Blog 17 December 4 2011

End of the Semester; A New  Mountain To Climb. 

It’s that time Christmas break the end of the semester. Hooray!! I don’t mind telling you it has not been easy. I have one more paper due on Friday and of course it will take everything for me to get it done.

This semester has been a big learning curve for me it has been hard to focus. I had so many things happening at the same time, the wedding, hospital appointments and a tremendous amount of reading to do, along with papers it has seemed like I have been doing papers.

I learned that I don’t enjoy walking with a cane especially in the snow, but the good news is and that’s why I am writing this blog tonight is ??? I finished my application for the Canadian Guide Dog School and sent it on Saturday, and now the waiting to hear from them begins. We sure miss having a dog in the house and we sure Miss Jags a lot, but hopefully things will work out.

A funny thing happened on the way to the post office, a lady stopped me and asked how long have I been blind, not a strange question since I get this all the time. I could tell by the shadow on her face she was wearing wrap round sun glasses ( normally worn by a person who is visually impaired) she began to tell me that she had an eye problem, asked where her cane was? She began to tell me that she was afraid to use it because she did not want people to stare at her, and she had some sight and was afraid of the repercussion of some people might say. I have to tell you that this is not the first time that I hear of this, and I have experienced this myself. I could hear the pain in her voice as she was talking to me, I have to tell you this conversation took place in French, and my French is not the greatest but we communicated ok, with each other. As I stood there listening to her, I got this overwhelming feeling that I was suppose to meet this person, as I call it a (Jabez moment ) 1^st Chronicles 4:10 we talked for a few more moments she told me that someone was coming this week to show her the cane. I gave her my card with my cell phone number and told her to call me if she wanted someone to go out with and practice with her cane. I write this not to tell you about me, but the importunes of helping people. I thankful everyday for my wife and kids, my friends, my family because they have always been there to support me, when I lost Jags they were there to ensure that I got around until I felt comfortable enough with my cane. I don’t know if she will call me but even if she does not at least she knows that someone is there to help her if she wants it.      

So with that said I will keep everyone posted about the dog, and I will tell everyone  how this semester plays out.,and if I hear from that lady, I will keep you posted.

Until then look for your Adventures Around The Corner.    

Changes

Blog 16

Changes 

October 29 2011

Well we are heading into November and as we get ready to change our clocks ahead, I had realized I have not posted a blog for a while. I thought of many things I could write about especially since the seasons have changed this time of year holds so many different meanings. November 1 will be six months since we lost Jagger. He loved fall and winter he took on different personalities in theses seasons. He loved to be outside sniffing in the park and watching the squirrels, he also liked rolling around in the snow. October 26 was 6 months since we lost our nephew Eric. This time of season he would have been well started into the hockey season and we would have been following along with him on face-book. I would speak with my sister on the phone get all the news about the kids and then we would talk about Eric. It’s still a hard time but it is getting better.  Arlene has managed to take down the wedding plan she had on our refrigerate making sure that Jags was taken out to have a break during the reception. It had been there since we had plan the wedding in January before everything happened. It was a hard moment for her.  With that said let me tell you a bit about married life people ask me how is married life? I tell them wow what a deferent’s, they say things really changed and of course I say yes because when she nags me  now it’s from my wife and not my girlfriend it’s a big deferent’s! (grinJ). We are not most newlyweds. We did not run off somewhere to have a week away enjoying time together no not us. I whisked us away to the library at the university and spent most of my time writing papers and preparing for midterms. Arlene of course started looking through pictures and asking my opinion and of course being the loving husband I am I replied “ l would love to look at pictures but I have to write papers” ahhhhhh (grinJ). We did do something special together, that a real romantic groom would do with any new bride. I took my bride to the Ocularists, to have my prosthesis in my left eye adjusted if that is not showing your new bride a good time I don’t know what is!  How many grooms do you know get to show off their false, eye? (lolJ). I would have posted pictures but Arlene would not give them to me. We did manage to go out to a very nice dinner with our best friends (best man and brides maid) at that point we all needed a break. With all hat said I am so happy that we got married I would not change it for the world.

Now that October is coming to the end (hurray) it is just in time to get ready for finals  (boo L) Arlene and I will take a weekend away in the spring after the next semester to relax and enjoy each other without the hustle and bustle of school and daily challenges. We will also be waiting to hear about a new guide dog, I will let everyone know when the application will be sent in.  For now I will get back to writing papers and Arlene will start the thank you cards.

Thanks to everyone!       

Blog 15 October 8 2011

Blog 15:  October 7, 2011

7 Days

It’s 10:55 at midnight it will be mine and my wife’s 7 day anniversary. The wedding was fantastic the service was none like any had ever seen! The music was great praise and worship, with keyboard, guitar, drums and trumpet. No one had to look for the words we had it all on power point. My wife and I with the help of my friend set a separate power point of our journey over the last 11 years including one of us at graduation in Connecticut with the trainer, and my wife and I in our Canadian shirts get my diploma and Jagger. My brother sent pictures of his family with a sign saying congratulations. I could not give just one high light of the service you laughed you cried you praised and worshiped. As I said to everyone if you did not feel the Holy Spirit or any emotions you did not have a pulse!

I know it sounds funny to hear a groom talk about his wedding like this but I have to say that I am still moved.

The readers were great our daughter read the Love poem, our two ministers friends read the bible readings, and I have to say that I have heard these readings many times before from family members at weddings, but until you heard them read with passion and love, they are just words. (I am talking from my own experience, Psalm 1and 1 Corinthians 13) I can’t talk for others. Our oldest son walked my wife down isle our oldest daughter was a brides made and read. Our youngest son who is autistic and just started reading unknown to us spent time with the minister that morning practicing reading, when it came time to for the minister to read our vows he called up our son and our son read the vows. It was a tearful time for my wife and I, and everyone in the Church. Some people count their wealth by money or possessions or who they know! We can honestly say we count our wealth by our friends and family who to us are one in the same. We were so blessed to have our best friends not only to stand as our best man, and matron of honor, but they were so much more than that. My child hood friend officiated the wedding and it was because we had known each other for so long it made it relaxed and fun joyous. My best man not only stood with me but lead the praise and worship for the service but also guided me around gave me my Q’s and made sure that I was safe, we did all the movements without a cane, I kept him hopping. His wonderful wife was the matron of honor she took great care of my wife before, during and after the service, they also did a wonderful duet for us during the signing as well as had to sign the documents. At the end of service the quire that my wife and belong to came up to sing for us, did I mention that my best man is the quire director so he took care of that as well along with his wife. I have to say it was wonderful.

The food was outstanding the soup was homemade along with everything else, we ask certain guest to cook things our best man, and matron of honors daughter did all our vegetables everything was fantastic did I mention that the best man and matron of honor made sure that happened for us!

My wife and I wanted a true Celtic wedding with people from the community pitching in. My sister made the favorites and cooked our matron of honor did all our cup cakes, her sister made the bride and groom cake it was great. We held the reception in the basement of the church for us it was community being brought together.

The theme was Brigadoon and as my wife said it was only open for one day, if you have not seen the movie I highly recommended it.

My wife’s friend had made our invitations and drove the down from Kentucky. I got to meet her and we became close friends in a short time and we look forward to seeing them hopefully soon.

The grooms’ speech was long but I got to honor a few very good friends.

When we first started the plans for the wedding Jag’s was fine and all was good, but Oct 1 was Jag’s 4 months passing, the 26 Sep was my nephew passing 4 months and in the middle of all that one of my best friends got married and we had to leave right after the service to bring Jag’s home.

We had a big picture of Jag’s in the hall, I had picture of my nephew and my best friend and his new wife was there (he officiated the wedding). I got to honor Jag’s, I honored my sister and her grandson who passed away (my great nephew) I to toast my best friend and his new wife because I could not before.

We left, I got to toast his wife for videotaping the service my brother got sick the day of, and she also helped out right up until my wife had to get dressed. I got to toast my other best friend and his wife (best man and matron of honor) who was there through everything and was always on the other end of the phone when we needed them or was at he house just when we needed to have some there. I toast to all the people in the room who have shared the journey of the last 11 years with us and most of all I got to toast my bride. She said to me a week before the wedding she waited 11 years for this day, I told her in my toast I waited 32 years. I told her when she was 15 I was going to marry her, and I am like a Pit-bull when I get a hold something in my head I don’t Quit!              the mi   food was outstanding   

Last few weeks

Blog 14 September 26  2011

The last few weeks.

These last few weeks has felt like it has dragged by. The days are long between the wedding plans and school it feels like time is standing still.

On Monday I went to the doctor’s office and I kind wish I stayed home, that appointment is for another blog session. I came home and did some home work. On Tuesday on my way to class I realized that my pace was slower my thoughts all over the place. I came across 3 blind people training with their new guide dogs, they were big Burnies mountain dogs. I thought how lucky they were. I went to class tying to stay awake and not yawn. I met a friend after class we went outside and met a man,who introduce us to his big beautiful 105lbs German Sheppard he was black and tan  his name was Rex he was so beautiful I almost cried. He asked about Jags. I explained what happen and he said he was sorry, what else could he say, but for that few minutes I got to pet a big Sheppard. 

On Wednesday I don’t remember what we did but it was things for the wedding. On Thursday I thought it would be more of the same. I dragged my way to class, I went into the café to eat lunch sat at usual place took my hat off and my sunglasses rubbed my face and let out a sigh. The girl at the table said “it’s a long day “I said yes and it’s just getting started. I started speaking with the girl she asked what I was taken, I told her “Theology” she was so happy she said she was a Christian and was with a campus organization, we talked some more I felt better, she asked if I would go and talk at her group I gave my card I asked her, her name she said it was Joy! Wow I thought just when I needed some Joy in my spirit right about now. I went to class I didn’t fall asleep I felt awake and happy. Friday’s class was good all except the paper that’s due on the 30^th of September the day before the wedding. Saturday we went to Ontario, the next province or (State) to pick up some more stuff for the wedding. We went with our good friends who happens to be my best man and brides made (not the same person) his wife and who is also the music director and my guide, he wears many hats for this wedding (and he Juggles to). On Sunday we went to church were we had a great contemporary service that we call family service that we love so much that’s put on by our friends and our church with power point it’s great. It’s Monday again I spent the day reading prepping for the paper I need to write and doing wedding vows and just doing stuff. The wedding is 5days away I can’t wait I am really looking forward to marring my child hood sweet heart my friend and love of my life.    

The Day!

Blog 13 September 15 2011

The Day!

The day has been like no other. I have started university and have been traveling back and forth without to many mishaps. My pace is slower and it’s hard to focus but today was the hardest. This is the day that Jagger and I would have celebrated our 5 years together as a guide dog team, to the day. I know it has been 3 months since he passed away but he let me know that he was still watching out for me and hanging around.

This morning on my way to class there was a lady who was walking her dog. She had one of those extendable leashes with a gentle collar the ones that goes around the neck and snout. The dog was pulling her around and she was yelling at the dog “I am fed up with this and you better start listening” as the dog plunked firmly on the ground and looked at her in that silly manner as to say what’s wrong? As she got close to me I asked if her dog was friendly, and I asked if I could pet her dog?(Buddy) she said yes he is friendly and yes I could pet him. I stretched out my hand he immediately sat to my left and just looked at me while I petted him for me it was like petting Jag’s but smaller. Buddy sat the same way Jags would sit  I would pet the top of his head and wait for the bus while I petted  the top of his head. I checked the collar and told her it was twisted up and the type of leash she was using was not a good one for that type of collar. I further explained to her that this collar is to keep your dog tight and slow it’s pace that can only be achieved if you have control.

I learned all this by having a Big Dog! Who thought he was a small puppy and as he taught me these collars are only good if you know what you’re doing.

I spent the bus ride and most of my day thinking about all he adventures at the bus stop, you might think how much, adventures could you have at a bus stop? Trust me if you knew Jagger you could understand.

It was a cool damp day with drizzle this was Jag’s weather he could work and walk for hours in this type of weather I know because we use to. On the way home from class I stopped at his favorite spot, were he could take a break sniff look at the squirrels and birds get his cookie and water get a scratch and come home to see mom and Chris and just be his silly self.

I said a prayer for him, left the park and headed to the bus stop and came home read the Rainbow Bridge poem looked at some photos and just remembered the people we met all the joy he brought to others the fun we had and all of our travels all in 5 short years.

We still miss him a lot but thank God everyday for having him in our lives. He made us laugh and everyday you could always count on a new Jagger story make you laugh if you were sad.      

Blog 12: September 6, 2011

The Eagle Has Landed, Mother Goose is watching!

I felt like I was in a two different movies today! The first one was Top Gun, Mother Goose (My Wife) felt it so necessary to drive me to the main bus terminal so I could catch the main bus into town. Although it was nice just sitting around waiting and taking my time to get ready to head into class. I was set to do it on my own. I realized it was not for me that I was doing this it was for her so she could feel somewhat comfortable with me going out without a guide dog. The other movie is the Eagles Dare. A crack team of commandos during World War Two attack the famous Eagles nest. Upon their arrival they  had called  headquarters to report. The code is The Eagle Has Landed! Needless to say when I arrived at school I had to call Mother Goose and tell her The Eagle Has Landed. These simple code words make it fun to call because if I didn’t have fun with it I would feel like I had to report to my mom instead of my wife. The other reason is that it keeps people around me guessing on who exactly I am speaking with.  

For the most part the walk was uneventful but long. I found myself counting streets and remembering the street names and let’s not forget how many times I could stab myself with the cane, and who can forget the  people  you walk into and they give you that look although I don’t see it I can feel it! The class is hard and a lot of reading and papers will need to be done, but this is exactly what I need to pull me out of the slump. I will have a chance to work with the new Jaws program and practice keyboard commands. At the end of the class I met a couple of friends from last semester, of course they asked about Jag’s after telling them the story it was somber but they had some good tales to tell when he would stand up yawn and stretch the professor would just stop and look at him. Jag’s new when class finished; he would get up and walk to me and lift my hand off the computer and the professor would say ok Mickey say’s “the class is over” we all would laughed.

On my walks I have entertained a thought of building a hidden camera in my jacket to record people when I am walking down the street, I think this a project that will happen sooner than later. All in all it wasn’t so bad this is the first day of the first step of training for the possibility of a new dog or the adjustment of not having one. Either way it’s the first step of moving forward.

Blog 11 September 5, 2011

Starting out!

Well it’s that time! It’s time to start back to University tomorrow and, I for the first time in 5years will be heading out on my own.

I have been feeling a lot of stress and anxiety about this day, not that I am afraid to travel without a dog or to walk around Montreal with a cane. I think what I will miss the most is that companionship.

It was nice to walk with someone even if that someone was a guide. If I felt lonely and needed to talk I could say words of encouragement to Jag’s like good job when we crossed the street, or just when we would walk he would guide so good that I would say good job all the time.

These simple words that I would say to him would boost his confidence and give him encouragement at the same time it would also encourage me as well. Those simple words; Good Job was enough for both of us to encourage each other.

It will be hard when I get off the bus in Montreal the first stop we would make is the park outside of the bus terminal. Jag’s new exactly where his spot was, rain, snow, hot or cold it was exactly the same spot, when we were finished class we would stop at the same park he knew that’s where he got his treat and water and a good scratch for doing a good job.  

No going to class is not hard doing it without Jagger will be the hardest, partly because of the mobility but mainly I won’t have my friend with me!