9/18/10
It is amazing to realize that Carmel and I left Morristown and The Seeing Eye 3 months ago. What is so amazing about it is that I can barely remember what it was like pre-Carmel. Carmel and I have slipped into a routine. I apologize to all interested in us out there for not blogging as often as I had planned to-the thing is-there is just not much to blog about and we are so incredibly busy. Carmel and I have a pretty “normal” life. On weekdays we get up, go to work, come home, do stuff and go to bed. But let me try to go over a few of the normal things and let you know how Carmel is doing.
Early on Carmel and I were really good about taking two walks a day, morning (before work) and evening. However, I have to admit that as the summer progressed and it got hotter and hotter in Florida, more often than not we ended up doing only our evening walks. Sometimes if I can get up early enough before it gets too hot and on weekends usually-we do walk in the morning. We are doing about a mile route. Carmel initially really walked fast, but she now has realized she can be a bit lazy, especially towards the end of the route. Yes, I know she is trying to manipulate me into thinking we should not walk so far. But, she is still looking great and muscular and I now the walks make a difference. And, another benefit of our walks is that we are continuing to work on skills. Yes, Carmel still gets distracted, especially by other dogs, birds and children. But, at least now I have learned to read her well, so I know when something is around. I know she just wants to play, but I manage to get her passed most of the distractions without too much drama.
At my office Carmel usually spends most of the day hanging out in my office. However, I do have quite a few community activities each week to go to. She is doing wonderful at sitting under tables when we attend meetings and luncheons. Now, she is a bit excited when we arrive at networking events and have to walk around talking a lot-sometimes it is hard to control her. When we need to follow someone, she does a pretty good job too. I have to say we are still having regular issues with people talking to her and petting her out there. It still amazes me how bold people are to just go up and pet another persons dog. Hello! I have decided that I need to get one of those little signs to put on her to say don’t pet. I have to research where to get one. One of my fellow Seeing Eye classmates uses a “don’t bite” (pretending to talk to his dog) as people approach-hilarious!
Carmel and our other workplace guide dog have done very well together. When they see each other in the office or have to be n the same office for a meeting Carmel distracts herself and looks the other way. After about two months we let them play off harness together for a few minutes. They loved it. We haven’t done it again, but I am sure will sometime soon. They know when it’s time to work though and we are glad for that. It amazes me that as often as other dogs distract Carmel-she is nothing but professional with Heidi. How funny and smart they are.
Carmel and I have had a few trips. She is not the best airport and plane traveler. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit that on our last trip she pooped in the Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. I hope she wasn’t trying to make a political statement! Ha, ha. Carmel is a space hog, and thinks she doesn’t need to curl up under the seat, so she wants to be under the entire rows feet. A friend told me to relax about it and just let her that most people probably love having the opportunity to interact with her during the flight. I think he’s right about that so I will try to relax a bit more.
We have two trips coming up in October, and I hope all goes well. It is great to have Carmel on trips for the most part because I feel so much more confident and we walk so much faster than I could with a cane, but the flying part and getting her to relief areas is always a challenge. Everyone tells me this will all get easier and I am looking forward to that. Practice makes better-so we will keep getting in lots and lots of practice.
Carmel is great with my family. She and Olivia are crazy about each other. It is so funny, but at bedtime Carmel waits right by her crate for Olivia to give her a hug. She will not go in until Olivia gives her a hug and tells her she loves her. About sleep-I have the most perfect dog for me-she gets tired early, so when I say ready for bed around 8:30 p.m. Carmel is ready to go-she just heads right to the bedroom.
Carmel is great and we are doing great. And, I know things will only get better. I will try to blog more, but no promises. Things are so busy, but we’ll try.
Be sure to visit our Lighthouse website to learn more about what we are doing! www.lvib.org
Enjoy the picture!
Sylvia
Leta Roberts said
Thanks so much for the update. I enjoy hearing about your whole experience. It’s like experiencing a part of an activity that is different from mine but that I want to know about. I’m so happy that life with Carmel has been a plus for you and your family!
Helen Moon said
YEA1 IM SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK. IM SO PROUOD OF YOU AND CARMEL!! LOVE YOU BOTH- HELEN
bbrasley said
Thank you for updating. My vision is deteriorating due to MMD and I do not know at this point where it will end up. I love reading about your experiences with Carmel. I may never get to a point where I need a guide dog, but it is reassuring to hear how that Carmel has contributed to your independence.
Sylvia Perez said
I am glad to know our experiences have helped someone know independence does not have to be lost. Good luck to you-and know you can do anything you put your mind to-with the right skills. Sylvia
Alexis said
I’m glad to hear things are going well with Carmel. Give her an extra pat from Julia and me please.
Sylvia Perez said
Thank you- I just realized that Carmel and I were together for 4 months on this past Friday, 9/24/10. And, as I walked with her this morning-I thought how much better she is doing. Of course, she did try to chase after another dog, and she then did poop on route (which she hasn’t done in over 2 months). But overall I see progress everyday. And, I am growing so much more confident with her and myself as well. I talked with a friend the other day and asked her if she has ever considered a guide dog-and she says she has. I had a chance to share how much carmel has helped make my life better. It is nice to be able to do that-and possibly help someone else who is independent find even more independence and confidence.
Love my Carmel girl. S
Listen to 'Carmel and I after 3 months at home-guide dog doing great' narrated by professionals, from 'Sylvia's Guide Dog Tale' - Hear a Blog said
[...] 9/18/10 It is amazing to realize that Carmel and I left Morristown and The Seeing Eye 3 months ago. What is so amazing about it is that I can barely remember what it was like pre-Carmel. Carmel and I have slipped into a routine. I apologize to all interested in us out there for not [...] Original post [...]