feeling rather sad today...... five years ago, I said good bye to my Little Moxie dog.... it still amazes me that I can cry so easily when I think of her. I don't cry as often, and I can talk about her and smile.... but more often that not... I cry... I guess the truth is, you never "get over" the ones that you love... human, canine or other. When someone touches your heart and soul so deeply, parting ways will forever be difficult. But in my heart of hears, I truly believe we will be reunited. And, as you well know, my work with the service puppies is because of Moxie, I know what a dog can add to your life, and I know how service dogs change the lives of their partners, so it seems like a constructive way to keep Moxie's memory alive...... in the meantime, I smile, I cry and I still love my little girl.............................
I had to wait just a bit before sharing this story.. because the surprise involves more than just one family... but a few weeks ago, Kass, Nate and Reagan got up VERY early in the am.. to head to the airport that was about three hours away.....
While they were driving, they found out that the plane they were going to meet had been delayed... so they stopped at a very "famous" place (LL Beans) to kill a little time and look about.
Reagan loved the "bubble in the tank".. where you can climb up inside and feel like you are with all the fish. I guess Kass and Nate had quite a time getting him to leave... they will certainly have to bring him back another time!!!!
This, however, was the reason for their trip. Patrick is returning home from deployment.... he has been away for almost a year. Patrick and Nate were together in the marine corps... and while Nate chose to go out, Patrick has stayed. This deployment took him away from his family... his dear wife Mandi and their four children... including their baby, who just saw her first Christmas - with Daddy being away.
It was a blessing that Kass and Nate found out that Patrick's plane would be refueling here... and it was the perfect chance for them to drive up to the airport and surprise Patrick as he got off the plane for a lay over. Kass got some great video of Patrick's face and his surprise when he saw his friends....... (and since his children still did not know that Daddy was on his way home) we had to be very quiet about it all up this way........Kass called Mandi as soon as she could to report that Patrick was on his way and let's just say that at the end of the day... there were four very excited children welcoming their Daddy home....
and "all" I can say... is "thank you" to those who serve our country each and every day......
Our second surprise is a birthday party. My friend, MaryEllen actually celebrated her 60th birthday on the 17th of January (same day as Ed's). But, her party was just this past weekend. Since she lives four hours away, we couldn't go and do just the party... we needed an overnight. so... Kas, Nate and Reagan came to watch over the farm, and we were able to have a 24 hour get away.....
Our whole family was invited... and it was so nice to see our old friends... Mom and Dad had a nice chat with Jenny, MaryEllen's daughter (and the one that planned the party!!!)
Rachel, Rob, Ed and Becky were all able to come as well... so not only a surprise birthday, but a nice little get away for my family as well.....
MaryEllen was completely surprised... partly because her birthday had already come and gone....and partly because all of us invited managed to keep it a secret. (and with facebook and such... that's hard to do these days!!!!)
It was a wonderful evening.... I loved everything about it... a night away from home with my Ed... spending time with the family and of course, having the chance to see MaryEllen and her family.....
We have been friends for thirty plus years (which I can hardly believe) and it goes to say that old friends are truly the dearest!!!!!
Coming home is always an interesting drive. One thing to be said.. I HATE bridges.... always have, and unless you take another (slightly longer route) you have no choice but to cross this bridge. It isn't that long, but I close my eyes when we cross and an always glad that I don't drive it......
In the summer, you can go up the tower and "see the view".... all I can say about that is... "that's nice, hope you have fun"..... because I have NO desire what so ever to go up in this tower!!!!!!
Actually right around Ed and MaryEllen's birthdays...this bridge was closed!!!! They had an ice storm here and the bridge was coated in a heavy layer of ice. All well and good until the weather warmed up a bit, and the ice began to melt. Huge chunks of ice began to fall off the bridge, and two cars were hit with ice. Fortunately no one was hurt, but I understand both cars had to be totaled!!!!... And you wonder why I don't like bridges, crossing them or going up in towers!!!!!
here we are... the end of the month, and nothing really exciting to write about... it's been cold, and warm, and snowy... it's been January.....
But we do have this really neat icicle hanging at the corner of the house... I keep expecting it break off, but each day it just seems to grow a bit more and more... I wonder if it will make it all the way to the ground!!!!
So, little Cappy has seemed to settle right into the crazy house of ours. One nice thing about teaching so many dog classes right now, it's easy to fit her in. Sadie is doing a class with her pup Dunkin... so Abbie has been coming to puppy school each week... she was beyond thrilled to meet Miss Cappy....
Her exact words.... "Baby, she's just like Ry-ry!!! I asked if she would like to play with her for a little bit and she took the leash and they were off.... I've seen this photo before!!! I wonder if black labs will always play a big part in Abbie's life....
and really, doesn't she have the dearest face......
Debbie dog.... I finally caught her playing with her bucket. I have a few of these buckets kicking around the dog yard, and Debbie just has the greatest time with them.
At first Cappy wasn't so sure to see Deb hauling this bucket about... and it's makes a pretty good banging noise... but when Deb dropped it and went onto something else.. I notice that Cappy went right out to check it out..... (good girl)....
Most of these cold afternoons will find the cockers cuddled into some warm place. The afternoon sun just pours in the living room, and Cam knows how to find the "sweet spot"....
The life of my dogs... really all of my animals have it pretty good.....
And look here.. another "ufo" complete!!!! it's onto another, I certainly do have lack there of in this department.... so good bye to January, and into February... the "little month"....
Ok.. I know, I've talked about the weather almost every blog... but here's proof, we're back into winter. As Deb and I pulled ou tlast Thursday am to meet with my dog "peeps" and head to NEADS... this is the temp that my jeep registers.....
Still, it was a bright, sunny day.. no storms, so the driving was good, and it's fun to have a day out and about... and be with dog people!!!!
It's pretty much the same routine... we chat with the NEADS folks.. who make us feel like celebrities when we walk in.... Sherri gives Dave a call and tells him we're here... (and then we wait for Dave to show up!!!)
And we let puppies be puppies and do some goofing off until he arrives!!!!
Oh oh.. back to work!!!! We had a nice talk with Dave about our puppies and some up coming events at NEADS. Rayvan, Linda's dog is ready to head in for advance training... which means.. Deb isn't far behind... I hate thinking of parting, I love this dog (I know - I love all my dogs) but this little girl is very special and I have so enjoyed having her here....
Because the day did not warm up hardly at all, Dave decided (much to our pleasure) to skip going into the city and just "play" around NEADS. The puppies haven't had any time around the kennel, so we thought it would be a good day to do that.
They got to run and play in the yard... (but not too long.. too cold and look how icy everything is!!) I was pleased that Debbie came the moment I called her... even away from a playtime.....
And then we went into the kennel itself and just let everyone explore and check it out. Even though they don't spend a huge amount of time in the kennels during their advance training.. it's nice for them to be familiar with it...
All the puppies were very curious and looked around...
I think Deb was hoping to find some morsel of food... or perhaps a toy laying about. Overall, none of the dogs were overly concerned about being here....
After the kennel, we went up to the training room where Dave wanted to see the pups work. He brought out a number of "distractions" including the resident cat. Now... Deb LOVES our cats, and I have to say, she was more than interested in this one. This kitty (like ours) is very used to dogs, and could hardly care less about them, and even though Deb did her work, I could tell her attention wasn't entirely on me....
Dave pulled out the vacuum... no one cared... (Deb still watched the kitty).....
And as Dave ran the vacuum around... Deb still watched the kitty....
and watched the kitty.... I think we need to do some work at home about... "don't watch the kitties so much".. and I hope this isn't going to be a red flag in her file. She is very impulsive (which I like)... but that could be a "talent" not suited for service dog work... guess we'll see.
Now, turns out that there are quite a few puppies up in the puppy house that need to be placed. Since it was decided (through out the day) that Rayvan would be called back soon.. Dave offered one of the puppies to Linda. And so, she is already starting with her new
project.. Matty....
But.......
Look who else got a puppy!!! ME>>>> This is Cappy, she's 11 weeks old and is going home with Deb and I. And as excited as I am to have this sweet little girl, I can't help but think that Dave is making plans for Deb.
Deb still needs to be spayed (which I will schedule right away) and she will be a year in April, so the time is getting here - very quickly.. but since I have two puppies to work with right now..I'm not going to think about the "when" and just work on the "now...
Welcome to the farm little Cappy dog...... we're going to have a good time!!!!
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Ed and I took a little time away.... and Kas, Nate and Reagan came to farm sit for us!!! They had breakfast at the Miss Wakefield (a favorite for all of us)....
