for the latest issue email alert
|
|
Music Man
Me and my (guide) dog
James with guide dog Ivor aged 2 1/2 (Puckle St., December 2020)
|
I'VE been using guide dogs for the past 20 years now. Each have enriched my life by way of experiences and meeting people.
Starting with Edrick in 2000, he was a large 35kg, black male Labrador Retriever. A placid giant. As my first guide dog, I was not experienced in the trust aspect. One incident had Edrick and I indulging in a leisurely stroll along a residential Craigieburn street, where we resided at the time. We stepped up to one of numerous curbs. "Just another quiet side street" methinks. I instructed Edrick forward but he remained motionless. |
James and Edrick snoozing
|
I SHOULD HAVE PAID ATTENTION!
I continued encouraging Edrick forward which he reluctantly did. At the same time I heard approaching traffic, both left and right. Edrick stopped mid way while traffic past us by. A break in the hold-up behind us and a quick about-face had us back on the path and safely heading home. I learned later that that particular quiet side street happened to be busy Craigieburn Road!
That experience served as a lesson in learning to trust a guide dog's instincts and training. At the same time, patiently taking in the environment around me before making a decision.
I continued encouraging Edrick forward which he reluctantly did. At the same time I heard approaching traffic, both left and right. Edrick stopped mid way while traffic past us by. A break in the hold-up behind us and a quick about-face had us back on the path and safely heading home. I learned later that that particular quiet side street happened to be busy Craigieburn Road!
That experience served as a lesson in learning to trust a guide dog's instincts and training. At the same time, patiently taking in the environment around me before making a decision.
Cheyenne with Edrick (2007)
|
The years 2001 to 2003 were particularly arduous. Entering a new chapter obliged me to relocate to a new area and most importantly, learning every day tasks such as cooking, shopping etc. Especially if I were to have my then 3 to 6 year old daughter Cheyenne, on a fortnightly basis.
Readers who have purchased my Cheyenne CD, would be familiar with the sounds of a laughing 18 month old baby girl and 12 year old girl, both at the beginning and end of the first track called "Cheyenne" on the album. I’m pleased to say I eventually made it through just fine. Tasks such as cooking are now second nature to me and I even find it therapeutic and enjoyable. Edrick, however, picked up on my anxiety at the time and became very protective of Cheyenne and I. He’d growl at the occasional dog getting too close as we walked to a store. I also managed to restrain him when he lunged at a person after the fool had thrown water at me from a bottle, while I was playing music in the city. |
Cheyenne with Lola (the cat) - 2020
|
|
Edrick's issues would eventually be remedied and he'd go on to work a further two years before developing cancer, around 2005, and subsequently retiring. I, of course, retained him as a pet and Kyros, doggy number 2, came into our lives.
During his last days, Edrick would rise from his bed at night to enter Cheyenne's room and lie by her empty bed, God bless him, where I would find him in the morning. Edrick was put to sleep on September 9, 2008. I look forward to writing about Kyros, Weylin and new pup Ivor, in a future article. Wishing you all a safe Christmas and a much more pleasant 2021. If you would care to help Guide Dogs Victoria please visit their website |
Kyros 18 months old and just qualified as a Guide Dog, 2005
|
Puckle Street's Music Man
JAMES RUFATT, his dog and his guitar will be familiar faces to visitors to Puckle St, Moonee Ponds.
He's been playing a guitar since he was seven years old but it was after the gift of a guitar when he was 15 that encouraged him to get formal training. James lost his sight, progressively, over a year when he was 12. That story is told below.
On September 5, 1986, he appeared on the Red Faces segment of Darryl Somers' Hey Hey, It's Saturday. He scored three eights from the judges.
In 1987 he joined a band called Syndrome as a guest vocalist. A couple of years later, some members of that band moved on to form their own band called The Boys Next Door. James worked with both Syndrome and the new band, as well as doing solo performances and the occasional gig with other bands.
In early 1991, a friend introduced him to busking and he spent much time working in bars and private functions. In 1994 he made an appearance on television's talent show, Pot Of Gold, where he finished second singing an Elvis Presley song. He has recorded two music albums.
When I first met James, I was curious as to how he managed to cope with his diverse music career with his impaired sight. He used to carry amplifiers, speakers, guitar and cables from venue to venue. He said he would most often be accompanied or would ask people for directions. He used a white cane.
He does what he does because that's the way it is, he says. You take one goal at a time. When that's completed you move on to the next.
James's full time companions have also been his best friends - guide dogs. This is their story ...
He's been playing a guitar since he was seven years old but it was after the gift of a guitar when he was 15 that encouraged him to get formal training. James lost his sight, progressively, over a year when he was 12. That story is told below.
On September 5, 1986, he appeared on the Red Faces segment of Darryl Somers' Hey Hey, It's Saturday. He scored three eights from the judges.
In 1987 he joined a band called Syndrome as a guest vocalist. A couple of years later, some members of that band moved on to form their own band called The Boys Next Door. James worked with both Syndrome and the new band, as well as doing solo performances and the occasional gig with other bands.
In early 1991, a friend introduced him to busking and he spent much time working in bars and private functions. In 1994 he made an appearance on television's talent show, Pot Of Gold, where he finished second singing an Elvis Presley song. He has recorded two music albums.
When I first met James, I was curious as to how he managed to cope with his diverse music career with his impaired sight. He used to carry amplifiers, speakers, guitar and cables from venue to venue. He said he would most often be accompanied or would ask people for directions. He used a white cane.
He does what he does because that's the way it is, he says. You take one goal at a time. When that's completed you move on to the next.
James's full time companions have also been his best friends - guide dogs. This is their story ...
James with Ivor and Weylin
|
by James Rufatt
I HAVE been using guide dogs for the past 20 years now and received my 4th, young Ivor, last July.
Local folk would be familiar with Mr Weylin, my 3rd dog, seeing us out and about the community and entertaining on Puckle Street. But before guide dogs, I would get about using the white cane. I received my first cane in 1982 aged 12, while in grade 6, after an attempt to remove a cataract from my left eye was unsuccessful. On Christmas day that same year, I was to lose most of the vision in the right eye and it was a gradual loss through my teenage years. I recall having enough vision at the age of 18 (1988), to notice if the tram was at the stop for the ride home. I would use the cane right up to the age of 30 when I got in touch with Guide Dogs Victoria to organise a time to discuss the possibility of using a guide dog which would prove to be a very prudent phone call. A meeting was arranged and after the benefits and responsibilities were explained to me, a dog leisurely strolled into the office, where we then ventured out to the surrounding grounds for a "test drive"! |
|
I recall feeling a great sense of liberty as well as a loyal companion by my side. So I signed up for the month-long training program where I was to receive my first guide dog, Edrick.
The training aroused conflicting emotions at times to the point my trainer pulled us aside from the footpath on a couple of occasions to allow me a moment to regain my composure. I don't exactly know why. Perhaps I was experiencing mental and emotional fatigue. Perhaps a belated realisation of a finality or acceptance of my dependence. 18 years after that Christmas day, 1982. Why I didn't experience that when starting to use the white cane at the age of 12, I don't know. Perhaps it's because children are more resilient and at the age of 30, one should know life is no fairytale. But Edrick and I completed training and I have never regretted using a guide dog. The experiences and people they have introduced me to, by way of an ice-breaker, have been invaluable. Mr Edrick and Mr Kyros were my first two and have now gone to Doggy Heaven. Mr Weylin has become a regular pet, having retired, and relaxes by reclining on his rocking chair, smoking his cigars, perusing the pages of the Financial Times, and stock market. Young Mr Ivor and I will soon be getting bavck about the community, visiting our favourite cafes and stores and entertaining on Puckle Street. No, life is no fairytale. But we can create our own little world where we can find solace. For me, that's through my music and my guide dog. |
James with Mr Ivor
|
If you would like to see or hear any of James's music then click on the following links ...
www.jamesrufatt.com
www.jamesrufatt.com
|
|
Click on the cover
