Saturday, August 24, 2013

a camp visit

Off on another service dog adventure!!! We were invited to a camp for wounded veterans and their families.... what a beautiful spot this was. Each year this camp is open to veterans and their families as a place to "escape" and to relax and try new things. The directors of the camp are becoming more aware and interested in service dogs... and that is how we were asked to visit.....
There are small cabins around the grounds that house the guests...but the main lodge is used for dining, special events, and just a place to sit back and enjoy....
I could have curled up in a sun spot and just stayed there all day.....
There is a real peace around here, but it's also as "busy" as one chooses it to be. Swimming, boating, games, food... things that can be a challange as well as a retreat....
Four dogs went.. Otis, Moxie, Rayvan and Debbie... all being labs... let's just say... staying OUT of the water was it's own challenage!!!
We talked with a lot of the veterans... some of them knew about service dogs.. and others weren't so sure. I think that there were at least four veterans who were seriously interested in the idea of getting a dog... all for various reasons, but it felt good to give them the information and resources as to where they can find dogs.. and learn about the "work" that a dog can do.....(Debbie ran out of steam before we were done!!!)
This is Grizzly... he belongs to one of the directors and is a certified therapy dog... his handler said he makes a big difference to the guests at the camp.... (he was a real sweetie pie too)....
There were three service dogs camping with their handlers... one turned out to be a NEADS dog!!!! we had a great time meeting with him and his handler. This gentleman couldn't say enough good things about service dogs in general and of course NEADS!!!! They have been a team for four years, and we heard the greatest stories!!!!
I never knew such a place exsisted... and it was so great to see it in action. Just one small way to say thank you to those who have served, and a place where veterans can go and help to heal their wounds....
The next few days we spent back at our camp... true to a busy summer, we haven't been there nearly enough this year.... maybe some day.. life will "slow down" a bit... but, on the menu this evening!!!!!
And yes, my Mom always said... "don't play with your food..." but it's just way too much fun when it comes to lobsters... (poor thing...)
Have had quite a few meals of this beauties this summer.... I think I could eat it weekly.....













Camp fires, trips, beautiful weather... camp... I am truly, truly blessed......

fair time


It's back in town!!!! our annual, local, little county fair. We had the perfect weekend for it - considering that two years ago we had a hurricane heading our way and the fair was shut down early - and as happy as I am when the fair comes to town, it is definitely an "end of summer" event. I wanted to show Mocha this year, but I didn't get her paperwork completed... maybe next year!!!!
They had a huge entry of cows this year.... real beautiful animals, and some breeds that I had never seen before.....
I admired the way these young folks handle these animals... cows are so different from the horses (or dogs)... and there certainly is a skill that is required to get a cow to do as you wish!!!!!

Since Sadie had to work, we asked if we could bring Abbie along with us. She was so excited to go, and she so enjoys the fairs. What I think is neat, is she likes everything... most little kids only want the rides and food... but Abbie likes to see it all..... here she and Papa watch the ox pulls..







Course, the food is always a big hit.. and true to Grandparent style... we let her eat it all..... the word "no" didn't exist today!!!!
She rode just about every ride they had....
Sometimes... twice!!! She's fearless and will take on any one....
And next year... we'll have two in tow... as Reagan will be certainly old enough to try out his first fair season.....
At night we packed up Debbie and went back to the fair ... it's a great training site for the service dogs!!! As I pretty much figured.. I really didn't see the fair... everyone loves a puppy and I could manage to walk about 20 feet between stops... The funny thing is, I had so many people ask "what is this year's puppy named?"... (guess I have been raising puppies for a while now!!!)
Debbie just went with the flow.. she was interested in so many things, but always well behaved and never fearful. I have a very good feeling about this little girl.. that's for sure...
She didn't approve of the "fake service" dog......
But, she thought the "polar bear" was kind of neat.... in fact, I had a hard time pulling her away from him.... she loved all the attention he gave her....












Probably the "hardest" thing was just keeping her nose off the ground... it was just full of all sorts of "dropped goodies"....but overall, she did an outstanding job. I will certainly bring her to more fairs this fall....

So.. two of the "end of summer events" are done... Firemen's Muster, fair... next is Labor Day and then it's hello fall.... goodness that was a fast summer.....