i just re read janine' book  about the start of SDP... it is a pretty funny book about  some of the antics that went into animal episodes and then sdp... somewhere along the line i think she re wrote some of it to include some of our training proceedures....  simple as they are, they work... ---like don't let them tighten a leash....(book = dogs donkeys and circus)

reading over some of  her comments toward the end about buying fancy clothing full price instead of at the good will industries second hand store  indicates some moral deficiency.

i just don't understand how some people function....  a very long time ago,  i went into the ralph lauren factory outlet in lawrence, expecting to find bargains... and they had a big  bin of  great savings "t-shirts  only  $80.00 "  there must be people to whom that is a bargain-- but i shore ain't one of them.  i can not immagine how  anyone could  believe $80 t shirts are a bargain... and they vote !!

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there is anotehr   "i dunno"  i got going on yesterday..... i don't know how anyone can get ahead if they  don't manage to be able to deduct some of their necessities as  business expense.-- home office is the biggie--- especially with so many people working from home....  an ofice is an office-- and a percemtage of the heat, light, phone, showplowing  etc.  sure- you  may get audited... but if you have a business  office-- you have an office " in the pursuit of income"  -- 

by no means am i a tax expert---  i took the IRS statement that it is my responsibility to find  any legal deduction....   very seriously... i found, you don't have to be illegal, there is so much screw up tax language that loopholes do legally exist

 i had an irs   agent come here to audit  us once...  the only thing he fussed about was  ---my husband saw the occasional  patient here,  so i deeducted part of  the house as an office expense--( it had baindaids and a stethoscope) ---that was no issue, it was that i then deducted his mileage to the   hospital as "travel between places of business"  ( deductable)  and the  IRS  considered it commuting ( not deductable). 

one of my most cherished memories was when the agent said  "give me a break , i have been here 3 days, i have to find something"   so i paid the $320 and have never heard from them since. ....a good investment.

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i re read janine's book  on that kindle thing michelle sent me--- i am enjoying it---- or at least i was until  it began to aquire more books than i  wanted... i bought 2 books... and somehow there are 7 on there... plus when i turn it on .... it tells me of another i should buy...and i am not sure if/or how i paid for them....

what is a perfectly simple  wonderful concept  has been taken over by the advertising industry as one more chance to flash something in front of me  with hopes th at it's subliminal effect will cause me to buy it 2 months from now without knowing why i am buying it.

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i get up in the morning all full of dog things i need to do today... and tehn i wear out--- and i hear that haunting phrase my husband used too frequently " if you weighed 20 pounds less you wouldn't have  so much trouble....."

probably true    i know if i pick up a 20 pound bag of dog food, it is more difficult to do most anything. with the possibel exception of finding my way to the left over cake...

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i am ashamed to say i have not even tried to pair up these dogs in those harnesses so tehy learn to walk together.... which they did normally in that photo of the 4 of them on the ramp...perfectly in step...

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i love it when one of our dogs has a mulitplyer effect---  the service dog seen by teh guys  and staff in the va hospitals... or  teh teachers service dog who helps some kid overcome her fr=ear of dogs.  or even bentley visiting a home bound patient and just giving them something to think about...  (and to watch on  camera)

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Hi Carlene,

Carson here, just wanted to give you an update on the beautiful Goldie girl. She is doing fabulous and has stolen the hearts of my entire family! I can't begin to explain all she does for everyone in my family. 

As you may know my family has been a foster family for years and is constantly taking in children in need from around the area. A few weeks Goldie made a huge impact on one of our kids. Unfortunate circumstances lead this little girl to staying at our house and one look at Goldie changed her entire demeanor. She was absolutely fascinated, never having seen a dog as big as her she immediately took to her, and Goldie sensed this little one was in need of some Dane loving. 

They spent the entire weekend sleeping together on Goldies bed watching movies. This little girl did not want to leave Goldies side. You can see in the picture I've attached that Goldie was hanging off the side of the bed so this little girl could fit on with her. I still can't believe how attuned Goldie is to the feelings of others, she seems to gravitate towards those who need her. 

Goldie is so sweet and loving to all the children that come through our home. She is constantly surrounded by little hands looking to pet her and give her treats and the love she gives these kids blows me away.

Once again I can't thank you and all the SDP peeps enough!!