Well! This last couple weeks I've been back at work in Melbourne!
I've been enjoying going to uni on Mondays and Fridays - there's so many people who just love to say hello to me!
Thursdays I've been visiting the Preps at Pembroke Primary. Last week they had a party and dressed up as things that started with P. I wore my pirate hat - everyone was impressed! I had my photo taken with all the other pirates, too. My Person dressed up as a princess - so did five of the preps. It was a fun day! I love the new principal at the school - she will give me cuddles and get down on the floor to play with me!
Last night I caught up with Clementine again - we were at a Guide Dogs Girls Group (now apparently known as Chic) meeting. I also got to see Peggy, Shelley and Rose! Amy couldn't make it because she was working, but I'm going to her place today, then we're going out. My Person says we may even catch up with the guys at some point. I'm looking foward to it!
Tomorrow we are going out for lunch - and I think I heard a rumour that Guide Dog Prince will be there - and maybe a few others. I'll have to try to behave while I'm wearing my harness - it will be difficult, but I'll manage!
Anyhow, must go make sure My Person packs my dinner into her bag for tonight,
Have a good weekend!
Guide Dog Kenworth
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
A day at the vet...
Oh my, do I feel funny this evening!
I've been having trouble with my ears for a little while, so today I had to go to the vet and spend the day with them. They gave me some medicine that made me all sleepy and then cleaned a lot of mucky stuff out of my ears. Now I can't seem to get my legs to do what I want them to.
All this and they didn't even give me any treats today!
I must get some sleep now,
Next time, people!
Guide Dog Kenworth
I've been having trouble with my ears for a little while, so today I had to go to the vet and spend the day with them. They gave me some medicine that made me all sleepy and then cleaned a lot of mucky stuff out of my ears. Now I can't seem to get my legs to do what I want them to.
All this and they didn't even give me any treats today!
I must get some sleep now,
Next time, people!
Guide Dog Kenworth
Saturday, August 2, 2008
My Trip to Tassie
Well, hello again everyone!
I got back home from Tasmania last night - and boy was I happy to see My Person's Mum and Dad and littlest sister!
The trip was great! I got to go heaps of new places and show everyone how to get back to the hotel - which I was very good at!
Here's a picture of me with My Person, Guide Dog Clementine and most of my new friends (I never did get a photo of all the instructors!)
This was a great day - we went on a tour of all sorts of new places. My Person called them 'Richmond', 'The Devil's Kitchen', 'Port Arthur' and 'the Dog Chain'. When we stopped to look at the place where the dog chain used to be, I got to have a run around - it was so much fun! I even played chase with Clementine. Then we went to look at something that looked like a dog - I was so looking forward to meeting it, but then I realised it wasn't really a dog, but metal!
That night, we went on another tour - my person called it a 'ghost tour'. We walked around a big old building in the dark. My Person was being a bit silly, but I was happy to do my job. I didn't much like the narrow stairs, though!
On Thursday I went walking in the snow! We went up to the top of Mount Wellington and climbed up some rocks to the very top. The snow was a little cold on my feet, but it was very interesting stuff! Here's a picture of my Person and I on Mount Wellington:
I got back home from Tasmania last night - and boy was I happy to see My Person's Mum and Dad and littlest sister!
The trip was great! I got to go heaps of new places and show everyone how to get back to the hotel - which I was very good at!
Here's a picture of me with My Person, Guide Dog Clementine and most of my new friends (I never did get a photo of all the instructors!)
This was a great day - we went on a tour of all sorts of new places. My Person called them 'Richmond', 'The Devil's Kitchen', 'Port Arthur' and 'the Dog Chain'. When we stopped to look at the place where the dog chain used to be, I got to have a run around - it was so much fun! I even played chase with Clementine. Then we went to look at something that looked like a dog - I was so looking forward to meeting it, but then I realised it wasn't really a dog, but metal!
That night, we went on another tour - my person called it a 'ghost tour'. We walked around a big old building in the dark. My Person was being a bit silly, but I was happy to do my job. I didn't much like the narrow stairs, though!
On Thursday I went walking in the snow! We went up to the top of Mount Wellington and climbed up some rocks to the very top. The snow was a little cold on my feet, but it was very interesting stuff! Here's a picture of my Person and I on Mount Wellington:
We went down the mountain a bit to have lunch - though the instructors had forgotten to bring any for themselves! Luckily My Person and Amy and Maysa had thought to bring fruit and biscuits to share!
After lunch we went on a long bushwalk. All the people kept slipping, and My Person decided I could just walk on the leash and she got out her cane. Andy nearly fell down an embankment, and he, Amy and My Person were laughing so hard they had a job getting him back onto the path! It was fantastic fun, and when we got back to the picnic spot all the guys played fetch and chase with me!
Later in the afternoon Shane drove Amy, Andy, Gerry, My Person and I to a park where they climbed on an old cannon. 
I was sliding around too much in the back of the 4WD, so my person said I could ride up front with Andy. That was good, but Andy had gotten soaked when he walked into the sea at Blackmans Bay and a huge wave hit him. I'd been told I couldn't go into the water, but I did get a bit wet in the car - yay!
Clementine wasn't so keen on the flights, but I didn't mind - except when we landed in Melbourne coming home, because that was a bit bumpy for my liking! Mostly I slept on the floor beside My Person's seat.
Anyhow, I'm hoping to be fed soon, so I'll go sit on my mat for a while and hope My Person gets the hint. This has been a fantastic week!
Next time, people,
Guide Dog Kenworth
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Oh Joy! I'm going on a 'holiday'!
Well, I've recently been given some good news - my Person has been selected to go on a training course that Guide Dogs Victoria are running - in Tasmania!
The Occupational Therapist and Orientation & Mobility Instructors from Guide Dogs Victoria have put together a program that is designed to help clients learn how to plan a holiday, improve cooking and other 'life-skills' abilities and challenge them to use their orientation skills in a completely unfamilliar environment. There are seven clients and three trainers going to Tasmania for this - and two of us Guide Dogs.
The other Guide Dog who is going with us is Clementine. She and her Person, Maysa, are a little green - they've only been working together for about five months - but she's a great friend to be travelling with.
Of course, I'll have to get my Person (or someone else in the group) to take a few photos so I can show you Clementine and I in action in Hobart.
Well, I'll catch you soon, time for me to get a brushing!
Guide Dog Kenworth.
The Occupational Therapist and Orientation & Mobility Instructors from Guide Dogs Victoria have put together a program that is designed to help clients learn how to plan a holiday, improve cooking and other 'life-skills' abilities and challenge them to use their orientation skills in a completely unfamilliar environment. There are seven clients and three trainers going to Tasmania for this - and two of us Guide Dogs.
The other Guide Dog who is going with us is Clementine. She and her Person, Maysa, are a little green - they've only been working together for about five months - but she's a great friend to be travelling with.
Of course, I'll have to get my Person (or someone else in the group) to take a few photos so I can show you Clementine and I in action in Hobart.
Well, I'll catch you soon, time for me to get a brushing!
Guide Dog Kenworth.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Mummy, why is there a dog inside?
When I am out and about, I often hear children ask their parents 'Why is there a dog inside?' This question is often followed by the statement 'Dogs aren't allowed inside.'
The question always amuses my Person and I - not so much for the question itself, but for the variety of responses it gets. Here are a few examples:
'Shhh!' (We assume these people are too embarrassed to think we might hear them talking about us, or just don't want to say they have no idea.)
'The lady is training it to help people who can't see.' (This one is flattering - I must be doing a great job! Actually, I'm fully trained and am guiding my Person so she can do her shopping etc.)
'He's a Seeing Eye Dog and is helping the lady.' (Yes, I'm helping 'the lady' but I'm not a Seeing Eye Dog - I'm a Guide Dog. What's the difference? Guide Dogs Victoria and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) are different organisations. There are a few differences in the breeding and training set-ups of the two organisations, as well as the harness - if you ask me, Guide Dogs has a higher standard of expectation in relation to behaviour. Still, I'm not offended if people think I'm a SEDA dog - it is hard to tell the difference!)
'He's a working dog - he's helping the lady because she can't see very well' (We like this explanation - obviously the parent is prepared to explain things fully to their child and is not afraid to mention my Person's disability.)
'OK, so now the explanation I would probably give if I was asked:
I am a Guide Dog, and that means it is my job to look after my Person wherever she goes. I am allowed anywhere my Person is allowed (with the exception of the Zoo, because I might disturb the animals and they might distract me from doing my job properly - and some other reason called 'quarantine'). This includes resteraunts, supermarkets, libraries, milkbars, shopping centers, markets...
Until next time...
Guide Dog Kenworth
The question always amuses my Person and I - not so much for the question itself, but for the variety of responses it gets. Here are a few examples:
'Shhh!' (We assume these people are too embarrassed to think we might hear them talking about us, or just don't want to say they have no idea.)
'The lady is training it to help people who can't see.' (This one is flattering - I must be doing a great job! Actually, I'm fully trained and am guiding my Person so she can do her shopping etc.)
'He's a Seeing Eye Dog and is helping the lady.' (Yes, I'm helping 'the lady' but I'm not a Seeing Eye Dog - I'm a Guide Dog. What's the difference? Guide Dogs Victoria and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) are different organisations. There are a few differences in the breeding and training set-ups of the two organisations, as well as the harness - if you ask me, Guide Dogs has a higher standard of expectation in relation to behaviour. Still, I'm not offended if people think I'm a SEDA dog - it is hard to tell the difference!)
'He's a working dog - he's helping the lady because she can't see very well' (We like this explanation - obviously the parent is prepared to explain things fully to their child and is not afraid to mention my Person's disability.)
'OK, so now the explanation I would probably give if I was asked:
I am a Guide Dog, and that means it is my job to look after my Person wherever she goes. I am allowed anywhere my Person is allowed (with the exception of the Zoo, because I might disturb the animals and they might distract me from doing my job properly - and some other reason called 'quarantine'). This includes resteraunts, supermarkets, libraries, milkbars, shopping centers, markets...
Until next time...
Guide Dog Kenworth
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wow! What a life!
Hello there! Welcome to my life!
My name is Kenworth and I am a Guide Dog - specially trained to make sure my handler and best friend doesn't do anything too foolish, like bumping into things or walking out in front of a car. Some folk might ask how anyone could do such things, so maybe I should explain - my Person can't see terribly well. This is my diary, though, so I won't go into that.
At the moment, my Person is a student teacher (which means I am too, yay!) - that means we go to university to learn to be a primary school teacher. We will be fully qualified by the end of the year, she says! What does that mean to me? Well:
My name is Kenworth and I am a Guide Dog - specially trained to make sure my handler and best friend doesn't do anything too foolish, like bumping into things or walking out in front of a car. Some folk might ask how anyone could do such things, so maybe I should explain - my Person can't see terribly well. This is my diary, though, so I won't go into that.
At the moment, my Person is a student teacher (which means I am too, yay!) - that means we go to university to learn to be a primary school teacher. We will be fully qualified by the end of the year, she says! What does that mean to me? Well:
- I spend three days a week at LaTrobe University - I get to talk to lots of people there, because my Person takes my harness off me when we are in lectures and seminars. I show my Person how to get to and from uni safely and make sure she's able to safely find all the classrooms she needs to, too.
- I spend one day each week at a local primary school. My Person and I help the teacher in the Prep room. The kids are interesting. Last year I had 13 of them in the class - this year there are 15. The best part, though, is when I get to play with one of the other teachers, Fred - he'll even play chase with me around the staff room!
- On other days I might go shopping, just go out walking, visit friends - whatever. Occasionally I even have a quiet day at home!
I love my life!
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