Christmas Cheer

It was a pretty good Christmas.The dogs got new toys and all kinds of treats.One of my foster dogs got a new home. One down,one to go.They all enjoyed the treats and the toys.The day after Christmas, I was up at the crack of dawn cleaning up doggie diarrhea! Poor Max, I should have known better than to give him so many treats.I am getting low on dog food so I mixed some of Max's rice with the dogs' food. They loved it. I will harness up Shaman tomorrow and go to the store and get some more dog food.Shaman has really become a great guide dog. To be continued..........

Lost dog !

On Friday,Wanagi and Tokala got out of the yard. They escaped where the fence was weakened from the guy who walks his 2 pit bulls when they fight through the fence at my dogs.I saw a man with light hair and dark cloths running away from my fence and my dogs were running with him and several other dogs.I called after him but he did not answer. Was he stealing my dogs? I called Carla and she came to help right away. I harnessed Shaman and got my Wheelchair and we went looking around the neighborhood while Carla went in the other direction. My neighbor also looked for the dogs as did Johnny, another friend.Carla came back with Tokala. She had crossed Oracle rd., which is a really busy road! My mind was racing with thoughts of Wanagi getting hit by a car. As much as I hate the Animal Control Shelter, I was hopping that they had picked her up. At least she would be safe. But she was nowhere to be found. I knew she had her license tag on and she was micro-chipped and hoped that some one would find her and call in the chip number. I went with Carla in the car after putting Tokie in the house.We spent the whole day looking around and going to Animal Control and the Humane Society to see if she had been picked up. Nothing! We even looked around the Freeway and I had visions of Wanagi lying dead on the Freeway. Then I got a call on my cellphone and it was the micro-chip company saying that some one had my dog! Two very nice young ladies had found Wanagi and called in the chip number. We were reunited in about ten minutes. What a harrowing day! By the time I got home with the dog,it was 4:30pm. The dogs got out at 7:30 am. Long,Harrowing day! I am glad that neither dog got hurt and they are both safe.Some friends are helping to fix the fence so this will not happen again. to be continued.................

The Convention was great!

Well on Monday,July 12th, We got a slightly late start on the road. We got my wheelchair loaded in the rented van and were on our way.We did not have time to stop for lunch So we munched on some cookies that I stuck in my pack. Nala Munched on some doggie biscuits that I also brought along.I thought I might be snubbed for not having a schooled trained dog but that did not happen.Nala was perfect as always, ignoring every thing except my directions. She was clearly very happy that she got to work.When Carla and I were looking for the conference room,several people complimented Nala on her work and of course her beauty.They said they were very impressed as they had never seen a Husky guide dog before.They asked where she was trained and I told them she was trained with the help of a trainer as all of my guides have been. Carla and Nala and I settled in for the conferences. I learned days later, that someone from one of my training lists was there and we missed each other.Too bad as that would have been nice to meet her and her guide.Several guide dog instructors also complimented Nala. She was of course the only husky guide there. We did see lots of Labs some Goldens and 1 white Standard Poodle.There was also an Australian Shepherd as well as several German Shepherds. There were a few dogs that acted up but most of them were very good.After the conference,Stefanie from Fidelco Guide Dogs came over and had a nice conversation with Carla and I. We talked about rescuing dogs and Huskies as guide dogs and the differences of working huskies vs Shepherds and also about wheelchair guiding. It was a very nice experience and I would very much like to go to another convention some day. Maybe Shaman will be ready by then. To be continued.............

Getting ready for the Convention

I have been getting ready to go to the ACB Convention.I finally got someone to give me some information on ways to get there.I decided to have Carla rent a van for the trip to Phoenix. Not cheap but the least complicated. We tried to put my chair in her SUV.It was a "nightmare". We got it in but it was very hard because the ramp was too steep. Getting it out was equally hard,and required the help of a man who was in the parking lot of the restaurant.This all took place on my birthday. We did have a great dinner at Olive Garden,but I decided to take a bus home,rather than go through getting the chair back into Carla's car.That is why I am renting a van for the convention.I am probably spending too much money just to go for 1 day, but this is probably the only time I will be able to go.I am definitely taking Nala as I know she can handle being around a lot of other dogs and people. I think it is too soon after Shaman's pit bull attack to expose him to so many other dogs. I think he would be very nervous around so many dogs.I don't want him to be uncomfortable or frightened. He is still young and maybe in several years,I will be able to attend another convention,maybe this time an NFB Convention.By then he should be ready to take on all that.We are leaving on Monday morning and I will be attending several conferences and then we will be returning home Monday evening.I hope all goes well. To be continued...............

I have been working Shaman with the manual wheelchair

Shaman is working very well around other dogs now with no problems.I have been working him with the manual wheelchair as when Carla takes me places,I can't take the power chair.It does not fit in her car so I have to use the manual chair. Shaman needs to learn to work with this chair.He will pull the chair as he is guiding me but this chair has no brakes on it so I have to stop it with my feet.This is awkward as when Shaman stops,I can't always stop fast enough and sometimes run into the person in front of me.This can be very embarrassing at times. I have decided to try to go to the ACB convention in Phoenix this year. I would like to go for at least 1 day,just to see what it is like. As far as I know,there is no NFB conventions in my area and I can not travel to the one in Texas.I think I will take Nala to the convention as I want people to see what a good guide dog a Siberian Husky is. Maybe I will take Shaman to the next convention.Nala is a seasoned guide dog and I know she will be good as she can work through anything.Shaman is still young and with him just getting over his pit bull attack,well I just feel it is better to let him get more work before he goes to something like a Blind convention. Shaman is really becoming a wonderful guide dog.His work is very good and I am very proud of him.Since I have been giving him fish oil in his food,he is not having any allergy problems. His coat is still full and he is not scratching at all. To be continued.....................

Shaman has made more progress with his training

Shaman is getting over his pit bull attack and we have made more progress. I met my friend Rachel and her guide dog Rhett down town for a snack and to see how Shaman would work with another guide dog close by. He did very well and did not bark or growl at Rhett.Rhett is a beautiful male black Labrador Retriever and he was trained at Pilot Dogs. Rachel's husband Jeremy has a beautiful female yellow Labrador,named Bella.She was also trained at Pilot Dogs. I am going to have lunch with Rachel and Jeremy on Thursday. I will be using Shaman that day and I expect him do fine. I took Shaman to Pets Mart several days ago and he did not bark or growl at any of the dogs there. He was perfect.I think he is over the attack now. That man that walks his 2 pit bulls by my house and makes them fight my dogs through the fence came by yesterday. Shaman started to run to the fence,but I called him back and he came. He did not try to fight the pit bulls,even though they were growling and trying to fight. My other dogs barked at them but did not go near the fence to fight. I really wish this guy would quit trying to fight his dogs. It makes my dogs bark and I am afraid that some one will complain about my barking dogs and turn me in to the police. We have a new ordinance that now people can turn you in for noise violations and it does not have to be after 10:00pm. It can be any time of the day or night if it is bothering some one.You will have to go to court and pay a hefty fine. Not good! To be continued..............................

After 4 months of not working

Nala has been retired for 6 moths now. In the beginning,I would use her once in awhile to keep her happy but have now not worked her at all in 4 months. She seemed to adjust to not going out with me any more. I have been using Shaman full time now.I am beginning to trust him more every time we go out. I am so glad that he is getting better about working around other dogs now.Any way,getting back to Nala. I took her out when I met Rachel and her husband Jeremy and their guide dogs for lunch. We had a good time and a great lunch at Jerry Bob's Restaurant. They read the menu for us and brought water for the dogs. I used Nala as I did not think Shaman was ready to work around other dogs after his pitbull attack. Nala was perfect. Even after not working for 4 months, she did not forget any of her training.I also used her when I went to the bank this month as Shaman was having a bout of diarrhoea that day. She new the routine and worked perfectly.Last night,I went to Rachel's home for dinner.Jeremy is quite a good cook and we had a yummy Taco Salad. We were having fun talking about stuff and I screwed up and did not keep track of the time. I missed the last bus!I ended up rolling it all the way home and was glad I had used Nala as she knew the way and got me home safely. It took us a little over an hour to get home, but we made it safe and sound.I don't think Shaman would have been up to that kind of challenge yet. Nala knows the area and he does not. I gave Nala lots of hugs and kisses and a treat of ice cream,her favorite!I am sure that Shaman will be a great guide dog. It just takes time and patience. The trust will come with time.I know I will be able to trust in him just as much as I trust Nala. It took time for me to trust her. Shaman and I are still bonding.Every thing will come in time. To be continued....................

Shaman has made great progress

Shaman has made great progress in his recovery from the pitbull attack. I was in Pets Mart the other day picking up supplies for my cats, dogs. rats,and Bearded Dragon. Several dogs came right up to Shaman and he made no attempt to growl or bark at them. He moved on when I gave the forward command and did not get distracted by the other dogs. I think he is finally getting over the attack and the subsequent dog aggression problems.I will keep working with him around other dogs to make sure he becomes the guide dog I know he can be.I am very proud of him and he seems to get better at guiding me every time we go out. I believe we are still in the bonding process but I am getting to trust him more every day.To be continued..................

I think Shaman is getting over his attack

Shaman and I went to the Pharmacy and PetsMart to day.We did not run into any dogs at the Pharmacy but of course,we did at PetsMart. Shaman was very good.He only barked once and the other dog barked first. I did correct him for that.There were other dogs that walked close by us and Shaman did not bark or growl,so I told him he was a good boy.I think he is finally getting over the attack by that pit bull.I will keep working with him and hopefully,he won't bark or growl at any more dogs. To be continued.......

I may have to hire a trainer to help Shaman get over his attack!

Shaman has been negatively affected by his attack. He growls and barks at every dog that gets with in 3 feet of him.He does not lunge at them or try to fight with them but he will not tolerate them in his space. I had been working with him by bringing him to PetsMart and he was much better with other dogs,but now after being attacked by that Pit Bull,he has gotten worse.I may have to hire a trainer to help with this problem. Nick can't help as he is in school pretty much full time now.Carla is going to ask a trainer to work with Foxy,the new rescue dog as she has bitten me twice now.I may ask this trainer if she can work with Shaman also.I hope I can get him over this problem. I don't want to go through finding a new dog and start over with the guide training.Shaman's guide work is good,and he is less distracted now.I would hate to have to retire him for this problem. To be continued.................

Shaman got attacked by a pit bull today !

Shaman and I went to my doctor's appointment and then to pay some bills today.I had to cross Oracle road at Wetmore, which is a very busy crossing. Twice,cars cut right in front of me as I was in the middle of the cross walk.Shaman stopped both times as the cars cut us off. I have the right of way when I am in the cross walk,yet I was cut off twice. These people just don't care.I have been working with Shaman, trying to get him more dog desensitized.I have been bringing him to Pets mart and he has been doing much better. The last time we went, He only growled at one dog that came right up to him and sniffed him.He did not growl or bark at any of the other dogs that walked passed us. Shaman was so good today. I was thinking that he is finally settling in as a guide dog and I am getting used to him.On the way home, I told the bus driver that I needed to get off just before Grant road, in front of the church. The driver missed my stop and let me off on the opposite side of Grant and Stone. I don't use this stop because of the side walk. I had a hard time getting on the sidewalk,through the gravel. This side walk has some uneven parts and some major drop offs.And then I have to cross the busy street during rush hour. I was not happy to say the least! I finally got on to the side walk after much trouble.I made a call to the bus company to complain about the driver missing my stop and then being rude to me.As I was talking to a man at the bus company,this dog was running loose in the street and all over the place. The dog almost got hit several times. Then the dog, a Pit bull,came right toward Shaman and me.As the dog approached us, I told Shaman to "leave it" Shaman did not growl or bark. He was distracted but we were not moving as I was still on the phone. The dog passed us and then turned around and attacked Shaman. I quickly pulled out my cane and hit the Pit bull several times and he ran down the street.The man on the phone with me could hear the commotion. There were people all around us and no one did any thing to help.Only one person said he thought the pit bull belonged to the black couple walking down the street before the dog came by. He said that the dog had no collar.If indeed,the dog belonged to that couple,they did not call their dog off of Shaman. I did not bother to call the police or animal control as they have never done anything before when my other dogs got attacked.I just went home.I was very glad to get in the house and relax as this was very stressful for the both of us. Shaman has a small cut on the side of his face. I cleaned it off and put some peroxide on it. I hope this attack has not undone the work have been doing with Shaman. To be continued.......................

The ice cream store was closed

I went to the bank on Thursday and Shaman and I always stop for ice cream on our way back. Shaman knows exactly where the ice cream store is and will pull me towards it in anticipation of his treat of a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.The store was closed much to Shaman's disappointment.He did not want to leave as I tried to explain to him that the place was closed.He finally got the idea as I showed him that the door would not open.Shaman rarely gets treats of human food,but I have always given my guide dogs a small(very small) scoop of vanilla ice cream as it does help to cool them during the hot weather of Summer.It is only once or twice a month,so I don't think it is so bad for them.They do enjoy it.Any way, Shaman was very disappointed,so we went somewhere else, and I gave him some yogurt and he did enjoy it. To be continued.................