[nagdu] 8th anniversary and Ben's Dog Day

[Danielle Burton]

Tracy, thank you for sharing.
i just got my first guide this past June and when the trainer brought Willa into my room and I put moreleash onto her collar I can tell you now she was a pure bundle of energy. I didn't know if I could handle such an energetic dog. I only weigh about 75 pounds and this dog weighs about 60. But the trainer said she calms down easily and is excited easily. Which I found to be true. Willa was a cuddler. She wasn't whiny for the instructor but just plopped down on the floor when I started petting her. My first meal with her under the table was rough. I didn't get much to eat because she kept getting up but now  3 months later once she's settled under the table I can enjoy my meal.  
Danielle and Willa 


> On Sep 5, 2014, at 2:05 PM, Tracy Carcione via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of Ben and my meeting.  8 years of Bennitude!  We had a rocky start, but came together eventually.  I thought I'd write about it.  I read lots of stories about dog love at first sight, pretty much, but I know there are other possibilities.
> On Dog Day afternoon, my classmates and I were hanging out by our room doors, listening to our classmates get called to the lounge, then pass by with their new dogs.  When it was my turn, I sat down in the lounge and my trainer said something like "here's Ben, a male black lab.  He's all black, with light brown eyes that really stand out against his black fur and are very expressive.  I think you'll like how sensitive he is."  (I never have figured out what she meant by that; by me, he's not a sensitive dog at all.) I said "Ben's on my list of great dog names!  Hi Ben!"  I took his leash, and we went back to my room to get to know each other.  He jumped on me a couple times, then completely ignored me.  After a while, we went out for our first walk on the leisure path, in what I think of as TSE's backyard. Ben was great, moving along at a nice trot.
> He always worked well, but continued to ignore me as much as possible.  He wasn't interested in cuddling or being petted.  In the van, he would lie as far away from me as his leash and space would permit.  The first time I got an idea he actually liked me was when we took pictures near the end of class.  The trainer took Ben away to get a solo picture, and he jumped all over me when he got back.  "They took me away, but you're my person and now I'm back!"
> It took me a while to figure out that Ben is just a very quiet, rather aloof guy.  He don't go for that girly kissy cuddly stuff.  A few pats is nice, then leave him to do his own thing.  His love is quiet love, but strong. He's gotten a bit more demonstrative over the years, but he's very self-contained.  He's a Jersey guy.  Passionate declarations of love are not his style.
> Anyway, I thought I'd share, in case someone else has a new dog who's taking a while to become attached.
> Tracy and handsome, lovable  Ben
> 
> 
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