Holiday while Lindy in Germany
While Lindy went away to Berlin to compete in the 17 IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships, I had a wonderful holiday with Aunty Polly and then also with my puppy raising family Mark and Debbie where I spent seven days checking out my old stomping ground in Wollongong and reminiscing about my puppy time.
Back in Canberra I went to work and training with Aunty Polly, taking my guarding role seriously. At the Canberra Legacy office no intruder could have come in without me warning the rest of the office with my vigorous tail wagging. At swimming training, I watched with my eyes close to make sure Aunty Polly is safe.
The most exciting part of the holiday was when Aunty Polly drove me up to Sydney to meet Lindy off the plane. I was so excited that I jumped up so high that I put my paws onto Lindy’s shoulder. Luckily I didn’t get arrested by the Police for being out of my uniform!
Lindy & I then spent the night with Tim (labrador) and his family, while Aunty Polly when on to a historic train holiday with her mum. Tim & I played like two young puppies before Lindy & I caught the train back to Canberra.
As much as I enjoyed my holiday, I took pride in recommencing my job of guiding Lindy around. Lindy & I had a quietish week so we could both recover from Lindy’s overseas trip. Then it was all systems go again.
21 Hearts play at the War Memorial
We went to the War Memorial for the play 21 Hearts which was the story of Australian nurse Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke. Theatre 180 especially brought in an audio describer to describe the show to Lindy and other Vision Impaired audience members. We also got to go backstage to feel the props and meet some of the cast. I felt very special as I was the only guide dog there.
Champion for Accessibility
I also carried on my secondary role as a champion for accessibility by being on the ABC TV News and the ABC online news. I have a hard time getting Lindy around Canberra City safely, as there is lots of construction going on and footpaths being close without prior warning! Access Canberra claimed that construction firms put up large signs to direct pedestrians how to get around safely. Unfortunately, reading was not part of my training at Guide Dogs School.
Lindy’s Dragon Boat World Championships experience
Lindy was in the inaugural Aurora Para Dragon Boat team that competed in Germany. The Para squad came back with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze. The entire Aurora team came back with so many medals that I ran out of paws to count them.
Although Lindy was not in the boat that won these medals, all the Para paddlers felt they contributed to the success of the squad. They raced alongside Para teams from other nations. When they were not in a race, they cheered and willed our team to the finish line.
Lindy has been to Para World Championships for Cycling and Triathlon. She found Dragon Boating has been the most inclusive of the three sports that she has competed in. In cycling, Para competition is separate from the able bodied cycling. They are held at different venues and a different time. Paratriathlon is held alongside the elite and age group program. But they don’t factor master para athletes, whilst Dragon Boat factors age in the Para Division.
The Aurora team all stayed together in one hotel. The conference room was used for the team dinner and meetings, which helped set a great team atmosphere. The Aurora motto “One team, one heart, one soul, one goal” certainly reflected across all the Aurora divisions.
At the end of the competition, ABC Canberra radio station contacted Lindy for an interview at 5:30am Berlin time. That’s a big sleep-in for Lindy, as I normally wake Lindy up at 5am at home! The link to the interview will be uploaded on to Lindy’s website soon.
Lindy with the help of team members Amanda and Ashleigh checked out Berlin for the two days after the competition. As no surprise, the first item on the agenda was a “Food Tour”. I am real disappointed that I wasn’t there to help out! They sampled Currywurst and chocolates amongst all the other yummy German food, while the tour guide provided lots of informative historical information. They even managed to sample some German beer.
They visited Berlin historical sites. They climbed up over 270 steps to the top of Berlin Cathedral. Going up was ok for Lindy, and Amanda gave wonderful instructions to ensure Lindy got down those steps safely. I am glad that I didn’t have to guide her down!
Let’s learn something new and make a positive contribution every day.
I must go as Lindy and I are walking one hour every day in PAWGUST in support of Guide Dogs. If you would like to support us please visit our PAWGUST fundraising page.
Woof Woof
Flash Hou
(until I get my own email address, you can contact me via Lindy’s email)
lindy@lindyhou.com
Tel: 0402 113 836 / +61 402 113 836
