Blind Physical Distancing

Please be kind. We're trying but it isnt easy.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2020/06/07/new-normal-of-social-distancing-could-become-a-new-nightmare-for-blind-people/

☆Katie

Guide dog etiquette

This is a list of things that you should do when you see a guide dog team. Some are from the human, some are from the dog, and others are from both (noted after each). Honestly, this is just me ranting about things I do not like that people do

1)I may be cute but I've got a job, I am NOT here for you. -dog

2)if you want to do something nice, like hold a hold a door open please tell me, I'm not a jerk -human

3) don't pet the dog, just don't even ask, the answer is no, she's working. It's also distracting to the dog -human and dog

4) "over there" and anyother phrases like it don't help, they only frustrate. Play hot and cold with me I don't care-human

5) no, I don't want to hear about your dog (dead or otherwise) -human

6)I may wear glasses, but they don't "fix"my vision -human

7)I don't understand directions, tell my mom -dog

8) just because I'm in your class/ mom "knows" you does not give you petting privilege (see 1) -human and dog

These may seem like petty things to you but I don't speak up often, so I use writing .If you have questions please ask, I don't bite (hard, lol jk). I'd rather answer questions than rant. USE YOUR VOICE, EDUCATE YOURSELF, EDUICATE OTHERS.

☆Katie

♡Ori

Squirrel

Storytime

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So the squirrels on campus are pretty tame, like follow you home tame. We were walking out of a building after class and there is a squirrel sitting in the middle of the sidewalk eatting something totally oblivious to the world and the dog that just walked out of the building 30 feet from it. Seeing this situation I decided to see how close we could get before the squirrel ran. We get within a few feet (>5) before it saw  Ori and scooted.  

Shameless

I know times are hard but every little bit helps, and even if you can't donate you could join my team or share the link and help spread the word. I'm bored and have nothing better to do with my time

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/xrdd6j/account/981367/

I'm so bored

This sucks. It's like boring summer got extended. I haven't seen my friends since March, maybe December if we're talking about Mint. It's all "go lay down", "hush" and "I've got nothing for you's" when all I want to do is play. The walks we do take are the same we've been doing for years now.

Uuuggg save me.

◇ Ori

Not All Heros Wear Capes

Not all heroes wear capes. They  have four paws and a tail.
Because of the Corona Virus Pandemic, it has been difficult to work my guide dog, and Michigan weather never likes to cooperate.
One day, it was nice enough to take a walk. Since I had the right of way, I started to cross the street. Before I new it, a car that was idling by, started to drive towards me.   Mint put on the breaks and pushed me back on to  the sidewalk. Mint knows her business when she is on harness.
I don't know where I would be without my amazing, beautiful  , wonderful, best friend in the world.  
Now you know,, that not all heroes wear capes. They have four paws and a tail.
 

Why are disabled people so mean?

From a Facebook page called: The TRUTH About ServicevDogs. It's a common problemthough.

Today in Publix a woman came up to me, I was working Calliope only to give her some training time and one on one since she hasn't been out in a while alone, and I was feeling well enough to go without both girls. 

The woman chose to lean down and baby talk Cally. Mind you, society has deemed face masks are a thing so we can't see facial expressions at this point but I smiled and said please don't talk to her she's working. 

"But I'm just talking to her. "

Yes, and that's a distraction that could jeopardize my health. Please don't. 

She was upset but left. At checkout she followed me to say "You're so mean"

Actually,  you're selfish act to prioritize your love of dogs above my medical need to have her by my side is "mean". If she was focused on your doting on her, and missed my oncoming seizure and I fell and had ANOTHER concussion that could be the one that kills me. It isn't a joke, I have brain damage from my falls and am a risk. I don't take my dogs out for fun, the pair aren't an accessory. They're medical equipment suggested by my doctor team and task trained for my medical needs. Please, treat them with the respect they have earned with their training and allow me to shop in peace. 

(Ada.gov for info on service animal laws)

☆Katie

Our First Campus Visit

We had to write and polish up a piece writing for one of my classes. And I am bored so story time:

"Look mom, I found the door!" Ori excitedly told me as she pulled me to the door of the building I would be living in that year. This was our final training before we graduated from Leader Dogs for the Blind on August 30. Training was way easier than I thought it would be, she learned where the doors were quickly, ground scents did not interest her. This was the start to a long and always growing partnership. After two years on campus , she has grown complacent in her job and knows where to go as well as I do.

☆Katie

Happy Easter

PD: Ori laying in front of daffodils

◇OK team

This World Has Gone Insane

If you live under a rock and  don't know everything has shutdown including school. Ori is driving eveyone nuts and won't leave my mom alone. There isn't much to post (same as always), unless you're up for story time. I still have a few projects to finish so it will still be sporatic.

☆Katie

Headless

Hey, look! A headless dog!

PD:Ori with her head under the sofa