07/19/2022
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Journey to a Seeing Eye dog
I slept okay last night, though apparently the compressors for the AC went out, so it got a little warm near morning but not too bad.
This morning we woke up at 6 instead of the normal 5:30. I checked email and texts and MOOs and such, and then got ready. at 7, they called us to breakfast. Breakfast was orange juice, coke, furina, and bacon. After breakfast I came back, freshened up, grabbed my leash and headed to the lobby. I got to pet Nash one of the resident cats. We then loaded up and headed to the DTC. Our class, my instructor is J.T. and we have Richard and Lee from Texas, and Jeff, and I'm not sure where he's from. We are all retrains, which is nice because the last week of class I'll have J.T. all to myself for freelance.
Once we got to the DTC, we had a meeting with Jeff Mcmullen, and went over things about how to be patient with ourselves and the dogs, and a general idea of the schedule and such. Then it was Juno time. Richard went first, then Lee, then me. We have 17 students right now, 2 more arriving today, and possibly another on Friday I think. Once we got outside, JT told me that he was going to do his best to simulate the pace and pull of the dog he has in mind. He also told me this dog can be a little squirrel distracted, but that he doesn't think its something I can't handel and that if I establish respect with the dog we'll be fine. He also mentioned that the dog is a golden, and has had a hot spot before. He thinks that was kennel environment but is okay with me looking at different foods for the dog and such. So we turned right out of the lounge, then suggested left, walked to DHeart, crossed, turned left, walked to south street, turned right, walked to community place, crossed, walked to Miller, crossed, practiced a few corrections, and then went back to the DTC. He was very impressed with my following skills, my sense of direcgtion, my handeling skills, etc. I told him about my life, about the things I want to do, I've been very honest and open about everything. Once we got back I sat on the wall outside the DTC, drank an entire water, because its hot, and JT went and got the van. We loaded up and headed back to the house. I then got my delivery of soap and some drinks.
Soon it was lunch time which I had a coke, tortilla soup, and a chicken salad sandwich.
Headed out for the afternoon trip at around 1. Got to the DTC, and when it was my turn we just did a few blocks for Juno. He said that I already have the skills I need, and he's confident in the match. He said if I do get a Golden to be aware that the longer thicker coat means to watch out for heat, something I have to watch out for anyway because of my heat issues, and that we may end up modifying routes for the dogs sake at this point. Came back to the house, and had some time to chill.
We then had a meeting with Dave Johnson and learned about the history of the Seeing Eye.
Dinner was chinese meatballs over noodles, cabbage, and coke for me.
Came back to my room and chilled a bit, then we had a fire drill and then a meeting about getting the dogs. I then came back and took a bath and am about to head to bed for the early morning. They are modifying tomorrow, so we're getting up earlier and doing things differently.