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.

Introduction

Hi! My name is Sheena. I am a graduate student working on my M.S. in Agriculture at my university here in the great state of Texas. I have a yet-to-be-diagnosed progressive neuromuscular disorder that affects my balance, energy levels, my hearing and my ability to do activities of daily living easily/without adaptive equipment. I am ambulatory, but walk with a cane (sometimes with my walker if I am having a bad day neurologically.) I also am on the autistic spectrum --my attention to detail has gotten me far in school--though I still am a bit awkward socially. :)

I am creating this blog to chronicle my partnership with my successor service dog. He is a black Labrador Retriever named Leon. He will be my second service dog from Canine Partners for Life (which is located in Cochranville, PA --about an hour's drive from Philadelphia.)

After my first dog retired (a yellow Labrador Retriever named Pebbles --she retired at age 7 due to developing a hip problem), I have struggled with the loss of some of my independence --I fatigue more easily and I have had to depend on my roommates to help me with a lot of things.

After Pebbles retired, I tried working with a local service dog trainer here in TX to train my own successor dog (with her help.) I had purchased a Standard Poodle/Lab mix from a local breeder to train. Handsome didn't work out as a service dog,

though. He is now a pet with a loving family.

So I realized that owner-training wasn't going to

work out right now. I applied for a successor dog through Canine Partners for Life.

I was ecstatic when I received the phone call that I had been matched with a dog!

I will be flying out tomorrow morning to go to Team Training (7:20 am --that means I have to be at the airport at 5 am!) I will be staying with a local host family with another recipient --and we will drive together to Team Training every day.

The 3 weeks of training are very strenuous and emotionally/physically taxing, but coming home to TX with my new Canine Partner will be well worth it!!