Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in jady_lady's LiveJournal:

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Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
12:11 am	Jasmine Update heard from jasmine's GDMI earlier on. apparently during the last few weeks a lot of the support is withdrawn for the dogs when they're working and they're left to get on with it and make decisions as they have to do when working as a guide dog. jasmine has taken to this very well and is growing in confidence all the time. The GDMI has also done a blindfold walk with jasmine so she must trust her! also, at the weekend there was apparently a huge fireworks party right next to where jasmine is staying. she slept through it which is great! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
7:36 pm	Last times I'm well into last times with Jade now which is so, so hard. Today's our last Sunday together. For a treat she's had broccoli, carrots, A roast potato and some gravy. Strictly against the rules and one normally reserved for Christmas, but the little dog deserves it. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
11:26 pm	A-Ha Went to see A-Ha on Monday night at the NIA in birmingham. what a fantastic gig! They did a lot of their old stuff and also some of the great tracks from their latest album which they did particularly well. they're a brilliant band, excellent live and as good as they were 20 or so years ago when I last saw them. NIA is a great venue to go to if you need assistance as a disabled person. We turned up at the stage door which is a side entrance, away from the crowds going in. They radio from there and someone assists you to your seat. apparently they will also look after guide dogs at that entrance too if you arrange it. Very impressed. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
11:21 pm	donating blood Gave blood today, mildly amusing as I was presented with what they called an award for donating 25 times. In fact, it was a very tiny badge in a very large box! I actually think its more like 35 times as they switched from a paper based system some years ago to a computerised one, and I don't think my original count was added on. anyway, 25 times or 35 times, or 3 times ... I think everyone should try it. its not difficult or particularly painful, and hopefully it makes a difference. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm	computers! Great when they work ... I've had about a week of problems with my laptop which all started when I found out that I was going to be charged £6 a day whilst on guide dog training for Internet use. not a chance! So we got hold of an orange dongle and an Internet package for the month. Dongle installed fine on my partner's netbook but not on this laptop. After a lot of faffing about, the laptop was taken to a friend who has forgotten more than we'll ever know about computers! he got it working but it meant resetting all my ports. So, we got the machine home and it wouldn't connect wirelessly. Tonight after suggestions from friend which were carried out by partner, laptop is up and running again, dongle and wireless working. Good old Windows. don't we just love it! Phew! (Comment on this)
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
1:53 pm	A Chance to Wind Down? Not a chance! Poor Jade will be working solidly until she retires! Last weekend was no exception. A train journey to Coventry and a walk around a shopping centre that I'm not familiar with. She was, however, rewarded with a run in the park. Then on to a hen party in the evening. I realise that I'm suddenly thinking I must get my hair cut, my legs waxed, go to the shops, do this, do that, all whilst I have a fully functioning guide dog! Poor girl. Only another two weeks to go then you're free! (Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
11:41 pm	New guide dog - An expensive commodity Many would think that I'm referring to dog bed, food, toys, bowls, etc. yes there are all those things but there is more. A few weeks ago I bought some winter boots. they're great but with fairly high heels. whilst I can happily walk with an older dog in high heels, a young inexperienced dog requires its owner to walk faster and I wouldn't want to risk tripping and compromising its confidence. So a new pair of winter shoes for work have been purchased today. Then there's my every day bag. At the moment I'm carrying around a handbag which I carry over my arm or in my hand. I may well need my right hand free a lot more for the new dog, so off I go to buy a shoulder bag in winter colours! I won't lie, its quite fun going off for shoes and bag, and at least I have an excuse! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
2:24 pm	Dogs and Sensitivity I wrote a piece on my Guide Dogs discussion list about how I feel I'm grieving for something that hasn't happened yet, i.e. I'm sad that Jade is leaving but she hasn't gone yet. I had an Email from a lady whose response I found very helpful. Her dog had to retire due to ill health but she kept the dog for a few weeks prior to re-homing her. She cried a lot and the dog became very sensitive and eventually spent long periods of time in a separate room to her owner. Obviously I am not judging this lady in any way. She was faced with an impossibly difficult situation which she found extremely upsetting. However, her story has made me think. Jade is still a very happy dog and I'm fortunate that she has no health problems. It is up to me to make her last three weeks with me pleasant and happy. This story has made me stronger in myself and able to think logically about not breaking down and crying in front of Jade as much as I was doing. I'm not sure how long this new found strength will last but I'm holding out for as long as possible. (Comment on this)
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
9:45 pm	Jasmine had the matching visit this afternoon with Jasmine, a black Lab who is about 27 kg. spent a bit of time getting to know her and asking a ton of questions before we went out for a walk. Jasmine was obviously very distracted by her GDMI being on the left of her and at times this really put her off her work. However, she did show some good anticipation of obstacles and when she's not excited she's very obedient. the nice thing for me was that I was able to get her to respond to me with a bit of encouragement. I think she's going to need a bit of a steadying hand in the first few months or so as she's full of enthusiasm. I asked the GDMI what really motivates her and was told willingness and a love of life and being out there! sounds promising to me. So training starts on 23rd November. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
8:48 am	Matching Visit Day - Guide Dog Application Today's the day. I have such mixed emotions its untrue. The main one is still sadness that this could be my partnership with Jade coming to an end. However, I'm now curious about Jasmine. I love dogs and the challenge of working a new one is always a bit exciting. Seven hours of work to go though before this happens ... (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, October 19th, 2009
11:26 am	Two Very Different Cafes Visited two cafes last week in Devon and would highly recommend them both for very different reasons. The first was Angels, Babacombe Downs Road, Babacombe. I wrote about this one two years ago following a visit there during a friend's hen weekend. It had been so good that we decided last week to take a bus trip there, specially to re-visit the cafe. I must admit, having been given several inaccurate directions, just to get to the bus station in Teignmouth, we did start to question the wisdom of setting off into the wide blue yonder just to go for lunch! However, once we arrived at the bus station, we decided to stick it out. Finding the Cafe in Babacombe was in fact a lot easier and we eventually got there. We were slightly surprised to learn that they were pretty booked up but were found a table. The food was as excellent as I remembered. Anything you could possibly want in a sandwich from Brie and bacon, through Coronation Chicken to cheese and pickle. Plenty to choose from for main meals, but the best part was the home made cakes or scones. The slices of cake were immense! No exaggeration! Excellent quality too. Plenty of fresh tea and coffee to go with it. I'd thoroughly recommend Angels. A little pricier than your average caff, but well worth the extra. Really glad we went back there and more importantly, my companions were really happy to have visited there too. The second cafe was the East Cliff Cafe in Teignmouth. A complete contrast to Angels. It consists of a little kiosk and some chairs and tables outside overlooking the sea. Very cheap and basic food but very nicely cooked. Friendly and helpful staff and a Braille menu! Excellent if you want to sit and look at the sea with a bacon sandwich and a huge mug of tea! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
10:22 am	A Bitter-Sweet Time when the Head and the Heart Cannot be Reconciled - Guide Dog Application Last Friday I had the call, the one that I dreaded and looked forward to but mainly dreaded. Guide Dogs have a possible match for me. She's a little black Labrador called Jasmine and on paper she ticks all the boxes. So they will be setting up a matching visit for me to meet her and work her to find out if she definitely is a match. If she is suitable, I'll start training on the 23rd of November. So that's the positive. The negative is that although my rational logical side says that Jade has worked hard for me for almost 8 years and she is now showing caution. She therefore deserves to retire whilst she is still fit and healthy and lead the stress free life of a pet. But my selfish insecure side can't bear the thought of letting her go. I can't imagine life without her. I know her so well and she has never once compromised my safety. She's been the best working guide dog I've owned to date and she'll be a hard act to follow. I know I'll have to let her go but its going to be so hard. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, October 12th, 2009
10:34 pm	Shopping - A Day of Stark contrasts this morning I went to John Lewis for an appointment with a personal shopper. This is something that I've never done before but I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants some fresh ideas about buying clothes, or even just someone to help you find things. I was looking for an outfit to wear at a wedding and a 70th birthday party this autumn. I tried on loads of different styles of dresses to start with but although we found a colour that suited me, and a dress style that suited, we couldn't get anything that matched both criteria. So we went on to a lovely pair of wide leg trousers and eventually a purple silk blouse to go with them. At one point I was sitting there feeling totally pampered! Wearing a robe, drinking a cup of tea, whilst the personal shopper was finding things for me to try on. I can't reiterate enough what a positive and liberating experience this was and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, particularly to any blind person who finds clothes shopping difficult. it doesn't cost anything to use the service and you are under no obligation to buy. I then went on to Marks and Spencer. I'd seen a cardigan online and wanted to look at one before buying it. the lady who was asked to help me was bored, disinterested, and couldn't wait to try and tell me they didn't have it and get me out of the shop. fortunately my persistence led to the cardigan being found and I went on my way. Its a shame as I like shopping in marks and Spencer, but the customer service on my last two visits has been sadly lacking. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
9:47 pm	East Midlands Trains Complaint Follow-Up Following my complaint to East Midlands Trains, I was contacted by their Customer Relations manager by telephone and we had an excellent exchange. Firstly she was very apologetic about the way I'd been spoken to when making the booking and assured me that she would look into this. We then spoke at length about the issue of having enough space on a train for a blind person and their guide dog. She told me, as I'd already found out, that east Midlands trains do not have the policy of booking an extra seat for a guide dog owner with dog as other train operators do. I asked why this was and she explained that they feel that standard class seating is at a premium and can't be allocated in this way. She then went on to say that if a blind person had insufficient space, i.e. only one seat on a train, they could speak to the train manager and ask to be seated where there is more space, this usually being in first class. although I feel this is a good work around I explained to her that it might not always be possible to identify the train manager if they don't come down the train, so it would be difficult to ask for help. I suggested that a possible solution would be to offer a blind person with a guide dog a discretionary seat in first class at time of booking. She was very receptive to this suggestion but could not change this policy herself. she asked me to put the suggestion to her in writing for her to take up with colleagues. This I have done so hopefully things may change for guide dog owners travelling on east Midlands Trains. (Comment on this)
9:32 pm	autumn Sadness I've written a few times here about my dislike of autumn but it seemed even more poignant on my way home from work today. Every year when the leaves start to fall Jade goes through a week or so of trying to treat every single one as an obstacle. As more leaves fall she slows more and more thinking she can't walk on them or allow me to. finally she gets the hang of it and we trudge through them and she gets all excited about it! She's just getting to the stage this year of being comfortable with walking on the leaves again. I was enjoying this on the way home with her but suddenly had this awful thought that this will be our last autumn working together. Of course my being on the waiting list for a new dog has been a reality for a few months now but the realisation that we're coming to last times hit me like a punch in the stomach. This is my first real experience of retiring a guide dog, despite having owned them for 20 years. When my first dog retired, I was naive enough to think it would be a breeze. Dogs two and three never made it to retirement age with me, so this is the first guide dog whose retirement I have really planned. it doesn't help matters that jade is the best guide dog I have owned to date. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
11:02 am	Gadgets We Can't Live Without Was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking about gadgets people couldn't live without. It got me wondering about mine, and I think it has to be my Nokia N86. OK, so I could actually live without it, but mobile technology has certainly revolutionised my life in the last few years. First and foremost, its obviously a phone. Since owning mobile phones, I've felt much more confident when out and about. No more worrying about how I'll get home if I get lost or transport breaks down. No more having to try and locate a phone box and needing to have the right change. Talks is a great piece of software giving me access to my phone book and even better my calendar. With its current 12 gb of storage space, I have room for books and music. I'm currently carrying 8 books around with me! Its Daisy player and Audible player gives me access to two different formats for accessing books. On top of all that, there's web browsing, Twitter and Email. I'd never buy a camera for the amount of time I use one, but to have one is fun. Also the ability to record has proved useful occasionally. So, all this in something that'll fit in your pocket. The absolute best part however, is that it is mainstream so looks stylish. With a well designed piece of software, its been made fully accessible. So there you have it! (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, October 4th, 2009
10:22 pm	the Illegal Eagles An Eagles tribute band that we went to see in birmingham last night. personally, not one that i'd go to see again. Maybe i'm not a fan enough of Eagles music and probably only went along as friends had invited me to join them. It was the first night of their UK tour and to be honest, especially in the first half, it was obvious that they were warming up! the second half was a little better, they seemed to connect better with what had up till then been a very staid audience. although the Alexandra Theatre was nice enough, I had very little space for the dog and I once more appreciated the second to none service and reception we get at Nottingham in comparison. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
10:05 pm	Shopping Inaccessibility Just some thoughts on a situation that occurred yesterday. Last week I saw some boots on the Cloggs website that I was very interested in. Yesterday we were in Birmingham where there is a big Cloggs store. As we had a bit of time to kill, we decided to try and see if we could get to the shop so that I could look at the boots. We started by getting the address and phone number from directory enquiries. We then decided to phone the shop to find out where on Corporation Street they are. However, we couldn't get through. We then started asking questions to various people. No one, including the barman at a pub, the staff at new Street Station, or a couple of taxi drivers, could tell us where this shop was. As Corporation Street is apparently fairly long, we eventually decided against looking for the shop as once on the street we had no idea where we should go. cloggs have a second branch in the Bull Ring shopping centre, but this is just a complete no go area for blind people unless they have had some orientation practise in there. It is all open fronted shops, wide open spaces, and very noisy. so in the end we gave up on the idea and went back to the pub to wait for our friends! I bought the boots online today and just hope that they'll be OK otherwise I'll have the inconvenience and expense of sending them back. This highlights probably my greatest frustration. We were possibly so close to that shop but eventually had no way of finding it. Those uninitiated people who say that blind people shouldn't have any problems getting about don't realise that yes, we can put one foot in front of the other and walk or run with the best of them, but not knowing where we are going can at times be as debilitating as a physical disability and renders it impossible for us to go to the places that others take for granted. the flip side of this frustration is that if I were sighted i'd probably be broke as i love shopping and it is only its inaccessibility that stops me from doing it regularly as a form of therapy! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
9:26 am	Concert for Rainbows The "Mad About the Musicals" concert went well last night. We raised around £1000 for Rainbows Hospice, thanks to Christine's harde work and enthusiasm. I still need to learn to overcome my nerves when singing solo though! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
9:07 am	Fascinating Aida I first saw this trio probably in about 1989 and honestly didn't have any idea they were still going until I saw the Theatre Royal web site where they were playing. We booked to go and see them although I had some trepidation. What a great act they still are. Two of the ladies are from the original line up and the third has been with them for five years. Their act consists of excellent singing to a piano. Most of the songs are humorous, cynical or rude! Just the thing for an excellent evening of light entertainment and lots of laughs. On the way out we bought a CD which they signed for us. We'd been spotted "beaming on the front row" as one of them put it! (2 Comments |Comment on this)