So, on this day of the least amount of daylight, I have a moment to tell about the events of the past few days. As it is with the Christmas season, there is "so much to do and enjoy" and hardly enough time. One such event was Ed's work's Christmas party... Dave invited everyone to go out and eat together and have a chance to visit without all the craziness that they deal with at work.
It was a fun time and a good meal... Kass gave the Grandpa's (and work) a gift... the little sweatshirt that was Reagan's (since he has outgrown it) and had the company logo on it... she framed it with his photo and made it so they can hang it in the shop.....
We got more snow.. another half foot or so... but it's light and easy to move. I looked out and saw my little beehive... I hope everyone is warm and dry in there... if we get a day of some warmth, I will go out and open them up and check on them... but for now, I can only hope that they are doing well....
Debbie is enjoying every minute of it.... she doesn't consider any of this a "bother".... course she doesn't have to shovel, plow and move it out of the way....
But what do we expect in this part of the country.. this time of year....
One day last week, Deb and I met up with Kassy and Reagan and went to the local library for story time. There had been a gingerbread house contest and all the pieces were being displayed in the library. All sorts of categories, themes and ideas.. they were fun to look at....
Deb and Reagan are all ready to go and hear stories!!!!
And the one who tells them... our own Kathleen!!!! There was quite a group of toddlers there... Kass said it wasn't even a full house. Kathleen was so much fun to watch and listen to.. she knows how to entertain those little ones... Reagan hardly takes his eyes off her....
Debbie loved schmoozing with the little ones... and she is so gentle with them. When they approach her, she lays down and becomes as small as possible....
Reagan said he had "seen Debbie before" and was much more interested in the book that Miss Kathleen had just read!!!!
Tomorrow, the days begin to get longer once again.... minute by minute we will have more daylight.... though winter has just begun, I like it when we have more light in the afternoons....
Our first official snow has fallen... a good 10 inches just in time for Christmas.... the dogs had to break paths threw the snow this morning. Fortunately, we have some friends staying with us as well.. so for the cockers, this is good news... they'll let the "big" dogs break threw....
Trevor knows to wait and follow the paths.... he'll leave this up to the young dogs....
Debbie, of course, is right in her element!!! She has never seen snow like this before and is so joyous over it all. I loved watching her experience it for the first time....
sweet face.....
The cockers were quick to come back in. They prefer the woodstove and the couch.. but the younger big dogs stayed out for much of the afternoon... here we have Zuzu, Ullur and Debbie.... they all played so nicely together and came in cold, wet and happy.....
got to see the full moon tonite, rising above the tree line at the edge of the pasture....
The house is pretty much decked out for Christmas now... I keep the white lights in the windows all winter... I like the cozy looks it gives....
Had a buddy walk down to the barn with me to do the night chores.... silly little Mona....
We're getting ready.... it's going to be a grand Christmas..... Reagan's first and Abbie is so excited for Santa....
And I'm hoping that Christmas is filled with wonderful surprises and happy times for us all.......
This cold winter's eve finds us at Cabela's.. waiting for the trucks of "Wreaths Across America" to arrive at their first over night stop of their journey to Arlington National Cemetery. Last year, we were headed to Arlington ourselves, but this year the trip just wasn't in the budget (so to speak) But watching the trucks roll in, how I wished that we would soon be on our way as well. Next year, we're going to see what we can do about making the trip again.....
Debbie was quite interested in all the activities... it's because of the service puppies that we went last year... and I must say, I think everyone should put this on their bucket list.
The trucks are so impressive as they roll in... the drivers and trucks themselves are all volunteers, escorted by police and a motorcycle group. I can't imagine riding a motorcycle this time of year, but there is a group that travels the whole way down. It was quite cold this year... and when I heard that the Governor's wife was riding on one of the bikes.... I must say I admire her courage to do so...
Once the trucks were parked and settled.. they have a very nice ceremony outside of Cabela's.... it's very moving.. and yet cheerful and somber all at the same time.
The bagpipe corps were there again this year.... as were several color guards from all branches of the military.....
As Debbie and I were standing in the crowd and watching the "going on's"... I turned and saw Karen Worcester standing right near us. It was Karen and her husband, Morrill are the founders of Wreaths Across America.... and so, when she had a moment I stepped over and got a few minutes to talk with her. I told her that we had gone last year to help put out the wreaths... told her about the service dogs that we raised and had the chance to tell her thank you. She was very nice to talk with and even said yes when I asked if I could take this picture of her and Debbie together. She asked if I could send this photo to her and then give her this blog address as she would like to read my story about our trip.....
The ceremonies then moved inside with the bagpipe corps doing a great concert... People were in such a happy mode, and it seems like a great way to begin the Christmas season... (still wish we were going!!!)
Course the service puppies always draw a lot of attention.. and perhaps you see a golden here that you might know... yup, that's Ginger!!! She, Pastor Jane and Bill all drove up to be a part of the excitement... they too had hoped to travel down this year, but it's a busy time for Pastor Jane.. so they're not going either...
We took advantage of being all together and got some nice pictures of the group.....
and the "puppies"... who are... Moxie, Otis, Debbie, Rayvan, Brutus and Ginger....
We stayed for along time, just visiting and talking... the dog's went into their "usual mode"... lay quietly and wait.....
And little Debbie dog did so well... it was a nice training time for her. Course a trip to the "big city" would have been even better.... but all in good time...
If you wish to know more about "Wreaths Across America" you can find out all the information at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org it is a wonderful story and well worth learning about.
Today we went down to NEADS for our check in time with Dave. Because of the holiday season, instead of going both in November and December... we just go once - in between the holidays. I can't believe how grown up Debbie is looking these days, and even though she is still very much "puppy" she can turn on the "serious working mode" when needed....
We have added a new member to the ranks... this is Mookie... Kathleen's new project... he is obviously a black lab.. about 11 weeks old and if from the Guiding Eyes Foundation, as Debbie is. Kathleen has been without a puppy for sometime, so needless to say, she is quite pleased with her new little friend....
Our visits are pretty much routine... meeting first to discuss how the puppies are coming along, answering questions and the like... Debbie finds this part all very dull, and decides she might as well get comfortable....
Sherri and Clover... Sherri for all intense and purpose "runs" the front desk at NEADS.. she is who you would talk to if you called. Clover is Ginger's sister, sadly she didn't make the program, so Sherri adopted her. But Clover isn't without her job, not just as Sherri's pet, but she does therapy work and goes with Sherri on different talks about the NEADS and the like. We always get the warmest of greetings when we arrive at NEADS from these two....
And then we're off to the city. Today was fairly warm for this time of year and no snow.. which was nice. As you can see, Debbie is doing her training now with a back pack, and pretty much as I had thought... nothing bothers her....
Ah... puppyville!!!! Notice how nicely Rayvan walks and little Mookie is in that puppy bounce... one thing about the puppy raising stuff... we get them to a "good point" and then turning them over... start right back at square one again!!!!
Once inside the big hospital though, looks who draws all the attention!!! At this point of training, it's all about socializing, so we don't mind people saying hi to the puppies....
But at the age where Debbie and Rayvan are... it's time to be serious and we have to gently tell people that petting is not allowed... the puppies need to learn this as well, and concentrate on the work at hand and not reaching out to be petted....
That being said though, a small pet here and there isn't "awful".....
From the hospital to the train station... getting there just in time as the train rolls in.... Debbie and Rayvan have seen it all before.... but for baby Mookie this is all new.... (and he did great!!!)
Because we were there on time, we had the opportunity to board the train and walk around for a bit. Again just great practice for the puppies... getting used the feel of the train under their feet, the sights, sound and smells... all very important information to them.
Baby Mookie was far more interested in treats from Kathleen than the silly train... I think Rayvan was thinking back on her puppy days when she was rewarded with lots of treats!!!!
After the train pulled out, it was over to the bus station. Debbie certainly had her working face on today..... there is no doubt in my mind that this beautiful dog is going to make it threw the program.. and at this point, I (personally) am thinking she'll go to full service dog....
another successful day in the city.. we won't be back again until the new year... which right now, seems so far away and yet, it will be here before I know it......
Kathleen and Mookie... (hold him now why you can!!!!)
And just as we were getting ready to leave, out comes this beautiful boy with the trainer... that is Marv!!! Linda's last puppy... all grown up now, and very close to being matched with someone very special. So, looks like he'll be on the list for spring graduation with Rylie.... Maine will be proudly "shouting" for their puppies!!!!
