Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[wizard-of-roz]

When you want to share a picture here from Photobucket try this.

 

Click on the picture you want to share. Then where is says "share links", click next to the one that says Direct. You should see it flash copied. Then come back here and click on the yellow icon that looks like a postcard of a mountain. Then paste. The photo should then show up here.

Just like this!!

 

 

Wow! What a handsome pup!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Quam, great news. Im so glad your baby is doing well.

 

Roz, Quam was saying what i was thinking when i asked about the ptsd dogs. I am worried that we might be putting too many dogs out there as sds. With the abuse that is going on now with all the fake dogs. I feel that any ailment can get a dog now. Know what i mean?

 

Cindy, I know exactly what you mean. With CCI and the VA as "watch-dogs", I'm hoping there won't be anyone getting through this program who doesn't deserve it.

 

There will always be the fakes and imposters who will attempt to get through but if their dog or themselves are acting inappropriately, hopefully they'll be stopped by folks just like you, me, Quam and others, not to mention the folks who work with the Orgs.

 

With all the dogs that are graduating and are being placed, I still don't see them out and about much.

 

I'm not seeing the imposters in the market or in the public venue like I used to.....hopefully, that's a good sign. Of course, I'm not seeing many Service Dogs either. Maybe if I lived closer to where CCI is located it would be different. I'm always excited when I do see a Seeing Eye Dog, which is more often than a CCI Dog. There is a SED Org. in my area.

 

Sometimes, I feel like I'm all alone in this Service Dog world, when I'm out and about! :rolleyes:

[wizard-of-roz]

So, I was very busy yesterday and ya'll decide to come on here and be Chatty Patty's! Pfttt. Well, I got all caught up, so there.

 

Roz: I just love, love, did I say love Cindyrella! I miss the laugh out louds we use to get going on here.

 

Quam: So glad you are doing better and pupper too!

 

Fairbourne: What a great story Ms. Aruba has to share. Love reading all about her adventures. Sounds like she is growing up to be quite a young lady! Although her picture on the beach almost looks like she could be staring off in to space, thinking up something clever to do!

 

DKD: As usual that Davis boy is so handsome! He is just about all growed up!

 

Cindy: Good to see you back, even though I hate texting on my phone too! I wanted to say "knew" and it insisted that I wanted to say "knees"! If only.......

 

♥ to all, hope you all have a great weekend.

 

Who doesn't love Cindyrella? And, if they don't, they have us to answer to!!!! :mad:

 

Good to hear from you.

 

I have one week to go and I'm on the Crown Princess.......YAY!!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

here we go ... is it going to work ..... YES!!! Thanks DKD, it is easy once you know how and some kind man explains it to you! :D

 

 

 

 

This is another view of the beach and the Moray Firth.

 

Right o, now I've got this sussed, more photos to come!:p:D

 

Great picture. Morey would have loved seeing this. You're getting good at this!

[wizard-of-roz]

I like this new trick .... LOL!

 

 

 

Hi NancyFancyPants - glad you managed to get all caught up! :D Yes she does look like she's thinking hard, but can you see Max's shadow to her right - I imagine the plotting is something to do with him! :D

 

Wow! We can really see her now. She is beautiful! Yes, she's thinking very hard about where her brother is going! ;)

[fairbourne]

Here is "our girl" - she just loves lying with her big boy! She has her retriever worried face on - I don't know why, maybe it's a "where's my TEA look"! Or has dad got some treats in his pockets? (He usually does!)

 

 

So Roz as we count down to our independence referendum, you're counting down to your cruise! I know what I would rather be doing! :rolleyes:

Edited September 12, 2014 by fairbourne

[wizard-of-roz]

Here is "our girl" - she just loves lying with her big boy! She has her retriever worried face on - I don't know why, maybe it's a "where's my TEA look"! Or has dad got some treats in his pockets? (He usually does!)

 

 

So Roz as we count down to our independence referendum, you're counting down to your cruise! I know what I would rather be doing! :rolleyes:

 

Look at those amazingly beautiful dogs. I love their faces. See, not all Black Labs look alike. What a great face! She's gorgeous, with that royal boy behind her!!!!

 

Oh! Horty, there's an older woman who's a we-bit Scottish and looking for a younger man!!!! ;)

 

They'd all have such fun together. Aruba has a fine, fine family!!!!! :)

Edited September 12, 2014 by wizard-of-roz

[fairbourne]

Roz - thank you so much! :). We all hope to meet you one day too, and now that you've seen we do have some sunny days here and you can go around without running for the AC!!

 

I'm hopping on and off here as I am trying to get supper ready for friends who are about to arrive any minute! :eek:

 

Did you ever decide on a pal for Horton? I just thought about it as I passed the cats all sprawled out in the evening sun on our bed! Fufffff as Poppy would say!

 

Our little cat who was so very ill just a few weeks ago is now all back to normal! Thank dawgness.

 

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again DKD for showing me the way! Again! ;):D

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz - thank you so much! :). We all hope to meet you one day too, and now that you've seen we do have some sunny days here and you can go around without running for the AC!!

 

I'm hopping on and off here as I am trying to get supper ready for friends who are about to arrive any minute! :eek:

 

Did you ever decide on a pal for Horton? I just thought about it as I passed the cats all sprawled out in the evening sun on our bed! Fufffff as Poppy would say!

 

Our little cat who was so very ill just a few weeks ago is now all back to normal! Thank dawgness.

 

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again DKD for showing me the way! Again! ;):D

 

Now, thank goodness, I'm in the planning mode for an upcoming cruise so the emptiness in my home is taken up with luggage, clothes and my and Horton's "stuff" everywhere for one weeks travel onboard a glorious cruise ship.

 

I'm sure when I'm home and it seems so empty of laughter and fun as it used to be, I'll be looking for a companion for both Horty and me. Although, Horton fills my life pretty darn much. He's a very demanding boy, I still find that I miss having Brenda around and all the love and smiles that she brought to both of us. ♥ She says with tears in her eyes!

 

I love having a busy household filled with people and wonderful animals. If I'm going to continue to work then I think my choices are pretty clear as to what I really should be focusing on right now. ;)

[DUTRAVEL]

I like this new trick .... LOL!

 

 

 

Hi NancyFancyPants - glad you managed to get all caught up! :D Yes she does look like she's thinking hard, but can you see Max's shadow to her right - I imagine the plotting is something to do with him! :D

 

Aruba is so darn cute. Can't wait to see what my dog will look like.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

Aruba is so darn cute. Can't wait to see what my dog will look like.

 

Dianne

 

Dianne, don't try to picture it too hard! When I was waiting for Brenda all I could picture was a big, Yellow Lab. I NEVER pictured myself with a Black Lab, ever. I didn't like black dogs!

 

Then, I was invited to Team Training at CCI, Santa Rosa. I worked with a Yellow Lab named Amber, I knew she was MY dog. Then I worked with another Yellow Lab named Galaxie, never mind, I knew she was MY dog. And, lastly, I worked with a little, quirky Black Lab named Brenda......NO WAY, I didn't like her at all. She was so weird and wagged her entire back side when she was wagging her tail......I couldn't wait to put her back in her crate.

 

Then came the day that they did the "matches", where they matched the dogs with the handlers and the trainer handed me Brenda. WHAT! I didn't want her....and, I made it known. The trainer asked that we all sit down in the training room, she warned us that she was going to "release" all the dogs and we were NOT to touch, talk or have eye contact with any of them, not even if they came over to us!

 

The dogs started romping and playing and barking and joyfully running around the room......Brenda, that little, quirky, weird Black Lab [pure English Lab], started pushing all the dogs into the center of the room. They ALL submitted to her as she stood over them, counting them with her nose, one by one!

 

The trainer said to me, "what do you think of that little Black Lab now?" Brenda was the "Alpha" dog and all the other dogs were submitting to her. The trainer, Jo, said, "do you still not want her?"

 

Wow! I fell in love with her right then and there. She was just like me and the trainers knew it! They're so smart and sensitive to the RIGHT DOG FOR THE RIGHT PERSON!

 

Trust the trainers, trust their instincts and go with it. Nine times out of ten, they're usually RIGHT ON!

 

I know the wait is exhausting.......hang in there. It will happen for you. :)

[fairbourne]

Look at those amazingly beautiful dogs. I love their faces. See, not all Black Labs look alike. What a great face! She's gorgeous, with that royal boy behind her!!!!

 

Oh! Horty, there's an older woman who's a we-bit Scottish and looking for a younger man!!!! ;)

 

They'd all have such fun together. Aruba has a fine, fine family!!!!! :)

 

 

Roz, I've just re-read this and I'm now wondering if you thought this photo was Poppy? It's Aruba! I know, I know, I get confused too! I have to more often now take a second look when the two black girls are together - it's only Poppy's grey chin that's the give away! (And her more rotund bottom! ha ha just like her Mum! :rolleyes:) But I'm sure Poppy would love Mr H as a toy boy! LOL!

 

I loved the story about Brenda - .. I thought, yep those trainers got it absolutely spot on - two strong, "in charge girls" together! What a team! I hope our Aruba is matched so sensitively and well - I'm sure she will be. Dianne, we are all waiting with you! :)

 

We had a tragedy at a Dogs Home in England yesterday - a "can't use the word I want to here" youth set fire to the Dogs Home /rescue shelter and although many of the dogs were rescued, over 60 succumbed to the fire and smoke. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach when I heard this. I would string the little xxxxxx up! :mad:

[DUTRAVEL]

Dianne, don't try to picture it too hard! When I was waiting for Brenda all I could picture was a big, Yellow Lab. I NEVER pictured myself with a Black Lab, ever. I didn't like black dogs!

 

Then, I was invited to Team Training at CCI, Santa Rosa. I worked with a Yellow Lab named Amber, I knew she was MY dog. Then I worked with another Yellow Lab named Galaxie, never mind, I knew she was MY dog. And, lastly, I worked with a little, quirky Black Lab named Brenda......NO WAY, I didn't like her at all. She was so weird and wagged her entire back side when she was wagging her tail......I couldn't wait to put her back in her crate.

 

Then came the day that they did the "matches", where they matched the dogs with the handlers and the trainer handed me Brenda. WHAT! I didn't want her....and, I made it known. The trainer asked that we all sit down in the training room, she warned us that she was going to "release" all the dogs and we were NOT to touch, talk or have eye contact with any of them, not even if they came over to us!

 

The dogs started romping and playing and barking and joyfully running around the room......Brenda, that little, quirky, weird Black Lab [pure English Lab], started pushing all the dogs into the center of the room. They ALL submitted to her as she stood over them, counting them with her nose, one by one!

 

The trainer said to me, "what do you think of that little Black Lab now?" Brenda was the "Alpha" dog and all the other dogs were submitting to her. The trainer, Jo, said, "do you still not want her?"

 

Wow! I fell in love with her right then and there. She was just like me and the trainers knew it! They're so smart and sensitive to the RIGHT DOG FOR THE RIGHT PERSON!

 

Trust the trainers, trust their instincts and go with it. Nine times out of ten, they're usually RIGHT ON!

 

I know the wait is exhausting.......hang in there. It will happen for you. :)

 

That's a great story about your match with Brenda. I am okay with either yellow or black, I am sure that I will love whatever dog I am lucky enough to be matched with.

 

Roz (or anyone else with a CCI dog), do you know how long in advance that CCI let's you know that you are invited to training?

 

Roz, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. We are on a transatlantic leaving Rome on November 1 so that's not too far away. This will probably be our last trip to Europe, the long flight is so difficult for me. We will probably be sticking to the west coast and Panama cruises in the future. So maybe someday we will be on a cruise with Roz and Horton.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

Roz, I've just re-read this and I'm now wondering if you thought this photo was Poppy? It's Aruba! I know, I know, I get confused too! I have to more often now take a second look when the two black girls are together - it's only Poppy's grey chin that's the give away! (And her more rotund bottom! ha ha just like her Mum! :rolleyes:) But I'm sure Poppy would love Mr H as a toy boy! LOL!

 

I loved the story about Brenda - .. I thought, yep those trainers got it absolutely spot on - two strong, "in charge girls" together! What a team! I hope our Aruba is matched so sensitively and well - I'm sure she will be. Dianne, we are all waiting with you! :)

 

We had a tragedy at a Dogs Home in England yesterday - a "can't use the word I want to here" youth set fire to the Dogs Home /rescue shelter and although many of the dogs were rescued, over 60 succumbed to the fire and smoke. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach when I heard this. I would string the little xxxxxx up! :mad:

 

Oh my gosh, what a terrible thing Fairbourne. Who would want to hurt those dogs? I can't understand why someone would do that. That is just so sad, I feel sick too.

 

Dianne

[Caribbean Chris]

Roz, that is the BEST story about being matched with Brenda. I would have loved to meet other candidates and see the various finalist dogs. Dogs for the Deaf trainers do the match differently, based on what you write on your (voluminous, multiple) application papers, the input from the home interview, and of course the personalities of the dogs that they get to know so well.

 

So my first look at Raylene was photos they emailed after the phone call. And then, the big excitement peeking out the window when the trainer's car pulled up in my driveway.

 

Diane, we are all excited for you, and it is so great you've connected with other CCI teams.

[Caribbean Chris]

Fairbourne, so very sorry to earn about that awful tragedy.

[Insuregal]

 

Davis, we went to KC Ability Expo today. CCI had a booth and we got to meet some of your distant cousins. The left side pup is about 9 months old and the right side one is 15 months or so and getting very near to going in for the next step to being a service dog. The puppy raisers we met were so enthusiastic! They had shirts on with a list of each dog they had raised embroidered on the front. One lady's list had 10 names!

 

DKD, thanks for explaining about photobucket. Hope you can get to my picture of the two pups. They had been in agility training this morning, so both were tired.

 

Hope all is well with you and your family!

Beckie

Edited September 14, 2014 by Insuregal
Link to photo did not post.

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz, I've just re-read this and I'm now wondering if you thought this photo was Poppy? It's Aruba! I know, I know, I get confused too! I have to more often now take a second look when the two black girls are together - it's only Poppy's grey chin that's the give away! (And her more rotund bottom! ha ha just like her Mum! :rolleyes:) But I'm sure Poppy would love Mr H as a toy boy! LOL!

 

I loved the story about Brenda - .. I thought, yep those trainers got it absolutely spot on - two strong, "in charge girls" together! What a team! I hope our Aruba is matched so sensitively and well - I'm sure she will be. Dianne, we are all waiting with you! :)

 

We had a tragedy at a Dogs Home in England yesterday - a "can't use the word I want to here" youth set fire to the Dogs Home /rescue shelter and although many of the dogs were rescued, over 60 succumbed to the fire and smoke. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach when I heard this. I would string the little xxxxxx up! :mad:

 

Oh! Fairbourne, no! How awful. I'm so sorry for those sweet innocent lives. They had to suffer so badly. There's no explaining why someone would want these innocents to have such a horrible death! Makes me very sad! :(

[wizard-of-roz]

That's a great story about your match with Brenda. I am okay with either yellow or black, I am sure that I will love whatever dog I am lucky enough to be matched with.

 

Roz (or anyone else with a CCI dog), do you know how long in advance that CCI let's you know that you are invited to training?

 

Roz, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. We are on a transatlantic leaving Rome on November 1 so that's not too far away. This will probably be our last trip to Europe, the long flight is so difficult for me. We will probably be sticking to the west coast and Panama cruises in the future. So maybe someday we will be on a cruise with Roz and Horton.

 

Dianne

 

They only do Team Training at certain times of the year and hold their Graduation ceremonies on Friday's. I had a few months for Brenda and a few weeks for Horton.

[wizard-of-roz]

 

Roz, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. We are on a transatlantic leaving Rome on November 1 so that's not too far away. This will probably be our last trip to Europe, the long flight is so difficult for me. We will probably be sticking to the west coast and Panama cruises in the future. So maybe someday we will be on a cruise with Roz and Horton.

 

Dianne

 

Dianne, thank you so much.....I'm really looking forward to this cruise.

 

I'm sorry that the flights are becoming difficult for you and I totally understand. Although, I still want to go back to Switzerland with Horton, the flying, airport, taxi's and just the long travel days are difficult without Morey with me.

 

I want to try and do it by myself and I want to do it while traveling is still fun and not too hard by myself. Although, Horton's not real good on carrying luggage! :rolleyes:

[wizard-of-roz]

 

Davis, we went to KC Ability Expo today. CCI had a booth and we got to meet some of your distant cousins. The left side pup is about 9 months old and the right side one is 15 months or so and getting very near to going in for the next step to being a service dog. The puppy raisers we met were so enthusiastic! They had shirts on with a list of each dog they had raised embroidered on the front. One lady's list had 10 names!

 

DKD, thanks for explaining about photobucket. Hope you can get to my picture of the two pups. They had been in agility training this morning, so both were tired.

 

Hope all is well with you and your family!

Beckie

 

Beckie, thank you so much for sharing these wonderful Yellow Labs with us. They're so handsome! I just love those faces!!!! :)

[DUTRAVEL]

 

Davis, we went to KC Ability Expo today. CCI had a booth and we got to meet some of your distant cousins. The left side pup is about 9 months old and the right side one is 15 months or so and getting very near to going in for the next step to being a service dog. The puppy raisers we met were so enthusiastic! They had shirts on with a list of each dog they had raised embroidered on the front. One lady's list had 10 names!

 

DKD, thanks for explaining about photobucket. Hope you can get to my picture of the two pups. They had been in agility training this morning, so both were tired.

 

Hope all is well with you and your family!

Beckie

 

They are so adorable!!

 

Dianne

[DisneyKidsDad]

Dianne,

While you were at the expo, Davis was "clowning around" at Clownfest on the Seaside Heights, NJ boardwalk.

[wizard-of-roz]

Dianne,

While you were at the expo, Davis was "clowning around" at Clownfest on the Seaside Heights, NJ boardwalk.

 

Look how calm he is.......not a bit rattled by the clown......That is a clown standing next to him isn't it? :rolleyes: :D ;)

[DisneyKidsDad]

Look how calm he is.......not a bit rattled by the clown......That is a clown standing next to him isn't it? :rolleyes: :D ;)

 

That's either a clown or I got dressed in the dark again. :D