Testimonials >Success Stories >Andy and Jake

Andy and "Jake" Story #2

By Andy Roca, THSD Graduate

Hey gang,

Thought I'd send y'all the latest in our adventures thru life. Jake is becoming a seasoned traveler. He's been flying with Johanna & Dale. He travels great in my van. And now he has done wonderfully on a ship. We just got back from a 5 day cruise to Cozumel and Calico.

To start off, I got talked into this one. Olga and I had been on a cruise about 10 years ago. I was more mobile at the time. We caught a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship that was just awesome for accessibility. This time we went on a Carnival Cruise ship. It was the first ship they put on water, 17 years ago. The folks at Carnival customer service assured me that it had been revamped and was accessible.

I haven't had any back spasms in over 5 years. A week before we left, it was horrible. I know it was due to stress. Here we are, fixing to get on a 17 year old ship, and I'm worried about how I'm going to get around. What happens if it doesn't work out. I'm stuck for 5 days. And then there was Jake. How would he do? One of the most obvious problems was where was he going to relieve himself? Y'all know dogs so I don't have to go into much detail. Well, customer service assured me that everything would work out, since they have had special needs dogs on board. They told me that there were dog areas on different decks. They asked if I wanted Astro Turf or gravel for Jake. I chose Astro Turf. Keep in mind that, here at home, we have pretty good control when he dumps twice a day. I'm still stressing.

Getting on the ship was an experience. 1512 passengers at the embarkation terminal. Jake did remarkably well getting thru the crowds, but I could tell he was still a bit stressed. We got to get on the ship before the able-bodied folks which really helped. At the cabin, the cabin steward knew Jake by name. I soon found out that almost all of the employees, with whom we might come in contact, had been briefed on Jake. That made me feel quite a bit better. I also found out that this ship's crew had never seen a dog on board, but they were doing a good job of helping to make things work.

I'm going to get this out of the way. There was only one "poop" deck. Our room was all the way aft (that's the back of the boat for those not in the know). Looking out our window, we could see where we've been. Ok, here we go to the "poop" deck. Out our room, down the hall to the elevator, up to the 9th deck, back down the hall to the aft, through one of the lounges and onto the 9th floor deck, across the deck to the steps that went to the 8th floor deck where they put the astro turf. I sure hope y'all can picture that trip, especially when your dog has to go. They wanted the astro turf on the 8th deck, because the 9th deck was heavily populated. To get to the 8th deck, you go thru the dining room and up a 6" step with no room for a ramp. Who needs the stress? Fortunately, Olga and a friend took turns taking Jake. We weren't always lucky, so it's a good thing I carried plastic bags and towels.

Now for the fun stuff. First night out, Mike introduces Jake to a large gathering. A good number of folks asked if they could pet him, but there were also those who didn't. If I ever do this again, which I'm sure I will, I'm going to bring some kind of a sign. He was really great in the dining room. At the first meal, the Maitre 'd and head waiter welcomed Jake and had set it up so we were at the first table in the dining room. Jake did his usual 30 second search, as he does every time we go to a restaurant. He then went under the table and stayed there for an hour. Every meal thereafter for 5 days, he just went right under the table as soon as we pulled the chair away. Luis, our waiter, asked me what I did to get him do that. I told him that I was as surprised as he was, because normally he scopes out the area.

Good ol Johanna. Thanks....She taught Jake how to sing. We were up at the Karaoke lounge. Guess who was a big hit while other folks were doing their singing? He didn't sing but 2 times. Everyone really enjoyed Jake.

I guess it was Wednesday afternoon when he finally settled down. I just got the feeling that he was more relaxed. Wednesday night my back did a complete release. I didn't have any more spasms the rest of the trip.

We were all over the ship during the 5 days. One thing really surprised me. With all the people on board, 1512 passengers & 615 crew, we didn't run across anyone who didn't like the idea of a dog on board ship. Everyone commented on Jake and I met a lot of folks and new friends. I met a young lady from Kansas who has a Yellow Lab service dog. She was surprised to see Jake. She said she was afraid to bring her dog on the trip. Having made this trip, I tried to give her both the good and bad points and told her to go for it the next time.

Jake & I did not get off the ship at either Cosumel or Calico. Some of the folks that did go said it was a good thing that we didn't. Jake would have had a hard time. The dogs they saw were in bad shape.

Did Jake work for his trip? He sure did. He'd pick things up for me. I even got him to pick up things that others had dropped. Jake picks up my left arm and puts it in my lap. In the evening, when I'm tired, I'd get him to pick it up. That simple task for Jake really amazed folks. Everyone recognized Jake's vest as being a special needs dog. The only problem is that many folks picked up on the "Hearing" on his patch. They either talked very loudly or made sure they were in front of me thinking that I could/would read their lips. I'd hear some folks talking beside me and turn to them to answer their questions.

Would I do it again? Yes, but on a bigger and newer ship. Would Jake do it again? Sure, now that he's got his sea legs.
Thanks for reading my lengthy mail. Hope I didn't bore anyone. If for any reason you would prefer not to get these updates, please let me know. No hard feelings.

Till the next time,
Andy, Olga and Jake