Dec 17, 2011

the jade update

We are doing great, no need to worry! We went today and did a couple of test walks across the stage where we did well and she was not at all bothered by the applause of a couple hundred at a graduation event tonight. The ceremony is at 10am, I will call you after to let you know how it went. We will be back in a few days so we can go on Costco run or something with you towards the end of the week if that would make you more comfortable. But I assure you, we are doing far better than I expected we would be at this point!

-Jade

-----------------

and the charlie report

jackie reported he landed at steve's very successfully- and all seemed fine.

i hope i hear more today

i forgot to remind steve our paychecks are the emails i can cut and paste...

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

hillary will be covering megan from now to Wednesday -- ( i love those college kids with their paucity of funds) they job swapped..

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

this will be a short doggie because it is mary's day to be with santa in Malden-- theresa takes her every year...

should be fine--- but because there is some confusion about the reg of our horse trailer---- janine has borrowed one for us to use..

sounds so simple--- except--- mary barely tolorates our "open" stock trailer where she can turn around and step out.

donkeys in general do not back up well--- they want to see where their feet are going

even that does not sound like a monumental problem--- except

a normal horse trailer has 2 stalls and the horse backs out.

there is great possibility for murphy's law to set in-- so i will be going with theresa.

***********

i remember a show horse who would not back out and we would to put her collar on and tie it to a tree and pull the trailer slow,y out from under her- once she touched the ground she would back very quickly...

i was only the 12 year old groom'n gofer -- but the owner showed her in the old madison square garden -and i remember an episode of flying backwards across-- was it 7th avenue???

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

mary will get out--- somehow--- and get in--- and out and in again ( she has a jesus job around suppertime at some church in manchester)

bud is helping theresa

and paul has offered to come along with tom

i am taking dogs and plan to sit in a nice worm place somewhere

so i will be gone and hillary will be running the show around here...

nerve wracking day--- starting with jade's graduation..

Dec 20, 2011

WONDERFUL DAY---

YOU ARE SPARED MY RAMBLING... APPARENTLY THE VIDEO OF PISTOLAND JADE ONSTAGE -- WILL BE ON BLUETOOTH TODAY---PLUS A CUT AND PASTE FROM AL AND TESSA

SOMEHOW THAT BLUETOOTH DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT-- WHATEVER YOU YOUNG FOLKS DO ONLINE -- GO FIND IT

Hi, Just touching base here. Well Tess and I made it through the Holiday shopping season! Shopping is all done, not bragging the money ran out so We're done! We've even been Malled this season (but not mauled!). Tess is a trooper she just walks along doing Her job occasionally stopping to point out which stuffed toy She'd like. Otherwise She's all business. To be bias She's great! Our routine is first thing in the morning out to go then back in for coffee and wait for My Personal care attendant to arrive. Then Our morning walk, back home for a sip or two of coffee and it's "ready to go to work Tess?" She comes over and gets dressed and out to a store We go. (I try to get out Monday thru Friday just so She doesn't get slack in Her performance) In the supermarket all the cashiers know Her by name, it's Hi Tess! Most of the local Wal-Mart employees know Her too. Me on the other hand I'm what's his face or the guy with Tess. I'm used to it and really don't mind. As I said just touching base and letting everyone know all is going fine here.

Taking a moment to wish everyone out there Happy Holidays from the Berkshires here in Western Ma. To You the Staff and Volunteers at SDP warm snuggles and sloppy licks from all the "Puppies" and a heart felt thank You from all of Us who benefit from the love and care of these fantastic Dogs you provide and allow Us to bring into our lives. We are all blessed by these life changing Dogs and thankful. By doing Your work so well with our dogs it allows Us to resume a more active lifestyle and function in society. At times We get so caught up in this "normal" living We may tend to forget those who put in the basics and did the ground work in getting them to Us. So for Myself and Everyone else out here a big Thank You Again! We hope Your Holidays are everything You could hope for! Sincerely Al&Tessa

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

AND STEVE AND CHARLIE ARE HERE IN THE CABIN...

SO WE WILL BE OUT AND AROUND LATER THIS MORNING..

CHRISTMAS CROWDS ARE GREAT PRACTICE=== SO HERE WE COME.

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

P.S. VIVIAN DID I SLEEP THRU YOUR VISIT???? IT HAPPENS WITH US OLD FOLKS...

Dec 21, 2011

how can i do a daily doggie with photo's from jade still appearing...

here is the youtube it is much clearer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIbjLnft4hQ&context=C344481fADOEgsToPDskIG8_fliYgX97C5cUsQufaW

what a feat--- well actually-- what 4 feet.--- jade said the halt was due to her tripping and pistol caught her.

it scared one of the robed celebrities who started to follow Jade down the ramp and finally said " gal- you are doing great on your own"

Pistol/Bristol has gone from ROCK EATER to SUPERSTAR.

remember how we worried about her gut and the 3/4 " stones produced in her poo.

**

jade said she might be around Monday or Tuesday as she is settling in-- i think she means in Andover--- but i am not sure. she is due to go to law school there in january

***********

jade--- we are here 365 days--- christmas is much like all the others--

janine has offered to cook some kind of meal so we will not starve--- hopefully.

janine's cooking is notoriously random..

for that matter janine is notoriously random...

which includes spectacularly good

....sometimes

****

earlene-- paul-- and bud are away on holiday for 10 days- all 3 gone at once.... this will be rough without them--- all 3 of them do a huge job picking up details-

for instance---paul empties the trash-- so i can see it 10 days from now kitchen will be knee deep in cereal boxes and plastic bottles..

plus chaos will not understand where they have gone--- maybe they should do the old trick of leaving a jacket here for her to sleep on...

**********

Mark has done a super job of producing an envelope of critical dog pictures

jade has one on theresas desk now of pistol - and there is one envelope there for heydawg.

------------

V2 wrote a great letter to include in the TOH mailing.... which should go out today???

*********

steve is here with charlie-- and the interaction between them is fine...-- charlie hangs around him -- sniffing the environment --- not always in hiss lap-- which is good--

he willingly sticks his head in the harness and collar-- another sign that all is well..

and the walking is casual--- maybe a little fast still-- after all a dog's purpose in walking is to get somewhere and there is no reason to go slowly..

steven has some problem with rushing into a crowd of people---- so either charlie will learn to go slower--- or steven will get over the worry- either way it will work.

bud2 says he enjoys having indy move everyone out of his way--- and she is black--charlie will be better -

only because he is a harlequin--"louder than a christmas necktie"

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

colleen said she took olive home instead of crimson..

i am not too sure how that could happen-- i didn't think olive was here--- and can not figure out just who colleen has with her.

i could walk to the barn and find out-- but that is like some of the medical test expenses--- what difference would it be one way or another..

(tom just had a finger xrayed--- not broken-- just splinted---so the logic is--- if it was broken it would not have been splinted? medicare paid the bill).

i prob ably shouldn't go there--- but it is similar to the snowplows running about in one inch of snow--- just to keep them in business for so they are there when we have 2 feet of snow..

so.....who colleen has taken at home with her is no cause for action on my part --- whoever she has will get the best of care and training and eventually i will know which---.

***********

today

the late morning trip really should be to costco-- with steve and charlie

we are just about out of coffee cups

now that is a disaster.

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

oh.... a PS.---- opal is pine cone dismailer-- so that was what was blocking her gut a couple weeks ago- to discourage that i have bought a bunch of beef "marrow" bones--- on which they love to chew and freezing them means slower chewing

sounds like a perfect solution--- except--- the marrow causes spectacular poo's

so get ready-- and eventually we should collect them before they bury them/dig them up/ and shatter them

also not to be given to dogs going out in public.... right...

Dec 22, 2011

dinner with Jade and bristol last night was fun--- and jade mentioned she had time to kill for the next 3 weeks---

that is like waving a red flag in front of a bull

get over here and do something helpful.

i waited last night til her car moved ( my long history of cars that do not run..) and she did not turn toward andover-- choosing to go either to the ice cream stand or the mall. --- i left.

george????? bristol needs spaying--- and has something very wrong with her back feet--- they itch--- i can relate to that.

at one point she had her back foot in her mouth up to the hock-- and was chewing on it with her back teeth.

jade would be around to babysit bristol and you could educate jade while you did the surgery????

and george is leaving for africa???

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

we have a new developer--- giselle

apparently came in from the woods looking for winter accomodations- and spotted an unused - heated- dry - area and has done the infrastructure system of entrances and exits---to set up a condo- she is now stocking it for the winter-- and works nightly from midnight til 4am just to stay clear of the normal traffic.

her routine is to get in the box of dog bones---rattle and rummage around til she finds one of her likeing-- work it noisily up and over the top of the box then drop it off the shelf to the floor--- BANG-- then slither it across the floor to the kitchen area where her access sounds like it is among the plastic containers. the routine seems to be on a 20 minute cycle.

to be able to observe the operation i moved the box of milk bones to the middle of the floor---and found she--- probably" she" is not much bigger than the milk bones she was storing.

i have to admire her planning and carrying out her preparation for what she knows is coming... winter...

oh that congress was that wise

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

jem and husband--- adi members --- are coming here after christmas - potentially to spend a few days learning how great danes train differently than goldens and then taking a pup or two with them to develop as service dogs. we could spare 2--- as yet to be decided--- with the provision that if they can not develop them - they are to be returned to us.

***

i was very disappointed that lu (ECAD) never found out danes were anything but a comical pet. we gave her shev ( fido and spot's mom) and a black pup--- who i am told is a comical 180 pound dog with very few manners.. ....darn.

so any we place out to other training facilities now-- the people have to be willing to come and spend time to see what we do.

and before you all start the "not xxxx's" keep in mind January is coming and we need pups for tower of hope gala in may...

count backwards

gala minus 4 or 5 weeks so they would be cute = born march April

minus 63 days gestation--- bred january-ish

and it is almost january---

plus good ole momma nature will decide when she feels like starting a litter... so it could happen almost any time

cast of characters

those with testicles----

bumpy--- frankie--- jasper ( now truman)-yellow & bently( too young) and sterling(a blue wildcard-)- bobby ( retired... also neutered)

and the girls still with ovaries

merlow(with lynn) -- moxie ( with jack) --olive(?too soon)-- chaos (?too soon? spay?)- pistol ( career girl now)--pi & opal- (too young)

who did i forget???

and remember -- we have 2 pups coming from denmark

male harl and merle female about a month old now.-- for fall of 2013?

looking at what we have produced last year---

i see nothing wrong with the frankie litter-- that does not mean i consider him "proven"----- charlie crimson pi XL and corky so far so good.

thumper was "proven"

bobby was "proven"

enough of that.

paul and tom are taking charlie and steve back home this morning... WESTERN MASS.. AKA 413 AREA CODE

and we THINK AL AND TESS LIVE ONLY A FEW MILES FROM STEVE AND CHARLIE---

CHRISTMAS DAY PLANS--- WE WILL DO A POT OF BBQ CHICKEN FOR ANYONE COMING TO HELP.

SAME ON NEW YEARS-- PLUS IT SEEMS LIKE THE SHITTING SHOULD HAPPEN JAN 8TH---WE DONT'T EVEN HAVE THE PRIZE MONEY YET

Dec 23, 2011

if you can't lick 'em join 'em.

time to think "out of the box"..... literally

i had a nice quiet sleep--- i put the box of dog bones outside-- over the front door ... but then i realized-- that was wrong-- --

-Having already proven herself as superior in the creative department

...Mrs Giselle P. Rat---in her search-- would then find something far less convenient than a few dog bones-- so i broke 4 in half and put the 8 pieces in the middle of the floor to save her from rattling around in the cardboard box.. and this morning- they are all gone --- and i never heard a thing.

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

next problem for out of the box.... in the training department---

bailey-- wandering loose would never go bite anyone--- and has been patted by thousands of all ages and types-

i am positive if i forced her to stand still while george looked in some orifice or another-- she would bite him... a blood type bite- serious

i know some things--- and i know that.

---- just because she once took a cookie from him does not prove a thing. the look she gave him was not a nice thank you-- but rather 'don't you move or i will bite-- cookie or not.'

out of the thousands of people--- for some reason- she does not care to be touched by george. and i darn well better take her word for that.

*****

Tiffany-- bailey's great great..great grandmother- 9 years of things like working the crowd loose at the topsfield fair's 1/2 million people-- there was one 10 year old kid at the pru tower she growled at and backed away from. and went back to working the crowd----

next year out of the thousands----- same kid--- same response

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

i tell this because bernard took manny to the vet and apparently manny did not want his temp taken- which started the struggle which ended up with the vet getting bitten-- bernard on the floor wrestling manny trying to hold him down. the fact that it was a no blood type bite indicates to me manny knew better but no one was listening to him).

i am sure this will cause some discussion with george and i --- but--how much simpler is a bit of chemical " just a drop of ?ace"-- one for the dog -- one for the owner- one for the vet and everyone relaxes...

bailey is not aggressive--- but she would bite george-- and maybe others i don't even know about--- but left to her own -- she just avoids confrontation.. confront her and you would have your hands full of 130 pounds of muscle.. and then she would be mad at me.

******

study the extremes of the bell curve if you need to do something to a 2000 pound horse that seems nervous--- you pay attention-- if it is 4 pound yorkie you pick it up and slap a muzzle on it and proceed.

ultimately the horse gets no worse--- but the yorkie starts biting everyone in question. "small dogs are yappy biters" right... i have been bitten by many--- "man handling" could make any one nervous.

i remember connie the corgi a dog i borrowed constantly and did many commercials with her- beautifully trained--explain what you need and she willingly did some amazing things--- pick her up and "man handle" her into place and she bit right thru my thumb.... clearly my fault.. i learned.

that is opinionated--- not aggressive.

think Mary and her argument with janine...--- she would kick or bite if crossed --- she will chase Janine-- and tip over janine's wheelbarrow

no one else has a problem with he....there is a lesson there..

lesson is when handling any animal bigger than a gerbil watch for the animal's reaction before proceeding.

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

however i have suggested bernard come for an overnight and lets have a look at manny and see if we can figure out what he is thinking.

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

Jade and the usual crew went to costco--- that was 5 dogs--- and it was like old home week... we met up with anne--- molly's grandmother and hillary's father.. as we huddled behind the cheescake sampling table---

when we broke up and started for the exit.. jade took bristol's harness and said GO - i think she rounded the corner by the freezer on one wheel as bristol happily dashed off.

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

i can not tell you who gave us 80 pounds of beef scraps because i am not totally sure it is legal--- but it will be a huge help-- frozen in 10 pound lumps-- plan is to start the wood fire in the kitchen-- put that huge stew pot on in the morning-- with a bunch of rice and anything else logical--- and use it for the supper meal. he saud they constantly had plenty of it..

almost as good as a pallet of cans-- maybe better.

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

george said he could spay pistol this morning so she is NPO and due here in about a 1/2 hour.

i forgot to ask paul or megan to be a few minutes early..

jade can sit with pistol while she wakes up.. and then come back here for intensive care--- she should be ready to go home with jade by suppertime

in the meantime she will have the floor in front of the heater.

and theresa will be here along with hillary and ?karen? and anyone else ?irene?

whatever--- keep the coffee pot going.

Dec 24, 2011

Pistol/bristol is now spayed and tucked--jade baby sat her for the surgery and recovery-- then moved her to our "intensive care" area in front of our coffee pot

pistol stayed here only because i was concerned with getting into and out of jades car... so jade went home without her--( home is now andover) and will pick her up this morning.

she is ready

--all systems are working fluids in and out solids in and out tail wags

she should be kept quiet--- but jade can deal with that.

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

hillary is due here again today-- doing a great job-- i think molly is due here too

rob is ok but had an accident with his car so is without wheels..

everybody has one i guess.. probably a good lesson in murphy's law--

i remember----janine slid our yellow VW bug into the back tire of a school bus where it got stuck - it looked like a foal nursing off the mare.

maybe you had to be there.

***********

this bunch of pups in the deagle house want to talk--- they LOOK -- so when pistol leaves and tom sits in the tv room-- i may try and get them to the nut house for a change of sceneery--- while i poke around there.

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

there are a few plans for people here tomorrow--- all available would be wonderful--- and get these pups into the guest house with people--- and ... around--- for variety.

for those who need a tv for whatever football games are on... we have one in each house--- so patting and watching would be helpful

would that be the same as walking and chewing gum?

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

i need to get the wood fires going and start some of that beef boiling with rice..

this could work really well

lots of things work well if the system gets designed and executed properly.

we try.

Dec 25, 2011

this roast beef deal is best thing since sliced bread

i gurgled a 10 pound frozen lump in the iron pot on the wood stove in the nut house-- smelled WONDERFUL all day-- better than fabreee big time

what worries me is that there is some law about donating it to us.. we need legal advice quickly by our various legal heads--- you know board of health type stuff....

one option is for us to buy it from them $1 boxful--- might put it in a different category for which there are no laws yet (i love those)

another is to spray it with green veg coloring by way of marking it not for human consumption

it is such a wonderful deal--- i can't believe it won't have some regulation forbidding it.

hillary fed it out last night--- i do not yet have the poo report--- but they have been slowly getting beef with that pallet of cans

**********

another heads up--- i have been giving marrow bones to th e house dogs--- they can cause amazing poo ...

not to be given to dogs in training !!!!

**********

now about these people who are coming to learn about danes.. on wednesday...

let me rephrase that --- i am going to try and help them unlearn all the pat- handy dandy rules of dog training that they have read about.

i heard rumors of them wanting to temperament test the pups. this is some weird thing where- among other things you roll the pup onto it's back and see how long it struggles--- --- we don't do that---we let their moms-- but we don't. i think it might be appropriate to set them in the guest house and put all the pups in with them--- and --- hopefully not have the worlds biggest dog fight.

****

so now i am having to figure out just what we do- and breaking it down into digestable lumps-

the biggest is -- i think----- we do not use our muscles to control them( if at all possible)

i have often said--- you should be able to carry a tray of 4 cups of coffee in the same hand that has the dog's leash- and not spill anything.-

and now that i have said that--- i better go try it --- BAILEY HERE I COME

THUMPER WAS PERFECT And bailey can be--- but i better sharpen her up before anyone asks me to demo that.

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

typical case--- getting into and out of the van--

newcomers repeat the word wait-- then they put their hand on the dog's chest and hold them back

.--- no--- tell them to wait and if they step forward a little surprise snap on their nose and say wait.... and they say "oh .... i forgot"

the surprise is the thing--dogs do not like surprises. there is a whole bunch of dog training in that one maneuver.. quick snap.

like raising your sandwhich higher and higher while telling them not to touch it...no----. leave the sandwich on your lap and tell them you mean it by making a quick movement toward them in a threatening manner- that is what their moms would do.

and then the loose leash-- a very quick snap into place and then release the leash-- and they learn to stand quietly-- EVEN THE OCASSIONAL PIT BULL CAN LEARN THAT-

THAT CHAIN COLLar is a tool--- not a control device.. the real choke collars are those leather "normal" collars where the dogs never learn not to pull so the gag themselves constantly trying to pull their owners around.

advertising would have you believe the chain hurts their windpipe and a gentle leader is better..

i have used the chain collars for years and not collapsed one windpipe--- and i have witnessed the anger ,frustration and misery of that gentle leader- i guess that is why some trainers roll pups on their backs-- to see if they will submit to a gentle leader -- instead of simply training them.

advertising....??? see my tirade on christmas.

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

why do we make such a big deal of this christmas "giving" --

"i had to buy something for the children"

my kids are not that fussy ---- they would like gifts any time of the year--

what is the matter with any old random date like July 19-- i had a friend in Scotland who celebrated the 19th of every month.

kind of spread it out- far more enjoyable.

?scrooge??? yes--- i am.. but how many times have i heard "i will be glad when this holiday is over."

like banging your head on the wall-- feels better when you stop-- so i stopped.

why do we make such a deal? religion went out the window long ago-

i did not hear handel's messiah once this year

but someone sent me the silent version---

http://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/Index.html certainly worth a look

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

itoday----i am told we have some people on schedule for kennel feeding--- i hope so---

and paul and earlene are coming--- she with food--- so we expect the normal Sunday stew activity

Dec 26, 2011

made it so far....

update-----

after searching all the puppy paws for torn toenails and minor injury--- earlene found out chaos just came in heat.. CHAOS gets this one off---

but we hope to "catch" moxie and merlow to give us pups for the tower of hope gala.. they should be due in soon..

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

bristol and jade located 3 dunkn donuts between here and plymouth.... so apparently they are fine.

******

going to be a rough week--- bud is in CA and earlene has the week off so paul and she are off roaming ----

however magan is back and kyle is on the schedule for driving tom today

***********

and anne promised to be back in "efficient mode" after christmas--- with a grant idea and figuring how to get 2 pups here from denmark.

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

the pups here need a crash course in "how to be a well behaved dane" before those other trainers come here on Wednesday and think we are nuts.

yesterday's lesson was " you mean all that trash is yours????--and we can't have ANY??" PLUS sitting on pauls head on the couch 5 PUPS AT A TIME is 4 pups too many... back to the spoon feed lessons and "WAIT"

danm black dogs-- earlene was the on ly one who knows their names--

best i can do is 4 blacks 2 hARLES AND A MERLE.

EVEN SO--- WHEN WE WENT TO SERVE SUPPER

I THOUGHT THAT WAS 6 PUPS-- a bad sign

GONNA BE A ROUGH WEEK--

BUT I DID A HARD SUDUKO PUZZLE AT 3AM WHEN BOTH TOM AND CHAOS WERE UP WANDERING. THANK HEAVENS I AM OFF THOSE "DO NOT OPERATE MACHINERY " PILLS.

*****

THE BEEF-- THE POO REPORTS HAVE NOT BEEN DEVISTATING--- THE FIRST "GO ROUND" I BOILED THE FROZEN LUMP---- WHICH MELTED ALOT OF THE FAT--- BUT I THEN USED THAT FLUID TO MOISTEN THE DRY FOOD... SO THOSE STOOLS WERE A BIT SLIPERY--- PLAN OF THE DAY NOW... BOIL-- EITHER LET THE FAT HARDEN AND SKIM OFF--- OR JUST FEED THE LUMPS OF MEAT.

WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT THE OPTIMUM APPROACH ...GEORGE???

THAT IRON POT WEIGH'S ALOT--- AND IT IS TH E ONLY THING WE HAVE BIG ENOUGH

***

ALSO THAT restaurant MANAGER SAID HIS CREW LOVED THE FACT THAT WE CAME THERE EVERY WEDNESDAY WITH THE DOGS...--

I WASN'T AWARE WE DID-- BUT IT IS NOT A BAD IDEA... FOR 80 POUNDS OF DOG FOOD WE CAN SPEND $30 ON LUNCH FOR 5 OF US.

JUST ONE OF THOSE WIN WIN SITUATIONS..

AND THE ONION RINGS ARE GOOD TOO.

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

ALONG WITH THE BEEF--- WE GET A RECTANGUAR CONTAINER--

HERE WE GO--- ALONG WITH MY HUNDREDS OF COSTCO ROUND BUCKETS I CAN NOW COLLECT RECTANGULAR ONES..

.... ALONG WITH LITTLE GLASS JARS AND ALOT OF OTHER THINGS

I THINK THERE IS A NAME FOR THIS AFFLICTION...

AT LEAST THAT COLLECTION DOESN'T EAT OR RUN UP VET BILLS

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

NO POLLY AND BOB TODAY--- I FORGET WHO ELSE SAID THEY WOULD SHOW--- HELP IS NEEDED..

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THE BIG DOG BED DONE IN THE NUT HOUSE TODAY

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO USE THE FENCING TO KEEP THEM FROM PULLING DOWN ALL THE CEILING INSULATION.

I HAVE 60 YEARS OF WATCHING HORSES TURN FENCING INTO KINDLING ---, STALLS INTO FIREWOOD--- AND PASTURES INTO MUD. I WAS HOPING TO FARE BETTER WITH THIS DOG PROJECT.

Dec 27, 2011

not much inspiration this morning.

full day yesterday and today trying to get together how to train a dane for these people arriving tomorrow.

we produce nearly perfect service dogs- with fantastic reliability ( so far---- i hate tempting fate)

but to get it down to " how to" is a challenge

there are not many " do this and that will happen"

but a whale of a lot of "DONT DO's"

it will be fun

megan better check the guest house today.. it had a rough Sunday stew because it was cold out and we made it into a "party kennel"

****

i assume bristol is doing well--- megan and i recalled the costco visit where jade gave pistol the word to "go" and she ran off carreening around the 90 degree corner on one wheel narrowly missing a head on colllission with the ice cream freezer...

goes to show danes are not for the meek. -----at least pistol is not ....

*****

which brings up kieth and hattie--- have a grand life with hudson and barney . were here yesterday on vacation from atlanta---

barney baby sits hudson on the very unusual situation when kieth has to leave him home--- and hudson is dealing with slippery floors in his own amusing way--- sometimes backing out of a situation--- or turning circles a time or two to figure it out.

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

in their similarities...... they are all different in their effort to understand the humans with whom they live.

*********

like they are all timid---the BIG problem is the entire dog world is taught the word timid goes with bite--- as in timid/fear biting.

i think without exception - our danes it is "fear--- mommy mommy mommy" as they run to lean on your leg for reassurance.

i would not tolorate -for one second - a dog who is scared and runs forward- that is the fear/bite/aggression.

AND

if you back a scared dog who is grumbling/ growling into a corner and get bitten-- that is a perfectly understandable reaction and serves you right.

just leave the dog alone and no problem

and then there is chaos who thinks it is fun to chase janine

people are here---

i must away

Dec 28, 2011

guests arrive today and hillary showed up yesterday to bring the house up to parr

it will be slightly complicated arrival because of the "GREAT BEEF EXPERIMENT"

THE MANAGER OF THE ROAST BEEF SANDWICH STORE THINKS WE GO THERE EVERY WEDNESDAY

I WAs not aware that we did every wednesday--- but it is not a bad idea--- and if we can get 80 pounds of beef scraps just for having lunch there-- then it is REALLY not a bad idea.

got to eat somewhere.

so the guests arrive at logan about 10 which with baggage claim etc could put us back at the area of the roast beef place around lunch---

plan is for jade and megan,,, and ?karen and a few dogs to meet us there.

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

the great beef expirement progresses-- in an effort to remove the grease- at least til their stomachs get used to more fat.....the plan has been to heat in about 1/2 gal of water on the wood stove... remove the meat chunks and set the pot on the porch in the cold to harden the fat,, then remove it for the chickens ( who love it too)

and that did work--- except

today it is 50 degrees outside now--- so the plan for removal of the fat/grease - did not work today.. it is all still fluid-- with fat floating

so plan B must be devised.--

probably plans C<D<E<and Fwill be devised also

but at the moment the very rich desireable fluid is under a layer of fluid fat...

it is not something you put down the drain--- here in the world of septic systems

putting it down the chickens is far better

even if they do not lay eggs at this time of year with the short days.

we could try and fool mother nature and leave lights on a timer making the days longer

but if you think we could keep all that straight, i have a bridge in brooklyn i'd like to sell you.

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

AND SPEAKING OF CHICKENS....

WE will do the chickenpoo thing on jan 8th-- instead of 1/1/12.

partly due to the fact that you all got sidetracked and have not bought your numbers yet

even with the beef--- these guys have to eat in January also..

www.memsaic.com/app/wall.cfm?sid=0FD5CCB2AAE9D7

click away

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

now---for the chicken management lesson of the day

our supply of chickens--- and interesting ones--is getting depleted

we are going to need to re supply the bunch..

need to know section-------- or hit that delete button...

there are 2 ways to get more chickens ( THE BOY GIRL PROCESS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR US)

buying pullets ( half grown ready to lay eggs) at the hatchery in essex--- those are all barred rock--- speckled grey/black

or---- and herrrrrrre we go..

strombergs --a poultry supply outfit --- online-- go ahead GOOGLE STROMBERGS CHICKENS---sells day old chicks at about $3 each-- and they have some really wild looking ones

facts

-along with 100 breeds and 2 sexes.. there are 3 types of chickens

1 egg layers--

2 those who grow quickly on little feed-- think fried chicken---

3 and the colorful bunch not known for anything useful

***

they can tell the sex of a chick for the first 24 hours ONLY then not for weeks.

boy chickens in the egg laying breeds are less than useful- either free or cheap..

you can buy females--- males-- or as hatched

YOU MUST BUY MINIMUM OF 25--- and it can be made up of different breeds---with a min of 5 per breed.

the strange looking ones are sold only "as hatched"

all that to explain how we ended up with that rooster from hell who chases and bites everyone

it is a science--- most chicks NATIONWIDE are hatched on a monday... sexed and shipped on a Tuesday -- for arrival at the post office 6am on Wednesday or thursday-

i have never had any problem with this--- in all weather---the po keeps them adaquately warm-- and they can not forget them because they are so noisy.

*****

we can do that to re-supp;y our bunch

however--- the babies need place to grow away from the rooster from hell--- ?like behind the tee tent??? IN GOOD WEATHER...

and worse-- the first week---- 90 degrees--- and reduce it 5 degrees per week for a few weeks.

thAT IS THE HARD PART.

IT CAN BE DONE--- BUT WILL REQUIRE AN extra EFFORT ON THE VOLUNTEERS-- but weird chickens are amusing to have roaming in that pen ---- under the tinfoil pie plates to keep the hawks away..

RIG HEAT LAMP IN THE LAUNDRY-- OR SOMETHNG

I AM NOT HAVING BABY CHICKENS RAISED IN OUR BATHROOM--- AS I OFTEN HAD TO DO DURING MYANIMAL EPISODE DAYS OF PROVIDING ANIMALS FOR PHOTO...TV... ETC...

SO IT IS YOUR CALL

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

MEDICAL UPDATE

PUMPKIN IS LIMPING LESS... YESTERDAY NEARLY CARRYING A FRONT FOOT--- AND A SLIGHT TEMP 103.4

MY UNOFFICIAL DX IS LYME-- SO WE STARTED THE DOXY FOR 30 DAYS

WITHOUT THE TEMP I WOULD HAVE LET IT GO FOR A FEW DAYS AS POSSIBLE NORMAL INJURY...

SHE IS EATING - DRINKING - AND FIGHTING WITH HER SIBLINGS HERE IN THE HOUSE WHERE SHE SPENT THE NIGHT

***********

MEGAN--- CHORE OF THE DAY--- TAKE EVERYONE'S TEMP--- THEY ALL LOOK FINE BUT IT - MIGHT BE INTERESTNG TO RESTABLISH THE NORM--

***********

THE NUT HOUSE IS NEARLY READY FOR THE "HATS" TO MOVE INTO THE SUITE "C"

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

I HAVE ORDERED ELECT HEATERS-- THE NEW NUTHOUSE IS TOO BIG FOR A MILKHOUSE HEATER- THE SECOND ONE IN KENNEL 9-10

AND FOUND AN ELECTRITIAN WHO IS OF THE CASH RELIGION.

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

THE POO REPORT

WHAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR IS FIRMER

Dec 29, 2011

short doggie...

we have a repetative barker driving me nuts and i have to go see who that is.

jen and chuck have arrived and it is trial by fire - as they are inundated with black and white pups

got to hand it to jen-- she bravely bashes on " the one with the small white patch on the nose is who?"

i am suggesting if she can not decide between 2 dogs, i would prefer they take the black ones just because i can not remember who they are..

and --- jen has a background is animal training-- like marine ones--- and is not stuck on all the "roll them on their back" concepts of the dog training books.

i have a feeling this might work-

it is certainly worth the try. i think she is legit.

as for the FATE end of this deal.... sitting here with megan we thought pumpkin might be a good one to give them-- at which point pumpkin ran around on 3 legs--- i will go along with that---- fate telling me not to give her pumpkin

even tho after 3 days of life in the house and doxi... she is considerably better..

the reason chuck is with her is if she takes 2 on the plane--- that could be fun on one of the busiest travel days of the year.. again --- she is up for it. we will figure out something.

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

in trying to convey ourt training methods---- i realize how few words are needed to have a dog be a very useful balance dog.

first of all is bulk management

like "WHOA" AND "will you get out of my way" and things like that

so i will try and perfect the language with jen.... she is more inclines to give commands liKe " down- stop- brace- step sideways-- move ahead"

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

today schedule

i am out of paper towels--- so that smacks of a costco trip 10:30 ish- may as well go there as anywhere--

i would like them to meet heydawg and gay somewhere -- so we will try that connection.

the heaters have arrived for the nut house and kennel 10

other than that.....

Dec 30, 2011

jen and chuck are waddling thru puppies

jen makes reams of notes-

i guess that is what organized people do-

then after all that - it is a gut feel anyway.

my only direction was that at least one had to be one of the blacks that i can not tell apart anyway.

they seem to be tilting toward taupe and stanley-- a good choice- 2 lovely dogs and there has been a minimum of wailing about "oh no not xxxxx"

i am sure jen will stay in touch---and report in

i have explained these are our children and we need to keep track of them in the daily doggie.

WE ---- 5 OF US-- WENT TO COSTCO YESTERDAy

it was a bit cold turkey for taupe --

making me think----- we should - from the start adopt the "go do things and then go back to normal" routine in a more definite manner.

namely "i will hold you back from joining your sibling and megan---- and very shortly stay with me and we will find them again." with a little more accent on "hang in there with me" and not as much "stay under my control and i will let you talk to her later"

there is a fine line....

seeing their partner as the one to save them from all the things a timid dane is fearful of- works better on the long run.

the "under control" is a switch that can go on or off./

of the 3 "hats" --- .

bentley will hang in there with me

yellow will figure "you dropped my leash- i am getting out of range"

and opal "i don't believe in being under control anyway"

they need work--- as soon as the nuthouse is finished

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

fate has caused us to keep pumpkin --- as the minute jen was about to arrive, pumpkin was on 3 legs--- couple days of doxy and she is markedly better.. so that seemed to be fate saying "not pumpkin"-- who--- of all the pups--- is not the most agreeable--- she has been spoiled by 3 days in the house-on the couch.

they-- jen and chuck -- are leaving today for new years in new hampshire somewhere and will e back sunday--- so anyone wanting to meet them be here for the stew then flyihng back to south carolina with 2 dogs on tuesday--- one of the busiest travel days---

somehow we will figure that out.

planes out of boston have to be big ones--- i remember the planes out of toronto which were truly just not big enough for 2 service dogs..

and i had hudson--- cute little 170 pound hudson

colleen had ?? bailey and took the next plane.

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

AND WE WILL NOT BE POO-ING TIL NEXT SUNDAY-- JUST BECAUSE BEING NEW YEARS IT WILL BE TOO CONFUSING TO GET EVERYONE TO BUY IN BY THEN.. SO GET TO IT...

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

WE HAVE AN APPLICATION FROMA PERSON WITH BAROCA APHASIA- THAT IS A NEW ONE FOR ME--- IT INVOLVES COMMUNICATION-- NON VERBAL. how frustrating that must be.

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

may i refer everyone to the old movie "miracle worker" - with patty duke as the young hellen keller.

there is a moment where helen realizes that the movements her teacher is making in her hand W A T E R -- means the fluid out of the well.

these dogs do come to that point--- at which time we should take advantage of that

bentley is at that point ... opal the young female dog ( read b i t c h ) has not come to that stage yet

second stage is achieving boredom--- and by then you nearly have a trained dog.

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

after they leave we have to work on getting steve and charlie back for some

longer sessions of service dog vs play in the snow with the kids

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

now stool reports

we are not feeding milk bones for a while--- we are expirementing with the concept that they may cause a loose stool

there had to be some reference to stools--- or it would not be a daily doggie/

.

Dec 31, 2011

i will be very glad to get back on a normal schedule

can any of you tell me if you will be around on sunday???

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

next problem..

history--- last "granting period" tower of hope sponsored 2 dogs--- at $14,000 each

---life blood to us

yesterday's heart ATTack of the day-- i got an email from louis----toh--- saying we had not sent in nearly enough or correct stuff. louis is our toh contact--- replacing peter with whom we survived very nicely

fact--- i had sent a sample of what paperwork we were doing to louis--- at his request---and in the skuffle he thought that was our final "request" or whatever they call the grant application....and listed a bunch of stuff we were " missing"--

missing was a terrible word to use on stuff theresa sent in--- -- she reads the directions---she does not do "missing" kindly--- ..

--- then ---he realized that so this morning's email said he would look at toh for the final "submission"

when he said it was all wrong-- i assumed it was-- not realizing we were referring to 2 different doccuments---

which caused me to go back and maybe look it over from their perspective-- i went to their web www.thetowerofhope.org and please all of you who might have a few minutes--- go there--- read their mission statement--- and then the people they have helped-- and study the one paragraph bio's -

i think that is what they want/need

i was sending in stuff to convince them we were doing a great job--- where - i think they want something they can use to attract donors to give them the money that then comes to us...they already know we are good.

at any rate--- i started to get as many facts as i could into one paragraph when i realized

JADE !!!! you are now an educated and smart graduate--- so share the wealth and get over here and re-do these bio-s to maybe match what they need.

it is very much like the sh#tpicking cardboards---getting them already cut into the rectangles that fit in blue jeans back pocket is wonderful--- getting folded cereal boxes is better than nothing--- but with a pile on the floor--- there is no time to cut them up--

i think that is like the tower of hope meetings--- i think i gave them too much-- i was wrong to assume they had the staff to rewrite---

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

the other news is jen and chuck are off to nh for overnight and will be back sunday--- so i hope a few of you will be around to meet and greet.. even if it is jan 1st--- you can not all be hung over.......

*/***************************

the homelless kid on our calendar who is walking bailey---i did get in touch with his mother to see if we could help in any way--

apparentl;y - they are still in a shelter in beverly --- and he needs sneakers and snow pants-- -- so that is my extra chore for the week. to pick up mom and him and go shoppping.

along these lines---here is the picture from last summer--- anyone got clothes that would fit this guy?? he was a nice polite boy --

Jan 1, 2012

i am always glad to get those huge parties in times square overwith without any crazy fool deciding to break a water main and flood it.....etc

thanks to a special donor we can have a champagne breakfast-- especially if some one brings the donuts so it can qualify as breakfast...

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

now dogs..............

these 2 litters are of the stage now where they are trying to achieve dominance--- it looks ever so innocent at the start-- normal tumbling and chewing on each other--- except too often lately it is one down and 2 or 3 chewing.--- i yell-- they stop-- but that is temporary... if the spirit moves them it could turn into a life threatening battle of 3 against 1.

the changes are ever so subtle... i just handed out marrow bones- and bailey is lying on the couch with her bone in front of her--- well within reach of the pups--- but they do not dare touch it. she is not eating it--- just staring at any pupp that comes near.

she has established her position in the pack

it is necessary to guard hazel's bone for her -- because as bottom of the totem pole she will give it up as they move closer 1/2 inch at a time

second lowest is order who will continue chewing while growling as yellow just stands over her ----just looking....

even tho there are more bones than dogs in the area.

those males with their "i want hers also" need watching.. they also may need to learn whiffle...

or--- bentley's trick.... i will just chew this old bone next to her juicy bone --- and we can just swap.

****

we have all watched mary inching her way toward the food table waiting for an opportunity to grab the tablecloth and run----- that is exactly what is going on right now with bones...

how close can i tiptoe and just convince you that you really don't want that bone enough to risk my bulk/weight/teeth...

***********

order told me all this yesterday-i wanted to put her out with the hats in the nut house--- and she would not go thru the gate---

just stood back 10 feet wagging her tail--saying " i really don't want to associate with those roughnecks"

i shut the gate and she ran right up to me--

message recieved.

so the break up is.... the girls-- order-hazel and opal on the lower beds side of the nut house... and the two boys yellow and bentley go on the high bed side

maybe what should happen is to put one of the males in with the girls and let them educate him.

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

with the rest of the pups in the deagle house or barn....--- only 2 at a time out to roughhouse--- and even then we should keep our eye on them.

this is also the point at which one pup might stand at the topp of the ramp and not let the other up to the warmer bed..

so we have to deal with that. blue emergency bed at the bottom???

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

n.b. maybe these dogs should not go out in public for 48 hour as the marrow that they love is a laxative.

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

today

sounds like the usual crowd will be back on deck.... along with jade who said she would come along and diddle with these toh grant apps.

i am up--- coffee is on...

i have heard from

Sunday sandy

earlene and paul

bud

colleen--- who has some boy type clothes to maybe help that kid who is in the picture with bailey on the calender..

jen and chuck will be along this afternoon.--

i noticed a lot of you bought numbers yesterday --- the dogs thank you-

for those who did not..... don't let the 2012 stop you.. you have a week before we sh#t

Jan 1, 2012

i am always glad to get those huge parties in times square overwith without any crazy fool deciding to break a water main and flood it.....etc

thanks to a special donor we can have a champagne breakfast-- especially if some one brings the donuts so it can qualify as breakfast...

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

now dogs..............

these 2 litters are of the stage now where they are trying to achieve dominance--- it looks ever so innocent at the start-- normal tumbling and chewing on each other--- except too often lately it is one down and 2 or 3 chewing.--- i yell-- they stop-- but that is temporary... if the spirit moves them it could turn into a life threatening battle of 3 against 1.

the changes are ever so subtle... i just handed out marrow bones- and bailey is lying on the couch with her bone in front of her--- well within reach of the pups--- but they do not dare touch it. she is not eating it--- just staring at any pupp that comes near.

she has established her position in the pack

it is necessary to guard hazel's bone for her -- because as bottom of the totem pole she will give it up as they move closer 1/2 inch at a time

second lowest is order who will continue chewing while growling as yellow just stands over her ----just looking....

even tho there are more bones than dogs in the area.

those males with their "i want hers also" need watching.. they also may need to learn whiffle...

or--- bentley's trick.... i will just chew this old bone next to her juicy bone --- and we can just swap.

****

we have all watched mary inching her way toward the food table waiting for an opportunity to grab the tablecloth and run----- that is exactly what is going on right now with bones...

how close can i tiptoe and just convince you that you really don't want that bone enough to risk my bulk/weight/teeth...

***********

order told me all this yesterday-i wanted to put her out with the hats in the nut house--- and she would not go thru the gate---

just stood back 10 feet wagging her tail--saying " i really don't want to associate with those roughnecks"

i shut the gate and she ran right up to me--

message recieved.

so the break up is.... the girls-- order-hazel and opal on the lower beds side of the nut house... and the two boys yellow and bentley go on the high bed side

maybe what should happen is to put one of the males in with the girls and let them educate him.

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

with the rest of the pups in the deagle house or barn....--- only 2 at a time out to roughhouse--- and even then we should keep our eye on them.

this is also the point at which one pup might stand at the topp of the ramp and not let the other up to the warmer bed..

so we have to deal with that. blue emergency bed at the bottom???

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

n.b. maybe these dogs should not go out in public for 48 hour as the marrow that they love is a laxative.

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

today

sounds like the usual crowd will be back on deck.... along with jade who said she would come along and diddle with these toh grant apps.

i am up--- coffee is on...

i have heard from

Sunday sandy

earlene and paul

bud

colleen--- who has some boy type clothes to maybe help that kid who is in the picture with bailey on the calender..

jen and chuck will be along this afternoon.--

i noticed a lot of you bought numbers yesterday --- the dogs thank you-

for those who did not..... don't let the 2012 stop you.. you have a week before we sh#t

Jan 2, 2012

i dunno what happened

but i am now in a rush--- i am picking u the homeless kid and his mother and go and find some sneakers and snow pants--- colleen gaeve me a small collecton of snowpanst and things-- but i said i would take her shopping

so i am

i had some thoughts on putting a rope on dogs and oi need to write-- or re writ that

tomorrow

p.s greg is a super trench digger we will get electricity to the nuthouse soon

Jan 3, 2011

whoops..the hurrier i go the behinder i get

i had so many emails to answer yesterday that i thought i had done the DD

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

and i meant to "discuss" the rope situation---

you can not hold out a rope and say "please stick you head in here so i can make you do something you do not want to do"

they ain't stupid

under normal conditions.....you can hold out a rope and ask them to stick their heads in it and give them a chunk of this lovely roast beef that is around now.. and then do something they don't want to do-

however --- at the moment we are back to square 1 with some of them call-- cheese-- let go

then maybe square 2 call cheese put rope around neck.. cheese then remove rope and let go.

and i have seen it in several situations.. probably the worst is opal--- the dog i often handle--- have i not been thinking????? you can not rush in this situation--- as mad as it can make you... got to think your way round.

i saw one of the pups take off under that situation- and a person run after it with rope flapping--

that is how you teach them to run away from you..

unfortunately some of them have learned that already..

you want an example of how sophisticated this can be?? pick up the container that has the toenail clippers in it-- and i guarentee you will not be able to locate bailey.... who has--- for the moment ---also gone deaf.

as opposed to a dane the adams had who knew the sound of striking a match who would then come and sit by the "soon to be warm" fire

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

i had an email from jen--- they have landed ok--- she sent a picture--- but no comments yet..

they were going to take a second dog-- stanley-- but stanley started growling at chuck... and i have given it thought-- what did he do to upset stanley.??. the example chuck gave was -- chuck was lying on the couch with his back to stanley--- and he came over and sniffed-- then backed away and growled and barked..

now that i think about that bizzarre story-- i bet stanley was saying " how come you are on my couch"

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

morning routine around here now..

one house dog--- bailey-

-let her out--

let out the 2+2 dogs from the deagle house--

go light a fire in the nut house ( while no one pee's but th e concept is there)

let them in the house ( where they then pee)

start coffee

type then

let the hats ( opal yellow and bently) into the nut house which is now warm)

and put these 4 pups in the back dorm room/deck

gives me a chance to look over the deagle house 4 ( order and hazel plus 2 huge blacks--- one male one female ---names yet to be figured out when megan gets here--)

that cute little pile of puppies works when they weigh 5 pounds--- but they struggle to all fit on the sofa beside me now that they weigh 80 pounds. ---- one keeps falling out.

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

theresa and i took dillan( the kid in the photo with bailey) and his mom to get him some sneakers--we took bailey too so he could walk her-- theresa got a good picture but i don't know how to turn it right side up..

it looks like colleen's outgrown collection will fit him nicely -- he is a nice little boy---we will keep our eyes open as to how we can help that one.

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

i have to comment on the dozen people in line at kohl's returning things..

-------this chirstmas fiasco is marketing at it's finest.

also because the sneakers that were $49 before christmas... were $37

now don't tell me christmas is a religious holiday

bah humbug

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

that goes along with arguing about praying in school--- whats the matter with teaching reading writing and rithmatic-- ??

we can't even get that right--- why add stuff??

we teach religion so we know which side of what war we are supposed to be on

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

back to the dogs--

we to worm and bring shots up to date on moxie merlow and noel---

in anticipation of breeding one or two of them..

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

costco-- today

along with getting theresa's son from the eye doctor and me to the tooth removal guy

bob put the single seat in the smaller van--- and suggested we toss the "back seat" because it does not screw down-- making it just one more flying object ---

***

order is lovingly licking hazel's nose where bailey bit her yesterday-- order is a nice pup--- a bit bossy -- but nice dog

if i put down one bone--- she would have it. the rest would watch.

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

gisselle was found to be sleeping in the file drawer.. she commutes to the area under the dishwasher. i think that is where she stores the dog bones.

i am told there was a huge renovation project under the spiral stairs of the laundry building.....several inhabitants were encouraged to live elsewhere-

but there is no end to them... chemical solutions are definitely OUT,

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

john is now dealing with the trench to the nut house and the electrical friend of his..

and so it goes

Jan 4, 2011

Moxie has started to drip.--

doesn't sound like much ... except that starts it all again...

IN 8 DAYS WE WILL NEED TO TALK TO BUMPY AND SEE HOW HE FEELS ABOUT A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP. IF SHE BETES HIM-- WE WILL KNOW HE HAS TO WAIT ANOTHER DAY OR TWO...

george--- i will stop by and see what she has had for vACCINATIONS --HER FAMILY IS JACK PAAR-- AND WE SHOULD WORM HER JUST FOR GOOD LUCK?? THAT ALL WORMER??

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

TAUPE IS NOW HOPE--- GOOD NAME CHANGE---

Hi,

Thank you again for all the hospitality and for the chance to try one of these danes in our service program. We are calling Taupe Hope so please let your volunteers know so if they see pictures on our PAALS facebook they know it's her. Hope was nervous at first in the airport, but calmed down once we got through security(very nice folks) and got to rest while waiting to board the plane. Of course, she was a rock star-children, flight attendants, security, adults-all were drawn to her and commented on her beauty and good behavior. She did not get sick or have any accidents during our travel. She slept almost all of the flight. She refused to go down Charlotte Airport stairs, but did the elevator nicely. She was very nervous around bus traffic outside airport, but rode one nicely. She did great in her new car seat harness once back to my car and rode perfectly to Columbia (about 90 mins from Charlotte). She got a couple of vaccines already and will get some more Thurs. Will test fecal today. She slept through the night beautifully here. Doesn't like to be left alone yet-understandable so we are working on getting her acclimated to her new life. Will keep you posted,
Jen

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

AND "MAUDE" --- ONE OF THE "MERLE GIRLS" ANNIE BELLA AND MAUDE--- WAS DONATED TO SUSAN IN 2005

Thanks for your concern. Susan was running through the raindrops but I'm pleased to report that she has had a remarkable turnaround.. We are no longer going to Mainet- Our disease is slowing us down considera. Maude continues to be a delight-hopefully Susan will become strong enough to again use her as a working dog. We hope this e-mail finds you in good health. Also, we hope your project continues to flourish. HAPPY NEW YEAR
David Thomas

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

I WISH I COLD HAVE GONE TO THE MALL YESTERDAY--AS EVERYONE PILED IN THE COA VAN--- IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE FUN--- MEGAN KAREN JADE AND ANNE--- WITH 4 DOGS- MUST HAVE BEEN A SHOW STOPPER... ESPECIALLY WITH JADE PRACTICING BRISTOL PULLING HER MORE SLOWLY THAN USUAL.

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

MY BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE DAY WAS TO FIND COAL-- FOR THE STOVE IN TH E NUT HOUSE--

APPARENTLY ALL COAL IN EASTRN MASS COMES THRU BOSTON COAL IN HYDE PARK--- BUT A FEW P;LACES-- LIKE THE LOCAL AGWAY FEED STORE ( IN DANVERS) HAD NUT AND STOVE COAL IN #50 BAGS. $12 PER BAG.

WHICH CAUSED ME TO CALCULATE HOW MUCH PAUL LIFTED YESTERDAY---

IF "A PINT IS A POUND THE WORLD AROUND"-- THEN THOSE CASES OF WATER /BLUE TOPS HAVE TO BE ABOUT 25 POUNDS

INTO THE DURANGO- OUT AND INTO TH E SMALL VAN-- OUT INTO THE HOUSE TIMES 2 IS 300 POUNDS

THEN THE COAL 2 BAGS 50# EACH - THERE IS ANOTHER 100 POUNDS

AND A BLOCK SALT LICK FOR MARY---ANOTHER 50 POUNDS INTO THE FORT WHRE SHE EATS HER HAY BY THE GATE

FOR THOSE OF YOU PLANNING TO OWN DONKEYS AND HORSES--- I GOT THE PINK SALT LICK BECAUSE IT HAS TRACE MINERALS -- THE WHITE IS JUST SALT.

MAYBE MARY WILL STOP LICKING THE CAR FENDERS NOW.

**********

LOST AND FOUND....

WE NEED A SPECIFIC LOCATION

FOR STARTERS.....

14 PAIR OF GLASSES -- BOTH SUN AND PRERSCRIPTION

6 GLOVES-- ALL RIGHT HAND

PATRICIA LOST AN EARING IN THE T-TENT-- THIS IS NOT THE USUAL NEEDLE IN THE HAY STACK--- SOMETIMES WE LOCATE BITS OF METAL EASILY-

AND I HAVE TO MENTION CLOTHING-- WE HAVE A LOVELY CHILDS GREY JACKET--- WITH SKI TAGS ON THERESA'S CHAIR

A BLACK SOMETHING HAS BEEN ON THE FRONT SEAT OF THE DURANGO FOR WEEKS

JANINE--- I HAVE LOCATED THE SKI MOBILE SUITS-- WINTER IS HERE.

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

bernard and mannie are arriving and will be around tomorrow-- Thursday

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

for dog training

megan has planned to take the train with a couple people and dogs-- from beverly to lynn -- and meet colleen for some girls club gig --

colleen took the small van home --- to l;ynn--- and will bring them all back when she comes to feed

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

should work...

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

MY TOOTH IS GONE-- I HAD A CHOICE OF NOVACAINE OR PROPATOL ( MICHAEL JACKSON'S DRUG OF CHOICE) BUT SINCE I SAW NO PROVISION FOR ADMINISTERING OXYGEN-- AND PROPATOL HAD SO MUCH BAD PRESS -- I OPTED FOR NOVACAINE.

DARN....