Let the adventure begin… The airport trip was uneventful. I was hoping to get a nice, chatty seatmate on my flight. I’m sorry to report that I never even learned my seatmate’s name. The person was silent as could possibly be. I, consequently, fell asleep. I didn’t even apologize for snoring. It was not a very pleasant nap… I was so tired that I didn’t even think to take out my little pillow from my shoulder bag.
The dog guide school sends trainers to pick up students at the airport, and they take us back a few at a time in their vans. I was assured that the airport is familiar with this and we would have no problems, that I should just go to baggage claim and pick up my bags and wait, etc. Still, ths following discussion took place.
Airport staff: “Who is picking you up?”
Me: “I’m not sure.
AP staff: “Do they know you?”
Me: “They will recognize me. I’m here to train with a dog guide, and the school is sending staff to pick me up.”
AP staff: “But how will you know they are the ones who are supposed to pick you up?”
The staff who picked me uup turned out to be a trainer whom I knew from a prior class. Still, I think the poor airport staff was very hesitant to turn me over to his care.
We are fed very well here at all times. I have always felt that this is just part of the general classy way in which we are treated. The food is phenomenal. And who would really want to spend nearly three weeks eating what we can eat at home? On the other hand, we’re also on the move nonstop–we need the extra calories. Today I had veggie soup and a ham sandwich for lunch, some chips, and an ice cream sandwich. For dinner I had roast beef and gravy, a dinner roll, carrots and potatoes, peach nectar, a cup of coffee, and tiramisu for dessert. Welcome to heaven!
I took a walk this afternoon. It was a very short one, just to check on what I like in terms of pace and pull. During the walks today and tomorrow, the instructor holds the harness and simulates dog behavior, and we use all the commands on the fake dog named Juno. The good parts: I didn’t try to step off the curb before the fake dog. Since I’ve been going around without a dog for many weeks now, this is a big deal–I’ve gotten into the habit of just going on ahead when I’m ready to go. I got a compliment on my corrective tone and feel. Since I might have given Loretta one or two corrections in six years, I’m happy about this. Tomorrow we will take more walks, have more talks, etc. Wednesday morning I will meet the dog.
I won’t be talking about my classmates in this blog–some of them may have their own blogs, and they will tell their own stories. All that I can say with good respect to their needs and confidentiality is that this is a fun and intriguing class. It is also the youngest class I have been in–most of the students are under 30! I also happen to be one of the most veteran dog users–there is one who has been working dogs a few years longer, but not much. I have officially become a different person from the person I used to understand myself to be. I don’t dwell too much on this tonight but may have thoughts about it in the future.
The building has undergone a good bit of remodeling. The dormitory wings are different in significant ways. Gor people who have been here, some of the things that made the building confusing have been improved and the design is much better. The rooms, in general, are not a lot different, though if you are savvy enough to detect improvements it is possible to know that they have been improved–the bathroom plumbing is better, there is new wiring here and there, etc. There is new WiFi everywhere as well. Perhaps the most significant new thing is that there is now an elevator for everyone’s use. In the past, the elevator was just for use in carting freight. Now it goes to all the levels that the students use as well as the area where the dogs go out to relieve. For those of us who tire and hurt after walking,, this is greatly appreciated. (I know, there’s that old lady stuff again.)
I had a divine appointment with the bathtub at the end of the day. I bring this up because it is worth discussing this aspect of the improvements. O had a great battle going over whether to take a bath with my lavender bath salts or to take a shower and wash my hair; and I thought how wonderful it would be if I could do both. What a glorious thing it was when I pulled back the curtain and vound a detachable shower head!!! I filled the tub, put in my bath salts, climbed in, and took down the shower head. They take good care of us hers!
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Do pray tell when you’re going to send that food to my home or office!
It sounds like things are going well. I’m glad!
I hope meeting your dog today goes well.
I’m enjoying reading your blog. 🙂 you’re in the same class as my friend kristen. I’ve heard so many awesome things about the food there. This comment is kind of disjointed and pointless, I think, but basically just a ‘hi’ and good luck with your new doggie