The Friday of Interviews
As I expected, Yara was a complete angel during my interview at VESID. They even complimented her on how good she had been and were deeply impressed that she had only been with me for about six weeks. That’s my girl!
I got to see Bob and Kipper, too, and I was immensely proud of how well Yara handled meeting a new dog. Her and Kipper did the normal dog meet-and-greet and then Yara stole his bone like the dog toy thief she is. Kipper didn’t seem to care too much, but Bob noted that he was far more distracted by her than the other way around.
I left Yara at home for the other interview and it was quite heart wrenching. I made sure she was well relieved and had access to all her toys, but she started whining the moment she realized I was going out and I could hear her right through the front door. But three hours later when I came home, she didn’t make a sound. I don’t think she moved from her spot once while I was gone, and she hadn’t touched the treats I stuffed in her bone. Still, she was a good girl and I’m quite proud of her. We took a trip outside and then had some playtime and now she’s passed out in the livingroom.
Anyway, both interviews went quite well. I’m very optimistic.
Interview Thoughts
I mentioned previously that I have an interview this coming Friday1 and that I’m somewhat on the fence as to whether to bring Yara or not.
My issues are less in regards to the topic of my blindness or any access issues with her, but more that I’m not sure how the interviewers will handle having a guide dog present when I’m making the point that I can read print and use a computer with assistive technology. I’ve gone back and forth on it with various people, but yesterday I spoke with an old friend who works in the office where my first interview and he seemed to feel unequivocally that Yara should come along. “If you need to use a guide dog, she should absolutely be with you,” he said and I fully agree.
I think, however, the deciding factor will be if she shows any sign of that stomach issue that comes and goes with her. I’m of a mind that it’s a bit stress related because she seems to be a bit off color about a day after I’ve brought her to a new place or something substantial in our daily routine has changed.
In other news, I’m entertaining the idea of moving back to Albany if I do get either of these two positions. I initially moved from my wonderful Pine Hills apartment to try and save a bit of money.2 Either of these positions would be a pretty substantial raise in my income and I think travel would be easier within the city of Albany rather than Schenectady. So, send all your good thoughts, prayers, vibes, etc. my way, all right?
1. Actually, I have two different interviews for two entirely different positions.
2. More precisely to try and pay off credit cards and pay down my student loans as I was unable to budget money to “get ahead” on the debt but merely maintain a monthly payment (of mainly interest) and utilities, bills, and rent with my income at my last apartment.
The Whoopie Cushion Duck
Yara has a mallard duck toy I got her for Christmas that has a noisemaker in it to quack. Except it sounds more like a whoopie cushion. Right now she’s running around the house making it “quack” and I’m having this mental image of a stampeding horde of flatulent dogs tearing around my house.
In other news, I have a very promising job interview next Friday. I’m a bit pained as I’m thinking it would be best to leave my girl home. Hopefully, she’ll be all right with this.