OCT 7 2019
AND THANKS TO ALL FOR ANOTEHR SELL OUT !! ANOTHER PAYROLL MET !
***

new york city has it's sidewalk superintendents--- and SDP has some similar commenters.... take one bit of semi information and fly with it...most of which is unbelieveable... like.......i usually give horses any shots in their neck--- a big muscle thing where aim is not too critical-  but also because there is a  nerve somewhere in the back leg that i know i must avoid--- so as i sat there with bryan, i asked him to line up that nerve for my future reference... and he did---that caused someone to  lecture me on how ignorant i am- well i know that .. that is why i give most shots in the neck..----." here is a bit of my knowledge so you CAN impress bryaN" -  I HAVE KNOWN BRYAN TOO LONG FOR HIM TO BE IMPRESSED WITH MUCH OF ANYTHING I MUTTER.-

--- TEHN TEHRE IS  BIG LETTERS  "CARLENE THREW LEE OUT OF THE BARN"  - WRONG--- CARLENE  SAW A DISASTER IN THE MAKING AND THREW EVERYONE OUT OF THE BARN-- I WAS NOT PICKING ON LEE... SHE IS A NICE PERSON....THERE WERE TOO MANY PEOPLE TO KEEP TRACK OF... BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO LOVE TO  FLY WITH ANY NEGATIVE THEY CSN DREAM UP... IN THE DOG WORLD THEY WOUDL BE CALLED "AGRESSIVE  AND BITERS" ---  I HAVE NO USE FOR DOGS OR PEOPLE WHO BITE.

***

TV-----BETWEEN GERMANY, SWITZERLAND AND ARRIZONA, THERE ARE APPARENTLY ALOT OF UNDERGROUND   MAN MADE TUNNELS- THERE WAS A WHOLE SHOW ON TEHM LAST NIGHT- ARIZONA HAD AN ADDITONAL FILM OF A HUGE SECURITY CONVOY CARRYING A FLYING SAUCER LIKE THING AROUND AT MIDNIGHT.--  TEH USUAL MYSTERY OF THE UNKNOWN - AND AREA 51??

I DON'T WANT TO TEMPT FATE, BUT I HAE NOT SEEN A FLYING SAUCER YET.  

MAYBE TODAY--

***

IN THE MEANTIME   TEHRE ARE 10 PEOPLE COMING HERER THIS MORNING FROM TEH CORPORATE WORLD TO VOLUNTEER-

 WE CERTAIONLY CAN USE HELP[-- BUT IF THEY ALL THINK TEHY ARE COMING HERE TO  HELP "TRAIN DOGS"-- IT IS NOT LIKE THAT-- I AM USUALLY HARD PRESED TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING FOR  10 PEOPLE TO DO ... WHO ARE  NOT FROM A FARM ENVIRONMENT-

IT WAS  JUST SUCH A SPURR OF THE MOMENT  WHICH INSPIED ME TO GET 15  OFFICE PEOPLE TO SIT  ON TEH GROUND AND DIG POST HOLES WHICH BECAME TEH DONKEY CAFE.

THE MINUTE YOU SAY POST HOLES-- THERE IS A GROUP WHO WANT TO GO FIND A POST HOLE DIGGER... I OWN SEVERAL---WHICH IN NEW ENGALND IS ONE OF THE MORE USELESS PIECES OF EQUIPMENT-- A  SCREW DRIVER AND A SOUP SPOON WORK SO MUCH BETTER.   THOSE "POST HOLE DIGGERS"  SO OFTEN  PINCH A PEBBLE AND ALLOW ALL THE SOIL TO FALL THRU- WASTING ALOT OF ENEERGY TO PINCH THAT PEBBLE.MAYBE IN SANDY ARIZONA THEY MIGHT WORK-- BUT NEW ENGLAND IS FULL OF ROCKS AND PEBBLES FAR BEYOND TEH POST HOLE DIGGER'S CAPABILITIES.

THE ONLY THING EASIER IS  TEH TRACTOR'S BACK HOE-- WHICH MAKES A HUGE HOLE- AND UNLESS YOU HAVE BAGS OF CONCRETE AND ROCKS TO PUT BACK IN THAT HOLE- THE POST IS NOT AS STEADY AS TEH SOUP SPOON WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO SHAPE TEH HOLE  CLOSER TO THE SIZE OF THE POST.

*** 

SO MY 10 PEOPLE AT 9 AM....  -- THERE IS A FENCE/ TREE  DOWN??? .  I REAQLLY NEED TO  SPREAD FERTALIZER AND LIME BUT I NEED TO GET THAT  THING ON THE TRACTOR ( NOT BEEN DONE YST.)

**

ON CAMERA YOU WILL SEE THE WORKDS BIGGEST RV-- SOMEONE COMING TO VISIT ASKED IF THE COUD PARK THEIR RV HERE FOR 3 DAYS AND I SAID SURE-- I DIDN'T KNOW THEY MADE THEM THIS BIG-- AND AFTER LANDING IN IN FRONT O F THE ICU,,, THE BUBBLES ON TEH SIDE STUCK OUT ANOTHER  3 FEET ON EITHER SIDE. ' AND IT "SETTLED DOWN??"  SO IT IS ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM TEH GROUND--- I HOPE IT LIFTS ITSELF UP AGAIN OR IT WILL NEVER GET FROM OUR DRIVEWAY ONTO THE STREET. NICE PEOPLE-- FROM TENNNASEE . THEY CAME PREPARED-- TOWING A JEEP TOO.

ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE MENTALLY LINED UP -- HOPING FOR A TOUR

***

CAN ANYONE COME UP WITH A  GOOD NAME FOR THE SDP BOOK???

OCT 6 2019

as teh british would say..." we'll have a walk-about  today-----with the donkeys "  most of our donkeys are due to leave in a trailer load to that lovely big farm in topsfield where they will have a party- and probably be back around noon... i may be involved  becaus0e janine already moved our lovely wooden cart to the farm  with hopes of "hooking" pockets- and tho janinde=e has hooked 1000 of my mini donkeys in teh hitch... she has never hooked to a cart.... and it is slightly different---

for those of you  intent on increasing your knowdge........ with a 2 wheeled cart, it is possible for the driver to lean back and  tip the cart backwards..... unless yo have a "cart strap" running under teh belly of teh pulling device ( pockets)  it can be a simple piece of rope-- or hay string-- but  otherwise those shafts can lift skyward and the driver will land on hs/her back,

there is one other thing she must have-- and 4 of my 8 had it--  that is a breeching stap-- big wide comfortable strap which goes behind the rear of a horse/pockets -- this keeps teh cart from running into the rear end of teh animal-- whch coudl be scary and cause a run away..  the way that breeching strap is attached to the shaft can be a little tricky  -- a figure 8 that will tighten if tense...  janine is not familiar with that-  with the 8 hitch, the force was transferred to the front of the 2 rear donkeys with various straps that delivered teh force to their rear ends...

teh harness for a working animal is really very specific-- and as comfortable as possible for the worker.

my 8 donkeys in the "hitch"  were very forgiving- if they were horses i would not have survived.... the most spectacular was teh day i was to pick up the bride and groom from a reception-- ( THIS WAS A VERY FANCY DEAL)  aND FRIEND ANN GETCHELL H elped me hitch them a block or so away-  the donks followed teh police cruiser to the driveway,, and turned in very politely and stopped at the "party"   at which point another  horse friend said  "do you realize you forgot to attach the reins TO THE LEADERS ???..." 

GOTTA LOVE DONKEYS...

****

NOW ABOTU TEH  BABY GOAT== A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME FOR ME--

MOSTLY WHAT I KNOW OF GOATS I LEARNED FROM DR PAL ON ? TEH ANIMAL PLANNET??  BUT I KNOW I HAVE SEEN BABY GOATS RUN ALL OVER FARTHER AWAY FROM MOM THAN MOST HORSE BABIES... AND TEHN MOM'S MILK BAG GETS FULL AND SHE STARTS LOOKING FOR THE BABY TO NURSE... IS HOW THAT SEEMS TO WORK..

I KNOW EVERY ONE IS WORRIED ABOTU THIS BABY-- AND -- THANKS TO TEH CHICKEN BRICK DEPARTMENT-- YOU (CP'S) HAVE ALL "CHIPPED IN" FOR A FUN FUND HOUSE CALL FROM  DR BRYAN-- SO  I WILL CONTACT HIM WHEN I POST THIS.. BEING SUNDAY IT IS AN EMERGENCY CALL FEE WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT-- BUT BLESS THOSE CHICKEN BRICKS-- IF YOU WANT IT  I WILL CONTACT HIM... SOMETIEMS HE IS FULL OF EMERGENCIES ON A SUNDAY ( LIFE IS LIKE THAT)  AND MIGHT HAVE TO  GIVE US A FREEBEE CONSULT  ON CAMERA- BUT I WILL TRY..

THE OTHER  THING I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT GOATS, IS THEY CAN LIVE VERY WELL ON VERY LITTLE-- PROBLEM THERE BEING IF EVERYONE COMING TO CRAZY ACRES GIVES THE MOM A HANDFULL OF SWEET FEED ( OATS ETC)  SHE WILL DIE OF BEING OVER FED... SO I HAD TO SAY NO ONE FEED HER.

 SHE IS SURROUNDED BY GOOD HAY- WHICH IS PROBABLY ALL SHE NEEDS ANYWAY--  THE ALPHAFA  GOAT TREATS SITTING THERE CAN JUST BE TROUBLE... SO JANINE AND I SHOULD  BE TEH ONLY ONES TO FEED ANYTHING BUT TEH HAY AND WATER..

***

AND IT IS SHATTING DAY-- THANKFULLY WE ARE SOLD OUT ONCE AGAIN..  87 PEOPLE-- BY ACTUAL COUNT.. BAILED US OUT YESTERDAY--  87  !!  THAT IS ALOT  FOR ONE DAY-- I THINK THE BABY GOAT HELPED-- BUT WE ARE ON THE BONUS PURPLE EGG SECTION NOW... AND SHATTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3:00 THIS AFTERNOON- WE MAY HAE A NEW MEMBER OF 

TEH

"SHATUPON SOCIETY OF IPSWICH "

OCT 5 2019

NEW KID ON TEH BLOCK--WE DID HAve a new  baby goat lst night--hopefully just now   i have shifted teh fencing around so it will be on camera more... by fencing off where it is off camera...  this puts teh donkeys out for a while- please do not send me emails about "TEHR POOR DONKEYS OUT IN THE COLD"  THEY ARE NOT POOR, IT IS NOT COLD, AND TEHER IS SHELTER AVAILABLE TO THEM IN BOTH THE DONK CAFE AND TEH 12 X 12 STALL YOU CAN NOT SEE TEH OTHER SIDE OF TEH GOAT STALL-- PLUS IN TEH WILD, THEY WOULD BACK UP TO A FAT TREE AND LET THE TREE CUT THE DRAFT. BESIDES THESE DONKEYS ARE NOW  FAT ... SO THEY HAVE THAT LAYER  TO CONSIDER ALSO..... TO DEAL WITH TEH REST OF TEH COMPLAINTS..... WE HAVE NOT RESOLVED TEH SOUND IN TEH GOAT AREA... AND ARE WORKIN GON IT...- S FOR TEH HOUSE SOUND-- THAT LOVELY MIC - WITH IT'S ON OFF SWITCH- IS DIRECTIONAL AND WE WILL DEAL AS WE MOVE ON.,.. BUT  REMEMBER THE DAYSW WHEN WE HAD NO SOUND???? ALOT GOING ON... SO SHORT DOGGIE-- ALSO LATE DOGGIE PS.. PICTURES OF  DR. BRYAN LAST NIGHT.... YOU REQALIZE HE HAD HIS LEG IN A CAST WHILEE TRYING TO DELIVER TEH"  KID"

oct 4 2019

the idderod winner was disqualified after one of his dogs died of aspiration pnemounia just  2 days after the race .. in spite of being flown to ankorage.  this is teh  same result we have so far on lilly's autopsy.  they did offer to send teh culture and sensativity to cornell to look for a specific details- which will take a few days... i did ok  the cost --- about $500--- and we should get an email result in a few days. the tufts vet said no sign of "dog flu" or such. a huge relief--

 i was not happy with september of 2019..  if it had been some strange dog flu  we would have had to go thru all sorts of quarentine and publicity  right in the middle of dogfest and ADI inspection.. with growing puppies  confined  while trying to be teenagers in the kitchen instead of on puppy hill.

so far   october   2019 is looking better.

i am going to try and learn one new thing a day--- yesterday i learned  how to turn up the lights on my car's dashboard lights so i may not get so close to running out of gas because i can not see the dials  !!  very exciting-- tomorrow i may try the windshield wipers.

my sequoia-- lovely car-- perfect for sdp between towing that very heavy dump trailer-- plowing snow- and being loaded with  bags of concrete it leads a tough life... but exceedingly useful and forgiving.

when i bought it, and tried to drive it home,  the tires on it were teh kind which have darn little tread even when brand new--- so i changed tehm the first week i owned them -- to knobby mud/snow tires-- teh 4 smooth ones are in the garage still - ? could be great dane chew toys???

***

brilliant idea for teh day--

1. we-- or at least  "i" -- am trained to think anything that goes thru the dishwasher must be clean..

2.  the reason i don't so readily  reuse plastic bottles in general is  they are difficult to clean with soap and water.

3.  if  dishwashers were required to have one slot where you couold  invert some of these  plastic bottles ( of all kinds)  to get soaped and rinsed like bartenders do...  there a an infinite number of things tehy could be used for--- like more water.... or fill with sand for a  bowling ball yard game...

**

since the pupps are being run back and  forth to puppyhill and barn,,,, i am asking evryone to park outside the gate--- teh driveway is wide einogh to have handcapp parking on one side-- everyone else into t he oparking pit.   th eproblem being as cars come in -- they have burning hot mufflers underneath-- and with pups runnign all over , i am afraid one will dart under a newly parked car and get hurt...-  anyone moving pups will then have o0nly to check with me to see whan i last used my car.- which is not often.  if the hood is cold the muffler is. otherwise we get into a situation "anybody know who's black car that is in the handicap parking spot..? could tak an hour to figure that out... and inhiibt moving pups as too much trouble.

***

Hi SDP: 

I have been away from the cameras most of the summer busy working at my job, tending to my yard and house and spending time with my mom who has been in a nursing facility with Alzheimer's for the past few years. She recently passed. I am grieving and finding little joy in much of anything right now, EXCEPT watching the beautiful new Dane pups! What a good looking litter and what a joy it is to watch them. I actually find myself laughing out loud. The cameras are wonderful! Thank you. I still hope to make the 2 hr or so drive up to your farm for a visit on open house day, assuming you still hold it. I counted 11 pups and thought there's 11 potential people with mobility issues who will be helped one day in the future. I must say the pups with the light and dark shades of grey, and black, against the white canvas are absolutely stunning! Truly a work of art! MaryAnn  RI

oct 3 2019

THESE PUPS ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN BIG DOGS-- THEY HAD A PLAYTIME ON PUPPY HILL YESTRDAY-- AND TEHN POLITELY CRUMPED OUT IN KENNEL 10- THEN NEARLY MADE IT THRU THE NIGHT  SLEEPING...  EXERCISE IS A GOOD THING.

MEGAN SAID SHE WOULD BE SPLITTING THEM UP SOON  -- ELEVEN ALL AT ONCE DO NOT BEHAVE AS TEHY SHOULD....THESE TEENAGE DOGS ARE  VERY LIKE TEENAGE CHILDREN-- THEY  HAVE NOT YET  LEARNED TO GET ALONG WITH  EACH OTHER AND THE WORLD... 

***

OH.... PAULA IS DUE TO AQRRIVE HERE SOON IN PREP FOR WHELPING....

**

WE DO HAVE AREAS TO COPE--- ONE IS KENNEL 10 - THE OTHERE IS IN TEH NUTT HOUSE- WHERE THE "RAISED LOFT" IS ONLY 6 INCHES HIGH- AND THE DOOR IS AWAY FROM WHERE ANYPUP WOULD WANT TO SIT ( AND KEEP OTHERS OUT) -

I WISH I HAD  TALKED TO THAT ADI PERSON ABOUT THE NEW KENNEL THEY ARE THINKING OF BUILDING...  WE HAVE SO MUCH OF TEH PHYSICAL "PLANT" THAT IS PERFECT, BY ACCIDENT--- I AM SURE... SINCE IT WAS DONE ON A FUNDS AVAILABLE BASIS- NO TWO KENNELS AR E  ALIKE...  WHICH - AS IT TURNS OUT... IS A BENIFIT TO THE PUPS WHEN LEARNING... THNGS LIKE STAIRS AND RAMPS

  IN KENNEL 10- THEY MUST LEARN TO COME THRU THE DOOR AND PUSH TEH FLAP ASIDE-- THEN THERE ARE 2 STEPS UP TO THE 2 STAGE SLEEPING AREA-- WITH NOT MUCH FLOOR SPACE AT ALL-- IF YOU ARE NOT IN BED, YOU GO OUTSIDE VERY QUICKLY...-- THERE IS A NATURAL INSTINCT TO GET AWAY FROM TEH SLEEPING AREA TO PEE. --KENNEL  9 IS A M UCH LONGER RAMP WITH FENCED SIDES- TO A HIGHER MUCH BIGGER LOFT.  9 ALSO HAS MUCH MORE ROOM FOR THEM TO  MAKE AN ERROR IN THE PEE DEPARTMENT-

FOR A VERY LONG TIME I THOUGHT WE HAD A LEAK IN THE ROOF-- BIG PUDDLE BY THE DOOR WHEN IT RAINED-- TOOK A WHILE TO NOTICE THE PUDDLE WAS YELLOW- AND THE PROBLEM WAS THAT KENNEL DID NOT HAVE A RAIN DEFLECTOR - SO THE DOGS WERE GETTING HIT INTHE HEAD BY THE RAIN OFF THE ROOF. SO THEY JUST PEE'D  INSIDE....  

**

 WE DO HAV E A KENNEL WITH A LONGER/ LOWER SLOPE TOTHE RAMP FOR GERACTRIC PATIENTS-- THEN SOME WITH RAMPS AND 2 STEPS---- AND TEH REALLY CHALLANGING 5 STEPS-   THEN ONES WHICH WOUDL ACCOMODATE 2 DOGS-- WITH AN EMERGENCY LOWER SLEEPING AREA IN CASE ONE GETS DOMINANT ON A COLD NIGHT.-- TEH DETAILS ARE OVERWHELMING.

***

THAT GUIDING EYES PROGRAM HAS MILLIONS IN TEH BANK...  IF I HAD A SAY , I WOULD BUY A FAARM OR TWO "UP STATE"  NEWBURGH/ GOSHEN WAY  -- FOR PUPPY PREP, GET AWAY FROM PUPPY RAISERS, THEN SHIP THE PUPS TO LONG ISLAND CAMPUS  FOR THEIR FINAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT. -- LONG ISLAND IS SUCH A HIGH RENT DISTRICT- 

**

MAYBE I SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON RUNNING OUR OWN PROGRAM...

***

I DID END UP WITH 3 PEOPLE WHO DONATED  $300 FOR THE MONTH  --- APPARENTLY ONE OF THEM WAS TEH ONE WHO OFFERED ME TEH $10 PER DAY TO WEAR TEH HAT.. AWKWARD BECAUSE -- NOW---SOME ONE (?WHO?) SENT ME AN OCTOBER HAT-- AND IF THERE ARE  3 PEOPLE W HO WILL PAY ME $10 A DAY TO WEAR IFT ATT MAIL CALL..... YOU ARE ON !!

***

WE DO HAVE SOME THINKING TO DO ON THIS ADULT CARE (AKA  ROADSHOW 2.0) - LAST TIME JUDY AND I WERE AT  ONE, I CALLED AND ASKED SOMEONE TO GET IN WITH THE PUPPIES AND WAVE TO TEH PEOPLE...  THERE IS A 2 MINUTE DELAQTY- SO I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK IT UP AND GET THEM TO WAVE AT THE CAMERA-  WHICH THRILLED TEHM  WHEN TEH CAMERA WAVED BACK !!

SUCH A SIMPLE THING...TEHY SMILED AND WAVED  BACK FOR TEH NEXT HOUR !!

MADE ME REALIZE---  WE COULD PUT  "MARKERS" ON CAMERA indicating that in 2 minutes one of teh staff at sdp would get in with teh puppies and wave to the cameras--- this would give the activities  directors time to get everyone primed to feel special !!-

these people are hard pressed  for entertainment.. 

**

there must be other ways...   i hate to see those black screens of teh smart tv's-  when at least tehy coud be  aquarium like fish without the water to drain and keep clean.

oct 2 2019

on to the next 82 years--

i did walk on my stilts yesterday and wanted to get a picture of janine and i on them but by the time she got heree i was in bed.. so we might try today-

apparently megan has a video to prove my birthday walk....

 kind of typically for an age thing........ getting up on them was a bit frightening.. but once up there, i was quite comfortable-- and walking on them was no worse than walking without them≥

***

maybe some people dream of sandy beaches, last night i dreamed i had an antique john deere tractor stuck in my basement-- which tells you teh condition of my basement... well at least berfore  whirlwwind judy cleaned it out.

***

teh big annnouncement i promised on october2nd-- was  medicare has recognized service dogs- thanks to staci and merle... it is a start-- a breakthru-- they are not willing to pay for the service dog-- but some upkeep--  a start is a big one. !

*

'Upon qualification, this Medicare Advantage Plan will cover up to $500 annually to help pay for items, such as food, bedding, leashes and vests, etc. 

* 

i will  cut and paste her complete explaination

**

i certainly had a bunch of birthday wishes- for which i am thankful--

***

i also have made a  new /old --- edict -- we tried to get the pups to the v pen yesterday and they were wild... literally...   we need a bit more constructive learning time in the kitchen to get them focused.

  i am afraid all teh september things--- from dog fest to adi to kennel cough-- they are wofully behind in thier spoon training.

 we need more megan/devin in teh kitchen for a  10 minute session  couple times a day  to get the focus.

also i think more time could be spent in teh arena to get the pups more ready for teh advanced training-- so there might be more camera tiem there too.

those pups were wild....  happy-- thrilled to be loose-- but wild-- like they never knew what a can of food -- or a spoon was !!

**

 gotta work on that more--- starting today

****

Hi Mrs. White, 

I wanted to reach out and wish you a happy birthday. I also wanted to let you know the impact that Eeyore has had on my life. I work 3 jobs and it's really hard financially right now for me however he is the best thing in my life. He makes me so happy. I have never had a dog that was my dog. I didn't understand the mental health impact that Eeyore could have. I truly believe he keeps me going and keeps my spirits up. I know that might sound crazy but he is like my kid. We have the best time, Today I was talking to him about how you can't buy good taste, because he just wants to say hi to everyone on our walks but some people think he's to big and he doesn't understand why they don't want to say hi him! 

I have to tell him that those people have no taste and reassure him that he is the best dog in the world. Which is is. 

I will be back on the farm this winter/ sprint to help out with the shoveling and laundry. I am sorry I have not been around this fall, I am swamped. 

With love, 

Brooke Stewart and The Big E

***

Hi Carlene 

First- I hope you had a wonderful birthday !

Second - as it is October first I can give you more information on what we talked about recently, but first same background information on Medicare in case you needed clarification on options.  

Original Medicare includes Medicare Parts A and B. 

Medicare Part A covers hospital costs. 

Medicare Part B covers doctors' fees and outpatient services and has a monthly premium.  

Since Original Medicare has costs likes deductibles and coinsurance, there are plans that help cover those charges that can be purchased called Medigap policies. Medigap plans have requirements on when you can purchase them. Additionally to get coverage for prescription drugs, one would have to purchase a Medicare Part D plan (administered by a private health insurance company). 

There is another option that one-third of the current 60 million Medicare beneficiaries choose, in which they forgo original Medicare and the Medigap options and instead elect a private Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare C. Medicare Beneficiaries can only enroll in this type of plan at certain times of the year, like the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which starts on 10/15/2019 for plans starting in 2020.  

For those that select a private Medicare Advantage plan they get all the benefits covered under original Medicare, most have a Part D Prescription Drug benefit and cover additional supplemental benefits that are not otherwise covered These supplemental benefits are only available through these types of plans. 

Over the years the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed these Private Medicare Advantage Plans to offer different types of otherwise non-covered Medicare benefits like routine eyeglasses, hearing aids and dental care. Most recently they have allowed even more benefits like personal home helpers, over the counter medications and acupuncture.  2020 will allow even more of these benefits and one that Merle and I are honored to be part of....

The Service Dog Support Benefit is a new Benefit that is being offered by one of those Private Medicare Advantage Plans in 2020.   This benefit is designed for the Medicare Beneficiary who selects this particular plan and has a Service Dog (as per the ADA definition) for a chronic illness. Upon qualification, this Medicare Advantage Plan will cover up to $500 annually to help pay for items, such as food, bedding, leashes and vests, etc.  

As these Private Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by different companies not all will have the same benefits or this particular benefit.  It depends on where you live and if you select that plan.   

There are many articles on the internet about each type of plan.  Medicare.gov has information as well which includes a plan finder to help one find the right plan for them.  Additionally Medicare Beneficiaries should contact a licensed sales agents that can help them pick the right plan.  

This is the first time Medicare has allowed a benefit for Service Dogs and while it will not cover the dog, training or Vet bills it is a start in the right direction and following the coverage the VA has.  

Thank you for all you do for SDP recipients.

Staci & Merle

****

it is a break thru-- thanks to merle????

oct 1 2019

 where to start--

thanks to all who sent good birth day wishes--  i am thrilled to get thru september  2019...

on the positive......-- we had a great dog fest and added  more states to the cake list... i don't know about  ADI until they have some meeting or other in november.

we start october all healthy again.. ( or i have not heard any problem.....yet...) it was a rough haul- but thanks to megan and her stamina, we made it.... so we move on...

My birthday-present for you: I've ordered a cake for the firefighters in Ahaus, where I'm working. Last friday there was a fire in the company where I work and the fire brigade has fast extinguished the fire. The damage was low but they saved 30 families wage and bread. Also of my family.

And so I will deliver a cake to them on the next 19th of the mounth. With the Cake-Flyer. I hope, I'll get some more SDP-friends and Brick-Buyers.

Jutta

good one jutta !! 

 that has fewer calories for me to have to eat..

 there is a 4 pound can of fudge i am struggling to get consumed...

i think fudge is just chocolate, butter, and sugar- i can't see why anyone would add anything else.

****

i have started trying to work 2 dogs a day-- certainly won't hurt me to try that form of forced exercise...

i don't have any stroke of brilliance--- except-- from gwen-- she called at 4am- she too is a very early riser-- she tells me there is a thing----ups--  that will keep your electricity running for a few minutes until your auto generator kicks on so yoru computers do not shut down'

somethign like   ups.... uninterupeted power supply??

so i am off to ebay to discover that..