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

[wizard-of-roz]

New Supplemental Regulations from the US Department of Transportation:

 

On August 5, the Department of Transportation (DOT) supplemented regulations for airport terminals receiving federal funding to improve access for passengers with disabilities, including those who use service animals. Under the new rules, at least one relief area for service animals must be provided in each terminal within one year. Airports must consult service animal training organizations on the relief area's design, size, and maintenance.

 

Provisions also improve access for people with hearing or mobility disabilities. High-contrast captioning is required at all times on airport TV and audio-visual display screens with captioning functionality. In addition, existing requirements for boarding access by lift or ramp where level-entry loading bridges is not available are reorganized and their application broadened to cover foreign carriers in addition to U.S. carriers.

 

Some airports are getting this so right!!! And, others still have to work on where they're placing this "relief" area.

 

While boarding our last cruise, there was an unexpected delay at the port in San Pedro, there was no place for Horton to relieve himself. I had to take him out of the terminal area and have him jump into a planter box, while we were being escorted by Port Authority personnel, it was pretty ridiculous.

 

Although I'm very careful about stopping along the route to board an airplane or cruise ship to allow my dog to relieve himself, sometimes there are unexpected long delays and our dogs have to go potty. The day that our dogs are treated with the same respect that we are will be a very good day! And, will make for a much easier traveling experience!

Edited September 24, 2015 by wizard-of-roz

[Caribbean Chris]

Just dropping by to say hi and enjoy the puppy photos.

 

I slipped at work, fractured an ankle, and I've been using a knee scooter for the last month. That has been an experience! I keep finding all the non-compliant doors, curbs, etc. I think I submit a complaint to either the city or the office just about every day!

 

Oh, no, Barb - so sorry you were hurt. I've only experienced ankle sprains a couple of times and know how painful they are, with so much swelling and a long recovery - and a fracture would be so much worse. Take care!

[Caribbean Chris]

Whew - our house guests just left. So great to have visitors here in Florida (five sets occupying the guest room in the past five weeks...and it's not even winter!)... but so great to recapture your life when they leave, isn't it? Peace descends.

 

Yesterday, Hearing Dog Raylene was standing in the kitchen on duty as usual. I was distracted talking to one of our visitors and thought I set the microwave timer for ten minutes. By mistake I started the microwave cook setting on high ... and the empty turntable kept turning and oven kept running - until Raylene gave me a few vigorous "taps" to alert me to turn and look at the microwave.

 

Kind of like - "Pay attention, here, Mom! There's nothing in there cooking and you'll damage the MW!!"

 

What a smart pup! She got a reward treat.

[thephantomsgirl]

Oh, smart Raylene!! Good girl. :)

[wizard-of-roz]

Raylene did such a good job......."Good Girl! ♥"

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

[DUTRAVEL]

Whew - our house guests just left. So great to have visitors here in Florida (five sets occupying the guest room in the past five weeks...and it's not even winter!)... but so great to recapture your life when they leave, isn't it? Peace descends.

 

Yesterday, Hearing Dog Raylene was standing in the kitchen on duty as usual. I was distracted talking to one of our visitors and thought I set the microwave timer for ten minutes. By mistake I started the microwave cook setting on high ... and the empty turntable kept turning and oven kept running - until Raylene gave me a few vigorous "taps" to alert me to turn and look at the microwave.

 

Kind of like - "Pay attention, here, Mom! There's nothing in there cooking and you'll damage the MW!!"

 

What a smart pup! She got a reward treat.

 

Great job Raylene!!

[Insuregal]

Hello Everybody! Mayor of Lurkerville checking in on a beautiful Friday. Kansas City is in a twirl since the Royals clinched their division. The Plaza Art Fair begins today, so my employer closed the office early to allow us all a head start on the traffic. So all is well here in the midwest.

 

I may have missed someone else posting this link about a new service dog team, so apologies up front. It is such a sweet story. http://http://www.ocregister.com/articles/terhorst-680483-yan-dog.html

 

My family loves all the photos and stories from each of you. Please keep sharing as you have time. I just can't resist reading them aloud when I log in each day.

 

Thanks,

Beckie

[Insuregal]

If my link doesn't work, the handler's name is John Terhorst. His service dog's name is Yan.

Thanks! Beckie

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all: Hope everyone is just really busy. I know life got in my way last week. Something to do everyday and then work on a couple of them, also. This week we are getting our dining room, kitchen, 2 halls, bathroom and laundry area tiled! Yay, but that means we have to rip up the old carpet, yuck. Did most of the front hall last night, should get the rest of that done today, if I am not called into work. I have been pulling up the carpet tack strip as I go, don't want Jezzy Lou or Leann Emily to step on them.

 

Have a great week!:D

[rangeley]

While boarding our last cruise, there was an unexpected delay at the port in San Pedro, there was no place for Horton to relieve himself. I had to take him out of the terminal area and have him jump into a planter box, while we were being escorted by Port Authority personnel, it was pretty ridiculous.

 

Picturing this in my head. Crazy blonde woman with huge dog in a planter!!!! Priceless!!

Edited September 30, 2015 by rangeley

[rangeley]

Whew - our house guests just left. So great to have visitors here in Florida (five sets occupying the guest room in the past five weeks...and it's not even winter!)... but so great to recapture your life when they leave, isn't it? Peace descends.

 

Yesterday, Hearing Dog Raylene was standing in the kitchen on duty as usual. I was distracted talking to one of our visitors and thought I set the microwave timer for ten minutes. By mistake I started the microwave cook setting on high ... and the empty turntable kept turning and oven kept running - until Raylene gave me a few vigorous "taps" to alert me to turn and look at the microwave.

 

Kind of like - "Pay attention, here, Mom! There's nothing in there cooking and you'll damage the MW!!"

 

What a smart pup! She got a reward treat.

 

Amazing how smart these dogs are!

[rangeley]

Mornin' all: Hope everyone is just really busy. I know life got in my way last week. Something to do everyday and then work on a couple of them, also. This week we are getting our dining room, kitchen, 2 halls, bathroom and laundry area tiled! Yay, but that means we have to rip up the old carpet, yuck. Did most of the front hall last night, should get the rest of that done today, if I am not called into work. I have been pulling up the carpet tack strip as I go, don't want Jezzy Lou or Leann Emily to step on them.

 

Have a great week!:D

 

Head on over, we need new carpets!!

[thephantomsgirl]

Tomorrow will be a fun day. My brother is arriving with their dog, Charlie later today. Jagger is at the ranch and would have been coming home this weekend.

 

I love my organization as the Director is coming with Jagger to make sure that the meeting goes well. So she is bringing Jagger tomorrow.

 

Jagger and Charlie have met before as we took Charlie to the ranch once. But it was quite awhile ago, and home is both dogs' "turf".

[fairbourne]

Hello everyone. *I've been trying to post for a few days but couldn't, but finally managed to log in today - thank you Mods! :)

 

Well this aside, it's been a funny few days and I don't mean funny "ha ha, I mean oh so different, what on earth happened kind of funny!

 

OK, so you all know we saw Aruba at the training centre Fun Day a few days ago and I spent a bit of time chatting with her trainer on how she was doing and even did a blind fold walk with Aruba. (The chap in the yellow shirt has just done a blind fold walk with Aruba - I've no idea who he is)

 

 

So it came as a complete bolt out of the blue when I got a phone call last week to tell me that Aruba was to be withdrawn from the scheme. Oh my, my heart was in my mouth, what had happened!

 

It turns out that although Aruba was happy enough when she was out and about "working", doing everything they asked her to do, her heart really wasn't in it and she seemed to just not really want to be there. There were some days when she was quite reluctant to even leave the kennel, much preferring to stay and encourage cuddles and tummy tickles! Now we experienced a bit of this reluctance, and I had put it down to her not wanting to leave M and P, preferring to stay and play, and when she had that phantom pregnancy she was even more reluctant to leave to go out. It wasn't the phase we all thought it was.

 

We had always said we would have her back home with us if she didn't make it, so that's exactly what's happened. We went and picked her up on Friday - it was all a bit of a rush as I wanted Aruba to have a few days to settle in back at home before the new puppy arrived - she was quite bemused I think to see us and even more bemused to get into my car! Her bemusement turned to sheer joy and delight (and relief!) when we got home and she reunited with her best doggy pals, M and P! The three of them barrelled around, tails swishing nineteen to the dozen, with lots of sniffing of bits as only dogs do (!) and Aruba checked out every square inch of the garden and the house like a spring lamb, jumping all over the place with excitement - "I'm home, I'm home!"

 

And it's like she's never been away. Routine as normal, stealing my slippers as normal, her tummy clock tells me it's tea-time at 6 as normal - time for her evening treat, oh yes she reminds the DH it's time for that too!

 

I'm disappointed, yes, but if she's not happy, this is no good for her working as a guide dog. She wasn't considered for a Buddy Dog either but I'm going to see if she can be assessed as a Therapy Pet - visiting old folk's homes, hospitals, even students when they are studying for exams and getting stressed out, for therapy cuddles! We will see, but I would think she would be good at that and it wouldn't stress her out as she would be with me all the time.

 

Aruba's adventures will continue, just on a different path, and we are all delighted to have her home, even the cats! :D

 

DKD - you will know exactly how we've been feeling!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Head on over, we need new carpets!!

I am suspecting this is the original carpet. House was built in early 90's. It is nasty. I swear there was enough dirt and crumbling padding under the carpet to make my own beach in the back yard. Double yuck. And of course Ms. OCD (me) has to sweep it up as I go so I don't have to touch it any more than necessary. All done, though. Pulled out the padding and last of the carpet tacks, just laid the carpet back over the cement until they come to install the tile.

[fairbourne]

Today is the day that Holly was supposed to arrive here. However Holly had to stay in England, something to do with her being sponsored down there so she had to remain in England.

 

So today, the gorgeous 7 and half week old Bonnie arrived in our lives. Talk about confident. As I type this she's lying sound asleep at my feet - finally! She was refusing to have a post-puppy lunch nap in her lovely cosy crate with her giant teddy! I just managed to get this photo before she started "yelling"! She'd already had lots of cuddles with me! She's a Leo - and is certainly showing all the characteristics, and she's been here less than 6 hours! ;):D

 

Max, Poppy and Aruba have been fabulous with her, no issues other than Poppy telling her she is the boss (we knew this and pre-empted it with Poppy's favourite red ball in her mouth).

 

So who's ready for the Adventures of Bonnie, the Guide Dog Puppy in training? I know I am! :D:D:D

 

[fairbourne]

Aruba and Bonnie getting to know one another .....

 

 

[DisneyKidsDad]

Hello everyone. *I've been trying to post for a few days but couldn't, but finally managed to log in today - thank you Mods! :)

 

Well this aside, it's been a funny few days and I don't mean funny "ha ha, I mean oh so different, what on earth happened kind of funny!

 

OK, so you all know we saw Aruba at the training centre Fun Day a few days ago and I spent a bit of time chatting with her trainer on how she was doing and even did a blind fold walk with Aruba. (The chap in the yellow shirt has just done a blind fold walk with Aruba - I've no idea who he is)

 

 

So it came as a complete bolt out of the blue when I got a phone call last week to tell me that Aruba was to be withdrawn from the scheme. Oh my, my heart was in my mouth, what had happened!

 

It turns out that although Aruba was happy enough when she was out and about "working", doing everything they asked her to do, her heart really wasn't in it and she seemed to just not really want to be there. There were some days when she was quite reluctant to even leave the kennel, much preferring to stay and encourage cuddles and tummy tickles! Now we experienced a bit of this reluctance, and I had put it down to her not wanting to leave M and P, preferring to stay and play, and when she had that phantom pregnancy she was even more reluctant to leave to go out. It wasn't the phase we all thought it was.

 

We had always said we would have her back home with us if she didn't make it, so that's exactly what's happened. We went and picked her up on Friday - it was all a bit of a rush as I wanted Aruba to have a few days to settle in back at home before the new puppy arrived - she was quite bemused I think to see us and even more bemused to get into my car! Her bemusement turned to sheer joy and delight (and relief!) when we got home and she reunited with her best doggy pals, M and P! The three of them barrelled around, tails swishing nineteen to the dozen, with lots of sniffing of bits as only dogs do (!) and Aruba checked out every square inch of the garden and the house like a spring lamb, jumping all over the place with excitement - "I'm home, I'm home!"

 

And it's like she's never been away. Routine as normal, stealing my slippers as normal, her tummy clock tells me it's tea-time at 6 as normal - time for her evening treat, oh yes she reminds the DH it's time for that too!

 

I'm disappointed, yes, but if she's not happy, this is no good for her working as a guide dog. She wasn't considered for a Buddy Dog either but I'm going to see if she can be assessed as a Therapy Pet - visiting old folk's homes, hospitals, even students when they are studying for exams and getting stressed out, for therapy cuddles! We will see, but I would think she would be good at that and it wouldn't stress her out as she would be with me all the time.

 

Aruba's adventures will continue, just on a different path, and we are all delighted to have her home, even the cats! :D

 

DKD - you will know exactly how we've been feeling!

 

I know exactly how you feel fairbourne. You feel disappointed that you spent all that time and energy into raising her only to have her become a pet. You wanted her to become someone's eyes. Our second pup, Davis, had alot of those same things going on. Always remember that you didn't do anything wrong. You did your very best to give Aruba all the tools she needed. Some dogs just aren't destined to become service dogs. At least she will have the best possible life with you guys. She may even help with the new pups training.

[DisneyKidsDad]

Aruba and Bonnie getting to know one another .....

 

 

 

So darn cute!!

[thephantomsgirl]

Ah disappointment, but joy at the same time!

 

Aruba is back in our lives, and we have a new Bonnie! :)

[fairbourne]

I know exactly how you feel fairbourne. You feel disappointed that you spent all that time and energy into raising her only to have her become a pet. You wanted her to become someone's eyes. Our second pup, Davis, had alot of those same things going on. Always remember that you didn't do anything wrong. You did your very best to give Aruba all the tools she needed. Some dogs just aren't destined to become service dogs. At least she will have the best possible life with you guys. She may even help with the new pups training.

 

That's exactly it .... I surprised myself at how disappointed I was and you do try and second guess yourself to see if you did something wrong or could have done some things better! I did feel a tad better when they told me they had also withdrawn a litter mate for the same reasons.

 

Aruba seems to want to bond with the new puppy, and Bonnie is happily following her around, so yes I'm hopeful for that doggy help, that is when she's not lying on my feet. Dawg help me, two girl dogs with feet and shoe fetishes!!! ;):eek:

 

How is Sutter doing? :)

[fairbourne]

Ah disappointment, but joy at the same time!

 

Aruba is back in our lives, and we have a new Bonnie! :)

 

Yes, I'm sorry we didn't get Holly .... I rather liked that idea! :D

 

 

I'm glad your boy is coming home to see you for a visit. You must miss him so much.

 

Oh, oh I think we've got a chewer .... need to go rescue a throw .... :eek:

[DisneyKidsDad]

That's exactly it .... I surprised myself at how disappointed I was and you do try and second guess yourself to see if you did something wrong or could have done some things better! I did feel a tad better when they told me they had also withdrawn a litter mate for the same reasons.

 

Aruba seems to want to bond with the new puppy, and Bonnie is happily following her around, so yes I'm hopeful for that doggy help, that is when she's not lying on my feet. Dawg help me, two girl dogs with feet and shoe fetishes!!! ;):eek:

 

How is Sutter doing? :)

 

Sutter is doing good. He is 5 1/2 months old and 40 pounds. He is not afraid of anything and is willing to learn. We are starting to take him out on longer outings. Tonight he is doing a demonstration for the Boy Scouts. Saturday we are doing a fundraiser from 11 to 6. Next we if all goes well we will be driving down to South Carolina to visit friends. It will be Sutter's first hotel stay. We are driving half way down and staying overnight. The adventure continues!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Hello Everybody! Mayor of Lurkerville checking in on a beautiful Friday. Kansas City is in a twirl since the Royals clinched their division. The Plaza Art Fair begins today, so my employer closed the office early to allow us all a head start on the traffic. So all is well here in the midwest.

 

I may have missed someone else posting this link about a new service dog team, so apologies up front. It is such a sweet story. http://http://www.ocregister.com/articles/terhorst-680483-yan-dog.html

 

My family loves all the photos and stories from each of you. Please keep sharing as you have time. I just can't resist reading them aloud when I log in each day.

 

Thanks,

Beckie

 

The Dodgers are doing really well too.......You have a great boss!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Mornin' all: Hope everyone is just really busy. I know life got in my way last week. Something to do everyday and then work on a couple of them, also. This week we are getting our dining room, kitchen, 2 halls, bathroom and laundry area tiled! Yay, but that means we have to rip up the old carpet, yuck. Did most of the front hall last night, should get the rest of that done today, if I am not called into work. I have been pulling up the carpet tack strip as I go, don't want Jezzy Lou or Leann Emily to step on them.

 

Have a great week!:D

 

I need to change my carpeting too. Two Labs later and beige carpeting starts begging for that throw rug on top of me look!!!!!

 

Congratulations on the tile......very smart!!!!