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

All the Travel (from December)

Mom nearly lost her mind getting me to England, but I'm here now. We've met a ton of new people  and I met my English girlfriend. Mom is dead.

♤Happe

Travel Trauma

So we're going to England for Christmas to visit daddy's family! Mommy is mad over all the hassle and money it is taking to get me there though.

♤Happe

It has been crazy, first he's gotten three rabies shots this year because he needed at least two and the one from LDB doesn't count for some reason and the first vet I took him to was former USDA and remember that much but not  that his microchip needed to be scanned first per England's rules on bring a service animal. So then I had to find an actual certified vet who told me the first vet did it wrong. Then we had to wait till our appointment closer to our travel date when the USDA health certificate had to get filled out and cue the stress as we wait to get it back. It's almost over now just waiting to get him deformed and pre-approved from Heathrow.

☆Katie

New

So mommy dragged me to Boston this past weekend. I did pretty good, no complaints from mommy at any rate. The train ride there and back was boring though. I think they are looking for a new home because we saw a lot of of new empty places. 

♤Happe

Holiday Hints

While out shopping this holiday season, you may see someone with a service dog -- here are a few tips.

Service Dog Manners.

When you meet a person with a service dog, please remember that the dog is working. Don't do anything to interrupt the service dog while it is performing its tasks.

Some Rules for Interacting with People with Service Dogs.

1. Speak to the person first. Do not aim distracting or rude noises at the dog.

2. Do not touch the service dog without asking for, and receiving, permission.

3. Do not offer food to the service dog.

4. Do not ask personal questions about the handler's disability, or otherwise intrude on his or her privacy.

5. Don't be offended if the handler does not wish to chat about the service dog.

What if you don't like dogs or are afraid of dogs?

Place yourself away from the service dog. If you are a business person, discreetly arrange for someone else to wait on the person. You may ask the person to have the service dog lie down if it does not interfere with its work.

What if other people complain about the dog being present?

Explain that the service dog is medically necessary and that federal law protects the right of the person to be accompanied by the service dog in public places.

Taken from The TRUTH About Service Dogs on Facebook 

☆Katie

The Bread Thief Strikes Again

So we are at my parents for Thanksgiving and since we are here my parents are hosting.

Part of Thanksgiving dinner is stuffing, and making stuffing involves leaving bread out to dry.

I hope y'all see where this is going.

So last night we carefully laid out several loaves of bread on the dining room table.This morning my furry yellow beast deside he can't wait for breakfast and the bread is right there so he steals a slice. Twice. Once at breakfast at 6 and again at 8 when we came down for the humans to eat.

Get Outta w/ That Shit

Two situation in one weekend.

1) At the post office Saturday and a woman comes in w/ a doy in her arms, dog starts growling a t Happe. Thus sparking the clerk to say no dogs and the owner to snottly argue that  there is no 'no dogs' sign. Like its the businesses job to tell your stupid, entitled butt what you can and can't do, get real and some common sense.

2) At the Cheesecake Factory on Sunday, they went to sit someone w/ a purse dog near us, causing a lot of barking from the purse dog. Being the rockstar he is, Happe didn't bat an eye. -How do you not see the dog? 

-Why did you reseat them? Kick em out.

-Aren't you afraid it'll pee in your purse?

Service dogs get a bad reputation over shit like this. Grow up and get some common sense.

Thank you for making my life harder, NOT!

Thiss is the Face

This was written by a fellow Leader Dogs for the Blind alumni and is so true 

This is the face of a hard-working boy, who just finished a long day at work.

This is the face of a sweet boy, who wants to get home to his toys.

This is the face of a patient boy, who is waiting for his Lyft to take him home.

This is the face of a confused boy, who doesn’t understand why cars drive away when we approach.

This is the face of a hopeful boy, when another lyft pulls up.

This is the face of a sad boy, who is starting to recognize the words, no dogs.

This is the face of a sensitive boy, who will try really hard not to shed if someone will just please take us home.

This is the face of my well behaved service dog, who is legally allowed to accompany me everywhere.

This is the face of my well groomed service dog, who Is much cleaner than most of the people, children, food, drinks,  and personal belongings that are frequently transported in lyft vehicles.

This is the face of my beautiful service dog, whom Lyft drivers agree to transport when signing up for the platform.

This is a guide dog, who belongs to a Handler that is sick of being discriminated against for the same reason, over and over again.

 That being said, no matter what platform you drive on (lyft or uber) please read all the rules and laws  before you decide to become a driver.

☆Katie