a day with Ginger..

This month, we made the trip down to NEADS abit sooner than our usual Thursday. There had been some talk that it might be turn in day for both Ginger and Leo, and if so, we needed to get them there, so they could go on the next van headed to the prison. With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to have a playdate with all the service puppies... afterall, with this big fence - what could be better.






The brothers... Edgar and Otis got together right away. I don't think dogs know that they are related in a way, but I do think they understand they have a connection.. at least it seems that way to me when I see Ginger and Leo together and now these two....







My yard is full of retrievers... how did that happen --- I'm a spaniel person.....













After a couple hours of playtime, this is what the group looked like. Quite happy to chill while the humans warmed up with some treats and a good visit. If this isn't proof that a tired dog is a good dog... than I don't know what is.....









After playdate, we headed over to a favorite restaurant for dinner with Kelli and Rick (Ginger and Otis).. not only is the food good... but they make it very clear about the way they feel with regards to service dogs!!! Ya Poor People's Pub... you can bet we'll come and visit you.

So, the next day, we were up bright and early and on the road to NEADS. Ginger seemed to sense something and rode most of the way with her head over the seat, just to be close to me. Is it hard to give up a service puppy.... well, you tell me....

When we arrived at NEADS.. the first thing Dave said was "no turn in today"... there's a lot of planning, arranging, scheduling that goes into all this training "stuff".. and for this month, it did not all come together. Ginger and Leo are heading back for a little bit longer.

We had such a good time working at the train station, that we told Dave we wouldn't mind going back there again. There are so many great "things" to work with - plus things that you don't expect...and certainly different from being on the farm. Here we practice "under"... Dave is giving Stoney a little extra help with his....

By now, Ginger has this one down pack... she has done many (many) unders..

A time to do questions and answers.. go over where the puppies are in their training levels.. and just a moment to chat and enjoy being all together as friends and as puppy raisers...

We headed out to the loading platform hoping we might have the good luck of having a train pull in. We lucked out, and actually had a huge freight train come thru. At first it caught everyone's attention, but after the 20 (or so) car went by, all the dogs lost interest.

After the train station, we went over the hospital to do (ughhhh) the elevators. In case you didn't know.. I am NOT an elevator person, and would avoid them at all costs. So.. for me to ride one over and over and over again... is huge. I do it for "my dog"... but won't say I am exactly happy about it. From this photo, doesn't seem like it bothers Bernice or Kathleen!!!!

And then, the trip home usually looks like this.. hum - tired dog thing???

So, now we wait to get the official word from Dave with regards to turn in. I know it won't be much longer that Ginger is here with us... but while she's here, the days will be filled with enjoyment.

it's lit..................

We've had a few chilly mornings, and some cool evenings, and the little stove has done a good job... but the past couple of days, there has been a major change in the air, and it's time for the big "stove". We're one day later lighting it this year than last (which Ed was quite pleased about)... so, a good clean out to make sure all is in order....

And here we go... (how many days until spring??)Actually it's very easy to work with, we (Ed) fills it twice a day (feed horses, feed stove) and when we get our pile all cut, split and put away.. the job isn't going to be so bad.

Last year we bought our wood cord by cord (poor Rick).. he would bring us a load, and then we either had a tarp over it, or tried to hussle it into the tent building - which we didn't get up until quite late in the season. But this year, we bought tree length and as we cut and split, I get it inside.

This pile still looks huge, but we are more than half done with it. The nice part is, what is done.. is done. I like it that way, keeps the yard picked up, gives us room to work, and the wood under cover has stayed nice and dry during some rainy days that we have already had....

Many of the leaves have already gone by.. it seems as though fall came and went and I didn't even see it.

So, what do I say here.. except "Welcome cold weather".. might as well get along with it, because it's here for awhile and plans on staying.......

Happy birthday #2...

10/16/2009















10/16/2010


Hummmm... a special Mermaid cake... the request of a "two year old"... and I can hardly believe that we are celebrating two years already. "Tee-tee" (aka Kassy) made this cake for Abbie, and she was so excited to see it.










So here we are, "another" October 16th and it's birthday time again. Abbie really know "what" it's about this time around, and as the presents came thru the door, she could hardly contain herself. Usually there are "favorites" when it comes to gifts, but I can honestly say, Abbie thought all the gifts were her favorite... the kitchen was a big hit though (and she got Tee Tee to play with her right away)








and a new bike from Meme and Beepa..... (which didn't take her too long to figure out how to ride)
and so many more and wonderful gifts from family and friends...









She beamed when we sang "happy birthday" and (much to my sadness) she said "happy birthday to me" as clear as could be --- birthdays used to be called "happy cake"... now it's said for real...









Here's my family... it's so nice when we have the chance to be all together!!!!!!!!!!!!












and not only was Tee Tee's cake cute, but yummy as well....





























I can only imagine what Christmas is going to look like. She's a very lucky little gal....

all the "kids" had fun playing with the toys, and it was a great way to end a wonderful day...

Happy #2 Abbie......

love visitors!!!

One day last summer, one of the drivers at the post office, was telling me about his beautiful little daughter, and how much she loves animals. I told Darren that he just had to bring her to the farm for a visit, because animals... are things that we have. Every now again, when I was working and he brought the mail in... I would remind him that he had to bring her to the farm. Well.. today they came. They had spent the morning apple picking and knowing they were close by, popped over to say hello. His little girl was a sweet as they come, and so enjoyed meeting "everyone".. dogs, cats, birds.. and of course... horses....



Right away, she fell in love with Mocha. We are so lucky, because Mocha is absolutely child safe... I snapped a lead rope on her, and said... "have fun"... and the two of them were off.. walking all around the farm. (Love this photo... who has the longest pony tail???)









Mocha loved all the attention, and of course the opportunity to get a bit of green grass....













I hope they get the chance to come back again... I just love seeing folks enjoying our pets as much as we do.











so why.. since we have "cockers" did we need to put a fence that is six feet tall??? Because we have more than two legged visitors... we have many four footed ones as well.. and not all of them are cocker sized....

Great Dane anyone??? This is a client's five month old puppy who came to stay for the weekend. She had a grand time and it was so nice to see her out playing in the yard and not having any worries about her safety...

And more four footed... Mary came to Abbie's birthday party (next blog) and brought Banjo's sisters with her.

The Chessie's always enjoy a good run in the field.. and us...

we always love company!!!!!!!!!!!!!

picking apples...

Today we took Miss Abbie (and miss Ginger) on their very first apple picking adventure. The apples this year are really good, though they do have small "bruises" from that horrid hail storm we had last August. But other than that, they are sweet, red and perfect. The gals at the apple orchard took a few moments to give Abbie directions in "apple picking".. she was very interested in trying it out.






We headed off into the orchard. What is it about these types of things... like picking out your Christmas tree, or picking apples... you (we) ended up walking by many trees all loaded with apples, thinking the next row might have something better??? Why don't you stop at the first tree (Ed asks every year in the Christmas tree hunt!!!)








It didn't take Abbie too long to get the hang of it...











This is SO her Mom's face!!!! Sadie does this all the time.....












Ginger was so interested in the whole process, especially when Abbie offered the apples that she had taken a bite out of....

Oh-oh... spillage!!!!! No harm done, just put them back in the bag.....

Question two.. and why do you need to pick the apple that are just out of reach... aren't the lower ones good enough????

Not too sure how many we brought home with little teeth marks in them... they'll make good apple sauce just the same....

Hugs for a job well done, and a happy day together.....

Happy fall everyone...

hope you are enjoying the warmth and the colors.. because you know what comes next.....