a few minutes in one place). Getting ready to move into a new apartment hopefully sometime in November --graduating with my Masters in December. So I've understandably been behind on updating the blog!

Leon has been doing well --having a bit of an issue with him poking people with his nose when they walk within reach. Otherwise, he does his job well --we will be addressing this issue at our next session with our local trainer. He is a retrieving fool and also has gotten very proficient at throwing things away in the trash for me.

Anyway, today we went to the Fall Festival at a church I volunteer at with the youth group. He and I were butterflies!

We had fun --are both very tired from a long day of church, getting materials for the costumes (I already had my wings) and the Fall Festival.

Hi --Sorry it's been a while

School started in August and life has been crazy --have had a lot going on, so the blog kind of got pushed aside for a while.

Leon and I are doing okay. He really is a wonderful dog --his eagerness and enthusiasm for life inspires me. I mean, a dog doesn't really own anything --yet he is very happy. And he works so hard for me --all for kibble, praise and some butt scratches. Man, he LOVES to be praised --his eyes just light up. I love it.

Anyway, I'd like to let y'all know about my YouTube channel. I have a couple of videos of Leon posted and one of my cat Marzipan. Here's the link to my channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Agriculturemajor?feature=mhee

I know, Agriculturemajor ---I could have chosen a better name. But I was probably really tired and brain foggy when I made the account.

Here is my latest video, taken on Thursday the 5th at my allergist's office.

First, he wanted to lick the tasty leavings. Then he was too excited and eager, so he kept dropping the cup. But he finally did it! And even took a bow when I praised him, the big ham. :)

Leon and I will be competing in Rally Obedience Novice Level in a local show on Saturday and Sunday. I was wanting to enter in formal Obedience Novice, but have taken no classes nor have I had any experience with it. So we decided to go with Rally for right now. I am excited! It's going to be fun!

I'll see if my friend I am competing with can take video of our runs. She's competing in another class (Rally Advanced Excellent 2), so she may be able to.

Public Service-Dog Announcement

From a friend's blog, a must-read for all members of the public regarding service dogs and how to interact properly with a team:

http://blog.workndog.org/hopesclan/2011/08/25/public-service-dog-announcement/

Not much going on. We're still working on "put it in" (throwing something away in a wastebasket or dropping say, a shoe, into a basket.) We're having some difficulty --he still is insisting that the best thing to do is hand the object to me and will drop it on the floor if I insist otherwise.

This is something he's done successfully many times, but we're still working on consistency.

I will keep y'all updated.

Good dog :)

Leon and I had a good day yesterday! :)

We went to my allergist's office to get my next allergy shot. We parked out in the parking garage. In the waiting room, there were 2 boys playing with toys (making sound effects, rolling cars and a random single wheel around) --and Leon looked at them, but then immediately looked at me. He's really getting this "automatic attention" concept! After the shot, when we went back to the waiting room to wait out the 30 min we're required to (in case of allergic reaction), there was this toddler who kept coming up to me to show me his toy/book. Leon was under the bench I was sitting on and he stayed there --he adores little kids, so I was proud of him. :) And he's doing wonderfully at "find the car" --he took me right to it! :D

After that, went to PT and OT --and everything was as normal there --he had a good nap. :)

Went to the church for a meeting and then had some time before my group met, so we did some tasks for fun --he tugged off my sock 3 times, retrieved my shoe from across the room and threw away my water bottle (which is a big deal b/c we have been having trouble with "put it in" --he keeps wanting to hand the object to me instead of dropping it inside the basket/trash can.)

During my group meeting, he started yipping in his sleep under the table. One lady in my group said, "I didn't even know there was a dog in here!" When our group leader said she was transitioning to another topic for a moment, he groaned loudly in his sleep --and the leader said she was going to talk about it anyway. Haha.

So we had a good day. :D

I'm sorry I haven't put more photos here yet. I still have not been able to find the cord to my digital camera.

Quick Note

A week ago, Leon started vomiting. Even though I always gave his antibiotic after he ate, it started making him throw up. He'd keep small handfuls of kibble down, but if I tried to give him rice, he'd throw up again. So, found out that rice doesn't agree with him.

On Tuesday morning, he finished his course of antibiotics for his ears (which didn't help a whole lot since it is a yeast problem in his ears, not bacterial --the vet didn't even do a smear of what was in his ear before giving us the $100 pills.) Tuesday was the last time he vomited.

He was taken off of food for 24 hours (with as much water as he wanted) and then I slowly started to introduce food back into his system. 1/4 cup, wait 2 hours, give another 1/4 cup. Repeat at the next mealtime.

This morning, he was back up to his normal cup 1/2 of food and no more vomiting since Tuesday. :)

I am so glad my boy is well again. I was getting worried.

Not much to report

Been a unremarkable week for the most part.

We had our first meeting with the trainer we are working with. We worked on what is called "automatic attention" --where a distraction/sound/novel thing becomes the cue for the dog to look at me. So the trainer sat across the room and squeaked a toy --whenever Leon looked at me, I clicked and treated. The trainer also threw the toy so it landed near Leon --and I again clicked and treated for him looking at me.

She gave us that for homework to work on this week. We are meeting with her again this week at Lowe's --out of harness, no less (regular pets are allowed in this store) to work on this while "off-duty."

I had a visit with my ENT as well --and Leon did okay, but was sniffing more than I'd like. Again where the "automatic attention" will come in handy once it becomes more ingrained in his head. He did lie quietly during my examination, though.

At PT, he really knows the routine now. He goes straight to his spot and settles down for a nap while I do my exercises. Then we go over to the recumbent bike and he lies down for a snooze again.

A frustrating thing that happened this week: Leon started being afraid of his stainless steel food bowl --so we have been going back to basics and are at the stage where he is taking it from my hand, holding it and then giving it back to me at each mealtime.

A proud/good thing that happened this week: Leon is now loading up into the back seat very smoothly and quickly. I had to move him to the back seat instead of being in the cargo area like normal because I had to bring my scooter and it's in the cargo area. He had been hesitating to load up into the back seat because his packs kept hitting the door on the way in --but we worked on it and now he loads right up (found an angle where his packs don't hit the door.)

Happy

Today, Leon and I went to physical therapy. He's getting into the routine --went straight to his spot and took a nap.

After, we went to the grocery store. At the advice of our trainer Maria, I gave him something to hold while we walked around the store --and it worked for his sniffing/wanting to greet people issue. Of course, we are still working on this issue --don't want the carrying an item to be a crutch, but want to actually resolve the problem. But it worked well--he proudly carried the little pouch all around the store, to the register when we checked out and out to the car. Also, he opened and held the freezer doors in the frozen food section with the door hook tool --on the first try each time! No more doors whacking me when I shop! :D

Tomorrow, Leon and I are going to the big Reliant dog show in Houston. I will be parking downtown and we will take the MetroRail down to the Reliant Center. One of my friends is competing with her Sheltie in Agility. She is also the trainer we will be working with to meet our first-year Graduate Support Class credits (since we live so far from CPL) --so she will be there to help in between runs. I am hopeful that things will go well --great training opportunity on working under heavy distractions --plus, I hope to compete in Rally with Leon in the future (am aiming for the Conroe Kennel Club show this winter) --so this will help him get used to a show environment as well.

Wish us luck! :)

Craziness

Sick dog all day yesterday. Poor Leon --he threw up 3 times and then was dehydrated last night.Wouldn't drink water.

Pedialyte was a Godsend since I didn't have the money available to pony up for an E-vet visit (I technically have the money, just can't access it myself --have a trustee and all.) He checked out fine at the vet this morning and is back to acting like his normal self. I am relieved that it wasn't worse than it was and that he will be okay.

Tonight at college group, I was really proud of him! We practiced our daily obedience card while most of the group was playing a game with goals and a soft foam ball in the building. Leon did his sit-stay and down-stay with no problem with people running around. He even held his sit-stay while I walked about 10 ft. away, waited several minutes and then called him to me. He just sat there looking at me and not even watching the game going on. He is such a good boy! :D

Progress!

Church this morning went well. Leon is getting into the routine. Laid down with his head under the chair in front of me and snoozed through the service.

He did MUCH better this morning with the golf cart --he had to be coaxed to get on it, but once he did, he sat calmly and accepted treats from my hand.
We need to work on his getting on and getting off. He got off in a hurry, like he still thinks the golf cart is going to turn into a fiery death trap and kill us all.

He was excellent during youth group tonight. Even when the guys were roughhousing, he laid down quietly and watched with calm interest. He mostly napped through the whole thing.

Okay Day

Leon and I had an okay day. Went and saw Harry Potter 7.2 with my roommate. He did well in the theater --looked around a bit (while keeping his down) in surprise when the previews started with a loud clap of thunder--then slept through the entire movie-- just seemed a bit more distracted than normal today while waiting in line and later at the store (looking elsewhere instead of at me, trying to sniff.) .

It's been raining so I haven't been able to take him out for a run with my scooter --but he seems to be happy. I just worry about him. He hasn't gotten to run around and actually play since we got home --no fenced area near here for him to play in. He's just been playing some in the house, but nothing that expends very much energy --just chasing a toy from one end to the other and trying to encourage my roommate's dog to play with him. Today, we came home from the store and put his bed in the living room --and he, Marzipan and I all laid on it to watch Doctor Who and take a nap --we spent most of the evening there except for eating dinner and he got up and laid by me when I sat at the table for a while.

Long, but good day!

Today, I had a doctor's appointment. Leon went in the room and laid down --he took a nap. Even when a couple of nurses came in because they heard there was a service dog --they wanted to see him and ask questions --he just laid there soaking in the compliments of how good he was.

After the appointment, we went to the Woodlands Mall to go to the food court. We went to JC Penny's first for some PT pants. During lunch, he laid under the table quietly. We then rode the carousel. He just laid there --each time he looked at me, I gave him a treat. Hopefully the fact that he took the carousel ride so very calmly is a sign that he's learning that riding on open-sided moving things is okay (he's not a fan of the golf cart at church --we're working on that.) We went to get water and realized that his portable bowl had fallen somewhere --we went back to the carousel and asked if they had seen it --one of the ladies (an older lady) working ran and jumped onto the moving carousel to go look for our bowl --before I could even tell her that I was okay with waiting until the ride was over --she found it and returned it to us.

When I had all the mall I could handle, we left and went to the PT office. We were early and I was more than willing to just sit and chill until my scheduled time, but we started early. Leon laid next to the bed/table/whatever it's called and took a snooze the whole time.

After PT, I drove to a friend's house to hang out for a couple of hours. Leon helped me up (and later down) 2 flights of stairs --friend lives on the 3rd floor of her apartment building. He was really interested in their cat Saul (who was clearly not happy at all with his presence), but controlled himself when told --he laid down and looked at Saul with sad eyes. Leon picked up my water bottle, but had a bit of trouble with "put it in" to throw it away, so we need to practice more with that.

We are now back home and getting ready for bed. Overall, a good day.

Sorry for the delay!

It's been a crazy week, so I'm sorry for not updating the blog!

Things are going well --Leon and I are still settling in at home. I still have unpacking to do, but we have pretty much gotten into the routine, which is not as active as normal since it is summer (no classes.)

We haven't done much except for run errands this week and go to college group on Wednesday night. Our first trip to the grocery store since coming home was Thursday and it went really well --nothing really to report.

Yesterday, we went to my Physical Therapy evaluation, Best Buy, and the credit union. The staff at the PT center were impressed with Leon and were very happy that I now have him. I'll start PT next week (3x a week), so Leon and I will at least be out of the apartment for a while on those days.

Best Buy went well. One of the employees asked good questions and was curious about Leon's harness and what he did for me. I was happy to answer his questions. :)

By the time we were done at the credit union, though, fatigue had hit me full force, so we both went home to rest. Spent the rest of the day sleeping off an on.

Today, we relaxed all morning. Then, to get out of the apartment for a bit, we went to Subway for a salad (I got a salad, not Leon.) There was a family with 2 kids ahead of us in line. The kids looked at Leon and read his patches to their dad. The kids continued to watch us as we ordered and went to our table. Leon went under the table and took a snooze while I ate. After, I threw away my trash (Leon retrieved a straw wrapper that I dropped) and the kids watched us as we left. I had almost forgotten how sometimes people look at you like you have a third leg/eye or something when you have a service dog --not something most folks see on a regular basis. :)

We then practiced our daily obedience card at Michael's. Leon did VERY well in this distracting environment. I even found some bells/maracas in the kids section and shook them/dropped them to try to get him to break a stay, but he didn't! I found a little wind-up ladybug and put it on the floor to see what Leon would do --he had mild surprise at first, but just quietly sniffed it to investigate, wagging his tail happily. I wish I could have bought it for him, but $3,99 for a tiny wind-up ladybug is just too much.

I found something I wanted to buy for $3, so we went to check out. Leon did a great "go pay" at the register and I got to talk to the lady about how he pays for my purchases when I use my scooter and the counter is too high for me to reach. As we were leaving, a lady at the next register over had seen Leon "go pay" and asked "So, does he get to go to Petco now?" lol I told her that we were going home, but I did pay my dog for doing a good job and pointed to my treat pouch. She smiled and wished me a good day.

We've just been chilling all evening. I feel bad that, on days like yesterday and today when I am not doing great that Leon has a lot of downtime --he's been bored for most of the day. I need to come up with more thinking/training games for us to do together when I'm not feeling well enough to go anywhere for very long.

Going to church in the morning --this will be Leon's first Sunday at my church!

We've Graduated!!! :D

Leon and I have now officially graduated from Canine Partners for Life!! :D

The graduation ceremony today went well --stories of hopes for the future and increased independence were shared and tears welled up. It was sad to say goodbye to my classmates, the trainers, the staff and all the wonderful support people who have encouraged us so much the past 3 weeks. We'll keep in touch, though.

I fly back to TX tomorrow. I am really exhausted after doing laundry, so I'll probably go ahead and go to bed and pack in the morning. I really, really dislike packing --but I must in order to go home to the Houston area.

I made a goal sheet as an assignment --goals for Leon and I to accomplish in the next six months:

--Get to the point where Leon is not stressed or scared when the force dryer is used on him

--Retrieve a dime off of the floor

--Carry my lunch from the food court to the Writing Center on campus (where I work)

--Gain proficiency at opening doors with the door hook thing

--Ride on the Houston MetroRail together

--Enter an AKC Rally Obedience Novice-level competition and get at least one qualifying score

I am looking forward to working together with Leon to accomplish these things --and also looking forward to having a better quality of life with Leon by my side.

Philly Trip/Certification Test/Wrap-up

Journal #18: June 30, 2011

Today, we traveled by SEPTA train into Center City Philadelphia to go to the Reading Terminal Market and the Gallery mall. The train ride itself was pretty uneventful –took Leon’s harness off and put it in the overhead thing and he laid down in my foot space. It took about an hour to get to Philadelphia from Thorndale Station. When we arrived, I dressed Leon and we drove my scooter off of the train.

The Reading Terminal Market was just as crazy as I remember it being. Food booths/vendors everywhere –lots of lights, huge crowds of people –very much overwhelming sensory-wise. But we did it—Leon handled all the craziness in his usual calm, steady manner –we got our lunch and sat at the table with 2 other friends –chatted so I wouldn’t focus on all the chaos around me. Then we got ice cream from another vendor and met the group outside to head to the mall.

The Gallery mall was an interesting place. Not a huge space floor area-wise, but tall –4 floors of stores –the bottom floor being the train station. We had been given a list of tasks to do at the mall:

1. You must use your dog to go up and down steps if you are able to walk.

2. You must use your dog and the door hook to open two doors. The dog must stay and hold the door for you while you go inside.

3. Your dog must retrieve at least six different things for you during today’s trip.

4. Your dog must carry two things for you while walking around today.

5. You must have your dog do at least two go pays.

6. If able, use your dog for a transfer or to help you out of a wheelchair or scooter.

7. Practice food refusal with your dog.

8. You must perform at least one sit stay and one down stay in places with distractions, with you at the end of your leash.

9. You must practice getting on and off an elevator at least two times each. Have your dog hit the button on the outside of the elevator for you.

10. Practice sit and down signals in areas with distractions with you at the end of your leash.

11. Practice a sit stay with a shopping cart going around your dog.

Leon and I did all of these things. It was funny, though, how one older lady could not seem to grasp that the dog would be opening the door and kept trying to open the door for us.

After our list was done, we met the group at the train platform for the ride home.

I am not sure if I am ready to attempt a trip like this by myself. While I regularly go into Houston alone, I do not usually go into such a hectic environment as the market we went to today –it is too much for me sensory-wise to handle for very long. But I do intend to ride the MetroRail with Leon in Houston when we return home –park downtown and take it to the Reliant Center to attend the Reliant dog show, most likely.

Journal #19: July 1, 2011

Leon and I took our Certification test today (the final exam to test us as a team before we are able to graduate from the program.) He did really well! He had some trouble with carrying the bag with the pretzel in it from Auntie Anne’s to the Subway inside Walmart to do the restaurant section of the test –he dropped it several times on the way. Otherwise, though, he was stellar! Controlled exit from the vehicle, entering the store, being circled by a shopping cart while in a sit-stay, having a clipboard dropped behind him, being petted by a stranger, being petted by a child, maneuvering through tight racks of clothes, going under the table at the Subway, etc. –he did them all expertly!:D

At the end, I heard those long-awaited words: “He’s all yours now. Congratulations.”

So Leon and I are now officially a service dog team! :D

.

Journal #20: July 2, 2011

The prompt in our team training manual for today’s journal entry is “Wow you’re done with team training. How does it feel?”

It feels a bit surreal. In 2 days, I am flying home to TX with my new Canine Partner. I really have a service dog again –a living, breathing extension of myself who will help me live more independently and with more quality.

I am excited to return home, but will miss having the structure and in-person support that I have here. Yes, the trainers/staff will always be available via phone or email, so that’s good –it’s just that now it is time for Leon and I to go fly on our own as a team.

I know we can do it! :D

Graduation is tomorrow (7/3/11) at Avondale Presbyterian Church in Avondale, PA if anyone in the area would like to attend. It starts at 2:30 pm.

Bath Day

Journal #17: June 29,2011

Today we worked on obedience and service skills in the training barn while waiting our turn to go to the kennel building to bathe/groom our dogs. We had a lecture at the beginning of class explaining how to clean our dogs’ ears, brush their teeth, bathe them and express their anal glands (those are fun!)

Leon and I retrieved various metal objects (including the metal lion for the second time!), a grabber stick, a broom, a crutch and a toy truck. We also practiced retrieving objects and putting them into a basket. We tugged open cabinets and pushed them closed, opened and closed the fridge, tugged a laundry basket across the floor, tugged off a jacket and a glove and carried a plastic bag across the barn.

Then it was time for Leon and I to go over the kennel building. While waiting for my turn, I brushed/scaled Leon’s teeth. Then Leon and I went into one of the play yards in the back of the building where a hose was set up for bathing (and a piece of the playground equipment –yes, the kennel dogs have playground equipment –was set up as a grooming/bathing table.) Maria—who is Leon’s trainer-- and I checked his anal glands, then I wet him with the hose and proceeded to lather on the medicated shampoo (he has intermittent skin issues –since Team Training is stressful, they popped up again.) Leon jumped off the bathing table 3 times in the course of the bath, but we got it done. Then I towel dried him while he was busy rubbing back and forth against the chain link fence. Then I cleaned his ears.

We went back inside the building while waiting for the force dryer to be free. I dremmeled his nails and weighed him on the scale in the vet’s office (the kennel vet.) He weighed 65.8 pounds. His weight right before Team Training was 67. His target weight is 73 pounds. Megan (head trainer) said not to worry about it –that he would most likely gain the weight back once we get back home and settled –when the stress of Team Training is over.

Then it was our turn to use the force dryer. Boy, was THAT fun. I turned it on high and Leon freaked out. I wasn’t even pointing it directly at him. I was trying to take it slow and ease into it –but I guess I still went too fast for him. He twisted and pulled himself out of his martingale collar (he was tethered to the fence.) He ran a few feet away, stared at me –and I swear he grinned –and took off running. Now, the area where the force dryer was set up was outside the fenced play yard area –so nothing but open fields. I called to him as he ran to the side of the building –but no luck. I was so terrified that I was going to lose my dog.Thankfully, the kennel manager and a kennel volunteer were walking on the side of the building and saw him –and caught him for me. We put his leash and collar back on. Then, the kennel manager helped hold him for me while I put the force dryer on the low setting and dried most of his body (not his head, though –he really wanted nothing to do with that.) He stayed pretty still and allowed me to dry his body. We’re going to have to work on this when we get home –taking it slow and easy –and building up his tolerance for the force dryer over time. I have a friend back home who does positive reinforcement-based grooming –I’m sure that will help him be a more cooperative dog when it comes to bathing/force drying.

Lecture/The Mall

Journal # 15: June 27, 2011

Today we talked about various news articles (each recipient had been given a different news article to read and discuss) about service animals for our Access III lecture. A service boa, a 5-month old diabetic alert puppy, a growling “service dog” at the DMV and an email from someone looking to pass their dog off as a service dog were among the topics of discussion.

We also discussed access issues in unusual places (medical facilities, jail) and about traveling internationally with a service dog.

After lunch, our dogs each retrieved a metal food bowl –now, at every mealtime, the dog MUST retrieve their metal food bowl –or the dog does not get fed. I think this helps with the dog’s willingness to retrieve metal objects (not a dog’s favorite type of thing to retrieve) to help keep the dog reliable in that area. Leon, of course, did very well and retrieved the bowl readily both in class and at dinner time in the evening. We also had our dogs carry a plastic bag the length of 2 poles in the training barn –carrying will be something on our list of things to do at the mall, so we had to practice. Leon did very well –wagging his tail the whole time.

Then, an ambulance crew came to give each person in the class a chance to practice riding in an ambulance with their service dog. I personally was not too thrilled about riding in the ambulance (due to my car wreck at the end of April where I totaled my car), but we did it. Leon loaded up readily after I was loaded in and wagged his tail happily while we went down the driveway and back with sirens going. He is such a good boy!

We had a fun play time after training was done for the day. Leon, Clover, Valentine, Brianna and Arnie had a blast running around playing with each other. Of the dogs in our class, Leon, Clover, Manor and one other dog (I can’t remember which) are all siblings from the same litter. It is great to watch them play together.

The biggest gains I have made so far during training are becoming closer with Leon as friends, gaining a breakthrough in teaching his trick, walking with less fatigue when I walk with him and surviving both the Philadelphia Zoo and the ballpark.

The areas we need to focus on the most are gaining more reliability in holding onto an object and sitting at the same time, retrieving the metal lion and watching where he’s going when walking next to my scooter.

Journal #16: June 28, 2011

Today, we went to the Exton Square Mall. We were given a list of things to have our dog do while there.

1. Open two doors using your door hook

2. Have your dog push at least two different automatic door buttons. One should be on a pole, another on a wall.

3. Pay two cashiers. (We paid 3.)

4. Practice two down stays with different distractions. (First one, I had him down and pushed a clothing cart from the dressing room around him. The second one, I had a classmate take my milkshake and go, "Here, puppy puppy." He didn't break either stay.)

5. Go on elevators twice, once with a trainer, once without.

6. Have your dog retrieve four different items from the floor (my wallet, my phone, a napkin and my camera case.)

7. Practice food refusal during lunch. (Story below.)

8. Have your dog carry something through the mall, at least the length of two stores. (Leon carried my bag of candy/chocolate from the candy store.)

9. If you are walking you must try at least part of the big staircase.

10. If physically possible you must use the public restroom with your dog.

Leon did everything on the list very well and even retrieved (finally) the metal lion! We next went to Petco to get supplies/ask the trainers questions about supplies. I bought some grooming supplies for Leon and a toy for my cat at home as a peace offering for leaving her for 3 weeks. Leon did a "go pay" to pay for our purchases while Joan the photographer took a photo.

We next went to Chili’s where we had an early dinner with 10% of the proceeds going to CPL.

The greatest challenge was the huge set of stairs in the mall –I only made it up partway before I had to come back down due to fatigue. I was most proud of Leon finally retrieving the metal lion. Funny story: when we did the food refusal at lunch, I put a piece of a French fry on Leon’s paw and told him to “leave it.” He just looked at me the entire time –for about 6 minutes –and then I took the piece away. One of the mall employees had apparently been watching us –he came up and told me that I had a really good dog.

Also, I was headed to the food court to meet up with the group to leave and I came upon Maria and Deb. I had successfully avoided running into them up until then. Deb asked me if we had done the lion yet. I said no. So she dropped the metal lion on the floor for Leon to retrieve.

Baseball Game --Leon's POV

Journal #14: June 25, 2011 (assignment was to write about the outing from our dog's point of view)

Today, Sheena and I went to a baseball game. It was crazy! For some reason, all these people had their dogs there! And some of the dogs (and people) sure were rude! People kept bumping into Sheena and almost making her fall –and bumping into me from behind and startling me! Sheena started becoming very anxious because of the crowd, so I tried to lead her away to a quieter, less crazy spot, but she kept insisting on me going forward! I just don’t understand people, sometimes! I don’t get why she wouldn’t listen to me –I knew the crowd was overwhelming her quickly.

After we got to our seat (with me helping Sheena get up the steep ramp and down the stairs safely,) I made myself comfortable and took a long nap. Sheena gave me water and made sure I was not getting too hot. My mom and sister were there, but I was working and could not visit. I don’t understand why people go to these things –it was SO boring! Men throwing a ball and hitting it with a stick –and then the man doesn’t even chase after the ball, but runs around in a diamond –I again just don’t understand people sometimes!

So, we all sat (well, I was laying down snoozing) for a good while. Then, it was time to leave and Sheena gave me the command to stand. I stood up and stretched, then helped Sheena get back up the stairs safely and down the steep ramp.

Other than the absolutely nuts vendor area before the game with all the people and the dogs, it was not a bad outing with the class. Sheena fed me a late dinner (too late in my opinion…9 pm…really?) and we got ready for bed.

Philadelphia Zoo

Journal #13: June 24, 2011

Today we went to the Philadelphia Zoo. My team training class is 13 people (and dogs), so we were split into 2 separate groups for the zoo trip –one arrived at 10 and the other at 11. I was in the 11:00 group.

It was a long, hot and very tiring day. I got a little overwhelmed a few times because of all the noise, movement and screeching children. Leon performed his job expertly. When the lions saw the dogs and ran up to the glass to look, he just looked with calm interest. One of the pumas that we saw came up to the glass and tried to dig under it and then tried to lick our dogs through the glass.

During lunch, Leon took a nap and then retrieved items the trainers dropped for us –a ceramic plate, a bag of trash and a prong collar. Then he went back to sleep for a bit. I’m glad they didn’t drop the metal lion.

Leon and I practiced opening doors at the primate house with the door hook tool. He did very well at that and it went smoothly.

He wasn’t very interested in most of the animals at the zoo (though the monkeys enjoyed watching him.) The children’s zoo had a bunny in a pen that caught his attention and he watched it for a few minutes before we moved on.

We both fell asleep in the car on the way home and were in bed by a little after 8 pm. Then we lounged around all morning and watched a movie on my computer –he even snuggled with me for a little while on the air mattress with his head on my chest.

I seriously love this dog. He is wonderful. I am so blessed to be matched with him.

Tonight (the 25^th) is the baseball game –“Bring Your Pet” night, even. Should be interesting/crazy.

Obedience/Service Skills Practice

Today we did more obedience exercises and service skill practice in the training barn. Leon opened a cabinet and pushed it closed, opened and closed the fridge, tugged off one sleeve of a jacket, tugged off a sock, retrieved a phone from the ground and from a table, retrieved 3 items (a plastic ice tray, a hairbrush and one was the metal lion –he still isn’t retrieving it from the ground, but he retrieved it from my hand very close to the ground –we’re still working on it.) He also pushed the automatic door buttons at the office. I am so proud of my boy!

Tomorrow, we are going to the Philadelphia Zoo for the day! This zoo is much bigger than the Houston Zoo (from what I’ve heard), so this should be interesting.

Darn Metal Lion!!

Journal #10: June 21, 2011

Today was a LONG day. The dog and I are both so wiped from Longwood Gardens that Leon didn’t even want to play with his tractor today –he just wanted to get some rest stretched out on the floor.

We started out our visit with pushing the automatic door button at the main doors and then doing a “go pay” at the special ticket counter for our group (we got a seriously big discount –our tickets cost only $2 each when they’re normally $18 for adults.) Next, we had to retrieve 3 items off the ground –one of them metal. Leon did wonderfully –except that he still seems to, at times, forget that he can hold onto an object and sit at the same time. We worked for a while on it and it’s getting better. J

Then, we took our individual team photos for our IDs. Leon quickly became tired of the photo shoot and plopped down on me (we were sitting on the ground for our photo.) One of the trainers caught it on her camera. We did finally get him sitting nicely and looking at the camera.

Next, we had another retrieval station. Leon retrieved a fork, a prong collar, a phone and a cup (with a reminder on a couple of them that he could sit without dropping it.) Then there was that darn so-and-so metal lion (this small bronze metal paperweight thing from the Lions Club --much like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Bronzed-Metal-LION-Statue-Lions-Intl-Figurine-/380212817035?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5886732c8b#ht_9455wt_932.) I got him to take it from my hand, hold it and then give it to me –but he would NOT retrieve it from the ground. After 20 minutes of trying, we decided to end on a good note, so I had him take it from my hand again, hold it and give it to me. One of the trainers, Deb, said we would DEFINITELY be seeing the metal lion again. Now I understand why so many recipients dislike the metal lion so much. I thought they were exaggerating because of how easily and readily Pebbles retrieved it when we went through team training –but, oh no, It is a difficult retrieve for many, many dogs/teams. I just got a lucky break with Pebbles. But Leon and I will do it! I know we can!

We walked around and I took photos of many beautiful flowers/plants –having Leon sit in front of several to pose for a photo. I can already tell he is not as much of a ham for the camera as Pebbles was. He grew quickly bored with the whole idea, but complied to humor me, I guess.

We took our team training class photo. Leon and I were sitting on the long cement bench (he had loaded up onto it.) While the other dogs were sitting next to their partners and (generally) looking at the camera, Leon plopped down with his head in my lap –he was so tired from the long day. I asked the photographer (Joan) afterward if it was okay that Leon was lying down –she said she would see how the photo turned out and then we would try again at the zoo if it didn’t look right.

Leon and Clover (my classmate Shannon’s service dog –she and her dad have begun helping me get where I need to go since I no longer have transportation) were both sacked out in the back of the SUV the entire way back to CPL –with Leon laying his head on Shannon’s pillow.

The topic I was really dreading...

Journal #9: June 20, 2011

Today we had fun with some more obedience exercises and practicing service skills. We got to practice “go pay” –dog takes an object, puts his front feet up on a table, hands the object to the “clerk”, gets off, goes back up and retrieves the object and returns it to the handler. Leon seemed to keep forgetting (after doing all of the go pay task) that he could sit and hold an object at the same time –but we kept at it and at the end, he twice sat and held the object before I gave the command for him to give it to me. We also got to practice stairs with a railing, a push button for the automatic door at the office, tugging open a cabinet and fridge and turning on and off a light switch.

Leon and I also had a very successful trip to Walmart (with the trainers' approval) to get some supplies I forgot to buy and some stuff I need for the trip to Longwood Gardens tomorrow. I am so proud of my boy!! He is a wonderful, fantastic dog! Some part of me is thinking he is still trying to make it up to me for that incident at Staples!

I had a really hard time keeping it together during this afternoon’s “Ending a partnership/retirement” talk. So many emotions of grief resurfaced even though it’s been over a year since I lost Pebbles as a service dog. So I’ve been a bit of an emotional wreck for most of the remainder of the day.

At first I thought there was no way I could open my heart and life to another dog –the pain of losing Pebbles to retirement (and rehoming) after only 3 ½ years together was just too terrible. All the vet visits, the medications, the tests –all did not make it where my partner could keep working and doing what she loved to do –she was not mentally ready to retire, but her hip deterioration (caused by degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis) dictated otherwise. I had thought we’d be together for life and that I’d be able to keep her after retirement, but my living situation and status as a graduate student didn’t allow for it –I was moving somewhere where I would not be able to have her (due to a very controlling roommate at the time –and I had to move to receive medical treatment) and I was gone the majority of the day as a student –it would not have been fair to leave her home alone for that long. So I had to have her adopted out through the Released Dog program –she went to a staff member at my university. It was so very hard –for months afterward, I’d reach for the harness handle, but not have it there –call for her but not have her appear before me. I felt l was missing a key part of me. But, after time went on and I struggled to get through daily life activities, I actually began to long for a new partner –and I realized that I would honor her service best through beginning a partnership with a successor –she would have wanted me to continue having the help that I had with her.

Graduate Support Class

Journal #8: June 19, 2011

Today has been a rough day emotionally for me. I had a good friend decide not to continue with team training today. I was really hoping this would work out for her since it’s been a long and crazy 2-year long process for her. So I am heartbroken for her –she’s returning to her home without a service dog. And the dog had to return to the kennel instead of having a partner. Sad ending for both involved.

Today, we had a Graduate Support Class. I was great seeing the successful teams –those that had worked through the initial issues and the testing that the dogs do at first and now have very close, amazing partnerships with their dogs. I was reminded of the difficulties I had with Pebbles at first (she was a stubborn one, that dog) and how, with a lot of hard work and perseverance, we overcame and had a beautiful partnership.

I saw several graduates who stuck with their given task until the dog successfully completed it –and then threw their dog a party. I was impressed with the teamwork I saw in the teams present.

Game Day

Journal #7: June 19, 2011

Today was game day at team training. We played “Musical Mats” –which was like “Musical Chairs”, only we had to have our dogs sit on a mat when the music stopped. It got pretty insane and cutthroat at times. My competiveness definitely came out and I really overdid it physically. I kept going instead of stopping when I should have. My friend Amy had some video shot of the game and posted it in her blog: http://mageenme.tumblr.com/post/6675124542/we-had-fun-today-we-played-musical-dogs-and-it

We then played “My Service Dog Can Do That” –where we had a list of tasks of varying point values –and had to do as many as we could in the span of 3 minutes. Leon and I got a score of 19 points, so we did respectably (we didn’t win anything, but we had fun.)

Leon had a BLAST playing with the other dogs in the play yard after class. He runs FAST! It was great to see him be a dog for a while. It took him a while to cool down after, though (being a big, black dog.) I took some photos, but forgot the cord for my camera in TX, so I'll see if I can edit this post when I get home to add them.

I think Taz (the office cat) loves to torture the poor dogs around here. While I had Leon in a stand (with me sitting on the floor) while I was grooming him, Taz came waltzing up, rubbing all over Leon and weaving between his legs. Leon just looked at me with the most pitiful face, but remained standing in place –he did very well at ignoring Taz trying to get a rise out of him.

Strip Center/Taking the Dogs Home

Journal #6: June 17, 2011

Well, today has been a VERY trying day for me (and most likely for Leon, too!) We did basic obedience and retrieval in the morning and then went as a class to the Longwood Village strip center in Kennett Square.

Leon did very well in TJ Maxx –he opened the front doors with the door hook without much difficulty. He was heeling nicely next to my scooter and maneuvering as asked in the store. I found some London tea that I am excited about and we had a positive interaction with a store employee who asked me if I was training him –and was very understanding when I didn’t wish to give out his name. She wished me luck.

Well, her wish must not have worked. We all took our dogs to the mulch area to give them a chance to do their business. I gave Leon a few minutes and he did nothing, so we went on to Staples. We got only a couple of feet inside the door and Leon started pooping on the floor! I ran out the door with him as fast as I could, trying to get him outside! He had already finished by the time we got to the door, so we turned around and cleaned everything up (with Darlene’s much appreciated help!) I went outside and gave Leon a stern lecture (taking him back to the mulch area) about how that is where he is supposed to do that kind of thing –NOT inside. Ever. I was very, very upset and spent several minutes crying outside—so embarrassed and feeling like a failure even though I did what I was supposed to do. The trainers and other successors told me that this kind of thing just happens sometimes –and that I did the responsible thing in cleaning it up –and that it doesn’t make me a bad handler that this happened. The stress of team training probably played a big part.

So, shaken up by this, we went into Super Fresh with trepidation to go up and down a few aisles (after we first navigated into and out of the restroom.) Leon did very well –was very responsive to my commands to heel and to go back behind my scooter in narrow places. I got some groceries and toiletries. Then we met up with the rest of the class at Starbucks (they had finished at Super Fresh a good bit before I did.) Leon did very well there also –he is getting pretty good at walking with my scooter, though we did run into each other a few times today. He wore his boots because it was hot out and, though he was obviously not happy about having to wear them, tolerated them and did not raise a fuss about them (like Pebbles always did.)

The public I encountered today seemed overall more friendly in a way versus when I didn’t have a dog. I’ve seen more smiles on people’s faces and people stop and watch the dogs work. People also seem to be more understanding of taking a while to do something in the store (though that is all me and not because I have Leon –I am normally a slow shopper.)

Today was the first day those of us without alert dogs got to take our dogs home. Leon and I have had a pretty uneventful evening. He played with his plush tractor some, took a nap and then played with his tractor some more. I ate dinner and the two of us watched a movie together. I attached his leash to my belt loop and he’s been walking around the office with me very nicely –no pulling and very watchful of my movements.

What I like most about having Leon with me is that I have company rather than being here in the office by myself (the office cat, Taz, likes to spend his nights out doing whatever he does, so I’ve been by myself most of the week.) It’s nice to have a movie-watching buddy and somebody to play with/talk to. The most difficult thing about having Leon here with me is relearning how to do things with a dog attached to me –cooking soup in the microwave, remembering to say “leave it” when I drop food on the floor (an inevitable occurrence whenever I make dinner) and to watch where I’m going so I don’t trip over the dog. Leon did well, though, when I dropped my cup of pudding on the floor –I said “leave it” and he did –didn’t even try to go near it while I cleaned it up. I was proud of him –he had sneaked stuff off the floor a few times today, so it made me happy to see him resist temptation this time.

Day 5, Complete! :D

Journal #5: June 16, 2011

We had a pretty good day today. During our obedience exercises, Leon kept popping up out of his sit-stay (PopTart dog) and kept trying to lie down. But each time, I had him sit again. We will work some more on that. Overall, he did well –heeled nicely and has a great down-stay.

Leon did VERY well on helping up and down the set of stairs in the training barn that had no railing. He walked in heel and smoothly we walked up and down the stairs. He also performed the retrieval tasks as he should.

We learned the importance of play in our dogs' lives and also had a health care lecture about internal and external parasites and how to prevent them.

Leon was still nervous when I had him load up onto the counter next to the tub in the grooming room. He tried to go back down the steps several times. I gave him a treat for standing still while I groomed him --one treat for each side –and also a treat for standing still while I did the daily physical exam they taught us how to do today.

One concern I have about taking Leon home with me tomorrow is the fact that I am sleeping on an air mattress on the floor –down at his level. Will he let me sleep? Or will I get licked to death? I swear, that dog shoots out his tongue almost every time I lay a hand on him (and many times when I don’t.)

First Public Outing!

Journal #3: June 14, 2011

Following today’s training session, I am concerned about how Leon splays out his legs when he sits. I am worried about the possibility of there being something going on with his hips –I really don’t want to go through that again with another dog. It was terrible enough to experience it with Pebbles. Leon is a lovely dog and we had a fantastic day today –he did SO well in the obstacle course (with things to load up on, go under, lay down in and a mine field of treats/people food/toys to go through), was patient while I trimmed his nails (I am slow) and did not drag me to/into the kennel today. I’m afraid to get too attached to him because if something is wrong with his hips, then I’ll lose him as a service dog like I lost Pebbles.

Also, I need to start using my scooter. My hips hurt SO bad from all the standing and walking I did today. I really pushed myself too much.

Journal #4: June 15, 2011

Today, we talked a lot about access in public with our dogs and about interactions with the public. Many funny stories were told – I had memories run through my head of hearing the same things when out with Pebbles.

We also did some retrieval exercises with dumbbells. Leon did very well –he dropped the dumbbell on the floor when I asked him to hold it and I got permission from the trainer to have him retrieve it from the floor –he did a very good hold that time and I was proud of him.

We had our first public outing today to Chili’s for a late lunch –with 20 dogs and nearly 40 people! It went really well –the dogs were fantastic (Leon napped through the whole thing) and it was nice to get to talk with and get to know the people at my table. I just wish I could hear better in such a noisy environment –it was really hard to process what people were saying. I felt bad for not talking more with the people not directly across from me –I was struggling so much to hear them.

I found out that Leon must not particularly enjoy bath time. We went into the grooming room in the kennel to do our daily grooming and to administer Frontline. I had him load up –go up the little stairs and onto the counter to the right of the bath tub. He wasn’t happy –he was tense –but he stood nicely for me to brush him, though he did try to go back down the stairs once. I will need to work with him some more on that. I gave him a treat for turning around when I asked him to so I could brush his other side.

The best part of today’s training was the lunch at Chili’s. It was so very nice to get a decent meal instead of eating beans and rice or chips and salsa (what I had for dinner the other night.) The hardest part was when I walked around the training barn during our obedience exercises with the harness handle in the wrong position. I really hurt my arm –it took me until we were almost done to even realize that was why I was in pain.

Team Training Update

This is going to be kind of quick. It is 9:30 and I need to be up at 6 to get ready for the day. I am super tired and need to get some good sleep.

I'm copying and pasting my journal entries from yesterday and today (we write journal entries as homework during team training.) If anyone has a question that isn't answered, just let me know and I'll be glad to elaborate some more. The journal entries are fairly basic --we are given a prompt to respond to each day and that is what I did. :)

Journal #1: June 12, 2011

The last 24 hrs has been nuts. Just plain nuts. Bed bugs and insane stair cases at the host home, a mission to retrieve my stuff in the CPL van, and spending the night in the trainer’s office on an air mattress. And I’m still trying to catch that hour I lost traveling here from Houston. What a way to start team training!

One personal goal I would like to accomplish during the three weeks of team training is to be able to walk with less fatigue and pain –to still have energy left to do what needs to be done (make dinner, do homework, etc.) and not have to depend on my roommates so much to help me do things.

One fear I have related to team training is opening my heart and life to another dog. I am still grieving the loss of my first dog, Pebbles, to retirement. She’s moving to Arizona this week to be a therapy dog and I won’t get to visit her anymore or see her again. I went and said goodbye to her last week on Wednesday.
So team training is a bit of a bittersweet feeling –the happiness and excitement of a new partnership and regaining the independence I lost when Pebbles retired mixed with grief over the loss of my friend and partner. I know Leon will open many doors for me figuratively and literally –and I know how emotionally involved service dog partnership can be –but it’s worth it all. While there will never be another Pebbles, Leon will also have a special place in my heart.

Journal #2 June 13, 2011

I would define partnership as a fluid, give-and-take relationship with another being –you begin to be able to finish each other’s sentences, so to speak –and are each sensitive to the needs and feelings of the other.

The best part of today was the obedience exercise –getting to work with the dogs walking around the room, changing directions and learning to walk together as a team. I got to experience with the angle of the harness handle to find the one that was most comfortable for me and got to learn more about Leon and what motivates him. He does walk very nicely in harness and it feels fantastic to walk with him (when I’m not stepping on his feet and he’s not running into me going through doorways.)

The hardest parts of the day today were some of the things Leon did to test me. First, he growled at a puppy in training that one of the staff had in the training barn. Then, when we were standing watching Erica unload Phineas from the van, Leon reached into my bag on the ground and stole a large dog biscuit out of the goody box we received. I caught him in the act –took it from him, “downed” him and then told him to “leave it” while placing the biscuit on the ground in front of him inches from his paws. He just stared at me like I should be convicted of animal cruelty. Then, Leon tried to (and mostly did) DRAG me into the kennel building at dinner time and into the grooming room to be fed. I keep forgetting about the prong collar due to not having to use one in a few years. Oh, and yesterday, he pulled me to a patch of grass so he could ROLL on it –why is this dog doing things that his trainer has not seen him do before?

Things will get better. I have to earn his respect and we need to get to know each other better –then we will be a team.