Everybody Loves Roman

General Picture Update

2008-03-11T18:26:25Z

I haven't done an entry here in a while, so here's some recent pictures:

Snuggling with Daddy, pepper and Toonces. He's been sick with bronchitis for 2 weeks so I've been keeping him company, makin him feel better, and I accompanied him to the doctor. I also went with him when he got his hairs cut because as you can see here, he was starting to look a lot like hedgie (my favorite toy) Anyway, I took him to the hair salon and the lady was very nice and let me lay right at his feet. Then we went back home for a nap. But nobody took pictures of that LOL

Anyway, click the link to see more pictures from the last month or so

My head on Daddy's foot after the doctor visit

Given Patch B.day Kisses

hee hee hee I got Patch all slobbery

And these are my friends Pepper and Toonces laying on the couch with Daddy (yes that's stewie on his jammies)

Patch took some pictures of me on the other camera, but Daddy will have to upload those later

Ren Faire is YUMMY!

2008-02-19T05:40:33Z

And Daddy's never going to let me go back, because I decided turkey chasing was more fun than work and pulled him in the wrong direction too much. That said, I was well behaved enough that we got many compliments, and a Lady gave Daddy a bonecookie to give me. So dog treats galore. I love Ren Faire!

Pics below the cut

Yay, I love standing in line, everybody LOVES me here!

You can't fool me, that's not real quicksand....

Everyone wanted to pet me, but only some got to

Some of these people seemed familiar!

Workin Hard!

2008-02-05T08:37:56Z

Today Roman helped me run an errand to pick up paint for a Mardi Gras Kreative Krew at a local coffee house. Where he then crashed out at my feet to rest while I played with a mardi gras mask, handed out paper cranes for peace and took pictures of the creative fun.

"Let's Go!" Heading out of Michaels:

"Brace, Roman!" This is how he helps me balance to get out of my wheelchair. I lean most of my weight forward and it's mostly a matter of balance. He's a huge help to me this way!

"Down" Chillin out at my feet at the coffee house

Buddies

2008-02-01T20:50:04Z

Just a camera phone pic from our trip to the store yesterday:

Roller Derby with the Surly Girlies

2008-01-20T19:18:30Z

Recently we went to the Roller Derby. It was so cold even Roman needed a jacket! And as usual, the girls stopped by to flirt with Roman. Such a stud ;) Seriously tho.. here's a picture of Roman with one of the Surly Girlies, a friend of Patch whose roller derby name is Chachi Patron:

Happy Chanakwansolstimas from Daddy n me

2007-12-24T21:34:51Z

(click the picture to open the e-card)

Celebrating Presents

2007-12-20T06:26:26Z

Recently my family celebrated a day of presents! I got lots of new toys. But I didn't want to play with them as much as I wanted to help open presents. I just love helping to tug off the wrapping paper, and then handing the the paper so it can be thrown out. Silly humans drop it on the floor sometimes, so then I pick it up. YAY for the day of Presents! After they finished with the wrapping paper I brought Sean-Michael my favorite new toy. It has a pointy ball that's great for chewing, and a rope for tugging. I love to play tug when I'm not tugging off Sean's socks, picking things up, or opening presents.

It's all about the treats

2007-12-10T06:35:31Z

One of the lessons I've learned from Roman, is it's all about the treats.

I chuckled as I typed that, but it's true. Sometimes you just gotta let yourself have those treats.

Today a friend needed to go shopping and asked me to go with him to show him a store I'd told him about. So he piled my chair, Roman and me into his car, and did a little retail therapy. Afterwards he brought me home where I got snuggles and love from Roman who practically held me down to the couch. Roman is still up here with me now hours later. We've been watching Tin Man and snuggling.

Snuggles are good. Cuz sometimes it's all about the treats

Elevators, Escalators, Lifts, Snuggles, and Greetings

2007-12-08T05:47:15Z

Sometimes as a service dog, the lay of the land is dangerous. How do you enter an elevator where the door is too narrow for you and your dog? Is the Escalator a valid option? (not good, too easy for little paws to get stuck in) What about the lift on an accessible bus or van?

Today Sean and Roman went to see Sean's doctor. We took the local Dial-a-ride... which it's good to have, but the service is so busy, that we arrived an hour late. We didn't both sit on the lift to go up onto the van, instead the driver took Roman into the van, and then Sean rolled his chair onto the lift and got up there too. That way Roman was safest. And that's basically what it comes down to in such situations, what is best for the dog. Thankfully even tho we got there late, they saw us anyway.

It was a hard day for Sean, but Roman got to spend a lot of time at and often on Sean's feet. Working or snuggling? Sometimes they're the same thing. And sometimes, that's what helps us get through the day. The loving puppy head on knee or foot, the loving scritches behind an ear, sometimes makes all the difference.

We met some nice people on Dial-a-ride including a pastor named Tim, who happend to be blind, and his guide dog who I believe was named Ansel. There were a few cursory sniffs of greetings exchanged, but for the most part it was a working relationship tail to tail on the bus while the owners talked. Ansel was a beautiful golden eyed lab. Too bad we didn't get any pictures of him. Maybe some day we'll see Tim and Ansel again.

Happy Making Photo Fun

2007-12-03T09:29:39Z

I got a new Camera. Merry Early Xmas to me!

So of course I had Roman play model tonight after seeing August Rush with some friends. Pics behind the LJ cut!

Thank God for Friends

2007-12-02T22:13:02Z

It rained all weekend! Weird here in Phoenix. Daddy was cold, so he got out his warm clothes, but we went to central Phoenix anyway to stop by a festival some friends were working. Frank, was there! We love Frank! Here's a picture of us all hanging out.

I really love this dog

2007-10-30T06:21:58Z

Service dog links and Roman's latest pics

2007-10-29T22:31:42Z

Service dog laws in Arizona:
http://azpowerpaws.org/Portals/12/Arizona%20service%20dog%20law.pdf

Americans with Disabilities Act on Service Dogs:
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm

Assistance Dogs International:
http://www.adionline.org/

And of course if you're in California you should call Canine Support Teams, who trained Roman:
http://www.caninesupportteams.org/

Roman in front of my drum

Roman at the grocery store, picking up the York Peppermint Patties I dropped

One thing happend this week which occurs pretty often when we're out and about. Someone picked up my cane after I'd told Roman to get it. I appreciate people being helpful, but it takes away my independance, and Roman's job. When people take his jobs from him he looks confused and it throws us off. Roman LIKES to help me. He enjoys picking up my cane, and he looks forward to the great pets and treat he gets afterwards. Plus, I don't know you and didn't ask for your help, then don't do it without asking me first at least. Sometimes I do accept help from others that I didn't ask for, but I really prefer being asked. And it's usually for something that's up high, or a heavy door I need opening, not something Roman could do. Nuff said :)

The laws about service dogs

2007-10-15T04:18:06Z

What with recently having someone kick me out of a night club in Tucson because "we don't allow dogs here" even after I explained that the rules are different for service dogs and it's illegal to deny me access to a public space, I thought some who read Roman's journal might be interested in reading about the laws about service dogs.

At the time I just thanked them and told them to please have their owner check into service animal laws in Arizona, then headed over to the coffee shop next door, where I had a blast with friends and ate good food. (Ironic considering they previous place had sited health codes as the reason they were kicking us out) Sad really.

My basic understanding of service animal laws is that Roman is allowed any public place be it plane, train or place of business.

Here's the segment of AZ Law on the subject for those geeks who love details:

Arizona

Title 11. Counties. Chapter 7. Intergovernmental Operations. Article 6.1. Handling of Animals.

Statute Details
Printable Version
Citation: A. R. S. § 11-1024, AZ ST § 11-1024

Citation: A. R. S. § 11-1024, AZ ST § 11-1024

Summary:

The following statutes comprise the state's relevant assistance animal and guide dog laws.

Statute in Full:

Title 11. Counties. Chapter 7. Intergovernmental Operations. Article 6.1. Handling of Animals.

§ 11-1024. Service animals; rights of individuals with disabilities; violation; classification; definitions

A. Any person or entity that operates a public place shall not discriminate against individuals with disabilities who use service animals.

B. It is not discriminatory to exclude a service animal from a public place if one or more of the following apply:

1. The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

2. The animal fundamentally alters the nature of the public place or the goods, services or activities provided.

3. The animal poses an undue burden.

C. Public places may maintain a general no pets policy if it is not used to exclude service animals and if it does not grant rights to any person to bring the person's pet into a public place that otherwise does not permit pets.

D. A service animal handler is liable for any damage done to a public place by the service animal or service animal in training.

E. Any trainer or individual with a disability may take an animal being trained as a service animal to a public place for purposes of training it to the same extent as provided in subsections A, B and C of this section.

F. A zoo or wild animal park may prohibit a service animal, including a dog guide or service dog, from any area of the zoo or wild animal park where the service animal may come into direct contact with the animals contained in the zoo or wild animal park. Service animals shall not be excluded from public walkways or sidewalks or from any area that allows for physical barriers between the service animals, dog guides or service dogs and the animals in the zoo or wild animal park. Any zoo or wild animal park that prohibits dog guides and service dogs shall provide without cost adequate facilities for the temporary confinement of dog guides and service dogs. The facilities shall be adequate to accommodate the anticipated attendance of legally blind, deaf or physically disabled persons, shall be in an area not accessible to the general public, shall provide water for the dog guides and service dogs and shall otherwise be safe, clean and comfortable. The zoo or wild animal park on request by a legally blind person who is required to leave that person's dog guide or service dog pursuant to this subsection shall provide a sighted escort if the legally blind person is unaccompanied by a sighted person.

G. The driver of a vehicle approaching a legally blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane that is predominately white or metallic in color, who is using a service animal or who is assisted by a sighted person shall yield the right-of-way and take reasonable precautions to avoid injury to the pedestrian and the service animal. The pedestrian has the same rights as any other person whether or not the pedestrian is carrying the cane, using a service animal or being assisted by a sighted person. Drivers shall take the same precautions with respect to pedestrians who have a disability other than blindness and their service animals. A driver who violates this subsection is liable for damages for any injury caused to the pedestrian or the service animal.

H. Any person or entity that violates subsections A through G of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

I. This section is not intended to affect any civil remedies available for a violation of this section.

J. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Direct threat to the health or safety of others" means that a significant risk to the health or safety of others exists and cannot be eliminated by modification of policies, practices or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services.

2. "Discriminate" means discriminatory actions prescribed in § 41-1492.02 and includes:

(a) Refusing to permit an individual with a disability to enter a public place with a service animal or interfering with the individual's right to enter or use the public place.

(b) Failing to provide an individual with a disability the same services and access to the same areas of the premises as afforded to others.

(c) Attempting to impose a charge, fee or deposit because an individual with a disability is accompanied by a service animal.

(d) Requiring an individual with a disability to disclose disability related information. However, a public accommodation may ask if the animal is a service animal being used because of a disability.

(e) Requiring provision of identification for the service animal.

3. "Individual with a disability" means an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual.

4. "Public place" means any office or place of business or recreation to which the general public is invited, whether operated by a public or private entity and includes all forms of conveyance, including taxis, tow trucks and ambulances.

5. "Service animal" means any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing assistance in a medical crisis, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items.

6. "Wild animal park" means an entity that is open to the public on a regular basis, that is licensed by the United States department of agriculture as an exhibit and that is operating primarily to conserve, propagate and exhibit wild and exotic animals.

CREDIT(S)

What a weekend!

2007-10-15T03:32:14Z

This last 3 days has been a really busy weekend. Daddy and I went down to Tucson and I was workin hard the whole weekend! We stayed in a hotel.

I love hotels, he always lets me jump up on the bed to snuggle for a little while before he goes to sleep. Also I get to lay on the bed sometimes when he's getting ready to go out so that I'm not under foot. Probably because I like to follow him around the hotel room unless he tells me where to lay. But I wouldn't want to trip Sean-Michael! Here's some pics from the trip:

Sleeping at the foot of the bed till Sean-Michael gets up, I sometimes end up with the comforter on me

Daddy and his friends went to a night club, but they didn't know about service dogs and kicked me out. So he took me to the coffee shop next door instead, and all his friends quickly came with us. I rested under the table with my head on his wheel. I do this often. Don't worry, he never runs over my nose!

We had a lot of fun and the food looked good. They didn't drop any, but I kept a good watch out from my spot under the table just in case!

I tried on Heidi's hat (ha ha very funny)

I was so tired when we got home that I just got a drink of water and flopped down in the backyard where it was below 90 degrees. Ahhhh nice! Sean-Michael gave me the rest of the day off then today I went with him to a friends commitment ritual where I helped him get around, picked up Jack (his cane) and tried to convince passerbys to feed me peanuts. It didn't work *snap*

See, don't I look hungry?

*note from Sean* Roman doesn't actually beg people for food, but they do often want to give him some because he looks so cute, and does obviously keep an eye out in the hopes someone will drop food. You should never give another person's dog food, service dog or otherwise without that person's permission. With Roman, Only I am supposed to give him treats, so some of my friends bring him doggie biscuits which they give to me, and I give them to him as a special treat as appropriate.

He did a very good job today of pulling me through a place with TONS of crumbs getting dropped and leaving them all alone. I had to be firm with him and tell him "leave it" before we walked past things, but he left them there. One pesky pile of crumbs was on the way to the restroom. When we got to the restroom he looked up at me like this and he just looked like he was saying "Hey, I left wedding cake on the floor. Can I get a treat for that please?" Of course I gave him a treat! He's such a good boy!

Roman's new toy

2007-09-28T23:17:08Z

Travel Blog

2007-09-22T08:14:27Z

I could and probably should ask Patch to take pictures of roman working, because it's very hard to actually do that when I'm using him to help brace to get up some steps or get up off the bench, or help me pick up hangers, my cane, etc. But... I never think of it. I'll try tomorrow to see if she'll get some pics of roman working for ya. In the mean time, here's some travel pics from today:

At the shake shack under the table after helping Sean up the 2 steps

Hiding behind Sean and Patch

Snuggling with Patch in Grandma's convertable:

Roman on Vacation

2007-09-22T07:47:34Z

Well... not actually. Patch and Sean-Michael are in Orange County at Sean's mom's house and Roman thinks that her backyard is an oasis after living in the desert for a couple years. He came outside for his after dinner romping, which at home takes place in the living room because it's too hot outside. Unfortunatly I didn't bring the camera out with me until after he'd done his hysterical and wonderful run around the yard, but these videos were too cute not to share

High five!

Here's us snuggling. I wrote a lot more about this originally, but the internet ate it:

Is Roman just a pet around the house?

2007-09-01T22:21:14Z

Roman is never "just a pet" he's a service dog. That is, a dog who is of service wherever he goes. However sometimes he's more just a playful dog, and sometimes he's being more helpful. And sometimes he's being helpful by laying quietly at my feet on standby.

Things he does around the house include picking up things I drop such as my cell phone. (This happens a lot) tugging off my socks (his favorite) bracing so I can get up out of a chair or lean over to pick up something that he can't (such as a coin or his dog bowl)

And sometimes he's just playing with pepper or getting snuggles on the couch! Here's some pics of Roman around the house and a video of him tugging one of my socks off.

(video will be here in just a moment)

Picking up my cell phone

picking up my sock

After dinner play with Pepper (she like nipping his ears)

And sometimes, he just lays around being cute...

although in these pictures he was actually posing with baby converse because I was trying to show how tiny they are, so I suppose he was working as a model LOL

Applebees and a movie

2007-08-18T08:25:09Z

Today I took Sean-Michael and Patch to lunch and a movie.

At Applebees they gave us a great table where I could lay on the floor at Daddy's feet. And he even gave me a couple treats for helping him brace to sit down and get up again after. They took some pics too of course:

At home

2007-08-11T07:26:52Z

At homeRoman acts more like a pet than when you see him out and about. He's still a service dog to the core tho and helps me with things around the house as well as when we're not at home. He helps me with balance, picking things up off the floor, tugs my socks off at night when I let him (it's one of his favorites)

But he also plays with his best friend/adopted sister, Pepper, and snuggles with me a lot

Pretending Pepper killed him "ooh ya got me!"

Acting vicous (gggrrrrrrowwwllll fear me heehee)

Snugglin with Daddy

Patch gave me dinner while Roman was snuggling, but he was very good and didn't move. As soon as I finished he got a nice "cookie" bone as a reward. I just thought this was too cute not to take a picture. The food actually was only that close to him for a few seconds....mostly it rested on my belly while I ate

Takin Daddy to the Shake Shack

2007-07-26T23:07:18Z

Today we went down near the ocean with Sean's Mom. "Grandma" Judy and she took this picture of me curled up on the backseat of her convertable near Sean-Michael's wheelchair.

He didn't need to use his chair at this place because we were able to park RIGHT next to where you order which is just a few feet from where you can sit. So he used Jack (his cane)

I helped him get up the steps onto the nice shaded patio area so I could lay in the shade under the table and they could sit with their faces in the shade butsee the beach and hear the waves and it smelled and tasted like ocean air, which makes my tail wag. The command Daddy uses to have me help him get up the steps is let's go, then wait, and then brace. That tells me to walk along at his left side, then wait where he tells me, and then stand firm so I can help him balance properly.

This is me laying at Sean-Michael's feet in the partial shade before people moved and we could sit in the full shade:

Fundraiser - Canine Support Teams

2007-07-21T05:55:51Z

If you can't see the badge below, please be aware that I am fundraising for Canine Support Teams again. If you want to help people who need them get a service dog, please send in 5, 10, 20, or 200 or whatever you think is the right number of dollars! You can reach the place to do so here: http://www.networkforgood.org/PCA/MySpaceBadge.swf?BadgeId=106007 or on canine support team's webpage http://www.caninesupportteams.org/

Our July trip to LA

2007-07-18T19:10:35Z

Sean-Michael went to LA

So of course I went too. He took lots of pics as usual!

And here's some of me and my friends:

Gutti (it means little treat) was my snuggle buddy in LA

Hangin in the sun waitin for Sean

Bebe was there too

Pick up the what?!?!

Stayin outa the way (under the table) when Daddy and Jake went to coffee with Angel

I love LA! Cool breeze, sun, and lotsa friends!

My Summer Haircut and Some Pics at Work

2007-07-10T00:02:41Z

Since moving to Phoenix I get a trip to the groomer every Summer for a crew cut. People then ask Daddy, "Is that a yellow lab?" and recently, Patch said, "No, it's a marine" You gotta laugh!

Yesterday we went to the movies where I was very good about not eating popcorn off the floor.

That is really hard for me, because my puppy raiser wasn't aware you shouldn't give service dogs popcorn. DOH! I guess she believed me when I told her it was ok! *sly grin* I did get a few pieces that fell on Daddy's foot during the movie, but I just lay quietly and snuck my tongue out to get them. I bet he didn't even notice. When the movie was over I stood up to help Daddy "brace" and get back into his wheelchair. Somebody said "Mommy, there's a dog in the theatre!" and she said "Yes that's a working dog, don't pet him." What a good Mommy to teach her kids about service dogs at a young age! When we got outside Daddy gave me his ice while we waited for the car but I kept spitting it out on the ground so he gave up and just snapped this picture of me grinning at him for trying to give me ice when all I wanted was one of those yummy treats or more popcorn. SILLY Daddy!

Today I took Daddy to Target he needed some new clothes cuz he's losing weight. Now we both look thinner! (I lost the weight I'd gained before he realized I was sneaking into Pepper's dinner bowl after mine plus I just look much thinner without so much fur!)

Pickin up Daddy's Shoe he dropped in the changing room at Target

Pickin up Jack (again)

Today we met a lady who recognized that I am a golden retriever with a crew cut, because she has a golden at home. A blonde one just like my brother Marti.