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

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi guys' date=' I haven't been on for a long time either. I am the "mother" of Valentine a 10 pound Japanese Chin. We have traveled to the Eastern Carabbean several times and all that we have ever been required to have is a health certificate and shot record. For Naussa we did have to send for a certificate from the councilate and fax it to the ship but that has been all that has ever been required except when we travel to Europe. I can't imagine that your friend was denigned access to St. Maartin? Valentine has been there at least 3 times. I'd check it out myself if I were you.

 

I don't blame you for being on guard for the stray dogs but I have never seen any. Not to say that they are not there just I haven not seen them. Also Valentine is small enough that we just snatch her up out of harm's way. LOL.

 

I just got back for a cruise out of Baltimore and believe me they were the worst. This is the first time that David did not go with us so it was just my mother, sister, myself and Valentine. First of all there was on one to meet my sister with a wheelchair as was promised and we were kept waiting forever because of my service dog even though I had all of the paperwork as ordered. I tend to be a little shy and if David had been there believe me they would not have kept us waiting. Their answer was that they were all new and only 1 person from Miami knew what to do to get the dog on board. Then they had to walk us onboard like criminals! I was really embarrassed. By the time we got on board I was hot but I guess it was too late because the hotel director and everyone onboard had been expecting her and had everything ready.

 

We had no more problems about the dog but they really need a dog march on the port of Baltimore. Valentine says that she will lead the way!;)[/quote']

 

Barbara: I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. What cruiseline was it?

And, Brenda will be "there" for Valentine any time she needs us!!!!!

We, only had a "loose dog" issue in Puerto Vallarta.......It was on the beach and two guards [from a nearby hotel] came over and chased the strays away.

I've heard some horror stories of Service Dogs that have been attacked and, although I think if Brenda were "pushed" by another dog she could defend herself...I don't ever want to see it or put her in the position to have to!

She's my baby!!!!!!!! :)

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz, (raising hand and jumping up and down) Can I walk Brenny too????? I wish we lived closer, would love to cruise with all of you! Still no word on a dog :( I was hoping for the August class but it's not looking like we are getting called for that. Oh well guess we will shoot for the November class now. I don't mean to be nosy Roz, but are you in a wheelchair? I have noticed you always prefer your potty box in a stairwell so I assume you are not WC bound. For us the veranda would be the ideal place.

 

Cari, I sent you a really cool email about a horse from hurricane Katrina, But when I came on here I noticed your email is different from the one I have. Let me know if you got it and since I don't have Roz's email, could you send it to her. Thanks.

 

 

Cindy

 

Cindy: I, too, wish we lived closer......I've met Cari and Denver and, that was so much fun. We all had dinner together but, we have not had the chance to cruise together, yet. Not that I'm not giving all of you enough chances......Geeeezzzz!!!!!

Cindy: I know that the "wait" for an SD seems like an eternity! There's just no way to make that easier. I had a two year wait......Do you believe it? TWO YEARS.....I cried all the time.....I was so tense and fearful...I would have dreams of dogs walking and running with me. And, then I'd wake-up and be so sad..it was awful. Little did I know that Brenda was being "fine tuned" and brought down from Santa Rosa to go through another training program, just for me.....she was waiting for me, too!!!!! The trainers know what they're doing.......My heart goes out to you and John, I know how the "wait" feels. But, you know, there's a reason for everything.

Your dog is out "there" waiting for you; maybe he/she is being "fine-tuned", as we write; maybe he/she is too young, right now; maybe he/she is coming from another site. You just don't know! But, there is a reason. CCI wants the "match" to be perfect for ALL of you......Hang in there! We're all waiting with you!!!!!! You're not alone!

No, I am not in a wheelchair. The potty box in the stairwell would not be good for someone in a chair. The door is heavy and there is a "lip" that you must step over. Although, if YOU were to take your dog to the box and not John, it would be fine!

My email: rsilberschein@jewishla.org.

[rangeley]

Roz, Thanks for the email. I sent the email, its quite heartwarming.

 

I can't believe you waited 2 years for Brenny! Althought I think John waited atleast a year for Rangeley. I had no idea that they brought dogs from one campus to another. I just figured wherever the dog was puppy raised thats where it would end up.

 

Well I just took Miss B out (I named her that for a few reasons) and I must have forgotten the COOKIE!!!! Shes bugging me.

 

Cindy

[sunshine426]

I just returned my beautiful golden girl. She was wonderful and we had three great outing days, and three nights of barking in the crate!! After I returned her another volunteer asked me if she had settled down to crating, and I had to say "no"! I tried all my tricks. Then I spent two hours with the nursery puppies. Mommy dog had left that morning,but these little pups seemed to be adjusting well. Trimmed some nails, worked on stairs and how to get in and out of the doggy door. As soon as we had them all clean and loved on, and clean papers, and clean pups, of course one poops, then another comes to check it out and sits in it, then one squats on top of another..... We did a quick re clean and then scooted out before more clean up was necessary. So cute, so sweet, so messy....

[wizard-of-roz]

I just returned my beautiful golden girl. She was wonderful and we had three great outing days, and three nights of barking in the crate!! After I returned her another volunteer asked me if she had settled down to crating, and I had to say "no"! I tried all my tricks. Then I spent two hours with the nursery puppies. Mommy dog had left that morning,but these little pups seemed to be adjusting well. Trimmed some nails, worked on stairs and how to get in and out of the doggy door. As soon as we had them all clean and loved on, and clean papers, and clean pups, of course one poops, then another comes to check it out and sits in it, then one squats on top of another..... We did a quick re clean and then scooted out before more clean up was necessary. So cute, so sweet, so messy....

 

I hope the "Golden Girl" with the crate aversion goes all the way!

And, all I can say about those pups is..................AWWWWW!!!!!!

[1 Huskerfan]

Hi,

 

Roz thanks for all the information. It is great to know the staff has been so great about watching Brenda. We will keep thinking about that idea.

 

DisneyKidsDad, doing the math it looks like you started about 4 months before your cruise with the titer test etc.?

 

Good advice about getting off first or with an escort. Do you go on early as well? Keldon has gotten trampled before (black dog in Disney World at night even wearing flashing lights and a dog flashlight). I am sure you are all too aware of that scenario having a black lab yourself.

 

Speaking of life preservers...does Princess provide one for Brenda when she cruises? There was some mention of that on one of the previous pages, but I cannot remember what was said about Princess.

 

Hang in there Cindy. There is still a chance you could get a last minute call for August.

 

Kim and Keldon

[Valentine's Mom]

Barbara: I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. What cruiseline was it?

 

And, Brenda will be "there" for Valentine any time she needs us!!!!!

 

We, only had a "loose dog" issue in Puerto Vallarta.......It was on the beach and two guards [from a nearby hotel] came over and chased the strays away.

 

I've heard some horror stories of Service Dogs that have been attacked and, although I think if Brenda were "pushed" by another dog she could defend herself...I don't ever want to see it or put her in the position to have to!

 

She's my baby!!!!!!!! :)

 

 

Hi Roz,

 

We were on a Carnival cruise. They are usually right on top of everything that I need for Valentine. I'm hoping that it is just that the port is new and the people are in need of training. I really feel that I took on too much with taking my elderly mom, a sister who can't walk except a few feet, and my Valentine. I definately ran into some odd situations that I have never ran into before. No one to meet the handicapped, they took away all of the bottled water that I brought for Valentine because I had opened it. (she needed a drink!) If what they tell me is true is indeed true they need to be training more people with what needs to be checked for someone traveling with a service dog. They said only 1 person from Miami. GIVE ME A BREAK! One of the more odd things that ocurrd was that the room steward told my sister that she did not have to go to the Muster Drill due to her fatigue. I was amazed! To say the least. I'll bet that I could check with each and every one of you and I'll bet that you all have to attend. Right?

 

We really had an odd and rather rough start to our cruise but everything else worked out fine. We did not venture off of the ship this time but the days were beautiful.

 

Travel down the Atlantic and across the Checipeak Bay were very rough but my big girl did great. Not a stomache to be seen. 1 day the winds were so strong that they closed the outside and locked the doors, 2 had blown in.

 

All in all it was a good cruise (once started but we really missed Valentine's Daddy.

[rangeley]

KIm, Thanks for your encourging words. From now on I will not mention getting a dog. I'm sure that you are all sick of hearing it. When we get a call or letter or however they notify us, I will surely let everyone know.

 

Sunshine, Love, love, love your stories. Keep them coming. You're an incredible person.

 

Cindy

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all:

Had a busy week, now quiet until tomorrow.

Cindy: Not at all. I think we all realize the antisipation (sp) you and John have. Your new baby will come to you and be a good match. Keep us posted and don't worry about making us "sick" of hearing it. Doesn't bother me at all.

Travis came to me yesterday with tears in his eyes and told me "He wants Reno back down here". It brings tears to my eyes as I type. He loves Jezzy Lou and Jezzy Lou is crazy about him, but she nips at him and his clothes.

Gotta run to the store. Everyone have a great Friday and weekend.

Nancy

[wizard-of-roz]

KIm, Thanks for your encourging words. From now on I will not mention getting a dog. I'm sure that you are all sick of hearing it. When we get a call or letter or however they notify us, I will surely let everyone know.

 

Sunshine, Love, love, love your stories. Keep them coming. You're an incredible person.

 

Cindy

 

Cindy: NO ONE has asked you STOP mentioning about your wait for a Service Dog......As a matter of fact, if you stop, I'll be very upset. I'm waiting with you and, I hope that you share ALL OF THIS EXPERIENCE with us.

Because, when you finally get your dog, you'll have even more to share and we want to hear it ALL!!!!

 

Please keep us informed!

[1 Huskerfan]

KIm, Thanks for your encourging words. From now on I will not mention getting a dog. I'm sure that you are all sick of hearing it. When we get a call or letter or however they notify us, I will surely let everyone know.

 

Sunshine, Love, love, love your stories. Keep them coming. You're an incredible person.

 

Cindy

Cindy: Please do not stop mentioning it. We can help you wait. I laugh though because waiting drives me CRAZY! HaHa. As you can see from Roz's wait versus ours you never know how long. We are thankful because we were lucky to have the process go so quickly! I assume our wait was not the norm. I offer my words so you are ready to leap should you be presented with the same opportunity.

 

I can remember our feelings every time we received a CCI letter letting us know we advanced through another level! Looking back after we were done with our team training, I knew all the rearranging etc. we had to do (we never thought we would get called so soon) was right. As Roz said the right dog is out there for you guys too.

 

Kim and Keldon

[rangeley]

Nancy, Poor Travis, it's so hard for the little ones to understand death. I guess you have told him Reno is up in heaven. He needs that big furball that he can cuddle up on the floor with. A small dog is so so different. Give him a picture of Reno and tell him if he carries it, Reno will always be with him.

 

Alright, I hate waiting but I'm so glad we have all of you to wait with us. I go home to my moms in Connecticut a few days a week and I know how lonely John is all by himself. Atleast before he had Rangeley to keep him busy. Bailee goes back and forth with me, so she is not here with him. After all we went through with the dog from hell, I really want this for John, he deserves it.

 

Cindy

Edited June 19, 2009 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindy: Please do not stop mentioning it. We can help you wait. I laugh though because waiting drives me CRAZY! HaHa. As you can see from Roz's wait versus ours you never know how long. We are thankful because we were lucky to have the process go so quickly! I assume our wait was not the norm. I offer my words so you are ready to leap should you be presented with the same opportunity.

 

I can remember our feelings every time we received a CCI letter letting us know we advanced through another level! Looking back after we were done with our team training, I knew all the rearranging etc. we had to do (we never thought we would get called so soon) was right. As Roz said the right dog is out there for you guys too.

 

Kim and Keldon

 

I remember those letters.....and, I agree. I can't believe how fast the time has gone [i know you've all heard this before] but, it's so true!!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Mornin' all:

Had a busy week, now quiet until tomorrow.

 

Cindy: Not at all. I think we all realize the antisipation (sp) you and John have. Your new baby will come to you and be a good match. Keep us posted and don't worry about making us "sick" of hearing it. Doesn't bother me at all.

 

Travis came to me yesterday with tears in his eyes and told me "He wants Reno back down here". It brings tears to my eyes as I type. He loves Jezzy Lou and Jezzy Lou is crazy about him, but she nips at him and his clothes.

 

Gotta run to the store. Everyone have a great Friday and weekend.

 

Nancy

 

AWWW! How sweet is he. Remember when he just dismissed Reno's passing.....It's now hitting him, that he's really gone! I have a tear for both of you!

Give Travis a big kiss from me and Brenny.

[wizard-of-roz]

Nancy, Poor Travis, it's so hard for the little ones to understand death. I guess you have told him Reno is up in heaven. He needs that big furball that he can cuddle up on the floor with. A small dog is so so different. Give him a picture of Reno and tell him if he carries it, Reno will always be with him.

 

Alright, I hate waiting but I'm so glad we have all of you to wait with us. I go home to my moms in Connecticut a few days a week and I know how lonely John is all by himself. Atleast before he had Rangeley to keep him busy. Bailee goes back and forth with me, so she is not here with him. After all we went through with the dog from hell, I really want this for John, he deserves it.

 

Cindy

 

Please give John an extra hug from Brenny and me. His life will be full and, he won't even remember these "waiting days!"

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi,

 

Roz thanks for all the information. It is great to know the staff has been so great about watching Brenda. We will keep thinking about that idea.

 

DisneyKidsDad, doing the math it looks like you started about 4 months before your cruise with the titer test etc.?

 

Good advice about getting off first or with an escort. Do you go on early as well? Keldon has gotten trampled before (black dog in Disney World at night even wearing flashing lights and a dog flashlight). I am sure you are all too aware of that scenario having a black lab yourself.

 

Speaking of life preservers...does Princess provide one for Brenda when she cruises? There was some mention of that on one of the previous pages, but I cannot remember what was said about Princess.

 

Hang in there Cindy. There is still a chance you could get a last minute call for August.

 

Kim and Keldon

 

Yes, you will be allowed to board early. Princess or Security may not approach you, you go up to them and request that you board with the earliest people. You'll board along with other folks who are in wheelchairs or Platinum/Elite passengers. Mind you, there will still be lines and people's feet and wheelchairs to look out for. You'll get used to it.

Be careful in the elevators......people are NOT expecting to see a dog....and the black ones can blend right into the floor!!!!!

Being a black dog can be very difficult.....she can't be seen in the dark so, make sure to place him where no one can step on him. You don't want him to become fearful about cruising.

[Dogs "mark" behavior....and, if the cruising experience becomes a bad one.....he'll "mark" it as that and, it won't be fun for anyone, especially him!]

Picture taking can be very tricky with a black dog.....make sure to keep the backgrounds on the light side or put a scarf around his neck....it helps to identify him against some of the backgrounds.

Take some pictures of him by himself against the stairs in the atrium....the stairs are white and we've gotten some of our best pictures of Brenda there.

 

Don't forget to bring tennis balls.....[brenda lives for them]....we take her into an empty lounge and we let her chase the ball.......Skywalkers is her favorite lounge to play in......Of course, be mindful of other guests who may not like dogs.....we always go to an area where no one is!!!!!

 

Hard to believe but, there really are places on a huge/3000 passenger vessel where no one else is!!!!! ;)

[1 Huskerfan]

Wow Roz. Stuff I didn't even think about. We wandered into Skywalkers one time during the day and no one was in there. That is a great idea to take him up there and let him run around a bit.

 

Your comments also got me thinking about the elevators. Sometimes they are totally crowded and we have issues with people stepping onto him and crowding him when we are not even on a ship. Same issue with the black dog in the theatre bit. One guy kept stepping on Keldon at the movie theatre before the movie started even though I told him several times there was a service dog at his feet! We are by the aft stairs and using them will be good for all of us (work off all that good food and Keldon does really well with stairs)!

 

Kim

[1 Huskerfan]

I go home to my moms in Connecticut a few days a week and I know how lonely John is all by himself. Atleast before he had Rangeley to keep him busy. Bailee goes back and forth with me, so she is not here with him. After all we went through with the dog from hell, I really want this for John, he deserves it.

 

Cindy

 

It is very hard to stand by patiently when you want it so much for someone else. You just know how great it will be and how much it will enhance/change/ make their life better. John is fortunate to have you in his life.

 

Nancy, give that little guy a hug. It is so hard for them to understand those things. Hearing that just breaks my heart.

 

Kim

 

Kim

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all:

Thanks for the support. I have told Travis that Reno is in heaven with Jesus. That he sees us everywhere we are. He asked if Reno sees him at school and I told him yes, everywhere. He had me write Reno on a piece of paper and we are going to find a picture of Reno for him to put on the wall next to his bed. As I type Jezzy Lou is laying outside his bedroom door waiting for him to get up. We have to keep his door closed, too many good toys to take and chew on.....

Everyone have a great weekend, we are already hot and humid. But can't complain, our weather has been about 10 degrees cooler than normal for this time of year. It will catch up with us soon.

Nancy

[sunshine426]

I have such a different perspective on this wait game. I can only imagine how hard it is. I've heard of some 4-5 year wait lists. For me, I see these pups grow up to be dogs and move on. And since training camps are every two months, it seems like someone is always getting their new best friend. The match making is heart warming, and I love to watch the training camp videos(sometimes over and over and over). I love the director's line about the match, she says that the recepients don't pick their dogs, the dogs pick their people, and I can believe it. She also says that people say dog's aren't judgemental, but she thinks they are very judgemental, they just judge on what is important. So true. So, if any of you can't sleep and what to tug on your heart strings, go to www.canineassistants.org click the link for inspiration and you will some some powerful video.

 

We've renamed those two rascally pups that were with us last week. Mr Sunshine said they reminded him of "Thing 1 and Thing 2" from the Cat in the Hat: Way to cute, always into something and at the end of the day the whole house is topsy turvy! I imagine the next two pups I bring home we'll call thing 3 and thing 4, or at least until we get tired of the joke.

 

Stay cool, it is very hot in my neck of the woods.

[rangeley]

Sunshine, Even though I knew I shouldn't click on the link, I did and made it the first 1:07 before I had to turn it off. Those darn graduations with the video and music kill me! When we would go to the graduations, I would leave when they did that part. It is inspirational but tear jerking too. I assume this is the place you work for and I will check it out better when I compose myself. Thanks for posting that, I love to read about other organizations.

 

And Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there!

 

Cindy

[sunshine426]

Sunshine, Even though I knew I shouldn't click on the link, I did and made it the first 1:07 before I had to turn it off. Those darn graduations with the video and music kill me! When we would go to the graduations, I would leave when they did that part. It is inspirational but tear jerking too. I assume this is the place you work for and I will check it out better when I compose myself. Thanks for posting that, I love to read about other organizations.

 

And Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there!

 

Cindy

 

Cindy, Try to get past the first 1/2 of the videos. Then they put the funny stuff on and the lively music. I get tearful at the graduations, but they are good tears. Check out the program and the application process. It is also a non profit orginization with the dogs placed at no charge to the recepient.

[wizard-of-roz]

Wow Roz. Stuff I didn't even think about. We wandered into Skywalkers one time during the day and no one was in there. That is a great idea to take him up there and let him run around a bit.

 

Your comments also got me thinking about the elevators. Sometimes they are totally crowded and we have issues with people stepping onto him and crowding him when we are not even on a ship. Same issue with the black dog in the theatre bit. One guy kept stepping on Keldon at the movie theatre before the movie started even though I told him several times there was a service dog at his feet! We are by the aft stairs and using them will be good for all of us (work off all that good food and Keldon does really well with stairs)!

 

Kim

 

Kim, I'm not sure if it was you who had asked about the life vests for your dog. Princess will supply you with a life vest for Keldon. I bring my own. I bought it online, the name on the vest is "Outward Hound."

Also, I bring yellow "caution" tape. I keep it, rolled-up, in my purse just for occasions when someone could step on her......My DH sits on one end and holds it, we place Brenda in the middle and I sit on the other end, holding the tape Or you can tie it to a chair, etc. It's very visable in the dark. And, people do respect it!

[wizard-of-roz]

I have such a different perspective on this wait game. I can only imagine how hard it is. I've heard of some 4-5 year wait lists. For me, I see these pups grow up to be dogs and move on. And since training camps are every two months, it seems like someone is always getting their new best friend. The match making is heart warming, and I love to watch the training camp videos(sometimes over and over and over). I love the director's line about the match, she says that the recepients don't pick their dogs, the dogs pick their people, and I can believe it. She also says that people say dog's aren't judgemental, but she thinks they are very judgemental, they just judge on what is important. So true. So, if any of you can't sleep and what to tug on your heart strings, go to www.canineassistants.org click the link for inspiration and you will some some powerful video.

 

We've renamed those two rascally pups that were with us last week. Mr Sunshine said they reminded him of "Thing 1 and Thing 2" from the Cat in the Hat: Way to cute, always into something and at the end of the day the whole house is topsy turvy! I imagine the next two pups I bring home we'll call thing 3 and thing 4, or at least until we get tired of the joke.

 

Stay cool, it is very hot in my neck of the woods.

 

Sunshine: You know what a staunch supporter I am of Canine Companions for Independence......that said, the video that you shared with us is AMAZING! I loved every moment of it. The dogs; the people; the puppies; the music, it was wonderful to watch and so ispirational. I had chills and tears through the whole video.

Thank you for sharing it with all of us......It makes me love, love my girl more than ever, when I watch video's like this.

And, I had never heard of this organization, they appear to be as caring and giving as CCI! It's good to know that people have choices of orgs. to turn to.

[sunshine426]

I'm just so glad that their are choices out there for people in need of a service dog. I'm taking a week off from pups and dogs and giving my own dog some extra attention and exercise. She so graciously( and sometimes not so graciously)shares her home and her people with these canine's in training. I'm competing in a mini triathalon this weekend and want to get some last minute swims in as well. I snooped around the web site I posted and found some later training camp videos that I hadn't seen. Some of my special friends were on and I had some aaaaahhhhh moments. The house has recovered from "Thing1 andThing2" :Dso maybe I can start thinking about another couple of pups for a visit soon.

 

Also, my own dog wears a CFD (canine flotation devise)from outward bound. It fits her well, she wears it when she is out on our ski boat whenever the boat is underway. I like that it is bright green for better spotting and has a handle to help haul her in if needed. I can't see why anyone would want a camoflouge life jacket for their dog. If my dog goes overboard, I want to SEE her.