Anyone who has owned a Labrador knows just how greedy they are, and how much they love their food. They would eat all day if you let them! But just because they sniff at food, and give you those big puppydog eyes when you’re eating to make you feel guilty, doesn’t mean that they are starving and never get fed.
If you see how much food I give OJ, (a cup full twice a day) you’d probably think he’s being starved. Have you ever seen him? Have you even seen a picture? Does he look like a starved dog? I don’t think so! The food is royal canin
Which has all the nutrition this type of dog needs. He gets doggy treats too, but no human food at all and no extra half cup fulls for good behaviour!
Guide dogs have to be kept on a strict diet for many reasons:
-Just like humans, becoming overweight can make them feel lazy and tired, and leads to health problems.
-Feeding them titbits encourages them to beg for food, which they are not allowed to do. If I’m in a restaurant and OJ is drooling all over me and sniffing tables looking for food, it’s not going to look good, is it?
-If dogs take food from the ground or from strangers, they become distracted from their work and this could be dangerous for their handler.
-Guide dogs can have very sensitive stomachs because they only eat certain foods, so human food and dog food that they are not used to can make them throw up. Sick guide dog = stays at home = owner having to find their own way around without the dog = a complete nightmare!
-Unfamiliar food can result in an irregularity from the other end, which isn’t good when your dog is trained to go regularly (like clockwork as soon as its fed if you’re lucky) and you’ve to clean up after it in unexpected places.
Why do members of the public not believe us when we tell them this? Why do they believe that our dogs are constantly hungry and that they should be allowed to accept food from strangers? Would you tell a mother how to feed her child if you didn’t know her? Probably not. Our dogs obviously aren’t children, and I think its unrealistic to compare them to children, but they are our responsibility.
Why do people think that the best way to show your pet dog that you love it is to feed it and feed it and feed it some more? Try taking it for a walk and spending time with it instead.
99% of the time, people I explain this too are very understanding, but there’s always the awkward ones!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
a link and a story...
Remember when I mentioned that guide dogs UK had dropped their age limit for application in
this post
If you want to know how successful it has been so far, read about four of the guide dog owners
here
On our way to work yesterday, not long after we left the town, the bus stopped to pick people up. A small dog ran on too and came up to OJ to have a sniff. We were sitting in the middle and he was under the seat, so its not like he could have seen him straight away. They wagged tails, the dog ran off again and the bus drove on. Strange! He didn't come on today.
I'm recording my first Christmas radio show on thursday. Its soo early!
this post
If you want to know how successful it has been so far, read about four of the guide dog owners
here
On our way to work yesterday, not long after we left the town, the bus stopped to pick people up. A small dog ran on too and came up to OJ to have a sniff. We were sitting in the middle and he was under the seat, so its not like he could have seen him straight away. They wagged tails, the dog ran off again and the bus drove on. Strange! He didn't come on today.
I'm recording my first Christmas radio show on thursday. Its soo early!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
blogs, dogs and music
I have nothing too exciting to write about these days, but just wanted to mention a couple of blogs. I found
R's blog
through a link that someone mentioned on
twitter.
She lives in the US, always joked that she would never see her thirtieth birthday because of the kind of lifestyle she used to live, and she went blind when she was 29. She's an amazing writer and its very interesting to read.
I've mentioned
Selina
before. She has been waiting for her first guide dog for over 18 months now, and could have a new furry friend very soon. Check out her blog and read what she thinks of the potential new dog and how they get on.
I had to work later than planned today, so OJ didn't get a nice long walk in this nice dry weather. My uncle is up from Limerick and he came for dinner yesterday with his wife and 5 children. Of course OJ loved it! They all came to visit me in Cork when we were training, and they thought OJ had grown a lot. We're going out for dinner with them tomorrow.
I'm recording another radio show tomorrow. I have most of the music planned I think. I know I'll definitely be playing a couple of tracks from the new swell season album 'strict joy', which was just released last week. A few friends heard the show on monday. It was the first time people I know, who like the same music as me listened, so it was interesting to hear what they thought.
I was supposed to go to Mick Flannery on halloween night. I hate going out and dressing up for it so it was a good excuse to get out of it, but that's not happening now. Funny story, but lets just say I think my friends in love, though she's not admitting it!
Happy halloween everyone!
ps. If you have any blogs or sites you think I might like, post links in the comments section. I'm looking for new things to read and new people to meet, and also just curious to see what people come up with.
R's blog
through a link that someone mentioned on
twitter.
She lives in the US, always joked that she would never see her thirtieth birthday because of the kind of lifestyle she used to live, and she went blind when she was 29. She's an amazing writer and its very interesting to read.
I've mentioned
Selina
before. She has been waiting for her first guide dog for over 18 months now, and could have a new furry friend very soon. Check out her blog and read what she thinks of the potential new dog and how they get on.
I had to work later than planned today, so OJ didn't get a nice long walk in this nice dry weather. My uncle is up from Limerick and he came for dinner yesterday with his wife and 5 children. Of course OJ loved it! They all came to visit me in Cork when we were training, and they thought OJ had grown a lot. We're going out for dinner with them tomorrow.
I'm recording another radio show tomorrow. I have most of the music planned I think. I know I'll definitely be playing a couple of tracks from the new swell season album 'strict joy', which was just released last week. A few friends heard the show on monday. It was the first time people I know, who like the same music as me listened, so it was interesting to hear what they thought.
I was supposed to go to Mick Flannery on halloween night. I hate going out and dressing up for it so it was a good excuse to get out of it, but that's not happening now. Funny story, but lets just say I think my friends in love, though she's not admitting it!
Happy halloween everyone!
ps. If you have any blogs or sites you think I might like, post links in the comments section. I'm looking for new things to read and new people to meet, and also just curious to see what people come up with.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Subject = none in particular!
As well as the Josh Ritter gig on Sunday, OJ and I have had a busy week.
Last friday we went to visit one of the sixth classes in the local primary school. The teacher taught me when I was at the school, and I talked to her class around this time last year as well. They were very attentive and well behaved, and asked lots of mature, sensible questions.
There teacher gave me a lovely thank you card in braille, as well as a lovely present today to say thanks. I don't expect anything like this at all. It was really nice of her.
On the way back from the pet shop after the school, I went for lunch with my PA. We met a young man called Shaun, who has autism and is terrified of dogs. He became scared a number of years ago, after a dog jumped on him and the owners did nothing to stop it. He has met OJ many times on our way to the beach and has gradually came over to pet him. On friday he recognised him straight away and his parents were delighted. They would love him to have a dog, but since OJ is the only one he will touch at the moment, they don't know if he will ever have one.
We walked to town last saturday, and after visiting my granny, OJ and I met one of my best friends for lunch. Lunch took about an hour and a half because of the lovely weather, and we were entertained by about 5 children constantly around our table. They asked a lot of questions! Then I got my hair cut and OJ tried to eat my hair as it fell. He always does it! Gross!
Tomorrow could be a good day. The new swell season and REM albums are out. I should be saving money, but sometimes there's things you just have to buy.
My friend Mark is on a quiz team who are in the semi-final of the all Ireland Ray Darcy quiz on today fm. The finals will be broadcast live from Vicar Street tomorrow, between 9 and 12 a.m. on today fm.
www.todayfm.com
I had hoped to be in the audience for this, as it would have been great fun. Unfortunately that won't happen and I'll have to listen from home. Good luck Markee. I know you'll do well.
We don't get a bank holiday on Monday. There is one in the republic, and one of my radio shows is being broadcast between 5 and 6 PM instead of a regular presenters. I'm not sure which one it is.
Currently listening to: Alison Curtis on today fm
Currently reading: 'one voice: my life in song' by Christy Moore. Its a really brilliant book.
Last friday we went to visit one of the sixth classes in the local primary school. The teacher taught me when I was at the school, and I talked to her class around this time last year as well. They were very attentive and well behaved, and asked lots of mature, sensible questions.
There teacher gave me a lovely thank you card in braille, as well as a lovely present today to say thanks. I don't expect anything like this at all. It was really nice of her.
On the way back from the pet shop after the school, I went for lunch with my PA. We met a young man called Shaun, who has autism and is terrified of dogs. He became scared a number of years ago, after a dog jumped on him and the owners did nothing to stop it. He has met OJ many times on our way to the beach and has gradually came over to pet him. On friday he recognised him straight away and his parents were delighted. They would love him to have a dog, but since OJ is the only one he will touch at the moment, they don't know if he will ever have one.
We walked to town last saturday, and after visiting my granny, OJ and I met one of my best friends for lunch. Lunch took about an hour and a half because of the lovely weather, and we were entertained by about 5 children constantly around our table. They asked a lot of questions! Then I got my hair cut and OJ tried to eat my hair as it fell. He always does it! Gross!
Tomorrow could be a good day. The new swell season and REM albums are out. I should be saving money, but sometimes there's things you just have to buy.
My friend Mark is on a quiz team who are in the semi-final of the all Ireland Ray Darcy quiz on today fm. The finals will be broadcast live from Vicar Street tomorrow, between 9 and 12 a.m. on today fm.
www.todayfm.com
I had hoped to be in the audience for this, as it would have been great fun. Unfortunately that won't happen and I'll have to listen from home. Good luck Markee. I know you'll do well.
We don't get a bank holiday on Monday. There is one in the republic, and one of my radio shows is being broadcast between 5 and 6 PM instead of a regular presenters. I'm not sure which one it is.
Currently listening to: Alison Curtis on today fm
Currently reading: 'one voice: my life in song' by Christy Moore. Its a really brilliant book.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The happiest man in music
I went to Belfast yesterday to see
Josh Ritter
and the love cannon string band in the Empire. A friend from Derry got the same bus up as me and OJ and we met two others there. We had a few hours to relax and have food and coffee before the gig. OJ had a chance to dry out too.
The support act began before 8, so things started nice and early. I have no idea what his name was, so that shows how good he was! Josh came on smiling from ear to ear as usual. His string band also featured Zach (who plays in his own band) on double bass. I wasn’t sure about all the strings, and especially the banjo with Josh’s acoustic folk style, but by the third song I loved it! The crowd were brilliant, and apart from the noisy glasses at the bar, the venue is great for Josh. He loves playing there too and it shows. They played a two hour set of songs from his four studio albums, along with some new ones that people really seemed to enjoy. They played a beautiful version of ‘moon river’ as well. We didn’t get a springsteen cover, but I suppose you can’t have everything!
OJ is getting very used to this gig thing now. Steven who is the manager in the venue was very helpful, and got us a table with some seats where OJ wouldn’t get stood on. He was so good during the gig and got lots of attention when it finished.
Josh is known for being very friendly, and usually always takes time to meet people after he performs. He stood talking to people, taking photos, signing cds and tickets and giving hugs (he gives the best hugs ever!) for two hours, and he was still smiling when we got to talk to him near the end. I think he was glad of some non-human company too. OJ didn’t mind waiting so long because people kept petting him. Adam the banjo player even came over to say hello. Everybody was so friendly, because the vibes from the stage are infectious. I met a girl who I hadn’t seen in five years in the queue. She retired her first guide dog last year. It was great to catch up with her quickly, but I wish we’d met sooner.
Josh was great fun and asked lots and lots of questions! He wanted to know all about OJ, and when I told him the only other gigs he’d been to were Christy Moore’s, he said he thought he looked like the sort of dog who would like Christy, as he’s so relaxed and placid! When Josh petted him for the third time he tried to walk away. Josh said he wasn’t sure if OJ liked him, but I reassured him that he likes most people, and that he was probably just dying for a pee!
We listened to music and watched one of the
eyebrowy
DVDs when we got home. Three of us got the same bus back to Derry, and talked about music practically the whole way, and probably drove everybody else mad. We have so much in common, don’t all know each other too long, and would never have met if it wasn’t for the frames message board. We all shopped in Cool Discs before I went back to work and the others dossed for the rest of the day.
Josh thinks he’s going to be back in April or May next year. I can’t wait already. If you don’t already know him or his music, he’s inspired by people like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Check out his albums and then take the opportunity to see him live if you can. You’ll understand why I like him so much after you’ve done that.
Josh Ritter
and the love cannon string band in the Empire. A friend from Derry got the same bus up as me and OJ and we met two others there. We had a few hours to relax and have food and coffee before the gig. OJ had a chance to dry out too.
The support act began before 8, so things started nice and early. I have no idea what his name was, so that shows how good he was! Josh came on smiling from ear to ear as usual. His string band also featured Zach (who plays in his own band) on double bass. I wasn’t sure about all the strings, and especially the banjo with Josh’s acoustic folk style, but by the third song I loved it! The crowd were brilliant, and apart from the noisy glasses at the bar, the venue is great for Josh. He loves playing there too and it shows. They played a two hour set of songs from his four studio albums, along with some new ones that people really seemed to enjoy. They played a beautiful version of ‘moon river’ as well. We didn’t get a springsteen cover, but I suppose you can’t have everything!
OJ is getting very used to this gig thing now. Steven who is the manager in the venue was very helpful, and got us a table with some seats where OJ wouldn’t get stood on. He was so good during the gig and got lots of attention when it finished.
Josh is known for being very friendly, and usually always takes time to meet people after he performs. He stood talking to people, taking photos, signing cds and tickets and giving hugs (he gives the best hugs ever!) for two hours, and he was still smiling when we got to talk to him near the end. I think he was glad of some non-human company too. OJ didn’t mind waiting so long because people kept petting him. Adam the banjo player even came over to say hello. Everybody was so friendly, because the vibes from the stage are infectious. I met a girl who I hadn’t seen in five years in the queue. She retired her first guide dog last year. It was great to catch up with her quickly, but I wish we’d met sooner.
Josh was great fun and asked lots and lots of questions! He wanted to know all about OJ, and when I told him the only other gigs he’d been to were Christy Moore’s, he said he thought he looked like the sort of dog who would like Christy, as he’s so relaxed and placid! When Josh petted him for the third time he tried to walk away. Josh said he wasn’t sure if OJ liked him, but I reassured him that he likes most people, and that he was probably just dying for a pee!
We listened to music and watched one of the
eyebrowy
DVDs when we got home. Three of us got the same bus back to Derry, and talked about music practically the whole way, and probably drove everybody else mad. We have so much in common, don’t all know each other too long, and would never have met if it wasn’t for the frames message board. We all shopped in Cool Discs before I went back to work and the others dossed for the rest of the day.
Josh thinks he’s going to be back in April or May next year. I can’t wait already. If you don’t already know him or his music, he’s inspired by people like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Check out his albums and then take the opportunity to see him live if you can. You’ll understand why I like him so much after you’ve done that.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Bits and pieces
OJ and I haven't done anything too exciting recently. My works getting a little busier, and his is always busy! This weekend I have a family dinner for my uncle's anniversary, and I'm going to a Kings of Leon tribute band. OJ might come for dinner, but not to the band. He wouldn't like them. He's coming to a gig with me soon though.
We were in the local newspaper on Wednesday to promote flag day in Donegal. \it takes place tomorrow and people will be collecting all over the county. We're not collecting this time. We always do the church gate collection and another guide dog owner does flagday. The article included the picture of us with Roy Keane.
Thanks to everyone who commented on the post about the guide dog age limit being reduced. It was the most popular topic I've ever posted here, nothing compared to the amount of comments other blogs get, but its still really nice to read them all.
Clive,
who is without doubt, the hardest working assistance dog I know, has started a new blog about cooking.
cookingathomewithclive
will come in very handy when your feeling hungry, as the family will share lots of yummy recipes.
If you've nothing better to do tomorrow between 12 and 1 PM, the radio show I recorded last friday will be broadcast on Inishowen community radio.
www.icrfm.ie
Its a bit dodgey as I hadn't done one in months, but I accept slagging, no problem!
We were in the local newspaper on Wednesday to promote flag day in Donegal. \it takes place tomorrow and people will be collecting all over the county. We're not collecting this time. We always do the church gate collection and another guide dog owner does flagday. The article included the picture of us with Roy Keane.
Thanks to everyone who commented on the post about the guide dog age limit being reduced. It was the most popular topic I've ever posted here, nothing compared to the amount of comments other blogs get, but its still really nice to read them all.
Clive,
who is without doubt, the hardest working assistance dog I know, has started a new blog about cooking.
cookingathomewithclive
will come in very handy when your feeling hungry, as the family will share lots of yummy recipes.
If you've nothing better to do tomorrow between 12 and 1 PM, the radio show I recorded last friday will be broadcast on Inishowen community radio.
www.icrfm.ie
Its a bit dodgey as I hadn't done one in months, but I accept slagging, no problem!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
UK guide dogs to drop age limit
I know I know, two posts in less than 24 hours, but I'd be really interested to hear what you think of the article below.
Maybe we can have a bit of a discussion in the comments section. I personally think its crazy, but I'll stay quiet for the meantime.
Guide dog age limit to be dropped
Charlotte is helped around her school by guide dog, Paris
Guide dogs are going to be available for visually-impaired children in the UK for the first time - as the age limit is removed.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is to begin training dogs to help blind or partially-sighted people under the current limit of 16.
The association says too many visually-impaired youngsters are lacking in independence and mobility.
"These young people end up isolated," says chief executive, Bridget Warr.
The charity says many visually-impaired youngsters have only a limited social life and have to endure bullying because of their disability.
'Barrier'
Giving some of them guide dogs at a younger age is intended to help them to widen their range of activities and to improve their sense of self-confidence
and independence.
Charlotte, helped by guide dog
Charlotte is one of the youngest people to have had a guide dog
Guide dogs for these younger teenagers will begin to be provided from next year.
"The picture that emerges from our research is shocking. Children are being conditioned to expect to underachieve for the rest of their lives when in fact
sight loss is no barrier to actively contributing to society when the right support is in place," says Ms Warr.
There has been a pilot scheme to test the use of guide dogs with younger people.
Charlotte, aged 14, from Northampton, was among the youngest guide dog owners. She has been gradually losing her vision since the age of eight - and lost
her sight completely this year. She has been assisted by a two-year-old Labrador retriever, Paris.
Charlotte used to have a long cane to help her move around but says having a dog allows her much more freedom and makes her feel safer.
At her school, St Paul's Catholic School in Milton Keynes, there is a dedicated unit helping the school's 12 vision impaired youngsters.
However the association says there is a worryingly patchy provision of services for young blind people across the UK and it calls for national minimum standards
to be introduced.
As with adult blind and partially sighted people, only a small number of children are likely to be deemed suitable for a guide dog. Most will continue to
rely on extra help and training from education and social services.
There are about 4,600 guide dogs helping people - with a Labrador-retriever cross the most commonly-used breed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8287631.stm
Maybe we can have a bit of a discussion in the comments section. I personally think its crazy, but I'll stay quiet for the meantime.
Guide dog age limit to be dropped
Charlotte is helped around her school by guide dog, Paris
Guide dogs are going to be available for visually-impaired children in the UK for the first time - as the age limit is removed.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is to begin training dogs to help blind or partially-sighted people under the current limit of 16.
The association says too many visually-impaired youngsters are lacking in independence and mobility.
"These young people end up isolated," says chief executive, Bridget Warr.
The charity says many visually-impaired youngsters have only a limited social life and have to endure bullying because of their disability.
'Barrier'
Giving some of them guide dogs at a younger age is intended to help them to widen their range of activities and to improve their sense of self-confidence
and independence.
Charlotte, helped by guide dog
Charlotte is one of the youngest people to have had a guide dog
Guide dogs for these younger teenagers will begin to be provided from next year.
"The picture that emerges from our research is shocking. Children are being conditioned to expect to underachieve for the rest of their lives when in fact
sight loss is no barrier to actively contributing to society when the right support is in place," says Ms Warr.
There has been a pilot scheme to test the use of guide dogs with younger people.
Charlotte, aged 14, from Northampton, was among the youngest guide dog owners. She has been gradually losing her vision since the age of eight - and lost
her sight completely this year. She has been assisted by a two-year-old Labrador retriever, Paris.
Charlotte used to have a long cane to help her move around but says having a dog allows her much more freedom and makes her feel safer.
At her school, St Paul's Catholic School in Milton Keynes, there is a dedicated unit helping the school's 12 vision impaired youngsters.
However the association says there is a worryingly patchy provision of services for young blind people across the UK and it calls for national minimum standards
to be introduced.
As with adult blind and partially sighted people, only a small number of children are likely to be deemed suitable for a guide dog. Most will continue to
rely on extra help and training from education and social services.
There are about 4,600 guide dogs helping people - with a Labrador-retriever cross the most commonly-used breed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8287631.stm
Friday, October 2, 2009
a busy Friday
I went to Derry today to an event by poet, and former children's laureate
Michael Rosen.
There were approximately 600 children there to listen and get books signed. I only stayed for an hour to hear his presentation, as there wasn't much I could do to help (the VAC where I work was hosting the event.) He was very interesting and entertaining and the children seemed to really enjoy it. OJ behaved well even with so many children around him. I only realised when I took him out of the car in Derry that part of his harness that goes under his belly had come off and was at home, so it was even harder for him to control his excitement, when he technically wasn't working. Good boy OJ!
I bought the new Pearl Jam, Noah and the whale and Dave Geraghty (its for a friend, I don't need two copies for myself) albums in Cool Discs and went to the radio station to record a show. I hadn't done a music show in ages, technology failed me so many times and I couldn't seem to remember names of anything even though I had it all brailled in front of me. OJ was great here too. He just sleeps in the studio and doesn't move until I take my headphones off when I'm finished. Then he can't get out quick enough because all the girls who work there will pet him.
My dad and I went to the school to vote in that God forsaken Lisbon treaty and then we all had a yummy indian (dogs do not get Indian food ever.)
My nephews are staying with us tomorrow so if its dry we'll take the dogs somewhere. We have a spanish student until Christmas and he really likes them so its great. I have a party tomorrow night because one of my friends just finished her PHD. Three years of hard work needs to be celebrated properly, and she got a job straight away too. OJ will have to stay at home for this one I think.
Finally, there's a nice interview with Glen Hansard in the Irish times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/1002/1224255642573.html
I know you probably don't care, but i'm looking forward to hearing what the frames do next when they eventually come back.
Currently listening to: 'the first days of spring' by Noah and the whale
Currently reading: 'the van' by Roddy Doyle
I love it simply because the dog is called Larrygogan!
Michael Rosen.
There were approximately 600 children there to listen and get books signed. I only stayed for an hour to hear his presentation, as there wasn't much I could do to help (the VAC where I work was hosting the event.) He was very interesting and entertaining and the children seemed to really enjoy it. OJ behaved well even with so many children around him. I only realised when I took him out of the car in Derry that part of his harness that goes under his belly had come off and was at home, so it was even harder for him to control his excitement, when he technically wasn't working. Good boy OJ!
I bought the new Pearl Jam, Noah and the whale and Dave Geraghty (its for a friend, I don't need two copies for myself) albums in Cool Discs and went to the radio station to record a show. I hadn't done a music show in ages, technology failed me so many times and I couldn't seem to remember names of anything even though I had it all brailled in front of me. OJ was great here too. He just sleeps in the studio and doesn't move until I take my headphones off when I'm finished. Then he can't get out quick enough because all the girls who work there will pet him.
My dad and I went to the school to vote in that God forsaken Lisbon treaty and then we all had a yummy indian (dogs do not get Indian food ever.)
My nephews are staying with us tomorrow so if its dry we'll take the dogs somewhere. We have a spanish student until Christmas and he really likes them so its great. I have a party tomorrow night because one of my friends just finished her PHD. Three years of hard work needs to be celebrated properly, and she got a job straight away too. OJ will have to stay at home for this one I think.
Finally, there's a nice interview with Glen Hansard in the Irish times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/1002/1224255642573.html
I know you probably don't care, but i'm looking forward to hearing what the frames do next when they eventually come back.
Currently listening to: 'the first days of spring' by Noah and the whale
Currently reading: 'the van' by Roddy Doyle
I love it simply because the dog is called Larrygogan!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Tales of puppy love
The main focus of my blog is guide dogs, so I obviously write about my own dog a lot. Now I want to hear your own stories about your canine companions. Every dog has a story, whether it is a guide/assistance dog, family pet, a mutt you know or neighbourhood stray. Write their bio, tell me about them: Name, breed, characteristics, bad habits, funny stories, whatever you want.
OJ wasn’t the first dog to come to live in our house in Donegal. There were many dogs before him, but as you will read, none were as clever.
My dad brought home a puppy he found when I was about three or four, thinking I’d be delighted because I loved animals. This dog was crazy and I was terrified! I cried and begged him to take him away. The people who owned him came looking for him, but knew me and my family and said I could keep him. My dad, being a big Elvis fan insisted we called him Shep, and I learned to love him. I remember he used to open everybody’s laces and jump up on people. I don’t remember what he looked/felt like at all. He got poisoned and had to be put down and I cried for ages!
Blackie (how original) was a stray that turned up at our door. I don’t remember anything about him but there’s a photo somewhere of me and my dad feeding him bread. I think he was a staffy, and not the friendliest, so he didn’t stay around long and got turfed off to the pound or somewhere.
For my sixth birthday I got an 8 week old golden Labrador who we named Foofur (don’t ask!) My mum wanted a small dog, but this one had huge paws and grew to be a gentle giant. He was lively, playful, crazy and wolfed down food in seconds. He jumped in and out of windows, ate doors and ran upstairs and hid when there was fireworks. He detested most other dogs, especially Patch, who lived down the road. I would walk him around our garden on his lead, and he would be as good as gold until he heard Patch. He would run, pulling me to the ground and dragging me with him until the lead broke or I let go. I used to set up jumps and obstacle courses in an attempt to train him, (Cruel i know, but I was only small!) My cousin had a horse and I used to go horseriding and really wanted one too. This was the next best thing! Foofur sometimes ran away for three or four days, and would come back thin, dirty and exhausted. He had scars on his eyes from where he got stitches after fighting. He would swim after seagulls in the sea, and my parents swore each time he wouldn’t make it back to shore, but he always did. My nephew would lie on his tummy and fall asleep while drinking his bottle. My family, friends and visitors to our house adored him.
We had Foofur for thirteen and a half years and making the decision to have him put down was very difficult. He was legendary in our town and people still talk about him today. The book ‘Marley and Me’ by
John Grogan
Could have been written about Foofur.
I bought Sasha with my confirmation money when I was in sixth class. She was a lhasa apso, with a silky coat and crooked buck teeth. I constantly groomed her, bathed her, played with her and walked her. She could jump very high for such a small dog. She had a wonky leg, so she skipped rather than walked. She would eat anything. Before we got a proper post-box the post woman would just throw the post in the back door. Sasha only chewed it once, and inside was my tickets to a REM gig. Luckily my sister found her, and she had only chewed the corners, so the tickets were fine.
Foofur just about tolerated Sasha. They would play together and he would pull her around with her head in his mouth, always careful enough not to hurt her. When she was a tiny pup he accidentally stood on her, cracking her ribs and puncturing her lung. Oops!! They would try to steel each other’s food and growl at one another, but they loved playing together.
We only had Sasha for four years because she was knocked down right outside our house.
Just after my 21st birthday I bought our bichon fries Dougal. He’s the cutest, most playful, affectionate, rogue I’ve ever met. He doesn’t bark, he screeches! He was very difficult to housetrain and growls when we brush anywhere near his rear end. He won’t go into the sea to swim at all, and is excellent at hiding from me when he’s got something he shouldn’t have in his mouth. He knows when its bedtime and loves his bed. He hides from his lead when my mum wants to walk him, then lies on the ground and refuses to move. He barks two minutes before my alarm goes off nearly every morning.
OJ is a saint compared to all the dogs that came before him. He’s trustworthy, intelligent and does what he’s told (most of the time anyway!) He enjoys his guide dog work but equally loves his free time. He learns quickly and loves going to new places. He has a black shiny coat and gets lots of complements on it. He knows when people are talking about him and loves posing for photographs.
I have learned a lot about keeping dogs since I trained with OJ at the guide dog centre in Cork two years ago. I just wish i had all that knowledge before we got any
of our previous dogs!
OJ wasn’t the first dog to come to live in our house in Donegal. There were many dogs before him, but as you will read, none were as clever.
My dad brought home a puppy he found when I was about three or four, thinking I’d be delighted because I loved animals. This dog was crazy and I was terrified! I cried and begged him to take him away. The people who owned him came looking for him, but knew me and my family and said I could keep him. My dad, being a big Elvis fan insisted we called him Shep, and I learned to love him. I remember he used to open everybody’s laces and jump up on people. I don’t remember what he looked/felt like at all. He got poisoned and had to be put down and I cried for ages!
Blackie (how original) was a stray that turned up at our door. I don’t remember anything about him but there’s a photo somewhere of me and my dad feeding him bread. I think he was a staffy, and not the friendliest, so he didn’t stay around long and got turfed off to the pound or somewhere.
For my sixth birthday I got an 8 week old golden Labrador who we named Foofur (don’t ask!) My mum wanted a small dog, but this one had huge paws and grew to be a gentle giant. He was lively, playful, crazy and wolfed down food in seconds. He jumped in and out of windows, ate doors and ran upstairs and hid when there was fireworks. He detested most other dogs, especially Patch, who lived down the road. I would walk him around our garden on his lead, and he would be as good as gold until he heard Patch. He would run, pulling me to the ground and dragging me with him until the lead broke or I let go. I used to set up jumps and obstacle courses in an attempt to train him, (Cruel i know, but I was only small!) My cousin had a horse and I used to go horseriding and really wanted one too. This was the next best thing! Foofur sometimes ran away for three or four days, and would come back thin, dirty and exhausted. He had scars on his eyes from where he got stitches after fighting. He would swim after seagulls in the sea, and my parents swore each time he wouldn’t make it back to shore, but he always did. My nephew would lie on his tummy and fall asleep while drinking his bottle. My family, friends and visitors to our house adored him.
We had Foofur for thirteen and a half years and making the decision to have him put down was very difficult. He was legendary in our town and people still talk about him today. The book ‘Marley and Me’ by
John Grogan
Could have been written about Foofur.
I bought Sasha with my confirmation money when I was in sixth class. She was a lhasa apso, with a silky coat and crooked buck teeth. I constantly groomed her, bathed her, played with her and walked her. She could jump very high for such a small dog. She had a wonky leg, so she skipped rather than walked. She would eat anything. Before we got a proper post-box the post woman would just throw the post in the back door. Sasha only chewed it once, and inside was my tickets to a REM gig. Luckily my sister found her, and she had only chewed the corners, so the tickets were fine.
Foofur just about tolerated Sasha. They would play together and he would pull her around with her head in his mouth, always careful enough not to hurt her. When she was a tiny pup he accidentally stood on her, cracking her ribs and puncturing her lung. Oops!! They would try to steel each other’s food and growl at one another, but they loved playing together.
We only had Sasha for four years because she was knocked down right outside our house.
Just after my 21st birthday I bought our bichon fries Dougal. He’s the cutest, most playful, affectionate, rogue I’ve ever met. He doesn’t bark, he screeches! He was very difficult to housetrain and growls when we brush anywhere near his rear end. He won’t go into the sea to swim at all, and is excellent at hiding from me when he’s got something he shouldn’t have in his mouth. He knows when its bedtime and loves his bed. He hides from his lead when my mum wants to walk him, then lies on the ground and refuses to move. He barks two minutes before my alarm goes off nearly every morning.
OJ is a saint compared to all the dogs that came before him. He’s trustworthy, intelligent and does what he’s told (most of the time anyway!) He enjoys his guide dog work but equally loves his free time. He learns quickly and loves going to new places. He has a black shiny coat and gets lots of complements on it. He knows when people are talking about him and loves posing for photographs.
I have learned a lot about keeping dogs since I trained with OJ at the guide dog centre in Cork two years ago. I just wish i had all that knowledge before we got any
of our previous dogs!
Monday, September 21, 2009
on the bus
I get the bus to work, usually the 8 in the morning and 6 home, unless some nice person offers to drive me, because you know I'm not the safest driver in the world.
I don't really want to start writing about bus stories, because I could write a book, but a lovely conversation I had with a stranger on the bus today reminded me of one of the best ones.
One winter morning last year, an old man sat beside me on the bus. OJ was sleeping quietly under the seat, completely out of sight. The man asked me a few questions about where I lived and worked, and then started talking about the old days. He kept pointing to buildings as the bus drove, and telling me what they used to be and how he used to work there when that was such and such a place. He kept saying "and do you see that building there?" "do you see over there" and I just smiled and pretended to look in the direction I guessed he was pointing. I knew from talking to him that he would feel sorry for me and ask a million questions if he knew I was blind, so I thought it best to agree.
We were about five minutes from the bus stop when OJ started moving under the seat. The man stopped mid sentence and said "do you hear that? There's something under there. OH my God what is it?"
He looked down at OJ's black head and paws sticking out from under my legs.
"Jesus christ its a dog!"
Me: "yep its my guide dog"
Him: "Oh. Oh I didn't know. I didn't realise. I didn't see it. I didn't realise you were... you know..."
Its very difficult for some people to say the word "blind", particularly the older they are. I got his sympathy vote for the rest of the journey.
Currently listening to: Mic Christopher - 'a curious notion'. He would have celebrated his fortieth birthday today. I bet he's having a great party with Elvis now.
If you haven't heard of him, go legally download or buy a copy of 'skylarkin'. Its in my top three favourite albums of all time. The music and the story behind it is beautiful.
I don't really want to start writing about bus stories, because I could write a book, but a lovely conversation I had with a stranger on the bus today reminded me of one of the best ones.
One winter morning last year, an old man sat beside me on the bus. OJ was sleeping quietly under the seat, completely out of sight. The man asked me a few questions about where I lived and worked, and then started talking about the old days. He kept pointing to buildings as the bus drove, and telling me what they used to be and how he used to work there when that was such and such a place. He kept saying "and do you see that building there?" "do you see over there" and I just smiled and pretended to look in the direction I guessed he was pointing. I knew from talking to him that he would feel sorry for me and ask a million questions if he knew I was blind, so I thought it best to agree.
We were about five minutes from the bus stop when OJ started moving under the seat. The man stopped mid sentence and said "do you hear that? There's something under there. OH my God what is it?"
He looked down at OJ's black head and paws sticking out from under my legs.
"Jesus christ its a dog!"
Me: "yep its my guide dog"
Him: "Oh. Oh I didn't know. I didn't realise. I didn't see it. I didn't realise you were... you know..."
Its very difficult for some people to say the word "blind", particularly the older they are. I got his sympathy vote for the rest of the journey.
Currently listening to: Mic Christopher - 'a curious notion'. He would have celebrated his fortieth birthday today. I bet he's having a great party with Elvis now.
If you haven't heard of him, go legally download or buy a copy of 'skylarkin'. Its in my top three favourite albums of all time. The music and the story behind it is beautiful.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Links
The Irish guide dogs 2010 calendars were launched in Dublin last week. You can buy them and guide dogs Christmas cards from their website:
www.guidedogs.ie/
I’m disappointed with myself. You might have noticed my five most recent
twitter updates
On the blog. I know I said I wouldn’t join it, but I did, and I really like it!
I decided to join mostly so that I could follow certain people’s tweets, find out what they are up to and keep up to date with certain things, particularly radio stations and blogs. Twitter is great for that, and it can be a great business tool. Of course
Darragh Doyle
Has been saying this for ages. He knows all about online communication, so I should listen to him more.
If you have two minutes to spare, take a look at these projects, and vote for which one you would like to see happen in Northern Ireland.
artists taking the lead
They are all very interesting and creative ideas, but I have to give the poetry project a special mention. I work in the VAC but probably won’t be involved with the project.
Thanks a lot to Susan from
stoney river farm
For passing this on.
www.guidedogs.ie/
I’m disappointed with myself. You might have noticed my five most recent
twitter updates
On the blog. I know I said I wouldn’t join it, but I did, and I really like it!
I decided to join mostly so that I could follow certain people’s tweets, find out what they are up to and keep up to date with certain things, particularly radio stations and blogs. Twitter is great for that, and it can be a great business tool. Of course
Darragh Doyle
Has been saying this for ages. He knows all about online communication, so I should listen to him more.
If you have two minutes to spare, take a look at these projects, and vote for which one you would like to see happen in Northern Ireland.
artists taking the lead
They are all very interesting and creative ideas, but I have to give the poetry project a special mention. I work in the VAC but probably won’t be involved with the project.
Thanks a lot to Susan from
stoney river farm
For passing this on.
Monday, September 14, 2009
OJ goes to Galway
OJ had his first proper trip to Galway on Thursday. We went with my aunt to stay with a friend of hers, and we couldn’t have been looked after better!
On Friday morning we went into the city. The weather was really hot, unlike the last time I was there, when it rained constantly. We went to some shops and lots of people stopped us to ask about OJ. But that was only the beginning of his celebrity status!
I bought the new David Gray album and we went to the pet shop because Mary wanted to buy OJ a toy. We met a couple of lovely dogs and OJ got his photo taken with them. There were lots of buskers and street entertainers, and after a while OJ thought his job was to bring me up to every one he saw. My aunt embarrassed me by asking one if he could play the frames. He was Australian, but had seen them play in Australia before. He played a bit of ‘falling slowly’, until he got to the high notes and couldn’t do anymore. Fair play though, he was good fun. I gave him money and OJ tried to pick it up again. He was fascinated by the man playing the didgeridoo and had a good sniff at it! A random Chinese woman asked if she could take a picture of me with OJ. Very strange!
When we got to the carpark on the way home I asked OJ to find the car. I didn’t really think he would because we’d only been in it twice. He walked past about 15 cars, sniffing them until he found ours. Then he brought me around to the door we got in. Everybody was very impressed.
After lunch we came home for a while and went to Lady’s Well, which is really nice. My aunt took me up to feel the statue of the soldier and OJ followed me. On the way down she noticed a sign saying that you weren't allowed to stand on the grass. Oops! Hope nobody saw. If they did, I'm blind so tough!
On Saturday after breakfast we went to the markets. They were very busy but OJ did great work. We met another friend for lunch and went to feed the swans. OJ stared at them but seemed relaxed. I was more frightened than he was. We watched a bit of canoe polo before driving home past the sea.
We went to mass on Sunday morning, which was very interesting. One of the priests took us to the front of the chapel so that OJ had space to lie down and we didn’t have to get up for communion. He was very well behaved and only stood up during the ‘our father’ in Irish. The priest welcomed everybody at the beginning of mass, including people who had travelled from different places, and the “Doherty’s from Donegal.” After communion one of them came down to ask me the dog’s name, and then he said he wanted to especially welcome OJ the guide dog from Donegal. He said he’d never seen a guide dog in the chapel before. Another priest who did the final blessing mentioned OJ too. The chapel was on a monastery and they had a black lab there called Lucy, and he hoped Lucy wouldn’t mind OJ being on her territory.
Lots of children came up to pet OJ afterwards, and a one-year-old girl just didn’t want to leave.
We had a lovely dinner with Mary’s family before we went home. They are all so friendly and I wished we could have stayed longer. Sam the lab/collie cross came for dinner but didn’t like OJ so she had to stay outside.
We were so well looked after in Galway, even though the family had enough to keep them busy without fussing over us. Oj acted as a bit of a therapy dog while we were there. I don’t want to say too much about that here, but it was very interesting.
OJ is very tired today.
On Friday morning we went into the city. The weather was really hot, unlike the last time I was there, when it rained constantly. We went to some shops and lots of people stopped us to ask about OJ. But that was only the beginning of his celebrity status!
I bought the new David Gray album and we went to the pet shop because Mary wanted to buy OJ a toy. We met a couple of lovely dogs and OJ got his photo taken with them. There were lots of buskers and street entertainers, and after a while OJ thought his job was to bring me up to every one he saw. My aunt embarrassed me by asking one if he could play the frames. He was Australian, but had seen them play in Australia before. He played a bit of ‘falling slowly’, until he got to the high notes and couldn’t do anymore. Fair play though, he was good fun. I gave him money and OJ tried to pick it up again. He was fascinated by the man playing the didgeridoo and had a good sniff at it! A random Chinese woman asked if she could take a picture of me with OJ. Very strange!
When we got to the carpark on the way home I asked OJ to find the car. I didn’t really think he would because we’d only been in it twice. He walked past about 15 cars, sniffing them until he found ours. Then he brought me around to the door we got in. Everybody was very impressed.
After lunch we came home for a while and went to Lady’s Well, which is really nice. My aunt took me up to feel the statue of the soldier and OJ followed me. On the way down she noticed a sign saying that you weren't allowed to stand on the grass. Oops! Hope nobody saw. If they did, I'm blind so tough!
On Saturday after breakfast we went to the markets. They were very busy but OJ did great work. We met another friend for lunch and went to feed the swans. OJ stared at them but seemed relaxed. I was more frightened than he was. We watched a bit of canoe polo before driving home past the sea.
We went to mass on Sunday morning, which was very interesting. One of the priests took us to the front of the chapel so that OJ had space to lie down and we didn’t have to get up for communion. He was very well behaved and only stood up during the ‘our father’ in Irish. The priest welcomed everybody at the beginning of mass, including people who had travelled from different places, and the “Doherty’s from Donegal.” After communion one of them came down to ask me the dog’s name, and then he said he wanted to especially welcome OJ the guide dog from Donegal. He said he’d never seen a guide dog in the chapel before. Another priest who did the final blessing mentioned OJ too. The chapel was on a monastery and they had a black lab there called Lucy, and he hoped Lucy wouldn’t mind OJ being on her territory.
Lots of children came up to pet OJ afterwards, and a one-year-old girl just didn’t want to leave.
We had a lovely dinner with Mary’s family before we went home. They are all so friendly and I wished we could have stayed longer. Sam the lab/collie cross came for dinner but didn’t like OJ so she had to stay outside.
We were so well looked after in Galway, even though the family had enough to keep them busy without fussing over us. Oj acted as a bit of a therapy dog while we were there. I don’t want to say too much about that here, but it was very interesting.
OJ is very tired today.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Music Therapy
I thought I’d post this non guide dog related link here encase some people are interested.
During February, March and April of last year I was busy trying to make my first radio documentary. It was an assignment for the radio journalism course I was doing. I chose the subject of music therapy, as I had done a lot of research on it for college, and its something I’m very interested in. Scoil Iosagain, where I was a
past pupil
has a lot of children with special needs, and music therapy is just one of many brilliant parts of their corriculum.
My documentary was first broadcast on ICR in April, on the same day that OJ and I were filmed for
Nationwide
The finished product isn’t one of my proudest audio moments! One of the interviews has lots of unnecessary background music that couldn’t be edited out, and there’s some dodgey editing and audio distortion in there too. You learn from your mistakes apparently, and I have learned a lot since I made this last year.
One of the stars in this documentary is
Cian
Who I have mentioned here before. All the children are amazing, so if you listen, you can forgive my mistakes and at least be entertained and inspired by how music therapy helps them.
You can download the documentary
here
http://www.zshare.net/audio/65256717de5abcc4/
I haven't tried it properly yet so hope it works.
During February, March and April of last year I was busy trying to make my first radio documentary. It was an assignment for the radio journalism course I was doing. I chose the subject of music therapy, as I had done a lot of research on it for college, and its something I’m very interested in. Scoil Iosagain, where I was a
past pupil
has a lot of children with special needs, and music therapy is just one of many brilliant parts of their corriculum.
My documentary was first broadcast on ICR in April, on the same day that OJ and I were filmed for
Nationwide
The finished product isn’t one of my proudest audio moments! One of the interviews has lots of unnecessary background music that couldn’t be edited out, and there’s some dodgey editing and audio distortion in there too. You learn from your mistakes apparently, and I have learned a lot since I made this last year.
One of the stars in this documentary is
Cian
Who I have mentioned here before. All the children are amazing, so if you listen, you can forgive my mistakes and at least be entertained and inspired by how music therapy helps them.
You can download the documentary
here
http://www.zshare.net/audio/65256717de5abcc4/
I haven't tried it properly yet so hope it works.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Celebrations!
OJ and I got our first award today! Yay!
It was given to us by
Clive
And the gang at
http://assistdogautism.blogspot.com
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, and we’re not just licking up to them (pardon the pun) because they gave us an award, but it’s an amazing blog, and easily one of the best blogs out there.
For some reason my comments aren’t posting there recently so I didn’t get to wish the not so little man a happy eleventh birthday! Read the post about his 11 reasons to celebrate, because its very inspirational, and just brilliant!
I want to pass this award on to
Becky and Cricket
Because they are also great. Thanks for the regular comments and a great blog.
Terri
Has just finished training with her first guide dog. Visit her blog at
http://terrioshaughnessy.blogspot.com/
and see how she is getting on.
Currently listening to:
David Geraghty: 'the victory dance'
Monday, August 31, 2009
another musical weekend
The guide dog only fans might be annoyed that this is another music related topic. Sorry! No actually I'm not. Don't read if you don't want to!
I went to a stone roses tribute band on friday with my sister, her husband, their friends (who are all mad) and my cousin and her boyfriend. It was great fun and the closest I'll ever get to seeing the real thing.
On saturday after very little sleep, I got the bus to Belfast for the dukebox gig, which was part of the Belsonic festival. I bought the
David Geraghty
album in cool discs to make the journey a bit easier. Its really really good. My friend knew I was exhausted and handed me a coffee as soon as I stepped off the bus. Hows that for service!
It was a great day, apart from being very cold. I met lots of new people who were very nice. The crowd wasn't as big as expected but it was nice to be able to walk around easily, not have to wait forever for toilets or drink and to see the musicians wandering around.
A photographer was taking pictures to capture an image of the day in Belfast. They are hoping to hold an exhabition if they get funding. My friend told him we'd get ours taken and had to fill in some forms. I went first and the photographer was really helpful. He showed me where to stand, did some test shots and kept moving and telling me which direction to turn my head and to follow his voice. I couldn't smile. I couldn't laugh and had to look serious, which was fine until I smiled and he told me to just look the same way I would look in a mirror. But I don't use the bloody things. They are pointless. Of course my friend and I couldn't stop laughing after this and the rest of his attempts to get me looking serious were pointless.
There was only one stage, so we didn't have to decide which bands to go and see. The lineup was:
the Panama kings - A local band who played like they were playing to a million people even though not many were paying attention. Fair play!
David Ford
who I had heard a lot about but hadn't heard before. He was lovely, a bit Damien Rice/David Gray/that type of thing. He has a very polite Northern English accent, and the kind of voice that would make you think butter wouldn't melt, but he's a very passionate performer, and he gets very intense, and angry and... He's just brilliant.
David Kitt: who I think can be very hit and miss, but I really enjoyed him this time.
Gerry Fish and the mud bug club: He's still got the charisma after all these years and tried his best to get the crowd going.
Bell X1: who were great as usual but didn't get to play long enough.
The magic numbers: I was surprised by how good they were and that I actually enjoyed watching them. The audience absolutely loved them!
And finally the organiser of it all, Duke special and his band. He was brilliant as usual. He's a great musician and entertainer, and seemed genuinely delighted with how well everything went. Everybody singing 'freewheel' was really cool and might have nearly made him cry. He went crowd surfing during the last song, and accidentally kicked me in the shoulder on his way past. Its fine. He was just getting his revenge after the time I pulled his dreadlocks!
Plans for my next gig are underway, but more on that later. Lets just say a certain someone might be joining me.
Currently listening to: 'cheer up you miserable fuck' by David Ford (from his album 'I sincerely appologise for all the trouble I have caused', that I bought and got signed on saturday)
ps. I did edit this post three times encase you think you are imagining things.
I went to a stone roses tribute band on friday with my sister, her husband, their friends (who are all mad) and my cousin and her boyfriend. It was great fun and the closest I'll ever get to seeing the real thing.
On saturday after very little sleep, I got the bus to Belfast for the dukebox gig, which was part of the Belsonic festival. I bought the
David Geraghty
album in cool discs to make the journey a bit easier. Its really really good. My friend knew I was exhausted and handed me a coffee as soon as I stepped off the bus. Hows that for service!
It was a great day, apart from being very cold. I met lots of new people who were very nice. The crowd wasn't as big as expected but it was nice to be able to walk around easily, not have to wait forever for toilets or drink and to see the musicians wandering around.
A photographer was taking pictures to capture an image of the day in Belfast. They are hoping to hold an exhabition if they get funding. My friend told him we'd get ours taken and had to fill in some forms. I went first and the photographer was really helpful. He showed me where to stand, did some test shots and kept moving and telling me which direction to turn my head and to follow his voice. I couldn't smile. I couldn't laugh and had to look serious, which was fine until I smiled and he told me to just look the same way I would look in a mirror. But I don't use the bloody things. They are pointless. Of course my friend and I couldn't stop laughing after this and the rest of his attempts to get me looking serious were pointless.
There was only one stage, so we didn't have to decide which bands to go and see. The lineup was:
the Panama kings - A local band who played like they were playing to a million people even though not many were paying attention. Fair play!
David Ford
who I had heard a lot about but hadn't heard before. He was lovely, a bit Damien Rice/David Gray/that type of thing. He has a very polite Northern English accent, and the kind of voice that would make you think butter wouldn't melt, but he's a very passionate performer, and he gets very intense, and angry and... He's just brilliant.
David Kitt: who I think can be very hit and miss, but I really enjoyed him this time.
Gerry Fish and the mud bug club: He's still got the charisma after all these years and tried his best to get the crowd going.
Bell X1: who were great as usual but didn't get to play long enough.
The magic numbers: I was surprised by how good they were and that I actually enjoyed watching them. The audience absolutely loved them!
And finally the organiser of it all, Duke special and his band. He was brilliant as usual. He's a great musician and entertainer, and seemed genuinely delighted with how well everything went. Everybody singing 'freewheel' was really cool and might have nearly made him cry. He went crowd surfing during the last song, and accidentally kicked me in the shoulder on his way past. Its fine. He was just getting his revenge after the time I pulled his dreadlocks!
Plans for my next gig are underway, but more on that later. Lets just say a certain someone might be joining me.
Currently listening to: 'cheer up you miserable fuck' by David Ford (from his album 'I sincerely appologise for all the trouble I have caused', that I bought and got signed on saturday)
ps. I did edit this post three times encase you think you are imagining things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
