Just for Red Poodle lovers [and others]

What do you do when it is 40deg. on New Years Day?

Well if you live in Melbourne, you complain about the heat,

and sort through your photos!

Here is a set of "Toffee" pics,

taken November 2011.

[click to enlarge]

You have to admit she really is beautiful.

Thanks Kate for taking them.

 

So true

                     I found this piece of writing.

      It was written by a man named Gene Hill. he obviously loves his dog as much as I love Midnight.-------

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; 

my other ears that hear above the winds. 

He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. 

He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags.

Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. 

He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. 

His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have.

                         He is just my dog.

                Middi is all those thing, and more.
                      He is not "just my dog",
    He is sometimes my reason for getting up in the morning!  
 

                                  
                                      And I LOVE him.

The First Hair Cut.

A first hair cut is always a special event,

Toff's certainly was!

This is what she looked like ------

 

 a moth-eaten rug, with a long nose!

The trouble was, the dog groomer was booked out before Christmas,

and Jess only had a pair of sewing scissors,

not the best combination.

At least Poodle hair grows very quickly!!

New Year Resolution!!

1st of January is the time for "Resolutions"

I really hate them because 

I never manage to keep them!

This year is going to be different,

I am going to start training Toffee properly.

No more lazing around in the sand pit!

Or beating up her long suffering brother!

She is well and truly over her

little "operation".

In other words,I have run out of excuses!

Oh dear! I have just read an article that I did for Petstock .

When Middi was six months old he had been on the train.

Attended at least one council meeting and slept beside me.

Knew to sit quietly by me when I stopped to speak to people in the street.

Started learning not to greet people without permission.

Was playing "touch" with all the things he would have to pick up when older.

As well as the basic obedience commands.

What a lot Middi had done, I had better get a move on.

At least I have the walking under control now,

Toff stops at the curb and usually 

will sit without me reminding her.

I no longer have to remind her to keep away from the wheels 

and walk straight, it means that I can have at least one eye on the road.

The biggest problem at present is her timidity.

She is very shy and widdles when ever she is nervous,or excited.

The vet says she will grow out of it, I certainly hope so!!!

You would think someone with a face like this, 

would not be afraid of anything.

I had thought training a second Poodle would be easy, 

I had forgotten, that like children,

they are all different!!!!!

A special night

Happy Christmas everyone.

 Last night was Christmas Eve,

it turned out to be very special for Middi and me.

For the first time we went to Mass together,

and on our own!

I must admit I was nervous going alone,

would I have any big spasms, 

would Middi sit still, 

what if he panicked and wet himself!

I am so ridiculous sometimes.

When we arrived Rodney was waiting for us, 

he asked me to wait,

as he wanted to introduce us to someone,

it was our new Bishop!

Rodney told him all about Midnight and that his job is to help me.

The Bishop then chatted for a while and gave him a Blessing.

Rodney then walked us down the central aisle to the front of the church and sat us by the crib.

Why do I not have faith in Middi and myself?

The Mass went for two hours,

in that time Middi had to deal with bells, processions, 

children rolling on the floor, 

being offered the Christmas tree decorations,

incense ,and more incense, waved by us, 

all the things that occur in a happy Christmas Mass.

The only time he moved from under the pew was when the baby in the pram near us began to cry,-he sat up,

looked at the baby, then settled again.

After Mass the Bishop spoke to me again and commented on his behaviour, I explained that it was our first time

and now I would be able to come alone,

with Middi to look after me.

After more prayers for Middi, and Blessings for both of us,

we floated home on a cloud.

It was such a special Christmas Eve, 

what Middi has done for me in the 15 months

I have had him, is beyond my wildest dreams.

I love my crazy boy.

The animal pass.

Well,Middi has had his pass for two weeks now,

as usual we have not been asked to produce it,

probably because we only use suburban trains.

Below is the letter I wrote giving my reasons why our assistance dogs

should have the same rights as dogs for the blind, or the deaf.

I am Anne  the physically disabled woman with “Midnight” my standard poodle who is being privately trained to be my assistance dog. I decided to train him privately, because I wanted to choose my own dog, and work with him from the beginning. He will meet my own special needs, that might not be covered by the companies who train dogs in Australia.
I am a strong believer that people who do not come under the very strict criteria for a service dog should be able to  have one if it will help improve their life. For example if you use crutches, a dog could assist by “bracing’ to help if you fall, there are many other examples, but I am sure you can think of many more.
As you know, in other countries such as the USA, dogs can be trained privately or by specific companies, I know people who use both systems and the dogs are equally well trained.
 In a small way, I am trying to help bring about changes in Australia,there is a need and room, for both systems.
The animal assistance pass is causing me, and other disabled people, problems at this stage. It appears to be discriminatory – why is it that only “guide dogs in training” can travel free on public transport in Victoria, and are the only" dogs in training" allowed on any  public transport in the state. How is my dog going to acquire the skills of V-Line trains, or trams, if he is not allowed to use  them.
 Private training does not mean that our dogs have inferior  training, anyone who is willing to train a dog themselves invests a great deal of time, money, and hard work, into their dog.
 I think you would find that we are very careful about their health, diet and who we choose to help us train these very special dogs.
I question why our dogs must have a specific medical check-up every 1/2/3years, to someone on a disability pension this would be a big added expense, dogs are checked when immunized each year, this should be sufficient. A free eye check later in life [which is provided free in other countries] would be of great benefit.
I question why I and other people who have already been assessed as permanently disabled for a" disabled person free pass", should be asked to provide another very intrusive medical report. Our medical information is already on record with ?? if we use an assistance dog, we would naturally have it by our side while traveling.
Midnight has been training for the Assistance dog Public Access certification Test, which has been designed by Assistance dogs International. Many of the training schools in Australia belong to this organization. The test, though very thorough, allows flexibility for individual requirements of the disabled owner.
I feel very strongly that people with a disability should play a big role in determining what the public access test we use, should contain, and how it should be administered. After all we are the biggest stake holders: as it is our access that is the issue!

All true of course.I am very happy with the outcome, the pass requirements are very basic

. It applies to any animal that provides support when traveling,and for any disability.

Not sure about the "any animal" bit, that might cause a few problems.

.It has been changed to "dogs" in other countries, 

we are always about 20 years behind!!!!

TODAY VICTORIA, TOMORROW THE WORLD!

A win!!!!!

Sometimes you actually have a win!

 Everyone knows I am trying to change the laws about 

Assistance dogs in Victoria.

It has been a very frustrating journey,

but at last there has been a break through.

My boy goes everywhere with me;

we walk, take the Moira van, or ride the suburban trains.

Trouble is, I have been breaking the law!

The only working dogs allowed on trains are -

guide dogs and dogs for people who are deaf.

Midnight has less rights than an ordinary mutt,

as for using a bus or tram, NO WAY!

I am not allowed  to even look sideways at a country train.

My argument has always been, 

how will he ever learn to travel on the long-haul trains

if I  can not use them?

The application form for the pass is 17 pages long

and you need to be a genious to fill it out,

apart from that, it excludes all privately trained dogs!!

An impossible situation.

BUT

I went to a meeting with the Department of transport 

last Wednesday, and before I could bring up all my gripes

about the crazy  application form, 

the woman said- the department had decided to simplify the form and make us responsible for our own dogs!!!!

I took her sample form, went to the doctor, took is photo,

filled out the form, Mary Vella [Yooralla] hand delivered 

the papers on Friday lunchtime.

Look what came in the post Monday morning---

Middi is the first dog to be registered with the new

Assistance Animal Pass.

I cant wait to catch the Vline train to the country.

This means equality and freedom for so many  people, 

not only wheelies,

and Middi and I are the first!!!!

Keep fighting for what you believe in!!

Look whats new!

I have received a letter from SWEP this week

that is the government department who have to approve 

my wheel chair application.

The good news is the chair has been approved,

BUT

the bad news is that I have to find $13000,

and the wait is at least 9 months!

I think it will probably be even longer, they are so far behind.

I have been waiting for continence stuff  since August 1st, 

it is now November 17, usually I only wait 2-3 weeks, 

if they are that far behind with simple things, 

I guess something as complex as a power chair, is going to take forever.

Oh well, disability teaches you to be patient.

To keep me occupied, and help fund the chair,

I have decided to sell my felt food.

This is the new offering --

"Afternoon tea for two".

in a shinny spotted box, you will find - 

a selection of yummy jam biscuits,

heart sugar cookies, 

two large donuts with sprinkles,

and of course two tea bags, these ones are orange

and green tea.

As usual everything is made by hand,

and is safe for little ones.

My two testers are Bella and Sekoya, 

I am assured they love playing with my food.

It can be washed carefully, 

and it is practically indestructible, 

unless you feed it to the dog!!

If anyone is interested in any of my food,

you can reach me [hopefully],

at this address ----

anneandmidnight@hotmail.com

if you look further back in my blog,

you will find more of my food.

Enjoy!

An article for Tully.

Tully wanted an article for her Peer Support Group Newsletter,.

I thought I would write a simple piece, 

no getting carried away as I usually do!!!

Here we go ----

I am an old wheelie, I spend most days in my chair, either rumbling around, or driving everyone mad because I want to go out.

About 2 and a half years ago I lost my little dog, he had been my constant companion all through the dark early years of my disability, he was the one who sat on my bed when I was too dizzy to move, lick my face when the tears came and cuddle me when I needed a friend. 

When he died I was heartbroken and didn’t want another dog I was happy to share my daughters little darling called Nacho, she also stayed on my bed through the dark days of depression, then helped me to gain confidence and return to the world, I loved that little dog very much, but she wasn’t mine.

About 14 months ago I realized I needed another dog of my own.  

 A few years ago it was suggested that a service dog might be useful for me; I filled out all the forms, but never sent them in because I wanted a dog who was mine, right from the start.

 I found my boy 12 months ago, ---- a big black bundle of mischief called Midnight, he is a Standard Poodle with the most beautiful eyes in the world, a long nose and a brain much cleverer than mine. It was love at first sight, and I have never regretted my decision to train him myself, however this is when my problems started.

In Australia we are not allowed to register a working dog that has not been trained by one of the authorized training companies. There are 3 in Australia who train dogs for people in wheel chairs, but none are in Victoria, and none will train what I personally need. Nor will they train dogs for people who do not use a wheel chair

. 

If I lived in the U. S.  I would have both choices and I could even use a different sort of animal!!!

Now I am advocating again, I want my boy to be registered, and also want others to have a service dog if it would make their life easier, and everyone to make their own choice of how it is trained.

                     Will I ever stop trying to change the world!!!

               

                          ****************************

That is what I wrote, very restrained,

I didnot rabbit on at all,

must be getting tired!!!!!

Goodnight all.

The proud doggy grandma!

Toffee started dog school in earnest today.

I was watching her and her mum out of the corner of my eye,

{the big boy was making no secret of not watching}!

She was working beautifully with Jess, sitting when told, and staying quietly when left at the fence without mum.

She walks so nicely at heel, I think the Black Dog halter works really well on our dogs.

In case you have forgotten what she looks like,

here she is with her "big girl" hair cut.

She has now gone from white to yellow group,

should be interesting as she is just about to hit adolescence, 

when all puppies start thinking rules are not for them!!!

Just like humans -- they push the boundaries 

all the time.

It seemed to go on for ever with Middi,

but now he is his old sweet self, but still very determined!

Next Thursday Toffee will go to dog school with Chris,

Middi and me,

I will be taking half the class with each of the dogs,

another challenge for all of us!

The colours of Spring!

When I walk in my garden this year, everything seems to be shades of pink or purple.

 All my ugly old cactus's take on a new life and are transformed into things of great beauty.

Their colours are so bright that they look as though a child has painted them.

My last remaining rhododendron

[which is older than me],

is suddenly covered in delicate purple flowers.

Each year I think it is not going to make it through the hot, waterless summer, but it always does.

It is so old and had been neglected for a long time

that it has reverted back to the colour of a wild rhododendron.

Of course the agapanthas have run wild,

and are sending up their strange flower buds

in most unexpected places.

They look like creatures from space.

Roses that are past their prime fascinate me,

I love the way their petals fade,

they remind me of old, comfy clothes.

Look at the colour fading

from the darker pink slash --- so beautiful.

My tea tree is covered in its usual multitude of

simple flowers and mult-coloured leaves.

Last of all come my orchids

the poor things get no attention,

and yet each year they give me more and more 

fascinating blooms.

Spring really is the most beautiful season here in Melbourne.

******************

A complete change of thought.

It is evening here and the dogs are resting 

after a big "walking" day.

My darling boy was sound asleep near my chair

when there was a loud THUMP!,

my large heavy,hand bag had fallen onto the floor. 

I turned on my chair to go and pick it up, 

before I moved, Middi was up and attempting to work out how he could give it to me. 

It took him about 30 seconds to find a hold and lift it into my hand.

Of course it was too heavy for me, but he kept pushing 

until I got a proper hold.

He never ceases to amaze me, 

I have never asked him to pick my bag up, 

like so many other things he does, 

he just seems to know what to do.

What a wonderful friend he is.

Good night!

Toffee is a digger!

In all my years of owning dogs

Toffee is the first "digger" I have ever had

.

She started from the day she arrived home.

Her specialty was to undermine the pot plants,

rather dangerous as some of my pots are huge.

I looked up Ian Dunbar's  article on digging dogs,

he suggested assigning a special place for digging

and salting it with treats and bones.

As my garden is not very big, Chris suggested using

a children's sandpit.

 It works brilliantly, sometimes she finds a biscuit hidden in there

so it is always worth checking out.

This picture was taken after she had emptied half the dirt out,

she couldn't decide the best place to hide her teething bone,

so of course she kept digging it up and the dirt went flying.

Where did she eventually put it?

Under her bottom!!

Toff spends hours in the dirt, it is in a sunny corner, 

under the veranda and out of the strong rain.

Toffee treats her sandpit like her crate -----

a nice secure place to hang out,

when there is nothing interesting going on.

If you have a digger, this could be the solution for you,

its worth a try.

Enjoy the Spring rain -- it makes the weeds grow!

A miserable spring day!

What do you do on a miserable spring day 

after big morning at dog school?

Go to sleep of course!!

Relax like a puppy and dream of the sunshine.

An Interesting Meeting

I know this photo is not sitting correctly but I love the wide view!

It is the picture at the top of the last page in the

MOIRA 2011 Annual Report.

The article is titled 

"Interview with a Granddaughter"

What Indie wrote is very precious to me, 

if you get the chance to read the article you will understand why.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU WROTE, INDIE.

Altogether it was a pretty interesting day.

I have to admit I was anxious about going to the meeting,

I am a worrier, usually for no reason. 

To days worry -- would I be able to manage my boy!!

sometimes I am so silly, must be getting old.

First Challenge.

Managing Middi on the train at peak hour, for the first time.

The biggest problem with trains, is the other passengers.

Sometimes they can be very rude and even knock the dogs 

or stand on them!!!!

The train was packed with school kids, bags, office workers

and trolleys.

I warned everyone that I was coming in and they would need to watch their feet. 

Not much response, so I asked Nik to bring Midi in after me,

the fact that people would not move out of the doorway, 

made me mad, so I said I would look after him myself.

I could only use my voice and one hand movement to tell him to cross in front of me to the right hand side of the chair- 

his working position.

There was about 40cms  between the chair and the wall, 

he had to walk down that space to turn around and stand by me, 

then do a sit/drop into position next to me.

He did it like a trouper, the only thing that was slightly wrong ---, he dropped onto a girls feet. 

I did not correct him because I saw her deliberately move her feet out into the passage way.

Sometimes it makes me very proud to be the mum of

a 14 month old poodle boy.

So many people commented on my beautifully trained dog.

Not a very good photo, but it shows how tight  was the space

Second Challenge.

Attend the Annual meeting without making a fuss, or being a nuisance.

Of course we were late because the keys to the bus were missing!

Nothing more awkward than trying to creep in to a meeting with a squeaky wheel chair and a poodle who knows he is being looked at and walks like a king.

Warwick [CEO], made it easier by welcoming me, 

believe it or not!! :-)

Of course the big boy lay down and went to sleep,

I think he is used to me talking when we are out,

its always a long time!!!!

When the meeting was over he was surrounded by people wanting to know about him, and why I was doing training him myself.

My question to people who did not know him was 

"how old do you think he is?"

The answer was always "around five or six"?

when I told them he is only 14 months they were amazed.

If you think about it , he is still only a pup, 

if he was being trained through a training school 

he would have just started his formal training.

There should be a change to the law, 

so that dogs can be trained either way.

Both ways are good, I think it should be our decision,

after all we are the people using the dogs.

I have just realised there was one other thing 

that could have been a challenge -- 

there was beautiful food all around him at nose level

and he never even sniffed!!

I know he enjoyed himself, 

when a poodle knows he is in the limelight

he holds his head high.

Maybe our next challenge might not be so scary,

who knows.