tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16191041978491345252024-02-19T02:01:59.511-05:00Story of My Service DogKellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.comBlogger1359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-26441805966743746602018-04-13T22:03:00.001-04:002018-04-13T22:03:31.295-04:00Sick Service DogIsaac has been sick for the past week and a half. Well, sort of. He threw up six times over a nine-day period. Other than when he was throwing up, he appeared to feel OK. <br />
<br />
I've spent what feels like a lot of time cleaning up dog puke. We've made three trips to the vet. We finally figured out what was going on and (I think, I hope) have a handle on it.<br />
<br />
On our second visit to the vet, an x-ray showed what appeared to be a small piece of bone in his stomach. The piece was apparently too large for him to vomit up and too large to pass on through his intestine. An ultrasound was scheduled for the following day to get a better look.<br />
<br />
Well, the following day, the piece of bone was no longer in the stomach. It had made its way at last into the small intestine. That was yesterday.<br />
<br />
Now we are waiting to see if it will continue making its way through Isaac's intestines and, um, on out. The vet is hopeful. If it doesn't, that will mean it causes a bowel obstruction which can be deadly and requires prompt surgical treatment.<br />
<br />
He hasn't vomited in three days and he is active and pooping normally today. No bone yet, but no symptoms of an obstruction. Maybe tomorrow.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-44658193391377657502018-04-02T20:00:00.003-04:002018-04-02T20:00:18.047-04:00Moving to NebraskaI moved to Nebraska for several reasons.<br />
<br />
I needed to move. My landlord in Ohio was doing a number of things wrong, including calculating my rent incorrectly so that I was being charged more than I should have been. I'll note that the landlord disputes this. We are awaiting the court's ruling on the matter.<br />
<br />
Anyway. It was intolerable living where I was. I needed to move.<br />
<br />
Why Nebraska? Everyone asks me that.<br />
<br />
I had the following criteria when looking for a place to go:<br />
<br />
1. I needed to be able to move as soon as possible. That's a biggie when you are in subsidized housing. Many places have waiting lists, anywhere from a year or two up to five years or more. I couldn't wait a year.<br />
<br />
2. I refused to consider anyplace with an average temperature that was colder than the average temp where I lived in Ohio. Warmer would have been nice, but I'd settle for the same. But not colder.<br />
<br />
3. I had to know someone living nearby. I wasn't moving to a far way state where I knew absolutely no one.<br />
<br />
4. I wanted to be out in the country. I wanted to live in a rural area.<br />
<br />
Those are the objective criteria. There was a fifth thing, but it's harder to explain. The place had to feel good to me.<br />
<br />
I ended up settling on Nebraska because I found subsidized housing with no waiting list. I also knew a couple people in the area and the internet told me the average temps were the same as where I'd lived in Ohio. <br />
<br />
The internet neglected to mention the wind in Nebraska, as did my friends in the area. 32 in Nebraska doesn't feel like 32 back in Ohio because in the winter and spring, it is windy here. The howling wind woke me up at night for the first few weeks I lived here, it is so loud. So it might be 32 degrees out but the wind makes it feel like it's 12. Sure, there's windchill in Ohio, but not like this.<br />
<br />
I asked one friend why no one mentioned the wind to me and she looked at me like I was nuts and said, "Doesn't everyone know it's windy in Nebraska?"<br />
<br />
Well, no. Apparently not. About half the people I told I was moving to Nebraska didn't even know where Nebraska is. They would ask me, "Where is Nebraska, anyway?" If people don't even know where the state is, how would people know it's windy there?<br />
<br />
Even with the wind, I like it.<br />
<br />
I live in a small town, population about 1,600. People are friendly, helpful. I like the sky. I like the light. Isaac and I go for long hikes across the prairie. I like the wildlife. Yesterday I had to stop my car to allow a flock of wild turkeys to cross the road.<br />
<br />
There have been a lot of challenges. Things have not all gone as planned. Sometimes I worry that moving was a mistake.<br />
<br />
But I like it here. I like my apartment. I have big windows that Isaac and Whiskers both enjoy looking out. I have tons of closet space and a big pantry in the kitchen. My living room is bigger than my living room/dining room area was back in Ohio. I am growing herbs in pots in the living room window.<br />
<br />
It took Isaac a little while to settle in. Whiskers felt at home immediately. And me? I mostly feel at home now.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-85890711842171659112018-03-31T15:47:00.002-04:002018-03-31T15:47:31.397-04:00Service Dog Slumber PartyA couple weeks ago, Isaac and I took a short trip to Kansas with my friend and her service dog Jake. Jake's mom had to go to a business thing and Isaac and I went along for the drive.<br />
<br />
Isaac and Jake are good buddies. They love to play tug, so both myself and Jake's mom packed toys to tug with for this trip.<br />
<br />
We got to our hotel about 9 pm. Jake's mom and I were both tired. Jake and Isaac were tired too, but not too tired to play. <br />
<br />
Isaac really loves tug and he hasn't had a chance to play tug for quite a while. I think not since we last saw Jamie at our old dog park in Ohio. For some reason, Isaac never wanted to tug with Daisy or Lulu. Probably just because they were not particularly interested in tugging. But Isaac and Jamie would play tug for an hour if given the chance.<br />
<br />
And so they tugged.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmGqgmgeIH0-adh_Czh6l_O5l1me7A_VGKkmDinlbsBEoV4IiYy8nI0caVr06bIYNYtJ8_2q_KjTFNfZuKXgxjWho-StcpcgWD0OwDv34k5mWf54H2R6JGi5Q1qUrjGV3qmwcy81Ad-8/s1600/tug+tug+tug+with+jake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmGqgmgeIH0-adh_Czh6l_O5l1me7A_VGKkmDinlbsBEoV4IiYy8nI0caVr06bIYNYtJ8_2q_KjTFNfZuKXgxjWho-StcpcgWD0OwDv34k5mWf54H2R6JGi5Q1qUrjGV3qmwcy81Ad-8/s320/tug+tug+tug+with+jake.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
We finally got them to settle down about 11 pm for bed. <br />
<br />
Before bed, though, I took both dogs outside to go potty. Isaac found a nice bush to pee on and of course Jake wanted to pee there too. While Isaac was still peeing, Jake sidled up beside him, kind of like he was parallel parking or something, and lifted his leg. I pulled on Isaac's leash to get him to move just in time. Otherwise, Jake would have peed right on him!<br />
<br />
So after peeing, we went back inside and got the dogs settled down for bed. Jake slept in bed with his mom but Isaac doesn't like to sleep with me, so I put a blanket on the floor for him. And soon everyone was asleep.<br />
<br />
Until 1:30 am, when Isaac woke me up insisting he had to pee. I tried to tell him it had only been a couple hours since we went out, but he didn't care. <br />
<br />
You know why he had to pee already? Because earlier he and Jake slurped up a lot of toilet water. That's right, as soon as we got into the hotel room, Jake went right to the bathroom and helped himself to a long drink. Isaac thought that was a fine idea so he had a good long drink when Jake was done.<br />
<br />
So. I got out of bed and took Isaac out to pee, as quietly as possible, because I didn't want to disturb Jake or his mom.<br />
<br />
After Isaac peed for a really long time, we went back to the room. I opened the door as quietly as possible, felt my way inside in the dark, and removed Isaac's leash. I tiptoed toward my bed.<br />
<br />
Isaac, on the other hand, ran toward the bed where Jake and his mom were sleeping. He leapt onto the bed and pounced on Jake. <br />
<br />
Of course, this woke both Jake and his mom. Isaac explained that he wanted to play and Jake thought that was a fine idea, so he jumped off the bed and chaos ensued.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySz6zu6VJHh89rSMRjLusTc6LPVDcrDIu9BbGoPqP62JnbHusAsGyWZETWtbRkZmKpKRoBiJRXLx1bmIJ8BA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
We finally got them settled down again and everyone went back to sleep.<br />
<br />
The next thing I knew, Isaac was telling me he wanted to go out. I told him it wasn't time yet, but Jake's mom said actually it was, she had to get up and get ready to go to her business thing. After a quick trip out to pee, the boys were back at it again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLO8lVklbUr6CJejTkTCIier8vW1UGxkUot87RuFjBulhd8oERrxcT70UxIcdPWs_hDTnZyxxkUgxF4CYHbEF5qMnF28tsKX7eo_ihfU9uzLH5-nB9TrhfaIiU03O_8ZlZH0dN3j4vrU/s1600/playing+with+jake+in+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLO8lVklbUr6CJejTkTCIier8vW1UGxkUot87RuFjBulhd8oERrxcT70UxIcdPWs_hDTnZyxxkUgxF4CYHbEF5qMnF28tsKX7eo_ihfU9uzLH5-nB9TrhfaIiU03O_8ZlZH0dN3j4vrU/s320/playing+with+jake+in+hotel.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Isaac had a very good time. He says he loves slumber parties with his buddy Jake!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-46524149189021220852018-03-31T09:00:00.000-04:002018-03-31T09:00:17.941-04:00When the Service Dog Sneaks a SniffYesterday while my car was at the tire repair place, Isaac and I walked
over to a convenient store to get some coffee. <br />
<br />
While I was trying to
get the lid on my coffee cup, Isaac tried to sneak a sniff of the woman
standing next to me, getting her coffee. I corrected him and she said,
"Oh, he probably smells my dog." I said I was sure he did, but he knows
he's not supposed to sniff people in stores, he can sniff at home.<br />
<br />
About that time, an employee approached me and asked if he<span class="text_exposed_show">
was a SD. I said he was and she said "I wasn't sure since I didn't see
a tag, but he is so well-behaved I thought he must be." </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">I said, "he's
well-behaved except for sneaking a sniff," and she laughed and said she
once saw a drug dog hit on a lunch box because there was beef jerky in
it. She said "That just goes to show you, they are still dogs."</span><br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
I was thinking either there was something else in that lunch box with
the beef jerky or else that drug dog needs retrained, but I just said
"My dog would probably alert to beef jerky in a lunch box too!"</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-74285776851861663862018-03-30T21:57:00.003-04:002018-03-30T21:57:49.446-04:00Hotels and Service Dogs<div class="_5pbx userContent _22jv _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_a9">
Hotels fall under Title 3 of the ADA, just like Walmart does. That means they must allow service dogs and, just like at Walmart, hotels can only ask if a dog is a service dog and what tasks the dog is trained to do. For some reason, people sometimes think hotels would be different and that hotels can ask for some sort of documentation, but that's not the case. <br />
<br />
On
my recent trip, I stayed in two hotels. At the first hotel, I had
Isaac with me, in his vest, when I was checking in. The clerk explained
to me that there was a $10 pet fee. <br /><br />I explained to her that he was a
SD so there is no pet fee for him. <br /><br /> She turned around and asked a
coworker, "Do we charge a pet fee for service dogs?" <br /><br />I was about to
tell her that she doesn't since the Dept of Justice says she's not
allowed but her coworker told her they don't, so it was fine. I've been charged pet fees several times at hotels but they've always corrected it and removed the fee when I tell them they aren't supposed to charge a fee for a service dog.<br />
<br />
At
the second hotel, again I had Isaac with me in his vest and the clerk
asked "Any pets?" I said, "No, just my service dog" and she knew not to
charge a pet fee.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-12463728093002019262018-03-24T10:00:00.000-04:002018-03-24T10:00:01.231-04:00Update on the Whisker CatWhiskers did not enjoy the move to Nebraska one bit. What I mean is, she did not enjoy the drive. She was sedated nicely for the trip but she would wake up from time to time, realize she was still in the car, remember she did not like it, and yowl for a few minutes before going back to sleep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0ddoVx3i-CQ9nksaG4-dzrlUT7VE6-nsf8ufu6BYNIAZHkdnyf9ia6NTqoUwd2itpeJkwVxTX8uhds98lYuwdrMzep8Ws1iLPrqxRUar8lgqJWWs4iFzRnWahvLdFhljs0LMF6WB4rY/s1600/car+during+move+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0ddoVx3i-CQ9nksaG4-dzrlUT7VE6-nsf8ufu6BYNIAZHkdnyf9ia6NTqoUwd2itpeJkwVxTX8uhds98lYuwdrMzep8Ws1iLPrqxRUar8lgqJWWs4iFzRnWahvLdFhljs0LMF6WB4rY/s320/car+during+move+1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Once she got to the new apartment, though, she was fine. She loves the big windows that look out on the parking lot because there is a lot more to look at than there was in our old place. Isaac likes them, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJI0kJQItoe5J0eYIhK2pqmnPm2B0V4Z7QVSa2vbuc2wfNE1ai_ke9pm4JqqRh6eYRofqy26BnWgr-oL2YEXs_-9Hze8GhSN5tQ4HW6fscx8ywPWu1vcpGXv8HihvLPkpuWEwp5-br-I/s1600/looking+out+window+in+new+apt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJI0kJQItoe5J0eYIhK2pqmnPm2B0V4Z7QVSa2vbuc2wfNE1ai_ke9pm4JqqRh6eYRofqy26BnWgr-oL2YEXs_-9Hze8GhSN5tQ4HW6fscx8ywPWu1vcpGXv8HihvLPkpuWEwp5-br-I/s320/looking+out+window+in+new+apt.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Whiskers is on a diet because she now weighs a little over 12 lbs. She is actually not unhappy about the diet. She is generally a happy cat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6yAVJ_dkmfepTRtx1BRVJjsA4ePAzZszAMRrk1fbXyDZtQBuZpI5wgplcnzu5CSx3FgNDx0YpfpBMs5qQi5TS5H0l6Y3aB8YHQUdNBvd2UkDQtwPgEwvxXwepeL0qciw0tuZ-2b7Wig/s1600/yoga+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6yAVJ_dkmfepTRtx1BRVJjsA4ePAzZszAMRrk1fbXyDZtQBuZpI5wgplcnzu5CSx3FgNDx0YpfpBMs5qQi5TS5H0l6Y3aB8YHQUdNBvd2UkDQtwPgEwvxXwepeL0qciw0tuZ-2b7Wig/s320/yoga+cat.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-26260172350343618532018-03-24T00:40:00.002-04:002018-03-24T00:40:32.616-04:00Packing<div class="_5pbx userContent _22jv _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_84">
Me (trying to pack): Geez, Isaac, why do we need so much stuff to go away for a week?<br />
<br />
Isaac: Don't ask me. I'd be fine without half this crap. I don't need
the nail clippers, the ear cleaner, the tooth brush, the comb...."</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-82701350726617979612018-03-22T20:44:00.000-04:002018-03-22T20:44:08.225-04:00What's New?I haven't blogged in a long time. Lots has been going on, I've been busy, and I guess I just haven't felt like blogging.<br />
<br />
What's new?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I moved. I move to Nebraska. I've been here almost three months now and I like it a lot but wow. What a change! Why I moved is kind of a long story and it will be a post of its own.</li>
<li>Next week I am going to court, small claims court, suing my former landlord for a number of things. I will wait to write about it until after the case is heard, but part of it relates to my service dog and part of it relates to being disabled. It's why I moved, or at least a big part of why.</li>
<li>Isaac got a scratch on his eyeball and his eye got infected. He's fine now but he had to get antibiotic eye drops and some other eye drops and he did not care for that at all. </li>
<li>Whiskers is on a diet. She has officially been declared a fat cat and our new vet here in Nebraska recommended she go on a diet. She actually doesn't seem to mind too much.</li>
<li>I have perfected a new dog treat recipe, Chicken and Apple flavor treats. I'll share the recipe in a later post.</li>
</ul>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-82037665813147689762017-09-09T21:40:00.001-04:002017-09-09T21:40:41.270-04:00Follow Up on the Access Dispute at the Nursing HomeI <a href="http://storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/2017/09/youd-think-nurse-would-know-better.html" target="_blank">recently wrote about going to visit a former neighbor</a> at the nursing home where he now lives. <br />
<br />
The following morning, I called and asked to speak with the director of nursing. It took two days to actually get to speak with her and by then the nurse that had denied me access had already shared her side of the story with her boss.<br />
<br />
The director of nursing told me that they had had someone bring a pet dog to the nursing home recently and the pet dog bit someone in the dining room. After that, staff were told not to let dogs in the dining room, but that edict was not meant to refer to service dogs, only to pets. She said the nurse in question did not understand this and thought that no dogs were allowed.<br />
<br />
I believe the nurse thought she was right. However, she was really rude about it and I did stress that to the director of nursing.<br />
<br />
The director of nursing told me there was a staff meeting already scheduled for the end of the week and that she would be adding the topic of service dogs to the agenda.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-58609483862377911552017-09-09T21:35:00.000-04:002017-09-09T21:35:10.774-04:00You Can't Pet That Dog!Today at the grocery store there were two young girls, maybe 8 and 10,
doing cartwheels in the frozen food aisle. When Isaac and I walked by
them, I heard one of them say "Oh, look at the dog!"<br />
<br />
The other girl
spoke right up and said "You can't pet that dog, that's a service dog!"
I love it when kids know that.<br />
<br />
Although I do think the frozen food
aisle is not the best place to do cartwheels.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-85429667853905670452017-09-04T19:05:00.000-04:002017-09-04T19:05:29.680-04:00You'd Think a Nurse Would Know BetterThis evening I had a rather unpleasant access dispute when I went to
visit a former neighbor at the nursing home where he now lives. Another
neighbor went with me and we have been to this nursing home to visit
before with no problem. The person we were visiting was in the dining
room finishing his dinner when we arrived and a nurse immediately
stepped in front of me and said "The dog isn't allowed in here."<br />
<br />
I told
her he is a service dog so he is allowed and she proceeded <span class="text_exposed_show">to
argue with me, loudly. She said if the health department would show
up, they would get in trouble. I said no, he's a service dog so you
would not get in trouble. She said it was nursing home policy. I said
the ADA is a federal law that says service dogs are allowed and the
nursing home can't have a policy that violates federal law. I offered
to pull up the Dept of Justice website on my phone so she could read it
for herself and she refused, saying it doesn't matter, it's their
policy.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Her objection, it
seemed, was to the idea of my SD walking into the dining room, not being
in the facility altogether. I tried to explain that he is allowed in
restaurants and places like that because he is a service dog and the
Dept of Justice says he is allowed but she was not listening. I want to add that he has been in the dining room of this very nursing home before with no issue.<br />
<br />
She then
walked away from me but continued arguing really loudly from across the
room and it was causing a real scene.<br />
<br />
I told the neighbor I'd
gone there with to stay and visit as long as he liked, that Isaac and I
would wait for him outside. I told the nurse that I would call and
speak to her supervisor in the morning. And I went outside and sat on a
bench to wait for my neighbor.<br />
<br />
A few minutes later, the nurse came outside. She said, "I'm not sure how to ask this without seeming rude...."<br />
I told her, "You've already been rude, so it's kind of late to worry about that."<br />
<br />
She asked if Isaac was my service dog or if I was training him. I said
he was mine. Then she said, "Oh, I didn't know that! That's
different! You can come back in."<br />
<br />
Then she told me I don't look like
there is anything wrong with me and I told her that as a nurse, surely
she knows not all disabilities are visible.<br />
<br />
I am not sure but I
suspect a coworker said something to her when I left. Perhaps she
thought she better come tell me I was allowed in after all, so she
wouldn't get in trouble. She did apologize and I thanked her for her
apology, but I told her I still plan to call her supervisor in the
morning and that I am going to suggest they provide some training for
all the nursing staff.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-78728537287063841752017-08-16T14:19:00.001-04:002017-08-16T14:19:27.030-04:00Can He Talk?<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_2bg">
Today
at the food pantry, a little boy about three years old asked me, very
politely, if he could pet Isaac. I said he could and told Isaac "go say
hi," which is the command that lets him know it is OK to socialize.<br />
<br />
When he heard me tell Isaac to say hi, the little boy's eyes got very
wide and he asked, sounding awestruck, "Can this dog talk?"</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-28555079520657718212017-08-12T20:22:00.003-04:002017-08-12T20:22:28.811-04:00What Would Happen?<span><span> <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span>At the doctors office the other day:</span><br /><br /><span>Another
patient in the waiting room (reading the "please don't pet me, I'm
working" patch on Isaac's vest): What would happen if I pet him?</span><br /><br /><span>Me: I would tell you to knock it off.</span><br /><br /><span>Other patient: Oh.</span></span></span></span></span>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-46411031725272150252017-07-21T04:56:00.000-04:002017-07-21T04:56:02.434-04:00I Am Not Inspired by Morgan Inspiration Island<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_70b">
Have you read about <a href="http://en.newsner.com/here-is-the-world-s-first-water-park-for-children-with-disabilities/about/news" target="_blank">the new water park in Texas designed for children with disabilities</a>? It's called Morgan Inspiration Island, I guess because people with disabilities are supposed to inspire non-disabled people, you know.<br />
<br />
While
everyone is all excited about an accessible, inclusive water park,
remember that this means other water parks are inaccessible, exclusive.
And this one is sort of exclusive too since it's being advertised as
being for kids with disabilities, instead of for all kids. Apparently
kids with disabilities need their very own water park, instead of being
able to enjoy whatever water park is near their home.<br />
<br />
Would the
response be the same if a new water park was opened for African American
kids? Or for Jewish kids? Or for any other group? Why segregate the
kids with disabilities in their very own water park instead of demanding
all parks be accessible - you know, like the federal law says they
should be anyway?</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-1149782617459362252017-05-29T21:34:00.000-04:002017-05-29T21:34:09.142-04:00Regular PeopleA friend of mine posted on Facebook about her kitten going into heat. Someone advised her to call the vet first thing in the morning and get that kitty spayed ASAP. My friend replied that she has to wait a couple weeks until she will have the money. I told her in a few days, she will be ready to sell her soul to get the money.<br />
<br />
Someone else asked if the SPCA didn't spay cats for free. Yet another person, someone I don't know, replied, "You can usually get it done someplace for free or close to free if you are on some sort of assistance. Regular people, not so much." <br />
<br />
I was stunned. I said, "People on some sort of assistance are regular people."<br />
<br />
Seriously? What kind of people does she think we are? Irregular ones? Are we somehow so different from those that are not on assistance? I know people think this way but wow. The prejudice against poor people runs so deep.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-12738641145721569372017-05-27T18:59:00.000-04:002017-05-27T18:59:03.286-04:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_mtk">
Guy at the post office: What's your dog's name?<br />
<br />
Me: Isaac.<br />
<br />
(really long pause)<br />
<br />
Guy: I take it you're a Christian?"<br />
<br />
Me (confused): Huh?<br />
<br />
Guy: I take it you're a Christian?<br />
<br />
Me (caught off guard and fearing he is going to try to save me): Um, no...<br />
<br />
Guy: I just thought, you know, Isaac is a Bible name.<br />
<br />
Me: Oh! Yes, it's Hebrew. It means "he laughs."<br />
<br />
Guy: My mom has a dog named Brewski.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-73172957337461763822017-05-21T04:04:00.002-04:002017-05-21T04:04:44.965-04:00Service Dog Training Proram Shut Down, Dogs in Need of HelpK-9 Assistants for Independence was a training program for service dogs located in Texas. The organization trained service dogs from start to finish, and they also helped people that were owner training by keeping dogs for weeks or months at a time to work on specific aspects of their training, and they also offered board and train services for pet dogs. Just recently, news broke that dogs in the facility were being neglected, mistreated and abused. Dogs were going home from the facility seriously underweight, sick, infested with ticks, suffering from contagious illnesses like coccidia (which causes terrible diarrhea), anemic, malnourished, in terrible shape. They were also fearful, suffering from separation anxiety, showing signs of having been physically abused such as flinching or cowering when someone reached out to pet them.<br />
<br />
The facility has been closed down and dogs returned to their owners or placed in foster homes. There are probably several dozen dogs affected, though, and the cost of treating their health problems is significant. So a fundraiser has been started to raise money to help the owners and the foster homes to care for the needs of these dogs. Please, help if you can.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/help-for-dogs-harmed-by-k9ai" target="_blank">Help the Dogs from K9AI</a>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-64166008907002529432017-04-24T20:26:00.004-04:002017-04-24T20:26:41.538-04:00Daddy Pup<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_4u0">
Isaac
made a friend at the Medicaid office today. It was a little boy, maybe
three years old. He patted Isaac on the head and then showed Isaac his
toy dinosaur. The little boy was very chatty but difficult to
understand. I did, however, understand the word "Pup."<br />
<br />
After the little boy patted Isaac and showed him the dinosaur and chatted a while, I told him "The pup's name is Isaac."<br />
<br />
The little boy's mom said "That's your daddy's name!"<br />
<br />
The little boy looked at Isaac with wide round eyes, like he was just
so amazed that this pup could have the same name as his daddy. I could
just see him thinking about it. I think maybe it blew his mind. But
finally he pointed at Isaac and announced, loudly, "Daddy Pup!"</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-3820284591635470732017-04-20T02:41:00.000-04:002017-04-20T02:41:24.141-04:00Car AccidentNew experiences for Isaac last night. We were in a car accident and I
was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The EMT at the scene told me
that the officers would "take care of my dog" and I said, "No, he's a
service dog, he will come with me" and I was prepared to argue. I would
have refused to be transported if they refused to take my service dog with me.
But as soon as I said that, the EMT said, "Oh, that's good" and they
were happy to bring him with me. There was plenty of ro<span class="text_exposed_show">om
in the ambulance and the EMT told me they had transported other service dogs before. Isaac jumped up in the ambulance with no problem and I told him
to lay down and he did.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Isaac has been in the ER before so that was no big deal for him. They
took me to get a CT scan and the nurse asked me if my service dog had to go with
me. I said "He can't stay here by himself" because of course I was not
going to leave him unattended in the ER. She said an aide would take
care of him for me while I was gone if that was OK with me and assured
me I would not be gone long. I would not have asked staff to watch him
but it was their idea. I agreed and the aide said he would take Isaac
outside to go potty if that was OK with me. I said it was. He mentioned
that there wasn't much grass outside (this was a hospital in a city
area) and I told him Isaac would pee on concrete or other surfaces and
told him to just show Isaac where to go and tell him to go potty and he
would. When they were bringing me back from the CT scan, Isaac was lying
on the floor by the nursing desk with three employees gathered around
petting him.<br />
<br />
I was really glad Isaac is perfectly fine being
handled by other people and is not stressed by being separated from me.
He seems OK after the accident, but I might take him to the vet today
or tomorrow just to get checked out just to be sure. An EMT looked him
over for me at the scene of the accident and then a friend checked him
over carefully for me at the hospital later. It was a while before I
could check for myself because I had a cervical collar on and stuff for a
while. I am OK now, just really sore, and Isaac and I are at home.<br />
<br />
The hospital and the EMTs were really great and I was relieved not to
have to argue about taking Isaac in the ambulance with me.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-69722035325662427972017-04-14T16:05:00.002-04:002017-04-14T16:05:37.090-04:00Don't Ask, Don't TellRandom Guy at the Food Pantry Today: What's your dog for?<br />
<br />
Me: He's a service dog.<br />
<br />
Random Guy: Yeah, I know. But what's he for? Like is he for seizures or...?<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Me: I don't share personal information like that with people I don't know.<br />
<br />
Random Guy: Oh, I know. I was just curious. Do you have epilepsy?<br />
<br />
Me: Look, I'm not going to tell you what's wrong with me and I won't ask you what's wrong with you.<br />
<br />
Random Guy: Oh. OK.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-75369876564877239522017-03-22T19:38:00.004-04:002017-03-22T19:38:51.985-04:00This is Why I Don't Tell People at the Dog Park He is a Service Dog<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_67o">
Isaac
got to play with a 9-month-old black lab puppy named Cricket today as
well as with a German shepherd-lab mix named King. We went to a new dog
park because it is near my doctor's office and I had an appointment and
wanted to give Isaac time to run around and get tired before the
appointment.<br />
<br />
No one was there when we arrived but Isaac was happy to
sniff all the new smells and pee on all the new places. Then Cricket
arrived and they had fun chasing each other. Then King came and they
are regulars are our regular dog park so it was a nice surprise to see
them today. King and Isaac wrestled and Isaac made a few attempts to
hump him but King refused to cooperate.<br />
<br />
I was explaining to
King's mom why Isaac and I were at this park instead of our regular park
and she said "Oh, he goes to your appointment with you?" And I
explained he is a service dog so he goes pretty much everywhere with me.<br />
<br />
Then I followed her gaze over to where Isaac was attempting to hump
her dog. When King refused to be humped, Isaac sat down and began
licking himself. This is why I usually do not tell people at the dog
park that Isaac is a service dog.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-64615921885012595172017-03-03T14:37:00.002-05:002017-03-03T14:37:40.004-05:00A Place I Can't Take My Service DogTomorrow I am going on a tour of the Gentle Barn. If you're not
familiar with the Gentle Barn, it's a rescue for farm animals and it's
very awesome. On the tour, you get to cuddle cows and play with various
rescued farm animals. I am super excited.<br />
<br />
Because of the nature
of the place, I called them to ask if it would be OK to bring my service dog or
if it would be better not to bring him. Isaac would be fine there, I am sure, but
I didn't know about all the farm animals there. The woman I s<span class="text_exposed_show">poke
to told me everyone there loves dogs, they love all dogs, and she
assured me that she was sure my service dog was very well behaved, but said that
some of their rescued farm animals are not comfortable around dogs and
so she thought it would be better not to bring him. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">I am fine with
that. That's why I called to ask. And I understand how the presence of
a SD might alter things at this type of organization and so it might be
appropriate and legal for them to deny access. That's why I called to
ask. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">I normally do not call places in advance to tell them I am bringing my service dog or to ask if I can bring him. If it's a place the Department of Justice has already stated (in the Americans with Disabilities Act) that service dogs are allowed, I don't ask if I can bring him. I don't need to. But this is one of those exceptions.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Isaac will be spending
the day at a nearby doggie daycare instead. I'm sure he will have a
good time there and I cannot wait to cuddle some cows!</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-31436321587044945802017-02-06T20:55:00.000-05:002017-02-06T20:55:15.917-05:00DocumentationToday I had to go to the ER. I've never had any problems at my local
hospital before, not in the ER or the lab or the x-ray department or
visiting patients. But today the triage nurse asked me "Is that a
certified service dog?"<br />
<br />
I said "He is a service dog but there is no certification."<br />
<br />
She looked like she didn't believe me and asked "Do you have documentation?"<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
I said "I do" and pulled out a rather tattered copy of the ADA Business
Brief (note to self: put a new one in my purse) and showed here where
it says businesses can ask if a dog is a service dog and what the dog is
trained to do but that they cannot ask for ID or documentation.<br />
<br />
Best service dog documentation I can carry.<br />
<br />
I am going to contact whomever is in charge of the ER and make sure they educate their employees. But I was not feeling well enough to deal with it today. </div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-71011623648278452622017-02-01T16:21:00.001-05:002017-02-01T16:21:26.099-05:00Dogs Don't TalkLady in the waiting room at the podiatrist's office: I'm not allowed to pet you, am I?<br />
<br />
Me: No, you are not allowed to pet me.<br />
<br />
Lady: Um, I meant the dog.<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Me: He doesn't talk.</div>
Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1619104197849134525.post-53159558913221747472017-01-12T18:30:00.002-05:002017-01-12T18:30:33.681-05:00Scared to Ask Your Doctor about Getting a Service Dog?<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span>I
see a lot of people say that. Or kind of a lot, anyway. They want to know how to bring it up to their doctors and are scared or nervous about doing so. I don't quite understand why.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span>Someone told me that she worried her doctor would brush her off. I asked, "Does your
doctor often brush off things you bring up to her? And if so, why do
you keep seeing her? And if not, why do you think she will brush this
off?" </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span>I mostly only see doctors that list</span></span><span><span><span>en
to me and don't brush me off. That doesn't mean they always agree with
me, but if my doctor thought a service dog would be a bad idea or thought I
didn't qualify, he would tell me that, not brush me off. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span><span>I am looking
for a new rheumatologist now because mine has twice brushed off
something that turned out to be an illness or injury that needed
treatment. I won't keep seeing a doctor that does that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span><span>Clearly people have different types of relationships with their doctors. It just seems unhealthy or somehow a bad thing to be afraid to bring up something you think would help you to your doctor. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12148829637378959413noreply@blogger.com0