Tuesday is the day

[tuffystar]

Well we have our first day of official training Tia to be my service dog! I am nervous and excited all at the same time! On one hand it will open the world up for me but on the other hand it will restrict visiting with my family. Once Tia is trained I don't think it would be right to leave her behind when I visit with my family. My family has issues with dogs. My sister is allergic and won't even try to be around Tia. I don't blame her but it has been worrying me. My little brother said he doesn't want any other dog in his home but his own. I can't blame either of them but that also cuts out seeing mom because she lives with my sister. I don't know how my older brother feels but they said that if I had a seeing eye dog it would not change their minds. So while it means I may be able to go back to church it means I can only see my family at a park or in a restaurant. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Oh well we start training Tuesday and I am glad!!!!!!

[Jac]

I am so happy that you will begin the training...but shame on your family!
I know that you will find a satisfactory solution, but I am so stubborn that if someone said that to me...they would not be on my list to visit or to invite! See? You are a much nicer person than I.
Hang in there, they may change their minds...

[tuffystar]

Thanks Jac. Unfortunately this could mean I won't see my mom again unless it is outside or at a restaurant. My mom lives with my sister. I can't worry about them today I just found out that I need 13,000$ for dental work. I will get Tia trained and rejoice in it no matter what the problems that come at me. You see it means my world opens up in more areas than not.

[Jac]

I forget, Kathy, what area of California is your family in? I have a great friend who runs a terrific dog boarding...she loves her dogs and is so good to them...she is in LA...

[tuffystar]

My family is in Lancaster CA. It is a ways from LA. My concern with boarding Tia (after she is trained) is, is it really fair to not let her do her job? I mean after all I have her as a service dog for a reason. As Kevin said however, if it means not seeing my mom I would be forced to board her or leave her with Kevin. Mom is 84 and I miss her. If I am forced I would not see my siblings but not to see mom is not an option.

[Jac]

I think that boarding Tia is a good part of training her to be with you. You may run into times when she will need to be boarded...I don't think that visiting family should be one of those times, but if they are going to be stubborn....I'd try to find a good kennel, better yet, a home environment for her. That is what my friend has. She takes in dogs at her home. She is a service dog trainer so she could board Tia and train her at the same time! Maybe you can find someone like her...what about YOUR trainer taking her?

[MaxandMe]

Kathy, i was in the hospital yesterday and saw a family member holding a service dog for a family member that was ill and could barely speak.
NOW while the service dog is with her at all times they have a setup for boarding in times of emergencies.

So perhaps you might want to see if either Kevin watches the dog OR if there is anyone in the area that has boarding in their home.
VETS in your MOM's area are a way to start to asking about this kind of in-home boarding service. IT"S JUST an IDEA.

[tuffystar]

Thanks that sounds like a good idea. My trainer does board dogs but I don't know much about how he does it. I will ask him. You are so helpful!