feb 28 2014
wow   late start---

janine came in so we had to solve the problems of the world first...

and  now i  can't think--

go watch this  - i is great !!!!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o-O0bgSDJd0

feb 27, 2014
it always helps to start the day with typing in my name and having the computer say "i don't think so"

****

for those who have said they would like to hear the little darlings bark, i have the urge to turn on th e mic... because nutmeg is telling us all kinds of things-- but i am afraid if i turn it on it could be a big surprise to any of you who have the computer in "rest" mode.

***

health update..

we took boo to the vet's-- she has one squinty eye which i know george fears... -- the decision was maybe lyme... because megan remembered last week she had a  little limp..

lyme is certainly a nasty problem-- i was not aware blindness could be one of them- 

so boo is now on a bunch of things-- eye drops and doxy etc-- that would be a different challenge ---one deaf- the other blind----  snap the two  harness together and we will be all set . deaf leading the blind.

**************

one spay.. one neutered and on we go... this maroon is a nice big dog...  needs some more miles so he can understand what is happening...  bud 1 seemed to do well with havoc yesterday in costco... maybe we could convince h im to wander around with maroon.  when he gets back from ski mobiling. 

***********

julie and i managed to "do" brooksby village yesterday-- it certainly is something those people look forward to---and we should continue-- problem is i don;t do the long walk that it is.. there are ?7 huge buildings all connected with hampster "habitrails" no two on the same level-- so somebody else is going to have to do that  gig    walking is not in my job description..

*******

the yuppy puppy is a wonderful thing if you can deal with it with only  one dog--- otherwise it can be a fight in the making.  and it needs split second timing...

*******

my big fun chore of the day is to dye the hanging ropes purple --- i had extra rope from the huge monkeyfist.. and the hangers need tydying up.. they are very handy  and everyone uses them even if they aren't handicaped--  the ropes get that "used" look and can stand some chlorox bathing.  

*******

and i have a special request at mail call-- to show how one of you cp's folded the grocery bgs around the  cardboard which makes them super handy

it is a little like a training collar and leash--- rarely do we ever need scoopers and no bag, so pairing them up in spare time makes sense.  

with the training collar i was putting a snap at the end of the leash before i realized it was the waste of a snap

********

and then there is the drawing for the flight to the retreat next fall..  i think we are to do that ?? next tuesday?   that rotating barrel is almost full-- well... nearly...  it is certainly solid cardboards.. which aftet the draw  we can use for scoopers !!!

*******

explore crew is working on the picture quality  and sound etc  they include me on their emails  so at least  i know they are doing something... i could not tell you what-- they speak a different language of letters.. not words...  like   ...the MOXIR should TRQN  but it must be SIV..

******

other than that ... a normal day

maybe just maybe i can go buy purple dye in my purple car-- and take maroon with me

( we already had a dog named purple--- marvelous dog so retired the name-- as a tiny pup she was one of the first big commercials i did-- she as a pup the size of a football had to run about 200 ' across boston commons dragging a leash... she did it perfectly -- i had mom and her siblings at the finish...  and i made the leashout of a ribbon so it would float as she ran)  it was on during a superbowl....  good dog purple.

FEB 26,2014

WE HAD A GOOD TUESDAY  MAILCALL WITH GRACIE'S PLASTIC CAKE BEING DUMPED IN MEGAN'S LAP THE CAMERA MISSED THE EXACT INSTANT, BUT  GOT THE EFFECT AS SHE TOSSED THE CAKE AROUND.

THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF SOUND TAKES GETTING USED TO.. PLUS BOTH MIC'S SEEM TO SHUT OFF  ON SOME TIMER-- YET TO BE DISCOVERED...

ONE OF THE CP's SENT ME FUZZY DICE-- AND THE DEBATE IS.. FOR THE CAR OR THE TRACTOR??  EITHER PLACE THEY WILL DEFINTIETLY  SET THE SCENE.

*****************

AS FOR ANIMAL EDUCATION OF THE DAY... JUST BEFORE WE DID THE CAKE THING, CHOAS CAME IN THE HALL AND LOOKED RIGHT AT ME AAND  WITH HER FUNNY WHINE/GRUMBLE  ASKED WHEN WE WERE GOING TO LET SOME OF HER KIDS IN TO PLAY WWITH HER...--   WE LET IN 4 ANDF SHE WENT RIGHT TO THE KURANDA AND PLAYED WITH THEM...-- THIS MEANS THAT KEEPING ONE OF HER PUPS BECOMES MORE SIGNIFICANT-- LIKE NUTMEG-- AS POSSIBLE BREEDING DOG... SHE SEEMS TO ENJOY THEM SO.

AS OPPOSED TO SCARLOTT WHO COULD NOT GET OUT OF HERE AND MOTHERHOOD FAST ENOUGH.

******

GOEOGE CONFIRMS THAT AT THE MOMENT NOEL IS CARRYING AT LEAST 3 PUPS... LET ME GO ROUND THIS AGAIN..... EVERYTHING CAN HAPPEN...  AND UNTIL SHE HAS 3 PUPS NURSING VIGOROUSLY, I DO NOT COUNT ON HAVING 3 PUPS  

****

 WE HAVE 2 GOING FOR SPAY NEUTERS TODAY- MEGAN HAS TH E   ICU STAFF ALREADY--

THE OTHER GEORGE THING IS BOO--- SHE WAS SQUINTING IN HER LEFT EYE YESTERDAY-- AND TODAY MAYBE BOTH.. SHE IS NOT REALLY UP YET FOR ME TO LOOK..

ACCORDING TO GEORGE.. HE CAN DEAL WITH   OOZING EYES... DRIPPING EYES..BUT SQUINTING EYES IS NOT A GOOD THING. SO I WILL TAKE HER AT SOME POINT...

************

AND I AM STRUGGLING WITH THE 990 AND ACCREDITATION-- I AM SURE YOU ALL AE SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT..  BELIEVE ME I AM SICK OF IT TOO..  I HAVE GOT PAST QUESTIION #14 ABOUT RUNNING A SECRET TANNING SALON.  

HOWEVER..... ONE THING ACCREDITATION  REQUIRES IS JOB DESCRIPTIONS --AND AFTER THE L;AST COUPLE DAYS  I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE WRITING WHAT SOMEONE IS NOT TO DO..

MEGAN-- IS NOT TO WASH DISHES-- NOR DIG  ANYTHING WITH THE TRACTOR...

IF OUR STAFF  CAN NOT GET EVERYTHING DONE IN A DAY-- THEN THAT IS MY JOB TO FIGURE OUT HOW  THEY CAN -- OR WHY THEY ARE NOT.

DURING THE LAST ACCREDITATION  4 YEARS AGO--- SHELIA ( O'BRIEN) SAID WE COULD EASE ALONG AT THE SIZE WE WERE  6 DOGS A YEAR , FINANCES TIGHT BUT MANAGEABLE WITH MY HELP... OR WE COULD GROW AND HAVE FEWER FINANCIAL WORRIES WHICH WOULD BE REPLACED BY PERSONELL

 COMPLICATIONS...  BOY SHE HIT THAT ON THE HEAD...

 FROM KIDNEY STONES TO MIGRAINES, MORE PEOPLE = MORE PROBLEMS.

MY MOTHER HIT IT ON THE HEAD TOO... IF IT AINT ANTS, IT'S FLEAS.

***********

NOW --- AN FYI I AM SURE YOU ARE ALL WAITING TO HEAR....

I SAW AN ARTICLE SAYING SUGAR IS MORE ADDICTIVE THAN NICOTINE.

I BELIEVE THAT---  SO WHEN I SAW THE BLUE AGAVE AT COSTCO-- SAYING HOW WONDERFUL IT WAS COMPARED TO SUGAR... I BOUGHT SOME..

LET ME TELL YOU -- A SPOONFUL OF THAT IS 10 TIMES THE SWEETENER  THAT SUGAR IS...  

SO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU EXPERIMENT WITH IT. 

************

YOU WILL ALL BE HAPPY TO KNOW  THAT WITH BUD #1'S HELP  I STARTED, STOPPED AND DROVE THE NEW CA R   ALL THE WAY TO COSTCO AND BACK  WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING.

I AM STILL HAVING TROUBLE  WITH THE REMOTE STARTER...  SO FAR I AM SURE I HAVE A REMOTE  BUT NOT NECESSARILY A STARTER...

**************

THE CHICKEN BOARD IS NEARLY FULL  AND I HAVE A FEW WHO SENT MONEY TO ME.  IT IS WONDERFULL TO LOOK OVER THE NAMES AND SEE MANY NEW PEOPLE--

THAT WAS MY PUSH FOR FEBUARAY-- EACH OF YOU GET 2-3  MORE CP's ADDICTED...

SO WORK ON IT  !!!

*************

tues feb 25,2014
FROM OUR LATEST PARTNERSHIP

Hello from PA!

Khaki did amazing traveling. He has settled in quickly he acts as though he's always lived here. I have to share this.... I needed to pee bad we pull in a rest area. The handicap bathroom being used...I can't wait. Khaki to big for stall sooo I place him in a down and stay position. The handicap door opens to which I hear as I start my business....ahhhhh what a cute puppy!  khaki is peering under the stall watching me. 2 small feet stop  and this little face looks under the stall and says to khaki " whatcha looking at doggie" and she smiles at me and says "hey lady can I pet your puppy".  I'M  LIKE HUH... HUH..SWEETIE CAN I FINISH PEEING..... AND NO YOU CAN'T PET MY PUPPY! I can tell I'm in for a real funny adventure with my new buddy!  Talk to you soon

Much Love,

Marsha and khaki

*************

OK... SO NOW A REAL PROBLEM/PUZZLE

]WE HAD A VERY BAD SCENE  here  YESTERDAY

#1 FACT OF THE CASE---  I AM MORE THAN SLIGHTLY DEAF

I WAS SIDETRACKED WITH GETTING THE CAMERA FUNCTIONING-- AND THE ramifications of having sound...... PLUS I WAS TO FINISH THE $%$^&*  990 FOR THIS %^&((  ACCREDITATION.

 secondly----bud 2 speaks very quietly 

he came in and sat down with a story about digging and a hole--  he did n't realize those were the only 2 words i caught.. so when i asked a question i got semi silly answers.. when i said "wait a minute just answer ---what  hole where"  he said he would ask megan. and left...

so all i had to go on is digging hole ask megan   and they just don't go together in any way i could figure. so i got on a golf cart and caught up with him by the laundry.. where my new tractor (aka very useful new toy of which i am slightly protective yet)  sat with back hoe extended over the place we usually wash dogs.

by now i am very confused , somewhat annoyed and paying attention--- bud said he was just uncovering the hole to clean the llint from the washer filter.  i said there is no filter-- he just plain did not agree..  there was a green cover over a hole which had the filter . i tried to explain no filter, no green cover, no hole.-- he tried to explain yes filter.  i tried to explain --- if anyone had asked me i could explain-- i was here-- and had not forgotten everything... by now he is into just how stupid can i be...there has to be a filter underneath the dog washing place. 

 not while i have lived here...

i came back to the house and david filled me in.

it was like the game of gossip paul told charile and charlie told bud-- and somewhere a few details got left out.

as i remember.. the problem is gravity-- and water not wanting to run uphill..

the commercial washer drain is low and could only run straight out the drain in the floor-- which was put there when there was only a dish washing sink using it.... it then runs into a 6' round drywell out by the puppy hill fence.  this dry well was woefully inadequate and i spent $27,000 on a huge flat drywell system n the parking lot-- off that origional drywell.....the whole time we  were dealing in inches  to get a pipe to run and drain before the water table etc....

when they put that in jeff masterson ( construction) said the 6' would act like a catch and  would fill up with hair eventually-- i said when it did we would just have to have it pumped..

this could be where we are .... but i asked megan to get a snake at home depot.. she came back with a 3'snake  when we need a 20 ' one...

i would still like to try the snake before i call the pumper guy.

in the meantime .. use the barn washer

and why would anyone ask megan about hole digging? 

 she is not even 27 years old and i bet she does  not know the only place you can dig a hole in this weather is under the manure pile.

*************

one other animal quickie

this new horse-- apparently friendly but seems scared... i have not even met her yet... but i will bet $2 that she is scared because she doe s not know what is expected of her-- so when approaching aks her to   whoa  ..    she knows that command.. i bet she would be more relaxed if  you told her what to do.

that works with dogs too  -- they do not deal well with confusion... so tell them something.

feb 24, 2014

the good.. the bad... and the indifferent.

the good...

steve did seem to have food poisoning  otherwise he would be sick for a week... he had only  one day bad... so that is good.  it could have been the maria illness-  a week's worth---

the old tractor could scrape off enough chunks of ice so i could back my car off the hill without sliding into whatever was in the way  

and the volunteers scraped away enough  ice so i can park o nthe flat of the guest house..

----somebody fixed the candy jar by removing all the cookies so i can get at the candy in the bottom..

i think  we can do an ultra sound on our resident prego today.. thanks to the fun fund

the fun fund has paid the postage on 54 calendars for people who wanted one and could not fit it in the budget...

and we found bumpy  -- who  will come to visit in a few days to meet with cookies on honey moon hill.

he wasn't really lost-- just a change of  hillary's email address type lost...

the bad-- 

the camera is still off-- could be 2 possibilities-- or both --

 down in the t tent ---  there are 6 little black things in a row  ?circuit breakers? --one of them has a tiny bit of red showing-- that one is wired /connected to this wifi camera bit--  bud who has many (46) years of experience in electriclal stuff tested wires and things and said it iw working fine.  well i have 46 years studying murphy's law so even if it is working, i will get a new one a home depot today..

another  large posibility is when steve mulled over the mass of wires  in the back hall that have something to do with the cameras... he got shocked -- i think these are called ethernet plugs-- they look  like large phone plugs..

i have had this battle before--  know therer are 16 tiny wires in there--no way can i attach a new plug without buying a cable and cutting it in the m iddle and matching wires that way. verizon had a gizmo that makes fast work of it... and we have a call in to them,,  but it is not their wires-- however....----one of those dogs we "placed with a family"   we placed with a verizon guy...

so all  is not lost yet

****

we are going to have trouble with mail call-- 3 problems

1.our delivery person is unhappy with our mailbox-- and i think he has not delivered for a couple days--  i     can not imagine no junk mail either...he got stuck on the ice in our yard  and was very unhappy...

2. no shelia ( still in florida-- nother couple weeks)

3. no white board because the pups have eaten th e knobs off the drawer thqt hold the markers

such problems as i have...

*** more bad...

 i need  our 990 for this accreditation.. and i have put it off long enough...

****

the bad...

we still have hackers--- as in kennel cough.. i hope we are still on the first time round  and it is unlikely  that it goes round again.... ?george???

having dogs hack up phlem has to be one of the worlds most unattractive noises...

i can't think of anything indifferent...

if i am indifferent , why would i remember it anyway?

FEB 23 2014

APPARENTLY  TESS GOT THIS  TOGETHER   MAYBE THIS COULD BE A ON GOING   "ROVING PARTY"  ANY TIME ANYONE TRAVELS WITH A DOG  WE SHOULD... WITH THEIR PERMISSION LET CP'S KNOW.

ELSIE AND JEANINE MET SOME OF ELSIE'S CP FANS WHO LIVE IN EAST COAST FLORIDA .. WHILE THEY ARE ON VACAY DOWN THERE .. DOESN'T ELSIE LOOK FANTASTIC?!  :)

THERE WERE SOME PICTURE S  ABOUT 10 PEOPLE ON THE BEACH BUT I AM NOT PICTURE FRIENDLY.

*********

THE CAMERA IS OFF  DUE TO EITHER A SHORT OR A FAULTY BREAKER-- TO BE RESOLVED TODAY--   ESPECIALLY IF BUD COMES ALONG TO FIGURE IT OUT.

****

 THE OTHER ISSUE IS  ICE..ICE AND MORE ICE-- I DO NOT KNOW HOW WE CAN GET PEOPOE UP THE HILL WITHOUT THOSE YAKTRACK THINGS ON THEIR FEET.. ?MAYBE A ROPE???

THERE IS NO SAND OR SALT IN NEW ENGLAND.. I CALLED FOR THE TOWN PLOW BUT NO RESULT YET.

IT IS AWFUL

MY LOVELY NEW CAR SITS ON THE HILL AND I DON'T DARE TRY AND SLIDE IT DOWN FOR FEAR IT WILL GET OUT OF CONTROL--- THE TRACTOR COULDN'T MAKE IT UP  EITHER AS OF YESTERDAY.  EVERYONE IS DRAGGING BUCKETS OF LAUNDRY UP AND DOWN TH E HILL 

THE WEATHER R  SAYS 2 MORE MELTING DAYS BEFOR ANOTHER FREEZE-- I DON'T THINK THAT WILL GET US DOWN TO PAVEMENT.  IT WAS 3" THICK BY ACTUAL MEASURENMET

I DON'T THINK PAGOSA SPRINGS IN COLORADO IS A HUGE TOWN -- MAYBE 76 PEOPLE ON A SUNDAY... ANYWAY... MY SISTER -- FRAN SMITH-- LIVES THERE AND I KNOW THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 OTHER CP'S IN THAT SMALL TOWN WHO NOW HAVE ONE OF OUR CALLENDARS...  

UNTIL I GOT  THAT  EMAIL THE  OTHER  EXCITEMENT  OF YESTERDAY WAS JIL CUT MY HAIR WHILE I SAT ON THE BLADE OF THE TRACTOR... I THINK MEAT CUTTER STEVE GOT A PICTURE..

I  HONESTLY DO NO KNOW HOW PEOPLE WILL GET UP TH EHILL  BUT I BET THAQT SOMEONE WILL SOLVE IT.. 

I AM SUPPOSED TO DELEGATE .

. ALL  RIGHT YOU LOT... HAVE AT IT  !!!

feb 22,2014
every morning when i send this-- i have to type in tommy's address individualy because it is not in my data file --- tommy was this little kid who used to hot walk horses in and around our barn... now he has an MD after his name... it shocks me every day i see it.

last night i had a panic moment -- annie was a little late  and i did not know if she had fallen on thi s sheet of ice on which we are living...  she finally got here--- the roads had been terrible but she made it. and she has those spikey things for her feet... 

i bought those screwy things for my dfeet so i could get  back into th ehouse.. and i noticed the ice is over 3 inches thick...  i really need some old golf shoes    with the spikes...

i must try and get the town sander in here... which is why this will be short..

i also wrote to the furhaven people who have offered to send us more of those wonderfu blue beds/fluffies -- and that took a while..

so not brilliant remarks today--- 

a real question... we have been minus mail for 2 days-- what happened to "neither snow nor sleet????"

last time the postman was here . he got stuck-- and i think we are on his bad list...

then yesterday no boxes== that is nearly unheard of....

i better get a sander in here.

feb 21 2014
everyone who sent me their address should get a callendar in a few days... if not let me know.

i am happy to do it...   that is what the fun jug is for .

we did sell enough to make a profit so these extra ones may as well go to anyone who will enjoy them... with the promise that if they win the megabucks  we get 1%

********

this kennel cough is running it's course.. bailey was quits sick with it -- othng special  just those "i don't feel good "  eyes -- but yesterday she ran around the yard like a bloomin idiot.. and came in and tore up a box with ariot..  so she is better... and boo is hacking away.

*********

the serious discussion of the day...

 in the past week i have had 2 people write to me about thire dogs not liking people "getting in their face"  and they think they might bite...

good morning--- why are you letting someone get in their face i the first place...?????

try this scenerio ---

"what a beautiful dog"

"take your hands off my dog"

"why does he bite?"

"no -- i do"

just because they are in collar and leash is no reason for them to have to submit to a bunch of people they do not like ---- you have all heard the story of tiffany and the one little girl out of 100,000 people that she wanted to kill--- and picked the same kid out of another 100,000 people the next year...  who knows why   but if your dog grumbles at you about someone-- you must support their opinion and tell the person to keep their distance.  that is your job.

************

yesterday we had a bunch  of volunteers around here and all went very well-- 

we all ate some really good soup that appeared-- and i am not a soup person-- but that was good...

i just looked   there is a bag of the soup left-- so there is breakfast!!

i even took a dog to best buy for a "cord"   in my new car.... and i didn't hit a thing.

i told theresa i should take a hammer and make a small dent somewhere -- just to get the first  scratch/dent  over with.. i am still taking the book of instructions with me where ever i go.   i do not know why/how  the audio button on the car plays the music from "Auntie Mame"  one of my favorite shows.... i did not have an ipad attaqched to  it-- i don't know where that came from.

**********

i heard from shelia that she may be down there another couple weeks,

*******

i just heard tina has a bunch of people who want callendars--  it is simpler if you just send me an email with your address  and i just sit here and write the envelope - i have asked her to send me the list-- 

i will get those out today... hopefully

**********

if the rain would get rid of all this ice it would be a good thing--- so far it is just greasing the ice making it really treacherous .

*********** 

and they are supposed to bring back my tractor today   with the new bucket / plow  on it..

****** 

today's crew-- allison is here-- and steve-- and megan  will be shortly-- there are 2 people in the guest house to be introduced to a new dog for her.  got to give the husband some job to keep him away from the  wife and new dog til they get familiar with each other.

FEB 20 2014

i made a new monkey fist---about 10 inches across--  i am going to use it as a keyring thing--- this bit about having to have a key to start the car is a new concept in my life...

i never drove anything anyone wanted to steal before.. 

it certainly is almost as nice as shelia's car.

this one does not have that homey feel to it yet like hers...-- with an accumulation of odd papers, pennies , one glove, a mannequin's left arm  and a gate opener.

somebody...?kathy?  suggested the first thing i should read about is how to shut off the alarm...

i think she is right...  the durango (2003) has always had a pequiliar electrical system- which  twice that i remember.. caused me to drive around with the alarm going off.  once i was wth janine at the topsfield fairgrounds-- it was screaming-- i called the dealer-- janine- who thinks bigger than i do, called detroit... they could nt stop it so we just drove home.

i am wandering thru this accredittion-- last time - 5 years ago  i had a section of  site specific dangers... most of these service dog training places do not have some of the "exposures" we do... like the hay door right over the main door  where you  are supposed to yell before dropping hay/shavings... keys are left in tractors and golf carts etc

i do not take kindly to unattended children.  the rule- you must be within 2 feet of a 2 year old and 10 feet of a 10 year old  still goes..

the accreditation is a bummer. all that stuff has to be spelled out.  page after page after page.

"it is our policy xxxxxxxxxxx"

**********

i am supposed to give a talk today-- i hope theresa knows where and when-- i hope she also knows where those nice posters are..

********

the good tractor has gone for a face lift-- i.e.  a new plow-- they promise to bring it back tomorrow...

*********

i tried out a new theory last night... if i have breakfast while doing this i am often sleepy... if i have lunch i can never keep my eyes open.. so i have decided i am eating  at the wrong time of day.. i could n't sleep last night about midnight-- so i had  a "dinner" then and slept til 5.

maybe i have discovered something.

now if i can just go without food at noon..maybe.......

*******

the chicken bricks are almost 1/2 sold out..  they send me the days activity WHICH I  RUN THRU and i am thrilled to see many new names( MIND YOU... ALONG WITH ALL THE OLD FAMILIAR ONES...)

********

TIME TO DO THE EARS AGAIN...  I WISH BOO'S EARS LOOKED MORE PROMISING...  IT IS TIME SHE DID NOT  NEED THE TAPE

****

SENT ME A KLONDIKE  GAME.... MAYBE AT THE NEXT WHELPING AS WE SIT AROUND.. WE CAN TRY THAT...  SOUNDS GOOD !!

feb 19,2014  
happy 19th of the month-  ( there... that takes care of all birthdays aniversaries whateer for this moneth)
let the battle begin-- me against technology-  it is impossible to buy a car now with just a gas pedal, a brake pedal, and a steering wheel.-- so the fact that those things are all that i need is immaterial.

i knew i was in trouble when the salesman asked me for my cell phone -- he poked a few buttons and my entire call ilst was on the screen... 

and then came the ton of bricks "what is your  apple password?" 

the sum of it all is that i now own a beautiful million dollar piece of equipment now nearly immoblie because of a password that megan and jade used to set up my new phone-   and they forgot it or i did -- or whatever --this password has already gummed up my computer..  i have 4 sheets of paper.. single spaced with passwords to  so many companies and devices that  my life becomes a series of   "that is not your name"   

that  apple password is akin to  your social security  number.  I t will affect your entire life from now on

... and i forgot mine.

 now i can just hear the car tell me "  you will need to reset your password- go back to the  store that sold you the phone... then reset  your mac computer in the house .. only then will i let you drive in this car."
************

i now have 2 inches of books on how to drive this car... 

********

I will be brave...

****

julie went with me--- a brave soul... we got in the car-- in a blinding snowstorm- and are immediately confronted with   how to get the windshield wipers to work??   it was soooo exciting.... i put it in reverse .. the screen showed the view behind me-- but julie interpreted it  one way-- and i the opposite... so she got out to steer me backwards the old fashion  way -- floppy hand signals

495 was covered with packed snow-- and big trucks.. i noticed this car has a tendency to slide a little more than i was used to... so i had to stay  awake and pay attention ---- since  i was driving...

my rear end is very sensitive to  what the vehicle under me is doing... and we did  take 2 or 3  slides i did not think necessary-  when we got home- and i had a look at the tires, they are brand new  michelins  ... but the kind with virtually no tread...

never occured to me to look over that

experience comes from, bad experiences...   yup

*********

i am going to buy 4 new tires before i do anything else.  it is supposed to hit 50 degrees in the next week...  i am not sure i can get the car out of the parking lot with those tires.

*************

as we were sitting there in the dealer's parking lot   ---the steering wheel rang-- it was bryan-- the horse vet-- he had been to see the new horse- which had an infection in her leg-- i have not seen her at all yet...  but he left all sorts of meds for her-- and instuctions.

i will slide down to the barn in the tractor and see what she looks like. as soon as theresa gets here.

************

we have at least 3" of ice on everything.

*********

we also have remnants of the kennel cough .. i can hear a pup hacking..

***********

 today's schedule will depend on whether i can get the car out...  and i will go back to my old schedule of being off the property from 10:30 til noon..  got to get home before nap time.. 1:00

i want to go buy some chicken stock, noodles  that i dreamed about.

doesn't sound like much...

i will start to solve the tire problem on th e pohne-- with costco..

*********

megan thinks noel is with child

we can do an ultrasound ext week -- thanks to your fun fund-- 

otherwise i would just wait a couple weeks til it becomes obvious

feb 18, 2914

i had a nasty dream last night and i can not get my head back in positive mode.   i hope this does not last all day.. it is very tiring to be so angry.

the other 1/2 the dream was about microwaving chicken broth--  and adding a handful of those skinney noodles..  

in the meantime... i guess megan will have to go with me to get the car.. unless someone else comes along.. 

once i have a car again-- that hopefully runs reliably- i can go to the market by myself.

that is one thing i missed about driving for the  past 6 months --   driving alone is a time to think without the interuptions of office living. 

 at the tender age of 76 ,  you think twice about going out in a  car known to just plain stop... which  all 3 dodges have done...  i don't want to do that anymore..

***********

we have a terriffic training progression showing the very young pups being spoon fed... but the critical 5 seconds is the part where a pup  is walking next to megan  and giving her  his undivided attention.. now how do i post it on our web..??? janine??????  getting that on the web is her job...

unfortunately janine  went south-- figuratively and literally- 

**********

which brings to mind--

i had planned the barn so we would have ---a mary stall-- janine would have 2 horse stalls plus  one extra stall for whatever...

yesterday she gave ?loaned? lincoln to a friend--- and we now have 4 rescued animals in the barn ---- 2 donkeys ---a mule, and last night a draft horse arrived at 11 pm.. 

not sure why.. but here we are.

i do have a draft horse harness--- and maybe the volunteers would think it amusing to harness up  the drafts and walk around dragging  large objects  like trees.... 

you do not understand  horsepower until you have driven a draft horse...

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i quit for the day

i am going to sit around and play with my mental blocks.

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a nice cut and paste

For the critics of the training program: These dogs are not being trained to do circus tricks, they are trained to be focused on their human and to remain focused on them no matter what the environment, be it a crowded mall, a busy street, or a restaurant (see the letter above about that!) The training is subtle and has to do with teaching them to be aware of their surroundings, but to not react to them. SDP and Carlene's methods word very well. The proof of that is in the pudding and in the responses from those who have received dogs. Not all dogs have the talent for this strict job, and so become 'pet quality' and are placed appropriately. Also....a reminder....this is not an entertainment site, but rather an educational one. Look and learn.     KUDOS to the staff on all counts! 

FEB 17 2014
I WILL TELL YOU HOW BAD IT IS....  I BOUGHT A NEW CAR  AND I FORGOT TO ASK THEM TO DONATE IT..  I SAY NEW CAR.. I COULD HAVE LEFT THE ---  NEW ----OUT. I DON'T HAVE A CAR REALLY.  SDP HAS 3-- JUST HAPPEN TO BE ALL DODGE  2003  AND TIRED--- ONE IS  RUNNING-- THE OTHER 2 ARE NAPPING... IN NEED OF MINOR REPAIRS-- LIKE STARTER AND BRAKES.  I HAVE ALWAYS ARGUED THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN A CAR IS THE BRAKES... NOT THE ENGINE.

MY HISTORY WITH  AUTOS HAS BEEN SHABBY AT BEST-- STARTING WITH  A 1949 PLYMOUTH 2 SEATER THAT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH VALUE FOR MY FATHER'S SECRETARY TO TURN IN  ..  THERE WERE 2 OTHERS THAT I KNEW OF IN TOWN ( NEWBURGH NY.).. AND I KNEW THEM WELL... BECAUSE  WITH THE 3 IDENTICAL CARS , THERE WERE ONLY11 HUBCAPS-  FOR THE YEAR THAT I DROVE THAT... SOMETIMES I HAD 4 HUBCAPS...SOMETIMES  3. - 

OUT OF COLLEGE I WENT TO THE VESPA SCOOTER FOR COMMUTING..THEN GETING MARRIED,, WHCH STARTED MY CARREER WITH A SERIES OF VW BUGS-- EVERY ONE WAS WONDERFUL.. ALSO OLD-- THE $100 VARIETY..  YOU COULD ROLL THEM TO   START  EASILY.  FINALLY I DID BUY A NEW ONE-- AND HAD A HITCH PUT ON IT...  WITH A TRAILER I BOUGHT IN A PACKAGE AT KMART,   I DELIVERED THE WANT AD MAGAZINE WEEKLY.  

I SHUTTER TO THINK-- TODAY YOU COULD NOT--- BUT ONE PLACE  TO WHICH I HAD TO DELIVER MANY CARTONS OF MAGAZINES WAS 2 HOUSES DOWN FROM CANOBIE LAKE PARK ( AMUSEMENT PARK)  THIS WAS THE ERA JANINE TALKS ABOUT IN HER BOOK( YOU ALL MUST KNOW "DOGS DONKEYS AND CIRCUS PERFORMERS). OUR FARM WAS LOADED WITH CHILDREN...  I HAD A RULE-- I WOULD TAKE ALL THE KIDS THAT WOULD FIT IN THE VW.. AND BE QUIET.. THEY WOULD SPEND AN HOUR PACKING THEMSELVES IN-- ONE MOMENTOUS TRIP, ONE KID HAD A FULL CAST ON ONE LEG WHICH GOT PROPPED UP SOMEWHERE BY THE CEILING.

WE ATE AT MCDONALDS WHERE I ALLOWED THEM TO HAVE  2 THINGS HAMBURGER AND DRINK OR FRIES AND KETCHUP..  SOMETHING IN EACH HAND-- THAT WAS IT..  AND THE GOT TO SPEND WHATEVER WAS IN THE COIN JUG FOR THE WEEK.  ( IN THE MAGAZINE BUSINESS I HAD ALOT OF COINS.)

NOW THERE IS A STRANGE TALE TO TELL--  I WORKED FOR THE WANT-ADVERTISER FOR 19 YEARS BEFORE THEY KNEW I HAD A COLLEGE EDUCATION.. APPARENTLY   I HIDE IT WELL...

I DID BOTH THE WANT AD AND THE ANIMAL EPISODES  JOBS  AT THE SAME TIME.

I WORKED FROM HOME-- GOING TO THE OFFICE MAYBE TWICE A YEAR-- ( AND ONCE WAS THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

I HAD ?16 DELIVERY PEOPLE WHO WORKED FOR ME-  THIS WAS ABOUT 1/2 THE WHOLE COMPANY.. AND I HAD TO REPORT THEIR DEILVERIES AND CHARGE ACCOUNTS TO THE MAIN OFFICE IN SUDBURY... BEING A MATH MAJOR IN THEORY AT LEAST ... I COMPUTERIZED  MY REPORT ON ONE PAGE.. I COULD TELL EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ON THE ONE PAGE.  ONE DAY THE BOSS CALLED AND WANTED ME TO COME TO  A MEETING WTH THEIR ACCOUNTANT--  THE NORMAL TYPE ACCOUNTANT   -- BLUE SUIT -- POLISHED SHOES-- AND BRIEF CASE.. HE HAD 1/2 INCH OF THAT ZIG ZAG COMPUTER PAPER WITH HOLES IN IT... WITH ALL KINDS OF  NUMBERS ADDRESSES ETC.

I TOOK MY ONE PIECE OF PAPER IN MY BACK POCKET.  FOLDED ...   I HAVE TO ADMIT -- HE KIND OF LOOKED DOWN HIS NOSE AT ME- WITH GOOD REASON... UNTIL I NOTICED ONE FATAL FLAW IN HIS HUGE REPORT.. I SIMPLY SAID "THAT REPORT IS WRONG --- IMPRESSIVE  BUT WRONG-- I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT IS WRONG BUT IT IS"

HIS TOTAL  $$ SALES FIGURE FOR THE WEEK ENDED IN AN ODD NUMBER-- AND THE BOOK WHOLESALED FOR 86 CENTS SO I ASKED WHAT HE MULTIPLIED TIMES 86 TO GET AN ODD NUMBER..

PRETTY MUCH BASED ON THAT- THE BOSS LET ME COMPUTERIZE THEIR ENTIRE OFFICE IN SUDBURY - WHICH IS WHY WE NOW HAVE AN INDOOR ARENA-- AND ACTUALLY THAT 6 ACRE LOT  ON THAT SIDE THE DRIVEWAY-ALONG WITH KIDS COLLEGE TUITIONS  AND A BUNCH OF ANIMALS.

I TOLD MY KIDS-- AND ANY STUDENT CROWD I NOW SPEAK TO--- YOU MAJOR IN MATH /SCIENCE YOU ARE MORE INCLINED TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PLAY WITH ANIMALS...  MAJORING IN ANIMALS IS NOT USUALLY AS PROFITABLE AS MATH..

THERE WAS ACTUALLY ONE OTHER PROBLEM WITH THAT ACCOUNTANT  THAT I DID PICK UP..  HIS BILLING PROGRAM  WAS A TOTAL MESS  A $200,000 MESS  - THEIR COMPUTER WAS SPITTING OUT BILLS NO ONE COULD UNDERSTAND.  TURNS OUT.. WHO EVER PROGRAMMED IT TOLD THE COMPUTER THAT THE DATE  WAS ACTUALLY A WORD SO WHEN IT SORTED RECORDS ON THAT "FIELD"  1 WAS FIRST-- JANUARY- THE NEXT WAS 10 FOR OCTOBER--11 NOVEMBER-- 12 DECEMBER  -- THEN 2   FOR FEBUARAY...IT DID MAKE SENSE-- THE WRONG SENSE-- BUT THE ANSWER WAS SIMPLE

LIKE THE PHONE BOOK  SMITH THEN SMITHSON, THEN TAYLOR

SO I HAVE TO ADMIT....MY CLAIM TO FAME IS JUST 2 SIMPLE FACTS----THAT JUST MAKES ME REALLY OBSERVANT  -- NOT SMART..  

************

SO..... I BOUGHT THE PURPLE CAR-- TOYOTA SEQUOIA- AND THE CAR STORE IS GETTIG ADAMANT ABOUT MY PICKING IT UP.. I NEVER KNEW THE DEPOSIT ONLY HELD THE CAR FOR 24 HOURS..  SO THEY ARE SENDING ME A DRIVER AT 10 TODAY

WHERE ON EARTH IS SHELIA WHEN I NEED HER....  SHE WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED TO ASK THEM TO DONATE IT.

NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT PAID FOR AND INSURED BY 10:00 .. BUT IT SHOULD BE AROUND FOR TOMORROWS SNOW STORM

AND I ALSO SHOULD HAVE SOMEONE GO WITH ME TO PICK IT UP SO I DON'T GET LOST...  WORCESTER IS SLIGHTLY OUTSIDE MY OLD   MAGAZINE DELIVERY ROUTES-- I ONLY WENT TO LINCOLN AYER AREA...

BUSY DAY AHEAD.

FEB 16,2014
SHE WHO RAISES SNEAKER TO PUT ON FOOT WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE SOCK PROBLEM  IS GOING TO HAVE A COLORFUL DAY.

******

WE HAVE  LESS SNOW THAN PREDICTED... 

I AM NOT ABOUT TO CRITICIZE.. WE HAVE ANOTHER BLIZZARD  PREDICTED 4 MONTHS FROM TOMORROW......

AND THAT WILL BE IN JUNE.

IT WOULD BE TOTALLY UNAMERICAN TO  POKE FUN AT THE FARMERS ALMANAC.. YET REALLY..   YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE THE CREATIVITY OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD WRITE THAT "ABOUT THE 3RD OF TH E MONTH THER E WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT STORM.".. MONTH   AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH.

YET WE HAPPILY LAMBAST THE TV WEATHERMEN  WHO SOMETIMES ARE JUST AS RANDOM

AFTER ALL... THEY HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING..

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A BUNCH OF....XXXXXX...... I FORGET... SCHOOL TYPE PEOPLE?  CAME TO LOOK OVER THE ARENA WITH THE IDEA OF  PUTTING UP ANOTHER 4 TIMES AS BIG IN  ...XXXXXXX.....  I FORGET THAT TOO.. MAYBE METHUEN?

ANYWAY-- THEY WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE STRUCTURE  AS I HAVE BEEN..

CLEARSPAN PUT IT UP   AND THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY THAN THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TELLING ME I WAS OUT OF MY LEAGUE I WAS ONLY A WOMAN....

THE COMPANY--- FARMTEK--- AKA CLEARSPAN  ---SENT THE BUILDING HERE-- FROM ?IOWA? IN 3 TRUCKS.

THEN THEY SENT A CREW FROM CONNECTICUT  .

NOW I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST CONNECTICUT.. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HUGE AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS I THINK THERE ARE MORE PER CAPITA IN IOWA THAN CONNECTICUT... I LOVE PROJECTS LIKE THAT... SO I WATCHED THEM... 

I KEPT WATCHING THEM BECAUSE THEY KEPT TELLING ME WHAT A FANTASTIC JOB THEY WERE DOING..  I AM LESS SUSPICIOUS OF THE GUY WHO SAYS "COUPLE MORE BOLTS AD IT MAY NOT FALL OVER..." LIKE POLITITIANS TELLING YOU WHAT A WONDERFUL THING THEY ARE DOING....  THINK TWICE... 

THAT WAS CLUE  #1... IT ONLY TOOK THEM A FEW DAYS WITH POWER NUT DRIVERS ETC...

AND THEN I REALLY LOOKED IT OVER.... ALL THOSE  X  CABLES... WERE EITHER TOO LOOSE... OR BARELY CAUGHT ONTHE SCREW ENDS... CLUE #2

SO I TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO  CLEARSPAN... IN IOWA.. WHO SENT ME A GUY WHO TOOK THE BUILDING DOWN AND PUT IT UP AGAIN HIMSELF  IN LESS TIME THAN THE CREW ..

THERE YOU HAVE THAT LESSON... WHATEVER IT IS... 

 BEWARE OF ONLY A WOMAN CARRYNG CAMERA????

OR HIRE THE BOSS TO BEGIN WITH...???

I HEAR THEY FIRED THAT CREW. MEANWHILE MY BUILDING HAS BEEN TERRIFIC..

************

  WE HAVE A HAM FOR SUNDAY STEW... AND SOME CAESAR  SALAD  DUE TO A TRAFFIC JAM THAT PUT MARIA IN FRONT OF SPINNELLI'S TERRIFIC TAKE OUT  -- INSTEAD OF COSTCO'S FOOD THAT SUSTAINS ...

******

STEVE #1 ( CHARLIE'S STEVE) IS DOING GREAT THINGS  IN THE PLOWING DEPARTMENT... NOW TODAY HE CAN HAVE A GO AT DOG DETAILS AND HELP MARIA...

HE SHOULD WORK INTO OUR LIFESAVER  ON WEAKENDS... 

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SPEAKING OF LIFESAVERS... ANTHONY - NOT SURE WHERE HE CAME FROM-- BUT A VET WHO VOLUNTEERED TO PAT PUPPIES AND TO DO PLUMBING-- PUT A NEW FAUCET IN MY SINK SO I DON'T GET ANOTHER BLACK EYE.... I NEVER HAVE CUPS INTHE BATHROOM SO I  BEND AND DRINK OUT OF THE FAUCET..... THE OLD FAUCET MEANT IF I WAS NOT CAREFUL I HIT MY HEAD.. SO  HOME DEPOT SOLD ME ANOTHER HIGH RISER -- SO NO MORE BLACK EYES FOR THAT REASON ANYWAY...

**********

AND I AM WORKING ON THE ACCREDITATION

FYI--- AND THE SOB WHO ACCUSED ME OF IMPROPERLY SELLING DOGS INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM INTO SERVICE DOGS.....

STARTING BACK IN 

2009   WE HAD  13 PUPS  BORN AND 8 BECAME SD'S--- 61%

2010  5 OUT OF 8  ,.... 62%

2011   19 OUT OF 21     90%

2012  17 OUT OF 28  AND COUNTING.-- 60%  

I HAVE HEARD OTHER TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS USE NUMBERS LIKE 15 - 20%   WHICH  DOESN'T REALLY MATTER... WE ARE WHAT WE ARE

BUT  THAT IS VERY RESPECTABLE.   KEEP IN MIND THE PUPS  BORN IN 2012 ARE THE GRADUATES OF 2013 AND 2014  SO THOSE NUMBERS COULD GO HIGHER.

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]ENOUGH NONSENSE

GO TO WORK..

FEB 15,2014

WITH A BIT OF LUCK I CAN COPY AND PASTE MY WAY OUT OF THE DAILY DOGGIE.... AS I AM SERENADED WITH THE SOUND OF GAGGING DANES...  NOW MORIAH...

I THINK KENNEL COUGH  IS AIRBORNE-- I KNOW IT IS VERY CONTAGIOUS.

 

 WE HAVE 2 STEVENS AND BUD HERE KEEPING US OPEN WITH THE TRACTORS.. MARIA HAS ARRIVED -- WITH GULES

 THE ICE IS BRUTAL-- BRING A PAIR OF ICE PICK SLIP ONS FOR YOUR FEET... IT IS AWFUL...

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Hi Carlene! 
   It is great being close to sdp again! The support system and amazing community that is part of your program is just amazing! I don't know what I would do without the support that Megan has so graciously offered us. From panicked texts being promptly answered even though she is not at work to that boost of confidence that "you did not break your dog". I find that when your massive dog accompanies you in public and everyone is looking at you can really be a challenge when the occasional off day happens. Regardless if it is my "off" day or his :-)  I am not perfect and neither is he and that is why it IS perfect! I wish that so many more people knew what is was like to have a community of people where strangers become friends and lives are changed for the better all while eating ice cream sitting by a fire in a quaint town called Ipswich. Imagine how much easier life would be for so many people if only there was the true sense of community and caring and support that is found with SDP with so many other things in life. We really find that this place is another home for us. Harry and I are doing really well and he just loves his play time in this crazy snow that we have been getting. I was thrilled when we were out at dinner with friends and after two hrs. someone at a different table said I had no idea that there was a DOG here! it is like accomplishing a feat of magic to make something that big disappear. We were asked if we would consider visiting a hospital in boston where an employee said that they have a therapy dog but that dog is very in your face and comes off to strong for some people. She said Harry being so laid back and calm that he would be a nice change. We are working on plans to visit a Marine who is in a nursing home in boston goo and I am sure that everyone there will love this guy.  Now we are off to await this new storm coming in and see if it still remains threatening to be a blizzard. 
                                                                         stay warm!!! -Beth and Harry

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Good morning all! Ebony is slowly finding her place. She is sweet and gentle,. She has aced two doctor's appointments so far, and loves the snow! She does pant excessively in the car,  We will work on that.

She had a little tummy upset (new food, I suppose), but has a hell of an appetite! Got to get her to slow down. 

She's learning the kitchen is off limits when I'm cooking. She is indifferent to the cats and they don't seem to mind her at all.

All good things will come with patience and gentle reinforcement, and David has to be more assertive! We look forward to more training with Megan, et al. But this darn snow is keeping us indoors more than we would  like...see you as soon as we can get down there...

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THEN ONLINE WE HAD SOMEONE WHO MADE A COMMENT ABOUT HOW SHE HAS ONLY SEEN 40 MINUTES OF TRAINING SINCE THE ARENA CAMERA WENT LIVE... AND THEN COMMENTED ON  MY GIVING SOME PUPS AWAY WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SERV DOGS. 

SO I ANSWERED....

**********

NO-- YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALL--  THESE DOGS ARE NOT "TRAINED"  HERE-- THEY GET IN THE VAN AND GO TO  OTHER HEATED AND AIRCONDITIONED PLACES  BECAUSE THEY HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS.. AND I BEG YOUR PARDON... I TRAIN...MARIA TRAINS.. AND MEGAN-- THAT IS 3 BY MY COUNT.. PLUS THE 3 YOUNG GIRLS ARE NOT BAD WITH THE YOUNGSTERS... GULI-- LAURA-SMILEY    BETTER THAN ALOT OF ADULTS I HAVE INTERVIEWED.

SO FEW DOGS BECOME SERVICE DOGS???   OUR % OF SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS OUT OF  OUR PUPS HAS BEEN MORE THAN TWICE THE % OF MOST OF THE OTHER ADI TRAINING FACILITIES...

AND I WILL NOT PUT A DOG OUT AS A SERVICE DOG IF I HAVE THE SLIGHTEST RESERVATION ABOUT THIER  HEALTH AND STABILITY...   THEY BECOME    PETS... SORRY-- THESE ARE NOT MANUFACTURED WIDGETS.. EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT...  ALL ONE HAS TO DO TO GET PLACED AS A PET IS TO PACE... AND THEY ARE OUT.  I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD EVEN PICK THAT UP ON CAMERA...  

AND

 I DON'T JUST GIVE THEM AWAY--- PEOPLE WHO GET ONE OF OUR DOGS HAVE WORKED HERE FOR MANY HOURS-- AND EARNED A PUP BY HELPING  THE OTHERS TO BECOME SERVICE DOGS.

I HAVE NOT LOST FOCUS--   BUT IF YOU THINK WE NEED TO TROT AROUND IN CIRCLES TO TRAIN A DOG YOU ARE MISTAKEN--  I DO MOST OF MY TYPE  TRAINING SITTING AT MY DESK WITH ONE PUP AT MY FEET... I DO NOT ALWAYS GET TO TURN THE CAMERA AROUND... SORRY... WE ARE VERY BUSY AND I DO MY BEST TO GIVE THE CP'S A PRETTY REAL PICTURE OF WHAT IS GOING ON...  BUT I AM FOCUSED ON THE DOG-- NOT SOME PERSON WHO IS NEW TO  DOG TRAINING

PROOF?   HAVE YOU ANY IDEA OF THE SIZE OF MY GAS BILL FOR RUNNING 3 VEHICLES BACK AND FORTH TO THE MALLS  AND HOSPITALS???  

WHY SHOULD WE WALK AROUND IN THE COLD WHEN WE HAVE  PUBLIC ACCESS FOR DOGS IN TRAINING..  

FINE ----YOU COME WALK AROUND THE ARENA IN 17 DEGREES..

NOT ME.

BASICALLY LOOK AT THE END PRODUCT..