January 16, 2013

THE VINYL FLOORS ARE DOWN...  THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR OF THIS HOUSE IS RELATIVELY WATERPROOFED...

 

WATER ???? WHO AMN  I KIDDING????

THERE IS A VERY SLIGHT PITCH TO TH EHOUSE-- SO.... FLUIDS ARE INCLINED TO COLLECT IN PLACES..  SO I ASKED THE FLOOR GUY TO BEND THE FLOOR UP THE WASLLS  ONE INCH..

HE HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE...

 

IF I HAD MY WAY THE ENTIRE HOUSE WOULD BE PITCHED ENABLEING ME TO HOSE DOWN THE FLOORS AND HAVE IT DRAIN IN THE CORNERS.

 

EVERYONE IS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING ALL THE  CRxxxxxP BACK IN THE CALENDAR ROOM  WHEN I REMEMBERED-- THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY ROOM..  MOVING MY BED DOWN STAIRS---  CLIMBING  THAT TIGHT SPIRAL STAIRCASE GETS WORSE EVERY DAY-- IT SERVED IT'S PURPOSE-- THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DOG UPOSTAIRS IN THIS HOUSE.-- RUGS SPOTLESS UPSTAIRS.

 

SO WE HAVE SOME HEAVY DUTY PLANNING TO DO..-- YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE AMOUNT OF STUFF THAT  IS NEEDED TO RUN THIS OUTFIT.

 

FOR INSTANCE--- I HAVE 3 GALLONS OF MISC SIZED RUBBER BALLS THAT GO IN THE DIFFERENT SIZE MONKEY FISTS- YOU BUY THOSE THINGS BY THE HUNDRED.... SO I DID...

 

WE CAN BUILD  AND REPAOR ALOT OF THINGS WITOUT A TRIP TO HOME DEPOT...   ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS FIND THE STUFF,

 

THERE IS NOT ALOT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOT OWNING SOMETHING-- AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND IT.

 

 

SO TODAY WILL BE  SORTING DAY-- INTO THE WONDERFUL MEAT BOXES--

 

WHAT WE DO THEN  I DO NOT KNOW YET.

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

 

THANKFULLY BUD AND PAUL WERE AROUND ALL YESTERDAY TO HOIST FURNATURE  ----

**********

AND WITH SNOW TODAY MEANS FEWER VOLUNTEERS  - LUCKILY SNOW DOESNT BOTHER MEGAN...

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

 

SO TO FILL UP THIS DD--- I WILL COPY PASTE ANN;S LATEST ON JIM AND KARMA ( FOR NEWCOMMERS   JIM HAS SERV DOG KARMA  WHO WAS HIT BY A CAR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO  IN A VERY CONTROLLED SITUATION-- AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TH EDRIVER IS TRYING TO AVOID PAYING THE SIGNIFICANT VET BILLS.)

 

Hello, Family & Friends,
It's been a while since I did an update. First, thanks so much for everyone's prayers, calls, and support. We couldn't have gone through this alone. I think even Karma felt all the love & support.
We've come a long way, and since Karma's nerves repair at the rate of 1 millimeter a day, we still have a long way to go. However, we started with a dog who had to be spoon fed when she first came home. That went to eating out of her bowl, but refusing canned food. Next came home cooking; her preferences? Turkey or roast chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, & light on the vegies. When the dogs were eating this menu & Jim & I were having pizza, we looked at each other & said, "what's wrong with this picture???"

She's now transitioned to her dry dog food, some canned & some home cooked, along with good quality supplements.
Her PT continues twice a week at the critical care hospital in Melbourne, about a 45 min drive. She stays about 4 hrs, and they do all kinds of exercises, with breaks in between. She now puts weight on her front left leg, and knows what "paw down" means. Her gait is awkward, but she moves along. Her back legs turn towards the left a bit, but don't seem to bother her. She no longer yelps out in pain when resting. We've been able to cut out her pain meds.
If we keep her walking slow, she will use all 4 legs. If she wants to go fast, her preference is to use 3 legs. She can really move on 3!

She loves going to PT, and the staff is in love with her! They also do acupuncture on her, and an under water treadmill exercise. We have cut out the hyperbaric oxygen treatment, since she needed to be sedated each time. We thought she was too dopey each Tues & Thurs. Plus, it's the highest cost; $150 per treatment. The Drs. were more interested in having her continue the PT. We may add the oxygen treatment in again if she seems to need it.
When Jim picks her up in the afternoon, she's exhausted. She no longer has pain entering & exiting the truck back seat. I used to have to put a fleece on the pavement for her to step on before going in & out. This means Karma & Jim can go places without me, so that gives me a bit more freedom. Also, Jim & Karma can visit favorite places, like Home Depot, where Karma is a celebrity. The store is a good place to practice her walking, and helps Jim feel a bit more normal, too.

Karma's goofy, attentive, ditsy, great dane personality has returned. Her ability to make Jim laugh even on his worst days is priceless. When she first came home, she couldn't care what was going on around her. Now, when Jim goes out back each morning to have coffee & to fish with his buddies, she hops onto our bed & watches out the windows. Her neighborhood buddy, Harold, is the highlight of her day, when he comes bearing cookies. She even went to him first, coming out of PT the other day! We put a twin mattress on the floor by our bed, which she sometimes uses, but often uses it as a spring board to the big bed. Molly enjoys the twin bed on the floor, too! They do look funny on it together, especially when they're in the same position. Karma's favorite sleeping spot seems to be snuggled up next to me, fighting for my pillow. It's like sleeping against a brick wall, but I don't have the heart to tell her to move; I do!
Many neighbors ask about her & stop by to visit, which is good for both Karma & Jim. They are genuinely upset that such an accident could happen in our neighborhood. Not that it's a fancy place, but people like to think it's safe. We all know there's no such place, and life happens everywhere. We are fortunate Karma has a chance to recover. She'll be continuing her PT for the next 5 months. The Dr.s thought at 6 months we'd have a good idea of her total recovery.
One friend even gives her Reiki treatments! Yippee! 

It's pretty safe to say she'll never be a true service dog again. She is absolutely terrified of cars. Translated, that means when we take her out of the front of the house, she only wants to go to the back seat of the truck. When she comes home, she wants to go directly in the house. No more casual sitting in the driveway with Jim. One day I took her across from the house to where she & Molly used to go to the bathroom. A car was coming along, not even visible, & approaching slowly. She took off to the house. I had to let go of her leash or be pulled across the street.
So, that's the rundown on Karma.

Take care, & thanks again,
Jim & Ann

 

TODAY ONE OF MY BIG CHORES IS TO AGAIN CONTACT TH E   INSURANCRE COMPANY..  WE HAVE PR TO SPARE IF THEY WILL STEP UP TO WHERE THEY SHOLD HAVEE BEEN IN THE  FIRST PLACE..

 

. IN MY OPINION...

 

 

 

January 15,2013

i am sooooo excited this morning---  2 THINGS

 

all 15 pups went outside to pee in the yard...at 4:30am   we counted them many times and they all came back in----.  a couple even poo'ed.

 

  this is a big thing in my life   15   HALF CUPS OF FLUID DELIVERED TO THE YARD

 

bless pi's owner-  bob---  who gave us 2 rolls of perfect fencing  to make  a very wobbly barrier that should keep them  in front of the house without much wandering.-- and it rolls up out of the way the rest of the time. 

 

i also have it stretched so they could be herded  into the low side of the  nutt house.

 

there is such a thing as herd management with milk cows-- this is not a lot different.

 

AND WE HAD THE NECESSARY 16 DOUBLE ENDED SNAPS TO MAKE IT WORK EASILY. THANKS TO TH ECAMERA PEOPLE...

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

 

lulu reports.  from both courtney and ann-- she is doing well. AND  BONDING TO COURTNEY-- SHOULD BE A PERFECT ASSOCIATION...SHE SENT PICTURES WHICH I PUT OUT YESTERDAY--- LOOKING LIKE QUEEN IOF THE HILL

 

*********

THE OTHER  LARGE EXCITEMENT OF THE DAY IS   THEY ARE COMING TO PUT VINYL FLOOR DOWN IN THE TV ROOM AND "CALENDAR"  ROOM...IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALANGE TO EMPTY THOSE ROOMS  WHEN THE FLOOR SPACE INT HE REST OF TH EHOUSE IS NEARLY TAKEN UP BY STUFF NOT YET  ASSIGNED TO OVERFLOW STATUS.

***********

 

MEGAN WAS THRILLED TO HAVE  THE DYSON VACCUUM ARRIVE YESTERDAY

*******

 

  PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO THE CALL FOR TOWELS-- WE DO NEED SOME--- AND THE VERY BEST KIND ARE TH E ONES WHICH BELONGED TO YOUR GREAT GRAND PARENTS SO ARE WORN THIN.--. AND YOU JUST HAVE NOT GOT ROUND TO THROWING THEM OUT.

 

NOW IS TH E TIME

 

THE REASON THEY ARE SO GOOD IS ALL THE SHORT FIBERS ARE LONG GONE- SO THEY LEAVE NO LINT.-- THE VERY CHEAP SHOP TOWELS DO WORK AFTER WE RUN THEM THRU TH E WASHER/DRYER

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

 

TODAY SCHEDULE

 

FURNATURE MOVING IS A BIGGIE...

 

 AND I NEED TO GET INTO TH E ROUTINE OF LEASH TRAINING-- TAKES 2 PEOPLE--- ONE TO SIT IN TH E BACK HALL AND FEED ME ONE PUP AT A TIME

 

THAT IS A MUST DO-- HOPEFULLY SOME VOLUNTEERS SHOW UP TO HELP WITH THAT ONE

***********

I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS A DEFECTIVE KEYBOARD OR TH E  MIDDLE FINGER OF MY LEFT HAND--- BUT I AM TIRED OF PUTTING TH E   "E"  BACK ON TH E  "TH"   

 

HENCEFORTH I WILL NOT GO  OUT OF MY WAY TO DO THAT.

 

PERFECTION IS  BOTH  EXPENSIVE--- AND  TIME CONSUMING

I GAVE UP  PERFECTION LONG AGO.

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

 

THIS PERSON CHARLIE INTRODUCED US TO ... GUY NAMED MIKE-- IS A... IF NOT THE... UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC... AND HERE IS A LINK TO HIS VIDEO

http://explore.org/#!/videos/player/mike-prickett-the-man-before-the-accident

THAT IS WORTH A CLICK..

******

 

January 14, 2013

 i wondered why colleen had newspapers spread over the entire kitchen floor... all is peaceful and quiet AT THE MOMENT....--

 

AND THEN COLLEEN EXPLAINED... DASH-- A LOVELY EXPRESSIVE PUP OF MOXIE'S APPARENTLY HAD  PROJECTILE diarrhea  with several otheres very loose..

 

probably caused by dash's sweet looking face she begged for samples from the SUNDAY  beef cutters-- and being so sweet she got more scraps than the rest of them.. hence the problem

there really is no way to describe projectile diarrhea in a dane,

 

my introduction to it was in an airport "JUICE BAR"   in germany-- i was bringing a harl male pup back with me an d had let him out of the crate for the 2 hour wait--- it was also before i  had discovered cardboard and plastic bags-

or a parachute in which  to carry them--- leaving me with a large supply of those tiny bar napkins that disintegrate if yo u sneeze on them--  crawling arouind the legs of the barstools involved-- i did get it cleaned up- much to the amusement of the germans who watched... i couldn't blame them-- it was not a project that invited help....

 

but i learned 

 cardboard?? don't leave home without them.

 

experience comes from bad experience.

 

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

RE... THE CARDBOARD/CEREAL -- OR BEER---

speaking threof... we have had several large/HUGE  boxes of  precision cut cardboard-- which has been wonderful to distribute around the farm....THAT HAS BECOME A WONDERFUL BASIC SOURCE--- WHAT IS SO HANDY NOW ARE THE ENVELOPES WITH THE 3/4 INCH PILE WHICH IMMEDIATELY GOES IN SOMEONE'S POCKET AS SOON AS THE MAIL COMES.

********

 

AND OTHER BUSINESS......

 

I AM TOLD WE HAVE ENOUGH BLANKETS FOR THE MOMENT-- BUT WE ARE SHORT ON TOWELS-- PREFERABLY TH E OLD- WORN THIN-- OR  CHEAPER ONES IN TH EFIRST P;LACE....

ESPECIALLY WITH BABIES PROBABLY COMING...  WE GO THRU ALOT OF  TOWELS AND HAND TOWELS IN THE BIRTHING PROCESS--- AND MANY ARE NOT WORTH WASHING ----

 

 DELIVERY... IS A MESSY PROCESS.------THEY MAY BE HAVING PUPS... BUT THEY WILL ALSO HAVE  A GALLON OR SO OF GOOP. THAT BURNS UP BETTER THAN IT WASHES OUT....

 

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A BIG SUPPLY OF CLEAN TOWELS

 

SO ANY OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN MEANING TO GET RID OF THOSE OLD WORN THIN TOWELS-- NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME.

 

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

 

 WHOEVER SENT US THOSE OMAHA STEAKS FOR SUNDAY STEW--- IT WAS BY FAR THE MOST  APPETISING STEW WE HAVE HAD--    THOSE STEAKS WERE PERFECT--- AND COOKED TO PERFECTION BY CAMERA MARK-

 

2 BIG COOLERS ARRIVED SATURDAY AND BY SUNDAY WERE PERFECT FOR COOKING.-- THERE WERE ALSO BAKED POTATOES AD APPLE SOMETING FOR DESERT...

 

GRACIOUS LIVING   BIG TIME... THANK YOU ALL..

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

 

THE LAST NEWS I HAD ON LULU WAS SHE HAD LEARNED TO PEE CLOSE TO COURTNEYS APPT...  THIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING FOR A DOG IN A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD--- FIGURING OUT WHERE TH E  REST ROOM IS.

(AND IS NOT.....)

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

 

TODAY

 

SOME SPAY SURGERY- MEGAN HAS ORGANIZED--

MARIA IS COMING FOR A VET TRIP WITH VANILLA..

 

BECKY IS HERE ---STANLEY IS LOVING BEING THE INVALID--- TIME HAS COME STANLYE--- NO MORE BREAKFAST IN BED--- BECKY GET HIM UP  OFF THAT DESIGNER FLUFFY HE IS ENJOYING...

 

 

I FORGOT THE REST OF THE NEWS. /

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

 

Greetings all,

Just a note to let you all know Charlie and I are doing just great. We have been pretty busy or should I say Charlie has been pretty busy, he keeps me on the straight and narrow. I know he is a great mobility dog but he is also one hell of a PTSD dog as well. I swear he knows me as we'll as my wife. Sometimes he is one step ahead of me in what I am doing and then I forget what I am doing....... My wife says, just let Charlie do his job and stop thinking so much. Charlie just looks up and nudges me and off we go. You have to laugh.....

Charlie is such a celebrity in these woods, I can't go any where with out a conversation about SDP and Great Danes. I hope to get down or across to see you all soon, until then, Stay Safe! Steve, Charlie and the Girard family

January 13, 2013

LULU PEE'D

    BIGGEST NEWS TO OFFER TODAY.... AT LEAST SO FAR...

.. 

IT IS ALWAYS A CONCERN UNTIL THEY DECIDE WHERE TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSITIES OF  LIFE.-- AND THE HOPE IS THAT  IN THEIR CONFUSION THEY DON'T  DECIDE THAT UNDER THE DINING ROOM TABLE WOULD BE A PLACE TO HIDE IT.--

HOWEVER ONCE SHE HAS IDENTIFIED A SPOT- THEN THE PROCESS IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT..

. I KNOW HERE, LULU "WENT" ABOUT 18 INCHES FROM THE FRONT DOOR-- MAKING FOR A MUCH MORE PLEASENT RAINY/COLD  DAY..

******

 

MORE DETAILS ON THE TRIP--FROM PEOPLE STANDPOINT.-- ANNE AND I WENT PREPARED TO GO INTO ALL KINDS OF DETAILS--  WE EVEN HAD ABOUT 15 PAGES OF LEGAL GOBBLEY GOOP ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THIS PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO SDP SHOULD I HIT A TREE.-  WE FIGURED THEY WOULD WANT SOME DETAILS OF THAT SORT--- AND I DID MENTION THE FACT THAT I HAD STARTED THE PROCESS OF SDP RENTING THIS FOR ( CURRENTLY) $1.00   - AND THEY IGNORED  THE TOPIC,-  WHICH IS EITHER A GOOD SIGN OR A BAD ONE WITH REGARD TO GETTING A GRANT FROM THEM-   THEY CERTAINLY WERE A DELIGHTFUL BUNCH OF PEOPLE AND FROM MY  STANDPOINT  I  WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM ON SOME ON GOING PROJECTS.

 

 

A CHALLANGIGN ONE IS TO COME UP WITH  SHORT FILMED -- SOME NONSENSICAL-- "INFOEPISODES"  20 MINUTE HOW WE DO  XXXXXXX  ETC...   THE ONLY ONE I HAD ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE WAS DOGGIE BLOOD DONOR---  

 

  BUT IT QUICLY EXPANDED WHEN THAT GUY MIKE SHOWED ME A PHOTO OF HIS CAMERAS-- 40 OR 50 OF THEM-- ABOUT 2"X2"X1"- ALL WATERPROOF -- HE USED TO ATTACH THEM TO FISH-- OR SOMETHIGN LIKE THAT--- AT ANY RATE-- HE HAS A BUNCH OF CAMERAS..."I WILL GET YOU SOME"  RANG IN MY EARS--COULD WORK AS THE WD40 DID ON BAILEY'S HEADSET.--"DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SD IN TRAINING."--

 

OR SPECACULARLY   THE AMAZING ABILITY OF THESE DOGS TO SPREAD  CHEER IN  SOME HORRIBLE  SITUATIONS--

 

OBJECT BEING TO EDUCATE BY ENTERTAINING

 

WE COULD DO TRAINING-- OR STRANGE THINGS PEOPLE ASK US--- OR ELEVATOR PRACTICE-- THINGS ALOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT-- SOME OF WHICH ARE PRETTY FUNNY--

 

PUPPIES AND MANEQUIN TRAINING--   OR ROCKING HORSE TRAINING...SLIPPERY FLOORS OR STAIRS

 

THERE WOULD BE ALOT OF EDITING INVOLVED-- BUT WE COULD COME UP WITH SHORT "TAKES"  SOME WITH DOGS TOPICS  -  SOME WITH GENERIC FARM SITUATIONS

 

WHICH COULD BE "USED" WHEN THE ROVING GAMERA IS ORNERY.

 

I AM PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT....

LUCKILY A COUPLE PEOPLE THERE WERE TRYING TO EAT A BOILED EGG FOR BREAKFAST AND I GOT INTO MY INFAMOUS "THE BOILING OF AN EGG" SPEECH....THRE ARE SOOOOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT DO NOT KNOW YOU CAN NOT PEAL A  F RESH EGG-- AND FURTHERMORE PROBABLY DID NOT THINK MUCH ABOUT WHERE THEY CAME FROM-- AND NOT ALL CHICKENS LOOK ALIKE.. GOT TO BE 20 MINUTES THERE

 

AND MARY'S  IQ  ....    AND.... THE TEEPEE

 

WE COULD PREFACE IT BY STATING "THE FOLLOWING IS A RUMOR MILL OF APPROXIMATE ACCURACY--AND  IS INTENDED FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY"  OR SOME SUCH---

 

TOM DID SAY HE WOULD TALK  WITH CHARLIE IN A FEW DAYS...

 

IN THE MEANTIME LULU WILL HOPEFULLY CHARM THE  WALLPAPER OFF THE WALLS

AT LEAST SHE FOUND AN ACCEPTABLE PLACE TO PEE.

 

.***************************

TODAY SCHEDULE--

 IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NICE OUTDOOR DAY....

 

I HOPE BECAUSE THE CAMERA PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR US TO GET THE FLUFFIES OFF PUPPY HILL -- SINCE THEY WILL NO LONGER BE FROZEN IN.

 

 

2 BIG BOXES ARRIVED VFROM QMAHA STEAK HOUSEFOR USE TODAY AT THE STEW....I JUST QUICKLY CHECKED-- THEY ARE STILL VERY CHILLED-- IN BIG COOLERS..

 

MARK WILL ADDRESS THE FOOD ISSUE.-- AND PICTURE TAKING.

 

OTHER THAN THAT......

 

 

 

 

January 12, 2013

I WILL SKIP THE 118 EMAILS WAITING  AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE DAILY DOGGIE--

THE BIGGEST SUCCESS ( HOPEFULY-) WAS LULU-- SHE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER-- AND  WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CONFUSION SHE IS NOW THERE AS THEIR OFFICE DOG-- TO BE MANAGED BY COURTNEY--

AND AS SOON AS I FINISH THIS DAILY DOGGIE  I WILL DO AN EMAIL AND SEND HER SOME THINGS SHE NEDEDS TO KNOW-- LIKE LULU WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A YUPPY PUPPY IN TH EHOFFICE FOR THAT MID MORNING SNACK-

SO FROM LULU'S STANDPOINT.....

ON THE PLANE-- SHE WAS NO PROBLEM FOR OPENERS-- BUT ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE  6 HOUR FLIGHE SHE BEGAN TO PANT AND  WORRY ME-- BUT AFTER I SHARED MY TURKEY JERKY WITH HER SHE SETTLED RIGHT DOWN AND FELL ASLEEP FOR MOST OF THE FLIGHT-- EVEN OVER THE BUMPS OF THE ROCKIES...

SHE IS AN EDUCATED DOG-- NOT TRAINED TO DO MOVEMENTS- AND THIS IS A WHOLE NEW CONCEPT TO MANY DOG PEOPLE-- INCLUDING CHARLEI-   WE WENT TO THE EXPLORE  OFFICE BEFORE LUNCH- AND ONCE THERE I JUST TOOK OFF HER LEASH COLLAR AND HARNESS... SHE POLITELY INTRO=DUCED HERSELF TO THE STAFF-- ANN,  COURTEY  TOM AND CHARLIE  AND JUST LAID DOWN AND WATCHED PEOPLE MOVE ABOUT IN A VERY SOPHISTICATED WAY..

LUNCH -- PERFECT-- A WALK  BACK TO TH E OFFICE-- THEN CHARLIE TOOK HER HOME  WITHOUT ME  TO MEET HIS OLD DOG AND DAUGHTERS YAPPIE ( THE SIZE OF1/2  A ROL L OF   PAPER TOWELS)  HE SAID SHE WAS PERFECT LADY .

BACK FOR DINNER AT THE HOTEL-- AROUND A COFFEE TABLE BECAUSE THERE WERE TOO MANY OF US TO MOVE TO A RESTAURANT.... LULU WAS PERFECT IN TH ESITUATION  WHERE IT WAS A PROBLEM TO FIND A PIECE OF  FLOOR FOR HER TO LIE DOWN.... SHE MANAGED. I HAD TAKEN HER LEASH /HARNESS OFF  TO SIMPLIFY MATTERS..

THEN THE CONVERSATION BEGAN ABOUT CHARLIE'S CURRENT LIFE WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO AN ADDITIONAL DOG AT THE MOMENT-- AND ANNE AND I FIGURED WE WOULD BE TAKING HER BACK WITH US.  I HAD HER IN MY ROOM  OVERNIGHT TIL THE FINAL MEETING AT 8AM IN TH E HOTEL LOBBY-- THE LIMO WAS TO PICK UP ANN AND I AT 10

\

IT WAS THOSE 2 HOURS THAT GAVE ME A REAL VIEW OF HOW THIS  TEAM WORKS--  FIRST OF ALL--- THEY WERE THERE AT 8--- SAME LOBBY-- COFFEE-  GROUP  BREAKFAST (? IS THIS MY BAGEL OR YOURS KIND OF THING..)  AND  MIKE WAS THERE--TO SHORTEN A VERY LONG STORY-- MIKE JOINED THE GROUP  AND  WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR-- AND THE CHALANGE WAS --- GET HIM UP... ( WHICH ALONG THE WAY  I HAD MADE THE STATEMENT WE HAD DONE THAT  )  MIKE CAME EQUIPED WITH STILL  PHOTOGRAPHER,& VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHER --IT WAS   OK LULU YOU ARE ON...  EVEN THO I MADE  IT CLEAR SHE WAS NOT A FULLY TRAINED WALKER DOG. 

I HELD MY BREATH-- AND LULU-S COLLAR AS HE GOT TO HIS FEET AND WE WALKED--- ONE STEP AT A TIME-- UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD NOT PLANNED AHEAD AND WERE AIMED AT A SHORT BUNCH OF 5 STEPS-- BUT MIKE WAS GAME.   SO AFTER WALKING THE 30 FEET WE WENT UP THOSE STEPS-  AND DOWN ---- ONE STEP AT A TIME   WHOA AND GIMME A STEP---  WORKED FINE  MIKE COULD BE ON HIS FEET --- WE MAMNAGED BACK TO HIS CHAIR AND MOVED THE OPERATION TO TH E WALKWAY OUTSIDE WITH THE VIDEOGRAPHER...WHERE HE LEFT HIS CHAIR, WALKED ABOUT 20 FEET WITH LULU AND  ME-- AND I BACKED AWAY FROM LULU WHO BY THEN HAD FIGURED OUT WHT SHE WAS TO DO...AND HE WALKED ANOTHER 30 FEET WITH HER ALONE.

GOOD DOG LULU---

AND I WAS STILL TALKING TO CHARLIE ABOUT GIVING HER TO HIS OFFICE PERSON   ANN-- OR  BRINGING HER BACK WITH US  AND HAVING HIM COME GET HER IN A MONTH.. 

IT WAS 10  THE LIMO DUE- LULU WAS ALL PACKED READY TO GET IN  THE LIM O-- AND COURTNEY BREEZED IN  WITH  "CAN I KEEP HER AS OFFICE DOG"    ANSWER ..." YES--- HERE IS HER LEASH AND SOME FOOD AND I WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN I GET HOME" 

TURNS OUT... SHE MST HAVE GOT THE MESSAGE MENTAL TELEPATHY WHEN ANN SAID SHE  COULDN'T TAKE HER-- SO COURTNEY CALLED THE LIMO COMPANY AND SAID.... "DO NOT  TAKE THE 2 WOMEN AND THE DOG TO THE AIRPORT UNTIL I GET  THERE..."  

PERFECT SOLUTION-- COURTNEY WILL TAKE HER TO THE OFFICE-- OR WHEREVER SHE GOES  AND CHARLIE WILL GET A GOOD LOOK AT AN EDUCATED DANE.  

AND I NOW HAVE TO WRITE TO COURTNEY WITH INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT LULU   THINGS LIKE YUPPY PUPPY...

I THINK THEY WERE IMPRESSED WITH LULU-- AND THEREFORE OUR PROGRAM

ANNE AND I WERE INCIDENTAL- THE REAL SHOW WAS LULU-

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

January 10, 2013

Short report from Carlene - she is using her phone keyboard and has much to say but a small keyboard.

They are in Califoria and having a lovely time - they have cream for your coffee here.  Not the dust I have at home.

More later.

January 9, 2013

EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL WITH MY TOP LEFT SMELLY DRAWER...

 

SO I HAVE FOLLOWED EVERYONE'S DIRECTIONS AND PUT IN THERE  GROUND COFFEE, BAKING SODA  ORANGE RINDS  MOTHBALL,S VODKA, ODORBAN( FROM A NURSING HOME) &  WHITE VINEGAR

 

WHAT A MESS-- BUD THINKS IT SMELLS LIKE MENTHOLATED RYE BREAD

.-(-NOT LIKE  ANY RYE BREAD I EVER SMELLED)

 

LUCKILY I WILL BE AWAY FOR 2 DAYS AND WON'T NEED PAPERCLIPS   .I CAN LET IT BREW....

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

THIS WILL BE A SHORT DOGGIE-- I HAVE TO PACK..

 

AND UNPACK---- THAT LEATHERMAN SO I DON'T LOOSE THAT GOING THRU SECURITY

 

I ALREADY CUT BITS OF STRING TO MAKE SOME MONKEY FISTS---WE ARE SHORT ON THOSE...I HAVE 6 HOURS...

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

*CARLA COOKE JOINED OUR VOLUNTEER CREW YESTERDAY- FRIEND FROM L.ONG AGO  WHO'S COCKERSPANIELS I  USED IN MANY COMMERCIALS- SHE CAME UP WITH THE BRILLIANT IDEA OF A CAMERA ON TH E HEAD OF A WORKING DOG..  FOR A DAY IN TH E LIFE OF.... DEAL--

 

SO I PUT A CAN OF WD40 ON ONE OF THOSE HEADSETS I MAKE FOR DOGS OUT OF 2 WHITE COAT HANGERS- AND BAILEY CARRIED IT AROUND WITH EASE... SO DID LULU AND BENTLEY-- THAT COULD BE INTERESTING  IF EXPLORE WANTS TO CHANGE THE WD40 FOR A CAMERA.

 

 

 

 

FYI--- IT HAS TO BE WHITE COAT HANGERS-- THE BRASS COLORED ONES ARE STRONGER AND DON'T BEND EASILY AROUND YOUR THIGH TO FORM THE HEADSET...

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

THAT STARTED ME THINKING---- WHAT 20 MINUTE FILMS COULD WE DO THAT WOULD AMUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN SOME OF THE THINGS WE THINK ARE NORMAL

 

IT WAS LATE AND ALL I COULD THINGK OF WAS  BEING A DOGGIE BLOOD DONOR..

 

OUR STUD DOGS ARE OFTEN CALLED ON FOR BLOOD DONATIONS.  ALONG WITH SPERM DONATIONS - THEY HAVE AN EASY LIFE..

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD FILM THE SPERM PROCESS....

 

 BUT TH E BLOOD DONOR COULD BE INTERESTING-- YOU SIT ON THE FLOOR IN GEORGES OFF ICE AND HOLD THE PLASTIC BAG-- TIPPING IT SLOWLY BACCK AND FORTH AS IT FILLS...  WHILE TALKING TO GEORGE... COULD BE A GOOD   20 MINUTES...

 

THE PROCESS OF TRAINING TO GET BAILEY IN THE TREE-- COULD BE A SHORT FILM...- PRACTICING IN TH E  BUCKET OF THE TRACTOR...

NOT THE KIND OF THING PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT--- WOULD BE A LEARNING PROCESS.

 

SO................   I NEED SOME MORE IDEAS--- PREFERABLY TODAY  BEFORE OUR NOON MEETING TOMORROW.

 

THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WE COULD DO WITH MARY TOO....

 

KEEP THINKING....+

 

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

 

.AND I OWE ANNE $17 FOR A JACKET SHE GOT ME AT COSTCO..  MUST NOT FORGET.

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

 

NOW FOR THE SAD NEWS DEPARTMENT---

 

 BOBBY- SUDDENLY STOPPED EATING A FEW DAYS AGO  AND WAS VERY LETHARGIC..  COLLEEN1   WHO HAS A GROOMING BUSINESS IN A BUILDING WITH N.S. VET HOSPITAL  -- TOOK HIM FOR XRAYS--- THEY  OPENED HIM AND FOUND HIS BELLY WAS FULL OF CANCER TUMORS- SO THEY PUT HIM TO SLEEP ON THE TABLE.

HE HAD A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH HER... AND THANKFULLY DID NOT LINGER-

 

YOU GIVE THEM A HAPPY LIFE- AND WHEN IT IS OVER YOU LET THEM SLEEP.

 

TO PUT THAT IN PERSPEDCTIVE--- WE WILL ALL PROBABLY OUTLIVE OUR DOGS- SO AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THEIR TRANSITION.

 

WASN'T THAT A CHEERFUL THOUGHT?