Ember In Manhattan, Canine Partners Client Interview Upcoming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm in New Jersey visiting Mike. Was sort of a last minute trip. He had time to take for vacation and we decided to do it now, because his time was limited and flight prices skyrocket for the holidays. I'm thankful we have a chance to spend time together. Had a chance to go see Jen and Girlie cat and visit with them and have dinner.  Was so nice being able to see them again and love on Girlie.  Went to my first Rangers hockey game at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. It was an amazing game to see in person. Had a ton of fun.

Took Ember along with us into Manhattan.  She did flawlessly well for such a loud and overstimulating place as the big city and a sports arena can be.  MSG staff were awesome about Ember being along. She got an official MSG ID card and everything.  I have been taking her out with me since I got here, each time we went anywhere to get her re-accustomed to working in public and to see how she'd do with it, before deciding to take her into Manhattan and MSG.  Ember went back to her solid work ethic as if nothing ever changed, even after not working for almost a year. She alerted me during the game when I got distracted by the intense beginning and forgot to take my medicine.  She also woke me at one point when we overslept ( alarm didn't go off ) and I was late taking my meds. Woke up with my heart racing ( yay tachycardia ) from a dead sleep to her on the edge of the bed trying to get my attention. After she woke me and I showed her I took my meds, she went back to doing her own thing.

Ember will probably end up going home with me and be put on an anti-inflammatory to help keep her comfortable while working.  Mike has been pretty unhappy about it because she keeps him company and keeps him sane around here, which I can't blame him for feeling that way.  I wouldn't take her if it wasn't as much of a medical necessity as it is.  Hopefully it will only have to be for a few months.

I was originally supposed to fly home Nov 16th, but plans suddenly changed last minute when I heard back from Canine Partners hours before my flight. Originally I was supposed to contact them when I got home to set up details for me going to their facility for a tour and an interview with the training staff.  But that would have been more money spent to travel there to not even know until after April if I was being accepted as a client.

I told them I could stay if they could somehow work me in, that I'd change my flight home. With the holidays and other things going on, it didn't seem like it would be possible.  The woman who has been helping me got in contact with the training director and they approved it!  I have a client interview with them on December 3rd and will get to work with some of the dogs so they can see what might be a good fit.  I really, really hope that means being partnered with a successor dog is right around the corner.  Maybe I will get lucky enough to be in this coming Spring team training group.