Buddy System

Buddy System is a humorous, in depth account of my transition from using a cane to learning how to operate a guide dog. It all began when my mobility instructor, (who taught me how to use a white stick) asked me if I ever considered getting a guide dog. I knew of them but I thought it might more of a responsibility than I was capable of, just the same I underwent an evaluation by a professional trainer. He told me I was a good candidate so I went ahead and applied to two California schools, one in San Raphael and the other in Palm Springs. Secretly I'd hoped to go to the most glamorous setting in the desert, and when this happened I took it as an omen that was meant to be.

Buddy System is a humorous, in depth account of my transition from using a cane to learning how to operate a guide dog. It all began when my mobility instructor, (who taught me how to use a white stick) asked me if I ever considered getting a guide dog. I knew of them but I thought it might be more of a responsibility than I was capable of, however, I underwent an evaluation by a professional.

After a few days of orientation the real work began a leash was handed to me, at the other end was a seventy-two pound alpha male yellow lab named, "Buddy." He was a driven dog and I was a wary handler but we managed to reach a working relationship. We had the fundamentals down by the time we returned to Oregon. From that point on it was a matter of refining our "teamwork."

The first part of the book covers the joining of human and canine and how we were converted into a six legged machine. The second half recounts all of our adventures together locally, then nationally. The book is the same, as we were as a team fast paced and colorful, sometimes unintentionally so.

Buddy was a force of nature who challenged me to keep up and through trust, trial and error I did. He inspired me and gave me back my freedom, so I wanted to tell our story from an awkward start to a triumphant end.