a job well done....

So, the "big" day finally arrived. Just like I did with Chester, I got nothing done all day only watched the clock until it was time to go.... GO SEE GINGER!!! Since we were staying overnight, I thought I had packed everything, but found later that I forgot quite a few things... oh well, we didn't need them anyways. When we arrived at NEADS this nice big banner greeted us... thought it would be a neat photo opt for Norton!!!!!!!





There were three clients in this class... Pastor Jane and Ginger and two service dogs. While we were waiting, I kept saying to myself.. "say hello to Pastor Jane first.... say hello to Pastor Jane first"... and then I saw them coming threw the door....











Do you think I was happy to see them????













Do you think Ginger was happy to see me???? Do you think I remembered to say hello to Pastor Jane first???? (well --- I kinda did!!!)











The nice thing about Ginger being a ministry dog (among a long list) is I could go a little crazy with her since Pastor Jane doesn't need to count on her. So, I admit.. I let loose.. which really, shouldn't be done with any service dog. We all know the rules.......








"My" puppies together.... Ginger and Norton know each other, they had training sessions together when Norton was with Lorna. So, it's fun to think of them as friends....




Family photo... I so appreciate all the love and support that my dear Ed gives me during all this "service puppy thing".....

What a joy ... looking into those beautiful brown eyes once again. Pastor Jane was so sweet, and just gave us the time to re-connect.....

and then we finally settled down for a nice (though not long enough) visit....

Now, as I said, two other service dogs were enjoying their "meet and greets" as well. I must admit, though, I was so caught up in ours that I didn't' pay much attention to them. Often gifts are exchanged, and I wanted to show this one in particular. One of the other dogs was prison raised and trained.. and the inmate that had done the puppy raising, had also done this drawing for her new owner.... such a talent here, that might not have been found if not for the prison puppy program!!!!

We brought a gift for Pastor Jane as well... I had saved one of Ginger's baby teeth.... her Cabela employee of the week pin.. and I had her blog made into a book. Pastor Jane was thrilled to see all her baby pictures and see some of the adventures that we had together....

We could have talked (and cried) all night. We hit it off immediately and I know for a fact, that Ginger will not be "leaving our lives".... (I love the way she put herself between the two of us!!!)

The Maine puppy chapter has already decided that we are going to make a call on Pastor Jane's church, once she and Ginger have the chance to get settled in. And the work that these two will do together is just going to be amazing. I can't wait to hear all the stories that they will have.

And, of course, the evening flew by and it was time to say "see you soon".... tonite, I feel so at peace. I have that closure and all is well, this is what we puppy raisers really work towards. Yes, it's hard work,. yes- it's very rewarding, yes--- it's heart breaking... and yes, this is why!!!!!

More Official news....

Hard to believe.... the word has come threw... this little puppy....

who grew to this bigger puppy.....

and bigger still.....

to this fine handsome boy!!! Will be heading for college next week.

All our best wishes Otis (aka Otto) our love goes with you and we plan on seeing you at graduation.

driving clinic

Isn't he a little cutie pie... this is Quinn, a Welsh Cobb who belongs to my good friend Betty. I have talked about Betty and Quinn before, but it's been some time since I have seen them. Quinn has done some filling out and is becoming quite the nice young horse. Betty so enjoys driving him and has big plans for his future. Quinn is boarded at an amazing facility.. where they often have clinics... and such was the case on Sunday.





Betty sent me an email a few weeks back, wondering if I might like to try a driving clinic. I jumped on the chance. I like working with different people, and goodness know Tonka can use the work. So, with clean tack (previous blog) and the excitement to go to work.. we headed over. How many of my horse friends would like this arena in their back yard!!!!!







Tonka goes fairly well in harness, but he could be better. I know he needs work and experience, but I think there is something going on with him. One bad habit, is he throws his head. Sometimes so hard it feels like he has ripped your arm from the shoulder. So, when I had the chance to meet with Robyn, I gave her my list of "problems"






She listened carefully, and worked him for a bit. He really is a good boy.. especially when I think that we easily trailered him over, tacked up in the middle of the parking area outside the arena... brought him into the arena (which he had never seen) and the whole time he behaved perfectly.









So, I know he has "it"... just needs to be even better.













We put him into the cart, took a few spins around the arena and then Robyn went to work.











After watching him move, she recommended a different bit (which we tried and it seemed to make a difference.) She also adjusted the fittings of the harness and the hitch... and watched us go again.

Because it was a clinic, we didn't have a huge amount of time with her. But I have already decided that I'm going to make the changes she suggested and then set up a private lesson with her. It was really a fun afternoon, nice to be with other horse people, catch up with Betty, travel to some place new with Tonka and get to work with him. I'm hoping we can do more things of this nature......

getting ready....

We have a driving clinic coming up on Sunday... and I decided to take Tonka and see what we can learn. He does OK in the driving department, but there is certainly room for improvement, so here's a great opportunity. I took a look at his tack... and found it was in dire need of cleaning... (uuggghhhh)

Speaking of cleaning... it was time to get the chicken coop cleaned out. Sadie (thankfully) volunteered for the job... and Abbie was more than happy to help "make her chickem's home clean".....

they did a good job. Ed got the new nesting boxes into place and I think we are ready to go.

Annabelle as always, supervises all the things that go on around the barn. She is such a good kitty, we haven't seen one mouse or vermin ever around that barn.

So, back to me. Leather harness!!! You know, when we ordered this harness for Tonka, "everyone" tried to talk me into a bio-than harness, but I said NO.. I wanted a nice traditional leather harness. If I had only thought. On top of that, this harness has some pretty brass trimmings.. which all needs attention.

I did a detailed cleaning. Unbuckling every buckle and then putting it all back. It "only" took me five hours to clean it.

We are having an amazing stretch of spring weather, many days are hot. We need rain and because of the lack of snow.... we really need rain. But, the animals are certainly enjoying the weather, and it's been kind of nice not having so much mud....but I "worry" about the hay crop this year.

And there have been so many complaints about the ticks. So, I am always happy to see these guinea hens out on patrol. They are very busy to be sure....

Eat all those nasty bugs..........

AND... we got a little broody hen. She is sitting on six eggs and if all goes well, we could have some chick around the first of May. I don't know what we'll do with more chicks, but Abbie is pretty excited watching over her.

She checks almost everyday and says "No chickem's yet"... it will be really exciting when the day arrives and there are "baby chickem's"....

Norton's busy training days......

Our friend Norton has had a busy couple of weeks!!! and his training continues to go well. A few weeks ago, he went with Linda (0ur chapter leader) to do a puppy swap and visit Cabela's. These puppy swaps are so important to our training program, it really helps the puppies move into new situations quickly and comfortably.

Norton had a fun time with Linda. He got to play with her golden Chloe, try a hand at "tenting"... made a ton of new friends,

and even dressed up as an Easter bunny!!!!!

When he got back home, I had the opportunity to take him down to Logan Airport. Our friend Kelli had gone to visit with family, and when Rick was heading down to pick her up.... I asked if I could go along. We went down early, just so we could work the dogs. We parked in the huge parking garage and headed to the elevators. Norton thinks everything is cool... and Otis, just waits quietly.

I see him sit like this often, I have to admit, I wondering what he's thinking..

The elevator dropped us off in the baggage area. Even though this picture doesn't show it, we arrived just as a plane was unloading. There were a lot of people pulling bags off, greeting one another.. other dogs that must have been on the flight... it was loud and noisy and Norton took it all in - as did Otis.

We wandered around, dealing with all sorts of people and different things. Which is exactly why we went there!!! But, when I found this huge cup of coffee!!! I couldn't resist... if only coffee really came in this size cup (sigh)

I have to say, this dog can have the calmest attitude about things. It's hard to think of him like "this" when I see him tearing around the yard and bouncing around the house... but overall, he takes things with a wonderful laid back calmness.

Kelli arrived safe and sound, and it was back to baggage to collect her things. Otis took a real interest this time, I think he might have been looking for Kelli's bag!!!!

The next day, we spent some time training at the Kittery Trading post (forgot my camera). The place was packed and it was hard to keep people at bay. Norton loves people, especially children, and some how when they see him the "rules" of a working dog don't apply. I gave up trying to tell people he was working!!!!

After that, we headed over to the flyball tournament that our club hosts each year. Now, there's a place that's loud and exciting. Norton was pretty excited to see all that activity... dogs racing, people yelling, balls rolling all over the place...

He watched with great interest....

Here's our team, waiting to run.....

but, after we had been there a few hours... this was Norton once again. Laying quietly and taking it all in. I have a good feeling about this dog too... he'll make it as a service dog, I am sure.