Thought Wheel

Ann Chiappetta

No, My Life Does Not Revolve Around My dog Guide

| Filed under Guide dogs writing

 

I was on Facebook the other day and saw a post from another dog guide user stating that her life doesn’t center on the whims of her dog guide. I wasn’t sure she was being facetious or not. I was admittedly, a little concerned about the statement. Do folks really think there is nothing else? Do I somehow turn off people just by posting about my dogs on social media? Do my friends and co-workers secretly roll their eyes, hoping I’ll shut up?

 

I don’t know; but if some folks do occasionally swivel their orbs to the heavens in a tired, world weary gesture, here are some non-dog guide highlights.

 

I married my husband, raised my children, and obtained my graduate degree without the assistance of a guide dog. I run my home with my human family, who assist me in caring for our canine family.

I work full-time for the VA and volunteer for a number of philanthropic and advocacy organizations without the use of my guide dog, however, my dog does take me to meetings as well as inspire me to volunteer for a few of these organizations.

 

I write more than a few stories and poems with subjects other than my dog guide.

Just like being blind is only part of the whole, being a handler is also a part of who I am and how I cope with my disability. Is owning a guide dog a burden? Honestly, there times it is annoying, like when it’s minus 3 out and the doggie needs to go out. Other than that, I’d say the unconditional love from our canines vastly outweighs any blustery day. But this is just my opinion. Do I, at times, over identify with being a guide dog user? Yes. It’s akin to being a proud parent, at least for me. It’s also much more positive then over identifying in a negative sense or being in denial about my blindness.

 

Okay, I think y’all get the idea and folks who know me personally know, by this point I am being a little snarky. I’ll end this with a quote by Andy Rooney (I think) “most dogs are better people than most of the people I know.”

 

by Ann Chiappetta | tags : | 0

Dog Blogumentary

| Filed under writing

Dog Blogumentary

Hello readers, this post will be a jeneral update on our progress as a team. Bailey is a very sweet, friendly and mellow fellow. He loves to lick, nibble a bit on your hand, and rub on you when he wants to be petted. He picks up objects off the floor. Mostly odd socks and such. He does bring me the socks but not the tissues or dropped napkins. Those he tries to eat. He loves his kennel and balls. One day he brought me my 4 lb. barbell, thinking it was a retrieving toy. I laughed a lot over that one. Silly boy.

He is doing much better with clearances and his guide work is great. We have some things to work on but nothing that would prevent us from being a good team.

The critters are all getting along fairly well. The cat still tries to tease him, he tries to sniff the cat’s nether regions and Nikka defends the cat. Go figure. Nikka and Titan have become buddies. Stranger things have happened, but the cat does what the cat wants and even the dogs let him rule the roost. What is the saying? Cats rule and dogs Drool.

On another front, I’m trying to find Verona a pet therapy person who is interested in letting her go to work with them to visit hospitals, etc. If anyone reading this knows someone who is willing to do this and is already certified, reply to this post and I will follow up with you or message me on facebook: Annie Chiappetta.
Easter and Passover Blessings to all.

by Ann Chiappetta | tags : | 0