July 24th

Timber made visits today to the local hospital and to the senior center. I typically take Rissa on the visits BUT - she was up ALL night due to the thunder storms so.... she was tired today. I was up ALL night too since she thinks she must be in my lap for each clap of thunder - no nap for me! As Rissa gets older she seems to become more fearful of the storms. I took the girls swimming later this afternoon (they have been going every 2-3 days for a dip in the ocean or fresh water) Timber stole Rissa's toy and brought back both at the same time... A stylish water entry for Rissa...

July 11th

2 of Rissa and Timber's "grand-dogs" flew to their new home today. Lindy and Andy are going to puppy training for Assistance Dogs of the West. Their first day of service dog training was to fly in the Puppies in Flight program on US Airways to New Mexico. They fly in the cabin with their very own flight attendant!! Kudos to Nancy/Cedarwoods Kennels for breeding Labradors with the quality and temperament true to the breed - which makes a potential wonderful service dog.

July 10th

Rissa and Timber were one the features in the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce newsletter. The retirement village where we visit is a member of the chamber - so a picture of the girls out front of the inn, with a write up on them, was printed and distributed to 1000 homes/businesses!

July 9th

Today Rissa visited SEVERAL patients and saw multiple staff members at the hospital. We then saw our regular folks at the retirement community. I was pleased that one of our favorite residents wasn't napping today so she got to get Rissa kisses today. Her smile and shining eyes always show her delight - she was able to get out a few words today like "sweetie pie" "cutie" "brownie"(her word for Rissa)!!

I dashed home and switched dogs - Timber did READ at the Somesville library today. We had some boys visiting from Massachusetts read to her - Timber thought they should get some books from her to take home! (James, George and Mick with Timber) One of our regular readers hit her 10 books read to Timber today and she received her "pawtographed" book from Timber. Great job Lydia!!

mother/daughter

Timber (8 years old) with her daughter Indy(1 year old)... Indy is taking after her mother not only in looks but, in obedience. Indy already has her rally novice title and is showing a great affinity in field work. ??one of my future therapy dogs ??

June 13th

Pet therapy day with Rissa. We went to the local hospital and to the senior center. There was a little boy as a patient in the hospital and was thrilled to get a dog visit. Rissa snuggled and gave him lots of healing kisses. Rissa also gave a READ certificate to a hospital employee who has been buying books and donating them to me for my READ kids.

Thanks Ruth!!

June 11th

Last day of school. We went to the assembly and gave the kids their Timber READer certificates. The school gave us a nice plant pot of daisies and each girl got a stuffed toy, which they proudly carried out of the auditorium! The 1:1 readers gathered after the assembly in the library for cake and lemonade. Mrs. Dow had a great cake made (as you can see) - the kids all got ASPCA message bracelets from me. We watched the TV news story with the kids too! A nice end to the school year.