".......What a Week!!!"

First of All, I have to apologize in advance for the poor punctuation but I'm really not feeling so great so I'm just typing. (Humidity is one of the worst condition for my breathing and it's taking a toll on me) Anyway, I realize that Alli really does get around, and of course she insists I accompany her! It has been good for me because it gets me out socializing but as Mark says I have to be mindful of my limits. I assure him that I am mindful, it just always seems worth it to carry on and then pay for it later! So, it started with NEADS Summer Graduation on Sunday, the 6th of June........so I guess it's actually 2 weeks! I actually "posted" on the 7th, but this is how it went: Summer Grad. on the 6th, a day at a good friend's summer house in Pawcatuck on the 8th, a drive down to Norwalk to Scandia for our Swedish food on the 9th(of course we forgot that it's now summer days/hours so it wasn't open!!!), on the 10th we went to the graduation for the inmates who are involved in the NEADS training program at MCI Framingham(MA), a trip to NYC to see Rascal Flatts on the Today Show for Bethany's 27th b-day on Friday the 11th(yikes! Do I really have a daughter that old?!?), on Saturday the 12th Alli and I walked in the Greater Middletown American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life", ( we walked a little more on Sunday morning the 13th before the "Relay" ended), later in the day on the 13th Alli, Em, and I went to Mohegan Sun for the "James Taylor/Carole King" concert and stayed over as usual......but of course that meant more walking, on the 16th Em had an eye appointment in the morning and then I had an interview for a project on pain that I'm a part of(I'll explain more below), And then on Thursday the 17th a photographer followed Alli and I for the day as part of the same project...........and, finally, on Friday and Saturday Em, Alli and I did just a few errands early each day. WOW!!! It sounds like even more than I thought! I started to fade even before the concert but had to push through the week as always.......I always feel that I have to follow through on everything I set out to do! Needless to say I paid a pretty steep price.....and continue to do so!

Of course I have a reason for doing all of the above.....and it always makes sense to me. While we were in NYC for the concert at the Today Show, we took the time to go to the Central Park Zoo. I had never been there, and as you can see above, Alli absolutely loved it!(The picture is a bit blurry but the others were in the dark!) She just wanted to soak it all in. She especially liked the reptile/bird etc. house. She was wowed by the dark "bat cave" which reminded me of the tanks at the aquariums except there must have been at least one hundred bats continuously flying around. The above picture shows her looking at some birds in the "tropical" area. She was actually just about perfect the whole day except early on when we discovered she must not have been exposed to pigeons before. Oh, my, gosh! She surely wanted to bring one of those home!!! We walked in the "relay" in memory of my closest friend's brother Dan Woronick, also in memory of my mom(4/22/07). The picture shows Alli in the adult poncho that I tailored just for her! The meteorologists predicted rain so we came prepared! The poncho had a hood but not only did Alli not like it but when it was on it came all the way down to her nose totally blinding her!(She did look adorable in it! I don't normally like large dogs in clothing but boy did it thunder/lightening and POUR!!!! The concert is self explanatory.....at least to me! They are both among my favorites, especially James Taylor. I think it might very well be the best concert/show I've ever seen. They were amazing!

The "biggie" is the project I've been asked to participate in. It is sponsored by the CT Pain Foundation and is called the "INvisible Project". It highlights 15 individuals with various diseases/disorders.......(with me being the "unknown"), and how they live their daily lives coping with chronic pain. The cause of the pain is often "invisible" but that doesn't mean it isn't very real. I've been dealing with it for the better part of 5 years, with the pain steadily increasing over time. At the foundations' meeting in NYC in September of this year, there will be a photo array of each of the participants and we'll be introduced at the meeting.(There will be an additional mtng. in Connecticut shortly thereafter.) Then, the photos along with the interviews will be featured in the foundation magazine. The idea is to bring to light how there are many who are able to live their lives with chronic pain and hopefully help those who think it can't be done. It also helps others find the help they may need through support and networking. I think it is so worthwhile especially since Alli has been my #1 pain reliever since November......though I will soon be seeking medical advice and help to deal with the ever increasing pain in my limbs, back and head.

I'm sure there's more that I could be saying, but it is nearly 1:00 am on the 21st and I'm beat!! (I'm don't know why the posting time says it's nearly 41/2 hrs earlier, the time on my laptop says 12:56 am! And that's the right time!)
Until next time.........

Summer Graduation, New Friends

I have to begin by acknowledging the above photo! When Alli was at
MCI Framingham she had an amazing weekend puppy raiser, Elizabeth, who took her to Texas for Christmas '08. In the "puppy album" that Alli's inmate/handler Pam put together for me there is a page near the end about that trip. The page holds several pictures including one of Alli in "Utopia"!!! She is doing just as she is above.......taking in the sun and sand.......literally! She loves to run headstrong into the water, swim, dunk her head underwater, swim some more, then leap out of the water like a skipping stone and roll, shimmy, and roll some more in the sand. Each time she goes to the beach it's like the first time all over again....it's wonderful! Like watching an infant discovering they can crawl!

Now, to Summer Graduation for NEADS. Alli and I went with a very close friend, who was unable to make it to our graduation, and my daughter Em. We thought that the young lady who did a fundraiser for us was going to present her check to NEADS......but she wasn't able to be there. I really didn't mind, though, because I had nearly the same emotional response that I had at mine. Just knowing that these strong, brave, independent individuals would be able to experience the same emotions that I have.......love, freedom, increased independence and a sense of feeling needed........all from gaining a new partner, and yes a confidant made the whole day worthwhile.

We began the day with lunch at a local establishment in Leominster with new found friends including a team that graduated from NEADS about a year ago, her husband, her dogs' puppy raiser, a wonderful wounded warrior who was graduating this time with his dog, his puppy raiser and her mother. The graduate, Doug, had come all the way from South Carolina just finishing his training this past Friday. He was not able to have any friends or family present so we all said that we would be honored to be his family. He is a wonderful gentlemen, very quick witted, always smiling and so engaging that you barely notice that he's in a wheel chair and has one leg amputated above the knee. He said he'd love to have us all as his family but he expected to hear a lot of "whooping and hollering"! Needless to say......everyone heard it! How deserving Doug is to receive a service dog, Scooter, and how blessed they both are to have each other. While everyone there was receiving either a "hearing dog" or "service dog" as at my graduation, it was new, and moving just the same. It's so wonderful knowing that I am connected with an organization that can change a person's life as well as their outlook on life with the addition of such a specialized partner that is always there for them wherever they may go.

Before I ramble on all night I should close, but not before sharing an amazing story that really made the day perfect. Picture two close friends, one slightly older than the other, growing up together only to be separated as they neared "adulthood". Now picture the same two friends being in the same place years later and recognizing each other and giving one another a warm embrace. No words are necessary, merely a look knowing each remembers the other.Now, picture these two friends as two dogs! This was the scene when Alli met her friend Granite on Sunday. The two were together at MCI Framingham at the same time, Alli slightly older than Granite. I was told that Granite was in the graduating class and I scanned the room looking for the person that I was told was his partner. When I found him shortly before the ceremony began I quickly headed over with Alli to see this dog who appears in Alli's "puppy" album over and over. Now, Alli is almost always very hyper when she meets another dog. It was down right amazing! She looked at Granite, Granite looked at her. She took a calm step toward him, and he did the same. Then, the amazing occurred! Alli and Granite stood nose to nose, and calmly nuzzled each other! They had not seen each other since probably April of '09. Then, after a moment, Alli got down in a playful stance(looks like she's bowing), and Granite barked and jumped toward her, all four feet off the ground. I know that now when I hear someone say "The world is going to the dogs" I can smile knowing that that's not so bad!

Talk to you again soon!
Wendy

Alli Meets Prudence Island..........and the Crab!!!!

How wonderful it was to be able to go out to the
house and not be afraid of falling while alone!!! Alli loved the whole experience.....especially swimming and squirming around on her back in the sand! She will retrieve anything you ask her to so when that is combined with her crazy love of swimming she is absolutely in heaven! She doesn't even mind the lead she has to be hooked to since the area is not enclosed. I found a very light weight 50' marine line so it doesn't get too heavy when it's wet. Since I can't have the pressure of the water on my chest I can no longer swim but we had lots of fun just the same. I am attaching this photo and then a brief video at the end in which she goes crazy over a very (yuck!!) dead horseshoe crab to show that, yes, a service dog's life is not only work, work, work! Because she has the large head with the droopy eyes and huge jowls(I've been told that it's because she is American and English Lab) people constantly tell me that she looks sad. They don't see her when she's at home or the dog park where she absolutely unwinds and goes crazy. When she plays with 3 other labs at the park, I swear that it reminds me of the huge bucks on the old "Mutual of Omaha" show, bumping their chests when it's mating time!!!! While it was great to be on the island with Alli, I don't think I can continue to make the trip alone to the ferry in Bristol. Highway driving used to be easier than local driving just because I wouldn't have to count on my leg being steady with the brake pedal constantly as is necessary with local traffic. Now, though, the pain in my limbs and especially my back is making it almost impossible to sit long enough(1 1/2 hrs)to get to P I. For the time being I'll trudge through it just because it's like a sanctuary for me so I'll try to ignore the pain. Mark always says that I need to learn that I have limits because 1 day's activity means at least 1....if not 2 day's of being totally spent and usually on my bed. I do know my limits. I just have to decide if the activity is worth the pain........more times than not I go for it.......just because I'm not ready to "give in" yet. With the summer months, however, I will be in most of the time anyway because I can't be out when the humidity even begins to rise. I guess breathing is more important than fun most of the time! At least it will probably mean that I'll post more often!

Graduation.......continued!!!!

So, I've mentioned that when I trained with Alli in November, there were 3 other great people. We finally got a picture of the 4 of us at graduation on March 7th. Karin and Lucky, Ellen and Magpie(Maggie) and, Eddie and Houdini...... with Alli and me on the far right. It was so good to see them all again........I know Alli was really happy to see them! Alli always slouches when she sits so she looks so small, but she is actually almost as big as Lucky, just about 2 lbs lighter and probably only an inch or two shorter. The 2 in the middle, Maggie and Houdini, are sister and brother and you can see how much smaller she is. They are all beautiful labs, with the most amazing temperaments. They each also have unique personalities.....I'm not sure that it's necessarily the best thing, but I guess you would call Alli the "class clown".....if there was one. Ellen is in Wisconsin having surgery to help her continue to walk and not be strapped to a power wheel chair all the time. I hope all who read this post will send their prayers of wellness and recovery her way.

I feel very fortunate to have met these 3 strong, wonderful people. They have each helped me in one way or another realize that dealing openly with my illness is not a sign of "giving in". I tried for so long to act as "business as usual" and usually paid the price. It's nice from time to time to talk with others also dealing with chronic illness. It's never a "pity party" as one might think. Far from it. You find yourself gaining strength and definitely encouragement from one another. There's actually a type of security in knowing that you're not alone with your feelings and/or thoughts where your illness is concerned. It's even easier to deal with your day to day issues, such as doctor visits and your comfort level in general.

So, you see these dogs have really opened up a renewed level of adventure. I mentioned in an earlier post that Alli and I had visited a nursery school, something I hope to do more of. Well, my associate pastor is thinking of having me bring Alli when she makes some calls at one of our local nursing homes. Because Alli is already a trained service dog......."card carrying" even....... she is already used to wheel chairs, walkers, and hospital sounds and smells. These are all things a "therapy" type dog must become accustomed to before they can be certified. I obviously have a lot of new experiences to look forward to.

One last thing. I finally got the date for my Social Security Disability hearing. April 19th. Please think positive thoughts for me on that day!!!! After the 2 denials, you automatically go to a hearing. The problem is that my attorney filed for the hearing by the required December 2008 date. My attorney told us that the wait can be up to 1 year from the Dec. '08 date. I was not notified of the hearing date until February of this year!!! So, I've been unable to work since March of 2007. That's a heck of a long time to go without a paycheck. Mark has been working a second job to make up for it. He will probably keep it when I'm approved, just cut back and be firm about when he will and will not work.

I will post again in a day or two. I plan on uploading a picture of Alli and Houdini.........
They are so cute together!!!

Regular Training.......and a little fun!!!

Alli has not let "Graduation" go to her head......at least not too much! She has at least one "play-date" a week, plus she now plays most afternoons with "Magic". Magic is some sort of Pomeranian/Shi-Tsu(sp?) type dog. In other words, he's pint sized and has the attitude of a Rottweiler! I was afraid, at first, that Alli could hurt him since he is 17 lbs., and Alli is close to 72 pounds. I soon realized that his owner was right.......he is too quick to worry about! Although she gives her "play-date" friend Braeden(a Weimerainer)a "run" for his money Magic knows how to take shortcuts across the park area and meet her when she rounds a corner! I am looking forward to when the warmer weather arrives and more dogs will hopefully appear at the park to play, too! I always describe Alli as a "people person" because she is soooo social, almost to a fault, and I know she'll enjoy playing with lots of dogs and it will be good for her to get her "fix"!

I'm attaching 2 brief videos today. One of Alli doing some walking with me, and one of her playing. I am lucky enough to have a church family that allows me to use our "fellowship hall" when the weather is not cooperative......though we exercise outside most days.

NEADS Graduation

On Sunday, March 7th, Alli and I officially graduated from NEADS! There were 21 teams graduating with all but 1 present. The event took place at the "Four Points Sheraton" in Leominster, MA. To anyone outside of Mass., it would be pronounced "Leo-minster". If you're a native of Mass., it's pronounced "Lemonster". The hall was packed with 20 + dogs and all were behaving wonderfully! I'm sure that many a teacher would like to know how that was accomplished! It was, however, the culmination of many years of training for the dogs, and weeks to months of learning for their human partners. Although it was a requirement for the teams to attend, being that it counts as part of our training, I would not have missed it for anything. It was our chance to say "Thank You" to the NEADS family. Thanks certainly doesn't sound sufficient for what these amazing canines mean to each of us but none-the-less that is what is done. Below is the "spiel" that I gave when it came to my turn.

"They say it takes a village to raise a child, and the story is no different here at NEADS where the village helps to prepare our partners for their permanent place in our hearts; alongside us, improving our quality of life and allowing us to stay as active as possible with a positive attitude. There are truly no words adequate enough to convey my gratitude to the NEAD family, beginning with Dick Beman(CEO) and continuing with Candi Hitchcock(COO), John Moon, Kathy Foreman, Donna Laconti, Sherri Forest and Terry Chaffee-Veroneau. Lest we forget the wonderful care in the kennel from Dan Oulette, the amazing work of the Puppy Raisers Cindy Lopez, Cyndi Ryan and Dave Hessel. And a mere thank you is certainly not enough for the training received by both dog and client from Brian Jennings, Erin Wylie and Paula to name a few........I have to add here that I am sure I've forgotten several names along the way, but the entire NEADS family is deserving of a standing "O". I also have to thank my inmate/handler Pam from MCI Framingham who allowed Alli to keep her unique personality.......and oh, what a personality it is!!!! Alli's weekend Puppy Raiser, Elisabeth Merritt, introduced Allii to a world of experiences including a trip to Texas for Christmas '08. And her Puppy Raiser, Ginger Reinders, also deserves a round of applause! With just one of these parts missing, the results couldn't possibly be as successful. It truly does take the entire village.

"Along with those already mentioned, I can't forget the love and support I have received from my family, close friends, church members.......(especially one church member who helped to show me that if I ever had any doubts about the career I chose they were unfounded), and even my high school graduating class from 19**!!!! I have yet to learn all the names of those who helped to sponsor Alli and when the cards do go out, I hope they well be able to convey my sentiments clearly. Without them, I may not have gotten to this point so quickly! I also feel so lucky to have been put in class with Ellen, Karin, and Eddie. We were all matched so well with our dogs as well as each other. Camaraderie goes a long way in a new situation. We continue to keep in touch and that too is a source of comfort.

"A very warm thank you goes out to all who have been involved in my NEADS adventure with the wonderfully outcome of a new companion, a returning sense of independence, knowledge of an amazing service and a chance to reconnect with young children. Alli has visited a nursery school and has played with many children in hotel lobbies while I explain NEADS and the service dog's abilities to very interested parents watching as my "Gentle Giant" plays lovingly with their children.

"In closing, I thought it would be nice if Alli and I could show NEADS how we feel about them and how they brought us together with a high "5".....but Alli insisted it was worthy of a high "10"!!!!!"

At that point, Alli sat back, put her forepaws up in the air and "slapped" my 2 hands. Alli is most happy when she's learning new commands so I am constantly trying to teach her new and useful ones. Along the way she's also picking up some that are just plain "fun"!

I had also planned on reading a "poem"(?) that Alli's inmate/handler Pam had written in the "puppy album" she put together for me but I ran out of time. But, I will include it below as it really does sum up Alli and her personality.

A Laugh, a smile, a heart

L iving life just for the joy of it

L oving people one kiss at a time

I nspiring. Always & Forever.

At this point, I will stop but I hope to post more regularly in the future. I will also include, once again, the NEADS web address where one can donate either by donating in general, with respect with an individual, or by naming a puppy for $1,000. Such a worthy organization!

"All Creatures Great and Small"

Well, I've been without my laptop for 5 weeks and it feels like a year. Since I don't get around quite as much as before I really count on my on-line contact to keep current with the world! I had really planned on keeping the blog going but, alas, when you least expect it......poof! A lot has happened since my last posting so this may take a while.

Shortly after that last posting at Thanksgiving I had another incident which landed me in the emergency room. I was speaking to my daughter about the headache I had when she noticed that one side of my mouth was sagging and not responding when I was speaking. She insisted she take me to our emergency clinic fearing that it was another migraine/TIA or, worse, a stroke. I finally agreed to go and was comforted knowing that my daughter and Alli could be with me. My headache became excruciating and they had trouble bringing the pain level down. However, my daughter reminded me that Alli could be on the stretcher with me. I told her to "jump", and patted where I wanted her. I began stroking her from the side of her head down her side as far as I could reach just like I do every morning and every evening. She kept staring at me, and I guess I dozed off. In any case, I awoke with a slightly less severe headache. I continued to pet her and telling her what a "good girl" she is and how luck I am to have her as my partner. The long and short of it is that After a couple of hours at the clinic I was able to go home w/ Rx's for pain and nausea. I truly expected to have to go to the hospital as before but was pleasantly surprised and grateful to have All to calm and relax me.

The following weekend my mother-in-law, my daughter Bethany, Alli and I went to the Kenny Rogers Holiday concert at the Mohegan Sun. I don't believe in gambling, but my mother-in-law gets complimentary tickets and rooms so we were also able to spend the night. Alli was wonderful! I jokingly kept saying beforehand that my mother-in-law was more concerned with Alli liking the concert and being comfortable in the hotel room than any of us 2 legged persons! In any case, they had gotten us aisle seats on the floor about 10 rows from the stage. The first half of the concert was "oldies" and though Alli behaved she seemed a bit antsy. During the intermission, she kept looking at me in the ladies room and licking my face. It suddenly dawned on my that during that first half she probably couldn't see my face. The second half was Christmas favorites and I was on the aisel. Alli was great, and actually curled up at our feet and slept the remainder of the concert. My mother-in-law went her way and Bethany, Alli and I went to the martini bar for a drink. We were going to just have a glass of wine since I rarely drink anymore now that I take so many meds, however, my daughter had the wine and I had a "Lemondrop Martini". Alli waited patiently by our feet. A gentleman at the bar(we later found out that he is a bail bondsman) kept remarking on my beautiful dog. He was obviously "3 sheets to the wind" and Bethany and I chuckled once or twice. He said that he was going to buy All a drink. Soon after, I saw the bartender hand him a Tupperware-type dish filled with water and with a slice of lemon hanging over the side!!!!!!!!! He delivered it to Alli and I told him, "I want you to know that she's not a cheap date. You can't buy her one drink and think she'll follow you home"! In any case, the rest of the evening went w/out incident and she loved sleeping in the hotel room!

Tomorrow: Alli Meets Some Sugarplums at the Ballet!