Nici came into heat.........

I was hoping to get Nici spayed before she came into heat,but as luck would have it,that is not going to happen. She is in heat now.I have to keep Max, my neutered Border Collie away from her as he will breed her . He doesn't realize that he does not have his "equipment"any more. My friend Carla got the certificate for the spay and her appointment is on Dec. 6th. Nici's training is coming along well and she is learning fast. I am going to work her along side my wheelchair to get her used to the wheels and try to prevent her paws from being run over. I really want to work her out in public but I need to wait until she recovers from the spay first.I will also work Nici with Shaman so she can learn from him. To be continued...............

I attended the Walk for Victims of Pit Bulls and Other Dangerous Dogs

I attended the Walk for Victims of Pit Bulls and Other Dangerous Dogs Yesterday.I took the bus to get there and it was a very long ride.Because I had never been in this area before, I had some trouble finding the entrance to Lincoln Park.As luck would have it,2 gentlemen driving,also on their way to the same event,stopped to help me.They told me where to cross the street and I asked Shaman to find the curb cut and he did so I was able to cross to the other side of the street. One of the men actually got out of the car and walked with me to the entrance and into the park.They asked if Shaman was the dog that had been attacked by a Pit Bull.I told them yes he was indeed the very same dog.They must have read my blog post about the attack.I thanked them for helping me to find the place. I was greeted by a nice lady who helped me find where all the people were. She was very helpful in looking at her bus schedule, to find the right bus stop for me and the time the bus would be there at the time I needed to leave. I met a lot of very nice people and was given a Walk T-shirt and a book about dogs and I settled in to listen to the band that was playing.There were also some very influential people there who gave presentations and people who spoke of their experiences with Pit Bull attacks. It was heart breaking to listen to their stories of being mauled and of the children who were killed or maimed.It is a problem that must be STOPPED! ALL dog owners need to keep their dogs leashed or confined in a fence that they can not escape from. Also, Animal Control and the Police need to enforce the laws that already exist,which they currently don't do!It is not only people that are being attacked,but also family pets and service dogs and guide dogs.The people at this event seem to be the only people who care what is happening and want to do something about it! Animal Control and the police in Tucson don't seem to care. They have never done anything about all the attacks that Shaman has experienced, or the attacks on my previous guide dogs,Lily and Nala. If people would just keep their dogs leashed or behind fences,there would never be so many dog attacks on the public or other dogs!There have been more Pit Bull attacks on my dogs,but there have also been other types of dogs that have attacked them as well.There is absolutely no reason that my guide dog,Shaman , should have been attacked by 7 Pit Bulls and 4 other dogs of various breeds.WAKE UP TUCSON !!!, before it's to late! I do not want to hear about another person or dog being attacked,maimed,or killed!!!! "WE THE PEOPLE", need to all get together and go before the City Council and the County Board of Supervisors and DEMAND that something be done to stop this from ever happening again!!!!! If any one else is willing to do this,I will join you in doing so.I had to leave before the event ended as I needed to get home to let my other dogs out and feed them.I knew it would be another long ride home. It was well worth the the time to attend this event and I would be willing to attend again if there is another Walk for the Victims of Pit Bulls and Other Dangerous Dogs!  to be continued..............

I took Shaman to the reptile show

I went to the Reptile Show with Shaman. Johnny, my friend also came along with his service dog, Lady.Nick was there also. The dogs worked well together and we all had a great time there. Lots of interesting things to see. The dogs mostly ignored all the animals,but Lady was fascinated with the albino alligator named Powder.I was disapointed a little as there were not very many Bearded Dragons. to be continued................

Nici's training continues

I discovered that Nici walked behind me when I walked her on a leash. This is definitely not the position the dog needs to be in when guiding a blind person. I thought about what I could do to change this. I decided to try having her pull a brick behind her so she would learn to pull when in harness. This worked very well. She now walks in a better position when on leash. I have actually gotten her to walk next to me with out being on the leash.I think if I work her from my power chair, that I can get her to walk even more in front of me which would be the position needed for guiding.Her obedience is coming along, but her down still needs work. Her recall is non existent when she is outside unless it is feeding time.She does come to me when in the house though.She has learned that socks are not to be chewed and that shoes need to stay where they belong. She has learned that her chew bone is the thing to go for when she feels like chewing.  She is a really nice dog and I am taking my time in training her as I want to make sure she learns every thing that she needs to know. I don't want to rush her. She will learn at her own speed.It's really funny to watch her when I give the other dogs some lovin' time. She gets jealous and puts herself in front of the other dog so I can love on her. I just love this dog!I have not had the money to get her spayed as something always seems to come up when I think I have the money. This month I had to take my elderly cat, Pacman to the vets. He has cataracts  and an infected tooth.He is doing better now but that set me back almost $100.I have to take Puff, my elderly Bearded Dragon in for blood work in November.That will cost me over $200. Maybe I can scrape up the money in December,I hope.  To be continued....................

New dog has a new name

The new dog has a name now. Her name is Nici,pronounced Nee chee.In Lakota ,it means "For you". I know, strange name.This dog was offered to me several times but I could not afford the price. I put her out of my mind as I knew I did not have that kind of money. After Tipton washed out as a guide,I just figured I would use my cane rather than use Shaman if I could not use my power wheelchair.Shaman walks way too fast for me when I walk or use the manual wheelchair. I don't want to confuse him by making him slow down. I need him to walk fast when using the power chair. That is why I wanted a second dog.Any way the dog recently became available to me again at a more reasonable price of $400.00. I had wanted this dog for over a year and decided to sell my diamond ring to get the money to buy her. That is how I got her. She is working out very well with her training.I know this is the right dog for me.I had decided on 3 names.Socorro,Shiloh and Nici. I used each name to call her and the one she responded to was Nici. She chose her own name.I am waiting for the certificate so I can get her spayed. Shaman and Nici get along and play well together. I have been taking her for walks in the neighborhood and she really likes this.Her obedience training is going well and her house manners are getting better. to be continued................

New Dog

I purchased a beautiful black and white Husky female, from a breeder.She has ice blue eyes.She looks similar to Tippy, except she is a short hair and Tippy is a long hair. She was a little shy at first but is coming around fast.She is already bonding with me. We are working on obedience and house manners now. She had never been around cats,but seems to like them. She is a year and a half and is learning fast.She came with the name "Cleo",but that will change! I want to wait until I know what her true personality is and that will take time.I think this dog will make it as a guide dog as she wants to please me and is eager to learn.Her shyness is rapidly being replaced with friendliness and confidence. to be continued.............

Update : Tipton has been Adopted

Tippy went to her new home.The people wanted her even though they knew she screeched. They really liked her and she seemed to like them.Their home and fences checked out OK and I feel that it is a good home.I do miss her though. She is a very beautiful long hair Husky!

Sadly,Tipton is not going to make it as a guide dog

I have been unable to stop Tipton from screeching. I have put her up for adoption.I was really hoping that she would make it as my next guide but she just would not stop the screeching,and turned up the volume if she thought no one was listening.I think she just liked listening to herself.

WOW! so many comments, who knew

Thank you to every one who commented on my blog post about Shaman,my guide dog being attacked again by another pit bull. I did not know so many people cared about this outrageous problem. So many dogs and people have been the victims of dangerous dog attacks and this must stop. People and dogs are dying! Tucson and all of Arizona needs to stand up and take measures to stop it from happening to any one else. I am planning to attend the Walk for victims of Pit bulls and Other Dangerous Dogs.    To be continued..............

Shaman was attacked by a pit bull again

On June 5th at 8:00 am, Carla andI and Shaman headed off to traffic court.We took the bus so Carla did not have to deal with finding a parking place.We got off the bus and there was a man with a pit bull hanging around the bus station.This dog had no collar or license tag and the man had a belt around the dog's neck as a leash. The dog lunged and growled at Shaman,but Shaman ignored the dog.After court,we returned to the bus station to wait for our bus.As we passed the dog again tried to go after Shaman.Again, the dog was ignored. As we were waiting for the bus,suddenly this dog was on top of Shaman attacking him.The dog was at his throat and I was yelling and trying to pull my dog away from the attacking dog.The man finally got the belt around the dogs neck again and left the area. the police were called but refused to come because the man had left. Carla told them I wanted to make a report of the incident. After some time the Police showed up but they really did nothing. When I finally got off the bus and headed home, another dog,no collar,no license, ran out of it's yard and tried to attack Shaman. Twice in one day! Poor Shaman was so scared that he tried to run away from the dog. His leash was attached to my wheelchair so he could not go far. Animal Control was called but they also did not do anything because the dog did not actually bite Shaman . None of these IDIOTS enforce the service dog laws. They don't get it that even though the second dog did not bite Shaman, it did affect him psycologicley and it interfered with him doing his job.The first dog did bite him but still nothing was done.I am at my wits end. This makes 7 pit bull attacks on my dog.That is not even taking into account the other dogs attacking and harassing him.No one in Tucson Arizona feels that they have to enforce the service dog laws here.Even when there are a lot of witnesses, they still don't care.   To be continued.....................

Tipton's training is continuing

Tippy is doing well with her training but she still has that BANSHEE screech. It is not just limited to when she is crated,but when any one comes to the house to visit or when she is bored.I have tried to stop her from doing this but I have my doubts that she will ever stop screeching. I really do not want to use the shock collar on her.Maybe I can find a citronella spray collar and see if that works.I haven't given up on her yet as a guide dog candidate but if I can't get her to stop that screeching, she will never make it as a guide dog. That would truly be a shame as she is healthy,smart,beautiful,and her temperament is other wise good.I will keep trying.      to be continued.............

Tipton's on going training

                                                  Tipton aka Tippy

Tippy is doing well with her training.She will walk on a loose leash most of the time. She will sit and lie down when asked. She still needs a lot of work with house manners though! She has been chewing on things like my mouse cord and electrical cords and table legs and my pillows...I am using a lot of bitter apple.She also steels food.....But OH.....that voice of hers. The word BANSHEE comes to mind.When she is in her crate and I leave the house, she sounds like she is being beaten or tortured.We have to work on that for sure.Tippy was spayed today.She is home now but she is still pretty much out of it. She is lying on her blanket next to me. I have to wait until she is fully awake before I can give her a pain pill. My poor baby! to be continued.........

Tipton

Tippy is doing good with her training.She has learned some house manners but still has a ways to go.She is getting a lot better with the cats. I no longer need to use the muzzle on her.She is still curious and pokes them with her nose but she is gentler about it. The cats are putting up with her antics.She is eating better also.She is still pretty thin though.She is my shadow, following me every where.She sleeps at my feet while I watch TV in the afternoon. She plays with Wanagi and Miah out side.Both of them play rough but Tippy plays rougher. Some times Miah, will run and hide under the elephant ear cactus when she has had enough of Tippy.I am starting with basic obedience training.I think I will start taking her for walks using my power wheelchair. That will help get rid of some of her excess energy.She is still very much a puppy. I have given her a knuckle bone to chew on and that is keeping her from chewing on other things. Once she has been spayed I will start taking her to Petsmart to socialize her.She does get along very well with other dogs and she is very friendly with people. She is a very sweet dog. To be continued............

Possible Future Guide Dog ?

Its been a while.I had to retire Wanagi as her valley fever spiked again. I have decided to just keep her as a pet.I was very disappointed but I decided that it was not fair to Wanagi to make her work if she is not well.Any way,things have been going fairly smoothly. Shaman has gotten a little bit "chubby" when I was unable to work him. I was laid up again with an infection in my leg.But I am back to working him again.He is doing great.I have been looking for a dog to train as my guide when I use the manual wheelchair or when I walk short distances with my crutch.I think I have finally found one. Her name is Tipton AKA Tippy. She is a black and white Siberian Husky. She has blue eyes and a white tip on her tail and freckles on her white nose. She has never had any training so we are starting from the very beginning.We are working on house manners and Cat desensitizing. She has learned to sit. She is still very thin and is not a good eater. I had to use cat food to get her started eating.Unfortunately, she has had a litter of pups that are unaccounted for as she was picked up as a stray by Animal Control and never claimed. She is only about 1 year old. Way too young to be bred.Will people ever learn? Any way I have her now and she is a wonderful dog. She will be spayed as soon as her milk has dried up.I will be updating Tippy's training.Wanagi is doing better now. She would have been a good guide dog if she were healthier.But I love her and she is not going anywhere. To be continued.............