Zip’s Dog Blog (2.0)

Hello everyone!

Well the Mighty Quinn took Manhatten by storm - literally. Dad, Bren and
I arrived amidst much rain and let me tell you getting Busy on a Busy
sidewalk in the rain is not conducive to Quinn regularity but I worked
through the challenges. Let’s get right to the big news as it is a busy
time.

The folks from TV by Mills were fantastic. I got to flirt with Stacey
again and show off my red bow tie which I wore quite proudly all night.
There are some pics and they’ll be coming to a blog near you soon. I know
you want more details but this is the abridged entry and I promise to put
paws to keyboard soon and give the further details deserved.

We had Front Row seats in the center on the very first Balcony. Our
award was the fourth one to come up on that night and they opened with us.
Two stories of Dad Video and his voice booming through the hall began our
video clip presentations and after hearing many impressive pieces before our
section, we were pretty thrilled to not feel foolish or out of place when
our piece hit the scene. Dad’s heart was pounding and Bren clutched his
hand tight enough to turn her knuckles white but as the drama of the moment
built to the crescendo, the award was given to a piece called “Ray of Hope.”
The piece was a great one, theirs and ours, and we cheered mightily for them
even before hearing their great speaker accept the award. Ray of Hope has a
great bonus to it aside from the quality tale and quality production. Ray
passed away but as a result of the piece there were 50,000 people who
immediately joined the Organ Donor program. This will save 150,000 lives
before it is done on that number alone - and it may grow having now received
the Emmy award. So our piece was fantastic and Stacey, Chris, Jessie,
Mathew, Dad, Bren, me (of course) and HBO should be elated for having been
nominated and put together such a fine piece. Being nominated is a victory
of impressive proportions which isn’t winning the award but is a very fine
credit to all involved. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and was
savored as much as possible. We met some great people, reached many people
and suspect there’s much more fun and adventure in our future.

Thanks for all the well wishes and support. I’m sorry we don’t have a
Golden Trophy but a Golden Lab is a pretty fine consolation prize!!

Still the Emmy Nominated Mighty Quinn

Hi all,

Dad and Bren are mostly done packing and I very carefully attended Dad’s
packking of my stuff. So in just a short bit you can … “Start Spreading
the News…”

I did want to ask one special favor. So the video is still out here on the
web but many folks tell me they cannot get to it because they need a little
higher technical support. Some folks say the format isn’t so good for them.
Any super techie friend out there that could simplify this process by
replying to the comments with a clean link that would get them the file in a
format all/most can access readily?

I’d sure appreciate it!

The Mighty Quinn

The weather here in Southern New Hampshire has been particularly beautiful
for a nice long run of days and promises to continue in such splendor.
Sitting here with Quinn at my side I’m particularly moved to shae an
excellent excerpt from Hellen Keller. Before sharing I want to give some
additional perspective for those patient enough to bear with me a bit.

I’m presently rereading a marvelous book entitled “Stumbling on
Happiness” by Daniel Gilbert in which this PhD of Behavioral Psychology
gives a humor laden tour of some surprising results in understanding human
memory, perception and forecasting. It relates well to the discovery of
Michael May in the previous reading of “Crashing Through” in which his mind
has some significant troubles in handling the offerings of vision from a
neurological standpoint. So much of our brain development is based upon
visual stimuli such that it is not surprising our brain has developed
intensive methods of deciding what is worthy of alerting the conscious
thought process from the panorama unfurled to those with sight. As such
there are many marvels and treasures which can too readily slip past us and
I know that first hand. It’s the old adage of stopping to smell the flowers
but taken from the visual stance. Let me tell you that during our morning
walk Quinn and I were indeed deeply immersed in the fragrant offerings of
many new flowers from the week’s fantastic weather. It was a marvelous gift
and I recall last year remarking upon how various routes could be known to
me by their fragrances. The intersection of June and Elgin street has a
very floral offering throughout the spring and summer and while different,
it is in part my sunrise or sunset in evocation of appreciation for the
natural world around me…even if it is ‘natural’ in the well sustained
floral plantings of some dilligent neighbor!

So in the foloowing extraction of Hellen Keller, please understand that it
is no slight upon the visually gifted for missing this - we are in fact
neurologically wired to miss this. Similarly, do not forget you have the
power to focus your attention and appreciate in rich detail what the
novelist eye may unfurl to an inquisitive reader but which can never be so
well renderred as by the personal viewing.

After all, Helen Keller noticed much the same thing more than 70 years ago -
and she was deaf and blind. Writing in The Atlantic Monthly in 1933, she
said,
“Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a
long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. ‘Nothing in
particular,’
she replied. I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such
responses, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.

“How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods
and see nothing of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to
interest
me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my
hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a birch, or the rough, shaggy, bark
of
a pine. In spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a
bud… I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower… I am delighted
to
have the cool waters of a brook rush through my open fingers. To me a lush
carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most
luxurious
Persian rug.

“If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be
revealed by sight. Yet, those who have eyes apparently see little. The
panorama
of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted. It is human,
perhaps, to appreciate little that which we have and to long for that which
we have not, but it is a great pity that in the world of light the gift of
sight is used only as a mere convenience rather than a means of adding
fullness
to life.”

Randy
& the Mighty Quinn

Hi folks, Quinn the Mighty and Emmy Nominated here again!

Dad says ten years ago today he said goodbye to his pup Modi. He isn’t
morose about it and during our long walk this morning he told me stories of
the fun things he experienced with Modi and how much Modi helped pave the
way for Dad to be such a good Dad for me. He says that Life is a fantastic
adventure of learning and Modi was a very patient teacher as Dad learned to
understand the partnership of life with a pup. Modi must have been a good
teacher because I really am one happy Pup! So in honor of the eight years
since Modi departed I thought I’d let you all know I certainly appreciate
the legacy he left behind.

http://www.patriotzip.com/Zipshome/Modi/modi.htm

This weather is fantastic - in fact almost too warm as I’m trying to blow
out my winter coat and prep the summer version. “Blowing coat” is the term
for this high shed season when no vacuum cleaner is safe from the work I
leave behind - even with Dad upping the grooming intensity. Still, the
walks are very fun and even with Dad in shorts we are working up a morning
lather in our expansive wanderings. We managed a solo crossing at Daniel
Webster Highway and I helped Dad find the front door to Friendlies early one
morning - so early they hadn’t opened yet. We sat briefly on the door step
as Dad thought about our route back and then I showed him I have some ideas
of my own. You see Dad had only walked to the end of the road to get me
acclimated as we had plans for sighted help but alas the best Laid Plans of
Mice, Cats, Dogs and Dads; Often go Astray. When we got there I showed Dad
the pole and it had the button he wanted for a walk light. The problem is
that there wasn’t enough traffic at 6:30 a.m. and this makes it harder to
determine when the walk light changes. Nashua, you see, only has two lights
that have audio components. So Dad listened for a bit and finally thought
he had it so off we went and I did the crossing perfectly. Now get this,
the cross walk lands you on an island with roads on either side of you. We
needed to turn left and crosss to get to the grassy edge where Friendlees
can be reached. Then we could walk a long way around by shorelining or we
could go over the short hill to the parking lot. Dad chose the overland
route and I objected but when he said he understood and really wanted to go
(by leading me with the leash in his right hand while using the harness in
his left) I took him the best route he indicated which had shrubs and tree
branches and a mess of things to make it challenging. Sure I found the
parking lot for him safely and then the door but it wasn’t the easiest
route. So going back I asked him to trust me and sure enough he quickly
learned I knew how to walk the grass and skip all that. I was well praised
but next time I want an ice cream!

Tuesday we hit the hospital as Pepe had his stomach tube removed and Dad
had to be there with him. We got there an hour early by bus and navigated
the massive building to find the right place. Still early Dad headed for a
Starbuck’s and to let me greet some old friends at the reception desk. This
was roughly 540 Quinn steps and many twisty turns but I rememberred them
all so that on the way back we found the Doctor’s office first try! We
rested and talked to folks until Pepe arrived with the amulance shuttle and
I was there for the whole procedure. The Doctor asked and got to love on me
a bit afterwards and soon we were heading back home.

On Thursday as the start of the astoundingly beautiful summer-like weather
arrived, Dad had Tom and his ‘white’ lab named Bahama come to visit. We
played in the back yard for a fair bit while they talked and that was a lot
of fun. Afterwards Dad and Tom talked mostly about books and we pups laid
quitly. I think Bahama is going to be a good Guide someday as she was
really well behaved and calm when necessary - but still fun at play.

Today we were at NHAB for a tech users group meeting and it was pretty good
but the big fun is tomorrow when we go talk to Bob Stewardt’s church about
Blindness, Guide Dogs, Adversity and why they should all come walk with us
for the Walk-a-thon. I love the chances to show off my skills and meet new
friends. Plus I bet there will be some meet and greetings allowed. That’s
the gist of this short note - Dad says be well and to tell Modi that he
loves him still. I asked and Dad reminded me that belief he has which says
the beauty of love is we can give so much to those we cherish and not
subtract one bit from the love we have for others. He says that means he
loves me cojmpletely and didn’t have to give up any love for Modi to do
this. Sounds good but it would sound better with a Charlee Bear - after all
I’m sleek and slender once again.

Oh yeah, one more thing! We did get an invite to attend the Sports Emmy
Awards on April 28 in New York City. We are attending, Bren, Dad and me.
Even better the very kind folks who made the video for HBO, TV by Mills,
gave us a complimentary hotel room near the venue so we can get a good
night’s rest after the event. Hopefully some of you might watch and see
that The Emmy Nominated Mighty Quinn has become the Emmy Award Winning
Mighty Quinn…but for now that’s just a hope!

Be Well!
Quinn
and the entirely non-Mighty Dad

Good Morning Fans of the Mighty Quinn!

Sorry to disappoint you but today I’m actually sending you the note
myself and Quinn-Cam will have to return another day. Hopefully I might
have a few interesting nuggets worth the sharing in this episode. It’s a
fine Sunday Morning and having returned from a cool but comfortable morning
walk I’ve begun to read a book which was recommended to me during the Dog
Guide Users Group meeting yesterday. One of the Puppy Raisers from Guiding
Eyes for the Blind, Tom and his pup Bahama, suggested I should read a book
entitled: “Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man
Who dared to See.” The author is Robert Kurson and the tale is of a
formerly blind man named Mike May who is the founder of a company called
Sendero (Spanish for ‘pathway’). I love to read. Before going blind I
would digest books in many an all night reading marathon and during the
transition years of blindness I had mostly given up reading. The world of
blind ‘reading’ has for me made tremendous strides over the last few years
and the leap is going to be more significant in the future. The National
Library Service Talking Books program has provided a means for reading but
the 4 track cassette players are cumbersome and certainly have made reading
less than I had hoped. The advent of Audio books for the general public,
MP3 players and internet advances have created more avenues and one
particularly fantastic program is the Overdrive Media Player “Unabridged”
program.
http://unabridged.lib.overdrive.com

This program isn’t available to every state but it is available here in
NH. I’ve been downloading books and listening to them through my computer
for some time and it really has been a fantastic benefit. Unfortunately the
program is highly limited and despite constant additions, there is a limited
selection. I’m constantly wishing for books which aren’t there and as you
might guess by my diverse interests, there are many more untypical reading
pursuits than the program enables. Still it’s magnificent and I’m reading
away - including this morning’s recommended book. I’ll speak more soon on
the morning offering and some introspections but I want to talk about the
next phase of the reading options first. The NLS program has been steadily
attempting to migrate towards the future in which digital books will be the
main emphasis. They’ve designed a player in conjunction with a company
called Humanware. This company has already produced the commercial version
of the product, the Victor Reader Stream, which is already giving fantastic
access. A scaled down version will begin distribution to blind readers
through the National Library Service (NLS). The problem is funding for this
project is a little lower than originally anticipated and the first players
won’t hit the states until late 2008 or early 2009. The limited supply will
slowly disperse through the community and it may be several years before
everyone in the talking books program has access. In the meanwhile a
fantastic conversion process is begun which has included all new material
since 2002 being in digital format. Due to the proprietary protection
plans, only the above product can gain access to the books for download in
their pilot program. Still the title options are fantastically large
already and growing steadily so as to be fully ready when the full
transition is made. There will be a cartridge option using flash technology
for book disbursement but it will be reinforced by the download option I
foresee giving me great access to many marvelous books in the future. The
marvels of technology can be frustrating at times but in my opinion the
enhanced benefits are impressive and steady and I hope to always be inspired
to put in the effort to receive the rewards of these opportunities.

In light of the benefit I’ve received, I’ve volunteered back in November
to work with the NLS Talking books program as the Northeast representative
to the Collection Development Advisory Group which works for the NLS
program. This means I’ll be making my first plane trip with the Mighty
Quinn in May as we solo travel to Washington DC to attend the conference. I
hope I’ll be able to benefit the program and I look forward to the
adventures ahead for Quinn and myself on this journey.

Nice segue to the book reading this morning. Michael May was blinded at
age 3 through a chemical explosion. His tale as a blind man was tremendous
in his accomplishments. I’m often humbled by the accomplishments of people
in this world and one of my reactions for which I’m always grateful is that
each of these humbling realizations is also very motivational. May has had
adventures in blindness far beyond my own thus far and his management of
blindness was remarkable. Commonly folks are curious about blindness on
fronts such as whether it was better to have had sight or be blind from
childhood. Whether one would wish to see and the varying levels of hoping
for sight as interesting topics. As I often tell folks, I could not have
envisioned (pun mostly not intended) going blind and thus wouldn’t have
anticipated the manner in which I’ve personally responded to this process.
I have a pretty good understanding of my personal process at this point but
when reflecting upon growing up blind, I’m not reasonably able to expound on
reality, only opinions and observations from the outside. There is no doubt
in my mind that I, like Michael May, consider my life to be a very good
life. That statement is separate from blindness meaning that my life is
good and not simply ‘good for a blind man.’ I spend almost none of my time
wishing I had vision though if given a choice I would make considerable
efforts to have vision again. That wasn’t the initial reaction of Mr. May
and I appreciate a bit of the reason behind his thoughts. I’ll perhaps have
more insight when I finish the book but I wanted to share some thoughts this
morning on my initial response.

For me the desire to see is something in the background of my life. If
prompted to think about it I can readily be aware that I would in fact like
to see. I may not know whether it will ever be possible and certainly each
year I think the reality is less likely but still I do believe there’s a
chance, just not one that dominates my life with the hoping or wishing.
It’s somewhere between the hope of New England winning another Superbowl and
my winning the Powerball lottery which are very high hopes and very low
hopes respectively. As such I put more of my efforts towards the savoring
of my life, the love of learning and experiencing with efforts towards
improving all aspects of my self and my world. Efforts towards vision exist
in my following some of the medical journals, conversing with Doctors at
regular intervals about the opportunities but mostly the bulk of my efforts
are simply in other areas. Michael May received a stem cell treatment that
enabled a Cornea replacement to work for him - this is the opposite end of
the eye from my problem. The Cornea is the window of the eye where light
passes through and my issue is the back of the eye where the optic nerve
would collect the light and send the signals to the brain. Still the
advancement of such stem cell therapy is tremendously hopeful for
advancements that might help my situation at some point but probably still a
fair bit into the future. As such the reading notched up my hope a bit so I
gave it some attention this morning and interestingly there’s a small amount
of sadness at lifting such hope because, quite frankly, the level of
realistic lifting isn’t clear and that causes a bit of concern in that I
don’t wish to change my priorities of effort and enjoyment until it is
appropriate. Heavy things in the mind but perhaps a very appropriate time
for some introspection and some sharing on topics of blindness and reactions
to such for those of you reading the blog. I do hope you all consider full
freedom in asking me any questions about blindness, reactions towards such
and all manner of curiosities for which I might have some reasonable
observations, evaluations and/or opinion. Sometimes the questions may do me
as much benefit as the answers may provide for you.

The morning walk enhancements and dietary adjustments have the Mighty
Quinn reaching his more appropriate sleek and slender form. I think he’s
probably close to having dropped the five pounds he needed to lose. I think
by the end of next week we’ll be adjusting his food up just a bit to get him
steady and stable on the weight front. The walks have really been
tremendous and we are planning some route expansions in the near future.
There’s a new crossing near my home that has a light and a redesigned
intersection. I’ve thought about just braving it myself but next Thursday
have arranged for my friend Chris Woods and I to travel it together so I can
be sure we make the wises choices in teaching Quinn that intersection. It
will enable me to get to the Friendlees Ice Cream Parlor which for the
summer might not be an entirely bad plan as long as the walk keep my own
waist down! While the addition, soon, of my KNFB Mobile with the blind GPS
system will similarly enhance my travel options and comfort, there is no
benefit from such in learning to manage intersection crossings. They are
good supplemental information to help resolve location but not for
managing the blind walking or crossings. Those skills must be sharp
separately and involve both Quinn and I managing our respective jobs in the
work. What makes this crossing tough is that it is a four way lighted
intersection with two lanes of one way traffic in each direction of the four
lane road which I’d be crossing (Daniel Webster Highway). Between the two
roads is a divided island which means it’s a two stage crossing - to the
island, pause and across to the other side. That’s not unreasonable but
there additional challenge is on the other side. The road coming out has an
island splitting it into a ‘y’ shape. So in landing on the opposite side
there’s a wide ‘Y’ in which I’ll be in the middle. This requires me
choosing a direction to cross that street again and neither side has a
sidewalk. Both ar curved to let traffic flow faster in or out respectively.
Those situations make cars less attentive to a pedestrian crossing and also
make it less clear where we should stand/walk. That corner has the
Friendlies and if I choose the overland route we could walk up a small
grassy hill and into the parking lot. That’s something I can and probably
will manage but it is much simpler if all of this hasn’t been changed in the
intersection construction that just finished and if I can landmark it for
Quinn while having a sighted person to augment that process. There are
probably about five such challenging intersections in Nashua for which I
could benefit from learning with a sighted Guide. I’m willing to manage
them alone if they are needed but thus far this is the first one for which
the benefit of learning it is high enough to me to get a friend to travel
it. That said, if any of you care to visit and walk a bit we could work
through the others over time!

Quinn and I had three trips to Concord this week. Two were made with
John Spallone as we went to NHAB for a Committee meeting on the Walk and
then a Donor Luncheon. The other was yesterday’s Guide Dog Users Group
meeting which we managed with Bill LeBlanc one of the very helpful and
philanthropic Puppy Raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Bill brought
his six month old German Shepherd puppy, Lyndon, along for the trek and this
very well behaved Puppy in training was an impressive lad. The three trips
to Concord and a current opportunity had me thinking about the travel in NH.
NHAB has asked if I’d accept a Nomination for the Board of Directors.
Several of the members have talked to me about this opportunity and I really
do wish to be able to help out the organization. The issue is that travel
to Concord simply isn’t an easy option. Located roughly 40 miles north of
Nashua along a direct Highway route would seem to suggest options but alas
there is no steady running bus route. I could take an hourly bus to Boston
(the exact wrong direction) and then take one of the bus options from there
through Manchester and then on to Concord. That little trip would be
roughly 3 hours one-way. So in perfect timing I could do the journey from
my city to Concord in six hours of round trip travel. Of course this
doesn’t count the likely 30 minutes of travel to those bus stations and
slack time to ensure I don’t miss the bus any of the ways. That makes for a
pretty full day even before any meeting! Here is where I hope that someday
the ability to teleconference can extend such that the trip can be made more
reasonable even while I start to explore whether NH has any ride-share
programs that might allow me to car-pool with someone already making that
journey. That’s a project for this week, if not, I wonder if Craig’s List
might not have an inspiration for the creation of a Ride-share internet
facility. Given the gas prices of today that might be a worthwhile project
for sighted and blind alike!

So in the various journeys to Concord and around Nashua, I’ve had the
Mighty Quinn working his paces and I cannot stress enough how well he’s
managing with me. I haven’t had a hitch in traveling with him in quite some
time and that really is a credit to how well we’ve bonded and learned to
communicate. We are even seeing great strides on his independence as I’m
routinely taking opportunity to make him forge ahead when he’d rather follow
someone with us. So far the results are he’s figured out when I want this
and after a pause to see if I’m sure he’s marching ahead confidently.
Confidence is such a vital part of these guys work and much of that is
conveyed to them through we the handler. I’m generally a fairly confident
man and much as Quinn’s personality has really begun to shine into a fun
loving and sociable pup, his confidence in his work has grown tremendously
as well. All his social desires haven’t changed his behavior. He doesn’t
solicit or initiate but happily takes the opportunity when someone has asked
and I’ve given him permission to say hello. I’ve even noticed that when
someone asks Quinn tightens up his heal and lifts his head towards me
knowing that his demonstration that he’s waiting my approval enhances his
likely-hood of getting the “Ok” to say hello. Thus will the tail drubbing
commence as he greets some new or old friend.

I’ll end with the Friday night tale of the tail. Incredibrew is a local
Brew-it-yourself business which I quite like. Every six weeks they hold a
wine tasting and usually add something to flair the event. This Friday it
was Wine and Cheeses from around the world courtesy of Trader Joe’s on the
cheeses. To get to this place I need to take a path up to that very busy
Daniel Webster Highway, walk along it for a short bit and then do a tough
crossing with a light and busy parking lot. I haven’t walked that path
since last year but took Quinn of the fantastic memory to it. During a
morning Walk I’d shown him the entrance again, verifying I could find it,
and then on Friday we made the trip just as rain drops began to fall. He
found the path for me quickly and we navigated it with ease. We walked
along the edge of the road and he was walking steady but with a trace of
caution that told me he wasn’t sure where I wanted to go. When we reached
the curb by the light his tail wagged mightily. He aligned me slightly to
the left which told me he’d found the line he wanted to do the tricky
crossing and with a moments listen to ensure it was the right time I said
“Quinn Forward.” He surged and the pace was that of my confident and
enthused pup. He’d figured out not only where to cross but realized where
we were heading even though it was still a fair distance away. We strode
with both of us confident we’d passed a little adventure challenge. Sure
enough, smooth and steady with all the subtle sidewalk adjustments for the
store fronts. We got there in under 20 minutes and he was very proud of
himself. Charlee Bear proud and the evening was much fun. Six bottles of
new wine craftings were brought home to age and I’m sure we’ll repeated that
walk again soon. Not bad for a route he’d only done once with a sighted
guide near us to help ensure we did it safe. Now, one year later, he
repeated it to perfection on our own. Quite a pup - we are ready for more!

Randy
& the Mighty Quinn

One of the best things about the snow being gone is that the full world is
once again open to our wanderings. For example this morning we headed out
at 6 a.m. and did the long walk down Elgin to the dead end by the woods
traile. The trail was open and I really wanted to walk into it but the
water sounds were rushing a fair bit and Dad decided to go around by the
road route just in case the water was higher than he wanted to discover on
this morning. So back up and around we went and found the paved trail that
leads over the bridge and into Hudson. I really love trail walking as the
rules ease with a narrow trail and no road side checks to manage. I was
extra eager in the harness and Dad was extra glad he had a glove on his left
hand because it was brisk. We crossed the river and reached the road in
Hudson. We could both smell the Dunkin Donuts place but Dad didn’t try to
find it this morning on his own though I think that time is coming again.
We found it once last year but Dad just doesn’t know the route well enough
to be certain and we have a schedule today. We are meeting John Spallone
just after 11 and headed to the Red ARrow Diner in Manchester. The Red
Arrow folks had a connection for the Blind Awareness walk and they are
amongst the top fund raisers for the walk. As such we are going to have
lunch, say thank you and show off the Quinn work progress. Afterwards we
are headed up to Concord for one more meeting on the Walk planning. Things
are definitely looking good for our end of the walk and hopefully the fund
raiser will be a complete success. Thanks to all the very generous friends
who have already responded. I wanted to share a quick bit of good humor
that came in that form.

One donation arrived in a card with a Golden Lab puppy (nearly as cute as
me) sitting and holding a phone. The caption read: “Ok, I’m sitting, now
what did you want?” Given how well I sit and how often Dad requests such of
me as part of some behavioral aerobics, it’s pretty funny to see it in the
card. I could almost see Dad doing that if he were ever foolish enough to
leave me behind.

Yesterday was a new challenge and I’d like to report complete success.
After our early morning walk, there was a second round of walking as we
headed out to the grocery store. Dad stopped at the Manager counter for
Market Basket while Bren headed off to do the shopping. I saw her leaving
and wanted to follow but Dad was determined we had something to address.
Market Basket donates a full roll of “Produce bags” which Dad uses to pick
up behind me every day. These last about 1.5 years and so we stopped to
request another roll. They absolutely and eagerly donated another roll to
our cause (Thanks Market Basket! in Hudson, NH). Interestingly while the
Manager went for the roll, Dad and I heard a Mom talking to her young child
about my being a Guide Dog and how special that made me. As she talked it
was clear she knew a lot about Guide dogs and blindness. Dad, ever the
bashful one, greeted the woman and asked if she’d like to meet me directly
as part of the education. They were elated and a little talking took place
before Dad gave me permission to say hello. It seems this woman teaches the
blind and visually challenged in Lunenburg Mass. Younger children aren’t
allowed to have Guide Dogs so she mostly works on other skills such as
mobility with a cane but she knows I’m the eventual goal and we might go
talk at her school someday!

finishing the conversation and having the new roll, , Dad sent me into the
store. I was on the lookout for Bren. I took him down our usual route and
even stopped at the Deli counter where he often gets supplies. He didn’t
take a number but that is where I stop him everytime! We continued and I
traced naturally the normal route but Dad pulled me off it and sent me along
the back aisle when sure enough we heard Bren and my tail thumped into Dad
to make sure he heard her too. That was definitely a fun short adventure
but soon we went back to the deli counter and Bren left us again. Onto the
game this time I was eager to follow Dad’s directions through the store and
found her all by myself this time though she did call out to Dad when I got
us close. It was a fun new experience - hide and seek in the grocery store
while having to lead Dad around at the same time. We are simply smooth in
the grocery store.

So in the check-out line we learned that Market Basket has removed the
touch screen card readers! This means Dad can use the tactile buttons and
run his own debit card - which he did. During the conversation a Supervisor
mentioned that they had a braille overlay for the old machines. Great!
Five years of touch screens and nobody ever mentions that even though Dad
regularly lamented to them their inaccessible touch screens - now they get
new units that are tactile and they think to tell him of it!!! The amusing
reality is that they had it in the drawer all the time but none of the
cashiers knew what it was - such is the way of many attempts at
accessibility. A good intent goes awry because of insufficient education.
Well the new machine works and Dad could do it without help if he so chose.

Well I’ve got to groom and get ready for John so be well everybody - my nose
(and NECN weather) tells me that spring like weather is going to abound this
week!

The Mighty Quinn!

When playing fetch in the house Dad goes to the end of the old house hallway
and throws into the Patriots Room addition. This has a two short and wide
step decline and opens up nicely. I love to chase the ball or n fact
occasionally outrun it into the troom. I make flying leaps into the air to
catch it and then crash into the plush Patriot Bean Bag strategically
located for this purpose. Delighted I run back to give the ball and do it
again. Should the ball bounce erratically, say off my nose during a flying
leap, and land on the couch I’m fantastically good about going to get Dad to
help me because I won’t go on the couch for it even in the midst of full out
very enthusiastic play. Pretty darn good of me and Dad said it wasn’t
bragging to share this with you because he was telling me about Behind the
Cushions having several philosophical analogies. He was inspired by my
little buddy Matthew’s penchant for a particular book series which his
parents have admitted on occasion is hidden behind the cushions for their
sanity. Who am I to question their sanity anyhow?

So many small things are hidden behind the cushions, just out of sight -
like in my work.

Today Dad seemed to recover sufficinetly from his recent five day bout with
food poisoning picked up Friday night when we went out. He was very rough
Saturday, got better and braver on Sunday when he ate a meal in the evening
and that launched his system into a second wave that really seems to have
ended today - albeit a slow day for the slow healer. It’s too bad he’s not
Healthy as a Dog - I know they say Healthy as a Horse and Sick as a Dog but
that’s so backwards you can’t seriously expect anyone to believe it!?!

So as I was saying…err typing really, Dad took me out for a walk to the
store and beyond. At the store we rounded a corner in the cold and windy
conditions and heard a slight laugh hidden in an exhale that let Dad know a
guy was there appreciating my work. He very kindly opened and held the door
for us but… he didn’t realize that Dad and I make a wide team. He didn’t
leave enough room for both of us and so I had to stop a little early. Dad
reached for the frame as is usual and the man spoke and siad “It’s over
here.” Now this guy was on my left and Dad was on my right and I sort of
rolled my eyes psychologically anyhow. The man was clearly trying to help
and being very cool but didn’t grasp the challenge he was making. Not only
was over here not beneficial unless he wanted Dad to reach over me and to
him but that wasn’t really going to get us through the door. I’m not sure
Dad even knew he was holding the door actually but we figured it all out and
had a great conversation with the guy and Dad let him give me a great
scootching once the conversation was over and the man had politely asked.
They talked about little things I do to be part of my work that folks don’t
even know I’m doing. I tend Dad’s safety in subtle ways like stopping early
because we both wouldn’t fit and if I tried to fit myself Dad would have
been hitting the trash can. When the man asked to pet me he put his hands
down and reached for me but I stepped back into a tight heel with Dad. He
asked what was wrong even as Dad was saying “Sure but let me tell him it’s
ok first.” We have a routine and I know I can’t solicit so Dad always says
that which means if I don’t get into a heel and wait for permission I don’t
get the greetings. So I stepped back on teh reach out and this makes me
look good (as if I need it) and gives Dad a bonus chance to give his
pattented answer. Dad says it’s interesting that folks often ask things and
go ahead like their request was granted before they listen to see if it has
been granted. Apparently this isn’t just a petting Quinn phonomenon but in
general. “Can I get that door for you” (thunk) “no thank…err…thanks I
guess.” It’s great to ask and probably pretty worthwhile to listen for the
response.
Meanwhile Dad has really started giving me complete trust as we
frequently move just a bit and he comes along giving me praise even though I
know he has no idea what I just took him around. The key is he praises me
and when he’s with other people he occasionally double checks to make sure I
don’t make it up just to get a little praise!

Now what other more metaphorical things to people keep just behind the
Cushions on their couch - that’s a talk for minds different than mine. I’d
rather talk about my tew new toys broken in a single use each. Bren found a
super dog tennis ball that was uncrushable…challenge me will you!?! It
broke in half during five of the above mentioned leaping chase
routines…and the requisite gnawing of my massive jaws as I return to Dad.
It’s going back to the store and with it is one of the smaller, compact and
mint flavorred tennis balls. It lasted two tosses before I split it in
half. I’ve just got strong jaws and that’s impressive as soft as they are
when in I need them. Great mouth-eye coordination and a sensitive touch!

Well it’s bed time for Dad’s so we can hopefully do even more work tomorrow.
I’m pushing to get those pounds off by the Walk-a-thon. By the way thanks
to folks as we’ve now got five Captains…and counting! This plus many
people on teams and sponsors coming in regularly. I think we are going to
surpsise NHAB with the success of this walk. By the way - Dad has a picture
of me modelling the blanket that’s a gift for anyone earning $200 in
sponsors. Anyone want to see the picture should leave a comment and we’ll
send them one via email. I think dad is going to make the goal which means
…. cool new blanket for Quinn.

The Emmy Nominated Mighty Quinn

Phew - what a couple of weeks for the Mighty Me. Before I tell you about
that, Mighty Me has reminded me of Mini-me. As we had yet another five
inches of snow this morning (no, I’m not kidding), Dad built a Snow-Quinn.
Apparently he’s taken to making my likeness out of snow in ‘tribute’ to me
and let me tell you that it’s not precisely a secret Dad is blind —
especially if you see his snow ’sculpture.’ Still there’s a little bit of
touching tribute to having a Mini-me around right up until the point it
melts. Though I’d like to go on record - in fact I’ll go on MP3 as wishing
the melting would fully commence and we can get to the running on the grass
part of life.

So Wednesday was Vet day and that meant my routine check up. Some people
take their car to the shop and Dad takes me to the Vet. My right leg
checked out just fine but a few hours after taking all the shots into my
left leg…well it was sore and I didn’t want to walk on it very much.
That’s two legs down in too short an amount of time…and I’m not even
complaining about the blood draw on my front right leg. As you might guess,
this has not led to high amounts of Quinn walks or play and I’m getting
Cabin Fever. Worse news is I actually weighed in at 75.4 which I thought
might make Dad happy since it had 54 in it. Apparently that’s three pounds
over the top and so we are on a diet program that reduces my food a bit
more. I was all over the diet and excercise part but apparently I have to
have four legs to stand and walk on before that happens. At least today the
legs are mostly back to normal again though so probably the weekend will
have Quinn Walking fully enabled.

Dad says tonight we’re Movin’ Out. Bill had bonus tickets to the Billy Joel
show and so we get to go tonight down in Lowell and hopefully that gives me
a little walking opportunity as well. In fact Dad’s called me twice since
I’ve been typing because he wants to groom me before we head out at
5:40…yeah, he really runs his life on times like that (big puppy sigh
here).

So the big news I wanted to share was that Pat sent some PBB video links and
we listened to them. There’s two separate versins which deal with the bomb
sniffers and the Police dogs. When you see me helping to sniff out packages
that arrive you know there’s bomb sniffer in my lineage at PBB! So take a
peek at these cool videos and I’ll be back with the weekend report after we
hit the trails!

Puppies Behind Bars: Serving Time, Public - Pet Videos from ZooToo.com Pet
Pulse - News
http://www.zootoo.com:80/zootootv/v/petpulse327puppiesbehindbars2

And…

Puppy Prison Therapy // Current
http://current.com:80/items/86928361_puppy_prison_therapy-45K

ttfn,
Mighty Quinn

Google tells me:
(kwin te SEN shel) adj, Having the nature of the most typical instance; pure
and concentrated in nature. …

The play on words for my name has me thinking about the name for our NHAB
Walk-a-thon team and I like the notion that I’m a quintessential Guide Dog!
Purest…well, I’ve got a little mischievous play desire in me but Dad just
did my rating for GEB and he gave me some pretty high marks. I’m even
working on the two points he most wants from me which is to get better about
ignoring other dogs when I’m working and enhancing my independence when
there are others with us. I’ve done some good progress on both of those
fronts recently and think the NHAB Walk will give me another chance to do
such. Dad absolutely does see how the follow command is way to tempting for
me to use as the defer mode but he’s also been patiently ensuring I’m
gaining my independence from Follow far more frequently.

When we are out with friends it is very easy for Dad to defer his own
orientation planning to the folks who well know our routes and I just have
to manage the obstacles but this requires they know my Guide Dog rules so
that a follow never teaches me a bad habit such as walking on the wrong side
of a road or not stopping for streets. It is a luxury though when Dad can
carry on a conversation and I’m handling the obstacles and they handle the
route. It may seem easy but it’s not, take today when we did some morning
shopping on a Friday before Easter. This means the store was full of people
and we were dodging in and out around carriages with me being on super alert
as I get in these fun and challenging situations. Doing their checklist
review they realized they had missed tomato and so had one final item to
pocure…vvvvvvroooom, as Bren took off at a fast pace for the final item.
She later admitted it was a playful test to ee how I’d manage and I, of
course - see above definition, was perfect and pure. I kept Dad slowed to
reasonable as I had to weave more for the double wide load of Quinn and Dad
which fits wider than Bren behind a cart. Plus folks notice the red-head
and then of course are not looking down towards the charming Guide Dog
coming behind her. So Dad gave me a little check to see if I would step up
the pace and I not only said no thanks but gave him a quick tug to the side.
You see his quick step hop-up was ill-timed as the man has to realize that
when you can’t see this isn’t a good strategy in a crowded store. I tugged
him just quickly enough to the side that he just brushed the carriage he
would have used to test knee-cap flexion. He praised me lightly and
accepted my pace and steering which was by no means slow and we caught up to
Bren by Banana! Dad then gave me a Charlee Bear and said he couldn’t give
me one at my great move because he didn’t want me to think that Dad clipping
an object was the goal but he did want to reward me because he understood
me. Basically dad got a correction and he deserved it. I think he learned
and I’m proud of him. I’m also glad to help the Charlee Bear accomplish
it’s mission!

I’m at Full Play Full Work Full Time now! That’s good because we are
heading up to the NHAGB for a Blind Tech Users Group meeting in the morning
and then a Bardic at home in the evening! Great stuff ahead and I slipped
in a trip to lunch with Rick and Joyce at Ting’s Tavern in Tyngsboro, MA
today. This has a challenging three turn square staircase taht I managed
fantastically even with the folks trying to help. I snoozed Mightily while
they ate and chatted and as usual surprised folks when they found out I was
there afterwards! It was Joyce’s first time watching me work and she was
impressed I think that I really have behaviour and my job down to a science.

Patti Hahn joined my walk-a-thon team, Cathy Ringey and David Bohnet have
each taken a Captain position and there are a few more folks thinking about
their roles. Pat DeLease is joining my team too perhaps and she sent me a
nifty update on my former Puppies Behind Bars Program (pbb.com) in which
they are now doing Service Animals for different purposes than the Guiding
Eyes program and here is a great tale of an Iraq Veteran getting a Pax
addition to his life and finding the benefits nearly as astounding as me.
He knows 50 commands and I’m claiming 54 in a bit of Quinn-upsdogship! You
can test me anytime but please bring 54 Charlee Bears for the purpose!
ANyhow, here’s the link to that well worth reading tale:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=4476070

Come all without, come all within, you’ve not seen nuthin’ Like the …
Mighty Quinn!
& Dad of course