jan 31 2019

i was out in my  jammies and slippers  at 2am to check on the progress of ther 3 water buckets on teh front porch-- 2 of which had REGULAR bottles FILLED --.... with saltwater in themTHEN CAPPED AND  SUBMERGED IN THE FILLED WATER BUCKET.  as pRerscribed by "THE INTERNET" -- I WAS TOLD...BY SAID INTERNET.. THAT IF I FILLED A WATER BOTTLE WOIH WATER AND SALT  AND PUT IT IN A NORMAL BUCKET OF WATER FOR THE HORSES, IT WOULD NOT FREEZE... WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT I DID  ALL THAT- AND GOT UP AT 2AM IN THE VERY COLD... TO CHECK ON THE PROGRESS..   I AM ASTOUNDED TO REPORT THE ENTIRE  3 BUCKETS HAVE TOTALLY DISAPPEARED.-- I EVEN WENT OUT AGAIN -- FULLY AWAKE AND DRESSED AT 4:30 TO SEE IF I HAD BEEN MISTAKEN... NO---THEY AE GONE. SO MUCH FOR  MY SCIENIFFIC EFFORT.. SO FAR...... \ I CAN SEE HOW IT HAPPENED- SOMEBODY CAME TO THE 3 PAILS OF WATER AND FIGURED THEY DID NOT BELONG THERE-- QUITE CORRECTLTY---AND WE DO HAVE RULES AT CRAZY ACRES IF IT IS BROKEN.. FIX IT IF IT SMELLS PICIK UP IF IT IS FULL.. EMPTY IT IF IT IS EMPTY FILL IT... AND THINGS LIKE THAT. MY 3 WATER BUCKETS MUST HAVE FALLEN INOT ONE OF THOSE CATAGORIES- --- WHY ON EARTH WOULD ANY SANE PERSON SET OUT 3 FULL WATR BUCKETS WHERE NO ANIMAL COUD DRINK OUT OF THEM?  I WONDER WHERE THEY DECIDED THOSE BELONG... SO I HAVE TO START AT THE BEGINNING AGAIN-- (BEFORE IT WARMS UP????) FIND 3 BUCKETS NOT IN CRITICAL USE.. GOES TO SHOW YOU WHY SO MANY LABEL MAKERS ARE DSOLD. *** I CAN NOT SEE HOW THAT WORKS... BUT IF IT EVEN  HELPS DOWN TO 20 DEGREES, IT COUDL BE LOVELY !! THE ONLY THING ICAN THINK OF IS  SALT WATER FREEZES AT A LOWER TEMP THAN REGULAR WATER..  AND ANY TME YOU HAVE AN INEQUALITY SOMETHING  WEIRD CAN HAPPEN SO IT BEARS STUDYING. COULD BE IT IS SOME STRANGE "NEWTONS LAW" KIND OF THING... LIKE THESE MITSUBISHI HEATERS WE HAVE THAT WILL TAKE THE HEAT OUT OF THE OUTSIDE  MINUS 10 DEGREE  AIR , AND CREATE 72 DEGREES HERE IN THE HOUSE. WHICH  STARTS ME  SINGING THE DONALD SWANN SONG  "HEAT CANNOT,  OF ITSELF,  PASS FROM ONE BODDY TO A HOTTER BODY-  HEAT CAN'T PASS FROM THE COOLER TO THE HOTTER  'CAUSE THE HOTTER BODY'S HEAT WILL  PASS TO THE COOLER YOU CAN TRY IT IF YOU LIKE BUT YOU FAR BETTER NOTTER THEN IT GETS INTO NOT BEING ABLE TO TALK TO SCIENTISTS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T TALK TO ANYONE ELSE- POOR DEARS.  THEY( SWANN AND FLANDERS)   ARE VERY GOOD WITH A "PLAY ON WORDS" AS THE BRITISH ARE SO NOTED FOR  ANOTHER OF THEIRS.. "HAVE SOME MADIERA, MY DEAR"- SO SHE MADE.... NO REPLY UP HER MIND AND A DASH FOR THE DOOR. THEY DO THAT OFTEN. **** DEAR CARLENE Cool that it was mentioned in today’s DD about playing ukulele at the nursing homes.  That is exactly what some of us do!  We have a volunteer community band and we play concerts at the local nursing homes and senior centers (besides playing in town parks for the public).  We have 4 of our band members with excellent singing voices who mimic the barbershop quartet and play ukuleles at the same nursing homes and senior centers on separate dates from our concerts.  These folks get several entertainments a year from us along with many other entertainment groups going to their places.  It lights their faces up and is such a good feeling knowing that we gave them a few hours enjoyment!! DIANE T  --- NY  2012 *** FOR NEWCOMERS-- THAT MEANS  DIANE T-- LIVES IN NEW YORK AND HAS BEEN A CAMERA PERSON SINCE 2012 **** SO BACK TO THE FROZEN BUCKETT PROBLEM--  WHEN  I SET THAT UP,  I WAS LAZY AND MIGHT HAVE BLOWN TEH STUDY ANYWAY- I KNOW GOLDIE- OUR GHOST OF THE LEFTHAND DRAWER-- OFTEN CORREDTS MY THINKING BY DIDACTIC  DEMONSTRATIONS,  I OPTED TO USE REGULAR SALT IN THE 2 SALTED BOTTLESWHEN I DID HAVE ACCESS TO KOSHER SALT TOO. MAYBE GOLDIE IS  SAYING .. USE ONE OF EACH KIND.  **** HEAVEN HELP US-  WELL MAKE THAT ---CP'S HELP US.....   THIS IS THE SHORT MONTH WHEN CHICKEN BRICKS ARE ONLY AT 62%  AND TEH SHATTING IS SUNDAY--  IF YOU CAN......  CLICKING ON THAT CHICKEN ON OUR WEB AND DONATING $10 IS OUR MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME  THAT EMNABLES US TO DONATE THESE DOGS AND KEEP  THE PAYROL GOING...  SO IF YOU CAN---  954 OF YOU READ THIS  FOOL EMAIL DAILY--  FIGURE  IT IS A $10 A MONTH SUBSCRIPTION-  WE HAVE A FEW "QUICK PIKS" YET TO ENTER HERE FROM PEOPLE WHO SEND THEIR CHICKEN BRICK DONATION HERE,  BUT WE NEED  $10 from AS MANY OF THE 954 OF YOU  THAT CAN. IF YOU CAN'T, THEN KEEP CUTTING  THOSE POO PICKERS-- THat helps too.

JAN 30 2019

HIPPO BIRDIES TO  EWES....JANINE- AND MY SISTER FRAN IN PAGOSA SPRINGS COLORADO.   IN THE "BLUE TOWELS WERE ON SALE LAST WEEK AT ALMY'S" DEPARTMENT..I HAVE TO TELL YOU    .. ALL FEMALES IN MY FAMILY WERE BORN ON THE 1ST OR 30TH OF THE MONTH...MOTHER SISTERS KIDS...  OK.... 

SO WHAT IS TEH BLUE TOWEL BIT..-- ?   THAT IS TEH NECESSITY TO PASS ON TOTALLY USELESS INFORMATION-- THAT  TOQWEL BIT WAS SAID TO ME ONCE-- AND I SPENT ALOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT  ON EARTH WAS THE VALUS--- THE SALE WAS LAST WEEK- IF YOU HAVE TO FILL UP THE SILENCE WITH CHATTER....HOW MUCH MORE INTERESTING AND CHALLANGING IT IS TO ARGUE HOW MANY ANGELS FIT ON THE HEAD OF A PIN...  IT IS BETTER MENTAL EXERCISE THAN DEAD END CONVERSATION.

***

MY DOG TRAINING EXPERISE HAS EVOLVED TO NAPPING AND EATING-- I SPENT 2 HOURS NAPPING AT THE BEVERLY TRAIN STATION TO GET JAEGAR INTRODUCED TO THE NOISE OF TRAINS--- AS HE WILL HOPEFULLY BE A CITY DOG AND HAVE TO RIDE SUBWAYS ETC.  AS FOR TEH DEAD HEAD BIT...I SPENT AN HOUR SITTING AT THE LUNCH TABLES AT COSTCO IN SUCH A WAY THAT LACEY HAD TO GET USED TO SHOPPING CARTS COMING UP BEHIND HER. WIL I WATCHED PEOPLE 

MUST BE.... THAT SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WITH A SHOPPING CART- BECAUSE SHE IS VERY NERVOUS-- SWIVEL HEADDED ---ABOUT THEM-- SO THERE I SAT WATCHING PEOPLE EAT PIZZA AND GO BY WITH THEIR FULL SHOPPING CARTS....-- ... NOW THESE DOGS ARE BIG- AND TO MANY PEOPLE SHOCKINLY SO-- SO WHEN THEY WENT BY I GOT THE USUAL SMAILE AND "GOT A SADDLE" COMMENT 98% OF TEH TIME...  BUT THERE IS TEH 1% OF PEOPLE-- STONE FACED-  WHO WHEN THEY SEE THE DOG, DON'T CHANGE THEIR SOMEWHAT SOUR EXPRESSION.  THE OTHER 1% DON'T SEE THE DOG AT ALL  -- BECAUSE  THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING EXCEPT EXACTLY WHAT WILL BE THEIR WORLD-- THE NEXT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THEM. 

IT IS MY SUSPICION THAT THOSE WHO ONLY SEE THEIR EXACT ENVIRONMENT,LEAD A VERY DULL AND BORING LIFE WITH NOTHING TO SMILE AT-- BECAUSE THEY AREN'T EVEN LOOKING AROUND.  THAT COMES WITH AGE-- I HATE TO SAY-- BUT... CHILDREN AGE 1 TO 5 ARE CURIOUS ABOUT EVERYTHING-- 360 DEGREE CURIOSITY- SEEMS LIKE IT IS DOWNHILL FROM THERE...I TRY AND FIGHT THAT !!

YOU COUD CONCIEVE OF A CHILD ON THEIRHANDSAND KNEES STUDYING AN ANT HILL  BUT IF YOU COME TO A N 80 YEAR OLD DOING THAT, YOU WOULD LOCK THEM UP.  I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS. ? BAD KNEES?

SOMEBODY LATELY//  MAYBE JUDY??   SETS A MONTHLY  GOAL- GET A NEW THOUGHT- TRY ANEW EXPERIENCE-. TASTE  A NEW FOOD.  SO IF YOU SEE JDUY AND I  ON OUR  KNEES- JUST LEAVE US TEHRE.

WELL ... MAYBE LINE UP A CREW OT GET ME BACK ONMY FEET.

KEN ROBERTSON ( TED LECTURE) CONTENDS THAT CHILDREN' CREATIVITY  IS NOT LIMITED BY AN EDUCATION-    HE TELLS OF HIS KID IN A NATIVITY SCENE WITH A TEA TOWEL ON HIS HEAD- CRRYING GIFTS TO THE CHRIST CHILD-- FIRST KID RECITES HIS LINE  "I BRING YOU GOLD" SECOND KID "I  BRING YOU MUHR" AND KEN'S CHILD SAYS "FRANKIE SENT THIS"

**

A NEW IDEA- NOT MINE- BUT Barb  FROM VANCOUVER CANADA----.IS ON A BANDWAGON   INSTEAD OF HAVING KIDS DANCE OR MUSIC RECITALS IN SOME HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM THAT IS 1/10 OCCUPIED BY ADORING GRANDPARENTS,  WHY NOT HAVE THEM AT THE LOCAL ASSISTED LIVING PLACE? 

Another case of thinking outside the box, though, is the daughter of a gal I know. Daisy, the daughter, teaches violin out of her own small studio.  Most of her students are children and we all know how moms and dads love to watch their kids perform! Well, Daisy decided to do something a little different as far as “recitals” go and contacted the local senior’s home and got a resounding YES, so Daisy and all her little proteges, and their parents, spent a lovely time entertaining and visiting with the folks at the seniors home - much better than sitting on an uncomfortable pew in a mostly empty church listening to screech after screech and the beauty of it is that most of the folks wouldn’t be able to hear the screeching but sure would appreciate the cute kids with their violins.  

I’m going to arrange to go to my mother-in-law’s nursing home with a group of ukulele players to play and sing for the dementia folks. I do take my uke up and play for my demented 92 year old MIL and she still remembers the words to A Bicycle Built for Two and East Side, West Side. I think a little ukulele “choir” might brighten up a few lives. I know that they have a music therapist who comes in but every little bit helps.

I guess my point here is that what you and Judy, Daisy and, to a certain extent, me is a very good thing and we need to encourage more people to do things like this. Onward and upward.

*****

SOME OF THESE PLACES ARE DESTITUTE...

HUMOR IS WHERE YO  FIND IT-- 

I WISH  MR CUMMINGS WOULD SEE FIT TO SPONSOR   THIS PROJECT FOR  US TO SET UP CONNECTIONS TO IMPROVE TEH DAILY LIVING OF THESE --- I HATE TO USE THE WORK---  "CAPTIVES"   BUT IT AMMOUNTS TO THAT IN MANY PLACES...  THE  THERAPY DOGS ARE WONDERFUL- BUT THAT IS ONLY TEH BEGINNING OF IDEAS... WE HAD TEH IDEA OF HAVING  TEH ALTZHEIMER GROUP COLOR OUR POO PICKERS FOR US- AND THE TRIAL WAS A HUGE SUCCESS--- I BOUGHT CRAYOLA CRAYONS AND TEHY DO WRITE ON POO PICKERS.   THESE PEOPLE ARE DESPARATE FOR SOMETHING TO DO !!

**

IN THAT VEIN... APPARENTLY TEH STUDENT WE WENT TO VISIT  ARE COMING HERE FOR A FIELD TRIP

I SEE KIDS LIKE THAT-- WITH THEIR CELL PHONES AND I WONDERIF THEY EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE "INKY DINKY SPIDER GOING UP THE WATER SPOUT"

jan 29 2019

 NOW I REALLY  " HAVE HEARD"-- FROM MANY CP'S AND VARIOUS LEGITIMATE LOOKING STUDIES- THAT BENEDRYL IS  STATISTICALLY GUILTY OF EARLY DEMENTIA...( AND  POSSIBLY INCONTINENCE WHICH IS FAR EASIER TO   NOTICE)- I HAD EMAILS FROM  CP'S - COUPLE OF WHOM ARE MD'S - SO THIS IS SOMETHG OFF THE INTERNET I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE.

I WAS PROBABLY AVG ING A HALF PILL TWICE A WEEK-- SO I HAVE ADJUSTED MY THINKING...  SINCE I PLAN TO LIVE TO 100,  IF I CUT THAT TO ONLY  ONE HALF PILL ONCE A WEEK,  TEH "EARLY" WOUL D THEN MEAn i AM 95 YEARS OLD-- SO I'M ALL SET FOR A WHILE.

***

ANN GETCHELL WILL NOW GET ON MY CASE FORO TEH  "HAVE HEARD"   SHE LETS ME KNOW WHEN I USE TEH  EXTRA WORDS.. - I SHOUDL HAVE SIAD " I HEARD"...  LORD KNOWS I HAVE MY PROBLEMS-

I DON'T KNOW WHY SHE  GETS TO DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT-  TEH RE IS AN ELEMENT OF ... IF YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM WRITING, MAYBE YOU WOULD NOT COMPREHEND WHAT I AM SAYING ANYWAY????

MOST OF THE TIME I DO  REREAD IT JUST TO BE SURE OF IT'S COMPREHENDABLEISHNISH -- SOMETOEMES "NOW AND NOT" TYPOS  CAN REVERASE THE INTENDED CONCEPT-- SO I DO LOOK.

***

 I AM DELIGHTED TO BE OF UNINTENDED SERVICE---- WITH THE FOLLOWING EMAIL...

HI CARLENE,

I'M NOT SURE IF YOU ARE AWARE, BUT, DID YOU KNOW THAT TEACHER DAWN USES THE DD AS A PRACTICE FORUM FOR HER STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO SPELLCHECK YOU?  SHE MENTIONED THIS AWHILE AGO. 😆

IN THAT WAY, YOU HAVE BEEN HELPING HER STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO SPELL! SO, WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT, YOU HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN OFFERING A PUBLIC SERVICE TO YOUNG MINDS BY YOUR FOIBLES IN THE DD! 👍

KEEP UP THE GRATE WERK! 😉

Teri-CAN

*****

I OFTEN  USE TEH EXCUSE OF  SHAKING HANDS TO EXPLAIN TEH MANY TYPOS- BUT IF THE TRUTH BE KNOWN-- THEEY DON'T SHAKE ALL THAT MUCH... IT IS JUST A GOOD EXCUSE-

IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE INTELLECTUAL ABOUT THIS DD ( HEAVEN FORBID)  MY TYPOS DO FALL INTO  distinct CATAGORIES TO BE STUDIED--

1.  bad aim....WHAT POSSIBLE  KEY ON THE KEYBOARD  IS NEAR AN OBVIOULSY WRONG ONE.

2. IS THAT A domniant DIGIT WHERE A  KEY  ON THE RIGHT HAND DOMINATES THE Ability to depress of teh submissive left hand digit.

3. as i age...   i do notice i am so excited about the next word that  the beginning of that  next word lands in teh middle of the previous one.

4.  creative use of spaces-- or lack thereof.

so that gives you something to really study instead of simplyu  listing my errors

****

which brings to mined data collection in genteral- i am struggling to figure out how to  have a  way of easily  collecting  data which is  meaningful/ useful/ and easy  for trainers ot collect.

 this morning , i hae produced  one sheet of paper--- teh pint is not large... but it does give trainers comments on every dog on the property for the palt 4 days-- on one sheet...

which if i simply enlarge the print with one click, even i can see it  on screen.

i might be able to get  a month of every dog---- all comments --on one legal size paper- maybe readabel only tienh a magnifying glass... but teh info would be there.

jan  28 2019

TODAY WILL BE SDP'S LADIES REST ROOM DAY- I DID "STAIRS" already .---KEEPING IN MIND, MY PURPOSE IN THESE INVESTIGATIONS  IS IN  REDUCING THE GAS  ( i.e. TEH CAR'S GAS)-- I HAVE NOTED THE 2 OF TEH 3 TRAINERS ARE USING THE REST ROOM IN THE LOCAL HARDWARE STORE FOR  TRAINING OF DOGS IN TEH NICETIES OF LADIES REST ROOMS- HERE AGAIN... I KNOW THAT HARDWARE STORE- WITH IT'S TINY AISLES DOWN WHICH YOU CAN BARELY GET A SMALL SHOPPING CART... I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE VERY BACK OF THAT STORE....THOSE TRAINERS ARE CONSIDEERABLY SMALLER THAN I - THUS ENABLING THEM TO BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE REAR OF TEH SHOP.  I MUST NOW GO AND CHECK IT OUT...--I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FACILITIES IN MCDONALDS- WHICH IS RIGHT NEAR THE SUPERMARKET WHERE THEY ALSO TRAIN. THAT MIGHT PROVE MORE SALUBRIOUS, AND RIGHT IN THEIR  USUAL ROUTE.    NOW THERE ARE CONSIDERATIONS IN  THE REST ROOM SELECTION-  I FEEL IT IS MY DUTY TO DISCUSS THESE FOR ALL OF YOU NEEDING  TO TRAIN DOGS IN LADIES ROOMS.. IT IS NOT JUST TEH SIZE AND CONFIGURATION OF "STALLS"---THE BIGGEST CONSIDERATION IS-- THE AIR FRESHINER-- I DO NOT KNOW WHY, JUST BECAUSE WE HUMANS THINK LAVENDAR OR  APPLE BLOSSEMS SMELL BETTER THAN THE "NATURAL SMELLS",- THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO THINK THE DOG PREFERS THAT.-- .  THIS GOES FOR AUTO FRESHNERS TOO.---SOME OF THOSE ARE VERY STRONG EVEN TO A HUMAN- IMMAGINE WHAT THAT IS DOING TO A POOOR DOG' WITH IT'S SUPERIOR NOSE CAPABILITIES -- I KNOW FOR A FACT--- WHEN DOG MEETS DOG THEY NEVER RUN OVER TO THE NEAREST BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO SNIFF AND CLEAR THEIR NOSE. SO TODAY'S CHORE IS TO INVESTIGATE AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT  REST ROOM FACILITIES WITHIN A 4 MILE RADIUS OF TEH FARM. A TOUGH JOB... BUT SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT. ** I REMEMBER...... WHEN I FIRST STARTED TRAINING SERVICE DOGS-- AND TEH SIGHT OF ME WITH A HUGE DOG WAS NEW TO EVERYONE....I WENT INTO LAHEY HOSPITAL--NICE PLACE WITH WAITING ROOMS AND ELEVATORS.- THE RECEPTIONIST STOPPED ME AND SAID "YOU CAN'T BRING A DOG IN HERE"--   I REPLIED " IT IS A SERVICE DOG AND  I  NEED TO TRAIN THE DOG IN THE ELEVATOR"   SHE SPUN IN HER CHAIR AND CALLED SECURITY SAYING "  I HAVE SOME NUT HERE IN THE LOBBY WHO WANTS TO TRAIN HER DOG IN THE ELEVATOR"-- IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES TOGET OUT OF THAT ONE. ** AS FOR MENS ROOMS--- I AM  OBVIOUSLY  LESS FAMILIAR WITH THOSE-- THE ONLY ONE I WAS IN WAS THE ONE JANINE AND I WERE SITTING ON  A TARP ON THE FLOOR OF A MENS ROOM IN ONE OF THE BIG BOSTON  OFFICE BUILDINGS- WE WERE CLIPPING THE BLACK FUZZ OFF TEH MANLY PARTS OF A SHEEP- FOR A PHOTO SHOOT- TRUE STORY -- IN JANINE'S BOOK DOGS, DONKEYS AND CIRCUS PERFORMERS. YOU CAN NOT MAKE THAT STUFF UP... *** me/Bam. SENT ME TODAYS EXPERIMENT---  ICE IN HORSE WATER BUCKETS WILL AGAIN THIS WEEK BE A PROBLEM AS COLD SETS IN...  WE HAVE A BIG TUB WITH HEATER-- BUCKETS WITH COVERS SOMEONE SENT -- AND A MATCHING BUCKET ROUTInE WITH 5 INCHES OF HOT WATER TO TOTALLY EMPTY THE BLOCKS. THIS IS A NEW ONE I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY--  THERE IS A VIDEO THAT SWEARS IT WORKS...  TAKING A regualr water bottle - fill with water and some table salt-- to the brim .. put on the cap and put it in a bucket of water, -- she says it will not freeze -- i have to try this.  i probably will try it out the front door- where i can  ccomfortably monitor the progress... but if that works??????? ***** Good evening Carlene,  Thank you for having our family visit today. Our father, Paul and mother, Cindy were truly impressed with your organization and your mission. It was wonderful for us to visit again and after speaking with our parents, my father would love to be considered for a service dog. Since leaving today, he has been holding onto his wives’ pockets while walking and  we haven’t seen him walk that well in years.  ** NOW THAT IS MY STROKE OF GENUIS WHICH NEEDS MORE PUBLICITY--  IF YOU WALK WITH A CANE OR WALKER, AND CAN FIND A FRIENDLY SOUL WITH TIGHT BLUE JEANS.... IT IS BETTER ( IN MY OPINION) TO GRAB HOLD OF THE BACK POCKET OF YOUR FRIEND'S JEANS  AND HAVE THEM WALK WITH YOU-- IT ALLOWS YOU TO STAND UP STRAIGHT -- IT ALSO ENABLES  AN UP/DOWN/RIGHT/LEFT PULL  AND IS MORE SECURE THAN AN ELBOW--- EVEN IF-- FOR STARTERS YOU LET TEH FRIEND CARRY THE CANE OR CRUTCH-- IT DOES SEEM TO WORK   -- IT ALSO APROXIMATES TEH HANDLE OF A DOG'S HARNESS.- A GOOD WAY TO TRY IT.

JAN 27 2019

IT IS POSSIBLE TO BLEED TO DEATH WITH 1000 PINPRICKS-- I THINK SOMEONE SAID THAT...THAT IS WHAT  I NOW SEE AS OUR WORST PROBLEM-- WE ARE SKIPPING OVER SOME DETAILS FOR A BUNCH OF REASONS... I WROTE THIS  TO SPECIFICALLY SEND TO STAFF .. "YESTERDAY'S ACTIVITY" AS AN EXAMPLE  **** I SUGGESTED  TRAINERS DO STAIRS---and write on a poo picker who where and how--- HERE'S WHERE I WAS  THRILLED    TO BE WRONG.. DEVLIN PUT ON HER POO PICKER SHE WAS DOING STAIRS AT CROSBY'S- I KNOW CROSBYS AND I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY STAIRS-  I BEGAN TEH "SLOW BOIL" ---SO I MADE A SPECIAL TRIP THERE AND DROVE ALL AROUND TEH BUILDING-- NO STAIRS--- I ASKED TEH MANAGER IF THEY  HAD STAIRS-- NO... -SO I CAME BACK AND GOT DEVLIN- AND  LACEY - AND DROVE BACK TO HAVE HER SHOW ME THESE STAIRS... BY NOW I NEUROTICALLY SUSPECTED SHE MIGHT HAVE DECIDED  "  JUST PUT IT ON PAPER,  TEH OLD BIDDY WILL NEVER KNOW" - .. THERE WAS A TINY SHORT FLIGHT OF STAIRS AT ANOTHER BUILDING IN THE  SAME PARKING LOT- BEHIND SOME HEDGES-  .  SHE WALKED LACEY  UP AND DOWN -   THAT PART OF THE CASE  THANKFULLY CLOSED. EXCEPT FOR 1  THING-  THERE IS A WONDERFUL 3 STORY FLIGHT OF STAIRS IN THE GEORGETOWN  TOWN HALL- WHICH I HAVE USED FOR YEARS-- INDOOR-- WIDE-- WOODEN-- 5 STEPS TURN AND  5 STEPS- right across the street form crosby's    SHE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT-  I SHOWED HER - AROUND BACK THERE IS  A PLACE  TO PARK FOR EASY ACCESS.-- I USED THOSE STEPS FOR OUR FIRST ADI ACCREDITATION WITH SHEILA obrein 10 years ago.   THE FACT THAT I DID NOT SHARE THAT INFO WITH DEVLIN IS MY FAULT- AND AN EXAMPLE OF THE 1000 PINPRICKS THAT ARE BLEEDING US.  LIKE IT OR NOT,  I Am a composite of INFORMATION AND many easy ways of  training.  sometimes i need to be more actively involved to  be able to remember some of these ideas.... *** another yesterday-- we had 30 boyscouts- here and if we do 30 again we need to have leaders/parents be more involved.... --  4 of teh boys got to teasing 2 of our dogs who took ti as fence fighting with children-- and i am afraid what the END  result  OF THAT might be...   ** as opposed to the  controlled exposure which was so  hugely successful with the  special needs  kids at the school--  we were a bigggggg help to those kids with a great example of  taking  things from teh idea classroom to  actual-- a simple thing like showing how the dogs help people go up and down athe curb....  it was  -per their teachers- amazing. and so simple for us to do...  us beng judy-- and mara too--  WHO set up these thngs.   *** rushing....

JAN 26 2019

I LACK INSPIRATION THIS MORNING...

THERE ARE MANY DULL --- BORING AND  ANNOYING  DECISIONS/CHANGES  THAT NEED TO BE MADE-

HERE HAVE ONE...  OUR GAS BILL IS HUGE--- BECAUSE WE GENERALLY  TRAIN OUT IN PUBLIC AREAS-  IN BIG COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS THAT ARE HEATED AND A/C ALREADY.. 

WELL--- WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO GET RID OF THAT BIG  FORD ?XXXXXX? AND BUY THAT LITTLE DELIVERY WAGON FORD MAKES.  IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN PRICE, WHAT WOULD  TEH DIFFERENCE IN GAS BE.   IT WOULD ALSO MEAN LOSS OF ONE TRAILER PULLING VEHICLE- WHICH SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM  ( TOYOTA AND BLUE FORD 150 both pull..)

 GOING OFF THE FARM IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE FOR THE GAS, BUT THERE IS A HUGE ELEMENT OF TIME- WHICH IS MIXED... THE DOGS GET VERY USED TO IN AND OUT OF THE CAR-- GO SOMEWHERE AND COME BACK-- WHICH IS THE ROUTINE THEY WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE.. BUT THE TRAINER TIME COST IS LARGE...  TIME IS TEH TRUE CURRENCY???? 

NOT THE KIND OF STUFF YOU JUST GUESS AT.... YOU NEED NUMBERS---- OR RATHER I NEED NUMBERS TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

NOW IF I MAKE A SPREAD SHEET OF DETAILS I CAN SORT AND RE-SORT TO ILLUSTRATE THINGS I WOULD  LIKE TO STUDY,  I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND  AND THINK ABOUT IT.

otherwise.... just do it. i am not thrilled to have to do it either.

i was going to give you a data file example  but it was tooooo boring.

might be interestin  to see how many CP's would explain why a computer would sort  a bunch of dates  like  april 15--  4.15--

january october november december febuary march april may june july aug sept.

that makes sense to a computer.

i hate computers.

bad day at black ro

JAN 25 2019

the chewing of gum--

we had a wonderful time with teh 5 pups and walter at bella's school-- those are wonderful heavy blocky pups- and  to have  huge walter  there  let people see that they were really puppies even if they were the size of lab retrievers.

 HOWEVER....  there was one teacher/associate/ office worker assigned to  us-- and she chewed gum... loudly...  i can not imagine what/WHY   ...... a lolly pop would have Been better --  i did take thaT OPPORTUNITY TO POINT OUT TO BELLA AND HALEY THAT IN NO WAY WOULD  I ALLOW THEM OUT IN PUBLIC UNDER SDP'S NAME  WITH A WAD OF GUM LIKE THAT..

AND WHILE I AM AT IT....  I HAD LONG HAIR FOR 60 YEARS.  SO MY OBJECTION IS NOT LONG HAIR...-I OBJECT TO THE KIND OF HAIR WHERE MY IMMEDIATE REACTION IS " WHAT CRITTERS COULD BE LIVING IN THAT WAD OF HAIR?"  OR MORE LOGICAL... WHY WOULD THERE  NOT  BE  ALL KINDS OF LIVE THINGS  LIVING IN THAT  HAIR.. A REGULAR WILD COMMUNITY COULD BE IN THERE.  THERE ARE VERY MANY KIDS WHO'S HAIR IS PAST THEIR SHOULDERS- AND FROM MY STUDY OF THOSE STUDENTS, I DID NOT SEE HOW THAT HAIR EVER HAD A COMB THRU IT.

ON THE FARM, THERE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ELEMENT--  BE IT LOOSE CLOTHING OR LONG HAIR... IT CAN GET TANGLED IN AWKWARD SITUATIONS..  AROUND HERE  USE AN ELASTIC.  

I REMEMBER....MY SISTER AND I WERE FORBIDDEN TO GO TO ONE OF THE 3 MOVIE THEATERS IN NEWBURGH. --- CONSEQUENTLY WE WENT THERE ONE HOT SUMMER DAY  AND IT BEING SUCH A HOT DAY WE FLIPPED OUR LONG HAIR OVER THE BACK OF THE  CLOTH  COVERED SEATS. MY MOTHER'S EAGLE EYES NOTICED WE HAD ADDOPTED  MORE THAN A FEW "PETS" IN THAT HAIR-- NOT HAVING CHEMICAL SOLUTION, I REMEMBER THE FINE TOOTH COMB REMOVING THE BEASTS AND ALOT OF MY HAIR AT THE SAME TIME.. I GOT NO SYMPATHY..

WHEN I HAD CHILDREN, I DID NOT BOTHER LOOKING--  I ONCE GOT A NOTE FROM A KINDERGARDEN TEACHER THAT ONE OF THE  OTHER STUDENTS HAD PIN WORMS  - SO I JUST BOUGHT THAT MEDICATION. .  AND EVERY FEW MONTHS THERE AFTER WHEN I WORMED THE ANIMALS , I JUST DID THE KIDS TOO.  LIKE PUPPIES----  IF YOUR VET WANTS TO TEST FOR  PUPPY WORMS, FIND A NEW VET-- THEY ALL HAVE WORMS AND THE CURE IS CHEAPER THAN THE TEST.

HUMAN MEDICAL DOCTORS  CAN BE ACCUSED OF THE SAME THING.  

I ALSO REMEMBER--- I HAD 2 BAD KNEES- THEY HURT-- THE ORTH DOCTOR SAID I NEEDED KNEE SURGERY- AND I BELIEVED HIM-- I DID SUGGEST HE OPERATE ON ONLY ONE KNEE AT A TIME SO I WOULD HAVE  ONE FUNCTIONING FOOT... HE DID THAT-- AND BY THE TIME I HAD RECOVERED FROM THE PAINFULL SURGERY, MY OTHER KNEE WAS ALL BETTER TOO....

THERE IS A BIG LESSON THERE-- MIND YOU IT IS A TRICKY LESSON, BUT A REAL ONE. 

I HAVE CONTACTED MASTERSON CONSTRUCTIONABOT T FILLING THE STALLS WITH STONE DUST/ OR SOMETHIGN...  THEY ARE DOWN OVER 12 INCHES-  LAST TIME WE DID IT OURSELVES WITH BUCKETS AND THE ROLLING CONVEYER-- BUT.... THAT WQAS PAINFULL..  THERE MUST BE A WAY TO DO IT MECDHANICALLY. 

JAN 24 2019

stupid  stupid stupid-- can you tell.... i am annoyed????

yesterday  went perfectly at bella'S LARGE HIGH SCHOOL -- lovely fun day with bentley and sizzle behaving 110%-- 

 BOTH TEH PRINCIPAL AND SECOND SOMEONE WERE CONCERNED THAT I HAD REMOVED THE COLLARS AND LEASHES- UNTIL THEY WATCHED THEM "WORK THE CROWD" BUT WITH KIDS LIKE THAT , I HAVE FOUND IT IS NECESSARY - THE DOG ARE COMFORTAble with teh crowd- and woudl respond to me immediately if i said their name--- i knew that from past.. what they would not tolorate is kids grabbing at their collars jerking theri heads around. i was sure , if the kids behaved, the dogs would.--- that is a big IF-  most of teh kids were lovely... until   maybe  football practice got over and 6 strong male children arrived to try barking at sizzle-  i heard it and was pleased sizzle just got away from them.  unfortunately  new england no longer  has fields of boulders to be removed  and made into stone walls so these young males could use up all that  excess energy. 

 JUST TO KEEP IT INTERESTING  JUDY AND I TOOK ONE OF TEH LITTLE PUPS THAT MATCHED SIZZLE. NICE PUP WELL MANNORED-KIDS WERE THRILLED WITH ALL 3 DOGS.  THEY WERE SO THRILLED THAT THEY WANTED US BACK WITH THE LITTER  OF  ALL 11 TODAY--- AND WE COULD DO THAT...I LOVE A CHALLANGE- I LINED UP A SPACE IN TEH MAIN HALL WHERE WE WOULD HAVE 2 WALLS TO HELP CONTAIN THEM--- AND BELLA AND FRIENDS WERE LINED UP TO  HELP-

 TOTALLY DO-ABLE   

THEN I THOUGHT.. RABIES SHOTS...  THE LITTLE PUPPIES ARE TOO YOUNG TO GET THEIR SHOTS- ALL WE WOULD NEED IS ONE 1/2 INCH TOENAIL SCRATCH AND SOME PARENT COULD PULL THE "MY CHILD WAS WOUNDED BY AN OUT OF CONTROL RABID   GREAT DANE. " 

I HATE TO LET BELLA DOWN-- OR MORE PROBABLY I DO NOT WANT TO SET ANY EXAMPLE OF BEING A QUITTER-- SO WE ARE GOING WITH 4 OR 5 OF THE OLDER PUPS WHO WILL BE FAR MORE INCLINED TO BITE OR SCRATCH AS THEY PLAY WITH THE PEOPLE. TEHY WILL ALSO NOT BE AS CUTE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY THE SIZE OF A FULL GROWN LAB ... - BUT THEY HAVE HAD THEIR RABIES SHOTS.. 

RABIES IS CERTAINLY NOT THE SAME AS A CASE OF POISON IVY... BUT THERE IS SOME POINT AT WHICH  LIVING IN A STERILE BUBBLE  IS DEVASTATING ALSO.

THERE IS A ?COMPANY?  TDI-- THERAPY DOGS INTERNATIONAL-- ACTUALLY 2 COMPANIES THE OTHER IS THERAPY DOGS INC..;. THAT WIL "TEST" THERAPY DOGS AND THEN OFFER INSURANCE WITH THEM.. I KNOW ----I  USED TO BE  ONE OF TEH INSPECTORS-- UNTIL THEY GOT SO MANY RULES AND REGULATIONS  THAT I COULD  NOT  KEEP UP WITH THE BOOK WORK. I QUIT ALONG ABOUT WHEN THEY  INSISTED ON A MOUTH SWAB AND FECAL SMEAR THE DAY YOU WERE TO GO IN A NURSING HOME OR CLASSROOM.... 

I USED TO GO INTO BROOKSBY VILLAGE-- A VERY NICE- STERILE HUGE PLACE WITH SWIMMING, GYJM CLASSES- AND RESTAURANTS..   FOR A YEAR OR TWO --I WOULD GO IN ON A DROP BY-- MAYBE WEEKLY.  THEN THEY STARTED TELLING ME I HAD TO  HAVE A VETERNARIAN  HEALTH  CERTIFICTE  DONE WITHIN 30 DAYS AND A  VET  DOCUMENTED  WORMING PROGRAM - SO I JUST STOPPED... 

NOW THEY HAVE NEW MANAGEMENT AND ARE BEGGING... WELL ASKING REGULARLY... FOR US TO COME BACK WITH OUR DOGS. 

****

THAT WHOLE EPISODE IS SOOOO PARALELL TO MANY LAWS  OF MODERN EXISTANCE WHERE SOMEONE CONVINCED SOMEONE THAT  REALLY STRICT LAWS OWULD REMOVE ANY ONE PROBLEM-- WHILE NOT RECOGNIZING IT REMOVES THE FUN  AND CHALLANGE OF LIFE IN GENERAL.

I MEAN ... THERE ARE LAWS------ "CARS MUST DRIVE ON TEH RIGHT" --- 

AND THEN THERE ARE LAWS  

 "PEOPLE JUMPIN G OUT OF AIRPLANES MUST WEAR A PARACHUTE".

jan 23 2019

teh TUFTS exhibit went very well  judy is a super organizer and loquacious -- big time....- we were in a semi confined area-  so we could remove all harness aND COLLARS SO BENTLEY AND SIZZLE COULD REALLY WORK THE CROWD... WHICH THEY DID BEAUTIFULLY-- FROM  SLOWLY GOING FROM TABLE TO TABLE- TO BENTLEY FALLING ASLEEP IN THE VERY MIDDLE- THEY WERE A HUGE HIT- AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET SOME  FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THEIR PROGRAM-- IF ONE OF THEIR PEOPLE VOLUNTEERS FOR X HOURS, TUFTS WILL DONATE $250-- PLUS IF THEY DONATE MONEY TUFTS WILL ADD TO THAT...

I HAVE TO COMMENT ON THE TERRIFFIC GUY WE MET AS WE PARKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR- ONE OF THE  SNOW CREW WORKING ON THE ICE PROBLEM CAME RIGHT OVER AND OFFERED TO HELP US WITH THE WHEELCHAIR/DOGS/ AND EQUIPMENT- IT WAS NOT ONLY THE HELP, BUT THE GUY WAS SOOOO PLEASENT AND CHEERFUL AS WE SLID AROUND TEH CHUNKS OF WHAT WAS ONCE SNOW AND WAS NOW SOLID ICE.  I WAS IMPRESSED-- I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS A PHD STUDENT WORKNG OFF HIS TUITION BILL, OR ONE OF THE MIKE ROWE DIRTY JOBBERS DOING A MISERABLE JOB CHEERFULLY.   I WAS IMPRESSED WITH HIS UNEXPECTED ATTITUDE.  I DON'T KNOW WHO AT TUFTS TO WRITE TO- BUT THAT GUY IS A WINNER.

**

 THAT MAKES TODAYS JOB A LOT EASIER-- WE ARE DUE AT BELLA'S SCHOOL IN READING AT 11:00.  I DO NOT HAve a clue what is the gist of the event-  i go with 2 --hopefully perfect-- dogs and see what developes.

probably they expect a lecture on  service dgos -- what they do- and there will be some who want to know how to train  a service dog.  if that is the case----- they will get a surprise-- because there is sooooo maNY DETAILS THAT GO INTO THIS SDP WHICH HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ACTUAL DOGS.

**

LIKE   A WASCOMATT WASHER REGULATES THE AMT OF WATER INTHE DRUM WITH A TINY SPRING THE SIZE OF THE ONE IN YOUR BALL POINT PEN-- AND WHEN IT BREAKS IT IS $450 TO REPLACE.

MY POINT BEING  YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT PART OF YOUR EDUCATION YOU WILL BE CALLED ON TO USE..

BUT WHATEVER YOU DO-- ALGEBRA - WILL BE PART OF IT- LIKE IT OR LUMP IT- MONEY IS IN NUMBERS.

***

AN ALGEBRA TEST IN DOG RAISING

IN THAT RANDOM CALL FROM PURINA WHERE THEY SIMPLY SAID " CALL US BACK IN AN HOUR AND TELL US  HOW MUCH FOOD WOULD YOU NEED FOR YOUR 50 DANES  MONTHLY."  SOUNDS INNOCENT ENOUGH.

I HAD AN HOUR.. WE WERE TALKING OVER $50,000 A YEAR IN FOOD.  I HAD TO BE CLOSE- BECAUSE PURINA IS A HUGE COMPANY-- THIS GUY ON THE PHONE KNEW EXACTLY HOW MUCH FOOD 50 DANES WOULD EAT A MONTH.  I THINK HE WANTED TO SEE WHAT KIND OF OUTFIT  HE WAS DEALING WITH. I  WAS NOT GOING TO GUESS...   

50 DOGS  AVG 4 SCOOPS 2+2 A DAY= 200 SCOOPS---30 DAYS  6000 SCOOPS---   BUT HE WAS DEALING IN BAGS OF 37 POUNDS- SO I STOPPED EVERYTHIGN AT THE FARM AND HAD 2 PEOPLE SCOOPING DRY DOG FOOD FROM ONE BAG TO ANOTHER-- COUNTING AND SPILLING  THE OFFICE WAS ANKLE DEEP IN DOG FOOD...TEHY GAVE ME THE NUMBER OF SCOOPS PER BAG-- I TOLD HIM HOW MANY BAGS-- AND PURINA HAS SENT 5 PALLETS OF DOG FOOD EVERY MONTH SINCE   5 YEARS AND COUNTING. 

 MY LECTURE ON RAISING SERVICE DOGS CAN EASILY  GO  next TO  DEALING WITH THE  POO.  LIKE IN ANY JOB-- INSTEAD OF SKIPPING OVER THE MOST DISAGREEEABLE ASPECT OF THE JOB, STUDY IT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO  DO IT MOST EFFICIENTLY- I CAN RELATE TEH STORY ABOUT THE DEBATE WITH TEH BRITISH WOMAN ABOUT CHUNKY VOMIT PICKER SHE HAD INVENTED.

UNFORTUNATELY  HIGHSCHOOL IS A COLLECTION OF ALL THOSE BITS OF KNOWLEDGE - 99% OF WHICH WILL BE TOTALLY USELESS- UNFORTUNATELY YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE USELESS BITs FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS.  BUT HOPEFULLY IT TEAches you to think about it.

then i can get into the training  vs  educate part.. 

or some other entirely different lecture.. it all depends .....

jan 22 2019

JAEGAr is  tail- less-  well at least 4 inches left--- he had a  "happy tail"- bang it on the kennel/doors/gates/ whatever and produce enough blood to replicate a murder scene.

so......minus donna( recovering from putting her arm back together)  meant i had to go sit  with the patient at DAH... ... 

there is a reason for that--- years ago - i had a perfect service dog .."brownie"  which i sent to someone in penna-. he developed a happy tail and  needed to have it docked- which the  vet there did-  normally vets put dogs into the cages to recover from anesthesia- which they do by thrashing--BIG  TIME---  ever since brownie had the experience of banging metal noise he didn;'t understand, he would react to even a metal garbage can lid- rendering him useless as a service dog.   i remember that...  so ours will wake up with an attendant--

 usually  we check in  early at danvers animal hospital ( dah)  and they operate on our dog as  early as possible , just to get us out of their way.   i went there with him at 8:30 and teh surgeon put on her mask at 11:15-  and by  12:30 he was  on the floor with another attendent thrashing away-- all 143 pounds of him.  no way could  i hold him... until he got slightly out of the fog.  when he got 4 feet on the ground, megan picked us up and got him home- all was well til  he said he needed to pee...  pam took him out-- in the dark ---  and - to be kind to him, she let him out on the end of a 6 foot lead rope.  thAT EMPOWERED HIM-  HE HAD 4 FEET  POWER AND PAM ONLY HAD 2 ON THIS ICE-- SO SHE LOST THE ARGUEMENT AND HE ROARED AROUND THE PROPERTY.

 GOLDIE WAS WATCHING--- I REALIZED  PAM SHOULD BE BACK WITH HIM AND WENT  OUT THE DOOR TO CALL HER....- PAM SAID SHE DID NOT HEAR ME, BUT 2 SECONDS LATER THE PHONE RANG- PAM WAS OUT BEHIND THE ARENA- AND HAD CAUGHT JAEGAR AND HAD HIM ON A LEASH  AGAIN...

  FYI---- THERE IS A LESSON HERE...-

A DOG ON  A LEASH THAT IS ONE FOOT LONG KEEPS HIS HEAD RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR  KNEE AND IS  HOPEFULLY UNDER CONTROL - A DOG THAT IS ON THE END OF A 6' LEAD IS IN TOTAL CONTROL AND CAN DRAG YOU ROUND THE BLOCK.

MARY--- MY OLD/ FAVORITE DONKEY-- USED TO KEEP US ON OUR TOES WITH THAT LESSON.. 

 NOW PAy ATTENTION..... IF YOU WERE WALKING HER --HER HEAD RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR  RIGHT SHOULDER AND HAND UNDER HER CHIN.... LIFE WAS GOOD... BUT GET THE SLIGHTEST DISTRACTion SHE WOULD MOVE HER HEAD EVEN 1 INCH  TO THE RIGHT-AND SHE WOULD HAve the leverage/ advantage and could spin to the right dragging you along....  by keeping her head sllightly bent to the left- you had teh advantage to spin her in a left circle- otherwise you were useless..

applying that to dogs  -- dog by your left knee-- you can controll by turning a circle to the right but if the dog's head goes to the left you become the spinnee and the dog  is the spinner. 

short leash--- never tight leash-- but short.

****

i had alot of positive comments on the doggie day care concept- i don't have any luck dealing  with the va--- but if any one else wants to write them  or the wall street journal....-- have at it..  it could work.

here is a variation....  but with a day care, people come round and take them all home at night  wooowowoooo 

***

Dear Carlene, read your DD this morning. When I worked at VA we would take a group of Vets to the dog shelter to volunteer. This was a win win. Some vets went on to adopt a dog so they could have a fulltime companion.

sincerely, CP Kathy Cable

***

I just would like to let you know that Ella is unbelievable and a fast learner, she now helps me with my PTSD all so. And can help me up from sitting down in a chair she walks with me and helps to walk a straight line and keeps me from falling. I owe her my life for what she can do for me thank for this beautiful young lady that she is well thank you znd god bless you all.

John C.Michael and Ella Michael

JAN 21 2019

COFFEE WILL BECOME   EXTINCT????  TALK ABOUT BAD NEWS---NOW THAT IS REALLY GONG TO BE A PROBLEM. 

 I WATCH VERY LITTLE ACTUAL TV---  I MEAN---- IF DR POL IS NOT ON , I GRAVITATE TO THE SCIENCE CAHNNEL IN HOPES OF THE MYTHBUSTERS WHICH IS SOMETIMES REPLACED BY  EXTREME ENGINEERING DISASTERS.. WHICH I DO FIND ENTERTAINING....  LAST NIGHT DR POL WAS REPLACED WITH A "WHICH ANIMAL EATS WHICH ANIMAL" -so that was out...  AND I WENT TO THE  SCIENCE /ENGINEERING  CHANNEL -

 I SWEAR I WAS SOBER - THEY TALKED OF CREATING ENERGY WITH A VERY LIGHT REFLECTIVE FILM  THE SIZE  OF THE STATE OF TEXAS  WHICH WOULD ENABLE US TO GET TO SOME GALEXY 74 BILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY-- GIVE OR TAKE A BILLION..

WHO IS PAYING THESE PEOPLE? ----SOMEBODY PHOTOGRAPHED  A PRETTY BIG- BY MY STANDARDS-  FLIMSY FLOPPY TENT SHAPED THING IN SOME AIRPORT  HANGER WHILE SOME RAtional looking man explained about the texas size FILM and aliens. I TRIED  TO RELATE THE COST OF VIDEOGRAPHERS TO PUT TOGETHER THAT 60 MINUTE AS WERE OUR  COST AT THE 20 MINUTE ON OUR WEB.  I AM 100 % BEHIND THE LECTURE ON CREATIVITY BY KEN ROPBERTSON( TED LECTURE) 

IF I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE CHANGES  THEY USE IN THE WEATHER CHANNEL MAPS TO ILLUSTRATE RAIN  VS SLEET  VS  SNOW- YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW I RESIST CHANGES PERTAINING TO COFFEE AND ALIENS.

I CAN REMEMBER......

IN COLLEGE-- A FRIEND ( JACKIE-- NOW DARWIN'S WIFE) TOLD  ME OF A REALLY FUTURISTIC PLAN OF CARRYING AROUND A PIECE OF PLASTIC TO BUY GROCERIES.  I FIGURED SHE WAS 100% NUTS...  I TOTALLY LACKED THE ABILITY  TO CONNECT TEH PLASTIC WITH THE WORD INTERNET -  WHICH WAS ANOTEHER INTANGABLE CONCEPT I WAS   UNWILLING TO   ACCEPT.

SO HERE I AM- WATCHING SOME  GUY EARN  HIS LIVING BY TELLING ME IN ALL  SINCERITY THAT ALIENS that got here with the energy from a flim the size of texas   that..  MIGHT OPT  TO STUDY OUR SOCIETY BY  EATING PORTIONS OF OUR FEET.... and i watched it  !!

I SUPPOSE THAT MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS  OUR SOCIETY DESERVES IN THe FIRST PLACE.

*****

if that  concept earned someone a buck-- then i have every reason to tell you what i really think about the idea that the  va has for animal assisted therapy.

 the basic concept is a wonderful one animals-- particularly dogs- really help to undo what people do to themselves. 

the va  wanted our input on  having therapy  dogs come  to their  group sessions on fridays- the concept is valid but the result they are esxpecting comes from a better relationship with the dog than a few pats on the head. the "approved therapy dog"  on a leash ( with a gentle leader) for an hour on a friday just will not cut the mustard...  the best idea is one dane to one veteran    like scot and dash ( making a message out of a mess video)    but that is beyond the capabilities of the va- at least at the moment. and there are  all sorts of steps along the way  -- like a facility dog which is owned/managed and taken home  by  one of the people who work there...  possible but complicated...

let me start with the fact that - all i have to do is walk into that complex of 80  attached buildings and i am surrounded by veterans patting my dogs smiling away like they have not smiled in years ( according to the "professionals " there) 

so what would  i do???  given a few bucks and a small space in  the sprawling  military compound... hold your hat...

i would start a doggie day care- ..which would mean that  people in the surounding towns would come and drop off theii  relatively well behaved- and interesting--  family pets  to be entertained for the day -  managed by  the veterans --- oh you would have some sorting to do ..just like they do in all doggie day cares..  so make provision for that -  exercise?  there are inner courtyards already  plus  those 80 building are all attached by  tubes and hallways-- a joggers loop-- 

 try and tell me that  something like these 11 pups in a- nearly- spotless clean room- like our kitchen- would not attract someone who needs to be attracted, instead of being assigned to a group therapy session.

if i can cause a traffic jam of people with just bentley and sizzle imagine what i could do with a megan's march of teh 11-- make that-- what megan could do marching teh 11...

i could run such a doggie day care--- not that i want  the job...... but i sure could plant the seed. - and i know of a person who runs a huge an effective doggie day care center-- so there is an experienced  population to draw  from.

get away from the  "approved  inspected" therapy dog concept and go with someone who runs a commercially successful out fit already- someone who copes with  the odd dog problem and does not get bent out of shape easily.

teh sight of 11 pups running down those horribly sterlle  hallways would do wonders for the place.

an "animalepisodes"  like crew ( bu college kids)   would have no problem in pulling  that one off.

i rest my case..

JAN 20 2019

  

NOW I AM ANNOYED...I USUALLY GLANCE AT TEH GLOBS OF WEATHERE ON THE INTELLICAST MAP-- BUT A COuPLE WEEKS AGO  THE MAP CHANGED... IT IS NOT NEARLY AS EAsy to read--  i was given this by some pilot saying  he uses  that web. couple weeks ago??? 

 APPARENTLY   PER TEH   "CP NETWORK"   INTELICAST GOT MERGED WITH   XXXXXWUNDABAR - AND I AM NOT HAPPY--  CHANGE IS SOOOOO PAINFUL-- THE COLORS ARE ALL DIFFERENT-

***

THE ONLY DOG REPORT I HAVE IS WILLIE--  WITH JOYCE AT  HOME DEPOT-- HE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER...  FIRSTLY SHE LET ALL TEH MEN THERE PAT THE DOG--- WHICH IS ABOUT EH SCENERIO THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE AS A "PEASE GREETER"  AT PEASE AIRBASE....(?PORTSMITH?) - FOR THE TROOPS COMING AND GOING AS THE PLANES GET REFUELED.... AND THEN.... THERE WAS A PUPPY--- FUZZY JACK RUSSEL ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG -- AND WITH WANDA'S ATTITUDE-- RUSHING AT HIM JUMPING ALL OVER HIS FACE. THE PHOTO OP WAS PRICELESS... AND I HOPE EVENTALLY WE GET A PICTURE FROM TEH CROWD TAKEING PICTURES-- I WAS TOO BUSY WATCHING HIS EXACT REACTION  THAT I COULD \NT COPE WITH EVE N GETTING MY PHONE OUT OF MY POCKET...  BUT HE WAS PERFECT .   THIS WILL BE HIS FUTURE JOB AS PEASE GREETER WITH JOYCE..   HIS WILD COLOR AND BOUNDLESS ENERGY WILL BE "SOMETHIGN DIFFERENT "ON THE LINE" -- JUST TO SEE HIM IS TO SMILE....

****

THERE IS JUST ABOUT ENOUGH SNOW FOR ME TO TRY PLOWING- 

 --- QUICK---- BEFORE IT RAINS------ I HOPE I WILL BE  SNOW PLOWING AND NOT PLOWING UP ALL OUR NEW HOT TOP- THIS PLOW DOES NOT HAVE SKIDDING FEET ON THE BOTTOM- JUST A STRAIGHT SCRAPER BLADE... IT IS ON SPRINGS FOR A LITTLE RELIEF

I WILL KNOW ALOT MORE ABOUT THIS  BY  THE IDES OF MARCH.

JAN 19 2019

i had a request for ideas  with training a deaf dane in an obedience class- so here is teh copy paste....

***

glad to help with a few ideas... -- our "ariot" is deaf and nearly blind- but does really well.  

security is the big deal-  the dog will want to be in constant contact if totally blind...

 in a class situation....  i have found that lightly holding the dog's ear is very reassuring and  a very easy way to communicate..being a dane and tall enough the ear is usually available  at hand level.. 

with the usual collar/leash drooping for emergency use only.

you want  the 4 basics    walk on-- stop( whoa) - down-- up...  and teh most tricky... stay-- which has to be  "wait, i will be right back"

those commands make the dog very comfortable  to live with-- and no different than a beagle that doesn't listen anyway.

another way.. in a class situation for down stay  might be to put down your jacket- or such and have them stay on it...

you must not let them loose to be confused-- a confused dane is terrified...  even a small enclosed yard is all they need to learn wherre peeing is done..  ---  as they will prefer to be right with you  for security.

and remember -- there is nothing wrong with their sense of smell- and at home, stomping twice on the floor is a good way to call them.

if they can see at all, waving a white kleenex or such--- can work--kleenex  taped  on a fly swatter can help to get that messGE ACROSS...  COME TO THE WAVING WHITE.....

 and have a try with  a few of teh "silent dog whistles" we had one deaf dog that could hear those.

****

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE AND NOT A DROP TO DRINK--  WILL PROBABLY BE TEH NEXT FEW DAYS -- 

WE HAVE FOOD-- COSTCO FOOD-- SO NEXT CRITICAL IS UPDATE TEH WAGTER SITUATION IN THE BARN... IT IS A HODGEPODGE OF BUCKETS AND HOSES...

SOMEBODY SENT ME 4 INSULATED COVERS FOR A THE 5 GAL BUCKETS-- WHICH I REALLY NEED TO GO BUY-- WHAT WE HAVE IS PATHETIC...  WE NEED WHITE ONES ONLY TO E SURE THEY ARE KEPT CLEAN...

AND WE COULD HAVE A FEW HANGING IN THE DONKEY STALL - ALL AAT KNEE HIGH BECAUDSE  IF YOUPUT IN A FEW KLOWER ONES, I GUARENTEE MO WILL DRINK OUT OF THOSE AND THE LITTLE GUYS WOULD GO THIRSTY-- SO ALL HAVE TO BE LOW...-- WITH HOOKS THAT DO NOT FREEZE-- LIKE "S" HOOKS-- WHICH WE CAN USE BECAUSE E NEVER LEAVE  HALTERS ON THE DONKEYS TO GET CAUGHT IN THEM-- YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN A HORSE STALL WHEN THE HORSE WEARS A HALTER.

JUST TO MAKE FARMER OUT OF YOU'ALL-- I ALSO WILL GO GET MATCHING 5 GAL BUCKETS- AND TEHN ONE THAT HOPEFULL DOES NOT MATCH--....BECAUSE.... 

TO GET THE ICE OUT OF THE WATER BUCKETS--- EVEN IF SOLID ICE TO THE BOTTOM, ALL YOU NEED FOR 6 OR 8 SOLID  ICE BUCKETS IS 1/2 BUCKET OF WARM WATER--

YOU LINE UP TEH SOLID ONES OUTSIDE THENC GET  ONLY  1/2 BUCKET OF WARM WATER AND DIP THE FROZEN ONE INTO THE WARM-  3 SECONDS... BY ACTUAL COUNT.....  AND TIP IT UPSIDE DOWN AND TH E WHOLE BLOCK SLIDES OUT -- AND TEH BUCKET IS STRIPPED CLEAN AT THE SAME TIME -- HANG  UP THE EMPTIES AND DIP AND FILL THEM UP- OR USE HOSE-- WHATEVER...

AND... THE RED 3 GAL BUCKETS ARE FOR THE DPPING AND FILLING AND NEVER SITTING DOW ON THE FLOOR (TO KEEP THE DIPPING PLACE CLEAN.)

ENOUGH HORSES AND A BAD WINTER  I HAVE OFTEN CONSIDERED BUILDING AN IGLOO AS TEH CHUNKS COLLECT.

****

SNOW ( FUN I CAN USE MY NEW PLOW)  BUT THEN TURNS TO ICE-- IS WHAT IS  PREDICTED---A SIGNIFICANT AMMOUNT OF ICE-- LIKE INCHES  OF ICE THEY ARE TALKING.--

AND I KNOW SOMETHING IS COMING... TEH RAODS AND SHOPPING CENTERS ARE  COVERED  WITH SOMETHING... IF NOT SALT, THEN SOMETHING.

I BOUGHT 2 CUTE LITTEL BAGS OF PAW SAFE SWTUFF-- BUT IF WE HAVE INCHES, WE WILL NEED A TRUCKLOAD...

SO BEFORE I PUT MY NEW PLOW ON.......... I NEED TO GO WITH THE DUMP TRAILER AND GET A LOAD OF SAND AT THE ROCK, PEBBLE , SAND STORE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER...( GRAVEL PIT?????)

THEY KNOW ME WELL THERE- FOR ALOT OF  REASONS.

jan 18 2019

THIRD AMBULANCE CALL YESTERDAY-- THINGS GO IN 3'S -- HOPEFULLY NOT IN MULTIPLES OF THREES...  GROMMET AND OAKLY  WERE  both IN THE PARKING AREA YESTERDAY--  AN ERROR IN ARITHMETIC-- I HAVE A RULE OF ONLY 2 OF THOSE ROUND MANLY APPENDAGES ON THE SAME SIDE OF ANY FENCE... BUT WITH GROMMET ANE OAKLEY -- THAT MADE 4-  AND OAKLEY BEING YOUNG HE WAS NOT REALLY INTO A BIG FIGHT-- GROMMET WAS HINDERED BY LINDA WHO NEVER LET GO OF HIS COLLAR-- SO AT ONE POINT SHE WAS DOWN WITH 2 SNARLING SNAPPING  DOGS OVER AND ON HER- WHICH LOOKED DREADFUL FROM TEH PUPPY HILL CAMERA VIEWERS-

ONE "CP" rightly  CALLED ME AT TEH HOUSE -  ALL I HEARD WAS-- PERSON DOWN-- DOGS FIGHT, --BLOOD ALL OVER- SO I FLEW OUT THE DOOR AND TOLD LINDA TO CALL 911-- IT TOOK ME AN EXTRA 30 SECONDS TO GET THERE BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD PARKED A GOLF CART BLOCKING MY CAR-  ONCE I SAW LINDA WAS OK AND THE BLOOD WAS NOT SQUIRTING ANYWHERE, I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE AMBU.

  YOU CAn not do that... once called, they come and have to check out the problem..

 linda by now was in her car-- with grommet , ready to go home- but she had to get out and have her blood pressure taken.

so in the shakedown  analysis-- 2 things--- linda should have let go - i have a rule-- once a dog fight gets started - go have coffee- they will make a mess of each other-- but other than some gaping holes, they survive.---  teh second thing is---- per all our adi accreditation, my car is teh designated emergency vehicle which should be 100% available and full of gas.  we need to redo the golf cart  proceedures.

***

todays fyi---this  may be wonderful- it also might be  like the day we had 600 people at mail call trying to touch thier nose with their toe-- ( remember that one?..i can do that !!)---- this is a video by a chiropractor suggesting you  can  improve teh drainage of your sinus by massaging pathways  across your head to  beneath and  in front of your ear  then down your neck and tapping that pocket where your neck hits your shoulder.

both grace and i have been doing that for 1/2 hour now.   to be continued.... 

****

today-----teh VA at  Hanscom field ( bedford) has asked us ( judy and i ) to come and talk to them about dogs n general-- they ( apparently the VA) are beginning to take animal assisted therapy seriously ( AAT)- i think it sounds like tehy are wantign therapy dogs- on  every friday - which is not the kind of thing we could do  mostly because bedford is  an hour each way  and it is not a quick run thru  as it is with  teh senior living places...   whatever they need, i am sure we could do-- except it would detract from our origional mission... and ..per usual... t hey- at the moment do not offer any pay-  so to maximise our benefit for veterans, we will probably be offering advice only--

first problem-- we are to go to building 72--  i know this place---   they have an information building--- it is way far as possible from the only entrance to the complex.- and all the parking bears little relationship to accessing  any of teh many buildings.  i looked at teh satelite image ---take route 4  off 128 and it is out there-- with a golf course that is easily identified.  just think of judy and i wandering around those 80 odd governmental  buildings with dogs...  i suggested we go very early.

it should be interesting.  somehow i don't expect it to be  financially profitable... but what the heck.

jan 17 2019

HOW  DID WE GET TO 2019?  I AM STILL CARRYING THE DRAFT OF 2017'S  IRS 990 FORM ON MY "TO DO LIST."   DESK.... REASON BEING .. I HAVE NOT HAD A SUFFICIENT ANSWER TO HOW  " THE  ACCOUNTANT"  GOT SOME OF THE NUMBERS.

SEEEEE... I UNDERSTOOD IT WHEN I DID IT.. IT WAS SIMPLE--- YOU GOT MONEY IN AND PUT IT IN THE BANK AND WROTE CHECKS ON IT...-- THEN OUR INCOME GOT OVER 500K-- WHICH IS HELPFUL FOR RUNNING THIS PLAQCE*******  EXCEPT******* PER THE IRS WE NOW NEED AN OFFICIAL CPA-- NOT ONLY A SIMPLE CPA-- BUT ONE WITH AN EXTRA KICK - SORT OF SUPER CPA...

THE TRANSITION FROM ME AND A SPREAD SHEET TO LIFE IN THEIR WORLD -- WAS PAINFUL---  I WAS ALWAYS AWAre that if i bought a mower for $2000- that normal people would say that had an expected life of 12 years  and would deduct  blah blah blah  - but aROUND HERE- EXPECTED LIFE IS  CALCULATED IN HOURS- SO I JUST IGNORED THE deductinle  TOPIC--IF I SPENT THE MONEY IT WAS SPENT.  HOW-- OR WHY-- THE IRS SAYS IF YOU SPEND MONEY, YOU REALLY ON LY CAN DEDUCT 1/12 OF IT --when it falls apart can i get tho other 11/12THS AS A CASH REFUND? NO... ONLY THEN DO  YOU GET TO DEDUCT THE 11/12 THS gets complicated 

 THAT CONCEPT IS BAD ENOUGH

 BUT LETS TRY- HOW DO YOU  TREAT  GRANT MONEY?--- how do i????? GIVE ME A CHECK.... I WILL PUT IT IN THE  BANk  AND SPEND IT.  CASE CLOSED.

 NOT WITH THESE FANCY CPA'S methods.....-- BOTH EXPLORE.ORG AND CUMMINGS HAVE GIVEN US 2 YEAR GRANTS    EXPLORE.ORG IS $150 PER YEAR ($300K FOR TTHOSE MATHMATICALLY CHALLANGED) AND CUMMINGS $$50 ( $100)  THESE "NEW" ACCOUNTANTS HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE TOTAL $300  - OF WHICH YOU GET TO SPEND $150 AND CARRY THE OTHER   $150 AS A "RECIEVEABLE" .

MY PROBLEM IS... IN 2017  TEH ACCOUNTANT SAYS OUR INCOME WAS 815K-   we never had 815   I JUST CAN NOT JUGGLE THE 2 X 150 + 2 X 50 AND THROW IN THE 220 SHATUPON IS THAT  donaton or a fundraiser  and i can not get 815- so i have not  got it out of my head....T his has held up all transactionS  with teh irs-- aND TEH IRS AIN'T GONNA LIKE IT

i think now-- with alot of teh gov't shut down it might be a good chance to =see if i can sneak in all teh paperwork-- one thing i did do was send " estimate" money-- so they can not get upset about that...  i have had several run in's with the irs- and always found them to be reasonable--- which does not mean it always goes in my favor-- but i do not fear them as teh advewrtisemsnts would have you believe...

 there is alot  to un roll.

*****

Carlene,

I just wanted to send  a note to let you know how Dolly and I are doing.

We have been doing great. She is amazing, I know I always say that but it is because it is so true. Her dedication to me is astounding. 

We have been paired for a little over 4 years now and many days, are just our normal days. Get up, go to work, run errands, ect. We have just gotten into what I would call Life. Then there will be days like the other day... We had gone to work even though the weather was not good, cold, some ice and blowing and drifting snow. Before Dolly I would NEVER have even considered stepping outside, let alone go to work. But my life is different now, and to work I went. By the time we left work the snow had drifted outside the door and to where we had parked. The snow was about 1/3- 1/2 way up to my knee. In the past I would have literally froze with fear. I physically would not have been able to walk through that, but this day was different. I held tightly to Dolly's harness and told her to walk slow as she very gently walked me to the car. I could not have been more proud of myself or of her! 

She has this sense about her that knows when I am more confident because I am having a good day and she can step a little faster and there are other times when she can sense that I am struggling or unsure and she adjusts, to accommodate me. Often it doesn't even need to be a spoken word. I believe she can tell by the way I am griping her harness. She can feel my energy and because of the bond we have together she knows just what I need and adjusts herself to help me. 

She has changed my life, SDP has changed my life and for that I am so grateful. Thank you a million times over...

Brenda & Dolly

JAN 16 2019

DID I FINALLY LIVE LONG ENOUGH FOR AN ADVERTISEMENT ON TV TO KNOCK THE CONCEPT OF TEH VIOLENCE OF YOUNG BOYS--   "BOYS WILL BE BOYS" ----I SWEAR I HEARD ON LAST NIGHT BY GILLETTE-BOYS WILL BE YOUNG HUMANS-- SEEMS TO BE A NEW IDEA-- BUT CHEERS FOR GILLETTE-- IT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE ME GO BUY SOME PRODUCT OF THEIRS TODAY. I REALIZE IT IS NEAArly unamerican to question all teh head injuries of football  but young boys in the violence of  pop warner football has never been my favorite--  TRAINING CHILDREN IS NOT ALOT DIFFERENT THAN TRAINING OTHER ANIMALS..

IF YOU ARE RAISING A BABY HORSE... AS NEARLY ALL OF YOU ARE, I AM SURE.....    IT IS VERY "POPULAR" TO  IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS, RESTRAIN THE FOAL BY HOLDING  FRONT AND BACK

SO THAT WHEN IT GETS TO BE 1000 POUNDS IT WON'T FIGHT THE ROPES, HARNESS AND HALTERS OF REAL LIFE... OR IN OUR CASE...BE  A POLITE PUPPY   AND TEH SPOONFULL OF FOOD WILL ARRIVE...

HOW DOES  THAT RELATE TO HOW OUR CHILDREN ARE RAISED????

it comes down to  mcdonalds happy meals-- "get 'em young  train 'em early"   somebody said something  about bending a SAPLING WILL DETERMINE HOW THE TREE WILL GROW????? 

***

NEXT TOPIC....

*****

WE LOVE TO HAVE CP'S AS  VISITORS TO CRAZY ACRES---WE DEPEND ON THE HELP 

  HOWEVER  WE HAVE FOUND...   MOST CP'S ---  UNLESS UNUSUALLY FIT, ARE WORN OUT IN 3 OR 4 DAYS-  ... IT IS FUNCTIONING FROM  7AM 7 PM... AND EXCEPT FOR MINOR ADJUSTMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO FLY IN ON THE REDEYE,  EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO BE CONTRIBUTING ENERGY TO KEEPING THE  BALL ROLLING 7AM   THRU MAIL CALL ..  I GET A NAP--- BUT GENERALLY THOSE ARE MY HOURS TOO.  THIS IS WHY WE  LIKE TO BOOK THE GUEST HOUSE/ UPPER ROOMS  FOR ONLY  3-4 DAYS AT A TIME -- PEOPLE WEAR OUT !!

****

I FINALLY FOUND A LEGITIMATE USE FOR THE L;ARGER MONKEY FISTS-- IT STOPS THE HANDLE OF A DOOR FROM BANGING THE WALL --

***

Dear Miss Carlene,

As a tax accountant I have come across a number on non-profits, each with a mission of help and hope.

The thing that jumps out at me in this instance is that most of these non-profits succeed in their mission, but with very large overhead.

I have never encountered a group with more success at changing lives than Carlene White and her SDP non -profit on a minimal budget, with a minimal  number of staff accomplishing the work of preparing these dogs to change lives. An organization that has the number of volunteers that SDP has coming from across countries, is quite amazing.  Many of us have boarded our dogs to trek across the country, to volunteer at SDP in hopes of being one small part in making a difference.  I have boarded my 5 dogs for a week, to come help out.

I have been blessed to be able to spend weeks at a time with one of the SDP Service Dogs and Recipients and am quite amazed how these dogs know what is needed, improvise when needed, be right in step with their person when needed and be silly when Mom needs that too. 

I am very proud to spread the news of this very worthwhile non-profit and hope that the work here continues for many years to come.

Anna –GA 

(Diane Blackmon – Baldwin, GA)

****

TAX ACCOUNTANTS--  THAT REMINDS ME....

JAN 15 2019   I DUNNO WHY IT MISSED FIRST TIME ROUND... BUT HERE ----

AMY WRITES LONG ONES--- ALL BE IT INTERESTING-    THIS IS APPARENTLY  FOR THE RECIPIENTS BOOK WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER...  I INCLUDE IT TO REMIND US ALL WHY WE SPEND HOURS PICKING POO  AND FOLDING LAUNDRY.

****

YOU MIGHT WANT IT FOR CUT & PASTE. 

HOPE YOU ARE KEEPING WARM!

AMY & SEAGRAM

Thank you for the gift of Seagram, a gift of a more normal life. It is not a perfect life, but the reality is that life is never perfect anyway — and we share a very good life together. 

I have now been blessed to have Seagram for almost 2 1/2 years. Every day when I wake up, she is the first thing that I see, and there is no better way than to start the day than by seeing her sweet face. 

Seagram has enabled me to resume activities that I love, and she given me a sense of freedom because I am so much safer with her there. We have been out gardening in the yard together, and she really loves this — because she also gets to “go free” when I am safely focused on the task at hand (and don’t need to walk around)...Before Seagram, I had made it to the beach only a handful of times in a few years, despite the fact that I loved to hear the rhythm of the waves rocking onshore. Now, with her, I am regularly able to go to the beach — and this has become our “happy place” to share together. She loves to run & explore the scents and sights, while I simply enjoy being there, and also sharing in her delight. 

In addition, Seagram has enabled me to get out and take on adventures that I had shied away from, even before my medical challenges began — like going to see the Rockettes last year. It is intimidating to go to a venue that seats almost 6000, but with Seagram by my side, we did it!! We have been to multiple Broadway shows, enjoyed many walks in Central Park together, and other outings like the Met. People are consistently amazed at her good behavior, and we strive to share how a real Service Dog behaves — and how well she was trained. 

One of the best things that Seagram has enabled me to do is to see my family. Before her, I had been able to travel to Ohio only once in 5 years, because of new challenges that continually arose, as well as the difficulty of getting out with a walker (or relying on the decreased stability of a cane). This Dane is so much better!! I have been able to see my family for two Thanksgivings, including finally meeting my nephew, who is now 2. Seagram has enabled priceless memories to be made, including enjoying Thanksgiving with my 90-year old Grandma. And my family marvels at how she helps me, and my increased independence because of our teamwork. 

There have been a few surprises along the way. Sure, I knew that I would walk more safely with Seagram by my side. I didn’t expect that she would react as I was falling, and go in front of me to “catch” me as I slipped, when the threshold by the front door was slippery after a nor’easter. That day, she prevented a fall that would have resulted in awful injuries. I also did not expect that Seagram would make me laugh at least daily, often with her silly zoomies in the back yard, or rolling around in the grass, and other such antics. And I am surprised by the comfort of her constant companionship. I have had dogs as pets before, but this is a special, different relationship, where she sometimes knows what I need before I do. As an example, if I get tired while outside, she will nudge me to signal that it is time for me to rest. Before her, I had the bad habit of pushing too hard on a good day, but she encourages me to pace myself. We have been able to do more together this way. 

The other unexpected part are the friendships that I have made through Seagram & SDP. I have become close with other recipients. We had the honor of attending the wedding when her sister’s person married. We have also become close with another recipient (who has Seagram’s brother) and have enjoyed Broadway shows together, as well as watching the siblings running & playing in Central Park. In addition to friendships with recipients, there are several CPs that are friends — last week, we went out to dinner with a CP and her husband. It was such a fun evening, filled with interesting conversation, that I didn’t realize we were there for 4 hours!! Last month, we met another CP and her husband when they visited New York City. The 3 ladies first enjoyed tea together (honestly, Seagram just enjoyed the nap), and then our husbands joined us for dinner. There is another CP that we have become very close with, and Seagram now considers her to be “Auntie Anna.” 

So thank you for the gift of Seagram, and for the increased independence, as well as the friendships and community that came with her. What a wonderful package, all together with a gorgeous, well-trained, smart girl!!

JAN 14 2019

YOU ALL LOVE TO READ  EMAIL REPORTS FROM RECIPIENTS-- WELL HERE IS AN EMAIL THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES 

  Found a broken wire connection in the motor circuit, likely causing the motor to run hot.

  While i was there i replaced the two relay/ contactors that we discussed a short time ago.

  Ran two cycles , seems to be alright.  Hung a sign on it reading  OK FOR NOW

BUD.

YOU ALL HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY THINGS BUD REPAIRS AROUND HERE--- HE REAds the manuals!!  he even reads them ahead of time-- would you believe it !! and he studys why stuff happens - like the motor runs hot....  i would get as far as   "it smells funny"  and have to call a very expensive repair person...-- 

i bought wascomatt washers on teh advice of a person i know who runs several laundromatts-- and i must admit-- they have been wonderful--  the other thing they are is -- very willing to share information  on how to fix it yourself-- or at least for bud to fix it for us.

bud's classic fix was teh 2 normal washers teh "abc appliance repair company"  told me to replace because teh compuer was fried and it would cost more to replace the computer thaN WORTH..  AND BUD FIXED TEHM FOR $13.50 EACH----NEW DOOR SWITCHES...

THUS FORTIFYING MY MIKE ROWE ARGUEMENT -  OUR SCHOOLS  ARE NOT CREATING WORKMEN WHO ARE CAPABLE OF DEALING WITH THE WORD  "FIX"

I HAD A FRIEND--" AN OLD GUY"  GEORGE MURPHY- WHO , WHEN TOWNS BEGAN TO REQUIRE LICENSED ELECTRITIANS, PLUMBERS.. AND TEH LIKE-- HE WENT AND GOT LICENSED IN EVERY POSSIBLE   BUILDING  PROFESSION-- SO WHEN I WANTED TO PUT UP THAT LAUNDRY BUILDING ( WITH MY SON IN LAW'S HELP..) IT WAS GEORGE WHO TOOK OUT ALL THE PERRMITS AND SWEPT US THRU  THAT BUILDING DEPARTMENT.  I THINK BY ACTUAL OCCUPATION  HE WAS A ROCKET SCIENTIST.... SO HE WOULD LOGICALLY TACKLE ANY PROBLEM- BE IT ELECTRICITY OR HORSE MANAGEMENT.

I DON'T THINK THE LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE  PRODUCED A REPLACEMENT FOR  GEORGE YET.

SIGNS ARE HOPEFUL--- ESSEX AGGRICULTURAL SCHOOL- AS BECOME ESSEX TECH SCHOOL- NOW THE TRICK IS TO HAVE THE VERY BRIGHTEST  KIDS GO THERE AND HAVE THE REST OF TEH WORLD GO TO HARVARD.   WE HAVE TOO MAY PHILOSOPHERS  WHO'S PORCH LIGHTS ARE OUT.

THAT OUGHTA START TROUBLE....

****

I THINK WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING FOR SERVICE DOGS TODAY/ THIS WEEK??? MEGAN SAID WIE HAVE 4 READY TO GO..  THAT OUGHTA CLEAN HOUSE...

****

AND I JUST PUT UP A SIGN   "PLEASE REMEMBER TO HAVE PUPS ON CAMERA-- LETS SPLIT UP THE GROUP ONTO  CONDO AND KITCHEN  AND SWAP AROUND  AT NOON???"    THEY ARE BBBIIIGGGGGG PUPPIES 

JAN 13 2019

this FLU--- that pam has given me --can best be identified as the right nostril flu.  my left nostril is realy quite healthy 

--- as is my left  tonsil-- i know what most of you are thinking- it has to be a graVITY THING--- HOWEVER... I SLEEP ON MY LEFT SIDE SO TEH RIGHT NOSTRIL IS THE UPPER NOSTRIL-

 SO MUCH FOR NEWTON AND HIS APPLES-- I HEARD THAT FLU IS AIRBORNE- NOT ONLY THAT, BUT  IT MUST  HAVE SOME  LEVITATIONAL ASPECT TO THOSE  LITTLE GERRMYS- PROBAbly as a physically  adverse reaction to chlorox.

at any rate --- i ain't down yet.

***joyce took willie home yesterday-- and i have not heard any calls for help--- so they must be doing ok...-- she/they .. already have   huge leroy- who fortunately  is not what you would call bold -- so yesterdaay we had a test run to staPLES  WITH BOTH LEROY AND WILLIE  IN MY CAR.---(WHERE I SAT IN TEH WARM CAR) AND SHE TOOK WILLIE INTO STAPLES...  HE WAS PERFECTLY BEHAVED  HE JUST IS  NOT RELAXED ENOUGH TO BE A SERVICE DOG- THO  I SEE NO REASON HE CAN NOT DO THERAPY WORK-- HE SEEMS TO LOVE THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF BEING A GOOFEY LOOOKING HARLEQUIN DOG.  hopefully will be perfect for the pease greeters AND MAYBE HANSCOM AIRFORCE BASE VA ALSO

WE (JUDY AND I ) HAVE TO GO AND SEE THE VA AND SEE WHAT THEY WANT IN THE LINE OF DOGS.  SO FAR IT IS A N OPEN REQUEST THEY AREN'T SURE OF-- THEY JUST HEARD ANIMALS WORK FOR WHATEVER TEHY ARE DOINGG.. 

BACK TO LOADING WILLIE...THE ONLY EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS OF TEH TRIP WERE--- AND I HAVE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE... WHEN LOADING 2 ANIMALS INTO A VEHICLE- OR ONTO A SOFA, YOU HAVE TO PUT THE SUBMISSIVE ONE ON FIRST- BECAUSE NO WAY IS TEH SUBMISSIVE ONE GOING TO JUMP TOWARD TEH DOMINAQNT ONE..  

FOR EXAMPLE ... IT TAKES EXTRA effort to get either bentley or sizzle to jump onto the sofa if chaos is already  there. chaos  only has to tilt one eyebrow and they  back off to another sofa.

just one of those little nummies one never thinks of--99% of teh dane world would decide there must be something wrong with the dog's hips - sometimes they can jump in  and other times not...-- must be teh weather related arthritis due to hip   dysplasia- when in fact the dog is thinking "i'm not going to challenge that bully" 

with donkeys it certainly  is the same---  i loaded  teh 8 hitch constantly- and timmy went on first and donqui last.

timmy was teh  9th... sweet lovable donkey that wandered teh crowd alone- no harness- no halter  as in that picture of the newbury port parade he just walked along  with teh "hitch" when we moved...  

i going back to the---- can jump--- IDEA... .......that was  also one of those "english teacher"  problems ----- the   can  vs  will --- technically  i should have said  "sometimes they will jump in"   ijmplying they always can-- however depending on  the  forcefulness of teh dominate dog, maybe The "can" was correct.

 i struggle with the kids who sometimes answer the phone.. "can i help you_?"  i grit my teeth,  but sometiems- along the same logic..." can" might be correct?????

****

for lack of cut and paste.....

 fyi pease greeters??? -- i hope i get this 84% correct---

pease is the airforce base north of here- by not much  20 miles?  and it is  THE airport where  planes full of soldiers stop-   both coming and going-- between states and  alot of  other places these planes go to deposit them.

so there is a group of people who watch the  arrivalS  a nd departures and go AT  2AM OR 6PM.. WHENEVER.....  SO there will be a group of citizens around the terminal to be with these brave souls.  -- with cookies and  "stuff"   

one of teh STUFF tehy like to have is  dogs to pat.

i have spent the past 2 weeks with willie-- and he is far more pat-able than stabalizing-  besides the harliquin color mAKES HIM  STAND OUT IN ANY CROWD..

 SO HE HAS A JOB--  SO FAR.....:)

****