Walkin' the dog

Well, my worries were mostly for nothing. We went on two walks today, and did really well. My instructor did say that she would bring a longer harness handle to see if I might be a bit more comfortable. Both times, when we started out, it was a little ragged. But, within a couple of blocks, we got our paces together, and did just fine. Posh is such a great little worker! Her stops are perfect! It's like having a new car, where everything works perfectly! Eventually, I'm sure we'll develop those sloppy little habits that everyone has, that make you a true team. But, for now, it couldn't be better. Although, when we went out for the first time, I did have the thought that, it was like how it would be if I tried to waterski again! I'm sure I could do it, but I'd be really wobbly for awhile!

 

We got to pick a place to learn to walk to. I decided on the Greek Deli! Oh, the wondrous smells that come from that place! I'm sure that, eventually, I'll cave, and buy something, or somethings, to make the heart glad! Today, I just treated my nose! Not that I need to buy anything! The food here really is beautiful! And you even get a couple of choices for every meal, and if you don't like either of them, you can have a salad or a sandwich.

 

We got our ID pics taken, but I don't know if they'll be shared as a postable file. I really will get one up here, one of these days!

 

Now, I'm seriously tired! I'm not sure why, since the walks were not overly long, but I'm definitely ready for sleep!

 

 

Dog Day

And what a day this has been. We were told that we'd get our dogs at ten. Before that, we had to listen to some very abreviated lectures, and we all heard what dogs we were getting. I found out that I would be paired with a little black lab girl called Posh! Doesn't it just fit! I was amazed, because I would have asked for a black female if I had thought I could get one that matched my personality, but I've never asked for a particular breed or gender, since the matches at Guide Dogs tend to be phenomenally good. But then, at last, after an interminable wait, I got to meet her. They said she was little! They were not kidding! She's a little pocket dog, for sure! Not quite 20 inches tall, and weighs about 47 pounds, I think! I forgot to record our meeting, and the number sort of flew out of my head, but it's about that. She's very, very sweet, and a very good girl. She has a bit of spunk to her, but she's not crazy. Perhaps that means she'll look out for me, like other ones have in the past! They tend to give me these really sane dogs, which is amazing!

 

We did a little obedience work, and I learned about giving her her food rewards. This is a totally new thing for me, and goes against everything I've ever been taught at this school, but I'm keeping an open mind. And I will have to admit that doing it was great fun. I'm still not convinced about its usefulness in actual guide work, but it was fun, and it convinced her that I'm a wonderful person!

 

We had a grooming lecture, in which I not only brushed her lovely self, but brushed her teeth and cleaned her ears. And still, she didn't hate me. But at the same time, I got her three toys, a bone, a kong, and a tug ring. The kong was her hands down favorite,  but she lost it about one minute after I gave it to her. I got someone to help me find it, but we're going to have to work out the best way to play with it while we're here. It'll be easier at home.

 

So, that's my dog day. Altogether wonderful! And now, I'm tired, and Miss Posh is fast asleep. I'm going to wake her up to kiss her goodnight! And tomorrow, I'll find out what it's like to work a dog who comes up to my knees! Amazing! Night!

 

rachaelwarke@gmail.com
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At school at last!

Well, here I am, at long last! I've got a great roommate, which always helps make the time more wonderful! We are all unpacked, and have had an orientation to the dorm. It's lovely here! And very peaceful outside. We had a little walk with Juneau, the imaginary dog that each of us starts with, so the trainers can learn our pace, and to make sure they've got the right match. The instructor for the night is walking around with a list of names and dogs, but is saying nothing! Makes us all crazy, but it's part of the tradition. BTW, the food is as good as always, and you now have a choice of what you want to eat. It's more like a resort than a school, in many ways.

 

Tomorrow morning, we'll finally get to meet our dogs. Then the fun begins! For now, let's see if we can get some sleep! A very tall order!

 

Night all!

 

 

rachaelwarke@gmail.com
You can see what I'm up to in increasing detail at:
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School Tomorrow

I can't even remember when I last wrote on here, but I'll try to catch up, at least a little. I left my sister's house on Wednesday, after a most wondrously peaceful time there. I think I need to go there about once a year, just to be pampered and to soak up the peace of the lake and the house!

 

I've been in Portland for three days, and have had a truly wonderful time. I've been staying with April, who was my stepdaughter in another life, and remains that, and my hair person, and dear friend, and so much more! sixteen years ago today I sang at her wedding, and she and Tim are still doing great! And have two perfectly wonderful children.

 

I've also been to my former workplace, and seen all my dear friends there. so good to see them all! Oh and had Thai food at the Thai restaurant where I always used to go. Great, nostalgic time.

 

Now, I'm about to go to a knitting group, and then out to dinner with Tim and April to celebrate, and then, tomorrow, I go to school. Can't wait! I'll write Sunday, if not sooner, and tell all about the dog! Finally!

 

 

rachaelwarke@gmail.com
You can see what I'm up to in increasing detail at:
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The trip, so far

Well, clearly, this blogging thing is harder than it looks! I'm not really sure what to say, other than that it's been wonderful seeing everyone.

 

I had a couple of days at Jesse's house, near Portland. It was sooooo good to see him after all this time! His hair is still gorgeous. My sleep disorder kicked into full gear at his house, so I sort of wasn't entirely there as much as I would have liked, but it was fun exchanging technotips, and I learned something about Animae, which is way too strange for me!

 

Then I flew down to Medford, and drove with my sister, Marj, and her husband, Bob, to their house outside of Weed, CA. The sleep thing goes on, so I'm up way too much at night, and needing a nap in the afternoons. I do hope I get this thing handled before I get to GDB. Mostly we've just hung out here, and visited. It's been five years since we've seen each other, so it's way past time. We did go to Redding, about an hour and a half south of here, and went to Costco, where I drooled over thumb drives and SD cards, but was strong and walked away empty-handed! Then we had lunch at the Hi-Lo, a restaurant in Weed, where I've eaten a lot when I lived here. Hopefully, I'll be getting together with CMinor on Sunday, but that's not a for sure thing. And I'll get to see my niece, Beth, and her family, also on Sunday. All in all, a lovely visit!

 

On Wednesday, it's back to Portland, and April's house. I'll see you all there!

 

 

rachaelwarke@gmail.com
You can see what I'm up to in increasing detail at:
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It's getting real!

It is less than 24 hours before I get on that plane and roar away to who knows what! I actually have to pack today, and hope I've taken care of enough of the little details around here to make things carry on while I'm gone. I'm sure I've forgotten lots, and the angst will only grow from here. Fortunately, I'm very familiar with this state, and can still function, sort of!

 

I had a great phone interview with two of the instructors of the guide dog class yesterday. I got them to tell me that they do have a particular dog in mind for me, but as is their iron-clad rule, they told me nothing about him/her. I told them to give it a hug for me! Much of the discussion centered around their new policy of giving food rewards for training. This is a 180dg turn from everything they taught before, and I admitted to being more than a little skeptical. But I'm willing to listen and try, with the thought that, once we're home, I'll wean puppy off those treats for the most part. It is likely to be a bit of a theme on here, so you've been warned. But the whole thing really made it seem real, for the first time.

 

But first comes the great joy of seeing all the people I haven't seen in years! And before that, um, I actually do have to pack! First into the suitcase goes the yarn and needles. Oh right, I need to find a pattern for a dog, preferably a retriever! I want to make a little gift for the puppy raiser.

 

Ok, coffee's gone, off I go! See you in Portland!

 

 

rachaelwarke@gmail.com
You can see what I'm up to in increasing detail at:
http://twitter.com/rachaelwarke
http://facebook.com/rachael.warke
or if you use a screen reader,
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The adventure

I just thought I'd explain exactly what I'm up to here. I'm flying to Oregon on Saturday morning, when it's entirely too early for any sane person to be awake, and will arrive there at noon. I think I have a fairly long layover in Dallas, which doesn't sound like fun, but it can't be helped.

 

I'll spend the next two days with my son, Jesse, whom I haven't seen in something like seven years. Far too long, and I can't wait to see him. We haven't made any plans, but I'm sure we'll come up with something.

 

Next, I'm off to my sister Marj's house, in Lake Shastina, in far Northern California. I haven't seen her and her husband Bob in about five years. And because I lived there for ten years, I also have a bunch of friends I'm hoping to connect with. One thing I'm really hoping to do while I'm there is to get together with my dear friends Catey, Maggie and Neita. We are, or were, collectively known as CMinor, and who knows! Maybe we'll sing something magnificent, and I'll put it up here. Don't plan on it! They're already probably planning to kill me! I'll also get to see a little part of Marj's family, which is huge. And I'll get to meet my great, great nieces, which is awesome!

 

On Wednesday, the 26th, I'll head back to Oregon, where I'll stay with April and Tim and Ryan and Jane for three days. During this time, I'll get my hair done by the best person on the planet for that job! April's been doing my hair since she was about sixteen, which was awhile back, and it's long past time for her to work her magic! And I'll be going to my former place of employment, the Oregon Commission for the Blind, where I'll get to hug everyone! And go to the knitting group they have, which was kind of a dream of mine when I worked there! Hopefully, all this time on the Left Coast will have gotten me used to the time difference. We can only hope!

 

On Saturday, the 29th, I'll be going to Guide Dogs for the Blind, (GDB), in Boring, Oregon. No, really, that's its name! But that's pretty much all that's boring about it! I'll be paired, on Sunday, with a dog, who is, at this very moment, languishing in his/her kennel, awaiting my arrival! I have convinced myself of this, and don't try to make me believe otherwise!

 

We'll have three weeks to get our act together and ready ourselves to take on the world in general, and Iowa in particular. Assuming that I can use their wireless, I'll be recounting our adventures, along with anything else that comes into my head to share. The possibilities are endless!

 

So, welcome to my journal, which, I think, is a nicer word than blog. Although blog may, in this case, be more descriptive. I hope you enjoy my stories, and keep in touch! You can comment here, or email me at

 

rachaelwarke@gmail.com

 

I'll put the Twitter and FaceBook info here later, when I figure out how to do it!

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

 

The Beginning

This is simply a little test to see if this thing works. Stay with me here, it will get more interesting, promise!

You can see what I'm up to at
http://twitter.com/rachaelwarke