may 23 2015

the squeeky wheel gets the oil...    i am not going to say i have too many replies from recipients... there is no such thing...  but i did get a more than a  few-- which  i  will include along the way...

tempest figits-- ......neighbor jil came to cut my hair-- i was looking quite shaggy- and  that little   kid.. her son.. that helped with the 23 great dane pups we had when our stud jumped that USDA approved fencing , is now some kind of ranger in colorado..

 he was the " connor " of about 15 years ago-- and  then he grew up   and up and uppppp.

******

there is another "friend's son " story -----  i saw  him reciently  about 80 feet in the air , trimming a tree limb.... he was the kid who was given a cup of horse food for breakfast on his way to the school bus...  let me tell you first hand-- that horse food did a great job growing him !!!--

 now mom would be arrested...i can remember "but it's the same stuff !!"

****

no pups yet from noel--- could be with our loose translation of "gestation period of 63 days"  she could go til megan gets back tuesday... by the time she was "covered" over 5 days-- and sperm can live for3 days ( by actual microscope  count storing it warm  in someone's armpit)  --- it couodl be a few more days yet... i have not heard..  i go by the action of teh new mom... when she grabs her bedding and tears it upward, i will; start paying  attention.  i have not heard of that yet...

****** 

and then there is the building... now in a truck-- enroute from iowa......  possibly wednesday -- but more like thursday..

we have a crew---30 people from the GE coming to work on wednesday and saturday.-- it would be nice... but it is sure to be here by saturday.

i had planned 2 jobs for them  -- de-mudding the available running room...  i.e pounding  posts in around the pond  and stream in "A"   and i have ordered.... same truckload... poly netting that is not invisable... but not bad... it is around the pups and chickens now.

other job... construct that building on saturday......   should be fun   there is 2300 pounds of stuff coming in 5 pallets

somewhere  after the truck arrives we need  to set the anchors in those sona tubes which involves ordering a quantity of concrete

concrete lesson??? what you order you must take--  they do not take any left overs back-- hence the several "freeform lumps" of concrete around ehere as i  have miscalculated in the past....

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

other "poundage"  educational story... i ordered a six aheeler of  5" stone.  it was  $196.43 delivered. and now is around the sign given to crazy acres at last years dogfest. 

there is a stone store/ factory  right up the street-  tehy crush rocks there-- and run the crushed up a series of grids which gets you   "stone dust" ( which is all over ourt parking area) then 1", 3" and  5-8"  broken , jagged rocks.   it gets ordered byt he size of teh trtuck... in this case a 6 wheel.    on another machine...they also sift out  sand and  round stones  pea size then  bigger... a friend of mine has a peastone driveway and a contractor told her it would be $8000 to  re surface and  refresh the peastone..  she is not the type to wander around stores that sell stones as i do   ( well maybe rocks like diamonds)  but i told her about  this place and she got  her driveway done for $1200.

fyi......

items Shipped:	Quantity
PB00680R4W – ClearSpan™ Freestanding Building - 30'W x 15'H x 40'L	1
105587 – Ground Anchor Assembly 1/2"x30"Lx4" Small to 34'W Buildings	22
TC2638A – Heavyweight Polyethylene Game Bird Netting - 6.25' x 150' x 1"	2
CC5310 – Black Polypropylene Rope - 3/16" x 1,000' Spool

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

 i am delighted to have some cutandpastes   especially stella-- when i last saw her she was lying next to  hester's bed at shaunessy  hospital in boston.. hester was to be admitted and left stella ( abadiah)  with me-- which did not work out at all.. she basically quit eating-- so after a day or two of boiling liver and chicken thighs i took her into the hospital and left her there.  the hospityal had a grand time dealing-- and seemed to enjoy the chore of a perfectly behaved huge dog.

also nice to publish ---still working at 9 1/2 ----for all those people who say they love danes but what a shame they don't live past 6.

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

Hi Carlene; I expect you probably don't hear from Hester Newbury on a regular basis at all, but I am going to see her soon and will take a picture and send it along with an update. She has moved from her house into Rivercourt assisted living and Abiah (aka Stella) has successfully moved in with her. Abiah has to be around 9 1/2 by now, so is slowing down but still doing well. I will send an update when I go visit her, and write a nice little note. :)  Debbie

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

The Gifts of the Not-So-Little Old Farm Lady

Once upon a time there lived a little old farm lady who dressed in purple, cursed at her computer, and rarely refused a Klondike bar. Not really so little or so old, she was a grandmother many times over.

If an apple pie set cooling on her windowsill, a volunteer had baked it.  If a rocking chair decorated a corner of the farm, there was no little old lady knitting there.  Not really grandmotherly, she preferred cooking up ideas and knotting monkey fists from the cab of a front loader (which she’d have used to heave the creaky rocking chair out of her way).

One day, the grandmother-farm-lady who dressed in purple cursed at the grandchildren’s parents for not writing to her. True, the not really grandmotherly farm lady didn’t dole out kisses and cookies and boo-boo band-aids like other grandmothers.

Instead, she replaced immobility with mobility, fear-of-falling with confident strides, canes with Danes. The little old farm lady was big enough and young enough at heart to give gifts that changed people’s lives and restored their independence.

Like most grandmothers, the farm lady didn’t expect much in return: Treat the gifts well and write to her now and then. That’s right: to her. In a letter. In an email. And include pictures. Little old farm ladies love to look at pictures while enjoying their daily ice cream.

“You do not really understand something unless you can
explain it to your grandmother.” – Proverb

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

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

GOOD MORNING CARLENE, 

SORRY I HAVEN'T MESSAGED YOU FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. LYDIA IS DOING FANTASTIC! WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING, JUST 2 MINUTES FROM WHERE WE CURRENTLY LIVE, BUT TO A DOWN STAIRS HANDICAP APARTMENT. THIS WILL MAKE MY LIFE AS WELL AS LYDIA'S LIFE EASIER AS WE CURRENTLY LIVE ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND THERE IS NO ELEVATOR HERE. ALTHOUGH WERE NOT MOVING FAR FROM HERE, EVERYTHING STILL NEEDS TO BE PACKED. THE OFFICIAL MOVE IS THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH WHICH I WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE THAT DAY COME AND GO.

WITH ALL THE PACKING, "NEW" BOXES, AND BAGS, MOVING OF LYDIA'S BED FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER , MOVING THE LOVE SEAT FROM SOMETIMES I THINK SHE IS THINKING "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING, YOU JUST MOVED MY BED AND I GET USED TO THAT AND YOU GO AND MOVE IT AGAIN"!!. 

SO I SUPPOSE THIS IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR HER AS TO ASSURE HER THAT ALTHOUGH THINGS CHANGE, SHE WILL STILL BE TAKEN FOR HER WALKS, GET FED, LOVED, AND IS SAFE. 

SO ALL IN ALL, I THINK SHE WILL BE FINE WITH THIS MOVE..I THINK THE ONLY CHALLENGE WILL BE, GETTING HER TO FIND HER "GOLDEN POTTY SPOT" OVER THERE :~)

WE TAKE OUR MORNING WALKS EVERY DAY. ON A WALK LAST WEEK A LOCAL BARBER WAS OUTSIDE HIS SHOP WASHING THE SIDE WALK. FOR SOME REASON I THINK LYDIA FEELS SHE KNOWS THIS MAN, AND WHEN EVER WE'D WALK BY HIS SHOP, IF THE DOOR WAS OPEN, SHE WOULD SORT OF PUSH ME IN THAT DIRECTION, TRYING TO GET ME TO GO IN I GUESS. I WOULD LAUGH AND JUST TELL HER TO WALK ON. 

SO ON THIS DAY HE WAS OUTSIDE WITH THE HOSE WASHING THE SIDE WALK SHE DID HER TAIL WAGGING PRANCE TOWARDS HIM TRYING TO GREET HIM. I TOLD HIM FOR WHATEVER REASON SHE THINKS SHE KNOWS YOU! :~) AND TOLD HIM THE STORY OF HER TRYING TO PUSH ME TOWARD HIS SHOP ETC..HE TOLD ME HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE WAS AND TOLD "LYDIA" SHE WAS WELCOME TO COME IN HIS SHOP ANY TIME!.. SO TWO DAYS LATER, WE DID STOP IN WHILE HE WAS CUTTING A CUSTOMERS HAIR.. THE BARBER CAME RIGHT OVER WITH A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE EXCITED I BROUGHT HER IN. WHICH THEN GOT THE CUSTOMER INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE AMAZING ORGANIZATION LYDIA HAD COME FROM ETC.. 

THE WORDS THANK YOU SEEM MUCH TOO SMALL FOR ALL THE "GIFTS" I HAVE BEEN GIVEN. MORE INDEPENDENCE, MORE CONFIDENCE, A LOYAL PARTNER, A SMILE, A PERSONAL TRAINER :~),  A COUCH SNUGGLER, AND LOVE OF THE GOOFY EXPRESSIONS THAT MAKE ME LAUGH ON A TOUGH DAY. OH HOW I LOVE MY GIRL LYDIA!! 

SO THANKS SO VERY MUCH TO SDP, ALL THE AMAZING STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, EVERY CP WHO HELP MAKE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE! I AM FOREVER GRATFUL!

ANNETTE & LYDIA 

may 22, 2015

today is not starting well---i am very upset with all the people to whom we have donated dogs who just don't have the time to stay in touch with me with stories for the dd and therefor all the volunteers and donors who were responsible for the fact that you got a dog.

so this venting is for the recipients of our dogs....

somebody sent me this from julia-- with a nice picture of julia standing up. supported by ethyl

 and it really has made me angry
at physical therapy. This is for Noel- thank you for your puppies so that one

can be the other four legs a paraplegic like me needs to stand.

Little miss Ethel is my hero in purple.
and i am just about as angry at brian who has crimson-
-

he came here to have me sign his certification and tells me he and crimson met michelle obama at the white house.... 

 which was apparently on facebook 

i am sure many of you ( recipients) have just not thought.. well now is the time..

i don't do faceook---- i do not understand how to find any specific information 

without spending hours flipping thru stuff of no interest.
i don't have time to do that

 --and ... i don't think it unreasonable for me to ask that however/whenever you post 

a nice story about OUR dog---- that you push one extra button to send it to my email 

so i can put it in the DD for the volunteers --( and donors who keep us alive with chicken bricks.)
after all we/i donated the dog to you,
 and to be able to do that , have you ever thought deleteddeleteddeletedand not just me..... but all our volunteers have struggled to raise and train them and they deserve to be kept up to date with a little more effort on your part.
these dogs are not a pair of shoes you take off a shelf and walk away with.-
  i know there are 2 recipients who do not have a computer---   but... don't all libraries have computers now???

once a month???  

just a couple short sentances-- some of you write much better than i...a cheerfull story about the diference??? something???  

deleted
  deleteddeleted
i quit.also noel is not overdue .. yet.

may21.2015

no pups yet from megan...

i am to pick up the  pit shots- and then be in contacyt with george about giving them

if i remember correctly.. once you give the pit shots, if nothing happens you are married to a c section.

megan's mom is there-- ( and she is a very competent mom --- 40 years with the airlines---- who makes great bean salad)

 so we wait... concern is the size difference in the 3 pups seen in the ultrasound...

******

luckily we have a cut and paste for you to  mull over---

********************
hi all....

Hope this finds everyone on the mend.  I am having a hard time starting this
email.  So many emotions going through my mind !  Last year when I visited SDP
for the first time, I felt I was ready by watching on cameras and remarks that
were made prior to arriving.  Boy was I wrong.  It takes SO  much more than you
can ever imagine to get everything done in a day.  I was so impressed with all
the volunteers and staff working in all different areas to keep it running
smooth.
I had no idea when Susan, Clare, and myself decided in Jan on May 2nd
as our arriving date, that we would face such a difficult week.  It was a very
up and down week.  The normal chores plus helping with very sick dogs would
sometimes take more hours than a day had.  I would see Susan and Clare in
passing most days.  We  went in different directions everyday that worked out
perfectly. Documentation of  dogs activity  was so important and charted
everytime there was like simply eating to a poop report.  I remember their would
be a cheer when someone would have a half normal poop. Keeping up with who did
what was a chore in itself.  I was caught off guard the day we got the news that
little Mae didn't make it. It was hard to believe. A very gray day with lots of
tears shed and sadness. I know losing Lumin was ever bit as sad. Losing two was
two too many but thankful.... could of been so much worse.  Everyone  that I
worked with and came across while there gave all they had with love, compassion
and determination to fight this virus !!!!! Everyone was very helpful and
pleasant to work with.  I only had 50 questions a day compared to 100 questions
a day last year !!! I felt very appreciated being there. These dogs are treated
with the upmost respect and care.  They are loved beyond. I hope all that has
dreams of visiting SDP will get their chance.  There is no place like it !!!! I
do warn people that you will leave in tears!  Don't forget your work clothes
!!!!!! 
Thank you for allowing me  to come and be a part of crazy acres for a
week. I look forward to next year.

Kari - Nashville
Sent from my iPad

Carlene White

ServiceDogProject.org

may 20 2015

todays rampage is on how to talk to a pup.. at least a dane pup..i.e. one of our dane pups...

there exists a video of my conversaation with  audry-- one of the white pups...

someone taped it and told me to watch" how i taught her a trick,"

WRONG !!... she taught me how she wanted to have a conversation with me.

it is interesting...  and on video somewhere..

she came in play mode and sat in front of me and offered me her right  paw- i didn't take hold of it but just shook it twice and let go.. she immediately offered me the other paw  and i very briefly tried to say -- no , we humans use right paw shaking only... with a little hop she flipped up ht  left paw-- so i gave it 2 shakes and dropped it.  i swear she said "you got it !"  and offered me her right then left back and forth many times  really pleased withherself.. as i was with myself.. 

later  when she sat in front of megan i quickly warned megan and she offered alternating paws -- and she did that !!.

this whole bit of talking with your  dog needs more thought.- and key to it all is not using your muscles to control  a pup-- or later a big dog  because eventually you will not be able to do it--( sort of like having a cute little baby boy that you dress up in nice trousers and keep his shirt tucked in...... 20 minutes later he is 6'2"  and his pants have no obvious means of support and if you have not managed to  verbally convince him his plumbers butt is politically incorrect,  there is not a darn thing you can do about it.)

so back to the cute little dane pup......and why i prefer dogs to teenagers with drooping drawers....

dane pups may wrestle and bang each other around unmercifully, but  i don't think   any  rough behavior like that on our part is understood by the pups... i know there is a  program for puppy testing which i have seen used alot with golden trainers..( and i do not approve)_.-- where you roll a pup onto his back and see how long he struggles,   i forget why the trainers pinch  between the pups's toes to make them flinch-- but that is part of this test.. and rolling a ball and see if the pup goes after it -- i forget if that is a good thing for retreiving work -- or a bad thing indicating prey drive... whatever... a very long time someone came to test a litter i had-- before i started sdp-- 

i was particularly  fascinated to watch the tennis ball routine-  they rolled the ball and teh dane pup never moved but  looked at them  with a "and then what are you going  to do next? "  then there is the very delicate bit about offering them  a toy in their mouth- and then yanking it away.. so many times i  have seen 2 or 3 pups tug and yank at some toy.. but if a human is on the other end- they don't participate-- and that may be as it should be...  "if you want it.... as leader.. you should have it  and i'll let go" 

if you offer them a toy and they take it, LET GO !!   THE LAST THING  I WANT  is for a 160 pound dane to think it is fun to drag around anything with me at the other \end.. it could be my pantleg  -- later we can deal with teaching "tug" if we have to ... 

i think this concept has alot to do with my association with donkeys-- if you want them to go somewhere... you ask politely . period... if you demand by pulling on their lead rope-- their head goes up and rear end down and feet dig in. 

downsize that 1000% to using your muscles to do anything with a dog/dane/pup. if you ask a pup to walk with youand they don;t right away--  you tug a bit to insist--- YOU MUST RELAX THE LEASH IMMEDIATELY  before the pup has a chance to "stiffen" .. once the leash is loose you are then dealing with their mind and not their back legs.

there is a 4 million dollar lesson there...

the other very closely rrelated is  HUGGING.  this is not affection in thier eyes - at least to begin with--  especially with pups .. you are grabbin g their head and pulling them..   and they pull back.  

so that is todays assignment-- watch every singlel interaction with the pups-- i don't want to see any "stifffening-- " regardless of how slight...

maybe that is how i decide who is a trainer-- and who lugs dogs around into submission.

did i say that?????/

audry had a conversation with me--- and thankfully i had nothing better to do than sit and think with her.-- i am looking forward to  continuing  that conversation today---

now it is about all those concerte swquares--- i  must now go to play with my mental blocks.

may 19 2015

happy 19th !!!!  it is sdp's  CAKE DAY---  and i have found another source of monster cakes  i will take care of that detail this morning...  




after i vent .....re motorcycles   i rode a motorcycle for years- as a matter of fact my drivers licence is still a motorcycle license.... 1959 graduating.... when all my classmates had car payments, i had a vespa scooter all paid for-- - used to carry my  standard poodle on the back seat -- even down storrow drive into boston... from there i went to motorcycles up tp 600cc ( too big)  to 225cc  very handy...and  until 10 years ago  i still had one....

i rode a bike/scooter , not for my identity, but because it was cheap. 120 miles to a gallon.....cheap....  i interviewed for  a job once on 128 drenched to the skin...-  after riding from cambridge to burlington in the pouring rain, on my scooter.  i got the job- i think he was impresed with my "bash onward" attitude.




so last night.......tv-- cnn reporting on the motorcycle gangs in texas-- basically at war for the right to wear the  TEXAS lettering on their jackets.

armed with guns, knives.and  clubs - got in a brawl- and then targeted the police... 9 were shot-- some by the police-- yet to be determined- by autopsy which bullet killed who.

-----not only do i object to paying for someone to do an autoppsy  but why waste bullets in the first place......  just back off and let them go at it...  couldn't happen to a niceer bunch..

 i see no reason for our "civil servants" to risk l;ife and limb over a bunch who want to argue about sewing texas on their shirts.  have at it. !!!

then cnn got to discussing how many of one group were ex marines- already trained to be skillful killers ready for battle. 




it is not that they couold sneak up on anyone,  they have all been brainwashed to believe the quiet mufflers are dangerous  because cars don't see you on a bike

the whole geometry of that SEE   HEAR  logic  is most pequiliar....



just think- we should set up motorcycle free zones by having  certain malls have  be "gated communities"  with those  spikey things that  blow up tires... or put up signs "  caution motorcycles will be knocked over by inebriated little old ladies who no longer look when they back up." -- or make paralell ridges in the roads which does raise havic with your balance on a bike.....




it is too much testosterone that makes grown men kill each other  about sewing names on shirts--- like bentley challanging walter because "he pee'd on my tree...."

 any farmer can tell you how to cure that...

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

happily we have some cut and paste today

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



Hi Carlene, Megan, Grace & SDP people,

Princess Ruckus & I have been very sad & our deep sympathy for the loss of Mae & Lumin.  I saw in February when I was there at crazy acres, the love & care given to all the Danes. You are all truly angels.  Ruckus & I finished up our volunteer “gig” at the schools last week. I have two stories  that will bring a smile to your face & heart.  First is Hina, a very shy kindergarten student who was afraid & cried when I first brought Ruckus to school.  I explained what a service dog is & how she helped me.  As the weeks passed she would peek at Ruckus under the desk & talk to her.  I told Hina that she could pet Ruckus when ever she was ready.  Well, last week she  lept out of her chair & with a big smile & extended hand said she was ready.  Ruckus seemed to know this was a special moment as she remained in her down/stay position & was so gentle with Hina (SDP great training!!). We captured the moment & have attached pics.  For security reasons I cut off some of Hana’s face but kept her smile & extended hand. A very Happy moment. 


The second story is about a very shy almost non verbal 7th grader.  She at first would come by & stare at Ruckus.  She then started to talk with Ruckus & I developing a relationship over the weeks.  She noted my difficulties with speech & discussed how I went to speech therapy.  Last week one of her teachers sought Ruckus & I out explaining the break through we had made with her.  Seeing Ruckus & being in a non threatening environment had allowed this young girl to become more confident &  self assured.  Her teacher thanked us for the break through we had made.  Yeah, for team Ruckus!!


Hope you are all smiling because SDP Great Danes make life changing differences in peoples lives!!

Ok to use this in DD & explore discussion page & Facebook or where ever!!

Princess Ruckus & Carolyn  

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



We are keeping busy constructing church emergency preparedness activities, visiting friends in need, doing errands, and keeping medical appointments. It is more obvious on a daily basis that I couldn't do these activities without my devoted and beloved companion DiDi. Today we went to my neurological physical therapy appointment in Rochester, where she is greatly loved and admired. Did is so patient, using her time to catch up on her z's while always keeping an eye on me in case she can help me in some way. 

I would like to further confirm that everyone at SDP is involved in very important life changing work and are much appreciated. Love, Karen and DiDi

MAY 18 2015

LYNNE AND RENEE SIR THOMAS AND WILLOW LOOK TERRIFFIC.. -- AS THE "DAMES WITH DANES" ARE A VERY RESPECTABLE SHOW !! AND THEIR MILLION DOLLAR LEATHER HARNESS IS IMPRESSIVE  THEY WENT TO GEORGE'S OPEN HOUSE AND SET UP COURT WITH BLUE GWEN MANAGING THE DETAILS.. I STAYED THERE LONG ENOUGH TO GET A HAMBURGER AND CUPCAKE... HE HAD QUITE A CROWD.......... WHICH INCLUDED PATRICIA WHO SEND US TH E BIG BOX OF GOODIES FOR MAIL CALL SATURDAY... ************** NEXT BRILLIANT CONCEPT AR\OUND HERE....  BONNIE AND I ENDEDUP AT HARBERMASTER TOOLS  WHERE WE BOTH AGREED YOU CAN LOOSE CHEAP TOOLS AS WELL AS EXPENSIVE ONES--- HOW I COULD LOOSE/MISPLACE 2 OF THOSE 2 WHEELED HAND TRUCKS, I DO NOT KNOW... BUT IT GOT US TO THINKING ABOUT LOST TOOLS...SPECIFICALLY CROW BARS-- WHICH I AM MINUS AT LEAST 3 GOOD ONES... - BEING EVER THE STUDENTS  OF THOUGHT.... WE ANALYZED THE PROBLEM OF THE MISSING CROWBARS... WE/I  USED THEM TO TAMP IN POSTS WHEN I PUT UP FENCING AROUND HERE... AND AS I FINISHED THE WIRE DETAILS, I AM SURE I JUST SET THE BAR DOWN  ALONG THE FENCE... IN THE GRASS....--- GONE --- ALONG WITH ANY OTHER TOOL I SET DOWN IN THE GRASS ALONG THE FENCDE LINES... A CROW BAR MAY BE 5' LONG.. BUT IN THE GRASS , IT IS 1 INCH  HIGH... IN THE PAST 30 YEARS I BET I HAVE PURCHASED 2 DOZEN "FENCE MENDERS"  A WIERD SHAPED TOOL THAT IS A HAMMER, WIRE CUTTER, FENCE  STRETCHER , STAPLE REMOVER ETC// ALL IN ONE..  I KNOW WHERE ONE IS... IT IS ON THE FLOOR OF MY TOYOTA UNDER MY FEET.  IT IS ONE OF THOSWE  1/2 INCH HIGH TOOLS THAT WOULD SLIDE RIGHT DOWN BETWEEN BLADES OF GRASS TO BE GONE FOREVER.... IF I COULD FIND JUST ONE OF THE CROWBARS, IT WOULD WARRANT BUYING A METAL DETECTOR...  AND IT IW A PERFECT JOB FOR SOME OF THE VOLUNTEERS--- WAL.K THE FENCE LINES... INSPECTING FOR HOLES AND TOOLS... IT SEEMED TO US THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL SCAVENGER HUNT FOR ANYONE WITHA METAL DETECTOR... I HAVE NOT BOUGHT ONE YET.. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS ONE THEY ARE NOT USING.... ************* Big shout out to Ipswich, Ma Fire Department, Action Ambulance Company and Ipswich Police Department who also were in attendance and Lt. Prentiss for coordinating the training sessions for first responders. "Dames with Danes" has so enjoyed our first two groups. (Two more to go!)Renee Le Verrier and I went through our PowerPoint and then onto the fun! (Of course during this part of training, Sir Thomas and Ms. Pants are working hard holding down the floor) We then demonstrate loading the Service Dog into the ambulance. The EMT in the pictures has been my "victim" twice now and by victim I mean I do somewhat abuse him. I have HIM load Willow and give her commands while I lay silent. He has to attach her to the stretcher and I then act stressed and yell a him a bit, have him touch me, all to demonstrate that the dog will remain non-reactive even if I'm stressed and he's over me, working on me. Thank god, he's a great sport!  However, it is the question we're most asked with regard to how the Service Dog will respond and it is real life. In an emergency, stress and the handler not being able to command the dog are possible so it's important to see it and understand what to do. Again, he was a terrific sport:) We also of course, can't thank them enough for what they do everyday as first responders.  They have our sincere respect and gratitude. ~ Willow's Mom and of course Willow :) Woof!******************** Hi Carlene, I wanted to thank you in writing for the wonderful service dog, Denim, that Donna is very happy to have. Denim is a wonderful dog that helps Donna every single day and continually throughout the day. If it wasn't for Denim I'm sure Donna would be in a wheel chair by now -it has helped extend Donna's independence and productivity which she prizes highly.  Besides being a great service dog, Denim does get to let her hair down too. She enjoys her toys, cuddling in her blanket, running around the yard, visiting Donna's father's cat, watching squirrels, and visiting the farm. When someone else get a chance to walk her she has a strut that says- I'm a "great" dane! I can't believe it's been over a year now that she has become part of the family. Thanks again.. You do wonderful work.

MAY 17 2015

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF NOEL.S IMPENDING.... WHAT DID THEY USED TO CALL IT BED\SIDES "BIRTHING"..

??? CONFINEMENT???

WE ARE AS ORGAINZED AS WE CAN BE--- IF SHE STARTS IN LABOR -- I GO UP TO MEGANS -- EITHER BY DRIVING OR BY BEING DRIVEN ( IF IT IS NAP TIME)  AND BE JOINED BY A CREW OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN HERE SINCE BEFORE SYMON TOOK ILL. AND HER MOTHER PROMISED TO MAKE THAT GOOD RELISH/SALAD.  WHAT COULD BE MORE ORGANIZED???

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

THEN WE HAVE THE MARIAH REPORT--- SHE CAN'T STAND THE CREEP-- AND HE  IS VERY CONCERNED WITH WHO HAD PEE'D WHERE ON HONEYMOON HILL AND IS NOT INTERESTED YET EITHER...  IT IS ONLY HERE 5TH DAY AND  SHE DOES NOT BECOME ATTRACTIVE FOR A FEW MORE DAYS-- AT WHICH TIME SHE ( USUALLY) BECOMES MORE RECEPTAVE TO HIS APPROACHES.

THAT  "FLAGGING"  GOES ON FOR 2-4 DAYS AND THEN LIKE A SWITCH-- SHE GOES BACK TO WANTING TO KILL HIM...  USUALLY....

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

 THEN THERE ARE THE 2 BLACK PUPS FROM NC-- I HOPE IT GOES THRU-- MS.VEDDER MENTIONED A PERSON WITH A CHILD IN HER AREA THAT NEEDED A SERVICE DOG FOR A HANDICAPPED CHILD.  NEXT CALL WAS FROM A WOMAN WHO WAS LOOKING BASICALLY FOR  A SERVICE DOG  WHO SHE HAD HEARD COULD BE "TETHERED"  TO AN AUTISTIC CHILD  TO KEEP THEM FROM BOLTING AS KIDS ARE INCLINED TO DO.  UNFORTUNATELY I HEARTILY DISAPPROVE OF TYING ANY PERSON TO ANY DOG/ANIMAL  -  CASE CLOSED..   I DID NOT THINK THE DOANTION OF THE 2 PUPS WAS CONTINGENT ON PLACING A DOG WITH THE AUTISTIC CHILD--  AND IT MAY NOT BE- BUT THE 2 PHONECALLS WERE VERY CLOSE TOGETHER. I KNOW THERE ARE  SOME MEMBERS OF ADI WHO AT LEAST USE THE WORD "TETHER"  AND I HAVE HEARD THINGS LIKE PARENT MIGHT BE HOLDING THE LEASH.....  BUT THAT STILL IS A NEVER  IN MY BOOK... NOT EVEN GEORGE  EVER !!!!!

DO I DARE SAY...AND IT IS A STRETCH....... IF I HAD TO PICK ONE SPECIES  IT WOULD BE A DONKEY...  MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE BASIC INSTINCT OF A FRIGHTENED DONKEY TO STAND STILL.  A DOG  HAS THE SAME  INSTINCT AS A HORSE  TO BOLT IF THE CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT..  AND THOSE CONDITIONS OFTEN ARE SOMETHING DRAGGING BEHIND THEM- ONE HORSE IN 10,000 MIGHT BE CONDITIONED TO ACCEPT-  THE REST WEAR "BLINDERS" SO THEY CAN NOT SEE WHAT IS BEHIND THEM..  INSTINCT TELLS THEM IT IS AN ANIMAL CHASING THEM AND THEY BECOME INSANELY  UNCONTROLLABLE.   A DOG CAN BE CONDITIONED OUT OF IT  FAIRLY EASILY-- BUT IT IS STILL THERE IF CONDITIONS ARE  RIPE.-- 

WHEN?? YOU SAY???  I HAVE SEEN MORE THAN ONCE... A PERSON CAREFULLY TIES A PLASTIC BAG TOTHE HANDLE OF THEIR LEASH BEFORE TAKING A DOG FOR A WALK THEN THEY DROP THE LEASH, AND THE DOG  MOVES IN SUCH A WAY THAT  THEY DECIDE IT IS CHASING THEM AND THEY PANIC AND RUN.    IT DOESNT OCCUR TO SOME DOGS-- BUT MAYBE 50%-  BOBBY WAS ONE OF THEM-- I BOUGHT THAT SMALL CART TO HAVE HIM PULL IT, AND HE NEVER COULD ACCEPT HAVING THAT CART  FOLLOW HIM SO CLOSELY.  HE WOULD BOLT AND TURN TO LOOK AT IT... I COULD NOT CONTROL HIM-- AND I WAS PRETTY  STRONG.,

 

  WITH A DONKEY - MARY-  SHE WOUJLD BOLT ONLY IF SHE HAD ONE OF THOSE HUGE STINGING BLACK/GREY FLYS BITING HER ON HER KIDNEYS AND SHE COULD NOT REACH IT-- SO SHE WOULD RUN FOR HELP INTO THE T-TENT FOR SOMEONE TO HIT IT OFF.- AT THAT POINT SHE WAS DANGEROUS TOO.. ( SHE WEIGHED 750 POUNDS)

  SO-----NEVER ON MY WATCH...

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THE OTHER PART OF THAT CONVERSATION THAT WAS INTERESTING WAS ... SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT IF SHE PAID $20,000 FOR THE DOG , IT WOULD BE TRAINED TO DO WHAT SHE NEEDED... SHE SOMEHOW EQUATED THE FACT THAT WE DONATE THE DOGS TO THE FACT THAT I WOULD NOT TRAIN AND  GIVE HER AN DOG TO DO THAT UNDER ANY SITUYATIONS.

 THERE IS  A FEELING  AROUND ADI IN GENERAL -  IF RECIPIENTS DON'T PAY FOR A DOG, THEY DON'T VALUE IT AS MUCH.

THAT IS AN OLD AMERICAN TRADITION-- "WHAT'S IT COST?"

I HAVE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH LU ( ECAD) ABOUT THIS..... I KNOW FROM DISCUSSIONS WITHTHE  VA-- THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW WHO DO NOT CHARGE FOR DOGS.-

 THAT IS THANKS TO  OUR DONORS- ALL YOU DAILY DOGGERS--- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME  IT HAS BECOME THE 15TH DAY OF TEH MONTH AND WE ARE 50% SOLD OUT OF CHICKEN BRICKS...  I GET MANY COMMENTS ABOUT HOW PEOPLE LOVE TO GET THIS DD- SO I FIGURE   $10 A MONTH IS A GOOD SUBSCRIPTION RATE..  AS LONG AS IT IS POSSIBLE-- I WOULD NOT WANT TO PUT ANY PRESSURE  ON ANYONE TO WHOM THAT $10 WOULD BE A PROBLEM... THERE IS GREAT VALUE IN THE NUMBEROF MEMBERS IN THIS CAMERA COMMUNITY  WHO CAN BE CALLED ON TO PARTICIPATE VOCALLY IN SUPPORT OF SDP ON THE INTERNET WHEN NEEDED.. 

WHAT I AM BEGINNING TO  TALK ABOUT WITH APPLICANTS IS PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND VOLUNTEERING IN GENERAL... WE ALL FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT WHOEVER GETS OUR DOGS SHOULD GO AOUT AND DO SOPMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE WITH THEM-- IF NOTHING MORE  THAN WALK THRU A SENIOR HOME AND CHEER UP THE EMPLOYEEES...

 PLUS THE DOGS LEAD A MORE INTERESTING LIFE IF THEY GET OUT AND AROUND...- AND HAVE A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO REST BETWEEN JAUNTS.  

JULIA IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF  GETTING OUT--- IN PUBLIC  DOING WHATEVER SHE CAN TO  EDUCATE AND AMUSE-- 

THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT SHE DOES NOT SEND ME AN EMAIL... BUT WRITES LOVELY LONG REPORTS IN PLACES I CAN NOT EASILY LOCATE, NOT BEIONG A BOOK FACER.  JULIA !!!!! PLEASE !!!!

I HAVE A TERRIBLE DEFEATEST ATTITUDE WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO FIND REPORTS OF ANY OF OUR RECIPIENTS.

"JUST GO OUT TO FACEBOOK......"  HEY-- FIRSTLY... I AM OF THE GENERATION WHERE IF YOU "WENT OUT"  ANYWHERE WHILE SITTING STILL MEANT YOU WERE  BECOMING INSANE DUE TO SUBSTANSE ABUSE--   THAT AS CLOSELY AS I CAN DESCRIBE MY RELATIOSHIP WITH  TECHNOLOGY...

BESIDES THIS FACEBOOK THING  THINKS I AM JANINE.

LAST I KNEW --- I WASN'T.