DEC 6 2014

I AM DELIGHTED TO BE VERRRRRRY BUSY SENDING CARDS TO PEOPLE FOR WHOM OHTERS HAVE PURCHASED BRICKS..
 COUPLE PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE GOT RID OF THE ENTIRE FAMILY GIFT PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER FOR EACH PERSON'
'LOVE IT
.AND SEVERAL HAVE THANKED ME FOR PROVIDING THE M WITH AN "INTERESTING OUT"  OF THE $10 GIFT PROBLEM.WORKS FOR ME....
SO I HAVE SOME ENVELOPES TO ADDREESS************
TOMORROW   SANTA ABOUT 1PM--- AND STICKERING AT ABOUT 2PM WITH SHlTTING AT 3:00  
( NOTICE HOW I GET AROUND THAT BAD WORD PROBLEM WITH A SMALL "L")******************2 GOOD COPY AND PASTE'S  SO I WILL GET AT THE ENVELOPE JOB...*************
"Today's post is about George. Where he is from, and how he helps Bella. George is a Great Dane from Ipswich Ma. He comes from a great farm up there that trains Great Danes to help those with mobility impairments.
 Service Dog Project (SDP) is a non profit that has donated over 70 Great Danes as service dogs for those who have severe balance or mobility limitations. All there dogs are trained to specific needs to the recipient. They also don't pick your dog they let the dog pick you. So in Bella's case she has been playing with George for months before he had his first sleep over.
The benefit of the dog picking the person is that the dog will want to do his job and be happy about it. Once the dog has picked their partner then more specific training can be done. They do all the training there. In Bella's case after we have him for the weekend we let the trainers know what George does good or not so good at and then they can work on that during the week.
 George is only 14 months so he is still young and learning. He is going to start to go to school or at least visit a school to see how he does as part of his training for when he will go to school with Bella. Right now we pick him up Friday night through Monday morning and then Tuesday night through Thursday morning. This way he is with Bella on the weekend and again for her weekly infusions. It's a lot of driving (40 min each way) but well worth it.

When Bella has George by her side she can leave the crutches behind. She hates using them so having George has been perfect. With morquio syndrome her bones developed different and she has foot, knee, hip and back problems. Also her wrists are almost locked in a straight position with no flexion backwards so that makes crutches difficult. Another plus to having a George by her side. As of now we don't know when George will be with Bella full time. Right now with him not going to school makes it hard. Even though he can go to work with me it would mean more bonding time with me and he needs to stay tightly bonded to Bella.

 For any who are looking for a great place to make donations and support Bella and George try checking out www.servicedogproject.org. If anyone has questions on Bella or George feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer! Thank you to all who have loved us. Old and new
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Dear Carlene,
 I'm typing this email from the Pacific Northwest with Sir Thomas asleep at my feet. The 'asleep' part is no surprise: Tommy is an excellent sleeper. 
 What he also excelled at was guiding me through the terminal when my meds schedule didn't coincide with the flight schedule. There's a 'must rush' vibe in any airport -- people whiz by, in front, across -- but though Tommy sensed the buzz and wanted to keep up with it, he didn't. He walked slowly with me. 
 Excellent was also the word passengers around us used to describe his behavior on our 6-hour flight. One woman said she'd fidgeted way more than he did. The flight attendants beamed at him every timr they passed by our row.
 I remember his first flight when everything was scary - especially the security check with all those men in uniform eyeing him. While the security part is still a bit overwhelming, the surprising part to me was all that he remembered from previous travel. 
This was by far his longest flight, but he knew just what to do, just what was expected of him. He was excellent. 

To all the new SDP recipients who aren’t sure about a new experience, especially a stressful one like travel, go ahead with it. Let them learn. The first time may not be perfect, but these wonderful animals will excel.
Renee