I’ve been home with Andy for about two weeks now. It’s been a bit hectic trying to fit Andy into the new way of doing things, and having to go to work etc. Despite all of the challenges, I think Andy and I are doing fine. I don’t think Andy likes the humid side to Florida, because his pace seems to have slowed down as soon as we walked out of the airport. We’re working it out though, and I think that part of the problem is me, and part of the problem is Andy.
I think I’m still getting used to walking with a dog. I love walking with a dog, but when I had my cane, I could vary the speed as I felt like it. You really can’t do that with a dog. Also in class, I was really focused on learning what I had to do with the new dog, and dealing with a dog switch. I really wasn’t too concerned with pace because he was so much faster than Carl. I also think that because I’m a lot more familiar with my routs here, that I just want to get to them faster, so I think that Andy’s moving slow, when he’s really not.
Then I have Judy and Sachet, AKA, the rocket dog. They move like lightning! Then I really feel like I’m moving in the slow lane. I’ve been talking with Grad Services, and Kim at GDB, and both have been great at giving me ideas to try.
Despite the pace issue, Andy continues to do wonderful work. While I’m at work, he doesn’t get distracted. Once he’s in his bed, he doesn’t get out of it unless I tell him, “Andy, let’s go”! Sometimes he’ll sit up, but when I give him the down command, he does it right away. I still have to work on Andy’s window shopping habits. I think that sometimes this could be a reason for his slowness to. Too bad, he’s such a window shopper because I hate shopping.
Andy is very good at getting me in and out of places. Many times when I go to a public bathroom, I’ll just tell Andy, “inside”, and he’ll find me the biggest stall that he can find which is usually the handicapped stall. Because they usually have a sink, towels, and trashcans, it’s one stop bathroom business for me. Too bad I can’t get Andy to do his business in the bathrooms. Someone on the news taught his cat to use the toilet. Hey, if a cat can do it, surely a dog can right?
Yesterday my wife and I went to a mall. Andy was just about perfect. At one point, we were in a restaurant and Andy took me outside from all the way in the back. At one point, I thought we were going into the kitchen, but I followed my dog and we were at the door! Hey, we even beet the rocket dog to. It doesn’t happen very often!
When Andy plays he doesn’t play too much, which kinda surprised me, because he’s such a young dog. He now plays tug now, yay, one of my favorites. He also fetches good in the house, but if we’re outside, forget it, leaves are more interesting. Andy and I also love to wrestle. I think Andy should have been a boxer!
Well I have written a lot more than I planned. I’ll never go back to the cane. One way or another, I’ll have a dog. It is a lot more work, but the ease of getting in and out of places, and getting from point A, to point B, cannot be overstated! I just want to thank all the staff at GDB for being so committed to guide dog teem excellence, my puppy raisers, who have raised a very fine dog, my instructor in class who was also Andy’s trainer, Thanks to Gary, I have a top notch dog! I also want to thank my wife Judy. She’s really put up with a lot the last few weeks. At times, it’s been frustrating for me, and she’s really stood by me, and has had to let some things run their own course. She’s been there for me from day one, and she’s the best period! I also need to thank Sachet for not bothering Andy too much while on tie down. Last but not least, I know you thought I’d never get to the end. I want to thank Andy. Mostly for putting up with my mistakes, occasional griping, and just me getting tired sometimes. Andy you’re a real trooper, even if Sachet says you’re lazy, I don’t believe it! Well maybe just a little…
