Stuff That Has Happened Around Here

Ok, since I have been pestered by many people here are things that have happened in my life these past couple months......

I got a pair of Toms Shoes. They are AWESOME!!!!! And eco-friendly! :)

I got a B+ in AP Bio. Worst grade I've ever gotten!!! :(

I watched some TV.

I got ticked off when I discovered I don't get the National Geographic Channel. Discovery just won't cut it!

BYU beat the UTES...... LAME!!!! :P

Soooo yeah! There's an update....... One about Meade will come soon.... I promise that it will have many pictures and a story...... :)

Fun in the snow!!!!!

Puppy Trade and Fun Stuff

As you may know already Megan and I traded puppies. Here are some pictures of Paris at school.

And here she is in her kennel......

And with Rina.....
Then after Paris left and I got Meade back I took all three puppies outside to play. Here is Rina being a cute little Rat Terrier.....

This isn't a good picture but I think it is cute....

This is just a funny picture. I like how the camera focused on Meade's thigh.

And this is our new neighbour's dog! He is a huge, cute Black Lab!

Oh yeah!

I also wanted to know what you guys thought of the music on the blog! I wanted to make things a little more exciting. I know that its scared me a couple times..... especially when "Love Addict" comes on.... but anyway, I just wanted to know what you thought!

Etiquette!

Ok, this is mostly for the people at my school, but I decided it wouldn't hurt anyone to put it on the blog! Lately, (more like since the beginning of the school year....) I have been having trouble with people at school about Meade. They seem to have no respect for him. Until now I have kept quiet and tried to be a people pleaser but now I see that won't work. I am now posting the following in my drama classroom, on Facebook, and here! I wan't to spread the word about this as much as I can. It is partially my fault that people have been so disrespectful (I'm not very assertive....) but now I want to resolve that and let people know the right thing! Thanks!

Hey everyone! I thought you should read this! It is a wonderful piece of information straight from Guide Dogs for the Blind’s website. Remember, this goes for puppies in training too!!!!!
Thanks,
-Mitch and Meade



Saying Hello to a Guide Dog Team!
• As tempting as it may be to pet a Guide Dog, remember that this dog is responsible for leading someone who cannot see. The dog should never be distracted from that duty. A person's safety may depend on their dog's alertness and concentration.
• It is okay to ask someone if you may pet their guide. Many people enjoy introducing their dogs when they have the time. The dog's primary responsibility is to its blind partner and it is important that the dog not become solicitous.
• A Guide Dog should never be offered food or other distracting treats. The dogs are fed on a schedule and follow a specific diet in order to keep them in optimum condition. Even slight deviations from their routine can disrupt their regular eating and relieving schedules and seriously inconvenience their handlers. Guide Dogs are trained to resist offers of food so they will be able to visit restaurants without begging. Feeding treats to a Guide Dog weakens this training.
• Although Guide Dogs cannot read traffic signals, they are responsible for helping their handlers safely cross a street. Calling out to a Guide Dog or intentionally obstructing its path can be dangerous for the team as it could break the dog's concentration on its work.
• Listening for traffic flow has become harder for Guide Dog handlers due to quieter car engines and the increasing number of cars on the road. Please don't honk your horn or call out from your car to signal when it is safe to cross. This can be distracting and confusing. Be especially careful of pedestrians in crosswalks when making right-hand turns at red lights.
• It's not all work and no play for a Guide Dog. When they are not in harness, they are treated in much the same way as pets. However, for their safety they are only allowed to play with specific toys. Please don't offer them toys without first asking their handler's permission.
• In some situations, working with a Guide Dog may not be appropriate. Instead, the handler may prefer to take your arm just above the elbow and allow their dog to heel. Others will prefer to have their dog follow you. In this case, be sure to talk to the handler and not the dog when giving directions for turns.
• A Guide Dog can make mistakes and must be corrected in order to maintain its training. This correction usually involves a verbal admonishment coupled with a leash correction, followed by praise when the dog regains focus and correctly follows a command. Guide Dog handlers have been taught the appropriate correction methods to use with their dogs.
• Access laws, including the United States' Americans with Disabilities Act and Canada's Blind Persons' Rights Act, permit people who are blind to be accompanied by their guide dogs anywhere the general public is allowed, including taxis and buses, restaurants, theaters, stores, schools, hotels, apartment and office buildings.
• Before asking a question of a person handling a dog, allow them to complete the task at hand.
• Remain calm in your approach and mannerisms.
• Never tease a dog.

Meade, the puppy I am training!

P.S. There will be an exciting post come Thursday......Friday.....Saturday-ish!