Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[DUTRAVEL]

Fairbourne, loved your Christmas story. I'm so in love with Aruba, she's such a wonderful girl. I'm going to need some big therapy when she goes to formal training! I'm not much help am I? Sorry!

 

I'm home sick today with a fever and cough. I hate to stay home on a work day......I know I'm missing something and I prefer to be in the mix of things. I'll go in tomorrow and catch-up!

 

Hope you feel better soon Roz. Its stressful enough this time of year trying to get everything accomplished.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

Hope you feel better soon Roz. Its stressful enough this time of year trying to get everything accomplished.

 

Dianne

 

Thanks Dianne. Germs aren't allowed to hang around me too long! It's the darn cough that's most annoying.

[wizard-of-roz]

I've been checking my emails at work and saw that there was something from a woman named Kelly at Happy Tails in Sacramento, CA. She said that she knows of one dog named Sassy from their rescue org. in Sacramento. She said she was going to look further into it. She also mentioned that the Golden Retriever that she's knows as Sassy is not a Service Dog.

 

I don't expect that she can give me much info. on the dogs owners but maybe she can contact them and let them know that they're N0T to take the dog in public again until it's been formerly trained and inform them that hitting a dog for any reason is a huge mistake.

 

I'm going to stay in contact with Kelly at Happy Tails and see what happens.

[Caribbean Chris]

I've been checking my emails at work and saw that there was something from a woman named Kelly at Happy Tails in Sacramento, CA. She said that she knows of one dog named Sassy from their rescue org. in Sacramento. She said she was going to look further into it. She also mentioned that the Golden Retriever that she's knows as Sassy is not a Service Dog.

 

I don't expect that she can give me much info. on the dogs owners but maybe she can contact them and let them know that they're N0T to take the dog in public again until it's been formerly trained and inform them that hitting a dog for any reason is a huge mistake.

 

I'm going to stay in contact with Kelly at Happy Tails and see what happens.

 

Wow, great detective work! Good to hear that she contacted you and is looking into it.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all:

Roz: Get to feeling better real soon! I know what you mean about missing work. Something grand always happens when I do! ♥ You are so pawsome for trying to find out who that not very nice woman was. People can be just Jack Wagons.

 

Fairbourne: You are a fabulous writer. I was right there with you, DH, Aunty Fab and Miss Aruba. I can visualize the room (probably no where close to what it probably was) but a girl can dream! You could write a pupper walker book and continue on with all of them in your future.

 

We finally got some rain, much needed in this barren desert! Hope everyone has a great after Hump Day week.

 

 

[Algebralovr]

Price varies from one trainer to the next as well as one part of the country to the next and how many tasks/what types of tasks need to be trained, but count on at least a couple thousand plus. I would say the range would be $2,500 to $4,000 (the lower end would be you training the dog with the trainer, keeping the dog living at home, while the upper end would be the dog living with the trainer during the training process - with allergy scent training, I am not sure if it would be safe for you to do the training at home...).

 

You don't have to wait until she is older to start the training, as earlier is actually better. I would definitely be looking for trainers now. Be sure you search for reviews/ask on service dog message boards or Yahoo! Groups for the trainer's reputation, as there are some bad ones and scam artist ones out there (just as there are scam programs, too).

 

 

Thanks, Quampapetet. They have been working with her, teaching her to find certain scents. Basically, training her the way you'd train a hunting dog to hunt a scent. That is the kind of training usually done in my rural community. They are trying to get her to stop and bow when she finds the scent. Xena will definitely need someone else to work with her when it is time to train for peanuts and tree nuts - the big things she is needed for. Right now, she loves to find her "daddy's" dirty socks.

 

I'll tell her to start looking for message boards and Yahoo! Groups along with FB. She graduates from college 2 weeks from tomorrow! I'm amazed that Xena is as well trained as she is, considering she is being raised by a couple of college kids (my DD and her BF), and that my DD wasn't able to work with her all summer while she was recovering and getting strong enough to walk again!

[Quampapetet]

Quam, I hope your girl is feeling better!

 

Unfortunately, it looks like the cancer is back. :( We will know for sure in the morning when we see the oncologist, but her lymph nodes are enlarged again, among other issues, so we are pretty sure. She still isn't eating her dog food, but she will eat regular "people" food, so she's getting spoiled in her last days (then again, she definitely deserves to be spoiled, so I don't mind!). SO much is up in the air right now because of this, so I hope we get some sort of answers tomorrow, though of course nothing is certain, especially timing. I just hope I can handle tomorrow. (We won't do chemo again because with each successive time, it takes longer to reach remission and that remission gets shorter, too.)

 

I really wish this didn't have to happen now, during the holidays and a family wedding this month and an upcoming trip (which I won't go on if she is still here and can't go, of course).

 

All of you here who are service dog handlers, especially those of you who have lost one, know there are no words. :(

[Quampapetet]

I'm just joking, I love Disneyland and seeing all the characters joining us at breakfast was so much fun. I just don't have the energy to walk through the park and crowds like I used to!!! :(

 

Horton didn't think anything of the big stuffed animals walking all around and it was so cute when he and Pluto saw each other. Horton sniffed and wagged his tail like he was meeting an old friend. So cute!

 

Rent an ECV (scooter), then. You and Horton need to have some fun! :D

 

Aww, so cute about Horton and Pluto! Did you get any photos? I did the character greet with Pluto so the Disney photographer would be there to take the photos (I pre-purchased the CD of all images, so knew I would be getting them).

[Quampapetet]

I've been checking my emails at work and saw that there was something from a woman named Kelly at Happy Tails in Sacramento, CA. She said that she knows of one dog named Sassy from their rescue org. in Sacramento. She said she was going to look further into it. She also mentioned that the Golden Retriever that she's knows as Sassy is not a Service Dog.

 

I don't expect that she can give me much info. on the dogs owners but maybe she can contact them and let them know that they're N0T to take the dog in public again until it's been formerly trained and inform them that hitting a dog for any reason is a huge mistake.

 

I'm going to stay in contact with Kelly at Happy Tails and see what happens.

 

Wow, that's terrible if the dog isn't a real service dog! I hope she is able to get to the bottom of things for the dog's sake.

[Quampapetet]

Thanks, Quampapetet. They have been working with her, teaching her to find certain scents. Basically, training her the way you'd train a hunting dog to hunt a scent. That is the kind of training usually done in my rural community. They are trying to get her to stop and bow when she finds the scent. Xena will definitely need someone else to work with her when it is time to train for peanuts and tree nuts - the big things she is needed for. Right now, she loves to find her "daddy's" dirty socks.

 

I'll tell her to start looking for message boards and Yahoo! Groups along with FB. She graduates from college 2 weeks from tomorrow! I'm amazed that Xena is as well trained as she is, considering she is being raised by a couple of college kids (my DD and her BF), and that my DD wasn't able to work with her all summer while she was recovering and getting strong enough to walk again!

 

For scent training, check out the Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) message board (search Google for it) - it is not only diabetic dog people on there, as it is all using the same techniques and concepts no matter what the medical alert is for. Also, have you heard of a "bringsel"? It is usually attached to an alert dog's collar (since it needs to be used outside of the home) or worn around the neck and the dog grabs it to make the alert - this way, there is no question whether or not the dog is alerting or just pawing for another reason or, in your case, play bowing or stretching. The site that message board is on sells their own type of bringsel, but you can also use a leash tab (with no loop) that is long enough for the dog to grab, but short enough to not get in the way/drag.

[fairbourne]

Unfortunately, it looks like the cancer is back. :( We will know for sure in the morning when we see the oncologist, but her lymph nodes are enlarged again, among other issues, so we are pretty sure. She still isn't eating her dog food, but she will eat regular "people" food, so she's getting spoiled in her last days (then again, she definitely deserves to be spoiled, so I don't mind!). SO much is up in the air right now because of this, so I hope we get some sort of answers tomorrow, though of course nothing is certain, especially timing. I just hope I can handle tomorrow. (We won't do chemo again because with each successive time, it takes longer to reach remission and that remission gets shorter, too.)

 

I really wish this didn't have to happen now, during the holidays and a family wedding this month and an upcoming trip (which I won't go on if she is still here and can't go, of course).

 

All of you here who are service dog handlers, especially those of you who have lost one, know there are no words. :(

 

Quam, no words are enough, we know. ...... We are with you ... Sending you love and comfort and may the angels look after your special special girl whatever the path she takes today.

[fairbourne]

I've been checking my emails at work and saw that there was something from a woman named Kelly at Happy Tails in Sacramento, CA. She said that she knows of one dog named Sassy from their rescue org. in Sacramento. She said she was going to look further into it. She also mentioned that the Golden Retriever that she's knows as Sassy is not a Service Dog.

 

I don't expect that she can give me much info. on the dogs owners but maybe she can contact them and let them know that they're N0T to take the dog in public again until it's been formerly trained and inform them that hitting a dog for any reason is a huge mistake.

 

I'm going to stay in contact with Kelly at Happy Tails and see what happens.

 

Roz, I hope you are feeling better and back to work. There is lots of flu bug type things going around here too. That's great you managed to track this down, I hope they can sort the dog hitter out. She needs to never be allowed to have any dog, ever, if she can't keep her hands to herself!

[fairbourne]

Mornin' all:

Roz: Get to feeling better real soon! I know what you mean about missing work. Something grand always happens when I do! ♥ You are so pawsome for trying to find out who that not very nice woman was. People can be just Jack Wagons.

 

Fairbourne: You are a fabulous writer. I was right there with you, DH, Aunty Fab and Miss Aruba. I can visualize the room (probably no where close to what it probably was) but a girl can dream! You could write a pupper walker book and continue on with all of them in your future.

 

We finally got some rain, much needed in this barren desert! Hope everyone has a great after Hump Day week.

 

 

 

Hi aunty Nancy fancy pants .... I tried to upload some photos of the cutest little pup but cc didn't like me doing it, so when I get a minute I'm going to the DKD route and upload them to photobucket and paste them in!

 

DKD, how's Davis doing? We are still working on the noisy traffic, Aruba jumps a little bit behind my legs. We were out the other day walking very nicely - for once - along a busy street when someone toots their car horn as they passed us, and we both jumped! Honestly I couldn't believe it,it was a fellow puppy walker driving past! I could have seen her far enough, she should have known better!

 

The Christmas tree and all the decorations will be going up some time in the next week, so that's going to be fun! LOL! I can't wait for Aruba to see and play in snow. Maybe Santa Paws will bring some!m:eek:

[Caribbean Chris]

Quam, so sad with you for this difficult road you and your dog must walk together right now.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Quam, you know how we all feel. I have tears steaming down my face. Hugs and prayers to you and your special little girl. I hate that you have to go through this. Pawsitive thoughts.

[Insuregal]

Quam, my family sends you warmest thoughts and cyber hugs during this time. Your girl definitely deserves as much spoiling as you can give her.

Beckie

[DUTRAVEL]

Quam, so sorry to hear about your dog. Sending good thoughts your way. Our dog also had cancer and passed away at Christmas time 5 years ago. We put him on prednisone and it made a great deal of difference his last month. You should definitely spoil her.

 

Dianne

[tvaud]

With over 500 posts on this thread, please forgive me if I am repeating a previous question.

 

We will be traveling with our new service dog for the first time in February. The cruise line has just approved his sailing. They have referred us to pettravels.com for information on port requirements. Our ports will be Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica. I have read that each requires a health certificate and some a microchip. Does each country require a separate health certificate or will they all accept the same one? Also, I already know that Jamaica is a no go, as the dog was not born in the UK, which is a requirement there. The cruise line stated in a letter that we cannot leave the dog in our cabin alone...yet we can ask the crew for assistance. Can the dog be kept in a kennel in the cabin? Do we hire a dog sitter? Or, does my husband have to stay on board for that port? Has anyone had experience with these issues? Thanks for your any help you can offer.

 

TV

[Quampapetet]

Thank you all for your kind words! ❤️

 

I actually come here tonight with pretty GOOD news! We had the appointment with the oncologist today (the place [which has multiple oncologists] was crazy busy, so I could see why it was hard to get an appointment, but she was nice enough to squeeze us in) and the cancer is indeed back, but despite how quickly her lymph nodes enlarged, it isn't as bad as I thought (her blood work was still good). She gave us three options: (1) Aggressive chemo again, which would give her another six to eight months; (2) Lighter, maintenance chemo, which would give her another four months; and (3) Just prednisone, for palliative care, which would mean she'd have up to two months more. We chose to do the chemo again (option one), since the outlook is a good number of months and all, even though we were planning on not doing it again. Part of the decision is because of the timing with the holidays, wedding, trip, etc. I can't imagine losing her at Christmas or even a month later; I just can't say goodbye yet!!

 

The good thing is that her type of cancer, lymphoma, is not painful. She had her first treatment of this go-around today and starts the prednisone tomorrow (since they also gave her steroids with the chemo today), which will slowly get weaned down week by week. The first four treatments (including today) are every week, then it goes to every other week. I don't remember how long it goes for (SO much information today!).

 

Eh, she is still going to be spoiled ;) , but I am hoping she goes back to eating her regular dog food soon. I ordered her some yummy-looking treats from a doggy bakery - you guys should check them out, as they have so many things, including doggy birthday cakes, doggy muffins, doggy pizza slices, doggy Christmas cookies, and more! It is called Healthy Hound Bakery - http://www.healthyhoundbakery.com I'm sure she is going to love them!

[Quampapetet]

With over 500 posts on this thread, please forgive me if I am repeating a previous question.

 

We will be traveling with our new service dog for the first time in February. The cruise line has just approved his sailing. They have referred us to pettravels.com for information on port requirements. Our ports will be Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica. I have read that each requires a health certificate and some a microchip. Does each country require a separate health certificate or will they all accept the same one? Also, I already know that Jamaica is a no go, as the dog was not born in the UK, which is a requirement there. The cruise line stated in a letter that we cannot leave the dog in our cabin alone...yet we can ask the crew for assistance. Can the dog be kept in a kennel in the cabin? Do we hire a dog sitter? Or, does my husband have to stay on board for that port? Has anyone had experience with these issues? Thanks for your any help you can offer.

 

TV

 

Welcome and congrats on the new service dog!

 

You just need the one health certificate, not separate ones. The cruiseline will make photocopies of it (and any other paperwork needed) so that you can keep the original with you.

 

Yeah, Jamaica is a no-go since they strangely don't accept any dogs who have been vaccinated for rabies ever. I honestly wasn't sad to stay onboard the ship in that port, but some people do like it.

 

If my service dog can't get off at a port, I stay on the ship.

 

You can't leave the dog alone in the room because the room steward is in and out of the room throughout the day and the dog is a liability if something happens to the dog or if something happens to the steward or other employee. I think someone (Roz?) has been told by employees that they were willing to care for the dog in their off time (not while on the clock), but I don't know if every line allows such and I, personally, would never trust my service dog to a stranger.

 

Be sure you don't waste money on buying any forms from the PetTravels site, as those forms are either free from the countries (import forms and such) or your vet has them (international health certificate), but the site is pretty good for finding out the import requirements (though it is always good to double-check with each country via their sites or e-mail/phone).

 

Make sure you know if your dog has an international (ISO 15-digit) microchip or a US one. My current dog has a US one, since ISO chips weren't available in the US back when she was chipped, and thankfully we never had an issue with it with other countries, but I purposely got an ISO chip for my next service dog (who is currently in training).

[wizard-of-roz]

Unfortunately, it looks like the cancer is back. :( We will know for sure in the morning when we see the oncologist, but her lymph nodes are enlarged again, among other issues, so we are pretty sure. She still isn't eating her dog food, but she will eat regular "people" food, so she's getting spoiled in her last days (then again, she definitely deserves to be spoiled, so I don't mind!). SO much is up in the air right now because of this, so I hope we get some sort of answers tomorrow, though of course nothing is certain, especially timing. I just hope I can handle tomorrow. (We won't do chemo again because with each successive time, it takes longer to reach remission and that remission gets shorter, too.)

 

I really wish this didn't have to happen now, during the holidays and a family wedding this month and an upcoming trip (which I won't go on if she is still here and can't go, of course).

 

All of you here who are service dog handlers, especially those of you who have lost one, know there are no words. :(

 

Quam, I'm so, so sorry. I know you must be heartsick for your girl.

 

There are no words that can sustain you through this very difficult time. When you are with a beloved Service Dog for 24/7, day in, day out, everywhere you go, everything you do, you become one. There's a dance that ties the two of you together, that unless you live it you'll NEVER understand it.

 

I wish your girl as easy a time as she can possibly have as she goes through this phase of her wonderful life.

 

My heart and love go out to you Quam. One of the most difficult things I've ever had to do in my life [as I cry writing this] was to allow Brenda to finally rest in peace......so difficult. The hospice Vet knew it had to be done but it's up to US to make that final and appropriate decision. Again, my heart is with you.

Edited December 6, 2014 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

I got the most wonderful email from a long standing "lurker" on our board.

 

He/she wrote about "Sassy" the dog that I had witnessed being abused at the Disney Great Adventure Hotel. He/she found the Org. located in Arizona. He/she found a picture of Sassy and her handler at Disneyland.

 

I got an address, phone number and the name of the training org. I'm going to be contacting them on Monday with all the details and with the fact that I'm a handler with my own dog from CCI, I'm hoping that they take all the information very seriously and recall Sassy and her handler to come in for some real fine tuning of their training.

 

The Organization is Happy Tails Service Dogs of Arizona. They train their dogs and definitely should have an interest in how one of their dogs is being treated.

They're a non-profit agency and should be concerned about losing their not for profit status with the Federal Govt.

 

It's difficult enough to know that folks are buying fake service dog vests, etc. on line but to know that there are non profit training orgs. that are sending out poorly trained dogs and abusive handlers is far more than my imagination can handle!

Edited December 6, 2014 by wizard-of-roz

[Insuregal]

Roz, I looked over their website. Looks like individual candidates bring their own dogs for training. Happy Tails may not have any recourse with Sassy's family. Probably the lady who was hitting her is related to the handler whose name appears to be Fred. It breaks my heart when someone abuses any animal.

Beckie

[DUTRAVEL]

Thank you all for your kind words! ❤️

 

I actually come here tonight with pretty GOOD news! We had the appointment with the oncologist today (the place [which has multiple oncologists] was crazy busy, so I could see why it was hard to get an appointment, but she was nice enough to squeeze us in) and the cancer is indeed back, but despite how quickly her lymph nodes enlarged, it isn't as bad as I thought (her blood work was still good). She gave us three options: (1) Aggressive chemo again, which would give her another six to eight months; (2) Lighter, maintenance chemo, which would give her another four months; and (3) Just prednisone, for palliative care, which would mean she'd have up to two months more. We chose to do the chemo again (option one), since the outlook is a good number of months and all, even though we were planning on not doing it again. Part of the decision is because of the timing with the holidays, wedding, trip, etc. I can't imagine losing her at Christmas or even a month later; I just can't say goodbye yet!!

 

The good thing is that her type of cancer, lymphoma, is not painful. She had her first treatment of this go-around today and starts the prednisone tomorrow (since they also gave her steroids with the chemo today), which will slowly get weaned down week by week. The first four treatments (including today) are every week, then it goes to every other week. I don't remember how long it goes for (SO much information today!).

 

Eh, she is still going to be spoiled ;) , but I am hoping she goes back to eating her regular dog food soon. I ordered her some yummy-looking treats from a doggy bakery - you guys should check them out, as they have so many things, including doggy birthday cakes, doggy muffins, doggy pizza slices, doggy Christmas cookies, and more! It is called Healthy Hound Bakery - http://www.healthyhoundbakery.com I'm sure she is going to love them!

 

Wishing you and your beloved Service Dog the best.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

I got the most wonderful email from a long standing "lurker" on our board.

 

He/she wrote about "Sassy" the dog that I had witnessed being abused at the Disney Great Adventure Hotel. He/she found the Org. located in Arizona. He/she found a picture of Sassy and her handler at Disneyland.

 

I got an address, phone number and the name of the training org. I'm going to be contacting them on Monday with all the details and with the fact that I'm a handler with my own dog from CCI, I'm hoping that they take all the information very seriously and recall Sassy and her handler to come in for some real fine tuning of their training.

 

The Organization is Happy Tails Service Dogs of Arizona. They train their dogs and definitely should have an interest in how one of their dogs is being treated.

They're a non-profit agency and should be concerned about losing their not for profit status with the Federal Govt.

 

It's difficult enough to know that folks are buying fake service dog vests, etc. on line but to know that there are non profit training orgs. that are sending out poorly trained dogs and abusive handlers is far more than my imagination can handle!

 

That's amazing that you were able to get all of that information. Hopefully, something can be done to prevent any further abuse of the poor dog.

 

Dianne