Buddy System is a humorous, in depth account of my transition from using a cane to learning how to operate a guide dog. It all began when my mobility instructor, (who taught me how to use a white stick) asked me if I ever considered getting a guide dog. I knew of them but I thought it might more of a responsibility than I was capable of, just the same I underwent an evaluation by a professional trainer. He told me I was a good candidate so I went ahead and applied to two California schools, one in San Raphael and the other in Palm Springs. Secretly I&apos-d hoped to go to the most glamorous setting in the desert, and when this happened I took it as an omen that was meant to be.Buddy System is a humorous, in depth account of my transition from using a cane to learning how to operate a guide dog. It all began when my mobility instructor, (who taught me how to use a white stick) asked me if I ever considered getting a guide dog. I knew of them but I thought it might be more of a responsibility than I was capable of, however, I underwent an evaluation by a professional.After a few days of orientation the real work began a leash was handed to me, at the other end was a seventy-two pound alpha male yellow lab named, "Buddy." He was a driven dog and I was a wary handler but we managed to reach a working relationship. We had the fundamentals down by the time we returned to Oregon. From that point on it was a matter of refining our "teamwork."The first part of the book covers the joining of human and canine and how we were converted into a six legged machine. The second half recounts all of our adventures together locally, then nationally. The book is the same, as we were as a team fast paced and colorful, sometimes unintentionally so.Buddy was a force of nature who challenged me to keep up and through trust, trial and error I did. He inspired me and gave me back my freedom, so I wanted to tell our story from an awkward start to a triumphant end.
2020/08/29 19:40:23
