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!