june 17 2014

molly has megans nose...- megan has a super sniffer for dirt and molly seems the same...

the deagle house...i have one end with a ramp - theother with stairs  to the loft...

the offendiing area are the stairs ---- apparently a ramp is easier to keep clean--

problem is that by having stairs there it teaches these farm dogs to climb stiairs without needing a trainer to describe which foot goes wherre..

solution may be to use some plastic ( i.e. expensive) wood-- and then i noticed in the 23 videos that i have so far watched 

http://www.concrete-floor-coatings.com/how-to-paint-concrete-garage-floor.asp -----

  part 12 minute 4.26.......

 that someone did the wooden stairs  with epoxy also...

moving along... 

fence is done, need to pick up the floor scrubber thing... and janine is taking the trailer with her to ohio to look over the supply of older donkeys-- especially the one that is driving the farm owner nuts beccause he follows him around consantly... sounds promising.. like mary...  we do need a mascot  ----tho we never coudl replace her... some donkeys are more personable than others...

i remember......

my son in law used to drive for th e buckeye donkeyball company- providing donkeys for basketball games between teachers and students etc in the gymnasium of schools... -- an extremely well run company--donkeys perfectly cared for...    that is how he came to meet us...came up the driveway one thanksgiving looking for a donkey farm where he could park his 10 donkeys for a few days  off-- and he never left.. many funny stories..  but on that one truck he had one donkey -- perfectly nice lovely animal -- named excedrine--   all these donkeys were carefully taught to buck people off by the neighborhood kids on the farm in ohio- they are very efficient if they choose to do that .. they put their heads down and there is nothing  in front of y ou.. the kids simply ride the donkeys and toss a carrot on the ground- as the donkey puts their head down the kids fall off..  the donks catch on very quickly...

each buckeye truck had a couple donkeys anyone could ride.. and at least on no one could stay on... but excedrine had an even better take-- she used to throw someone off then turn around showing her teeth and chase them well up into the bleachers.... it was a very funny show.  never caught anyone- but certainly could have...

in the summer they play softball-- hit the ball ---get on the donkey and try and get to first base... some donks just plodded in a straight line-- passing first and continuing into the back field....

there was only one injury i ever heard of... in Connecticut - some spectator got laughing so hard he had a heart attack...

 they were around  including new england for 50 odd years i think they are still in business around ohio---the founders son patrick- i think now runs it.  i know donkeys well-- fat healthy well cared for.... there were details like the halters were adjusted in such a way that no matter how you yanked on the "reins" it did not make the slightest difference to the donks.. they wandered around at will...  there was no reason for the animal rights people to get after them-- but they did --- so buckeye no longer comes to this area...

darn shame-- it was really funny.  polititians  vs the fire department    etc...  good sports..

******

no tracy today-- she has to pick up her husband from surgery in boston.... she may get back for mail call

*****

got to get these guys out of here again today-- down to the v pen by the t tent... i thiink the camera operator can get them on camera occasionally..

the next problem with them is to split the group.-- too many for that one area

***

Greetings from Jeanine and Elsie! Everyday I'm so very grateful to SDP for Elsie. So.. here's an Elsie up date. Elsie is 21 months old now. People still recognize her as a "puppy" when they meet her. She's 115 lb.(ish) and a small female for a Dane. About a month ago, rather suddenly, she seemed to make a maturity leap. For instance, shopping had been a work in progress, with each of us on a learning curve. Until now, for instance if in a clothing store, my attention would be split between trying to choose an outfit and keeping an eye on Elsie, sort of like this: -Is Elsie remaining in her "down-stay" position? Except... -every time I move along the rack she has to move with me, and then resettle. -Is she chewing on anything....anything, I am going to have to pay for? -Does this dress make my ass look like Niagra Falls? -Was she signaling me to pee? -etc. Then all of a sudden, voila!, she's darn near perfect! She seems to be more focused on "work" when we are out. I was trying to find a dress for a wedding recently. I am thrilled to report that she stayed right at my leg, moved with me seamlessly & even ignored a lady who spoke to her! Whatta girl! It was such a nice outing.....and there have been others since. It seems like she got old enough to do what Megan taught her, without letting me get in the way, and we are great! Elsie continues to keep me from landing on the floor. If I start to stumble or misstep she pushes against my leg which helps me re-balance. If I actually fall she jumps under me, braces her back like a board and catches me. I've only hit the ground twice since she came home on Nov 1. I'm really in awe of the training she received & absorbed. So far, Elsie has been to a Broadway play, many restaurants, a grade school band concert and my annual physical....all using perfect manners. I am one happy lady. She's the silver lining to my M.S. So, those are our headlines. Thanks SDP! Have a Happy Sunday, Jeanine & Elsie

JUNE 16 2014
I GOT UP ALL FULL OF DAILY DOGGIE IDEAS----THEN I READ MY EMAILS AND GOT SIDETRACKED  ANSWERING THEM. 

I STARTED WITH THE  RE-ACCREDITATION PROCESS   WHICH SHOULD BE HAPPENING SOON--- AND WORRYING THAT AL THE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED...

 BUT ALSO... THE CONTINUITY OF SDP IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE PLANNING  BOOK...

THIS PROPERTY BECOMES THE ISSUE- AND I HAVE 2 DAUGHTERS... NEITHER ONE NEEDS THIS PROPERTY.

YOU ALL HAVE "MET" MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER JANINE  ( AN ACTUAL PROFESSOR) WHO WOULD HAVE THE ANIMAL SKILLS AND  OFF BEAT CREATIVITY TO  HELP..

YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE MET MY OLDER DAUGHTER GWEN ( DOING SOMETHING COMPUTERWISE WITH 7 BOSTON HOSPITALS)  WHO'S  CREATIVITY IS MORE  ORGANIZED  "IN THE  BOX"

GWEN  HAS  SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME  SINCE CHILDHOOD KEEPING JAININE POINTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ......A VERY DELICATE SKILL...

COMBINE THOSE TWO WITH THE NUCLEUS OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. YOU WOULD ALL MANAGE--

AND IF  YOU DON'T I WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU.

WHAT YOU DON'T DO... IS YOU DO NOT PUT MEGAN IN CHARGE-- SHE IS SDP's ANIMAL ANCHOR AND SHOULD NOT BE BOGGED DOWN WORRYING ABOUT TANNING BOOTHS...

I DON'T PLAN ON GOING ANYWHERE...

PLAN OF THE WEEK

RIGHT NOW I HAVE SOME LETTERS TO WRITE--

I CAN NOT LET THE 10 MILLION VIEWS DISTRACT ME FROM THE PAPERWORK RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS EPISODE... ANNNNNNNN ....  WE NEED TO PLAN A SPELLING BEE...

FIND THE EXTRA FLOOR EPOXY   COVERING AND TRY IT ON THE MEAT SHACK.

AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

june 15 2014

MUST GIVE BENTLEY AN EXTRA BONE FOR FATHERS DAY

 

I LEARNED SOMETHING YESTERDAY  I COULD HARDLY WAIT TO PASS ALONG... IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THE MEAT SHACK,   JACK TELLS ME THAT IF YOUR FIBERGLASS INSULATION GETS WET REPEATEDLY IT SMELLS LIKE CAT URINE--

FASCINATING....

 EXCEPT... THERE IS A PERFECT HOUSE FOR SHEILA IN TOPSFIELD-- SEVERAL ACRES... NICE BARN --- LOVELY HOUSE--- SHE DID LOOK AT IT BUT TURNED IT DOWN BECAUSE IT SMELLED LIKE "CATPEE" --- IF THE CAUSE IS SOME SMALL AREA OF DAMP INSULATION, THAT IS THE KIND OF THING  HER HUSBAND'S COMPANY COLD FIX IN 20 MINUTES... 

 

TO KEEP THE ENTIRE MEAT SHACK MOVING, I NEED TO GO STRAIGHT TO HOME DEPOT NOW  AND GET SHINGLES TO GET IT WATERPROOF.

 

I DID HEAR FROM LARRY/RUCKUS...

ENJOY....

 

Larry is doing great.  

 They are doing fine together.  She has been all kinds of places with Larry, including on the ferry over to Cuttyhunk for a job.  (She didn't like the ferry but was fine on the job site.)  She also went to a funeral, where she was amazing  because it was very crowded. She just lay on the floor and slept.  Even snored a little during the service.   I think she was also comforting to people - Larry let them pet her for that reason.  Is that allowed?  Also, do they need to wear coats in the colder weather - she seemed cold on the ferry home, Larry said.  Curled up in a ball.  

 

Larry still feels a bit overwhelmed by the attention they attract but is beginning to get used to it, I guess. 

 

***********

which reminds me...  yes in cold weather they need a jacket  and mini horse ones are usually cheaper and better than dog ones...  generally if you need a  heavy jacket- they do need something.

 

but in an emergency-- ye olde  garbage bag-- can be adapted to cut the wind...and is easily carried as a generic supply.  those grocery bags aren't quite big enough-- but better than nothing over their middle.

 

as for alan  and tess... he can no longer drive the distance so it could be we are looking for someone to transport tess back to the farm-- from western mass--- in another week maybe.. 

june 14,2014

AFTER ALL THE CUT AND PASTE IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, TODAY'S IS NOT AS CHEERFUL..

This is hard email to write, Tess has developed a problem . She kind of drags her feet  .  But doing this has worn down her toe nails. Could Tessa retire back to the "farm"  or to a home with someone associated with the SDP? One with a big yard so She won't have to walk on asphalt or cement sidewalks? She is such a good dog and it is killing me to have to write this letter to You. She has given me her all these few years I've had Her and continues to give all she's got regardless of her problem. Her Vet believes it is neurological in nature.  But it is unfair to Her to try and expect Her to keep my balance now that She is having problems with Her own. So I ask this with a very heavy heart. Sincerely Alan

i answered  of course...bring her down ( from western mass,) 

she is noel's sister---  thumper x  luna.

what is one more???

*****

so i better get on the ball about finishing these kennels--- remember the nutt house  concrete is still curing-- and the barn is almost ready for the floor finishing.

which brings me to   ..

durall-- with their how to put on a garage floor videos...

have a look--- 23 steps---

http://www.concrete-floor-coatings.com/how-to-paint-concrete-garage-floor.asp

i watched them all carefully

and then i thought these are new floors so i might be able to skip all the degreasing cleaning steps..

so i called them and a very nice man said  new concrete is worse... so  wait 4 weeks  and follow the directions.

great.

plan is to  practice on the  meat shed...  with the product left over from the deagle house...so i am lining up the equipment...

each step looks so simple..  they are excellent videos...

ha ! 

tracy's husband did the deagle house-- but he  was in for surgery yesterday so that is out.

***********

 these pups are getting biggggggg. so big that we have to let them out to play in the rest of the house... and we have started the tiny milk bones on the floor to get them in a search mode  instead of attacking each other  for amusement....

*****

cp mary  stayed on e more day to help out-- praises be !!

with megan out sick and kati on holiday, we have been short handed-

they are ready to start things  like the megan marches.... except this bunch has very  little tendency to follow each other-- so it may be a tough process...

if enough kids are here today we might try and move them 1/2 at a time on foot to the v pen..

so on it goes

JUNE 13,2014

--W/R/T TRIVIA....HOW MANY WIRE CONNECTIONS????YOU FOLK JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND . I CHECKED WITH SHEILA ONLY TWO PEOPLE HAD A NUMBR HIGHER THAN THE NUMBER TO GET THE SIGNAL OUT OF THIS BUILDING... FROM HERE IT GOES TO THE T TENT THEN TO THE BUNCH OF BLACK BOX STUFF IN KENNEL 10 THEN TO THE FEED ROOM AND THEN OUT TO THE WORLD.... SO I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE NEW GUESSES... THIS TIME I WILL GIVE YOU A CLUE... SOUND AND PICTURE OUT OF HERE TOOK 25 CONNECTIONS. SO TRY AGAIN....

AS I SIT HERE--THE WIRELESS -- FROM WALL TO BLACK BOX TO A WIRE WITH A SPLIT CONNECTION -TO   THE CAMERA TO ANOTHER BLACK BOX CONNECTED TO THE WALL AND THEN THE WIRE WHICH GOES  THRU THE CELLAR TO THE BACK ROOM WHERE A  surge strip  IS COMPLETELY FULL OF CONNECTIONS TO  TO BOXES WHICH MAKE IT WIRELESS AND SEND IT TO THE T TENT.

ALL THIS  SO WHEN  THE CAMERA GOES OFF LINE-- YOU WILL HAVE AN APPRECIATION OF ME SITTING HERE WITH A VIRTUAL BOWL OF SPAGHETTI, WITH TIM IN AFRICA SAYING "IT SOUNDS LIKE THE  POE CONNECTION   IS NOT GETTING THRU TO THE RYT."

THE ONLY THING I HAVE LEARNED IS POE IS POWER OVER THE EITERNET WHICH MEANS YOU DON'T PLUG IT IN TO THE WALL.   MY EDUCATION STOPS THERE...

 BUT I CAN COUNT THE WIRES---  I CONSIDERED COLOR CODING THE CONNECTIONS  BUT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CODES OF COLOR...

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

MEGAN IS STILL SICK---  

TRACY CAN'T FILL IN TIL AFTER SHE GETS HER HUSBAND INTO THE HOSPITAL IN BOSTON FOR SOMETHING TO BE OPERATED ON.. MAYBE SHOULDER???.. 

WE SHOULD SURVIVE-- MOLLY..MARIA...KATI..STEVE(CHARLIE) MARY  CP STILL HERE...  VOLUNTEERS WELCOME....

 AND THE  NUTT  HOUSE CONCRETE DRIETH--- IT NEEDS TO "CURE " FOR A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE WE CAN COAT IT WITH THIE SUPER STUFF--- I AM THINKING MAYBE TEH NUTT HOUSE MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE  THE HOME DEPOT GARAGE FLOOR STUFF JUST TO GET US THRU--- 

THE CHAIN LINK  FOR THE NEW AREA IS DUE TO BE DONE TODAY-- WHICH MEANS THE  TRAILER MUST GO FOR A DUMP RUN BEFORE NOON..

AND THE SCALE IN BURLINGTON IS READY TO BE PICKED UP/

LOGISTICS....

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

Whilst in the shower I was reflecting on my day yesterday and I realized that perhaps, sometimes, I may now take the incredible abilities of Ms. Pants for granted. Shame on me. I think it's just she's always there, always doing her job, always my partner so much so that it's become so seamless at times. Again, shame on me.

Yesterday, we went downtown into Boston and while in the hospital, waiting for an elevator we encountered a child who was non-verbal and obviously extremely agitated. Wouldn't you be if you couldn't express yourself and were probably scared? Anyway, she was screaming constantly like a siren. The mother looked at me and I could tell she was wondering how Willow was going to react as was I quite frankly. I could also tell she was thinking about taking another elevator. As was I but I thought no, Wil's can do this and the mother has enough to deal with. We both got on. Willow took her place and it was just another elevator ride with a child screaming non-stop. We got off and I never gave it another thought. When we left the hospital I was dying for a cup of coffee. If didn't occur to me that I would have to carry the coffee and walk, navigating crowded halls and sidewalks, busy streets with traffic and ambulances and get to my car. This is where I take her for granted. Before her, I wouldn't have even walked that without the coffee. We got to the car and she got her usual water and rub down but as I drank my coffee I didn't realize what had just happened.

 

Until I was in the shower.....

Sorry Wil's, I do so Love and appreciate you! ~ Mom

Lynne C. Emerson 

JUNE 12,2014,

NO MEGAN TODAY--- HOPEFULLY SHE HAS THE 24 HOUR 2 EXITS NO WAITING KIND OF  PROBLEM...    BUT SHE ALSO HAS A TEMP-- AND THAT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN...

MARSHA WAS PRESSURED IN TO WRITING ABOUT KHAKI- SO THAT IS TODAYS DD---

I WOULD LOVE TO  HAVE SDP TAKE THE CREDIT FOR HAVING TRAINED HIM.....  BUT REMEMBER DAVID GETTING STUCK UNDER THE BATHROOM SINK AND MAUDE COMING TO HIS RESCUE..

I HAVE OFTEN SAID... DANES ARE BORN TRAINED.. JUST DON'T WRECK THEM WITH MICRO MANAGING.

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

I have some time and I would like to share the story of Khaki and my mother-in law... Elise.

Elise is a very, very good 94 years old has lived in her home for 63 years. 15 of those years has been 

by herself. On Easter we travel to see her and spend the holiday with her as well as my husband's other

sibling's... all 10.

Saturday when we arrive I thought she looked very tired, she didn't seem herself. When I asked her how she was
she would give the typical response... I'm fine. The day went on as

usual. Around 3:00 Am Khaki is nudging me with his nose, kept pacing back and forth, came over

again nudging with his nose each time in doing so it seemed more urgent like. This time I heard my mother-in-law

so I get up and Khaki is very anxious to get down stairs. I find Elsie standing at the bottom of the steps holding
unto the railing breathing very hard. Khaki looks at me as if to say can I go down?... I told Khaki go!
He goes behind her to brace her in case she falls backwards. I called 911 and got everyone awake. The paramedics
came with ambulance. Elsie pulse ox was 84%, elevated blood pressure, low pulse.
Elsie was admitted with Congestive heart failure, Moderate kidney failure, AFIB, Acute respiratory distress. The Doctors
told the family Elsie would have died if we would not have called 911. The family said it wasn't us... it was Khaki.
They went on to explain how khaki alerted me and that is how the ball got rolling.
Elise remained in the hospital for 8 days. In those 8 days Khaki became very well known.
She was transferred to a Rehab facility to get her strength back. Khaki and I came home to get our strength back.
Rehab facility approached the family about the next step in Elise's life.
No one wanted to put her in a nursing home and Elise did not want a strange person living with her but she needed supervision. Not 24/7 but enough.
So until the family could decide what was going to be the best option Khaki and I pack up again and went down
to be with her.
Monitoring her blood pressure, weight, pulse ox I started to notice the same pattern as before. I was upstairs
When Khaki came flying up them... only to repeat the same type of behavior with the nudging, pacing etc..
I follow him down the stairs to find Elise on the couch having breathing problems. I called 911. Khaki never left Elise's side Like he knew something was terribly wrong.
Elsie was readmitted to the hospital. It was touch and go. After being there a week I packed up Khaki and our things
to go home to pay bills etc..
Upon arriving at the hospital Khaki became very Anxious, he could not get to Elsie's room fast enough. I'm thinking boy
your anxious to see grandma aren't you. We get close to her room, the doctor is coming out Khaki pushes through
and the expression on the doctors face was somber. Khaki is sniffing Elise like I have never seen before. He just wouldn't stop. The doctor looked at me and said to call the family the prognosis is poor. Elsie was drifting in and out of consciousness. After Khaki finished his intense sniffing he laid his head across my mother-in-law's chest and did not move. Everyone coming in and seeing this started to cry. They knew how fond Elsie was of Khaki. I have heard of animals sensing when someone is dying but I never thought in a million years I would witness it. 2 times Elsie awoke with Khaki lying across her and each time she lifted her frail hand and would pet him.
The doctors decided to move Elsie into comfort care until she passes. Everyone took turns being with her. Khaki and I
went back to her house for much needed rest.
Getting ready the next day to see Elsie was hard. We did not get that fatal call the night before. But we went... do you know what?  Elsie was sitting up EATING, smiling. The doctor came out of the room and said... I was not expecting this at all, What happened!!
We look at him just as shocked. While the doctor is talking to us Khaki is having a very special bonding time with Elise he was nuzzling her ears and setting off her hearing aids.
He stated that she shouldn't be here she beat the odds not once but twice shaking his head the whole time in utter amazement.
I'm sorry this is so long but I needed you as well as everyone there to know how special Khaki is. We have a bond
like no other... He is the apple of my eye.

Fondly,
Marsha and Khaki 

june 11, 2014

i am not at all happy about the fact that all the old-timers are getting  just that ...old.... thank heavens we have a very capable bunch of younger backs,hips, and shoulder joints who can slide into getting some very meaningful exercise program...

case in point....

 GE came and replaced  alot of the split rail fence-- causing a monster pile  of perfectly good firewood in the form of the old rails-- it is about the size of a mid size sedan..  and by deciding it was firewood- i   inadvertently put the burden on bud-- who for years has been the superb firewood producer...among other things... like  inspector of various fluids in vehicles-- oil in the tractors and water in the golf carts.

well , now he has decided his physical frame is not up to those jobs around here---

i am trying to convince him to come here and sit-- he is the only person on the property who can -- and does--  read  manuals and directions--- so i am hoping he will continue to do that. so the problem is we now need to  replace someone who is currently wasting their time lifting weights in some gym  when they could be  dealing with our firewood problem.... we h ave all the necessary saws and splitters...

greg---(   blue greg/gwen )- had the nerve to go and buy a motorcycle-- which takes all his extra time.... we were really dependent on him... he is a boxer-- and has great upper body stregnth.

*********

i have great hopes for janine's boyfriend who is ... as i type.. riding his bicycle across the country with a bunch of veterans with handicaps-- for the 4th time.

so all of you camera people... know anyone who would think it fun to  do some of the heavy duty chores around here.??..

it pains me to see lines of people  using up calories lifting weights up and down-- up and down-- with nothing produced..

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

on the topic of janine's boyfriend..... he is landing in washington dc next week-- expecting to meet janine who has driven his truck down to meet him... janine has a conference to go to there...

the rest of the story is that she is driving there by way of ohio where she thinks she has found a donkey similar to mary-- there can never be another mary... but this donkey is driving the owner nuts because "everytime i turn around  he is right behind me" --- that has a familiar twang to it-- so janine is going to check it out- maybe adopt it -- so when wayne gets to washington dc-- his truck will be waiting for him with our trailer attached-- with a donkey in it.

if wayne is going to be associated with janine, he better get  used to it.  

janine also has a network of equine rescue people who might be able to ease the logistics of this project...  if not  i will call on you camera people in that area..

******

-- lotsa news. for the  daily doggie again today..

**********

Just wanted to say hi. Khaki is doing great. The two of us have been in and out of the hospital taking care of my mother-in-law since Easter she is a very strong 94 completely with it and full of spunk. There is a great story to be told about Khaki and her, the hospital etc. Just to much to type. Carlene I also wanted you to know that So far my T shirts that I designed for your organization has 100.00 in it. (I'm hopeful it will continue to grow:) ! I hope all is well with everyone including all the puppies. Well off to take a blood pressure and pulse ox. Chat soon 

Marsha(bubbles) and Khaki.

what do you mean too much to type?????

that is unacceptable terminology-- these stories about  your dog is how all these volunteers get paid for all the hours they put in  picking up poo, cutting beef and folding laundry... so get back to that typewriter-- or if your mother-in -law is with it... give her the typewriter and you send whatever she produces--  to me.. her typos and spelling can not be worse than mine... we will deal.

my heavens ... did i say typewriter?????  what i meant was ... some device for the writing of type....

***********

Carlene,

I rarely cry, but this morning I admit I did shed several tears on hearing of Luna's passing.  As you may or may not remember, Arrow is out of Luna and Thumper.  I know she lived a long life, my guess is 12 years but I'd like to know for sure.  I believe Thumper made it to 11, so my hopes are high that Arrow will make it at least that long.  Arrow will turn 7 on July 28th.  He's turning gray but hasn't slowed down a bit.

He continues to be a daily blessing.  A couple of weeks ago the MS Society here in Charlottesville put on a fundraising luncheon for about 230 people.  We had a wonderful speaker from California who delivered an inspiring message about making every day count, and how important relationships are in life.  As a co-chair of the event, I had to go up on the stage a couple of  times for short speaking parts.  Arrow got me up on the stage each time and waited patiently while I spoke, then got me back to my seat.  He used to be quite nervous in a crowded room, especially if there was the loud chatter of lots of women's voices.  He's not phased by it any more and takes a snooze any chance he gets.  He got lots of compliments from my friends about how well behaved and calm he was.

This last weekend my husband and I took care of our 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old granddaughters.  The older one loved to play with Arrow, throwing stuffed toys for him to catch, feeding him and giving him lots of hugs.  I can trust him completely around the little ones since he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body.  Even though he weighs 170, he moves cautiously when he is around them, careful not to knock into them.  A gentle giant for sure.

Take care,

Valerie

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

HI CARLENE,

A CUT AND PASTE FOR THE DD.

A day in the life of Ivy and Betty Tingley. I am lucky to have Ivy to help me get out of bed in the morning. That brace she lets me do is such a big start to my day. Then, she helps me down the stairs without the fear of falling. Once down the stairs, she walks me into the kitchen so I can make my breakfast shake. After that, she will walk me into the living room so we can watch TV for a little bit. After that, whenever I get up from the sofa, she is right there to help me walk to wherever I need to go. Ivy and I are joined at the hip. She knows when I need help and is always there for me. During the course of the day, we go outside and she plays with the other dogs, Brady and Kaia. Kaia mostly. Brady is getting old and just loves to lay on the deck. When I emerge from the house onto the deck, Ivy will stop what she is doing and will run onto the deck to make sure that I am ok. If I want to walk around the backyard to check on all the flowers, Ivy is by my side so I can walk around without tripping or falling. Then when we come back into the house, she is rewarded with tons of hugs, kisses, and of course, treats. When I go into the shower in the evening, she will lay outside of the shower. If she thinks I am having a tough time, she pokes her whole head into the shower and will stay there until I am done. When I am done and dressed, she will take me into the living room. She will not get on the sofa until I am on the sofa and in her eyes, I am safe. She is my rock and my constant companion and I could not love any more that I already do. — feeling blessed.

**********

the nutt house  now has a concrete floor and the yard is a total mess of pieces of old flooring etc...  doesn't sound like much but in an attempt to  create an easy care floor, i bought rubber matting-- it weighs a ton...   it will have a home somewhere-- like the floor of the trailer or horse stalls-- but to get it there... back to  the need for  another greg type person.

every morning the memsaic report is in my email box-- telling me who has bought bricks - and i can see we have many new names in addition to our old regulars.. buying whatever number of  bricks  you are comfortable buying is absolutely critical to our operation.

Altho having the pups online is such a great thing to amuse many people -- keep in mind our  real purpose is to produce service dogs like wendy, arrow,khaki, and ivy... sometimes  that gets lost in the shuffle.. 

so keep introducing new people to  our web-- and to the chicken  bricks that support us--

today's game?? dying monkey fists purple  and making the dye stay on the monkey fist -- i am told a salt solution--  ???