DEC 31 2016

I NEVER CONSIDERED  LAURA, DEVIN, OLIVIA, HALEY, TANNER, ETC ARE ALL GREAT INVESTMENTS.-- BUT THEY ARE... NOT ONLY FOR ME , BUT THE REST OF THE WORLD...

HERE IS ONE OF  INGRID'S STROKES OF BRILLIANCE---

I UNDERSTAND YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE LACK OF WORK ETHICS IN TODAY'S SOCIETY. BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY ARE MUCH HIGHER AT SDP THAN WHAT I OBSERVE REGULARLY ELSEWHERE. WE MUST KEEP FOCUSED ON TODAY'S YOUTH TO ENSURE THEY BECOME GOOD CARETAKERS OF TOMORROW'S WORLD. LAURA, DEVIN, OLIVIA, HALEY, TANNER, ETC ARE ALL GREAT INVESTMENTS.

SDP IS CERTAINLY A PLACE TO CHALLANGE KIDS-- WITH REAL LIFE PROBLEMS-- I REALLY RESENT ANY KID-( OR OLD KID) GIVING WAY TO SLOPPY THINKING.... AT LEAST WHEN  IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO OTHERWISE...

CASE IN POINT  TEH NEW BUILDING---AND TANNER IS A GOOD KID- ALSO A TEENAGER WITH WHAT COULD BE A LAZY HEAD IN THE REST OF THE WORLD... BUT IT IS NOT ALLOWED  AROUND HERE.... I KNOW TANNER HAS HAD ENOUGH MATH TO DO SQUARE FOOTAGE.. BUT THAT IS STUFF YOU DO ON PAPER- AND I DON'T THINK HE EVER REALIZED IT HAD ANYTHING  TO DO WITH REAL LIFE-- SO I ASKED HIM TO GO FIGURE OUT THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE FLOOR AND THEN THE WALLS ( DIFFERENT PAINT STUFF)---  HE WENT AWAY-- AND ASKED RYAN WHO GAVE HIM THE WRONG ANSWER-- WHICH HE THEN PROUDLY CAME AND GAVE ME..I WAS EXTREMELY ANNOYED AND TOLD HIM HE COULD NOT DRIVE THE  TRACTOR EVER AGAIN  UNTIL HE FIGURED IT OUT AND GAVE ME THE RIGHT ANSWER.

HE WENT AWAY AGAIN ... AND CAME BACK WITH THE RIGHT ANSWER---  NOW... HE MAY HAVE DONE IT HIMSELF- BUT I KNOW HOW SIMPLE IT WOULD BE FOR JACK  TO HAVE TOLD HIM WHAT TO WRITE DOWN... SO I WILL KEEP AT HIM---YOU HAVE A HEAD... DARN IT USE IT.   I THINK HIS FATHER IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE EXERCISE...

 A WHILE AGO I WAS ONTO "ANSWER THE QUESTION"-- MUST HAVE BEEN DURING THE POLITICA L  FIASCO... WHEN I ASK "IS IT RAINING"

SOMEBODY SITTING ON THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN MIGHT SAY " YES OR NO"- WHICH HAS NO BASIS IN FACT... ANYONE WHO SAYS "YES  TEH COMPUTER SAYS SO" HAS EVEN LESS FACTUAL INFO...---SOMEONE WHO SAYS

"YES- THE DOG WHO JUST  CAME IN'S  BACK IS WET" HAS FACT... I  CAN DEAL WITH THAT.

*****

WE MUST ALLOW SERVICE DOG TO BE A PLACE WHERE  OUR KIDS CAN APPLY THE  BITS OF WHAT SCHOOLS TEACH ...--APPRENTICESHIP HAS MANY VIRTUES CLASSROOMS WILL NEVER HAVE. 

THE PROBLEM IS  TOO COMPLICATED TO FIGURE OUT... I DO KNOW THAT  4-H AND FAMILY FARMING PROVIDE GOOD WORKERS IN GENERAL.. IN MY MAGAZINE BUSINESS I ALWYS HIRED KIDS WITH HORSES-- THEY DON'T STOP BECAUSE OF A SILLY BLIZZARD...

*****

COMPLICATONS  ARE HAPPENING HERE.... RUNNING

dec 30 2016

why am i destined to be haunted by the word SPELL??? most of you know my whole college career was focused onthe 500

words i needed to be able to spell corectly to graduate from colby college ( as a math major)-- for a long time i didn't dare write anything for fear i would sound like the fool for  not putting E before I except after C--- i have suffered with the new world of spell checker changing my words to what this machine often thinks i meant to type-- my spell checker had to be dismantled-- but  now..this devious internet found a new way....

daily i get 10 to 20 emails from one or 2 people who's husbands left them for a younger woman that he takes to california where thye used to go on their wedding and she wants him back and goes to a spell caster -- a dr xxxxxx who will  cast a spell and brings the sob back to her fron door begging for forgiveness..  and the subject line alway contains a quote from a daily doggie- so i am blindsided...

i have tried the  spam  word blocker and when you go thru a ll the stories of all these women saved by the spell caster  the only word common to all is  SPELL--- which means if i block that word spell...  i might miss anyone trying to be helpful- or comical .. so i decided to block  CAST  --

i figured i had it made... and  then  linda brok her arm- and people began to talk about her cast... i  can't win...

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no cut and paste----

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to college or not to college that is the question--

  i have serious questions about it's worth- other than to add 4 years before you get turned loose on the community.  i worked for a company for 19 years before they knew i had a college degree.... i am not convinced a college degree is worth the $250,000 investment  that it costs now...  after 4 years -- other than that darn spelling test,-- i know i learned what a deadline was  . tuesday at 4pm was tuesday at 4pm.   seems a waste of time to me... i know mike rowe ( dirty jobs) has alot to say about  college degrees that i am in agreement with.

HOLD ON... "WITH WHICH I AM IN AGREEMENT...." 

maybe  the story of how the company for which i worked learned of my degree is worth telling..

th company--the Want Advertiser- was basically ebay in printed form-- published weekly-  for the 19 years, i managed teh northern area around boston.basically i guarenteed i would manage the people who would distribute to the stores on TUESDAY and get all the money and charge stuff in to them by friday noon.... most of the time, that meant a frantic friday morning running aroung the farm looking for the brown bags of money and reciepts that 20 delivery people had left somewhere..if all went well- people stayed healthy and no blizzards... i didn't do much, and it paid well. 

time was...  computers came into being and i bought one and did all my returns on tthe computer.. i had learned somewhere to program and it ws easy. after thes 19 years, the  president called a meeting- to look over records-- whatever --- and to compare my  north  results to those  of teh southern area.. done very officially by an accountant ( can you tell where this is going???)  He showed up with briefcase, polished shoes and blue suit.. with an ibm printout maybe ½ inch thick-- the kind with holes along th esides th at you flipped around... i was in blue jeans and i had put all the information  i thought would be necessary to answer any question on one sheet of paper folded in my back pocket.  as this accountant was going on and on,  maybe it was the first "goldie" appearence, but i happended to knotice his total sales of   $123429.87 - i didn't even pull out my paper... but said--" that report is wrong... i don't know why it is wrong  but i can prove it in 25 words or less.."   the book wholesaled for $.86 and there was nothing you could multiply times 86 to get a number ending in a odd number.

so they gave me the job for the entire north and south-- and that is why i had the money to build the barn, arena,and guest house-- along with sending 2 kids to college.. it is also why  i know the location of every small variety store north of boston.

it was a fun job for another 11 years...... it certainly did not get in the way of my other lives...

there are many funny stories about delivering magazines ....a couple priceless ones...

later....

DEC 29 2016

HOW I MANAGED TO GO FROM ACNE TO ARTHRITIS SO FAST I WILL NEVER KNOW.---? THE YEAR 2000?  THAT WAS SOMETHING PEOPLE WROTE MOVIES ABOUT.---- IN  1957 WE -- IN EDINBURGH - DID A STUDY ABOUT  STATISTICS  AND  WE FIGURED IN 1984  THE WORLD AS WE KNEW IT WOULD COME TO AN END... AND LOOKING BACK... IT IS  ABOUT THE TIME  IT DID---- AN AWFUL LOT GOT OUT OF CONTROL... LIKE  COMPUTER CAPABILITIES, AND POPULATION.

NOW TO SIMPLIFY THE WORLD PROBLEMS FOR YOU....

YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ME  RANT AND RAVE ABOUT... WATER TO DRINK... YESTERDAY, I DID NOT HEAR THE  ENTIRE VARIOUS SPEECHES  ABOUT ISRAEL  ON CNN- AND I AM NOT SURE I WOULD UNDERSTAND THEM IF I DID-- BUT ALOT OF PEOPLE WERE VERY UPSET... SO I DECIDED TO TRY AND FIGURE IT OUT FOR EVERYBODY..AND STARTED WITH THE  GOOGLE MAPS,,,,   I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO GO ANY FURTHER THAN TO LOOK AT THOSE MAPS AND THE RATIO OF GREEN VEGETATION  TO BROWN DESERT - AND YOU CAN SEE WHY THERE IS A PROBLEM.. THAT DEAD SEA LAKE THING IS EXTREME SALTY-- TEH OTHER -- SEA OF GALLILE I COULD FIND NO REFERENCE TO  SALT CONTENT... BUT THERE IS GREEN AROUND IT.

IT STRIKES ME THAT IF YOU BUILD HOUSES ON THE BROWN DESERT YOU WILL HAVE  TO PROVIDE AN AWFUL LOT OF PLASTIC BOTTLES TO  KEEP EVERYONE HYDRATED.. LORD KNOWS ABOUT BATHING--

NOW IF YOU MOVE THE GOOGLE EARTH AROUND AND HAVE A LOOK AT THE USA YOU CAN STOP WONDERING WHY WE ARE SO GREAT.. ALL THAT GREEN AROUND TEH MISSISSIPPI IS WHY WE COUDL SEND MEN TO THE MOON BEFORE THESE NORTHERN AFRICA NATIONS WHO HAD TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME RUNNING FROM OASIS TO OASIS LOOKING FOR A COOL DRINK.

***

NEXT FACTOID....  THE ABILITY OF TEH HUMANS TO REPRODUCE WAS UNAFFECTED BY  THE PRESENCE.. OR LACK... OF WATER-- SO THESE OASIS BEGAN TO GET CROWDED.... WHERE IN THE USA-- PEOPLE JUST MOVED WEST...

***

SO AS THESE OASIS GOT CROWDED THEY  WANTED TO KEEP THEIR POOL TO THEMSELVES... WHICH UNFORTUNATELY REDUCED THEIR SELECTION OF  MATES TO THEIR SECOND COUSINS- WHICH IS WHEN THEY BEGAN TO  DEFINE RELIGION AND JUST WHO WAS  GOD AND  WHAT WAS TEH NUMBER OF VIRGINS THAT WOULD FIT ON THE HEAD OF A PIN.  ONE  RELIGIOUS GROUP DECIDED 1 VIRGIN-- ANOTHER SAID 72 WOULD BE WAITING FOR ANY MAN WEARING A PREVIOUSLY DETONATED  EXPLOSIVE BELT.

THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT YET GOT TO THE STAGE OF TRYING TO COUNT VIRGINS AND JUST   SHIFTED  THE COLORADO RIVER TO THE GOLF COURSES OF LOS VEGAS WHERE RELIGIOUS GROUPS COULD ONLY SEARCH FOR A PIN IN A HAYSTACK  TO START WITH.

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WHY SO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO CROWD ONTO THAT BROWN DESERT IS BEYOND ME.  IT STRIKES ME THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR OVER 2000 YEARS  WHILE PRODUCING TOO MANY PEOPLE FOR THE WATER SUPPLY.

***

AS A NATION WE MUST RESIST THIS MOVEMENT--- AND LAST I HEARD ONLY THE NATIVE AMERICANS WERE WORRIED ABOUT HAVING OIL CONTAMINATE A HUGE BIT OF THE WATER SUPPLY...AND FLINT IS STILL STRUGGLING FOR  TAKING THIER EYE OFF THE BALL.

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HOW DID I GET GOING ON ALL THAT?  

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MOVING ON.... ( I BETTER) 

*******

 YEAR END----TIME TO GET A NEW "SPIKE" ON WHICH TO PUT RECIEPTS--- 

 THAT GETS THEM IN CRONOLOGICAL ORDER  WITH THE LEAST EFFORT.

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THIS IS A BIG DEAL  SO PAY ATTENTION....

Hi Carlene and Linda,

I attached a notice asking onsite people to send photos to SDPtweets@gmail.com that I can use on Twitter. Can you print it and hang it up where onsite people will see it?

 Our views on Twitter have increased dramatically over previous months and a lot of new folks are showing up on the Explore site. I think/hope that SDPs Twitter activity is helping. I’ll send a report from Twitter analytics at the end of the month.

 I’ve dipped into Camera Mark’s photos and snapped photos from the cams. Please let me know if you have any other suggestions for getting photos I can use on Twitter.

 Thanks!

Maria

THE SDP TWITTER ACCOUNT NEEDS PHOTOS ! PLEASE SEND PHOTOS TO 

SDPTWEETS@GMAIL.COM

NEEDED:

PHOTOS OF INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES WITH OPEN EYES ( THESE GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE THE HUMAN ATHKETE)

CLOSEUP SHOTS NOT AVAILABLE ON CAMS

OLDER DOGS IN TRAINING ONSITE AND OFF SITE

TO ATTRACT TWITTER USERS, PHOTOS FOR TWITTER SHOULD NOT BE POSTED TO EXPLORE CHAT OR FACEBOOK

PLEASE INCLUDE EACH DOGS NAME

THANK YOU

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DEC 28 2016

THE LAST DOOR WENT ON THE NEW BUILDING  AS YET UNNAMED... AT LEAST IN POLITE PRINT..IT HAS TO BE RIGHT UP THERE WITH QUESTIONABLE DECISIONS I HAVE MADE..AND IT IS NOT DONE YET..

A CAMERA PERSON.. SENT SOME INFO ONTHE  COVERING OF THE WALLS AND FLOOR... MANY WORDS... LIKE EPOXY... AND THINGS LIKE THAT.  I HAVE INHERITED  SOMEONE FROM PENNA WHO MAKES TEH STUFF.. AND IT IS DISTRIBUTED BY AN OUTFIT  IN NEW JERSEY... THERE ARE PAGES AND PAGES OF HOW TO....AND IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD IS A MONSTER MACHINE TO BASICALLY SAND? CONCRETE WITH WE EITHER NEED OR DON'T NEED.  I AM HOPING PERSON #2 IN NEW JERSEY CAN REDUCE THE  PAGES OF INSTRUCTIONS TO A BARE MINIMUM-- LIKE GET A BIG ROLLER AND SMEAR THE STUFF ALL OVER THE FLOOR.

******

PUPS ARE DOING GREAT-- ROUND LITTLE THINGS-- GAINING WELL--EVERYONE IS EXCTED ABOUT WATCHING THEM BECOME SERVICE DOGS IN SPRING OF 2018..  I AM STRUGGLING FOR NEWS AS I TRY AND DEAL WITH MAUVE....

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THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT DD TO WRITE,, AS MAUVE WAS BARKING ON THE BACK DECK AND I SUGGESTED SHE COM E IN... SO I AM NOW TENDING TO HER ON THE SOFA.. AND SHE DOES NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTND NORMAL ENGLISH  SO I AM TEACHEING HER  THAT WHEN I SAY LIE DOWN AND STAY THERE... YOU DO NOTHING ELSE... WHICH MEANS I HAVE A ROPE ACROSS MY LEG  SO I CAN BE ABLE TO BRING HER BACK TO THAT SPOT AGAIN AND TRY AGAIN... AS I HAVE HEARD STEVE SAY SO OFTEN... WHEN YOU RUN INTO A PROBLEM YOU ADDRESS IT-- NOT AVOID IT...

SHE IS LEARNING...  HER HEAD IS EVEN DOWN..

***

NOT MUCH CUT AND PASTE TO GRAB EITHER... THIS IS FROM THE HAWTHORNE HOTEL IN SALEM

Good afternoon, Carlene:

We passed the hat on Christmas Eve and received over $340 in cash donations.  Are you able to have someone pick it up rather than waiting for us to convert it to a check:

Best regards,

Christine

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I HAD A CALL FOME TH E IPSWICH BANK... THEY WANT TO COME HERE AT 10AM TODAY...  I HAVE GREAT HOPES -  THAT THEY HAD SOME EXTRA FUNDING LEFT OVER AND NEED TO GET RID OF IT..  BOY ARE WE GOOD AT THAT...

******

BACK TO MAUVE---- SHE IS COMFORTABLE-- AFTER A KNOCK DOWN  DRAG OUT FIGHT TO GET HER ON THE SOFA... SHE IS LYING QUIETLY..

BOY DO I THINK THIS IS A NERVOUS DOG ONLY BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO...-- SHE STARTED OUT A NERVOUS WRECK EYES DARTING UPSTAIRS AND AROUND CORNERS-- THEN I "GOT IN HER FACE" AND EXPLAINED SHE WAS TO LIE DOWN AND STAY PUT.... AND SHE IS RELAXED-- NOT OFFERED TO GT UP YET...

DOGS ARE NOT GOOD AT HAVEING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DECIDING WHAT  TO DO NEXT...  BETTER THAN THEY HAVE SOME BASIC TRAINING SO YOU CAN TELL THEM.

SHE IS GETTING IT.

SHE WILL BE GOING TO A HORSY FRIEND WHO HAS HAD DOGS OF MINE LONG AGO.. 

****

I QUIT FOR THE DAY   SHE IS DOING SO WELL I BEST PAY ATTENTION  TO PREVENT A FAILURE SITUATION...

SHE HAS HAD ONE OF THOSE "OH IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED?" MOMENTS... 

SHE MAY BE ALL TRAINED NOW

DEC 27 2016

 NOW WE CAN PUT DOWN  PULLING ON ICE SCATES AS A LEARNED  SERVICE TO  MOBILITY PATIENTS !!

WELL YET AGAIN SHE IS IMPRESSING ME! SO TODAY IS 10 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS POST SURGERY AND SHE IS UP ON ICE SKATES!!!! SHE CAN'T STAND WITHOUT SUPPORT OR MOVE WITHOUT SOMETHING BUT SHE SURE IS TRYING! SHE PUSHED A BUCKET AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. WHEN TIRED SHE SAT ON HER BUCKET AND KICKED HER FEET TO MOVE AROUND OR HAD SOMEONE PUSH HER. THEN GEORGE NOT ONLY HELPS BELLA WALK ON 2 FEET HE ALSO HELPED HER COAST ON 2 SKATES!! BELLA HELD ONTO HIS JACKET AND HE WALKED EVER SO GINGERLY ON THE ICE AND PULLED HER AROUND. BELLA DIDN'T WANT TO LET GO OF MY HARD SO I COULDN'T GET A VIDEO THIS TIME. I AM SURE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER TIME. BELLA IS ALREADY ASKING WHEN SHE CAN SKATE AGAIN. GEORGE DIDN'T STAY ON THE ICE VERY LONG. EVEN THOUGH HE HAS PROTECTANT CREAM ON HIS PAWS BELLA AND I WERE AFRAID HIS PAWS WOULD GET COLD. HE WAS HAPPY RUNNING ON THE EDGE WATCHING OR EVEN DECIDED TO WATCH BELLA FROM HIS BED IN THE VAN. EITHER WAY THEY WERE BOTH HAPPY.

BOY DO I HATE  ICE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR--  I HOPE BELLA AND GEORGE KNOW OF A NICE  6"DEEP PUDDLE TO SKATE ON....  TH E ONLY ICE SKATING PLACE APPROVED BY ME IS THE  TOPSFIELD FAIRGROUNDS PARKING LOT WHICH OFTEN HAS A FLOODED AREA FROM THE IPSWICH RIVER - AND AT MOST IS 18 INCHES DEEP...I DID HAVE A DOG GO THRU THE ICE ON OUR POND--- THERE ARE SPRINGS? WHICH MAKE THE ICE THIN IN PLACES... AND A STUD DOG WENT THRU.. I STARTED TO THE ICE YELLING FOR HELP-- THE ONLY ONE HERE WAS..... JANINE.... WHO NEVER QUESTIONS THE CALL FOR HELP-- SHE JUST GOES  AND FIGURES OUT TH E 

DETAILS LATER.... ALSO I DON;T KNWO WHAT THE PROPER ATTIRE IS FOR AN ICE RESCUE EFFORT, BUT SHE WAS NOT WEARING IT.--LIKE A GOOD MOTHER I PUSHED JANINE  OUT ON THE POND WITH A ROPE AROUND HER--- ACTUALLY SHE WAS MORE LIKE THOSE BIG ICEBREAKER SHIPS  PLOWING THRI THE FROZEN WATER   ---OUR POND IS ONLY ABOUT 3-4 FEET DEEP BUT THE DOG COULD NOT GET BACK UP ON THE ICE. A GREAT DANE STRUGGLING TO GET UP ON THE ICE... WITH THOSE TOENAILS IS A DANGER IN ITSELF... BUT SHE GOT HIM DIRECTED INTO THE PATH TRU THE ICE SHE AHD MADE AND BOTH WERE SHUFFLED INTO TH EFIREPLACE  TO BE THAWED.....WHILE JANINE PERFECTED HER LANGUAGE SKILLS --" THAT WOULD MAKE A SAILOR BLUSH" ...

 MANY OF THE BETTER JANINE STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH HER ABILITY  TO  ASSESS AND AID IN DISASTERS  WHICH EXPLAIN WHY SHE WAS ONCE SLIDING AROUND  THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE IN HER VICTORIA SECRETE BEST,  WITHOUT A LADDER WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED.  BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY... OF MANY...

THERE WAS SOME SCOTTISH EXPRESSION ABOUT "WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE CHURN PADDLE STICKS?"  THAT MAY APPLY TO A  BUTTER.  CHURN..... BUT THE EXPRESSION APPLIES TO FARM LIFE IN GENERAL...

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MOVING ON..... WITH 13 NEW RESIDENTS OF CRAZY ACRES... ALL HEALTHY  LOOKING-- WITH ROBUST LUNGS THAT  IS FOR SURE... PLUS GUSSIE IS ONE OPINIONATED MOTHER  WHO HAS NOTHING PLEASENT TO SAY ABOUT HER NEIGHBOR LAINIE... WHO IS JUST LEARNING TO CARE FOR 4 BLACK PUPS..

ACTUALLY THEY ALL LOOK BLACK... BUT TECHNICLLAY 3 MALES ARE THE LOVELY SHINEY BLACK BLACK.. AND THE FEMALE IS DARN NEAR BLACK..  

YOU CAN  STUDY THAT DIFFERENCE ON MOST OF OUR HARLEQUIN DOGS...  ALL HARLS HAVE SOME MERLE SPOT SOMEWHERE-  AFTER THAT, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BLACK AND WHITE... BUT THERE ARE TONES TO THE BLACK.. WHICH IF THEY WERE SHOW DOGS WOULD NOT ELIMINATE THEM AS LONG AS YOU COVER THE PALE BLACK SPOTS WITH MENS MUSTACHE  BLACKENING.

ONE OF THE VERY FIRST DANES I HAD WAS A RESCUE- A BLACK FEMALE WHICH  SOMEONE  REJECTED AS AN INFERIOR DOG BECASUE SHE HAD A 4" WHITE MARK ON HER CHEST.  I WAS NEW AT THE GAME  AND BELIEVED TEH CHAMPION SHOW DOG WAS  THE APOLLO OF DOG WORLDS- AND THE POOR DOG WITH A FEW WHITE HAIRS WAS REJECTED AND LABELED A "MISMARK" TO BE TOSSED AWAY.  IT DIDNT TAKE ME TOO LONG TO SAY LOUDLY "SOMEBODY---- INCLUDING ME---- IS NUTS" 

A REPUTATION IS TO BE PRESEARVED AT CONSIDERABLE COST...  WHEN I JOINED ADI ( ASSISTANCE DOG INTERNATIONAL)  AT THE FIRST CONFRERENCE  I HAD BAILEY WITH ME- THE PRESIDENT TOLD ME "YOU GREAT DANE PEOPLE ARE NUTS" . HOPEFULLY I HAVE MAINTAINED THAT REPUTATION.  LOTS OF OTHER REPUTATIONS ...COULD BE WORSE.

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WE MIGHT GET A CHANCE TODAY TO START WITH THE GOATS MILK BOTTLES WITH GUSSIE'S GROUP...  THEY ARE CERTAINLY ROUND AND HEALTHY-- BUT  LOOMING IN THE DISTANC COULD  BE MASTITIS-- SHE HAS HAD TI BEFORE - NOT THAT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE... THE THREAT IS ALWAYS THERE-- AND IF SHE GETS IT, IT IS BEST IF THE PUPS ALREADY KNOW HOW TO DRINK FROM A BOTTLE..-- SO I LIKE TO TEACH THEM WHEN THEY ARE  NOT HUNGRY.   IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THEM STARTED WHEN THEY ARE VERY HUNGRY-- SO IF WE HAVE ENOUGH HELP HERE TODAY WE MIGHT  DO THT...  IT INVOLVES STRAININGGOATS MILK BECAUSE THE  LUMPS IN THE POWDER CAN PLUG A NIPPLE...AND THERE ARE LUMPS EVEN IF YOU USE A BLENDER TO MIX IT.

  EXPERIENCE COMES FROM BAD EXPERIENCES.... SO WE STRAIN... A PIECE OF GAUZE IF WE CAN'T FIND THE FINE STRAINER.

*********

NOW IT IS ABOUT  WHEN DOGS "DO IT YOURSELF" IN THE POO PICKING DEPARTMENT... - THERE IS A LONG POLITICALLY CORRECT NAME FOR IT CORPHXXXXXXXLIA ... BUT IT IS GROSS PERIOD..  AND NEARLY ALL DO AT SOME TIME. AND EVERYBODY HAS A THEORY... INCLUDING ME...

AN OBSERVATION I FIND INTERESTING, IS THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE ONES WITH SOFT STOOL.. ONLY THE HARD ONES... ?HEALTHY ONES?? ESPECIALLY FROZEN ONES.. HENCE THE NAME "POOPCICLE"  

I HAVE ALSO OBSEARVED.. IN THE SUMMER  FLYS SEEM TO GO FOR ONE PILE AS OPPOSED TO ANOTHER...  THERE IS SOME DIFFERENCE. 

THERE ARE SOME WHO SAY THINGS LIKE ESTABLISHING-- OR MAINTAINING THE NECESSARY BACTERIA  IN THEIR GUT----WHICH SOME OTHER ANIMAL...( LIKE  IN THE CASE OF  BABY HORSES WHIC ALWAYS SEEM TO EAT MOMMY'S POOP) ------ ONE ONLY HAD TO WATCH OUR DOGS SITTING BEHIND OUR LOVELY  DONKEY.. MARY.. WAITING FOR HER TO "GO"   LIKE A  PIZZA DELIVERY SERVICE.. AND THE CONTENT OF THIER DESIRE WAS MOSTLY CORN....  USED  CORN... BUT CORN... AND OATS ETC.....  

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I COULD DO AN ENTIRE DD ONTHE TOPIC OF DOG FOOD-   IT IS A LIKE  RELIGION TO SOME PEOPLE-  SEEMS ESPECIALLY GREAT DANAE PEOPLE..THRU THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN BATTERED WITH BELIEFS  FROM FEEDING ONLY  RAW CHICKEN NECKS   TO POWDERED FISH AND  SEAWEED..    LONG BEFORE  PURINA DONATED OUR FOOD,  I BOUGHT IT WITH HARD EARNED CASH.....- ABOUT 30 YEARS OF  BUYING MOSTLY PURINA TO MIX WITH  ANYTHING ANYONE GAVE ME - I CONSIDERED IT THE STABLE SOURCE OF NURISHMENT TO WHICH I WOULD MIX  WITH ANYTHING FREE. PURINA IS A HUGE OUTFIT AND I FIGURED IF THERE WAS A BETTER OR MORE DIVERSE FOOD NEEDED , PURINA WOULD MAKE IT-- AND CHARGE MORE FOR IT OF COURSE... SOOOOOO.... A CP WORKED ON A SPREAD SHEET OF INGREDIENTS OF DOG FOODS AND PRODUCED A  LIST OF MANY BRANDS WITH THE  FIRST 10 INGREDIENTS LISTED ON THE BAG... IT IS VEY INTERESTING  AND I WOULD SEND IT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS IT JUST EMAIL ME...

I CAN PROVE I BOUGHT PURINA-- LONG AGO YOU SAVED TEH WEIGHT CIERCLES FOR " PURINA AWARDS" AND  THE TOP "PRIZE" WAS A BOSE RADIO FOR 35,000?  POINTS-- AND WE HAD 5 BOSE RADIOS..- I WAS GIVING THEM AWAY...

FOR PURINA TO NOW DONATE OUR FOOD IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THT COULD HAPPEN TO US-- ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD CHOSEN TO BUY IT FOR SO LONG...

QUIT NOW WHILE I AM AHEAD.

DEC 26 2016

 WE MADE IT--- BUT I FORGOT TO MAIL IT....   

AND " WE" ARE  4 MORE THAN WE WERE 2 DAYS AGO...  LAINIE DELIVERED 4 NICE HEALTHY PUPS-- 3 MALES AND ONE FEMALE ALL DEVELOPING NICE ROUNDED BELLIES - SO THEY MUST BE EATING...  I WORRIED BECAUSE HER NIPPLES ARE SO BIG .. BUT THE NEWBORN MOUTHS SEEM TO ACCOMODATE THEM... SHE HAS ENOUGH MILK TO FEED THE 9  PUPS OF GUSSIES TOO.

I AM GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO  WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR "GOLDIE"-- OUR GHOST OF THE LEFTHAND DRAWER--- JUDY ( SWAMPSCOTT..). HUSBAND PILOT GOT CALLED IN FOR COVERAGE SO SHE HAS A FEWW DAYS SHE COULD HELP AND NHTEACH --KAREN-- MANAGED TO FILL IN AN OVERNGITHER ALSO.. WE REALY DO NEED 2 FOR A FEW WEEKS..  GUSSIE WOUOLD LIKE TO TAKE OVER FOR LAINIE AND CLAIM HER PUPS... SHE DOES NOT LIKE WHEN THEY CRY... AND FIGURES  SHE COULD RAISE THEM BETTER...NOT TOTALLY UNLIKE HUMAN MOTHERS OF KINDERGARDEN KIDS...

****

STEVE POINTED OUT AT TRAINER TALK THAT THE IMOPOSSIBLE 32 PUPS WE HAD..  MANY ARE GONE-- AND THERE'S A HANDFUL NEARY READY..  WE DIDN'T REMOVE TOO MANY FOR BREEDING - OR FF'S. BUT THERE IS NO TIME TO RELAX BECAUSE  THE 8 AUTHORS ARE GETTING READY TO LEARN---- AND THIS MONTH'S 13 NEW PUPS ARE GETTING READY  TO LEARN TO PEE AND POO ON THIER OWN.

AH- THE CYCLE OF LEARNING.

WHICH BRINGS US TO WHO'S NEXT IN HEAT???  MY PLAN IS TO BREED ONE WHEN ONE IS WHELPNG... SO ALREADY I AM BEHIND.

THE HURRIER I GO , THE BEHINDER I GET...

******

THE BUILDING IS NEARLY WEATHERPROOF- WHICH MEANS I CAN TRY AGAIN TO GET A BARKER BED  TYPE MATTRESS FOR MY BED...

EVERY TIME WE HAVE PUPS , I AM REMINDED HOW COMFORTABLE THOSE BARKER DOG BEDS ARE--- AND A WHILE AGO SOMEONE GAVE ME THE NAME OF AN OUTFIT WHO MADE FOAM MATTRESSES LIKE BARKER FOR PEOPLE--AND I FORGOT THE NAME...

CAN SOMEONE REMIND ME ??PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

WHY THE WEATHER PTOOF BUILDING?  BECAUSE MY MATTRESS IS PERFECTLY GOOD, BUT I DO PREFER THE DOG BEDS... SO I WILL MOVE THAT MATRESS TO THE "BOMB SHELTER" ...FOR STORAGE????? RIGHT... ALONG WITH THAT 30 FOOT PIECE OF CARPET FROM HOME DEPOT.... THE BUILDING IS BEGINNING TO TAKE  SHAPE... THE HEATER MIGHT GET HOOKED UP PRETTY SOON..  THE BOARD... IS SUGGESTING I GET SEVERAL ESTIMATES ON THE ELECTRICAL WORK THERE-- WE HAVE BEEN USING CRANNEY, BUT THE BOARD POINTS OUT, IT NEVER HURTS TO GET MORE ESTIMATES...  I ALWAYS FEEL BADLY ABOUT ASKING SOMEONE TO SPEND TIME WITH AN  ESTIMATE.. EXCEPT I SUPPOSE IT IS A FACT OF BUSINESS...

****

TURNS OUT.... I CAN HAVE A LADDER TO THE LOFT... BUT IF I PUT IN STAIRS THYE MUST CONFORM TO WHAT SOMEONE ELSE THINKS A SET OF STAIRS IN A DOG HOUSE SHOULD BE.....GRRRRHHHHHHHHHH.  A LADDER TO THE LOFT WOULD BE CONSIDERED, IN TH BUILDING CODE "ACCESS"  - WELLLLLLL.. THOSE 2 SETS OF STAIRS WHICH ARE.. AT THE MOMENT GRACE'S CHRISTMAS TREES, ONE OF THEM WOULD WORK.. AND WE COULD HAVE A HINGED PLYWOOD RAMP ATTACHED SO THE DOGS COULD GET UPSTAIRS  IF WE WANTED THEM TO BE THERE..... THIS WOULD NOT HINDER  USE OF THE AREA WHICH COULD BE KEPT GERM FREE

ONCE THE HEAT IS IN THEN DAVID #1 SAID HE WOUOLD DO THE EPOXY FLOOR/WALLS---

******

I HOPE SOMEONE CAN REMEMBER THE FOAM MATTRESS MAKER  ---ALL YOU CP's  ARE ACTUALLY MY EXTERNAL MEMORY DEVICE...

SPEAKING OF IMPROVEMENTS---I THINK- AFTER 2 YEARS OF HANDLE JIGGLING, MY W/C IS WORKING CORRECTLY NOW.  

INDOOR PLUMBING IS SUCH A GOOD THING.

**********

END OF YEAR-- TEH 10 DAYS OF SOLID MYTHBUSTERS  HAS BEEN ON- WITH THIER INVESTAGATIONS OF THINGS LIKE DROPPING FOOD ON THE FLOR WITH THE 3 SECOND RULE... GOOD SHOW.... APPARENTLY THEY ARE TRYING TO GET A NEW CREW...  THOSE 2 WILL BE HARD TO REPLACE...

PBS HAD ON A WONDERFUL STORY OABOUT THE WRITING OF  HANDELLS MESSIAH- WHICH I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE--- I DIDN'T HEAR THE END BECAUSE IT RAN OVER  A FEW MINUTES....AND WE HAD TO LISTEN TO AN AD FOR THE ANTIQUE ROAD SHOW INSTEAD......  WHAT A SHAME..... WE DID NOT GET TO HEAR ABOUT WHY YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO STAND UP FOR THE SINGING OF THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS...

IT IS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO BE IN AN AUDIENCE AND SEE WHO STANDS...  IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE KING OF ENGLAND.

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

END OF YEAR--- THERE ARE VERY MANY NEW  PEOPLE AT OUR SITE...  AND IT SEEMS  NOT ALL  KNOW MANY OF THE DETAILS-- LIKE WHO IS GOLDIE???  I MAY TRY AND WRITE  AN UPDATE FOR ALL THE  BRICK BUYERS  BEFOE JAN 1

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

LIKE CUT AND PASTE IS USUALLUY IN ITALLICS--- THINGS LIKE THAT...

**********

2 YEARS AGO... B.G.....( BEFORE GEORGE )....BELLA WAS ALWAYS USING CRUTCHES. SO NOW ABOUT 10 WEEKS POST SURGERY SHE IS RUNNING! JUST LOVE HER AND HER STRENGTH AND MOTIVATION. HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT! 

 LOVE BELLA AND GEORGE' s  MOM ---RACHAEL

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

Merry Christmas to everyone at SDP. Ava has brought such joy to this Christmas! 

Thank you, Carlene, and everyone who is a part of SDP.

Jim, Cindy and Ava 

*********

PIXIE AND I WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND SAFE HOLIDAYS. 

ITS CHRISTMAS EVE AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEIR SPECIAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING I RECEIVED MY GIFT EARLY. THIS WAS FROM THE MOST AMAZING KIND HEARTED WOMAN CARLENE AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT ALL THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS DO AT SDP. MY LIFE HAS CHANGED IN SO MANY WAYS WITH PIXIE AS I MAY HAVE CHANGED HERS BY HAVING SPOILING MY SWEET GIRL WHEN SHE IS NOT WORKING AND GETTING TO JUST ENJOY LIFE AS A HAPPY DOG EVEN THOUGH SHE LOVES TO WORK. 

I CAN NEVER BEGIN TO SAY HOW TRULY THANKFUL I AM FOR MY SPECIAL GIFT. I AM STARTING TO WALK A LITTLE BETTER. I'M MORE CONFIDENT AND LEARNING HOW TO LOOK UP CAUSE I KNOW PIXIE HAS ME SAFE FROM ANY KINDS OF HARMS WAY. WE HAVE BECOME A PAIR THAT IS JUST ONE AND INSEPARABLE❤ MY SWEET GIRL HAS LEARNED HOW TO HELP ME UP OFF THE FLOOR WHEN I'M ON THE GROUND AND ITS JUST SO AMAZING HOW FAST AND SMART SHE LEARNS. THEN AGAIN SHE HAD THE BEST TEACHERS AT SDP

PIXIE AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE GREATEST GIFT EVER WITH PAIRING US TOGETHER AND CHANGING OUR LIVES FOREVER! 

**

I AM BAD....  I JUST REALIZ ED BECAUSE OF THE PHOTO'S SHE SENT..... STACY IS NOT STACI ----EVEN IF THEY BOTH LIVE IN CONN.

DEC 25 2016 B
IN CASE THERE IS ANYONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIND THE BIRTHING VIDEOS LIVE... GO TO SERVICEDOGPROJECT.ORG  AND CLICK ON THE EXPLORE LINK AND THE RARE 5 DOG CAMERAS AND ONE DONKEY CAMERA THERE SOMEWHERER../

DEC 25 2016

NO DD  .. WE ARE HAVING PUPS  LAINIE HAS SPO FR HAD 2  VERY BLACK MALES.. ALL LOOKS GOOD

RE: THE CARE OF DOGS------THANK HEAVENS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND CP'S WHO REALIZE THE ONLY TIME  IT IS   NOT 365 DAYS IS LEAP YEAR  AND TO BE HAVING PUPS ON TOP OF THAT MAKES IT A CHALLANGE.

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

When I took over all the bills/paperwork for my parents, who were mid 80's at the time, I too noticed all the "renewal" notices from AARP.  I knew my mother well enough to know she probably paid them every time they sent her one.  The subscription lasted for one year, but I would get a renewal notice at least every 3 months.  My father passed away 3.5 years ago, and I am still getting them for him even after notifying them that he passed away.  Very sad that they take advantage of people of any age at any time.

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

Hi Carlene,

After reading today's DD, it reminded me of my go-around with AARP several years ago with my renewal.

I knew I had paid my renewal but I kept getting notice after notice until I finally picked up the phone and called. It was then I discovered that what I thought was my renewal was in fact, a donation to the foundation. I had my paid receipt but didn't pay close enough attention to what I paid. So I still had to pay my renewal! It was then I decided that the mailings were so deceptive, I would never pay a donation to the foundation again.  

So Beware of AARP too!

Feel free to post this email, just not my name, thanks.

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

Dear Carlene, 

Holidays are a good time for reflection, and Seagram is the best Christmas present that I could have received -- and all the better, because we were paired well before Christmas, so that we could get our routine down by now!! I even joked with my husband about whether or not to put a big bow on Seagram, since she is too big to fit into a stocking!!

Last night I realized how much more normal life is with her, after a busy day with her. Seagram & I took advantage of the warmer weather. First, we walked to the beach, and Seagram got to run and enjoy some freedom. She looked so happy zooming around!! And she is definitely becoming more comfortable with the beach...Then we came home and with her help, I did some gardening (tidying up the herb bed in preparation for winter).

In the evening, we went out again with my husband. Pizza is a weekly tradition in our household, and we almost always make the pizza at home (largely because it was such a bother to go out, with my cane or walker). This time, my husband ordered pizza, and we went along with him to get it. 

While the pizza was being prepared, we all went to the nearby grocery store to pick up a few essentials. This sounds seemingly insignificant, but is actually impressive -- I had been in the grocery store only a couple of times this year before Seagram & I became a team. In fact, during training, I had told Megan that we don't need to practice in a grocery store, because I get all my groceries delivered...anyway, yesterday as we were shopping, Seagram and I ran into the usual questions and comments. I was happy to explain that Seagram helps me walk, and so on. One interaction was particularly remarkable, because the woman asked me if I could get better -- and it was wonderful to be able to tell her that I am already walking better because of Seagram's help, after just a few months!!

On the way home, with pizza and groceries in the back of the car, my husband and I talked about our outing, which would have been so difficult in the days before Seagram. I said that it felt normal, and he responded, "Normal is good." He also adores sweet Seagram, because she is wonderful and takes good care of me. This is all that I could want for Christmas!!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!!

Amy 

DEC 24 2016

daily doggie  aka  doggie daily SO NOW I  HAVE A BEEF WITH AAA.....   I HAVE BEEN SURE OF THIS FOR YEARS BUT NOW....I FINALLY HAVE PROOF.... MY CONTENTION IS THAT  AAA-- NOTICING MY AGE..  HAS FOUND IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE TO BILL PEOPLE LIKE ME  MANY TIMES WITH THIS RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOTICES.. EXCEPT THIS YEAR...  I KEPT TRACK.. I DID RENEW WITH THE FIRST NOTICE.. AND GOT MY AAA CARD  EXP DATE 12/2017..AND I GOT A SECOND NOTICE WHICH I SENT BACK WITH NOTI IT IS PAID...AND GAVE THEM  ALL THE NUMBERS ON MY FIRST CARD...  WHICH MATCHED.. NEXT... I GOT ANOTHER RENEW NOW !!   BEFORE IT EXPIRES... BEFORE ANYONE STARTS WITH THE SHE'S 79 AND CAN'T REMEMBER.... I GAVE IT TO LINDA WITH A "CALL THIS AND SEE IF IT IS PAID"  WHICH SHE DUITIFULLY DID AND  THE AAA REPORTED IT WAS NOT PAID AND I OWED THEM 82 PLUS $1 FOR SOMETHING ELSE...SO I TOOK A PICTURE... WITH MY PHONE ( AND WITH DIFFICULTY.)  . OF THE NOTICE AND THE CARD  WHICH EXPIRES 12/17.. NOW LINDA IS WRITING A NASTY NOTE-- WITH COPIES TO THE BBB... I CAN'T SAY I "CAUGHT THEM" LAST YEAR BECAUSE THEY DID HAVE 2 DIFFERENT NUMBERS FOR ME--  WHICH COULD  HAVE BEEN MY FAULT-- ALTHO IT WAS MOST PEQUILIAR THEY HAD AS THE  FREE EXTRA PERSON JANINE IN BOTH ACCOUNTS..THESE 'HONEST MISTAKES CAN BE MOST PROFITABLE. ANOTHER OUTFIT WHICH HAS IT DOWN TO A SCIENCE IS AARP..  AND ALL THESE RENEW NOW NOTICES COME IN THE NOV/DEC WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH MAIL-- SO IF ONLY 500,000 OUT OF THE 34 MILLION MAKE THE MISTAKE, THAT IS  AN EXTRA $41 MILLION PROFIT. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO STUDY THIS STUFF- AND IF THERE ARE NOT,  IT IS AN OVERSIGHT ON THE COMPANY'S  PART.  WHAT GOT ME GOING..... WAS THE FLORIDA BALLOT WHERE AL GORE WAS SECOND ON THE LIST, BUT HIS CHAD WAS THE THIRD-- FOR A STRANGE REASON IN FINE PRINT.   ( YOU NEW COMERS MAY NOT KNOW , I BOUGHT A FLORIDA VOTING MACHINE ON EBAY .. YEARS AGO....  THEY ARE STILL FOR SALE THERE LAST I KNEW...) **** THE STUDY OF ERRORS IS A FINE PROFESSION... EVEN IN THE DOG DEPARTMENT.... CASE IN POINT LAINE'S  NURSERY CAMERA. CONSTANTLY GOING "OFFLINE"    FOR REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THE NURSERY CAMERA ? EITHERNET? WIRES COME OUT OF THE WALL RIGHT NEAR THE DOOR AND GO INTO A MYSTERY BOX TAPED TO THE TABLE  THERE.  FACT-----THERE IS A 4" SPACE BEHIND THE BOX...-- AND FACT-- THAT WIRE IS SUPPOSED TO CLICK IN PLACE LIKE PHONE WIRES DO AND IT HAS A WEAK CLICKER.../ PEOPLE RETURNING WITH LAINE (WHO IS ON LEASH SO WE CDON'T  HAVE A DOG FIGHT)  REMOVE HER LEASH AND PLOP IT ON THE ONLY AVAILABLE HORIZONTAL SPACE UNCLUTTERED BY HORIZONTAL CLUTTERING DEVICES... NAMEY THE 4" BEHIND THAT BOX.   SO THE SCENE IS SET  NEXT TIME LANIE'S  BLADDER IS FULL SOMEONE GRABS THAT LEASH FROM THE 4" NITCHE BEHIND THE " BOX" AND KNOCKS THE WIRE JUST ENOUGH TO DISLOGE IT ( DUE TO IT'S  DEFECTIVE CLICKER) AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW I AM GETTING EMAILS FROM A GUY NAMED CHRIS WHO IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP US RUNNING.... HE MUST THINK "NOT ONLY IS THE CLICKER DEFECTIVE..." **** OK  SO HERE IS THE EDUCATIONAL PART OF THIS DD..   THAT WIRE, WITH THE DEFECTIVE CLICKER....I MAY HAVE THE LABEL WRONG... BUT IT IS A EITHERNET K45 ( OR SOME SUCH) WHICH MEANS IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PHONE JACK.. AND IS  REPLACEABLE IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TOOL...  SO I WENT AND BOUGHT A K45 REPAIR TOOL- AND A K45 TESTER- ONLY TO FIND... THAT THE JAPANESE PEOPLE WHO  I THINK INVENTED THIS THING HAVE TINY LITTLE HANDS...AND HAVE NO PROBLEM FIXING THESE...  SO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS 4 SIMPLE WIRES, NEEDED TO BE UNTWISTED  AND  WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TEH ORANGE WIRE BECAME THE ORANGE WIRE AND THE ORANGE AND WHITE WIRE....SO 4 WIRES BECAME 8 AND ALLHAD TO BE IN A VERY SPECIFIC ORDER IN A ⅜ INCH WIDE PLUG. I CUT HUNKS OF WIRE AND TRIED TO PRACTICE THIS CONNECTION...    MANY  MANY  MANY TIMES....      ..MAYBE IT IS MY EYESIGHT BUT  I CAN FIGURE I HAVE IT CORRECT  BUT THE TESTING DEVICE IS A CRUEL THING AND TELLS ME 2  ARE WRONG.  START AGAOIN..   NOW HERE IS THE MILLION DOLLAR IDEA.... WHY NOT SELL THOSE TINY PLUGS ALREADY WIRED TO A  4  INCH WIDE SPLICING CONNECTION WHCH COULD BE WELL DEFINED "PUT THE ORANGE AND WHITE WIRE ON THE ORANGE AND WHITE  POST.  I COULD DO THAT...  IN TH E MEANTIME I AM NOT WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON REWIRING THAT PLUG WITH BABIES DUE-- AND  WHEN I AM NOT UNDER THE GUN FOR KEEPING THAT CAMERA RUNNING, I WILL FORGET  ..... WHY FIX TEH ROOF IF IT IS NOT RAINING.? **** SO HERE WE SIT ANALYZING EVERY PHART ONCE AGAIN... LAINE IS PAWING... I DON'T THINK SHE WILL HAVE 9 PUPS... I AM BETTING ON 4-- GRACE HAS SEEN THEM MOVE-- SO ALL IS OK...  AND I THINK SHE WILL HAVE ENOUGH MILK FOR 9... ALSO OF EDUCATIONAL NOTE... SHE HAS 6 NIPPLES ON ONE SIDE THUS ENDETH THE LESSON OF THE DAY. ********** RE EVA----?WISCONSIN? Hi Carlene! We made it home last night about 2 am your time. We drove straight through & the weather was great! Thank you so very much for everything!! For your hospitality, for welcoming us, for working with Eve & for the AMAZING dogs you and your staff produce! Truly just being there was a remarkable experience! I did not at all expect that we would come there this trip & Eve would be matched with a dog! To say I am blown away is an understatement! I thought we would just help out & had only hoped you’d get to know us and agree to try and match Eve with a dog but that we’d have to come back (maybe many times) before that would happen. I just don’t even know what to say. I always feel so lame in these situations.... I should have so much more to say to express my gratitude for what you are doing for my girl & my family.... I just don’t have the words! I know a lot of it was just good timing but still - Speechless.  Thank you again so very much!! Lance & Deb Dahl & Family WE  DID NOT EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO FIND A DOG FOR HER EITHER  EXCEPT  FINN SEEMED TO LIKE HER-- AND I DO HAVE THE  OPINION THAT IF THE BOND STARTS, DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP IT GOING....  SO SHE IS FLYING  BACK JAN 1-2-3?? ************ ALSO THE SHATTING   ON THE NEW CALENDAR IS CORRECT  JAN 8TH   MARK COULD NOT BE THERE THE 1ST... AND I WAS AFRAID THE FIRST WE MIGHT BE SHORT HANDED  SO I SAID THE 8TH... ******* KEEP THE FAITH.

DEC 23 2016

GLAD TO HAVE A FEW CUT AND PASTES...ALOT GOING ON AROUND HERE... DONNA IS OUT, LINDA HAS ONE HAND IN A CAST,  NO STEVE #2.. ETC,.....

WE DID GET THE HAM DINNER FROM NEIMAN MARCUS AGAN    THANK YOU !!! IT IS STASHED IN THE GUEST HOUSE FOR THE TIME BEING.... THO WE WILL BE EATING HERE...PROBABLY BECASUE OF NEW PUPPIES????

 LAINE??? WE ARE READY.

WE HAVE HAD COMMENTS ABOUT THE  "JAIL"   ON CAMERA... IT IS NO JAIL, BUT  RATHER A BARRIER BETWEEN GUSSIE AND LAINE WHEN WE WALK LAINE OUT TO GO POTTY ----- GUSSIE IS TOOO QUICK.. AND REALLY WANTS OT KILL LAINE-- OR AT LEAST MESS HER UP...ALOT...   SO UNTIL THE SITUATION CHANGES  WE ART STUCK.. 

REVEARSING THE CAMERAS IS TOO COMPLICATED.. AND THEN YOU WOULD BE LOOKING THRU THE REALLY JAIL LIKE DOOR I STOLE OUT OF A BANK  THAT WAS BEING TORN DOWN....IT WAS ALL I COULD CARRY....AND IS ONE OF MY PRIZED POSSESSIONS.

SO ENJOY THE GOING PLACE/DOING THINGS- THAT I WONDER WHY PEOPLE DON'T DO ALL YEAR INSTEAD... WHEN IT IS LESS CROWDED.

WHEN MY KIDS WERE LITTLE-- FOR A START-- I GAVE THEM MONEY DEC 25 AND  THEY TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD WE COUOLD BUY TWICE AS MUCH 10 DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS...SO WE'D GO ROUND THE SSTORES  BEFORE AND WRITE DOWN PRICES.. AND BUY  LATER AT  JANUARY'S ½ PRICE...  THEY KNEW THAT IDEA VERY WELL. BEFORE THEY WERE 5...  THEN AS THEY GOT OLDER AND WE WERE SUPPORTD BY BEING SANTA'S "FARM"   WE WERE TOO BUSY SCHLEPING DONKEYS AROUND AND GAVE UP ENTIRELY.  I DON'T THINK THEY SUFFERED.

 WE ATE WELL INSTEAD.... OBVIOUSLY.... 

ALSO I GAVE AWAY THE  LAST PACK OV LIFESAVERS I HAD IN MY CAR--- DON'T SEND ME MORE-- THERE IS A PILE IN THE HOUSE I JUST NEED TO MOVE A COLLECTION SOME IN THE CAR..THEY DO MAKE POLICEMEN SMILE-- YESTERDAY I GAVE MY LAST TO A GUY DIRECTING TRAFFIC IN THE SLEETING COLD AND HE LAUGHED OUT LOUD. !!  -- AND THE ONE ROLL, THEY QUICKLY STUFF IN A POCKET==QUICK CHUCKLE... NO CONFUSION...

ELECTRIC WINDOWS HELP...

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

Aloha!

Addie doesn't fail to amaze me. She has significantly changed my life emotionally and physically. I've had dogs all my life but I can tell how smart and different Addie is. 

Thank you again for making my dream come true.

Here's a pic of Addie with Santa :)

Santa was so happy and thanked us for sharing Adde with him. He was star struck with Addie. He said he had a Great Dane when he was a child. I told him to check out SDP on explore :) I really think you should send me poker chips to hand out to people here in Hawaii.

Ham dinner from Neiman Marcus was supposed to be delivered on Thursday, 12/22. Please confirm.

Love, 

iheart ❤

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

Dear Carlen, 

As it's almost Christmas and most people have to wait for their special gift for Christmas morning I received my gift early. This was from you and all the hard work that all your staff and volunteers do at SDP. My life has changed in so many ways with Pixie as I may have changed hers by having spoiling my sweet girl when she is not working and getting to just enjoy life as a happy dog even though she loves to work. 

I can never thank you enough for my special gift. I am starting to walk a little better. I'm more confident and learning how to look up cause I know Pixie has me safe from any kinds of harms way. We have become a pair that is just one and inseparable❤️ My sweet girl has learned how to help me up off the floor when I'm on the ground and its just so amazing how fast and smart she learns. Then again she had the best teachers at SDP😍

Pixie and I want to say thank you for the greatest gift ever with pairing us together and changing our lives forever! 

Happy Holidays, 

Stacy & Pixie 🐾🐶 

#teampixie# 

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

Merry Christmas to you, your staff, and volunteers. Fiona and I are attending 4 parties and she likes going with me. She lays down and pretty much ignores all the people.When she stretches everone comments on how big and beautiful she is. She doesn't seem so big to me. She is my little angel.Even though I have activities and friends, she makes Christmas for me.She loves the snow and I love to see her running around the back yard.We cuddle on the couch and when she puts her head on me, I say a prayer of thanks.I watch her sleep and feel so thankful to all of you.

Again Happy Holidays.

Love,

Fiona and Mary Lou

dec 22 2016

 if you  go to an othhepedic doctor, they will find something wrong with your orthepedic , a surgeon will decide you need surgery and a internist type will give you a pill and  none would  notice that your face has turnnd green..well since that electrical accident i have been to a bunch-- but finally someone ( actua;y a cp !!) set me on to the correct line of thought.. aand yesterday i went to see a dr who at least understood the questions i had... he comes with impressive  diplomas on the wall--(i do read those...) he tested a bunch of stuff and did not give me any pills-decided i did not have the usual simple problem-  an said he'd look up my record-- this online stuff is great... but in  boston there are  ( i think )2 systems  lahey with thier mychartonline.com    and the mass general cloud bit  which i think my daughter gwen is working on...  i am in both systems.  ...at any rate  at least someone is thinking outside the box.....  this is a good thing.  i already feel better.. 

******

speaking or reading walls.... i always did- and now i do even more... read the inspection certificate on the walls of elevators---it is shocking how outdated they are... and i do enjoy being (mentally)  shocked... because it is the responsibility of hte building inspectors to inspect those elevators..  making me wonder when THE  elevator was inspected... maybe that is worth a trip to the malden town hall-- i am sooooo fond of building inspectors....as you all well know.

it is fun to be on a crowded elevator and read the inspection cert and say  "do you folk realize this has not been inspected in 3 years?"  i do have my  fun...

********

huge rush today to get that harness off to china-- before any tarriff applies... i still maintain  china has a wonderful sysgtem in how to locate wht you are tryng to buy.. from my go around with the rubber balls of 30cm as opposed to 27 cm  which i needed for the 2" monkey fists to mr moon and the harness...  you would swear the only job he has in the world is to be sure we get everything we need to order from china..  i do not know of a system like that inteh US of A...  ?google?  i tried web harness and got a bunch of stuff like web design..

so.... international DHL seems to be the preferred... and i must go to a "mailing store"  to get the bags an dlabels..

*****

other project of teh day-, switch dogs.... gussie comes to ht ekitchen and laine goes to the "nursery...  not gong to be easy  -- gussie has become very opinionated... about people and dogs... however we will cope.  i would like to banish  all the rest of the dogs to the back deck/"condo"  which would mean we could have access to any one dog at a time if gussie is fenced in the kitchen and laine is fenced itn he room.

****

several othere dog movenemt problems to solve... rushing

********

Merry Christmas Carlene, your gifts make to us, makes it a very merry and happy Christmas!

*****

Hi Carlene

Merle and I are doing great!

Getting ready for our first Christmas together, got her stocking ready to be filled and went and picked out the live Christmas tree.  She was on point the whole time helping me with the terrain and keeping me steady.  

We also had a couple business trips recently to Ohio and DC. We got to show off her skills in a Federal building and all the people there were so respectful, they knew not to pet her or distract her.  She was perfect, everyone was amazed.  We sang the SDP praises as we answered questions and showed people explore.org and let them know a new litter was coming and to be on the lookout.  No issues with security or the metal detector, she sailed right through, but I guess with all the airports she is a pro now. 

The following week we drove to pick up my daughter Torri from Gallaudet.  Merle is such a great travel buddy, I couldn't do it without her.  

Say hi to everyone for us!

Staci & Merle

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

Hi Carlene,

This will be John and Jess's second Christmas together. Hard to believe! They are doing so well. It still amazes us how perceptive Jess is. She anticipates Johns movements and is quick to move in and provide support when she knows his balance is off. John's physical therapist was really impressed with Jess and how well she helps John - so she prepared some new routines for them both to follow and then we filmed them. The other day while walking on a sidewalk after the snow storm, John said, "Jess is guiding me around the slippery areas" which she was. It is fun to watch when John needs help getting up from a chair. Jess can be sound asleep, and he calls her and says "up Jess, brace". She wakes up, stands up, stretches (always stretches!) comes over in front of John and braces so He can hold on to her and get up, then she returns to her bed and goes right back to sleep. All in a days work! By now Jess has become somewhat of a celebrity in the local area, where many of the store and restaurant employees know her by name. 

It seems like it is said so much, but we will say it again. Thank you so much to ALL of the workers, trainers, volunteers, and CP's without whom SDP would not exist. Because of all your sacrifice and hard work people like our son John can have a higher quality of life, to say nothing of the extraordinary relationship with a special Great Dane from SDP. Words really can't describe just how wonderful it is. 

Merry Christmas to all from John, Jess, and the Taylor family.

dec 21 2016

we have started a collection of gloves- next to the fireplace..it does contain many gloves.. particularly the left ones... and small ones....from cute white gloves to welding mitts..--because there are so many left gloves... maybe we should do with gloves what we did with glasses-- everybody has a collection of gloves too usefull to  throw away in case the mate comes along...  so if you have some, send them in.... we are not fussy about matching anything.. in cold weather a glove is a glove.

i had a pair i liked..  but... the nicer they are the more they are inclined to wander...

which reminds me...

when we first moved to ipswich, i was in my creative mode, and bought a lovely big mailbox- and decorated it appropriately..  a friend-- ann getchel-spoke great words of wisdom--  once anyway--... and said if you have a very attractive mailbox someone will come along and smash it..- and she was right..  there is a world of wisdom there...  until this car i now drive, i never had a car i had to take the keys out of the ignition...  there was  not a thief in the world who would bother stealing what i drove.  and then there were the 2 ambulances...no one stole them either..

from mailboxes she generalized   "you don't want to own anything someone else would want"  to  "maybe your house has been ransacked- how would you know?" which could be concieved as an insult- except her house is the only one i know which might be  concieved as worse than mine.

now i am telling tales... but ann has a lovely kitchen / sitting room  and a advertising scout wanted to use it for a dunkin donuts calendar...  in the good old days, teh crew moved in a d took polaroids  (remember polaroids? )   of every inch before they moved anything.. te n rearainged whatever they wanted - took th e shot and moved everything back exacty as it was per the polaroid...  it was an exacting science-- and for that dunkin shot they even replaced the "used" coffee mugs in the sink...

it was an exact science requiring a really skilled crew...  the most critical one i rememeber was  the part of the movie where jack nicholson went thru a door  at cranes castle here in ipswich--- into a room with swimming pool-- and the pool was in LA.. his makeup, his clothing  everything had to be perfect... the game with movie going  is to find places where it does not match...  and people who are good at this, are really good.  they seem to have ?photographic memory?-----  i, on the otherhand , just don't.

specialized skills--  i have a game- which i will do some day on nutty.. where you take a yardstick , hold it up between 2 pieces of furnature and let someone position their  2 fingers to grab it when i drop it... then by the inches  you can tell who has what kind of relflexes ..i tried this with some of the bruins hockey players( lynne cashman was a  quarter horse owner and  friend of mine) her husband .. wayne was quick.. for sure, but the  big winner was xxxxxx ( i forget his name)  he was the goalie- thaat yardstick never dropped at all but he grabbed it. rumor was that he could be sleeping on the couch, and if a fly buzzed around  him, he coudl just grab it... according to his wife.. 

if i was putting together a hockey teaam, i would screen the applicants that way...the  difference between those 2 guys and the rest of the world was astounding. my only other word of wisdom is do not get in a car on the highway with any of those professionals-- their reactions are so quick you will be in tears in  ½ a mile.

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advertising... i get many emails like this one

Hello, I am enquiring about your website and was wondering if you were interested in guest post placements on your site? 

Let me know your thoughts.

we have a lovely community and by the numbers it is very atractive to people want ing to adverize something..  i have always said no. that involves people looking to use our converastion  groups to  ask for money- however worthwhile, i just  think it better to stay away  from that.

i really resent how inventive the advertising world is-- this AOL is the worst-- i amn waiting for someone to figure out how to amke an ad appear in a newly squeezed tube of tooth paste... i think that is th e only place left unused...

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roof needs a ridge- and is done... couple doors and a window or two and the building will be ready for heat !!  jack has done an amazing  job...

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laine is practicing digging--not due til ?sat-sunday for the first???

dec 20 2016

i am totally ashamed at myself-- for 2 resasons-- firstly.. i forgot to get a cake for  one of the local fire departments- secondly- i bought an electric toothbrush.

 so today i will get cake for some fire dept ( besides ipswich) and will have to explain why teh cake, and then why it is not on hte 19th.. so they really will thiink i  have "bought the farm". 

i am sooooo proud of the notes i get from cp's who got  their catkes delivered...

so here are some   people who did a better job than i  did.  here's a few/...

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Concord, NH - both the Police Dept. and Engine Company #4

So - Saturday, it took me all afternoon to dig out my driveway. By 530, I was SO tired - so pulled the car out so I could scrape the ice off the windows on the passenger side. Drove two doors down the street and pulled into a lot so I could do those two windows. And on the other side of the building was a police cruiser!!

So I scraped the windows, then ran over to him (well, hobbled...) and gave him a roll of LifeSavers. Told him I'd be stopping by the station on Monday and asked if he wanted cake or doughnuts - he chose doughnuts.

I stopped by today with a couple of dozen doughnuts (Dunkins' of course) and had the loveliest conversation with Lt. Casey. He's hanging my card and the SDP info in the squad room - was so excited to hear about all the new puppies.

Back to Dunkins' to buy more and deliver them to Engine #4 of the Fire Department. I barely had time to shake the Captain's hand and hand him the doughnuts when the plectron went off!! And with that, Engine Company #4 left the building!!! Captain gave me a huge wave from the truck as they pulled out the drive. So I was able to hit both the PD and the FD in one day. Happy 19th and Merry Christmas, First Responders!! And please stay safe out there!!!!!

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My Appreciation Day with the firemen.

 Today was Merry Christmas Day with the firemen of Cottleville, Missouri.  It really felt like Christmas with snow on the ground, 5 degrees and lights twinkling along the way.

 It is such a joy to visit with these great men.  We are always greeted with happy faces and hugs.  The pictures tell the story.

We left wishing them a Merry Christmas and we'll see you in 2017.

 Ila Steutermann, Charter CP of Missouri

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CARRY ON !!!

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my second ashaming... i bought a new toothbrush- doesn't sound like much.. however.... i pride myself in not being influnced by the ads with which i am bombarded constantly.  i own 2 electric toothbrushesd-- one with waterpulse- one without... both of rectangular design- i don't know  why, but i don't like either one and have used the normal hand brushing kind for 2-3 years.. while those 2 electric one sit there,--then  last week  i wondered if a different kind would be better-- one that goes round-  so with difficulty ( and a computer on ebay) i found one that went round-- i worked at finding a circular one--- had to have it....... not expensive-- battery run ( and i have a huge colllection of batteries from the battery mic days) and i have decided i like it--- HANG ON  THIS IS GOING SOMEWHERE-

yesterday i was shocked to see a tv add promoting exactly what i got promoted to do..."MUST HAVE THE ROUND EELECTRIC AND YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY WITH IT" -

IT IS THE PART THAT "YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH IT"  IT HAS REALLY FLOORED ME... HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM HAPPY WITH IT OR I AM HAPPY WITH IT BECAUSE SOME CLOWN IN MADISON AVENUE ADVERTIZING WORLD TOLD ME I WAS HAPPY.

I DID NOT THINK I WOULD FALL FOR THAT LINE OF REASONING...-- BUT IT LOOKS LIKE I REALLY DID--  NOW I AM HELPLESS- HOW DO I PROVE  I AM HAPPY WITH IT - OR I AM JUST HAPPY BECAUS THE AD SAID I WOULD BE...

now apply all that to the political scene-  we have been bombarded with crooked hillary and stupid donald  to the point that the whole country  absolutely believes one or the other when neither is correct... doesn 't matter-   somebody studied  OUR ELECTION  and figured out how to get people to believe things that are not true-  i just hope it is the Principality of Sealand (supposed to be the smallest country) and not some huge country.... --

since  i can be trained to go buy a toothbrush of a specific kind- and then be sure i am happy with it - i fear for the entire country-  be careful of people telling you  ANYTHING.  " you know hillary is crooked"  and  " you  know donald is not presidential material"----  i can still hear it.

- we could have "the Mouse that Roared" situation all over again. 

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

now about leash training and maya-   her  objection  to being asked to move..... it was a nasty go round i was stuck with---

THERE CERTAINLY WERE PROBLEMS ---

I DID NOT REALIZE SHE HAD NEVER BEEN ON A LEASH-- BECAUSE  SHE HAS BEEN IN HT HOUSE , SHE WAS NOT IN HTE NORMAL ROUTINE..     BY THE TIME SHE WAS FLYING BACKWARDS-- I KNEW... 

THERE IS A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE PULLING BACKWARDS AND YOU HAVE  HOLD FIRM AND LET THEM  BECAUSE IF AT THAT MOMENT THEY GET LOOSE-- OR RELEASED   YOU CAN HAVE A LIFETIME PROBLEM.-

and you can not walk toward them because then they are pulling against the collar and you are chasing them so it is all your fault and you will never gEt a collar on them again...( without  great effort)

SO WHEN IT LOOKED SO BAD.. SHE WAS DOING IT  BY PULLING BACKWARDS.. NOT ME...  ALL I COULD DO WAS TO  QUIETLY WAIT TIL SHE DROPPED FORWARD AND PRAISE HER QUICKLY AND HOPE SHE REALIZED MOVING FORWARD GOT RID OF THE PROBLEM.

I DID PRACTIE WITH HER YESTERDAY AND WILL DO IT AGAIN TODAY--- SHE IS SMART... SHE SHOULD COME ROUND..

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

moving on to emails from cp'S 

****....

SOMEONE CAME IN TO CHAT TODAY WHO HAS NOTICED SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE DD WHEN ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK IN THE GREEN BOX ON THE EXPLORE PAGE.  EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THE DD IS UNDERLINED!!! MAYBE LET EXPLORE KNOW?

***

well as long as it is working i think  we can deal with  underlining 

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Dear Carlene, 

Pixie says " Happy Monday time to rise and shine and let the week start"! I think she's giving me look like is the weekend over already. 

Pixie had a fun filled busy weekend with traditional holiday shopping with my mom her new grandma. My mother was so impressed with how she attends to me through crowds and making sure I'm safe. We had an incident where the elevator door was almost going to shut on me and my sweet girl backed me real fast to keep me safe from the door shutting on me. I still am learning to look up as I walk instead of down. My sweet girl is my second pair of eyes and always making sure I'm safe from harms way❤️😀🐶🐾 I told my mother now be prepared we can not go anywhere without people stopping is and asking and learning about Pixie. I swear her beauty draws the world attention and I don't mind cause I love spreading the word on how the Service Dog Project has forever changed my life and also spread MS awareness out there. We had a girl in one of the store who just wanted to walk with us and learn all about it. Melt my heart! When we were done with our shopping mom had said " you know we could go out in our pajamas and hair a hot mess and nobody would even notice." Nope lol.. People are all about learning about Pixie and how she helps me. 

Pixie had gone to another wonderful dinner and again was so well behaved. I had the manager come up to me and compliment on her manners. 

It's snowed at home and my girl had lots of fun. She is a snowbird. She had us all laughing as usual. My sweet girl loves to work and loves to play🐶🐾

Stacy & Pixie 🐾🐶

#teampixie#

DEC 19 2016

THERE IS A SLEEPING LUMP OF PERSON AND DOG BETWEEN ME AND THE COFFEE POT... MAKING IT THE FIRST CHALLANGE OF THE DAY... COULD BE IT IS LAINE AND OLIVIA-- LAINE IS HERE TO HAVE PUPS IN ABOUT A WEEK, AND SHE IS VERY ATTACHED TO OLIVIA-- SO I AM ASSUMING THAT IS TH E COVERED LUMP.

GUSSIE HAS SETTLED DOWN WITH HER PUPS AND IS HAPPY TO HAVE HELP WITH THEM... THEY ARE ALL GAINING--LAURA DID A GREAT JOB GETTING DOWN TEH DESCRIPTIONS. 

THERE IS NOTHING IN SCHOOL TO PREPARE YOU FOR A JOB LIKE THAT... TOO BAD-- THERE ARE SO MANY REAL LIFE PROBLEMS THIS IS CERTAINLY A GOOD ONE.. 6 BLACK AND WHITE PUPPS BASICALLY  WHITE ON FACE AND NECK... WHAT MARKINGS MAKE EACH PUP DEFINABLE--IT IS A LEGNTHY PROCESS... IF THEY ALL HAVE WHITE FEET, DOES ONE HAVE A BLACK TOE?  AND ONLY ONE??? TOOK HER A COUPLE  HOURS.. SO NOW WE CAN WEIGH THEM WITH SOME DEGREE OF CERTAINTY...  THE 2  VERY LITTLE  STARTEING AT 14 OZ AND 1 POUND  HAVE EACH GAINED 3 OUNCES IN 2 DAYS----- WHEN YOU FIGURE IT IS A PERCENTAGE OF THIER  ENTIRE WEIGHT IT IS SIGNIFICANT...  THE BIGGEST IS NOW 2 POUNDS AND TEH SMALLEST 1.14...IT TOOK A WHILE WHEN WE FIRST GOT THAT SCALE TO FIGURE OUT THAT IS NOT A NORMAL DECIMAL NOTATION ---- BECAIS E THERE IS NO 1.16, THAT BECOMES 2.0

****

SPEAKING OF SCHOOL-- I WONDER IF DAWN'S KIDS WOULD DO E A FAVOR...  THEY ALL KNOW EACH OTHER'S NAMES, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO HAVE THEM -- WITHOUT SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER- GET INTO ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

****

 TOMORROW IS NUTTY PROF...  AND I HAD A GREAT IDEA FOR TENNIS BALLS -SO I NOW HAE 3 TENNIS BALLS ON MY DESK AND CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT I WAS TO DO WIT THEM...  THEY ARE LEFT OVER FROM SOME DEAL ABOTU CUTTING A SLIT ABOUT 2" LONG IN THEM AND SCREWING THEM TO THE WALL.. THIS GAVE YOU  A PLACE TO POKE INA HAND TOWEL ( OR SUCH)    THEY DO HOLD STRANGE THEINGS VERY WELL.

BUT THAT I S NOT WHT I PLANNED. 

******

OUR GUESTS HAVE APPEARED FROMT HE GUEST HOUSE WITH SMALL CHILD-- BELLA TYPE-- SO I MUST AWAY TO THE  COFFEE DRINKING.

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THE SHATTING BOARD IS   ½ WAY BY CAKE DAY...  MARVELOUSE !!!!

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

This morning it was rainy and I thought I could let Emmett sleep while I ran out to the Dunkin Donuts drive threw to get some coffee. When he herd the door to the garage open, I herd a  loud thump on the floor when he jumped out of bed, followed by him coming down the stairs. He ran into the kitchen with the look, "Where we going". I opened the van door and he flew right in. He's so excited to start each day.

****

Hey Carlene 

Zep is doing great! He's adjusting well to my family. We went to the beach over thanksgiving (and he even pulled me a little in the Beach wheelchair which are notoriously awkward) and he got to run some on the beach.

My entire family has had a stomach bug for 2 weeks so he and I didn't get out a ton. He did get a little crazy at night on the days when we didn't go out at all but for the most part, he was happy to lay around and sleep and do a few zoomies outside. 

He's such a good dog and so laid back. I don't go to church very often but I did go yesterday and the band had drums in it. The only thing I've ever seen him react to is drums but he didn't really do anything. All he did was lay his ears back and look very uncomfortable.

I will send you a video in a minute of him running around outside doing zoomies. 

Allison 

DEC 18 2016
TRY THIS--- I DUNNO WHY IT LOOKS LIKE THIS...

YOU ALL CAMERA PEOPLE HAVE COME SUDCH A LONG WAY-- I HAVE TROUBLE THINKING OF EDUCATIONAL BITS  TO INCLUDE--HOWEVER THAT WON'T STOP ME FROM TRYING...

 AMY AND SEAGRAM  GAVE ME A GOOD EXAMPLE OF  HOW ONE WILL RESORT TO PRECONCIEVED NOTIONS AND NOT LOOK AT WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU ...  AND I DON'T MIND RIBBING AMY  BECAUSE SHE IS A VERY BRIGHT PERSON WHO LET IT SLIP AND  IT BEHOOVES ME TO  EXPLAIN IT  TO HER--- AND ALL OF YOU AT THE SAME TIME... 

AMY ASKED ME FOR 2 MORE CHAIN /ROPE LEASHES ( WHICH I MAKE  NO PROBLEM)- 

IN HER LETTER... "SEAGRAM DOES NOT WALK NEARLY AS WELL WITH A TRADITIONAL LEASH  HOOKED TO HER PLANET DOG HARNESS...IT IS LIKE SHE IS CONFUSED...."

GOOD MORNING  AMY !!!!!! HOW OFTEN DO I SAY "READ YOUR DOG. AND DON'T ASSUME THE DOG IS WRONG"  WE HAVE SPENT MONTHS TEACHING SEAGRAM TO IGNORE THE YANKING AND PULLING AS A PERSON WITH AN UNSTEADY GAIT STUMBLES AND JERKS THEIR HAND ON THE HARNESS....WHY SHOULD SHE NOT BE CONFUSED?   YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO TALK TO HER WITH THE CHAIN COLLAR--- AND THAT MUST NEVER BE TIGHTENED AT ALL...  YOU ARE TALKING TO HER WITH THAT...  NOW IF YOU PUT A "NORMAL" LEASH ATTACHED TO HER HARNESS.. WHICH IS BUILT TO PULL WITH.....AND SHE PULLS, WHY WOULD SHE NOT BE CONFUSED....?

MOST ALL THESE DOGS CAN BE TAUGHT TO PULL A WHEELCHAIR IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BY HANGING ON TO THAT HARNESS AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO PULL... THEY LOVE PULLING  -- NOT VERY FAR MIND YOU---   BUT IN THE MALLS ETC-- IT IS A BREEZE.

  MAYBE I NEED TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD NEED  A DIFFERENT LEASH  ON THE HARNESS.. ARE YOU THINKING  THE LEASH IS A CONTROLL DEVICE.?.. NOT SO---  YOU SHOULD CONTROL WITH YOUR VOICE-- THE LEASH MIGHT THEN BE A REMINDER...

******

GUSSIE IS A GREAT GIRL...  "READ YOUR DOG AND DON'T ASSUME THE DOG IS WRONG"  WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO TAKE GUSSIE'S TEMP  TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSIBILITY OF ANY INFECTION THAT  WE WANTED TO STAY AHEAD OF...  AND TYPICAL NURSE- ABOUT WHOM MANY JOKES HAVE BEEN  WRITTEN-- YOU KNOW   IT'S   2AM YOU ARE SOUND ASLEEP ENJOYING THE DRUGS THEY GAVE  YOU AND IN THE DOOR COMES  A NURSE WITH A COLD THERMOMETER----  YOU ARE ANGRY AND SOMETIMES SAY SO...

SO GUSSIE DID NOT APPROVE OF HER TEMP BEING TAKEN  AND CHARGED EILEEN ---- DID NOT BITE BUT BARKED REALLY REALLY LOUDLY RIGHT IN HER EAR AS SHE STOOD OVER HER-- THAT IS THE EQUIVELENT OF "TAKE YOUR#$%^&*&^% THERMOMETER OUT OF HERE" 

 I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEMS WITH THAT AT ALL---  I WENT BACK AND WATCHED THE VIDEO--- GUSSIE WARNED HER WITH THAT  

STEADY STARE OF  "DON'T DO IT" ------ HEY--- MOTHERHOOD SUPERSEDES  MEDICAL TRAINING.

 GUSSIE  IS STILL AWARE THAT I WAS THE ONE TO REMOVE HER 10TH  DOA PUP... SO SHE IS NOT HAPPY WITH ME... AND I KNOW IT... I AM BEING VERY CAREFUL  BUT I MAY YET GET IN TROUBLE... I KNOW THAT... SO BE PREPARED...

******

LAINIE HAS ARRIVED...   NOT SURE YET HOW WE WILL WORK THIS OUT-- I THINK GUSSIE WILL MOVE TO THE KITCHEN BEHIND FENCING-- AND LAINIE WILL GET THE  NURSERY FOR DELIVERY... WE WILL SWAP THAT OVER IN A FEW DAYS OF LAINIE WANDERING AROUND GETTING USED TO THE PLACE...  SHE  SI "DUE" NEXT SUNDAY..AND IF YOU WANT TO BET, BET ON ALL BLACK PUPS...  IF SHE HAS ANY COLORS IT WILL BE A SHOCK TO ME.  SHE HAS, I THINK, WHAT SHOW PEOPLE WOULD BE ALL EXCITED ABOUT HER BIG BLOCKY 

"EUROPEAN"   HEAD.  SHE IS LOVELY... AND TYPICALLY DANE.. VERY TIMID AND ATTACHED TO HER MOMMY.

I THIINK WE DID NOT BREED HER TO WALTER  FOR BLOODLINES REASON-- WE WANTED TO BE ABLE OT BREED A PUP OF HERS TO WALTER...  AS FOR BENTLEY, WE HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY USED HIM SINCE THE ELECTRICAL ACCIDENT..  HE HAS AN ON GOING  STAMINA PROBLEM.   A BUNCH OF BLACK PUPPIES ARE NOT MY FAVORITE...  TOO HARD TO TELL THEM APART... AND DON'T GIVE ME THE COLORED YARN ROUTINE... THEY EAT THOSE...WHICH GO RIGHT THRU THEM

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

SPEAKING OF STRINGY THINGS GOING RIGHT THRU THEM, WE APPARENTLY WORMED THEM YESTERDAY  BECAUSE MAYA IS PASSING THE TYPICAL VERMICHELLI--  THEY ALL GET THEM...

I WAS NEVER SURE WHY WE DON'T WORM KIDS-- OR DE LOUSE THEM ON A ROUTINE BASIS--- THEY ARE EVERY BIT AS MESSY AFTER THEY START KINDERGARDEN... PEOPLE WERE HORRIFIED THAT  I USED LOUSE SHAMPOO ON MY KIDS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE-- I DIDN'T EVEN CHECK TO SEE IF THEY HAD THEM-- MAKING ME  THE ONLY PARENT WHO WAS SURE THIER KID WAS FREE OF LICE.

AND THEY GOT THE OCCASIONAL IVERMECTIN TOO.

********

I HOPE THIS WORKS---

 FORGET  TEH DIFFERENCE TH E DOG MAKES IN THE PERSON'S LIFE,

JUST SEE HOW HAPPY A LIFE THE DOG IS HAVING.

https://www.facebook.com/pixieandstacy/videos/592234697651100/

PIXIE LOOKS ALMOST AS HAPPY AS GEORGE.