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...............