a wonderful wedding...

Today we attended the wedding of Marci and Chris.. Marci is the daughter of my dear friend Kim. Norton went along as well.... Marci extended a personal invitation for him.

Kassy found this wonderful bow tie and since Norton always looks like he is wearing a tux... it was just a matter of adding this finishing touch. I must say, he was a very good boy and we received many (many) compliments of "you have a dog with you". by the way, the Pastor that did the wedding ceremony also has a a NEADS ministry dog... named Sawyer.

Here's Kim... the mother of the bride. She looked so beautiful... the whole wedding was beautiful. Marci and Chris did most of it themselves, it was simple, elegant and fun. Ed and I really enjoyed ourselves...

 Marci and her Dad walking down the isle together......

Lovely ceremony....it was sweet and simple. I have been to some pretty big weddings, but I have to say, I like the small ones better.

The reception was held at the church as well. We knew many of the other guests, so we enjoyed visiting with folks that we haven't seen in a bit. The food was excellent, and (thank you Marci)... the music was kept low enough where people could actually talk. I have to say, we have left weddings and other type parties because the music was being played so loud that you couldn't hear the person next to you, or even think for that matter. It may sound silly to even mention this sort of thing, but really... it's important in my book.

Marci and Chris made the rounds and talked with each guest. It was just such a fun day.... and of course, we wish them much happiness and a long life together....

just down on the farm

This past week we had what they were calling a "super moon". Which means the moon was close to the earth and being full it was quite spectacular...though I thought that the full moons we see in the winter time, with the moon shining across a snowy field might be just a tad better than this  one was. Either way, it was great to see and I got a few nice photos of it.

Sunday was a very pretty day. We went down to the old house to retrieve some boxwood shrubs that we had planted there. Kas and Nate wanted them moved so they could do a garden and before just hacking them off, asked if we wanted them. Boxwood is a favorite of ours, it reminds us of Colonial Williamsburg - where they have beaufutiful hedges of boxwoods.

They are muture plants, so I don't know if that means they will do better or worse with the move. But they already have more space than they did at the other house... so I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Today has been very grey and rainy, giving them a good drink of water.

The Guinea hens found  it all very interesting. They notice anything new on the farm. Too bad they don't notice the hawk and fox as quickly.. this week alone we have lost two. It's a dilemma for me, I like them to free range to eat all the bad buggies  and I know they are at risk. I'll probably end up buying more, which seems to be the routine each spring. But I will say, I have seen only one tick this season (on me!!!) so I know they are doing a good job.

We have opened up the little chicks "house" and are letting them roam around the stall that we keep these chickens in. They are so cute and are getting bigger each day.

Mama bird is doing a great job raising them and we are really enjoying watching them grown. I'm thinking their going to be colored like the mom.. but of course, I don't know if we have boys or girls yet.

This is our newest adventure. It's an incubator and inside... 21 guinea hen eggs. We found a nest of eggs that one hen seemed to be going into each day. The last time we had a clutch of eggs, I left them - upon advise of our "birdie friends" and sadly, a fox came and got all the eggs and the hen. So, this time, we took the eggs and will see if we can't hatch them out.

From what I read, unless your guineas are penned, they really aren't great moms. If they are free ranging, that is what they would rather do. And if they do nest, they are real victim to the wildlife (as we found out). So, we'll see if we have any better luck being guinea hen parents. We'll candle the eggs in about a week to see if we have any chicks inside, but right now, it's wait and see. It sure would be fun to hatch our own rather than buying them.

After a full day of running about looks like one little chick is ready to settle down and take a snooze... sounds like a plan to me....

Otis leaves for college....

Good bye hugs and wishes to out to Otis. He was officially turned back to NEADS yesterday to begin his advance training. I have no doubt he will join the ranks of "service dog" and we anxiously await the reports of his training (as does Kelli and Rick) and look forward to seeing him as a trained and matched dog in the November graduation.

It's May????

What have we hear on this fine day in May??

Two little chicks!!! Actually they hatched out when we were away seeing Ginger, so sometime either the 25 or 26th of April. I wasn't so sure that we were even going to get chicks. Out two hens had gone broody about a month ago. Since silky hens are known for going broody at anytime, I thought they could be faking it.. but I was wrong.The babies are so cute, and goodness know what color they will be (or "what") they are.. but we are sure enjoying them. Especially Abbie who calls them "my babies"

We have had the most beautiful spring. The boys are anxious to get out on the new grass, but I don't like to open the pasture until June, if I can get away with it. That way we have "grass" until September. However, we do have a smaller grass area for early spring grazing, which they got to enjoy.

Back to the birdies... I don't know if we have two mothers and two babies, or one Mom and an Aunt. Either way, you can see that they are well guarded by both.

Abbie was brave enough to hop up on Silver and "ride" him in one evening when we were heading to the barn. He's such a gentle old horse and I feel so happy to see him carry my little grandbaby. By the smile on her face.. I think you can tell how she feels about horseback riding.

talk about a busy weekend

Why is it, some weekends, there just isn't much happening and others... it feels like we run and race to get it all in. It would be nice if there could be just a little bit to do each weekend, but I guess that's not the way it works. Norton has been such a good boy and such a fun dog to work with. We are really enjoying the time with him. Abbie thinks he's pretty cool.

One things on my training  list with these dogs, it taking them to the movies. There was a nice movie playing this weekend "The Lucky One".. so we called Rick and Kelli and along with Otis, we took the service dogs to the movies!!! Our local theatre is a restaurant as well, it's so nice to go, have a "sit down" meal and enjoy a show. Both dogs just snoozed under the table and at the end of the film, people who had been sitting next to us,never even knew the dogs were there until it was time to leave.

Sunday morning, I confess, we skipped out on church. Ed and Rick had signed up for a motorcycle ride called the "Patriot Ride". Where all proceeds go to help veterans. After having a week of rain, it was nice to see the sun and made it perfect (well, tad cold still) day for the ride. They said there were at least 400 bikes.

Kelli and I took Abbie, and the service dogs down to see the bikes and the start of the ride. Abbie thought the bikes were really neat, and wanted to have her picture taken "sittin on Papa's bike"...

We had a fun time showing off the service dogs as well. It was a perfect place to talk about the NEADS program, especially where they (NEADS) have a whole program of dogs for veterans. People were really interested in learning about that.

As usual, Norton got a lot of attention. He is just so "different looking" that people are attracted to him. As you can tell, he is more than happy to make a new friend.

But you can be sure, that Camille wasn't going to let all that go to just the service puppies. She was sure to make her presence known as well!!!

As we were checking out all the bikes, Abbie spotted a purple one (her newest favorite color). It happened to belong to a nice young gal who was more than happy to let Abbie try it out. Abbie was thrilled....

We watched the bikes roar out of the parking lot on to their ride. Abbie had been so good that a bit of time on the playground was in order. She was right in her glory.. seeing and sitting on the bikes, and then time on her favorite slide. Reminds one that sometimes just the simple things can be so much fun.

Norton had fun seaside... the wind blowing threw his curls... but we wanted to meet the bikes at the end of the ride, so we didn't spend much time at the beach. I promised both him and Abbie we would be back.

As it turned out, we really didn't have to rush. We arrived at the end of the ride long before the bikes. But there were plenty of folks to talk with -- again people interested int he service dogs.. Including Mr. Angus King.. the former Governor of Maine!!! He was more than happy to pose with the dogs and had all kinds of questions about them and the program. We were sure to tell him about the veteran's program they have, and he was quite impressed.

Abbie was so good, she enjoyed as much attention as the dogs......

And then you heard them.. even before you saw them. The low rumble of motorcycles... and it just seemed like there were more and more and more.

Here's biker Rick......

And my personal favorite biker!!! Ed said the ride was very good, organized and a nice route. He'll certainly be doing more rides this summer. I might even hop on back and go... but today, it was just fun to watch.

After the ride, we decided to go and get something to eat. We brought Abbie and two dogs into the restaurant and I have to say, I'm not sure who was better behaved. It was such a nice afternoon... until poor Rick. Guess his battery said enough.. and he needed a push to get his bike started again. He was pretty happy it didn't happen on the ride.. even though there were helping hands...

 We got home and I saw that a flight was coming in with soldiers that were heading out. I always like to do at least one "greeters" with the service dogs.. and since the time on this one was so good.. we packed up and headed out again.

There were 50 or so service men on the flight. It was a quick lay over, but you know how much they appreciate everyone's greetings. Norton, as usual, was a big hit. So, it certainly has been a Sunday of "veterans" if you will... but aren't we blessed that there are men and women who chose this profession for us... thank you to all of them

check in time

Because we were doing our usual check in at NEADS the next day. Ed and I stayed overnight with Sherri and Joe. (Sherri mans the front desk at NEADS and has always said that we could crash at her house, so we took her up on the offer). I loved having the chance to visit with them, and you can be sure, we'll plan on staying there again!!!

In the morning we met up with the rest of the puppy crew... who arrived just about the time Pastor Jane and Ginger were arriving!!! Everyone was so excited to meet them and see their girl once again.

Ginger was so happy to see all her old friends, both human and canine. We are making plans to go and visit Pastor Jane and Ginger at their church, once everyone has the chance to settle in. That is going to be great fun!!!!

We met up with Dave to have the usual question and answer time. All the puppies are doing well... June and Vicki are regulars in our group.. and now Lee (NY) has another puppy and is joining us again as well. Vicki has been giving her Mom some troubles with grooming.. so Dave took some time to work with us (assisted by his son.) As a trainer myself, I really enjoy the opportunities to watch other trainers work and get new ideas and opinions on things. One should never stop learning new things.

Our puppies are getting big... it really all goes by too fast. Here's our "little Monty"... he's the baby of the bunch... but not for long...

Otis is now our mature dog, and will actually be turning in next week. Kelli and Rick have done an amazing job with him, and I know how hard it will be to let him go off to college. But, that's what puppy raising is all about... and the little sweetie beside Otis is Lee's new puppy (who, for the life me, I can't think of her name!!!)

And our Norton... second in line, and next on the turn in list. He'll be a year old the first part of May and he's ready to head to college too.

The city seemed to be extra busy and loud this visit. There is construction going on all over the place. Great for the puppies to work around. They all handled it in stride, but I'm not so sure some of us puppy raisers took it that well... we definitely are not "city folks".

We timed it perfectly for the train again. They're getting used to seeing us waiting for it to pull in. We walked up and down the isles... put the puppies "under" the seats... all the usual. Even the little guys did well....

And then we played behind the buses... normally one would never walk behind a bus.But puppy raisers consider everything a training opportunity!!!!

So, who is this??? Well, say hello to "Moxie". She is the newest member of the Maine team, and already has quite a story. Moxie will be Rick's new dog (after Otis heads in) and her name carries a very special memory. This little girl did not have a sponsor, so Dave asked if Linda (our chapter leader) would be interested in naming her. Linda started with NEADS in 1993 with a puppy in training named Moxie - Maine's first NEADS dog. That means in 2013 (when Moxie is ready to graduate) the Maine puppy chapter will celebrate it's 20th anniversary... so in celebration of that and our first Moxie..... it was the "only" name to use.

Course any of you who know me, also know what the name "Moxie" means to me. It was because of my own little Moxie that I even became a puppy raiser.

And not to put any pressure on this little sweetie pie, but if she follows in the foot prints of the the "Moxies" before her.... she already has some pretty big paws to fill. Her parents, and all her aunties will be sure that she does.