Presto! Where did that dog come from?

The best part of our trip this week to Tel Aviv was when I went to sleep in the little niche between the seats on the train. I crawled deep inside and stretched out to go to sleep where no one would step on my paws and tail. And believe me, I was glad to get out of the way. The train was packed with people and I was tired from maneuvering through the mall and down the moving stairs and along the crowded train platform. But when we got as far as Kiryat Motzkin, I woke up and decided to crawl out and beg Bracha for a pat and a treat. Presto! Out I came! Imagine the surprise of the people on the train who had gotten on after our stop and didn't even know I was there! It was like being a magician! What fun to see the people all surprised at the big white dog crawling out and standing in the aisle!

And if that wasn't all, I got taken to two kindergartens where Bracha told the children all about me. Now those little kids will know more about guide dogs than a lot of adults do. They know what I do, what my harness is for, and not to touch and pet me when I'm working. They also know there is a law that says that I am allowed everywhere. Now they can help teach all those adults like the guard at the supermarket who just can't learn that I'm allowed inside. How is it that some children are smarter than grownups?

A visit to the Vet

I had a nasty feeling when we got to the bus stop on Herzl Street that we were going to that awful place where I get shots. So I dejectedly put my head on my paws and waited for the bus. I knew I could make one more try to avoid going in there when we arrived. which, of course, I did. I ground to a halt outside the door of the clinic and made sure Bracha understood that I didn't want to go in. Does she think I don't remember her trying to con me inside last time? But Bracha just bent town and patted me and talked softly in my ear and there was no avoiding it - we had to go in. But that didn't mean I didn't stall outside the waiting room door and attempt to get out again!
The first thing they did was get me to stand on the scale. Bracha stood on it with me so that I wouldn't be afraid and then she got off. I weigh the same as I did last time - 36 kilo and 100 grams! The vet looked at me admiringly and said that I was just fine, and that I must not get any heavier than this. I know Petel has been dieting and she has lost three kilo! But I'm longer than Petel and therefore can have, er, a few extra kilo. And then it came. I got a shot. Bracha held me and both Avi and Noam were holding out treats for me, and I soon forgot about the shot since it was over anyway. Then Avi checked my ears, paws, and dew claws and nails. All OK.
Why is it I get so worked up about it when in the end it is nothing?
And Avi and Noam said I was the prettiest golden retriever in the entire clinic! They told Bracha waht a lovely dog I was! So I left happy and proud. And now I don't have to have another shot for another three months!

Welcome Guide Dogs!

Tel Aviv sure is a big city. Bracha and I drove to a place in the city where we had never been before and we walked down a street in the dark, but Bracha just took Rotem's hand and we walked right down the sidewalk and I led the way. Soon we got to a restaurant and when we got to the door I couldn't believe my eyes! There was a little blue sticker on the door with a picture of a person with a guide dog, and it said "Welcome!" This was a restaurant where they wanted people with guide dogs to come in! Now, why couldn't we just make thousands and thousands of these little stickers and put them everywhere, and then there would be no questions asked? As we walked down the street I saw there were a lot of other restaurants with the same sticker on the door. How wonderful!
Now what I don't understand is why some people are so afraid of me. ON the train on the way back Bracha sat down in the first seat available. There weren't a lot of seats. Suddenly a woman started screaming "No, no! he's touching me! Get him away from me!" We suddenly realized that, er, she was talking about me. Bracha asked her to please stop shouting and she would be glad to put me in the aisle, where there was also little room. But she was still upset. Evidently she was unhappy because I was next to her baby. But I love babies! This baby was smaller than the Emma, and I know I would have loved just sitting next to it, but finally a nice man across the aisle offered to change places with Bracha to quiet things down.
So I finally went to sleep and there was no more arguing. I hope this mother eventually decides to give her baby a chance to play with dogs. Otherwise he or she will miss out on a lot of fun when they are growing up!

Excuse me, but you're breaking the Law.

Here we were, entering the department store in Nahariya when suddenly the security guard stopped us and said that we were not allowed inside. This was new. We had never had any trouble here before. No doubt a new guard unaware of the law. Bracha sighed, pulled out her little card, and explained.

"excuse me, but what you are doing is against the law. This is a guide dog for the blind. She's allowed everywhere, without exception."

The guard grudgingly looked at the card.

"What can I tell you? I can't let you in."

"What can you tell me?" replied Bracha. "You can tell me good morning and please come in just like everyone else." Meanwhile a woman, impatient with the doorway being blocked, shoved her way through.

""All right, all right, why are you shouting?"

"I'm not shouting," said Bracha. I'm simply telling you that I have a right to shop here just like everyone else."

Bracha selected some socks and paid for them, and then asked the checkout lady where she could find the store manager. Uh oh. Here we go again. Su up the escalator we went to the little office. There Bracha asked for the manager, but he was not there. She explained the problem. The woman immediately apologized and said she would take care of the matter. She called down to the guard and asked him why he had shouted at Bracha.

"When she leaves, you are to apologize to her."

Bracha asked her to please tell the manager that each new security guard should be instructed about the law and left. And sure enough, when we left the store the guard apologized.

Happy Birthday Suki!

I'm three! No more "almost three" when people ask how old I am! Today we went to the pool and then went to town and as Bracha promised, there was a special trip to the pet store. We came away with a brand new bed for me, and if that wasn't all, I got a new rawhide bone and rope toy. After a year I totally destroyed my other one and it was time for a new one. So I'm so happy with my presents. Now Nuala can have my old bed, which was a bit small anyway, and then there won't be any more jostling for the soft bed at night any more!

Now I have to tell you about the weekend because it was very special. We went to the folk festival again! I was delighted to be back at the Kinneret and it was a bit chilly for swimming, but I did manage a good run on the beach and around the lawn before the storm hit. And the biggest surprise was that Bracha got on stage and sang my song! I was so proud when she introduced it that I stood up in the front row and barked. I couldnot resist. And the entire audience laughed and clapped, so I barked again just to make sure that everyone had heard. There was no way that I wasn't going to get to say something as well. And I stood in the middle of the circle in the Irish session and made sure that all the jigs and reels were especially lively. I had a wonderful time.
Now winter is really here! It rains and hails, and there are flashes of lightening and crashing thunder. I'm not afraid of these things because I know if Bracha isn't than I have nothing to worry about. It sort of reminded me of Saoirse who used to be afraid of thunder and I used to snuggle up against her and make her feel better. And even Nuala, who usually likes to be outside, comes in when it's cold and rainy. So now we can look forward to cuddling up beside the stove together all winter long.

Here I am with my new bed, my new rope toy, and rawhide bone!

Fire and Water

It's been a busy week. There was little time for hiking or swimming with Nuala, but Bracha took me to two more schools. At the first one I met my friend Yuni, as well as Yudka (I think she speaks Russian!), Norma, and another guide dog named Chica. Some of the people let the children walk with their dogs, but Bracha does not approve of this, and only let some kids take me on leash to do busy at the edge of the school yard. I had to sit and listen as Bracha talked to the children, and they were pretty noisy, but I had it easy. The other dogs had to walk through an obstacle course again and again. But later in the week we went to a school and only Bracha and I were there. Bracha talked to the kids and the teachers said they were more quiet than they ever were in class. That's because they were so interested in me! Now, these kids were smart! They asked a lot of interesting questions and Bracha answered them and we showed them how much better walking with a dog is than walking with a cane.
Now on the way back something pretty scary started going on. Deep inside me, as in all animals, there is a fear of fire and smoke. And when we took the bus from the school back to Haifa there was a strong smell of smoke in the air and sure enough, the whole big mountain was on fire! I felt very unhappy and skittery and kept gazing out the window, and so were all the other people on the bus.
We finally got to Tel Aviv and people lit candles and everyone started giving out presents. Bracha gave the Rotem an umbrella that she could color on with markers, and Rotem started decorating it right away, but there is still no rain, only wind and fire outside. And then I got a present, too! Saba and Savta gave me a doughnut - shaped chew toy and a little bag of treets! I was so happy that I settled down right then and there in the middle of the carpet and went to work on the chew toy.
And even on the train on the way back from Tel Aviv there were still flames and I smelt smoke. I hope they put that fire out soon. I don't like it.