June 11, 2005 - 09:53 PM
As I sit to write this tonight, Amelia is on a bus heading for somewhere unknown with other graduates from the Olympic High Class of 2005. This is their Grad Night -- a surprise outing planned by a parent committee. She will return at 7:00am, in time to take a nap and be ready to party with family and friends from 3:00 to 6:00 tomorrow afternoon. But tonight, was all about Amelia and her accomplishments, her walking over that bridge of childhood to adulthood in a most symbolic way. When her name was called to receive her diploma, I know she heard our screams and cheers of congratulations and admiration. Yes, I'm a proud Mom!
I'm also a proud partner of Geneva. Today, she was faced with many new challenges, and I think she did incredibly well.
This morning was our chapter meeting for the Peninsula Council of the Blind. It was one of our smaller meetings, only 22 people and 6 other guide dogs, but she behaved properly, lying at my feet throughout the meeting.
Then it was off to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds for Kid's Day, an annual event sponsored by the local Fire Department. Our chapter always has a booth at this event and so I wanted to take my turn at it. Our booth is also set right next door to the Puppy-Raisers group. By the time we left the PCB meeting, it was pouring down rain, and as you can imagine, upon arriving at the President's Hall for the fair, there were streams, no, an ocean, of people: little children, big children, infants in strollers, adults, and yes, other dogs including adorable puppies. Geneva worked through the crowd to the booth, and aside from a few doggy distractions, did very well. As I left to go outside to get a latte, one of my puppy raiser friends walked behind us in case I needed her. But with the exception of giving me some verbal cues to work Geneva, we did great. Most of the afternoon, Geneva stayed at my feet, tucked slightly under the table. But occasionally she'd sit up to meet new people, with permission of course.
Tonight was the biggest test of all. I'd forgotten how crazy a graduation can be. We did get there early and were allowed in ahead of the crowd. But once the ceremony began, there were lots of applause, noisemakers, whistles, screams and cheers. Some of the screams even came from our row for Amelia, as I said earlier. Geneva was not overly fond of the surprise noises, but her responses were usually ones of attention. She'd usually sit up with ears pointed high and proud, but a couple of times I thought she was going to scoot backward all the way to the row behind me. I always was able to settle her with comforting pets to her head and calm words telling her it was okay.
The biggest challenge was as we left to go to my friend's van. The crowd was endless and we were trying to follow the designated leader. This wasn't easy, but Geneva still worked through the kaotic scene and never seemed stressed.
Now at home, she's plopped herself on her rug next to me and I have a feeling she'll sleep soundly through the night.
Yesterday, after work, Geneva and I went to my friend Meka's house and the 2 of us walked with our four-legged partners to a local Expresso place. This was the same area the Geneva and I had walked on our night route last week with Nick. Anyway, we had a very nice walk and visit, and it just feels so good to be out there, making our way together.
This week started with the very uneventful, no ceremony graduation of Geneva and I, and has ended with Amelia's graduation from high school. What an amazing week it has been.
Hugs,
Cindy & Geneva
