“…Eyeballs…” Book II: 26. Guide Dog Chronicles: Training Center

Hey! You Got Eyeballs In There?

By Kate Chamberlin

As Grace grows up, some of her stories are happy, some trying, some enlightening, and a few themes are sad, but, they’re all the warp and woof of what goes into the tapestry of life we call Family. The daily living skills and techniques demonstrated by the fictional characters in these stories are valid, tried and true.

Book II:  The Teenagers

#10. Bad News

#11.  Grace’s Day One

#12 Knight With Shining Flatware

#13. The Locker Fiasco

#14. Lost In Thought

#15. The Musician

#16. Day Two And Beyond

#17. First Date

#18. The Zipper Creep

#19. Making Up

#20. Mall Cruising

#21. And More Questions

#22. Homecoming Dance

#23. Loyalties

#24. Sea Dragons

#25. Guide Dog Chronicles: Puppy Raisers

#26. Guide Dog Chronicles: The Training Center

I’d passed all my tests, training runs, and was ready to be graduated as an official guide dog for the blind. I could feel the excitement going all through the Training Center. My trainers knew all about me and, now, they were going to match me up with a compatible person.

Then, she was there, sitting on the couch. I couldn’t contain my excitement. As soon as I saw Grace, dressed in her sensible shoes, I knew she liked to walk. As soon as my trainerr unhooked the leash from my collar and she called me, I barreled into her. It was a good thing she was already sitting down. I began licking her face and it was love at first lick.

When Grace told me to sit, so she could put her leash on my collar, I surprised her by immediately sitting. I didn’t want to lose this new friend. I felt Grace was worried about being able to trust me with her life, but, I knew I could do it. I just had to prove it to her.

The turning point came during a training walk in a small city. We were standing on the corner waiting for the traffic light to change. A big delivery truck turned the corner a bit too sharply. His rear wheels jumped up over the sidewalk. If I hadn’t pulled back on my harness making Grace go backward with me, she would have been part of the pavement. Once Grace learned to relax, it became fun to strut our stuff along sidewalks and country roads, up and down stairs, in and out of revolving doors, up escalators and down elevators, as well as dining in restaurants, meeting new friends, and bonding with each other.

After graduation, we went to Grace’s home where she lived with her parents and brother. I liked them a lot, but, I knew that Grace was my lady and, when I’m wearing my beautiful leather harness, Grace is my responsibility. I take care of her and she takes care of me. We go everywhere together:  to school, to church, into town, and even grocery shopping.

kathryngc1@verizon.net