[nagdu] the life of a guide dog

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Daniel.
I wouldn't worry about the dog having a week-long break.  Stuff happens. 
More than once, I've been sick or recovering from surgery and the dog has 
had a week or two off, with no ill effects, except maybe being a bit 
distractable when we got back to work.

What does my dog do all day?
I work.  I go in to the City 2 days a week, usually, and work the rest from 
home.  Ben comes with me to work, and lies under my desk, when I don't need 
him to go somewhere.  He loves his cave under the desk; it's sometimes hard 
to get him to come out.  Other dogs of mine have wanted to lie in my cubicle 
where they could look out and see the passing world, but Ben wants to be in 
his den.
I try to walk across town after work, which is a long way, to get both of us 
some exercise.  Or sometimes I get off the bus early in my town, and walk 
from there.
Most days when I don't go out to work, I go somewhere else, like the gym, 
the grocery store, or just for a walk.  I have a desk job; I need to get up 
and move as much as the dog does.  If I walk down to the gym, I often walk 
back a different way, to make it more interesting for both of us.
I've had some trouble getting out this winter; neither of us likes going out 
in the rain much.  Ben doesn't seem to mind having the occasional day off.
Oh, you wanted to know when does he play.  Ben is not very playful.  He 
likes to go out in the yard for a good sniff for recreation.  He will chase 
a toy sometimes, but not every day.  His big playtime is when he's being 
groomed.  When he sees me pick up his brushes, he races over and grabs a 
bone, and makes me hold it for him to chew while he's being brushed.  If for 
some reason he can't find a bone, he goes round in circles for a bit, until 
he's ready to stand still and be brushed.  He pretends to be very serious, 
but inside he's a silly boy.

I used to go into work every day, which was quite a schlep.  My dogs dealt 
with it.  They had more energy than Ben.  I think TSE gave me Ben because of 
my current lifestyle, which he fits well.  He has good energy for 2 or 3 
days, then he wants a break.  He's the most low-energy dog I've had.

Tracy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Daniel" <daniel.sweeney1 at comcast.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 3:00 PM
Subject: [nagdu] the life of a guide dog


> Hi everybody,
>
>
>
> First off, I forgot to sign off on a message earlier, so sorry about that.
>
>
>
> Secondly, I have a question for everyone. I have noticed the focus of
> conversation has been on the schools, programs, staff cuts, etc..
>
> What I am curious about is how everyone lives with their dogs. What I mean
> is if you work, does your dog travel (walk) with you to your job? What 
> does
> the dog do for the rest of the day? What does the rest of the day look 
> like,
> how do you play?
>
> If you do not work, what do you and your dog do all of the day?
>
> What does a usual day look like?
>
> I have listened to the book, "Confession of a guide dog" narrated by Eric
> Sandvoldt that was mentioned recently on the list. I believe he was a
> graduate from GDB. That dog apparently travelled all over the place, which 
> I
> don't think is indicative of most of us.
>
> Some of us are older and do not get out as much, and our dogs don't get as
> much travel as others. In this case, how do you keep your dog exercised 
> and
> healthy, especially if you live in an apartment or live in a place without 
> a
> fenced in area for your dog to play in.
>
> What do your dogs do all day, and if they were to write a book, what would
> they say about their lives?
>
> Does this make any sense?
>
> The reason I ask this is because I am just now recovering from an illness
> that has kept me in bed for the last week. My girl has been unable to get
> out and work for a week. We have gone out to relieve and on a long lead, 
> but
> no work. I was curious to know how others handle down time, and what 
> happens
> when you slow down, and just don't feel like getting out.
>
> You can write off list if you don't think this is pertinent to the list.
>
> Thanks for any input. Curious minds need to know.
>
>
>
> Daniel and Cass - in freezing Denver (even in April - who would have thunk
> it)
>
>
>
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