Blink and Guide Dog #11 - and finally...

Hi Guys,

This series is lingering too long... This is gonna be it!

Nikki went to GDB class last November. Yes, my prince Zane was there, and his dad and Nikki have made friends with each other. It was a cool group of people & dogs, of course, and everyone got along well. There was a dog named Mayumi! Remember Nikki's best friend & inspiration? Nikki thought that would be so cool if Mayumi was her guide! But Mayumi became Frank's dog. Where was I? I was still in earlier phase of my training at that time. Nikki was matched up with Shelby in class. But Shelby was career changed right before the graduation, and Nikki came home with a promise of in-home training when the right dog comes around, hopefully in January of 2008!

Jan 14th: It was a very strange day for me! I woke up in my kennal and had breakfast as usual. Then someone came and took me to the GDB van. Nothing unusual, right? We do this all the time. But unlike other days, I was the only one there! I think my beloved trainer was there too... I'm not sure. We got to the airport. Yeah, I know this; it's a security practice! I've done this before! But today, something was different. I was told to go into this big crate, and next thing you know, I was up in the Sky!!!! I was all alone & a bit scared... About an hour or so later, I was on the ground again. This must be San Diego. Right after Christmas, my trainer started telling me about San Diego and I'm gonna live there & stuff, whitch I should have paid more attention to... Where is San Diego anyway? Who is going to rescue me from this travel crate? After waiting & some more waiting, a nice gentleman named Keith came to claim me! I was so relieved to see a GDB van again!

In the van, Keith told me that I was going to meet my new human partner. That means a real blind person whom I'll be guiding, not a trainer under a blind fold!!!!


When we got to Nikki's house, she was still on her way from owrk. So I met Greg and Banzai first. Keith let me loose for a while, so I exploore the backyard. But as soon as I went inside the house, he came and got me; I guess I'm not allowed in the house yet... Banzai followed me with cuiriousity. Then Nikki finally arrived! This is my "blind person!!!" Keith introduced us and handed her the leash. She petted me & stuff, but didn't seem to be super duper excited. Neither was I... She wouldn't admit it, but she was still getting over Shelby. When Keith asked about "the other dog," Nikki's eyes got teary; they were supposed to be celebrating Shelby's birthday together that very day!!! And me... I was a little overwhelmed with all the things happening all at once!

Keith stayed with us for about a week to help Nikki & me with our good start as a new team. Humans call it an in-home training because instead of Nikki going to GDB, Keith & I came to her house for a training. Well, it didn't matter to me! Training is a training...

Nikki and I have started bonding as days progress. She had to (and still has to be reminded to) follow me instead of her remaining vision. You see, whenever she forgets it & use her eyes too much, she messes up my part and we both get screwy... Darn Blink... But overall, we are doing quite well, I think! Nikki goes out independently more, and Greg says that he can have a peace of mind especially at night. Her boss said that she looks more confident as she is not leaning forward like she used to with a cane. Nikki's happy without a punch in the stomach; you know what I mean if you've used a white cane! And most importantly, we enjoy our walk together (most of the time) and we are both in one piece!

Thanks for reading such a long rumbling... I'll write something more interesting next time!

Wags & smile,

Princess Coral