Akita Flies

This summer my Akita Service Dog Coco and I flew on South West Airlines this summer.  We had a wonderful flight.


SWA was very helpful.  When I called to find out what suggestions they had, so Coco and I would be properly prepared, I took notes.  I listened to what they said and Coco and I brought the proper paperwork and we also went through some special training so we would be okay to fly.

I fed Coco four hours before the flight and then about an hour and a half later we went for a nice hour long walk.  And an hour and a half before takeoff I gave her a Pepto Bismo and a Benadryl.  I wanted to make sure her stomach was coated and to help her stay calm, in case she got nervous.  I take real good care of her health and make all of her food and decided to splurg and buy her a bone she just loves. I thought, I'll give her half so she can chew on it when we take off and the other half when we are getting ready to land.  I also asked the light attendant for a few ice cubes to give to Coco after we took off and they did.

When we were taking off and we heard the engines I told her I hear it, its loud, we're safe; our training exercise for about two months before we left, and she was reassured and fine.
Coco liked having her head on my knee most of the time.  And then she laid down and she rested her head on her two front paws and then she feel asleep.  She slept almost the whole time.  And she enjoyed looking out the windows before we took off and after we landed.  I decided to close the window until after we were in the air and then again when we were landing.

Coco was great the during the TSA exam.  The agent asked me if she was okay and I said she was trained for this and she would be fine.  They could do whatever they needed to do to make their job easier.  When the agent was finished examining her and her vest Coco gave her a kiss on the cheek.

We also took the People Mover floor thingy.  We walked all the way to the gate because I've never been able to get on those.  But when we got to PA they had them and my cousin held onto my right arm and Coco did her job and we nailed it.  No problem.

This was the first time I have been able to travel on my own since the headon crash when someone came into our land going about 80 mph and left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Coco has been my service dog for six years.  I trust her with my life and she trusts me with hers.

Here are some additional pictures...

 Coco and I are ready to board the plane.

 

Coco and I are waiting to walk into the plane.

Coco and I are officially on the plane.
Coco enjoyed putting her head on my lap when we were in flight.  Until she decided to take a nap.

Coco is looking out the window.  And to the right we are taking the people mover.

  

Here is Coco and me after we landed in PA.

This is Coco and me making our very first Selfie after we landed in PA.

And here is Coco and me after we landed in Chicago.  Taking a picture with the pilot.  The other pilot is the one who took the picture.  And I think Coco is sneaking in a great big old smile.

 

I think Coco deserves some wings patches, one for her each of her two vests!

The Lens of our Experience

Today Coco and I went for a walk in our favorite park. The usual soccer game was going on. Lots of families dogs on leashes. No worries, lots of smile and the sun was out.

When Coco and I were rounding a trail I could see ahead that there was a woman with a lovely looking Golden Retriever on a leash and I thought, eh, we'll take a right and curve around and take the long way around. Its a beautiful day and it will be nice to walk a little longer. Unbeknownst to me the lady decided to catch up with us. Coco saw this happening and while she was friendly and the Retriever was very sweet I decided to make this a training exercise and because Coco was not focused on the path I walked away in the opposite direction of the lady and her dog. Usually Coco steps right into heel and is focused on where we are going. Which I need her to be. She is my service dog and she was wearing her vest and because sudden light can temporarily blind me, I also had my dark glasses on. But Coco kept pulling. So I turned to see what was going on and the woman was continuing to not just walk in our direction but she was trying to get the dogs to meet.

I faced her and said told her to please stop and said it twice. Coco immediately came to heel and she was calm and still very friendly. I told the lady Coco was working but if she wanted to stay where she was we could let the dogs see each other and enjoy a little relaxed look at each other.

Coco was calm and friendly and so was the Retriever. The lady was very nice. She just didn't understand that a working dog isn't to be approached. I was friendly with her as well and did not apologize but after a minute wished her a nice day and Coco and I went on with our walk. Coco was completely relaxed and focused.

And this is a perfect illustration of something I have been thinking about. We see life through the lens of our experience. The lady had no idea that what she was doing was inappropriate. And I could tell she had a good heart and she loved her dog and wanted to meet us. She didn't know what it is like to be peripherally blind and not know what it feels like to be unaware that someone is approaching and how unsettling that can be. Coco, being park of my pack, like my grown children too by the way, will compensate and close in to make sure the pack is safe. With her body language she was protecting my back and letting me know something was happening. As soon as I acknowledged this and the lady stopped and I allowed her to see the dog and be there for a minute and everything was fine. In fact, pleasant. I think what people who don't know about service dogs don't understand is when their vest is on, they are working. Usually, if a person is moving, walking or in a wheel chair, the dog is working. Most people do not want their service dog to be approached - ever. I enjoy it as long as I feel comfortable and I'm not moving and I feel the situation is okay to allow people to meet Coco. I always ask if they'd like to meet her or they ask if they can pet her and at that point, if it works for Coco and me I'll tell Coco to greet and she knows exactly what to do.

It was so interesting to see how all of us saw life through our own lens of experience and all were good creatures and yet, a little distance was required for Coco and me to function properly.

Chicago Botanic Garden October 2012

Took a lovely walk with a friend and my service dog Coco through the Chicago Botanic Garden.  It was such a lovely day.  Sunny with clouds sprawled across a bright blue sky.  Thought I'd share some photos.

This was such an amazing view.  I was inspired by the way the branches and autumn leaves revealed a glimpse of water and sky in the distance.

Notice the yellow wall of trees beyond the roses in the rose garden.  Within the wall of trees was a beautiful English Garden.

I've forgotten what these feathery grasses were called but aren't they a beautiful sight with the colors of autumn behind them?  What my photo didn't capture was the way those feathery boas were haloed by a brilliant white light and the gentle breeze that ever so gently swayed them.

And this view just took my breath away.  I was delighted that the picture captured it.

One thing these images can't capture was the amazing aroma of the sage and lavender and eucalyptus and the roses, the roses....

Bonsai Trees

And here are pictures of the lovely paths we walked along.

Of course a Coco tale occurred while we were there.

We were sitting on a bench, taking a little break, when I noticed Coco was focused on an area in the brush right next to us.  Her body became rigid and her sniffer stopped sniffing and her ears were pricked forward.  I told my friend Coco was hunting.  And the next second bam!  She caught a mole.  I told her to drop it and she let it go.  And that nice plump mole made its way back into the bushes.  Alas, my sweet gentle Coco, who had charmed everyone at the Chicago Botanic Garden except that mole, had made her own primal connection.