week of 7/25

Week three of the heat wave from hell. It was 82° at 6am Monday morning, which is not cool. Happe is losing it being inside all day. I hate going into NYC, we went central park on Saturday and that was ok going to get ice cream after wasn't.

☆Katie

It wasn't super hot this week so I got more walks. Mom lost it when we went time square  

♤Happe

Leader Cat

Did you know there’s a cat named Elsa that lives in our Canine Center?! She’s started an Instagram highlighting her adventures which you can follow here: https://www.instagram.com/leadercat_elsa/

My name is Elsa and I live in the Canine Center at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Although I am not in training to become a service animal, I have a very important job to do! Besides welcoming visitors into the building and working hard to catch some Z’s, I help my guide dog friends in training work on their small animal distractions.

Work-life balance is very important to me so you can often find me snoozing in one of my favorite spots or sitting on someone’s lap getting some cuddles.

Follow along to see what the life of a leader cat is all about!👑🦮

XOXO, Elsa

Our Voices: We Need Each Othe

We Need Each Other

Even though our cane and Leader Dog training assists us to independence, please DO stop to talk with us and say hello. It is important to feel acknowledged.

Remember that low vision/non-visual people still yearn to have fun and be a part of parties, events and activities with family and friends. We also enjoy occasional phone calls that can make a lonely person feel connected.

Harness Time

If you are walking your dog near me, please just quietly pass by. My dog is in harness and working, so cannot stop to sniff and play.

Leash-up

Keeping your dog leashed around a guide dog is an absolute necessity! A dog attack most likely would physically and emotionally damage both me and my dog and could end my dogs’ guiding career due to trauma from another dog. 

Playtime

When the harness comes off, it is playtime! No need to wonder if guide dogs get to play. We work hard to balance work and play, and it is very important that our guide dogs get work time, downtime and playtime each day.

I am being authentic, raw and real to share what needs to be said: “Just be KIND to anyone with a dis-ability.” Be kind and respectful to everyone, just as you would like to be treated.

Thank you for reading this and understanding more about the difficulties of being low vision or non-visual and for “opening the eyes of your heart.”

Read today’s entire Voices story at: www.leaderdog.org/blog/voice-of-the-leader-dog-community-karen

Read more about our Voices of the LDB Community initiative at: www.leaderdog.org/blog/introducing-voices-of-the-leader-dog-community

◇ Leader Dogs

Dogwarts

When the stick your dog has becomes a wand.

"Dogwarts here I come!"

☆Katie ♤ Happe

PD: Happe with a stick in his mouth by one end

So Bored

We just moved to a new place! We haven r explored nuch as it has been so hot here. I haven't really met anyone being inside all day.

♤Happe

REALLY?!

Something is wrong here. Why am I on the floor? Isn't the dog supposed to be here?

☆ Katie

PD: Happe (Mr. Mutt) on the sofa with me on the floor infront of him and my hubby.

So Neglected

♤Happe

PD: Happe laying in the grass staring out at a lake with a large tennis ball in the grass  about a foot away to his left.

This Dog

The difference between Happe working around home/areas I know and working in new places is astounding and I love it. Around my hometown he's great, in a new place he's my wonderful rock who gives me the confidence I don't always have. 

☆Katie

All The Rope

I love rope

♤ Happ

And sticks and gras

☆Katie

PD 1: a yellow golden/lab cross lying on tan carpet with a rope toy in his paws  PD 2: same dog lying f in the grass with two sticks in his mouth

Magical

I don't just emit magical fibers of happiness (fur), I emit magical rays of sunlight too.

P.D: Happe, a golden lab, lying on a starburst rug in such a way that it looks like rays of light are coming from from him.

♤Happe

Thank you??

Here's one for the books. Today I had someone lean out of their car window to shout "I like your dog" at me