Last Saturday I had a “first time” experience that was fabulous and I want to share it with everyone. In my advancing years, I always find it a great surprise to find myself doing something I’ve never done before. It seems that over time we all settle into a routine in our lives. So, for something entirely new to come up is amazing. First, let me share a little history with you. As a blind woman that has selected a dog guide as my primary method of mobility, I have encountered many strange and unusual experiences related to my guide dog use. I received my first dog the summer of 1983 when I was 34 years old. I had traveled across the U.S. and part of Europe using a white cane for mobility. However, in 1983 my life style seemed to have settled down a bit so I thought it just might be time for a guide dog. I was working fulltime and raising 2 children and thought the dog would fit in nicely. And he did. Any guide dog user can generate many funny stories which they accumulate by working a dog out in the public. However, after working 4 dogs over a 16 year period, I found myself doing something entirely new. My current dog, Tahoe, and I had received an invitation from a local puppy raising club to attend a Doggie Beach Paw-ty. I got very excited just reading about it and knew that Tahoe would love it. I thought back over all the years when I took my dogs to a private pool party where they had to sit on the side and watch all the people having a blast in the water. How cool would it be to take her to a pool party where I had to sit on the side and watch her, along with 5 guide dog puppies, having a blast in the water. The doggie pool is at a grooming/day care resort in south Sacramento. The business is called The Animal Den and had the pool constructed for doggies only right in the heart of their facility. The pool is about 30 feet by 40 feet. It has a beach entry (gradually slanted in) on 3 sides. The 4th side has a short wall with some waterfalls coming out of it. The pool is about 3 1/2 feet deep at the deepest point. Around the pool is artificial grass and some room to play. When we first arrived and I removed Tahoe’s harness and leash, one of the puppy raisers had to encourage her to enter the water. After she was in the water for a very short time, she got out of the water and walked up to me and shook water all over me as out dogs are known to do. It was a hot day and the little shower felt very good. She sat down beside me as though she was asking me if it was ok she had gone in the water. I rubbed hers ears and told her she was a good girl and should go play some more. I gestured to the pool and off she went. She went in and out of the water several times during the hour we were there. I think she loved the experience. Not only the nice cool water but playing with the other 5 pups. My thanks go out to the Sacramento and Fair Oaks Puppy Raising Clubs for sponsoring such a creative and fun event. I also thank them for including us on their invite list. It truly was the greatest event I’ve ever attended with any of my 4 dogs. And, I think Tahoe would whole heartedly agree. Copyright 2019 M. E. ThomasonSacramento Alumni Member
0 Comments
|