I Believe I Can Fly

If you don’t know that R. Kelly reference, click here. If you do, you’re welcome.

Traveling by airplane with a Service Dog is one of those things you do because you have to; not because it’s fun. And let me make this clear: It’s not the dog’s fault that it’s usually not fun. Nevertheless, I love to travel as much as the next guy; whether you’re a Service Dog Partner, a Puppy Raiser, or an innocent bystander, this article will be, at the very least, entertaining, but hopefully also helpful.

She Had An Accident

This post was inspired by the day I had with Bright on Friday. It started like any other day; we got up at about 7:30, had breakfast, hung around the apartment for a couple of hours, then headed to work for a 12-9 shift (I hate those). About an hour into our shift, she barfed all over the floor with no warning whatsoever, then again about four hours later, then two more times about two hours after that. Then we went home early.

For all of you that are concerned about her health, fear not. She’s fine.

Traveling Light

Traveling. One of the most exciting, and potentially stressful things I do.

I love to travel. I love seeing new places and meeting new people. I especially love seeing places I’ve only seen in movies and on TV before. The first time I went to New York City, I just had to get to the diner from Seinfeld; it felt so crazy walking around and arriving all of the big landmarks that I’d only ever known on a screen.

As it turns out, traveling gets more complicated as you get older. If you’re a wheelchair user, you understand the need to pack light; if you can’t carry it on your lap or strap it to your back or chair, you can’t take it. When I was in college, I’d visit my boyfriend, who lived halfway across the country, and I’d pack for two weeks in a 20 liter backpack. I never checked a bag, and I was very proud of my low-maintenance status.

“Sit. No. Sit. No. Sit!”

A couple of times a week, I get asked if Bright is in training. It probably shouldn’t, but it’s kind of giving me a complex; does she look like she’s in training? Do I look inexperienced at handling her? Or is the idea of a graduated, working Service Dog just so foreign to most people that they assume that every dog they see in public is in training for that far-off, out of this world goal? Or maybe it’s because I’m not blind – Service Dogs are always seeing eyes, right?

Even though Bright has achieved that far-off goal, the issue begs another question: Is a Service Dog ever done with training?

Getting Ready for Hurricane Sandy

East Coasters! You’re in for quite the storm! For those of you with pups closer to the action, I just read an awesome tip on Facebook from my CCI pal Nancy.

In your go bag, don’t forget your pup’s meds and Muttlucks/booties (in case you have to cross any floodwater that may have sharp debris in it). May also want to consider a break away flat collar (e.g., the KeepSafe Break-Away Flat Collar) that will free your dog in case he gets caught on something and can’t free himself.

In addition, I’d suggest these items:

– At least a week’s worth of food
– Quick Stop powder
– Identification
– A current photo, in case you become separated
– Important vet records
– Phone numbers for emergency vets

My hope is that none of you are forced to evacuate, but in the case that you are, be safe!

Do you have any other tips?

Rub a Dub Dub

A pup in the tub!

About once a day, someone says, “Wow! Your dog is so beautiful!”

Guess what. That takes a lot of work.

A Dog at the Diner?

People often ask, “Where can you take your dog?”

The answer: Pretty much anywhere I can go, with a couple of extremely rare exceptions.

Public access for Service Dogs is protected under a number of federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Air Carriers Act. Individual states sometimes have more specific laws and provisions, too.

At the very least, under the ADA, any establishment that serves the public, including public transit, must allow service dogs. When I get on the train or airplane, so does my dog. If I stay at the Ritz Hotel, so does my dog. If I have dinner at a tiny mom and pop malt shop, so does my dog.

 

Well, she wouldn’t actually have dinner there, but we’ll address etiquette another time.