It has been a while since I sent an update. I am so busy. However, here is my update from Tuesday to Thursday a.m.
The week is flying by! I thought the first week went fast, but here we are two days from graduation.
Tuesday began the customization for each student. Our routes are made as close to our home area traffic and things we will encounter in our everyday life as they can make them. We started out by working with Lex to target first steps and then the railing using clicker training. Our base for training was a coffee shop called Peet’s. They had wonderful coffee there and some cookies that looked like animals sitting down. Wonderful! Vanilla and chocolate. Our walk was to Petco. I bought stainless-steel bowls with rubber on the bottom so it will not slip on my floor. I also bought some almond-vanilla Earth Bath spray I just love. The dogs hate it, but it makes them smell really nice! After both of us were finished with our travels, we went back to campus and went to the gift shop. I was able to finally get leash luggage to carry pickup bags that hooks to the leash. This was something I was determined to buy. I also bought a T-shirt and a second leash.
Tuesday night was the optional night route. My partner went first, and per usual they were their speedy selves! My friend runs!! Of course, so does his cutest and fastest little labby girl you ever saw. They are matched beautifully.
My turn came up, and we worked to the street to start the route perfectly. However when I turned left and walked a way down the block, I knew I might be in trouble. I had a couple minor pain squeezes in my chest, and my breathing seemed to not be right, as if I was beginning an asthma attack. I kept going down the block and everything ebbed leaving me with just a feeling of a little shortness of breath. We worked our way down to B street and our coffee shop called Royal Grounds with no more difficulty except the nagging shortness of breath. We stood for a while and then started the other half of the route which was uphill to our right. Well, that got me. By the time I was to the first street I was frightened. My heart was in palpitations and I was definitely out of breath. never have I had to ask for a shortened route, but I needed to stop! My instructor stayed with me, and the van was brought. My blood pressure was up, but after using my asthma inhaler things settled down quickly. All in all, though, it was a good route, and Lex seemed to not be worried about the night and things associated with it. Oh, also in the afternoon we had vet examinations. Lex has been a really healthy boy, and he thought the vet was just wonderful!
Wednesday continued the customization. We went back to San Rafael and did our primary route again. As I was not feeling very well, I asked for shorter routes, which I did successfully. Thinking about what happened the night before, I determined it might be too much caffeine as I had been drinking a lot, and I mean a lot, of caffeinated coffee. So, I dropped down to one cup a day, and
Wednesday was my caffeine withdrawal day. I felt awful, and by evening I got in bed immediately after our last relieving time. Our afternoon trip was a country walk. He did well, but mom just squeaked through, still good though.
Since I have been writing throughout the day, I will tell about all of Thursday. What a difference a day makes. This morning I was bright and with it, at least as with it as my one brain cell will let me be! (LOL) Great day! More work with Peet’s as our base of operation. We went to a grocery store, and he never even tried to help me pick out anything! Good boy!!!! We also did some more clicker training to a pole. He showed it to me immediately. HE also targeted a railing on the steps we had been working on. I taught him these two things, and he really understood what I wanted! Our last route in San Rafael was this afternoon. It was the primary route, and we both nailed it!
So, with that last trip, we head into the last day! Tomorrow is my favorite work of all. We will go to Muir Woods with all the redwoods and the trail walk that is awesome! I am just so happy with Lex, and after Muir Woods and graduation we will go home to our life together.