Feeling Inspired

Happy Wednesday Everybody!! Today I have some incredible news, I'm so excited I can't stop smiling (and I think I've knocked over quite a few things with my tail, but if you don't say I did it I won't admit it either.). :-)

Before I dive into the incredible news, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share my story.  I found out that it is really touching the lives of so many incredible people. As a matter of fact "D" (Simply D) for those of you who are new... received a phone call this week from an 11 year old girl Kaylie, who recently lost her father and he was one of those incredible people who took the time out to work with wonderful four-legged friends like myself. :-)  Recently she and her mother had received the information about this blog, and from what I hear it made her smile and reminded her of the incredible work her dad did.  I wanted to take some time out to let her know that although I am not one of the gorgeous puppies her dad worked with, I feel that it would be okay to tell her that the people who spend so much time helping us become better for people like my partner, should be on it, not only by their employers, but by the community. As someone who has gone through the training, I know from first paw experience we are not always the easiest to work with. They make every effort to show us our full potential and we love them for that.

 

Now let me tell you what else has been happening. I found out not long ago that I have been nominated for a National Award called THE HERO DOG AWARDS. This is an award that honors service dogs throughout the United States. They have several different categories and you are allowed to vote for one dog in each category once a day. What that means is the more often you vote, the better my chances are of winning this incredible award. But that's not all, I'm excited to tell you that there are other dogs from the school I graduated from who are also in the competition. This goes to show that Guide Dogs of America is an incredible place to go to school :-) and they are an incredible organization dedicated to the work they do in the blind community.  I know "Simply D" and I are so glad for their hard work. Here’s what they had to say about us.

http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/1/2015/03/hero-dog-awards/

I know what you're wondering…..How can I vote?  Well, you can vote for me by following this link: http://www.herodogawards.org/hda2015vote-gypsy 

For every vote I am appreciative.  What I would really like you to do, is take the time to share my story and ask your friends to vote as well.  Simply D really wants everyone to have the opportunity to learn about the stories that make all of us Hero Dogs. For those of you who are willing, I'm asking that you would please put “Vote for Gypsy” on your daily schedule. Remember that you can vote starting today, and voting ends May 15th 2015.  That will be the last day you are able to vote.

There are so many other things that I could tell you about that have happened to me this week that are super exciting, but I would love to share those adventures and opportunities with you separately on up coming posts.  Needless to say, I am NOT living a boring life, but one filled with joy and fulfillment that I believe comes from being partnered with someone who is super motivated for which I am grateful. 

Until next time, this is G-Q (Gypsy) reminding you to please remember to have a Dogtastic week and to keep smiling!  

How I Met "Simply D"

It was almost a year ago, or actually maybe a little over a year ago, being that I am a dog my concept of time tends to get a little warped. Yes it was last year January, many of us were gathering together because a new group of people were coming to train with us, and really they were coming to become our new partners.  We had gone through quite a bit of training making sure that we were ready to meet the people who would become our partners.  As you know, my friends and I had to receive a special kind of training not only to do cool pet tricks that make everyone smile :-), like "Sit, Stay and Down", which although are cute, are really a part of our formal training in obedience and self-control,  but our real purpose was to make sure that people could travel around safely without their sight.  We were going to lend them our eyes in a way.  I almost forgot to explain that when I say "my friends", I mean the group of us that were chosen to be part of this particular class at Guide Dogs of America; including two of my brothers. Now back to the story... We had to learn how to navigate around obstacles and make them aware of potential hazards while moving throughout the world around us. 

Gypsy & Simply D at Santa Monica, CA

Anyway, back to meeting "Simply D".  I remember one of the trainers (Brian) coming to get me and then taking me in to Simply D's room that he was going to be staying in for the next month, where we learn to build a bond that would allow us to travel safely while learning to depend on one another. Needless to say I was excited! The door opened and the first thing Brian did was lead me around the room so that I could get accustomed to Simply D's scent. You see, he had been there for 3 days before I had a chance to meet him, so therefore his scent was already throughout the room. This is a technique that the trainers use to help us become more familiar with who we are going to be spending time with as we become a team. After the sniffing was completed, I was led over to Simply D himself...my goodness I was excited! I made it a point to let him know how excited I was by pretty much tackling him; covering him with kisses and dazzling him with what I like to call the "Almighty Tail Wag". 

Cuddling with "D" (Our 1st Day)

Now I have to admit, at first I thought I was just visiting, but it turns out that I was there to stay. It took a little getting used to but "D" made me feel right at home. He spent a lot of time petting me and introducing me to Innermix's music, which I found to be soothing. Through the music I got to hear his voice constantly, which made me much more responsive to his commands. Not only that, I also got an early introduction to his partner Jules. D had a way of making sure that I was familiar and comfortable with all aspects of his life, knowing that he was going to make me part of his family. I even got to hear his wife on the phone every evening they talked. She would say my name and I would breath heavily with a smile and a tail wag. I knew we would be great friends.

As I look at our relationship today I would not trade him for anyone else. Truly we are a perfect match. :-)  One of these days I'm going to tell you why we are such a great match, but I feel like that in and of itself should be its own post. So until next time, have a Dogtastic week and remember to keep smiling!

WHO AM I?

Hi my name is G-Q, well that's not my real name. Because of the work I do, it is important for me not to get super distracted with people calling my name all the time. Like most girls, I do love attention; it kind of makes me feel like I have a secret identity and I don't know, I kind of like it. Anyway I want to tell you a little bit about myself because I know that we are going to be spending a lot of time together and you will see me from time to time in many different places. If I don't start at the beginning you won't know how to look at me, so here it goes! 

One of the first things you need to know about me is that I'm not just any old dog; I am a cute one! :-) I'm a 3 year old yellow lab/golden retriever mix, and as a profession I am a seeing-eye dog (Guide Dog); for those who did not know with this uniform I wear means. I'll be honest, I was born for the job. :-) I am energetic and I love to learn, but more than that I love to be helpful. My job is a rigorous one, but one that comes with many wonderful moments; the rewards are limitless.

My partner, as we are referred to as a guide-dog team, is "Simply D of Innermix". I would just like to say this matchup is perfect. I just wish they had of told me that he never stops moving! :-) Sometimes I think I should be giving him the “sit” command. LOL He works in the entertainment industry as well as a few others, and as you read my blog post you will see why I consider myself one of the hardest working “working dogs” around... But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

What else can I tell you about myself that won't be revealed in upcoming discussions? Not sure... But one thing I do know is I am looking forward to taking you on the journey with me as I move throughout this world working with "Simply D", his family and his friends. So as far as introductions go, I think this has been a good one, and if you agree with me please tell your friends about me; especially if your friends are good-looking high energy dogs like myself :-)

Oh, and before I forget this, this is not just a one way conversation type thing. I love it when people talk to me. It makes my ears stand up and I get really excited to hear from you. So if you have any questions for me, please leave them in the comments below, and the answers may show up in the forum of a new post.

Have a Dogtastic week & keep smiling!