graduation day...

It would seem that Ginger sensed the day ahead was going to be a special one. When we arrived at the Four Points Sheraton for the NEADS fall graduation, she had this look on her face as I took her out of the car. I hate to think a year ahead... but chances are, next fall graduation will be all about Ginger... however, this year....









It's all about Mike and Chester!!!! And here they are, I haven't seen Chester since last April when we had the meet and greet at the NEADS campus and I got to meet Mike for the first time, and see "our" Chester once again. I have kept in touch with Mike via facebook, so I know that he and Chester have really hit it off... but to see in in "real life"... was just so wonderful.







And for the second time, I had the great pleasure of once again, seeing "my" graduating service dog and "my" service puppy in training together again. This is truly a rare moment, seldom do puppy raisers have the chance to see two of their puppies together. They really seemed to like each other.







Abbie came along with us - as well as Kass and Nate (Ed was there of course)... sadly Sadie had to work. Abbie was thrilled to see all the dogs, especially the ones that she knows well. She doesn't remember Chester.. but she sure did like him.







The first event of graduation... getting the photo. This is done by a professional and the pictures he captures are always great. I thought it was so fun watching how they "do it"... the NEADS trainers help set up the dogs...










and here is my "sneak" photo of the professionals. (That's Chester sitting in the middle of the top row)... And when you can get 21 dogs to all sit together and "smile" for the photo.. now that's a feat!!!!

Graduation is a "big deal" and even though I don't know him very well, I could tell that Mike was pretty nervous about all of this. He isn't the type that really likes crowds and a lot of fuss, and he knew that he would be going on stage in front of hundreds of people. He also shared with me that he had not been feeling well and had even had a couple of days at the hospital..so he wasn't up to his best. But Chester sensed all of this and did what he does best... cuddle and make you feel good... I remember well those moments!!! He would often do "lap" for me as well.

Abbie was such a good girl during all the speeches, Kass kept her well entertained. Here Abbie shares a book with "uncle Rick"... while waiting for the graduation to begin.

This is Gerry - the CEO of NEADS. He has just completed his first year, and from what we heard in the annual meeting, overall NEADS had a pretty good year. The economy hasn't been very helpful to anyone this year, but non profits have been hit quite hard. NEADS due to excellent guidance had come threw the year in a "not so bad" way. It's good to know that this organization that does so much, is doing "well"

If there is any question about "does Chester like being a service dog".. well all I can say is... you can see it in his face. This dog smiled the whole afternoon......

You can tell he is well loved and that Mike thinks the world of him

The first group of graduates where the combat veterans. Among them.. our friend Russ and his dog Joe..... (first ones in line)

Russ was pretty nervous getting up in front of everyone. But he gave a nice speech and was so proud to tell everyone about Joe and what a great summer they have had together. Russ and Joe were in the same training class that Mike and Chester were in... that's how we met....

Russ might have been nervous, but Joe took it all in stride. I guess being a service dog.. you're just used to all kinds of attention....

Service dogs were the next group on stage... that was Mike and Chester. Mike spoke a few words as well.... Chester looks like "so what else is new"... the calmness these dogs have are one of the greatest gifts to the owners.

This is a nice photo... Mike and Chester, and the pretty lady in red.. that's Karen, she was Chester's sponsor (and loved meeting me when we were at events) and the gentleman beside her, is her friend.. it was his dog who's name was Chester and she named "our Chester" after his beloved Chester... a good name carries on...

After all the ceremonies and speeches, there was some time for a few more photos (I can't even count how many I took). But I wanted to get one photo of Abbie with Chester, since she will be too little to remember when we had him, or this day, I wanted something that she would have to look at one day. I love how Chester is all cuddled beside Mike, he is definitely his dog. (and Ginger is cuddled in with me).....

One last kiss and hug, and it's goodbye. Not likely I will see Chester again-- and I was pretty thrilled that just after this photo, Chester reached up and gave me a big (wet) kiss. The chapter has come to a complete close.. Mike and Chester head off onto their lives together.. Ginger and I enjoy the last few weeks together.. and the service puppy raising continues....

"my very best wishes to my golden boy and Mike... I hope your days together are long and happy".....

11-11-11

Today we celebrate Veteran's Day... I found this photo on the Internet and felt it was most appropriate for the day... Thank you to all who have served in the past, and to those who continue to protect our home....













Since it was a "holiday" I had said to Ed earlier in the week that I would like to take a day trip somewhere. I had thought of a few different places that might be fun to visit.. but wasn't too sure where we would end up. We really should have stayed home - been adults - and got some projects done around the farm.. but ya know.. sometimes, it's good to have a change of scenery. I was also talking with our friend Becky.. telling her that I have been on the watch for a sleigh. Just a nice little sleigh that we could play with around the farm, and maybe do a sleigh rally this winter.... upon saying that Becky was pretty sure that she knew of a sleigh for sale.


So, as it turned out... our day trip was up to see Becky and Butch on their farm. It's been a couple of years since I was there last - for a riding clinic - and I had forgotten how pretty the country side is in their neck of the state. When we arrived, I had to pay a visit to Dick... one of their original horses... for an old boy - 32 years!!! - he's in pretty good shape and seems to be enjoying life as a big pet. Both Becky and Butch are very fond of him and are giving him a great retirement.





We had a nice visit together... got some lunch...and so did the others on the farm...












And then we went over to check out the little sleigh that Becky had told me about. Actually these folks have a few horse drawn vehicles for sale... they have a real cute cutter.. but it would have been too small to put behind our guys...








and then they showed us this little gem. It was made around 1800... and is Canadian. The gentleman got it at an auction... he did a few minor repairs to it.. but it's pretty much just what you see here.












The runners are nice and solid and it can sit four, it's big enough that the drafts can fit in front and the price was well within my budget.....













We decided to bring it home......













With little effort, Butch and Ed got it up into the back of the truck.

I was excited to see how nicely it fit.. this means we can put it in the truck, hitch our trailer and bring horse and vehicle to somewhere and go. There are a number of sleigh rallies that go on during the winter and I am hoping we might be able to attend one or two this winter.....

Before we left, Butch took us to see the sleigh that he and Becky restored last winter. They have it in storage now near their home, but once the winter weather comes, they'll pull it out.

This is another little gem. They put quite a number of hours into the restoration of it, but Butch said it had good bones to work with.

The seat was one of the biggest part of the project, they re did it in red velvet and nipped and tucked all those buttons. Becky said their hands ached after that project.. but it came out perfect...

The craftsmanship and details that went into these little sleighs of the century is amazing... people took real pride in their work back in the day. This scalloped design on the back of the seat proves it. We need to bring these kinds of things back....

But anyways, I am looking forward to a fun new project for the winter.... I'm sure there will be blogs on this to come.

puppy night at the mall....

The service puppies are looking more and more like service dogs these days. Now that the summer craziness is past, and before the holiday crazies begin, we are getting together to do our training. Last Saturday night we all met at the local mall to get the puppies out and about. I was really surprised at how busy it was... and to think it only gets more so as the holidays come close.







We met in the food court, had the puppies do their "unders" under the table while we had supper together and chatted about things that are going on. The pups did great and as long as we get a big enough table, we can put them all together. They know to be quiet and not fool around while they are all there together.








all total -- there were six dogs under the table. Most of the people around us didn't even have a clue that they were there.











I had forgotten how much the mall has to "offer"-- course the people - lots of people... food, elevators, kids, noises... the list goes on and on, it's a great place to "work".. especially when the weather turns off cold.








T and Ginger taking a little ride. This is beginning to be "old hat"













Ginger even got to work in the "bathroom" :) got to practice everywhere!!!!!

day around the farm

Fall has returned!!!! our wonderful snow has gone, and we are again enjoying the last of the warm(ish) weather. Ed and I are crazy busy getting the outside work buttoned up, because that cold weather is certainly back on it's way. The big guys were snoozing in the sunshine....









as well as old Silver boy. He had a really good summer, and has some "fat" on him. He's going into the winter weather better than last year, so I feel less anxious about him. At this stage in his life, every day is an extra.










Since the weather was so good, I got brave and let the "baby" guinea hens out of their pen. It's just so hard to wrangle them in at night sometimes, that I sort of hate letting them out. But, we got them to "go out" and sometime you gotta let 'em loose.







We got the last of the new gates put in. Amazing what kind of help you can find when you are doing new projects....Tonka has to be the noisiest thing and he likes to know about everything that is going on. Pretty funny when a 1300 lbs horse is getting underfoot.









Course, Silver wanted to be part of the action as well.......















Annabelle was happy to supervise.....










and there is it!!! a COMPLETED project!!! all the gates are in place and we'll see how that works with the snow plowing....

remember our wood project... even that's coming along. We took a big chunk of it this weekend.. now throughout the week, I will get the split pile in the tent building.. and then we'll be back on the cutting pile. I'm not so sure this was a good idea, and we may change our plans for next year (Rick!!!!)

We think our tractor is "cat powered".....

and the last of the weekend projects.. our new hitching post. This is so I can hitch the team together when there aren't extra hands around. Can't wait to give it a try....

and another week begins on the farm... next weekend we go to NEADS graduation where we get to see Chester again.....

it is November

Just HAD to put this on the blog!!!!!

one of those projects

In a way.. this "freak" snow storm was a real blessing, because it showed us "what's to come" and still allows us a break to get it done. This lovely mound of snow is what came off the barn roof. With the lean to roof over the stall doors, it doesn't land directly in front of them, but each snow drop has to be moved so the horses can get out. Our "poor" rope fence just doesn't handle this so well, and all last year, Ed said, we needed to do something different. The pull on the fence and the risk of catching it in the snow blower.. makes it a real pain to deal with.


So, after this storm, we went and bought three gates to put in and back the fence away from the drop zone. Fortunately the ground is not one bit frozen, so Ed popped the post hole digger on the tractor so we can put new posts in.











and the rope fence won't be an issue this coming winter....











One gate that we already had was moved....(can you see the kick marks in our doors??? drafts!!!)












and the new gates, which are 12 feet wide - plenty of room to run the tractor threw... went on in the pasture.













Now, when the snow comes sliding off this big roof, it will hit the gates... Ed has them swinging so he can easily work the tractor around them. And this is one project that should make the winter work a bit easier....


course, we still have a long list of "other winter" projects to do.. hopefully the snow will stay away!!!!