MARCH 31 2017

I HAD TO REVEARSE A MEGAN DICTATE...  SORRY--- BUT... THE BUSINESS OF REMOVING ALL THE PUPS TO THE  BARN, CLEANING UP THE KITCHEN SO IT CAN LOOK SPOTLESS- AND  EMPTY  ALL DAY IS NOT REALLY THE GOAL OF THIS OUTFIT...  TH GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THE PUPS WITH A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES  AND THEY WILL GET FAR MORE IN OUR KITCHEN THAN LOCKED IN KENNEL 10...  SO I HAVE SUGGESTED WE ROTATE 2 PUPS VERY REGULARLY AS PEOPLE  COME AND GO TO THE BARN...  I KNOW LEAVING THEM IN TH E KENNEL IS EASIER- AND CLEANER.... -- BUT  NO ! ----EVEN IF I AM TH EONE TO SIGN THE CHECKS, IT IS THE CAMERA PEOPL WHO PROVIDE THE MONEY WHICH PAYS TEH SALARIES...THEY LIKE WATCHING PUPS AS OPPOSED TO A TIDY COUCH... BESIDES IT IS BETTER FOR THEPUPS  TO BE SHUYFFLED.... SPECIALLY SINCE I AM TOLD DAY AFTER NEXT IT MAY BE WARM AND SPRING. SPRING-- THAT COMES AFTER BLIZZARD.. APPARENTLY--  THEY ARE TALKING 6" TODAY AND 8" TOMORROW OF HEAVY WET SLUSSHY STUFF..  SINCE THEY ARE ALSO PREDICTING  50 DEGREES ON SUNDAY  I PLAN TO RAISE A TOAST ,  FORGET THE PLOWING AND LET MOMMY NATURE MELT THE STUFF. ****** WITH REGARD TO  THE PERFECTLY CONTROLLED CLEAN KITCHEN-- I HAVE TO MENTION MY ANGER AT TEH PERFECTLY CONTROLLED BIT ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE/KIDS  IN WHEELCHAIRS... IT CERTAINLY IS EASIER ALOT OF TIME -- SOME OF THESE VA HOSPITALS NEED TO BE VISITED BY EVERYONE AND HAVE PEOPLE GET ACTIVE-- THERE ARE SO MANY MEN ( MOSTLY MEN)  WHEELED JEXT TO THE DOOR TO THEIR ROOM NODDING OFF- WHICH LOOKS TO ME LIKE HEAVILY MEDICATED- WHILE THE CLEANING CREW CAN GET IN AND CHANGE THE BED AND SWWEEP THE FLOOR..  CLEAN BEDS AND FLOORS IS ALL VERY GOOD-- AND IMPRESSIVE TO ANYONE  "INSPECTING" BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, INSPECTING THE CLEAN FLOORS IS EASY-- AND IF YOU ARE RUNNING A BUILDING TO PROMOTE CLEAN FLOORS IT IS LOVELY,, EXCEPT THE BUILDING IS SUPPOSED TO EXIST  FOR THE HEALTH AND COMFORT OF  THE PATIENTS... AND I NEVER SEE ANYONE COUNTING THE SLEEPING PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS, WHICH IS FAR MORE TO THE POINT. EXACT CASE INPOINT-- I WENT TO  THE HUGE VA HOSPITAL IN  BROCTON ( OR SOMEPLACE TAT BEGINS WITH "B"  ) -- MID MORNING....  SLEEPING MEN OUTSIDE THEIR SPOTLESS ROOMS  - AND I STUMBLED INTO WHAT WAS A PERFECTLY EQUIPTED EXERCISE ROOM.. A LARGE QUANTITY OF ABSOLUTELY SPOTLESS STAINLESS STEEL EQUIPMENT--- GLEAMING-- THERE WAS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST IN CHARGE OF THE ROOM...  HE WAS READING A NEWPAPER... OTHERWISE THE ROOM WAS EMPTY. THE HOSPITAL FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENT OF HAVING A PT ROOM, BUT THERE WAS A POINT MISSING..AND NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. MAYBE SOME DAY WHEN WE ARE NOT DELIVERING CAKES... WE COULD STORM INTO ONE OF THESE VA PLACES AND JUST ASK AWKWARD QUESTIONS...  IT WOULD SHAKE THEM UP- WHICH MIGHT BE ALL IT NEEDS..  WORTH A TRY... *************** ALL CP'S WHO MIGHT HAPPEN TO BE IN THE  FLORIDA/ DISNEY  AREA SUNDAY APRIL 16TH HUNTER AND WENDY  ---will be in Florida and are  planning a meet and greet with any interested CPs on Sunday April 16th, 4pm - 6pm, near Port Orleans Riverside hotel on Disney property. SINCE IT IS ON DISNEY PROPERTY PROBABLY CP INGRID HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.     Sunset is at almost 8pm that night so it will be daylight. If you are interested in receiving more details and joining them, email  TINA  WHO IS GATHERING  DETAILS--clsmovynut@aol.com --  SUBJECT "FLORIDA"   OR LINDA  WHO CAN FIND INGRID.. linda@servicedogproject.org,  ************* Hi everyone at SDP I wanted to give you an update on the past few months with Lola. Recently we did an MS Walk in Tampa, and thanks to the CP family, we were in the top 50 fundraising team! We got a special announcement at the walk and our name on the top 50 tshirt!  Also I've been going to physical therapy with Lola and they specialize in people with balance issues. They've been helping me to relearn how to walk properly. They've also included Lola in all of our sessions. They first started teaching me how to walk properly then started integrating Lola and teaching me how to walk and not shuffle with her. Recently I was able to walk 30 steps without the assistance of Lola or the harnesses. The whole team is constantly amazed at Lola's attentiveness. They've recorded several of our sessions and Lola walks right by my side whether I've got a grip on her or not.  I've attached a recent magazine article we were in and a video of us at therapy.  Thank you for this gift. My girl continues to amaze me and everyone around us daily. Going on 4 years with my girl. I've loved every minute of every day with her! I hope all is well with everyone and we miss you all so much!! Michelle and Lola

march 30 2017

donkey walk postponed  snow/rain predicted.

SO the weather is looking snowy and rainy Friday.  CBS wants to reschedule to a sunny day next week.  We will set the day next week based on the weather report. 

****

that along with abc news wants to do something live on good morning america--- probably  in  new york.... they are asking for  "fun" ideas....

***

there's more- we have been asked to "exhibit" at the brain convention... how's that for coming up in the world???  it is for neurologists-and the  list of things  covered are ... maybe i should be exhibit "A"  not the dogs....

***

and an art exhibit in gloucester- can't do... it would take  whole day-- don't have it.

****

i have been getting pixie reports second hand and i don't have her email address...  i have worried about her letting too many people socialize with pixie in harness...-- too much of that and she will be looking for friendly people and not paying attention to you  so be careful...

****

ann and i are getting out grants before tomorrow -- april 1st is a favortite  deadline..  in the process  we have located a wonderful  cafe off the beaten trail in ipswich...

***

and i have  number things to do about that.. so... short doggie. 

MARCH 29 2017

IF MARCH GOES OUT LIKE A LAMB, THIS ONE IS GOING OUT LIKE A SOAKING WET  ONE.. WE HAVE NOT HAD A "GULLY WASHER" LIKE THAT IN  A LONG TIME. ALONG WITH MY COMMENTS ON DOG KNEES AND LIGAMENTS.... LAST NIGHT MAIL CALL, I TOLD HOW I HAD 2 SORE KNEES-- AND WENT TO "THE KNEE DOCTOR"   WHO SAID I NEEDED SURGERY.. I DID NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF BOTH KNEES DONE AT THE SMAE  TIME,... SO HE DID ONE -- WHICH HURT-  BUT BY THE TIME THAT SURGURY STOPPED HURTING THE SECOND KNEE WAS FINE TOO.  MADE ME WONDER....BACK IN OLDE  YANKEE DAYS OF BUILDING  STONE WALLS AND SHUCKING CORN... WHAT DID THEY DO WHEN THEIR VERY SURVIVAL DEPENDED ON THEIR PHYSICAL WELL BEING??    HOW MANY BRAVE PEOPLE FORGING TO COLONIZE "THE WEST"  HAD TO DEAL WITH SORE KNEES AS THEY WERE THE FIRST TO CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI--- WHILE NOT REALIZING THE HUGE BUNCH OF MOUNTAINS THEY HAD TO GET OVER SO THEY COULD SIT IN TRAFFIC IN LOS ANGELES. BEFORE YOU THINK I AM  SUSPECT OF THE "MEDICAL MEN" HUMAN, CANINE , OR EQUINE..... I DID DECIDE I DID NOT NEED TO TAKE SOME MEDICINE PRESCRIBED FOR ME BEDAUSE OF SOME SIDE EFFECT...  THAT DID NOT WORK.... BIG TIME.... THE MEDICINE WAS DILANTIN  TO CONTROL SEIZURES, AND AFTER 2 DAYS WITHOUT IT, I ENDED UP STANDING ON MY HEAD IN THE CORNER AND HAD TO GO ANOTHER  BOUT OF NO DRIVING TIL I GOT STABLEIZED AGAIN.. NOW WHEN I TRAVEL, EVERYONE TRAVELING WITH ME CARRIES SOME DILANTIN... HAVING SAID ALL THAT.......THERE ARE THINGS THAT MAKE ME WONDER....  THE REASON MAY BE THAT THERE ARE BETTER ANTIBIOTICS NOW.... BUT.... WHEN I WAS A KID, HAVEING YOUR APPENDIX OUT WAS  A PRETTY NORMAL THING-- I WAS THE ONLY KID I KNEW THAT DID NOT HAVE AN APPENDIX OPERATION.... AND PEOPLE UNDERGOING ANY OPERATION WITH ANESTHESIA HAD THEIR APPENDIX TAKE OUT  JUST IN CASE... SO.... MO.. OUR MULE...PROBABLY HAD A CHUNK OF HAY STUCK--WHEN OUR USUAL VET WAS ON VACATION....SO THE "ON CALL"  VET WASHED  IT DOWN WITH A GALLON OF MINERAL OIIL-- IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING  IN MO'S MOUTH, SHE DISCOVERED WOLF TEETH- AND STARTED TO SUGGEST I SHOULD HAVE THEM REMOVED..  AND MAYVE I SHOULD TALK TO BRYAN ( OUR  USUAL HORSE VET) ABOUT TAKING THEM OUT-  UNLESS I AM MISTAKEN, REMOVAL OF WOLF TEETH IS SOMETIMES DONE WITH  FANCY HORSES LIKE THE ONES WHO RUN IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY.  JUST IN CASE THE TEETH SHOULD INTERFERE WITH THE  FANCY BRIDLE AND BITS/. SINCE WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF RACNG MO INTHE DERBY, I WOULD HOPE BRYAN-- WHO KNOWS US WELL- WILL OPT NOT TO EVEN SUGGEST IT.-- MY HIGH OPINION OF BRYAN WILL DROP CONSIDERABLY IF HE EVEN MENTIONS IT. **** THEN THERE IS THE BIT OF TRYING TO BUY A HORSE.... AND  HIRING  AN EQUINE VET TO  "VET" THE HORSE ( IS THAT WHERE TH E POLITITONS GET THE EXPRESSION  VETTED ???)   I HAD QUITE A FEW HORSES VETTED BEFORE I REALIZED THEY WERE ALL GOING TO TELL ME THE HORSE IS "PRE- NAVICULAR" ( SORT OF AN  ARTHRITIS OF THE FOOT KIND OF THING. )-- THEY WOULD NOT STICK THEIR NECK OUT T SAY THE HORSE WAS "SOUND"  -- SO THE NEXT TIME I WAS LOOKING AT A HORSE ( FOR JANINE) I CALLED ON THE "OLD GUY"   DR. CONNIE THIBEAULT  WHO WENT WITH ME- AND WE LOOKED... HIS QUOTE WAS PRICELESS.. "I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THAT HORSE IS SOUND, BUT IF YOU DON'T BUY HIM, I WILL"  - SO I NAMED HIM "THAT HORSE"   AND JANINE RODE HIM FOR YEARS... ALL HORSES ARE PRE NAVICULAR-- ALL HUMANS ARE PRE- ARTHRITIC-- AS ARE DOGS... SO WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS THAT AS A DIAGNOSIS, I STOP AND WONDER...  MY PRE ARTHRITIC KNEE IS JUST THE SAME AS THE  ONE THEY "FIXED" .   GOD BLESS MEDICARE--  WHICH IS A TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY... **** ? OLD = VULNERABLE? AS FOR THE OUTFIT WHO SENT ME 7 BOTTLES OF STUFF TO MAKE ME LOOK YOUNGER....  AND CHARGED MY CHARGE CARD $199.15----I FINALLY  GOT A NOTICE THEY CREDITED MY ACCOUNT- AFTER I TOLD THEM I HAD NO INTENTION OF PAYING THE E$10 PER BOTTLE  "RESTOCKING  FEE"  .. As per our phone conversation of today we have issued a credit to you for your purchase of Forskolin Youth Secret. **   AND I DID CALL THE REPAIR COMPANY WHO'S GUY TOLD ME MY $1500 WASHER WAS NOT WORTH REPAIRING AND BUD FOUND A SPLIT IN A HOSE THAT COST $13.10 .  I WOULD BE REALLY ANGRY IF I DID NOT HAVE A USE FOR THE WASHER IN THE LAUNDRY BUILDING -- TEH COMMERCIALL WASCOMATT WASHER IS -NOISY, SMELLY, AND RUSTED THRU.... BUT WE WILL STILL TAKE IT APQAT AND SEE IF IT CAN BE REJUVINATED...  IN THE MEANTIME MY HOUSE WASHER HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A GENERIC GE-- FOR THE MICE TO FEAST ON... JUST AS SOON AS I FIGURE OUT HOW TIO RUN IT. ****  ANNE AND I HAVE FINISHED A COUPLE GRANT PROPLSALS--   IF ANY OF YOU KNOW OF A GRANT  FOR WHICH WE MIGHT QUALIFY, GIVE US THE WEB SITE AND WE WILL LOOK...  READING ALL THE POSSIBLE ONES IS VERY TIME CONSUMING... **** SUNDAY IS SHATTING SUNDAY--- WE ARE DOING VERY WELL--KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK... **** AND SO IT GOES...

MARCH 28 2017

FRIDAY-- HELP- BIG TIME-  Donkey walk for CBS news on Friday.  Can we get people to show up on a Friday?   FROM JANINE ----  AS WITH ALL TV COVERAGE... IT IS A POSSIBLE COVERAGE-- THAT IS ALL BECAUSE CBS WILL NOT SHOW IF A TRUCK CARRYING FISH OVERTURNS ON RT 95- THEY WILL BE A NO SHOW....  BUT IT WOULD  BE AN INTERESTING "PHOTO OP-" 

WE GET ALOT OF REQUESTS FOR INTERNSHIPS WHO WANT TO SHADOW US...  I HAVE A BIG SHOCKER, SHADOWING ME WOUODL BE ALOT OF  SITTING QUIETLY BEHIND ME WHILE I TYPE... WHOWOODA

THUNK---- THE FUN CONCEPT OF TRAINING DOGS INVOLVED MORE TYPING THAN TALKING TO DOGS/....

-- OR FOLDING LAUNDRY-- OR  POO PICKING...

WE HAVE A RULE HERE  --  EVERYBODY CARRIES A POO PICKING "KIT" OF SOME CARDBOARD AND A BAG IN THIER BACK POCKET- AND TEH FIRST ONE TO SEE IT... PICKS IT..  THE ONLY VARIABLE IS ME--- IF BENNIE LEAVES A PILE, I SIT AND LOOK AT IT UNTIL SOMEONE COMES ALONG AND PICKS IT FOR ME...

AH, THE BENEFITS OF  BEING THE CEO !!

ACTUALLY--- SINCE YOU ASKED...--WHEN YOU SPEND ALOT OF TIME WITH A SERVICE DOG, YOU KNOW ALOT ABOUT HIS/HER   INTESTINAL TRACT.  THAT KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN FORCED ON YOU  BY THAT WISE OLD PERSON    "EXPERIENCE"

I REMEMBER-- SOMEOF YOU KNOW THIS STORY  - I WAS BRINGING A PUPPY BACK FROM GERMANY AND AT THE AIRPORT THEY LET ME KEEP THE CAGE AND PUP WITH ME UNTIL BOARDING..  SO I LET HIM OUT OF HIS CAGE- ON A  LEASH, IN THE  CAFE AREA.. NOT REALIZING HE HAD BEEN HOLDING IT IN AS LONG AS HE POSSIBLY COULD- AND TEH MINUTE HE GOT OUT, IT SPRAYED... ALL OVER SEVERAL CHAIR LEGS AND TH STOOLS TO THE COUNTER.--  I   WAS NOT PREPARED-- I SPOKE NO GERMAN- NO ONE HELPED... BUT THEY SURE LAUGHED AT THE CRAZY AMERICAN  CRAWLING AROUND IN IT...TRYING TO MOP IT UP WITH THOSE 4" TINY "BAR NAPKINS" ... I LEARNED.

SO BEFORE I TAKE BENTLEY OUT TO COSTCO, I LET HIM PICK A SPOT TO EMPTY THE CONTENTS OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN COLLECTIN G ALL NIGHT..--HE IS PARTICULAR- AND DOES NOT LIKE THE WIDE OPEN SPACES OF TEH DECK-- SO EVEN AT 11:AM I CAN NOT BE SURE HE HAS "GONE" . YESTERDAY I SGTARTED OUT THE GATE- WITH HIM IN THE BACK OF TEH CAR... AND HE STARTED "TALKING" -- CLEARLY SAYING 'THERE IS GONNA BE TROUBLE"    SO I LET HIM OUT ALONG TEH DRIVEWAY- SURE ENOUGH...  HOWEVER , PULLING RANK,, I KICKED ALOT OF SNOW OVER IT AND HOPED IT WOUOLD BE GONE BY SPRING.

I WAS BAD. BUT IT WAS IN A SPOT NO ONE WOULD EVER WALK IN IT.   WITH THE CURRENT RULE IN PLACE A PILE NEVER SHOULD HAPPEN  WITHOUT SOMEONE THERE TO PICK IT UP.

WHICH MADE ME REALIZE THAT ONE OF HTE UNSUNG SUCCESSESS OF SDP IS TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT FOR WHATEVER JOB IS AT HAND...OVER THE YEARS AS I WAS TRAINING THE DOG S MYSELF- I WAS DOING 99% OF ALL THE CHORES SO IT WAS A CONSTANT "THERE MUST BE AN EASIER WAY"-- AND IT IS ALL THOSE "EASIER WAYS"  FROM FOOD STORAGE, TO TRACTOR MANAGEMENT , TO POO PICKING THAT MAKES SDP FUNCTION... THERE ARE SOOOOO MANY ..... LIKE DON'T LEAVE A FEW BAGS OF FOOD ON THE PORCH  "FOR TOMORROW"  BECAUSE  THAT IS AN INVATATON  TO OUR RODENT POPULATION,  "HERE LIVES SOMEONE WHO IS  NICE TO KNOW"....  I DON'T THINK THE RATS HAVE GOT IN THAT BIG  STORAGE CONTAINER ... YET.. 

I SAY  "YET"  ONLY BECAUSE  IT , TOO  , IS AN IQ TEST THAT I  HAVE SO OFTEN LOST.     IT REPLACED TEH AMBULANCE - WHICH WAS A VIRTUAL "COSTCO FOR RATS, MICE, SQUIRRELS AND CHIPMUNKS"

***

SOMEONE STAYING IN THE GUEST HOUSE TOLD ME   THEY LEFT THIER BOOTS IN THE LIVING ROOM OVERNIGHT ONLY TO FIND ACORNS IN ONE OF THEM IN TH E MORNING. 

 UBIQUITOUS  IS ,I BELIEVE, THE WORD.

********

Good morning, Carlene,

Hey Dawg and his siblings turn 8 years old today. Happy Birthday to all!

WOOF

Gay, Jerry and Hey

MARCH 27 2017

BIRD SEED AS A POO MARKER.... !!!   BRILLIANT  THAT ROUND HARD SEED KIND APPARENTLY GOES RIGHT THRU. AND WILL LABEL THE ERANT  CORGI POO PRODUCER.......SO WITH 4 DOGS, SHE HAS THE LOGIC PROBLEM OF THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF APPLICATIIONS TO DETERMINE 1 OUT OF 4-- I THINK 2-

- 2 WITH... 2 WITHOUT AND ONE MORE "TEST BETWEEN  THE 2.

 I USED TO LOVE LOGIC PROBLEMS AFTER I DISCOVERED "DO YOU TELL THE TRUTH" HAS ONLY ONE ANSWER.

***

L-O-N-G   STORY------AND I AM GOING THRU THIS JUST TO MAKE 'OLDEER PEOPLE AWARE....

"NOW BACK TO THE EXCITING WASHING MACHINE PROBLEM-- MINE... NOT ANY OF THE COMMERCIAL DOG ONES... HAD A MINOR LEAK  WHICH I DISCRIBED AS A TWO BATH TOWEL LEAK... I.E.  NOT A TUBFULL

IT WAS NOT A MASSIVE LEAK... I HAD BEEN IGNORING IT FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND JUST SKIPPED LIGHTLY OVER THE 2 WET BATH TOWELS IN THE HALL.

THEN GWEN ARRIVED AND THOUGHT MY 2 WET TOWELS AS SOME KIND OF HUMIDIFYING SYSTEM WERE NOT UP TO HER STANDARDS.." THAT IS DUMB-- CALL SOMEONE"---  SO I DID .

SAME DAY REPAIR SERVICE-  I HAD TO LEAVE-- BUT THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOLPE HERE TO  DEAL WITH ONE REPAIR GUY...

HE CAME-- AND APPARENTLY TOOK IT APART AND FOUND "THE HOSES ALL CHEWED THRU  WHICH WOULD COST MORE MONEY TO FIX THAN BUY A NEW ONE.." WAS HIS EXACT NOTE.  $190.00 BILL AND LEFT.-- WOW--- I WAS DEPRESSED--- THAT WAS A NICE MACHINE   A BOSCH-- IT "FELT"GOOD...  TEH DOOR HAD A NICE KLUNK WHEN I SHUT IT, NOT A TINNY BANG-BANG --- I HAD SPENT ALOT ( I FORGET HOW MUCH)- BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS AND I FIGURED IT DIDN'T PAY TO GET ANOTHER  EXPENSIVE ONE  - THE MICE COULD EAT A CHEAP ONE JUST AS WELL- SO I CALLED THE LOCAL STORE- NICE WOMAN- KNOWS US....   SHE SAID BUY THIS BIG GE.. IT IS THE  "INEXPENSIVE WORKHORSE"  OF THE TRADE-- SO I TOOK HER ADVICE-- TO BE INSTALLED TUESDAY. 

I WAS UNHAPPY AS I SAT AROUND LOOKING AT MY PRETTY  BOSCH  AND  MY NEW CORDLESS ELECTRIC DRILL WHICH I BOUGHT TO ENCOURAGE ME TO FIX STUFF MYSELF..- I DECIDED TO BITE THE BULLET.. AND STARTED TO TAKE THE BOSCH APART-- ALL THE TINY SCREWS WERE STAR SCREWS.... NOT PHILLIPS, FLAT , OR SQUARE.. BUT M HANDY KIT HAD STARS AND I STARTED UNSCREWING THINGS-- GOT THE DOOR OFF ( HEAVY FRONT LOAD DOOR) AND I REALLY NEEDED TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE WALL TO GET FURTHER.. AND I COULDN'T.

AN WONDERFUL FAMILY ARRIVED --GOLDIE ( GHOST OF THE LEFTHAND DRAWER)  REALIZED I NEEDED HELP AND SENT THEM I AM SURE---  NICE APPLICANT  NEWLY DX PK PATIENT-- WAS A SCHOL TEACHER ACCOMPANIED BY 2  YOUNGER COUPLES --- AH HA !  THAT MEANT 2 YOUNGER STRAPPING MALES-- SO AS I SAT LISTENING TO THEM TELL ME HOW WONDERFUL THE PLACE IS--  I SLIPPED INTO  "IT IS REALLY A COOPERATIVE  PLACE WHERE EVERYONE WORKS ON  THE DETAILS... LIKE MOVING DEAD WASHING MACHINES OUT TO THE TRACTOR..."   SO THEY DID THAT.... WITH LAURA CAREFULLY PUTTING ALL THE SCREWS IN A PLASTIC BAG AND ATTACHED WITH MASSIVE PURPLE DUCT TAPE....  TANNER IT GOT MOVEED TO THE  ICE HOUSE  ( ISOLATION BUILDING) WITH IT'S HEATED CHARM.

ENTER BUD... WONDERFUL BUD... HE IS THE ONE AROUND HERE WHO THINKS AND READS MANUALS AND DOES NOT GUESS AT MODEL NUMBERS-- STUFF LIKE THAT... HE COULDN'T RESIST AND  TOOK THE REST OF TEH BOSCH APART-- FRONT -- TOP-- BACK---ALL LAID CAREFULLY ASISDE.

THERE WERE MICE-- LET ME REPHRASE-- THERE HAD BEEN MICE-- NOT RATS  ( REMEMBER I HAVE  A  PHD IN STOOL SAMPLES.)---ALOT OF MICE... MAYBE A CONVENTION OF YOUNG  POLITICALLY ACTIVE MICE... AFTER MUCH STUDY -- HANDS AND KNEES CRAWILING AROUND THIS AILING BOSCH,  WE FOUND ONLY ONE TINY PIECE OF YELLOW/BLUE PLASTIC AMID THE POO.... THIS WAS TO A  YELLOW BLUE GROUND WIRE- THAT COULDN'T POSSIBELY HAVE CAUSED ANY LEAK-   HOSES ALL LOOKED FINE

ALL THAT POO MEANT THAT THE MICE MUST HAVE JUST USED IT AS A REST ROOM-- HOSES WERE NOT CHEWED.I LEFT BUD AND TANNER    STRINGING UP 100 FEET OF HOSE ACROSS TEH YARD TO TRY AN D RUN THE THING--  BUD CAME UP TO TH EHOUSE TO REPORT THERE WS A SMALL SLIT  ( NOT CHEWED) IN  THE HOSE THAT MIXWS THE SOAP WITH THE INCOMING WATER-- I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE $13.65--

THAT REPAIR GUY  GOT TO CHARGE $190 FOR THE CALL AND HIS TIME-- AND BECASE HE HAD A REPAIRMAN TITLE/ SHIRT...., HE SAW THAT HE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE  OF  THE FACT THAT  MOST PEOPLE (I HATE TO SAY WOMEN... BUT TRUE..)   WERE REPULSED BY MICE POO- AND HE USED THAT FACT TO CHARGE  MONEY WITH OUT HAVING TO FIX ANYTHING..

LESSON OF THE STORY?  DO NOT ASSUME GIVING ANYONE A TITLE WILL MAKE THEM RESPECTABLE 

IN WASHING MACHINES OR POLITICS.----"IF I  SAY THIS WITH ENOUGH AUTHORITY,  THEY WILL BELIEVE ME"

IT ALMOST WORKED...

*****

OUR OLD FAITFUL WASCOMATT IN THE LAUNDRY- IS SOOOOOO TIRED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO STICK YOUR FINGER THRU THE RUSTED FRAME..PLUS IT IS NOISY AND SMELLS LIKE BURNED RUBBER LAST TIME WE RTAN IT.---

SINCE I HAVE A NEW GE COMING FOR THE HOUSE-- THIS BOSCH WILL BE PERFECT FOR THE LAUNDRY BUILDING... IT IS SMALLER THAN THE WASCOMATT--  BUT IT WILL WORK... I THINK.'

IN CASE YOU ARE COUNTING.....

WE STILL HAVE 2 FULLY FUNCTIONING COMMERCIAL WASHERS ( CELLAR  AND BARN---) AND 4 DRYERS 

LAUNDRY AND CELLAR--WORKING   BARN GAS NEEDS HOOKUP AND THE EXTRA ELECTRIC ONE IS IN THE  G-TENT-- ALL CAUSED BECAUSE WE RAN OUT OF AVAILABLE ELECTRIXCITY IN THE BARN...

******

DID I PUT THIS IN YET???? 

Garnet is doing very well and even though I've had some physical setbacks.. On a funny note, and they say dogs are an excellent judge of character, Garnet does not like the PT that comes to the house to work on my knee. Garnet will sit as close to me as possible, blocking the way for the PT to get to me.  Yesterday, Garnet picked up the PT's tote bag and brought it to the front door, as if to say "time for you to go"!.  It was the funniest thing I've seen her do.

Again all I can say is Thank you for Garnet.  I'm so thankful to have her and to have another lease on life and mobility.  I've had so many people ask where she came from and how did she get here.  And I tell them all about SDP.  Please tell Carlene, Megan, Steve, Devon and all of the staff and volunteers thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

I asked Megan before I left this last time, what was one thing that SDP needed that my family and I might try and provide.  I'm open to helping, whether its purchasing harnesses for the next people that receive dogs or monetary donations, please let me know.  I'd like to pay it forward in a way that will benefit SDP the greatest.

Thank you,

Karen Cushnyr

****

GET THESE PEOPLE SUPPORTING US WITH   BUYING  THE CHICKEN BRICKS IS THE BIGGEST THING YOU COUOLD DO....

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

CRIMSON REPORT - FINALLY....

Hey guys,

 know all is still going well with Brian and Crimson - who celebrated her 6th birthday last week. 😊

We had dinner with Theresa, Liam and Kyle last weekend in Midway, KY. It's always a nice treat to see them and catch up when they are in 'our neck of the woods'.  😊

MARCH 26 2017

SOMETIMES I AM BRILLIANT ( MANY SAY I HIDE IT WELL.).---I WAS SHOCKED LAST NIGHT TO FIND MY DAUGHTER HAD NOT REMEMBER ONE OF MY MORE BRILLIANT  INVENTIONS-

SHE HAS  4 CORGI'S AND ONE LAB--- ONE OF THE 5 IS LEAVING THERI POO IN THE HOUSE-- SOMETIMES HIDDEN---AND BECAUSE OF THE "TOOTSIE ROLL " SHAPE IT WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE THE LAB....

THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT GOT ME GOING WITH SERVICE DOGS...  IDENTIFY A PROBLEM AND SOLVE IT.--- I TOO HAVE HAD THE  MYSTERY POO IN TEH MULTI  DOG HOUSE.. MY SOLUTION WAS TO BUY SOME OF THOSE TINY PLASTIC BEADS OF DIFFERENT COLORS---IT MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS, AND A FEW HANDFULLS...000BUT THEY DID GO THRU.  NOW YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT WITH SOME VET - I DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY PROBLEM, BUT  THERE ARE THOSE WHO WORRIED THAT THE HOLE IN THE BEADS I USED MIGHT CARRY SUBSTANCES FURTHER DOWN THE  GI TRACT...THEN THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO WORRIED ABOUT SOME GETTING STUCK..-- MY SOLUTION TO THAT WAS TO GIVE THEM A MARROW BONE AFTER THE IDENTITY WAS MADE... AND THE MARROW CAUSED SUCH A LOSE STOOL THAT NOTHING CAN BE LFT IN THERE.  ALONG WITH THE FACT  THAT SEEING AS MY  DANE PUP CAN  EAT AND PASS A PAIR OF SOX AND SMALL BITS OF FURNATURE, WORRYING ABOUT A BEAD DID NOT SEEM WORTH WHILE...

?GEORGE, DVM?  GOT ANY INPUT??

 IN MY INVESTIGATIVE STAGE, I TRIED FOOD COLOR-- IN MASSIVE  QUANTITIES, TO NO AVAIL-- THAT ALL CAME OUT BROWN... -- I ALSO CONSIDERED THREAD/STRING.... NOT LONG... BUT A  BIG  BUNCH OF 1" BRIGHTLY COLORED-- PROBLEM THERE WAS COTTON  STRING ABSORBED TEH BROWN... TEH PLASTIC, NYLON,POLYWHATEVER-- WAS BETTER  BUT HARD TO FIND...

MIND YIOU THERE  CAN BE COMPLICATIONS IF YOU  FIND A RAINBOW OF COLORS IN ONE PILE , YOU HAVE SOME  COPROPHAGIA ( STOOL EATING ) IN THE GROUP..

HOWEVER I CAN SAY IT WAS ONE O MY BETTER INVENTONS  EVEN IF THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF USERS...

FOR YOU NEW COMMERS, MY CLASSIC INVENTION-- ( NOW PRODUCED AS A "SHE WEE") WAS A PLASTIC BOTTLE CUT LEGNTHWISE INTO A CHUTE  AS A WAY TO DIRECT URINE  INTO SOME RECEPTICAL OR AGAINST SOME TREE WITH OUT REMOVAL OF MUCH CLOTHING.  WHILE EXPIRIMENTING WITH THE INVENTION IN SOME LADIES ROOM, THE FACT THAT OUR FEET WERE POINTED THE WRONG WAY ALARMED SOME  PASSING BY.

****

WE SURE HAD A LOBSTER PARTY HERE LAST NIGHT-- GWEN- NOW LIVING IN NORTH CAROLINA FEELS THE LACK OF LOBSTERS- SO WHEN SHE COMES HERE  WE PIG OUT-- I LEFT THE CAMERA ON  ( AND TURNED OFF THE MIC... I HOPE.. LOBSTERS IN WINTERTIME ARE A MESS...  THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SOFT OR HARD SHELL, BUT THE FACT THAT YOU NEED TO EAT THEM INSIDE WHERE IT IS WARM... AS OPPOSED TO SUMMER LOBSTERS WHICH CAN BE EATEN  WHERE THERE IS ACCESS TO A HOSE.-- ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM WHEN OUR LOBSTER "CRACKERS" ARE DOWN IN THE T TENT SO WE HAD TO RESORT TO A HAMMER-- WHICH SQUIRTED LOBSTER JUICE 5 FEET IN ANY DIRESTIION.

TANNER JOINED US-- AND TEH REST OF SDP HID IN THE OTHER ROOM WITH PIZZA.

***

I DID TEH 30 SECOND VIDEO FOR THE CUMMINGS GRANT  29.6 SECONDS--    STILL SHOTS MOSTLY 1 SECOND AND A COUPLE 4 SECOND VIDEOS.. NEXT PROBLEM IS IT IS TOO BIG TO EMAIL--- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION TO THAT IS... ?ANYBODY? 

****

Emmett and I went to Olive garden tonight and I am so glad I did. Part way through the meal one of the servers came over to me and asked if my name was Jack. She introduced herself and said 

"my father has Ziggy, "  I immediately new who it was, we have several near misses. I told her I would love to get together with her dad and the boys can get reacquainted, hopefully this will happen soon!   

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

AND PIXIE

Today we went for treatment and Pixie yet again knew once again when we pulled into the parking garage where we were. Oh it was a cold day for sure with the wind blowing. My legs do not like the cold so yet again Pixie did her job at an A+.. I was working on my walking and hanging on tight to my girl to stay up cause my legs were freezing up on me. Pixie yet again as always knows just what to do. We work together as one. I love how she knows she just amazes me every day with the love she has for me. I could hear people in the background wowing with amazement on how how much Pixie helps me and completing on how much she was helping me and they were so impressed. I was so focused at this time I just wanted to keep walking and get my legs walking and warmed up. My fiancé told them "Pixie is the best thing that has ever happened to me and she always helps me with love and pride and that we are a team." He did it he took my words. He smiled with joy to watching and knowing he can stand back knowing I was safe cause Pixie will always keep me safe as we all say at home now. My Sweet girl is always watching out for me and my needs. 

We got home and took a nice nap and watched some movies. It's to cold to play outside today and run errands with the cold wind so it's going to be a nice relaxing day at home. 

✨🌟⭐️Pixie My SHINING STAR ⭐️🌟✨

Stacy & Pixie 🐾🐶

MARCH 25 2017

 HEARING AIDS---AND WASHING MACHINES--I HAVE NO IDEA WHY ANY YOUNG, STRONG, PERSON WHO READS THIS      WOULD WANT TO HEAR ABOUT HEARING AIDS-- BUT I FEEL THE NEED TO PREPARE YOU FOR THE ONSLAUGHT OF WHAT IS COMING..

 #1.  I WEAR ONLY ONE  SO THAT I LOSE ONLY  ONE AT A TIME  - I SEE NO DIFFERENCE IN HEARING WITH ONE EAR AS LONG AS DIRECTIONAL HEARING IS NOT INVOLVED...

#2.   RICHARD--THAT OLDER GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA WHO BOUGHT US A WASHING MACHINE HAD SPENT $10,000 ON A PAIR WHICH LOOKED LIKE, FUNCTIONED LIKE, AND SEEMED IDENTICAL TO THE ONES I HAD SPENT $2500 ON FROM COSTCO.

#3. DAUGHTER GWEN- THE FINDER OF LOST ITEMS PAR EXCELLANTE FOUND MY LOST  ONE UNDER MY BED...- SO I AM BACK TO TWO...

#4. i got an--  $800 off- come for a hearing test and see if you need hearing aids. BELTONE-- MIDDLETON  -- ( CLOSE )

 JUST AFTER I HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT, GWEN FOUND THE OTHER SO I REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO GO...HOWEVER...  AGE DOES HAVE SOME BENEFITS IN THAT  THE ONLY THING I HAD TO DO WAS THINK ABOUT GRANTS WHICH I OFTEN DO DRIVING AROUND IN MY CAR ANYWAY.-

WITH THE MINDSET I HAD, I NEVER SHOUDL HAVE GONE THERE.. BUT IT GAVE ME AWIDE ANGLE VIEW OF HOW WE "ELDERLY" ARE VICTIMS OF MARKETING.

THE WALLS HAD THE USUALL FRAMED "DIPLOMAS" FROM HEARING SCHOOL-- BUT WHEN YOU READ THEM CLOSELY, IT WAS FOR 40 HOURS OF "EDUCATION" WHICH ENABLED TEH RECEPTIONIST TO CALL HIM "DOCTOR"-  THERE WERE NO MED SCHOOL DIPLOMAS-..

AN  OLDER  COUPLE- (MY AGE) WERE LEAVING AND COMMENTED ON WHAT A NICE MAN THIS "DOCTOR" WAS...-- AND HE CERTAINLY WAS NICE...  BUT HE MUST HAVE PURCHASED HIS LAB COAT AT A FIRE SALE BECAUSE  IT WAS ALMOST TO HIS ANKLES.. 

BENTLY AND I WERE ESCORTED INTO HIS  HUGE EXAM ROOM ABOUT THE SIZE OF OUR INDOOR ARENA WITH A CURIOUS CLOSET IN THE CORNER.. HE EXAMINED MY EARS BY STICKING A TINY PEN THING INEACH EAR -- WHICH PROJECTED ONTO A TV SCREEN AT LEAST 4 FEET ACROSS.. I NOW KNOW WHAT MY EARDRUMS LOOK LIKE. WHEN HE SHUT THE CAMERA OFF, A BUNCH OF BELLTONE ADS SLOWLY WENT  ACROSS THAT SCREEN--  THEN I WAS TO  GO IN TH CLOSET AND PUSH BUTTONS WHEN YOU HEAR THE BEEP

WHICH WAS FINE TIL I BEGAN TO FALL ASLEEP BETWEEN BEEPS... HE THEN HAD TO STUDY ALL THESE BEEPS AS THE BELTONE ADS   DOMINATED MY VISION ON THAT 4' SCREEN.... HE TRIED VERY HARD - AND USED LOTS OF  LONG WORDS - TO CONVINCE ME THAT THE $4500 WAS THE CHEAPEST THAT WOULD SOLVE MY PROBLEMS.

HE WAS CONCENTRATING ON THE SOUND BITES HE NEVER COMMENTED ON THE FACT THAT I SAID I WANTED THE CHEAPEST BECAUSE MY  DOG - BENTLEY-  ATE MY LAST ONES.  IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO BUY A CAR-- THERE WERE NO MODELS WITH PRICE ATTACHED...  HE WOULD TURN TO HIS COMPUTERE AND MAKE A SPREAD SHEET MOVE  AROUND AND TURN AROUND AND SAY "YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE THE $3800 MODEL"  I KEPT GOING BACK TO  COSTCO WAS $2500-  WHICH HE FINALLY SAID   "I FOUND  AN ECONOMY MODEL FOR $2500"  BY NOW I FELT BADLY FOR HIM-- THE LITTLE GUY-- TRYING TO SAY IN BUSINESS AGAINST THE MONSTER COSTCO, DOWN THE STREET.

I WILL CALL/EMAIL HIS OFF ICE AND TELL HIM I WILL BUY MY NEXT FROM HIM...NOT BECAUSE I AM NICE, BUT HIS PLAN WILL GIVE ME  INSURANCE FOR  ONE MORE SET OF  "LOST" -- I HAVE ALREADY USED UP THE COSTOCO "LOST"  INSURANCE,.

ONE THING I DID LEARN WAS THERE IS A THING CALLED "CAPTION CALL" WHERE IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT  "SIRI" PERSON THAT LIVES IN MY CAR AND TELLS ME TO MAKE A LEGAL U TURN ALL THE TIME... IS APPLIED TO PHONE CALLS SO TEH SPOKEN WORD COMES OUT ON A SCREEN  WITHOUT INVOLVING A TTY OPERATOR. SOMEONE IS TO CALL ME ON THAT... HERE WE GO..

*****

AS FOR THE WASHING MACHINE--MINE... IN MY  ROOM  ..HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK--- NOT A TERRIBEL ONE... JUST ..WELL...   A TWO BATH TOWEL SIZE LEAK.  BEEN USING IT THAT WAY FOR 2 WEEKS..

 ( OH NO... DOES THAT MAKE   2 LEAKY WEEKS?)

 I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME  LOOK AT IT WITHOUT CALLING "SOMEONE"   AS IN EXPENSIVE REPAIRMAN TYOE.

I GAVE IN AND "HE" CAME AND DECIDED IT WOULD BE MORE MONEY TO FIX THAN TO BUY A NEW ONE- AND HE SAID BUY A CHEAOP ONE BECAUSE THE MICE IN THIS WHOLE AREA WILL DO THE SAME AGAIN WHETHER CHEAP OR EXPENSIVE .... IMPLYING THE FOREST WILDLIFE..

IT IS A BOSCH FRONT LOADER... NICE MACHINE-- WITH LEAKING HOSES-- SOOOOO I NOW PROPOSE TO SET IT OUTSIDETHE LAUNDRY BUILING-- ATTACHED TOT HE ELEDT AND WATR AND RUN IT THERE  WHERER THE WATER CAN SIFT DOWN INOT THE CRUSHED ROCK WHERE WE USUALLY WASH THE DOGS...  WHILE SOME  PASSING GENIIUS  VOLUNTEER FIGURES OUT REPLACE THE CHEWED HOSES. REMEMBER THE WASCOMATT IN THE LAUNDRY BUILDING IS EXHAUSTED--- BUT THE DRYER THERE IS FINE.. AS IS TEH WASHER IN THE BARN ( WHERE THE NEW GAS DRYER IS WAITING TO BE HOOKED UP)

WE HAVE GOOD GOLF CARTS HAULING BETWEEN...

WELCOME TO CRAZY ACRES..  AND YES..... MANY OF OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE BONIFIDE GENUIS'S 

*********

ONLY OTHER PLANNED ACTIVITY TODAY IS A BUNCH OF BOILED LOBSTERS TO SCARF DOWN  WHILE GWEN IS HERE-- PROBABLY THIS AVFTERNOON ABOUT MAILCALL TIME???

*****

NOW FOR AMY IN NEW YORK CITY

** 

 COUPLE OF VIGNETTES:

WE WERE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK WHEN THIS LITTLE WHITE FLUFF OF A DOG LUNGED AT SEAGRAM, BARKING AND GROWLING, SCRAMBLING FRANTICALLY & STRAINING ON THE FLEXILEASH. I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE "MIND YOUR MANNERS," TO THE DOG -- ACTUALLY MORE AS A MESSAGE TO THE MAN WHO WAS NOMINALLY CONTROLLING THE MISBEHAVED MUTT. THE MAN HAD HIS HEAD DOWN, PERHAPS COGNIZANT OF THE DOG'S SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOR, ALTHOUGH HE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT. ANYWAY, SEAGRAM WAS SO GOOD THAT I DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO SAY SOMETHING BECAUSE THERE WAS NO NEED TO STOP. SEAGRAM SIMPLY WALKED ON, WITHIN A FOOT OR TWO OF THIS SNARLING LITTLE DOG, WITHOUT ME EVEN ASKING HER TO LEAVE IT. AS WE PASSED BY, SEAGRAM DID DIRECT A QUIZZICAL LOOK AT THE LITTLE DOG, AS IF TO SAY, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I WAS SO PROUD OF HER RESTRAINT & PROFESSIONALISM. 

BROADWAY WAS ANOTHER ADVENTURE. WE HAVE NEVER EVEN MADE IT TO A MOVIE AS A TEAM, BUT I REALLY WANTED TO SEE A SHOW DURING THIS VISIT TO NEW YORK. I HOPED THAT SEAGRAM COULD MANAGE -- AND SHE DID BEAUTIFULLY...TO UNDERSTAND HOW SPECIAL THIS WAS, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT I HAD LIVED IN NYC FOR YEARS AND SAW ONLY ONE SHOW BEFORE, ~10 YEARS AGO WHEN MY SISTER VISITED. ONCE MY CHALLENGES BEGAN, BROADWAY WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH ON MY OWN. MY HUSBAND IS NOT INTERESTED IN SHOWS AT ALL, SO I GAVE UP ON GOING AGAIN. BUT SEAGRAM HAS NOW GIVEN ME CONFIDENCE FOR US TO TRY NEW THINGS AS A TEAM. SHE DID GREAT WITH THE CROWD RUSHING INTO THE THEATER, THE MUSIC AND ALL THE OTHER NOISES. AFTERWARD, ONE OF THE USHERS CAME UP TO ME AND SAID THAT THEY WERE ALL IMPRESSED WITH HOW WELL SHE BEHAVED. I WAS QUITE IMPRESSED, TOO!! AND I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT DURING THE SHOW, I WAS A LITTLE TEARY OCCASIONALLY, BECAUSE I WAS MOVED BY THE MUSIC, AND ALSO GRATEFUL FOR MY NEW-FOUND INDEPENDENCE WITH SUPER SEAGRAM. THIS WAS A MUSICAL THAT I HAD ADORED IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND NOW, SOME 25 YEARS LATER, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SEE IT ON BROADWAY BECAUSE OF SEAGRAM. 

THANKS TO YOU & ALL THOSE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE!!

AMY

*****

AND SO IT GOES...

MARCH 24 2017

WE HAVE A PROBLEM.....  LOTSA PROBLEMS- THESE FEW ARE SOMEWHAT RELATED...

IT IS A CASE OF TEH FIRST AID KIT IN THE BATHROOM INSTEAD OF THE KITCHEN WHERE YOU CUT YOURSELF ON SHARP THINGS ALL THE TIME.

*** 

IT ALL STARTED WITH.....LINDA DID NOT HAVE ANY PENS-- SHE OPENED AND SHUT DRAWERS SEVERAL TIMES--- NO PENS... I KNOW I HAD A SHOEBOX FULL OF THE RESULT OF MY BUYING 1000 PENS OFF EBAY-- THEY WERE WONDERFUL  .THEY WEREN'T EVEN IN TH OVERFLOW ROOM  BUT HAD BEEN MOVED TO THE CELLAR-- AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE FROM WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED A PEN...

WHAT LINDA DID HAVE - HIDDEN BEHIND HER MONITOR.. WAS A BEER MUG FULL OF SCISSORS-- YOU ALL KNOW HOW I  HAVE TROUBLE FINDING SCISSORS AT TIMES--  BUT I HAD PENS....

******

 I HAVE NOT BEEN GENEROUS ENOUGH-- WE GET SOOOOO MANY BOXES ---- WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TEH VOLUME OF ARRIVALS...STUFF IS GETTIN G PACKED IN TEH OVERFLOW ROOM TIL WE CAN NOT FIND WHAT WE NEED SO GO BUY MORE....  CASE IN POINT-- I LIKE DICKENSON CRANBERRY RELISH- AND ORDERED A CASE ? A YEAR AGO..?  I ATE ONE JAR-- AND COULDN'T FIND THE REST  SO I HAD TO GO TO A DIFFERENT STORE HERE TO  GET ANOTHER FEW JARS....ATE ONE AND LOST THE REST IN TH OVERFLOW ROOM...  THERE IS NO END TO THAT STORY.

***

THE ONLY THIG WE SEEM TO USE AS FAST AS WE GET THEM IS  THE  PURINA TYPE  DOG TREATS ( I CAN NOT USE THE WORD FOR THE OTHER "M"  ONES.)  .. BUT WE DO USE THOSE PRETTY FAST

WE NEED TO HOLD BACK ON PRESENTS... I LOVE THEM-- ESPECIALLY TEH SOX AND THINGS WE EAT... BUT  WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VOLUME  WE CAN NOT EAT  AND USE THE STUFF FAST ENOUGH--- MEANWHILE-- I MUST SHARE MORE

HOW'S THIS FOR A PLAN......

#1.   ALL STAFF AND  VOLUNTEEERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE AT LEAST 2 ITEMS OFF TEH TABLE BY THE TIME CLOCK... "THE OVERFLOW OFFERINGS"   

#2   INSTEAD OF SENDING US MORE  STUFF AT TEH MOMENT, HOW ABOUT SENDING US JUST  WHATEVER THE POSTAGE WAS  OF THE LAST BOX YOU SENT.... IF WE HAD A MONTH OR TWO  OF POSTAGE ONLY, IT WOULD HELP FINANCIALLY TO  GET US THRU TIL THE NEXT GRANT COMES IN--

MAYBE NEW COMMERS DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM????   WELL NEITHER DO I-CRAWLING AROUND GRYING TO FIND THE PENS... I FOUND-- 2 SETS OF WEIGHT LIFTING BAR BELLS- THE COPPER POT I USED TO COLLECT WEIGHT CIRCLES FROM PURINA BAGS TO GET BOSE RADIOS, ... 300 FEET OF ETHERNET CABLE.--STACKS OF #2 PENCILS ..., A BAG OF BRASS HARNESS BELLS, ANTIQUE JUIOCER, AND OLD NOTARY  PUBLIC STAMP,    LOTSA  BATTERIES FOR TEH MIC WE NO LONGER USE...,RAHMEN NOODLE CUPS, TEH  RITZ CRACKERS ONLY PROVE WE HAVE  MICE---   4 CROCKPOTS.. JUST FOR OPENERS...

DAUGHTER GWEN ( ANOTHER VERY EARLY MORNING RISER ) IS HERE DRINKING COFFEE AND FOUND A BUNCH OF SLIDES ABOUT THE CIRCUS IN THE OVERFLOW...SO I GOT DISTRACTED 

IN THE MEANTIME I HAD TO BUY A SLIDE PROJECTOR...  IF WE DO THAT I  WILL DO THAT AAT SOME MAIL CALL-- THAT COULD BE INTERESTING...

STAY TUNED..

MARCH 23 2017

HAD A CALL FROM EXPLORE -- TOM CALLED TO TEL WE WERE GOOD FOR ANOTYER 2 YEARS...$150,000 /PER  

WHEW !!  I RARELY HEAR FROM THEM- SO I AM NEVER SHRE IF SOME OF THE WHACKO THINGS WE DO WOULD MEAN WE WERE WANDERING OFF THE  FINANCIAL CLIFF WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT.  NOT ONLY DID THEY SAY WE WERE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 2 YEARS, I REMINDED HIM THAT THE CAMERA CROWD -- THANKS TO THEIR CAMERAS.. WERE SUPPORTING US WITHANOTHER $20,000 PER MONTH WITH OUR SHATUPON SOCIETY... 

WITHOUT EITHER ONE  WE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE

NO-- WE WOULDN'T HAVE TROUBLE,....  WE WOULD NOT  EVEN --- BE---.

*****

I REALLY HAD A GOOD TIME U YESTERDAY WITH LISTING OUR RECIPIENTS ALL THE WAY FROM A TO M...

I HOPE SOMEONE NOTICCED... IT WAS  A REAL LIST 

*****

MY TRAINING REMINDER  OF TEH DAY  MONTH ...YEAR...  WE SHOULD NOT USE OUR MUSCLESD TO CONTROL THE DOG...I KNOW THERE MAY BE A FEWW TIMES... BUT   IF  AAPUP PUTS HIS FEET ON YOUR LAP AND YOU DON'T WANT  THEMN THERE... IT DOES NO GOOD TO  SAY OFF,,OFF,,,OFF WHILE YOU PHYSICALLY LIFT THEM DOWN.... BETTER TO GIVE THOSE PAWS A QUICK SLAP AND SAY OFF... AND LE THEM FIGURE OUT IT IS THE PAWS THAT ARE THE PROBLEM...  MAKE THEM THINK...  AND WHEN THEY BACK OFF AND GET THEIR PAWS OFF YOUR LAP  GOOD DOG GOOD DOG GOOD DOG.. AND YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM SOMETHING.

HOPEFULLY....

 IF YOU USE YOUR MUSCLES, YOU IMMEDIATLEY CAUSE THEM  TO OFFER A RESISTANCE--  AS THEY TRY AND STAY WHERE THEY WANGTED TO.. GOT TO CHANGE WHERE THEY WANT TO BRE...

CP  DEB -- FLORIDA SENT A THING ON SALARIEES OF CEO'S OF CHARITIBLE XXX AND TEH CEO OF THE RED CROSS GETS 675,000 A YEAR..

NOW I ASK.. WHAT ON EARTH  DOES SHE DO WITH IT.. ?  I MEAN  THERE IS JUST SO MUCH WHIPPED CREAM ONE CAN EAT.. 

WITH ALL THESE WALL STREET TYPES.. I WONDER WHY IS ALL THAT PAYCHECK NECESSARY  WHEN AN EXTRA $20/ MONTH    WOULD MAKE 2500 MORE PEOPLE EXTREMELY HAPPY AND SHE STILL WOUL DHAVE 175,000--  I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND..

*****

 I MAY HAVE TO RUN TO SOME FARMERS BREAKFAST AT THE FAIRGROUNDS... -- ANN MAY SHOW UP TO PICK ME UP-- AJ JUST SAID A BAD WORD  17 DEGREES...

 IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION-- FOR HEAVENS SAKE OPEN THE GATE AND LET THE DARN THING OUT.

******

EVE A N D FINN

As anesthesia wore off today her mood improved a bunch!! It's so nice to have Finn here to comfort her & help make her smile! We definitely see - while it may sometimes be subtle- just how in tune with Eve he is!! ❤❤❤ love these 2! 

THANK YOU all again for your support and prayers!!!

*********

One way we "pay it forward" is to volunteer every morning at the senior center to help prepare over 100 lunches for the meals on wheels program.  JACK AN D EMMETT

MARCH 22 2017

i do not know how anyone survives in the real world without Kelly clamps ( or hemostats)

 they are soooo  handy  - and on ebay are from $4 to $15..   one would definiterly make aDJUSTING THE NEW HARNESS SO MUCH EASIER.--(  MAKE THAT  EVEN POSSIBLE)

THESE NEW HARNESS ARE GREAT.. AND CAN BE ADJUSTED TO FIT EVERYONE FROM THE PUPS --20 POUND -- TO BENTLEY..-168 POUNDS--- ADJUSTING THE FUSZZY STRAPS CAN BE A BIT OF A CHALLANGE AND CAN'T BE DONE QUICKLY... BUT ONCE FITTING , THEY ARE WONDERFULLY COMFORTABLE... ACORDING TO BENTLEY WHO WORE HIS ALL DAY YESTERDAY... AND WILL AGAIN TODAY..  IF I HAVE NOT LOST IT YE.

 ADJUSTED DOWN FOR THE  PUPS WHO , THEY WORK WELLL TOO AND MAY TAKE THE PLACE OF THE FIGURE EIGHT ROPE,AS THEY PUT PRESSURE ON THE  BODY OF THE DOG, NOT THE NECK.

******

tina told me some of the cp's  were upset not to be invited to the STAFF PARTY . SORRY . i didn't even invite cp's aj and jody who were here...  i wish i was a millionaire... but i am not.  you are all invited to dogfest--- assuming we sell enough chicken bricks to get thaT FAR -- I ALWYS WORRY---I USED TO HEAR MY FATHER WORRY ABOUT "MAKING THE PAYROLL"  AND NOW I UNDERSTAND...  FOR THE REST OF MY "BUSINESS LIFE"  I HAVE HIRED COLLEGE KIDS LOOKING FOR BEER MONEY.... IT IS ANOTHER THING TO HAVE SOMEONE MAKING CAR PAYMENTS AND RAISING A FAMILY...   THIS IS SERIOUS !!

****

WHEN ANNE AND I WERE WRITING A GRANT PROPROSAL YESTERDAY.... ONE QUESTION WAS " WHAT OTHER MEANS OF SUPPORT DO YOU HAVE FOR THIS PROJECT?"  CERTANILY EXPLORE/ANNENBERG LOOKS LOVELY IMPRESSIVE...-- AS DOES TEH CUMMINGS GRANT... NOW HOW DO WE  EXPLAIN THE SHATUPON SOCIETY   OF IPSWICH---TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING GIVING US MONEY FROM A  "NORMAL SOURCE" ?  WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE-- AND THEN DECIDED TO START THE PARAGRAPH WITH THE $20,000 PER  MONTH FOR YEARS--  MIGHT AT LEAST MAKE THEM TAKE CHICKEN POO SERIOUSLY...

I CAN SEE A BUNCH  OF BLUE SUITED BANKERS  WITH JUST A SIP OF COFFEE IN THEIR MOUTHS, SPRAYING IT ALL OVER A PILE OF PAPERS SAYING "WHAT?"  

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION-- (SOMEONE IMPROTANT SAID THAT , I AM SURE..)

.  SO CONSIDERR WHERE WE WOULD BE WITHOUT THE CHICKEN BRICKS??? LET ME LIST A FEW WHO WOULD BE IN WHEELCHAIRS...  ANDREW,  BELLA, CAROLINE, DAWN, EVE, FIONA, ( HAVE YOU NOTICED I AM TRYING TO GO THRU THE ALPHABET??) GARY, HUNTER , ISHANTI, JADE , KRISTY. LARRY, MARIA,  WELL..... THAT IS HALF WAY--- 

SO MAY WE ASSUME WE HAVE  AS FAR TO GO AGAIN...??  AND TEH KEY TO THAT GROWTH IS VOLUMN-- WE NEED EACH OF YOU TO GET 10 MORE PEOPLE ADDICTED TO TEH CAMERAS AND BUYING CHICKEN BRICKS.

WE WILL KEEP ON TRYING TO GET GRANTS-- AND THEY MAY COME OUR WAY  BUT THE LIFEBLOOD IS THE SHATUPON SOCIETY....

 SOME OF YOU  HAVE BEEN AWARDED LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP FOR BEING SHATUPON....-- MAYBE WE SHOULD  ISSUE  "SUPPORTING MEMBER"  CARDS SO YOU CAN  SHOW THOSE TO PEOPLE AND TRY AND EXPLAIN  HOW THESE $10 DONATONS PRODUCE  RESULTS WHILE ALSO  BENG AMUSING- AND YOU GET A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE DAILY DOGGIE... (SHUCH AS IT IS SOMETIMES)

OK... NOW THAT I HAVE HAD THAT IDEA.... I  DO HAVE SUPPORTING MEMBER CARDDS--- WE SENT OUT SOME A YEAR AGO AND CAN AGAIN--  WHAT WE CAN NOT DO IS KEEP TRACK OF WHO NEEDS ONE-- SO AS WE DO WITH THE MONKEY FISTS AND  SENDING  US TEH PADDED ENVELOPE-- IF YOU SEND A NORMAL  SASE( AKA.... SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE) -- I WILL  SEND YOU A MEMBER CARD.....AND I WILL START PUTIN G THEM IN HT E MONKEY FIST ENVELOPES.

I DO HAVE A BUNCH READY TO SEND...  I WONDER IF  IN THE NEXT 4 YEARS,  WE COULD  SELL OUT  2100 OF THE PURPLE BRICKS...  IF YOU HAD TOLD ME 4YEARS AGO THAT WE WOULD SELL OUT 2100 I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU YOU WERE NUTS...  THE FIRST TIME I DID THIS IN SEPTEMBER 2011.....  WE GOT $1417.50-- AND I WAS THRILLED -- WHO KNEW.....?   SEPT 2016 IT WAS $ 20184.50.  

THESE BUSINESS PEOPLE KEEP TELLING ME I SHOLD HAVE A 5 YEAR GOAL....  WOULD I DARE PUT DOWN ON A  GRANT APPLICATION  THAT MY GOAL IN 5 YEARS WAS TO HAVE 2100 PURPLE SHATTERS ALSO.?  IF THAT HAPPENS.. WE WOULD BE THRU THE ALPHABET I AM SURE...

*******

HUNTER AND WENDY

We all deal with challenges.....even service dogs! Wendy has NEVER liked water, except to drink. When we were first paired, she would steer around puddles, so I would have to walk through them. And she doesn't like to go out in the rain. So leaving band tonight was a challenge for her because of the big puddle she couldn't get around and drips from the roof. She gets me through a lot of things and I can talk through her tough spots too! We are a team and that's what we do for each other!

EVE AND FINN

Hi Carlene!

Another day that I am so grateful for all everyone does and SDP! Thank you again and again Carlene, staff, volunteers, donors and CPs. What you do truly makes a huge impact the lives of others. More than I ever even imagined as we pursued a Service Dog for Eve!  

 HIS VIDEO OF  THRU THE PUDDLE IS CUTE   SORRY I JUST DON'T HAVVE THE CAPABILITY-- NEITHER DOES MY COMPUTER.?

****

Eve had surgery in Omaha today! Our 8 hour drive yesterday was smooth sailing and Finn did great! 

His behavior since we got here has been a little off. Not naughty or inattentive just different. Seems like he's just been in tune with Eve and her nerves to me. He did just fine while she was in surgery but the two times we got up for a walk I could tell he was looking for her. He was able to go back to recovery and was happy to find positive results on his wellness checks! Once she was settled in the room- so was he & he slept and snored for quite a long while! He must have been exhausted keeping watch for her to come back!

Here are a few pics from today!

He finally decided he needed to be by his girl no matter how small the (eeek a moving) bed was!

Ahhhh finally they both got to rest!! 

Yay!! My girl's back to her happy self -- must be my calming affect on her! Besides who can't be happy when their dog has a face like this?!?!?

PICTURES THAT DIDN'T WORK... SORRY...

MARCH 21 2017

SNEAKY DOG AWARD GOES TO.......WHO ELSE BUT WANDA !!  SHE WAS HERE YESTERDAY-- TAIL WAGGING-- HEAD UP-- SMILING AT ALL OF US-- AND THE DOGS TOO..  BUTTER WOULD NOT MELT IN HER MOUTH ---SHE WAS SO NICE...(

SIZZLE HAD A BONE AND WANDA SNUGGLED RIGHT IN NEXT TO HER HEAD...ON THE BEST FLUFFY AROUND..... SHE IS NOT MUCH BIGGER THAN SIZZLES HEAD... IT WAS NOT INCHES... BUT MAYBE 1/16TH OF AN INCH  AT A TIME  THAT SHE CREPT TOWARD SIZZLE'S MOUTH AND THAT BONE.-- SOMEONE CAME IN TH EKITCHEN, AND SIZZLE LOOKED TOWARD THEM -- WANDA REACHED... BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO GET ONE TOOTH ON THE BONE- AND  SHE DID NOT MOVE THE BONE AT ALL...SIZZLE DIDN'T NOTICE--WANDA WAITED AND WIGGLED  COUPLE MORE 1/16TH's AND WANDA WAS READY

SIZZLE CHEWED IT BETWEEN HER PAWS...  TIL  SOMEONE MADE A NOISE WITH A DOG FOOD DISH AND SIZ LOOKED UP- WANDA STRUCK AND GOT ONE TOOTH OF HER LOWER JAW IN THE MARROW OF THAT BONE... WITH DEAD ON ACCURACY  --- AND SHE HAD IT--SHE ALMOST QUIETLY STARTED TO DRAG IT AWAY .. ALL OF A SUDDEN SIZ NOTICED AND WENT TO GRAB THE BONE-- WANDA EXPLODED  STRADDLING THAT BONE AND SNAPPING AT SIZZLES'S BIG MOUTH. THERE WAS A SMALL SIZZLE YELP AND WANDA SETTLED RIGHT DOWN IN THE BEST FLUFFY, WITH THE BEST BONE... AND SIZ COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW THAT HAPPENED.

 CUTE FUNNY STORY??? 

NOT REALLY --NOW APPLY THAT TO TEH ENTIRE WORLD--  FROM GLOBAL WARMING-TO  INTERNATIONAL POLITICS--

2 MORE STORIES THAT ARE  ALMOST AMUSING...

****SIX MONTHS AGO... I THINK I EVEN MENTIONED IT IN A DD-- THERE WERE TEENAGERS IN JAPAN THAT WERE REFUSING TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL- AND WERE HOOKED ON HACKING  VIDEO GAMES.

NOW THEY ARE WARRIORS OF THE FUTURE?????

****JODY JUST CAME UP WITH  BEIJING IS HAVING SUCH A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE STEALING TOILET PAPER THAT THEY HAVE INSTALLED FACIAL RECOGINTION SYSTEM...  ---( PER A CNN STORY)

**** FOR SOME REASON THAT STORY REMINDED ME OF THE VARIOUS OFFICES I HAVE WORKED OR VOLUNTEERED IN- INCLUDING MY HUSBANDS MEDICAL OFFICE-- WITH ALL THE NEWFOUND  FANCY CATAGORIZING AND MEDIIACRE NUMBERS-- IF TEH SITUATION WAS RIGHT... ON THE BACK OF A  MEDICAL CHART  TOP LEFT CORNER I WOULD MAKE A 3/8 INCH CIRCLE  WITH A DOT IN THE MIDDLE-- THIS WOULD SIGNIFY THAT THE PERSON WAS .... SHALL I SAY... THE EQUIVALINT OF A MALE DONKEY.....

IT WAS USEFUL...

***** 

SO BACK TO WONDERING HOW THEY DICE HAM IN THOSE 3/8TH's INCH CUBES...  I HAVE NOT GOOGLED IT...NOVETG THOUGHT OF GOOGLE TIL NOW...  I WILL TRY.

****

BIG DAY AROUND HERE

GABBY FOR AN ULTRASOUND... LYNNE DOES NOT THINK SHE IS PREGO...

DAVID SAID HE WOULD BE HERE TO PUT  UP MOPRE OF THE HEAT  A/C EXCHANGERS?????

ANNE AND I HAVE MULTI PAPER WORK TO DO

SOMEONE SENT ME A FEDEX THING WHICH INVOLVES $25,000 AND PEOPLE VOTING FOR IT...  SO I HAVE TO FDO THAT FIRST---  THE REST MAY BE  AHEAD OF US  ONE VOTE PER DAY  KIND OF THEING...

AND AJ AND JODY ARE ON TREE DUTY- AFTER  I GO TO HOME DEPOT AND GET SOME FENCE.. IF I HAD A WHOLE LOT OF TIME I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO RIG UP A HOT WIRE...ALL THESE DONKEYS WOULD  BE SO MUCH BETTER TRAINED IF THEY LEARNED ABOUT HOT WIRES...-- THEN ONE PIECE OF WIRE-- NOT EVEN HOT -- WOULD KEEP THEM AWAY FROM TREES AND FENCES...

WHEN MY KIDS WERE YOUNG, I TOLD THEM NOT TO TOUCH TEH WIRE AROUND THE FENCE...  WHEN MY BACK WAS TURNED, JANINE GRABBED IT..  SO WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER AND I SAID DON'T DRINK, SHE DID LISTEN --  AT LEAST FOR A FEW MINUTES.. IT IS IN  HER BOOK  "DOGS  DONKEYS AND THE CIRCUS."   AS FOR MY OLDER DAUGHTER... GWEN--TO THIS DAY SHE STOPS TO THINK BEFORE SHE PICKS UP AN EXTENSION CORD... WHICH GOT TO BE AN AMUSING  PROBLEM MAJORING IN PHYSICS AT KENYON.

I WILL HAVE TO GO BUY FENCING  BECAUSE WHAT WE OWN IS STORED NESXT TO THE ARENA-- WHICH IS WHERE THE SNOW OFF THE TOP SLID TO A PILE 6' DEEP...

WHEN I GO BUY MORE BECAUSE I CAN'T FIND WHAT I ALREADY OWN, THERE IS A BASIC PROBLEM TO ADDRESS...

********

From the Chronicles of Eve and Finn:

It's been a bit of a crazy week! So much so that Lance and I had a night away last night and all we did was go to dinner then back to the hotel (yay for freebies!) watched a movie and went to bed early!

Does this mean we are finally adults?!?!? 😂🤣😁

 Anyhow tomorrow we leave for Omaha. Eve will have surgery on her lower right arm to replace the rods in her radius and ulna that she has out grown on Tuesday morning at 8 am.

 Omaha Children's Hospital is one of the US OI centers of excellence we have been going there for OI clinic and Eve's surgeries for many years. Dr. Esposito is her surgeon & a very kind wonderful man. His extensive experience as well as the hospital makes a big difference in Eve's overall outcome. Everyone  there just gets it! Luckily they accept our insurance AND are in network! Travel can add up but that's why we drive. It's about an 8 hour drive with quick stops. I have a nice cozy space set up for Finn in our Suburban and a new toy too!

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

RE  EMMETT

We have done so much together since I picked him up. No more pulling, if I don't need to hold the harness I am quite comfortable   to lose leash walk him. My day is spent taking him places, we regularly go to the mall, library, local hotels, hospital, registry, county buildings, bowling ally's, arcades, supermarkets and various retail stores. He's not on the go all day, I spread things out during the week. We still take an afternoon siesta.I started taking yoga. Last weekend we went to the movies for the first time and yesterday added the casino!  We will be attending a wedding soon. I can never thank you enough for giving me confidence to use him right. I can't imagine where we would be today did it right, from the beginning.

Jack

MARCH 20 2017

I HAVE A DEFECTIVE "A" KEY ON MY KEYBOArd  -- but it is working   -

*****

i need to talk to anne aBOUT HEALTH CARE IN DENMARK  I KNOW  WHEN I WAs in scotland-  i had a laceration that needed sewing up and i went all armed with my international heaLTH INSURANCE CArd  identification etc...- and they didn't want it. they didn;t even aSK IF I WAS A STUDENT ... i gave my name- they sewed it up and i  left...medical condition all under control- no paPEWORK INVOLVED..

why do we have a huge industry between patient and medical care?  and is the insurance industry a by product of the legal "industry"  ?-- 

ok.... my english friend-- from scotland-- living in ireland---- GWEN-- WAS IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT WHER HER ARM WAS BROKEN  YEARS AGO-WHEN IT HEALED, IT HEALED NOT QUITE STRAIGHT-- I DON'T THINK SHE EVER CONSIDERED SUINIG THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FOR A BENT ARM... ( SHE READS THIS -- I WILL BE HORRIFIED IF SHE EMAILS ME AND TELLS ME DIFFERENTLY)- CERTAINLY IN THE STATES A LAWYER WOULD HAVE HAD A FIELD DAY FOR THE SLIGHT BEND IN HER ARM...

I DON'T KNOW HOW I WOULD  DEAL WITH  THE PROBLEM OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ITSELF... THEY CAN DO SO MANY THINGS- HOW DOES ONE DECIDE WHO GETS THE HEART TRANSPLANT? ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY FINALLY  PUT PIGS HEARTS IN PEOPLE---- CERTAINLY NOT EVERYONE... WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE NOW..  HOW WOULD YOU DECIDE?  ONLY THOSE PEOPLE WHO COULD PROVE THEY HAD EATEN 150 POUNDS OF BACON??.

AND THEN THERE IS THE CONCEPT OF HOW MANY TREES WERE SACRIFICED FO R ME TO  HAVE MEDICARE COVER 80% OF THE COST OF MY GETTING A FLU SHOT-- AND NOTIFYING ME THAT --- OF  THE CHARGE OF $1298.00 FOR THE  FLU SHOT  $154 WAS APPROVED FOR THE SHOT ,$4.62 WAS APPROVED FOR THE NEEDLE AND $1.05 WAS TH E APPROVED FUEL CHARGE AND THEY HAVE PAID TEH PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE THE $127.74 AND WOULD BE BILLING MEDEX FOR THE $31.93 

THE CONCEPT IS CLOESLY RELATED TO  THE COST OF A STEAK DINNER MIGHT BE $24.99-- OF THAT , THE COST OF THE MEAT AND POTATOES MIGHT BE $8.22 AND TEH REST IS TEH COST MEDICAL INSURANCE AND VACATION TIME FOR THE COOK.

OUR WHOLE LIVES ARE SO DISTORTED FROM THE TRUTH OF ANYTHING IT IS NOT AMAZING THAT OUR ENTIRE CONGRESS TODAY WILL BE TIED UP WITH WHO SENT WHAT COMMUNICATION TO WHOM AND WHEN...  THEN WHY..

THERE IS NO HOPE...

I HOPE IT DOES NOU UPSET MR. MOON WHO IS SENDING THE HARNESS TO US-- MAYBRE TODAY

WE NEED TO ISOLATE FUNCTIONALITY. AND "E--- LIMINATE THE NEGATIVE  LATCH ON  TO THE AFFIRMATIVE AND DON'T MESS WITH MISTER  IN BETWEEN..."

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

ON WITH THE CALENDR SHOTS... GOTTA HAND IT TO KITTY..   SHE DOES NOT QUIT....OUT THERE INTHE COLD ROLLING SNOWBALLS INTO SNOWMEN  WHILE 2 PUPS TRIED TO HELP...

WILLIAM IS DUE HERE AT 1:30--  IT IS VERY LIKE  A DOCTOR SHOWING UP FOR A SURGICAL PROCEEDURE... ALL WILL DEPEND ON WILLIAM'S ARTISTIC ABILITY   ...  AND WE WILL ALL GIVE WAY TO HIS CONCEPTS--

 HE HAS BEEN RIGHT FOR  4 YEARS AND COUNTING,,,

******

i tried to copy photo... maybe....

regal !!

from Debbie: "Happy Birthday Pandora, turning 5 tomorrow!!! Doing a great job being a therapy dog for my school district. She's a rock star. 

I checked Cloud's document and Pandora is a sister to Charlie, trainer Steve's dog. Their parents are Moxie & Bumpy. 

REGARDs DEBBIE

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

I LIKED THIS CONCEPT

There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."

****

WE HAD OUR OWN CAKE DAY STORY ---I  HAD APPLICANTS COMING AND COULD NOT LEAVE -- SO AJAY AND JODY WENT TO GEORGETOWN AND BOUGHT CAKES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ACROSS FROM THE MARKET-- THEY  WERE WELCOMED BY A FIREMAN JUST BACK FROM A FIRE WHO "HIGH FIVED" THE FACT THAT HE REALIZED IT WAS CAKE DAY AND WONDERED IF WE WOULD SHOW UP !!!

 THEN GAVE SOME LIFESAVERS TO SOME POLICEMEN DIRECTING TRAFFIC AROUND THAT FIRE...  THE "COP"   WAS THRILLED...  SO WERE AJAY AND JODY-- IT IS A FUN THING TO DO !!!

*******

Dear Carlene,

APPRECIATION DAY - March the 19th and another visit with the firemen and firelady. Yep, that is right, firelady....she's a new addition to their family and a cutie too.

Of course we were well received or my cherry pie was. I made sure it was full and the end results was it got a little messy.  

We're going to have to see what happens next month, as on April 18th I will be having surgery and if we don't go there a day or two prior, my husband will be on cake/pie appreciation day duties by himself.

I don't want to be selfish, but those that care to pray for my well being, it would be very welcome and I thank you very much. 

Ila Steutermann

Charter Member - Missouri

***** 

I FORGOT TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT CAKE DAY FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS...

WE MAY HAVE SOME NEW POELPLE WHO DON'T KNOW..

FOR NOT MUCH REASON AT ALL, TEH  "SDP COMMUNITY" AROUND THE COUNTRY ( AND WORLD...) TAKE A CAKETO THEIR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH OF EVERY MONTH--   LAST KNOWN--- WE COVERED 38 STATES.

AND THEN THE LIFESAVERS-- A ROLL JUST QUICKLY HANDED TO POLICE ON DUTY- GETS A BIG SMILE AND CHEERS UP WHAT IS SOMETIME S A DREARY JOB.

IT'S  AN INEXPENSIVE JOY... SPREAD IT...

MARCH 19  CAKE DAY!!!  2017LATE AGAIN...  "COMPANY PARTY" IS WHAT DID IT THIS TIME...-- GOOD PARTY-- GOOD FUN-- GOOD PEOPLE...

***

 I DID HAVE ONE COMPLAINT--- GEORGE ( DVM GEORGE... NOT THE DOG...) TOLD ME MY DD HAVE BEEN MILD LATELY AND I HAVE NOT RIPPED AWAY AT ANYTHING/ ANYONE --- IN A WEEK... AND THEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING TO AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE ELEPHANTS AND CARRIAGE HORSES-

THERE WAS .EVEN A BRIEF MENTION OF WORKING DOGS.... WELL THAT SET ME OFF.... I DO NOT KNOW OF A HAPPIER DOG THAN GEORGE ...OR ANY OF OUR OTHER "WORKING DOGS"-- THRILLED TO BE   WITH THEIR PARTNERS 24/7

YET I HAVE ONE FOOT ON THE CAUTION BUTTON, BECAUSE... IF A DOG OF OURS WAS IN AN ACCIDENT.... ALL THEY WOULD NEED IS ONE PHOTOGRAPH TO USE AS  SOME PUBLICITY STUNT. AND NO AMOUNT OF LEGAL HELP COULD SURVIVE...

SO THERE IS MY ^&*()_(*&^%$# OF TEH DAY..  BEFORE YOU DONATE ANY MONEY TO ANY ORGANIZATION, DO SOME RESEARDH-- WHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY DO WITH THE MONEY?

THERE IS... I AM SURE.. A BUSINESS PLAN- ALL YOU NEED IS ONE GOOD PHOTO AND, IF PROPRERLY PLACED YOU CAN MAKE MILLIONS.

WE MAY BE THE ONLY ANIMLA ORIENTED ORGANIZATION WHO ASKS FOR DONATIONS SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO  DO  A FANTASTIC JOB- AS OPPOSED TO  "HELP THE POOR STARVING  XXXX'S SOMEWHERE"

THIS GOES FOR VETERANS  EVEN MORE SO... TAKE A NEGATIVE CONCEPT AND FLY WITH IT.-- I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY PHONE CALLS " I AM COLLECTING MONEY FROM EVERYONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO HELP TH E POOR  VETERANS"  AND IF I ASK HOW THEY HELP- OR EVEN SAY .. WE HELP VETERANS, HOW CAN I APPLY FOR SOME OF YOUR MONEY?... THEY HANG UP.

THEY ARE JUST MARKETING A NEGATIVE.

CASE IN POINT..

CARRIAGE HORSES MOSTLY IN NEW YORK.  JUST LET ONE DROP DEAD OF A HEART ATTACK- AS ANIMALS DO, AND TEH  COLLECTION PLATE GOES OUT- JANINE IS AS EFFICIENT A BARN INSPECTOR AND ANIMAL JUDGE AS ANYONE...  I THINK HER "REPORT' WAS IN  THE NEW YOUR TIMES??? IT CAN BE GOOGLED

  JANINE JACQUES CARRIAGE HORSES ONE DAY, SHE WALKED UNANNOUNCED    INTO THREE  OF THE STABLES WHERE THESE HORSES ARE KEPT-  NEARLY SPOTLESS-- HORSES WITH HEADS HANGING OVER THE STALL DOORS LLOKING GOT A TREAT OR PAT...  

SHE  NOTED, THERE IS A RULE/LAW... THAT THEY MUST BE RETIRED AT THE AGE OF 23- AND COMPARED THAT TO  A RACE HORSE WHICH RARELY  LIVES BEYOND 4 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME  MAY SPEND HOURS STANDING IN ICE WATER TO NUMB THE BROKEN KNEE TO GET ONE MORE RACE OUTOF THE ANIMAL..- THERE IS NO PROFIT IN PUBLICIZING RACE HORSES... THEIR CARE IS ABYSMAL --THE ONLY PHOTO THAT MAKES TH ENEWS IS THE ONE STUD OT OF A MILLION HORSES THAT HAS  HIS OWN

 PASTURE TO RETIRE TO... THE REST LAND IN THESE SLAUGHTER PENS WHICH SHE IS NOW DEALING WITH,... 

MARKETING...

THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN DANVERS... WE HAD A FRIEND IN IT- WHO'S HOUSE WAS BLOWN OFF IT'S FOUNDATION..ALONG WITH OTHERS..- ABOUT 30 HOMES INVOLVED-- AND MOST HAD A PET CAT OR DOG  WHO GOT TERRIFIED AND FLED THE AREA... I CALLED TEH SPCA-- I KNEW THEY HAD A HORSE TRAILER AND PILES OF CRATES AND CAGES...AND SUGGESTED THEY GO THERE AND TRY AND CAPTURE THOSE ANIMALS   THEY HAD THE NAME .. AND TEH EQUIPMENT- AND COULD GET PAST THE "LOOTERS BARRIER"... THEY MADE NO EFFORT- THE COMMENT WAS "THERE IS NO PRESS IN THAT."  

IT IS A BUSINESS--  FACTS DO NOT MATTER.... 

 THE  MARKETING  OF THE  MISERABLE..

AND I GET ANNOYED.

I  OVERSLPET-- BECAUSE I UNDERSLEPT BETWEEN 1 AND 4 WITH A BARKING DOG THAT  THE NEIGHBORS CALLED ABOUT..--

 SO HERE--- READ ABOUT CAROLLINE

 I HAVE  ALONG THING TO WRITE ABOTU  FOR A GUY WHO ALREADY HAS A DANE PUP IN ?N.C.? AND IH AVE THAT THING ABOUT TRAINING  WHICH IS GOOD.. BUT I MUST WRITE A WHAT NOT TO DO-- LIKE TAKE THE DOG TO GOOLDENRETIERVER CLAS AND MARCH IN CIRCLES  THE DOG WIILL THINK YOU ARE NUTS  

EVERY DANE IN THE COUNTRY WILL GET BLAMED ON US-- SO WE NEED TO MAKE IT HAPPENE...IF POSSIBLE...

*******

Hi Carlene,

A year ago today, Clark came home to Cincinnati with me. It seems like yesterday and forever ago all at the same time! Clark has helped me to walk faster and my gait has improved. And, he is always there to make me laugh and make sure life doesn't get too serious. :)

When we had boarded the plane to fly home on Wednesday, I looked up to see that one of the airline workers was coming to talk to me. He let me know that a family who had been on the flight to Boston a few days before had commented to him that Clark was so well behaved. It's so great to hear compliments like that, especially when we are doing something outside of the normal routine, like traveling. And no one said anything about Clark being too big for the plane!

Thank you to everyone who came to the Starlets' birthday party last week or celebrated in spirit! It means so much to have such a great community rooting us on.

Also--I am doing some grant writing in my classes. If there is ever something that I could do to help apply for grants for SDP, please let me know. I'd love to help!

Caroline 

MARCH 17 2017

MO IS ACTING STRANGE- ALTHO FINE AT THE MOMENT..

COULD BE A PIECE OF HAY WENT DOWN THE WRONG WAY- COUGHTING  I DON'T LIKE THE UP AND DOWN... AND STRETCHING  TO PEE AND DOESN'T.. THEN HEAD CRANKED UP... SO SHE IS UNCOMFORTABLE ABOTU SOMETHING..  SO I PUT IN A NON EMERGENCY CALL-- JUST IN CASE BRYAN HAS ANOTHER MORE  CRITICAL CALL...  HE SHOULD BE ALONG... I WOULD GUESS 830-9:00..

I HAD A BUNCHOF THINGS TO "DISCUSS" THIS MORNING  AND GOT SIDETRACKED WIHT MO AND HAVE FORGOTTEN THEM.

***********

MEGAN AND I HAVE A MEETING TODAY WITH A SCHOOL BUNCH WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT A SERVICE DOG IN THE SCHOOL... SO WE CAN GO TALK TO THEM.

***

 I UNCOVERED A LETTER BELLA'S MOM HAD  WRITTEN ABOUT  CARING FOR A SERVICE DOG.. 

IT IS A GOOD LETTER AND GIVES YOU A ERSPECTIVE MAYBE YOU DIDN'T THINK ABOUT... SO HERE.....

***********

WONDERFUL LESSON IN SERVICE DOGGING FROM BELLA'S MOM

So someone had asked about what we do for our service dog. You know we never had considered a service dog for Bella before seeing a mobility dog in action.  It was a long year of us driving 30 minutes to Service Dog Project at least once a week to volunteer.  Bella helped change waters, feed, brush, scoop poop, clean kennels, sweep, fluff fluffies and give pats with treats to many dogs over that year long period.

The more you can be there helping out the better chance of a dog choosing you just like George chose Bella.  Is it always easy?  Nope.  It takes a lot of planning. With crutches there was no thinking involved.  Bella could get up and dressed and then crutch to school or to a Dr. appointment.  No worries.

But when you add a service dog into the mix it takes more planning.  “Bella did George go pee and poop this morning?  Did George have breakfast?  Do you have his vest/chain?  Did he have 5 minutes to run?  Do you have his coat if it's cold?” It's a lot to plan every time you leave the house. Then planning for the unexpected such as keeping a container in the car with water/ food bowls, treats, food, fluffies, and water.

Does Bella always do 100% of his care?  No of course not but she does 95+% of his care.  She will happily take him to the bathroom, feed him, brush him, scoop his poop, and of course keep treats nearby. 

Would we change anything?  No way.  Seeing the improvements have been amazing.  Bella is so much stronger.  But when you have a service dog you have to remember this is a 24/7/365 day job.  Bella doesn't decide when she wants to use George or when she wants to use crutches.  George doesn't stay home alone.  He is always with us including overnights at the hospital. 

Has it changed anything?  Of course it has.  Are their places we don't go?  Yup. Does it draw attention?  Yes, at times Bella doesn't feel like saying Hi but she has to because she isn’t allowed to be rude.  So before you think of getting a service dog remember they require a lot of work, training, even after you think they are trained there is always more they need to learn, love, time and attention. Are crutches easier?  Yup but we have adjusted our lives to include George and wouldn't change it for anything. It's not an option to give up on him and decide one day we don't want to put forth the extra effort. 

It is a lot of effort but he gave Bella her life back so we will do whatever we can to make him happy! 

But look at that face? What's not to love?  

Love Bella and George 

***********BACK TO MO WATCHING....