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Words of Wisdom

If enough of us choose to change even one small thing, together we have the power to change anything.

— Rick Hansen
"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead."
- Lousia May Alcott

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Day one at home


Good bye CCI until July!


Meeting Jay...she LOVES him!


Playing with her new toy Jay gave her...a duck that honks! Jay showed her where to hold it so it would honk. She LOVES it!

What more can I say, she is soooo dang cute! But I must be the head of the pack!!!




Renelle playing with the toy.

Peace! C & R

Friday, April 9, 2010

Day Thirteen of Doggie Training: Graduation and Good byes

Wow! Thirteen days have passed and here we are Graduating and heading home with our furry four legged ears/right hand/comforters! So much we have learned! Not just about dogs and how to help the dogs help us, but about each other and the gifts that life brings, no matter what our ability or disability is. We confirmed that we are more than our disabilities, we have other abilities that no other person has. During these two weeks, we laughed, we shared, we cried, we hurt, we learned to love beyond ourselves, and be ourselves, but most importantly we changed each others lives in this short time.



Resistance: I am not getting up!


Ken, our instructor, is in the blue shirt and meeting Merri's family (she is to the left of Ken).


Even the puppies came to see their family go an help other people.


Wallace and Caspin - They were our living example of how a CCI Team works, and live together.


Donna, me, Betty, Wallace and Caspin together one last time.


Meeting Renelle's puppy raisers from Ohio! Jennifer and Brian King, THANKS!!!! you guys raise a beautiful puppy!


Ken, introducing the Hearing Dog Class of April 2010. Ken was incredible as an instructor and am pleased to count him as a friend. Thanks Ken!!!!


I was the last one of our group to be reunited with their Canine Companion, here I am between Betsy and Coralie. I had to get by my fellow classmates Canine to get to the front!


God I was nervous, but apparently I had a fan club that I didn't know was coming!


Being re-unite with Renelle. Thanks Donna for taking the pictures! Again Jennifer and Brian Renelle's puppy raisers. Renelle was their 6th puppy! With out dedicated people like them, it would be difficult for CCI to be able to match puppies and persons.


Saying good-bye was difficult for all of us.


I want to thank Ken my instructor for his assistance and guidance from the moment I started my application with CCI to the final interview, the instructions and future assistance with teaching me and Renelle on new sounds and keeping sharp on the old. Wallace and Caspin for their invaluable insight and determination to be as independent as possible. My fellow classmates Merri, Donna, and Betty, and the TA's Anne and Joyce for their friendship, encouragement, patience and understanding. It was incredible to be around people who KNOW what being an HOH is all about! Of course the students in the Skill Companion class for sharing their lives and their joy. Their smiles and the hugs are truly a reminder of God's gift of life and love. My Fiancé Jay for his encouragement and love, you are the best gift in my life (of course now I also have Renelle). Last but not least every person involved in CCI for the past 35 years. THANK YOU!

Peace!
Constance and Renelle.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

DayTwelve of Doggie Training: Bath and Finals

Hey all!

There was a change of schedule, but nothing that was a problem, today. Basically, the girls got their baths today. I will get to that in a second. We had three exams today: the first one was a written and I only got two incorrect. One was I got the "wait" command a little confused - I put stop, I say the command all the time, I just forgot what the written description was! The other on was the usual signs that a dog is sick. Sluggish in movements, lost of appetite and vomiting - the last two I forgot (I put something else down), I would of known that if she got sick.

While we took the written Ken to the four legged ladies over to get their baths. I took a bunch of pictures!



Waiting for her turn, actually she was happy to see me.


Getting started


Using baby wipes to clean her ears, boy were they dirty! However, I now know how to clean them,


All wet and no where to go! Poor thing.


Her sister Raven is on the floor.


Is it over yet?


All soapy!


One of the many voluncheers at CCI. Thanks for the grooming lessons!


Hum...I wonder if I can jump? Better not...My person might get upset.


Getting dried off


They use dryers.


Now she is in one.


Getting brushed and looking all shiny and clean for Graduation tomorrow.

As each of the girls finished their baths we went in and did our practical final, which consisted of starting a new sound (in this case my cell phone) and a few steps that started on the fifth sound we would go home with. Renelle was AWESOME! Of course she was a bit familiar with the sound, because I used it on my cell's alarm clock, which she heard.

Anne (Betty's daughter - Raven's person) was kind enough to volunteer to call on her cell phone. I did it five times and the goal to to have Renelle alert me on the sound and show me where it was. I of course did not look at her or my cell when it went off. I was about to say "alert" to her when see alerted me and "lead" me to the sound (I was actually standing next to it). She did pretty good. I did add one little thing, I started talking to Anne, so by the final one were started to have a conversation and I was watching Renelle out of the corner of my eye and could see that she was looking at the cell phone and then at me, but not "alerting" me, I was thinking of giving the "alert" sign, but decided against it, because she was doing it up to this point. It took her a few rings to realize that she had to "alert" me and did a great "alert" nudge with her nose, and I said "what" and she point with her head where the noise was. She got a "jack pot" of a treat (more than one piece of food as a reward). Two down. One to go.

We then had lunch and after that we went back to Codding Town Mall to do our Public Certification test. It was exactly like the practice we did two days ago.

We got back and met one on one with Ken to go over our tests and to fill out the contract (CCI retains ownership of Renelle and the other dogs, however, we are responsible for the dogs safety health and vet care. Oh, I past all three of my exams. Renelle and I are now a public certified team!

Then we sat outside on the patio and Ken joined us for a small celebratory party. We chatted and told some stories for a about an hour and a half. It was nice.

We also got the rest of our supplies this afternoon and it consisted of a dental chew.



Here is Renelle chewing on it and she LOVED it!

Well, that is all for today. Off to bed in order to be ready for Graduation tomorrow in addition to learning about our rights.

Peace!
C & R

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Day Eleven of Doggie Training: Field Trip and Practice

Well, it was an exhausting day for all. We had a short lecture in the morning, followed by some some thing that various members of class had questions about. For example Donna wanted to know who to train Coralie to alert her to sounds going on in the house while she was in the back yard and the screen door is closed. We talked it through and the answer: start simple and once the training is successful and your distance had made it to being right outside the screen door, slowly work your way to closing the door.

We followed that up with individual time with our instructor Ken. We worked on Renelle slowness from the time she alerts me to the time she gets to the sound. His suggestion follow her an keep asking her what until she gets me to the sound. LOL! She was a bit confused because, even though I knew where the sound was during the training, I gave no clue to her that I did know. So I followed her around the room, into the bathroom, back out and circled the room until she got me to the sound. She did much better after than since she realized I "didn't" know where the sound was. Which is good because in reality I most likely wouldn't know!

We then had a lovely lunch (the voluncheers, which is what they are called) here at CCI are AWESOME!!!!!! So much time and effort goes into these lunches and it is delightful to talk to them at lunch. Today was a BEAUTIFUL day. The sun was out and the sky was clear. We had some lovely walks around campus.

After lunch we talked about what toys are appropriate and what are inappropriate. Then we had our field trip to the Western Feed Store (which is where Ken's wife Sarah works). I got a couple of toys for Renelle (a Kong and a Frisbee). It was a VERY difficult field trip. I had to keep correcting her and she was very sad. Once we got into the car she stuck her nose just over my shoulder (Merri was driving) and I scratched her nose and then I found her trying to stick her nose over my other shoulder. Ever since then she has been sticking really close to me, I'll explain that in a moment.

We got back to campus and had a short lecture on "Going home" and then we were free for the day. Three of us human gals went to Petco to get our dogs their ID tags. I got one in the shape of a bone with her name, my phone number and "Please find my person" on it. Oh, yeah we also, got some of our equipment today. I got her crate, 20 lb bag of food. Tomorrow morning we should get the rest. One of which would be her collar, and Renelle and her sister Raven played tackle.

The rest of the evening consisted of Renelle's regular grooming routine. dinner, mindless TV watching, and studying for our final exams tomorrow. Of course after the grooming Renelle fell asleep on her back and started snoring! Never heard her do that before! I think it had to do with the placement of her head. She is on her side now and no snoring.

That is it for now. Sorry no pictures.

Peace!
C & R

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Day Ten of Doggie Training: Field Trip and Practice

Hi all!

Today was VERY busy. We had a long lecture on Advance Canine Learning Theory (I did do well on the quiz from yesterday), the quiz for today was easier than yesterdays. Merri and Donna theorize it is exhaustion. They are probably right.

Oh! Before the lecture we had pictures taken. One was just the two of us for our Assistance Dog Public Certification card and a group photo. Very exciting. Renelle was in her vest and looked all pretty! Of course that was before our adventure this evening....

We did some brief training with our dogs on "Go get Constance" command/alert, the "someone calling my name" alert and "dropping the keys" alert.

We went to Codding Town Mall and had lunch in a nice restaurant and we had 5 dogs under two tables! and no one noticed them....they are supposed to be invisible. After lunch (Thanks Merri and Joyce for my lunch!) we did some "getting on the escalator" practice, which was a lot easier than I anticipated. We then did some samples of what the Public Access Certification Test would be like. "Strangers" (adult and child) petting our dogs while they stay in their sit position, strangers hold our dogs leash (in case of an emergency and a EMT or someone like that had to hold on to their leash. Pretending we "accidentally" dropped the leash and walked a few steps and she staying by my side, someone dropping french fry's on the floor in front of our dogs (this was to see if we are paying close attention to what our dog is doing.) All of these tests are to make sure that Renelle and I are working as a team and we are being safe and as invisible as we can be.

Renelle was able to pay with Betsy and Coralie in the play yard today and got muddy again! Boy were feet were filthy! She still has some mud on her toes, that is difficult to get off. I will try again tomorrow when I groom her, hopefully I can get it off, before she goes off to her bath on Friday. She was worn out. But not that worn out....




She still had enough energy to play with her Nylabone that Jay got her.

Well off to bed, we have another busy day tomorrow. I think I will leave the window open tonight and see if that works....

Peace!
C & R

Monday, April 5, 2010

Day Nine of Doggie Training: more sounds

Wow! We have a difficult homework assignment tonight. The lecture was on Canine Learning Theory. While the lecture its self was interesting and re-enforces what we have been doing, the assignment requires a lot of thinking and reviewing of past assignments.

Here is a sample of one of the questions:

You have noticed that your dog has begun to be less responsive to you on grassy areas. What are some of the possible causes and what steps would you take to solve the problem?

Possible cause;

Possible Solution:

Lots to think about on this one.


We did lots of practicing on sounds and introduced an new sound. Renelle did an awesome job! We also walked around the campus giving the alert sign to help them generalize the concept of alerting (basically to get the dog use to alerting despite the distractions of the everyday world, ie cars, people, sirens, etc.) Ken, our instructor, told us that we are a day ahead of any of his previous classes, he said that our class was the smoothest he has had. So naturally, Betty, Donna, Merri and I are thrilled!

After class was over we had a one on one with our instructor. Ken told me something interesting about Renelle. Apparently she was originally trained as a Skilled Assistance Canine and was actually placed in a Team Training class, but was not placed. Ken said at the time he was in Ohio visiting that campus when they told him about her and so he tested her to see if she would work in the hearing program. He said he realized almost immediately that she was perfect for the Hearing Dog program and told them to send her to CA. He also said, that she has a fan club in Ohio. One of the people at the Ohio campus emails frequently asking how Renelle is doing. I thought, "Wow! She is special!" So I am quite delighted that I am matched with her.

After dinner Renelle and her sister Raven played in the dog park here on campus for about 20 minutes. They had a nice time, but boy! Were her feet dirty! So glad I groom her on a daily bases. I have to admit, I am getting better at brushing her teeth. LOL!

Well, that is it for now (sorry no pictures today). Back to my homework.

Peace!
C & R

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Day Eight of Doggie Training: Day off

Well, I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. We were pretty mellow here in Santa Rosa. As I mentioned yesterday Renelle was in the Kennels with Betsy her fellow puppy mate for the evening and during the day today Coralie joined her. Of course it was pouring rain most of the day and guess what she did. You guessed it all three of the girls played together in the down pour! I know Renelle had fun.

One of my classmates, Betty and I went to Easter Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton in Rohnert Park for the 8:30 Mass . The Church is only 7 years old and quite beautiful!. Of course the Pastor was Irish and spoke very quickly and the tone of his voice was out of Betty's hearing range, so she missed a lot.

We headed back to campus and a late breakfast with her daughter Anne. We chatted for awhile and then they went out to lunch with her other daughter you came up to see them. Myself in the mean time went to have a MUCH needed nap! It felt good! Of course I feel MUCH better.

I went to pick up Renelle at about 4:00 with Betsy's Human Companion. I have to stop here for just a moment. I am sure you are wondering of I missed Renelle at all while she was in the kennel, to be honest, it was a nice break, yet at the same time I would look at her crate and think how odd it was not to have her there. I wasn't lonely or heart broken that she wasn't there it was just odd.

Anyway, when Renelle came out with one of the trainers, she took one look at me and as she wagged her tail her whole body followed! She was so excited she started leaping up at me while wagging herself! She kept rubbing against me and trying to lick me. I was not expecting such enthusiasm! However, I am VERY delighted by it. So it was a good time apart. We each realized that we really like the other! Of course I do feed her.....

Anyway, the rest of our evening consisted of being fed, a grooming hour (for her not me, although I could use it as well!) and brushed her teeth, cleaned her ears, checked her paws....she looks good! In addition to the hanging out time....


See what I mean.

Peace!
C & R

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Day Seven of Doggie Training: More sounds and it is final

Well, it is final. Renelle will be coming home with me on April 10th!


Renelle
Latin for "Rebirth"

Her birthday is 1/13/2008
She is 58 lbs
Golden/Lab cross
She was raised in Ohio
(I will be meeting her puppy raiser on Friday, the Puppy Raiser is flying in for Graduation.)
Renelle's coat is more curly than her sister's Raven (she was placed with my classmate from New Jersey).
She loves to play, however she is VERY serious when she is working.

I am looking forward to getting to know Renelle and working with her on learning the sounds I need her to alert me too.

At at 4:00 or so this morning, I thought I heard her scratching around in her crate, and the sound was constant. I thought she picked up that I was restless and was as well. Then I thought I heard her whimpering (my TA would of been helpful here as well, oh well). Finally I realized that she was and that it was an "I am extremely uncomfortable" whine and took her out to toilet, she went #2 again, and it smelled! She was much happier and went back to sleep. Took her out again at at 7:15 this morning and she "tinkled" as Mrs. Merri puts it. Well, Renelle decided she wanted to catch up for the days of not doing #2 and did it again at about noon. So I am happy, of course we may have to go through this again when we get home. After all it is a new environment.

What did we do today? Well did a refresher on yesterday's work with the timer. we proceeded to work on door knocking and did a quick look at the telephone an "old fashion" telephone as Ken puts it (LOL) it is a rotary phone that has the actual bell! He didn't realize that people still use them today. It was pretty funny.

We worked on a couple of commands "shake" and "bed". Then we went out to one of the puppy play yards and the girls has a blast! They took off running (sorry forgot my camera, but one of the girls will share the pictures later). Renelle, Raven, Betsy and Coralie were chasing each other, play fighting, stealing the tennis ball from each other. They even have a recognized "time out" the water bucket. When one of them reached it, play stopped with who ever was drinking and when they were done, off the went! The rest of us just sat back and watched. We were out there probably about 30 or 45 minutes, before they had their understood "we are done" playing and just lazed around.

We went back to the classroom and the girls instantly layed down and fell asleep. They were SOOO relaxed. I know Renelle was VERY happy! She had been wanting to play all day! Yet she kept focused on what we were doing.

Right now Renelle is back in the kennel with Betsy, since I am going to church at 8:30 in the morning and not sure what the rest of the day holds, I figured it was safer than worrying about her being in the crate in my room. I can't leave her in there more than 4 hours, because she needs water and to toilet just like the rest of us humans, I will pick her up at 4:00 tomorrow afternoon.

Hope all of you have a Happy Easter.

Peace!
C

Friday, April 2, 2010

Day Six of Doggie Training: First public outing

We had our first public outing today. Which meant we got our working vests! Well Renelle did anyway. She was not too crazy to have it on, but she accepted it. We went to a local restaurant (sorry forgot the name at the moment) and it was quite a success (at least I think so). She just layed down behind me on the floor and watched all the events. It was quite easy to her get in and out of the car. Of course it HAD to be POURING rain today! Anyway as I drove she curled up into a ball on the backseat behind the drivers seat and fell asleep. What a life! We have a couple more outings, and the last one will be the "test" to get a three months Public Certification, although technically Service Animals do not need to be certified, but the Service Animal industry is regulating itself and setting its own standards in order to protect the disabled rights to have a
service animal. We are literally Ambassadors for Assistance Animals.

We worked on our first "sounds" today, it was a lot of fun! It was a little beeping timer and CCI will give us one! Yes!!!! I need a timer that actually works and that is one less sound I need to train Renelle to learn. We will work more on it tomorrow. We will be going home with our dogs knowing 5 sounds and the knowledge to train them for more! It is quite a lot of work. I will explain more tomorrow.

Oh! I happily report that she finally went #2!!!!! and the relief on her face! Believe me this is a BIG deal. Renelle (and her class mates) have had their schedules dramatically changed this week and when we go home her environment will drastically change, so we will go through this again. So for now this is good.

Sorry I didn't bring my camera to lunch so no pictures at this time. However, I got a cute picture of her in my room's patio:


Renelle
Latin for "Rebirth"

She was enjoying the freedom of no vest, gentle leader and off leash (and about 10 minutes later, she did #2!)

Peace!
C

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Day five of Doggie Training:: grooming and first night

We had a busy day today. Lectures on canine health, and grooming. Had lunch and dinner with her at my feet. Took her out to toilet. No 2's just 1's. But that is normal, she might tomorrow morning.


We decided to take a walk on campus and here is what we saw.


The Headquarters for CCI is named after Charles Schultz. He was a huge donor and supporter of CCI, His wife is still on the Board today.


Renelle dislikes the gentle leader (the blue thing), however she is more serious with it on than without it when we walk. We have more control over the dog with it.


Here i am practicing filing her nails by using a Dremel tool (a small drill-type tool that can be used for sanding, grinding, cutting or drilling. It's shaped like a fat pencil, and thus can be used with more skill (and thus more precision) than regular hand tools.). It is much easier than clipping. You are less likely to cut to the quick using this. It takes some practice. Renelle keep pulling away from me to the other side of the table.


So that is when I sat on the table put her hind leg under my arm and then after a couple seconds she stopped pulling away...this was when my TA would of been needed.


Here I am brushing her teeth with beef flavored toothpaste. She was not crazy about the brushing, she just wanted to lick the toothpaste. Again practice is needed. We shall see how I do tomorrow. Need to show her who is boss! That would be her right? LOL!

We practiced doing more "alerts" and did REALLY well, she found my legs and was nudging hard!


Playing with her plush toy. We played toss and hide and seek. I think she had fun. I know I did! We did some brushing (she keep shying away from me on that as well). After dinner we sat on the bed and just lay there together. She is currently in her crate sleeping. So I will sign off for now to do the same.

Peace!
C