june 30 2019

My 3am revelation----i have decided  i  do have a book in the making--animal episodes  was "my" name before SDP even before SDP--  sdp would be teh second section...

i started labeling teh chapters  "ellen degenerous did not kill me"  " i  did make robinn williams laugh"  "make my day wrecked mine"  

there are sooooo many stories  from both print ,tv, and movie jobs-  i tried to think of one that was simple-- automatic---and with out challange... and i could not.  i never would have been able to pay for kids college with out animals--- sometimes mice and  rats -- and a collection of bu students who  were broke and willing to work at 4 am- til "itsa wrap"  for $100 doing anything required---  cash... i might add..

teh 15 roosters at 4am crossing the bridge may haev been the straw to break my camel, but there were soooo many----  "jeff bridges, and me with a hot tub and a gun"   sounds marveleous except i was under the hot tub with a shirt full of pigeons.-- to normal people that is amusing... to me... it was a very serious job.  where the next job  was totally dependedant on the success of the current one.

there were things--- it is not all glamour-- as a matter of fact  i missed out on any glamour .-- i needed the money.

and i learned......to be exceeding ly careful when told to set the animal there and just jump behind that bush on boston common- because there is a lack of portapotties for all that use boston common so  thiose..bushes need to be visited by the board of health.

i must not forget to include the story about  "borrowing " a woman's 4 pug dogs for a shot. i really d id not know her-- or she-me-- the shot ran overtime - she paniced that i had stolen her 4 dogs- and called teh police...

i have shoe boxes full of "job slips" -  99% were beyond teh fringe. there must be a book there somewhere.

***

someone-- a cp--    is/was collecting sdp stories - and i realized-- those are great stories--  but the eye catcher that would make people buy the book are  teh wierd stories  of teh  movie business -- and _"use " the sdp stories also...

behind the scenes of both  "jobs". 

i need to get orgaqnized.... does anyone out there know how to do this...?    janine keeps spitting out books like it is not a problem--   but i need to have some outfit hire someone to help that can spell.

****

 Dear Carlene,

We had so much returning last weekend and appreciate the warm welcome. How wonderful to see friends again, as well as meet people that quickly became friends. The best part was seeing Seagram so happy! It was great to watch her enthusiastic greeting for you, Liv, Devin and Bella, and a few other people that she definitely remembered. Since we arrived around dinner time, Seagram was delighted to have some beef and rice, a tasty throwback to her puppy days. On Saturday, I enjoyed watching her explore Puppy Hill again almost as much as she did. On Sunday, it was fun to watch her run with her niece, Sky, and roam freely (although she happily came trotting back when I called). 

When we were matched, Megan had said that the Farm was like Disneyland for the dogs when they return, and now I understand exactly what she meant. Seagram’s tail seemed to keep wagging constantly, after she took a few minutes to figure everything out. 

Our visit also highlights the incredible community you have created. Linda was so kind as to coordinate and answer questions. Grace and Ariot are an amazing duo, and it was interesting to hear about their walks together, from the beach to seeing outdoor art. Steve was entertaining for Mail Call as usual. On Sunday, I finally met Scooter Karen, and we felt like old friends (and have chatted on Facebook for a year or two, so we are on our way to that). We finally met Linda, after hoping to do so when she had visited NYC. And Betsy introduced herself as Seagram’s “Mom’s Mom,” since she has Scarlet, and was there for her delivery, too. 

We were also happy to meet other teams. Elijah and Martina are doing well together. And seeing John and Jagger reminds me of how amazing it was shortly after we Seagram and I were paired. Although time has passed (going on 3 years!), I am as grateful for Seagram now as I was in the beginning - likely more so because she is such an integral part of my life. 

We are also grateful for the kindness of the community. So many people contribute in different ways, like the flowers that Grace plants, the Kongs that Karen stuffs, how Bud can fix almost anything, and the way David and Beth go about their work. Shirlee and Gary deserve special recognition for their efforts with the Kuranda beds. We are thankful to have taken home a refurbished bed, which Seagram has been enjoying (we spend many mornings on the deck, enjoying the shade before the sun comes around). And Judy gave Seagram an adorable stuffy, with which Seagram has been cuddling...it takes a village - not just to raise a child, but also to help raise & train these wonderful Danes. 

As we were saying goodbye, your parting comment was to “take good care of her.” She is precious and I am so grateful for all of the things that we have been able to do together! Of course I take good care of her, just as she cares for me. 

Thank you for my amazing partner!

Amy 

june 29 2019

lots of people telling me about hte dry dog food and heart trouble...  -- i did go and look..-- brands and number of cases of cardiowhatever...

• Acana: 67
• Zignature: 64
• Taste of the Wild: 53
• 4Health: 32
• Earthborn Holistic: 32
• Blue Buffalo: 31
• Nature’s Domain: 29
• Fromm: 24
• Merrick: 16
• California Natural: 15
• Natural Balance: 15
• Orijen: 12
• Nature’s Variety: 11
• NutriSource: 10
• Nutro: 10
• Rachael Ray Nutrish: 10

my reason for feeding purina  started long before they donated any-  some people say  a big company just doesn't care and spends too much on advertising... however a big company also has the capability to do research and to study the food beyond the  capabilities of a company who is determined that  a dog would be healthier on  yogurt and duck eggs-- for a good 30 years i have relied on purina to sort out all the "latest food fads"  so i just don't even think about it..we have a big enough sample of over 400 danes on our master list- and  as a group they are darn healthy-

i think i can say without fear of contradiction...our  400 dogs are healthier than any 400 people i know.  i woulod have troubel to find 40 people who are not on some medication for something.--- heck-- make that 4 people....in any group opf 400  people or dogs.....you are bound to get a few cancers, intestinal snafuuuss,  etc... along with the unknown causes...

i can remember------- back when i lived in lynnfield- we had a collection  of dogs.. couple dobermans- a newfie--  12 black bassett hounds( along with their loving normal bassett hound mother  who fell  for  with the neighbors black lab who i am sure  came to dinner often...) - we also had a free roving  nasty rooster ( see  janine's book about dogs and donkeys) ---.i fed them all by tipping  a 50 pound bag of purina dog chow into a wash tub at the foot of teh ladder to the hay loft... and everyone ate it-- including - i am sure- many very healthy rats...  everybody was healthy and we had no problems with anyone.  dog chow  was purina/'s cheapest dog food-- we lived like that for ?15 years----  before i actually purchased a dane- at which time the kids were thru college and i could afford to make  slight step up- tho i am not sure why... to  Purina PRO Plan- for teh next 25 years-  so if te4her wAs gong to be  PROBLEM WITH TEH FOOD, SOMETHING WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP BY NOW.

  DURING ALL THAT TIME I WAS PAYING FOR IT...., PURINA HAD A "BREEDERS SPECIALCLUB/DEAL/ WHATEVER"  WHERR IF YO SAVED TEH WEIGHT CIRCLES , FOR 35,000 POUNDS OF DOG FOOD, YOU GOT A BOSE RADIO... - SO 5 YEARS AGO WHEN - WITH THE HILP OF A CP-- I  GOT IN TOUCH WITH PURINA DONATION COMMITTEE, I COULD PROVE I HAD BEEN A LOYAL PURINA CUSTOMER BECAUSE  I TOLD THEM MY CELLER WAS FULL OF BRAND NEW BOSE RADIOS...

DOG FOOD IS A RELIGION TO SOME- IT IS NOT TO ME.  MOSTLY BECAUSE WHEN I LISTEN TO SOMEONE TELL ME HOW WONDERFUL SOME FOOD IS AND HOW STUPID I AM TO FEED THAT HORRIBLE COMMERCIAL DOG FOOD,    I HAVE NOTED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YE OLDE DOLLAR, AND THEIR ADVICE.-- YOU WILL NOTE.. I EVEN FED PURINA WHEN I HAD TO USE HARD EARNED CASH TO BUY IT-- THIS SHOULD ELIMINATE TEH " WELL  YOU FEED IT BECAUSE  IT IS DONATED"-- JUST REMEMBER ALL THOSE BOSE RADIOS--- I BET IF YOU CHECKED WITH ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES YO WOULD FIND A FEW  OF TEHMM STILL IN USE.

"I WAS TOLD TO SWITHCH  MY DOG TO DUCK EGGS AND SEAWEED--- AND HE GOT BETTER"...  OK NOW TRY GOING BACK TO YOUR REGULAR FOOD AND SEE IF IT WAS THE FOOD -- OR MOMMY NATURE  AND TIME CURING TEH AILMENT. YU WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I WOULD  TAKE I TOO SERIOUSALY-

I KNOW FULL WELL MAny drug- and dog food-  companies take teh credit for mommy natures  work with time..

JUNE 28 2019

congradulations to linda and anne-- they did it. 

Dear Ms. Carlene White,

Thank you again for the final report for 17-171 submitted on 2019-06-27. The final report has been accepted and the grant is completed.

Thanks,

The Annenberg Foundation 

******

we have a lot of volunteers who are  like ships that pass in the night...

 i see them come and go.. but there are sooo many volunteers who have been here for years-- just donin thier thing.   way back... when teh cameras first started.. a woman came tot he front door  with mop AND BUCKET- AND  ASKED IF I MINDED IF SHE TYDIED UP THE PLACE A BIT...

? WOULD I MIND??? HECK NO.... -- THAT WAS TEH BEGINNING OF  THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WHO NOW LITERALLY RUN THE PLACE--

HOW BAD IS IT??? WE HAVE A NEW SMALLER TRACTOR-- BUCKET LOADER  GRASS CUTTER AND A FEW OTEHR  THINGS...  I DO KNOW HOW TO START AND RUN THE BUCKET-- BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO CUT GRASS WITH IT.-- SINCE IT HAS NO A/C HEATED CAB, I AM NOT IN A RUSH TO learn-- BUT SINCE THE GRASS IS CUT-- SOMEONE MUST KNOW...

**

I WILL STICK TO THE TRACTOR WITH CAB--- EXCEPT-- WE NEEDED A TRENCE TO GET THE PROPANE TO HTE NEW GENERATOR... 18" DEEP-- WITH SAND--  SO I DID THAT... IN THE PROCESS I PULLED UP A DRAIN-- GREEN PLASTIC PIPE-- JUDY CAREFULLY LABELED TEH WASHING MACHINE ( DON'T USE)     AND IT WASN'T UNTIL BUD CAME ALONG TO FIGURE OUT  exactly WHAT WE COULN NO LONGER USE...  TURNS OUT IT WAS TEH DRAIN TO HTE MEAT CUTTING SHACK-- I DON'T KNOW WHAT  WE WILL DO ABOUT IT AT THE MOMENT-- BECAUSE TEH GAS  LINE HAS PRIORITY... AND -- I AM BACK TO   WATER RUNNING ONLY DOWN HILLL

***

.after my worry about  teh connedtivity of wires arounfd here , bud tells me he has put grounding rods at each buliding--   being a retired electrical type he took one look at the metal frame of the arena  ( and others ) and just did it. I SUGGESTED BUD MAKE A MAP OF WHAT IOS WHERE UNDERGROUND AROUND HERE..

TEH AREA AROUND TEH LAUNDRY BUILDING  IS AN UNDERGROUND SPAGETTI BOWL..

THAT BUILDING WAS NOT THERE-  SO ALL TEH WIRES AND WATER  GO UNDER THE CURRENT BULDING... UNTIL WE DEVELOPED A WATER MAIN  LEAK BETWEEN HOUSE AND BARN... AND HAD TO PUT IN ANOTHER  WQAter LINE-- SO THAT IS IN FRONT OF LAUNDRY-- THEN CAME THE T TENT-- WITH WIRES and a summer only burried hose-- then the ICU   with proper water and electrical which came out of the laundry building right where this generatoer is to go.

it was right into that mess i was digging withthe back hoe..

i was very fortunate that is all i dug up..   but we still have to figure out how to  get that drain past the gas line  inot  the dry well... 

***

we had 12 people here from a pharmacutical company to do "community service"  they got done 3 or 4 things which i call back burner things. snipping teh bottom of all teh vines trying to grow up our fencing..  de- cobwebbing the barn... a hole to dig by hand..and spoon-- and  most exciting... rigging teh awning over the new twin size dog bed on teh wagon...

finally i owned enough "stuff" to get both wagons-- with new materesses  hitched to a vehicle that coul eassily pull i themn both--  the dogs and visitors climbed aboard and i drove around-- it was pretty funny.-- i need to modify  teh awning over each-- but the concept is there..   we can deal with decoratons by dog fest.

someone noted these 2 wagons are like the airport  LUGGAGE wagons which track exactly in teh "track" of the towing vehicle...  to do that both front and back wheels turn-- i used tehm in parADES SO WE DID NOT PLOW THRU THE CROWDD  ON EACH CORNER....

and teh fly project  made a great  leap forward in yesterdays sun...  

july 27 2019

daily details --  short doggie...

end of month panic-- what was i to do before july 1st???  i hope between anne and linda we have all our grant  finance business straight..

i need to finish digging the hole  before 8am to put teh gas line 18 inches deep so we can get teh last generator  installed so we have camera when the  town electricity gets interupted-- and put 2 inches of sand in the hole-----,bless that toyota tractor-- even if they did plan to  have a very slender operator by having teh  control levers close to the seat... 

then i have to  really inspect the barn's fencing-  we had a pup  die yesterday-- for no apparent reason... and i suddenly remembered teh 3 cows that died somewhere because a wire got shorted on their wire fencing-- it is a long shot-- but totally possible because our fencing and chain link is a contigious metal "object"  stranger thigns  have happened...

and 12  people are due here at 9am... i wonder if these 12 office people would  be good wire inspectors...??

it may be a way out notion...  but that 's what "unknowns" sometimes are.

june 26 2019

 by combining earth most valuable --- water----  and least valuable-- plastic bottles---  with a hot paperclip -- we might solve a problem... i have some expirimenting to do- concept being   ---heat the stem of the paperclip so it will burn a "defined" hole in some  plastic bottles-- then submerge them in water in a 5 gallon pail-- then as you walk past a bunch of new plants just put  one right next to the plant and let it dribble into the area most beneficial to the plant-- all i know so far is a small slit with a razor dribbles too slowly-- and if you use your thumb to seal teh top when transporting from bucket to plant... it does not start teh dribble til you remove your thumb. seems to me it would put the water where most needed and eliminate the evaporation- as for teh effort involved-- it would replace teh repetative exercises done in the gym. OR THE ULTIMATE DISTRIBUTION  COULD BE DONE BY A TEENAGER INSTEAD OF SITTING TEXTING.

i need to expiraiment with different sizes of holes--this might appeal to "dr bob"  who is a product of KENYON COLLEGE-- I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS A DOCTOR OF, BUT I KNOW NOTHING IS SO ABSURD AS TO NOT SPARK DR.BOB'S  SCIENTIFIC  APPROACH TO THE MOST RIDICULOUS OF IDEAS.  -- AND I THINK HIS WIFE READS THIS--

 the hot paperclip idea??? came from my husband-- working in the emergency room....- who used to treat the throbbing  hammered thumbnail  by heating a paperclip- to red hot.. and with a quick touch, burn a hole in the nail, releasing teh pressure of teh blood under teh nail.. i don't know how many times he did it wrong before he developed teh technique  but the relief was instantaneous.

*****

OUR FRIENDLY IRS ESTABLISHMENT.. IN ANDOVER--- HAS A CHILD CARE  ATTACHMENT--- TO WHICH JUDY AND I WENT YESTERDAY -- SO THE KIDS COULD SEE BENT AND SIZZ... WE DID NOT rEALLY KNOW WHERE WE WERE GOING -- AND WERE AMAZED TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE OF 78 KIDS  FROM 2 TO 5 YEARS OLD....

THE PLACE WAS WELL RUN--- SOMEBODY THERE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING---- THE KIDS CAME IN AND SAT DOWN-- AND ASKED QUESTIONS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES  TIL WE BROKE IT UP...

MOST NOTABLY--- THEY ASKED  DOG QUESTIONS INSTEAD OF THE USUAL-- WANTING TO TELL US SOMETHING... LIKE "I HAVE A DOG TOO"  OR IN REALLY BAD CASES " I HAVE AN AUNT LOUISE  WHO LIVES IN OMAHA" A KID WOULD ASK A LOGICAL QUESTION AND TEH REST OF THE 77 KIDS WOULD  LISTEN AS JUDY CAME UP WITH SOME CREATIVE ANSWERS,= , AND THERE WAS ONE KID......

HOW OLD IS SIZZLE?

SHE IS 3 YEARS OLD-- AND  SHE IS PREGNANT- 

HOW CAN SHE BE PREGNANT IF SHE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD? 

BACK   TO  MY CENTRAL THEME... THEYRE WAS NO-- AS IN NONE--- OF TEH WILD HAND RAISING FOR ATTENTION"OH CHOOSE ME   CHOOSE ME" KIND OF THING...CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS NONE OF THE "NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION  LET ME SEE HOW FAR I CAN DRAG OUT MY STORY TO KEEP YOUR ATTENTION"--- SOMEBODY IS SPOON FEEDING THESE "PEOPLE PUPPIES" -- AND DOIN G IT WELL.

OTHER FACTS-- 78 CHILDREN AND THE KIDS  HAD NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY HANDICAPPED--  I TALKED WITH A MANAGER-- AND SHE HAD TO THINK THE LAST HANDICAPPED WAS  MD YEARS AGO.

THEY HAD A HUGE AMT OF EQUIPMENT- AND SOME ATTEMPT WAS MADE At arithmetic with  huge cut outs of coins.

i was impressed....  but also recognized--- they were very well funded.

they oughta be---

****

my fly project  -- is  doing very well-- but you have to allow  for lower results because of the rain... i don't think flys do rain...-- and you must make allowances for teh fact that the contraption will collect a few raindrops-- but all told-- ther are alot of dead flys accumulating in my watr jugs.

i want to try a smaller   version--- since we abound in 1 cup size water bottles.. would these 8 oz-- with fresh chicken liver( not yet smelly)  - on a table next to the bbq chicken attract more flys than teh potatoe salad??-- can yo all find out what is the most attractive smell for flys.. we could have a good thing going...

june 25 2019

2 INCHES OF DEAD FLYS IS MY GOAL OF THE DAY...  ON THE DONKEY CAMERA---  IF IT IS TURNED IN THE DIRECTION OF TEH "CAFE le DONK"  YOU CAN SEE MY LEAST EFFICIENT FLY CATCHER-- THE REALLY ACTIVE ONE IS BEHIND TEH DUMPSTER  WHICH I THINK IS OFF CAMERA.. 

SO HOW YOU DO THIS? ......YOU BUY  ONE POUND OF CHICKEN LIVERS-- EAT 3/4'S OF THEM-- AND PUT THE OTHER 1/4 IN THE BOTTOM OF TEH "GALLON JUG CATCHER..."  ( WITH TOP SEVERED AND INVERTED..seal with duct tape....)   WITH A LITTLE WATER----- FIRST DAY IT IS NOT TOO BAD... BUT LET THE SUN GET  ON IT AND HEAT IT UP JUST A BIT AND IT WILL  BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT--( AND STINK) -- TOTALLY CHEMICAL FREE-- IT CAN BE FLUSHED ( OR BURIED WHERE A DOG CAN NOT DIG IT  UP) 

MY SUCCESS HAS BEEN 4 INCHES WHICH THEN HAS TO BE "RENEWED" BECAUSE IT WAS  GETTING  CLOSE TO  COVERING THE ENTRANCE HOLE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT FLYS-- NORMAL HOUSEHOLD-- SHINEY HOUSEHOLD-   SHINEY BIGGER HEADS 3/4 INCH  BITERS-- -- THESE COME IN GREEN HEADS TOO-- BUT USUALLY NEARER THE SALT MARSHES OF THE COASTLINE.--- THEN TEH 1.5  GREY AND BLACK REALLY BAD BITERS  -  THE GREY AND BLACK ARE THANKFULLY LONERS-- WE USUALLY SEE ONLY ONE OR TWO A YEAR.  BUT THEY CAN CAUSE EVEN THE MOST SEDENTARY DONKEY TO RUN AROUND TO TRY AND GET IT OFF THERI BACK .

*****

people have asked......

I DO HAVE A MOSQUITO CATCHER-- MIGHT COST YOU $20 TO SET UP  INSTEAD OF TEH $500 VARIETY-

 IT IS A 20 INCH WINDOW "BOX FAN"   WITH   NETTING-- NOTHING FANCY.... WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT A FABRIC STORE==  WITH AN OFFICE STAPLER MAKE THE NETTING INTO A FUNNEL WHICH YOU THEN - TIE ONTO THE EXIT SIDE OF TEH FAN-  HERE COMES THE HARD PART...Attracting the mosquitos--- THE MOST SUCCESSFUL I HAD WAS IN THE DOOR OF THE DOG KENNEL-- I WOULD LEAVE THE LIGHT ON TO ATTRACT THE MOSQUITOS-- AND MOTHS AND A FEW OTHERE ODD THINGS...- TEH FAN WOULD SEND THEM  INTO THE NETTING  WHERE THEY WOULD STAY...

2 FACTS-- ONE NIGHT..... I SET UP A $500 commercial  MOSQUITO catcher ABOUT 10 FEET AWAY FROM MY FAN CONTRAPTION.. AND I CAPTUREd 8 MOSQUITOS- BY ACTUAL COUNT.... but..   IN MY NETTING I HAD THOUSANDS-- BEFORE I  CONDENSED TEHM BY STEPPING ON THEM IT LOOKED LIKE 1/2 A CUP.

second fact--- to capture tehm i twisted the net close to the fan and  set the collection of very live mosquitos on the dog house roof.  and soaked it with " BUG killer"    4 hours later  tehy were all still alive- which is when i just stepped on them=  that worked.  save your money... ---  my foot was easily more effective than teh chemical.

actually  third fact----  i couldn't even give away my $500  mosquito catcher  to friends who had "heard about clearing 1/4 an acre  like the ad said...they kept giving it back to me as useless-- i eventually set it out on the street--- where it was for a very long time before i took it to the dump.

before you believe what you hear... follow the dollar....

thus endeth the lesson for the day--

******

sad note?  i  was afraid  include teh names oof teh products-- because tehy are big wealthy companies.

JUNE 24 2019

AN EDUCATED PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW IT ALL.-- AND 99% OF THE PROBLEM IS TEH PARTIAL EDUCATION  ACHIEVED BY TEH MARKETING/ ADVERTISING  INDUSTRY-  CONCEPT TEHRE IS TO PLANT SOME IDEA IN YOUR HEAD FIRMLY ENOOUGH SO THE CONCEPT CAN NOT BE SHAKEN BY INTELLIGENT OBSERFVATION.-- PERSONS WHO  RESIST INDEPENDENT  OBSERVATIONS ARE NOT BLATENTLY STUPID--  BUT JUST LULLED INTO A STATE OF  MENTAL BLINDNESS.  SOMEBODY IMPORTANT SAID "NONE SO BLIND AS THOSE WHO WILL NOT SEE." -- THAT CONCEPT IS TEH ADVERTISING AGENCIES CALL TO ARMS. ---DISTRACT WITH THE UNUSUAL AND IMPLANT  TEH DESIRED CONCEPT. 

WHERE ON EARTH  IS SHE GOING NOW?????  CHOKE CHAINS AND GENTLE LEADERS  IS WHERE... A PET PEEVE OF MINE... CHOKE CHAINS ARE NOT MEANT TO CHOKE AND GENTLE LEADERS ARE ANYTHING BUT GENTLE------ I JUST SPENT 4  HOURS WATCHING A GROUP OF PEOPLE AT THAT VETERANS FIELD DAY-- TEHY HAD BLACK LABS-- ALL ON GENTLE LEADERS-- AND TEH DOGS SPENT THE ENTIRE4 HOURS RUBBING THERI NOSES WITH THIER PAW OR TRYING TO RUB IT OFF  ON TEH GRASS... AND TEH HANDLERS WERE OBLIVIOUS TO  WHAT THE DOGS WERE TELLING  THEM...  THOSE PEOPLE  KNEW THOSE THINGS WERE GENTLE-- THE VERY NAME SAYS SO-- WHY WOULD WE WANT TO USE A CHAIN TO CHOKE A DOG.  I WAS THEN TOLD ADI REQUIRED THIER USE-- WHICH I CAN NOT BELIEVE... BUT ANYWAY- HAVING BEEN TOLD "THOSE CHOKE COLLARS ARE CRUEL- I SHOULD USE A GENTLE LEADER"  ,   I  JUST TOOK OFF BENTLEYS HARNESS AND "CHOKE" COLLAR- LEAVING HIM STARK NAKED... AND PERFECTLY TRAINED.... 

  I COULD HAVE HAD A BIG MESS...... BUT I COULD NOT RESIST.-- I WAS NOT TOTALLY STUPID, I DID NOT TAKE OFF SIZZLE'S - ALTHO I  WAS NOT HOLDING ON TO IT EITHER.

NOW IF THOSE  CHAIN COLLARS HAD BEEN MORE ACCURATELY CALLED  "TRAINING COLLARS"  THE COMPANY THAT MAKES TEH GENTLE LEADERS WOULD  NEVER HAD GOT A TOEHOLD ON THE MARKET.

TEHRE ARE MORE DOGS CHOKING ON THEIR DAILY WALKS WHILE WEARING PLAIN OLD LEATHER COLLARS BECAUSE TEHY HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT NOT TO PULL..

HERE IS A VERY SIMPLIFIED VERSION.... IF YOU RELAX TEH "TRAINING CHAIN COLLAR"  AND LET TEH DOG JUMP FORWARD  TO CHASE A SQUIRREL, THAT COLLAR WILL TIGHTEN AND STARTLE HIM...  AS TEH DOG GETS ALL 4 FEET ON THE GROUND,  YOU LET IT IT RELEASE...AND TEH DOG WILL DECIDE  NOT  TO DO THAT....

  IT IS MY BELIEF THAT DOGS DO NOT LIKE TO BE STARTLED...- THAT IS WHY PEOPLE GET THE IDEA THAT  SPRAYING WATER AT A MISBEHAVING/ BARKING  DOG  IS A TRAINING MANEUVER--   YOU WILL OFTEN HEAR "TEH SPRAY USED TO WORK AND NOW TEH DOG SEEMS TO ENJOY IT." -- I THINK THAT ILLUSTRATES SOME BASIC TRAINING  YOU CAN STARTLE TO PREVENT AN ACTION..  BUT IF YOU DO IT TOO MUCH IT IS  IGNORED... SO THINK THE CONVERSE...  IF A BUS'S  AIR BRAKES SCARE A DOG  ---SIT  IN A BUS STOP FOR A COUL[E HOURS AND THEY WIL NOT REACT TO THEM

WHICH BRINGS US TO JUDY'S DOG--- HE IS SO PERFECTLY BEHAVED ABOUT CHASING SQUIRRELS OR IRRITATING A  SLOW MOVING TURTLE  AS DOGS LIKE TO DO.....WHY?  JUDY HAS A HUGE CAGE WHICH HAS A PAIR OF CHINCHILLAS IN IT AND SHE HAS 2 TORTUSES HIBENATING UNDER HER DINING ROOM TABLE.( HUGE ?40 POUNDS?? IN LAST YEARS CALENDAR SHOT) -- 

DARN ODD-- FOR SURE... EXCEPT........

TO THAT INFORAMTION I APPLY TEH FACT THAT MYOPIA HUNT CLUB HAS A PACK OF HOUNDS THEY  USE FOR TEH  HORSEBACK RIDERS TO CHASE  OVER HILL AND DALE...  AND ALL THEIR PUPS ARE RAISED IN  A PEN/PASTURE WITH A BUNCH OF GOATS .. SO THEY BECOME BORED WITH CHASING ANYTHING  LIKE DEER.   THESE HOUNDS FOLLOW TEH SCENT OF  AN ANNESETTE ( OR SOMETHIGN) SOAKED RAG  WHICH GETS DRAGGED AROUND A COURSE  3 HOURS EARLIER.  ( A DRAG HUNT AS OPPOSED TO A FOX HUNT) 

ACHIEVE BOREDOM-- THEN TRAIN.

****

CURLY DEWCLAWS  !!

***

Hi, Carlene!

You made my day when you mentioned the necessity of toenail inspections for the service dogs.  I’ve been observing the nails of one dog in particular, assuming that they were certain to be trimmed soon, given the fact she receives continuing vet care. Her dewclaws look like they are now beginning to curl, just waiting to painfully catch on something. 

The love & devotion of her owner (or that of any of the owners) could absolutely never be questioned ... this is clearly a case of benign neglect, as it no doubt is in the case you mentioned.  I hesitated to say anything for this reason, plus because on top of everything else you must do, you have a legion of sidewalk superintendents constantly critiquing everything.  It is commendable that you are able to maintain such good spirits despite the constant barrage.  

The hundreds of toenails on the farm are always well maintained.  When a person only has one or two dogs it’s fairly simple to keep on top of the task, if not by the calendar, then at least by knowing the nails have grown too long if it sounds like the dog is wearing tap shoes when they walk on a hard floor or they begin to look splay-footed.  

Thank you for addressing this issue that is so very important for comfort & mobility.  The service dogs no doubt thank you, too!  

Best always, 

Linda 

JUNE 23 2019

this will henceforth be toenail inspection day--

firstly someone sent me a picture of a sd's toenails that  were not very long, but they were not short either--- so would everyone with a dog take a10 seconds to consider if the dogs need a nail shortening...

 secondly , i have to get sarah tot he airport shuttle...  sarah is connected with mira, canadas version of seeing eye and we have had a very interesting conversation about  dogs in general that can stand teh cold weatehr-- which leaves danes out.... unlessssssss..............

we ended up saturday at a veteran "fair"  with several other  sErvice dog outfits- and i was shocked to see all teh "gentle leaders" which i*****( and teh dogs )**** HATE-- THEY ARE TEH ABRIEVIATED MUZZLE CONTRAPTIONS OVR THE DOGS NOSE AND ARE A SHORTCUT TO TRAINING... IN MY OPPINION.

I WAS BAD-- AND I KNOW "PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL"    BUT  AFTER SITTING AROUND -   BENTLEY AND SIZZLE  ACHIEVING BOREDOM--- WE HAD A REQUEST TO TAKE OUR DOGS TO SEE A GROUP IN  WHEELCHAIRS-- SHOW OFF THAT I WAS-- WE GOT OUT THE FRY PAN AND PLAYED THAT GAME WITH JOYCE PUTTING  IT IN SOMEOME'S LAP  THEN DROPPING THE COOKIE- AND  BENT- THEN SIZZ  ALTERNATELY WOU D RUN  TEH 40 FEET ALL BY THEMSELVES... AND EAT TEH COOIKIE--  I TOOK OFF ALL BENTLEY'S HARNESS/COLLAR--   AND THERE  WAS ANOTHER STUD DOG WITHIN 50 FEET, ONCE AGAIN  PROVING  HIS PREFERENCE TO FIGHTING OR FEASTING.-- IT WAS PURELY A SHOW OFF DEAL-- AND I DO THINK IF A PICTURE IS PUBLISHED, IT WILL BE OF HIM BEING PATTEDD BY A GUY IN A WHEELCHAIR--- PLUS TEH GUYS LOVED IT !!

NEXT PROBLEM.... 

 if you rememeber .... i have always wanted to train a seeing eye dog...  fortunately... i don't know where to start-- which will eliminate any un necessary preconcieved notions about training seeing eye dogs. 

i am certainly not hampered by an education.... and... my $199.00 DNA   study said  my gene for caution was defective...

i have fish to fry today-- ( so to speak)..

Update from Service Dog Casper:

Just last week we had a co-worker ask we’ve never met in person ask about me. The question was “What’s he for, anyway?” It is a simple and decent question. Dad answered with the simplest and most distilled answer he can. He simply said he’s for stability. If there are no follow up questions he doesn’t provide any more commentary. I lifted my head with a tilt and gave him my best side-eye. The job is so much more complicated than stability. How about giving a Dane more credit than that? I know he does, but it’d be nice if he talked me up a bit more, right? I mean, I AM FAMOUS after all. I have countless fans all over! Dad said three words: humble, quiet, confidence; point taken. He explained later. It’s like when people ask what Dad does to earn the kibble and kennel money. Dad simply says he works with computers. He doesn’t go into details just to watch eyes glaze over and stare off to distant vacation memories.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently. I’ve decided my job is a lot like Dad’s these days. When you start out working there is quite a bit to prove, you take your drive and show off a bit more just so everyone knows you belong and you’ve earned your stripes, or in my case my merle spots. As time goes on the credentials you used to display can be transformed into dependability. Dad says that it’s okay that I get to spend a little longer on the couch, or on my expensive dog bed, and I deserve it! Sure I miss going into the office every day and interacting with hundreds of people sometimes. Like Dad though there is value in being there to do a job at a moment’s notice.  His job knows he’s reliable and willing to step up day or night to help them. He helped me realize I have the same deal with him and the family. I forgot, this one because I was technically working for Dad, but one of the human puppies needed us to take her to the hospital. It turned out the symptoms were nothing too serious but we needed to be sure. That night I was his Service Dog, as always, but I also took on extra tasks to make sure the pup was calmer too. Every time the nurses came in and pulled the curtain between her and Dad I put my head under so I could watch and make sure the care was top notch. There was even a time where I received one of the highest service compliments. Two nurses came in rolling a beeping box with wand thingers on it. They were there for a bit, and one of them had a double take moment on the way out, and said I was amazing because she had no idea I was even there!

Most days when we’re home I don’t have to work hard, but I am always available. Some days it’s just to get Dad and his morning coffee to the couch without spilling. Other days, like today, when I wouldn’t normally need to help Dad called. I “came around” to his left and helped him out of a spot when he “locked up” (That’s what he calls it when his brain over thinks how to balance when he has something he’s carrying and he has to stop and stand still until he can move again.) with a sandwich and a drink in his hand. There are other times where I could stay home but we go out together even when we’re not getting out of the car. Dad just feels better knowing I’m with him even if it’s as simple as his hand on my shoulders and my side against his hip to get him to the car. If he falls I’m there to brace so he has something more than a stick to lean on.  I’ve seen him fall with a cane, he throws it out of his way, and then he’d crawl to it, even in the rain, like today. There’s no need to crawl for me. How do you explain this to people so they understand what a Service Dog does? Even if I had their ear for that long, they’d probably think of an emotional support peacock on a plane, or wonder why we had so much to say about an off-leash pet in a big box hardware store; yes it happened!

I don’t need everyone to understand. Dad does and that’s enough for me to be humble, quiet and confident. Stability can mean so much more than what you think.

JUNE 22 2019

I WORKED HARD FOR THE HOLE IN MY BLUE JEANS-- AND I WASHED THEM OFTEN--- HOWEVER   I FELT THE NEED TO BUY SOME NEW ONES JUST SO I WOULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED WITH THE PERSONS OF QUESTIONSABLE  INTELLIGENCE WHO BUY  BLUE JEANS ALREADY DESTROYED.   THERE IS  A  "BUT" HERE--LITERALLY SOMETIMES...  HOLES IN YOUR JEANS  ARE TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE  TO ME ----ONLY  IF YOU  HAVE CALLUSES  ON YOUR HANDS. - BEING A MIKE ROWE TYPE,  I AM WELL ACQUAINTED WITH CALLOSED HANDS.

HOWEVER......   TRUE STORY---

I WENT TO 2 HIGH SCHOOLS LAETLY-- ONE A PRIVATE- ONE PUBLIC...- GUESS WHAT.... THERE WAS A HUGE DIFFERENCE- 

** PRIVATE ONE....THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ALLOWED TO MAKE AND ENFORCE RULES--KACHI  PANTS-- WITH A BELT !!   NO BLUE JEANS--- A SHIRT - WITH COLLAR AND SLEEVES--  MALE SENIORS HAD  TO WEAR A TIE-  THEY SEEMED TO CARRY NO MORE THAN 2 BOOKS-  PLUS TEACHERS WERE DRESSED IN WHAT I CONSIDER WORK ATIRE..

** THEN I WENT TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WAS MET BY TEH ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL... CHEWING GUM... CHEERED ON BY TEH  SCIENCE TEACHER WHO HAD NOT PERFECTED THE ART OF SHAVING-- AND IT WAS NOT  FASHIONABLE STUBBLE-- I ASSUMED THAT  BECAUSE  HIS BERMUDA SHORTS DISPLAYED  TATOOS ON HIS LEGS-   TEH JANITOR LOOKED WONDERFUL IN THE GROUP-- HE WAS APPARENTLY ENCOURAGED TO WEAR A JANITOR UNIFORM-- WHICH WAS CLEAN AND CRISP.-- TEH STUDENTS WERE A  RARE  COLLECTION...-- I SAW NOT ONE BELT ON ANY TROUSERRS-- AND JEANS WITH MORE HOLES THAN JEANS..AND  HAIR VARIOUS SHADES OF THE RAINBOW, AND MORE JEWELERY THAN I HAVE OWNED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

WHEN YOU  COME RIGHT DOWN TO DETAILS... I SAW MUCH MORE SKIN THAN  WAS SHOWING IN THE PRIVATE SCHOOL.AND  MANY MORE ONE EYED STUDENT S WHO'S HAIR  COVERED AT LEAST ONE EYE ( THESE STUDENTS WERE STUDYING TO BECOME NEWSCASTERS) ----THEN THE BACK PACKS-- PRETTY SOON THEY WILL BE PAYING INSURANCE CLAIMS FOR KIDS WITH BACK TROUBLE....  IF THIS IS A PAPERLESS SOCIETY  THEN WE DON'T NEED THOSE BIG HEAVY BOOKS AND IF YOU THINK ONLY BOOKS ARE IN THOSE BACK PACKS... I HAVE A BRIDGE IN BROOKLYN TO SELL YOU. 

IT WAS TRULY "WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE??"  THE  INMATES ARE RUNNING THE ASYLUM

THESE ARE KIDS WE ARE PREPARING FOR TEH WORK WORLD..???    AND TEHY WILL EVENTUALLY DRIVE..... AND VOTE?? 

***

TO BE CONTINUED....

*******

Hi Carlene and all that make SDP possible,

Martina and I had a busy past three weeks, some of it made possible with the help of Martina. The weekend of May 31st thought June 2 we went on a trip to Los Angeles for the Not Impossible Award Show where the company we work for (I am a Software Engineer, and Martina is the Chief Sleep Officer (CSO) at Puffin Innovations, Inc). We were chosen for the “Limitless Award”, which is for Assistive Technology development. Martina did absolutely wonderful adapting to the trip, doing wonderful on the 6 hour flight there and 5 hour flight back, as well as all the networking and events that we attended during the 52 hours in LA. During our return flight there was a Emotional Support Animal that was barking for quite a while, meanwhile Martina did not even make a budge. (Picture of us at the event in the attachments)

On Sunday June 9th Martina and I along with Elvis and Fiona walked at the 2019 Eversource Walk for Kids to raise funds for Boston Children’s Hospital. We did a 2 mile walk which I would not have been able to do as effectively if it wasn’t for Martina. She did amazing like always keeping me up and steady during the whole walk with about 4000 other walkers and a few other dogs. In honor of all the independence that Service Dog Project has provided I got an honor flag (picture in attachments).

Last weekend we were at my Grandparents to celebrate their 55th anniversary, where we enjoyed a few outings where pets are quite common and Martina did not even blink an eye and was always a hit.

Thanks,----Elijah Tucker

june 21 2019

Spitting in  tiny bottles has been my lot in life... since third grade when "they" were comparing  kids dental problems as related to floriditation in the water. ( newburgh ny vs kingston  ny-- probably googles...) 75 years later, i sent  $199 to some internet outfit who promised to tell me who i was related to--- and what were my "genetic medical issues"  all from a tiny bottle of spi.....- that was a year ago- and between " that is not the correct password" ,  ADI,IRS,TDB and alot of other alphabetic soup  i just forgot-- until earlene's husband Paul and a newly located cousin Dick Price got going on my  ansesters- at the same time a "computer doctor" was here and downloaded all the reports.-- most of which i do not understand... all 25 pages of statistics... how about   these 2 things..  all from my spit...

 i have a less than average capacity to avoid errors.-we all know that one.....

but  then--my ancesteral content---  mostly british-- throw in a little italian, spanish  and russian... all believeable but somehow there is 1.2% mexican-  just from the timing and  geometry of  human reproduction-  that incresases  the likelihood that i am not necessarily related to the guy who discovered america-- but rather teh   guy who sailed the boat baCK AND GOT INVOLVED WITH A BRITISH GIRLFRIEND.-- all  this from spitting in a bottle.

***

we have a visitor today   sarah-- from satcha ( i will never make it)tachawon-- who has a thing going with cerebral palsy and dogs... namely swiss mountain dogs-- that is a darn cold place-- danes would not be suitable.   we had several conversations online and thought  maybe we had information that should be shared.--  she apparently has the educational qalifications .. and i have the  dogs plus... back pocket and ropes from teh cieling type.  more the mechanical  aids...

  i have the usual things i must do -- so she will be doing them with me... and of course a dog..she can probably  manage bentely. ..... becasue sizzle looked at her and then me and said "who is this?" in a way that was a little too questioning.

as for the ERN report... the pregnant donkey we were to get- we waited too long to ship her- and she has had the foal-- now we have to wait a week to ship them ,,  that was probably the right decision  because somewhere in my past i was tolod it is better to ship the  mother and new foal rather than the pregnamt mare...

janine was to arrainge a blackemith for today  

( and on sunday morning 10:30 a donkey running/training detail)

and there is a photo of teh new  draft horse in with all the donkeys who are lying flat asleep... so whatever the grievencies, they have been worked out...  horses are instinctively  afraid of donkeys intil they get used to them. 

moving on along  several new paths.

 any extra people iN  THE next feww days can unpack and clean up the 3 sEts of harness now in "BUD's WORLD"   teh draft HARNESS , teh cart( for pockets size..)  BOTH ARE BLACK BIOSOMETHING( PLASTIC THAT LOOKS LIKE LEATHER)  AND TEHN THE PACK SADDLE IN BROWN LEATHER... NEEDING MURPHY'S OIL SOAP..

THAT 'S WHAT'S GOIN G ON..  I THINK

june 20 2019

43 states now with at least one cake to a fire dept...  ..... that leaves.  ark kan  minn miss n.d  s.d.  okla why and wash dc-- because i consider wash dec a state of someting,   new mexico got covred by karen and garnett..

i have a letter to write to a  guy on a base in florida aBOUT LETTING SERVICE DOGS INTO HIS EXERCISE FACILITY... HE CALLED LAST NIGHT DURING MAIL CALL-- AND WAS POLITE... JUST BARELY... AND I HAD ALL THE RIGHT ANSWERS... LIKE "YOU HAVE NO CHOICE"  AND "YES WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE VA..." 

I HAVE  SO MANY THINGS TO BE ANNOYED ABOUT TODAY, I BARELY HAVE TIME... SO TO CONDENSE IT ------

 I DONT THINK ENTITILEMENT IS EVER A SUBSTITUTE FOR EFFORT.  AND SOMETIMES IT IS THE EFFORT OF PEOPLE NOT TOTALLY RELATED TO THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE... 

 KIDS ARE SPPOSED TO BE ENTITLED TO AN EDUCATION IN THIS COUNTRY... ( LAST I KNEW)  --- HOWEVER FOR A BUNCH OF REASONS--  BELLA'S SITUATION IS NOT MEASURING UP TO THE NATIONAL STANDARD... FROM GETTING LOCKED IN A MALFUNCTIONING ELEVATOR  WITH GEORGE WITHOUT HER "ATTENDANT"  TO  NOT GOING TO SCHOOL IN THE SECOND PLACE...  ... SDP HAS SEVERAL PEOPLE VERY INVOLVED WITH THIS SPECIAL NEEDS LAWS ETC... WH O ARE LOOKING INOT  THAT PART...  BUT BELLA IS INTERESTED IN -- OF ALL THINGS MARINE BIOLOGY--- 

 LOOK OUT HOLLY--- HERE WE COME.... WE MIGHT NEED SOME SPECIAL HELP PFROM YOU AT N.E. BIOLABS SO START THINKING.

AND LAST I KNEW EARLY SANDY  KNOWS EVERYONE IN WOBURN-- ( BELLAS HOME TOWN) 

MEANWHILE-- NOW WHY MIGHT WE NEED A chariot??? JANINE HAS LOCATED A CHARIOT IN CONN.  BUT SHE THINKS IT TOO SMALL FOR THE HORSE NOW IN THE BARN.. 

 A HORSE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE THINK MIGHT BE A SHIRE AND NOT A CLYDESDALE-- BUT THE 2 ARE DARN CLOSE--  BOTH COULD BE BLACK-- BUT THE CLYDES USUAQLLY HAS MORE WHILTE INVOLVED WITHTHE BODY COLOR..  BOY DOESN THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE HORSES'S LIFE !!-- ALMOST AS BAD AS HARLEQUIN DOGS BEING MERLE...

this  computere is givein  me  trouble so i beter quit.