Getting A Service Dog.

[bellbird]

I'm thrilled for you, b! Thank you for sharing the good news. A smile is worth 10 in these times :hug:

 

[blackemerald1]

I honestly don't think K had experienced rain till today.

She heard it long before she saw it. Head raised to the ceiling with a thoughtful look in her eyes. She was looking at me for reassurance or, 'are you hearing this too??" Of course I couldn't/and didn't. But I saw it slide in fat glowing droplets down my glass window panes and I knew by the dark bruised sky, if we were at all lucky, we might get rain. That made me feel contented. It's raining in Autumn and that's when it ought to be. So not all of the world is screwed up.

Eventually K became so intrigued she stood at the back door, looking through the glass, transfixed. Head tilted to the right and then to the left. Nose sifting through any scents that might drift inwards. Looking out and then backwards at me like, 'are you aware of what's happening out here human??

I opened the door and she stepped out ever so tentatively, looking to me and looking at the sheets of white that dropped from above. She was in awe like, 'is this for real? Leaned against me as I walked out onto my rear deck.

Oh my gosh, if I could've taken a picture it would more aptly explain the mixture of fear/excitement and curiosity on her face. She'd tilt her head to the right, then to the left. Each time I took a step forward she followed me but only because she wanted to stay with me. Not because she liked the stuff falling out of the sky. lol

Then I walked right out into it and I left her behind on the deck. I looked behind to see what she was doing and the look of horror was hilarious. Like, what are you doing.??.. I want to be with you but oh no.!!

I called her to me and she leapt forward only for obedience. She leaned in against me as I stood there in the glorious, fabulous wet rain.

K was blinking constantly, was rivotted and too hyper aware to even shut her eyes. I made my soothing cluck sounds at her and she stood with me for several more minutes. But only for obedience. lol

I stepped towards the decking and she led the way! We watched the rain on and off during the afternoon and the evening. Her eyes rarely leaving me till out of exhaustion, she snuggled up on her bed and slept with one ear erect. lol..

So at about 2300 hrs it was still raining. Yay! I decided to take her out for her evening walk. Yes I walk late. It feels good to have the world to myself and it usually is by then around here.

Well the look of foreboding on her face was too funny to describe. It's the first time she's tried to duck away from her collars. I hitched her up, coated myself up to my chin and off we went. It took twenty minutes before she relaxed enough to start enjoying the wetness of it all. She looked to the sky, left and right, encountered puddles and wasn't sure if she should walk or jump in them or go around. So she tiptoed. We set a fairly brisk pace for this evenings walk because I saw black on black coming our way soon. More heavy rain.

When we got back, we were again both soaked. As soon as I took her collars and lead off she went bezerk!! Doing super duper speeds around my whole house, launching herself off the sides of the walls and furniture, rolling and skidding along on everything.

I grabbed a towel and we dried off in a frenzy of wagging tail and flapping ears. K was so happy we made it back. :hilarious:

I haven't bathed her since she arrived in my home. I thought she didn't need it but comparing, I think she is a bit whiter now. lol..

I can see lightening out to the North and by the way she's looking at me, pricking her ears up periodically I suspect she hears thunder too. Plus of course there is still that beautiful pouring rain that she no longer seems too fussed about.

I thought I'd share my little wonder dogs experience with you. I know you've - we've - got so much other stuff going on.

Again, I cannot believe how fortunate I am that she came into my life just before all of this world wide stuff kicked off. Thank you Universe, God, lady luck, fate, destiny or whatever you like to be called. :)

And thanks guys for being here to tell you about K. :hug:

 

[Rainman8772]

I honestly don't think K had experienced rain till today.

She heard it long before she saw it. Head raised to the ceiling with a thoughtful look in her eyes. She was looking at me for reassurance or, 'are you hearing this too??" Of course I couldn't/and didn't. But I saw it slide in fat glowing droplets down my glass window panes and I knew by the dark bruised sky, if we were at all lucky, we might get rain. That made me feel contented. It's raining in Autumn and that's when it ought to be. So not all of the world is screwed up.

Eventually K became so intrigued she stood at the back door, looking through the glass, transfixed. Head tilted to the right and then to the left. Nose sifting through any scents that might drift inwards. Looking out and then backwards at me like, 'are you aware of what's happening out here human??

I opened the door and she stepped out ever so tentatively, looking to me and looking at the sheets of white that dropped from above. She was in awe like, 'is this for real? Leaned against me as I walked out onto my rear deck.

Oh my gosh, if I could've taken a picture it would more aptly explain the mixture of fear/excitement and curiosity on her face. She'd tilt her head to the right, then to the left. Each time I took a step forward she followed me but only because she wanted to stay with me. Not because she liked the stuff falling out of the sky. lol

Then I walked right out into it and I left her behind on the deck. I looked behind to see what she was doing and the look of horror was hilarious. Like, what are you doing.??.. I want to be with you but oh no.!!

I called her to me and she leapt forward only for obedience. She leaned in against me as I stood there in the glorious, fabulous wet rain.

K was blinking constantly, was rivotted and too hyper aware to even shut her eyes. I made my soothing cluck sounds at her and she stood with me for several more minutes. But only for obedience. lol

I stepped towards the decking and she led the way! We watched the rain on and off during the afternoon and the evening. Her eyes rarely leaving me till out of exhaustion, she snuggled up on her bed and slept with one ear erect. lol..

So at about 2300 hrs it was still raining. Yay! I decided to take her out for her evening walk. Yes I walk late. It feels good to have the world to myself and it usually is by then around here.

Well the look of foreboding on her face was too funny to describe. It's the first time she's tried to duck away from her collars. I hitched her up, coated myself up to my chin and off we went. It took twenty minutes before she relaxed enough to start enjoying the wetness of it all. She looked to the sky, left and right, encountered puddles and wasn't sure if she should walk or jump in them or go around. So she tiptoed. We set a fairly brisk pace for this evenings walk because I saw black on black coming our way soon. More heavy rain.

When we got back, we were again both soaked. As soon as I took her collars and lead off she went bezerk!! Doing super duper speeds around my whole house, launching herself off the sides of the walls and furniture, rolling and skidding along on everything.

I grabbed a towel and we dried off in a frenzy of wagging tail and flapping ears. K was so happy we made it back. :hilarious:

I haven't bathed her since she arrived in my home. I thought she didn't need it but comparing, I think she is a bit whiter now. lol..

I can see lightening out to the North and by the way she's looking at me, pricking her ears up periodically I suspect she hears thunder too. Plus of course there is still that beautiful pouring rain that she no longer seems too fussed about.

I thought I'd share my little wonder dogs experience with you. I know you've - we've - got so much other stuff going on.

Again, I cannot believe how fortunate I am that she came into my life just before all of this world wide stuff kicked off. Thank you Universe, God, lady luck, fate, destiny or whatever you like to be called. :)

And thanks guys for being here to tell you about K. :hug:

Amazing how much the little things light up their life and how much joy they bring to us. Mine high steps in the rain and refuses to go out unless I grab the umbrella. She locks her legs out obedience goes way out the door when I go to walk in the rain. She is like no I don’t mind holding it until it stops unless I grab the umbrella or put her vest on.

 

[Freida]

Love that!!

we had hail the other day and SD was completely baffled about the rain bouncing off his nose. :laugh:

 

[Sideways]

I loved reading that so much:)

 

[blackemerald1]

She is like no I don’t mind holding it until it stops

^Yes! It was still raining when we got up this morning and yet it seemed she wasn't busting to get out in my yard.

I put some shoes on and walked out onto the path. Then she delicately tiptoed out to get the business done. lol...

 

[blackemerald1]

I got jacked up today about my dog. Ironic really, the first time I've been outside & near any shops for ages - maybe a month?

I had a profound need for apple turnover with whipped cream. I know right? Serious reason right there to risk one's life. :rolleyes:

Maybe it's all the exercise walking K that put me in the mood to blow any good it has been doing me. I had to visit the pharmacy to sign for something anyway & well, the bakery is next door. :sneaky:

So it was the end of the day & obviously it had been a long one for many people. But still, the pharmacy staff make you wait. Idk.. ..shrug..

So I decided to go get my apple turnover. Omg it looked so delicious sitting behind the glass & you know what? It had MY name on it or so I believed. The bakery which was minutes from closing for the day was completely empty which suited me & my physical distancing habit I'm trying to maintain. ugh...

The tired looking bakeress?? came down the money side of the counter happily enough I thought. I asked for the pastry & contemplated grossing out on any number of other delicious treats that were on the shelf. So deeply was I diving into the bliss of it all that I tuned out completely.

K was sitting quietly at my left leg, slack lead as usual & always quiet.

Next thing I know the bakeress was yelling something at me, rolling her eyes & pointing towards K. I was, unusually slow on the uptake & didn't understand what she was meaning. I didn't understand at all... did she mean I couldn't have my apple turnover??

After a few seconds I got the gist of her outburst & bent down to get out K's ID card. K was all jacketed and harnessed up with details printed on the side of her jacket but still - you know - some people need proof & I wasn't very fast with understanding what the problem was.

As I was checking out my handbag otherwise known as blackemeralds bottomless pit the bakeress really wound herself up even more leaving that side of the counter & rushing around to my side. I showed her the ID - but she only glanced at it briefly & then went around the other side of the counter and took my money & handed me over the apple turnover. I grabbed the bag & left stunned about the whole episode.

Was this my punishment for buying something so indulgent??

A needlessly stressful experience & I'm still a bit dazed by the velocity of her attack.

What do you all do when you're required to show ID & you know, not be all militant about it but still impress that your dog is legal???

 

[Teasel]

Exactly what you did I should think?

 

[Rainman8772]

I would no longer spend any money there and make it known about the treatment in a nice review on yelp. But that’s just me, I don’t mind a fight if they want to be ugly about it. As for showing ID that’s not required in the US. The person can only ask 2 questions legally: Is this a service dog? What task are they trained to perform? I am seldom stopped and the sad thing is it is usually a state or federal office.

 

[Freida]

In the U.S. there are no id cards. If someone is showing one it is something they bought off the internet. Weirdly Ive found that using the term "alert dog" stops most people in their tracks. I think it's because they don't know what to say next :laugh: if they try to ask more I say "he alerts me when I need my medication" and they almost always back off.

I used to get really flustered when people challenged me. ...but that lessens with practice. Now I just roll my eyes at them and go on with my day.

 

[Sideways]

I've had the same security guard stop me 3 times going into my local supermarket with his hand out blocking me, "You can't..." bluster.

I'm too wound up as it is without adding this crap to the picture, yeah? So I keep walking, yelling at him (yeah, not cool, but effective) "His ID is printed on his jacket, so quit hassling me".

I then find a place in the store where I can have a little meltdown. Our State has a govt issued badge for their jacket, as well as an ID card. The badge on the jacket is sufficient confirmation that he's entitled to be with me in the store (and the whole point of it is, like "Look at the damn jacket he's wearing, eejit!").

The eejits will occasionally persist. Sometimes I handle it magnanimously. Other times I just do my yell & keep walking thing. You'll get used to it, and the way you cope will adjust accordingly:)

 

[Rainman8772]

Just went to my grocery store and the produce guy always talks to my dog. He spoils her. I let him pet her, I know I shouldn’t but he always goes to the back and brings me something as a treat for her. Every time she sees him she starts wagging her tail and waits on her treat to come from the back of the store. Same as my pharmacy and bank drive thru they always give her a treat. My whole community is fairly pet friendly. The only times I really ever am asked anything is in a government building or a school. We also have two veterans hospitals and an army base and nuclear weapons facility here too so it’s common for the service dogs to be out.