Focus is Key

You have all been through some sort of schooling in your lifetime, right? When you were going through your education did you ever find it hard to stay focused on the tasks at hand? I know I had a hard time while I was in my service dog training school. I began my schooling when I was just a young pup, full of spunk and energy. I found it to be exciting filled with praise and love when I finally learned some of the beginning commands and behaviors such as “sit, down, and stay”.  I admit it was boring, I couldn’t chase the toys or even go and say hello to the other dogs in my class, but somewhere deep inside I knew this was going to be a good thing for me. (Pauses to scratch my ear)

There are so many things to learn when service dogs go through obedience training and service dog training, some of it is boring but most of it is very interesting and more so very important to learn. Our jobs are very important, especially to our partners. Being able to say you graduated from obedience training is a very high ranking among my fellow service dogs, not everyone who enters the training will graduate.  

Gypsy....Down

When I entered my training I had a slight addiction….*lowers ears* to toys. The squeaky ones have always been my favorite if I can be honest here. So, to have to learn to leave the toys behind once in a while so I can focus on the job that I would soon be given was difficult, a challenge I suppose. I am proud to say I managed to stay focused on my training and I graduated from my school and became a service dog. During my training I thought being disciplined was boring but looking back now I can see how it was a very good thing. We all need to discipline ourselves enough to complete tasks that are important because they lead us to become better people, or dogs.  

Gypsy....Stay

I again, have to admit when I was first matched up with my partner “Simply D” and his wonderful family I have slipped a few times and have needed a gentle reminder that I am working, so that passing dog with their tail wagging so wildly is not to be played with, at least not at the moment when “Simply D” needs me to be working. That’s the great thing about my bond with “Simply D” he understands me and my natural desires and urges and he works with me gently if I need a reminder to stay on course.  

As I grow older I still do love a good toy but I know that those toys will forever be there, if I lose my focus while working it could be very bad for “Simply D.” I guess what I am trying to say is a little discipline can go a long way and can actually be a good trait to have..

Simply D and Gypsy

Stay focused and have a Dogtastic week!

VOTE for Guide Dog "GYPSY"

Guide Dog "Gypsy"

Have you heard? The voting for the Hero Dog Awards ends this Friday, May 15^th, yes only 3 days away! Service dogs, like myself are a very important part of daily living for someone who is disabled. We, service dogs are dedicated to our jobs as well as our partners; we are a team and cannot work separately.

You can still vote once per day until Friday so I encourage you to support service animals, like myself and our partners by going to the website once a day and putting a vote in. You can also share it with your friends, I would but my friends don’t have thumbs so the mouse might prove a little…difficult to maneuver.

'Simply D' and Guide Dog "Gypsy"

There are so many different jobs in the service field for animals like me, I personally fall under the category for “Guide/Hearing Dogs” but many of my friends and colleagues work as search and rescue dogs, arson dogs, therapy dogs and even military dogs. As a service animal it is our job to protect our partners and help them with daily tasks that may be difficult for them to complete alone. The training is intense but the reward is well worth the work.

When we finally finish our schooling and are matched with our partners it is vital that we can both work together, the bond “Simply D” and I share is like no other, I don’t know what I would do without him. Being able to work with “Simply D” brings so much joy and meaning to my life, I am not a pet but I am a partner. 

If you have some extra time you should read about the school I attended. If I may say so myself it is a fantastic school, I started when I was just a young pup with big dreams of being a service dog. Thanks to the Guide Dogs of America school I am now living the dream with my partner “Simply D.” I truly couldn’t be happier. http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/1/2015/03/hero-dog-awards/ 

Ranking Up!

*Pauses to scratch my ear* Sorry about all that, you know how it goes when you get an itch you just have to scratch. So, now comes the most important bit of information. You need to know where you can vote for “Simply D & I” Well, you can vote for me by following this link: http://www.herodogawards.org/hda2015vote-gypsy 

Votes are fantastic and excite me so much that I can’t wag my tail enough to say thank you, but the most important thing is when you 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. 

Thanks Again, and Have a Dogtastic Day!