Tag: announcements

Parting is such sweet sorrow; my final Dog Blog

Hi Friends and goodbye

Arrow lying on her back — I’m kicking back!

By the time you read this I’ll be living in Brisbane. The boss is taking me up there so this is my last chance to get on his computer and write.

He doesn’t think I know. It’s amazing how humans under-rate our sense about these things. If I hadn’t understood him talking to other people about it, I would have picked it up from the extra cuddles and pats he has been giving me for the past few months since the decision was made. I can read him like a book.

I’m sad about going

I really enjoy working as a guide dog. I love working with the boss. I get to be a superior dog, going to lots of places where other dogs are just not allowed to go. I get to travel to new places all around Australia. And most importantly I get to meet all of you, and give you a quick sniff (and even the occasional lick when the boss is not paying attention).

Arrow's taxi to the airport — Only the best taxi to the airport

But I am finding it tougher these days. I’m 10.5 years old now, that’s 75 in human years. The arthritis is painful when I’m in cold places, and my wheat allergy means that my ears are sore much of the time. I think I should take it a little bit easier.

Where I’m going will be great. It’s Brisbane so it’s warm. I will be with people who I have visited for Christmas for the last five or six years. There are two other dogs there who I really like. And humans who visit call it dog heaven — it’s a totally dog-friendly house, we get to go for walks every day, and it’s close to parks and the beach.

I visited there with Maureen and the boss last year, and really enjoyed the weekend. I’m going to be pretty happy there, and I’m sure that the boss will come to visit me regularly.

I’ve met the dog whose taking over my job

I tried to pass on some of the things I have learned. But she’s a typical teenager, and it seemed to me that much of it went over her puppy head. We’ll see how much she took in during the years to come, I guess.

She’s a golden Labrador, and she has been training with the boss for about four weeks. It’s hard work for both of them at present, but in time I think she’ll be almost as good a guide dog as I have been.

I don’t think her writing skills will match mine, but you wouldn’t be surprised by that. I did explain to her how she could access the boss’s computer at night when he wasn’t paying attention, but she just looked at me dismissively. She told me that computers were very “old school” and all the hip pooches are using “smart” devices. She tells me not to bother myself about techno stuff; she’s cool with all of that. We’ll see.

Think of me kicking back in Brissie

Arrow the guide dog get some well-earned rest on a bed wrapped in Rachel's baby blanket — Here I am in Brisbane. My bed is made with Rachel’s old baby blanket

I’m sorry I won’t see you at the book launches. But just remember that he didn’t write it all — you have my permission to quietly remind him of that if he gets above himself.

So, to quote the great dog of the universe: “May the sun shine warmly where you lie, may the breeze bring you pleasant smells, and may you catch all those rabbits that you chase in your dreams.”

Arrow, the retiring guide dog

P.S. You are seeing some of my pictures from Facebook. I will try and update my old mate Jordie’s FB page (she was MY predecessor, may she rest in peace), so you can see what I’m up to.

Image credit: Top and centre, Tracey Markos. Bottom: Julie Tait. Featured image: Kim Welinski.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

It was a hot sticky day in Sydney as I walked along the leafy suburban street with my first guide dog Jordie. I was wearing shorts and t-shirt, so put my phone and keys in the little backpack she wears – it’s usually filled with plastic bags for when I go on poop patrol.

As I walked past an outdoor cafe my phone rang.
“Hey Jordie,” I said “your phone’s ringing,” as I stopped to unzip the backpack and take the call.

I laughed out loud when I heard one of the latte sippers say to another – “oh look, that guide dog has its own mobile phone.”

Guide dogs often draw attention to the user. This can sometimes be positive – they are an excellent “chick magnet” – but sometimes the attention is not preferred. And sometimes the questions asked range from funny to bizarre.

Here are some I have experienced. I’d love to hear your stories as a build-up to International Guide Dog Day on 30 April.

1.
As I arrive (usually from a female) “Awww, isn’t he cute!”
My response, “Thanks, and the dog’s not bad looking either.”

2.
As I get off the train, from an amazed schoolboy: “Wow, how does the dog know which station to get off?” My reply “She listens to the announcements, just like I do.”

3.
Question to me “Is this the first time you have been here. How did the dog know the way?” My reply: “I let her borrow my GPS.”

4.
I walk into the supermarket, and ask for some assistance to locate the items I need. Response “But can’t the dog find them for you?”

5.
As I get into a taxi: “Does your dog bite?”
My response: “Only when she’s hungry. That reminds me, I haven’t fed her today.”

All of these stories are true. Please share your experiences with me and readers.

Graeme Innes is a man with a smart mouth, who constantly shares what amuses him with the rest of the world. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook ágraemeinnes.

Paralympic Gold Medalist And Guide Dog Fall From Train

Bart Bunty, who won paralympic gold for Australia in down-hill skiing several years ago, fell from a train with his guide dog Chevy last Friday as the result of no “next stop announcements”.

Bart, who was travelling to the Blue Mountains for the weekend, was on an inter-urban Sydney Trains train, which did not have next stop announcements. He attempted to get off the train at Leura, where the front two carriages pull up past the front of the platform. As well as no “next stop announcements”, passengers were not advised of this safety issue. Bart and Chevy fell onto the tracks.

Luckily, neither he nor his guide dog Chevy sustained serious injury, and were assisted from the tracks by the driver and guard. Bart has a twisted ankle and knee, and Chevy has a broken harness and a serious fright.

But this was a very near miss. A serious injury could have occurred as the result of no announcements on this train. These announcements are a requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act, as was demonstrated by my court action against Railcorp several years ago. And still they are not occurring on all public transport in NSW.

In my role as Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner I have called on the Premier of NSW, and the NSW Minister for Transport, to ensure immediate implementation of “next stop announcements” on all NSW public transport. I have also called for passengers to be advised, through announcements, of this and similar safety concerns.

Whenever a person who is blind or has low vision is using a large public transport vehicle, such as a train, tram or bus, we need to know where we are. We also need to be advised of significant safety hazards. This can only be done through audio announcements.

There has been improvement in the announcements made on Sydney Trains since my court case. But announcements must be made all the time, not just most of the time. And they must also be made on trams and buses, where they are currently sadly lacking. These announcements do not just benefit people who are blind or have low vision – many other passengers find them very useful, and would be safer if they occurred all the time.

I have sought urgent meetings with both the Premier and the Minister for Transport. Serious injury was avoided on this occasion, but we may not be so lucky next time.

What are your experiences on public transport – buses, trains, trams? Are the announcements adequate?

Graeme Innes is Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, and he and his guide dog Arrow are regular users of public transport throughout Australia.