may 31,2015

i am late.... kathy oliver is nominating me for something which might get us between 10,000 and 25,555 $$ - for that i needed to look up specific informantion--- which took a while.

i think the official number ofs dogs donated to service is 106 as of 2014-

the rafters for the  building is over 1/2 up thanks to ge....wednesday they got the plqace orqnized and ready and saturday the crew worked out details to gt it going.    the first rafter was teh hardest....   but 6 are now up.. there is a video twan made of the episode somewhere.. only problem is we are minus one leg....  i will call tomorrow.

i have a great deal to saay about the  treatment i recieved from a new employee of home depot who didn't know me  and proceeded to give me the simple minded little old lady  routine-- complete with "do you think you could back that truck into the doorway?" in a very condescending manner...  he literlly would  not let me  buy some concrete until i said "i have had it ... get the manager"  then he decided to get me 10 bags of what i wanted.

there s a mindset-----  i will tackle that later..

my delightful discovery-- sent to me by michelle dunn  -- i had a wonderful time with this line of thought.

**********

HI CARLENE!

I'M A CP AND THOUGHT SINCE YOU LIKE MYTH BUSTERS AND TED TALKS YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE VIDEOS.  I FOUND THIS FIRST VIDEO AND GOT HOOKED.  IN IT, A MAN SHOWS HOW THE BRAIN HANDLES HAVING TO UNLEARN AND THEN RELEARN HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE WHEN IT'S ALTERED SO THAT THE STEERING TAKES YOU IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO THE WAY YOU TURN.  IT'S FASCINATING!!! 

The Backwards Brain Bicycle - Smarter Every Day 133

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFzDaBzBlL0 

HERE'S ANOTHER GOOD ONE ABOUT HOW SPAGHETTI BREAKS DIFFERENTLY THAN MOST OTHER RODS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADD7QlQoFFI 

HE HAS LOTS MORE VIDEOS AS YOU CAN SEE, SO CLICK AWAY IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.  IF NOT, IGNORE!

ALL THE BEST,

MICHELLE DUNN

VILLA PARK, IL

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

This week's funny story is brought to you by one of the more remarkable traits of Ethel's.

Ethel was accompanying me on a speech therapy appointment last week and was sprawled out in boredom on her mat in the office where I was doing exercises. I was sitting across from a speech therapist and concentrating on the exercises she was asking for my brain injury rehabilitation.

 

"Give me three definitions of the word court in sixty seconds"

 "Court. To court someone is similar to dating someone but with intention of marrying. Then there's the judicial court where sentences on lawbreakers are passed.."

 "ffffrrrrpppttttttt"

 

My face turned red. "Andthelastisthekindofcourtyouplaysportson" I finished quickly. I looked down at Ethel, still sprawled out, and wanted to laugh but I had never met this therapist before and she had already proven to be a very strict, no nonsense type of person. She acted like she hadn't heard anything in response to Ethel's contribution to my answer.

But before she could ask me the next question, I started to smell it wafting up from below the table. Ethel's unmistakable mark. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from cracking up.

"Ahem. Now tell me everything you can think of that is blue in sixty seconds."

 "Blue. Um, blueberries. The sky. Bodies of water…" I saw my therapist give her nose the slightest of wrinkles and I knew the smell had hit her too. ".. Donald Duck's shirt. Sometimes Christmas lights…." She got up from her seat and moved to the doorway where she, without a word, opened the closed door to give the cramped office some ventilation.

 

I finished that exercise and soon I was released, where in the hallway I buried my face in Ethel's neck to bust out laughing. Later that day I was finishing up at the Rehab Institute where I get all my medical treatment and had just been handed a copy of my appointments for the following week. I knew I was going to be scheduled for speech therapy again but I started laughing when I saw I was not going to be seeing that therapist again. Maybe she didn't find my girl's uniqueness as adorable as I most certainly do.

Thank you again for my amazing gift,

Julia

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

 WE WILL TRY TO STAY DRY OVERNITE.  ONLY 3 DAYS IN MAY THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE RAIN.  OUR LOCAL LAKE HAS BEEN DOWN 45 FEET BELOW NORMAL IN EARLY MAY, IN A BAD DROUGHT.  AND IT IS NEARLY FULL.  LAKE LEVEL WENT UP 34 FEET LAST WEEK.

 

LOVE YOU ALL

WANDA

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

Hello,

Khaki and I were asked to give a  presentation on Service dogs vs Therapy dogs to an organization that was established in 1874 called Centre County Grange. 

As I passed out the pamphlets that Lynne and Renee designed Khaki remained poised and regal by my side.

always watching what the others were doing even glancing behind him now and then. Presentation went well.

A lot of great question were asked. Several people could not grasp this fact, "Why such a large dog?" until 

I said a, "For my needs a Chihuahua would not do". 

Today is the first day out of the hospital that I was unexpectedly put into. Something that I never thought 

would happen to me and being a nurse...well you know.The phone call that I made to you was from the hospital

I needed to tell you personally how important your mission is. Never dreaming that I would be in for as long as I was

I could not have done it without Khaki's help.

The education that the hospital got on Service dogs was an eye opener. Hospital beds are narrow, but some how

Khaki found away to fit when I would be transported from CT-Scan, to MRI etc.. 

He became very well known through out the hospital.

Carlene that is why I called you...(you and ALL volunteers) thru the sweat, anxiety, frustration, tears, there is 

always one thing that we cling onto and that is... HOPE.

For without hope we would not have joy. I leave you with this thought..

Shattered dreams=hope=joy.

Marsha/Khaki 

Carlene White

ServiceDogProject.org

may 30 2015

quick doggie

finally------ last night- before megan left we got one of the connections made... i sat on one pipe and megan hit  the other with qa sledge hammer- and it at least starteed to connect... god bless wd40    -- i left it for the ge bunch coming in about 2 hours.-- the apparently are mostly engineers.. and generally , i findg   engineers like challanges.... boy have we got 'em.

once that is overcome. it ought to go up quickly...  but ... we m ay have to move the operation into the shade by the guest house  where there is almost a flat piece of hot top...  with enough people they can then carry the rafters down to toe location.

steve  #2    if you are reaing this    on the way here...   we need 1.25 inch 1/4" lag screws--- a box of 100 would be good.  

we have the lambchops thanks to steve #3

*****

this next bit about george.....

he is needing to be bella's crutch  and maybbe next week  her wheelchair puller--  from the video which i can try and attach--- it looks like he totlly understands the problem...  this is not a trained dog- this illustrates my theory some danes are born trained... just don't wreck them by micro managing.    he might need a few minutes of explination about this hardware he is to drag  which might  hit him in the rear once in a while...  but it will be an explination only...  and ... it sounds like geroge finally got the school  to appreciate his job.

let us all pray for george's continued health and well being-- ( and maybre bella's too.)

Hey Carlene,

I just wanted to share this quick video with you. Bella was practicing walking with George and using her crutch. Her knee has been giving her a lot of trouble and with the surgery coming she may have to stay off it for a couple week but she said there is no way she can stay off of George so he could be one crutch and the real crutch on the other side. This was his first try and he did pretty good. He is such a good boy and I have been hearing great reports about him at school. So thank you for everything!  I plan to be up there for a couple hours Monday morning so I look forward to seeing you. 

Rachel.  

CARLENE,

MY SON, SISTER, NIECE, AND I VISITED YOU IN JULY. WE ARE THE ONES THAT LASTED ONE NIGHT IN THE TEEPEE.  I TOLD YOU HOW MY STUDENTS WITH AUTISM LOVE WATCHING THE CAMERAS. THIS SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEEN THE SAME ONLY THIS YEAR THEY WERE ABLE TO MEET ONE OF YOUR DOGS; CORKY. CORKY AND KRISTINA WERE WONDERFUL!!  MY STUDENTS LOVED CORKY AND SHE WAS SO GOOD WITH THEM. SHE KNEW WHO TO APPROACH, HOW, AND WHEN. AFTER VISITING MY CLASSROOM CORKY AND KRISTINA VISITED OTHER CLASSROOMS WHERE SHE DISCUSSED WHAT CORKY DOES FOR HER AND SERVICE DOG RULES.  IT WAS A TREAT.  MY SON AND I WILL BE SEEING YOU IN JULY AGAIN. I CAN'T WAIT!!  I'VE INCLUDED SOME PICTURES OF CORKY WITH ME. I AM WORKING ON GETTING CLEARANCES TO SHARE ONES WITH THE STUDENTS WITH YOU. CORKY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT KRISTINA AND ALL 8 OF MY STUDENTS. SHE TRIED TO KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYONE!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU AND YOUR TEAM DOES!

JENN BELL

*********

love it !!!  double duty !!!

**********

Fiona and I are fine. Volunteer work keeps us busy, as does cards and book club. I have a friend who gives Fiona a milk bone when she leaves and Fiona can tell when it is time

even before she gets off of the couch.Fiona helped a worker put down ground cloth in the back yard yesterday. She was very much interested until I came in the house. I love it

when she lays on the couch next to me to read. She is such a gentle loving friend. You have taught her so much and handled her in a way to instill a great temperment.

 

She still is not crazy about men coming to the door and I have to repeat to them "give her her space". They ignore me the first time and try to approach her and she barks and

goes into the family room and I scold them. They think that because they have a dog they know all about them, but Fiona is special and likes to approach first. It always works

out.

 

You sound so busy at SDP, but I guess that it is always like that. I love daily doggie and all of you. Fiona does too.

Love

Fiona and Mary Lou

MAY 29 2015

bodacious--  HOW COME WE NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT NAME FOR A DOG???

SOMEBODY PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ONE.

TODAY'S PROBLEMS----

1....MARIAH IS DRIPPING SOMETHING-  HEY !!! YOU HAVE TO START THE DAY WITH REALLY CRITICAL MATTERS. 

 WE HAD HER GO FOR A WALK IN THE PARK WITH WALTER---  HE ENJOYED SNIFFING THE FLOWERS... BUT NOT MUCH ELSE..

 SHE IS LOOKING LIKE SHE IS EITHER IN HEAT OR SOMETHING IS VEYR WRONG WITH HER PLUMBING. 

 SHE WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE WALTER... AND THEY ARE A SIGHT... "RUNNING  LIKE THE  WIND"  WHICH WAS PRETTY 

TO WATCH.. BUT NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND.

2... FLAT.. STRAIGHT... IN THE  MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IT OCCURS TO ME WE HAVE 4 CURVED PIPES TO FIT

 TOGETHER 22 TIMES AND THEY MUST BE FLAT--WHICH WOULD BE SIMPLE IF WE HAD A FLAT SURFACE... 

WHICH WE DON'T--- AND EVEN IF I THINK IT IS FLAT WE WON'T KNOW TIL WE STAND UP ALL 

.. THESE BOWS AND THEY ARE ALL CROOKED.. AT THE MOMENTI AM TRYNG TO FIGURE OUT

 HOW TO PROVE THEY ARE FLAT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY...

  AND I DON'T HAVE ONE WAY YET-- EFFECIENT OR INEFFICIENT..  

3.  I SPENT A LONG TIME YESTERDAY BEFORE I REALIZED THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT CURVED PIPES--

 WITH DIFFERENT  PREDRILLED HOLES-- THAT ARE NOT EASY TO SEE. 

CLEARSPAN WILL BE SORRY THEY EVER SENT ME A BUILDING AND A SET OF DIRECTIONS... I AM ALREADY 

RE-WRITING THE DIRECTIONS... LIKE  A SMALL SQUIRT OF PAINT  ON THE DIFFERNT  TYPES OFF PIPE WOULD

HAVE SAVED ME  4 HOURS SO FAR... IT IS A MALE/FEMALE END KIND OF PROBLEM--

 SAME AS THE WIRES FOR THE MICROPHONE.... THE PROBLEM STILL CONFUSING ME IIS THESE PIPES ARE 

?12 FEET LONG-- BUT IN THE BUNCH THERE ARE MAYBE 6  1'LONG PIECES...-- 

WHICH AT THE MOMENT  I THINK WERE JUAT TO TIGHTEN THE BUNDLES FOR SHIPPING..

IT REMAINS... THE PIECE THAT ATTACHES TO THE WORLD IS A MALE THING SO FIRST PIPE NEEDS FEMALE.

SO IFALL THE PIPES WERE THE SAME WITH THIEE MALE FEMALE THING  YOU WOULD

 GET TO THE TOP WITH A  MALE MALE SITUATION --

 WHICH COULD BE WHERE THESE 1 FOOT LONG FEMALE FEMALE PIPES FIT IN...

THAT IS NOT THE MOST STABLE  CONNECTION  SO I DOUBT THAT IS THE SOLUTION.

AND I WON'T KNOW TIL WE SORT OUT QLL THOSE PIPES  CHECKING FOR  PREDRILLED HOLES AND 

TINY BAR CODE TYOE NUMBERS--

 WHEN A QUICK SQUIRT OF RED/WHITE/BLUE  PAINT WOULD HAVE MADE IT EASIER.

THEN...... AT MAILCALL LAST NIGHT.... I THOUGHT.. MAYBE IF I PUT UP A BIG SIGN

 "THIS IS A CLEARSPAN EASY TO ERECT BUILDING"  

 MAYBE CLEARSPAN WOULD SEND ME A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TO PUT IT UP RIGHT SO 

IT WOULD NOT BE A TERRIBLE EYESORE ON THE INTERNET.

NOT A BAD IDEA... I AM NOT OPPOSED TO BLACKMAIL WHEN NECESSARY.

BUT WE WILL TRY...  IT IS AN INTERESTING COLLECTION OF HARDWARE  AT THE MOMENT

***********

NOW AS FOR WHAT DOG LEAVES HERE WITH WHAT TITLE...... THERE HAVE BEEN COMMENTS LATELY 

 WHICH  I AM NOT FREE TO DISCUSS.. BUT LET ME DEFINE THE SDP   -- OR AT LEAST MY

THOUGHT PROCESS. 

 BY HAVING APPLICANTS  VOLUNTEER HERE AND HANG AROUND, 

I GET TO LOOK OVER WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE..  AND AT THE SAME TIME-- THEIR CAPABIOLITIES.

LET US LOOK AT BUD2-- I CERTAINLY HOPE HE DOES NOT MIND...

HE LOST HIS FIRST DOG INDY TO  .. I THINK .. CANCER...  THAT IS SO DEVASTATING A SITUATION,

 THAT IS DEMANDS ALL THE ATTENTION WE CAN GIVE HIM. AT FIRST HE NEVER WANTED TO GO THRU THAT  

AGAIN... AND 4 DAYS LATER I GOT AN EMAIL   "  LIFE WITHOUT A DANE WAS NOT AN OPTION."

WELL... WHAT OPTIONS DID WE HAVE??? WE DID NOT HAVE A PERFECTLY TRAINED SERVIDCE DOG

 READY TO GO THAT WOULD SUIT HIM.

WE DID HAVE A VERY NICE 9 MONTH OLD PUP -MAROON-   VERY NICE..

 BUT NEEDED 20 MILES-- AND JUST MORE "EEXPERIENCE"

WELL WE COULD KEEP HIM AND MEGAN COULD WANDER AROUND THE MALLS ETC... BUT  BUD 2

IS A VERY KNOWLEGEABLE PREVIOUS SERVICE DOG OWNER  WHO IS VERY CAPABLE OF WANDERING

 AROUND THE SAME PLACES WITH  THE PUP.  THE ACCREDITING "ASSISTANCE DOG INTERNATIONAL" 

WOULD HAVE A HEART ATTACK ABOUT HAVING US PLACE  A 9 MONTH OLD AS A FULLY TRAINED SERVICE DOG.

MOST ADI TRAINING FACILITIES DON'T EVEN START FORMAL TRAINING TIL 18 MONTHS.

SO WE  DID NOT CALL HIM A SERVICE DOG... ... ROO IS A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING..  WHEN BUD COMES BACK TO GET HIS

 RECERTIFICATION, WE CAN RE-TEST ROO AND IF HE PASSES TEH TEST-- MAKE HIM OFFICIAL-- 

NOW FOR EXAMPLE.... IF I HAVE A PUP WHO SHOWS FOOD AGGERSSION--- AND I HAVE  A PERSON WHO 

HAS BEEN AROUND HERE..  IN NEED OF A  MOBILIYY DOG ----WHO TOTALLY UNDERSTANDS FOOD AGGRESSION,

 AND IS WILLING TO DEAL WITH THE  VERY SPECIFIC LIMITATIONS OF THAT PROBLEM...  I COULD BE CONVINCED 

TO GIVE THEM THE DOG... IN TRAINING--  THE DOG HAS ONE SPECIFIC PROBLEM TO WORK THRU---

I AM NOT WILLING TO CALL HIM A FABULOUS FAILURE, WHEN A PERSON IN NEED HAS THE CAPABILITIES OF WORKING 

WITH THE DOG.  ESPECIALLY IF TEHY LIVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO COME HERE DAILY IF NEED BE.

 JUST SWALLOW THE SEMANTICS.. 

 ALL DOGS FROM HERE   WILL   SERVE SOMEONE SOMEHOW.

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

FROM ZENA

I am writing to you to let you know I am
doing just fine and adjusting to life in Florida.  Everything is much different
here, and I am curious about all of it.  Buckeye (SDit) and I have lots of fun
playing ball together and chasing each other.  We even dig tunnels too. I have
met the goats and horses.  Miss Etta and I took a walk through the pasture and
met some cows with big long things sticking out of their heads.  Miss Etta said
they were longhorns, whatever that is.

I really like going for
rides in her van.  I can watch out the window to see where we are going.  We
have run errands to stores and the bank.  I like going to the bank because they
give me treats.  Yum!  We even went to a restaurant with friends.  I was good
like you taught me, and laid under the table.

MAY 28 2015

TRASH   AND THE DEALING WITH TRASH HAS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY IN MY LIFE..  I HAVE DD'D  ABOUT THE FACT THAT  THE GUY DRIVING THE TRASH TRUCK IS  HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY ME... ON A HOT DAY I WILL OFFER HIM COLD DRINKS... ALONG WITH A SMILE AND A WAVE. HE IS  RELIABLE-- ON MONDAYS, HE AIMS HIS TRUCK AT OUR DUMPSTER WITH GREAT ACCURACY... AND WITHIN SECONDS 6 CUBIC YARDS OF PROBLEMS  ARE GONE OUT THE DRIVEWAY.

OH THAT  SUCH A PERSON EXISTED THAT I COULD DUMP  ALL MY UNNECESSARY MENTAL  CRAPOLA ON AND HAVE THEM DRIVE IT DOWN THE DRIVE IN THE SAME MANNER AND EFFICIENCY.

WHAT  INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEMS  YOU ASK???? MY PROBLEMS VARY IN NATURE, 

THE BIGGEST AT THE MOMENT IS HOW TO GET SPERM INTO MORIAH IF SHE IS INDEED IN HEAT.-- AND IF SHE IS IN HEAT.. WHAT ON EARTH WAS COMING OUT OF HER 2 WEEKS AGO???   IF YOU THINK BACK TO THE RUBBERMAID SANDWICH DISH EPISODE... IT IS NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING... BUT WE (AND WALTER)  SO FAR HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT DEVISING A SPERM DELIVERY SYSTEM.-- AND IF SHE IS IN HEAT WE ARE APPROACHING THE DREADED DEADLINE OF  " TRY AGAIN IN 6 MONTHS" .

**********

PUTTING UP THE BUILDING PALES BY COMPARISON...  ALTHO THE PIECES OF BUILDING ARE FAR HEAVIER THAN I HADE ANTICIPATED,  INDIVIDUALLY TEHY ARE MANAGEABLE UNTIL YOU BOLT SEVERAL TOGETHER..

  WHEN CLEARSPAN PUT UP THE  ARENA, THE ONLY PIECE I DID NOT UNDERSTAND... AND STILL DON'T----IS THE WRATCHETS THAT PULL THE SKIN TIGHT.  THERE WAS A BOX OF THEM LEFT OVER, AND I AM ASHAMED TO SAY I NEVER TRIED TO UNDERSTAND ESXACTLY HOWW THEY WORK.. AN INTELLECTUAL DEFICCINECY ON MY PART... I FIGURED IT WAS LIKE STUDYING LATIN-- WHO NEEDS TO KNOW THAT?

WELL .. NOW I NEED TO KNOW -- AT LEAST THE WRATCHET PART...

 ?LATIN??-- THE JURY'S STILL OUT ON THAT ONE.

 IN MY LAP AT THE MOMENT IS THE  ENVELOPE OF INSTRUCTIONS---- WHICH.. AMUSINGLY ENOUGH  AS A SECOND ENVELOPE IN WHICH TO SEND THE WARTENTTEE INFORMATION... AND BEFORE THEY WILL WARENTEE, YOU HAVE TO INCLOSE 14 PHOTOS OF THE DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION.

******

I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE CREW FROM GE THAT WORKED HARD YESTERDAY...  THEY GOT AMAZING THINGS DONE...   THE "PAD" IS REAEDY FOR THE BUILDING NOW,  THE BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND IS APPARENTLY SQUARED UP--- THE POSTS ARE READY FOR A FENCE AROUND THE POND TO DE-MUD THAT EXERCISE AREA... AND ALL THOSE CONCRETE PIECES OF SWIMMING POOL WALKWAY THAT SOMEONE DONATED( AKA "CARLENE'S MENTAL BLOCKS") -- AND  ALL VERY CAREFULLY  PLANTED IN SOME USEFUL MANNER....  SOME  MORE BY THE DOG WASHING AREA  AND THE REST IN FRONT OF "BUD'S WORLD"  WHICH WILL BE IN THE   XXXXXXX WHEN WE GET IT UP...  ( IT WILL NAME ITSELF EVENTUALLY)

*********

ONE MORE  COMPLIMENT TO GIVE... I BOUGHT 2 "MISTERS" FROM HAMMACHER SCHLEMER -- I.E.  FANS WITHS PRAY ATACHED THAT REALLY DO COOL OFF A PATIO TYPE AREA....  ONE STOPPED ROTATING-- SO BUD-- BEING THE ELETRITIAN.. TOOK IT APART AND GAVE ME THE FAULTY MOTOR TO REPLACE-- I CALLED AURAMIST  PARTD DEPARTMERNT --AND COULD NOT GET A HUMAN ON HTE PHONE.... SO I CALLED HAMMACHER... AND GOT A HUMAN-- WHO LOOKED UP MY PURCHASE-   SHE SAID SHE WAS SORRY IT DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND SHE WOULDS SIMPLY SEND ME ANOTHER  IN A BOX WITH A LABEL TO RETURN THE NONFUNCTIONING ONE.... SOMEHOW THE SIMPLICITY OF IT ALL OVERWHELMED ME.

**** 

THE CUT AND PASTE... GETTING BETTER ALL THE TMIEM

********

WRITING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON BOO AND TIZZY. BOO HAS COMPLETELY TAKEN OVER THE HOUSE AND OUR HEARTS.  SHE IS TRULY A FORCE OF NATURE DESPITE HER DISABILITIES AND A WELCOME COMPANION FOR TIZZY.  THE GIRLS, TED AND I HOSTED A SOUTHERN SUNDAY STEW IN APRIL AND INVITED ALL THE INTERESTED CP'S IN THE NORTH GEORGIA AREA.  WE HAD A GRAND TIME AND EVERYONE GOT TO MEET THEM AS WELL AS EACH OTHER.  I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TIZZY WOULD BE THE BIG SISTER AND HELP BOO BUT IT TURNS OUT BOO RUNS THE SHOW AND TIZZY WILLINGLY FOLLOWS HER LEAD. BOO USES HER NOSE TO 'SEE' WHERE SHE IS GOING BY SCENT AND TOUCH AND IS VERY COMFORTABLE IN HER HOME ENVIRONMENT.  WHEN WE TAKE HER OUT OF THE YARD SHE IS CONSTANTLY SMELLING AND TOUCHING ME FOR REASSURANCE BUT LOVES NOTHING MORE THAN A NICE WALK AND A CAR RIDE. SHE IS QUITE BRAVE AND AN INSPIRATION AND I AM GRATEFUL SHE AND TIZZY WILL GROW UP TOGETHER.

PAM AND TED SAROSY 

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

Good morning Carlene, I just thought I'd share a couple photos with you of Dash playing at the Lake . 
Her and i have bonded beyond my wildest dreams . She has helped me through my knee replacement as well as getting me out socially. We also have been getting out and doing lots of voluteer work with the local Special Olympics and helping out with a group of autistic children. She is amazing. 
Will be down next month to spend a few days with you guys. 
Thank you again for all you do. I feel so liberated since having Dash in my life. 
See you soon,  Dash and Scott .

************** 

Just a quick note to let you know that Jonah did great last night. He has been busy exploring every inch of the house and the yard. He was especially curious about the sandbox and wanted to stomp on the ants on top of it and eat them :) Each time he goes out he gets a little braver and goes out a little further on his own. 

He's doing great with the kids and the kids love him already. He slept great in his bed last night in our room and has been eating well. 

THANK you for this opportunity and all that you do. I look forward to meeting Megan on Wednesday. 

Best, 
Christine 

MAY 27 2015

BIG DAY AT BLACKROCK...   THE GE TROUPS ARE ARRIVING  AND MARK WILL BE COOKING FOR THEM AT NOON-- AND WE HAVE LOT TO GET  READY FOR THE BUILDING - WHICH  IS DUE HERE SOME TIME TODAY

AS I  BOUND UP AND OVER MOUNDS OF STONE DUST I HAVE AQUIRED ATREMENDOUS APPRECIATION FOR T GUY WHO RIDES A BULLDOZER... THEY CAN FLATTEN THE LAND TO SUIT THEIR PURPOSES.. WITH IN 1/2 INCH...  I HAVE MASHED THAT PILE BUT FLAT.??? IT AINT !!   IF I CAN JUST GET TI FLAT ENOUGH FOR THE GARDEN TRACTO TO RID AROUND  DRAGGING A PIECE OF FENCING IT WILL HELP..--- NOW....IMMAGES OF JEEPS  RIDING UP AND OVER  SANDY DESERT MOUNDS  COME TO MIND..

BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE TRUCK DUE HERE TODAY HAS ON IT TH E GROUND ANCHORS  WHICH WE NEED EFORE WE CAN GO VERY FAR.. AND I AM READY.. WITH STONES.. BUT I HAVE NOT BOUGHT THE CONCREETE-- I THINK I WILL GO FOR BAGS OF MIX AND POUR... ( AS OPPOSED TO MY USUAL POST SETTING OF DUMP IN THE POWDER , ADD WATER AND LET IT GET RAINED ON...)

AND PAM IS DOWN THERE NOW FILLING THE FRIDGE WITH SODAS AND WATER...  WE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE COOLERS WE  ONCE HAD???

*****

DON'T EVEN ASK ABOUR MORIAH-- I DON'T KNONW WHAT SHE HAS DRIPPING OUT OF HER NOW... SOMEHOW  THE USUAL COMMUNICATION IS NOT THERE...

COMING IN HEAT SHE SHOULD DRIP  RED 7-9 DAYS --- AND BECOME ATTRACTIVE TO MALES AS THE DRIP CHANGES TO "SALMON COLOR" FOR 4-5 DAYS  THEN GETS BORED WITH THE MLES AND SAVAGES THEM.

WE ARE BACK TO RED NOW... SO MAYBE THE FIRST WAS THE FIGHT WITH OPAL-- AND THIS IS HER HEAT???  I WOULD LOVE THAT!! WE COULD HAVE "ANOTHER SHOT AT HER" 

**********

MEGAN GOT STUCK  IN FLORIDA --  AND WILL NOT BE IN TODAY-- I HOPE STEVEN CAN MAKE IT.  

*****

PURINA IS MAKING NOISES ABOUT SENDING US ANOTHER SHIPMENT...  I VERY CAREFULLY CALCULATED HOW MUCH WE WERE FEEDING OF TEH DOG CHOW...  BUT THIS "SAVOR" IS HIGHER IN CALORIES AND THE SHIPMENT LASTED 3 MONTHS INSTEAD OF 2.

*******

I HAVE MY HERING AIDS--- IT WAS AMUSING-- FIRST TIME FOR THE TESTING IT WAS MY NAP TIME AND I KEPT FALLING ASLEEP IN THE MIDDILE FO BUTTON PUSHING EXERRCISES.. I GO BACK TO BE "FITTED"  AND I HAVE BEEN UP ALL NIGHT WITH NOEL... AND THIS WOMAN  BY NOW IS NOT TOO SURE WHAT SHE HAS ON HER HANDS... AND SHE WAS FURTHER  UPSET WHEN I GOT THE RIGHT/LEFT  QUESTON WRONG.  I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH BINARY PROBLEMS ... UP/DOWWN/ RIGHTY TIGHTY/LEFTY LOOSEY ONLY WORKS IF YOU KNOW RIGHT FROM LEFT

SHE GOT INTO HER MODE OF "DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP YOU CHANG THE BATTERIES?"  WHICH I AM HORRIFIED TO HEAR NEED CHANGING EVERY 6 DAYS.. I WAS REALLY WORRIED  ABOUT THAT DETAIL- TIL I REALIZED I CAN PUT BATTERIES IN MY PILLBOX-  I AM ALL SET AS LONG AS I DON'T SWALLOW TEHM ---

I ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT THE DOGS SWQLLOWING THE MICROPHONE BATTERIES-- NOTW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME TOO.

-I WONDER WHAT IS THE CALORIC CONTENT OF TWO TINY BATTERIES.

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

did i do this one already??
Hi Carlene, 

Just a quick note to let you know that Jonah did great last night. He has been busy exploring every inch of the house and the yard. He was especially curious about the sandbox and wanted to stomp on the ants on top of it and eat them :) Each time he goes out he gets a little braver and goes out a little further on his own. 

He's doing great with the kids and the kids love him already. He slept great in his bed last night in our room and has been eating well. 

THANK you for this opportunity and all that you do. I look forward to meeting Megan on Wednesday. 

Best, 
Christine 

MAY 26 2015

THINGS GO IN THREES... HOPEFULLY THAT IS THE THREE..  EXCEPT THAT PUP WAS NEVER ALIVE.. IT HAD ABSOLUTELY NO MUSCLE TONE EVEN AT PARTIAL BIRTH-- 

THE  GOOD PART IS... IT DID PROVE THAT YELLOW WORKS... BEEN UP ALL NIGHT-- NEARLY...

IT WAS STILLBORN AT ABOUT 4AM  WE WAITED 2 HOURS-- NOTHING-- SO WE TEXTED GEORGE ( WHO IS ON VACATION) -- HE SAID 1 PIT SHOT -- WAIT  30 MIN THEN THE SECOND-- IF STILL NOTHING STRT FOR THE HOSPITAL AND AN ULTRASOUND TO SEE IF THERE ARE MORE..

NOWW...  AN ULTRASOUND  IS EITER YES OR NO-- IF YES, TEN BELIEVEABLE ( THO NOT THE COUNT... JUST A PUP IN THERE)  AN ULTRASOUND --"NO"--- IS INCONCLUSIVE.

AN XRAY IS YES OR NO ( AGAIN NUMBER OFTER NOT CORRECT) 

PROBLEM BEING THE ULTEASOND MIGHT SEE A HEARTBEAT OR NOT.. AND XRAY JUST SHOWS THE PUP.

SO WHICH IS BETTER AND WHICH DO YOU DO FIRST..

THE VET THERE OPTED FOR XRAY WHICH WE DID-- AND NO PUPS WERE SEEN.

NOEL LOOKS FINE .. PERFECTLY HEALTHY-- DRIPPING NORMALLY.. 

SO ON WE GO.

**********

Hi Carlene,

Just stopping by to say hello and share some photos that we had taken on our outing yesterday.

We went to the Lighthouse Pier on Ontario Lake, in Sodus Bay, NY.

 It was a beautiful day. Dolly was wonderful as usual. There were many dog there on leash, which several of them were Yippy Little Dogs that did a lot of barking at Dolly. She was wonderful staying in her down stay or continuing to walk on with little distraction.  

It was wonderful being able to walk across the lawns and uneven ground with the support of Dolly. This would have been Very difficult to do last year (unable to do without assistance). I love the independence and it frees Dale up to also be independent. Which pleases me, it is like we both get freedom with Dolly. All though my husband has never complained and never would complain, I feel better being more independent.

It was such a nice day that we brought the camera and had a little fun. Enclosed are the pictures we took. Some are scenery some are just goofy fun. Hope you enjoy seeing them as we did taking them.

Hope you also had a great weekend,

Brenda 

may 25 2015

  bailey is still  thankfully growling at the pups per usual this morning...

i was worried.. yesterday she got very tired and walked uphill very slowly after stew... ...  still very pink gums...   so it wasn't  that...  but she is not getting any younger-- i think she needs better stew accomodations  .she stood around too long and got overtired.

joyce too k the nursery camera off to hook it up at megans... today and tomorrow... megan just might get home for the event !!

the entire camera thing is a mystery to me..  she and jon speak the same language..

me?   well, i got a package yesterday----- and my half-fast tech knowlidge figured... if it got delivered on a sunday it was probably comething critical..  a 2'  square black cube with numbers  on it...and it has 2 wires  ( do i need to describe the difference between male and female ends?-- maybe some of you   you just never thought about it but it is self explanitory..)..  th emale end has 3 sections so my guess is it belongs in line with the mic/ camera wire because those are the same kind of ends...

i really don't think it is the tractor part bud ordered..... could be tho---  computer connections  are everywhere 

i remember.........

i had a car  long ago which i used to pull a horse trailer-- and a small utility tralier for magazines... the horse trailer had  what was a typical 2"ball and round  electrical connection... and my car was set up for a  utility trailer wiht  smaller  ball and a  typical 4 plaace... flat uhaul electrical connection.   this car that i have NOW  is the first time i have ever had a properly wired trailer episode- i[ to now it has been rewire for whichever trailer or find the  connection that goes from flat to round plug... and i had several ...round to flat and flat to round-- a terrible mess... always missing.

i needed to pull the horse trailer and couldngt't find the  adapter plug... - i just needed stop and turn signals-- so i figured how  complicated can that be... find the wire that works the stop light   and hook it to the trailer stop light wire... one goes on , the other should.

 simple...  the trailer ball would make the trailer grounded like the car... should be simple--  complete circuit. 

WRONG .... once i spliced into the  car's wire not  only did the trailer not work, but none of the car lights worked either. 

turns out... hidden under the mat was a little square black box--  that would not even let me hook back up to what i had to start with..  i did not understand then.. and i still don't  understand what the logic was... excpet that it cost me  $250 to have the dealer set it right.

i don't know how people survive without access to a horse trailer-  in my career i have moved many large items no one wanted to trust to a moving company.. like a  doctor's personal library ( danm heavy)  and a grand piano ....

i can think of one example.... megan's mom showed me thier grand piano-- it is in her bedroom covered with the usual collection of laundry and clipboards..  she said it was there because   they couldn't get it out... making me wonder how they got it in there.. was it there when they bought the house?  or was the house buit around it??  megan's dad is..  maybe .. worse than i  am at collecting  stuff... just plain stuff.. i would love to see thier cellar... i hear rumors....

but that piano is an exceedingly  strange lump takijng up  a significant part of the room.

i was shocked to find that  they have a monster closet  that is empty !!!    that will be a perfect whelping area to start noel's pups.. so if joyce gets the camera set up, she can aim it  there so it is not too invasive..

holiday today?  for some... for us.. it is another  of the usual 365 days.. it does often take the shape of a sunday of sitting around..  and we have a bunch of food from uyeserday...  we should survive.

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

 I guess I qualify as a Dane recipient and should keep you updated.  Olive is wonderful , well and happy.  Beloved member of my Thursday morning church group,  However the rest of the family not so good.  Bill in rehab after falling a fractured his hip.  Im hobbling around with back and hip pain. Injections helping,  

Still think of you often and hope to be able come by and visit.  My very best to all.  I am blessed to have met you and found Olive.  .... Priscilla 

We hope all is going well with you. I just want to send a quick Harry update. Things here are going well. We have just been doing that whole figure out life and live it, thing. Harry is one happy, healthy, handsome boy and I am thankful every moment of the day for having him. His favorite thing to do is watch his fish in the pond. He is not a big swimmer but he loves to watch his fish! We continue to tell everyone we meet about sdp and encourage people to check out the cams. I attached some pictures and I hope you enjoy them. He really is just so handsome! - Beth and Harry

may 24 2015

what is a sunday without left over lamb chops for breakfast, and an arguement with the printer...

luckily it is not a shatupon sunday  so i don't really need the graph i was so anxious about...

it was one showing how many minutes we are watched... wow !  

i better comb my hair more often-- people are watching.

i won't mention the fact that i only have 1/2 a comb

which is fine.. since i grew up, i only have 1/2 a head of hair.

i used to have a 2' long braid down my back-  it became impossible to deal with 

so i sent it to locks of love.. to this day, when i put on  a jacket, i swipe to get my  non existant braid out of the way.

 we had to rewrite the rules because i cut my braid... they were....

RULES WHILE AT

THE SERVICE DOG PROJECT:

IF IT’S BROKEN, FIX IT

IF IT’S DIRTY, CLEAN IT

IF IT’S SMELLY, PICK IT UP

IF IT’S EMPTY, FILL IT

IF YOU TRIP OVER IT, MOVE IT

IF IT’S GOT FOUR LEGS AND A TAIL, LOVE IT

IF IT’S GOT TWO LEGS AND 

 A LONG BRAID DOWN ITS BACK,

 LISTEN CLOSELY TO IT   

             

 written long ago  ..BC  ( before cameras)----those  are still wonderful rules... 

lets face it... you certainly do not need to ask permission to pick poop.

with about 40 dogs-- 2 movements a day is over 100 piles..

don't question this math... several  are purebred "walkinpoopers"

bentley being one of them.... he does 3 per emitting

the daily poo report..

all systems are "going"  nicely..

we are picked up as promptly as possible....however.... i did see a dog in the flat field  eating  on something--- and i could not figure out what he might be  eating except for some "used food"  starting me with the  worrying/wondering about  the timing of  shedding  virus etc.  if anyone gets sick in 5 days... remind me...

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

i don't know how long it took me to type this and pour myself a cuppa coffee.. whatever... as i sat down, the printer coughed up the report i had asked for before i started this  dd...... 

**********

 it is wireless-- and on occasion ... very rude.

it can refuse to print something while at the same time breaking into this screen with  notices about  how i am using unapproved ink,  and if i  expect perfect copies, i better change to their ink...  they sell these printers for $ 2.49 cents  and the ink is $73.89  per cartridge.

what they can program machines to do is alarming..  and i don't know who "they" are-- but i would like to have a few words with them.\

how bad is it...??  i was frightened when the adjustable bed came with on ly  one remote-- i knew it would get a mind of it's own nd fold itself double--  and it has done that once so far... luckily i was not in it.

my next concern is these hearing aids which george told me to buy...  they come with a remote... 

dogs love remotes-- can't you see me in the t tent  ripping the screeching out of my ears while a dog lies on a sofa in the house knawing on  the remote???

problem is somebody --THEY---gets an idea about an "improvement"  and they don't stop to think the colatteral effects.. sort of like breeding close relative dogs to get the desireable harlequin color- and not realizing  then  the kidneys don't work right.

no word on noel... she just might deliver after megan returns on tuesday...  we are ready...

earlene and i  are really the only 2 with --- extemnsive--- delivery experience... earlene was here yesterday--  she and paul took chaos for the afternoon-- 2 very long walks up near thier house--- chaos loved it !!

earlene lives closer to megan than i do--- and we have the added complication that  aroynd nap time- i would need a driver.

well... the only way i can stay awake at  nap time  is to eat icecream while driving...

and that would be  a 2 pints drive-- gaining me 4  pounds

(? a pint's a pound the world around?-- also .... matter may neither be created nor distroyed...)--- except for icecream.

marvelous cutting and pasting....

re...Hester and Stella (Abia). It is wonderful having Hester and Abia live at Rivercourt. They bring a joy that only comes with a home with a dog. When Hester and Abia walk through the building, eyes light up and faces strain with smiles so big it hurts. Thank you Hester for choosing Rivercourt and thank you SDP for providing Abia. In a residence, filled with canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, Hester and Abia are an inspiration. 

*****

Frenzy has been a very busy guy, lately. 

He traveled very well from Fl to Ma, sharing his back seat space with Honey, 6 yr old retriever mix rescue. 

Dr.s appts this week, including a 6 hour infusion date at St. Elizabeth's. 

His behavior was fabulous, and he achieved boredom to the "nth" degree! 

Jim couldn't get by one person in St. E's without a positive comment on Frenzy's appearance & behavior. 

Even the valet guys look forward to their visit. 

One helps Jim into the driver's seat, while another takes Frenzy's leash to lead him into the back seat of the truck. 

All around, Frenzy is a smile maker, none of it possible without his excellent behavior, all thanks to SDP! 

Big thanks to all, Jim & Ann 

*****

After reading this morning's DD, I realized how rude I've been.  
I'm so sorry. I have posted not only silly stories about Denim's antics but also
her extreme helpfulness on facebook. However, you have not been privy to this
info.  Being the biggest reason I have Denim beside me, I vow to do better
keeping you informed.