Fluffier than ever!

It's been a busy few days. Basically I've been very good, and have worked hard, but I've had a lot of fun as well. Thursday we went to Tel Aviv, and I discovered the little place between the seats on the train especially made for guide dogs. It's like a liQttle doghouse inside, and better in there than lying in the aisle getting my tail and paws stepped on..

I guess what led up to my finally getting a full-blown shower and shampoo was that little dip in the mud puddle I decided to take on Friday when we went for a walk along the beach. I did get my paws wiped off because after all, we were going to friends' house for dinner, and I really didn't want to track mud all over the house, or get banished to the veranda where my chances of picking up crumbs would be pretty slim. They had a little baby there sort of like the Emma, but this one was somewhat bigger and did a bit more crying and looking around. So the next morning Bracha rounded me up, pu8t on my collar and plastic leash, and we went into the shower. It wasn't so bad: I got soaped and lathered and my fur got nice and clean and dried very wavy and fluffier than ever! Now I really look like a golden retriever. And I smell different...

Things I did nicely: sat quietly in the post office, Bituach Leumi, at dinner on Friday, and with friends on Saturday at home, found the pole where there is a button to turn on the stoplights, and sat quietly on the bus.
Things I did that were naughty: I downright sulked when we didn't go into the pet store, despite the fact that I tried to pull Bracha there as hard as I could and then refused to turn away and continue down the street! And I stole a roll off the counter…Bracha yelled, "NO!" and turned her back on me and crossed her arms, and SHE sulked at ME for a half hour. I know I've promised to try not to steal food before…
But the most fun was meeting Liron and Petel in Tel Aviv. We went into the big mall and there were lots of moving stairs and suddenly there was my old friend Petel! We jumped all over each other, and Bracha and Liron sat down to eat and drink and Petel and I lay like model guide dogs under the table. Then we all went parading down the main street in Tel Aviv where Petel goes every day but I have never been before. There was an elevator and an escalator and a huge bridge to walk over, too! But I like living in the country. Petel has no green field to run in like I do. And she can't snitch avocados from the …oops, I promised not to steal food any more…."

It's Well Worth it to Be a Guide Dog...

I think I’m finally getting over one of the things I am afraid of. That wagon and tractor in the orchard…well, I just couldn’t fathom what it was all about. I saw it there and even though I really wanted to walk, I just couldn’t bring myself to go past it. Maybe I was afraid it would start moving, or make a loud noise like that horrible bang that truck made last week, or that the dogs I saw on it once would come back again. But Bracha realized what it was that was bothering me, and she started the whole irresistible routine of making me go forward using the clicker. Slowly, but surely, we approached the wagon and tractor. Then we got there and, er, well, I really didn’t understand what it was that was bothering me so much about it. We walked all around it slowly, and Bracha let me sniff the wheels and tractor, just to prove that it isn’t dangerous. Then she patted the floor of the wagon and I jumped up into it, and she told me I was a good dog! The world looked a bit different from up there!

So I guess I’ll have to overcome these things that I’m afraid of. There are so many things I’m not sure of, and I have a lot of responsibility, and I work hard…and sometimes it’s wet and cold outside and my fur gets drenched and I feel cold and miserable. But I guess I can’t complain. After all, at the end of a hard day I usually get a run and time to play. And now I get to stretch out in front of the fire on cold winter nights and keep warm and dry. So I can hardly complain. It’s well worth it to be a guide dog.

Suki's First Real Excursion

Taking advantage of the fine weather following the heavy rains and preceding tne next batch of thunderstorms, we set out for Meggido, where it was rumored that there were carpets of anemones covering the huge field - a former landing strip. Only in Israel can you find hordes of people with babies and small children turning out on a Saturday to look at flowers. Making our way through the families on the path, Suki and I were stopped numerous times and questioned by curious children and adults alike.

We strolled along the paths bordered with string to prevent people (and dogs) from trampling the lovely carpets of pink, white, purple, and red flowers. From there we continued on the the Ramot Menasheh Forest, where we finally reached places that were isolated enough to keep my perpetually ravenous golden retriever from snatching someone's picnic lunch, and and safe from traffic for her to run. Naturally Suki headed straight for the first mud puddle, but her paws soon dried off enough to be allowed back into the jeep. Finally, in a green field at the top of a hill, Suki was able to wander about at her liesure, and came back once in a while for a pat and a tidbit. I now fdeel confident that Suki will always keep a set distance and come back to me when I call her when she is off leash.

After that run she was quite willing to settle down and sleep in the car all the way to Haifa, where she ate and had yet another long nap on the terrace while I cuddled both granddaughters.

I wonder if they make doggie raincoats...

Silly me. Since our neighbor offered Suki and me a ride, I decided to chance a trip to town today to run errands. For a short while we walked about in the sunshine, while the Geaton River still rushed by along the main street in its culvert. But as we emerged from the pharmacy, the heavens opened up again. After sitting under the overhang for a while, I decided to give it a go. Suki resolutely poldded on, stopping every once in a while to shake herself, determined to get rid of some of the water. Her almost white coat seemed to turn a few shades darker. As we reached what I was determined would be the last stop until we grabbed a taxi home, I remembered that I was about to enter a store with a very wet doggie, so I blew in SUki's face. Just like Ami had described, she planted her feet on the sidewalk and shook herself once again. That was the best I could do. We entered.

The saleswoman graciously helped me find silver and gold paper, felt, glue, and some other items I needed to keep Rotem busy over the weekend, and we followed, distributing a strong odor of eau du wet canine through the store as we went. There was enough perfume to give the taxi driver a whiff as well, and once home, I toweled Suki off briskly as she wagged her tail happily, snagged her bone out of the basket, and settled down next to the stove to steam dry off.

Some things I can get used to..

The main road in Ben Ami after the wadi overflowed its banks! Suki, puzzled by the fact that the curbs have suddenly disappeared, was, for once, confused.

And some things I can't.

I know now that I can ride in taxis, cars, busses and trains and behave beautifully. I know I can find ATM machines, a seat on the train, Aroma, Yaron's office, anything Bracha wants me to find. I get praised and wag my tail every time because I know I'm doing my job. I even sit quietly with the life guards at the pool when Bracha swims because it's too wet for me to go outside on the patio and sleep there. And I still LOVE escalators!

But all this rain and water really freaked me out. When we got back to Nahariya yesterday and got off the train there was so much water that I could not find the curb. I got all confused, and instead of the street there was something like a river flowing. It was noisy and I got a bit scared, and Bracha had to yell "Hup up!" over the noise and make me go across, and our feet got wet.

And today in the yard everything looked different, too. Instead of the grass and the drainage ditch, there was nothing but water! It was running and gushing and I didn't know what to make of it, and Bracha wanted to watch it and take pictures of it with her camera, but I just stood there because I was so disoriented and confused. And the patio where I lie in the sun is now filled with water. I hope it doesn't stay this way for good. It's no place for a dog. It's a place for ducks!

I was somewhat disappointed in the behavior of the man at Aroms yesterday. He was walking around not doing much, so he must have been the manager. He came over and pointed to me and said, "Your dog..."

"What about my dog?" asked Bracha.

"What kind of dog is it?"

"It's a golden retriever. She's a guide dog," said Bracha. I think she didn't know what he wanted. But it soon became clear enough.

"Can you please go over and sit in that area?"

Bracha couldn't even see where the heck he wanted us to go, but she'd already settled us down in the corner and I was all tucked under the table out of everyone's way, so she said, "Excuse me. I think I have the right to sit wherever I want just like everyone else."

I was glad Bracha stood up to him because I'd already settled down for a quick nap and I really didn't feel like getting up. The man turned to go away and then they called Bracha's name to go get her sandwich, and the man must have realized he'd been out of line, because he brought Bracha her tray to the table and left.

Busy Days

It was a strange sensation to be walking around my old kibbutz with Suki. She was greeted and admired by all and we then set out on a night walk to see my friend Dan’s new house. Suki led me confidently down the unfamiliar winding road through the new neighborhood past piles of soil and sand to the front door. Once inside the house Suki happily trotted from one empty room to another, exploring and probably wondering at the strange echoing noises as we walked through the newly-built house.

It seems that Suki and I have a typical workday routine. It’s difficult to imagine what a production it once seemed to leave the moshav with her, and even more difficult to imagine leaving home without her. We walk out to the gate (with relatively little difficulty on Suki’s part). She was somewhat startled by the birds in the tree and the constant noise of pecans dropping from the branches as the birds pecked them off, but one command with the clicker and we were on our way. On the way out a truck passed us and drove too quickly over the speed bump, and something on the bed of the truck rose and fell with a loud bang. Suki (and I) started, and then she froze, probably afraid it would happen again. I stood quietly with her at the same spot until she quieted and then we moved on. Getting on the bus is now easy and Suki crawls into the space between the seats and catches a quick nap as we move through traffic into Nahariya.

Once in town we stopped at the pet store (always a favorite place) for some new tidbits and bones and went to the vet’s to buy medication for my other dog. Suki tipped the scales at 32 kilo 600 grams. We then continued on to my accountant’s office, and paused to “mark” the entrance - a gate in the white picket fence – with the clicker. Suki now knows to turn in there when I say “Yaron”.
We then continued on a long and unfamiliar route back to town. We had been walking steadily for over an hour, and Suki missed an obstacle and I bumped into a pole. I believe at that time she was tired and was beginning to lose concentration, but I nevertheless did not let her get away with a mistake as serious as that. She received a sharp “Zehirut!” as I tapped on the pole with my hand and we did a second, more successful approach in which the pole and I did not meet again.

After a two hour nap while I worked, Suki quickly revived, and she was soon pushing her nose into my lap - a sign that she wants attention, needs to go out, or just wants a run. So off we went to the basketball court. Suki tipped over the plastic shopping basket and pulled out her rope toy. OK. I get the hint.

Tomorrow Haifa, Tuesday Tel Aviv. Suki is a busy dog.

We're finally getting the hang of it...

I think we are finally getting the hang of it. That is, Bracha and I. Today was another busy day traveling to Haifa and back to see the Emma again, but this time I really can’t remember anything except being rewarded, told I was good, and petted all day.

We left the moshav without a hitch – well, almost. I did stall for a minute opposite the noisy tree, the one where all the birds sit and make a racket, but after persuaded with the clicker to go forward and a firm “Kadima, Suki, no nonsense!” I well, sort of forgot about the birds and went on.

I was even good in the bakery where we stopped to buy some cakes. The ones on the lower shelves were very tempting, but I was told firmly to sit, so I could hardly disobey that. The lady there must have liked me a lot, because she started to cut a tiny piece of cake and give it to me, but wouldn’t you know Bracha intervened and told her that I could not have any cake, any food from anyone but her, and that cake was bad for me. Which I know darn well. She did say she could pet me as much as she wanted, and she got down on the floor and stroked me until we paid for the cakes and left.
At Itai and Hilla’s house everyone was fussing over the Emma as usual. She still doesn’t do much but eat and sleep, but there are more people making oohs and aahs over her every day. But it was nice in the sunshine on the terrace, and when we got home Bracha told me I had been good all day and I got a good run in the green field in the tall grass.

Now I’m ready for bed. All I have to do is get this peanut butter that Bracha inserted out of the holes in my kong…

Suki's Fellow Canine Companions

Here’s where we get money, Suki! Suki now knows how to locate an ATM machine. I marked one the other day and then called it “bank”. The following day I approached the bank and told Suki, “Bank, bank.” She led me to the ATM machine – the same one out of three that I had used the previous day! Darn it if that dog doesn’t surprise me every time! The only trouble is that she often tries to get up along side me and bumps her head on the outcropping underneath the machines.

OOPS! Mistake! High obstacle! Suki did not see a barrier of red and white plastic tape that was stretched across some scaffolding on the sidewalk. She continued walking, passed under it, and led me into it. As bystanders looked on I stopped her, told her “Zehirut!”, turned her around, and approached the spot again. This time she led me around it. This was identical to the situation on the obstacle course at Beit Oved in which Suki needed practice to keep from running me into a plastic rod that was high enough for her to pass under her but not high enough to allow me to go under. We’ll have to work on that.

One of the most fascinating things that I have observed is the relationship between Suki and my other two dogs, Saoirse and Nuala. Nuala has remained more aloof since Suki arrived, and has always been an outdoor dog, but Saoirse, who is 13, elderly, and epileptic, remains in the house more. Suki often prances in front of her trying to get her to romp around, but needless to say, Saoirse would rather take it easy.

Today for the first time the two of them played together and engaged in a lively tug-of-war with a rope toy. Even Saoirse was feeling spry enough to run and chase it, and was not at all disgruntled by the fact that Suki can run much faster.

I have yet to understand Suki’s behavior two nights ago: suddenly I found her sleeping on my bed and on the sofa: where she has never gone before and where she is not allowed. I was very surprised at this. Saoirse was sleeping on the living room floor at the time. Several hours later, in the middle of the night Saoirse had an epileptic seizure.

Did Suki sense that something was not right with Saoirse who was in the aura of a seizure? Was she trying to get away from Saoirse by climbing up onto the furniture? Or was she just looking for a softer place to sleep? .Considering that dogs can be trained to sense upcoming epileptic seizures in humans and warn them, it is obvious that an intelligent dog such as Suki could sense that something was not right, though she doesn’t know what it is.

Rascal Dog! No!

Well, I guess I blew it this time and no use trying to evade it. I smelled that brocoli pie and it was sitting on the edge of the counter, so...I managed to get a little bite out of the pastry on the edge before I let the dish slide a bit and Bracha heard the noise and came to see what was going on. I got what I deserved: a hearty "NO!" and was sent to my corner. Then Bracha turned her back and crossed her arms to show she was angry, and I was sorry. After a few minutes I came over to the computer and gently put my head in her lap to say I was sorry. Then she looked at me long and hard and when I pushed again with my nose I knew we would make up again. We discussed it: I said I would try not to stand up and steal food in the kitchen again, and Bracha promised that she would be careful not to put food on the edge of the counter where I can reach it because she knows I succumb to temptation. Than I got a big hug and one of those nice back massages where Bracha rumples all my fur, and I knew everything was OK again.

Yesterday on the way home from Haifa where once again Bracha spent the afternoon cuddling the tiny Emma, I discovered that trains have a special place for guide dogs: a little tunnel in between the seats, like a little dog house. Af first I didn't want to go in there, but Bracha patted the floor inside and I crept into the little place and found that it was cozy and nice. It was also better than getting my tail stepped on in the aisle. I slept inside there all the way home.

And the latest slip of the tongue:

"I once had a dog like that, in the south. It's a landrover, isn't it?"

"You mean a Labrador?"

"Oh, yes, a Labrador."

"No, she's not a landrover, or a Labrador." She's a golden retriever."

Dee-Sense-it-is-ay-shun? Maybe it involves food...

I still can't figure it out. We went all the way to Haifa again and now the little human puppy is at home. I stayed outside on the veranda and slept in the sun and I watched Bracha through the glass door cuddle this little person they call the Emma. She still doesn't do much - just sort of lays there and opens her eyes, but she makes Bracha happy so I guess it's OK. I wonder if she'll get more interesting as time goes by. I made sure to put on my best behavior after I was finally fed and let inside so that everyone will understand that I won't get well, er, rambunctious. I guess that hour-long hike through the firlds in the morning helped me settle down. Golden retrievers are, according to the Internet, filled with energy and if you don't exercise us enough we will get wild in the house and destroy things. But I'm too well trained for that sort of nonsense.

But those darned birds still drive me nuts. Even if I hear them at a distance in our own orchard, I know they are there, and I don't like 'em. I sit down and I don't want to walk because I'm afraid they will get closer. Sometimes I even hear them when we are in the house. I think Bracha is going to have to prove to me that they are not dangerous. Her friend the psychologist calls this dee-sense- it - is - ay-shun, whatever that is. Maybe it involves food...Till them I'll do my best not to get near. And then there's the ??? and the ??? as well.

All’s well that ends well. Returning home from Haifa last night I made myh way to the taxi stand. The driver who pulled up was none other than the notorious Benny. The dispatcher cordially opened the door, helped push the front seat back, and helped me in with Suki. As we pulled out Benny explained that the entire incident had been a misunderstanding: he had merely had another client waiting and therefore had been unable to take me. Why, he takes the guy from Kfar Veradim with a guide dog all the time. Yes, my dog is well behaved, and no he doesn’t have any problem taking guide dogs that are clean and behave well. I made it clear that I expected nothing short of the same good service that I had always received from the taxi station, dog or no dog, and that I was willing to put the incident behind me.
I vividly remember the shouting match and “I don’t take dogs!” but, well, some people just can’t admit they were wrong. No doubt Benny got chewed out by the dispatcher and realized he’d better shape up.
But there were, of course, two words that, of course, did not occur in the conversation in which B|enny justified himself and wrote the incident down as a misunderstanding: “I’m sorry.” That would have been too much to expect.

What's all the fuss about? Starlings?

I just can’t see what all the fuss is about. All those trains and busses to get to this big place and all Bracha does there is sit and hold this tiny little person, sort of like a human puppy. It doesn’t play, doesn’t talk, doesn’t even have a tail to wag, and occasionally it waves its little hands about and makes tiny squeaking noises, but goodness Bracha seems totally infatuated with it. I presume it will grow to be a big girl like Rotem and play with me and feed me...I hope it will like me, too. .

Could it be that the strange thing that Suki is afraid of leaving Ben Ami in the morning is…a flock of starlings? Walking out of the moshav yesterday morning Suki stopped and balked at the usual place. It suddenly occurred to me that the air was filled with the loud clamor of a large flock of starlings nesting in the pecan tree on the other side of the road. A couple of forward maneuvers with the clicker and Suki agreed to pass.

Dealing with a guide dog in certain situations is not easy. Visiting the maternity ward at Carmel hospital, I encountered only support and welcome among the guards, but the obnoxious and aggressive relative of one of the patients who broke into a screaming fit was enough to make me simply want to avoid a fight and enjoy the visit to my new granddaughter. During one visit the guard at the entrance to the ward agreed to keep an eye on Suki, who immediately lay down and went to sleep, but the second day the guard was not there, so I cautiously approached the nurses’ station wondering what to do.

“You can’t bring a dog in here!” THis is a hospital!” The man came storming out of the nearest room screaming.

“Excuse me, but it’s a guide dog.”

“I don’t care what kind of dog it is! I’ll call the security guards!” he yelled.

“Go right ahead. Call them,” I replied quietly, remembering the warm reception that SUki and I had received at the gate by the obviously well-informed security personnel.

At this Ricky, the head nurse who had been very kind to us all, approached quickly and drew me aside. We decided to leave Suki at the entrance to the ward, and I went to my granddaughter. An extra five minutes holding her was much more important to me right now than winning yet one more fight with some idiot.
Later Itai told me that he had spoken to the man and explained to him all the things that Suki can do, and he was fascinated. Maybe next time he won’t yell so loudly, or not at all.

None of that Pootzly-Mootzly Stuff...

The first thing Suki encountered today was a ??? on the way out of Ben Ami, and I gently but firmly coaxed her on, determined not to get held up or manipulated by a stubborn golden retriever. It was not long before we were on our way again. The clicker and a tidbit or two seem to be a permanent fixture in my pocket, though I have been warned not to rely on this all the time. Suki is going to have to learn to cope with whatever it is that she doesn’t like.

Meanwhile, I have to learn to cope with others who don’t like us. The first thing I encountered when we left for town this morning was a woman at the bus stop who screeched, “You can’t sit here! I’m afraid of dogs!” . Sighing I told her to please stop shouting, that I had my dog close to me, and that she was harmless. I distanced myself as far from her as possible and Suki proved my point by lying down quietly.

We arrived in town and to Suki’s delight headed directly for the pet store. The owner, who knows me well, asked how things were going.

“You have to be more strict with her,” he said. "None of that pootzly-mootzly stuff.”

“I am strict with her,” I said. "I do everything according to what we learned. What makes you think I’m not strict with her?”

“I saw you crossing the street after you left here last time, and you didn’t make her sit down!”

“But she’s not supposed to sit down when we cross the street,” I replied. “She’s supposed to stop at the curb. And she does.” Is everyone an expert on techniques of operating a guide dog? How long will it take me to go crazy if I listen to everyone's suggestions? She's too fat, she's too thin, you're too strict with her, you're not strict enough... I'd rather trust my own instincts.

I wondered if perhaps there is a different policy between the two schools regarding the position a dog has to assume before crossing the road. We learned that you must stand in the starting position and take a step back, making sure the dog has a clear view to the right and left. How can the dog have a clear view if it is sitting?

I don’t believe it was my imagination that Suki stopped at the gate to the house where my accountant has his office. She has evidently committed that place to memory, too! These golden retrievers can be stubborn, but they certainly have a good memory.

Dog Days

I'm exhausted. It was a lovely sunny day and in the morning I woke Bracha up as usual at some time before 6:00. It was the first day of 2010, but evidently It was still an unacceptable hour for getting up, and Bracha gave me the usual "Lishon, Suki, leeeshon" so I did my usual turn around three times on my pillow at the foot of the bed and settled down again with a loud dramatic sigh. I tried the same thing again in another half hour, and this time I got results: we were soon in action, dressed, leash on, and outside ready for action. I even got a run around the basketball court and an obedience lesson while the other black fluffy dog Nuala looked on and we both got treats.

Then in the afternoon Barbi came around and we went to the big green field again. I ran and ran and ran until I flopped down and couldn't run any more. Than I happily led us home again, ate dinner, and I'm so tired I can't even fin...