It's been a busy time around the farm, and I "fear" that from here to the end of the year, it will only get busier. We sent the first batch of turkeys in last week, and the second went this week.
I will admit, this is the part that I don't really like. I love raising them, and of course, appreciate knowing what's on my table, but I don't like shipping them in. It does come to a point where they become a "pain" to take care of, and they actually get kind of mean towards the end, it's what we got them "for", but still....
Except for some stain/paint.. our little woodshed is complete. Ed really out did himself on this one, and I keep telling him, it's too pretty to be used just for wood. I think some pretty carriages would look much nicer in there, but wood it will be. (once I begin to stack it, that is!!!)
And today is a day that I have been looking forward to for months!!! Today was the NEADS fall graduation--- Ginger's official graduation, and I couldn't wait to go and see Pastor Jane and Ginger once again!!! They were there when we arrived, and Ginger was just beside herself to see all of us again. Like she did when we visited her at church, she just kept "running" for one person to the next, trying to say hi to all of us at the same time!!!!
She all but climbed into Rick's lap.....
And like wise with Linda. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that she was born to be a "ministry" dog, she has a gift, and she and Pastor Jane are a perfect match.
John Moone opened the ceremony and the tears began. It's such an emotional day-- a great day, but I find myself "all over the place". It makes me appreciate so much, and I am in awe when I see people who obviously have difficulties in their lives use words like "blessed, lucky, happy, excited" over and over again. I am so honored to be able to play a small role in this "service dog world"....
This year's guest speaker was Nick Trout, he is a vet and author, and has written a number of books about his life as a vet. (sort of like Jame Herriot did). His stories were wonderful and he had us laughing one moment and somber the next. I really enjoyed hearing him.
Camille came along with me as her role of "service dog supporter"... and she and Rylie laid quietly threw the whole ceremony. I just love this little girl, she is certainly a; wonderful dog and my partner in 'crime" for sure.
Twenty six dogs graduated today... with a variety of different jobs. Here is Pastor Jane and Ginger on the stage receiving their diploma. Pastor Jane told me later that she was over whelmed and a bit choked up, and actually had a hard time speaking when it was her turn. That surprised me, she speaks in front of people all the time, but she said this was "different"...
Afterwards, we got some time to chat and take pictures. Ginger was so silly.. she knew that today was for her!!!
And we got to hear even more stories of the things she and Pastor Jane have been doing together. For such a short time, they have accomplished a lot... and I just know that they will be a blessing to many people in the future. Their work has just begun, and it's exiting to be able to "watch" and see where this all goes.
And who knows what's in store for little Rylie, I am excited about her work as well... I have a very good feeling about this little girl as well..... two years from now, I hope to be back at another graduation - watching her cross the stage!!!!
Moxie girl - as well as Monty - are not far from their turn in dates... time goes by fast when you are puppy raising!!!!
Back when Ginger was on a puppy swap with Linda, she "won" this bed from Cabela's. Linda has been "'saving" it for graduation day, and I would say Ginger was pretty excited about it. Pastor Jane was delighted because Ginger didn't have bed in her office... and now.... Though I have a feeling she won't be using it that much!!!!
All to soon, the day is over. Days like this ,that have special meaning.. never seem long enough.. time to gather things up and head for home. As we were leaving, Rick snuck in one last hug... and this is "the look"... the "Ginger look".. which is what I think works the best in her duties. Those big brown eyes look right into you soul and calm you...
The neatest thing is, Ginger is not out of my life. We have already made promises to visit her church again, and Pastor Jane will keep in touch. I understand how rare this is, as a puppy raiser, once your job is done, then it's done. The dogs move on to do their work and become a life partner to the people who need them most... but I have been blessed,I can "keep" this wonderful dog in my life... a gift for sure. However, life moves on, Ginger will be contining in her good works, and I with mine.......................
Our November check in at NEADS... another month is here already (??) I think Rylie is getting a little bigger, but she's such a peanut and I don't see her growing. She can still wear a puppy size vest, in fact, the "big dog" vest really is still too big!!!!
Our check-in's are almost routine, but even though we seem to do the "same things', I always enjoy these days of dogs and good friends, and always come away with some good training advise. Rylie and Marv quietly converse while the humans do the same at the "round table" talks (as I call it!!)
Then, it's off to the city. This will be Vicki's last check in with us... she'll be turning in during the month of December. Both she and her handler have come a long way in their year together. It will be fun to hear about her next adventure... and one day, we hope to watch her cross the stage at graduation...
June and Vicki... Kathleen and Monty... Linda and Marv... "enjoying" the city on a fine fall day.
Rylie, just taking in the sights.....
At the hospital, we just took a few minutes and camped out at the front door. The floor there is a metal grate and it "shakes" a little when you walk across it. So, having the puppies sit on it while people walked by was a good little training session. Course the puppies always draw alot of attention.
From there it was onto the elevators. Rylie enjoyed her ride, and as you can see by the others... it's "old hat"... (that's Norton's butt you can see on the edge of the picture)... Moxie just lays down and waits for the door to open.. Vicki takes in the view....
Here are all the Maine puppies waiting at the elevators... Rylie, Moxie, Marv and Monty.... we won't be together too much longer... Monty's turn in date is getting close too....
After elevator work, we went to get some lunch. This young man and his Mom were waiting as well. When she told him about the puppies he just had to 'see" them. Rylie was more than happy to become friends, and as you can tell, he was delighted to meet her as well. Even if our puppies don't make "service dog".. they have already done "good work"....
Norton... as handsome as always.....
Rylie took a little snooze while we ate lunch. I do forget that she is still so little (four months) and runs out of steam much sooner than the older dogs do. But she is really catching onto this "service dog" thing and I have a good feeling about her future.
Our next stop was the train station. "Playing" on the stairs is always good work.. we practice going up and down at different speeds, stepping carefully on the "slippery" floor, and then we take turns with each other's dogs.. just to be sure that they will work with others as well as us...
Not only did we catch up with the commuter train, but a huge freight train went threw as well. Didn't bother Rylie one little bit. However, we did have a bit of trouble with the commuter train. When the train pulls up to the station, there is a space about 8-10 inches between the train and the platform. When I went to get on the train, I realized that Rylie would have to jump to get on, as she's too little to step on like the big dogs. Suddenly, in my mind, i could see her mis- stepping and "falling" between the train and the platform. It was all kind of silly, but I just couldn't get the thought out of my mind, and got so, I couldn't even get on the train with her. I ended up handing her off to Rick and he took her on for me. She actually was a little nervous having to jump on the train, so it was just as well her "nervous" Mother didn't try to do the training.
And after the train work, we chatted some more and headed for home. We won't be back at NEADS until "next year".. but December is going to be so busy... that I know it will be here before we know it.
oh no.... a delivery of wood... and not the burning kind.. the building kind. My dear Ed is onto another project.. our woodshed!!!
For those who may not know, we heat our home entirely by wood. There is no furnace in our house and no oil.. just wood that is burned in an outside furnace which sends the hot water into the house, and goes from there. The very first winter we had no shelter for our wood except covering the piles with a tarp. Not very efficient, especially after a heavy snow...
The next couple of winters, we used one of those "portable buildings" (aka tent).. which worked pretty well. But our tent building was an older one and the weather really took it's toll last year. So this year, Ed said it was time for a "real" building. He called our friend Ken (who helped build our barn) and the first day... the back wall was up....
When I got back on Tuesday after having gone to the doctor with Kas... the front wall was up. These two can really move when they work together like that.
We want it to look like a carriage building... which has a high front and a low back. There are many old carriage buildings here in new England where just the carriages and sleigh were stored...
With snow and yucky weather on its' way, Ed and Ken planned to get the walls done and spend the yucky days in the garage building the tresses for the roof.
this is kind of a funny picture.. when Ed's Dad was alive, he always commented on how "people worked in the doorway of the building" more than they worked inside... as you can see... that's where Ed and Ken worked this day... in the doorway....
but by the end of the day, they had most of the outside work done and brought in the pieces for the work to do inside the next day....
The garage worked perfectly.. while the winds howled and the snow fell... they built 27 roof tresses all inside...
And when the sun re-appeared on Friday.. up went the tresses.... This coming week, they'll get the end walls up, the roof done.. and then it will be "my" turn...
bringing all the wood (15 or so cords) inside!!! Hopefully I can beat the next snowfall....
It's been a wonderful week of "firsts".... and I'll start with baby news!!! On Tuesday, Kas invited Deb, Sadie, Abbie and I to go with her for her check up. We were more than excited to go, and hear baby Regan's heartbeat.
He's growing very well, and Kas is doing an amazing job. She is taking such good care of herself and giving baby Regan the best head start possible. Abbie was so excited to see Tee-tee's tummy and is trying to put it all together about "where Tee-tee's baby is right now"...
A nice strong heart beat, and a Mom who really cares about things... you can see how happy her doctor is with the progress.... It was a joyous day, and we anxiously await his arrival........
November 7th can go down in history as the first official snow fall of the year. It was just a few inches... but for a puppy who has never seen the snow.... exciting!!!!
For about 10 seconds, she was a bit worried about this whole idea... and after that, I could hardly get any pictures because she raced around so much. And a black dog against white snow... makes for so hard picture taking!!!!
Actually all the dogs were pretty excited about the snow. This is the kind the cockers like... just enough to have fun with and not have to plow threw.....
And it didn't take Abbie very long to be dressed and out the door. She says she remembers snows from last winter.. and that it's good to eat..... she had a great time running about....
And the first of snow angels. Fortunately, the weather is beginning to warm again, and the snow didn't last very long.. I'm not quite ready for winter.. but it was a nice little taste of "things to come".....
just some photos taken around the farm of the beautiful fall that we had...... we are so blessed....
