MAY 7 2016

POWERBALL....OK... TODAY AND TOMORROW I WILL PUT $10 IN THE FUN JUG ESPECIALLY FOR THE POWER BALL INVESTMENT... THEN TAKE THOSE DOLLARS---$10--- OUT OF THE FUN JUG AND ASK THE TRAINERS TO GET ONE QUICKPICK **** FOR SDP****FROM THE STORES THEY GO IN WHILE TRAINING.  SO WHEN WE WIN.....THAT SHOULD MAKE THE WINNINGS TAX FREE?    THEY TELL YOU THE POT IS WORTH $439 MILLION  BUT TEH AFTER TAXES IS $261- WELL  IF WE ARE TAX FREE WE SHOULD GET THE $439... NO?

I BET SOMEONE HAS FIGURED THAT OUT TO BE WRONG...  BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING.

I LIKE THE CONCEPT..  MAYBE GOLDIE CAN PULL OFF THAT ONE.  MAYBE THERE IS SOME 501 C 3 RULING ABOUT GAMBLING- I WOULD CONSIDER IT INVESTING IN A BUSINESS SCHEME.. WORTH A TRY ($10) 

******

BABYS ARE DOING NICELY--  WE CAN NOT SEE THE OWL'S MIDNIGHT ADVENTURES-- BUT TWICE NOW WE HAVE SEEN THE REMAINS OF THEIR MIDNIGHT SNACKS..  SO MOMMY MUST BE FEEDING THEM-- ARE WE SURE IT IS MOMMY?  HOW ABOUT DADDY?  THERE IS ONLY ONE BIG OWL IN THE TREES THAT WE HAVE SEEN- AND OUR CULTURE  MAKES US ASSUME IT IS MOMMY.-   THE CHORE IS CLEARER WITH MAUDE-- SHE COMES EQUIPT WITH THE MILK BAR.

REMEMBER I SAID SHE WOULD HAVE THE BABY WHEN YOU COULD SEE THE MILK DEPARTMENT BETWEEN HER BACK LEGS..?  WELL-- FOR YOUR FUTURE REFERENCE,   HAVE A LOOK... YOU CAN  SEE IT NOW...

***

THE ONLY OTHER MAUDE REPORT IS HER FEET....I HAD NO IDEA HER FEET WERE SO LONG...- NOW WE NEED THE BLACKSMITH TO COME TRIM HER FEET... AND THAT MAY NOT BE EASY... I DON'T KNOW IF SHE HAS EVER HAD HER FEET TRIMMED BEFORE.-- USUALLY OVER THE ROUGH ROCKS ETC  THEY WEAR DOWN...  BUT THE NICE MUD AND STRAW FOOTING HERE,  THEY ARE LIKE LONG FINGERNAILS... GOTTA GO..

SO TODAY YOU MAY SEE US PICK UP HER FEET FOR PRACTICE AND THEN GIVE HER A COOKIE....  IN DAYS GONE BY I MIGHT HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TRIM HER FEET-- THEY ARE SO LONG IT WOULD NOT TAKE ANY SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE TO AT LEAST MAKE THEM SHORTER.... AND I DO HAVE TRIMMERS.

I BET SHE HAS NEVER BEEN TIED UP  WITH A HALTER EITHER... SO THIS COULD BE FUN.

****** 

I AM REALLY OUT OF PRACTICE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, BUT YESTERDAY I DID MANAGE TO GET A STRAIGHT LINE STRUNG  BETWEEN 2 OF THE EXISTING POSTS OF THE OLD ARENA.. PLAN BEING TO  PUT IN 4X6 POSTS EVERY 4 FEET- TO HOLD UP ¾ INCH PLYWOOD WHICH WOULD BE THE INSIDE WALL OF  A RUN IN SHED... I STILL HAVE THE EXTERIOR PLYWOOD  SO TEH "BUILDING" IS A REPAIR IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT--  THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME A QUARENTINE  BARN FOR SNOTTY NOSES JANINE KEEPS BRING UP FROM TEXAS OR PENNA.   AND I WILL HAVE THE ON CAMERA MAUDE STALL FOR WHAT WILL BE MY KEEPERS. 

IN THE MEANTIME THE WHOLE AREA BEHIND THE ARENA WILL BE PARKING FOR DOG FEST-- AND PROBABLY  VOLUNTEERS ON SUNDAYS. 

**

ALSO IN THE MEANTIME-- I AM HOPING WE WILL HAVE SOME SOIL LEFT FROM TH E FOUNDATION FOR THE INFIRMARY SO WE CAN  MAKE A BETTER RAMP OUT OF THE OTHER PARKING LOT OFF THE OLD DRIVEWAY...  I CAN  MAKE IT IN THE 4WD  BUT GIVEN  THE  RAIN AND MUD FACTOR, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO WORK ON THAT RAMP.

I AM HOPING THIS NEW  BUILDING DEPARTMENT HAS FINALLY COME UP WITH A PERMIT...

**** 

FOR NEW PEOPLE--MY EXPERIENCE WITH BUILDING INSPECTORS IS EXTREMELY PAINFUL- BRIEFLY--- WHEN THE ARENA COLLAPSED 1987  , I GOT A PERMIT TO PUT UP THE NEW ONE- I PICKED THE CLEARSPAN COMPANY- NOT A LOCAL CONTRACTOR SUGGESTED BY THE "OLD"  BUILDING INSPECTOR.   I PAID THE $51,000 FOR THE STRUCTURE AND THE DAY AFTER I PAID IT THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TOLD ME HE HAD CHANGED HIS MIND AND VOIDED THE PERMIT-- ASKING WHY I HAD CHOSEN A COMPANY FROM SO FAAR AWAY ( IOWA?) WHEN HE HAD CONTRACTORS HERE THAT WOULD BUILD IT.

HE SAID HE HAD 8 YEARS TO CHANGE HIS MIND AND MAKE ME TAKE IT DOWN IF I DIDN'T  GET A SOIL COMPACTION TEST DONE BY HIS  REGSGTERED BUNCH OF SOIL STUDY PEOPLE--- THIS IS FOR A BUILDING THAT WOULD STRESS UP IN A WIND, NOT DOWN... THAT WAS $27000 WHICH I DID NOT HAVE-- ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS BAILED ME OUT WITH $20,000 IF I PROMISED NOT TO PUT IN A CELL TOWER- AND THAT BUILDING INSPECTOR  STUCK HIS FINGER AT ME AND SAID "YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE , YOU ARE ONLY A WOMAN"

THERE IS A NEW INSPECTOR NOW...  BUT I WAS BEGINNING TO PANIC BECAUSE HE WANTED ONE MORE THING THEN ONE OTHER THING-- AND ANOTHER.. LIKE  ARCHETECTS DRAWINGS- FOR A CONCRETE BLOCK BUILDING???  ANYWAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETE NOW-- I HOPE....

****

Dawn •

Just wanted to send out a HUGE shout out to Explore and to SDP. So many of my kids in my class have NEVER seen a donkey or owls ( only in books). So many questions were asked today! Kids wanted to know if donkeys were in Denver/Colorado and if we had owls as well. Took the opportunity to have them google search them both! They were so very busy researching. Amazing discussions were had by all. Again thank you Explore and SDP. XP ( a boy in my class) said it in a nut shell, " If an animal isn't at Crazy Acreas, well it will be soon. Carlene has an open door policy!"

I AM GLAD TO PROVIDE  THE  VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALOT OF CLASSROOMS AROUND THE COUNTRY...IT IS WONDERFUL WHEN ALL GOES WELL.... BUT I HOPE THE TEACHERS HAVE  ONE TINY THOUGHT FOR   WHAT HAPPENS WHEN NATURE DECIDES SOMETHING ELSE????

MAY 6 2016

LATE START--- ALL BECAUSE OF A HEARING AID-   I NOW WEAR ONLY ONE... BECAUSE I CAN HEAR WITH IT-- AND IF I LOOSE  IT I STILL HAVE ANOTHER--  I WENT TO BED ENTERTAINED BY THE  TV POLITICAL SCHENANAGANS - AND APPARENTLY GOT BORED, FELL ASLEEP AND THE HEARING AID FELL OUT.. I WOKE UP AT 11PM.....AND NOTICED IT WAS NOT IN MY BEAUTIFUL SILVER DONKEY (ORIGIONALLY A TOOTHPICK HOLDER)

 I HAVE A WONDERFUL HAND MADE  BEDSPREAD  CHROCEED BY KATHY GOFORTH... A PERFECT PLACE TO HIDE A TINY HEARING AID AND I WENT THRU IT PINEAPPLE DESIGN BY PINEAPPLE DESIGN--- THEN WITH RUBBER GLOVES I WENT THRU THE SCRAPBASKET  TISSUE BY TISSUE-- AND THE SHEETS  AND THE SHIRTS IN THE LAUNDRY - ANYTHING IN THAT ROOM... PROBABLY AN HOUR-- I AM USUALLY AWAKE AT THAT HOUR ANYWAY..

SO I POURED A SHOT OF BRANDY AND WENT BACK TO BED-- AND AS I DID, I NOTICED A HARD OBJECT IN MY JAMMIES POCKET...--THAT IS ONE PLACE I NEVER WOULD HAVE LOOKED.. BUT  THERE IT WAS.

CONTENT NOW WITH MY SHOT OF BRANDY , I SLEPT TIL 6AM...

PEOPLE OFTEN SAY "IT WAS THE LAST PLACE I LOOKED"

SURE---- BECAUSE YOU STOPPED LOOKING WHEN YOU FOUND IT... MAKING IT THE LAST  PLACE.

AND I HAVE TO ADMIT... I DID NOT FIND IT.. IT FOUND ME.  I NEVER THOUGHT OF LOOKING IN MY SMALL POCKET

THE LAWS OF PROBABLILTIES WON THAT ONE.

******

THE ONLY SERIOUS MATTER ON TV IS THE  FIRES...  DO WE HAVE ANY CP'S  INVOLVED INTHOSE HORRIFFIC FIRES?

FOREST FIRE IS ONE THING  I THOUGHT OF WHEN I BOUGHT THIS PLACE---  AND IT STILL DOES CONCERN ME... FORTUNATELY AT THE MOMENT WE STAND MORE CHANCE OF DROWNING THAN DRY FOREST FIRE... BUT JUST THINK  50 OR SO DOGS-- WHAT WOULD I DO?--WITH WARNING I WOULD CALL EVERYONE TO COME GET SOME--

WITH-  NO WARNING, I WOUL D TURN THEM ALL LOOSE AND GET THEM TO FOLLOW ME TO THE BIG LAKE ACROSS THE STREET.   WHEN I FIRST MOVED IN-- THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS- VERY CREATIVELY SHOT BURNING STICKS HIGHUP INTO THE TREES- AND THEY DID GET A FIRE GOING  IN WHAT IS NOW "A " FIELD...  I REMEMBR STANDING THERE WITH BUCKETS OF WATER WE GOT OUT OF THE STREAM ABSOLUTELY HELPLESS AS THE FIRE WAS 80 FEET UP IN THE AIR.  WE PUT OOUT ANYTHING THAT FELL, BUT COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE HIGH UP.. IT WENT OUT EVENTUSLLY- BEFORE IT GOT GOING...  IT WAS BEFORE CELL PHONES--

EVEN NOW I HATE TO THINK OF ANYTHING DEPENDING ON MY ABILITY TO USE MY CELL PHONE.  ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PICK IT UP AND  IT DIALS  SOMEONE I SPOKE TO 47 DAYS AGO AND SHOWS TEXT MESSAGES FROM PEOPLE I NEVER HEARD OF.  I HAVE NO FAITH.

******

WE HAVE RUNNING NOSES TO DEAL WITH

PIXIE- TEMP 102.5 AND 

LINT 101.9

NASAL DISCHARGE

COINCIDENTLY???? THEY BOTHWERE AT DANVERS ANIMAL HOSPITAL TO BE SPAYED/NEUTERED THIS WEEK...

 THAT IS HOW THAT CANINE FLU STARTSE -- SO WE ARE WATCHING....

*****

BABY DONKEY IS FINE

BABY OWLS SEEM FINE

ALL OTHERE SYSTEMS ARE GO

( WELL---- RYAN HAS THE FLU)

MAY 5 2016

PROBLEM OF THE DAY......

RAIN.. AGAIN....IT MAKES MUD-- IT ALWAYS IS A PROBLEM WITH HORSE HOOVES AND MUD PUDDLES...  THEY CAN TURN SAND INTO  TOPSOIL QUICKER THAN ANY COMPOST PILE...  AND IT IS DEEP--- SO,,, OUT BRAND NEW BABY DONKEY WOULD HAVE TROUBLE GETTIN G THRU THE RUN OFF FROM THE ARENA... AND AT THE MOMENT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.  SCRAPING IT ALL BACK WITH OUR KABOTA AND FILLING WITH STONE DUST IS PROBABLY THE WAY TO GO  AT LEAST WHE SHE IS SO YOUNG...

THE PROBLEM THERE IS ... THERE IS NO " BACK" TO SCRAPE IT-- WE ALREADY HAVE AN OVERFLOWING MANURE PIT  WHICH I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE FIRST...-- AND IN THE EFFORT TO KEEP  MAUDES STALL SPOTLESS THE PILE HAS MORE SHAVINGS THAN MANURE..-- I COULD USE IT TO COVER THE CHICKEN'S PEN-- WHICH WILL MEAN 30 ROUND TRIPS

 ( IT IS A BIG PILE)  ONLY THEN CAN I SCRAPE  THE MUD OUT AND REPLACE WITH THE STONE DUST...  BUT YOU ARE LOOKING AT NEARLY AN ALL DAY PROJECT.-- AND LITTLE BABIES HAVE TO GET OUT WITH MOMMY TO RUN A BIT..

SO WE MAY HAVE TO BARRICAIDE  THE "PARKING AREA" BY THE FLAG-- WHICH WOULD BE ON CAMERA AND LET EHR RUN THERE..

I CAN'T EVEN GET HER INTO THE ARENA BECAUSE SHE WOULD HAVE TO WALK BY ALL THOSE BARKING DOGS-- SO THAT IS OUT.THO MAYBE MOVING THOSE DOGS MIGHT BE POSSIBLE...  

SO THAT IS THE PROBLEM OF THE DAY... GET THAT BABY OUT TO EXERCISE THOSE LONG LEGS....

**

IT IS ONE CUTE BABY--- BABY DONKEYS ARE CUTER THAN PUPPIES... AND ABOUT AS FRIENDLY....

  I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO NAMING IT, NOW I FIND I HAVE TO OUTBID SOMEONE ON EQUINE RESCUE NETWORK TO DO THAT.  THAT IS A 501 C 3 ( EQUINE RESCUE NETWORK) SO IF I HAVE TO OUT BID SOMEONE....SO BE IT.

I AM NEVER SURE IF EVERYONE WHO GETS THIS DAILY DOGGIE KNOWS ABOUT THE CAMERAS--- SO FORGIVE ME,  BUT IF YOU GO TO EXPLORE.ORG  THERE ARE DOZENS OF CAMERAS AROUND THE WORLD WATCHING ALL KINDS OF WILDLIFE.. AND 6 OF THE CAMERAS ARE ON OUR CRAZY ACRES... IF YOU SCROLL AROUND YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE THUMBNAIL PICTURES- THE PINK BACKGROUND WITH THE GREY PUP IS OUR HOUSE CAMERA.. AND THAT SHOULD OPEN 4 OTHER CAMERAS ONE OF WHICH IS TEH  "NURSERY CAMERA"  WHICH IS NOW IN THE BARN WITH THE DAY OLD DONKEY BABY.

 THE PUPPY HILL CAMERA SWINGS AROUND AND SOMETIMES IS ON OUR 2 BABY OWLS WHO SEEM TO BE LIVING ON OUR STONE WALL- WHILE MOMMY IS IN TEH TREE.

******

WE HAD LOTS OF COMMENTS ABOUT BELLA  AND GEORGE ON THE DOCTOR'S SHOW YESTERDAY... AND THE FACT THAT GEORGE NEVER MOVED WHEN THEY  BROUGHT R2D2  ONTO THE STAGE  WAS AMAZING.  AND BELLA WAS SOOOOOO POISED...   GREAT JOB...

*******

STACI AND MERLE

Hi Carlene and Megan! 

Night one with Merle was great. We had no issues with the car ride, adjusting to her new settings or with dinner where she laid on her new bed the entire time. She only needed a few "leave its" when walking around her new home. The first time on the stairs was nice and slow and we went up with no issues. When it was time for bed she selected her spot right near me and went right to sleep. She woke up once during the night and put her nose in my face, I assured her we were fine and she laid right back down and was snoring in minutes. This morning she popped right up, however needed two stretches before proceeding but then was ready to go. No issues with eating, drinking or going to the bathroom. Today we are going to make an appointment with the Vet so we have the Rabies updated before the due date. 

So all good on this end; will keep you updated and let you know if I have any questions or concerns.  

Thank you again for everything... I love her. 

Staci

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

****** 

Hooray for Julia and Ethel! AND A CP

I just retired from over 30 years at UCLA Medical Center (as a RN) in the Perinatal areas.  Never got to care for a family with a service dog… but we loved our pet therapy dogs!

 In January we moved to Waynesville, MO where my wife is working at the Ft.Leonard Wood hospital doing facilities stuff as a contractor.  The Southern regional command asked her to come and get them ready for their JCAHO survey.    This is a tiny community with fewer people than my block in Los Angeles.  We love it here.

I wondered if you could give Julia my phone/email in case she needs an extra hand/support here.  We will be here for at least a year and probably four.

It would be nice to coordinate which facility got a cake on the 19^th.   I had foot reconstruction surgery just before leaving Los Angeles, and I am now at the point of walking normally while working on increasing my stamina, so I haven’t taken a cake anywhere yet (St. Roberts, Waynesville, and the Ft.Leonard Wood army base).  Sunday, I was talking to my wife about starting to pick a place for a cake on the 19^th (5/19 is her birthday).  She thought it was a great practice to start.

Thank you so much for all you do.  My Shat upon card fell out of the calendar today, and then I find out there is actually another person who knows what SDP is who is living close by!

Helen Bengtson

******

I PASSED IT O N TO JULIA

******

Carlene,

Thanks for passing along her info- I sent her an email.

I wanted to update you on the resolution I reached with the local Fort Leonard Wood active duty Army Hospital. Two weeks ago I was admitted to the emergency room and after being evaluated and drugged, Dusty was told that Ethel could not stay with me in the treatment room. I was going to have to transfer from bed to chair to bed and I needed Ethel to support me transferring, especially as drugged as I was. But they were adamant- no dogs in the treatment area. Dusty showed them her ADA card, he argued for a patient advocate and I just kind of drowsily cried on Ethel's neck. But finally, both Dusty and Ethel were asked to leave.

When I sobered up later on, I was furious. Once I was admitted to an inpatient floor, Ethel was allowed to be with me and she and I spent the week sleeping on the hospital bed. She helped me transfer and we took walks. But still the policy remained that no dogs are allowed in the ER treatment rooms.

These treatment rooms are not sterile and they are not small. But someone had slapped a “service dog badge” on their emotional support pet and that dog had attacked a nurse when the owner coded. And thus the policy stuck.

I asked the SDP family to support me in reporting the grievance and changing the policy. Active duty Army hospitals are not VA hospitals and the regulations and policies fall under the hospital commander, who has the authority to make changes. The SDP family was brilliant. Multiple reports were filed on my behalf and the overwhelming SDP voice got the attention of the command team. I was asked to come in for a meeting with the commander Monday.

A wonderful man and physician, he immediately apologized for the misunderstanding. There is now a “no emotional support animal or therapy dog” policy in the ER with a byline that “all service dogs performing a physical service for their owner are welcome”. He was so impressed with the demonstration Ethel and I did on transferring, he took down all of the SDP information to pass along to some of the permanently disabled soldiers that pass through here.

One voice makes a whisper, but the voices of a family turn to thunder. Future service dogs and their owners will be treated fairly by the educated ER staff. I wanted to thank the SDP community for helping me make this change. We did it!

*******

AS FOR BELLA BEING DISAPPOINTED ABOUT RUNNING ONLY ½ MILE INSTEAD OF THE 1 MILE COURSE.... BELLA .. YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN GEORGE WITH YOU FOR THE ½ MILE  SO THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO MULTIPLY IT BY 2.

½ MILE SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

may 4 2016

apparently the doctors show is on today with bella...    in boston, they tell me 2 oclock on ch 7...-- in the trailer -- that mechanical robot comes on stage and george sleeps thru it !! ... not something you could really train a dog to accept--  but george has learned-- grab a  nap when you can...

merle left yesterday with sheri.. she swung into place like a professional -- very comfortable knowing her job---while sniffing around in case there is something to entertain her...

sheri and her son are working on the program of the shatupon project...it is coming along concept now is... to be able to send one to any cp who might be able to set it up at some silent auction/cocktail party/ anywhere there are a bunch of people hanging around - to benefit sdp... and then they could run a second time for any local fundraiser..  it could work well...

 needs some tweeking...  i really need to run one myself and see what the reaction is....

********

owls  were noisy all night so apparently mom is feeding them---remember back when we first moved the camera to the donkey stall ... we pretty constantly saw a rat or two... i have not seen any lately... i bet the owls have been feeding on them..  at least that is how it is supposed to work...  nice grain fed fat rats... does it work out that rats are active at night and the owls hunt at night..???   there was a time 20 years ago when at night you could see a rats running along the top rail  of the fence by puppy hill.   i like owls better...

someone also read that owls don't breed unless there is ample food available...

******

camera people should start making plans to come to dog fest sept 24 - 25 -- i can not say there are any fancy plans made  because the primary activity is to just wander around and meet all the dogs and  people and see how  crazy acres works .. it is great fun to watch people meet who have been "talking" online for years and never met.. we try to keep expenses at a minimum- it breaks down to  getting to boston - a couple nights in the hotel- and $60 toward the food & shirt.  you would not need a car-- those flying in get on the peabody shuttle and call the farm- someone will meet you in peabody and bring you here...  we can run cars/vans  back and forth to the hotel... and or supermarkets for special orders etc...  cell phon

maude started labor..  baby is girl... we think

Bella said today was just not a good day. I felt so bad for her. She got up and went to school. She was fine. When I went to pick her up I could tell by her face she had a bad day. She wanted me to pick her up right away. (I do love that I can still pick up and hug my 11 year old). Her day started fine. They had standardized testing and she said it went ok. Then at lunch a friend accidentally spilled their chocolate milk all over George. When I say all over the only spot that wasn't stiff was his head and front legs. Bella got him all cleaned up and they were off. Then today was the mile run. It was hard because it was raining so they had to do it inside. She wasn't even able to make it 1/2 a mile. She was crushed. She said she was so disappointed with herself. She cried all the way home. My heart broke for her. She really wanted to do the whole mile. She didn't care how long it took. But she couldn't do it today. She just kept saying she was so disappointed. She hated that before she started Vimizim she could do it and now she can't. The principle saw her and said she could try to do the mile any other day this week. Bella first said OK but then tonight said she just gives up. She can't do it and she thinks she never can. Her legs were so sore this afternoon. She came home and sat playing LEGOS with her friends. I gave George a bath for her. She normally would have but she just didn't have the energy. Hopefully after a good nights sleep she will feel much better and rested for tomorrow. She did have a busy weekend so maybe that had something to do with her getting so tired today. But no matter what I felt horrible for my girl. So some motrin for the little lady, and some nice clean warm dry fluffies for the clean big guy. Love Bella and George 

👧

🐶

💕

MAY 3 2016

ENTITLED  VS  EMPOWERED-- A VERY DELICATE BALANCE WITH THAT TOPIC... I AM THRILLED THAT TWO DOGS OF OURS  ETHEL AND CLARK  HAVE EMPOWERED THEIR PARTNERS TO STICK UP FOR WHAT SHOULD BE-- AND HOPEFULLY THEY  BEHAVED IN THE PROCESS...

FROM JULIA

Many voices can change the world! Ethel and I met this morning with the hospital commander here at Fort Leonard Wood and I got an apology for the emergency room not allowing Ethel to be with me in the treatment room and an entire policy change!!! Because someone slapped a service dog badge on their pet and that pet attacked a nurse, they were outlawing any service dog in the er. But after talking, the commander agreed service dogs, not emotional support dogs, are necessary pieces of medical equipment for their person and denying the person their dog is unlawful. So thank you for all the support!! We did it!!

********

AND THEN CAROLINE

Dear Carlene,

I wanted to let you know about a situation that came up with Clark.

I applied and interviewed for a speech therapist position at a school that would have been for next school year. I have a Master's degree is speech pathology, but have not worked clinically.

I had a phone screening and two in-person interviews, where I a) told them I had a service dog and B) brought Clark with me. No questions were raised about him at that time.

This past Tuesday, the school principal called with questions about Clark. They wanted to know about what to do if a student had dog allergies and if there was an "equally effective alternative to Clark." I said that there have been no issues where I work now (a hospital), kids wouldn't be petting the dog, he could lie down a little away from them, etc. And no, there is no alternative.

Yesterday, the principal called to say that they could not offer me the position because of Clark. I asked if I was otherwise qualified and Clark was the only issue. They said yes.

They are a school for kids with learning disabilities.

I will be meeting with the EEOC on Monday to discuss the issue. We will obviously not be working at the school, so we will be staying where we are welcomed with open arms. But if there is something that I can do to make sure that this doesn't happen to someone else, then I will.

I wanted to keep you informed. In no way do I regret having Clark. He is so much better than a walker, and more amazing than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for Clark and for everything you do.

Let me know if you have any questions, etc.

Caroline

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

We went to the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) office this morning.  The investigator recommended that I definitely file a charge, which I did.  The charge will be served today or tomorrow.  The investigator also said that he would recommend that the case NOT be eligible for mediation (the nice way to come to an agreement without lawyers), since there is substantial evidence that they are in direct violation of ADA.  They will have 30 days to respond.

Clark was on his best behavior, too (not that I was surprised!).  It did feel a little like a scene from a movie...marching down to the federal building downtown to make a point...I will keep you posted!

Caroline

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

WAY TO GO !!!   WORDS LIKE  "LAZY WAY OUT " COME TO MIND...  IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO SAY NO ... AND NOT TO HAVE TO ADDRESS A SITUATION.  

****

 I REMEMBER.....( HERE WE GO)  WHEN I FIRST STARTED THIS SERVICE DOG BIT, I  THOUGHT I HAD PUBLIC ACCESS WHILE I WAS  TRAINING A DOG.. BUT IN 2003-- I WAS NOT POSITIVE......  I WENT TO A SMALL MALL WHERE ONE OF THOSE "ALMOST A COP" WITH PLASTIC GUN.. TOLD  ME TO LEAVE.. ... BEING A LITTLE OLD LADY WITH NOT MUCH TO DO ANYWAY, I PLUNKED MYSELF DOWN ON A BENCH- AND TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS WAS A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING-

HE( THESE SECURITY GUARDS ARE ALWAYS MEN...) WITH GREAT AUTHORITY SAID HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO CALL THE POLICE--THINKING THAT WOULD FRIGHTEN ANYONE...(  MEAN WHILE I WAS THINKING  ---OH GOOD  FREE PUBLICITY)  PLAYING THE LITTLE OLD LADY TO THE HILT,  I JUST SAT-- AND HAD THE DOG DOWN STAY AT MY FEET.

HIS INSTRUCTION BOOK DID NOT TELL HIM WHAT TO DO WITH AN OBSTANITE OLD LADY- SO HE CALLED THE MANAGER...

THE MANAGER WAS  A WELL EDUCATED GUY WHO TRIED  ALL THE PSYCOLOGICAL THINGS HE HAD LEARNED IN  MANAGERS SCHOOL  TO AT LEAST GET ME ON MY FEET HEADED OUT THE DOOR.

I SAT  MOTIONLESS...

FINALLY HE SAID  "I MANAGED A MALL IN MALDEN ONCE WHERE THEY DID A COMMERCIAL WITH A SCHOOLTEACHER FROM MAINE WHO HAD 2 OF THE BIGGEST SPOTTED DOGS I HAD EVER SEEN"     WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT WAS ME..IN COSTUME- WE BECAME BEST FRIENDS--  AND HE LISTENED TO WHAT I WAS SAYING-- WE DID HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS FOR TRAINING...AND I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE SINCE. 

I AM DELIGHTED BOTH STUCK UP FOR THIER SITUATIONS..  AS A MATTER OF FACT  ALOT OF BELLA AND GEORGE IS THE HARD WORK  AND JUDGEMENT OF BELLA'S MOM

WHEN BELLA'S ATTENDANT COMPLAINED TO THE PRINCIPAL ABOUT ALLERGIES AND "I USED UP EVERY TISSUE IN THE BUILDING BECAUSE OF THAT DANM DOG"  I WANTED TO SEND A  TRAILER TRUCKLOAD OF KLEENEX TO THE SCHOOL... BUT MEGAN AND OTHERS  STOPPED ME.. AND STRUGGLED ON WITH A PRINCIOAL WHO REALLY WANTED TO BE RID OF THE PROBLEM BY HAVING WHAT SHE CONSIDERED A PET DOG, STAY AT HOME.... 

SOMETIMES GOTTA FIGHT-- BU T THAT FIGHT HAS TO BE MORE "WORK" THAN NOISE.-- BOTH JULIA AND CAROLINE FELT THEY WERE RIGHT AND APPROACHED THE PROBLEM  QUIETLY AND  CORRECTLY-- 

THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY "I WILL FIX THAT SOB BY ATTACKING ANYTHING CONNECTED TO HIM  "   LIKE HE HAD A TICKET 3 YEARS AGO FOR PARKING INN A HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE- KIND OF ATTACK.

THEY DID VRY WELL

 AS OPPOSED TO MY PUBLICITY SEEKING TRAILERLOAD OF KLEENEX...-- WHICH WOUL DHAVE BEEN MUCH MORE FUN.... HOWEVER.....

****

STAY TUNED-- I REMEMBER ONE RECIPIENT WHO WAS BADLY INSULTED ( FOR ALSO BEING CALLED SOMETHING BESIDES 'A WOMAN' ) WHO GOT A PICKUP TRUCK WITH HAND CONTROLS OUT OF  A ONE CUP OF COFFEE PROBLEM.

******************** 

OUR OWLS ARE STILL WITH US-- AS OF LAST NIGHT ANYWAY -- BETWEEN THE OWLS AND MAUDE'S BELLY WE HAVE ALOT OF VIEWERS THIS WEEK....

ONE CP SUGGESTED THE BABY COULD ALSO BE A ZONKEY--- THIS IS POSSIBLE BUT.....

IN MY EXPERIENCE   ZEBRAS ARE FOUL TEMPERED DANGEROUS THINGS...

ZONKEYS CAN GO EITHER WAY AND ARE DANGEROUS

 CUTE  BUT NO THANKS !!

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

William (HUBER....PHOTOGRAPHER) wants to get the word out with trainers and local SDP Dane owners to find out if their Danes do odd things - like Scarlott yawning on command gave inspiration for the Diner calendar shot.  Any Danes out there doing odd things?

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

AND SO IT GOES...

may 2 2016

wonderful shatting party-- mark has done it on the drone... so you can get teh full effect  !!!

everybody is  soooooooo helpful in gettin g it ready and tearing it down, that i had to think

more than twice how it all goes togethere.- and was so excited about the prompt "deposit"

i almost forgot the purple egg drop-- which was excellent...  i don't know who boilled that purple   egg,

 but it was perfect "soft boiled"  and splattered appropriately

******

the excitement of the day was the baby owl sitting on the fence on top of puppy hill- which turned out to be 2 baby owls

who slept all day on the fence as cute as can be !!    while thier mother/ ?father? slept way high in the tree..everybody wanted to get involved, but mommy/ daddy  was not far away-- plus  the only fact i knew about owls is one put his talons thru george's welding gloves  and fingernail.. so we did not have "use' of puppy hill for runiing dogs yesterday...

as teh sun went down the 2 babies got more active and jumped down a dn tried to climb the tree again several time,, getting on the fence and jumping off with new wings flapping.  it was very exciting.  they are B I G - like 12 inches tall. my guess is the feeding of those 2 big babies is why we see fewer rats in with maude.. and it is why we don't use rat poison around the farm either...   people have  reported an owl with a 5 foot wing span around the farm lately...

so when you see our grain fed  rats in the barn... remember they are just part of the food chain...  

  the reason we have all the "used car lot" decorations over our  young pups-  is to deflect the hawks and owls...

******

we have a bunch  of people here... some upstairs - some in the training room ( guest hoouse annex) and sheri is in the guest house with merle-- doing very well...

*********

christine and clark  are fine-- but shared the news that there is an employer who needs  an education  in her town....  she applied for a job and was told she was 100% qualified but would have to make other arriangements for clark.... i hope she follows thru with  straightening that guy out... i think she decided not to take the job, but that is no reason not to "have at it" 

 if you can't straighten out thousands of people,    , straighten out one

 we may be called on to  help her educate the person... stay tuned... if i remember correctly one of our recipients  got a new truck as an appology....  and so she should.

i wish i had an active conversation with the principal of bella's school-- what really might help- and could be very amusing -- would be the reaction of the principal of bella's school faced with a 48 pound kid and a dog 3 times her size.  it was an education for all of us...  and would help if that education did not get wasted

From: Grohonag <Grohonag@aol.com>

I think Bella and George are on the Doctors on Weds.

7 at 2pm

Carlene,

Tomorrow (Monday) Jessie will be two years old. She has been with John and our family since the end of July. During that time we have seen a dramatic change in John, both physically and emotionally. Jess has required a lot of John, requiring him to be responsible for another life for the first time. This means a lot physically, which the doctors say is making a positive impact on his muscle tone, as well as a need to be thinking about Jessie's needs throughout the day. Considering all of this, it has been a lot of work for John, Jess, and the family to get where we are today. Lots of sacrifice, and lots of love.

We would not give up any of this because of what Jess has meant for John. She is an awesome dog! She adores John, and eagerly looks forward to getting dressed and going out with him. Since John is no longer working, she has no regular daily schedule, but seems to be fine with that. They both volunteer twice a week at an adult day care where the residents enjoy their company. John has begun visiting schools to talk with the children about service dogs, and based on the early response will be continuing to do that in the future, as well as the local library where they have been encouraged to visit too.

Jess has endeared herself to our entire family as well. When she isn't working she loves to be with all of us. When John is getting her dressed she always looks to see what other family members will be going. When she comes out of John's room in the morning, and each night before bed, she comes to each one of us and "gives us a kiss" - her ears back and a quick lick on our nose. Then she is on her way.

Thank you all again, including each volunteer, for making it possible for Jess to be there for John. 

Paul

may 1 2016

we're  ready for the lusty month of may... come on maude.. 

i check her first  thing every morning..  and she is looking very normal... she ate everything in site and has shavings  stuck in her hair on both sides... and she seems asleep...

normal....

daRN.

 i am really looking forward to trying to figure out what the baby is....donkey or mule...

the biggest clue is a horse has hair on their tail up to the top.. a donkey the longer hair strands start ½ way down the tail.. i thik a mule has a hairy tail up to the top... it has to have ears longer than a horse--- but maybe not as long as her's

and while we are on the topic of ears,-- they are not donkey "handles"  however because these animals come thru a rescue situation we don't know how they have been handled--- most donkeys have had a bad experience with people grabbing those long ears in place of  controling them with a proper halter---so without even guessing i would say stay away from her ears til she trusts us...  but i noticed  on camera she seems to like being patted and scratched--  the itchy place is usually the whithers where neck meets body.

it would be great if we had a supply of carrots handy... so if she brays, we immediately  run for the carrots and give her one...

we would have to start running  when she starts braying so she would notice...  mary learned to "ask " for a carrot at the front door- which was very amusing -- well until decided to get closer to the door and got up on the porch pulling the porch about  4" off the roof/wall and giving it a dizzying tilt.

so don't grab her ears...

thus endeth  the lesson for the day.

***

people are arriving -- today is shatting day..i think we are ready- we have a new "board"  with 4" squares-- which is what we had last month... my fixation with 

the 3" squares came form 2 years ago - when we did have 3"squares and hand wrote all the numbers with dry erase markers-- i was a beginner then and still concerned about chickens flying around---  we used to have a net over the table when we went into places like the ipswich country club--- which we did...

we have a better system now. and plenty of people to chase loose chickens..

IT IS ALL ON CAMERA  - explore.org-  then click on  the dane puppy thumbnail with the pink background  wh ich shold give you a choice of 5 cameras- the process begins about 2;00 when people gather to put the numbers on the "table"  and the chickens are released on the table at 3:00 - it usually takes only a few minutes for a hen to "pick the winner"  they have not failed yet....( explore.org                                                                                         

we have the entire shatting process on a disc  for use at any  cocktail party, fair or any fundraiser..--  we gave a trial one to someone to try... and she said it was a huge success- it can be used to raise money for any organization while giving us publicity-- or it can be used to raise money for us.  it certainly is a conversqation piece with puppy pictures to gather a crowd... and   the winner can be announced then and a certificate    awarded... 

we should be able to mass produce these within a month.we could  do it -- use it once for u s-- then you could re-use it for your own fundraiser.  each disc could have  a different winning number...

keep that in mind... could be a new  thing for us as well as any other 501 c 3 . could be used for any ammount of money 10 cents  up....

any time there is a group standing around for ½ hour  would be ideal...

and it is very amusing too....

From: Grohonag <Grohonag@aol.com>

To: animalep <animalep@aol.com>

Sent: Sat, Apr 30, 2016 8:50 am

Subject: (no subject)

I think Bella and George are on the Doctors on Weds.

   ch7 at 2pm