Meghan's Story
Dog Guide Etiquette
Elli
Training Journal 1999
Dori
Dori's Homecoming
Dori At Three
Cane or Dog Guide?
The First Seeing Eye Dogs
Dog Guides and Stereotypes
The Battle for Access
Dog Guide Schools in the United States
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I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I must have finally fallen asleep around 1:00. I had set my alarm for 6:00, but when I woke up I turned it off and went back to sleep. The instructors knocked on the door at 7:00. Jane knocked on my door. I sat up in bed, said "Good morning" without knowing what I was doing, and woke myself up. Good grief!
I got out of bed, took my shower, and was ready to go downstairs to breakfast before 8:00.
This morning we went into town and practiced commands on an imaginary dog named Juno. The part of the dog was played by the instructor. Jane held the dog's end of the harness. I held my end of the harness. I gave the command, and she emulated the behavior of the dog--as best she could. These sessions with the imaginary dog are commonly called "Juno walks". The Juno walk just made me more anxious to get my dog, and I was unhappy all over again that Dog Day is not until tomorrow.
We had a meeting before lunch. More scheduling information was presented. Anna fell asleep during the meeting and snored. I felt bad for her. I think she was pretty embarrassed. Poor Anna must not have gotten much sleep last night. She slept late this morning and almost missed breakfast.
After lunch, we finally got our hands on some dogs! Jane brought in three dogs all at once! How did she do that? She brought in a Labrador retriever named Jack, a golden retriever named Rusty, and a German shepherd named Pam. I got to try out Jack and Pam. I much preferred Pam. Jack's a little rambunctious. Of course, these aren't the only dogs she has to choose from. Tomorrow I'll know.
This evening at supper, Stella asked if Jane had already picked out the dogs for us. She said yes.
Anna said, "Will you at least give us a hint?"
Jane said, "Sure... It has four legs."
I suggested the idea of bringing the dogs to us in the middle of the night.
"Yeah," Tim said. "Santa Claus in September!"
We all laughed, and I pointed out that this might be a good way to get Anna out of bed for breakfast in the morning.
After supper, we had free time. I spent some time reading a book and then went out into the lounge. They were having a wine and cheese party. I didn't want any wine or cheese, but I wanted to be around the people. One of the ladies, Lorraine, was playing the piano. A man named Richard was playing the fiddle. The music was good, but I didn't know any of the songs.
At 9:00, Anna and I and another student, Debbie, went to another lounge to watch a movie called "A Song From the Heart" which starred Amy Grant as a blind musician. We finally decided it was a corny movie and turned it off. Debbie went upstairs and went to bed. Anna and I talked for a while.
It's now a little after midnight. Tomorrow ... today ... is the big day. I guess I should go to bed.
Sarah J. Blake