heading south

First day of our trip.... NOT as smooth and unstressful as I had hoped. I probably did not make the wisest decision to bring Camille with us. Nothing do with Camille herself, she is a great little traveler.. just that for the most part, we are NOT a dog friendly place, and finding hotels/motels that will take a dog can be tricky. Also the fact that we were traveling on a holiday weekend..... began to cut out chances way down.

We got a late start because I had to work in the morning, And after that, we still needed to take the other dogs down to Kas and Nate's. So it was close to 3:00 before we were really traveling. We got about six hours in and began to look for a place to sleep. The first stop, we found only one place that would take a dog... however, the bigger trouble was... the whole town was filled with work trucks... electrical and tree. Crews that had traveled to New England to help with storm damage... never thought about them!!! The one place that would take us and Cam, (full with work crews) suggested that we travel another hour south and see if we could get away from the damage area.

So, on we went. This stop was no better.... I didn't even get to ask about Cam, because we were told.... "HUGE soccer tournaments in the area" all hotels had been booked for weeks.... best keep heading south.

We didn't find a hotel, but we did come across the "Orange county choppers"... yup the real ones that are on TV!!!!

Sadly, they had closed about 10 minutes before we came across them, it would have been fun to poke around their place... but we had to do with looking from the outside in.

I didn't realize that they weren't that far away from us (about six to seven hours) so, sometime this might be a fun weekend thing to do. Drive down (without dog!!!) find a place to stay, and visit.

It was getting really late. I was beginning to think that we might really have to pull over and rest in the truck. But finally, one place that had just a couple of rooms open.

It was "ok".... clean, but beds as hard as bricks, and guess what - no dogs!!! Ed was so tired that he said he had to take it and just lay down for a few hours. So, we took it and Cam found herself sleeping out in the truck (I couldn't even sneak her in because you had to walk by the front desk to get to the room) Several times I went out to check on her. About the third time threw the night clerk wanted to talk. She went on and on about "why" they didn't take dogs (like I care) I was tired and mad... and then I asked her - what about a service dog. She said "well, they had one room that they would let a service dog in - and only if the room was available". I asked, what would you do if that room wasn't available, and she said - "probably tell them no dog"... really???? it's three o'clock in the morning, I am tired, mad and now you're telling me that you would break the ADA laws... it was more than I could handle and I went back to the room before I got myself in trouble and got us kicked out. Goodness, the public needs some major education with service dog laws!!!!!

Needless to say, we were out of there first thing in the morning. Ed got some sleep (I got none) and we just wanted to be on the road. The weather was grey, but a welcomed sign began to make us feel better. Breakfast at Cracker Barrel.... maybe day two of this trip would be better.

Grateful to all the crews that helped during the storm. We had no power for four days, so I am happy to see extras... but when we saw this line of trucks, no wonder there weren't any motels to be found last night!!!!!

We stopped for fuel and found this beautiful creature... a praying mantis.... I'm taking him as a symbol of "good luck" for the rest of the week!!!!

doors, docks and digger...

Ya know... it never fails, the day before we are heading out for a week's vacation... "everything" happens on the farm!!! Actually, the storm from last weekend really messed things up in the "schedule", so, you just have to go with it sometimes. First to arrive --- the garage door folks. Ed has been so excited to finally get "real" doors on his garage!!! (and after his fake one was ruined in the storm - it was none too soon). So, they're working on them...






And we had pushed everything around just to give the guys some room to work. Think my dear hubby needs to do some organizing in his space here!!! He tells me this will be as neat as pin, now that his garage doors are in place... hummmmm... let's see!!!!








But I must admit, they are pretty nice and this winter when I don't have to wipe snow off my truck... I know I will appreciate them.










Just after the garage door folks started, here came the digger again. We needed to fix those nice little "river bends" made by the hail, and get the grass seed down, before the warm weather passes us by.....










So, that was going on in the back yard..... and on top of those two projects....












Kass and Nate and grand doggies arrived. I had asked them to help us get the docks in before we left. Nate is so wonderful, he is always willing to help us out, and I just hope he knows how much we appreciate him!!!! I didn't want to tie up their whole day, so I had to pull Ed away from the others to go and get this done!!!

(Banjo loves coming to grammy's house... big yard for sticks and a swim in the lake - what could be better??? Except his other grammy, who has acres of woods to run in..... this is one lucky dog!!!!)

We had a bit of a mess left over from the hurricane.... Ed was sad to be bringing the dock up so soon. But with the way the weekends are looking for Sept, if we didn't do them now, it might be October before they could b done. We've brought them in - in October. But the weather is just too cold to be doing that, and I figure if we have someone willing to help... we need to think about them!!!

The poor paddle boat was FULL of water. After all that rain last weekend, good thing they are nearly unsinkable. Nate held this up a good 10 minutes before it got most of the water out and they could pick it up over the rocks...

And everything got tucked into place. Docks are up, digger is done with grass seed down, and the doors work great...

now we can start vacation... which is a celebration of our 30th anniversary... Tennessee here we come!!!!

happy birthday brothers!!!!

They came to us as "fosters"... two little brothers, just 10 weeks old. They were an "impluse buy" and when that buyer realized how much work one puppy is, let alone two... off to rescue they went.

But, we fell in love, and so... TEN years later... Hunter and Trevor are "our boys".....

Happy birthday, Brothers....

Hunter (who wears the green collar) and Trevor (who is dressed in yellow).....

Happy Birthday Ginger!!!

Just wishing "service dog in training" Ginger (and her brother Leo, and sister Clover) Happy 1st Birthday!!!!

(and for the record... power was restored last night!!!!)

where's the power????

It's Tuesday... still no power.. other than the generator. I cancelled dog classes for last night - which turned out to be a good idea... and then was called into work at the post office. Which was interesting with no power. Talk is the power won't be on until Thursday... I hope it won't be that long, because even with the generator... it's a lot of work. The crews are out everywhere... both electrical and tree folks. I appreciate the long days that they are putting in and keep them in prayer for their safety. We're hardy up here in the north... it will be OK.

unwelcomed "guest"

And so, she blew into town... Hurricane Irene. She didn't take the coastal route as had been thought earlier in the week, but being as big as it was... coastal or not.. everyone had the "pleasure" of her company. Actually by the time it hit New England, it was technically a tropical storm, and really no "worse" that a good ol nor'easter.. but still....

The rain was pretty impressive as was the wind. And I guess in a way, I'm glad it was "something" because people had made so many plans based around this storm.

Overall, we fared pretty well on the farm... Ed did loose one of his "garage doors"..... and of course we lost the power....

But the little generator hummed along in the electric shed... and Ed spent the day running about with the fire department... over 40 calls, mostly down trees and power lines, water rising, things like that....

Abbie got a little nervous when the wind got really high, and she didn't like it when the generator ran out of gas and the lights went out again. She would run to Sadie or I and say "work!!! Baby (or Mama) work!!!" So, we went out and filled the generator and the lights were on again.

I went to the barn several times, we had locked everyone in first thing Sunday morning. All was cozy and well. I did feel bad for two of our guinea hens, I tried bringing them in the day before and putting them with the "babies"... but we had some fighting issues.. so they went back outside. I fixed a shelter for them, but found them out in the rain more than in the shelter. Oh well, I tried.. if they don't want to use it, I can't make them.

Towards supper time, the rain began to drop off, but the wind really picked up. I felt so blessed to have that generator running, keeping the house at a normal level...

just hope the power comes back soon....

fair and friends...

What's that old saying?? "the best laid plans".... seems a fitting way to describe this year's plans for the fair . First off, I wasn't able to take Mocha, to the mini show --- our little dog Hunter has been fighting an ear infection, and Friday morning when we got up, he was not feeling well. That meant a trip to the vet, turned out he needed a change of meds, and I was glad that I took him in. THEN the threat of a hurricane, which at first seemed like it was going to either fizzle out, or head out to sea... but it took a different path and it's eye is on Maine!!



Now, our friends MaryEllen and Jack were suppose to have a nice weekend away, but with this hurricane on it's way. They decided they better cancel their plans.... when I heard that, I offered them our cottage on the lake.. that way, they didn't have to go too far from home, but could still get a little time away. And with the fair going on, I thought it might be a nice time for them... happily for me, they took me up on my offer. So, even though Mocha didn't show, I have a doggie that is feeling better and guests as well..... not a bad "trade"

We took Ginger to the fair and met up with Otis and with Joe!!! (hard getting a picture of black dogs at dusk).... and we had a great time taking them around. (when we weren't stopping to talk to "everyone")

I didn't get anything done to enter in the fair this year which is a first, usually I can get some cross stitch or quilting thing done, but not this year. However, my square was in the fair quilt. This year's theme had been "meet me at the beach" There were some great blocks....

My block took a 4th, which I was pretty pleased about.

Ginger had a fine time at the fair, nothing bothered her.....

The crowds were a bit on the small size, I guess with this hurricane coming, people were getting ready instead of going to the fair. But we had a great time and it was so much fun to have MaryEllen and Jack joining us. Kas and Nate also trekked up, they had planned on staying all weekend, but again with the hurricane warnings, they stayed just one night.

Saturday morning, our family and friends headed for home... but the hurricane was moving slower than predicted.. so, we were able to sneak another evening in at the fair. Abbie loved all the animals....

Ginger schmoozed the folks......

and was very interested in the horse pulling contest.....

As was Abbie!!!!

And no, Abbie... you can't bring him home.

It was also decided by the fair officials that the fair would shut down a day early, and by 10:00 PM Saturday night, people were packing up and heading for home... too bad it got cut short...but better safe than sorry and good to have people and animals safely in their homes before the storm hits.

off to NEADS

well..... here we are again, check in day at NEADS... and there won't be too many more of these for Ginger and Leo. The clock is ticking down and turn in day is just around the corner. But in the mean time, we still have lots of training and good times ahead.








This month, Dave had T's brother, Honor, and Ginger and Leo's sister, Clover come and join us... so, we were a big group... however... for the Maine Chapter, as of today, we're even bigger.....












Say hello to "Stoney"... a four month old lab puppy that will be going home with Samuel (and his Mom Kate)... yup, another puppy raiser team has come on board!!!!









Course, you know me.. always looking for that good photo for the blog... good looking group of future service dogs!!!! and from left to right...
Samuel with Pia, Barbara with Clover, Teena and Freedom, Rick and Otis.. Ginger and I, Kathleen and Leo, Honor (can't think of his owner's name!!!) and Bernice and T.......










Today was micro chip day, so while we each waited out turn, Dave suggested that we try the new "puppy path"......












Ginger was excited to give it a try. Volunteers have created the path with all sort of "different" things for the puppies to work with....

So, Ginger practiced "sit-stay" on cobblestone...

"down-stay" on sand

"sit-stay" on pebbles.... (she's giving me that "how much longer" look)

And of course, benches to "hide" under....

"where's that golden???"

Then off to the training room.... I don't know Dave, this might not be such a good look for you!!!! But, again, it's all about the things that puppies can handle!!!!

And what's a trip to NEADS without heading into the city.... hhuummmm... city, thunderstorms and elevators... all my "favorites"... (NOT)

How many service dogs can you get on an elevator... we got seven....

Taking a little break from elevator work - thank goodness - I guess that was today's theme, because I have never ridden an elevator so many times in my life!!!!!

And heading for home... but you can plan on needing a good half hour just to leave. The dogs attrack so much attention. This lady just had to have a few moments with Ginger...

and she was happy to oblige....

We were also told that turn in will probably be in October... a little later than I had thought, so, it means that we have the golden girl around for a bit more..... fine by me!!!!!