A package!

Yesterday when Big Sis was working on her homework and I was laying patiently on the front porch on my tie-out, the mailman put the mail in the mailbox, put the neighbor's mail in their mailbox, and then turned around and left, honking his horn when he was passing our house. Well, Mom yelled at Big Sis, "Mail's here!" and Big Sis said she'd go out and get it. On her way out, she thought about why the mailman honked - he only does that when he's got a package for us and wants us to come out and get it! Oh, wow, Big Sis was so excited! She was surprised that he had honked and drove away, but she thought maybe because he saw me outside he knew we were home so we'd come out immediately when he honked and get it from the mailbox! Luckily, he was right!

Big Sis opened the mailbox and picked up all the mail, but not before she saw the small box that had my name on it! Oh my, a package for me! She excitedly looked at the return address and was full body wiggle excited to see it was from Sabrina's Mommy! Wow!

After lunch, Big Sis decided it was time to open the package, so she sat on the couch and started opening it. Well, I saw she was opening my package without me and I quickly talked to her so that she'd remember it said my name, not hers! Thankfully, she had only gotten the exterior newspaper off, so she was able to move out to the front porch and let me sniff the box before she knew what was inside! That was close, Big Sis!

The box smelled like doggie! Oh, my, did it smell like doggie (and a little of kitty)! I was so excited, I was laying on the front porch with my tail wagging very fast and my nose was moving at miles an hour! After a good sniffing, I asked Big Sis to help me open the box and she did! Inside, we found a beautifully embossed card written by Sabrina, and a Planet Bike Blinky Superflash for those dark and foggy mornings at the college! Wow!

Later in the day, Big Sis recruited Mom and Dad to help her with a light test. She went down the hallway and turned both my new Planet Bike Blinky Superflash and my Bell Bicycle Light on, and both Mom and Dad rated the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash as the brighter one! Then Big Sis set both lights to flash pattern and the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash won again! It's brighter and catchier than the Bell Bicycle Light according to Dad, which means that we can be seen from farther distances and cars will stop sooner. Plus, Dad said that the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash is visible from more angles than the Bell bicycle light! Yay!

Thanks again Sabrina & Veronica!
Love,
Tux & Big Sis

Shopping on our own!

Tonight, Mom needed a big favor from Big Sis and me. Mom needed to have us go to the grocery store and buy everything that was on the list while Mom stayed home to wait for a friend who was coming over. I was so excited to go to town, I abandoned Daddy who was petting me!

Our first stop in town was the fuel station. It seemed like every person and their big truck was there! We saw a log truck, a garbage truck, another garbage truck, a Ford Excursion, and Roo! Roo was the smallest one there actually, BOL! I had to stay in the car, but was a pretty good boy as I patiently waited for Big Sis. I did bark one of the garbage men that was fueling, and Big Sis told me I was supposed to be quiet, so once Big Sis was all done fueling and in Roo I didn't bark someone who walked right next to Roo to throw something away! Big Sis told me that I should have at least alerted her of his presence, because she was very surprised to see him when she looked up from calculating mileage, but I just figured Big Sis had alerted herself to him! Big Sis told me that I'm slightly confused there - when humans alert themselves to other things after the other things have already happened, the humans get scared! I'll have to remember that BOL.

After the fuel station, we went to the grocery store. I was expecting a longer ride, because we usually take long rides in Roo if it's just me and Big Sis, but I was happy to go to the grocery store anyway. I did well staying next to Big Sis and out of the way of the cumbersome cart, and we bought lots of groceries. It took a long time, but I took opportunistic naps when I was able, like when Big Sis was putting yogurt in the cart, and when she was talking to some people about me. She said they were pretty interesting people, because they thought she was blind and I was the one who drove her! I wonder if that means the Oregon DMV will give me my official chauffeur license now? In what medium would they like me to fill out my application? Ink? Mud? Saliva? Teeth marks? Claw marks? Hmm...this requires more thought.

Finally, we left the store and packed Roo full of all the groceries. Pretty soon after Big Sis left the parking lot though, she heard that she hadn't packed them right, because they all fell down and spilled everywhere! Whoops! When we got home one yogurt even rolled across the driveway, but thankfully (for the humans) it didn't break. I was very disappointed though, because I love yogurt!

Mom helped us unpack and put everything away, and told us her friend had called and cancelled awhile after we had left. I was sad for Mom that Mom didn't get to see her friend, but about an hour later another one of Mom's friends showed up unexpectedly so I was happy to see him. He made me do obedience for loving though, and I find that very difficult when I'm so excited, BOL!

Now I'm going to go lay down in Mom and Dad's room on my rugs...goodnight everypup!

Love,
Tux

Working again Today

Earlier this morning, I stole the computer from Big Sis so I could write about yesterday's requirements, but then Big Sis stole the computer back for a little while and then we went to town when I was thinking about stealing it back. So, here are this morning's adventures, and when I finish those, I'll write another entry for this evening's adventures.

This morning Big Sis was up really early again. She did some things around the house and then she and I got in Roo and went to the high school to see if we could find the teacher we missed seeing yesterday. We got to the high school without any problems and went in, but everything was quiet and the main office doors were locked! So, Big Sis finally decided to walk down a little to the teacher's room, but he wasn't there and all the classrooms we passed were either dark and locked, or open with no teachers present. We surmised they were in meetings and left.

After we left the high school, Big Sis drove to downtown and got me out there. We walked a long way, then turned around like a U and walked back, then turned around like another U and walked back that way again. Along the way, Big Sis called Mom, and Mom gave Big Sis directions to this building called City Hall, and Big Sis talked a lot about "applications." So, more traffic work and surface alerting for me to get us to City Hall, but I did perfect and when we went into City Hall people immediately greeted Big Sis by asking if they could love me and how cute and handsome I was. Woohoo! Well, we let lots of people love me, and then Big Sis got an application for a job. Looking over it later, Big Sis doesn't think she'll qualify completely, but she's going to "hop in the pool" anyway incase City Hall doesn't get someone totally qualified and Big Sis is the next best qualified person.

Then we went back to the high school, but the janitors we met said everyone was still in meetings and would be for the rest of the day. I took advantage of the cool floor while Big Sis was talking with them, which caused them to offer Big Sis water to give me, but Big Sis thanked them and told them that I had water out in the car, and had just drank some of it. The janitors did say though that if we needed a cool place to hang out for awhile, we could come back in, but Big Sis just opted to go home for the rest of the day...

And home is wonderful with that nice air-conditioning, so I'm willing to go there!

Love,
Tux

Training is going great!

Today and yesterday, Big Sis made me WORK! Can you believe it? Apparently it's so I'm better in school when it starts in a month, but I thought I was already good! Luckily I don't mind all these new experiences so doing all this stuff isn't so bad.

Yesterday began when we went to Wal-Mart but didn't buy that many things. Then we went to the high school where Big Sis used to go, and that's when the WORK really started! First I laid quietly in one of the teacher's rooms that was interested in getting a service dog to help with his disability. I think I had to lay quietly for about an hour! But, I did very good, and Big Sis was very proud of me and gave me lots of praise.

Then our next stop was the classroom of the teacher that really loves me, and has known Big Sis all of Big Sis' life. I did really well in her room and I even got a little jerky! I had to do tricks for it and earn it, but didn't really mind...the only thing I have to remember next time is when the teacher says "down" immediately after Big Sis has me do my paws up and two timer (two paws up at the same time) on Big Sis' legs, that "down" does not mean to also paw the teacher! Whoops! I had to have a little help to figure out a down because I was so excited, but I got my treat anyway and I think the teacher forgave me for surprising her.

Then I had to do some very long time and long distance down stays while Big Sis worked on cleaning things that needed dusted. I did very good and only got up a few times, and mostly they were all because I heard someone talking to Big Sis and Big Sis talking back so I had to go investigate who Big Sis was talking to. I wasn't in too much trouble though. Some people didn't like me, but I stopped trying to move toward them when Big Sis told me too so Big Sis thought I did okay.

After a long time in the teacher's room, I went over to Big Sis and started crying softly, so Big Sis thought she'd better take me outside. I did very good to hold it across the parking lot until Big Sis got me to a suitable location and then I availed myself of the facilities quite liberly, and we also stopped by Mom's truck and gave me water. Then we went back in the teacher's room, worked a little while longer, and then went down and talked to one of the teachers that I accidentally said an unauthorized hello to earlier. Apparently Big Sis wanted a "reference" for jobs and the teacher didn't answer her questions when she asked him at first, when he came by the other teacher's room.

Then Mom took us over to another part of the campus and Big Sis unloaded me and I finally watered a bush. We then walked upstairs only to be told that the teacher we wanted to talk to had moved rooms like Big Sis thought but it wasn't to this building, it was to the building we had already been in that day! So Big Sis and I had to figure out how to get back downstairs but we finally did.

Getting down the stairs was interesting. I'm trained to help Big Sis on stairs and have had to in the past, but for these stairs Big Sis decided it would be best if she and I went down independently, so she secured my leashes so they wouldn't get caught and started down the stairs to make sure she didn't need to call me to help her at the last moment. She was okay, so she clicked her tongue and talked to me and I started down the stairs a few inches away from her. I was willing to walk with her at first, but then she told me to go all the way down the stairs to the bottom without her so that's what I did. Then she talked to me and told me to wait where I was so I did that too until she could finish all the stairs and come get me. I was such a good boy and Big Sis was so proud!

After that we talked to Mom and told her that we were wrong about the building so we wanted to go back, but Mom recommended because I'd been working so long and so hard and it was hot outside that we go home and give me a break! I was all for that, and especially for the chance at air conditioning, so that's what we did. I crashed out at home and slept for a very long time!

Downtown

Today Big Sis, Mom, and I went to a place Big Sis called "downtown." Downtown is this really busy place in the heart of the city that Big Sis says is perfect for working my surface alerts. I knew I couldn't be sloppy with those for long...darn!

First Big Sis and I worked about five blocks and I was pretty good, but Big Sis didn't want to take me across a really busy street so we crossed the street and worked about nine blocks. A couple times Big Sis took me back to different surfaces, pointed them out to me, and then walked me on them a few times, and I figured out that meant I was supposed to let her know of the different surfaces so she would focus on them and see them instead of missing them and falling down. I was a very good boy and didn't get excited at all, nor scared of traffic. I did do a couple traffic alerts when I needed to, but mostly the streets had nice wide sidewalks with parked cars on each side, so we didn't have to worry about traffic.

Our street crossings were also good, each time. Some of the street crossings were tough because I had to walk out in front of large trucks parked along the street, then stop, then wait for Big Sis to give me the cross command, so that we could see if cars were coming. Sometimes, cars would turn before we cleared the intersection which they are also not supposed to do. To make my job even tougher, on some street crossings, the curb cut wasn't the way it was supposed to be (it was smaller) so I had to stop and alert at the curb while we were still in the crosswalk, and then help Big Sis up the curb, while not letting turning cars distract me. (Like I said before, they're not supposed to do that).

After awhile, we met up with Mom again, and I was so excited to get a break from all that walking I just about jumped in through a window! Big Sis laughed though and opened the door for me. I drank some water and rested awhile, until Big Sis peeled a very reluctant me out of the truck and told me it was time to take a long walk to the Chamber of Commerce to get some maps.

We used the streets we had used the first time going away from Mom, but this time, instead of turning just before the busy street, we waited on the streetcorner to cross the busy street! Big Sis tried to cross, but a car tried to make a right turn and Big Sis got scared we were going to be hit, so she went back up on the curb. Then Big Sis decided she could cross with the other pedestrians that were in the same crosswalk coming toward us, but just as we got out in the street, a pickup made a left turn and we had to back up and get out of the way then too! (Note: we had a walk light). So by then Big Sis was so confused that she just went back up on the curb and tried to figure out how to cross the street the next time the lights told us to go.

So, we were back up on our curb, and we see a pet dog and owner coming through the crosswalk. The owner was pretty attentive and had her dog on a 4' leash, but the dog was still pretty interested in getting a meet and greet with me. However, following the "leave it" that has been Big Sis' most popular command lately, and following her verbal reminder to "leave it" which she really didn't need to remind me of, I didn't even exchange a glance with the dog! Big Sis was so proud of me, and especially proud of me because of the dog passing within 12" of me, and the fact we were on a busy city streetcorner and I didn't let it distract me.

On the next light, we finally figured out how to cross the street without having all the cars turning in front of us. We then walked another block and arrived at a streetcorner, and Big Sis had to take time to figure that one out too, because there was no crossing light and no traffic signals. Just as we were about to cross though, all these cars sped through and didn't even see us, so Big Sis decided staying on the curb was a good idea. We wanted to cross with traffic lights, but Big Sis couldn't see any, so that was why we were crossing there. After awhile though, a man came up beside us on the sidewalk, and ran across the street in a little bit, so Big Sis decided it was probably okay for us to go too. We made it but a car tried to change lanes and speed through the intersection right at us, so Big Sis told me to run and I got us a couple feet into the next lane before the car got to us. Then she told me to run and hup to get through the next lane while the traffic in that lane was still away from us. I did my hup really good even though I haven't done it in awhile which Big Sis thought was really cool. (Hup means to jump a curb when I'm running, without stopping to alert for it or help Big Sis up it).

Two blocks later, we found the traffic lights that Big Sis thought were nearby but we couldn't see. Then we worked a few more crosswalks until we got to the Chamber of Commerce were we picked up a few city maps for our vehicles because Mom's city map is old and Big Sis and Little Sis don't have city maps in their cars yet.

Then we went back and used the traffic lights that we didn't see on our walk to the Chamber of Commerce to get back on the proper side of the street so we could be on the side of the street Mom's truck was on a few blocks away. Big Sis wanted to take a little adventurous walk with me like we did this morning but she didn't want Mom to worry about her so we just worked our way back to Mom. A block from where she was parked, some little kids wanted to love me and their Mom gave them permission, so they asked Big Sis and Big Sis said yes. Then we got back to where Mom was and I climbed in for a well deserved rest.

In the middle of my nap, the humans woke me up again. We were at McDonald's! We went in and a lot of people waiting to order asked about me, but Big Sis just said I was a service dog and we went back to our usual table. Then a girl came up to Big Sis and pointed to this really big wasp crawling on Big Sis' shoulder! Mom grabbed a bag from her pocket so she could take care of the wasp without getting hurt, but just as Mom went for the wasp, the wasp flew away and landed on the door! So the girl that was so sweet to tell Big Sis about it let it outside the door. Whew!

After lunch, we got to come home and I was very happy! Now I'm laying in Mom and Dad's room with the cool air conditioner taking a nap....ahhhh....

Love,
Tux

If Big Sis had a tail...

If Big Sis had a tail, she says it would be wagging so fast it would be a blur (or fall off BOL). This morning, we had a test in health, which Big Sis thinks she did pretty good on, and then we wandered around campus for awhile, met with Disability Services, picked up accomodation forms, wandered around campus some more and then went home. When we got home, we got an email from the people coordinating the OHSU research project that we were asked to participate in, giving us our agenda for the day etc. and we were able to email them back and tell them we would be able to come because we had just gotten clearance from our health teacher it was okay to miss his class to participate in the research project. Then, Big Sis called another person at OHSU and talked about the upcoming zoo trip that is going to be happening. They were very excited to hear from Big Sis and promised to talk to the zoo about my presence there.

Anyway, the reason that Big Sis is so excited is because not only are all these cool things happening, it's because she realized that everyone on the research project with her at OHSU had OHSU email addresses except for her (Big Sis)...so that means that Big Sis was hand picked to interact with the OHSU people using her knowledge of high school and college transition. Woo-hoo! Daddy told Big Sis, "Talk about one heck of a job interview!" But Big Sis says she's not really that scared about things. She'll just be herself, keep an open mind, and see what she can learn...everyone at OHSU knows about me and knows about Big Sis' disability, so that's not going to get in the way at all which is really nice!

New Pack Thoughts

Big Sis is thinking about getting me some new gear. It's not serious thought at all, it's more like "dreaming" thoughts, but not even serious dreams either. So, because she wants some place to put her thoughts, I temporarily loaned her my diary.

I've got a guide harness right now; admittedly a guide harness that doesn't fit correctly so I feel bad even putting it on Tux for a fitting. I saw another one on EBay last week that even looked better (size-wise), but accidently overslept and missed it. I guess that was okay though and meant to be because the harness looked fairly worn in the pictures, and I was a little leery of buying something that used, even at what I felt was an appropriate price for it's wear.

I've given thought to modifying it, but I'm thinking that it will probably cost the equivlent of a new one to modify it. I can go up to the big city, and see what he can do to use the small one and photos of properly fitting ones as examples, and that would probably be best at least for the purpose of getting a quote, but at this point I don't even know if a guide harness is what I want. The concept sounds nice, but I've discovered that I *need* a steady, absolutely non-moving point to get down stairs when an elevator is not functioning, and therefore would need to leave a little slack at the strap that goes across the back at the shoulders to slip my hand under for those times. However, for normal usage, a dynamic handle is okay, and in my mind (even though I've never tried a rigid handle) I welcome the dynamic handle, because I can have the reassurance that Tux is there for me, that I've got a secure hold when I go down (with our size difference, I land on his back, but the dynamic handle gives me another reassurance that I am in the right place to go down with him underneath me), but during normal activities I have more freedom than always having to be gripping that rigid handle and putting weight on him. I don't like putting weight on him all the time; just when I need to so that I can resume walking normally after a fall/spasm/loss of balance/bump.

So, in that respect, a guide harness is a good thing.

Then we have our storage concerns. Right now, I have a vest from LDS Leather with about 5" by 7" trapezoid shaped side pockets. I have looked at other dog packs, hoping they would have a handle on the top, but each one I do find with a handle, is way too large for Tux. It either overwhelms him size wise (body is too small in comparison to the pack) and/or it is too large for my needs. There is no reason he should be either asked to carry a pack that is "huge" on him, with or without contents inside the pack, and I certainly don't want to put a pack on him that gives me the temptation to overload him. The LDS Leather pack has been fine in that respect because it is just the right size (size wise for Tux) and the smallish size prevents me from overloading it. It is far easier for me, memory wise etc., to not have a large pack in the first place, than it is for me to have a large pack, and constantly have to tell myself not to put "that" in there because that is too much for him to carry. I also don't feel like dealing with a large (huge) pack that is virtually empty on my dog; that is just too much unnecessary bulk for both him and me to deal with.

However, I would appreciate a couple of extra inches in the LDS Leather pack at times, and I think that is why I'm thinking about a different setup so much. I think that the SitStay pack that is their "big" service dog vest, it looks about 8.5" by 5" inches or so, would be almost perfect, but it has no handle or d-rings on it. Therefore, we are virtually back to my current setup, and I see no reason to buy the SitStay pack because it doesn't offer anything more than I have, except maybe a couple more inches, but I've lived without those couple more inches virtually complaint free for two years. It's only at certain times (i.e. when I am given small books of poems etc.) that I notice that I can't fit that in Tux's pack, and have to carry it in my hand (because I didn't bring a backpack to that meeting and don't carry a purse) that I really think about the pack being a bit longer in the side panniers, because I like my hands free.

The next thing is the leash. Actually, I should be more accurate; it's "what to do with my left hand." My left hand is my weak hand, actually it's not all that weak on a keyboard but moreso when you get the left arm involved that's where the weakness is. Therefore, I dislike carrying a leash only in my left hand; my left arm doesn't have that much strength to "stand up to things" and any sudden movement from Tux, if he's being held only in my left hand, can do serious damage to my sense of balance and result in a fall. He is a very good dog, yes, and is fairly mentally stable so doesn't go tearing off or lunging at things without calmly alerting me to their presence first, but I'm talking about (from my end) that if that dog even moves his head to look at something, or alert me to traffic (which I need and want him to do) I will have a balance issue if he is only in my left hand. Therefore, I need to hold onto the leash with two hands, so my left side is "secure" (balance wise - the leash helps to balance me) and my right side takes care of any corrections/tension/control stuff, where I am stronger. Right now I use an EzyDog 40" leash with modified limited slip choke collar so it only has one d-ring and a slider on it now; we cut off a d-ring so it would just be a strap instead of a limited slip. I hold onto the strap with my left hand and can hold the EzyDog leash in my right which is really nice. Even better, the EzyDog is perfectly sized for my right hand to hold comfortably (plus the triangular handle) and I don't deal with any "extra" in the leash as I do sometimes with regular 48" leashes, making me even more secure and safer. Another thing that is nice about the EzyDog is that it has some shock cord in it, so even though Tux doesn't pull when walking, if he goes into foilage a bit too far or something, I'm not pulling back on him choking him or giving him a correction for something he is supposed to be doing; the leash just stretches a little bit more to accomodate him for five seconds. (*I* feel the stretch).

I don't have any leash complaints right now, but have considered an upgrade to a 4' Grrrip leash due to the traffic handle and with everything being integrated it looks a little more professional I think, but I really don't need to. Also the Grrrip is an honest 4', without shock cording out to 4', which means I'm constantly coping with a little "extra" leash - something I don't find all that reassuring because I'm having to constantly either tolerate "extra" give in my right hand, which makes my left hand not feel all that secure even if it is actually, and if I take the "extra" leash out, my right hand is held further from my body (because I like holding the loop). So....I think I'll stay with the EzyDog + strap stuff at this time; it's very functional for me and nobody's called me unprofessional yet. They seem to recognize that is what works best for me, and I also regularly clean all my gear, so I think that also contributes to a professional image, even if I do have an extra strap on there.

*So, now that we've solved the leash concern, let's get back to discussing what I need (want) in my next piece of gear for Tux. First of all it needs to be made out of only one or two layers of cordura, nothing more - he is very sensitive to heat and if I put his ActiveDogs vest on him (layer of cordura + quilted packcloth = 1/4") he can withstand temperatures no more than about 75 degrees. Conversely, in his LDS Leather vest, which is made out of only two layers of cordura, he's happy to work (or be resting) in anywhere from 90-100 degrees. (Generally, when we've surpassed 100 degrees, we spend time in the heat only as long as absolutely necessary).
*Then, it needs to have pockets - preferably of the sizes mentioned above - 5"x7" trapezoids would be fine; the ability to drop a book in so I can travel with my hands free would be ideal. However, we shouldn't get much larger than about 8.5" (long) by 5" or 6" (wide) on the side panniers; this will lead to temptation on my part. It doesn't need to be a deep (thick) pocket either; just enough to slip a book in that's about a 1/2" thick, so basically just a zippered pocket of the length & width above is all I need, because a zipper will generally zip that tightly, or I don't need to even zip the zipper when I carry a book like that. I just want to drop it in the pocket and free my hands is all.
*Then we need to think about D-Rings and handles. I'd really like to have some D-Rings on the vest, because I think that improves functionality a great deal, in so many different directions - D-Rings are so versatile. They need to be strong enough (& the vest needs to be strong enough) that I can clip a leash to them without fear that anything comes apart. (For anyone reading this and thinking you can make me a vest like I need, begin thinking THE STRONGEST YA GOT (and then some). I've got a hundred pound dog, that needs to be able to pull a hundred pound body, without that ring coming undone. I "freeze" at loud noises and Tux is trained to take me from danger - top speed if necessary). If you put D-Rings on the vest, as long as some are present at the shoulder area too (or only), I can hook my own dynamic handle on there if there's not one on there already.
*Then we need to think about straps. One inch or more (porportionate to the vest) is fine, but they need to be highly adjustable at both the girth and chest area, and perferably both the girth straps and the chest strap need to fasten/unfasten quickly and simply. Things I've had good experience with are squeeze buckles, most snaps; "tolerable" (with a groan) have been unadjustable things (he does need at least some of his winter coat in winter), velcro (doesn't last long), and slider panic snaps (on most guide harnesses - requires dexterity I don't have without concentration). Elastic is also not very helpful (doesn't last long).
*Last we need to think about color and reflectivity. Tux is "the yellow dog". All his gear is yellow as best as I can find. His yellow vest has saved his life many times, twice notably. I do consider things that aren't yellow, but I want them some other bright color if yellow isn't an option so that people see him & me. Reflectivity is also an almost-requirement. I will consider something that isn't reflective, but it better have an ability to add reflective material to it somehow, if nothing more than through reflective wraps that go around the straps; perferably some way to sew reflective on. We want to be seen in the dark, thank you very much, and occassionally I don't realize I'll be out late at night until it's late at night, so I need the reflectivity to be "always there" (on Tux's vest).

I think I've covered everything, so I'll go back and summarize:
Leash setup: Okay for now.
Guide harness: Would work pending the appropiate harness. Would prefer to have shorter handle that aligns me better with Tux's shoulders/belly than his hip, because I don't feel secure at his hip. Lack of storage okay because I can build my own storage pouch, I think, that is on the handle, or on the meat of the harness, and do fine. I also know of a harness pouch out there I can buy that would probably work well enough to carry a couple of pickup bags and some papers folded up.
Other vest: Okay with what I have now, but am considering "upgrading" to some larger pockets, some D-rings, and a dynamic handle (just haven't found the exact vest I want yet).

Writing does me good.
Thanks, Tux.

Big Sis

Wal-Mart and the discount grocery store

This morning Big Sis, Mom, and I went to Wal-Mart again. I was really good in Wal-Mart but I had a couple of issues coming in the door - I cranked my head to the left and Big Sis couldn't understand why. After a couple of reminders, I figured out I wasn't supposed to do that, and that was all I needed through Wal-Mart so that meant I was a really good boy! Sometimes, Big Sis would reach down at random and run her hand along my side and hold me while a cart walked past with a human - I really don't understand why she does that now because she never used to do that when I was a puppy - don't the world and stores and aisles get bigger as you grow?

At Wal-Mart we picked out a picture frame and got some other things and then went through one of my family's favorite people to buy our things. We were talking to her yesterday and she was afraid to pet me, but today she wasn't afraid to pet me! She was a really good petter, too...Big Sis made sure that I stayed still for her so I couldn't bump into her (she has balance issues like Big Sis does, but no doggie to help her) and she really loved me! I loved her back, too, BOL - my tail wagged and wagged and wagged!

After we went through our friend's line, we went over to the in-store restaurant for some food. I was really good and just went right under the table and fell asleep. Actually I didn't fall asleep totally, I just dozed off - I was still awake if I heard my name. I stayed under the table without a problem even when Big Sis got up and ordered and brought the tray back, and I even stayed under the table when Mom and Big Sis were cleaning up at the end and both left the table! I was very very good and Big Sis was really proud of me.

When we left Wal-Mart, our next stop was the discount grocery store. I was very good in there too and only needed one correction! Usually I need several because things are at my level and smell slightly different than other stores but this time I only needed one! I was so good, and Big Sis even gave me lots of love in the store just like she did in Wal-Mart, and kept calling me a "Big Lumix." What does "Big Lumix" mean anyway? She tends to say it when she has to touch me and other carts go past...hmm. People get a good laugh out of the name "Big Lumix." Hmm...I will have to think about this more. She didn't call me a Big Lumix when I was a tiny puppy just starting my access training...maybe my size has something to do with it? Maybe the aisles, stores, and world forgot to grow as fast as I did? Hmm.

Anyway, despite lots of "Big Lumix" comments and touching and tucking in body parts and repositioning, I did really good and Big Sis was super proud of me!

Love,
Tux

Wal-Mart and Petco

Today we went to both Wal-Mart and Petco. Wal-Mart was first and I was very good, staying out of the way as best I could at all times and remaining in down-stays even when Big Sis moved away just a little. I did want Mom with us at all times and stopped and waited for her a few times (but Big Sis was waiting too), but I've always liked my pack to stay together in big places. We can't risk having fun without them you know!

At Petco only Big Sis and I went in. Mom parked in a faraway parking space and Big Sis took my vest off but left my leash on because dogs are allowed in Petco even if they aren't service dogs. Well, I thought I was off-duty so I just tried to run around the whole parking lot...Big Sis walked me back to the truck (twice) but ended up putting my vest back on me so I would calm down. She doesn't like making me work in Petco, because it's super hard for me to resist smelling things, but at the same time, apparently, jerking her arm out of her socket is not appreciated either!

When we were in the store, I did amazingly good! We didn't see any other dogs which was kind of nice, and Big Sis spent a lot of time looking at leashes. She's been thinking for awhile that she would like a "traffic leash" with two handles, and thought The Grrrip looked pretty cool today (and it even comes in 4 ft. lengths instead of only 6 ft. lengths) but decided she'd think about it some more because she'd *really* like a leash that has the traffic handle down by my neck, a loop around the 4 ft. mark, and the ability to lengthen the leash to the 6 ft. mark at times so that I can disappear off into the foilage at college without Big Sis having to get off the trail as often. She's planning to think about it for awhile and maybe do some more looking at stores that are nearer where we go to school when we go to school next week, but if she can't find anything, she says she might go back and buy the 4 ft. Grrrip leash at Petco, or just consider what she has right now to be good enough.

While Big Sis was doing all that looking, I was a very good boy! Big Sis figured out that if I was asked to sit, praised and loved, asked to down, praised and loved, and then asked to stay I stayed perfectly, even when Big Sis moved 20 ft away! Wow! She also practiced some off-leash recalls with me; I got a little distracted on the first one because of some really good smells, but the next ones (from shorter distances) were really good.

Later, when we asked for help from a store employee, the store employee asked questions about me and noted that she was aware I was a "service animal." She was nice about things but did make one tiny little remark about how I wasn't behaving like a service dog because I was trying to sniff a couple of things, but Big Sis looked at her and proceeded to explain (kindly) that I was "in training," verbal correction was needed for me to understand I shouldn't sniff (Big Sis was practicing her verbal corrections - I was listening well), and that all the smells of the pet dogs were pretty hard for me to resist. So, that opened her eyes a little and she was nice to us the rest of the time, even trying to find us a leash in the clearance bin and things, which Big Sis really appreciated. Comparing her to our previous experiences with Petco employees, she is one of the nicer ones, and she was even understanding after being educated, too!

Love,
Tux

A different day and good news on the research front!

This morning was an interesting morning. We drove up to the college this morning like normal and I got food and water and a chance to relieve myself. We then toured through my fan club building, but it was so early that none of my fan club members had arrived yet! Plus I think Rachel is home sick which is no fun. No Jodi, no Rachel, and no Michelle!

After we toured through my fan club building, we went out to the center quad on campus. We heard many machines and saw lots of water. Big Sis called those machines powerwashers. We stayed out of the water, and Big Sis kept chose routes furthest away from the noise. I think she was a little worried that it would scare me, but I didn't let it bother me at all. We worked our way over to the gym building, where Big Sis offered me another opportunity to make the plants healthy but I didn't take it. I figure if the bees are going to be that mean and rude to me, I'll help make other plants on campus healthy.

When we arrived at the doors, Big Sis noticed a new sign. She was intrigued and read it, then turned around and talked to another person that's in our health class. The other person followed us for awhile, then turned toward some stairs while we continued around the deserted backside of the building to the shadowy elevator. Luckily it was daylight and I was with Big Sis for extra security! The elevator took a little while, but it did arrive quicker than the one in the gym building, and we went up without a problem. Since it was a new building (we've only been in it twice before) I didn't know any of the layout, so I couldn't help Big Sis look for the right room. But finally we found the professor and the right room and we settled outside for someone to come unlock the door.

When I finally heard keys, I tried to cue Big Sis that it was time to get up, but she just told me to down and petted me. She kept me very still and seemed to be hiding me too, but I was pretty cooperative with her odd requests which made her happy. Finally, after the professor went in and the person who unlocked the door for us left, Big Sis and I got up and went into the room. She explained to me later that the person unlocking the door is the one who used to harass me until Big Sis yelled loud enough for the whole darn campus to be aware of his activities, so she didn't want me to see him again and get all scared of him like I used to be.

In class, I had a little trouble settling down, even though I had my blanket. I was worried about Big Sis for a long time and kept alerting her that her anxiety levels were too high. Also throwing me off was that we were sitting in an isolated corner of the room and I kept seeing our tablemates from the regular classroom and I thought they should be nearer to us BOL! Finally I dozed off for awhile though, and Big Sis was happy with me for that. I didn't go to sleep totally because it was still a new place and I needed to make sure I was ready to help just in case something happened, but I laid quietly and dozed which made Big Sis happy.

After health class, Big Sis and I waited on the elevator for a long time. We could hear all these clanging noises (like the day the elevator in the gym building broke) but Big Sis waited patiently and finally the elevator came, someone got off, and we got on! We rode down without incident, got off and Big Sis took me for relieving under some plants at the side of the building in front of our fan club building, since the powerwashers on campus were working next to the plants I normally water. I was very good, but accidentally went through some cobwebs which were very annoying! I kept trying to paw them off so Big Sis brushed the worst of them off and took me into my fan club building to the bathrooms.

When we go into my fan club building through the main doors, there is a door to the outside, an interior rain shelter, and another set of doors into the lobby. Well, we came through the door to the outside, and were traveling through the interior rain shelter when I saw my friend the other service dog! I was very good and we went in without a problem. Big Sis and the man said hello to each other, and I remembered that I was only supposed to show mild interest and listen to Big Sis all the time, so that's what I did. Big Sis was very proud of me and then she took me to the bathrooms to clean all the cobwebs off my face.

After we cleaned the cobwebs off my face and said hello to the other person using the bathrooms, we went up to the second story to see if Jodi was around or any of the other instructors. One person was and she said hello to me, but that was the only person...I miss my Jodi! I need a Jodi fix!

After failing to get a Jodi fix, but getting told hello nonetheless by one of Jodi's friends, we went back down to the first floor. When we tried to get off a man tried to get on, but soon stepped back and gave us room which was nice. Then we headed home and I was very happy to have my work finished for awhile!

We got home and I waited as patiently as possible for everyone else to return home because they'd dashed out on a couple of errands. Soon after they got home though, I was very pleased to learn that Mom had saved a couple of errands so that I could join them. They were going to the grocery store and the secondhand store to drop off the things in the truck.

I was very good while the secondhand store employees unloaded the things from the truck that we were donating. Then, I was super happy to have the truck unloaded because I got more room! We then went to the grocery store after that where we had a very frustrating time - about 4 or 5 people tried to run into me with carts on purpose! Big Sis would just position me behind her and we would back up until the people could get around us...Big Sis told me that they were not going to run into her because they were afraid of her BOL! To bad she didn't choose to yell at those people she had to back up to accomodate...oh well.

After the grocery store, I was very happy to come home since I had been almost ran into several times by shopping carts. When we got home, Big Sis sat down to check her email, whooped out loud and then called Daddy on the phone! Apparently the research project at OHSU (the big hospital) is a go and we've got an offer to be part of it! We have to make sure that we can miss school for the first meeting, but OHSU wants us and Big Sis is so happy! She has waited a long time for this, and she just took a health class at college so she'll be able to intelligently talk (maybe). Woo-hoo!

Well I am very tired but happy after a long day of work and I need to rest my paws from all this typing!

Thanks for reading, pups!
Tux