I admit it. I'm more than a bit of a rascal. It takes intelligence, cunning, and a good sense of humor. And when a man stopped Bracha at the crosswalk in town and told her, "Do you know that your dog has a cigarette in its mouth?" I know Bracha was more than a bit flabbergasted. She bent down and felt around my mouth and lips. Sure enough, I had picked up a plastic stick and held it in my mouth so that one end was sticking out and I was just sauntering down the street in harness with it. Bracha removed it and laughed. There's no end to what I will do to get some excitement.
But seriously, I know there are a few things that we need to work on. Bracha even consulted with Rafi, our trainer, about my, er, problem ending our play sessions. I can simply grab a toy or stick, crouch with it with my rear end up in the air, and refuse to come back when she calls me. I know that if I behave better Bracha will trust me and let me run off leash more. So when she suddenly presented me with another toy I fell for it. I came back when she called me. And I continued to come back until she ended the play session and took me gently by my collar and put my leash and harness back on and gave me a treat. And for that I earned - a run on the beach! And yes, I came back when she called me!
And what's this I hear about a trip to New York?
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Right Dog
Last Thursday Bracha and I went to a board meeting. Of course, my friends Tommy, Alice, and Tango were there. All four of us wandered about the room - four Labrador golden retrievers all buff colored just like me. Tommy and Tango are guys, and Alice and I are girls. Tommy is very big, Tango is about my size, and Alice is a bit chubbier than me.
I can hear you begin to snicker as the story unfolds. Yes, there was a mixup. This often happens, and we have to be very careful. I know Bracha loves me more than any other dog (exdcept for Suki, whom she loved as much as she loves me). So I was rather surprised when Bracha put MY harness on Tango and walked out the doort with him. I knew she'd be right back. No one walks like me, and it didn't take her long to realize that she had the wrong dog. Also, Tango, er, has something that I don't...so by the time Betty called Bracha and said DInka was still in the office, she had already realized her mistake and was turning around and racing back.
Now Bracha has put one of those sticky dots on my collar that she can feel. I don't think she'll make that mistake again. But just to make sure...
I can hear you begin to snicker as the story unfolds. Yes, there was a mixup. This often happens, and we have to be very careful. I know Bracha loves me more than any other dog (exdcept for Suki, whom she loved as much as she loves me). So I was rather surprised when Bracha put MY harness on Tango and walked out the doort with him. I knew she'd be right back. No one walks like me, and it didn't take her long to realize that she had the wrong dog. Also, Tango, er, has something that I don't...so by the time Betty called Bracha and said DInka was still in the office, she had already realized her mistake and was turning around and racing back.
Now Bracha has put one of those sticky dots on my collar that she can feel. I don't think she'll make that mistake again. But just to make sure...
Friday, March 8, 2013
London!
Bracha promised and promised and it finally came true! I was the first Israeli guide dog to enter the UK! It was thrilling for Bracha and me to travel to London, but it was a hard week for both of us, and we are happy to be home and back into our usual routine. We were treated like royalty (no I didn't get to see the Queen, but we did meet a member of Parliment and his handsome guide dog, which I'll tell you about). My paws were terribly cold outside on the streets, I had to find my way through tube stations, streets, and large stores, but we did it and I know I did my best.
Noach came to pick us up and drive us to the airport early in the morning. I didn't get any breakfast that day because I had to get on the plane, but I don't think I could have eaten too much anyway, I was so excited. When we got to the airport Noach said goodbye and then Dennis, Bracha and I got on the plane. I was good and very quiet throughout the flight, and people wondered if Bracha had given me something to make me quiet, but she proudly told them no, that I just knew how to behave.
Then we got to London and the red tape began. Evidently a man was supposed to have met us at the gate, but he didn't come because we did not know we were supposed to have produced yet another document saying we wanted to get into the UK. When the man finally appeared he checked my microchip and told us that my papers were in excellent order and that we were approved to enter the UK. We raced outside and everyone was very excited and happy.
There are many things in the UK that I find very confusing. The trains run underground there in a large tunnel, and it's very noisy when the train comes into the station. The people all go racing about, but they really do love dogs there. Everyone stopped to say "AAWWW! Isn't she cute? Can I pet her?" If I was not working Bracha always said yes. And the children in the schools all wear jackets and ties just like the adults do, and stand quietly next to their desks until they are permitted to sit. They were wonderful, petted me a lot, and asked Bracha a lot of questions. And the strangest thing was that when we got into a car we got in on the wrong side, and Bracha sat where the driver usually sits. A lot of people asked me if the fact that the traffic runs backwards confused me. Bracha felt that I simply did my job, stopping at every curb and waiting for her to tell me when to cross the street, but I could tell she was a little hesitant at times and found it confusing.
There was only one time in London when I really got upset. Something approached us in the street. It was huge and round and had legs, and came walking towards us. I wanted to get BRacha and myself away from it, and turned around in harness in the middle of the road. I don't know what it was, but I hope I never see one again. AFter all, I am only a dog, and Bracha forgave me for being frightened at this thing and barking at it.
But the best thing was meeting Crosby. He is, I think, the biggest, most handsome guide dog I habve ever seen! They caught us kissing on camera, too!
We were also on TV. What interested me most was the large yellow foam ball on a stick that the reporter held just out of my reach. I longed for it, but she wouldn't give it to me, despite the fact that I was very good and sat quietly while they photographed Bracha and me. But Bracha rewarded me with treats for being so well behaved, and told me she was proud of me.
So now we are home, and Bracha says we might travel again, but we both hope it will be warmer next time. And now I have my beautiful red raincoat that Bracha bought me! I'm so happy and proud!
Here is our TV interview:
http://jn1.tv/video/news/israeli-guide-dog-arrives-in-london.html
My beautiful new raincoat
Noach came to pick us up and drive us to the airport early in the morning. I didn't get any breakfast that day because I had to get on the plane, but I don't think I could have eaten too much anyway, I was so excited. When we got to the airport Noach said goodbye and then Dennis, Bracha and I got on the plane. I was good and very quiet throughout the flight, and people wondered if Bracha had given me something to make me quiet, but she proudly told them no, that I just knew how to behave.
Then we got to London and the red tape began. Evidently a man was supposed to have met us at the gate, but he didn't come because we did not know we were supposed to have produced yet another document saying we wanted to get into the UK. When the man finally appeared he checked my microchip and told us that my papers were in excellent order and that we were approved to enter the UK. We raced outside and everyone was very excited and happy.
There are many things in the UK that I find very confusing. The trains run underground there in a large tunnel, and it's very noisy when the train comes into the station. The people all go racing about, but they really do love dogs there. Everyone stopped to say "AAWWW! Isn't she cute? Can I pet her?" If I was not working Bracha always said yes. And the children in the schools all wear jackets and ties just like the adults do, and stand quietly next to their desks until they are permitted to sit. They were wonderful, petted me a lot, and asked Bracha a lot of questions. And the strangest thing was that when we got into a car we got in on the wrong side, and Bracha sat where the driver usually sits. A lot of people asked me if the fact that the traffic runs backwards confused me. Bracha felt that I simply did my job, stopping at every curb and waiting for her to tell me when to cross the street, but I could tell she was a little hesitant at times and found it confusing.
There was only one time in London when I really got upset. Something approached us in the street. It was huge and round and had legs, and came walking towards us. I wanted to get BRacha and myself away from it, and turned around in harness in the middle of the road. I don't know what it was, but I hope I never see one again. AFter all, I am only a dog, and Bracha forgave me for being frightened at this thing and barking at it.
But the best thing was meeting Crosby. He is, I think, the biggest, most handsome guide dog I habve ever seen! They caught us kissing on camera, too!
We were also on TV. What interested me most was the large yellow foam ball on a stick that the reporter held just out of my reach. I longed for it, but she wouldn't give it to me, despite the fact that I was very good and sat quietly while they photographed Bracha and me. But Bracha rewarded me with treats for being so well behaved, and told me she was proud of me.
So now we are home, and Bracha says we might travel again, but we both hope it will be warmer next time. And now I have my beautiful red raincoat that Bracha bought me! I'm so happy and proud!
Here is our TV interview:
http://jn1.tv/video/news/israeli-guide-dog-arrives-in-london.html
 |
| We're in! Outside at Heathrow after I was approved for entry. |
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| Flirting with Crosby, David Blunkett's guide dog |
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| Trying to keep warm outside Westminster Abbey |
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| Riding in the car - on the wrong side! |
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| Talking to school children |
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| The horrible thing I tried to run away from in the street |
My beautiful new raincoat
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