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

[rangeley]

On a happy note, doesn't it make you all feel good when waitresses and others in a restaurant are so surprised when your dog emerges from under the table as you leave a restaurant? Today I got, "I had no idea there was a dog there!":) This was in "Cabin Fever," a roadside New Hampshire place Bob pulled into that looked like a dive but had amazing lobster bisque on a cool, foggy day!

 

My girl Raylene has been so good for the past month on our RV trip. Sometimes long days on the road, often no good place to run, play and exercise off leash. Hearing Dogs are very high energy, but she's been a pro all the way, as always. Just wanted to share.

 

That's the best feeling when someone doesn't know the dog was there.

[wizard-of-roz]

I don't expect to have all these illnesses when our dog gets old. I've had quite a few dogs and never had all these problems.

I don't think there will be another dog if it's up to me, so no we haven't put in for another one.

 

I know exactly what you're saying.....I sometimes feel the very same way. Then I think of my traveling, going shopping, cruising, and just plain laying around the house without the joy of hair balls, fur flying and, those big brown eyes to look into mine with such adoration that the love could cure all mankind of its ills and problems!

 

I don't think I really want to live or go through life without a Service Dog!!!!

 

Once you've had one, you've got to have another.......they're addictive!

[Christine Frances]

After 8 yrs of fighting wet AMD in my good eye I seem to have lost the battle. I now have no central vision in both eyes. My peripheral is pretty good so far but I am losing that battle fast. At what point should I look at a service dog? Is there a low vision level? I have major problems with depth perception (ie walking on uneven terrain) and am now terrified of walking across multi*laned intersections as I cannot see the walk signal on the other side. So my question is, do you have to be totally blind to qualify for a wonderful guide? I can still manage in my home:)

[DUTRAVEL]

My girl Raylene has been so good for the past month on our RV trip. Sometimes long days on the road, often no good place to run, play and exercise off leash. Hearing Dogs are very high energy, but she's been a pro all the way, as always. Just wanted to share.

 

Good job Raylene!

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

After 8 yrs of fighting wet AMD in my good eye I seem to have lost the battle. I now have no central vision in both eyes. My peripheral is pretty good so far but I am losing that battle fast. At what point should I look at a service dog? Is there a low vision level? I have major problems with depth perception (ie walking on uneven terrain) and am now terrified of walking across multi*laned intersections as I cannot see the walk signal on the other side. So my question is, do you have to be totally blind to qualify for a wonderful guide? I can still manage in my home:)

 

My service dog is not a guide dog so I cannot answer your specific questions. Its really never too soon to get in contact with the organization closest to you that raises guide dogs - they can answer your questions about whether you would currently qualify. Its best to contact them sooner rather than later because there is often a waiting list. I had been thinking about getting a service dog for a while and I wish I had applied sooner (but then again if I had I would not have my beautiful service dog Henri).

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

Chris, so glad that Raylene is enjoying the trip as much as you guys. I love that too when I bring my big boy out from under a table and not only are the servers shocked but the other patrons who were seated after us are in such awe at how graceful, quiet and wonderful my big boy is when he comes out from under a table! Love it! It's always fun to watch their faces!!!!

 

Henri is the same way - she pops out from under the table and people are amazed she was under there. I think it is especially true for the black dogs - they are hard to see in a dimly lit restaurant.

 

I am hooked on service dogs now that I have Henri!

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

After 8 yrs of fighting wet AMD in my good eye I seem to have lost the battle. I now have no central vision in both eyes. My peripheral is pretty good so far but I am losing that battle fast. At what point should I look at a service dog? Is there a low vision level? I have major problems with depth perception (ie walking on uneven terrain) and am now terrified of walking across multi*laned intersections as I cannot see the walk signal on the other side. So my question is, do you have to be totally blind to qualify for a wonderful guide? I can still manage in my home:)

No, just like you do NOT have to be profoundly deaf to earn a Hearing Dog; you DO NOT have to be totally blind to earn a Seeing Eye Dog. Please contact Guide Dogs for The Blind in your area and they will set-up an interview and certainly tell you more about qualifying for one of their amazing heroes.

 

Cari, "Denver Sees for Me" is a wonderful example of living a complete life with a Guide Dog. She has had two dogs; Denver and now Turf and lives a really full life with them.

 

I want to personally wish you good luck in your quest for a more complete and full life with a Service Dog to help you through it. It's a monumental task to take care of one of these dogs but what they give back is so over-the-top fabulous that I hope that you achieve your quest in having one in your life.

 

I say - GO FOR IT!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

My service dog is not a guide dog so I cannot answer your specific questions. Its really never too soon to get in contact with the organization closest to you that raises guide dogs - they can answer your questions about whether you would currently qualify. Its best to contact them sooner rather than later because there is often a waiting list. I had been thinking about getting a service dog for a while and I wish I had applied sooner (but then again if I had I would not have my beautiful service dog Henri).

 

Dianne

 

Dianne, it's pretty amazing how the timing is just plain "meant to be!" Henri was meant for you......Just like Brenda and Horton were meant for me!

 

We're very lucky!

Edited July 12, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[Christine Frances]

Thanks to all:) I will do as suggested!

[MDTrip]

Anyone have experience with dogs in St. Maarten? Both on the street, in restaurants and in taxis?

 

We are stopping there with a seeing-eye dog. I was told there are a lot of stray dogs. I wonder what areas might be safe. Are there stray dogs right by the pier?

 

I was told by one taxi that the dog would not be allowed unless we hired a private tour and were the only party in the van. I was told by another taxi/tour company that the dog could come on the tour if we paid a passenger fee for the dog.

 

I also wonder if we can take the dog into restaurants.

 

If anyone has St. Maarten experience they can share, I would be grateful.

Thanks.

Lynn

[wizard-of-roz]

Anyone have experience with dogs in St. Maarten? Both on the street, in restaurants and in taxis?

 

We are stopping there with a seeing-eye dog. I was told there are a lot of stray dogs. I wonder what areas might be safe. Are there stray dogs right by the pier?

 

I was told by one taxi that the dog would not be allowed unless we hired a private tour and were the only party in the van. I was told by another taxi/tour company that the dog could come on the tour if we paid a passenger fee for the dog.

 

I also wonder if we can take the dog into restaurants.

 

If anyone has St. Maarten experience they can share, I would be grateful.

Thanks.

Lynn

 

Lynn,

We didn't see many dogs at the dock but there were strays on the streets and although they appeared friendly, they were off leash and gave me a scare. Our dogs are not good at defending themselves since they're trained to "suck-it-up" and take all that is dished out to them. It's our job to protect them, but if you can't see the dogs coming at your dog it would NEVER be a fair fight.

 

The restaurants were NOT welcoming either and we found ourselves going back to the ship and eating.

 

We were NOT welcomed inside the two restaurants that we wanted to enter and we had to beg a taxi driver to take us back to the ship with extra fare money.

 

And, we had to take turns going into a church for sightseeing since our dog was not welcome there either!

 

In St. Thomas we were welcome in all the shops and even in the restaurant that we ate in. We got very lucky in that there were no dogs on the streets the day that we visited and we were warned that there are always strays around.

 

I think for the most part that the Caribbean can be a hit or a miss on any given day when it comes to restaurants, strays, taxi drivers and that over-all-welcomed feeling.

 

You should be prepared for anything!!!

 

I go traveling with my Service Dog EVERYWHERE and, I hope that we'll be welcomed.........if not, I go directly to PLAN "B"!

[DUTRAVEL]

Dianne, it's pretty amazing how the timing is just plain "meant to be!" Henri was meant for you......Just like Brenda and Horton were meant for me!

 

We're very lucky!

 

Yes we are very lucky to have these amazing and loving dogs!

 

Dianne

[Caribbean Chris]

Anyone have experience with dogs in St. Maarten? Both on the street, in restaurants and in taxis?

 

We are stopping there with a seeing-eye dog. I was told there are a lot of stray dogs. I wonder what areas might be safe. Are there stray dogs right by the pier?

 

I was told by one taxi that the dog would not be allowed unless we hired a private tour and were the only party in the van. I was told by another taxi/tour company that the dog could come on the tour if we paid a passenger fee for the dog.

 

I also wonder if we can take the dog into restaurants.

 

If anyone has St. Maarten experience they can share, I would be grateful.

Thanks.

Lynn

 

We were in St. Maarten twice in the past year or so by ship. Both times, I didn't see any stray dogs at the port itself, the nice touristy shopping area just beyond the dock. We took the short ferry into town and did a little shopping - the shopkeeper invited the dog to come in where it was cooler out of the sun in air conditioning, so that was very welcome while I was buying a watch and having it sized.

 

The place where we saw strays was at the beach. We sat at a beach bar after shopping, and some scruffy-looking local dogs meandered around probably looking for tidbits on the beach. No problems, though.

 

We didn't take tours. However, you could book through the cruise line and contact them a month before and inquire. Or talk to the onboard excursions office after embarking - they often are in touch directly with the tour operators before arrival and have real-world experience, possibly with service dogs on tours.

 

Or, you could wait until you leave the ship - in the Caribbean there are always people trying to sell their independent tours at the dock area. They always see my big dog and still seem to be asking for my business.

 

Same with taxis (unless it's a shiny new vehicle.). I have found that taxi drivers in ports often will be willing to take you somewhere and then return in an agreed-on time to take you back to the ship. Some will even say - pay me then. So you know they'll show up.

 

We were turned away from a casual waterfront in St. Barth, even the outdoor patio. The place was empty but no dogs allowed. Elsewhere we've had servers bring a bowl of water for the dog. You just never know what you'll find outside the US. In US ports like Puerto Rico and the USVI, the ADA applies, of course.

[rangeley]

Anyone have experience with dogs in St. Maarten? Both on the street, in restaurants and in taxis?

 

We are stopping there with a seeing-eye dog. I was told there are a lot of stray dogs. I wonder what areas might be safe. Are there stray dogs right by the pier?

 

I was told by one taxi that the dog would not be allowed unless we hired a private tour and were the only party in the van. I was told by another taxi/tour company that the dog could come on the tour if we paid a passenger fee for the dog.

 

I also wonder if we can take the dog into restaurants.

 

If anyone has St. Maarten experience they can share, I would be grateful.

Thanks.

Lynn

 

Last time we went, we had a private tour and they took the dog. Another time we just walked around the shops at the dock area and we were fine.

[rangeley]

Happy Birthday to our boy!!

[fairbourne]

Happy Birthday to our boy!!

 

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO "MR HANDSOME" FROM US ALL

Bonnie XX Aruba XX Poppy XX and Max XX and our visitor today RAINE XX (a very, very, very, very, very boisterous 14 month old Guide Dog In Training - it was like herding cats all afternoon with the 5 of them! :D. :eek: Poor Max, he can cope with his 3 girls but Raine was a girl too far! ;):D

 

Welcome Christine Frances - as Aunty Roz says "go for it"! In the UK we too have folk with guide dogs who are partially sighted, and there can be a wait too to get a dog, so the sooner you apply the better. Please let us know how you get on. :)

[wizard-of-roz]

♥ Happy Birthday ~ Sexy Wexy ♥

Edited July 13, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO "MR HANDSOME" FROM US ALL

Bonnie XX Aruba XX Poppy XX and Max XX and our visitor today RAINE XX (a very, very, very, very, very boisterous 14 month old Guide Dog In Training - it was like herding cats all afternoon with the 5 of them! :D. :eek: Poor Max, he can cope with his 3 girls but Raine was a girl too far! ;):D

 

Welcome Christine Frances - as Aunty Roz says "go for it"! In the UK we too have folk with guide dogs who are partially sighted, and there can be a wait too to get a dog, so the sooner you apply the better. Please let us know how you get on. :)

 

These are truly the days that I wish we were closer, so that I could bring Horty over to help Max rangle in the girls!!!! Your dogs are so lucky to have you in their lives.

 

Horton Jeffrey and I were very busy interviewing dog walkers today. Would you believe the ones that are licensed and bonded want $35.00 an hour. She was truly lovely, an aspiring actress years ago, who made up her mind that the acting bug she was bitten by was just that; a "bug!" And, her career as an actress was not going anywhere and she decided that she liked eating and having a bed to sleep in so she took up the "Doggie Daycare" and exercise business. Apparently, here in L.A., it's very lucrative. She'll come to my office and take our boy on a jaunt around the neighborhood and clear out those cobwebs that allow him to sleep away his day whilest I'm on the job.

 

I'll give it some thought. You should see the paperwork that she asks you fill out. I do like that she takes it very seriously, I must say. I'd do it at least twice a week so there's $70.00 more dollars that would be taken from my "cruising account."

[MDTrip]

Thank you to everyone who replied re service dogs in St. Maarten. I appreciate it.

 

Lynn

[Algebralovr]

These are truly the days that I wish we were closer, so that I could bring Horty over to help Max rangle in the girls!!!! Your dogs are so lucky to have you in their lives.

 

Horton Jeffrey and I were very busy interviewing dog walkers today. Would you believe the ones that are licensed and bonded want $35.00 an hour. She was truly lovely, an aspiring actress years ago, who made up her mind that the acting bug she was bitten by was just that; a "bug!" And, her career as an actress was not going anywhere and she decided that she liked eating and having a bed to sleep in so she took up the "Doggie Daycare" and exercise business. Apparently, here in L.A., it's very lucrative. She'll come to my office and take our boy on a jaunt around the neighborhood and clear out those cobwebs that allow him to sleep away his day whilest I'm on the job.

 

I'll give it some thought. You should see the paperwork that she asks you fill out. I do like that she takes it very seriously, I must say. I'd do it at least twice a week so there's $70.00 more dollars that would be taken from my "cruising account."

 

 

Wow, Roz. Makes me extra glad for my university girls next door. The young ladies at the Christian Campus Fellowship Women's Residence were a real blessing this spring when I was on medical restriction. Hubby was trying to figure out how to do things in the house that I've always done and here is this new puppy that also needed walking. We had a number of volunteers.

 

Sadly, they are currently all on summer break and I'm working lots of OT. We aren't a big enough town for a doggie day care. :(

[Caribbean Chris]

Wow, big bucks, Roz! Might be tax deductible, though. I deduct all dog food, meds, vet care, grooming, etc.

 

Pretty scary some years to see how much it costs to own a service dog. I recall that Dogs for the Deaf stressed repeatedly during the screening process that recipients had to be prepared financially as well as in other ways.

[S.S. Cruisers]

I missed getting on the internet yesterday morning. A great big belated Happy Birthday to our handsome Big Boy, Sexy Wexy! Hugs, kisses and pawrayers, Big Boy. From your crazy Antie Nancy Fancy Pony Pants.:D

[wizard-of-roz]

Wow, big bucks, Roz! Might be tax deductible, though. I deduct all dog food, meds, vet care, grooming, etc.

 

Pretty scary some years to see how much it costs to own a service dog. I recall that Dogs for the Deaf stressed repeatedly during the screening process that recipients had to be prepared financially as well as in other ways.

 

Yes, I too, take all the deductions I'm allowed for Horton Jeffrey. Now that I'm a single person and still working, the taxes that are taken out of my paycheck [living in one of the most taxed enriched states in the USA] are so ginormous that the deductions are really helpful but still I have to put the money out only to wait the year out to get it back.

 

Now, to make cruising tax deductible......there's a thought. ;)

 

I do have a son who lives local but he's having a difficult enough time just keeping his own life in order, I can't depend on his help, like I used to!!!! Unfortunately, this would deeply sadden Morey, I'm sure!!! But that has NOTHING to do with Cruising With a Service Dog!

[DUTRAVEL]

Happy Birthday to Wexler!!

 

My daughter recently graduated from Nursing School. She is an RN, but to get into the field that she wants with no experience (labor & delivery) she had to take a part-time nursing position. So she got another part-time job and is also a "dog care specialist" and works at a doggie daycare. She loves that job!

 

Here in Northern California we have the Wags Hotel. Believe it or not they have private rooms with queen size beds, gas fireplaces, 42" tv, video chat and room service - yes this is for the dogs!

 

Dianne

[rangeley]

These are truly the days that I wish we were closer, so that I could bring Horty over to help Max rangle in the girls!!!! Your dogs are so lucky to have you in their lives.

 

Horton Jeffrey and I were very busy interviewing dog walkers today. Would you believe the ones that are licensed and bonded want $35.00 an hour. She was truly lovely, an aspiring actress years ago, who made up her mind that the acting bug she was bitten by was just that; a "bug!" And, her career as an actress was not going anywhere and she decided that she liked eating and having a bed to sleep in so she took up the "Doggie Daycare" and exercise business. Apparently, here in L.A., it's very lucrative. She'll come to my office and take our boy on a jaunt around the neighborhood and clear out those cobwebs that allow him to sleep away his day whilest I'm on the job.

 

I'll give it some thought. You should see the paperwork that she asks you fill out. I do like that she takes it very seriously, I must say. I'd do it at least twice a week so there's $70.00 more dollars that would be taken from my "cruising account."

 

35.00? Holy crap.