I love how you explained how each dog is so different when you meet them. I am working Zeke, Zenith's brother. We'll be together two years October 4th. Zeke is my 7th guide dog, but my second golden. Definitely goldens have a, "oh my gosh you are my new best friend forever" attitude when meeting people LOL. I will say that getting a second dog after you had a dream dog for your first guide can be very difficult. Trainers call it second dog syndrome. Many people totally expect the second dog to be exactly like the first dog, and of course that's not going to be the case. My first guide was a yellow lab named Audrey. My second was a black lab named Merlin. They were completely opposite in every way. Audrey was laid-back and reserved, but love to play when not in harness. Merlin was a big clown in and out of harness LOL. Merlin was sort of like a golden retriever in a black lab suit LOL. Sadly I had so many expectations for Merlin to walk in Audrey's footsteps and be just like she always was, and it caused a lot of frustration and close to sadness as we worked at becoming a team. He knew I was his when we finished training for sure, but I wasn't sure about him. It took about a year before we completely bonded and I felt very safe and comfortable with him. He turned out to be a superb guide, and I give him so much credit for sticking it out with me and putting up with all my stubbornness LOL.
I'm so thankful you said the bit about you being a stranger to your dog. In my mind I've been picturing it as this magical moment where we will both just know we are soulmates or something but in reality the dogs have no idea what is happening. They haven't had months of picturing that moment and building it up. I'm glad to think through this now so I don't end up being disappointed with reality
Great point about your dog acting the way with strangers that they do with you. My standard poodle guide was happy to meet me but a bit aloof. She sat there and let me pet her but after that she just sort of chilled and didn't act like she needed attention. She is the type of dog that needs time to attach to people. I'm very grateful for that now as she is not people distracted, but it was difficult when we first met a few years ago!
I’m not getting a Seeing eye dog but I’m getting a service dog and he’s gonna be my first service dog and I should have him by mid April and I’m getting really nervous and excited and yeah
I love your story! You are right, it is magical meeting them for the first time! my current SD is not my first dog ever & meeting each one was super special. My SD actually picked me 😊 i was matched with 2 that I could pick from but there were 9 dogs where I got her, I didn’t know who my options were because they all look the same. My dog picked me & that was the most special feeling 🥰 I had to edit my comment because I paused in the middle of watching so I could make the first comment. So, once again you are right! the way your dog acts when they meet you for the first time is exactly how they act when they meet everyone else for the first time 😂😂 I honestly never noticed that until you just brought it up but my girl is excited to meet everyone... 🤨 I am starting to feel less special now 🤣🤪
We got there Monday. Tuesday night was nerve-racking and the Wednesday wait was sooo loong! I wish I’d recorded my meeting with Ollie too. She wanted to cuddle with me.Who was your instructor? That first walk was absolutely terrifying for me. We actually had to get me a longer handle that was offset, so it was not until the next day that I felt completely safe and secure walking with my dog. Ollie is my first. I remember the night before, talking with my husband on the phone, and quietly squealing because it hit me that I was going to have my very own dog within just a few short hours. He was already a graduate, and he has his first dog as well, so he knew what I was going through.
Patiently waiting for a class date to get my dog. Your video got me even more excited!!! So at your school, was the Juno training like an all day thing or did you do other stuff throughout?
Treat strangers like royalty so will pet him LOL, that was literally how my pet lab was. Just about she was lapdog you know she was like 90 pounds. I wanted to ask for a female, but everyone keeps telling me to leave it up to the trainers completely about which dog is best to match me with. Sounds like you guys had a magical meeting, even though he found out he react to everyone in a very friendly way when first meeting them, that’s still sounds like an amazing experience.
I agree it depends on the school. generally you can adopt them afterwards as a pet but lots of people don't have the energy or finances for 2 dogs and the school will adopt them out. The other thing to think about is that if you live in a place that is not pet friendly they don't have to allow a dog that is retired to stay so it may not be an option for them either.
I love how you explained how each dog is so different when you meet them. I am working Zeke, Zenith's brother. We'll be together two years October 4th. Zeke is my 7th guide dog, but my second golden. Definitely goldens have a, "oh my gosh you are my new best friend forever" attitude when meeting people LOL. I will say that getting a second dog after you had a dream dog for your first guide can be very difficult. Trainers call it second dog syndrome. Many people totally expect the second dog to be exactly like the first dog, and of course that's not going to be the case. My first guide was a yellow lab named Audrey. My second was a black lab named Merlin. They were completely opposite in every way. Audrey was laid-back and reserved, but love to play when not in harness. Merlin was a big clown in and out of harness LOL. Merlin was sort of like a golden retriever in a black lab suit LOL. Sadly I had so many expectations for Merlin to walk in Audrey's footsteps and be just like she always was, and it caused a lot of frustration and close to sadness as we worked at becoming a team. He knew I was his when we finished training for sure, but I wasn't sure about him. It took about a year before we completely bonded and I felt very safe and comfortable with him. He turned out to be a superb guide, and I give him so much credit for sticking it out with me and putting up with all my stubbornness LOL.
I'm so thankful you said the bit about you being a stranger to your dog. In my mind I've been picturing it as this magical moment where we will both just know we are soulmates or something but in reality the dogs have no idea what is happening. They haven't had months of picturing that moment and building it up. I'm glad to think through this now so I don't end up being disappointed with reality
Great point about your dog acting the way with strangers that they do with you. My standard poodle guide was happy to meet me but a bit aloof. She sat there and let me pet her but after that she just sort of chilled and didn't act like she needed attention. She is the type of dog that needs time to attach to people. I'm very grateful for that now as she is not people distracted, but it was difficult when we first met a few years ago!
I’m not getting a Seeing eye dog but I’m getting a service dog and he’s gonna be my first service dog and I should have him by mid April and I’m getting really nervous and excited and yeah
I met my mobility service dog on June 1st 2020 it was very nerve-racking like you said in the video because the trainers knew who I was getting
I will be transitioning to my second dog once I gain the courage to press that send button! :)
Good luck you can do it!
Love ❤️ you guys!!! Y’all are so freaking awesome! So beautiful 🤩
Soo cool to Hera your story!! I’m getting mine whenever COVID cases go down in Mexico, IM SO EXITED
I love your story! You are right, it is magical meeting them for the first time!
my current SD is not my first dog ever & meeting each one was super special. My SD actually picked me 😊 i was matched with 2 that I could pick from but there were 9 dogs where I got her, I didn’t know who my options were because they all look the same. My dog picked me & that was the most special feeling 🥰
I had to edit my comment because I paused in the middle of watching so I could make the first comment. So, once again you are right! the way your dog acts when they meet you for the first time is exactly how they act when they meet everyone else for the first time 😂😂 I honestly never noticed that until you just brought it up but my girl is excited to meet everyone... 🤨 I am starting to feel less special now 🤣🤪
We got there Monday. Tuesday night was nerve-racking and the Wednesday wait was sooo loong! I wish I’d recorded my meeting with Ollie too. She wanted to cuddle with me.Who was your instructor? That first walk was absolutely terrifying for me. We actually had to get me a longer handle that was offset, so it was not until the next day that I felt completely safe and secure walking with my dog. Ollie is my first. I remember the night before, talking with my husband on the phone, and quietly squealing because it hit me that I was going to have my very own dog within just a few short hours. He was already a graduate, and he has his first dog as well, so he knew what I was going through.
Patiently waiting for a class date to get my dog. Your video got me even more excited!!! So at your school, was the Juno training like an all day thing or did you do other stuff throughout?
Treat strangers like royalty so will pet him LOL, that was literally how my pet lab was. Just about she was lapdog you know she was like 90 pounds. I wanted to ask for a female, but everyone keeps telling me to leave it up to the trainers completely about which dog is best to match me with. Sounds like you guys had a magical meeting, even though he found out he react to everyone in a very friendly way when first meeting them, that’s still sounds like an amazing experience.
omg that is so cool he is so cute
I might have missed it but how old were you when you got your first dog and how long ago was that?
I’m in the process of applying for my first guide dog
I’m on a waiting list - sigh!
I just discovered your channel! I was wondering what happens to the 1st dog when he retires ? Do they stay in the family ?
I’m going to get my guide dog from the seeing eye too, I’m really excited.
I think it depends on the school
I agree it depends on the school. generally you can adopt them afterwards as a pet but lots of people don't have the energy or finances for 2 dogs and the school will adopt them out. The other thing to think about is that if you live in a place that is not pet friendly they don't have to allow a dog that is retired to stay so it may not be an option for them either.
@@kokopuppy57342 yeah, it’s very sad.
First