A Day in the Life (of a Guide Dog Puppy)

Today is my raiser's first day of school.  I think.  I just know she's taking me somewhere, maybe for all day.  She seems excited for whatever it is we're doing, so I don't mind going with her.  Before we go, she has to put on my head collar.  I hate that thing.  I try and get out of it, like every time she tries to put it on, but, of course, she wins, and I'm forced to wear it.  It's not that it's really tight, or hurts, it's just a nuisance to have on my face.  But, I suppose, it's better than having my neck pulled on all the time, from having the leash attached to my collar.  

Now that we're out the door, it's time to get in the car.  The thing is, I'm only four months old, so I can't exactly 'leap' into it.  I kind of get stuck once I'm halfway in.  My raiser helps me out though, and lifts my back paws into the car.  I like riding in cars, so the 30 minute drive to where we're going isn't too bad.  Mostly I like to rest my head on the seat and watch my raiser. She looks down at me from time to time, always with a smile on her face, and sometimes I get a head scratch out of it too.

Once we get to where we're going - I'm still not sure - she puts a bag over her shoulder and picks up my leash.  "Let's go," she tells me.  It's my command to jump out of the car, so we can get going!  We walk for a while, go up a few flights of stairs (that takes me a few minutes - I'm still getting used to them!) and eventually go into a room.  There are lots of people in this room, and a lot of furniture - I think my raiser calls them desks.  Not sure what that means though.  She sits down at one, and asks me to sit beside her.  I do her one better and flop down on the floor, and fall asleep pretty quickly.  Whatever these people are talking about is boring, and I'd rather nap.

After a while, she wakes me up; everyone is leaving, and she tugs on my leash because I'm still half asleep and trudging along behind her.  She stops to talk to someone (maybe someone running this odd gathering?), and I patiently wait next to her.  After that, we go back the way we came, and off in a new direction to another room.  This one is different - it has carpet.  The other room had tile, and it was so cold to sleep on!  This floor is so nice, and easy to snuggle up to - my favorite.  After my raiser settles down, she turns to the girl next to her and starts talking.  I don't understand anything she's saying, so I know it's not toward me.  I'm starting to doze off, when I hear my name: Omaha.  I pick up my head to listen for a command, but there is none.  My raiser was the one to say it, and I'm not sure why she's saying my name if she doesn't want my attention.  She's still talking to the girl next to her, so maybe it has something to do with that.

Eventually we get up to go again, and this time it's back to the car.  I do my best to get into it, but my raiser helps me the rest of the way again.  Once she gets in next to me, she smiles at me and gives my face a rub, and then all of a sudden, whoosh.  Cold air!  I don't know where it's coming from (somewhere near me on the floor), but it feels so nice, because this car is so hot.  I get comfortable on the floor under this lovely stream of air, and then the car begins to move.  We are headed home for the day.    xx