wizard-of-roz

Valentine's Mom: We've exchanged thoughts before. It's good to hear from you! And, I'm glad to see that "Valentine" is doing well!

I always warn people who are sitting adjacent to us, at restaurants or theatre's, that a service dog will be exiting from under the table or chair, "please don't be frightened!" I have always been thanked for doing this. Some people are scared to death of dogs and are not prepared to see one come out from under a table or chair.

Service dogs, in public places, should be considered the "invisible dog."

etoile: My quest in life is to educate the public about service dogs and their unique abilities. I also want to see them become more and more visible in the public arena.

The public needs to know that there are service dogs who are trained to do a myriad of jobs that don't always include assisting people who are blind. That is just "one" of the many, many jobs that these glorious animals can perform.

Brenda and I have been asked to leave department stores/restaurants/libraries/hair salons/hotels/airports, etc., etc. I have NEVER walked away without putting up a fight for my service dog. In some instances I've had to show what she actually does and I've produced her CCI/ADA (American's with Disabilities Act) license/city license and registered tags.

In Las Vegas we got our entire stay "paid for" because a security guard tried to escort me out and I went to the Hotel Mangager and complained. I know it's still a battle for service dogs but I'm a fighter and I hope to make it easier and easier. I enjoy the fight!

I know there are some disabled folks who would prefer to take the least path of resistence and I totally understand. However, that said.....I believe that more people (in the general public) would "get it" if more people like me didn't give up. And I won't!

As you've mentioned service dogs can do many, many tasks for many different people. Brenda can push the button on the elevator/open & close doors/pick up things off the floor/carry things in her mouth/tug a wheechair/open the refrigerator/retrieve items in drawers and then shut the drawer. She can alert to someone knocking on a door or alert to a phone ringing or someone saying a specific name or an alarm going off. She's amazing!

Brenda knows over 100 commands......and could learn more...it's up to me to train her.

And, you are so right, when you mention the attitude of the public when they see a perfectly healthy "looking" woman walking around with a big black labrador, aboard a ship or anywhere, in public for that matter.

They have had to leave their dear beloved furry friends with a kennel/mom & dad/grandma or friends. They're missing them and are curious why I can bring my "pet" on board and they can't!

I get the "goofiest" responses, when they see us. Such as, "I didn't know we could bring our pets on board!" Or, "How did you sneak her on?" Or, "You're not blind, how come you have a service dog?" And, on and on!!!!

I hope I haven't bored you all with the above......as you can see I'm very passionate about these dogs and I will defend them to the hilt!

Deb: Isn't life such a "give and a take?" I've given up some of what I used to do; such as horseback riding in Mexico so that Brenda could be with me. I chose her company instead and that's okay for me!

I'm sure that you've found the best place for your "Ruby" to be when you're traveling and that works for you. ;)

I wish you many, many healthy and happy days with her and funfilled, safe and joyful holidays with your DH!

dakwriter: I LOVE having Brenda with us.....she's such a part of me....I don't want to go anywhere without her.....and, my DH is so attached to her. He's a diabetic who suffers from severe neurological pain. When I come home from work, Brenda looks for him; lays down with him and he tells me that all his pain diminishes when she's around!

She works with me but really serves us both! It's amazing!!!! She changes me and lightens his load! I wouldn't think of going without her! She loves the ocean and is a wonderful traveler! She's my heart and soul!

I know it sounds like a hassle and believe me, it was! It isn't anymore...I've learned where to go/how to go and what is the easiest way of doing everything for cruising! Now, it's so much fun!

I love walking her, on deck. And seeing her face when the ship rolls out to sea. She loves the smell of the salt air. We play ball on deck and the attention she gets from the crew and other passengers is always welcome! I can't imagine a cruise without her! :p

Quam: Every ship supplied a waste disposal container, located next to the box, (I pick up/wrap up and dropt it) except for Carnival. So, I picked up the pooh; closed & knotted the bag and left it outside of the box. Next time we returned it was gone. I can only insist on so much!!!!!

Your idea of having a sign which reads "DO NOT PUT CIGARETTE BUTTS HERE, FOR DOG BUTTS, ONLY!" Is a great idea, I'm preparing one as I write this! I'll bring some tape to make sure it doesn't disappear!

"Direct Stop" I will have to look into getting some. That would be perfect and would help me to be more independent! Thanks!

By now I'm sure you've picked up on the fact that I double, triple check everywhere my girl goes, before she goes! All harmful chemicals and mops were removed from the area! And, I introduced her to the side of the ship (while on leash) to show her the ocean and the "drop!") Then she was allowed to explore, her own area, on her own!

The mulch that the ships use is the same that is placed in plant areas on land; in hotels, etc. Walmart or Green Thumb Nursery carries the (cyprus or cedar) mulch that I used and she loved it.

I buy the small bags; carry it with me (it's not heavy) when I go to the information desk to inquire about the box - (DO NOT TRY TO LOCATE THE BOX YOURSELF.....***INSIST THEY TAKEYOU TO IT!***) Pretend your navigationally challenged! I once spent 2 hours :mad: (not kidding):mad: looking for the box and it was not where they said and around and around I went. What a gross waste of vacation time! I'll never do that again!!:(

If I don't need my bag of mulch I leave it there. It's not expense but it will (I promise you) save you so much strife!

***When I insist on something, I always use my softest/kindest/gentlest voice. It goes a loooooong way!!!!!!! :)

Thank you for your helpful hints....maybe, one day, our paws will meet.

Quam: We have not taken "Brenda" on RCCL (those trips were prior to my receiving her!) However, I do have the "Special Needs" Department phone number for RCCL: 800.722.5472 Ex:#34492.

Celebrity uses a 4x4 wooden box (sturdily built) and filled with cyprus mulch. They placed it on deck 4 (starboard, forward), where the public does not go (unless it's an Alaskan cruise.) It's right outside the Theatre so it was very convenient in the evening, after the shows.

Depending on where your cabin is, you must go through the casino, forward and then out the Starboard side. Once "Brenda" did it, I was able to remove her leash once we were out on deck and she would go to her box immediately! These service dogs are so smart!!!!

Princess uses a 4x4 cardboard box (disposable) filled with woodshavings. They placed the box in a stairwell, around the corner from our cabin. It was great! However, if you are in a wheelchair this would not work. The door is extremely heavy, leading to the stairwell and has a huge lip that you must cross. I asked for this placement, specifically. They originally had the box on a deck that was used by smokers and they would drop their cigarette butts in the box. I requested that it be moved.

NCL uses a 4x4 wooden box (sturdily built), with a plastic liner and wood chips (the kind you see in gardens). It was placed exactly 20 feet from our cabin, in a laundry room that the crew uses for washing their mops. It had the words "crew only" on the door and it was the most convenient. I could go there in my pajamas! I loved it!!!!

Holland America uses a 4x3 wood box (smaller than the rest), (sturdily built), with sod, (the kind used for lawns.) It was placed on deck 3, forward. The only problem with this is it was the "wrap around" deck, where people would do their jogging or walking and was a bit distracting for Brenda. Boy, were they shocked when they say her doing her thing! Their hotel manager was the most wonderful. He would check with me, frequently, to make sure we were happy!

Carnival uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with those damn paper pellets. Before the muster drill and when I should have been exploring the ship or having lunch; I was busy trying to get them to move her box and put something else in place of the pellets.

The box was initially placed on the deck where they have a golf simulator (so while pople were playing golf, Brenda was supposed to go potty?) It was also located on a deck where you had to climb two sets of stairs, (what were they thinking?)

The hotel manager had a crew member leave the ship with a bucket and a shovel.....he literally dug up dirt, under a tree, across the street from the dock (this was in San Diego!) Unblieveable, but true!!!!! Once the dirt was mixed with the pellets Brenda easily relieved herself!

The box was moved to deck 10, where passengers smoked (I was always retrieveing cigarette butts out of the dirt!) It was better than where it was and I met with the hotel manager, to explain my displeasure of his being so ill prepared for a service dog and was offered a 15% discount on a future cruise!

Brenda has been in Mazatlan; Puerto Vallarta; Cabo San Lucas; Acapulco; Ixtapa; Zihuatenajo; La Paz; Catalina and more. In Mexico, the only problem is loose dogs. Although my husband became the "look-out" and protector, to keep the stray animals away; Mexico really does not have a "leash/vaccination or license law." So, be careful and watchful.

Brenda has her favorite "travel dish" that we bring on all cruises. It's a regular double/type water & food dish. It's made of plastic and travels well! You really do not need to worry about spilage. It never happens. The stabilizers on these grand ships keep the water in it's place.

She's on Eukanuba kibble; I put each days feeding in a plastic bag, put it in her dish, twice a day & save the bags for recycling. I carry a "foldable" water dish, in my purse. I love it and have used it many times (usually while waiting to board the ship.) I purchased it online from CCI (Canine Companions for Independence.) It has a clip on it so it can attach to my belt or to her vest.

Always get to know the Hotel Manager (he/she will make sure that you're needs are met.) Upon boarding the ship immediately go to the Purser's (Information Desk), introduce yourself and inquire as to where the box has been placed. If you're not happy insist they move it.

I must tell you that they will not always have the "filling" that you requested.....they use a variety of "fillers" from: Paper pellets (Brenda hates these; they're hard, circular shaped and are unpleasant to step on); various kinds of mulch; dirt; wood chips or wood shavings.

I now bring a bag of mulch with me. I pack it in a large plastic bag and place it in my hanging bag. I will NEVER take the chance of her not having what she needs ever again! It's way too time consuming and I miss too much fun, in the beginning of the cruise. If I don't like the filling, I dump my bag on top....mix it around...and, waalah! We're cruising!!!!!!!!!!:p

My suggestion is to try and get a cabin mid-ship this way, depending on where they place the box, you're never too far away! Although my favorite Handicapped cabin, on Princess, is in the aft part of the ship (this is the one I use the stairwell for her potty box!)

When "tendering" into a port. Make sure that someone on the "tender" is prepared to take your dogs leash, until you get onboard. And, the same for when you are re-boarding the ship! It can be a bit "spooky" because the "tender" is always moving and it puts the dog a bit "off balance!"

From what you've written, it seems that you're a pretty saavy traveler. I hope that the above helps a little more....

....Have a wonderful cruise! :)

We travel with a service dog..she is going to be on her 6th cruise in September and 7th in November.....We've learned a lot and have some suggestions for you....

• Don't be hesitant to do it.....it's wonderful! And truly has made our cruising so much more fun!!!!!! :p
  
• We've cruised on Celebrity/NCL/Princess/Carnival and HAL.
  
• The Best (most accomodating-all around) - HAL
  
• The Best set-up (potty-box) - NCL/Princess
  
• The Best crew for dog friendliness HAL/Princess
  
• Passenger friendliness...every ship we've ever been on. We only 1 passenger in all of our cruises who absolutely refused to eat in the Buffet area, with a dog!

If you have any questions about the ship requirements/easy way to deal with "special needs" departments/cabins/dining area/potty box/food/exercise/hotel/excursions/airplanes, etc. Ask away......

I don't want to bore you with all the details...so, I'll let you lead the way! ;)

Special Needs phone number for PRINCESS: Anybody?