MY TOY

PD: Happe laying in the apartment dog park chewing on a toy with a smaller black dog watching him. 

☆Katie 

Drunk Public

When the drunk ass who came up to you and asks to pet your dog. Tells you to "go away bitch" when you scream "no" at him for the 5th time in a row because he won't stop petting your dog. I hate the public.

☆Katie 

Silly comments

Top Twelve Silly Things that Sighted Humans Say

12) “You shouldn’t correct your dog—she just didn’t see that curb.” It is my fault when I miss a curb or bump into a chair. I have a very important job and have received lots of training to perform my job. If I am not doing well, I am putting a life at risk.

11) “I am so glad that you have a dog to take care of you and protect…the big bad world must be scary for blind people who don’t have dogs to take care of them.” I make my human feel more mobile but…she certainly didn’t feel scared of the world when she was using a cane. She spends a lot of time taking care of me! 

10) "I saw you earlier today on the train with your dog." "Oh, I don't think that was me, I wasn't on the train." "It was definitely you. I saw you and your dog." Happens all the time. People think that there are so few blind people that if they see one blind person, they have seen them all! 

9) A person in a restaurant offers me a biscuit and I quickly grab it and enjoy…then they look at my human and say, “Hey, your dog took the biscuit I offered her…isn't she trained not to do stuff like that?” IF I resisted a cookie offered to me, I would probably not be smart enough to be a guide. Please do not offer dogs food/treats without asking the handler! 

8) “Oh my god, your dog looks and acts exactly like my dog even though he has never had training and is a black ten year-old lap dog that barks all the time. They are exactly the same. I need to touch her now, even though I know I should not. I am going to cry she makes me miss my dog so much. They are exactly the same.”

7) "So, all I have to do is get one of those harnesses and I can take my dog with me everywhere?” Beware that if you say this to my human she becomes a lawyer very quickly.  

6) “How long have you been training that dog?....oh she’s working?...well where is her blind person? …Wait, You are blind? You don’t look or act blind. How did you go blind? When did it happen. Were you in an accident or do you have a disease?  “ Be prepared to explain to my human and me what a blind person looks and acts like, and then reconsider asking personal questions about someone you don't know in a public space (almost always an elevator, etc).  

5) “I feel so bad for that dog. She has to work all the time. She looks so sad” I have over 3 full baskets of toys, including 4 kongs, many stuffies, and marrow bones. I have a raincoat and snow boots and have a birthday party every year. I also have health insurance and a lot of education. I have been able to travel all over the world and smell lots of places. I love having a job and a purpose in life and probably only look sad because you are misinformed about guide dogs and disabilities. (Sorry this one was so snarky but I am one of the happiest creatures alive and to suggest otherwise is just wrong!) 

4) “Is that one of those blind dogs?” No, in fact I have very good vision! : )

3) “I know that I am not supposed to touch your dog while it’s working, but I have had a bad day, so I am going to ignore the rule, especially since she is sitting and not working right now.” My human is doing everything she can to keep composed as she explains to you that her life depends on her dog not being distracted…even when you are having a bad day and even when the dog is sitting in harness.

2) Mother to her child at Starbucks, “Woof Woof….Bark at that doggie!!” We understand that you are teaching your child what noises animals make, but please don’t have your child bark at me while I'm working in a restaurant. It's funny how adults are almost always more distracting than kids. 

1) You are soooo lucky to be blind! You get to play with a dog all day long! I wish I could take my dog everywhere! 

None of these are jokes, we have heard them all multiple times and we hear some of them almost every day. We can laugh at these comments when they are in a top ten list, but please think about the implications of touching a working dog or the message that saying, “you don’t look like a blind person” sends out into the world. We also know that most of you would never say any of these things and are counting on you to spread the word! This is a picture of me making a face at all the silly things we he!ar!

My mote on 7, 5, 3, and 1

7) Would you like the disability that goes with that harness, cause mom willl tell you how much it sucks?

5) you should see my tail go when mom pulls out the harnes!

3) your day will be even worse when mom punches you in the face.

1) no she isn't, being blind sucks. We aren't "playing all day ", I'm working all day and yes its a fun job but its super important and playing isn't part of it. No you don't, its so much work to take a dog everywhere with you.

♤Happe

This is from a Facebook page called Zoe the Seeing Eye Dog and is not an original post from me.

National Guide Dog Month

September is National Guide Dog Month!

Let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible work that goes into training Leader Dogs and the independence they bring to those who are visually impaired.

Here's a fun question to test your knowledge: What are the three main types of obstacles a Leader Dog in training works on?

A) High, low, medium

B) Offset, high, partial

C) Partial, overhead, full

D) Full, low, medium

 Let's celebrate the dedication and hard work of guide dogs and their trainers during National Guide Dog Month!

Photo description: A yellow Labrador retriever wearing a brown Leader Dog harness and blue collar is standing with its head slightly tilted to the right next to a person wearing khaki shorts with a name tag attached at the belt and a teal t-shirt, but the person is only in view from the waist down. They are standing on black Tactile dots on a residential sidewalk.

Love you Happehazard.

☆Katie

Post from Leader Dogs for the Blind

Saturday Night (9/9)

☆: It was gonna be pretty miserable yesterday afternoon so my friend, unice, and I went to the mall. It was pretty bad getting there but we made it.

♤: Mom gave me some fries! And then she took me shopping, IDK why that is fun, I hate it. Thr makeup store was fun though, I liked all the smells.

☆: Considerinvesting you were nearly asleep in TJ Maxx I'd say you are getting lazy but you've always been like that, especially when I'm standing in one place for a while. 

♤: I only got a toy out of our several hour trip. *pouts*

☆: you coulda gotten nothing.

What a Week (aug 25-sept2)

♤= Happe

☆= Katie

☆: We spent last week in Michigan going to a wedding, hanging out in Grand Haven, and seeing family/ friends. The week didn't start great, we arrived just as a tornado watch was issued and didn't get our bag for 2.5 hours because of the weather, so we didn't get to my parents till 1:30 in the morning. The next day we went to Grand Haven, Happe has never been to Grand Haven so that was stressful for him.

♤: and she didn't give me enough treats.

☆: You always think that, Foodie.

☆: The next day was my cousins wedding .⅝

♤: and frizbees!

☆: Which was a nice wedding. I got meet my 2  yo cousin (he's my cousins kid). It was pretty uneventful after that.

♤: you dragged me to the beach three times after that and made me get my paws wet. Uneventful indead!

☆: coming home we had an hour delay but that was it. Now we are back in Massachusetts chilling on the sofa.

More camp

Honestly I give mom the "really" look every morning and she still drags me to camp, why doesn't she get it? Still not sure I get enough treats for all my hard work or get the weather slide issue.

♤Happe

 I'm tired too so, hush. You get so many treats, you get treats for entering a room, you get treats at every destination  no matter how far we go, you get enough. I've explained the water slide thing.

☆Katie 

Camp

So each week at summer camp there is a theme, this week the theme was outerspace. One of the campers families let Happe borrow their dogs rocketship costume on Thursday.

PD: Happe in a blue and silver rocketing with flames coming out the back and me in a light blue NASA shirt, moon necklace, and earrings.

☆Katie

I need more treats. I need to go on the water slides. I'm so tired and mom won't let me rest

6/26 and 7/3

I'm official staff at BB&N where mom works.

PD: a credit card sized badge with Happe's photo his name "Bolt" and " Kathryn Dixon's service dog."

It's been really hot lately  and the kids get to go on water slides every morning  it looks like a good way to cool off but mom won't let me on them because they are inflatable, I don't see the issue.

♤Happe

It's been really hot these past two weeks, making work miserable. We haven't done much else besides work. The sprinker at water sports is nice though.

Bored

I'm so bored! Mom's been sick all week and we haven't done much and now its raining.

♤Happe

Life Since the Last Post

So as stated before I've started a new job and it's going well, although it's like hearding  cats but what more is to be expected from kindergarteners? The director of the kiddie camps helped me set the ground rules with the kids and I am beyond grateful for the support and the kids have been great about following the rules too. Happe has been enjoying the week off as recover from the flu. There isn't much else to report.

☆Katie

Ok, I'm not sure I was ready for watching kids but if this is what mom wants...I guess . Mom is better about treats but I always want more.

♤Happe

Damn lab. Love you

☆Katie

This Dog

Three nights of training in a row and and Happe was good all three nights. Yeah  it was a lot of sitting around but there were a lot of people and smells.

☆Katie

Mom, you need to up my pay.

♤Happe

Yes, I know I do. And starting Tuesday I will.

☆Katie

6/14 Real Life

*Real life alert*

6/14 @ 8:11ish pm

So staying dry while walking to a lyft is a thing I need to do even while it is actively raining  and even a damp service animal is gronds for denial.

Like I'm blind not magic 

How was I supposed to know it was gonna storm tonight and still be raining when I left my training, I'm not psychic? Clearly I need to have a doggie raincoat at all times, along with all the dog stuff I already carry, do you know how hard it is to find the right bag and are you gonna buy it for me? Didn't think so,, so shut up and take me. 

Happe

So we went to Target today to get some mac n cheese because the store I buy from doesn't sell kraft dinner. WTH? Now to get to Target we have to go through the worst and deepest T station ever and I always get lost on the platform. Happe, on the other hand, tries very hard to get us out so he will find every way out. Today he led me to the elevator and the emergency doors (at least I think they were), which is absolutely amazing.

☆Katie

I don't think mom gives me enough treats for all of the good work I do.

♤Happe

Real Life

My life isn't as rosy as this blog makes it seem, in fact  I do a lot of cherry picking to give you the good bits but the truth is Happe makes mistakes, people are stupid, and my anger is quick to flare up. That is going to change, starting... now because life shouldn't be sugar coated.

1) Happe

There have been countless times I've told Happe to "find the door" to get into the T station and he'll walk me into the plate glass NEXT to the door.  Hell, he's walked me into the side of the train thinking it was the door onto the train. 

2) stupid people

A few weekends ago (5/13) we went to see an orchastra preform The Greatest Showman and that was fine, the theater was ready to be really accmodating even tho we didn't have ADA tickets. Everything was fine until we went to get  ice cream after the show. We walk in and are immediately told "no service dogs, I have open food".  First of all what the fuck do you mean by "open food"? Happe can come everywhere including restaurants, so I'm confused. Second, you said it yourself he's a SERVICE DOG so please reassess your statement, thank you. This happened awhile ago but it's relevant, the three of us are walkinh through the T station past all the shops that are there and this employee at the Dunkin Doughnuts calls out "come here doggie". Like wow. First you work in the food industry so, yes, serve me but leave my dog out of it

☆Katie

"hidden" struggle

I hate being am example of "hidden" struggles but here I am again, just another voice in the crowd crying discrimination. Tonight (5/15) we (husband, dog  and I) were denied an Uber because of the drivers ignorance and stubbornness. The driver claimed that denying me service because of the dog isn't against the law or Uber policy (it totally is BTW) and he (the driver) had allergies (Allergies or not you are required to take me unless they are  life threatening). I wish people would  fight this discrimination like they have anyothee problem but outta sight, outta mind I guess. *sigh*

Week of 3/21

I got to see grandma Nicholson on Tuesday and grandma and grandpa Dixom over the weekend! I stole moms breakfast Saturday morning and got crated all day because of it, but she's the one who left it out ready to bake sssooo... . I felt sick after that. We did a lot of walking. We also went on a cruse.  I also got to see my friend Rosco and meet a bunch of new friends  At the dog park mom found.

♤Happe

Don't be to proud of yourself there, that was really bad. It wasn't that much walking, hush. 

☆Katie

Intetaction

I know itd probably getting repetitive but people learn through repeating. So again.

how to interact with a service dog 🐕‍🦺 

🐾 approach the handler, not the dog 

🐾 never touch, speak to, photograph, or feed a service dog unless the handler gives you permission 

🐾 a napping service dog is still on duty

🐾 if a service dog approaches you, follow it back to its handler! The dog might just need correcting, OR the handler could be having an emergency.

🐾 keep your dog and other pets at a distance from service dogs; they are at work

🐾 treat the handler with respect and sensitivity

Boston

I know I haven't talked about being in Boston a lot other than saying we moved and to be fair we aren't really in Boston, we're on the edge. But I can say he's adjusted well, we take more and longer walks, we go more places, and he has more friends here. 

Muhahaha! I've stolen mom's phone! I've never been one to distroy furnitue so me not eatting the furniture isn't an indicator of me settling in and neither is anything I normally do so FIGHT ME!

Too many walks if you ask me and most just lead back home without any middle. ALL THE NEW FRIENDS!!!!! And I love them all!!!!

♤Happe

Happe! Have it back and let me finish! 

I like it here too. Everything seems more accessible (maybe I'm just better prepared and its not more accessable) , people seem nicer, and I'm not scared sh**less to go out on my own  (don't kill my confidence).  Ok, fine, so you aren't settling in, bot mu  problem.

Yes, a lot iof our walks are circles but you can't stay on the sofa and get fat. Sorry (not sorry).

☆Katie

Good Vibes

So today I'm on the escalator to get from the train (subway) to the door out. The guy behind me voices his  amazement with how well Happe is behaving on said escalator and was amazed watching him get off. It always makes me so happy when I hear comments and/or have conversations like that.

☆Katie

Wednesday

In case I forget on Wednesday.

Wednesday marks two years since I got my wonderful guide dog, Happe, from Leader Dogs for the Blind. I am so incredibly spoiled with him and cannot believe it's been two years. He's been through a lot life's gigantic changes and some big issues  with me.

I have so much love for this dog.

♡♡♡Happe♡♡♡

☆Katie

PD: a young lady in a black jacket with a her eyes closed and a gigantic smile pressing her face into the neck of a yellow dog wearing a brown leader dog harness and his eyes closed in bliss

Did You Know

"While some may think petting a service dog is the only way to distract them there are actually many ways! These can include: staring at them, making noises

at them, teasing them with food as well as waving at them!

You can help service dogs work by ignoring them and interacting their handler."

MSAR Elite

Service K9 Foreman

@HerLifeln4 paws

Giving Help Don'ts

COMIC STRIP 

A Day in the Life of a PWD (Person With a Disability) 

Frame 1:

A woman using a white cane stops a stranger to ask for help.

WOMAN: Excuse me, could you help me find the post office?

Frame 2:

The stranger grabs her arm, startling her.

STRANGER: Sure! It's this way. C'mon.

Frame 3:

The stranger pulls her along with him.

STRANGER: It's just over here...

Frame 4:

They reach the post office. The annoyed woman has dropped her cane. 

STRANGER (smiling and walking away): There ya go! (thinking to himself) I'm so helpful!

ALWAYS ASK FIRST! NO MATTER THE DISABILITYOR SITUATION.

☆Katie

Post Ideas

What do you guys want to see in terms of posts? Any burning questions? 

☆Katie

Fakes

Original text with the image from the Sonoma County Scanner Updates Facebook Page: Let’s talk about fake service dogs. 🫣

Fake service dogs do more harm than you think. Service Dogs perform tasks that their disabled owners would otherwise have difficulty completing on their own.

Service dogs take hundreds of hours of training and socialization for their dogs to perform their job. Most service dogs take 2 years + to train. Service dogs have countless hours of training that teach them to remain calm and focus on the task and handler while ignoring all distractions. Fake service dogs, do not.

Most people may not realize that using a fake service dog is dangerous to the service dog community.

Misrepresented service dogs are most likely not properly trained to be in a non pet friendly business. They'll behave in ways that will frustrate business owners and others. Inappropriate sniffing, barking, eating off tables or floors, jumping or lunging at others or even pottying in indoor spaces, putting a bad name on legitimate service dogs.

Unfortunately this can cause people with disabilities with well-trained service dogs to suffer the consequences of all of this. This results in added struggle and discrimination against handlers and their service animals. It can even lead to being denied access to public places that do not allow pets.

Fake service dogs may distract a real service dog from their job, by barking, lunging, growling or even just trying to play! they may throw the legitimate service dog off their game. While these dogs are well trained to do their best at ignoring these distractions, you can imagine how hard that is to ignore!

Aggressive or reactive fake service dogs may attack or injure a real one. Any reputable service dog organization will not allow a reactive dog to be a working service dog.

Service dogs are not cheap! Some cost upwards of 30 thousand dollars! All it takes is one wrong interaction for someone to be out their lifesaving companion.

I hope reading this, that some people may understand how serious this can be. Think twice before bringing fluffy into public. 

PD: A one-panel comic type drawing of a person in a brown shirt and green pants being led away by a person in a police uniform. The person in the brown shirt is in handcuffs.  Closer to the viewer to the right is a yellow lab or golden retriever type dog sitting with its back to us. It is wearing a harness with a red vest with a white circle and a red cross on it. Next to them is a German shepherd type dog wearing a navy blue vest with the word "Police" on it. The Police dog says to the other "No worries, you're not the one who faked it."

DO NOT FAKE IT

This Dog

I got so lucky with the most wonderful guide dog ever. I'm getting WWAAAAYYY spoiled with him. Thank you Leader Dogs for the Blind. Boston has made it so easy to get around too. Yeah, I've had some issues with technology, but nothing is perfect.

I am so happy that I can get around more.

Names

Its true

Happe is  only Happe when I need his attention or I'm mad at him

Happle- on a daily basis by both husband and I

Happesone-because he is the handsomest dog ever

Haphazard- if he is being a hazzard (esp. in restaurants)

Haphaz- variation of above 

Hazmat- see Haphazard 

Happemandoo- never caught on and therefore never used

Princess- sarcastic  term of affection general used when he is being a Royal pain

Below are terms of affection 

Puppy dog

Baby boy

Puppy

Prince

This World

***Rant warning***

I'm walking through the subway station w/ my dog and some jerk working at a doughnut stand is inviting my dog over by saying "come here puppy." Like really. Do I get a free doughnut for complying?

See what stupidity I deal with? Just becausethere is a dog doesn't mrleanvsquat. 

"I'm not here for your entertainment."

-P!nk

☆Katie

England

I just spent two weeks in England celebrating Christmas. I miss grandma and grandpa Dixon. I made a few friends. We went on a few walks but it was raining a lot of the time and really wet when it wasn't.

♤Happe

He was brilliant. I thought the time change would throw him off but nope, my steady friend was still a solid rock. We went a lot of places too, there was a light show thing, a play where he helped sell ice cream, a castle, a garden centere (like a department shore), a cute little town, and two houses full of people.

☆Katie