by Donna Miller
August 18, 2002
Hi everyone,
I received a call from Carlos letting me know he was on his way. Of course I was excited and thought of a million things to do before he got here.
As I was talking to him, I asked him if he would tell me my dog's name. He did. His name is Abe; he's seventeen months old and 62 pounds. He's black like Torrey but smaller.
At seven thirty, he finally arrived and knocked on the door. He didn't have the dog with him but came in and was amazed at how well Torrey looked at almost age twelve. I was truly pleased.
He then invited me to come out to the van with him and meet my new dog. When the door of the van was opened, a wet tongue licked my face and a tail wagged furiously.
He had Abe jump out of the van and I got a better look at him, well, almost!
That little nose went to work and man did it stay busy.
When we walked him and brought him inside, Torrey didn't know what to think.
They spoke to each other through the bars of Torrey's kennel. There was no aggression whatsoever.
Carlos and I talked about Abe and what he liked and didn't like. One thing he hates is escalators. Since my accident I don't ride them either so that's fine.
Carlos brought in dog food, a harness and leash that was brand new, tie down, and lecture tapes. That was really great.
He stayed for an hour and then we took both dogs out together.
He finally bade us good night and wished good luck to all three of us.
Abe got a bit much for Torrey who isn't used to playing and Torrey retreated to his kennel with great haste.
Torrey's lying under the computer desk now and Abe is beside my chair bored out of his hide.
Oh well, he'll be busytomorrow. We're going to the office. Carlos has some appointments to keep and then he will be back and we will work some of the building and tomorrow move on to something else.
August 19, 2002
I didn't get much sleep last night because there was so much going on in my mind and on the end of Abe's leash. He was so curious about everything and that little nose stayed busy.
About three o'clock this morning, Abe suddenly decided it might be a good thing to start listening to me.
He and Torrey both ate a good breakfast and were both walked.
Carlos showed up at six thirty and we left early because of a fatal car accident that had totally stalled traffic. He got lost and we finally found the Infomart about eight thirty. Traffic is absolutely crazy here in Dallas but we made it.
We got a chance as we sat in my office to talk about Home training and what it does for the person and the purpose it has.
For the most part, it is for people who are retraining with a new dog and have health issues and can't stand all the rigors of class.
This has been going on for some time and he told me if it weren't in existence, I might have been denied a dog.
All who attend Leader for the first time go to the school. That's good because the first time person may not understand all the right things to do when the dog is brought to your home.
I, for example, use a Quad cane and tire easily because of some health issues.
Carlos said when they were working with Abe; they actually used a walking cane to accustom him to it. I appreciate this because he is so willing to let me use mine and is so careful about going around things.
Abe is smaller than Torrey and I don't expect him to be as long, tall, or as heavy as Torrey is when he's full-grown. He's only seventeen months and still has that to die for puppy look.
The training is customized around the needs of the individual. For example, I don't do a lot of street work. Leader has no problem with this because I am out and about.
We will spend the next two days working at the Infomart where I work. We did today. We patterned Abe to find the C-Cad office and to ride the elevators.
Now, Abe is a different kind of dog. I'm going to have to be careful about how I approach things with him. If something happens that's not pleasant in a place, he tends to not want to return there. He hates moving things so I need to really watch with him. It's a challenge but I do believe I can give him a smooth approach to things.
One thing I have to watch is my voice. I tend to raise it sometimes and need to be more mindful of that.
We went to the restaurant and on the way I had a Diabetic reaction. Carlos got me some orange juice and I ate and was all right again.
We worked with him going to and from the office, and we are working on trying to find a place where he will park.
Carlos left at eleven thirty to talk to some people who were applying to Leader to do their home interview. He returned about four thirty to find that the only catastrophe was a naughty computer. Abe and I did real well alone.
He's starting to listen to me and oh what a joy he is. I truly enjoy the challenge of this little dog.
Carlos returned at four thirty and we left for home. Abe rode in the front of the van with me and is a beautiful traveler.
I got the Leader dog sign for his harness, grooming equipment for his fur, dog food for him to eat, lecture tapes that are given to students now, Front Line and heartworm preventative, and lots of advice. The advice of course is always appreciated.
He thinks we are doing well together but I just have to keep my voice in mind. I will.
Hope this helps a bit.
Thursday I don't work. Tomorrow he is planning for me to ride Dart Paratransit to work and he'll meet me later that afternoon to work around the building. He's got another interview.
Thursday we will do the mall and other issues. If I have no problems, he's got another person to visit in Yorktown or something like that. It's about a five-hour drive.
So, that's today's adventure.
August 20, 2002
Well, everyone, its time for more adventures.
>
> We'll start this episode with yesterday evening.
>
> When I got home yesterday, Carlos encouraged me to let Abe loose in the
> House. Well, I did!!!
>
> I had a stressful day yesterday and the evening before and when I woke up
> From a sleep I didn't plan to take, I found some redecorating had been
> done. I sure didn't hire this artist for the job. LOL!
>
> He got in to some chew treats and he and Torrey ate them all. He tore up
> two boxes and opened both his and Torrey's food. What a mess.
>
> I took him out to park and he refused to do a thing. Well, now for the
> Morning that started today.
>
> I arose at three AM and walked Abe and then Torrey. Abe and Torrey both
ate
> good breakfasts and then I kenneled Torrey and left for work.
>
> When I arrived at the Infomart, Abe proceeded to go back to the tables
> where I wait for the restaurant to open. I did some work and he seemed to
> be contented sleeping.
>
> My watch spoke the eight o'clock hour as I started upstairs to the office.
> Abe was panting and finally he stopped and ceremoniously did a krap in the
> middle of the hallway. It was hard enough I was able to pick it up with
> napkins and throw it away.
>
> We resumed our walk to the C-Cad office where I work and he showed me the
> door. I praised him and we went in to my desk.
>
> He doesn't like lying under the desk. He likes to watch the people and
> stretch out along the wall where it is cool. I tied his leash to my chair
> to give him this opportunity.
>
> He was so good and quiet today I thought he was sick. I really worried.
>
> Carlos and I touched base by phone and then I told him about Abe's
escapade
> and he is grounded from house privileges until Saturday at the least.
>
> Also, I meant to tell something else I accidentally skipped. It's an
> awesome thing to get so used to a seasoned dog that you forget how a new
> one works.
>
> Abe won't go on anything but grass and when I took him to this area, I got
> lost on the way back. Believe it or not, I've lived here since 1995 and
> have never taken a personally guided tour through the parking lot at three
> in the morning. LOL!
>
> I listened for the two air conditioner compressors and got us back on
track.
>
> When I got back inside, my Braillewriter fell on my leg and damaged it.
It
> bled most of the morning and Abe was beside himself because he couldn't
fix it.
>
> Well, when Carlos came in at one o'clock Abe was glad to see him until I
> told of the tare he went on last night. He hid his head.
>
> As far as working goes, he's wonderful. His little legs are shorter and he
> doesn't go as fast as most new dogs would do.
>
> I have to talk to him a lot and encourage him along but with time he'll
> mature and be all right with less conversation.
>
> Carlos and I got back here a little before six and Carlos examined the
> tornado that went through here last night. Maybe I should say Hurricane
and
> call him Hurricane Abe. wow!
>
> He's lying by my chair now. His leash is fastened to the chair arm and
> Torrey is lying over from him. He'll be on tie down tonight so my roving
> little raider will be confined.
>
> This is such a fun little dog. He really is.
>
> Oh, one thing I don't believe I mentioned. Sunday morning before Carlos
got here, Abe ate his Hotel bill. LOL!!!
August 21, 2002
I yawn and stretch! Alarm Clocks aren't supposed to lick! What's going on! I yawn again and find Abe licking my face.
I check the time and find I'm being rousted out at two thirty in the morning.
Abe wants to go out and he's persistent. We all get up and I kennel Torrey because I don't want him running outside. Carlos has found a good place for Abe to park so I go to that place and Abe does a successful Krap. I'm pleased.
We return to the house and since I have to get up and going at four AM, I sit and do email.
At four thirty, both dogs are fed and watered and walked again. The Dart Paratransit van comes at six.
Paratransit vans are noisy things that sound like they are going to fall apart. Abe rides well but when the lift is used and the straps are taken off the wheelchair and dropped on the floor, he shakes just a bit. I reassure him and he settles again.
We arrive at the Infomart and Abe runs me in to a sign and a plant but understands when I speak to him and moves over so we can pass the objects. He finds a table and we settle in to wait.
He's an inquisitive little dog and I keep tuned to the nose as we move through the restaurant and head in to the kitchen to order breakfast. He does well finding the cash register and then a table for breakfast.
After eating, we move upstairs to the office with no accidents this time, thank goodness.
Carlos calls about eight thirty and wants to know if Abe is there and if he can please talk to him. We both laugh.
He lets me know he'll be there by one and so Abe and I have the morning to us.
Abe settles right down and sleeps with no problems. He doesn't like underneath the desk so I had an I hook put in the wall for a tie down chain. That way he can lie down beside me but can't sniff out the whole neighborhood.
He works well down to the park area we found for him and does nature's bidding. We return to the office and I do more desk work.
Carlos shows up at one and Abe makes no effort whatsoever to get up and greet him. Good sign for bonding.
When we left this evening to go home, Carlos hid and watched us and was quite pleased with what he saw. When I refer to Abe as Leader Dog's dog, he says, No, your dog.
He took our picture this evening for the ID and to give to the puppy raisers. Then it's home and now we are here.
Abe's not allowed loose yet, but Saturday I'm going to try giving him some freedom again.
Tomorrow Carlos and I ride the Paratransit van to the Albertson's where I shop and then it's off to the Mall when we get back from there.
That will probably be it unless I go to Wal-Mart to look for shoes.
I've enjoyed Home training because they concentrate on what you need. I realize every day just how much they put in to this dog for me. I'm so impressed.
August 22, 2002
Both dogs and I slept till six this morning. The sound of my two Budgies drifted in to the room as I yawned and then received a sloppy kiss from Abe.
We all walked in to the living room and I sleepily prepared to walk both dogs.
Abe was glad to get to his grass but he didn't take me to the walk. No problem! I knew where to go.
Torrey came out like a freight train and then breakfast was served.
Carlos arrive a little after nine thirty and the Dart Van arrived early.
Abe had to take a walk again before we boarded the van and this time great results were forthcoming.
At Albertson's everyone who knew me came to see the dog and meet Carlos.
He then showed me in more detail about the layout of the store and what could be found in what place.
I discovered Abe loves children. He encountered a little unsupervised boy but ignored him as he ran in front of us and then to the side and back in front of us again. His mother paid him no mind and I silently wanted to shake her in to reality. I kept my cool and when the dog wouldn't pay attention, the game became boring and he left to find better entertainment.
I was surprised to find the Pepsi all gone. They didn't have regular or diet so I got a Coke. I won't again!!!It was awful!!
We sat on a bench and talked about the training for a while and then Carlos went and bought a Lottery ticket.
The van arrived early for a second time and Abe went right to it and started up the steps with no problems.
I was happy about this trip because Carlos was able to witness his reactions to the wheelchair lift and the straps that hold the chairs in place. Abe ignored them and I was pleased.
We arrived home and decided since it was already creeping in to the nineties we'd avoid the Mall and sign contracts.
Carlos took a few more pictures of us to make sure he had a good one for the ID and to send to the puppy raiser.
We came to the house and I made the decision to let Abe go.
Torrey was glad to see me and when I started to pet him, he turned and snapped at Abe. I had to correct him. I cannot and will not allow snapping of any kind between the dogs.
We signed the contract and made sure all was in order. He took away two harnesses and a handle and Torrey's tag he wore on his collar and our ID. They will be stored in my file.
So Leader Dog 1729 officially turned the reins over to the capable paws and eyes of Leader Dog 8532. I blinked back tears.
Carlos asked if there were any more questions and I said no. We shook hands and gave each other a hug and he was gone.
Things I learned.
I learned that the Home train program is a Godsend to people who have Health issues and may not or cannot participate in a class setting.
I learned they work on the issues and your travel needs and don't add a lot of extra fluff that is unnecessary because of your lifestyle.
I learned they work around your schedule so I was able to work all days and so didn't miss much time.
I learned not everyone can be in this program.
I learned about the time they put in to this dog just to meet my needs. He got a lot more hours in than is normally required. They used a walking cane to help accustom him to it so I'd not have a problem when I started working him.
He's a slow walker but can go faster if desired. He is a quiet dog and will sleep all day while I work. He's a playful dog and the bone that has been here for eleven years has finally gotten a workout.
He's a loving dog who wants to be cuddled and he's a perceptive dog who knows when I'm going to have a Diabetic reaction and if I make my legs bleed, he'll lick at it to stop it. He truly is concerned and wants to help.
I wonder how they found so much in such a furry little package. I'm grateful. I got more than I bargained for.
The incident I had happen to turn me so totally against Home training was quietly dealt with by Caring Carlos.
He's a great instructor and with kindness he helped me deal with my faults and was understanding when mistakes were made.
So, it all turned out well and I hope Abe will be with me for years.
I did pray over him and Torrey. The old Statesman needs understanding and so does the new guy. I think they will be fine.
Well, this brings an end to the Home Train Journal I've tried to keep and share. I hope all of you enjoyed it and learned something about the program and how it was able to help one Graduate.
Oh yes, Carlos said only graduates who have been to Leader at least once can be in this Home Train program.
I'll probably be there every time I need a new dog now and that's fine.
Thanks to Richard Guzik, Herald Smith, (known as Smitty), Carlos and all who were involved in training such a wonderful little dog as Abe.
Signed, Donna