Today was the Spring graduation for NEADS, I just love going to graduations, I can always count on a good cry!!!! The whole chapter met first for breakfast at one of our favorite places. Not only is the food amazing, but they like having us and the dogs come to visit....
We had four dogs under the table and not one of them made a peep, or even were known they were there until we left. You should have seen the other folks eating at the restaurant when we all filed out... the comments were all over the place... "they had four dogs with them?" "we never even heard them" "can you believe how well behaved they are?" I just love hearing those sorts of comments!!!! (Rylie of course, was perfect!!!)
Now, not only is this a special day for the new teams.. but it is for us as well. Unknown to Linda - our chapter leader - she is being awarded today for her 20 ( TWENTY!!!) years of volunteering as the chapter leader for Maine!!!! This has all been kept a very big secret and has been in the works for months. And even as Linda traveled down to the graduation with us... her family is coming too....Rylie had to squish in the back with the presents that we were bringing for Linda!!!
And here we all are... this group is Kathleen with Mercury, Linda and Otis, Me with Rylie and Cam... Rick has Moxie and Linda has Merv..... this group will all be different a few months from now, but that's how it works in the "puppy raising" .....
It still amazes me at how comfortable the puppies are in public. I mean, I know they're suppose to be, and it's what we are always working towards, and even though this picture doesn't really show it... the hall ways were crowded, and anytime we stopped to chat, this is what the dogs do... lay quietly and wait.... such good puppies!!!!
And here we go... I was so excited, I couldn't wait to hear about the teams, but I was really happy about Linda's award ....
While the other dogs laid on the floor, Camille insisted on being in her own chair.... she's not special or anything (????) is she
And here are this spring's graduates..... I think there were 28 new teams consisting of facilitated dogs (those are the kid's dog), veterans, hearing dogs, and ministry dogs....
Now, this young man was quite special to us... last summer when we were out with Bogey, we came upon a family who told us that their son was waiting for his NEADS dog... well, surprise to us... he has been matched and was at the graduation. I think having to be on stage was a bit overwhelming for him, so he found his comfort laying quietly beside his friend... they were so sweet together, and this is the work of the kids dogs...... (which I think would be a great job for Rylie!!!)
The guest speaker was a marine... and he is now in charge of a group of students who have given many volunteer hours to NEADS. He told a wonderful story of a dog that he had lost and that his new dog was a "career-change NEADS" dog... I cried threw his whole talk.....
And then... came "the moment"... Linda's award. She still had no idea that this moment was strictly for her... Gerry started telling about the Maine puppy chapter and its' history and then ended with the presentation of the award... Linda was completely caught off guard... it was wonderful!!!!!
She is the second person that NEADS has awarded this honor.... this is a lead crystal vase with her name engraved in it...... and then when she realized her family was there to see it all... she could hardly find the words.....
Back to the graduation.... there were four veteran dogs... I can't get threw any of their speeches without crying!!!!!
And then, they added this time, a great demo of "what" the dogs are trained to do... they had this whole set up and demoed turning on lights, opening the refrig... opening dogs, and fetching objects... it's great for people,. who don't know the talent of these dogs, to see....
Three dogs were hearing dogs... and to quote this beautiful lady.. "If God said to me I can make you hear again, but you wouldn't be able to have a dog.... I would choose to remain deaf and live my life just like I do... with a dog..."... (OK need I say more as to why I choose to raise puppies~!!!) On top of that, her little dog was a shelter rescue - which they often use as the hearing dogs!!!! Pretty neat to be an "unwanted shelter dog to a highly important hearing dog!!!!"
After graduation, we took a few moments to talk and get some photos...
Linda still can't believe that she was awarded and that we all kept it quiet until the very end.....
Oh, and look who else made it graduation... there's our Ginger!!!! She is always so happy and excited to see us, and we think of Pastor Jane as part of the Maine chapter..... I just love this dog, and Pastor Jane had even more stories to share about their ministry.... This dog is without a doubt, a very precious gift of God....
And with any NEADS event, trainings or graduations, by the end of the day.. this is what the puppies are beginning to look like. Marv - the big yellow lab in the back - has been given the word that he will be turned in when we go next month for check in. And Rylie is going on a puppy swap to the prison...I will be getting her sister, Hope for a while, as they feel she needs a break from the prison program and Rylie will go in and start her experience there. One thing about puppy raising, it's always changing but the outcome is priceless....
In keeping with a "growing theme" like Sadie did with Abbie.... Kass is using this little rocker and a stuffed chicken (a present from Reagan's Baby) to make the month to month comparison... so, here's "our" little guy at one week old...
And today, celebrating ONE month old. Time goes by so fast and the changes in him are simply amazing!!!! He's a strong little chap, it already pretty good at holding his head up...
Abbie just adores him, and was even willing to sit for the picture and smile, though her little cousin was not so happy about it all......
All smiles here though... I just feel so blessed that we live close enough that I can easily share in the lives of my grandchildren!!!!!!
April 1st at last!!! and even though there is still a bit of snow , it really is beginning to feel like spring. Happy Birthday to Deb!!!!
So, my Ed is still at the hospital and probably will be for the better part of the week. The meds are beginning to do their work and his heart is getting back to normal rhythm. Today, when I went to see him, I brought Rylie along. She was very happy to see him and it was "good service dog" practice......
Abbie came along with me, and Kas and Reagan popped in as well. Ed's starting to get bored there, so company is a good way to keep his spirits up... especially his grand kids!!!!
Rylie was bored too... and decided napping would be a good way to spend her time...
Reagan in his little hat... he's getting big and Kas has already said that this little hat won't be fitting much longer!!!! I didn't see much of him last week, being sick, I didn't want to go around him... and this week, it's fun to see him, just wish it wasn't in the hospital!!!!
When it was time to go, Rylie gave "daddy" a big hug. I miss having him at home, but so glad that things will be back in order. He now admits that he really hasn't been feeling at top peak for a bit, so hopefully this will get him back on track......
Abbie was disappointed that we came home without Papa... everyone misses him.... so "Papa --- get better soon and get back home!!!"
Easter was so early this year... and was it's usual (in the north anyways) cool/cold self. At least the snow is going!!! We were all invited to Mom and Dad's for dinner, but already the day did not go according to plan.... poor Camille... she is so confused and trying to figure it all out!!!!
The boys (Jesse and Nate) couldn't wait to get their bikes out... but after riding for about an hour, they both said it was still too cold. Jesse decided not to ride his bike back to the farm!!! and left it at Nate's....
Between babysitting the other night and my birthday.. and now today, it's been a great weekend for family time. I know how blessed we are to be able to do this on a "regular" basis!!!
Course, little Reagan was the hit of the day. Here he cuddles with his Uncle Ed....
And then, is passed around and admired by all.....
Even little Amy had to check him all over ....
This is what I got for my birthday!!! my veil, smoker, hive tool and even a plant to get started!!! But, back to the start of this blog... the "day not going according to plan"... instead of church this morning, we were at the hospital!!! Ed's heart has gone back into afib.... thinking it was a good idea to go have it checked out, we skipped church. AND after they decided to admit him, it was a good idea. So, home I came after a really nice day with family, leaving my Ed down at the hospital. They're working on getting his heart back in with meds and hopefully not going to zap him, we'll know over the next few days!!!!!
Turtle in a pot.... NOT for supper. Yesterday, to celebrate Titus anniversary with us, I asked Ed if he would help me give Titus's tank a complete clean out. I got Titus six years ago -- for my birthday!!! He's doing well and I have really enjoyed him as a pet.
Being a "red-eared slider", they're not suppose to get too big - certainly there are other types of turtles that get much bigger... but even still, Titus has grown since we got him. He's really a funny guy and I never thought that he would be a true "pet", but he really is...
His tank is 120 gallons, which we only half fill with water, and fortunately this has been a good home for him. We went threw three other tanks, before getting this one that allows him the room he needs. Taking care of turtles isn't the easy task if you do it correctly.. there's a bit to it... but I think we have it down to a science....
I figure he must be 8-9 years old, and more than likely is as big as he'll be. I read that turtles can live as long as thirty years, so I may have him for a bit longer. One of the funniest things he does is... watch TV. He has a sun pad that lines up with the TV and we often catch him on his pad, looking out of the tank at the TV. If you turn it off, he'll slides back into the water, but will come out again if the TV goes back on....
I love it when his tank is all clean. I do change the water and filter every couple of months, but it's nice to do a real clean out a couple times year. And I think he appreciates the good care....
And here's another birthday treat!!!! I got to babysit!!!! I haven't seen little Reagan in over a week, I got a cold and didn't want to be too close to him... but Kas called and asked if we were interested in watching him while she and Nate went to a birthday party. Well, you just have to know I was all over that. So, Friday night, back in our old little house with kids... doesn't this bring back memories or what???
Abbie had been with her Dad, so I told Sadie to have him drop her by with us, and we got to have both the "grands"... it was so much fun!!!!
Abbie certainly takes on the "helping" mode, to the point where you have to keep an eye on her... she loves her little cousin and I am so happy to think that they will be close threw out their lives....
Papa and Reagan... hanging out together. Kas and Nate weren't very late, and the evening zoomed by... can't wait to "sit" again....
And today, was my birthday!!! As usual, I got to celebrate with Deb (her's is Monday/April 1st). With Easter on this weekend as well, it's going to be filled with lots of family time (ya-hoo!!!)
And not just "our" kids, but friends dropped by too... Diana and Patrick.... Diana was like another daughter to us, living just next door, the girls were always together ... and Diane being a labor and delivery nurse , was there when Reagan was born. I just can't express enough of what a blessing it is to have life long friends, kids of friends, and family to celebrate the good times in our lives!!!
Mom and Dad having a nice chat with Deb....
Jesse, Nate and Sean.... all nice young men... I did get "presents" too, but actually... these are the real gifts in my life...
Happy birthday to...................ME!!!!
