by Chelsey Zumpano
Self-care is important for everyone, but especially for people who have mental health struggles.
1 Reading my favorite books
2 drawing
3 cuddling with my animals
4 Reading
5 writing short stories 
I Took An Intro To Dog Training Class! Was It Accessible? #DogTraining&Blind
by Chelsey Zumpano
I started taking a intro to dog training class on New Skills Academy. It’s a website to take courses and you get certificates. I saw an add on Facebook talking about the intro to dog training course and it was only $25! So I took my chance because all those other dog training courses are thousands of dollars. (you are not required to be certified). Taking a course for me makes me feel more productive than just reading a book because you can interpret books anyway and I like the idea of taking tests and quizzes because it shows me what I’ve learned.
The website is accessible, (for the most part), I was able to read all the articles for my classes and take notes. The one thing I had trouble with was finding the text box to take notes and the fact that sometimes it randomly go to the notes and start reading them to me. I was able to answer the quizzes and the test at the end. I wasn’t however able to fill out the worksheets because they were not accessible at all! (Thankfully the worksheets were not required).
Taking the class makes me realize I knew lots more about dog training than I thought. It makes me feel more confident in my dog training ability and has taught me some new things. I got a certificate for completing the course I’m going to frame it and put it on my wall! 
(Also I’m sorry if this post sounds a bit weird because I had to use the Tatian to write it, since my orbit reader 20 didn’t charge!).
If you also want to take a course here’s a link to the website:
https://newskillsacademy.com/
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
My Favorite Author!
by Chelsey Zumpano
Rick Riordan is my all time favorite author! You might know this by now because of all the times I’ve talked about the Magnus Chase series. His books are for all ages and his characters are a diverse bunch! The thing I love most about his first series is that most of the characters have learning disabilities.
The characters live in the modern world, but where the Greek Gods exist and have children with mortals. Percy (the main character), is one of those kids! He (like most of his fellow Demigods), has A.D.H.D. and dyslexia. The cool thing is that the A.D.H.d. helps him to have faster reflexes in battle and the dyslexia is because his brain is hardwired to read ancient greek. Neither of the learning disabilities gose away and remain apart of the story!
The thing I love is the fact that “The Percy Jackson series,” started out as a bed time story for his son who has A.DH.D. and dyslexia. I think it’s an amazing thing that these books I love so much started out as just a story to give his son a hero just like him. This is why I aspire to be like him and to write characters to touch people’s heart, (like his have mine).
All his books are on Audible-
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lightning-Thief-Audiobook/B002V0JZOO
The books are also on BaRD:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bard-mobile/id705229586
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
Using A Leaf Blower For The First Time!
by Chelsey Zumpano
I know it might sound weird that I’m 24 and just using a leaf blower for the first time, but I just haven’t had been interested until now! It’s very easy and I like it! All I do is move it back and ford, (just like my cane). I did my yard in sections, (just like with vacuuming). It reminded me of when I was little and we used to do yard work all together.
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
A Letter To Customer Service Workers!
by Chelsey Zumpano
So I was at the pet store with my sister and the guy who was ringing us up didn’t talk much. I also want to note that the guy was not being rude, just shy, and I want to help others know what to say. So here’s my letter to customer service workers!
Dear people who work at stores,
Please talk to us when we come into the store! You could say, “hi, welcome in,” or “Hi, do you need any help'” or “Hi, is there anything your looking for today?” Then when you help us; you can ask us about our day, ask us if we like a certain brand, talk about the products, or suggest things you think we might like.
Then when we are checking out: you can ask us, “What kind of dog do you have?” Or you can make conversation about your own animals. Just make polite conversation.
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
Expanding On Calming Signals!
by Chelsey Zumpano
Someone on Facebook asked me to explain more clearly how I use calming signals with my dogs and now I’m going to explain it to all of you!
First I started with Hazel by herself and the calming signal I used is yoning. It’s the easiest one to do for us humans.
So here’s what I did; when Hazel started to act anxious, I’d just yon at her and then she’d relax. I kept doing that all day and it worked! Hazel learned very fast! Calming signals are something puppies learn from their well socialized Mom and continue to learn from other well dogs.socialized That’s why socializing your dog is importain because they have to learn how to communicate with all different types of dogs. That’s why I worked with Hazel first and then Lucy. Also remember dogs can also use calming signals to calm their own self down and you can even use it to let your dog know you heard a noise, (like thunder), and that they are okay.
I wished I knew all this stuff when Ginger was a puppy, but the internet wasn’t as accessible to me as it is now and I was in fith grade. I didn’t really get into dog training books untel afew years ago. It would have been extreamly helpful! Lucy is learning slowly because she and Ginger wern’t as well socialized as they should have been. When I do the calming signals to Lucy and she’s barking or growl at Hazel; she’ll stop and do a soffter noise, then she’ll calm down.
I also use slow blinking, looking away and for this I move my head from side to side, licking my lips, and sighing, (which I realized Hazel does a lot). I will also include the link to the book, “On Talking Termswith Dogs,” and I will also have a link to my YouTube video on the first week of calming signals. (The video is not up as of 11/8/19 and one 50 PM. It’ll be up soon).
Let me know what things have helped your dogs have a better relationship in the comments!
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
When Words Just Don’t Work!
by Chelsey Zumpano
I’m having one of those days when I can’t think of what to write and when I do find something to write it just isn’t sounding right! So I’m going to tell you some of the ways I get inspiration and what I do when those don’t work!
1 I look up writing promps
2 I ask my family for ideas
3 I write a blog expanding on a video of mine
4 read a book
5 watch a video
6 Listen to music
7 Step back completely and go for a walk
8 Write a post on writer’s block
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
Some of My Dreams!
by Chelsey Zumpano
I’d love if I could accomplish atleast one of these dreams!
1 To have a big house in the country with a rap around porch. The house would be three stories and have lots of windows to let lots of natural light in. It will have enough rooms for my Mom and I to have a craft room, my sister to have a make up studio, and me a filming studio. A garage, shop, and dirt bike track for my Dad and brother. We’d have enough space for like 10 dogs and 20 cats: along with goats, horses, cows and chickens. We’d also have enough room for a garden and a second little house for family to stay.
2 To be a guide dog trainer! It’d be amazing to work with dogs every day and to know that the dogs would be helping others like me. I’d live in a small house with a big yard, so Hazel could run. Katniss and Audrey would live with me to and they’d have cat trees and high up places to hang out. Hazel would be a play mate to dogs on their off time and a good exaple on their work time. Hazel and I’d take a car pull van with all of our other coworkers to work. I’d get to help dogs and people every day.
3 A published author! I’d have multiple best saling books. I’d have interviews on all the coolist talk shows. I’d get to give people characters head’s to fall into when they don’t want to be in their own. I’d give people characters to look up to like all my favorite authors have given me.
4 Dog rescuer! I’d be surrounded by animals every day and get to take care of them. I’d take all the dogs out early in the morning to go run and go potty. Then I’d feed the cats and bottle feed any kits or pups that need it. Then I’d give any animals who need meds and make sure any wounded or special needs are payed attention to. Next I’d take the dogs for a walk and then do some training. Then I’d cuddle with any cats who wanted to cuddle; while the dogs napt. Then play and train the dogs again. It’d be an awesome life.
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
Adopt A Senior Dog!
by Chelsey Zumpano
(Picture credit goes to Chelsey Zumpano).
November is adopt a senior dog month, so I thought I’d talk about my Lucy. Although Lucy wasn’t adopted, but born into our family. Lucy is our 12 year old Chihuahua/Yorkey mix.
She loves to cudle under the blankits with me. She’ll be content to lay in bed on most days. She still loves to play with toys and get treats. She still barks at the door to let us know someones there. She still knows how to do some basic obedience. She loves to be with her people.
A lot of people will reject senior dogs because they have health problems, but they still need a home. There previous owner could have past away or they didn’t have money to take care of them. I wouldn’t want my Lucy to spend the rest of her life in a shelter! I think a senior dog would be great for a first time dog owner because they can still teach you responsibility and you’ll have a companion. They are offen low energy and in need lots of love!
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
Thankful My Dogs Have A Better Relationship!
by Chelsey Zumpano
So my little dog Lucy did not get along with my Husky Hazel. She growled, barked, and showed her teeth. Hazel just jumped around her and wanted to play. It wasnt that big of deal when my Ginger was still alive because Lucy had her Mom to hang out with, so we just kept them seperated. We did try to introduce the three of them, but Ginger would growl at her and all that stuff. I don’t blame her because if I was a Chihuahua, (who was old and not feeling well), then I wouldn’t want a puppy to be bugging me either.
Then when Ginger past away; Lucy didn’t, (and still doesn’t), want to be alone! She cries and won’t stop scratching at the door, if we put her outside to run around, (we can’t even let her out to go potty. I’m not going to lie, but it was extreamly stressful, (especially because Lucy only wanted/wants to only be with me or my Mom), so it meant that it was harder to split my time between the two dogs.
So how did I get them to get along? By using calming signals! You might be wondering what that is? Calming signals are how dogs communicate with each other and us humans can use some of them too. Dogs will use calming signals to to calm dogs down and to let them know, “Hey, it’s okay.” Dogs will also use calming signals at us if they are being yelled at and want us to calm down. Some examples are licking their lips, yawning , sighing, and slow blinking. You can learn more about calming signals by reading the book, “On Talking Terms with Dogs,” linked at the bottom of this post.
The other thing that helped was to be relaxed and not panic when the dogs were together because they can sense that and sometimes feed off it. Now Lucy and Hazel can be in the same room together. Lucy will still get agitated by Hazel, but it’s getting better. I think the reason why it worked for my dogs is because Hazel just wants to play and wasn’t trying to fight Lucy. So please talk to a trainer if your dogs are full on fighting. It’s one of thoughs things that will take time and won’t work for all dogs, but I’m extreamly thankful it has helped my dogs.
Let me know what things have helped your dogs have a better relationship in the comments!
If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see next for Nanowrimo, please let me know in the comments or send me an email to: viblindresources@gmail.com
