Shaman was so good today !

Today,I had to go to the reptile store to get some crickets and supper worms for my Dragon. This was the first time that Shaman has gone with me to this store. I was not sure how he would react to the very large Tegu lizard that has free run of the store, or for that matter, all the rest of the reptiles in the place. But he surprised me and was very calm and behave very well. Even when I was petting the resident Frilled Dragon. Left the store and headed back to the bus stop. When we got down town ,it was 5:30 pm and I stopped at the Fireman's Chili Cook off for dinner. As usual, there was a large crowd. Shaman was very good making his way through all those people. I found it rather frustrating as most people were not paying attention to a person in a wheelchair with a guide dog trying to get through the crowd. Shaman was very patient and got me around very well. We listened to the very loud band and I enjoyed the chili and the music.Shaman did not react to the loud music. He just lay next to my chair and relaxed. Finally we headed for home. I am still getting used to Shaman and he is getting used to working with me. He was pretty perfect today ! To be continued.........

What are people thinking ?

I went to a thrift shop to check out computer monitors for a friend. They had quite a few. I made a call to my friend to let her know about them. I then went on to check out the pots and pans as I need a new pan for cooking. I found one with the help of a fellow shopper. While I was in line waiting to pay for it, a man and his 2 unleashed dogs came into the store. Of course one of the dogs came right up to Shaman, and started to growl . I asked the man to please control his dog. I also informed him that Tucson has a leash law and he did not have his dogs on a leash. He said that since the dogs were in the store, they did not need to be leashed. He accused Shaman of growling at his dog. Shaman ignored his dog and I tried moving away from it but it kept bothering Shaman. At this point, I was getting annoyed. The dog kept growling at Shaman and Shaman started to growl back at it. I gave him a verbal correction and he stopped. I made a complaint about this man and his dogs to the store clerk, but she did nothing. The man said he always comes into this store with his dogs. I asked him if they were service dogs and he did not answer me. Just walked away, leaving me to believe that they were probably not service dogs , just pets. The one dog continued harassing Shaman and I until we left the store. I guess that this man thought his dogs had more rights than Shaman did. My dog is a guide dog. If he harassed a customer like that dog did, I could have been asked to leave. What are these people thinking ? Do I have any rights here ? Next I went to the grocery store to pick up a small bag of dog food and some dog biskits. There were several people who commented on the shoes that Shaman was wearing. I explained that they keep his feet from being burned by the hot pavement. A woman came up to us in the isle and proceeded to laugh at Shaman's shoes, and said "what will they think of next." "What a pampered pooch".She then proceeded to pet Shaman. I asked her to please not the dog and she started to yell at me that she would pet him if she wanted to. I tried to tell her that she was distracting him from doing his job as a guide dog. She just yelled back for me to shut up and leave her alone. She was the one yelling, not me. Does this woman think that my dog was put on this earth just for her to pet? What are people thinking? Do they have no common sense ? So many people have petted Shaman that now when he sees a hand extend out to pet him, he goes right to that person. These people who insist on petting my dog are undoing his training, not to mention the fact that it could be a dangerous situation for me. Do they not even stop and think about this? I could not wait to get out of the store and go home. What are People thinking??????? To be continued............

Good boy, Shaman, good boy!

Shaman and I went to the grocery store last night. We were on the side walk in front of the store and we came across a dog tied up just out side the entrance. Some one left this dog tied out there while they went in to shop. As we approached the dog, it growled and lunged at us. Shaman stopped. He did not growl back at the dog. He was very calm and just waited to see if the dog would move out of the way and let us pass. The dog continued to growl at us. I decided that it was best to just wait and see if the owner came out and controlled the dog. Several people approached Shaman and I and offered to go into the store to see if they could find the dog's owner. Shaman remained calm and never showed any aggression toward the growling dog in our way. Finally, the owner did come out and moved the dog.I am so proud of Shaman. He behaved perfectly and kept us from possibly being attacked by this dog. Good boy, Shaman, good boy. To be continued..........

Pictures ! Finally, Pictures of Shaman on the blog

I finally got the pictures on the blog! I had to figure out how to do it as Nick is to busy with school now. You will have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page as I haven't figured out how to put them any where else. I will keep on working at it. Shaman is feeling the heat when we go out. I try to go out early in the morning to avoid the mid day heat, but some times that is not possible. I always carry several bottles of water for both of us. I stop frequently in the shade or in a store or the mall to let him cool off. I wet down his head and ears and his feet with water, to keep him cool. I am thinking about getting a " Cooler Jacket " for Shaman to wear in the summer. I have also thought of training another dog, one with less hair, for working in summer, and working Shaman only in the Fall and Winter and Spring. I really don't think I want to go through trying to find another dog to train though. It took me a long time to find Wanagi and then I had to career change her because of health and hip problems. It took me over a year to find Shaman . Poor Shaman tries to go into the stores that have their doors propped open. Down by the University almost all the doors are open and he turns to go into each one to try and get cool. When I feel him start to turn , I tell him "not now" and give the forward command. Sometimes I have to give the forward command several times to get him off the bus as it is cool there and he does not want to leave. This can be embarrassing........... Nala is not bothered by the heat as much as Shaman. He has a longer coat of hair than she does. I guess I will go with "Cooler Jacket" and see if that works. Enjoy the pictures for now. To be continued..........

What a day !!!

What a day! Yesterday, I went to pay my Cox Internet bill. After crossing my street and continuing down the sidewalk, Shaman suddenly pulled to the left and almost pulled the handle out of my hand. I said to him, " What are you doing? " There was a person walking down the sidewalk towards us and he said that Shaman had chased after a rather large lizzard. I thought we had gotten past the lizzard chasing phase but I guess the size of this particular one was just to much for him to resist. He is still a young dog and still new as a guide dog. After a quick leash and voice correction, we continued on our way. Lizzards ha! We had to wait for the light to change at the busy intersection of Grant and Oracle. When the light did change , I heard a very large trailer truck start to turn right in front of us so we could not continue until it had passed.Suddenly Shaman started to dance around nervously and then backed up, actually he ran backwards, and I reversed my wheelchair fast as I did not know why he did this but did not want to take any chances. The back wheels of the trailer truck went over the curb cut where we had just been moments before! Shaman knew that the truck was too close and moved us out of the way just in time. We could have been hurt or even killed! He may be distracted by the occassional lizzard, but when it really counts, Shaman is right on target. I praised him and gave him a big hug. I spent so much time praising him, we had to wait for the light to change again. We continued on and got on our first bus. Arrived down town at the bus station, and proceded to get on the second bus. Went on our way and paid the bill. Getting on the bus to go home, there was a lady with a large wheeled walker who refused to move it and her feet to let me pass. An eldery gentleman lifted his feet and his oxygen tank out of the way so I could pass. I thanked him and proceded to feel my way into the wheelchair bay with my cane. Every thing went fine for a while. The lady with the walker decided to hold the walker on her lap for some reason. She had refused to do it earlier so I could get passed her. Then she dropped the heavy walker right on Shaman. Poor Shaman just sat there and did nothing. He is such a good dog. He puts up with so much. She tried to pet him and I told her to get that thing off of him and I would check my own dog to see that he was ok. She then proceded to tell me that I needed to brush my dog because he had mats on his back end. I wish people would mind their own business. Shaman is combed and brushed every day and I always run a slicker brush over his coat before I put his harness on when we go out. He does not have any mats on him. His hair grows in a cowlick on either side of his hips. The hair curls in a circle. His undercoat which is lighter than his outer coat shows up in the circle of hair. That is the way his hair grows and brushing it, even wetting it, does not change the way it grows. Shaman enjoys being groomed and I enjoy grooming him. He is a long haird dog and must be brushed regularly to keep him from getting mats. This woman on the bus dropps her heavy walker on my dog and then tells me to brush my dog because he has mats? Some people ! What a day!!! Thankfully, Shaman is ok. The walker did not hit his head, just his body. I really wish people would be more careful about working guides and other service dogs on the bus. To be continued.............

Shaman has passed the blindfold test !

Well, Shaman has passed the blindfold test. This was conducted in an area which was semi familiar and another area which was new to Shaman. He had to cross 5 busy streets, find a bus stop, ride up on the bus lift, and then when we got to our destination, ride the lift down and then we went into a restaurant to have lunch and celebrate the occasion. He was perfect! His new harness arrived the day after my birthday, 63 years young now! The burgundy color looks nice on his golden coat. I also got a new leash to match the harness. He is a wonderful dog and I love him very much! I hope we have a good partnership for many years as it took me 1 1/2 years to find the right dog and I do not want to repeat the process any time soon. I will continue to use Nala once in a while as she still hates to be left home, when she sees me going out with Shaman. I must keep her happy and this seems to work. I still have no pictures for this blog yet as Nick was unable to come today with his camera. May be next week end ???? I will continue to cronnicle Shaman's life as my guide dog from time to time here for any one who is interested. We still have some things to work on and the bond between us will grow as time goes on. I enjoy sharing this with people......To be continued.......

I am so proud of Shaman!

On July 2nd, we went to the bank and picked up my money. This time the bus had the new ramp, which I like much better then the lifts. Shaman led me right up into the bus and off we went to do some shopping. He was very good in all the stores we went into. We spent a lot of time in one shoe store as I had to try on so many shoes until I found a pair that fit my small but wide feet. The sales lady was very patient with me and I really appreciated that. She commented on how cute Shaman's shoes were and she said she was glad to see that I cared enough about my dogs feet to have shoes for him. It is so hot here in Arizona, that I would never leave home in the summer with out putting shoes on the dogs. I then went to Walmart to look at printers as mine nolonger works. I found a good one for a reasnoable price, that will work with my computer. Shaman was so good. He just sat down and waited until I was done looking at the printers. The salesman was impressed with him, as he was so calm and well behaved. I picked up a few more items and then we headed for home as it looked like it just might rain. It did rain as we waited for the bus, but we did not get wet as we waited under the roof at the bus station. By the time we got home, it had already rained there. I thought Shaman would be tired from working most of the day but he trotted home as if we had only been out for a short time. He has unlimmited energy. I am so proud of Shaman. I thought it would take longer to train him for guide work than it has. It was slow at first but once he realized what I wanted of him, he picked up on the training quite fast. He is doing so well for such a young dog. We still have a few things to work on but I think that it will not take long before he will be certified. By his trainer. To be continued..................

Shaman was outstanding to day!

I have decided that Shaman is ready to start going to all the places that I go. He is ready to be a guide dog.I took him on the bus by myself today. This bus had a short lift and I can't fit on the lift with the dog. I extended Shaman's leash and he went up the steps and stood waiting for me to come up on the lift. He was perfect! He loves to ride on the bus so he was good. I went to the doctor's office and he was again perfect. We had to cross 2 very busy main streets and he was perfect. No hesitation at all, and he waited for me to tell him when to cross . We walked through the Mall and stopped at the food court to have a snack. Shaman went under the table and stayed there while I ate my ice cream. When I was finished, I gave him some water and some doggie treats. I asked him to find the trash can and he took me to the closest one by the door. We took another walk around the Mall and I asked him to find the elevator. He heard the word elevator and perked up as he loves to ride the elevator. He found it quickly and up we went.Walked around the upper level and then left the Mall to go to the Bus station. I gave the forward command to cross the street,but he did not go forward. A car came around the corner and if he had gone on my command , we could have been hit as this car was speeding and went through the red light! I praised him and gave him some good pets and I big kiss. We then had to wait for the light to change again and this time he proceded on my command to go forward. We took the bus to the grocery store. While on the bus, a man stepped on Shaman and he yelped and then tucked his feet under neath himself. We picked up the few things I needed and then headed for home. I am so proud of him! He acted like he had beed a guide dog for years,instead of only a short time. I know he is going to be a wonderful guide for me......To be continued.....

Shaman does better and better every time we go out

I have been taking Shaman out to many new places and he seems to do better each time we go out. We have been to the Pharmacy, the Leather store,the post office, and several different grocery stores, as well as the Mall and several pet stores. I think I will take him to the bank next time my check comes in. Nick and I also plan to take him to see a movie in July. I have not taken him to a restaurant yet, but I know he will do well as he does not beg food when I am eating at home. I did buy a sandwich and a soda at the grocery store deli last week and sat down to eat at the place near the deli there. He was very good and just lay down under the table,while I ate my dinner. I have also taken him to the Food Court at the mall several times. Nick and I have taken some pictures to add to this blog, but Nick forgot to bring the camera when he was here last weekend, so he could not down load them into my computer. Oh well, maybe this week end. I have ordered Shaman,s new guide dog harness and am now waiting for it to come. I got it made in burgundy leather, as I think that color will look nice against is golden coat. His coat is also getting longer now. I hope it will look as nice as it did when I first got him, before his allergies started up. Not having used a shepherd guide before, I was concerned that he might not be able to keep up with my power wheelchair as well as my previous husky guides. I do not need to worry about that. He has plenty of energy and has a good pull into the harness. I find it very easy to feel every move he makes. Shaman is finally getting more comfortable in rush hour traffic. For a while he was a bit hesitant to cross a busy intersection during rush hour. Loose dogs are still a problem. He gets distracted when they run out into the street after us. We are still working on this. My friend, Carla, who runs the Tucson Siberian Husky Rescue, came for a visit today and brought lots of treats, toys and some food for my foster dogs as well as my service dogs. I have been working with the foster rescue dogs and training them for service work. I am training Chanta as a mobility service dog. She is a husky/shepherd cross. I think Raven would be a great Psychiatric service dog. She is really a Velcro dog and wants to be with a person every minute. She frequently nudges you and keeps eye contact, just waiting for her next command. Raven is a husky/labrador cross and has a beautiful shiny black coat,with a little spot of white on her chest and on her toes. She is very friendly. Well it is dogie dinner time now so , see you next time...........................

We took Nala and Shaman to an awards ceramony today

Nick took Shaman and I took Nala to an awards ceremony today. Nick was receiving an award for his volunteer work in the community. It was not so hot today, but still hot enough for the dog boots. We had to take 3 buses to get to the Park where the ceremony was being held. There were a lot people there. Shaman was very good and both dogs stayed under the table and were so quiet that at first,no one knew they were there. Then people started coming around to talk with us and noticed the dogs. I took Shaman's harness off and we allowed him to be petted. He was having the time of his life. Nala just went to sleep. There were a lot of children their and they were running around having fun and balloons were breaking and there was a lot of joyous noise. There was also a lot food. Shaman was so good. The balloons breaking did not phase either dog. I was worried that he might be very distracted as the last time we went to the grocery store, he seemed to be getting distracted more than usual. Some times he does not get distracted at all and other days he does. I guess it is still "Puppy Brain." He is now 1 year old. I wonder how long it will be before he "mellows out " a bit? His coat is still growing back and he is starting to look like a Belgian Tervuren again, in stead of a short hair shepherd. He is such a beautiful dog and people are constantly complimenting him and Nala also. When we are out in public, he watches Nala and he is learning a lot from her. I am still working on his retrieve as I still can not get him to pick up the ball with the keys on it. May be he will surprise me one of these days and do it. I guess I just have to be patient and keep working with him. I am going to order his new harness this month. He works fine in his training harness but I think, and so does Nick, that he is ready for his new leather harness. I have 2 rescue dogs that I am working with now. I think Chanta would make a good Mobility Dog and Raven would make an excellent Therapy Dog. We shall see. To be continued.........................