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.........