Is this a cool dog or what?

AHHH   The second training session.  I became a little less confident in my abilities,  Breck is still fine though still a little distracted by other dogs, I can't seem to remember commands.  I thought I could,  but I was proven to be wrong.  The dog is so smart and knows so much I was frustrating him by giving him the wrong instructions.  Since I was confused it left him confused and less confident.  I have to get this before we can take the test for certification. 

Heel, get it ,bring it, give it, doesn't sound too tough.  It was confusing to me. Thinking of them outside of the "moment" isn't too tough, but in the training room, where I'm require to perform, it's another story.  I have no idea of the command,  it could be grape jam as far as I know.  Especially when someone else needs me to do something or Breck needs me to do something I don't have enough time to "rehearse" my role in my mind.  My reactions are NOT automatic.

Then there were the distractions.   Other dogs were brought into the room.  Well we heard Breck bark for the first time. It was not possible to bring him back mentally to me.  Even though we were connected by the leash we might as well have been a mile apart.  Breck had no interest in listening to me.  This looks to be our biggest challenge.

So the second session ended with me being very tired, discouraged and apprehensive about ever passing a distraction test,  I still love the dog though.

What's in a name?

Breck?  Where in the world did that name come from?

Can-do-canines sometimes lets donors, both corporate and individual name a dog.  Breck is such a dog.  He is named for a local private Episcopal school.  Breck has a reputation for college prep academic excellence.  It is also a common name in the high school hockey tournaments.  It's hockey success is why many of us Minnesotans know the Breck name.  We will be proud to carry that name forward and have instantly become a fan of Breck Athletics and academics.



Breck School's home page

We met him !

He's wonderful.  All we could have hoped for.

  We got to Can-Do-Canines early of course and despite the 90 degree heat, we sat outside waiting for our punctual contact to get there.  A stiff breeze out of the south made the warm weather bearable.  We were sitting outside the vestibule, I on my mobility scooter and Sandie on the bench provided, when our contact came walking out sporting a huge smile.  We had warmed  to her on her initial visit almost a year ago and we were grateful that she remained our contact.

She escorted us inside and sat us down in a large sterile tiled floor room.  She spoke to us about the literature she was giving us that was full of dog information.  I already knew chocolate was poison to dogs, but did you know that many other common things including grapes and avocados are also.  More surprising info on dog poisons can be found here ...  Humane society info.  We got our copy of the contract which talks about our responsibilities and conditions that would cause them to take Breck back.  I haven't seen him yet but I can't imagine us losing him.

Our contact leaves the room and returns a few minutes later with 59 pounds of pure black joy.  Breck is amazing.  In the blink of an eye the hard work of prisoners and his foster family(ies), transforms into my dog.  We love him.  The boundless energy of a puppy tempered with the control and seriousness of  2 years of training  Breck starts to show us some of what we can do together.  With a minimum of specific  instructions and me with a pocket full of treats Breck shows us a myriad of his useful "tricks".   From  the simple "sit" and "stay" through "heel"(stand on my left) and "side"( stand on my right) to retrieves and opening automatic doors we have so much to learn from him. This is a life changing event that holds the promise of fun earned through hard work. We can't wait to get started.

Tribute Shirt to Al Peters founder of CDC

http://www.zazzle.com/hand_drawn_we_love_al_peters_t_shirt-235385990768641218?rf=238738608023184103

a portion of any profit  goes to CDC

Things I'm expecting

With tomorrow being the day I meet Breck,  my assistance dog I thought it a good time to look ahead.

1st of all I expect to work.  This may in fact be the most useful gift from the dog.  The gift of purpose.  To make this work I need to work. I need to become his care taker and his best friend.  We live in a townhome community where the winters are bad and there is precious little grass.   Get the picture? 

Breck will learn my specific needs.  Picking up things I drop, getting me water from the fridge, getting in touch with Sandie when we need more help.  Opening doors and getting lights.  The trainer said one of my potential problems will be finding things to keep the dog busy.  I wonder If I can teach him to draw? *grin*

We all need to learn how to travel together.  I don't go much day to day (currently)but we do travel on the weekends which can be very hard on me.  We take long semi annual trips to see our family.  BTW our grandkids are very excited about the dog.

I'm sure there is so much more that I've barely scratched the surface. Those stories will unfold here in the weeks to come I hope we all enjoy the experience.

Woofaroo This is an ad for a CDC upcoming fund raiser.

DO YOU WOOFAROO? 19 days left to the Woofaroo! Have you registered online yet?  Sign up NOW We have collected $21,100 so far - 42% of our goal.   Help us finish strong by registering, collecting pledges, or donating to the Can Do Woofaroo. Can't join us that day? Go ahead and register! Tell us on your registration form that you will be a "virtual walker". Raise funds and then take a walk in your own community. You are still eligible for all the Woofaroo prizes! Join us for a fun afternoon celebrating all our canine friends and raising money to train more assistance dogs for people who need them.  Learn More    Dress your 4-legged friend up and enter the Doggie Costume Contest   (sign up on site at event)   Meet Katie K9 from mytalk 107 radio   Listen to Live Music by 6:4 devotion and Seldom Herd Bluegrass Band   Meet McGruff   See life-sized puppets from In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater   See demonstrations of Can Do Canines assistance dog skills   Watch an explosive detection dog sniff it out   And much more!   See you on September 7!

We have a date!!

Saturday.  I get to meet Breck on Saturday.  Today is Wednesday so my wait is very short.  This journey that began last fall is almost moving on to phase 2.   I don't get to keep Breck yet but Ii finally get to put that hairy face with his name.  We have a 2 hour meeting Saturday.  We'll introduce him to my wheelchair and me.  HOW EXCITING!!
Then after this first meeting I work towards full ownership.  We will have sessions at the mall, some stores, restaurants etc. to see how we react to lots of situations.   When we have learned how each other reacts he will eventually come home with me.  We will still be on "probation" until we can work together here.  Pictures to come soon!!

WE have a name!!!

Breck... his name is Breck.  That is a wonderful name. He was born 12-6-2011 and I couldn't be more excited.  I start next week I think with the first meeting and a ton of paperwork to fill out.  A few 2 hour sessions at their facility then we move to public places for a few weeks.  After that he gets to come home and work with me here and in places we frequent.  Oh my gosh this is going to be a lot of work but I think the challenge will be worth it.  How exciting!!  I can finally put a name with the dog. Breck.

Unexpected Support

Last night I had a call from a former co worker and friend.   A company that I worked for 25 years ago that is very community supportive has donated about 4k to CDC.  This is not unusual for the generous employees of that company, however my friend that does some of the coordination of  those charitable efforts is looking for a way to tie their donations to my situation.  There are few people there that I worked with directly, but the fact that they can tie helping a former employee to the donations makes the donating more personal.

 I'm reasonably sure that none of those good people read my blog,  but I want to thank each and every one of  them for their support.  When you choose to donate any of your time or money you just hope to help someone that needs you.  I wish it wasn't me that contracted MS and thus needed you, but I am happy for your generosity.  Thank you so much for your support of Can-do-canines over the years.  Without you and people like you CDC could not exist.  You can be confident that your donations will be utilized with the utmost care.


Control Data,  Imprimus, Seagate employee from 1981 to 1990

Prep

CDC recommended I read several books. The one with the most new information was "The other end of the leash".  The book was helpful except the author spent much of her time trying to prove her qualifications rather than teaching you something new.  I think much of her book was taken from her thesis.  I'll need to come back and correct the authors name although I think it was Middleton.

We recently moved.  When we moved here we already knew  we were getting this dog, so much of the work was done with that in mind. When you bring a dog into our home it's much like bringing a child.   You need to be aware of what poses a hazard,  Electrical cords and medicine that may have fallen unbeknownst to you.  I am an electronic geek so wires are an issue.  I also take medications for my heart and for my MS.  we need to be vigilant and cautious.

The first dog found me.

This post is not about an assist dog. If you want the news on my assist dog check out another post.
I'm no stranger to dogs.  When I was in college I had a miniature   poodle for 17 years.  Ok I wasn't in college for 17 years but I did have "dynamo" that long.  She found me.  I was living by myself in this huge old rental home.  Feeling sorry for myself one evening  I sat on the front steps watching traffic go by.  A small white poodle came bounding down the sidewalk.  She had a collar but no tag.   I called the human society several days in a row,  But I get ahead myself.  I gave the dog some water but did not feed her.  That night I left her outside in the hope that she would go home. The next morning when I got down stairs she was sleeping on my front stoop.  Still I did not feed her in the hope that she would find her way back home. I had no business taking care of a dog,  I could barely take care of myself at the time. I had obligations so I left her outside free to go back to her home.  I got in my old car to drive to work.  As I drove away I looked into the rear view mirror.  I was a block away from home.  There was the yet to be named "dynamo" running after me as fast as her little legs would take her.   I stopped in the middle of the very busy street, opened the car door to our future and she hoped in without hesitation.  As I said we were together 17 years.

This new (8-12-13)blog was created to share my experience with my new assist dog.

I have MS. As a result I no longer drive, work, or walk without aide.  Mainly because of my mobility problems but also because of other problems I applied for an assist dog. This dog, if I was to received one, was to come from Can-do-canines.  CDC is a Twin Cities based organization that provides fully trained assist dogs to challenged folks in our area.

Most of these dogs are from a line bred by CDC for their temperament, ability to learn,
willingness to please, and size among other attributes which I have yet to learn.  It has been a long process that  was started about 9 months ago when I first applied.  Several home visits later We were approved for one of these exceptional dogs.

I have not gotten or even met mine yet but here is what I know so far;
The dog is a male Black Lab.
He is 1.5 years old.
CDC has a sickness in their kennel delaying new pups going out the door..
I should get to meet mine around the 21st of august.
One of my mother's friends has distant relative of his, also from CDC.  The line of smaller labs are so smart and sweet.

I don't know his name.
I have not seen him or even a picture yet. 

                I draw dogs.   This is as black lab but not my black lab.