Wife Off To Get Her Guidedog.

[M.D. Holloway]

She was accepted and she is now spending a few weeks being trained at the facility. She got there today (on the west coast) - flew by herself with assistance. That white cane is like a light saber or the staff of Moses! Thing can part a sea people like it was on fire.

She is staying there and will get her dog. No idea what flavor, make or model. Good chance it's a Lab. She has a few blind friends that have dogs. One Lab, one Golden. I'm betting it's gonna be a Lab.

The dog will be about 18 months old. These creatures are amazing. The training as well as genetic profiling that goes into it is staggering.

Being blind sucks but at least she is taking steps. She is learning braile, doing some training on a special lap top I got her (no not a Mac) and is trying to take control of this.

Should be very interesting. She needs to establish her independence and move on with life. The dog will help big time with mobility. Where we live (Stomachmonkey can attest ) is foot accessible to anything you can imagine.

[gshase]

I wish there was a LIKE button....Best of luck

[sc_rufctr]

Good news and I admire your wife. God bless.

[slodave]

Where on the West Coast? If she's in the L.A. area and needs anything, let me know...

[livi]

Wish your wife all the best with her new companion.

[Jim Richards]

Nice thread. Best wishes for your wife, Mike!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Awesome Mike! I recall you posting about her early struggles, I'm glad it sounds like she is coming to terms with her disability.

[widgeon13]

Sounds like she will do fine and you will have a new family member. It will all be very amazing.

[dyusem]

Great story and your better-half should be an inspiration!

I suspect that she is at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, no?!

If yes and she wants to take a spin in the C4S, let me know...it is gorgeous here for a few days.

P.S. Make sure that you post some pics of your wife with her new bud!

[herr_oberst]

Good post, Mike. I trust you sent her along with a coaster!

[M.D. Holloway]

Thanks guys. This will be a very interesting ride for sure. She has already given me instructions that the other two dogs (my Choco Lab and my Daughters Chaweenie) best straighten out or they will be on the outside looking in! Actually my Lab is awesome (save the loud bark when someone comes near the house) but my Daughters little otter still has mistakes from time to time in the house. The GDB said that the new addition have been known to improve the behavior of the other dogs - they also said it was good to have other animals. I never would have thought that. When the harness is off, the dog is like any other dog but when the harness is on its work time.

The time invested in these animals is significant. Training aside, they actually have genetic markers that indicate which animals will do the best according to a host of attributes. Even then not all dogs make the cut.

I talked to her last night from her room. She face timed with eh kids and me. Why? So we could see the room. She has no idea what it looks like. The campus is really cool but her room was pretty stark. Imagine a hotel room with white walls and no pictures. No need. Her day starts at 6:30AM and ends at 9:30 PM, 7 days a week. She will spend Thanksgiving there. I guess its damn appropriate huh?

She said last night that the food is really good. The cook/chef came from a 5 star restaurant and offers up several options for meals - basically custom cooks for you and if you want a snack or what ever the kitchen is always open. No booze or tobacco allowed though.

She is there with 6 other blind people, 3 of which have been there before and getting their 2nd or 3rd dog. It didn't occur to me but these dogs only last 6 to 9 years before they are retired or die. That must be horrible! losing a pet sucks but losing a guide dog that basically is an extension of your reality is unimaginable...

Be that as it may, this is yet one more set in this journey of life.

[BK911]

Wishing the best for your family and the new addition.
Positive ju ju coming your way.

[jyl]

We are rooting for your wife and her guide dog! Does this mean you get to take off the harness and start walking on two legs again? :-)

[LWJ]

Wonderful. There is a Guide Dogs for the Blind just a little East of Portland. I had a meeting in Gresham, OR last week and there were trainers everywhere. I agree about Thanksgiving. This is cool!

Larry

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Best of luck and congrats!

(Ya better hope that dog can't read some of the stuff from on here!)

[Baz]

Will keep her in our thoughts today Mike - all the best and please post pics of the doggie in the doggie thread at some point!

Woof!

[gshase]

And Please post some pics when they return

[wdfifteen]

I like feel good stories. I wish all the best for your wife and her new companion.

[oldE]

Mike,

Great news!
As you said, she is now taking control of her life again. It is not everybody else's fault. It just is and she will deal with it.

Best
Les

[speeder]

Great news, wish her the best.