mmowens40@yahoo.com (845) 675-7200
It’s a bird; it’s a plane; yes, it’s Irwin flying away to visit family in Colorado. Delta Airlines personnel were most accommodating when Irwin and I wanted to fly to Colorado. He was now old enough to go with me and spend a couple weeks in the Rockies. The picture tells it all. Irwin found the entire trip rather ordinary. He was curious as we took off, but soon settled into a nap and slept most of the trip. As a "Service Dog" in Training, Irwin was awarded a place with the passengers, never in the cargo.
INTRODUCTION: In 1997, in New York, a kind, 40-year old man, Willie, had a heart attack. When he awoke, he was blind.
In 1997, a few miles north of New York City, puppy Irwin was born blind. In about two weeks, he awoke to sight, just like puppies do. His nine Labrador puppy brothers and sisters were soon enlisted in a special training program for exceptional puppies. They would study to become Guide Dogs for the blind, someone like Willie. In time, Irwin and Willie became partners, and Irwin shared his sight and insights with him. Irwin seemed to generate miracles ~ for me, for those around me, and for Willie and his family.
Irwin came to my home in early July to begin his training. Irwin cleverly made himself at home and showed us all his intellectual prowess by opening his crate locks (Episode 2) and doors! (Episode 3). During the 18 months Irwin lived with me, many lessons/command/concepts were learned, by Irwin, as part of his training, and by me, as part of life.
Guide Dogs or Puppies in Training are Service Dogs who cannot fly in the cargo section of an airplane - they get to ride with the passengers. Thus, when I traveled home to Colorado to visit with our extended family, Irwin happily traveled with me in the Bulkhead of the airline - Everyone loved him!
(Tangential Foreshadow:) Willie loved the Yankees. He had gone to many games with friends over the years—but now, because he was blind, it was not as fun. The game was still enjoyable—he took his pocket radio and listened to the play by play calls. A cold beer and a spicy dog always tastes great at the ball-park with friends nearby, but having to rely on others to help him to his seat and to the bathroom—often in unfamiliar territory—was frustrating. It took the edge off the fun. The cane did not help. People treated him differently, often speaking louder as if he were deaf, not blind. Willie had no idea that Irwin would be the quintessential baseball buddy to allay his concerns. Hold that thought . . .
When Irwin and I arrived in Colorado, we spent plenty of time in the Rockies, hiking trails and enjoying the view. He peered over walls at lakes and mountain sides—something he had not seen.
We waded in a cold mountain lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. The glacier-fed, ice-cold water did not seem to chill Irwin’s enthusiasm. We enjoyed a Georgetown train ride where gold miners put Colorado on the map. Irwin made friends with the conductor, which was no surprise.
A good romp with both Shadow and Bonnie ~ both cousins who loved to play ~ topped off the days of exploration in the Rocky Mountains. Both provided delightful company. Both Shadow and Bonnie loved Irwin's squeaky jack!
Our bulkhead seat gave us ample room for him to lie down—truth was, the passenger
next to me did not seem pleased that she had a 80-pound yellow lab at her feet.
She looked straight ahead and ignored us both, paying him no attention.
She actually looked quite serious. Irwin was wearing his "Guide Puppy In Training"
cape, and most everyone had seen us before the flight as we waited to board; they
watched as we boarded, so his presence was no surprise, but perhaps sitting next to him more than she had anticipated. Irwin was not flying in the cargo with the pets. He was not a pet—he was a guide dog in training and the organization does not allow their trainees to fly as cargo. Irwin got busy just before the flight, so I knew he would be fine for the duration. Many passengers reached down to ask permission and greet him as they passed by.
My fellow passenger in the next seat, however, continued to stare ahead after the flight attendant made the general announcements during which she welcomed Irwin aboard. People clapped. Irwin lay down to nap. He was taking most everything in stride now -- exactly the plan. Irwin sat up to watch us take off, with a bit of curiosity, then he lay down to sleep.
My neighbor did not seem impressed. I apologized to her. “I’m so sorry there isn’t more room here for us. This was the most spacious seat.
Her demeanor switched like a light-on, and her smile and sparkling eyes posed her immediate reply. "I don't mind at all," she
answered enthusiastically. Her sincerity spilled into the space and Irwin almost smiled. “He is so handsome.I knew he was working, so I had to work to not bother him.”
I assured her that we were still in socialization process and she was welcome to greet Irwin and bother him at will. Her enthusiasm flooded over Irwin with warm words and lots of petting. After all, he shared part of her foot-space. She grinned as she took off her shoes and promptly gave Irwin a back rub. She chatted with him as though they had been long-friends. Her “blah blah blah” was easily translated into “love love love you,” which Irwin understood immediately.
Later, the captain gleefully awarded Irwin with his wings as we deplaned. My seat partner stopped to give Irwin a final scratching behind the ears and a cheek kiss to say goodbye. He was a veteran to now both flying and hugs and kisses.
Irwin Plays in the Rockies
My cousin Brett and I always eagerly took in another view of the Rockies when I visited—from the grandstand at Coors' Field. A few simple arrangements with the Colorado Rockies’ management got us a good seat with ample space to watch Irwin's first professional baseball game. We boarded the bus in Fort Collins, (bus riding was common-place for Irwin by now).
At the game, once again Irwin got plenty of attention. “Can I pet him, can I pet him?” adults pleaded like children. The children tended to just jump right in without asking and stroked his blond back or patted his soft head. Patting was not one of Irwin's favorite forms of affection—he preferred belly rubs or back-of-ears schrunches, but Irwin was gentle and tolerated their enthusiasm. As an eternal teacher, I seized the teaching moment to help children understand
How to approach a dog:
(1) Ask permission of the master to say "hi" and receive it
(2) With palm facing downward, slowly bring your hand up
under the dog’s nose so s/he can smell that you are a
friendly greeter
(3) Pet the dog gently behind the ears or on the dog’s back.
I prefer the back because it is always safer for the person—the master often suggests the best approach. Irwin could not have cared less. He just soaked up the love—love that he would give back to people time and again.
Irwin Flies Away to Colorado
The Rockie's baseball game was a new phenomena for Irwin. The crowds didn’t just
applause or sing, something he knew from the opera or church (see Episode 7); they yelled
loudly and without much warning. The first outbursts took Irwin by surprise. The '97
Blake Street Bombers were at it again, hurling baseballs into the grandstands for record home runs. He sat up and looked around anxiously, then to Brett and me.
We were cheering too. He took stock of our behavior, and yet again, quickly Irwin ignored the shouts and cheers. At the 7th inning stretch, the singing was nothing as abrupt as the soprano at Figaro or Mrs. Johnson at church (see Episode 7). Irwin seemed to enjoy the crowd's thunderous “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” then lay back down to sleep. Irwin’s new view of the Rockies was loud and boisterous, but soon became as common-place as grates or other initially surprising experiences.
One small distraction from the aromatic bratwurst could have been a challenge, but Irwin’s Iams treats were welcomed and provided as satisfying delight. He gobbled up his treat, slurped down another drink of water, and then lay down to sleep for the rest of the game.
Willie, of course, did not even know Irwin at this point and little did he know that our young Irwin was becoming an old hand at baseball games. He would be pleased to accompany Willie see the Yankees play again and again.