Once in a while Zodiac uses his paws like a zax and punches you. The most memorable time was when my friend Lisa, and I along with Zodiac and a career change dog name Osaka, where driving through the night to a Guide Dog for the Blind graduation. We were both too tired to drive, so the four of us slept in the car. At some point Zodiac punched out with one of his paws and caught Lisa in the eye. Boy did that ever hurt. I’m pretty sure her eye got scratched but it healed up fine. Of course Zodiac wasn’t trying to hurt her, she just got in the way of a powerful paw stretch.
Zodiac is still in phase 0! Half the dogs in phase 0 last week moved on to phase 1, too bad Zodiac wasn’t one of them. A new batch of dogs will be arriving on campus next week. If Zodiac doesn’t make it to a string this coming week than he must be having trouble of some kind. I’ll be waiting anxiously for Thursday and the next phase report.
One of my biggest challenges is prioritizing my tasks. This has been an ongoing challenge for many years. I’ve tried to apply the philosophy taught by Stephen R. Covey of putting everything in your life into one of four quadrants, important/urgent, important/not urgent, not important/urgent and not urgent/not important. But without much success. But a few months ago I was trying again to put some method to my prioritizing and by adding a tiny two letter word it started to work for me. Now the four quadrants in my life are important/urgent, important/not AS urgent, not AS important/urgent and not AS urgent/not AS important. It is amazing to me what “as” has done for me.
Now to the reason for my post and my lack of posts. I had a family thing come up and was both urgent and important so getting post written for my blog though both important and urgent are not as important or as urgent as a family member in need of help. After all, the reason behind telling our family tells to each other is because family is important. Though it wasn’t how I planned to spent the last couple of days, I’m so glad that there was no question in my mind where in the four quadrants that requested landed. For me that brings peace and a lot less anxiety.
How do you prioritize your tasks and your days? I’m always interested to learn from others what things work for them.
This week I found joy and gratitude in:
Jumping is probably my least favorite thing about Zodiac. Sometimes it comes so unexpectedly when I’m sitting at my desk working on my computer and “zap” his paws land abruptly on my arm and shoulder. I sure hope that his future handler loves this trait because I think it is just part of who he is. We have been able to moderate it but not stop it all together.
Zodiac was still in phase 0 this week. Of the 40+ pups that were recalled the middle of May, nine of them moved to phase 1 on the report. It looks like they started two new strings, one in San Rafael and one in Boring, Oregon. I don’t understand why nine dogs, eight would make more sense. A trainer usually starts with four dogs. Zodiac’s brother Zenith was one of the dogs that moved on to phase 1. Hopefully next week Zodiac will start the actual harness training.
It has been a good week. Dune is getting used to being the only dog in the house. It sure is quiet around here without Zodiac.
Mark, Banta and a friend at the Bolder 10K
Banta:
This week marks two years since Banta and Mark graduated from the San Rafael campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Here is what Mark had to say about their anniversary:
“It has been a very quick two years. Each day for the last two weeks I have been thinking about what we did in training that day two years ago. It is all good memories. I have really enjoyed Banta and she has taught me a lot about patience. I can not imagine a more perfect puppy at this time in my life, I love her to death.”
Casey:
We got a wonderful email for Carrie and Casey this week. Carrie has finished law school and is now studying for the bar. She already has a job lined up for when she passes the bar. Here is what Carrie had to say about the past year:
“Casey is such a joy, I love her to pieces and she has saved me on quite a few occasions (stopping when I didn’t see a car pulling out of a driveway, disobeying my forward command when I didn’t see stairs, etc.). She has such a bounce in her step and playful spirit. Everyone who meets her, loves her. Her coat shimmers, and everyone comments on how she still looks like such a puppy. I have so much gratitude for her and cherish every moment with her. She has her head on my feet right now, as we prepare for another long week. I gave her today off and free ran her at a local schoolyard, then let her have a long sniff.”
Here are some photos from their recent vacation:
Zodiac was on the phase 0 report this week! Yeah! I know it may seem silly to be so excited to see his name but it seems like a little text message from our boy saying, “I’m here and doing fine.” The harness training at Guide Dogs for the Blind is broken into 8 phases plus they have what they call phase zero for when they dogs first get to campus, get physicals, adjust etc.
Here is the second spread in Zodiac’s puppyhood book.
“One day when he was young the back door wasn’t latched and Zodiac had a digging adventure out in the back yard. It took me a while to figure out how he got such a dirty nose in his “just earned my puppy coat” pictures.One of the zaniest things that Zodiac loves to do is dig in his empty dog dish. I usually take it to mean that he would like some ice cubes. Zodiac loves ice cubes! He will grab an ice-cube or two and dash into the living room to munch down on them or chase them around the kitchen.”
Before formal training begins, the new dog is introduced to the GDB kennels, campus walks and the formal training program.
Health Screening and Kennel Socialization
During this important transitional period, each dog receives a preliminary physical exam, performed by a Canine Welfare Technician (CWT). The CWT thoroughly inspects each dog from head to tail and checks the nose, teeth, eyes, ears, coat, skin and feet. Any ailments, abnormalities or concerns are noted and brought to the attention of GDB’s veterinary staff. Most dogs that enter training are in excellent condition, although some may require medication for minor ailments such as an ear or eye infections.
During the first week on campus, dogs receive the following:
During the veterinary physical examination, each dog also receives vaccines for:
Once physical examinations are finished, each dog is formally assigned to a group of dogs (called a “string”) and a specific training kennel. Instructors train four dogs at a time, which enables them to get the dogs out approximately twice a day, every day. A string can range from 8 to 20 dogs, depending on the campus, staffing capabilities and overall class matching needs.
During this introductory period, each dog’s personality and manageability are evaluated to help prepare instructors in how to motivate and teach each dog most effectively.
Phase Zero normally coincides with the team of instructors returning from a session in class followed by visits to
clients in their home areas. Prior to the team’s return, CWTs, float instructor staff, and qualified volunteers care for the new dogs helping them adapt to the kennel environment in an engaging and positive manner. Dogs are initially put into a kennel by themselves, which is conducive to cuddling and ice cube enrichment. Once X-rays and physicals are done, dogs are often paired (“doubled”) together in a kennel.
Week Zero Activities
Kennel enrichment is anything that stimulates the senses and puts the dogs at ease in a kennel environment. The primary focus of the CWTs is to care for and provide kennel enrichment for the dogs. Some enrichment activities take place daily for every dog, other activities are done intermittently, and others still are targeted towards specific dogs (for example, dogs that are slow to adjust to kennel life; boarding or retired guides; career change dogs, and breeding stock dogs waiting for homes). Kennel enrichment activities are continuously evolving and the CWT staff is always coming up with ways to entertain and stimulate the dogs. Enrichment activities are many, including:
Training Department staff carefully observes each new string of dogs to make sure that each dog makes as smooth an adjustment to the kennels as possible.
Selected dogs may receive any additional attention in the following areas as needed:
(from Guide Dogs for the Blind Phase Descriptions)
A fairly normal week other than adjusting to Zodiac’s departure. It is nice that things have really warmed up and summer is on its way.
telling family tales 