MY ice cube

Last night daddy went to get some water and he put the ice cubes in my bowl not expecting me to get them. And when I jumped up to get them mom died laughing at my late night antics.

♤Happe

Names

It is crazy how fast people get used to the names our dogs have. Like I thought Happe was strange name at first but now, it's just normal to me. Ann's dog name is Mint.

There are also just some weird names out there

-My friend has a dog  names Pretzel 

-Someone who works at leader dogs has a dog named nutmeg

-a different friend has a dog named Clutch

-when I was getting Ori there were some weird dog names like: Bunker, Delta-April, Magic, Stutz (gymnastic move), Olympia (typewriter brand), Zooy (shoe brand).

Week of Aug 15

We took some walks. Mom says her knee hates her so I'm bored beyond belief.

♤Happe

My knee is killing me, so much so that walking hurts. We are getting to know the area a bit better. Its been a bit cooler lately, but as it's August that could change. Its been to warm during the day to go out so its been tought going out during the day.

☆Katie

Mommy loves me

I spoiled

♤Happem

P.D: Happe licking whip cream out of a cup.

week of Aug 1 and Aug 8

Mom abandon me for a stick earlier, she's back now but still. Then she ignored me for awhile after that.

♤ Happe

I was working on how to use a white cane. It was 20 minutes and I much prefer a steadying companion to a cane, so I have no clue what he is worried about. 

☆Katie

Too much activity. We went out three times this week and all in a row, the first two we didn't do anything and someone was watching the first time, the third to time wr went to Lincoln Park with daddy.  I'm done.

♤ Happe

We did go out quite a bit this week after it cooled down a bit outside. I hate O & M (orientation & mobility) training, it's so... uugh. Call me chicken bilut our second walk got us nothing as I wouldn't go into the store. Lincoln Park was nice, a lot better than Central Park  (and closer too). I'm tired too .

☆Katie

Our Voices: Please, Respectfully Announce Yourself

Please, Respectfully Announce Yourself

A visually impaired person may not have peripheral vision, nor the ability to identify who is approaching them. A common courtesy is to announce yourself to a friend who is visually impaired. This announcing technique lets a low vision/non-visual person know that you are indeed a friend and that you know them. This is comforting. For it is what we cannot see that is MOST scary to us.

Approach With a Sound

If walking or jogging past me, please tell me, “Passing you on the right,” etc. It can be confusing to hear the noise of rustling leaves or jogging feet without knowing where the sound is coming from.

Please Don’t Yell

You don’t have to yell when speaking to me. I am low vision, NOT low hearing. 

Be Courteous and Kind

If you see me struggling to open the door for myself and my guide dog, please bless me with kindness and ask “May I help?” One act of kindness goes an awfully long way.

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

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