mmowens40@yahoo.com (845) 675-7200
When Irwin was 14 months old, a friend and I traveled
to Niagara Falls. I found a wonderful Canadian B & B
that welcomed four legged critters; their owners had a
black lab, and Irwin always enjoys playing with a new
friend. Snowy’s master (yes, the black lab) took them
both on a good run each morning during our two-day visit,
thus Irwin enjoyed some exuberant romp with a new buddy
as well as a grand vacation. We took the usual tours and
Irwin eagerly participated. We learned that heights did
not faze him as we ventured onto the bridge from the US
side when we first arrived. He also eagerly put paws up
on the rock wall on the Canadian side to get a better view
of the raging falls and river below, just as he had done
while sight-seeing in Colorado.
Irwin just as eagerly donned a yellow rain jacket before we
boarded the Maid of the Mist. The coat was just a bit bigger than
his “Guide Dog in Training” cape and he didn’t mind that I
insisted that he wear one. I did not want to smell a wet dog the
rest of the day. From the deck, we hung out with passengers and
eagerly anticipated the spray of the water while we watched the
flight of seagulls overhead. His spirit of curiosity defined the
day.
“I’m sure he is petrified,” warned one old 30-year-old lady. She
is a little green around the gills herself, as the falls' spray
splashed onto the deck and onto our bright yellow slickers. I
glanced at Irwin. He opened his big brown eyes and mouth and
drank it all in.
“How are you feeling?” I rejoined.
“I’m sick,” she whined. “He cannot possibly like this at all! He must be scared to death.”
People often project their feelings onto a dog. Actually, dogs do feel a lot of what their masters feel. It is as if the master’s feelings flow down the lead to their dog. Thus, I was having a ball and enjoying the adventure—and so was Irwin. He was not afraid of anything. She was the one who was the reluctant tourist.
Irwin watched the birds and falls, and drank in the splashes and spray as we enjoyed our Maid of the Mist adventure. That night, we took in yet another new adventure, which Irwin equally enjoyed, with one minor exception.
At Niagara Falls, tourists are entertained with a magnificent light show after dark. The lights dancing on the falls evoke oohs and awes from on-lookers; the subsequent fireworks display then punctuates an already delightful show. Irwin watched the lights and particularly the fireworks with glee; he glanced from burst of sparkling bits to streaks of color with joy. The sounds made him jump a bit, but he took it in stride. Then, out of no where, a thunderous canon-like boom interrupted his happy experience. Irwin jumped back and looked at me in disbelief. The huge explosion hurt my eardrums—his must be aching. The burst of white light accompanied by a loud explosion did not match the golden fairy dust or even the comparatively calm booms with rockets red glare. They repeated the bombs and Irwin was not pleased.
“What the blank was that?” his eyes screamed, “That was not fun!” I felt the same and quickly responded, putting tissue in his ears and covering them with my hands. We sat and cuddled for the remainder of the show. He continued to watch the lights with interest, but flinched with the loud booms. The echo across the cliffs increased the volume exponentially—it was more than loud. I think we both went home with a headache.
After that night, however, a mere gunshot did not faze Irwin. He was totally immune after the extended fireworks show at Niagara Falls. You wonder why a gun-shot would be in his experience. During the "final test", Guide dogs must sit through a gunshot. Judges consider the dog’s reaction and his/her ability to stay calm in any event. Happily, Irwin sat calmly through this final training test. He passed that one with flying colors. I'm sure Irwin sat calmly because that gun shot was not nearly as loud as the bombs bursting in air which he endured a few months before.
Irwin did pass the entire test, and did become a Guide Dog--and that is what persistence and exposure is about. Every trip and adventure Irwin enjoyed during his puppy training proved to be beneficial to his work, which he performed calmly,
with joy.
Under Mom's close
supervision, of course.
Irwin Visits Niagara Falls
Of course, Irwin made friends while
waiting in line. What a GR8 idea!
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 in 1997, 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 can go anywhere you go, including on marvelous vacations - like to Colorado (Episode 7) and Niagara Falls - what fun!