The days ahead and from here on will be more than busy. A great time of year, but one in which I hope that I don't let things get away from me. It's so easy to get caught up in the hussle and bussle and not take the time to just enjoy. So "enjoy" is going to be my theme for this year.
Danny Boy is doing well... he's such an easy going guy, that I often don't say too much about him. He goes to church with us, and just settles in under the pews. Everyone just expects me to show up with a dog....
We were at church a little longer than usual...
A handful of us are practicing with the bells to do a song for Thanksgiving. I love playing the bells, and wished that we did it more. But, our director has so much going on in his life and I know it's hard for him to make the extra time for practices and the like..
So, I'm just happy when the do pull them out and ask for volunteers. Danny seemed to enjoy the bells too.....
This week, Kelli had a big conference for all the town clerks in New England. She has been planning this for over a year... there is simply a ton of work that goes into an event like this and I know I don't even know half of what she has done. Her guest speaker is John Moon from NEADS.. so of course, we puppy raisers were invited to be a part of the program too. Here's Moxie and Otis....
and Danny Boy. It was such a nice event to attend... a wonderful luncheon.. and being the center of attention is always fun. The clerks loved seeing the dogs and asked so many questions about service dog and puppy raisers...
John had a great presentation.... and a wonderful slide show....
He was introduced by the mayor!!!!
Afterwards, people came to talk some more.... the day was cut a little short for me.... but over all it was great fun.
It seems as though winter has come to stay. Time to get these birdies in the coop. Course penning up guinea hens is about as easy as penning up air.. but I have some tricks that might coax them in.
Mona.. the ever faithful... she always walks down to the barn with me in the mornings...
The big boys coming running as well when they see us. Nothing left in the pasture, so it's all hay from here on....
Looks like those thick winter coats are going to come in handy.....
and the "little" probably won't be left out in the round pen much longer. The weather changes too quickly, and they'll be happier in the barn and their small paddock...
"my day" at the conference was cut short, because Dad is in the hospital.He's battling with some major health concerns... one being his kidneys are beginning to fail, and it looks like dialysis is going to be in his future.
Certainly not something that anyone wants to do.. but he stays in the hospital are beginning to become quite serious.... there will be much to think about in the days ahead.
Well now... not a total surprise, and not particularly "early".. but somehow getting snow before Thanksgiving isn't all it's cracked up to be. I mean I like the snow, and the first one is always a little bit special.. but it just doesn't "go" with the fall decorations.. pumpkins in snow look kind of sad......
It certainly wasn't a "big" snow, and was really quite heavy and wet.. and just stuck to everything, which is part of it's beauty...The doggies didn't quite know what to think.
by mid morning, the sky began to clear, making a grand show all it's own. And the temps began to rise, so this snow is probably short lived....
Even the ponies had a look of "it's back again??" Grazing is done for sure, and everyone will be locked into the winter pastures now.
The blue jays and chick-a-dees have had a grand time picking seeds out of the sunflower stems. We didn't mow them down, and I'm glad, because I like hearing and watching the little birds enjoying their meal.
Abbie had spent the night, and she was very excited to see the snow. Especially when she discovered that it is perfect snowman snow!!! She got right to work!!!!
Funny how quickly that snow ball gets heavy just pushing it about the yard....
When she got him all in shape, she looked about for the perfect "eyes" and "smile"....
and was more than pleased when she stepped back to admire her work....
The first official snowman of the season!!!!!
And we can't forget that it's someone else's very first snow!!! Mr. Danny dog.... it didn't take him but two seconds to decide this is just the thing for him!!!!! He loved the idea that it can be eaten!!!!
And dug in, and pushed around....
And run threw as fast as you can go!!!! Up, snow... it's a new favorite....
so.. I guess we can begin to say it now... Happy Winter!!! (just hope it isn't too long!!!)
I love days that present "presents"..... and this was one for sure. It was a nice fall day, a bit on the cool side, but the sun was shining bright.. and a call from Kass... "we need a change.. we're coming to the farm to play".. (yahoo!!!) So, up they come.. Kass and Reagan, Charlie and Banjo... to have some lunch, visit and a romp around the farm. We thought it would be fun to walk the field, but it's a long trek, so I pulled out the wagon thinking Reagan would like to ride.
No... he'd rather push!!!!
He actually pushed quite a ways, before he decided that maybe a little ride would be OK. Course he wanted Charlie to join him.
Banjo preferred to walk......
After our hike around, he then wanted to go the barn and see the "cows"... now, I don't have cows.. but at this stage of the game, Reagan refers to all large animals as "cows"... so we went to visit them. He has no fear of the big guys, which makes me so happy. There certainly is a difference with "attitude" around animals when children are raised with them.
We managed to get him in for a short time for a bit of lunch. But this little boy is an "outdoor man" and he would much rather be outside. He loves to run, and climb and explore.... and I love watching him do it all. This swing set we bought has given us so much fun, and I love the fact that it easily holds adults as well as kids. Which means I can swing with the "grands"......
"driving his tractor"... or so he told us....
and the slide is always a favorite.. especially since he can do it on his own...
and his first attempt at the ladder (all by himself).. you can bet his Mom was right there with a watchful eye, but he did it.....
growing in leaps and bounds.. and I feel so very blessed that I am "close" by and can watch this all...
Tonka "watching" it all too... just making sure that Banjo isn't a wolf!!!
just a wonderful fall day.. playing around the farm.. life is good!!!!
The days are flying by... and this weekend finds us at the NEADS fall graduation. Linda's dog Marv is one of the graduates, so we have a star in our midst. Marv has been matched as a service dog, and it was a long time coming, but another success story for our chapter.
It has become a tradition of sorts to "tail gate" at the graduation. And it would seem we are making a "name for ourselves" in doing this!!! We have a few select people that we invite to join us, and you should see the smile we get from other folks at the graduation when they see us setting up.
Linda K. is the one that pulls this together and each time she has out done herself. Since it's "her" dog that is graduating we had an amazing celebration feast. Lobster rolls, mini quiches... desserts... it was fabolus!!!
She even made shortbread cookies that looked like Marv... it was almost a shame to eat them... but they were GOOD!!!!!
Linda S., Linda K. and Kathleen.. Rick, Bernice and I were also there. And we invited Dave and Gerry to join us. The day was fairly warm and it was a great way to begin the graduation.
After our wonderful tail gate party, we headed inside. Linda K. went to the "meet and greet" to see her boy once again, and meet in person, his new life partner. I opted out, since the gathering is so busy and I just wanted to allow Linda as much time with "her" Marv and family as possible. Then it was onto graduation and here is the Fall 2014 class.
It's always a wonderful program, with guest speakers and videos of the dogs. Plus this year, they had an excellent video of the puppies in training. I especially enjoyed the "hearing dog"part, as that is what "my" Debbie dog is being trained as.
And here he is... our boy!!!!
Danny was rather bored with the whole thing. I kept telling him to pay attention.. that one day, it will be his turn to wear a "red" vest and all this will be for him... but for now, he'd rather take a snooze. This is Dan in his truest form, he really doesn't get too excited about anything as far as "work" goes.. he's going to be a nice steady, easy going partner for someone...
As always, there is a good crowd of people that attend. And then, I was told, somewhere in this crowd.. Debbie was there with her weekend family. I was so excited, that I could hardly breath and I tried to find her among this huge crowd....
Her weekend folks knew I was there, and they were looking for me as well.. and then.. I saw... this beautiful face.. and there she was. I hate to admit that I have favorites, but Debbie has, was and always will be mine favorite puppy of all. I could hardly say her name... but her eyes said it all....
I remember you!!!!! Because she is not a "working" dog just yet, I let it go and we had a huge hug right there, in the middle of everyone. She couldn't get close enough, and I couldn't hug her harder. We were beyond thrilled to be together once again.
She was silly and fun, and very much "un-like a service dog".. and I should have been better behaved myself... but I didn't care!!!!
I selfishly have hoped that she would "fail out", because there would have never been any question that I would have adopted her. But she has not failed out (I really didn't think she would).. and not only has she been trained as a hearing dog, but there is talk that a match is not far from coming and she will certainly be wearing that "red" vest next spring.
I am happy for her, I am happy that she will serve her real purpose in life... but I was happy to get this one last "real" hug in. The next time we meet, she will not be mine, she will be a working dog and I will have to be much better behaved. However, this one last moment, caught here int his photo will always be just mine... just mine and Debbie's... and this is what puppy raising is all about!!!!
It was truly a wonderful day.... one I will always remember and I head home with my darling Danny, and know that our time together will be short as well......
