Two years ago Spencer retired. Reflecting on his life, Spencer thought blogging might be a good use of his time. I gave him a slot, but after his first appearance Spencer decided he’d rather not pursue the writer’s life. You can read his blog here.

Like the Handsome Bloke, Spencer loved Hawai`i. He also loved to travel. Within a year he joined the Handsome Bloke and me on vacation in the Canadian Rockies. This entailed a long distance flight to Chicago, followed by a short hop up north to Toronto on a much smaller plane. The kind of plane that encases the boarding stairs in the forward door. The first step was over a foot off the ground. Spencer had never seen anything like it. How, he wondered, could he make the first step, let alone get to the top?

Spencer walked up to the step. Nope. The Handsome Bloke led him back, circled him and encouraged another go. This happened several times. At last Spencer made up his mind and took a giant leap that took him half way up the stairs. He kept his footing and sauntered through the door, smiling.

Spencer made many trips to Honolulu, Seattle, and England where he became a supporter of the York City Football Club.

Spencer traveled to Greece. Note the red collar he’s wearing. It was on sale at Harrods Department Store.

Off duty on Crete, Spencer joined The Handsome Bloke for some relaxation.

When the Handsome Bloke and I renewed our wedding vows, Spencer led the way. Notice I wanted to go right.

Spencer transitioned to another existence last week. I think of him smiling and enjoying his new home. The Handsome Bloke and I were blessed to have him in our family. We miss him.

Acknowledgements:

Hawai`i and Crete photos by Author. Greek photo by guide on author’s camera. Formal photos taken by David Golding Wedding Photography. All Rights Reserved.

The post Retired Guide Dog Spencer McGarrett – A Remembrance first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

But that’s not today’s story. This is a personal story about a man, a dog, a wife, a daughter, and a Bucket List. The adventure began when Seattle Seahawks won the playoffs. The Handsome Bloke and I were in Honolulu at the time, enjoying a glass of wine.

The Handsome Bloke looked at me seductively. “Would you like to go to Seattle for a few days?”

“Why? It’s winter. Everyone in Seattle wants to be here.”

Handsome Bloke changed tactics. “Did you know the Seahawks won the playoffs?”

This was like asking if I knew the sun appears to rise in the East. Handsome Bloke has followed the Seattle Seahawks since before we were married. The first time the team made it to the Super Bowl (and lost), we had a Super Bowl party.

“I may have heard something about it. Wait, do you want to go to the Super Bowl?”

“The team organization put together this really cool package, and I thought you might want to stay in Seattle, and I could go to the game.”

Well, there’s not much I could say to that. “You do know the game is in New Jersey?”

“Yes – it’s at MetLife Field.”

“You realize it’s an outside stadium, and it’s really, really cold in New Jersey?”

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“Ah,” I thought, “a Bucket List item.” Out loud I said, “I’ll stay home where it’s warm. Why don’t you take our Seattle daughter with you?”

Did I mention she attends every – and I mean every – home game at Qwest Field?

“Can you get time off work?” we asked.
“Definitely. No problems.”

And so the Handsome Bloke flew to Seattle, connected with our daughter, and off they went for an amazing Super Bowl weekend.

Game day began with a “Tail Gate” party held on the top floor of a hotel in New York City. The party started at 10:30 and went until 2:30. Open bar. According to Handsome Bloke, a number of the group members took full advantage. At 2:30 the group was off to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The game didn’t start until 6:30. Don’t know where the other folks went, but my guy took a nap. He’s sensible that way.

Game on. Twelve seconds in, Seattle scored, and pretty much controlled the game after that. By the time I turned on the television after half time, the score was 22-0. It looked like Seattle would win. I only say that because in the past the Seahawks have been able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. But not this time.

Then there was the Half Time Show – which Seattle Daughter said was amazing. Bruno Mars, Fireworks. Well, you probably saw it.

The game ended in disappointment for Bronco fans. But Seattle folks were flying high. A few in the Handsome Bloke’s group flew so high, they apparently forgot where the bus was. The group did not leave any stragglers. Their bus was the last to leave the MetLife parking lot at 11:30. This event was made worse, because next day pick up for Newark Airport was 6:30 a.m. for an 8:00 flight.

But wait, there’s more. While everyone slept, a snowstorm dropped enough snow to delay the flight by about four hours. Then, a couple group members were not present for boarding, and the flight couldn’t leave without them. So, passengers remained on board . . .waiting. And then when the people arrived, there was an altercation between them, the gate agent, and the flight crew. Finally everyone fastened their seatbelts and the plane took off, not nonstop to Seattle as originally scheduled, but to Chicago because they had to refuel. [This was probably a good idea. Flying on an empty tank is no fun.]

Among the passengers was a person who used an oxygen tank. The delays meant that by the time the plane got to Chicago, this passenger was almost out of oxygen. There were oxygen tanks on the plane, but no one knew how to use them. So, at Chicago the paramedics came and took the traveler to the hospital. Another passenger needed to use an aisle wheelchair to get to the lavatories. The crew contacted the ground personnel to bring a wheelchair. It took an hour to arrive at the gate.

The Handsome Bloke was holding up OK.  But, he had a unique problem. He’s a blind person traveling with a certified seeing-eye guide dog, (a beautiful black Labrador). The dog hadn’t been outside since he left the hotel. Could someone toilet the dog? Eventually, the captain took the dog off the plane. I’m told the dog was considerably more relaxed when he returned.

The flight from Chicago to Seattle was otherwise uneventful. Only 19 hours after leaving the hotel, the Handsome Bloke picked up his luggage at SeaTac Airport.

“So,” I asked this morning. “Was it worth it?”

“Absolutely. I’d never do it again, but it was totally worth it. Best of all, we won.”

I hear Phoenix, site of the NFL Super Bowl XLIX, has pretty good weather in January.

Game Photos by Cassandra Cabaong. All Rights Reserved.

Photo of Guide Dog Legend by Author. All Rights Reserved.

The post HANDSOME BLOKE CHECKS SUPER BOWL OFF BUCKET LIST first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

Holidays are about the past. They remind us of something important to an individual, family, or group. The month of December is filled with separate special days representing several traditions, culminating with New Year’s Eve – a day every group following the Gregorian calendar agrees is celebrated on December 31st. I sometimes wonder if New Year’s celebrations are more about saying good-bye to holiday stress than a welcome to new events.

But not every December occasion is about the past. For many students and families, it is time for long-awaited Commencement Ceremonies. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees are awarded at many universities. Finally, students are launched into the next phase of their personal and professional lives. At last, they begin a future different from their past.

Uncomfortable in hot academic robes, eager students sit on hard metal chairs, attentively listening for that moment when the college chancellor tells the undergraduates, “You may  now move your hat tassels from right to left.”  They have completed their education. Master’s Degree Candidates wait impatiently for their turn. That special moment when each is called to the stage and invested with the academic regalia symbolizing his or her new professional accomplishment.

Yesterday, my son received his Master’s Degree in Education. I am proud of him. The Handsome Bloke, our extended family, and Guide Dog Legend waited patiently for that magic moment. I cried.

Next December this Commencement Ceremony will be a joyful memory. This year, it marks a turning point in my son’s life. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Photos by Author. All Rights Reserved.

The post LET US COMMENCE OUR CELEBRATIONS! first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

I did find this picture taken in an English garden a couple years ago. Here you see me at work guiding the Handsome Bloke around the garden feature. Without my constant attention, he would have stubbed his toe at the very least. You also get to see my harness and how well we work together. What a team we are!!!

I promised a story about my first train ride. Let’s begin with a picture of the Rocky Mountaineer Train that runs from Banff to Vancouver. Last week I told you about the plane that took us to Toronto. Then we took a regular train to Jasper National Park, drove by car down to Banff, and finally boarded the train to Vancouver: the VIA Rocky Mountaineer.

I draw your attention to the distance from the rail to the actual level of the car. You may never have thought of this before. I certainly hadn’t. And this was my first train. Since then I’ve ridden on BritRail a lot, and it’s much easier, because we always use the station platform. That means I just have to get up and down the steps.

The problem was that between Banff and Vancouver the train only makes one official stop – at Kamloops. That’s a long time for me to keep my puppy legs crossed. The Handsome Bloke had a long conversation with the conductor. The train does make other stops during the night to take on fresh food and stuff. So, the conductor said he would knock on the door when we were coming to a stop area, and Sandra could take me out.

Okey-Dokey. So, it’s zero-dark-thirty and Sandra puts my lead on, takes me to the exit, and believe me, I never did anything like this at training school. It was a long way down. The first two steps were connected to the car, and then they put down this plastic step stool that looked pretty dicey. I wasn’t too happy, and there’s Sandra in back of me like she thinks I’m going down. ‘Cuz there wasn’t space to turn around.

Well, it looked easier than getting on and off that plane. And, I was still young and spry then – not even two years old. Plus, I needed to find some grass, pronto. I took a deep breath, took the first steps and jumped the plastic one. Whew! And Sandra said I was a good boy. Duh!

So then, she walked me back and forth until I found the perfect spot. I had more of an audience than I prefer. I was their first distinctive canine passenger. And then we got back on the train. That was much easier than getting off, because I could get a running start.

The Handsome Bloke was so proud of me. After demonstrating my heroic traveling abilities, he knew we were the best team ever.

So, next time you see an official Seeing Eye Guide Dog, remember how very special we are, guiding our handler through every obstacle and making super canine efforts to go wherever our person leads.

WOOF!

For information on Canada Rail Vacations, check out http://canadarail.ca/packages/rockies-escapade

The post PUPPY BLOGGER RIDES HIS FIRST TRAIN first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

Hello – Guide Dog Spencer McGarrett, puppy blogger, is back. Last time, I told you how I grew up at Guide Dogs Victoria in Melbourne, Australia and was assigned to join the Handsome Bloke in Hawai`i. Today, I’m going to tell you about my first travel adventure with the Handsome Bloke.

I learned lots of useful things at the training school. They taught me how to do my “business” in a bag attached to a special harness. Frankly, it’s not very comfortable, but it makes things easier for the Handsome Bloke. Moving on. I know how to climb stairs and withstand the rigors of a long haul flight. I’ve done lots of those. I’ve been to England, Scotland, Greece and the U.S. Mainland. I love flying. The flight crews all want to give me a cuddle. Sometimes the pilots put their hats on me and take pictures to prove I was there.

But, my first trip with the Handsome Bloke was to Canada. First we went to Seattle. Smooth as silk. Then we connected to Chicago. No probs. Then we transferred to a different plane to go to Toronto. No jet way.

Woof, woof – No problem, Boss, I do stairs.

We went on the tarmac. I was expecting nice wide portable stairs, the kind I could get a good grip on. But, no. It was a small plane, and the steps were also the door. I found pictures, but Sandra said I couldn’t use them due to copyright issues. So, they were the kind of steps that are part of the door. And the bottom step is way off the ground, and they were steep and narrow. To this day the memory makes me whimper in my sleep. [The Handsome Bloke thinks I’m chasing something, but actually I’m reliving the moment I encountered the stairs.]

I’d never seen anything like these steps. I’m a big boy – I weighed 90 pounds – and I’m not much of a jumper. So, I did what any sensible dog would do. I sat down. Handsome Bloke walked me around the plane, stopped in front of the steps, told me to go up. Well, it was a dilemma I can tell you. The Handsome Bloke is my god. I would do anything for him. But, gee whiz. We walked around the plane a few times, and then some folks in uniforms started gesturing. I guess I was making the plane late. Shucks.

Then, Sandra went up the steps. So, she was on top waving her arms. And the Handsome Bloke was getting a bit testy. They would never have left me, but I was new, and I didn’t know what might happen. So I decided the best thing would be to get a really long head start and then launch myself into the air and hope I landed at the top . . . or something. To my surprise, I made it. Everyone applauded. Said what a brave boy I was. I loved it until I realized I could barely fit in the aisle. But the Handsome Bloke squeezed me in and off we went to Canada. Can you believe it? I was a truly international dog.

Sandra is laughing so hard; she says I can continue the story next week. So, I’ll see you then.

WOOF!

Photo by Author.  All Rights Reserved.

The post SPENCER THE PUPPY BLOGGER GOES TO CANADA first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

“Please, can I do a guest blog?”

“You’re a guide dog.  What do you know about writing a blog?”

“What’s to know?  I’ve watched you for weeks.  You put your paws on the keyboard and away you go.”

Well, she had no answer to that, so here I am.  Guide Dog Spencer McGarrett, puppy blogger.  Check out my picture.  Aren’t I handsome?  I am a yellow Labrador Retriever.  Not that I could ever be bothered to retrieve anything.  Oh, and I’ll tell you right now, I hate water.  People think because I’m a Labrador I like to swim.  Excuse me?  Have you ever smelled a wet dog?  Why would I want to smell like that?

The next thing people ask is why I have so many names.  I am a pure bred Labrador – although I may have an unknown relative somewhere in the gene pool.  Shhh!  Don’t tell anyone!  The way I heard the story, every litter delivered during a calendar year gets a letter.  So there’s an A-litter, B-litter – you get the drift.  I’m from the S-litter at Guide Dogs Victoria (Australia) (https://www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au ) in 2003.  My littermates and I all had names starting with the letter S.  There was Sasha and Sam.  And, I’m Spencer.

Fast forward.  I’ve made it through training and been assigned to the Handsome Bloke who is completely, totally, and entirely blind.  Can’t see his hand in front of his face.  I was so excited, ‘cuz he lives in Hawai`i.  I’d get to see hula dogs.  Wow!

Fully trained internationally certified guide dogs are very expensive.  I’m embarrassed to tell you how much we cost – maybe later when we know each other better.  Even though we are expensive, our handlers don’t pay for us.  We are supported by donations.  In Hawai`i there’s a television show called Hawai`i 5-O.  There’s cops and bad guys, and mostly beautiful scenes from Hawai`i.  The first Hawai`i 5-O starred Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett.  He died before I was born, but his widow Marie lived in Hawai`i and donated to various charities, including Eye of the Pacific Guide Dog Foundation. (http://www.eyeofthepacific.org ) Mrs. Lord’s donation paid for me so I could work with the Handsome Bloke.  The Handsome Bloke was so excited, he changed my name to McGarrett in honor of Jack Lord.  There was a special proclamation from Governor Linda Lingle and Harry Kim, Mayor of Hawai`i County.  I felt like royalty.

I have to stop now.  Sandra told me to keep it under 500 words.  I hope she lets me blog again.  I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.  Woof!

The post GUIDE DOG SPENCER McGARRETT-PUPPY BLOGGER first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.