The Three Dog Day!

Have you heard of the Aboriginies referring to a three dog night - a night that's so cold you need to sleep with three dogs to keep warm? Well, yesterday we had a three dog day!

Petel, Yuni, and I in the house

It finally happened - Petel and Yuni both came to visit! This was the first time that I had two guests at once. Bracha had given me the usual reminders of sharing my pool and my toys, and since it was a terribly hot day I had no objection to everyone going in my pool. First we all sat quietly under the table in the restaurant while Liron, Adi, and Bracha had lunch. We were all very good. Then we walked all through Nahariya to the bus station, and all three of us got on the bus. Unfortunately Bracha and I were a bit ashamed because the driver did not receive our guests nicely and was not nice, said he did not like dogs, and rudely ordered Bracha, Liron, and Adi to go to the back of the bus. Bracha told him she'd darn well sit wherever she wanted to and that actually, he should let us sit in the front of the bus so that he could help us if we needed. But when we got to Ben Ami the fun really started, and we forgot all about the mean bus driver. We walked to the path that leads into the orchard and Bracha told Adi and Liron to let us run free. And it was then that I had the great idea!

Now, you know how I love to get wet and muddy. There were some terrific leaks in the irrigation lately because it has been so hot that they have been turning the water on. Well, I found a really good one. And I thought to myself, "Petel and Yuni never get to do this because they live in the city, so here's my opportunity to be a good hostess and show them how to have fun! They can get wet and muddy, too! Now Petel started right in, but Yuni was a bit hesitant, but soon I emerged, proudly covered in muck, and shook myself all over everyone just to show how nice and cool it was. I'm, er, not so sure Bracha was pleased about this. Soon she had the hose out and all three dogs had to get a bit of a wash. But then I knew Bracha wasn't too angry because she brought out my swimming pool. Petel and I ran right in, but Yuni was a bit afraid and skirted around it, even when Bracha stood in it and offered her a treat. But I guess not everyone likes the same things.
Before long it was time to say goodbye and Adi and Liron got in the taxi with Petel and Yuni. I was sad to see them go, but Bracha said they would come visit again. But I think next time she'll take us all running in the basketball court where we are certain not to get muddy. . Bathing three dogs is a bit difficult.

One Year Ago -the Day We Met!

It's hard to believe, but Bracha and I officially met as potential dog and handler exactly one year ago. Those of you who have been following this blog and remember the beginning when Bracha was given Petel to walk on the first course know that we did not walk together on that course at all. Bracha says she remembers me as a big and very pretty golden retriever who Orelia was having trouble getting to sit down and artza when she wanted to. But the day before Yom Kippur last year Ami called Bracha and told her they wanted to consider giving me to her and wanted her to come down to Rehovot and walk with me.

I remember that day very well. Roi and Ami put me in the big cage in the back of the van and drove me to Rehovot. They had brushed me very carefully and I had a feeling that something was going on because there were two trainers and no other dogs on the outing. When Bracha came through the turnstile at the train station I remembered her from the course. She shook hands with Ami and Roi and then bent down to pet me and say hello. Ami gave her my leash and we walked outside to the car.

The walk we had together was not too long and not difficult - a square route around the block. I remember Bracha handling me rather hesitantly at first, but, well, she'd only had two days of walking with Petel. I got into a little mischief and chased a leaf, causing Ami to jerk on the extra leash and call me to order. But I sort of wanted Bracha to see that I could get a bit rambunctious at times. She wanted me really badly after that. I could tell. And when Ami and Roi put me back in my cage at the end of the walk and we drove Bracha back to the train station, she looked at me for one last time through the bars of my cage and I could tell she wanted to take me home right then and there. So I was terribly excited when I heard Ami call Bracha on the phone from the car and tell her that they had decided to give me to her! And that was the beginning of the story.

Bracha took me to the beach the other day and I got to show off my new present that she bought me - a bright purple collar. And after that we went to dinner at a friend's house, and I know I behaved very well - er, once they had remembered to take the bowl of the cat's food off the floor. But hey, I had been jumping the waves all afternoon, and I was hungry. So I think I needed to be forgiven for that little misdemeanor. After all, Bracha knows from since I chased a leaf on that first walk and refused to sit down when Orelia told me to - that I can be a bit rambunctious. That's what makes me special.

I'm Allowed By Law!

One of the reasons that I love riding the train is that everyone admires me. And yesterday we found that there was really someone watching. All the way I lay sleeping happily under the table, enjoying the cool air and soft blue carpet. When we got to Tel Aviv we got off at a different station and went up lots of moving stairs over the big bridge and into the large shopping mall. I love moving stairs, and one of them ran high up over the bridge and the street far below. But I handled them like a pro. We zipped out of the station and into the mall, and then went to the store where Bracha bought some floating balloons that she gave to my grandparents. I didn't like that too much - filling up the baloons made a loud hissing noise that I don't like, and one of them burst when the man filled it up, making a loud explosion that made me jump, but Bracha assured me that it was OK and that it was a special surprise for my grandparents.

They seemed to like the balloons a lot, and soon we got into Yael's car to go to the restaurant to celebrate their 65th annie verse aree, what ever that is, but it all sounded good. When we got there there was a security guard at the door who asked Bracha if she had a certificate. He was very polite. Bracha said she had one, and that only people with certificates have guide dogs anyway. He got up and went into the restaurant and told the woman at the door that I was a guide dog and was allowed in by law, and in we went!

I soon settled in a corner under the table and observed the proceedings. Everyone was happy and there was a lot of laughing and fun going on. I lay under the table and watched it all. Part of this celebration seemed to involve taking lots pf pictures and Rotem and Hadar making special hats and costumes out of the drinking straws, but as usual everyone soon settled down to eating. At the end the waitress brought out several dishes with fire coming out of them like on Saba's birthday, and everyone had a good time.

Soon it was time to go and we got into the car to go to the station. Bracha rode in back with the Rotem and the Hadar and Yael sat with me in front and petted me all the way. And when we got on the train a man came up to us. He said he had been on the train when we came to Tel Aviv. "I saw how she led you," he said. "She's an amazing dog, and very pretty, too." I felt so proud!! And then, of course, I went to sleep.

At the Crossing

Here we are again at the hospital crossing. It's a horrible place and we both hate it. There are two lanes of traffic moving by at 80 kilometers per hour with an island in the middle, and a stoplight that is so short that you would have to fly across the street in order to get across in time. When you are halfway in the middle of the road the light changes, and drivers start to gun their motors, mgetting ready to bolt. And when one lane of traffic is standing we mustn't be fooled and start walking because the other is still whizzing by and has a green light! It's a lot of work and concentration to figure out when to cross and Bracha has to work hard at it. She knows: when the traffic coming out of the hospital at the 12:00 position starts moving, it's our green light.

So here we are again, the traffic coming out of the hospital has just started coming out, and that means it's our turn to cross. Off we go, and we get to the island. Bracha waits for the traffic in back of us to start moving and then lifts up her hand to signal me to start walking. But not fast enough for these people, who are always eager to point out our deficiencies. Suddenly a voice calls out from one of the cars: "Nu, you have the green light! Why doesn't he tell you to cross?" First of all, your light changes before theirs does. Second of all, I'm a she, not a he. and third of all, Bracha has to tell me to cross. Not the opposite. Wen will people learn?

When we get on the bus the driver asks Bracha to go to the back with her dog, but Bracha says she'll sit where there is a free space and sits in the front seat by the door. My favorite spot! I gaze out the window happily and Bracha praises me and gives me a treat.

And here we are again at the bank. We go up the stairs and there is a machine there for getting a slip of paper with a number on it to wait in line. But the machine has a touch screen that Bracha can't read. I can see she's beginning to get frustrated. There is no one around from the bank staff to help get a number out of the machine. Finally we stand in front of the machine and Bracha says, "Can someone please help me get a number?" A few clerks look up from their work but none move. Finally a man comes over and punches his finger at the screen and gets a number out. Then we sit down.

It seems that people at the bank are determined to make things almost as difficult as crossing the road at the hospital. Bracha can't read the badly printed number on the little slip of paper, so she asks the man next to her what humber she has. Now there is a dinging noise from the desks and a person gets up and goes to sit down. Bracha asks what number is next. There is a bigt screen up high and of course, need I say, it's too far away to see. Then a nice lady in a purple dress tells Bracha that her turn is next. Then the dinging noise sounds again and Bracha asks where to go. Evidently the screen tells people where to go, but ah yes, Bracha can't see the screen. We run around till we find the teller who has just become free. What a production. She tells the man, "I know it's not your fault, but there are a lot of problems here with accessability. I'm going to write a letter to the bank's customer service." The man agrees. Then he passes Bracha a piece of paper and asks her to sign it. Bracha asks him to show her where and he points to a place on the paper. This is also a pain in the neck and I can tell that Bracha just wants to get out of there.

I know that Bracha and most of her friends who have dogs like to do things for themselves. But being in the bank is sort of like the obstacle course we had to walk at Beit Oved.

The Art of Ignoring Ignorant Security Guards

Here's how it's done: the art of ignoring impolite and ignorant security guards.
Bracha and I enter department store and proceed down the aisle.

Security Guard: Lets us enter store and then does a double take: "Giveret..."

Bracha and I ignore him and keep going.

Security Guard: "Giveret!" (This time louder)

Bracha and I ignore him and keep walking.

Security Guard: HEY, GIVERET!!! This time in a loud bellow that the entire store can hear and is impossible to ignore.

Bracha: Turns around, innocently asks, "Excuse me, were you talking to me?"

Security Guard: "Uh, er, no nothing......", returns to place and shuts up.

Guess he didn't bother to notice I'm a guide dog and not just a large golden retriever being brought into the store for the fun of it.

Since when is 06:30 too early to get up? How should I know that we have turned the clocks back an hour and when I want to get up it's now 05:30? Anyway, Bracha had just finished telling me "Suki, leeeeshon!" trying to get a few more minutes in bed when there was a strange pattering noise outside. No more pleading. Bracha was up and out of bed, calling me to come outtside and see. It was raining! There was a dark cloud overhead and soon my fur was wet. I shook myself but it kept coming. So winter is on the way. But today in town the pavement was still very hot under my feet. I couldn't stand still at the stoplight and kept prancing around. I was not very cooperative because I kept pulling over to the shady part of the sidewalk, but Bracha didn't get angry and seemed to know that my paws were getting hot. She petted me and told me that tomorrow we would bring my shoes. I would like it to rain some more so that the pavement will cool off. Then my paws won't get so hot.

Call Me Surfing Suki

You've got to catch the right wave...


Ride it for a while...



And jump at exactly the right moment...



Can we go to the beach every day??? Please???

Emma and Mysterious Goings On

After eight months of looking at the Emma through the glass doors, we finally got to meet. I know it was sort of hard for Itai and Hilla at first, but they soon saw that I was on my best behavior. I lay very quietly and still on the floor and Emma crawled and played next to me. Soon she even touched my fur! I was so happy that I could hardly keep from thunping my tail and that made her even more interested. So I think we will be tgood friends.



Now, the next thing we did over the holiday was even stranger. We went to a large building. Bracha said it was called a Mew Zee umm. They had machines there that looked like animals, and one man came out and put a mechanical dog on a table that made barking noises and walked around when he petted it. I couldn't see the point of this dog. It had no smell, and it certainly was too small to be a guide dog. So I went to sleep until the show was over.


But there were some mysterious things in this building that I truly could not figure out.

We stood in front of some pieces of glass and suddenly there were a lot of guide dogs that looked just like me. But they had no smell.







And if that wasn't enough, suddenly Bracha started to disappear and reappear again. It was all very strange and curious. And I guess I'll never know what made these strange things happen in this mew zee umm.

But one good thing happened. I remember almost eight months ago we went to a restaurant in Haifa and a mean waitress and shift head tried to throw us out. Today we went back there. No one said a word. I lay down under the table and went to sleep, and the waitress even admired me. I guess they learned how to treat people with guide dogs properly.

On Vacation!

Yes, we did go on vacation – just as Bracha promised. At first it was like any other trip, getting on the train and going to the bus station. But soon we met Yuli and got on the minibus. Then the fun started. There were Yuni, Disney, and a few other dogs as well. And after a while we got to the hotel. It was a nice place with lots of green lawns and stairs, doorways, and elevators, and Bracha led me into our room and unpacked my water bowl and two brand new bones for Petel and me! Soon Petel arrived, too. Then the fun really started. We had a great time together. I admit that I barked when we were left alone in the room, because even having Petel there with me I still felt unhappy when Bracha went out without me. You see, 50 dogs in one dining room would have been a bit much, so every time Bracha went to meals I had to stay in the room with Petel. But we all came to the pool and the lawn and did everything else together. I spent a lot of time sleeping and keeping cool and happy. And what could be better than a vacation together with Yuni, Petel, Wendy, Disney, Knight, Ringo, Simbo, Pupick, Hero, Nellie, and countless other dogs whose names I can't even remember. And everyone kept commenting on what a large dog I am! At first this made me feel bad, but Bracha assured me that of all the dogs there – even the jet black Labradors, she loves me the most and wouldn't trade me for any other dog. So I hope we go on vacation again. But isn't there any hotel where dogs are allowed in the swimming pool???

Petel and I relaxing in our hotel room


No, we're not fighting. Petel (left) and I are only playing. more fun and frolics