MIRAAshley:: JUST TO EXPLAIN BEFORE WE START- ASHLEY COULD NOT LOG IN BECAUSE OF HER SCREEN READING PROGRAM SO I WILL RELAY YOUR QUESTIONS TO HER AND TYPE HER ANSWERS. I'LL KEEP THE CAPS ON SO YOU CAN DISTIGUISH HER ANSWERS EASIER

MIRAAshley:: OK SHE'S THERE - QUESTIONS?

Lindyyy:: ashley, how was your training at Mira different from what you expected?

MIRAAshley:: ASHELY WANTS TO INTRODUCE HERSELF- SHE IS CANADIAN, IN HER LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

michaelslady711:: Hi ashley, so great of you to so this with us

Skippette:: Thanks for joining us Ashley.

MIRAAshley:: HER DOG IS A MALE LABERNESE NAMED MEDLEY

Lindyyy:: Hi Ashley, thank you for coming here tonight

MIRAAshley:: HE IS ALMOST THREE

MIRAAshley:: AND SHE HAS HAD HIM FOR SIX MONTHS

MIRAAshley:: TO ANSWER ML- SHE THINKS IT WAS A LOT MORE WORK THEN SHE EXPECTED

Revy1:: What is the average length of service for one of the dogs?

MIRAAshley:: THERE WAS A LOT OF WALKING INVOLVED- SHE PREPARED BY WALKING MORE THAN SHE NORMALLY DOES

michaelslady711:: I am sure that he is a great help to you....what are your plans for after high school?

MIRAAshley:: ALSO SHE WASN'T PREPARED FOR HOW MUCH THE DOGS WOULD TEST HER AND HOW MUCH ATTENTION YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING

michaelslady711:: I am sure it was a big adjustment for you and Medley

Skippette:: Testing her how? As in seeing how firm she'd be?

Lindyyy:: what was the most difficult aspect of their training together

MIRAAshley:: TO REVY- SHE THINKS IT IS ABOUT 7 YEARS. MIRA INFORMS THEM THAT WHEN THE DOG GETS TO 7 OR 8 THEY WILL START REGULAR CHECK UPS TO MAKE SURE THE DOG IS ABLE TO CONTINUE

MIRAAshley:: LIKE DRIVING TEST YOU HAVE TO TAKE WHEN YOU ARE OLD

MIRAAshley:: TO ML- ASHLEY PLANS TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY AND MAJOR IN MUSIC- SHE PLAYS FLUTE AND PIANO AND SINGS

Revy1:: When Medley has to be retired will he be staying with Ashely and the new dog or will he be adopted by another family?

Skippette:: Nice.

michaelslady711:: Wow! that is wonderful......

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY- ABOUT TESTING..IF THE DOG THINKS YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION THEY DO THINGS LIKE TRY TO CROSS THE ROAD DIAGONALLY- SHE LEARNED THAT THE HARD WAY. OR THEY WILL

michaelslady711:: Ashley, are you planning to join us at the MIRA/Granby event?

MIRAAshley:: WANDER OUT TO A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF STAYING IN A STRAIGHT LINE

MIRAAshley:: THEY WILL ALSO TRY TO GRAB ANY FOOD THAT IS ON THE GROUND

Skippette:: What kinds of changes has she noticed in herself as a result of her experience with Medley?

MIRAAshley:: TO LINDY- THE HARDEST PART OF TRAINING WAS THAT SHE WENT THROUGH THREE DOGS BEFORE SETTLING WITH MEDLEY

Lindyyy:: woweee

MIRAAshley:: THE FIRST DOG WAS TOO HYPER, THE SECOND WAS TOO PROTECTIVE AND THE THIRD HAD A PREVIOUS HANDLER AND WAS SPOILED

Lindyyy:: how did you know Medley was for you?

Skippette:: Interesting. Good Lindy. I was gonna ask something like that.

MIRAAshley:: SHE GOT MEDLEY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE HER FINAL EXAM WALK TWO DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE COURSE

Skippette:: Wow!

Lindyyy:: talk about pressure!

michaelslady711:: jeez!

MIRAAshley:: MEDLEY RESPONDED WELL DURING HER WALK AND SHE COULD TELL HE HAD A SWEET PERSONALITY

Lindyyy:: Ashley, you must be a very quick study and very intuitive about animals

MIRAAshley:: MEDLEY WAS THE BACK UP DOG FOR THE CLASS IN CASE SOMEONE'S DOG DIDN'T WORK OUT AND HE ENDED UP GOING HOME WITH ASHLEY

Skippette:: I didn't know that they gave dogs who'd been with previous Mira clients to new clients. Isn't that a hard adjustment for the dogs?

michaelslady711:: Ashley, sounds like you and he were a match

Lindyyy:: a match meant to be

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY- THE DOG IN QUESTION WAS WITH AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE WORKING WITH ASHLEY AND HE HAD GOTTEN USED TO A LIFESTYLE THAT DIDN'T REQUIRE MUCH WORK

Skippette:: So that's not the norm, I guess.

Lindyyy:: I bet Medley looked forward to new experiences as much as you did, Ashley

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY- AS TO CHANGES , SHE NOTICES THAT PEOPLE APPROACH HER MORE WITH MEDLEY BECAUSE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT THE DOG

MIRAAshley:: ALSO SHE HAS A LOT MORE CONFIDENCE GETTING AROUND AND MEDLEY CAN DO THINGS LIKE FIND A CHAIR OR A COUNTER

MIRAAshley:: WHICH IS HARDER WITH A CANE

michaelslady711:: I am sure you are much happier now that you have Medley

Lindyyy:: has Medley been taught those specific tasks? or is this something he knew to do for you?

Skippette:: Thanks Ashley. That makes sense - Mira dogs just seem to naturally attract attention - the good kind.

MIRAAshley:: REVY- WHEN MEDLEY RETIRES HE WILL EITHER STAY WITH HER PARENTS OR MIRA WILL FIND HIM A FAMILY. HE WON'T STAY WITH THE NEW DOG BECAUSE HE WON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEW DOG AND WILL INTERFERE WITH THE BONDING

Lindyyy:: I volunteer to take Medley in his retirement

Revy1:: Now that I think about it, that makes perfect sense

Skippette:: LOL Lindy.

MIRAAshley:: TO LINDY- SHE WAS TOLD THAT SHE READ DOGS WELL AND COMMUNICATED WELL WITH THEM WHICH IS WHY THEY COULD GO THROUGH SO MANY DOGS BEFORE SETTLING ON MEDLEY

MIRAAshley:: TO LINDY- EVERYTHING HAS TO BE TAUGHT SPECIFICALLY TO THE DOGS AND HAS TO BE REPEATED OVER AND OVER WITH A LOT OF TREATS

Lindyyy:: I can't wait to meet you, Ashley

 MIRAAshley:: MOST GUIDE DOGS HAVE A BASIC LEVEL OF TRAINING SUITED FOR THE CLIENT, THEN THEY CAN TEACH THEM A FEW EXTRAS ON THEIR OWN

Dutchess550:: Hi, everybody. Hi, Ashley.

Revy1:: When you attend the University will you be staying on campus, getting an apartment or will you be commuting?

MIRAAshley:: ASHLEY HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH HER JOINTS LATELY AND HAS TRAINED MEDLEY TO COME BESIDE HER WHEN SHE IS KNEELING SO SHE CAN PULL HERSELF UP USING THE HARNESS OR HIS SHOULDERS

michaelslady711:: Ashley, was it hard to

michaelslady711:: for Medley to get accustomed to all the kids in your school?

MIRAAshley:: SHE ALSO SAID THAT THERE ARE SOME DOUBLE TRAINED DOGS AT MIRA THAT DO BOTH GUIDE AND SERVICE TECHNIQUES

MIRAAshley:: TO REVY- ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY- SHE WILL BE STAYING IN AN APARTMENT STYLE RESIDENCE ON CAMPUS

Dutchess550:: I'm late. How old is Medley?

michaelslady711:: 3 years old

Lindyyy:: if the need arises, can you and Medley be trained together for other things-you mentioned your sore shoulders

 MIRAAshley:: MEDLEY IS LEGALLY ALLOWED TO GO ANY PUBLIC PLACE ASHLEY GOES

MIRAAshley:: TO ML- GUIDE DOGS ARE USED TO LARGE CROWDS SO IT WAS MORE A DISTRACTION TO THE KIDS THEN TO MEDLEY

Dutchess550:: But people aren't supposed to pat Medley when she is working, isn't that right?

Skippette:: How did you get Medley to follow your wishes rather than doing his own thing?

MIRAAshley:: TRUE THAT NO ONE SHOULD PET MEDLEY- HE WEARS A SIGN NOT TO BE PETTED BUT PEOPLE STILL DO. THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM SHE HAS

Skippette:: I remember hanging onto the leash of one of the dogs at the Mira facility last year. He - or she dragged me outside & into a field.

Lindyyy:: LOL

Skippette:: I was hopeless. :-(

Lindyyy:: you are a dog sap

MIRAAshley:: TO SKIPPY- MIRA'S TRAINING - THEY CHOOSE DOGS WHO ARE VERY ATTENTIVE AND HAVE A STRONG DRIVE TO PLEASE THEIR OWNER

Dutchess550:: I think it must be a natural reaction, for people to want to pet the dog. But they should know the dog is working.

Lindyyy:: maybe we could help educate the public about not touching a working dog. would that help?

MIRAAshley:: TO LINDY- ASHLEY AND MEDLEY CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING IF NEEDED FOR SPECIFIC THINGS, THEY COULD GO TO MIRA OR HAVE THEM TAUGHT DURING A FOLLOW UP VISIT AT HOME

Skippette:: Ashley - does it seem to be more of a problem with kids or adults.? I think Pierre or Simon told us kids are usually better about respecting that.

michaelslady711:: Ashley, how long were you waiting to get Medley?

Lindyyy:: kind of like a tune up

MIRAAshley:: LINDY- ANY EDUCATION DONE ABOUT GUIDE DOGS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

MIRAAshley:: TO SKIPPY- KIDS ARE MUCH BETTER ABOUT NOT TOUCHING MEDLEY- TODDLERS ARE THE WORSE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN IT TO THEM AND ADULTS ARE BAD

MIRAAshley:: THEY SAY "OH I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO PET HIM" BUT DO IT ANYWAY

Skippette:: What a shame - You'd think adults would know better.

MIRAAshley:: ML- ASHLEY APPLIED TWO YEARS BEFORE GOING TO MIRA FOR TRAINING

Lindyyy:: you would think adults no better about a lot of things LOL

Skippette:: True Lindy.

michaelslady711:: very true lindy

MIRAAshley:: THE PROCESS IS NOT ALWAYS THAT LONG BUT THE YEAR BEFORE SHE WASN'T READY. SHE HAD TO IMPROVE HER CANE SKILLS, AND HER ABILITY TO WALK PARALLEL WITH TRAFFIC

michaelslady711:: I am sure that it is a tough road to get a dog and have one get used to you

MIRAAshley:: AND TO MAKE SURE SHE COULD CROSS STREETS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT WITH A CANE BEFORE SWITCHING TO A DOG. MIRA HAS A VERY HIGH STANDARD FOR ORIENTATION BEFORE PLACING A DOG

Dutchess550:: is it very difficult to learn to walk parallel to traffic?

Skippette:: I didn't know that. Or if I did, I forgot. I didn't know that a certain ability with a cane was a prerequisite

Skippette:: Why is that?

Lindyyy:: how in the world do you teach yourself to cross straighter? by sound orientation?

MIRAAshley:: IT IS AN ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE THE DOG IS WITH YOU 24/ 7 AND IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A DOG BEFORE THAT IS SOMETHING HARD TO GET USED TO

MIRAAshley:: ALSO THAT THE DOG DEPENDS ON YOU FOR EVERYTHING

michaelslady711:: So, Ashley you never had a dog before? Yes, sometimes it is like taking care of a child

MIRAAshley:: DUTCH- WALKING PARALLEL IS HARD AT FIRST BUT YOU TRAIN YOUR EARS TO RECOGNIZE HOW THE TRAFFIC SHOULD SOUND WHEN YOU ARE WALKING PARALLEL WITH IT AND IT JUST CLICKS ONE DAY

MIRAAshley:: IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO CLICK WITH ASHLEY WHICH IS WHY SHE HAD TO WAIT TWO YEARS TO GET A DOG

Lindyyy:: I can't imagine how tough it would be to learn traffic patterens

MIRAAshley:: WHY WHAT SKIPPY?

Dutchess550:: This seems so difficult to me, but I know that eventually the other senses become more developed and keener.

Skippette:: I remember that Dutch from walking with the Mira dogs.

Dutchess550:: I tried to learn braille but was frustrated.

Skippette:: Why is that skill level of working with a cane necessary before getting the dog.

MIRAAshley:: ASHLEY WAS BORN BLIND AND BECAUSE OF THAT HER SENSES DEVELOP AT THE RATE ANYONE CHILDS WOULD BUT THE SENSES DEVELOP STRONGER

Skippette:: Interesting.

MIRAAshley:: AND AS A CHILD YOU ARE TAUGHT SOUND ORIENTATION WITH TOYS THAT MAKE NOISES AND YOU HAVE TO TELL WHICH DIRECTION THEY GO IN RELATION TO YOURSELF

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY- WHEN YOU USE A CANE YOU MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS, SO IF YOU CAN USE A CANE SUCCESSFULLY THEY KNOW YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SKILLS TO MANAGE A DOG

Skippette:: Has Ashley been attending special schools or regular public ones?

michaelslady711:: Ashley, has having Medley made your social life easier?

MIRAAshley:: WITH A DOG, IT IS LIKE DRIVING A CAR, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND WHICH DIRECTION YOU HAVE TO GO

MIRAAshley:: THE DOG JUST GOES AROUND THINGS, BUT CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS HOW TO GET THERE

Dutchess550:: I wasn't aware of the great effort it must take to learn all that one must before one gets a dog.

MIRAAshley:: ASHLEY HAS ALWAYS ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOL

michaelslady711:: me either

Skippette:: That makes sense. Is that also required of the younger Mira clients?  

MIRAAshley:: ML- MEDLEY HAS MADE HER MORE INDEPENDENT SO SHE FEELS MORE ON AN EQUAL BASIS WITH PEOPLE

Skippette:: Great!

michaelslady711:: wonderful Ashley, glad to hear that

Lindyyy:: and thats is the goal

Skippette:: Exactly Lindy

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY- THE SAME THINGS ARE REQUIRED OF ALL MIRA CLIENTS, BUT YOUNGER CHILDREN DON'T HAVE TO BE DROPPED OFF TO USE PUBLIC TRANSIT

Dutchess550:: more independence

michaelslady711:: it has always amazed me that just because someone has a disabiity, it makes them no different than the rest of us

MIRAAshley:: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

Lindyyy:: you're doing gROYt minster

michaelslady711:: Ashley, do you have any siblings?

Skippette:: Did Medly cause much of an uproar (of the positive kind) when he first arrived at Ashley's school?

MIRAAshley:: ASHLEY SAYS THE HARDEST PART OF HAVING A DISABILITY IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T TREAT YOU THE SAME. THEY THINK YOUR DISABILITY IS ATTACHED TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE. AND EXPECT LESS FROM HER

Skippette:: Oh bummer.

Lindyyy:: how often do you and medley go in for a tune up-to Mira-or does Karen come to you?

MIRAAshley:: AND DONT THINK SHE CAN DO THE SAME AS THEY CAN EVEN THOUGH SHE CAN

michaelslady711:: Ashley, that is so ridiculous that some people think that way

MIRAAshley:: THE FIRST WEEK WITH MEDLEY AT SCHOOL WAS THE HARDEST BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS EXCITED, THE DOG WAS A NOVELTY BUT THEY DID AN ASSEMBLEY FOR THE SCHOOL TOGETHER TO EXPLAIN WHY NOT TO TOUCH HIM

MIRAAshley:: AND HOW THE TRAINING WENT-WHICH HELPED A LOT. FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN MIRA SENDS A TRAINER TO DO THE ASSEMBLY

Dutchess550:: Get everyone's co-operation that way, and include everyone in school.

Lindyyy:: good idea!

michaelslady711:: great idea for your school to do that

MIRAAshley:: LINDY- WHEN YOU FIRST GET BACK FROM TRAINING SOMEONE FROM MIRA COMES FOR A FEW DAYS TO YOUR HOME TO MAKE SURE YOU AND THE DOG ARE SETTLED IN

MIRAAshley:: AFTER THAT THEY COME ONCE A YEAR

MIRAAshley:: AND KAREN WILL BE COMING IN ABOUT A MONTH

Dutchess550:: just for a check-up?

michaelslady711:: at the school I am in we have children in wheelchairs and the kids seem to respect that and treat them the same as everyone else

MIRAAshley:: KAREN WILL COME TO SEE ALL THE DOGS PLACED IN THE AREA- ONTARIO

Lindyyy:: Karen Winter-head trainer and yes VERY nice

Dutchess550:: she kept saying to her dog, bonne fille, good girl.

michaelslady711:: is Ashley coming to MIRA/Granby, I know we would all love to meet her

MIRAAshley:: KAREN DID ONE WEEK OF HER TRAINING AND THEN WAS ON VACATION. THE REST OF HER TRAINERS WERE FRENCH

MIRAAshley:: SHE DID THE REST OF HER TRANING IN FRENCH

Lindyyy:: Oh I hope there is some way you could come!

Skippette:: Good idea on the assemblies. I was picturing a Mira dog coming to the school where I teach & I could envision a mob scene of excitement too. ;-)

MIRAAshley:: SHE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT DEFI VISION BUT SAYS SHE WILL CHECK IT OUT- SHE IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY TO DO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS THIS SUMMER

michaelslady711:: Like what Ashley?

Skippette:: Does she have a part-time job?

Lindyyy:: we have to take her to Defi Vision! Maybe someday, Ashley, You could be one of the drivers

MIRAAshley:: SHE WOULD LIKE TO DO A COMPUTER TRAINING SEMINAR THAT IS ORGANIZED FOR BLIND STUDENTS BEFORE GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY. ALSO SHE WANTS TO GO TO FRANCE

Dutchess550:: me, too! I want to go to France, too!

michaelslady711:: that sounds like a plan to me

MIRAAshley:: SHE HAS BEEN TO ENGLAND AND SHE THINKS SHE COULD DO FINE TRAVELLING TO FRANCE ON HER OWN

Dutchess550:: Would the dog go?

MIRAAshley:: ASHLEY IS TRYING TO GET A JOB IN TELEMARKETING, UNFORTUNATELY SHE SAYS LOL

Lindyyy:: I hope you get to do all the things you want to do and the you and Medley have many adventures together.

michaelslady711:: I was in England and I just loved it. The people are so friendly

Skippette:: Is Medley bilingual? I think we learned that some of the Mira dogs are.

MIRAAshley::IN THE PAST, SHE HAS DONE SOME PIECEWORK SORTING PARTS FOR HER DAD'S BUSINESS OF BUILDING FIREPLACES

michaelslady711:: Ashley, I am sorry but I have to go, unexpected company..It was great meeting you and Medley and a big hug to both of you from me and thank you for sharing with us.. It was a great experience

MIRAAshley:: YES MEDLEY WOULD GO TO FRANCE WITH HER- HE WOULD HAVE TO BE TESTED BY THE VET AND HAVE A SPECIAL PAPER ALLOWING HIM TO TRAVEL. FOUR OF HER CLASSMATES IN HER TRAINING CLASS WERE FROM FRANCE

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY- ASHLEY SPEAKS ONLY FRENCH TO MEDLEY- SHE DOESN'T THINK HE KNOWS ENGLISH

MIRAAshley:: WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH TO HIM HE LOOKS AT THEM LIKE THEY ARE CRAZY

Lindyyy:: lolol

Skippette:: LOL Funny. I didnt' realize that. Is Ashley's 1st language Eng or French?

Lindyyy:: we will have to remember to say beau chein to him then

MIRAAshley:: ENGLISH IS HER FIRST LANGUAGE

MIRAAshley:: BUT SHE IS FLUENT IN FRENCH

Lindyyy:: OH my, then you had to learn a 2nd language as well!

Skippette:: Oh that's neat. I remember that the little boy client thought it was cool that his schoolmates couldn't 'talk' to his dog because he too used just French.

MIRAAshley:: THANKS ML

Skippette:: Cool in the sense of they wouldn't be telling the dog to do things he shouldn't do.

MIRAAshley:: MEDLEY HAD AN INTERESTING TIME LEARNING TO SPEAK FRENCH

Lindyyy:: how so?

Skippette:: How so?

MIRAAshley:: OOPSY I GOT CONFUSED...SORRY LADIES.. ASHLEY WAS IN TRAINING WITH QUINN WHO DOESN'T SPEAK FRENCH SO HE HAD AN INTERESTING TIME LEARNING THE COMMANDS. ASHLEY ENDED UP BEING THE DESIGNATED TRANSLATOR FOR HIM A LOT

MIRAAshley:: SKIPPY THE DOGS ALSO KNOW DOG SLEDDING COMMANDS AS WELL AS FRENCH SO IT IS ALMOST A WHOLE LANGUAGE SHE HAS TO LEARN

Lindyyy:: That's a lot for you to have had to do, Ashley wow-you did have a lot to do

Skippette:: Why sledding commands?

MIRAAshley:: HAVING A DOG IS A GREAT BIG STRESSFUL LONG PROCESS BUT IT IS SO MUCH FUN AND WELL WORTH IT FOR THE FREEDOM YOU GET

MIRAAshley:: BUT SHE WISHES SHE WAS BETTER PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME FOR HOW MUCH WORK IT WOULD BE

MIRAAshley:: NOT SURE WHY THE SLEDDING COMMANDS- THEY WERE JUST PART OF THE COMMANDS SHE WAS TAUGHT MAINLY FOR LEFT AND RIGHT

Lindyyy:: what are they in french?

MIRAAshley:: RIGHT IS DROIT AND LEFT IS GAUCHE THE SLEDDING COMMANDS ARE GEE AND HA

Dutchess550:: I was going to say gee and haw, like when you plow with horses or mules

MIRAAshley:: YES EXACTLY

Lindyyy:: I thought of gee and ha. That's what they teach horses and mule teams

MIRAAshley:: SHE REMEMBERS USING THE COMMANDS WHEN SHE LEARNED TO RIDE

Lindyyy:: hehehehehe

Lindyyy:: Ashley, you ride? I rode for years, too-hunt seat and dressage

MIRAAshley:: I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY REPAIR FOR HER VISION AND SHE ANSWERED THAT THE CONDITION SHE HAS IS THAT HER EYES STOPPED GROWING AROUND THE FOURTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY AND SO THEY ARE VERY SMALL AND UNDERDEVELOPED, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR THEM.

MIRAAshley:: SHE WEARS PROSTETIC EYES OVER THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO COLOR

Lindyyy:: I have never heard of that

MIRAAshley:: LINDY- SHE DID TRAIL RIDING SO SHE COULD GO WITH A FRIEND

MIRAAshley:: ASHLEY'S CONDITION IS VERY RARE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT- WHY THE EYES DON'T FORM BUT THE O THER ORGANS DO- THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE CHEMICALS THE MOTHER MIGHT HAVE UNKNOWINGLY INHALED

Dutchess550:: Oh my goodness!

Lindyyy:: wowee chemicals are so horrid

MIRAAshley:: SHE IS THE OLDEST OF FOUR AND THE OTHERS ARE FINE

MIRAAshley:: I ASKED WHAT HER SIBLINGS THINK OF MEDLEY

MIRAAshley:: SHE SAID IN HER LAST WEEK OF TRANING SHE CALLED THEM A LOT TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY COULD AND COULDN'T DO WITH MEDLEY. THEY HAVE A FAMILY PET SO THE DOG WAS NOT A NOVELTY AND THEY MADE THE ADJUSTMENT FINE

Lindyyy:: I have to say that I have learned so much during this chat. I hope you'll come and visit a lot. This is fun

MIRAAshley:: I ASKED WHAT SHE LOVED BEST ABOUT MIRA- SHE SAYS THE PERSONAL ATMOSPHERE. THEY AREN'T MASS PRODUCING GUIDE DOGS

Dutchess550:: They take special interest in every person and their dog.

MIRAAshley:: ALSO AT MIRA THE TRAINING FACILITIES ARE SMALLER AND MORE FRIENDLY

Skippette:: They sure do.

Dutchess550:: They are VERY friendly and nice there.

BlueWolf3:: absolutely

MIRAAshley:: ANY LAST QUESTIONS

MIRAAshley:: IT HAS BEEN ABOUT AN HOUR AND I DON'T WANT TO OVER TASK ASHLEY

Lindyyy:: just 1. will you come back and chat again?

BlueWolf3:: thank ashley for her time please

Dutchess550:: It was wonderful to talk with Ashley about her experiences and Medley, too!

BlueWolf3:: i will have to read it later

MIRAAshley:: SHE SAYS IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESITONS AFTER THE CHAT SHE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER IN EMAIL. JUST LET MINUET KNOW

MIRAAshley:: IN CLOSING- ASHLEY SAYS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LEARN ABOUT HER LIFE AND THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE WITH A GUIDE DOG

Lindyyy:: we want Ashley to feel free to come and play at the FH

Skippette::  Many, many thanks for your time Ashley. You're wonderful. Give Medley a hug for us.

Lindyyy:: and an armpit rub

MIRAAshley:: I ASKED IF THERE WAS ONE THING SHE WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT HER AND HER DOG- SHE SAYS THAT SHE TAKES CARE OF THE DOG AND THE DOG DOENS'T TAKE CARE OF HER. THAT IT IS HER RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS. THE DOG IS NOT A CARE GIVER, HE IS A MOBILITY AID AND A FRIEND

Dutchess550:: Thanks Ashley

MIRAAshley:: SHE THANKS YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT FOR M IRA

Dutchess550:: Thanks again

Revy1:: Thanks Ashley and good evening sweetie

Lindyyy:: Thank you!

Dutchess550:: Good evening

Skippette:: Bye Ashley.

MIRAAshley:: BYE EVERYONE!

Dutchess550:: bye bye

 MIRAAshley:: She's gone. Thanks to everyone. she had a great time!

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