Career Change Changes

Hill's Science Diet is Guide Dogs for the Blind's primary food choice, so that is what Cabana has been eating all her life. But every once in a while, I hear that Science Diet isn't necessarily the greatest selection out there. Cabana has always done really well with Science Diet, though. She's very regular and seems to enjoy the taste, although she's barely ever eaten anything else but that.

I wondered what other people feed their career change/pet dogs? Is there a food you'd recommend and why?

Also, I went to buy Cabana some training treats the other day. GDB puppies are not allowed to have treats, other than pieces of their regular kibble. When I looked at the VAST assortment, I had no idea what to buy. There's so much talk about some treats not being good, making your dog too fat, or being high in something or another. I don't want to upset Cabana's tummy either. But I'd love to find a highly-motivating treat that I can use to work on Cabana's recall, one that will pull her away from the most inticing distractions. Any ideas?

Cow Gas Mask

The air has been particularly bad lately. Smog and pollution fill the skies. So you sneak out around midnight, hoping that the night air might be a little cleaner. Then you come face to face with this fellow.

This is no doubt the strangest commission I have ever received. For an upcoming exhibition. Details will come later.

Last Jacketed Outings

One of my favorite things to do with Cabana was to walk to the grocery store in our neighborhood. Because it's only a couple blocks away, instead of doing big weekly shopping trips, I'd usually just buy enough for that night's dinner and, if I wasn't too lazy, the next night's, plus whatever other incidentals. We'd then walk back home with the heavy filled reusable grocery sack slung over my shoulder.

Because we were at this grocery store several times a week, all the grocery clerks knew Cabana well. They were always interested in her growth and progress, having seen her with me since she was just 3-4 months old. I'd almost feel like I was disappointing them if I went there without her in tow!

So yesterday, I took Cabana there for the last time and let the clerks know that this would be Cabana's last trip to the grocery store. They were all so sad to know she'd been career changed, but very happy and relieved that we'd be keeping her as our pet.

Here's the path that takes us to the grocery store. There are metal posts sticking up that allow pedestrians and bikes, but block cars from driving through. For months, I'd walk through one of the openings and let Cabana walk through another, lifting my arm and leash over the post. But then, I realized that wasn't a good habit for a guide dog. So I started having Cabana walk through the same opening as me, figuring she'd need to guide a blind person that way. Of course, now it doesn't matter--but I thought about that every time we went through those posts.

We also went to CVS and Trader Joe's, where the clerks also know Cabana well. After telling them about Cabana's CC, a few people asked me if we'd be able to keep the jacket, thinking that I could still "sneak" her in! I was surprised by their assumption that I'd be so willing to commit felony! Yikes.



I felt REALLY foolish taking these photos in CVS and in front of Trader Joe's. From the looks on Cabana's face, I think she felt foolish, too! Oh, the sacrifices we make for our blog!!

I'm really going to miss taking Cabana to stores. I was never popular in high school (or at any other time), but going shopping with her gave me instant popularity! OK, I know people weren't noticing ME so much as they were noticing HER--but still, it was nice to get such glances of admiration. And although I complained about it sometimes, I loved the interaction with people, getting to explain about Guide Dogs and puppy raising. I think I will definitely puppy sit so I won't lose those experiences all together.