june 30 2014
30 days hath.... gone awfully quickly

in my mind's eye i had visions of all these renovations etc done by august--  and that just might happen

especially if david keeps going on the floor in the new kennel area..  he got the floor done in steve meat shack--- it still needs a perfect name--- and a coat of paint. 

name the shack???

i will solve the freezer question today-- we are ready--

******

i got no where with yesterday's projects..  so we try again today

there were alot of young kids here for stew-- and no one adhered to my rule of 5 feet from a 5 year old and 3 feet from a 3 year old    ---- there were no accidents-- but i was nervous- and there were so amny kids here i did not know who belonged to who... happily they all seemed to take  the correct ones home with them.. 

i kept thinking about one of my relatives who used to say "that is why you have your kids when you are young"   at appropriate moments...  maybe i should have a rule that families that bring kids to stew wear color coded shirts so i  can figure out who is who.

we did get a "look" at several of the applicants we needed to see.

and a good thing that was... i was sure one on the list was an older man with parkinsons and he was a 

young guy with war injury.

***

tess was here with sandy-- doing very well-- could be a perfect solution--- she as very little muscle tone in her back legs-- but i think she will get a litle more exercise at sandy's where the grassy area is 5 feet from her door.

****

and we have acquired another deaf family-- both parents   deaf   with 2 hearing high school kids needing community serv.

it is almost one of those "why now?  who sent them here?"   because with the problem of having to develop 2 hearing dogs-- i will need to be able o sign  with the  new  owners-- so i will get practice..

interestingly---- used to be you needed good grades for college-- then you needed good grades and money--- now y ou have to add community service in order to stand out from the crowd...  i kind of knew that when gwen applied to kenyon-- she could add the "project hope  circus" to her application.  she later found out  they noticed that....  

good college kenyon... i am told harvard is the kenyon of the east  .

*****

lu came and got the old tractor--  i thought bud was going to cry when it left--- it has been such a relic around here... my logic?....  at any moment it could need $1000 repair which we would not do because we have  the "new" tractor.  that would leave us with a lump of iron   rusting  in the back---- it would cost us to get rid of it.  i have been there-- with both an old backhoe  and a cabbose.

it is working fine-- and  if it does develop a $1000 problem-- it will be well worth it for them to fix it.

also i owe lu a few--- she sponsored me in adi-- even tho she is a golden retriever type.

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

colleen 2 is back from florida---reporting sheila is just sitting around beaches and pools-- i hope her mind did not stagnate.. 

colleen will be helping with the finances.  she offered to fight with quicken  --- as long as we do not download from the bank-- that intruduces some very creative bookkeeping errors--- like duplicating a bunch of w/d checks that were paid electronically by the bank -- raises he// with the balance-- verizon and american express are only 2 who do that. quicken download also adds $285 to a deposit now and again, 

colleen is one of those "to the penny" types...  if allowed to do it's own thing with downloads, quicken  can be $20000 off--   it will be an interesting battle...  set for tuesday night.

******

and then there are problems ---like the board of directors-- we need to trim that up...  historically it has been any group sanding around here  looking for a free meal  when  i get the notice from the country club that i need to eat $800 worth of food in the next week or they will charge me anyway.

time to take that stuff seriously...  i hope theresa will stay on.

june 29 2014

WAY TO GO  GUYS !!

Bricks sold:	1225
Available Bricks:   0

AS WE GET READY TO DO AN ULTRASOUND ON OUR NEXT MOMMY TO BE----  THANKS TO  THE  FATHER TO BE ---WALTER....  WHO WE ARE STILL WAITING ON FOR ABSOLUTE PROOF HE HAS "SWIMMERS"-- 

AND WHILE YOU ARE AT IT .. PROVING HE HAS "SWIMMERS" WITH ONLY ONE HEAD AND ONE TAIL... WOULD BE NICE...

WE DID  NOT GO THE MICROSCOPE ROUTE WITH  HIM-- AND WE SHOULD...

NOW THAT WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE RETIRING--- LIKE MEATCUTTER STEVE'S WIFE WHO WAS A BIOLOGY TEACHER.... MAYBE WE CAN GET HER TO SET UP THE MICROSCOPE PROPERLY.. TO INSPECT WALTER'S EFFORTS AT FATHERHOOD.

****

SOME WORDS I HAVE TO  AVOID BECAUSE SOME COMPUTERS ARE SET UP TO  REJECT EMAIL CONTAINING CERTAIN WORDS PERTAINING TO  THE REPRODUCTION OF MAMMALS.

***

ANYWAY  WALTER..... REMEMBER WE WERE NOT 100% SURE ON THE LAST BUNCH BECAUSE WE BACKED HIM UP WITH BENTLEY.

NO BACK UP THIS TIME...

AT LEAST THAT I KNOW OF...

****

SUNDAY SCHEDULE--- WHY NOT...

WHEN EARLENE GETS HERE AND GETS HESELF ORGANIZED.... I THINK SHE SHOUL D HAVE A "WHO'S WHO" SESSION WITH all these pups......  i can tell them apart but i don t know which name goes with who...  so we will let the expert

**** 

and the other thing i should do is explain a leash to the 4 stedman  pups.. it is a delicate thing.... because, altho you don't want them to become tooooo frightened,  a little bit is not bad so they learn " the lesson of the rope"--- is what horse people call it.  i.e.  do not question the authority of a rope  whether a person or a tree is at the other end...... just stand around.

some tendencies of horses and dogs is similar---  both fight the rope's authority-- not a big deal with a dog-  they learn   usually quickly....-- but 1000 pounds of upset horse is not a good thing...-- and with horses  if, in the learning process they break a rope and get loose-- they will then-- forever-- be capable of "flying back".  i had a horse like that once.... you could not tie him to anything.... you could drop the rope on the ground and he would stand motionless for hours,  but the minute he felt any pressure on the top of his head by the halter... he would fling himself backwards  doing all kinds of damage to himself and the surroundings.

the other similar tendency is ... fear flight...if either one is tied  to something which will drag behind  it like a cart/wagon/ or plastic bag, the first instinct is to run  uncontrollably-- dogs are smart enough to overcome this quickly- as long as you are prepared to deal with the instinct the first time round..  but  horses... never... which is why horses in harness wear blinders- so they can not see the wagon   following so closely behind them...

i have a dog cart-- i am ashamed to say i never got bobby to pull it... his fear/flight  was too strong for me to deal with alone- and i never had enough extra help..

there really is no reason bentley -- either by himself= or with opal, could not pull that cart...  it is a  nice cart--- adnd i have both shafts and pole ( 1 or 2  dogs) 

those things are on my list  ...plus hang a few bird houses--- and then sit... in the mister  as it gets hot..

this mister works very well so far... for the last 5 years we have struggled with  hoses and sprayers that  sprayed too much and made the t tent like a rain forest..-- so this year-- thanks to the cp's fun fund-- i spent  money and got a mister with a 2 gallon tank... and yesterday it was perfect.. lowers the temp --- the sign says 30 degrees-- i see no reason to doubt it.  i fell asleep in a chair and snored for 2 hours       

( according to bud)

*****

should be an active sunday

i am ready !!

june 28 2014
TESS HAS ARRIVED  HOME -- AND IN BED WITH SUNDAY SANDY VERY WELL...   TESS REALLY LIKES HER--- WHEN SHE WAS IN TRAINING SHE SPENT OVERNIGHTS WITH SANDY- SO SHE MUST REMEMBER... SHE LIKES HER BETTER THAN MEGAN... AND THAT IS SAYING SOMETING.

A GOOD SITUATION... SANDY WORKS THEN COMES HOME AND WALKS ETC... HAS GRASS YARD..

WE SENT HOME SOME THINGS TO TRY

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

I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY  CAMERA PEOPLE HA A BAD WEEK AND THANKED ME FOR HAVING PUPPIES ONLINE..

WELL-- I COULD TELL YOU BUT I WOULD HAVE TO COUNT--

ALOT.. INCLUDING ME/WE /US

I HAVE BEEN DRAGGING BY MAIL CALL-- 

SO TODAY I  TOOK A LONG HOT BATH AND I QUIT FOR THE DAY

SO THERE 

I WILL PUT TOGETHER THE "MISTER" FAN--- MAYBE--  IF I CAN NOT FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT.  AND SIT AROUND AND EAT ICECREAM ALL DAY---- BUT THAT IS IT..

HOW IS THAT FOR AN ATTITUDE !!~!~

JUNE 27 2014

THIS  IS THERESA'S LAST DAY--- AFTER 10 YEARS--  BUT SHE SAID SHE WILL STAY AVAILABLE AS CONSULTANT.-----WE ARE DIVIDING UP HER JOB... HOPEFULLY

  BASICALLY 

EARLENE-- APPLICATIONS + CALENDAR ( LIKE WHO IS COMING HERE NEXT) 

COLLEEN--QUICKEN /BANK FINANCES- ( NOTE-- SHE TOOK OFF FOR FLORIDA TOO)

MARIA ---A BUNCH OF DETAILS LIKE AMAZON AND PAYPAL.

MEGAN  - DOGS 

CARLENE  --  WORRYING

I WILL TELL YOU HOW BAD IT IS--- MARIA AND I  DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I AM TO WORRY ABOUT.

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

THE NO WORM BIT

 GEORGE SAID MAYBE IF MOM WAS ON A HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE SHE DID NOT PASS ON ANY ROUND WORM EGGS TO HER CHILDREN-- OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT-- AT ANY RATE WE WILL WORM AGAIN... 

YESTERDAY THEY GOT THEIR FIRST SHOT -- C5-- WHICH MEANS 5 THINGS LIKE DISTEMPER AND PARVO -- 

HOW OFTEN TO GIVE VACCINES CONTINUES TO BE DISCUSSED..   I AM NOT SURE-- SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOME CAMERA PERSON CHECK THI S OUT FOR US....THE LOGIC, I THINK IS.......

 PUPS HAVE SOME IMMUNITY FROM MOM- ESPECIALLY IF SHE HAD HER "SHOTS" UP T PDATE- THE PROBLEM IS  THAT IMMUNITY PREVENTS THE PUP FROM FULLY DEVELOPING THEIR OWN ( OH BOY I CAN JUST HJEAR GEORGE NOW)  BUT THAT IMMUNITY RUNS OUT-- SO YOU WANT TO GIVE A SHOT AT THAT POINT-- MFG SAY 6,10, 12 AND 16 WEEKS---  THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE 16 WEEKS-- YOU NEED A SHOT AFTER THAT POINT... AND THEN YEARLY.

SO I HEAD FOR THE 6 AND 16 WEEKS...

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

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAININE COUGH THE SURFACED IN IPSWICH DQAY CARE--- IT WAS A BIG DEAL--- SCAREY DEAL--- BUT OLD NEWS BY NOW-- AND I AM SURE IF I NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING GEORGE WOULD TELL ME..

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

BUDDY-- THE DONKEY-- 

BRIAN  THE VET WAS HERE YESTERDAY TO CHECK HIM OUT-  OTHER THAN  PERHAPS LICE, HE FOUND NOTHING SIGNIFICANT...EXCEPT LACK OF FOOD..SLIGHTLY CONFUSING WAS THAT HIS TEETH WERE SMOOTH-- LIKE SOMEONE HAD "BEEN IN THERE WITH A FILE" IS WHAT BRIAN SAID.  WHY THEY WOULD FILE HIS TEETH AND NOT FEED HIM IS A MYSTERY...  AT ANY RATE-- HE IS EATING NOW... 

ALSO WE CLIPPED  ALOT OF HAIR OFF-- IT HAS THAT MOTH EATEN EFFECT BECAUSE WE HAD A SMALLER SET OF CLIPPERS THA IS USUAL FOR HORSE CLIPPING...  THEY WORKED...  BUT AFGTER ANOTHER BATH WE MIGHT GO OVER HIM AGAIN AND  TRY AND SMOOTH OUT THE ODD TUFTS...

HE IS LESS OPINIONATED THAN MARY-- MIGHT WORK OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS TO CALL HIM AND TAKE HIM OUT ON A LEAD TO LET HIM GRAZE AND WANDER WITH HIM FOR 15 MINUTES MANY TIMES A DAY...  WOULD BE A GOOD BREAK IN PROCEEDURE.

EARLENE SENT OUT BUNCHES OF POKERCHIPS--GUYANN MILLER   DID NOT GIVE US ENOUGH ADDRESS --- SO IF YOU ARE READING THIS... OR PASS IT ON THE CONVERSATION BOARD- OR WHEREVER..

*****

AND I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THE MASS VETERNARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION  DINNER IN THE FALL-- I AM GETTING AN AWARD--I DIDN'T ASK IF I WAS TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING..

******

AHHHHHH  I FOR GOT  I AM TO GO TO THE GE FOR A  SOMETHING BETWEEN 11 AND 1 TODAY-- MEGAN AND I WILL GO-- ALONG WITH A FEW DOGS-- LIKE MAYBE BENTLEY AND SOME PUPS...

MAYBE COLLEEN CAN MEET US??

********

SUSAN'S GRANDCHILDREN PUT IN A DAY YESTERDAY AND WERE HEARD TO SAY " THIS PLACE TAKES WORK"

SURE DOES

Adventures with ELSIE:
   Today I was shopping with Elsie at the "Goodwill Outlet". This place is 
gigantic! They have racks & racks of "gently used" clothing and tons of what I 
sweetly call "crap-olla".
 When it was my turn to checkout, I told Elsie, "down, stay" and down she went. 
The saleswoman was new, nervous and slooooow! Two of my items had no price tags 
and the manager, who was the guy to fix the problem, was apparently missing in 
action.
   So, all in all, I was at the register about 8-10 minutes. The next customer 
was waiting patiently about 5 feet behind me. Just as I was finishing up, that 
lady SCREAMED....."That dog's alive!!"   Well, I already knew that.  But 
apparently, while I was juggling my checkout, she had thought Elsie was a....big 
ceramic dog!
   By now, the lady is laughing and explaining quite loudly to anyone who would 
listen, "I've been standing here a long time and that dog never moved! I didn't 
know that dog was real until she opened one eye.
   Elsie's response to all the hubbub?
   She opened two eyes.
   Wow, my girl gets better and better every day!

JUNE 26,2014

I DO NOT BELIEVE IT.... NEVER HAPPENS...  FOR THE SECOND TIME WE WORM THIS LITTER THERE WERE NO WORMS--- AND I AM TALKING VERMICELLI TYPE WORMS-- 

YOU CAN NOT MISS THEM-- ALL PUPS GET THEM-- AS IN  ALL    THEREFORE MY OTHR ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE WORMER IS DEFECTIVE...   BRAND NEW BOTTLE  NOT OUTDATED...  

NEVER... I CAN NOT COUNT THE LITTERS I HAVE HAD........ NEVER

AND IT IS SOMETHING ROUTINELY DONE AND FORGOTTEN  THE WORMER IS EFFECTIVE AND CHEAP  SO I HAVE ALWAYS JUST POURED IT IN THEIR FOOD AND CONSIDERED IT DONE...  EXCEPT I JUST CHECKED WITH GRACE---  FOR THE SECOND TIME ...NO WORMS.

THIS WOULD EXPLAIN THE VOMIT AND LOOSE STOOL BIT GOIN G ON WITH THIS BUNCH...-- PLUS WAY BACK  AT 3 WEEKS I NOTICED THE "BIG HEAD" MEANING THEY WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FOOD--  WHICH IS WHY I STARTED THE BOTTLES OF BABY FOOD EARLIER THAN I USUALY DO 

IF DEFECTIVE WORMER IS TRUE, AND I GIVE THEM MORE TODAY, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE SPECTACULAR...

**********

MAYA  ARRIVED--  DRIVER--  NICE GUY--  CUTE DOG--- LOOKS PART CORGI TO ME...  I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT RENEE'S SON BE THE ONE TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE OF HER-- BECAUSE SIR THOMAS DID NOT LOOK THRILLED AT HAVING COMPETITION FOR RENEE'S ATTENTION.

 I COULD NOT LET THEM BRING HER IN HERE TO BE ON CAMERA BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE WITH THE FACT THESE PUPS HAVE NOT HAD THEIR FIRST SHOT YET...  WHICH NOW MUST HAPPEN TODAY.

NO SAGACIOUS  REMARKS TODAY---

MANY THOUGHTS-- NO COMMENTS-- FENCE NEEDS ATTENTION...

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

WHO SENT ME JIM HANSON'S KERMIT SINGING THE RAINBOW CONNECTION...  I HAVE IT STUCK IN MY HEAD AND NEED TO LISTEN TO THE WHOLE THING AGAIN SO IT STOPS GOING ROUND.

june 25,2014

chain link will dominate my day... well maybe.... 

all that chain link that paul and bud picked up in gloucester-- that stood around for about a year-- looking old and tired and rusty..  now has a new job  -- and the part that i tested with new paint does not look too bad-- it is defining the 2 horse turnouts  -

i love  chain link--- it is so adaptable--- currently it is all tied together with hay string... but i do have proper clamps somewhere...

and the next bunch of heavy duty lifters  that show up can go ahead and put up the outside kennels...

and maybe get the dog pen out of the chicken coop

we need to wait  on the inside kennel fence for the fancy floor that david is putting down..

***********

we need to be a bit more conscious of the "after feeding/mail call time......  i have tried to have coverage from 7 to 7-  but without much thought, after mail call people drift down to the t tent-- leaving me at my desk minding pups---i can in an emergency, but i am not on the schedule as puppy watcher... and contrary to  popular belief sometimes in the late afternoon i do have to think--

i am not exactly sure what my job description is--- i guess  filler inner   and idea getter.

the pokerchips have passed inspection--- i did get a email from courtney-- i did not hear from jon hice...

 the casual mention of needing a bird house .. has...typically got -- delightfully---well out of hand-  it has turned mail call into an oooooo ahhhhhhhh christmas morn concept every day.. we are amassing the most amazing collection of bird houses..-- now i need to do alot  of research--- or someone needs to.... like  the ones with a 1.5 in hole are for xxxx birds and should be hung  x feet off the ground in the sun/shade...???? please go to it... 

all i have is the trees... and an awful lot of poles 10 feet apart--- but i don't have  the knowledge to deal correctly-- so have at it ---you cp'ers...  and some are sooooo fancy  that i am not sure they might have to be put in the arena-- or barn-- inside..????

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

the other wildlife which is back in full force -- are the chipmunks-- there is one who gets the corn from the chickens pen-- fills both cheeks-- then runs across the parking lot to the corner of the laundry building..-- this is maybe the 4th year-- don't know if it is the same one... but it travels the exact path.

there is another that  also starts in the chicken pen--gets up on the split rail and goes up over the hill to the guest house somewhere.

i am sure we are feeding a contingent of healthy rats and mice-- when you have chickens--- you have rats---and without poison control only snap traps,, you have fat healthy rats that are  excellent food for  rehab'ing  hawks/snakes and the like at the veternarian hospital.. ..  hence our frozen rodent delivery company

******

and speaking of birds..... it is time to get the chicken  teenagers  out into t he area behind the t tent...  first we need to check the impenetrability of that fence. - another susan's granddaughters project....

so far so good with buddy-- the new donkey-- he has  those 2 purple frying pans handing outside his stall-- these are for feeding him carrots and grain...  do not feed by hand... and i don't care if you know how to... i do not want him to instinctively reach for hands-- i want him to think treats come from those fry pans--- it is alot safer that way..

 there is a proper  way to feed  by hand--- i get them trained  by touching a carrot between their eyes and sliding it down to their mouth.. 

that is one of those statements/rules i make where someone will decide they know something better- when in fact they do not have a clue  why...,...  so just do it...

you may see me ocasionally do something else-- when i do i am testing to see  the reactions etc..

am i nuts???? well donkeys and horses go craqzy  over peppermints-- now think of all the donkey jobs i have done around christmas where every kid from 2 years old to 78  has  been eating peppermint candy canes and has that smell on their tiny little fingers.

 we never feed peppermints without touching the donkey between the eyes first...

and.... here is another---- never feed a carrot by letting  him- or any horses here...bite it off himself--- i can just hear someone "oh i do that all the time"-- well not here-- because just think if he is - quite rightly expecting to bite off a carott and gets a finger instead- he would be biting to hang on and break off the carrott--  which would be hard on the finger you used to have....

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

i don't think i pasted this already...

 hope this finds Tess adjusting to Her retirement. I hope She finds and focuses on what She needs to settle in and enjoy her after work life. Just as I am trying to focus on each day after Tess.

 

I doubt I have the word craft to do justice to the service dog team. Bonding is often used and it is a good word! But somehow it comes up short. We a team become so much more that. And it is so hard to explain to others.........We meld or bond but it is deeper even than this We are two different bodies but almost like one body and mind. We come to anticipate? No, We know the others action and reactions before they happen. Often it is said of people and pets they grow on Us. Our service dogs seem to grow in Us become part of Us on so many levels We end up not being able to explain it or come close to explaining it. So when separation takes place be it a death, retirement or forced retirement it is somewhat like taking a paper doll and ripping it down the middle, that might just come close to just how intertwined a Service Dog Team becomes. Then the two halves or which half is left depending upon the circumstances of the separation  have to try to right the ship and go on alone as best they can until a time when opportunity presents another solution to help them along. Carrying on isn't easy We grieve, shed tears and long for each other when the day quiets We find ourselves thinking (I'm sure our Dog does too at times)

but We limp on awaiting the chance not to replace the other but awaiting the time another deep, loving soul shows up to stand beside Us silently speaking to our hearts and minds telling Us "lean on Me! I'm here to help You now, I'll brace or stand here and all will be alright! I'm here" As We hope and pray our dog's will find and be told the same.

 

This is quite long so I'll end it up quickly, I came to The Service Dog Project a few years ago out of the blue for a service dog to replace my old one who died. You helped...now I come as a distant family member of SDP although far from the farm, Tess and I were your unknown Ambassadors  out here standing in testament to the kind caring selfless organization and People you are. We told our story and about SDP to everyone who asked and with Tess beside me there were many. So now I find myself asking again. Please keep your eyes and ears open for the Dog who will look up into your face and whisper into Your heart Al need's Me! I'm ready to go help Him. Thanks for all You've done and all You continues to do For all of Us Service Dog Teams! Sincerely Al. 

june 24 2014

 i have not heard from the explore office about the pokerchips----i am not sure why--- i hope they do not object--i am hoping that fedexing on a sat overnight means tuesday delivery...

the donkey did arrive last night -- wayne and his 2 daughters said he was a perfect traveler...---  they arrived after i was in bed so i did not go see him-- the stall was all ready-- with fresh water and hay-- i did not leave his door open for outside-- so i want to go do that now....

thankfully i have cut and paste to fill this dd

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

Carlene,

 Since I know you don't Facebook or have the time for our rambling blog, so I thought I'd share my relatively short, recent post of just how great my partner is.

 There are many funny stories that go with having a Dane as a service companion. Last night I found a typical incident funny and shared it when I got back inside. Lauri asked me to share with Casper fans.

We have steps from our Condo to the sidewalk. I made it down 3; the fourth apparently was challenging my neurons last night. So, while Casper did his usual wait for me to gather myself and ask him to step down this lone 4^th step, my body followed in one big lump and hit the ground. As I rolled over and chuckled he reached down from beside me looked at me as if to say, “What’d ya do that for”? Then he gave me a “smoosh”, this is the mandatory first step before any SDP dog picks up their handler, from what I know of other’s experiences hitting the deck. After that, I gathered his lead and correction collar from the pavement to put them back on; I pulled them off in the “crash”. He presented his head to the open loop of the chain and picked his head back up once around his neck. He then easily walked around in front of me and presented his brace.  This all happened while I chuckled and brushed myself off, no words or commands were exchanged, just a simple understanding and a constant willingness to help. He picked me up and we proceeded to our last walk of the night.

Dan & Casper

*******

carlene

There’s a scene involving you that I will always remember: I watched you save a dog. I’m sure you’ve saved many over the years but that one was a miracle to witness. The seventh in the litter of what would be nine, she wasn’t moving and when she finally emerged, she wasn’t breathing. It was somewhere in that time that’s no longer dark  but not quite morning – 4:30 or so. You’d been up all night. I’d never seen someone so focused. Whatever you did  – I won’t call it magic because there was skill and know-how involved – you turned that pup from death’s door. She grew into a fantastic service dog (Elsie).

I want you to know that you did it again.  Indirectly this time, but you saved another one, nonetheless. Because of the wonderful organization that you’ve created in SDP, a wonderful community of followers has proven that their actions can make a difference. Here’s what happened: 

When Harry’s human, Beth, posted a message about a dog in need, the community of CPers rallied and saved the dog from death’s door.  This cross breed of who-knows-what was a day away from being euthanized – abandoned, living at the vet for a month, in need of a ligament repair. Within 24 hours, they’d raised the funds for her surgery and aftercare and a home was found. That last part was actually pretty easy: I asked Sir Thomas if he’d like a little sister (he so loved playing with Elsie on sleepovers as she grew up). But how to get this little girl that Beth named Maya up to MA from NC? Once again, the community rallied and a soon there was a long list of offers to drive various legs of the journey. CPers. She’s not my dog, she’s our dog.

Thanks for saving another one.

 Renee 

JUNE 23,2014

I WAS QUESTIONED - SOMEWHAT HARSHLY- FOR GIVING THE DONKEYS TO ANN-  SO I WROTE THIS AT 2AM AND POSTED IT ONLINE...

STARTING WITH-- THIS WAS ALWAYS A QUARENTINE BARN- WHERE JANINE COULD QUARENTINE ANIMALS SHE SAVED FROM THE SLAUGHTER PENS--- A PLACE TO PUT ANIMALS TIL WE WERE SURE THEY WERE HEALTHY TO GO TO A  MORE PUBLIC BARN/FARM.  THERE ARE NO GREEN PASTURES HERE FOR HORSES-..... COUPLE ROCKY TURN OUTS WITH NO GRASS (I.E.  CHEAP WAY TO FEED HORSE/DONKEY)

***********

ONLINE I WROTE

i have not shipped the 3 donks  off to oblivion... they went back to where i got mrs ashton from-- and before anyone calls me nasty names.. clem did not go to maddies horse farm,as i had thought--- ann- who owns the farm they went to  wanted  .. all 3 of  them....   these animals were rescues from the slaughter pens  and started here as quarentine-- i just tried to work them into the environment - and it did not work.  they are all fat and healthy- and should do fine.

the donkey coming here is in tough shape-- he has no flesh between his back legs indicating he has been starved...he will be here until he is at least healthy  and if he behaves himself, he can stay-- otherwise i will find him a home-- and the first person i would ask would be the one who has mrs ashton back.

there is no person on this earth better at handling and caring for donkeys and equines than janine...  she has her hands full- apparently he is weak- which is why he chose to take a nap- on someone's lawn in DC-- the trailer is probably bigger than any stall he was ever in-- she did manage to bathe him before they started..  he is  having trouble chewing--probably needs his teeth floated-- so she has him on quaker oats( rolled and easier to chew...)  a little bran ,sliced carrots, and he is standing in timothy hay-- with fresh water.... he should be fine... but keep in mind  he is not healthy--  we can give him a chance--- but it is a tough world... be prepared. 

 he could have died on that person's lawn -- animals do die-- particularly donkeys--- there is a saying-- "sick donkeys die"-- they don't seem to get better.. and i see no reason to disagree-- it was true with mary..

janine thinks he is basically healthy- but no one fed him enough for a very long time.

 so another lesson... when they are that  thin it will take months before you see any improvement .  if he can just make it here he will have a chance.

current plan is for wayne to start back with  him today--- but that can change too...

if  you have learned anything from this site, it should be to be flexible---animal management is just that .....management...

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

 UNTILL YOU COME HERE AND TRY AND MANAGE THIS  MADHOUSE- DO NOT CRITICIZE MY EFFORTS---- 

IS THERE ANY ONE OF YOU WHO HAVE EVER BEEN IN THE SITUATION OF  A DOWN DONKEY TRYING TO DIE ON SOME  SPOTLESS LAWN WHICH NEVER EVEN HAD A DANDELION ON IT WHILE SURROUNDED BY WELL MEANING PEOPLE DRIPPING IN ARTIFICIAL WEALTH-- LIKE DIAMONDS AND GOLD??.??

LIKE IT OR NOT, I HAVE A SOLID 50 YEARS OF DEALING WITH JUST SUCH SITUATIONS --ENTITLING ME TO CONSIDER WRITING A BOOK--- 

WELL MAYBE JUST PUTTING TOGETHER A BOOK I HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN.

FROM 4 WILD PIGS IN HARNESS ON STAGE PULLING SANTA'S SLEIGH- TO CHASING COCKROACHES  UP A TABLE IN A MOVIE- OR TRYING T CONTROL ONE PRAYING MANTIS IN A HAY FIELD...  THESE THINGS ARE NORMAL TO US... MOSTLY JANINE AND I.  WHATEVER ----SHE WILL HANDLE IT AS BEST AS ANYONE.

**********

NOW HERE IS A STRETCH----

I HAVE TO RESIST THE URGE TO COLLECT THINGS WHCH DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ENTIRE PICTURE OF CRAZY ACRES----

SPECIFICALLY---- THIS GOES FOR PEOPLE IN BAD SITUATIONS WHO JUST BECOME MOROSE, NEGATIVE, AND SEDENTARY. ALL SET TO TAKE WHATEVER THEY ARE OFFERED.    

PEOPLE AND OTHER ANIMALS HERE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO GIVE---- TIME- MONEY- ENERGY  -- HUMOR  -- WHATEVER THEY ARE CAPABLE OF GIVING .... AND I CAN FIND A JOB FOR EVERYONE SO FAR....

YOU DO  NOT BECOME INVOLVED HERE WITH THE  "I CAN'T"  MENTALITY

ANYONE CAN WHO STARTS WITH "WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?" IS  ON.... 

THE NEXT WORSE THING THAT HAPPENS IS THE  "I CAN'Ts " THEN GO ON WITH "BECAUSE"  FOLLOWED BY A LONG LIST OF DIAGNOSIS--MEDICATIONS -- DEPENDENT RELATIVES-- AND FAULTY EQUIPMENT.  

OUR APPLICATION HAS  LOADED  QUESTIONS

 DO YOU WORK

DO  YOU DRIVE

DO YOU VOLUNTEER.

AND I HAVE YET TO FIND A REASON THAT STANDS UP TO MY NEXT QUESTION WHICH I ASK WHEN THEY COME HERE  "WHY NOT?"

I AM BAD...  I BETTER QUIT THIS DISCUSSION.. AND GO MEND OTHER/REAL  FENCES...

JUNE 22,2014
I DIDN'T FORGET THE DD  TODAY.... MY EATING OATMEAL AT MIDNIGHT MAKES ME SLEEPY  FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS-----

AND I USUALLY SLEEP TIL 4 OR 5 AM... EXCEPT LAST  NIGHT I OVERSLEPT THE MIDNIGHT PROWL AND WAS LATE EATING THE OATMEAL TIL 2AM.... FOR 2 REASONS... IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING

I WORKED OUT IN THE FRESH AIR ON THE POSTS--- FOR NEARLY 12 MINUTES- WHICH WORE ME OUT-- AND THEN I GOT TO ARGUING WITH SHEILA-- WHO ALSO  IS AWAKE AT ODD HOURS.

MY VENTING OF THE DAY....

 THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE  HERE  WHO can not wait to tell me something is wrong 

"CARLENE   DID  YOU KNOW THERE IS NO LID ON THE TRASH CAN AND IT WILL COLLECT RAINWATER AND BREED MOSQUITOS AND THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE MOSQUITOS IN THE T TENT...  PRETTY SOON WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIT OUT THERE. AND OUR WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.!!!" 

SO WHAT HAPPENS IF WE WORK OVERTIME AT TAKING A POSITIVE SLANT TO EVEN THE WORST OF THINGS... HOW MUCH BETTER THAT NEWS WOLD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED IF IT WAS "CARLENE, I  FOUND A LID FOR THE TRASH CAN -- IF THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT IS UNCOVERED, I WILL COVER IT" 

or an even better slant ADDING AN INTELECTUAL CONCEPT  FOR HUMOR PURPOSES....

"CARLENE, I  FOUND A LID FOR THE TRASH CAN -- IF THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT IS UNCOVERED, I WILL COVER IT AND STOP THOSE BEASTS FROM HAVING S EX  IN WHAT IS  THEIR HONEYMOON COTTAGE" 

 OR 

YOUR DRIVEWAY IS FULL OF NASTY POTHOLES-- BECOMES-- THOSE POTHOLES ARE A VERY EFFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL DEVICES.

OR--

 AS IS THE EXAMPLE  OFTEN SEEN "I WILL SIT HERE AND SULK BECAUSE I CAN'T WALK ........"  

BECOMES

 " I CAN GO ROUND ON MY SCOOTER AND PICK UP THOSE ANNOYING BITS OF TRASH YOU REFERRED TO IN THE DD"  WHICH HAPPENED YESTERDAY   AND SHE CAME UP WITH  BAGS FULL OF LITTLE BITS OF  STUFF SHE PICKED UP WITH  ONE OF THOSE 3' "GRABBERS"

I HAVE YET TO HAVE SOMEONE COME HERE  THAT WE CAN  NOT FIND SOME JOB FOR THEM TO DO TO HELP move this entire project along...

SO AMID THE SEA OF "I CAN'T's"   THERE ARE A FEW " LET ME FIGURE OUT HOW's"

GUESS WHO GETS OUR ATTENTION AND  MOVES UP ON THE LIST OF NEEDING A SERVICE DOG....

GO AHEAD AND CHALLENGE ME--- UNLESS YOU ARE IN AN IRON LUNG-- I WILL FIND SOMETHING...

IRON LUNG-- MAYBE SOME OF YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER THE POLIO OF THE 1950'S

I HAD 2 COUSINS WHO WERE IN THOSE IRON LUNGS FOR MONTHS-- THEY EVENTUALLY GOT THRU PARIS ISLAND MARINE TRAINING PROGRAM... WHICH IS IMPRESSIVE FOR ANYONE..

 FROM CLOUD...

I did not see Grace disciplining the pups when it happened, so I searched through the Explore video around that time.  I found three different ones.  There may be more but my internet a home is so slow.  I put the ones that I found all together into one video.  Are any of the clips on the attached video the one you referred to in the DD?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeuvxYbxaGM

I HATE TO ADMIT IT BUT I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THEM SO FAR...  SO IF CLOUD THINKS IT POSSIBLE THEN HAVE A LOOK... I WILL TAKE HER WORD FOR IT...

******

WHICH BRINGS UP  THE BOOK ...

THERE ARE 9 MILLION PEOPLE IN MY LIVING ROOM...

YOU KNOW ... IT WOULD SELL -- AND I THINK BE AMUSING...

PROBLEM IS-- IT IS ALREADY WRITTEN IN THE DAILY DOGGIES... OUT THERE AMID THE THOUSANDS OF DD  THERE ARE ENOUGH TO FILL A BOOK... PROBLEM IS... FIND THEM

SO  I NEED PEOPLE TO TELL ME--- WITH DATES IF POSSIBLE-- WHICH DD'S ARE WORTHY OF BEING PUBLISHED...... SOME ARE GOOD --- I DO THINK---  SOME ARE PURE DRIBBLE. 

AND THEN AFTER YOU FIND ALL THESE THINGS FOR ME--- I WOULD HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK YOU TO BUY THE BOOK????

RIGHT....

HIGH ON THE LIST-- IS THE TIME I  THREW MY CLOTHES IN THE WASHING MACHINE AN GOT IN THE BATHTUB ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD THROWN MY "I HAVE FALLEN AND I CAN 'T GET UP " NECKLACE  IN THE WASHING MACHINE AND THE TUMBLING HAD SET IT OFF.  THIS MEANT I WAS IN THE BATH-- WITH 30 SECONDS TO GET TO THE  "CALL BOX"  AND PUSH A "NO THANK YOU "  BUTTON--- WHILE IT WAS  BLARING "MRS WHITE WE ARE CALLING THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS FOR YOU"-- AT 76 YOU DO NOT JUST JUMP OUT OF THE TUB... BUT I GOT OUT AND RAN INTO THE KITCHEN TO PUSH THE "NO THANKS" BUTTON  ONLY TO REMEMBER THE FIELD OF VIEW OF  EXPLORE CAMERAS INCLUDED THAT BUTTON.

MEMORY HAS NEVER BEEN MY STRONG SUIT... BUT I DO REMEMBER ONE VERY EARLY EPISODE... A KNOCK ON THE DOOR ( HAD TO BE A STRANGER-- NO ONE KNOCKS HERE)  I GO ANSWER THE DOOR AND 2 VERY NICE WOMEN ARE STANDING THERE WITH A MOPS AND BUCKET-- THEY SIMPLY SAID  "WE   HAVE  BEEN WATCHING THE CAMERAS AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR FLOOR  COULD USE SOME  MOPPING"

ABSOLUTELY-- YOU GO RIGHT AT IT.!!!

THEY CAME REGULARLY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS-- BROUGHT THEIR OWN BUCKET AND SOAP.... 

THAT WAS ONE OF MY FIRST LESSONS--- DO NOT BE INSULTED BY ANY SECOND HAND INSINUATIONS -- I NEEDED HELP-- STILL DO--- AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THINK PICKING UP POOP IS BETTER  EXERCISE  THAN GYMNASTICS.... AND THEY ARE RIGHT... BLESS THEM...  

SUE HAS ARRIVED WITH 2 GRANDDAUGHTERS FOR A WEEK AND SAID "PUT THEM TO WORK"   

 THAT IS A  RED FLAG IN FRONT OF A BULL.

THEY CAN HEPL WITH  THAT POST HOLE, CHAIN LINK EPISODE...

WHICH I WILL NOW GO DO.

JUNE 21,2014

 I FORGOT.  THE DD  .. BUT I GOT 5 POST HOLED DUG !!!!i 

don't know how to get rid of that picture.. i copied and pasted the verbiage--- but that picture got copied and plastered and now i am stuck with it.

servicedogproject..ma • a minute ago

I JUST SAW GRACE DISCIPLINE A .PUP PERFECTLY-- I WISH EVERYO9NE COULD SEE THAT... JUST AS THE MOTHER DOG WOULD DO IF THEY GET TOO ROUGH, SHE TOOK THE PUP BY THE SKRUFF OF THE NECK AND QUICKLY PINNED IT TO THE FLOOR - IMMEDIATELY LETTING GO- AT WHICH THE PUP SAT UP AND LOOKED AROUND WITH A " THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT THE WAY I HAD PLANNED" LOOK ON HIS FACE. AND JUST WANDERED OFF. LITERALLY 2 SECONDS AND LET GO ENTIRELY -- IF YOU DO IT CORRECTLY JUST WATCH THE REACTION.. SORT OF "OH - I BETTER DO SOMETHING ELSE" IF YOU HOLD THE PUP DOWN YOU HAVE RUINED IT.. AND IT BECOMES PUNISHMENT... SNAP THE PUP TO THE FLOOR AND LET GO IMMEDIATELY AND IT BECOMES EDUCATION. LET THEM THINK ABOUT IT WITHOUT TOUCHING THEM. THIS SHOULD BE REPOSTED.....FOR DOG TRAINING LESSONS. SDP TYPE

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

manny was tooo fat---  my way to judge is... if there is a slight depression at the top of thier tail with mounds on both sides, that is fat.   ribs showing is not bad-- too thin is when their 2 hip bones show on the top-- but too thin is better than too fat...

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

Hello everyone!
  It's been about 2 months since me & Manny were at the farm for a visit & 
recertification. I have been very strict to the diet that Megan suggested for 
Manny and am very pleased to let everyone know that he is looking Great! The 
first couple of weeks were tough for both of us but the only thing that is 
important is Manny's health. I don't know exactly how much weight he has lost 
because of no scale but he looks beautiful. Hardly a dimple you can see. 
However, he does have a super big barrel chest. We will have another 
recertification in September as we will also be attending the retreat you 
invited us to. We will see you then

JUNE 20 2014

THANKS TO CARRIE FOR THE FRUITY 19TH  -- THE EDIDIBLE ARRAINGEMENT WAS A LOVELY SURPRISE-- AND WE ENJOY IT-  IT IS A GOOD SIZE TOO-- NOT HUGE-- WE WILL FINISH IT TODAY I AM SURE...

 NOW FOR NUMBER NEWS

 THE BRICKS ARE 1/2 SOLD... 

 WE ARE WITHIN 20,000 OF 10 MILLION  HITS-- MY GUESS IS MAYBE TOMORROW NIGHT????  

TO ME-- THAT IS IMPRESSIVE-- I WISH I KNEW IF  THE  EXPLORE  OFFICE ( CHARLIE,TOM, COURTNEY,JON,TIM ) WAS PLEASED....

SOMETIMES I WORRY THAT THEY ARE SITTING THERE THINKING WE HAVE GONE "ROUND THE BEND"  WITH SOME OF THESE MAIL CALL EPISODES...  I WOULD LIKE TO THINK MY SEGMENTS ARE EDUCATIONAL -- WHICH IS STRETCHING ALOT.... BUT SHEILA'S  TUESDAYS CAN BE OVER THE TOP....

WELL,  NOT SINCE SHE RAN AWAY--- SHE LEFT A BIG GAP IN OUR OPERATION-- I AM TOLD SHE IS COMING BACK JULY 10TH--- IT WORRIES ME THAT I HEARD HER USE THE TERM "HOME" FOR THAT HOUSE IN FLORIDA...... NOOOOOOOOO   YOU NEED TO HAVE A HOME  AROUND HERE....

**********

MEANWHILE..... JANINE IS IN OHIO-- THANKS TO WHOEVER POSTED THIS... I DON'T FACE BOOKS AND WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN IT...

Janine posted this on FB: (pic) In Ohio picking up a "Gift" for my mother...but the poor guy smelled so badly! I couldn't leave without giving him a bath. Now Driving, He smells like spring time and I smell like a smelly donkey.

• 

THIS IS THE DONKEY THAT IS DRIVING EVERYONE AT THE FARM IN OHIO CRAZY BECAUSE HE FOLLOWS THEM AROND EVERY STEP OF THE WAY... ...  SOUNDS HOPEFUL

*****

 I MENTIONED  BIRD HOUSES AT MAIL CALL YESTERDAY--- IT SEEMS TO ME OUR BURD HOUSES ARE PRETTY DRAB-- AND  I BET SOME OF YOU COULD COME UP WITH SOME BETTER LOOKING ONES.... WE HAVE 12 ACRES OF TREES...  AND THEY CAN LIVE OFF WHAT THE CHICKENS SPILL.

**********

 DAVID... BLESS HIM...  HAS TAKEN ON THE MEAT SHACK FLOOR---  IT IS LOOKING SUPER... SO TODAY WE MAYBE CLEAN OFF THE BIG NEW AREA IN THE BARN . IN PREP FOR THE EPOXY SURFACE THAT IS SOOOOO NICE IN THE DEAGLE HOUSE...

******

 I   HOPE TRACY'S HUSBAND IS DOING BETTER... HE IS THE ONE WHO WORKS FOR THIS  DURALL  COMPANY AND GOT US THE  STUFF.... WITHTEH 23 VIDEOS ON HOW TO...

*********

YESTERDAY   FINALLY SUN WENT DOWN ENOUGH FOR ME TO SIT IN THE SHADOW AND DIG THE POST HOLES FOR THE FENCE....\OR AT LEAST THE START F THE FENCE..

I NEED MORE POSTS--- AND THE HORSE TRAILER IS IN OHIO...  MAYBE THEY WOULD FIT IN THE COA VAN...  MEEEGGGGGAAAAANNNN   4X4 PRESSURE TREATED.... 5 OF THEM??  AND MORE CONCREET???

NO... CANCEL THAT-- I CAN USE SOME OF THOSE 11 ' RAILS-- SOME ARE BETTER THAN FIREWOOD...  ALL WE NEED TO DO IS HOLD THE FENCE UP... WE ARE NOT TRYING TO  MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT...

THIS FENCE WILL PRODUCE 2 "RUN IN AREEAS IN CASE WE HAVE HORSES VISITING...  IN THE MEANTIME I CAN BE A DOG RUN--- OR EVEN BETTER A SPACE WHERE WE CAN PARK WALTER WHERE HE CAN NOT SEE BENTLEY.....

*****

TESS  CONTINUES MANAGEABLE-- LIKE BAILEY-- SHE NEEDS SPECIAL  ATTENTION  WHICH ANNIE GAVE HER LAST NIGHT...

*********

CUTTING AND PASTING-- FROM MELISSA RE ANNIE

HERE IS HER ADDRESS IF YOU WANT TO SEND CARDS...

Melissa Dickerson

50 Dorothy Drive

Epping, NH 03042

AND HER EMAIL YESTERDAY

Hi carlene!
Thank you for all your support yesterday and maria too.. it really meant alot..its been rough today without annie following me around and outside.. my routine is all messed up.

I do not know how to move on yet... our lives has changed.. annie was the first to get out to pee and eat every morning and always had clean blankets.. i had to change everyday because she couldnt hold her pee for more than 4 or 5 hours soo during the night she had accidents. She was a family member.. she is a great loss. I hope some day if u have a dog that may match for me we would be thrilled! She made me feel soo safe. She let me know what was happening. All i had to do is see her sit up and move or look at something,  i knew what she was saying. She was such a great communicator! She would always find a hill to lay on her back and slide down while scratching her back. She loved the beach and going in our boat.. she will be missed deeply! She also knew when i got dizzy vertigo or my back was hurting.. she always let me lean on her for support. She knew me soo well. She loved the kids and even two days ago stumbling down the stairs to get out to greet leonie off the bus. She would not let me go out the door without her. She would wag her tail as leonie got off and she would then walk to greet leonie. All day she would keep watch out the window.

Sorry i am rambling.. i cant explain how great she was. Thank you for everything and thank the volunteers and stay.. thank you! If u see another dog that would be a good fit for us let me know.. life without annie will be hard..

I have 9 months of heartgaurd and 5 months of k9 advantix left and a full bottle of joint meds cosequin ds and a half bottle of probiotic for dogs left. Do you need for the dogs or a service dog who needs?
I also have a 20 lb bag of parina one pro.. for senrios over 7 yrs.. we just opened it... its a new bag...  also some dog bones and treats..

Let me know i want to donate them.. i dont want them to go to waste.. kati lives close by so maybe she could pick them up and take them when she goes to work? Let me know

♡ Melissa D. ♡

JUNE 19 2014
HAPPY 19TH ( there that takes care of all birthdays anniversaries etc  for the month) 

it has occurred to me that  donating 2 dogs a month- which we did last year--- eventually will mean  retiring or sending 2 a month to the rainbow bridge.-- and yesterday was that day...

ANNIE WAS MY FIRST DONATED SERVICE DOG-- #401... THE FIRST DOG IN 2004-- SHE HAD A WONDERFUL WORKING LIFE FOR 10+ YEARS WITH MELISSA WHO- AMONG OTHER THINGS IS 100% DEAF.   THERE ARE  STILL WIRES STRUNG AROUND THIS HOUSE WHERE I TAUGHT ANNIE TO RESPOND TO A REPETITIVE NOISE.  --  WHICH DURING HER CAREER WAS 3 CRYING BABIES... AMONG OTHER THINGS...  WONDERFUL DOG...  ONE OF THE 3 "MERLE GIRLS"  SHE WAS JUST WEARING OUT AND WAS READY TO SLEEP-- HER XRAY SHOWED THINGS THAT JUST SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE..  ....SHE IS NOW RESTING NEXT TO LUNA AND MARY. 

OF THE 3 MERLE GIRLS , NOW MAUDE IS THE ONLY ONE LEFT...  SHE SUMMERS AROUND DEER ISLE MAINE WITH SUSAN   WHO REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT MAUDE  STILL HELPS HER BUT NOT FOR BRACING ANYMORE... " SHE HAS BEEN AN ALL ROUND GOOD FRIEND" 

IT IS TOUGH- BEYOND COMPREHENSION FOR  THOSE OF US WHO ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON A SERVICE DOG..  MELISSA SAID  SHE WAS NOT OUT OF SIGHT FROM ANNIE FOR 10 YEARS.  THE VOID IS MONUMENTAL.

WE DO KNOW FROM JIM AND ANN-- WHO LOST HOMER TO CANCER AND SWORE THAT  THEY WOULD NOT GO THRU THAT GRIEF AGAIN--- 

 2 WEEKS LATER AND I GOT AN EMAIL "LIFE WITHOUT A GREAT DANE  IS JUST NOT AN OPTION."  AND THEY GOT KARMA.

THE OTHER RETIREMENT OF THE DAY WAS TESS... ANNE AND HER HUSBAND WENT AND PICKED HER UP FROM ALAN IN ADAMS MASS??-

SHE  LOOKS GREAT EXCEPT HER FEET GET TANGLED UP-- MUCH LIKE BAILEY DID-- SHE CERTAINLY NEEDED TO BE RETIRED FROM A WORKING DOG ... BUT --WE WILL SEE HOW THE NEXT FEW DAYS GO...

I AM NO VETERNARIAN  WE ALL KNOW THAT.... BUT SO FAR I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM AS  "HER REAR" AS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE INCLINED TO SAY ABOUT A DANE... HER PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ONE SIDE---  HER RIGHT SIDE  FRONT AND REAR... FOOT TOP DOWN-- SHE HAS NO TOENAILS LEFT IN THE REAR... THE FRONT IS NOT THAT BAD... BUT SHE OFTEN STANDS  ON THE TOP OF HER RIGHT FOOT... NEUROLOGICAL FOR SURE.. ?? STROKE??? IN A HUMAN I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN INDICATION...

HOWEVER... SHE IS HAPPY, NOT IN PAIN, JUST ANOTHER WIERD LOOKING DOG TO HAVE  RETIRED   AROUND HERE.

****

THE TRAILER HAS GONE-- WITH JANINE TO OHIO ---IN PURSUIT OF ANOTHR DONKEY--  THE 3 WE NOW HAVE WILL GO  BACK TO "SAVE YOUR ASS FARM"  IN NEW HAMPSHIRE  TODAY -- THIS IS IS WHERE THE MRS. ASHTON  ( THE WHITE MULE) CAME FROM.

WE HAVE HOPES FOR THE ONE FROM OHIO  BECAUSE THE DESCRIPTION "HE IS DRIVING ME NUTS, HE IS BEHIND ME EVERY STEP ALL DAY LONG"  SOUNDS LIKE MARY. "HE RIDES AND DRIVES AND IS A GENERAL PAIN IN THE NECK..."-- WORTH ANOTHER TRY...

*********

AND I AM GOING TO SCRUB THE MEAT SHACK FLOOR IN PREP FOR EPOXY

DAMNIT

JUNE 18,2014

NOW FOR THE DAILY VENTING....

IT IS A BAD THING TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND BE MADE VERY ANGRY BY SOME EMAIL...  BUT WHY SHOULD I NOT SHARE THIS AND MAKE ALL OF YOU ANGRY ALSO...

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

I have an unusual situation. I've just been informed by the UK Animal Reception Center that I will be charged approximately $550 to bring my therapy dog into the UK because she isn't registered with an organization affiliated with Assistance Dogs International. 

I am currently traveling in Cambodia and have the relevant prescription from my therapist for my dog. We have traveled to many countries and this is the first time I've encountered this problem. 

Would it be possible for you to assess my dog via Skype so that she can obtain the requisite registration? I'm happy to send through the relevant documents so that you can see that she is a therapy dog. 

Anything you can do to assist us would be greatly appreciated. 

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

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANCES ARE THAT THIS IS A PET OWNER WHO IS SQUALKING AT PAYING $550 TO SLIDE AROUND A SLIPPERY SLOPE OF ENTITLEMENTS.

START WITH THIS PERSON DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW A THERAPY DOG IS NOT A SERVICE DOG-- A THERAPY DOG IS A PET DOG THAT WILL PROBABLY KEEP ALL 4 FEET ON THE FLOOR AND LET NURSING HOME PEOPLE PAT THEM WITHOUT BITING ANYONE.

AND FROM THERE...

WHY DOES THIS PERSON THINK  THAT A PIECE OF PAPER ( WHICH I COULD PRODUCE ON MY COMPUTER IN 14 SECONDS) WOULD INDICATE HOW WELL THE DOG IS TRAINED...

IT IS FROM HER THERAPIST NOT EVEN AN MD...  WHO TRAINED THAT THERAPIST OR IS IT JUST ANYONE  WITH A SOFT CHAIR?

WELL I COULD PRODUCE IT IN 14 SECONDS IF MY PRINTER COOPERATED... AND WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE.....

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT GOING INTO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND NOTICING ALL THE DIPLOMAS ON THE WALL WERE 8 X 10... AND SO EASILY PRODUCED ON A COMPUTER?

THINK.. "THE SHATUPON SOCIETY"   

*****

MOVING ON....

***

GOD BLESS THE BRITISH-- WOULDN'T THEY HAVE  THE 

  UK ANIMAL RECEPTION CENTER-- SOUNDS PLEASANT AND WELCOMING ---- HERE WE HAVE THE DEPARTMENT  OF AGRICULTURE  WHO DOES NOT CARE IF YOU IMPORT A DOG... HOWEVER IF YOU WANT TO IMPORT JUST THE SPERM YOU NEED ALL KINDS OF SIGNATURES... SOMEWHERE IN THE HISTORY OF THE DAILY DOGGIE IS MY EPISODE OF FEDEXING FROZEN SPERM FROM GERMANY AND HAVING TO PAY A USDA PERSON TO GO SIGN IN THE CANNISTER IN MEMPHIS ( OR WHEREVER)

******

THE OTHER POSITIVE THING ABOUT THAT EMAIL... I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT ASSISTANCE DOG INTERNATIONAL ( ADI ) HAS THE PRESTIGE OF BEING THE QUALIFYING  ORGANIZATION..  AFTER ALL WE... SDP... STRUGGLED TO BECOME  ACCREDITED BY THEM-- AND WE ARE WAITING TO BE RE-ACCEDITED EVERY 5 YEARS.

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

THE PERSON WHO WROTE THAT WAS  PLEASANT...

I LOVE PEOPLE WHO SMILE  ONLY WHEN THEY WANT SOMETHING... THEN GET NASTY WHEN YOU SAY NO.

******

SO THAT IS VENTING FOR THE DAY..

** WELL MAYBE NOT....

THE CHAIN LINK FENCE FOR THE NEW KENNELS WAS TO BE DONE YESTERDAY-AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP-- I WAS VERY GLAD I WAS THE ONE... BECAUSE  I CAREFULLY ORDERED "KNUCKLE KNUCKLE" - MEANING BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM WER BENT WITH NO SHARP POINTS...  I WROTE THE CHECK ( $6300 ) -- WHEN I BACKED UP TO THE PILE, I NOTICED  IT WAS KNUCKLE/POINTED  RIGHT AWAY AND SAID :"HOLD IT"  IT WAS TO BE KNUCKLE KNUCKLE- AND THE MAN DISMISSED IT WITH " WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT ANYMORE -- IT ALL COMES IN THIS WAY NOW"  AND STARTED TO LOAD IT...  I QUICKLY SAID - "DON'T TRY AND CASH THE CHECK- THIS STUFF IS USELESS TO ME"-- .. NOW I KNOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO CUT OFF THE POINT AND BEND THE WIRE DOUBLE...-- $6300 WORTH OF FENCING IS ALOT OF CUTTING AND BENDING--  IT ALSO WILL NOW NOT REST AGAINST THE BOTTOM BAR... SO THEY SHOULD  SLIDE IN A  FLAT ROD=== OR ATTACH  IT EVERY  6 INCHES...

THAT LEFT ME DRIVING AROUND IN MY LOVELY CAR WITH A PROPERLY ATTACHED HORSE TRAILER-- A VERY ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE I HAVE NOT HAD VERY OFTEN...

SO I WENT TO HOME DEPOT TO COLLECT THE FLOOR SCRUBBER TO START THE KENNEL FLOOR PROJECT WITH  IT'S 23 STEPS.

I RENTED THE THING FOR A WEEK... 

THE ARENA CAMERA WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP TRAC K OF MY PROGRESS--- OR LACK THEREOF

THE 23 STEPS???  DURALL.COM  "HOW TO PAINT A CONCRETE FLOOR.." 

HAVE AT IT...  IT AIN'T SIMPLE.

TRACY'S HUSBAND - WHO  DID THE DEAGLE HOUSE FLOOR FOR US  IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER COMPLICATED BACK SURGERY --- SO WE ARE GOING IT ALONE...

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

ANNNE  IS GOING TO PICKUP  TESS TODAY-- A PAINFUL SEPARATION-- WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP-- BUT IT IS  AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION TO START WITH...

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

AND I HAVE A BUNCH OF REPORTS TO WRITE