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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Service Dog Sunday: Autism Service Dogs of America

Lauren and John have been discussing getting an Autism Service Dog for Mareto. This discussion began with his connection to Toby. (Toby is a Therapy Dog but not a Service Dog. To learn more about the difference, please visit Sugar the Golden Retriever's infographics on the topic). During a recent therapy session Mareto's therapist strongly advised Lauren to look into getting him a service dog. She felt it would help him cope with his anxiety, sleep better, improve his social skills, and help him safely engage with the world as he develops.

One of the organizations that helps connect autistic children and their families with service dogs is Autism Service Dogs of America. Founded in 2002 by Priscilla Taylor, a special education teacher, ASDA raises and trains mostly Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles. They get their puppies from several reputable breeders and from Project 2 Heal.

While visiting their website I discovered that Jersey,  one of their Golden puppies, had emergency surgery last week. ASDA is accepting donations to help pay for Jersey's surgery. You can click here to help out or help spread the word about Jersey and/or ASDA.

Here's Jersey: A future Autism Service Dog who needs a little Power of the Paw!
Photo is from the ASDA website.
ASDA's mission:

When a child connects to a dog,

 they connect to the world. 

Our mission is 

to make a positive impact on the lives of children

living with autism 

by providing exceptionally well trained service dogs.

A boy tethered to his Service Dog. Photo is from the ASDA website.

 Each family is asked to provide $13,500 to ASDA before their child can be placed on the waiting list, although ASDA estimate their cost to breed, socialize, raise, train, and place a dog at $20,000. The difference is made up by grants and donations from the public. 

If you'd like to learn more about Autism Service Dogs or would like to help them provide a dog to an autistic child, please visit the ASDA website by clicking here. 

One testimonial:
“Milo has made more progress with Chad than anyone ever 

thought was even imaginable. He’s much calmer. He can 

concentrate for much longer periods of time. It’s almost like a

 cloud has lifted and the sun is shining.” 

–Claire V.

Whether Mareto ever gets a service dog, I applaud this organization for the difference they are making in the lives of children with autism.

September is National Service Dog month. I am participating in the Service Dog Sunday blog hop.


Service Dog Sunday: Autism Service Dogs of America

Lauren and John have been discussing getting an Autism Service Dog for Mareto. This discussion began with his connection to Toby. (Toby is a Therapy Dog but not a Service Dog. To learn more about the difference, please visit Sugar the Golden Retriever's infographics on the topic). During a recent therapy session Mareto's therapist strongly advised Lauren to look into getting him a service dog. She felt it would help him cope with his anxiety, sleep better, improve his social skills, and help him safely engage with the world as he develops.

One of the organizations that helps connect autistic children and their families with service dogs is Autism Service Dogs of America. Founded in 2002 by Priscilla Taylor, a special education teacher, ASDA raises and trains mostly Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles. They get their puppies from several reputable breeders and from Project 2 Heal.

While visiting their website I discovered that Jersey,  one of their Golden puppies, had emergency surgery last week. ASDA is accepting donations to help pay for Jersey's surgery. You can click here to help out or help spread the word about Jersey and/or ASDA.

Here's Jersey: A future Autism Service Dog who needs a little Power of the Paw!
Photo is from the ASDA website.
ASDA's mission:

When a child connects to a dog,

 they connect to the world. 

Our mission is 

to make a positive impact on the lives of children

living with autism 

by providing exceptionally well trained service dogs.

A boy tethered to his Service Dog. Photo is from the ASDA website.

 Each family is asked to provide $13,500 to ASDA before their child can be placed on the waiting list, although ASDA estimate their cost to breed, socialize, raise, train, and place a dog at $20,000. The difference is made up by grants and donations from the public. 

If you'd like to learn more about Autism Service Dogs or would like to help them provide a dog to an autistic child, please visit the ASDA website by clicking here. 

One testimonial:
“Milo has made more progress with Chad than anyone ever 

thought was even imaginable. He’s much calmer. He can 

concentrate for much longer periods of time. It’s almost like a

 cloud has lifted and the sun is shining.” 

–Claire V.

Whether Mareto ever gets a service dog, I applaud this organization for the difference they are making in the lives of children with autism.

September is National Service Dog month. I am participating in the Service Dog Sunday blog hop.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: A Wordless Answer


Do you miss working/teaching?
Aren't you bored?
Are you still enjoying retirement?
What do you do all day?

Wordless Wednesday: A Wordless Answer


Do you miss working/teaching?
Aren't you bored?
Are you still enjoying retirement?
What do you do all day?

Monday, September 23, 2013

Scoop That Poop Blog Hop: A Story of Grace

We dog owners should always, always clean up after our dogs. Like you, I've gone out of my way to make sure it happens. Driven back to the 'scene of the crime' when I'd forgotten a bag. Taken the wrapper from a newspaper in a strange driveway, carefully placed the paper on the porch, when I'd only brought one bag and unexpectedly needed two. And of course, I've 'tsk-tsk-ed' other people's blatant failure to scoop that poop:

"Eeewwww, Toby, leave it!"
This is Dogster's info graphic on some of the best reasons to never ever leave your dog's mess for others to step in.












Today, though, I'm sharing a story about a day when I didn't - couldn't - clean up after my dog.

Kasey and I were slowly trudging home on what would be Kasey's last walk. I had chosen to go just around the block - but even that distance was proving too much for my exhausted dog. He was too heavy to carry. I let him rest when he had to (mentally kicking myself). Finally, we were about to turn the last corner for home, just half a street from home.
Kasey, looking wise and noble.

We passed an immaculately groomed yard being tended by the homeowner. This yard has literally won the community "Yard of the Month" contest. True suburbanites, we lived half a block apart and therefore of course had never met. I was prepared to wave if she looked up from her weeding but she was absorbed in her task. She  glanced up just as we plodded by her mailbox.

At that moment poor Kasey let loose a wide spray of mustard colored diarrhea. He looked as mortified as I felt. Kasey had always been perfectly house trained. He was a bit embarrassed about going publicly anyway, and seemed to sense that this was not a normal situation. Meanwhile my mind was racing - what should I do? I mean, there is no possible way to clean this up without a hose...and Kasey still needs to get home...maybe if I brought back a bucket?

Our neighbor approached as I babbled apologies and explanations: my dog is sick, he has cancer, can I borrow your hose, I feel awful... She could have yelled at me or said something nasty. However, in a calm voice, looking less than thrilled, she said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Really. I've got it, I'll clean it up." From a practical standpoint there wasn't anything  I could do to help, so with a last apology Kasey and I crept around the corner.


 Later that day I bought a pot of miniature roses and the prettiest thank-you card I could find, wrote a note expressing my thanks for her gracious response to a horribly embarrassing experience, and left them on her front porch. Every time we pass her house I think of her kindness in not expressing the disgust she must have been feeling.

This incident makes me even more ashamed in hindsight. It should have told me that Kasey's battle with lymphoma was over. He could not even enjoy his favorite activity, his daily walk. He must have been making a powerful effort to control his bowels in the house, which he did right to the end. But I couldn't bear to let him go for another week.

If there is a moral here, maybe it is that we all fall short of our own expectations sometimes. When it happens, we need understanding and forgiveness. We need grace.


A selfie in a park near our vet's office before one of Kasey's last visits. Kasey still looks well. I'm trying hard to smile but you can see the sadness in my eyes.

Scoop That Poop Blog Hop: A Story of Grace

We dog owners should always, always clean up after our dogs. Like you, I've gone out of my way to make sure it happens. Driven back to the 'scene of the crime' when I'd forgotten a bag. Taken the wrapper from a newspaper in a strange driveway, carefully placed the paper on the porch, when I'd only brought one bag and unexpectedly needed two. And of course, I've 'tsk-tsk-ed' other people's blatant failure to scoop that poop:

"Eeewwww, Toby, leave it!"
This is Dogster's info graphic on some of the best reasons to never ever leave your dog's mess for others to step in.












Today, though, I'm sharing a story about a day when I didn't - couldn't - clean up after my dog.

Kasey and I were slowly trudging home on what would be Kasey's last walk. I had chosen to go just around the block - but even that distance was proving too much for my exhausted dog. He was too heavy to carry. I let him rest when he had to (mentally kicking myself). Finally, we were about to turn the last corner for home, just half a street from home.
Kasey, looking wise and noble.

We passed an immaculately groomed yard being tended by the homeowner. This yard has literally won the community "Yard of the Month" contest. True suburbanites, we lived half a block apart and therefore of course had never met. I was prepared to wave if she looked up from her weeding but she was absorbed in her task. She  glanced up just as we plodded by her mailbox.

At that moment poor Kasey let loose a wide spray of mustard colored diarrhea. He looked as mortified as I felt. Kasey had always been perfectly house trained. He was a bit embarrassed about going publicly anyway, and seemed to sense that this was not a normal situation. Meanwhile my mind was racing - what should I do? I mean, there is no possible way to clean this up without a hose...and Kasey still needs to get home...maybe if I brought back a bucket?

Our neighbor approached as I babbled apologies and explanations: my dog is sick, he has cancer, can I borrow your hose, I feel awful... She could have yelled at me or said something nasty. However, in a calm voice, looking less than thrilled, she said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Really. I've got it, I'll clean it up." From a practical standpoint there wasn't anything  I could do to help, so with a last apology Kasey and I crept around the corner.


 Later that day I bought a pot of miniature roses and the prettiest thank-you card I could find, wrote a note expressing my thanks for her gracious response to a horribly embarrassing experience, and left them on her front porch. Every time we pass her house I think of her kindness in not expressing the disgust she must have been feeling.

This incident makes me even more ashamed in hindsight. It should have told me that Kasey's battle with lymphoma was over. He could not even enjoy his favorite activity, his daily walk. He must have been making a powerful effort to control his bowels in the house, which he did right to the end. But I couldn't bear to let him go for another week.

If there is a moral here, maybe it is that we all fall short of our own expectations sometimes. When it happens, we need understanding and forgiveness. We need grace.


A selfie in a park near our vet's office before one of Kasey's last visits. Kasey still looks well. I'm trying hard to smile but you can see the sadness in my eyes.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Winners of the See Beautiful Giveaway!

Well of course EVERYONE who Sees Beautiful is a winner! Right, Toby? What's that Tobes, you have a message for everyone who participated?
Ok, go ahead Toby:


And now, without further ado, the winners are:

Oz the Terrier: 
See Beautiful Reusable Water Bottle

Pam at Words With Weiners:
See Beautiful Handmade Koozie

Ruckus the Eskie:
See Beautiful Dog Tag

Jeanne at bichonpawz:
See Beautiful Vegan Mimosa Soap

Congratulations Winners! Please send your mailing address to batray50@gmail.com as soon as you can so your prize can be sent to you.

Thanks, all, and keep Seeing Beautiful!

Winners of the See Beautiful Giveaway!

Well of course EVERYONE who Sees Beautiful is a winner! Right, Toby? What's that Tobes, you have a message for everyone who participated?
Ok, go ahead Toby:


And now, without further ado, the winners are:

Oz the Terrier: 
See Beautiful Reusable Water Bottle

Pam at Words With Weiners:
See Beautiful Handmade Koozie

Ruckus the Eskie:
See Beautiful Dog Tag

Jeanne at bichonpawz:
See Beautiful Vegan Mimosa Soap

Congratulations Winners! Please send your mailing address to batray50@gmail.com as soon as you can so your prize can be sent to you.

Thanks, all, and keep Seeing Beautiful!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Colorado Hero for Animals



Sheriff's Deputy Dan Perusek.

 He is the savior of dozens of horses, llamas, goats, and others stranded in the Colorado floods.  "I don't have kids, but I have animals..." His voice chokes with emotion.

He and his dramatic rescues are featured in the last 2 minutes of this video (at 5:36). But the whole video shows haunting footage of the raging floodwaters threatening people, their livestock, and their homes. Especially impressive: amateur drone footage that makes you feel you are floating just above the water.

Our country is fortunate to have so many citizens and professionals who are willing to sacrifice their own safety to help in natural disasters. I'm so thankful that the animals are not being forgotten, or as Deputy Perusek says, "Somebody's got to give them a fighting chance too."

My thoughts are with the missing, hoping they will be located soon and that they are safe.


Colorado Hero for Animals



Sheriff's Deputy Dan Perusek.

 He is the savior of dozens of horses, llamas, goats, and others stranded in the Colorado floods.  "I don't have kids, but I have animals..." His voice chokes with emotion.

He and his dramatic rescues are featured in the last 2 minutes of this video (at 5:36). But the whole video shows haunting footage of the raging floodwaters threatening people, their livestock, and their homes. Especially impressive: amateur drone footage that makes you feel you are floating just above the water.

Our country is fortunate to have so many citizens and professionals who are willing to sacrifice their own safety to help in natural disasters. I'm so thankful that the animals are not being forgotten, or as Deputy Perusek says, "Somebody's got to give them a fighting chance too."

My thoughts are with the missing, hoping they will be located soon and that they are safe.


Friday, September 13, 2013

Seeing Beautiful New Families

Today is Sugar the Golden Retriever's monthly See Beautiful Friday.
This month See Beautiful is helping three families who are adopting children from Congo. If you visit here regularly you know that both of my grandchildren were adopted from Ethiopia, so understandably I was touched by the stories of these adopters-to-be. I'll go further and say that without generous donations and purchases made by caring people I would perhaps still be waiting to be someone's " 'Ahma".

Here are my beautiful grandbabies:





















To assist See Beautiful in helping bring these children home I'm offering my first ever giveaway. I'm so excited about these wonderful products!  I hope you'll be inspired to enter the giveaway, to learn more about the families who will benefit from See Beautiful this month, and to share some of this week's beauty with us.

Here are the prizes for the giveaway:

1. See Beautiful Dog Tag - it reads "See Beautiful - It Looks Good On You" or "See Beautiful. We do." These wonderful tags are made by Sugar's fabulous Mom, Rosalyn. (Be sure to stop by her blog today. It eloquently explains her Seeing Beautiful philosophy.)






2. See Beautiful Water Bottle

According to the website: The mission of Re-Hy, the stellar 

company who engraves our bottles, is to reuse-recycle-

rehydrate and we think that cycle in and of itself is an

 opportunity to see beautiful and share the message with 

others."



3. See Beautiful Handmade Mimosa Vegan Soap
Described on the website: "The three main ingredients of orange essential oil, honey and Champagne, infused into one beautiful bar"-




4. See Beautiful Koozie
From the website descriptionWith each koozie being handmade, you're sure to see beautiful in the most thirst-quenching of ways. We do! Because Mimi uses the acrylic yarn she has on hand, our koozies will often rotate in color.



I wish everyone who enters could win. But since that's not possible if you see something you like or want to check out the See Beautiful jewelry selection, click here. Twenty percent of the sale price - not the profit guys, the sale price - will help three families grow.

This giveaway ends at midnight on the 20th so hurry and enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seeing Beautiful New Families

Today is Sugar the Golden Retriever's monthly See Beautiful Friday.
This month See Beautiful is helping three families who are adopting children from Congo. If you visit here regularly you know that both of my grandchildren were adopted from Ethiopia, so understandably I was touched by the stories of these adopters-to-be. I'll go further and say that without generous donations and purchases made by caring people I would perhaps still be waiting to be someone's " 'Ahma".

Here are my beautiful grandbabies:





















To assist See Beautiful in helping bring these children home I'm offering my first ever giveaway. I'm so excited about these wonderful products!  I hope you'll be inspired to enter the giveaway, to learn more about the families who will benefit from See Beautiful this month, and to share some of this week's beauty with us.

Here are the prizes for the giveaway:

1. See Beautiful Dog Tag - it reads "See Beautiful - It Looks Good On You" or "See Beautiful. We do." These wonderful tags are made by Sugar's fabulous Mom, Rosalyn. (Be sure to stop by her blog today. It eloquently explains her Seeing Beautiful philosophy.)






2. See Beautiful Water Bottle

According to the website: The mission of Re-Hy, the stellar 

company who engraves our bottles, is to reuse-recycle-

rehydrate and we think that cycle in and of itself is an

 opportunity to see beautiful and share the message with 

others."



3. See Beautiful Handmade Mimosa Vegan Soap
Described on the website: "The three main ingredients of orange essential oil, honey and Champagne, infused into one beautiful bar"-




4. See Beautiful Koozie
From the website descriptionWith each koozie being handmade, you're sure to see beautiful in the most thirst-quenching of ways. We do! Because Mimi uses the acrylic yarn she has on hand, our koozies will often rotate in color.



I wish everyone who enters could win. But since that's not possible if you see something you like or want to check out the See Beautiful jewelry selection, click here. Twenty percent of the sale price - not the profit guys, the sale price - will help three families grow.

This giveaway ends at midnight on the 20th so hurry and enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Black and White Sunday - Pawprints

No changes needed for Black and White Sunday: the black magnetite iron-rich sand contrasts with the light tan silica-rich sand.



Have you ever looked at sand under the microscope? It's incredibly cool.
Here's a good website to see photos from all over the world of sand under the microscope. Amazing!

Black and White Sunday - Pawprints

No changes needed for Black and White Sunday: the black magnetite iron-rich sand contrasts with the light tan silica-rich sand.



Have you ever looked at sand under the microscope? It's incredibly cool.
Here's a good website to see photos from all over the world of sand under the microscope. Amazing!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Blue Skies




Blue skies

Smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies 

Do I see 




Bluebirds 

Singing a song

Nothing but bluebirds 

All day long 


Never saw the sun 

shining so bright

Never saw things 

going so right 

Noticing the days hurrying by

When you're in love, 

my how they fly 





Blue days 

All of them gone

Nothing but blue skies 

From now on 

 


Blue Skies lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Blue Skies




Blue skies

Smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies 

Do I see 




Bluebirds 

Singing a song

Nothing but bluebirds 

All day long 


Never saw the sun 

shining so bright

Never saw things 

going so right 

Noticing the days hurrying by

When you're in love, 

my how they fly 





Blue days 

All of them gone

Nothing but blue skies 

From now on 

 


Blue Skies lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Shhh...

My fantasy football league is drafting!

Doggone it! Someone took Adrian Peterson!

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