Sometimes the public isnt as informed as wed like them to be . . .and other times they graciously receive us and our dogs. http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/list.php?7 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:01:01 -0700 Phorum 5.2.11 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1887,1887#msg-1887 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1887,1887#msg-1887
We usually eat out 2, 3, or 4 times a week. Since returning, I've greatly curtailed that simply to help Drake get accostomed to our routine. Well, last week we went to a restaurant here on City Island that we've been to uncountable times. There was a new person at the door, who told us although he himself loves dogs, dogs are not permitted. Not being a confrontational person, I immediately wanted to leave when after explaining Drake is a service dog and by law we cannot be denied admittance, we were told "I'll have to call my boss," - of course the "boss" didn't answer his cell. By this time we had a good 10 minutes invested in trying to get into a completly empty dining room or alternatively the outdoor dining area in the rear of the restaurant (we had purposefully arrived at 4:45 so as to disturb as few people as possible). We ended up ordering in.

Today I was with a friend in New Jersey. I needed to eat so we decided to stop at Paneira (spelling?) - a nationwide sandwich shop. Immediately an assistant mgr. approached us and told us we had to leave. Let me tell you my friend is a born and bred New Yorker and nobody is going to tell her anything she doesn't want to hear! She quickly informed him that he cannot deny access to a service dog by law and if he does we have the right to take legal action. He disappeared and returned saying he had spoken to the mgr. and where would we like to be seated - although he definately steered us to a small table by the door. I was able to get the carbs I needed but not without the stress I didn't need. We all know how stress affects our numbers negatively.

Today I received in the mail a laminated card with Drake's pic and the ADA law on the back. I've been trying to find the paper cards like Reb had at the conference - Does anyone know where I can get them?

Abbie - I wish I had your Moxie!

Best regards to all,
Tom & Drake]]> tom PUBLIC ACCESS Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:27:37 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1737,1737#msg-1737 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1737,1737#msg-1737
The laws regarding service animals in France are a bit different than in the USA, and I've read the Presidential documents that explain the law, but I really hope to find an organization that can provide practical help. You know... handout cards that list legal protections for the SD and his human, patches in French, lists of things to expect at various places, descriptions of how the dogs are expected to behave in public, etc., etc.

Does any of you have experience of traveling in France, or Europe generally, with your dogs? The French are dog-crazy so we expect no problems in most places and the apartments we're renting (Paris and Brittany) have said Coby's OK to stay there, restaurants are no problem. But what about museums (Bill loves the Impressionists)? what about churches (Bill loves organ music)? what about concert halls (Bill loves opera)? Will we be able to enjoy those things with Coby? Help!

BTW, I just re-read the postings on flying. We flew with Coby to California for the Christmas holidays and a college reunion. I took your advice to heart. We were ready for him to perhaps act anxious, so when he wouldn't settle down early in the flight out of Houston we thought it was just the new situation. After the third or fourth time he put his head in Bill's lap and then in mine, looking significantly from one of us to the other, the light dawned--he was alerting! Bill checked his BS, he was low, he started chewing candy, and Coby settled down and fell asleep. I was so pleased!]]> Palmers PUBLIC ACCESS Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:52:29 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1735,1735#msg-1735 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1735,1735#msg-1735
So the first place was my eye clinic. I just had a quick 5 minute (make sure the contacts are ok) appointment. When we first walked in, they oohed and ahhed. Then he started "talking" (which is a whine for him), and they got the deer in the headlights look like they were sure he was going to go on the floor.

I said I'd wait outside until they were ready for me. When they came out to get me, they had one of their ladies who said that "They were a medical facility and couldn't have any animals inside." yada yada yada. As I was already tired from waiting outside in the hot sun, I just let it go and went in to get it over with.

After that, I was already annoyed and seriously tempted to just go home. But, I decided I'd go to Petsmart to see if they had a book on Bloodhounds (as I'm pretty sure that's what the father was - since I know his mother was GSD). They didn't, but I started asking the ladies about the whining, if they knew if it was a breed trait, and did they grow out of it or whatever. I've never had a whiner before. One of them said that their 4 yr old GSD still whines in car rides or whenever they go anywhere, and it was probably just that I was going to have to take him out a lot before he'll stop stressing and thus whining when we're out.

Well, I still needed milk, so I decided to really quick just run into Publix next door. Now, after all the stress of this morning, that part of the trip was awesome! I grabbed a cart and started strolling, he walked right beside the cart, never flinched, never even glanced at it. We walked all through the store, by the meats and everything. He never glanced twice at anything other than a little kid, who he whined to see if he could go play with, and when I told him "no sir", he laid down and just waited. The employees all kept their distance, but were all smiles, and "Hi, how are you today? Oh, he's so cute! etc". He was perfectly behaved. I was totally surprised because thus far, he'd only been to a few people's houses, the vet and the pet store. He was the model SD in Publix and walking to the car afterwards, so I guess I just need to keep taking him out more and more often. He didn't even whine on the way home.

All in all, a good outing. Definitely need to have an ADA card to show the people who say "you can't bring a dog in" though.]]> mindi PUBLIC ACCESS Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:12:45 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1547,1547#msg-1547 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1547,1547#msg-1547
Today is my first day at this site, and I've just read many of your postings, especially the ones written by Lisa regarding Drake. I'm going to Wildrose the last week of April to meet Drake, attend the DAD conference and then to bring Drake home with me. I'm worried about what will happen at the airport. I have no idea what to expect and don't want to transfer my nervousness to Drake. Can any of you advise me as to what to expect and how to handle it? I'll be flying out of Memphis Airport, and something as simple as knowing where the dog walk area is will be a great help. Do you take everything off him before going thru the metal detector? How long before a flight do you stop letting him have water, etc. So many questions...so little info available on line. Any of your personal experiences and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Tom]]> tom PUBLIC ACCESS Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:53:14 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1532,1532#msg-1532 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1532,1532#msg-1532 thanks!]]> nobodybutjustme PUBLIC ACCESS Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:25:31 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1479,1479#msg-1479 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1479,1479#msg-1479
As far as being "vocal", YES!!!! Drake is vocal. I'm relieved to hear that I'm not the only one with this issue. We have been working on that but it has been a challenge. The barking is not quite as bad as it was, but now he's decided whining is the way to go. Interestingly enough, he is completely silent when he's being transported in the car even for long trips. In fact, a couple of times on days he's been at my office, he was so disruptive, that I finally just took him out to the car and stowed him in his crate until I was done meeting with clients.]]> lawbee PUBLIC ACCESS Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:45:09 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1344,1344#msg-1344 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1344,1344#msg-1344 Valliegirl PUBLIC ACCESS Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:56:30 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1336,1336#msg-1336 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,1336,1336#msg-1336 Situation #2 the homeowner hesitates when you ask permission to bring your service dog because either they have a dog or cat that hates dogs.? I do not think it fair to bring my dog into a situation that she may get attacked and of course that will be unpleasant all around.

I have encountered both situations and have either left my dog home, one homeowner put their aggressive dog into another room which made me feel guilty and one time I assessed the situation and put Lily out in the car (it was neither cold nor a hot day). Of course I'd rather she was with me watching over me, but I spent 20 years doing diabetes before she was helping me I can do a couple of hours without her. Also, many acquaintances wonder why I need a dog, after all I've done fine for 20 years.... I am just wondering how others have dealt with this.?

This also reminds me that our service dogs care for us it is also our job to care for them by assessing situations that may be dangerous to them. We may even have to step between our dog and an aggressive dog that could do them harm.]]> minnesota.ann PUBLIC ACCESS Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:18:09 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,927,927#msg-927 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,927,927#msg-927
Reading your posts has been helpful in many ways--thank you. But we have a concern that I haven't seen addressed, so I signed up to ask this question:

How can we inhibit the shaking Coby does when we're ready to leave a restaurant? He is so well mannered in restaurants that patrons usually don't know he's there if they didn't see him walk in. However, when we stand up to leave and he gets up he shakes himself and all I can see in my mind's eye is a cloud of fur raining on all the tables nearby. In reality, there is no cloud, just a few hairs that don't travel far (I hope), but I have read that it's good service-dog manners to not shake until exiting the building.

How does one teach a dog to not shake in one type of space, e.g., a restaurant? Actually, I suppose it would be a good thing to teach a dog to avoid shaking himself in any building except for home. The people at church don't care, but at a museum or in a hospital it might be better for him to refrain.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions,

Olia Palmer]]> Palmers PUBLIC ACCESS Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:59:24 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,882,882#msg-882 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,882,882#msg-882
1) Surveying all my immediate co-workers to see if they had any objection to having a dog in my work area.

2) Getting approval from my supervisor.

3) Getting approval from my manager.

4) Getting approval from my director.

5) Getting FINAL approval from the executive director.

I was also advised that there "may" be some areas of our facility where the dog would not be allow to go for reasons ranging from employee fear of dogs, or allergies.

I objected to these requirements, and reluctantly asked for and received approval from 1) and 2) above. Yesterday I notified my manager that I will likely be training a service dog which will be with me 24/7/365. He advised me to let him know if I am going to pursue training a DAD because he and I will have to go to HR to "work out some issues."

Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can prepare myself for the inevitable? I want to use this as an opportunity to educate the public. The HR manager seems receptive, but I don't think I will get the same reception from my manager or his.

Also, does anyone have a link pertaining to Mississippi ADA laws and whether service dogs in training have the same access rights as a fully trained service dog? Any help will be appreciated.]]> JByard PUBLIC ACCESS Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:21:31 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,865,865#msg-865 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,865,865#msg-865 great Thanksgiving!!!

I heard a story (not too interesting, just a little sad) last week about some people in a restaurant with their Service Dogs who were asked to leave because of the dogs behavior. I don't know the specifics about this encounter - what restaurant, location, etc.

Anyway, it got me wondering if anyone on the board has ever been kicked out or asked to leave a public place because of bad behavior from their SD? I'm not talking about a misinformed employee who doesn't know better but being asked to leave legitimately because your SD is misbehaving? If this has happened to you would you mind sharing how you dealt with it?]]> alanaycock PUBLIC ACCESS Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:18:48 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,847,847#msg-847 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,847,847#msg-847 leecherice PUBLIC ACCESS Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:09:32 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,606,606#msg-606 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,606,606#msg-606
[www.servicedogcentral.org]]]> Valliegirl PUBLIC ACCESS Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:40:44 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,525,525#msg-525 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,525,525#msg-525
[www.toledoblade.com] heres the article but it doesn't say too much more about it.]]> Valliegirl PUBLIC ACCESS Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:16:55 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,456,456#msg-456 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,456,456#msg-456
[www.topix.com]]]> 5ontherun PUBLIC ACCESS Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:55:10 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,451,451#msg-451 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,451,451#msg-451 5ontherun PUBLIC ACCESS Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:58:19 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,382,382#msg-382 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,382,382#msg-382 Valliegirl PUBLIC ACCESS Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:24:58 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,320,320#msg-320 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,320,320#msg-320 Keegans PUBLIC ACCESS Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:22:15 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,177,177#msg-177 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,177,177#msg-177 leecherice PUBLIC ACCESS Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:58:46 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,137,137#msg-137 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,137,137#msg-137 no, no free lunch to abi nor Mr D (although that was a great idea, Cherice . . Mr D would have liked it lots!! ha ha)
ONE really smart person has suggested that i pursue this issue with the manager - and perhaps 'encourage' her to make a donation to JDRF . . or maybe to my favorite service dog organization . . .
good idea!!!

thanks, yall!!]]> nobodybutjustme PUBLIC ACCESS Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:08:47 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,82,82#msg-82 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,82,82#msg-82
Since they weren't able to un-earth the old posts, I have a few flying questions:
1) I remember someone talking about getting Dr. notes re: necessity of diabetic supplies ?? Do I need one?
2) Did the noise on the plane bother Baylor or Harley or whomever else is reading that flew?
3) What can I do if Tammy starts to freak out a little while we're on the plane? Should I bring a doggy sedative?
4) Did the airline employees & other passengers give you a hard time?
5) Anyone stay at the Holiday Inn in Canyon? Was it in a safe area? I was just thinking about taking Tammy out in the middle of the night or early morning....my husband won't be able to travel to TX so it will be just me & Brady.
6) Did you feed your dog before you got on the plane? I was thinking how bad it would be if Tammy decided she needed to use the bathroom mid-flight !@!@! Our day will be long so I was trying to figure out a good plan.
7) Did you have to take their service vest off when you went through security?]]> Bridget PUBLIC ACCESS Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:59:37 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,71,71#msg-71 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,71,71#msg-71 about 15 min later, she came bursting into the kitchen, very tearfully explaining to me that they made her LEAVE 'cos of Mr Darcy. Now, those of you that know abi well will know that she is always a strong advocate for her rights with Mr D.

Mark and I were in the car in a nano-second. Understand, our town is an itty bitty little place. EVERYONE knows abi and everybody knows mr darcy. This was CRAZY. Abi goes to Subway every week. it was the SAME lady that has always been there. The funny thing is - the lady has only noticed Mr D on one other occasion because Mr Darcy is always soooo good . . and when there are lots of other people there and when he is on the other side of that tall counter, he can't even be seen.

anyway, abi had gone in to order and the lady told her that she couldn't come in with her pet. Of course, abi responded as she always does, "This is not a pet; it is a service dog and by Federal Law, he has a right to accompany me into any public establishment." The lady said, it did not matter 'cos she had talked to her manager and no pets were allowed. Abi responded that the manager cannot override a federal law - and that since it was a trained service dog, he had every right to be with her. The lady said she'd have to call her manager and that their phone wouldn't dial out so that she needed to BORROW ABI'S PHONE.
(??!! yeah right!!) abi did not have her phone with her, so the lady told abi to leave the store.
Abi said, " so, are you telling me that i can't eat here because i have a disability? - that's discrimination" The lady said "you are not disabled. go outside and let your sister come in and order"
Abi came to get us and we went in for "Round 2" with the ignorant Subway worker. She told me that i'd have to call and talk to her manager. I did (on my cell phone!!).
the manager gave a 1/2 hearted apology and then said that she would pay for abi's lunch. She then called baclk to the store to talk to the worker and made sure that they clearly understood to give only Abi a free lunch, not the rest of the family,
(we did NOT stay and eat at subway?? I think they owed abi a LOT more than a $5 sandwich!!! Abi was sooo upset!)
on our way out, i did speak to the (2) other families who were dining there - and they wre all hugely supportive of abi and mr darcy - said mr d was impeccably behaved and that abi was very polite and well spoken


an interesting irony to the whole tale is that when abi was pulling out of our driveway to go to subway, mr darcy alerted for a low. she was 89. she drank some juice and went on to subway to be harassed!!
UGH!!]]> nobodybutjustme PUBLIC ACCESS Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:16:16 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,70,70#msg-70 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,70,70#msg-70 alanaycock PUBLIC ACCESS Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:29:45 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,55,55#msg-55 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,55,55#msg-55
However, I am curious to know if anyone has used any of the available organizations that offer "registration" for Service Dogs. Like, for example, The United States Service Dog Registry. There are others, but I chose to use this one to register Baylor and I as a team. The documentation package they offer, I figure, may come in handy at some point. You can look up Baylor and me on their website using our 10-digit code: 1247864456.

Anyway, I was just curious to know if anyone else has done this or something similar!]]> alanaycock PUBLIC ACCESS Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:45:55 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,35,35#msg-35 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,35,35#msg-35 she responded, "a service dog? what's a service dog?"
I then explained to her that a service dog is a trained dog that mitigates a disability and i told her of some different kinds of service dogs that are trained for different disabilities.]]> Abi&Darcy PUBLIC ACCESS Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:07:34 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,27,27#msg-27 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?7,27,27#msg-27
This will be nice once the kinks are worked out. Thanks Rachel for taking this on. Bridget did you say that you were going to Texas at the end of July? We got lucky it wasn't near as hot when we were there. I think I will write a book on the dumb things people say when you have a service dog. I was reading a shampoo bottle and a woman told her kid not to touch the dog can't you see that woman (meaning me) is blind. I should have asked Cooper if this was the brand I usually bought. :D One of the cashier managers asked how does the dog know and I explained that they could smell a difference and she acted like a smart donkey and asked "Could I smell the difference?" I said, "No you don't have a dogs nose, yours more resembles a beak!" Just kidding I was very polite. These people remind me of that country song God is Great - Beer is Good and People Are Crazy. Talk to ya'll later.]]> Wen PUBLIC ACCESS Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:35:05 -0700