A Little Excited and Nervous

Well, here we go.  It's countdown to London.  Bracha has already written down all the dates when I have to have treatments against parasites (yuck, I'm sure I don't have any but that's what we have to do!) and even Noach is a bit nervous.  He probably imagines that the stuffy Brits will find some excuse to tell Bracha that I can't enter the UK and has visions of me being kept in a cage for a week and going home without seeing London at all, and the beautiful plan to make me the first Israeli guide dog to enter the UK will be blown into smitherines.  But I secretly think things will be OK.  After all, I am beautiful and healthy and we are following all the instructions on the British government website that Bracha and I read together.  Bracha has taken out a large suitcase and is beginning to toss a few things inside.  And I am working extra hard on getting used to my Halti and walking nicely.  Bracha is very proud of me, and tells me she is happier when I don't pull too hard, and she is careful to give me opportunities to run and play in the yard and let off excess energy.
Today we were in Nahariya and the street was full of water from the rain, and a car drove past us as we were standing on the traffic island.  I jumped back in fright, but that didn't keep me from getting sopping wet from all the water it sprayed at us and all the other people standing there.  When we got home Bracha toweled me off and we laughed.  I guess I'd better get used to it.  It's going to be cold and rainy there.  Right mate?  Cheerio!

I'm Going to London!

I guess it's really true.  Bracha and I are going to London!  We will be the first guide dog team to visit the UK from Israel, and that's very exciting.  Bracha has talked to me about it, and we have decided to work very hard to make sure that I am on my best behavior.  I've been doing my best, and Bracha has told me that in the last few days I've been working very nicely, and not pulling on the harness or rushing down the sidewalk too fast.  This is because I "consented" to wear my Halti almost all the time.  It really doesn't bother me too much, and it reminds me that I have to slow down and not pull on Bracha's arm, which is getting more than a bit sore.  This is part of our agreement, and it's working out well.  Bracha doesn't want my collar to be pulled all the time, because she knows it's not pleasant for me, and I must admit that I prefer walking with a Halti.  So we will take it with us to London, too.  We may meet some important people there, and I want to make a good impression on  them and be on my best behavior!
So here I am - DInka, the first Israeli guide dog to enter the UK!  And there is even a member of the British Parliment who uses a guide dog, too!  I'd better start brushing up on my English!

Getting Checked Out

Yesterday Bracha and I went to Tel Aviv on the train to meet Y. from Beit Oved.  The idea was for her to see how we are getting on and how we are working together.  Well, she saw some things that were very good and some things that need improvement.  As Bracha explained, I get a bit excited and energetic at times, and that makes me lurch ahead - even if there are a lot of people around.  And I admit that I like to skirt over to the edge of the sidewalk, where interesting things lurk such as crumbs and papers to sniff.  I know this is out of bounds and Bracha is going to keep me in the center where I should be.  So Bracha and I made some decisions together.  We discussed it, and agreed on the following:
I will keep to the center of the sidewalk when I am reminded to do so.
If I'm too excited Bracha will try and let me have a short run in the yard before we go out.  That will help me let out some energy and keep us from getting into a struggle to slow down.
If I can't have a run Bracha will put my Halti on sometimes.  I don't like it, but it's better than Bracha pulling on my leash.  And Bracha's arm is getting sore!  That's not fair to her.
Bracha will reward me when I walk nicely and slow down.
Now at home I clearly need some better defined boundaries.  I've been getting into far too much mischief.  Bracha loves mischief and would not like a dog that does nothing wrong, but I must admit we got a bit out of hand stealing tomatoes and oranges out of the basket and rolling them onto the rug.  So the kitchen is being declared OUT OF BOUNDS.  That means I get fed in the entryway so there will be no doubt as to where I am allowed to go.  I'm allowed all of my toys, and I guess that will be enough.  I promise to try.  I know Bracha loves me a lot, and I want to do my best.
And now I am soft and fluffy because Bracha gave me my first bath at home!  And she even told me a secret last night - we are going to England!  And we will be the first Israeli guide dog team to go there because until now guide dogs were not allowed to enter the UK!  We'll be making our own little piece of history!