Day 15 – There’s nothing we can’t conquer
Today was a big day! The little one and I had our biggest challenge yet, New York City!
The day started out as usual, but this morning was special since her trainer came back to class from having to deal with an unexpected death in her family. I can hear in her trainer’s voice that she really cares for Angie. And of course, Angie was really excited to see her. But this time, she was not as hesitant with going back to work with me. I guess she really is starting to turn over to me. My guess is that Angie will always have a special place for her trainer, just as Denver did for Joan Markey, but her bond with me will be just as deep and special.
After my exit interview, we all piled into one of the vans and went towards the big city with four students, four new guides, and three instructors. It felt like camp! I am really going to miss those rides because it is very obvious that the instructors have a connection with each other that is deep and strong. They laugh with each other, come together in times of need, and must go through this process together with us.
We arrived at the Port Authority, and from the word “Forward,” Angie pulled like a freight train. I was just a passenger along for her ride. We stopped by the restrooms which gave me a reminder that she’s still a pup. While using the facilities, she noticed another guide dog team and began crawling under the stall to reach the other team. Yes, crawling! Thankfully, I was able to stop her, but yep we’re going to have to work on that. But again, this is the part of guide dog mobility where you can either be angry or just laugh. I corrected for the behavior, but I have to admit it did bring a smile to my face because it’s a memory I won’t forget.
Out from the Port Authority, there was a maze of people, legs, Cookie Monsters, Super Bowl peddlers, and all sorts of mayhem that is called New York City. Angie was a little too excited on the first block, so we did have to remind her that she actually had a job to do. Once she realized that, she worked with precision. On the second block, a good traffic check from a truck turning in front of us also gave a good reminder to her as well. She weaved us around people, adjusted her speed when needed, and took passes when she could. Of course, there are blind people who effectively travel with a cane in New York City. However, today on this day, traveling with an eager guide was my choice. At one point, I could feel her crane her neck to see around the people ahead of us to see if she could pass them. Our route took us from the Port Authority to Time Square, to Central Park, down to a subway, and back to the Port Authority.
Along the way we saw the Naked Guitar Guy, the rats of the sky also known as pigeons, and almost a hundred horses. There was one crossing where Angie must have said “Oh Snap! That big dog is moving towards us!” The horse drawn carriage was waiting at a light and began to move as we were crossing and she had to speed up in order to avoid it. Nichole said she had a funny expression of surprise and astonishment.
All I can say is WOW! The City can, at times, be a sensory overload with people, sounds, noises that are confusing for orientation. But with a guide, we were able to sift through the madness with my handling skills and her guide work. We were a team!
Now, I’m starting to see a pattern. Angie wakes up like a bull in a China shop and goes to bed around 7:00 p.m. I wonder if she think she has official working hours. I better get all that I need to get done from 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. I wonder if she’ll accept overtime pay! Let’s begin the negotiating!
The day started out as usual, but this morning was special since her trainer came back to class from having to deal with an unexpected death in her family. I can hear in her trainer’s voice that she really cares for Angie. And of course, Angie was really excited to see her. But this time, she was not as hesitant with going back to work with me. I guess she really is starting to turn over to me. My guess is that Angie will always have a special place for her trainer, just as Denver did for Joan Markey, but her bond with me will be just as deep and special.
After my exit interview, we all piled into one of the vans and went towards the big city with four students, four new guides, and three instructors. It felt like camp! I am really going to miss those rides because it is very obvious that the instructors have a connection with each other that is deep and strong. They laugh with each other, come together in times of need, and must go through this process together with us.
We arrived at the Port Authority, and from the word “Forward,” Angie pulled like a freight train. I was just a passenger along for her ride. We stopped by the restrooms which gave me a reminder that she’s still a pup. While using the facilities, she noticed another guide dog team and began crawling under the stall to reach the other team. Yes, crawling! Thankfully, I was able to stop her, but yep we’re going to have to work on that. But again, this is the part of guide dog mobility where you can either be angry or just laugh. I corrected for the behavior, but I have to admit it did bring a smile to my face because it’s a memory I won’t forget.
Out from the Port Authority, there was a maze of people, legs, Cookie Monsters, Super Bowl peddlers, and all sorts of mayhem that is called New York City. Angie was a little too excited on the first block, so we did have to remind her that she actually had a job to do. Once she realized that, she worked with precision. On the second block, a good traffic check from a truck turning in front of us also gave a good reminder to her as well. She weaved us around people, adjusted her speed when needed, and took passes when she could. Of course, there are blind people who effectively travel with a cane in New York City. However, today on this day, traveling with an eager guide was my choice. At one point, I could feel her crane her neck to see around the people ahead of us to see if she could pass them. Our route took us from the Port Authority to Time Square, to Central Park, down to a subway, and back to the Port Authority.
Along the way we saw the Naked Guitar Guy, the rats of the sky also known as pigeons, and almost a hundred horses. There was one crossing where Angie must have said “Oh Snap! That big dog is moving towards us!” The horse drawn carriage was waiting at a light and began to move as we were crossing and she had to speed up in order to avoid it. Nichole said she had a funny expression of surprise and astonishment.
All I can say is WOW! The City can, at times, be a sensory overload with people, sounds, noises that are confusing for orientation. But with a guide, we were able to sift through the madness with my handling skills and her guide work. We were a team!
Now, I’m starting to see a pattern. Angie wakes up like a bull in a China shop and goes to bed around 7:00 p.m. I wonder if she think she has official working hours. I better get all that I need to get done from 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. I wonder if she’ll accept overtime pay! Let’s begin the negotiating!
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