May 31, 2005 - 10:46 PM
First of all I want to thank each of you for joining me on this journey.
Now I'd like to share with you my thoughts from this morning.
7:30am
Last night I felt like an expectant mother in her ninth month. I found myself cleaning clutter, washing dog beddings (for all dogs in the house), vacuuming, and just keeping busy tidying up whatever I could. The girls were a big help, not giving me much slack as I asked them to take care of this or that. smile
The anticipation of this day has built up over the passed couple of weeks, but I think that I became more anxious after speaking with Pat on the phone on Friday afternoon as he firmed the day and time of arrival with me. When my daughter Amanda asked me who I was speaking with and I said joyfully, "the nice man bringing me my new guide dog," Pat quickly responded, "possible guide dog." It was as though he threw a knife in my heart. I know he's just playing the cautious trainer/instructor. But I'm going into this with every positive thought I can muster, and now I'm nervous about Pat being here and going with us throughout this afternoon and tomorrow morning up until the time a decision is made on whether Geneva will stay with me. The best part of all of this is Nick is coming over today to observe us working together. Having Nick here will be a great support to me.
And now I wait with a twinge of impatience, wondering about this little four-legged girl who is entering my life in just a few hours. Will she like me? Will she be everything I hope her to be? Will we be that perfect match that I so desperately desire? Will Pat & nick see potential in us as a team? Will we get soaking wet? Probably, since after a dry weekend, a hot few days, the weather forecast is rain through Thursday. Hurray! Oh what the heck, a little rain never hurt anyone, and I'd work in the snow if it meant getting my guide dog.
Well, I'll add more to this after our meeting and first few hours together. And thanks for hanging in here with me.
Now here I am a good 15 hours later and all I can say is "WOW!!!"
So now where to begin? Well, Nick arrived at the house about 10 to 1. I had gone to work for a few hours and couldn't eat anything ahead of time because I was so nervous and excited. Pat got here about 10 after.
The first thing I did was leash up Arabelle and we all headed out to Pat's car. I stood on the edge of our walkway while pat brought Geneva over to meet Arabelle. They sniffed each other and then Arabelle had enough and turned around, ready to go in. But Geneva continued sniffing her with interest. We then all came into the house. Arabelle went into Amanda's room and I was handed Geneva's leash.
Geneva was born on August 18, 2002, so she's almost 3-years-old. She is the offspring of Nimble (mom & Annican (dad), she stands at 24-&-three-quarters inches at the shoulders and weighs in at 79-&-a-half pounds. I'm told she is a black and tan Shepherd. Her back is all black with some tan swirlies streaked through. She has an all black tail, tan legs & paws and a tan chest that lightens at her tummy. Her under face is black and her face from the topside of her muzzle to her head is tan with a black mask which looks like a raccoon. Her ears are tan, darkening to black at the tips. I'm told she's beautiful with striking markings. But what I've noticed about her is her affectionate spirit and her gentle demeanor. Her head is very soft and her ears are big and plush.
As we stood and talked in the house, I told Geneva to "sit" for the first time. She instantly sat and snuggled up to my leg. I was so excited, I bent down to tell her what a good girl she was and she licked me on the chin and melted my heart.
Pat then handed me her harness, and oh how good it felt to put it on her. I actually fumbled a little with the buckle as I was in an intoxicated state of an adrenalin high. But once I picked up that handle, it was as though I'd been set free. "Geneva, forward," and away we went. Our first route together was around the block here in our mobile home park. This is a very quiet, sidewalkless neighborhood often with little dogs dragging their humans around. Pat had hoped we'd run into such a combination on this route as apparently, Geneva has had some bouts of doggy distraction and Pat wants me to encounter what it would be like. He had told me that if she got distracted due to a dog, to have her sit and instantly put her into a high collar correction. He said that it's important for me to establish right away with Geneva who is boss. But the only dogs we encountered were those in yards. And although they yapped away as we passed, and Geneva was aware of them, she worked right passed them. So I would halt her after we passed and praise her up.
Upon returning to my house, we got in Nick's van and took off for Silverdale. We parked in the Mall parking lot and Pat had me walk a couple of blocks to get a feel for Geneva's pace. Often she walked slow, but when she was comfortable, her pace picked up and she had a nice steady pull in the harness. One of her street crossings was too slow, so we had to work on that, but otherwise, I felt really good. And, it did rain while we were on this walk, but just a light rain, and I was hot anyway.
We then got to the Mall and Pat said I could go wherever I wanted. So, entering the food court, I headed off to the right. After going up the two sets of short stairs, I had Geneva cross over to the left and we continued on our way, ending up at the Disney Store. Anyone who shops with me knows I always end up at the Disney Store when I go to the Mall. But this time I didn't go in. I just praised my girl for getting us there with such ease; it felt magical! Pat was even impressed on how well we moved together through people and other obstacles, and I never new they were there. He then told us to make our way back to the door we came in. So I had her go another route back, and although she started off a little slow, her pace picked up nicely.
Pat had me go sighted guide through the parking lot to the van, and then we were back at my house again.
Pat gave me a rug, grooming kit, Heart Guard & some Advantage. He asked me how I felt about things, and I just couldn't stop smiling. I didn't have to say a thing. He then said that Geneva could stay with me over night and reminded me not to let her loose. He and Nick decided on a 9:00 start time for tomorrow morning. I'll be ready and raring to go!
Geneva has relaxed on her rug which I laid next to my desk. She's enjoyed a natural chew bone and had no trouble eating at meal time. She eats 4 cups a day, split 2 cups in the morning and 2 in the evening. She's also relieved once on the lawn and once in the relieving box out in the carport. Oh yes, as soon as we were back in the house and the guys left, the thunder rolled in and the rain poured. What timing!
Arabelle may not be thrilled with another new dog in the house, but she seems more carefree about walking around the house or by Geneva. Madison and Geneva met for the first time outside and Geneva sniffed away, wagging her tail the whole time. Madison sniffed a little, but mostly just stood there and let her sniff all she wanted. I think they're all going to be fine.
Now I can tell you that I'm absolutely in love with this dog. I'm excited about the next week of training and the future months ahead of she and I becoming a real team. It all feels right to me, and I'm praising God for his faithfulness.
What a truly wonderful beginning!
Hugs & joyful wags,
Cindy & Geneva
