Keiko's here

The most interesting thing I've found out about Keiko, is that he's afraid of heights.  This is seen when he bounds up concrete stairs, but balks at the platform stairs which is nothing more than a bunch of slabs suspended in the air on top of one beam.  He's come up a half-flight with lots of "doggie treat" encouragment, but balks at the second flight.  He's afraid, but I also wonder his soreness keeps him from jumping since he got neutered.

He really is very pretty, just my style in black and white.  He looks to be a non-barker and that is worth its weight in gold.  For another setting a occasional barker would be okay, but where I'm living, it is pretty important that he's quiet. 

I've already had to explain to one of the residents in my building that he's an assistance dog.  I also mentioned that if enough owners get together at the Nov. 4 th meeting, the rules against pets could be changed.  It was a relief to see that they already accept hearing dogs and I might be the only dog owner in this 70+ unit condomimum.

He's be a lot of work since there's no yard to just turn him loose in.  He'll always be on a leash and I'll have to pick up his droppings.  But these retractable leashes are wonderful.  Never had one before, but it certainly does the trick.  He's going to be in the crate at night, and I'm hoping he's quiet then too, so he can stay in the bedroom with us.

I got a call from my audiologist, Ken Pugh, and my next mapping will be on Sept 15.  I say it is about time!  I need a phone map really bad.  I certainly loved having my cell phone with me today since I needed directions to the vetrinarian's place.  It really is hard to find.  Turned around at least a half-dozen times.  But there's no markers along the road, you have to know exactly where to get off the highway before you can even find the mailboxes.  I expected a sign I could see from the highway, and that's one of the quirks of living in Kona, signs are limited in size and location.

I'm excited about my dog even though he's kooky about open-air stairs.