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In Memoriam: BEAU, CGC,TDI
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LION DOG QUESTIONNAIRE
BEAU
If someone asked you why you chose this particular breed of dog to be your pet (and later to serve as your hearing assistance dog), what would you say to him or her?
-- I originally planned on getting a Basset Hound, then I decided to get a more alert and quick-witted Yorkshire Terrier. While perusing several dog books, many times I attempted to arrive at the "Y" to read about the Yorkie, and something kept stopping me at "S" and guiding me towards a Shih Tzu instead. While studying the Shih Tzu breed category and noting the disposition, temperament, apartment living, intelligence, training, etc., I figured a Tzu was perfect for me. A Shih Tzu is almost a cross between a Basset Hound and Yorkshire Terrier. I decided on a small to medium sized dog. I like a touch of laidback and alertness in one!
Did you raise Beau from a pup?
-- Yes, since he was 3 months old.
How would you describe Beau's personality? Please provide an anecdote or two revealing Beau's distinctive personality.
-- Very personable and jovial! Nothing bothers him, and he has no opinion about anything.
Did you intend from the start to train Beau to be a hearing assistance dog?
-- Yes.
Did you train Beau yourself or did someone else train him? In either case, how did Beau respond to the training?
-- I trained him all by myself. Beau was an excellent student.
How did Beau become officially certified as a hearing assistance dog?
-- When I applied for an "Information Card" via mail to the Delta Society, after Beau earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate at 17 months old. Beau later worked part-time as a Pet Therapy Dog and registered with the Therapy Dogs International. We made the rounds in a nursing home and a day care school for kids, where they pet him as 'therapy'. He's currently retired. He has a title to his name which reads: "Beau, CGC,TDI", like a college degree.
What sorts of things does Beau do to assist you?
-- At home: alerts me to door knocks, phone rings, alarm sounds, food burning/water boiling/oven timer. In public: alerts me to incoming vehicles, someone attempting to call my name. He's basically an Alert Dog, which is the trademark Shih Tzu trait.
Can you recall any instances in which Beau's actions made a critical difference to your personal safety?
-- My alarm went off because my bbq pizza baking in the oven caused my alarm to 'think' it was burning when it wasn't. I wasn't wearing my hearing aid, as I like to give my ear a break while I'm home so I wasn't extra alert just for baking a pizza. So, here my high-pitch alarm was blaring like crazy unbeknownst to me, and Beau was just coming up to me and scampering around, and that's when I got the hint something's up, and the red light was blinking on the alarm and I learned what was up. Had it continued like this, my neighbors might awaken as it was late at night! However, the property guard heard the alarm siren (my windows were open because it was cool out) and knocked on my door to see if I was all right. What an embarrassment, but she was okay about it as she learned of Beau's functions!
How do people know that Beau is a working dog, and how do people react to the two of you when you bring Beau into a place or situation where other dogs are not allowed?
-- I guess they assume that when I take him out and about in public, that he must've been working for me. I have patches, but I've recently attached an orange flyer on the leash, so that I can use the information to pass on to unsuspecting people or officials who stop me thinking I'm taking my pet out. I also carry an Information Card with extra copies of the flyer inside Beau's very mini duffel bag that I attached to his harness. I also exercise the federal law's acceptance to use "verbal assurances" that Beau's working as 'my Hearing Ear Dog for the hearing-impaired'. Fortunately, people say, "Oh", without hasslng us. However, there are still some degree of ignorance or people just plain disliking dogs, so they tend to not warm up with the idea of an animal on their premises. Too bad!
Is Beau, in effect, a 'different' dog when he's at home with you, and when he is out and about with you in his 'official' service role?
-- Yes. While we're out, he acts like actor Cary Grant, and at home, he acts like a puppy most times! Whenever I put the harness on him, he assumes a mode that shows he knows we're on our way out with him working for me.
Are you aware of any other Shih Tzu hearing assistance dogs, therapy dogs, sight-impaired, physically-challenged, or health assistance dogs?
-- None so far. I reviewed a site based in England featuring English Shih Tzu Hearing Dogs that was featured in the "Popular Dogs" magazine series published by Fancy Publications, one of which featured a Shih Tzu, but that's it. I did e-mail the site but heard nothing back.
Please tell me about Beau's 'service decorations', the various honors and awards he has been nominated for or received over the years.
-- 1998: Earned nomination for 'Media Award', presented by the City of Phoenix Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues, for outstanding achievements (Ability Counts Awards Program). 1997 & 1998: Earned a 'Certificate of Recognition' for exemplary teamwork demonstrating the power of the human/animal bond, presented by the Delta Society for Service and Therapy Animal (Hearing Dog) Awards.
Repeating a question from your Web site, with regard to the AKC ACE award, "How exactly does one WIN such a wonderful title? What did Beau have to do? How did you enter this contest?"
-- I just followed their entry rules and left out the fluff, as they'd wanted to hear the details of why I felt that Beau deserved such an honor. I emphasized his 10 years' lifestyle with me, and that he never failed at his job.
Do you and Beau plan to go to the awards ceremony in Florida in December to accept Beau's AKC ACE award?
-- No, because he got relegated to 'Honorable Mention' and doesn't need to be present. He just gets the certificate and a beautiful engraved medallion but is not invited to attend. Unsurprisingly, the 9/11 Gude Dog beat Beau to the punch! That dog deserved the highest honor though.
Please tell me a little bit about the appearance you and Beau made on the Sign Out television show in 1996—how it came about, what sorts of things were talked about, how viewers responded, etc.
-- I faxed them a request to appear on the Christmas-themed show with Beau (who wore his very own Santa hat which rested rakishly on his head!), and they accepted. The host basically asked me Beau's functions as my Hearing Dog. He had to fit in several questions to last about 20 minutes. Everything's unscripted, and I had no idea what questions would be asked. Beau behaved very well on my lap during the entire interview. I was also relaxed, even though it was Beau's and my first TV appearance!
If you had to reduce to a single sentence your relationship with Beau and what he has done for you and/or meant to you over the years, what would that sentence be?
-- Beau is my 'hairy' son!
WEB SITE
What gave you the idea to create The Shih Tzu Forum Web site? Did you design it yourself?
-- I founded the non-profit quarterly Shih Tzu Forum in 1998 as a simple newsletter. I designed it to unite interested Shih Tzu fanciers. I charged my subscribers $5.00 to help with small expenses. After I purchased my WebTV (I used my terrific word processor/computer to create the hard copy version) and got to know how to use it, along with getting to know online stuff, I transferred the Forum newsletter online, calling it e-newsletter, so that I could put in all the bells and whistles on it, without relying on expensive machinery for a hard copy version. My Site has grown rapidly in popularity, and I feel honored that people could find it much easier than advertising the old-fashioned way offline in dog magazines for free. I put the Forum on a free server, so that I didnt have to charge my visitors a fee to enjoy the Forum. Yes, I designed it exclusively with no outside assistance.
What sorts of things does the site offer to visitors?
-- Anything and everything pertaining exclusively to the Shih Tzu breed. The Forum is like a fanzine e-newsletter, where I call the submitted Tzu photos in it 'pin-ups', like teen idols! That's why I feel that the Shih Tzu "Forum" is a great title name.
What impact has the Web site had since you first established it in 1999; for example, total number of hits, number of regular 'subscribers', memorable personal messages to you from people who've been helped to find the right dog or training because of information you've provided?
-- One woman posted looking for funding to help her pay for her Tzu's extensive surgery, and she was practically running around trying to save her new Tzu pup, and through my Forum, she was able to hopefully find the correct source to guide her through. That's one great thing about the Internet. On the flip side, my message board is credited with gaining visitors' confidence in posting requests, assistance, or information, as well as sending lots of photos! They comment how much they enjoy my Forum, because we get along without any flaming! I am VERY grateful that it's the key to my Forum's success.
What is the Hearing Dog Law Information Center, when did you establish it, and what is its purpose?
-- I founded the non-profit organization in 1995, when it was actually the name of my booth at a local mall, that I chose for the moment. My booth represented self-trained only Hearing Dogs, where Beau and I sat next to each other passing out flyers that I compiled, all about Hearing Dog legal rights and benefits. When I transferred the Shih Tzu Forum online in 1999, I naturally included my Hearing Dog link, that I created separately.
With regard to the Web site and the Hearing Dog Law Information Center, what are your ultimate goals? Are you on your way to reaching any of them?
-- My goal is to watch my two Sites grow and to last indefinitely, as well as to continually witness how much they've helped people fulfill what they'd been looking for all along.
Finally, Karen, do you have any quality color pix of Beau and yourself that you'd like to share? (I kind of like the "jester" pix on your Web site). For now, a color Xerox will do just fine—if there's a Kinko's near you, you can photocopy a number of color prints onto one 11/17" sheet for just $1. At this point, it's probably a good idea to hold onto your originals.
-- Sure, which one? I have two here. You may use either or both for your book:
http://community-2.webtv.net/Shihtzugirl/Pedigree/scrapbookFiles/mailedD21.jpg
http://community-2.webtv.net/KarenCatalioto/doc4/scrapbookFiles/mailedD16.jpg
If you respond by e-mail, please just write your response beneath the question. If you respond by "snail mail," please refer to the question number. Feel free to add anything else you might wish to include. No need to worry about writing style. Just share your wonderful story. I will use the information to create a essay, including quotes from your responses, that will tell your and Beau's story. I will give you a chance to review the essay and make any comments you wish before finalizing it.
Please e-mail your filled-out questionnaire to HYPERLINK mailto:jagronsky@aol.com jagronsky@aol.com, or "snail mail" it to me at 5034 41st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016.
Thanks in advance for your efforts! I am delighted to be able to include you and Beau in my book.
Jonathan Agronsky
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