DawgDayz

Jillian READs at college

2012-02-12T21:21:00.000-08:00

Jillian accompanied me when I spoke to a early childhood education class at the College of the Atlantic. We spoke on Raising Readers and Reading Education Assistance Dogs. The chat went well and Jillian worked the class like a pro.

Getting ready for Dr. Suess's birthday in March

2012-01-29T15:41:00.001-08:00

Jill

2012-01-21T07:52:00.003-08:00

Jillian visited at the retirement village yesterday. Something about a yellow dog - they attract attention and many fell in love with her. She is ultra gentle with them all.

Rissa gets published

2012-01-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.downeastdognews.com/newspaper.php

Rissa is on page 8 of this newspaper.

Happy New Year

2012-01-08T00:02:00.000-08:00

Jillian got to visit folks at Birch Bay again. She does fabulous and the residents love her. She is very gentle with them. I must remember to bring a lint/hair roller brush to use on the residents after they pet Jill - they are covered with yellow fur and most wear dark clothing so it shows! Kirby cat his back to his normal routine and has re gained some of his weight. Timber is limping less and we'll go tomorrow to see her favorite PT and have her checked out. Started the girlz on gluco-flex for joints and some vitamins. Some dog reading adventures in the works "idita-read" with Tremont school kids, ? a READer dog activity on Feb school vacation for Swan's Island kids and my speaking engagement at COA on 2/9/12.

The scoop

2011-12-27T03:32:00.000-08:00

Kirby cat came home after a 10 day adventure outside. Thin, but OK. He appeared just in time before the bad, colder, snowy weather appeared. Timber is limping less and on the mend.

The scoop

2011-12-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

Kirby cat is still missing and it has been 10 days. Timber injured her shoulder muscle going out after a bumper - I have gotten some exercises from a friend/PT and have ordered some Glucosamine for the girlz to start taking. I have been asked to speak at COA (College of the Atlantic) on 2/9/12 on READer dog and raising readers. I have started a power point with tons of pictures of the kids/dogs. Rissa will go to BBV tomorrow visiting and it will more than likely be her last time - I may have to retire her - she seems to have no advanced warning when she is going to poop and I can't have her going the bathroom on the visits. - we'll see how it goes.

Sad news

2011-12-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

The other night the door blew open a bit and Kirby cat went outside (hasn't been an outside cat all of his life that I know of) - he never offers to go out when the dogs comes in etc... well, he ventured out (surprising he didn't come back in or stay around) but... he has been gone now for 3 days. I hope he isn't hungry, cold and suffering. I would think once he had a taste of the cold outside and no food - he would return... nope.... Here he is with Rissa a few months ago. He loved the dogs so again puzzled he would venture away from home.

BBV

2011-12-10T02:28:00.000-08:00

Jill got to go to Birch Bay Village with me today because she was shedding the least of the 3. She had a great time visiting with folks and enjoyed a sing along at the organ in Safe Harbor. June played the organ and 3 of the residents sang. "Sing-a-long" with June and Jill!

Dog Scouts deliver

2011-12-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

The Down East Dog Scouts delivered dog cookie bag treats to local banks to had out to their drive thru clients. Here are Jill and I delivering a box of treats tot he SWH branch of BHB&T.

Rissa and Santa

2011-11-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

Community Service project

2011-11-11T04:38:00.000-08:00

The Dog Scouts decided that our community service project this year would be to give DVD sets on dog training to some libraries in Hancock County. Jillian and I gave a set to the SWH library yesterday. This is Jill with the library director.

Happy Birhday Jillian!

2011-10-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Jillian turned 9 on 10/27/11

? last swim on 2011

2011-10-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Girlz got to swim yesterday - ? the last time this year?

DEDS fall picnic

2011-10-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

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A few of us got together from the dog scout troop and had a picnic at member Nancy's beautiful water front home. One of the members also received her PhD in PT and we celebrated that! 6 of the dogs there in pic. My 3 in the back round swimming, Raya about to go get her tennis ball and Bri and Grace playing life guards on shore. Also the girlz hanging out post swim while the humans ate and had margaritas.

October 12th

2011-10-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

Tail gating in Bangor

2011-10-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

September 2011

2011-10-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

Not much happened in the way of visits this month. Rissa turned 13 on the 29th. 2 weeks before we had a visit to the emergency vet - Rissa had an abscess in her mouth - her first illness! 2 weeks of antibiotics have ended - she was her old self after 2 days and continues to run and play and retrieve! I was on a team this month that won 50K for a lab rescue from the Pepsi refresh project. Many hours of collecting yellow Pepsi caps and entering codes this month - all paid off and we placed #1 out of 354 groups in the 50K rank.

Bark for Life walk

2011-08-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Jillian and I were the top fund raisers at the event today! Got a cute gift bag, Petco gift card, bandana and T shirt... Best snap of her with bag - she had her eyes closed. It was quite hot after the walk. Picture of her in front of our Dog Scout info table.

more pics from 8/21/11

2011-08-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday visit to Cedarwoods Kennels

2011-08-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

I took the girlz back to their original home for a visit and family photos. Rissa's grand daughter Lily had a litter with Timber's son Ivan. Friend Colleen was able to come to Bradford, Maine and take some pictures. Here's a few snaps I took and will have more once Colleen edits her snaps! We had wanted to get a 4 generation picture on Rissa's side - unfortunately her daughter died 2 days before we visited (complications of Lyme disease). The girlz got to swim and run around the grounds at the kennel.

Bark for Life

2011-08-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

We will be walking in the Bark for Life jaunt on August 27th. This is for the American Cancer Society and it is the first Bark event for them in Maine. Nice it happens right here on MDI!

August 5th

2011-08-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

A group of us that have READer dogs went to Swan's Island to do a program for the kids as a celebration of opening their new library after fire destroyed it 3 years ago. Jillian did fab on the ferry and with all the kids. She is so sweet and everyone loves her soft ears.

therapy ball

2011-08-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Rissa and the others have started a pet therapy ball exercise program to help keep their core and leg muscles strong as they age.

Rissa

2011-07-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Rissa had surgery on Wednesday to remove a fatty tumor under her right armpit and while under anesthesia - she had her eye sty/tumor removed. All is fine - she is an easy patient once she got over the anesthesia. Hot packing incision, antibiotics, eye ointment. No swimming or running x 7 days. She is picking up her bumpers and wanting me to play so I guess she is feeling OK!!

June 2011

2011-06-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

We went to our Dog Scout picnic yesterday. The girlz had fun and tons of swimming!

Tremont assembly

2011-06-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 14th, Timber and attended the school assembly to give her kids their books and certificates. Pictured book pawtographed by Timber, the kid's book mark they have put stickers on when they read to Timber, certificate and a pencil (I love my REAder dog). Group shot on stage (2 were absent) - Mrs Dow our contact and Timber rec'd a stuffed elephant and I got the beautiful plant.

June 2nd

2011-06-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Rissa and I attended Cirra's NEH library READer dog celebration. We had some children read to us and I had some cake which was very yummy! Rissa was great - she goes with the flow even at 12.5 years old. She loved on all the kids.

May 2011

2011-05-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Well, several dog events got changed or cancelled this month so not much to "blog" about. Changes in my work schedule cancelled a pet therapy visit and a READer day at Tremont. THEN - I got a nasty cold - so, no school yesterday - had to miss the MDIH volunteer celebration last eve - am not going to the retirement center today... Missed the dog scout walk this month because I worked that day.... I guess the girlz will be ready for our June plans. One final day of school for Timber (6/6) and then the celebration before school ends.

4/30/11

2011-04-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

The pics from the yard sale with Jill didn't come out - oh well. We missed Tremont READer dog this week and the Acadia pick up day - worked to many and long into the night hours that I didn't wake up in time to go... oh well. Hopefully tomorrow the girlz will get their first swim of 2011 in!

4/16/11

2011-04-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

Dog Scout yard sale today. We hauled and set up yesterday and today was the sale. We were successful but not as much $$ as last year. We think the April date vs. the June date made a difference in the number of people that came. Timber loves the yard sale as I usually bring her home a new baby - this time a Siamese cat! Jillian went to the yard sale as my sales associate and official greeter. I hope to have a picture of that soon.

4/13/11

2011-04-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Timber had REAder dog at the Somesville library. Cute little girls read to her and she wagged and layed on their laps. Got a call from the vet - ALL of Rissa's lab work in range - all levels within normal limits! Yippee!

Vet

2011-04-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

All 3 dogs and Lucy cat went to the vet on Monday. Every one's weight was good. all heart worm and Lyme negative. Rissa had some blood work done as she is 12.5 and starting to act her age a bit more. All in all - a good visit except for my wallet :)

Sunday 4/10/11

2011-04-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

Took Rissa visiting at Birch Bay Village. She absolutely KNOWS when her collar goes on that she is going there. The other 2 were in the car - when we got there - she came right to the front and jumped out- she knew it was her time to visit! The girlz in the car actually had 2 residents visit them in the car. Not a usual circumstance but happened twice today. It is always fun for people to see all 3 colors in the car together. Tomorrow the vet's for a routine check up and heart worm test etc... All 3 dogs and Lucy the cat to docs tomorrow - bring my wallet!

April 7th

2011-04-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Timber went to Tremont School today. She was so happy to see her "kids"

April 6th

2011-04-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight the Dog Scout troop was invited to the island cub scout meeting. We had stations on grooming, bite prevention, training and what the dog scouts are/do. The "dens" circulated to each station. Jillian and I were the dog bite prevention station. Each practiced greeting a dog, took a pledge on bite prevention and each got their own handout I had made a few years ago on bite prevention. Jillian was a peach and so gentle and good with all the kids. She enjoyed herself!

Prez service award

2011-04-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Received 2 presidential service awards today for volunteering. One as an individual and one as part of the Dog Scout troop. Third year in a row!

New flip flops

2011-04-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

March 19th CGC

2011-03-19T08:54:00.001-07:00

Jillian received her CGC rosette today so I tried to snap a picture with all the girlz and their ribbons.

March 18th

2011-03-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMBER!! 11 YEARS OLD AND GOING STRONG - JUST A FEW WHITE WHISKERS GIVE AWAY YOUR AGE!

March 16th 2011

2011-03-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Timber had 4 sweet little girls read to her today at the Somesville Village Library. Sabine earned a book today for reading 10 books to Timber. (picture) and we had a new girl Carolina today :)

March 13th

2011-03-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Was able to be on call and attend the Down East Dog Scouts troop meeting today and hear a presentation on dog rehab. Interesting - I may invest in a "PT" ball for dog to keep them limber longer... not a bad idea in aging dogs.

March 10, 2011

2011-03-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Timber and I went to school today - we only had 2 kiddos read to her. The second graders were doing some bacteria project and were all dressed in white clothing protectors... not a good time to be pulling a kid to read nor did I want to be exposed to the germs they were growing!

March 9, 2011

2011-03-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

The girlz have had a mellow month ... nothing real excting - Rissa has done some pet therapy visits. Timber has done some READ sessions at school - we didn't have a Wednesday off to do the Somesville library so our other team did it in Feb. We are going to go on March 16th to the library. We attended a dog scout meeting and our guest speaker was maggie davis who has started a program on helping folks with their pets down Deer Isle way - she also spoke about her experiences with herbal treatments and reiki for animals. Our last visit to Birch Bay was memorable as Rissa really did her "job" helping a woman adjust to her new living situation. She was moved from assisted living to the memory unit and was still very upset. She kept hugging Rissa, as she was crying, "I didn't think you would find me" I was so sad to see her so upset and she normally is so up beat. Rissa kept walking over to her and giving her kisses. She had stopped crying by the time we left. The snow has been to deep or icy for the girls to do much running - we have taken advantage of the melting on the driveway for some running. I may look into greeting the troops - I think Jillian would really like that - spring is just around the corner and the drive to Bangor will be easier in a few weeks.

Feb 1, 2011

2011-02-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

#1 - WE WON the Pepsi grant. The top 10 projects won and we were #7!! $$50,000

#2 - The superintendent - Rob Liebow - put his picture with Timber on the new district website with his "believe" message. I guess his reading to Timber and the entire program really impressed him! http://www.mdirss.org/

#3 - Timber's grand-pup was adopted by a co-worker and we went to see her... So sweet. Ashlee!

January 2011

2011-02-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Not much happened and I guess I fell behind in this blog. The girlz went visiting at the retirement home twice this month. Timber and I went to the Somesville Library once and Timber and I went to school once this month. Been busy voting in the Pepsi refresh challenge - a group I belong to is close to winning a grant for 50,000$ to make a place to rescue and re home dogs. The results will be in on 2/1/11 at 0600.

12/27/10

2010-12-28T08:46:00.000-08:00

Sun was in their eyes! Day after the blizzard.

HO HO HO

2010-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

Took Rissa to visit folks in the hospital today - I'm sure it isn't fun for many to be there on Christmas Day. She jingled all the way... wagging and jingling and happy.

12/2010

2010-12-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ginger had her puppies today. 10 chocolates (7males, 3 females) She will go live with a young couple once she has weaned the litter and spayed. She will be the only dog to get spoiled and she won't have to live with cats!

vet visit

2010-12-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

Rissa received her rabies vaccine, she had a urine test to check her kidney function (her sister is in renal failure) and a tick was found on her - I guess she must have picked that up Sunday on her romp at camp. Timber had her rabies shot and a blood test to check her chemistry/kidneys. All 3 had their annual poop check for therapy dogs Inc- NO bugs! All girlz weights are great. Timber is 60 pounds and Rissa and Jillian weigh 64#s. SO, for aging canines - all is fine unless something comes back in the lab tests.

Here comes Santa Paws

2010-11-27T14:50:00.000-08:00

Rissa had a great day sitting with Santa and visiting with the kid (young and old)... I put on her Santa suit for a short time for pics...

Friday

2010-11-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

Today Rissa visited the folks at Birch Bay. We then delivered some dog food and all the girlz played with Ivy for a bit. Tonight the Iggies will come down for a romp and then a load going to the storage unit for the Dog Scout Yard Sale - we have been given so much stuff - we needed to get a storage unit to keep it in - it overflowed my garage.

Tremont School

2010-11-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

Timber and I did Tremont School READer dog this morning. It's only our second time this year with these kids. All cute and love reading to Timber.

Somesville READer dog

2010-11-17T15:59:00.001-08:00

Had 4 kids at the library today. All were so cute and did very well reading. Timber got lots of pats and love. One new girl - I think really liked the activity.

Special order tote going to NH

2010-11-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Jillian gets a little peck from our chicken trick or treater

2010-11-07T18:44:00.001-08:00

Friday 11/5/10

2010-11-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

Rissa is such a good girl. She played/visited with Ivy(yellow lab) and then we went to the retirement home for our rounds. Unfortunately the 2PM activity (sing a long) got moved to 3PM (our visit time) so many of our folks were "singing a long" in the dining room... We did find "Grace" in her room - who lights up when she sees Rissa - she mentioned something about the sing a long - I offered to take her - (Grace is a nervous type that spends a lot of time in her room - kinda anxious...) she agreed to go with Rissa! The sing a long was in another section of the building - not on her unit. She did fabulous walking there... (I had to let us out of the locked unit to take her) - she stayed for one song and saw I was leaving so she wanted to leave too... I got her to stay for 1 more song and they sang Happy Birthday to her - seems it is her 84th birthday today. She was overcome by the song but, still wanted to go back to her room - "didn't want to cause any trouble for anyone". Rissa is 84 in "dog years" so it was appropriate for her to walk Grace (Grace said) We got to make the rounds at the sing a long during our short time there - I thought Rissa might be bothered by the piano or singing - nada - she just wagged her way around the room saying Hi to anyone who wanted a little kiss from her. So, we didn't see all our folks but, we saw and spent time with the most important one today -the Birthday Girl.

Friday 10/29

2010-10-31T08:02:00.001-07:00

I did a little work and then took Rissa in to visit some patients. Wag wag wag...

Tremont School

2010-10-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Timber and I returned to Tremont School today for READer dog. Two 4th graders and four 2nd graders. Timber fell right into the groove and enjoyed the kids. She loved listening to Charlotte's Web - I'm sure all she was thinking was BACON!

2010-10-26T08:12:00.001-07:00

Jillian passed her CGC test. All 3 girlz are now therapy dogs, READer dogs, Dog Scouts and all have passed the CGC.

10-25-10

2010-10-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Jillian passed her CGC tonight - Canine Good Citizen. woo hoo. I'll take a photo later and post it with her scarf on!

Juvenile Diabetes walk a thon

2010-10-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

Our team the"Heelers" raised over $300 for the cause. Timber walked the 4+ mile loop with me today. 6 of us on the team walked dogs.

Visiting

2010-10-10T04:34:00.000-07:00

Rissa made 2 visits this week to the retirement village. On Wednesday we oriented a new dog team and on Saturday we made our scheduled visit. She is so gentle with the folks and they love her.

Ginger

2010-10-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Ginger left today - back to her kennel home to get pregnant and have puppies - ? around Christmas time? Back to 3 dogs and 2 cats.

9-29-10

2010-09-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Rissa! 12 years old and going strong!

Her favorite pose "Rub my belly"

School

2010-09-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

Timber, Rissa and I just went to school to talk about what we could offer this year. I can not go every Thursday as I have the last 3 years. They will take any days I can give them. She seems to think it will be beneficial any days the kids can read with the dogs. Testing etc... going on now so they wouldn't want me to start for a month anyway. I will try 2 days a month and see how it goes.

9-12-10

2010-09-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

Today was a dog scout meeting a walk. Jillian and Rissa attended and then we strolled Jordan Stream trail. Saw 2 horse drawn carts and 1 mule drawn cart - all dogs stayed on the side of the path - no barking - respectful of the horses. Had Jillian or Rissa ever seen a horse? Then 4 of us ate at Jordan Pond house on the lawn. Yummy popovers! The girlz were great at the outside restaurant. Behind Jillian's close up is Jordan Pond. Cirra (white dog) and you can't see Bruno on the other side of the table.

9-10-10

2010-09-10T16:26:00.001-07:00

The quest for the carriage road certificate continues - another hike this eve on Hadley Brook trail. Me (Timber),Pier (iggies) and Nancy (goldies) made the entire loop. Robyn, Denise and Cirra did half the loop. The "brooks" would have been so nice had there been any water in them. We also went by the largest waterfall in ANP - behind the girlz in the picture - a little water coming off it.

9-9-10

2010-09-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

Jillian and Ginger each passed their Dog Scouts of America test today!

Labor Day 2010

2010-09-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

Timber and I hiked with some dog pals today. Crossed one of the longest Rockfeller stone bridges. Nice 5+ mile hike. Nancy (Raya and Rebel), Tracy (Simon) and Pier (Bri and Grace)

Friday 9/3

2010-09-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Rissa wagged and kissed the residents of Birch Bay on our visit today.

8/26/10

2010-08-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today Rissa did double duty on visiting. I took Rissa to work with me so I wouldn't have to drive back to home to get her to go to Birch Bay this afternoon - it was overcast - then turned sunny - thus she couldn't stay in the car... no problem for her - she just hangs out with me at work while I did paper/projects. We visited patients at MDIH after lunch and then on to the retirement village pre dinner. She still loves going and I hope she will for a long time so I don't have to "retire" her from one of her favorite activities.

Mini vacation

2010-08-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

I went away for the weekend and the girlz went back to their original kennel home - "Camp" They are safe and happy there and I relax knowing they are being cared for by their original mom. Everyone is home now and back in the groove.

August 5th

2010-08-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks Caroline, Holly and Jim for reading - fun older posts and pictures if you didn't get to look.

Rissa went to Birch Bay Village today - so glad it didn't thunder while we were there. I risked taking her, crossing fingers NO STORM - so she wouldn't be scared while visiting the folks. I'll have to reassess the 330PM time - many were sleeping and I didn't wake them for the visit. Might try 10AM next month - they should be awake then :)

July 27

2010-07-27T17:12:00.001-07:00

Beautiful summer day - the girlz got to go swimming tonight - happy woofers.

Rally

2010-07-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

Took Rissa and Ginger to a rally class/practice. Took turns with each. Rissa had a good time trotting around. I took Ginger so she would look to me as her alpha person - she did very well - a bit uneasy in the new atmosphere - that's why I took Rissa so she would feel more comfortable. HUMID tho - I sweat buckets. Picture from a few years ago when Rissa and I competed in rally.

another donation

2010-07-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sending another tote to a lab rescue for fund raising. Like this fabric - "bones and balls"

donation

2010-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:00

Made and sent a tote to raffle for a lab rescue fund raiser in Massachusetts. Jillian helps with packing and inspection.

July

2010-07-12T06:33:00.001-07:00

The girlz have had a quiet summer as far as volunteering. Rissa attended the Dog Scout meeting yesterday with me - horse flies, rain and humidity - not so pleasant. Swimming has been a big activity this summer. Ginger remains here at "Camp Pam" for the summer - I 'spect she is loving it.

June 19th

2010-06-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

6/18 Rissa went to visit folks at the retirement village. Today the girlz got to go for a SWIM. Very difficult keeping all the bumpers in play, getting Jillian and Ginger to bring them all the way back to me, keeping them in one area on the deck to dry (not everyone wants a wet dog on them) and Jillian and Ginger are like toddlers - if you don't watch them every second - they are back in swimming... They were happy tho - even tho Timber and Rissa don't look it in this picture.

Thursday 6/17

2010-06-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

Last day of school for Timber. We just attended the awards assembly. Gave certificates, book marks, books and pencils to our 7 kids. Mrs. Dow got a certificate too. We had cake and ice cream with the kids in the library afterwards. I received a lovely planter of annual flowers.

Thursday 6/10

2010-06-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Last day of school for Timber. All the kids read to her one last time this school year. I tried to get photos of all the kids with her. This is my favorite - he has read to Timber for 3 years.

Pet therapy visit at BBV

2010-06-06T19:06:00.000-07:00

Took Jillian to BBV today for our scheduled visit. Glad I decided to take her vs. Rissa since there was a thunder storm while we were there and Rissa would not been "good" therapy during it. Jillian was waiting for me to get the car since it was pouring rain - her new friends at BBV walked her to the door and "dog sat" while I got drenched.

DEDS Yard Sale

2010-06-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

A long couple of days - sale over now! Successful! $$ amount not know yet but over $1000.00 I'd say. The best part was an ATV club that raises money for Christmas for Kids took all the left overs for their sale next weekend! WOO HOO! They brought a big trailer and help - we had the sale all picked up by 1PM. That was great not to have to deal with all the leftovers! I brought home 2 stuffed dolls for the girlz. Ginger took this one over - it giggles when you squeeze the middle - Very funny. She is hard to get a good picture of - like Rissa - and like my last choc Foxy... What is it with those chocolates and my camera?

May 27th - volunteer luncheon

2010-05-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Timber and Rissa accompanied me to the MDIH 2010 volunteer luncheon. We had a nice lunch at the Bar Harbor Club, were serenaded by a barber shop quartet and then I gave the closing remarks with a few of my experiences visiting with the dogs. The girls got certificates. There were 5 dogs there - all visit folks at MDIH or BBV - I tried to get Boomer to "sing" along with the quartet - almost had him howling along.

Sunday May 23

2010-05-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

It's warm out and time to swim! The girlz went swimming - hard to get them out of the water when it's time to go home. Ginger and Jillian keep running back and jumping in as we head to the car. Still haven't gotten a good shot of all 4 together. Ginger quickly learned "Go for a ride"

5/20 - school

2010-05-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Timber saw her regular line up of kids (minus Aurora who was absent) One more reading day for these kids and then our celebration.

Lucy winning over Timber

2010-05-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

Lucy is slowly winning over snuggle time with Timber..... she is so pleased with herself! She is determined that ONE of these dogs will love the cat she is!

Friday 5/14

2010-05-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

Rissa saw her folks at BBV today. How she loves to visit and she gets so many smiles/pats from the folks there.

School 3/13

2010-05-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Timber saw her regular line up of kids today. Plans are being made for the final sessions and the end of school wrap up.

Somesville Library READer dog 5/12

2010-05-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Rissa did the honors at the library today - usually Timber attends but since Timber has school in the morning - I brought Rissa today. We had 8 kids read to the dogs - Faith got her book pawtographed. Pictured is Alex with Rissa.

Thursday May 6th

2010-05-07T03:44:00.000-07:00

The celebration for Island Dog creative writing contest, sponsored by the Dog Scouts, was tonight. A very nice time for the kids and adults. All 94 entries displayed on the wall (picture). Pizza, a yummy cake, games and certificates for all the kids. The 2 boys from Tremont won for the "buddy" category - they wanted their picture with Rissa(to bad she had her eyes closed!). Jack with his certificate. A very successful community service project!!

Version 2 of Pink Glove video - Timber cameo

2010-05-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-MddkBsKzU&feature

Girlz in a Pink Glove video

2010-05-01T05:42:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngFq0IoZdGU

House guest

2010-04-30T17:59:00.001-07:00

Ginger (2nd from left) is visiting for awhile in SWH. She will eventually retire here after she is done in her breeding program. We were holding a stuffed animal to get every one's attention. You can tell Ginger and Timber are the stuffed toy girlz.

4 generations

2010-04-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

Trip to Bradford and the girlz original home. 4 generation picture Lily (black and Rissa's grand dau), Lily's six puppies in the basket, Casey (Rissa's dau in the back) Rory (Rissa's sister) and the Rissa on the right. Was hard to get a half decent shot of all the subjects and this one was the best of all of them. The wind kept most of the black flies away during this photo shoot!!

School dayz

2010-04-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Timber resumed her school READ today. 6 regular kids plus one. Librarian not there today so we fetched the kids ourselves.

Friday 4/23

2010-04-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Pet therapy day. Took all 3 girlz and shared the visits. Rissa went to MDIH and saw many folks. We were there almost 2 hours. Took Jillian in to Safe Harbor (memory unit) saw a couple new folks that had moved in... One new resident, the activities woman brought to see, - smiled... "she hasn't smiled since she has been here" Loved Jill "but I don't think they will let me keep her here" she says to me. Jill just laid against her leg and she petted her soft ears. I switched dogs and took Timber to Pleasant Cove(assisted living) - we only got to visit one woman but, it was a timely visit - she had just been told her younger brother had died... "Oh, you are just what I need today" as she hugged and snuggled Timber. Since Timber only got to visit one woman - I took her to Safe harbor on the way out - I went back to the new woman that loved Jill - she says to me "I liked the one you had here yesterday" - she must have had a yellow or light colored dog in her life... she had no reaction to Timber at all. So, sometimes we make visits and it seems not to make much difference but, today all 3 dogs made a difference... Rissa snuggled in bed with a lonely woman in the hospital, Jillian brought joy to a woman adjusting to her new living space and Timber provided a small bit of comfort to a grieving woman.

Wednesday 4/14

2010-04-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Had to cancel pet therapy with Rissa as she had a vet appointment for a lump in her "arm pit" - aspirated cells - just fat!! Not lymphoma or cancer! She will more than likely have it removed sometime because of the placement - as it grows it can impede her mobility or press on nerves or lymph nodes. Timber had READer dog in Somesville Library this afternoon - 2 children got books - the 2 Magic Tree House books I got for Jack - he has :( so "Timber" will have to do some more shopping for Jack's book. Elizabeth got a book today too (pictured) and it was black and white day at school - how appropriate with the black and white READer dogs!

Dog Scout meeting 4/11

2010-04-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

Pier and I did a letter boxing chat... history of, how to, safety, etiquette, compass reading and a little compass course to test newly acquired skills ( dog cookies as the prize at the end) - small crowd. I brought each girl in one at a time - since I had to speak - to much with all 3 at once.