We had a good weekend and WTG GIANTS!!!!! Whoo HOO!!!! That was super sweet! :) It was a really productive day Sunday, as we got all the beds stripped, re-made, and almost all the regular laundry done too. We ran the sweeper too! (Sorry, that's a feat in our house) So the house is in pretty good shape. Mike and I also went through and did our to do list of things to do for the year. Which FINALLY after 9 yrs of living here, there's not any MAJOR projects on the list! All lots of maintenance/follow up type of stuff.
So just before the big game started, I was like ok, going to go for a walk, the weather was just too nice to not do it. So I put the little ones in the wagon and had Katie pulling them behind Honey and I. Ugh, what a mistake. We had cleared our sidewalks here, but quite a few others didn't. So there was lots of black ice, and ice in general. Katie wound up falling and a big reason I wanted to go for the walk too, was the trainer had suggested to have someone pull the wagon behind me for the first time to see how Honey would do, and then work up to me pulling the wagon with the kids in it. Well, I wound up pulling the kids and Honey did great, didnt act like there was any issues at all.
However, before that happened, we encountered a loose dog. The owner was outside and the dog is loose in front of the house. He leaves the dog and goes on inside. The dog comes running up to us growling and barking, so Honey was majorly distracted. I had to get after her, all the while the dog is trying to sniff at her, so she's antsy and jumping around. Katie was still upset because she'd just fallen too. So I was trying to figure out how to get myself out of this mess with a loose dog, along with still being on ice too, compounding things. So then the owner comes back out and snaps at the dog to get back to the house. He then takes the dog inside and we go on. We made it home all in one piece thankfully!
A little bit of a shout out on loose dogs... Some information for reading from some other schools:
From The Seeing Eye website:
The Need for Dog Guide Protection
Imagine that you are blind and use a Seeing Eye dog to make your way through this world. Now imagine what it would be like for you or your dog guide to be attacked by an aggressive dog that you can hear but cannot see.
In practical terms, it could mean a temporary or permanent loss of your essential guide and beloved companion. In emotional terms, the experience would be nothing short of terrifying.
Such attacks occur all too frequently, posing a significant threat to dog guide teams. The Seeing Eye works extensively with graduates, state legislators, national consumer groups, other dog guide schools, law enforcement agencies, and animal-related organizations to prevent these ongoing incidents of attack and interference by loose or uncontrolled dogs.
Background on Dog Attacks
According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.7 million Americans suffer dog bites each year, and of those almost 800,000 are serious enough wounds that they require medical attention. The American Veterinary Medical Association and insurance company statistics report that there are over one million dog bite reports filed annually.
Some experts suggest that the trend can be traced to a combination of irresponsible dog owners and the rising popularity of large, fierce breeds, sought for protection rather than companionship. The sad truth, though, is that any dog - regardless of its breed or size - can pose a threat to the health and safety of people, or other animals, if it is allowed to roam loose or is inadequately controlled.
Not surprisingly, dog guide teams suffer a disproportionately larger risk from loose dogs than does the general public.
Statistics show that the vast majority of dog guide teams have experienced attacks and interference by loose or uncontrolled dogs. Even if injury does not result, unprovoked attacks and harassment on a dog guide team can make it impossible for some dog guides to continue to perform their duties and can also rob the blind handler of the ability to travel freely without being fearful of subsequent attacks.
Read more about the following related topics:
For dog owners and the general public
For animal control & police officers
For state & local lawmakers
From the link: For dog owners and the general public
How to Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Dogs provide great companionship, but owning a pet involves serious responsibilities. Making your pet a welcome part of the neighborhood benefits everyone, including those with Seeing Eye dogs.
It only takes an instant for tragedy to strike. Dog attacks and interference are largely preventable. The first step is to realize that any dog, even a family pet, is capable of causing harm if it is threatened, in pain, out of control, protecting its "territory" or deliberately/inadvertently trained to be aggressive. Obeying leash laws and keeping control of your pet go a long way toward preventing attacks against and interference with dog guide teams.
Even the neighbor's pet that runs out to "greet" the team, the family "guard" dog who menacingly growls and barks while circling the team as they pass by, or the well-meaning pet owner who brings their leashed canine over to "visit" with a Seeing Eye dog can inadvertently jeopardize the safety of the team.
Dogs provide great companionship, but owning a pet involves serious responsibilities. Making your pet a welcome part of the neighborhood benefits everyone, including those with Seeing Eye dogs.
It only takes an instant for tragedy to strike. Dog attacks and interference are largely preventable. The first step is to realize that any dog, even a family pet, is capable of causing harm if it is threatened, in pain, out of control, protecting its "territory" or deliberately/inadvertently trained to be aggressive. Obeying leash laws and keeping control of your pet go a long way toward preventing attacks against and interference with dog guide teams.
Even the neighbor's pet that runs out to "greet" the team, the family "guard" dog who menacingly growls and barks while circling the team as they pass by, or the well-meaning pet owner who brings their leashed canine over to "visit" with a Seeing Eye dog can inadvertently jeopardize the safety of the team.
You Can Help!
Share our responsible pet ownership flyer with your community!
Copies in both English and Spanish are available.
"When Your Pet Meets a Seeing Eye Dog" flyer/English
"When Your Pet Meets a Seeing Eye Dog" flyer/English
* Never let your dog near a dog guide, even if your dog is leashed. Dog guides are working animals and must not be distracted from their duties.
* Report loose dogs in your neighborhood to police and animal control.
*Offer assistance to a blind handler if you witness an attack or interference. If it is your dog that causes harm, do the right thing and take responsibility.
*Obey the law and keep your dog under control at all times. Allowing dogs to run loose, using retractable leashes in populated areas, and leaving dogs tied up unattended in a public place endanger the dog guide team and your own dog.
Related Websites
American Kennel Club: Be a Responsible Dog Owner
American Veterinary Medical Association Dog Bite Prevention Campaign
Centers for Disease Control Dog Bite Prevention
American Kennel Club: Be a Responsible Dog Owner
American Veterinary Medical Association Dog Bite Prevention Campaign
Centers for Disease Control Dog Bite Prevention
So, after making it back to the house, we settled in, watched the Super Bowl game and had what we call chicken nachos for dinner. :) Our version of nachos is tortilla chips spread on a pan/cookie sheet, sprinkled with shredded mexican blend cheese, put it in the oven for 5 minutes on 350 degrees. Then while that is heating, either brown hamburger or cubed up chicken in taco seasoning. Then add a can of diced tomatoes to the meat. Spread all of this over the chips and melted cheese. Then top heavily with more of the same cheese and put back in for another 5 minutes and viola, yummy nachos! :)
to be continued....
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