"Tonight You're Mine, Completely....."

And he.....gives his love so sweetly.... All I keep thinking of in my head, tonight, is Carole King's great "Will You Still Love Me, Tomorrow".(or something like that....I've never been very good at song titles) I'm not worried about the loving part....once again it was almost instantaneous love! But what I do keep thinking of is that Tippy is not going back to the kennel again. This is our first night together, and we shouldn't have to miss any more from here on out.

This is actually going to be brief because I left my power cord out in the living room, and had already made several trips back of other items. It's kind of like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie". Plus, I took Tippy's Gentle Leader off and while we're at NEADS, the dogs need to have it on anytime they're not playing or in our rooms, and they have to remain "on lead" with us anytime we're out of our rooms in the house. The main thing today was practicing "Leave It" when an "unruly" dog is in the area, and greeting another dog while watching the dog's body language. All this, while necessary to learn before our two weeks of training in done, was done now since there are other dogs(well behaved/trained) living with the gals upstairs who help with anything needed, and also because we will be coming home for the weekend and we need to know how to deal with different situations. We also had a first aid for dogs discussion with Cathy, and John spoke to us about graduation.....SUNDAY, MARCH 18!

Well, Tippy out cold from a busy day and the afternoon's play time and my battery is about to die! So until tomorrow with a full battery plus being plugged in, I bid you adieu!

Peace,
Wendy

Finally!!!!

Well, I'm sorry I didn't post last night, but boy was I pooped! I had forgotten about all the "up, down, up, down, etc.... When there were 4 of us there was more time between turns. With just Andy and myself, you barely have time to sit before you're up for your turn again!

Andy is my classmate, and his dog is Richie. Richie and Tippy look so much alike, it's almost hard to believe they're from different litters. But I'll explain more in a minute. I'd like you to get to know Andy. He is a young man of just 21 years of age. He is already a combat vet. In 2010, he lost his leg in Afghanistan. What a debt of gratitude we owe these young soldiers who sacrificed so much for our country. He is most definitely a gentleman, something I think we see far to little of these days. Andy has such a positive outlook on life! He is extremely active despite the difficulties and surgeries he's needed to care for his "residual limb". He's a swimmer, hoping to get back into skiing and snowboarding, and just yesterday he received a call asking him to be on a wheelchair basketball team. I think we can all learn a lesson from him. Next time you "whine" or complain about life, take a moment to think about others who truly have reason to complain and don't......

Enough of the introducing......on to the meat of the matter! Both of our dogs are doing extremely well, and we have had to make very few corrections. Brian(our trainer) says that while it's good, we're not seeing behaviors that tend to require a correction so we may not know to correct it when it does occur. The dogs have almost opposite temperaments. Richie is a "go getter", the type that Brian says is perfect for the veterans. When he is asked/told to do something he snaps to and does it. Tippy is more of a laid back pup, and looks at me the whole time he is completing a task as if to say, "Am I doing it right?". Brian prepared us for our dogs by telling us these things in our orientation session yesterday morning. And what's really cool is that he was so spot on in his explanation! Never is it more apparent then when I give Tippy the "down" command. It is honestly sooooo hard not to chuckle as he completes the behavior. First he looks up at me, and then his "rump" sloooooowly slides back, and then while still looking at me his front legs begin to slooooooowly slide forward. No, really!!! It truly looks like you're watching a slow motion replay. And it is so obvious in his face that he is wanting to make sure that I'm pleased with what he's doing. Brian said that Tippy really wants to do exactly what's asked of him and likes the confirmation of a job well done. I rarely have to correct him for not performing correctly, he does everything that's asked of him. It's just slooooooooow! A year ago, it may have been hard for me to adjust to this slow, deliberate motion, but then again, I wouldn't have been matched with Tippy. Now, my balance and strength are such that I welcome his attitude and feel that once again NEADS has made the perfect match.....with both of our dogs. It's so amazing..... Not only can you see the bonding taking place, but it's palpable....and it feels so good to once again receive the greatest gift.....the gift of unconditional love and freedom!

So yesterday we worked with the dogs for just over 2 1/2 hours but accomplished so much. Hence the early bedtime and no post. I didn't even do my nebulizer because I was just so exhausted, pain in my back, and once again a headache. We worked on: "Sit", "Sit Stay", "Down", "Down Stay", "Kennel", and "Leave It". It may not look or sound like a lot, but considering that the dogs are just learning to get their commands from us it really is! Oh, and we had to start with learning to say "Right" if the dog is on your right(like Tippy and me) to put them in the correct position along side to give the command, "Tippy, let's go". Andy has Richie on his left, so obviously he would command Richie to come along side on his left and then the rest is the same.

Today was our first full day. We began in the morning with a review and practice of the above commands, and then worked on: "Through" and "Back". Yesterday's commands are pretty much self explanatory, with the possible exception of "Kennel". When we give the command, the dog goes into the kennel/crate and turns around. He then might automatically lay down, but if not that's okay, and you give him the command "Down", then "Stay". Once they're down, you reward them with a treat, and close the kennel door. You then walk out of sight for around 5 minutes. You once again go to the kennel, command "Stay", open the door, tell him "Good Boy", give him a reward, close the door and tell him to "Stay", and once again walk out of sight for about the same amount of time. When you return you open the door, call his name and when he emerges YOU DO NOT PRAISE OR TREAT! You want him to be rewarded for staying nicely in the kennel so he feels it's a good thing. You do not treat him for coming out because you don't want him to think "if I come out it's a good thing". After you've moved some distance away from the kennel, you can pet him or if at home just allow him to come out and go about his business. When you give the command "Through", the dog leaves your side, walks in front of you, turns around and sits centered looking at you. When we practiced this, we also used "Back". The command "Back" tells the dog to step back once. If you need him farther, you repeat "Back" each time you want him to move back some more. This is one of the only commands where it is okay, even necessary, to repeat a command.

My arms are getting tired, so our afternoon trip to the grocery store may end up as a condensed version. Oh, I almost forgot! There was a luncheon and Andy and I were encouraged to attend. After nearly everyone was done eating the CEO, Gerry DeRoche, had everyone introduce themselves to us, tell us what their position/function is at NEADS. Andy and I were then encouraged to introduce ourselves along with a little something about each of us. I really liked this experience, and feel it should be repeated with each training class. I always say that NEADS is the family that chooses to accept you and it's always nice to learn about family members. I also have to interject here that when we walked into the main building for our first day and orientation, Sherrie Forest, who is at the front desk and Gerry's assistant, looked at me and said, "Welcome Home".....it still gives me a warm feeling. That's what family members are supposed to do when family comes to visit.....Sherrie is certainly the best person to greet anyone who enters!

So this afternoon we went on a field trip. I love the field trips, I'm always so proud to be seen in public with my "partner"! We entered Stop & Shop and proceeded to walk to the other end of the store all the while watching the dogs in case it was necessary to tell them to "Leave It", or any other undesirable behavior. We had very little need, and were pretty much able to walk through the store simply praising the dogs continuously for their good behavior. We stopped to practice "Under" at a table that was set up and again the dogs did well. I think I forgot to mention "Under" above. When you give the command, the dog goes under the bench, table or whatever, turns around and lays down. This is most often used at a restaurant or anywhere where it would be best for the dog to be "out of the way" Again, Tippy was like the little kid who want to do the right thing but is too tempted and gets caught. I think we were walking by the meat area, of course, when Tippy began to stare a little to intently. I caught it right away and told him to "Leave It". Well........just like a child who gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar, he reacted quickly but had that "sheepish" air about him that sad, "She caught me.....!" The rest of the visit went without incident, but once again it was a very long day.

We had to say "Good bye" once again and the dogs were taken into the kennel. BUT!!!! Tomorrow when the dogs come out in the morning for training, they're ours.....they don't go back to the kennel for the remainder of the 2 weeks. THIS is what we've been waiting for!!!!!

Have a great night, and I'll speak with you again tomorrow. Oh, how I LOVE this feeling of anticipation and excitement.......AT LAST!!!!

Peace,
Wendy & Tippy......YAY!!!

I'm here! I'm here! I'm here at NEADS!!!!!

I thought I'd use Tippy's puppy picture again. The next picture will be the one I get tomorrow after I meet him! I had no trouble connecting to the internet this time, so I ought to be able to post nightly as we go through training. I really don't have a lot to say.....at least not until I meet him. I have such butterflies in my stomach! I had them on the entire drive..... I've met the gals who live upstairs, very nice. They will run the house meeting I'm assuming. Once again, I hear that Tippy is handsome! Soooooo excited.......I'll post again tomorrow night after the afternoon's training. Can't wait....REALLY CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

But, I have to......
Wendy

2, Two, Yes, 2 Days to Go!!!!

It's so hard to believe that I'll actually arrive at NEADS in two days, meet Tippy in three!!! It's hard to believe because I was told it could take as long as 12-18 months before the right match could be found....and, I had resigned myself to that fact. I think my mind is still thinking that it's only been 4-5 months and I've got a while to go. My heart, however, is confused as hell!

Yesterday I was at the Rhode Island State House in Providence. I was there for the INvisible Project, www.invisibleproject.org. and the US Pain Foundation, www.uspainfoundation.org. Paul Gileno, US Pain Foundation President; Bill, and his wife Sue; Ellen and her service dog Maggie, and Karin and Lucky, her service dog, were all there as well. So, to make a short story long.....I watched Karin and Ellen with their dogs. I watched and remembered what it's like to have that companionship, support, and unconditional love. It's only been a little over 4 months, but it seems like an eternity. The INvisible Project was set up outside the Senate and Assembly, and we were sitting alongside it. I watched the dogs watch their partners, and, I watched Ellen and Karin watch their partners. I wanted to be them.....is that selfish? I'm not sure, nor, am I sure I care. But, this is where the confusion comes in. I pictured myself with Tippy, a dog I've not even met yet. I also pictured Alli. Not with me, but with Elizabeth and Andy. Happy. Content. Exactly where she is meant to be, with the people she is meant to be with. Thinking about it makes me cry, but it's good. I think. I think it means that I really am ready to move on. I think it means that I won't feel guilty about that move.

So, I think....no, I know I'm ready to accept Tippy. When I was asked at NEADS the day of Alli's final test and diagnosis, if I would be ready to accept another dog if one was found sooner rather than later I wasn't exactly sure what that meant. Now I do. I had to be ready to see Alli where she is and know it was the right decision. I had to be ready to love another dog as much as I love Alli and not feel bad about it.

I'm there! I'm looking forward to Sunday and meeting my classmate. And even more, I am sooooo looking forward to Monday when I'll finally get to meet Tippy! The really cool thing is that this time I have all these additional friends who I've met through NEADS who are excited for me as well!!!! It's neat because they've all gone through this experience, or have been the ones to bring the teams together in one way or another, and truly know how exciting this is for someone to go through. It's kind of like starting in a classroom full of supporters and finding yourself in the auditorium with everyone cheering you on! It's the reason that since Alli and I graduated I've been to all the rest of the graduations except one. The emotions are contagious. It's like a natural "high"....that feeling that you can't do anything wrong. The feeling that you don't want to go away. It carries you through almost anything. And, it's always there.

That's the care, support, and warmth one finds at NEADS.

Peace,
Wendy

www.neads.org

4 DAYS UNTIL NEADS!!!!!!!

So, the picture to the left is all I'm going to say about the Giant's win......I'm a good loser, but I'm also a good winner.

Enough said. It is only 4 days until I head to NEADS. I move in on Sunday afternoon for 2 weeks. I'll have a "house" meeting that evening, and then training begins on Monday. If the routine is the same as before, and why shouldn't it be...it has proven to work, we will meet in the conference room Monday morning. I think we'll discuss the general info that we need for the week, as well as our partner's "supplies". We should get the training manual at that time. That is like the "bible" of training. It gives all the procedures, commands, and schedules needed for the 2 weeks. We are without the dogs during the first morning, but meet them after lunch and begin training with them.

I've gotten the necessary items I should have before leaving for NEADS. A new crate as the last one was barely big enough for Alli and Tippy is a bit larger, a bed for the crate, new bowls since the dark blue ones threw Alli for a loop for a while, his food which is By Nature Adult Formula and lastly....a seat belt for Tippy. I sent my old ones with Alli and I'm not sure they'd fit anyway. The dogs need to be tethered since they are taught not to be afraid of cars. In an accident, if the door is opened, the dog could jump out into traffic. I started with just a leash w/ Al, but soon learned that a harness type restraint was best for the dog. While I will try very hard not to compare Tippy to Alli, she did help me to find the best way to accomplish most activities, I certainly have learned from mistakes made early on and will use that to guide me this time. I don't think there's a danger of me comparing the 2 dogs specifically since Alli is a female and Tippy.....is not! But, I am human....so it will be trial and error for awhile. I actually called Alli "Simba" several times. He was our Samoyed Shepherd cross that we had for nearly 13 years, after rescuing him from the CT Humane Society when he was about 9-10 mos. We put Simba "down" shortly before his 14th birthday and while he was certainly not a service dog, he was the best companion! In any case, even this past season after having Alli for nearly 2 years I called her Simba at least once or twice!

I've already begun to sort out my clothes for the first week, and will probably just pack for the second as well. I've been watching the temperature for both our area, near the mouth of the CT River, and for NEADS in Princeton, MA. It seems to be a difference of about 5-10 degrees, with Princeton being the colder. That's okay, I actually prefer the colder weather. For the most part, it allows me to breathe better except if it gets too cold and dry out. The humidity in the warm summer weather makes it difficult to breathe due to my restrictive lung disease, and the very cold air in winter is difficult because of my asthma. In other words, damned if I do, and damned if I don't! Ah, such is life! I also enjoy the winter weather when it comes to clothing. I have never been one to be comfortable in "my own skin", so the layers worn in winter are just perfect for my self confidence and self esteem......go figure......even at 53 I think about that.

Tomorrow I am going to be at the Rhode Island State House. Being one of the original "subjects" for the "INvisible Project" I try to be present when it is being shown. For those who haven't read about it previously, it's a photo-journalistic display of ten "subjects" who live productive lives despite living with constant pain. To check it out, go to the website which I will post below...along with the NEADS website address. This is also how I got involved with the US Pain Foundation. I am an "advocate" for them, and have so enjoyed being involved once again in conferences. The president and co-founder, Paul Gileno, lives with RSDS and is truly an inspiration for those who are chronic pain survivors.

I am hoping to be able to connect to the internet at NEADS so I can post nightly, but that didn't work out very well last time.....fingers crossed!!

Wendy

www.neads.org
www.invisibleproject.org

Aren't Good Friends Wonderful?

Today I had such a wonderful time visiting with Ellen(and Maggie), and Karin(and Lucky). They are 2 of the 3 other individuals who trained with me at NEADS when I received Alli. We hit it off right away, and we continue to get together for friendship, support,......and always great food! We were talking about how people who don't have dogs(or other pets as well), don't get it. This was prompted by our conversation about Alli and giving her a new life. Of course, I cried, we all cried! Ellen spoke of the dog they had had, Bear, and needed to give up because he was a little too active and injured Ellen after one of her surgeries to help stabilize her leg. With Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, it doesn't take much to cause great harm to her body. Of course we cried with her on that note. Then we spoke about Lucky's illness not long after we came home with our partners. Karin didn't know if he'd pull through, and, couldn't move on until she knew his fate. Luckily(pardon the pun!) Lucky pulled through and is doing great....as is Karin.

We also spoke about others not "getting" our situations. That is, unless someone has a chronic illness, they can't possibly understand our true emotions. When we get together, we have support in one another and can freely discuss our "ailments" without worrying that each of us doesn't care....WE DO!!!! Today Karin was feeling the effects of an infection that the antibiotic just hadn't gotten to yet. Ellen is still recuperating from a surgery to stabilize her clavicle that she had 3 months ago and is preparing for yet another surgery in May to once again help with one of her legs. I have been wrestling with so many emotions. My pain is never below a 5 or 6 on a scale of 10, and is usually around 8-9. My balance has become a major issue and I am now using 2 "Canadian crutches" most of the time. Since Alli hasn't been around to alert me to an impending migraine, I'm back to several a month, I don't usually know to take my med until it's too late. I still have no sense of that "aura" my docs talk about. And, my tremors are increasing and it's becoming increasingly difficult to type without constantly back spacing to make corrections...otherwise every word would have multiple "double" letters. Now, if that's not enough I'm so excited about receiving Tippy in mid February and yet I've been struggling with feelings of guilt. The guilt is due to my excitement at the prospect of loving another dog while Alli is still "with us"....with Elizabeth and Andy. In one of Elizabeth's notes to me after I let her know I was getting a new "partner", she said she was so happy for me,........and that she told Alli the news. She said she wanted Alli to know that I'd be okay and that I would have a new companion to help with my needs. She said that she knew it was important for Alli to know this. It still makes me cry to think of that. That's just one of the many reasons I know that Alli is in the best home possible with wonderful people that love her like I do.

Because of that, I know I'll be able to love Tippy unconditionally.....but boy am I going to have one heck of a good cry when I meet him.......

I don't think I'll put any more pictures up until I have my own new ones of Tippy. But I will, from time to time(like tonight) post a recent picture of Alli enjoying the
"good life".......

Have a good evening, everyone,
Wendy

I'VE BEEN MATCHED!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it!!! I've been matched with a new service dog! His name is Tippy! My daughter, Emily just made a bet with me the other day that I would get "the call" within the next 6 months. I said I thought it would be at least 8-10 months. Once again she was right.....and this time I'm glad! I think the fact that I wasn't expecting any news any time soon made it that more exciting!

I don't like anyone else answering my cell phone, but a couple of weeks ago I told them that if it was a (978) area code they had to answer it because it was probably NEADS. Soooo, after a doc's appointment on Monday Emily and I went to a movie at 3:25 in the afternoon. My cell was on vibrate, but about 15 minutes into the movie I could hear my phone vibrate and see the lit screen through my down vest pocket. I did the logical thing, I turned it off. Big mistake! I forgot about it and when I got home I had an e-mail from Brian Jennings, a trainer at NEADS! Yikes! The e-mail said that Brian would like to "match" me with a black Lab named Tippy! I looked at my phone and......sure enough......the call I didn't answer was from Brian!

Any way, Tippy is 78lbs, 26" at the shoulder, and will be 15 1/2 months when I receive him. That's the next great bit. I will go for my training on February 12th, and finish on the 24th. It actually seems that it is fate. Alli's 4th birthday is February 22nd. I guess it's true that "when one door closes, another one opens"...........

Another ironic point has to do with the NEADS' blog. Every weekday at 11:00 am they post a "Cute Puppy" picture. I check them out every day. On October 3rd, there was the most adorable little puppy you could imagine. I showed my friend Cindy and we chuckled at the name, "Tippy". We laughed imagining if I received Tippy that it would be like an oxymoron, I need a balance/walker since my balance continues to worsen as my muscles weaken. How funny it would be to have "Tippy" as a "balance" dog........gotta love it!!!!! Now, I feel it is very apropos and kind of cute. I won't see Tippy or meet him 'til probably the afternoon of the 13th during training, but I figure that since his puppy pic was on the blog it would be okay to post it.

I started this blog under the name of "My Partner Alli" when I found out I had been matched with my first service dog. I plan on doing the same thing now that I know I've been matched. I also hope to be able to post each evening during my training. I had planned to do that while I was training with Alli, but my laptop didn't cooperate and I couldn't pick up the wireless connection.

So, it is "with a song in my heart" and a lump in my throat that I move on now from my amazing time with Alli to life with Tippy. Elizabeth, Alli's new owner, sent me a message saying that they (Elizabeth and her husband Andy) were so happy for me. Then I had a good cry when I started to read the second paragraph, "I had to tell Alli too. I didn't want her to be sad, but I knew she would be relieved knowing you had another partner ready to work and take care of you." I'm not sure why, but I think I needed to hear that. After all, if it hadn't been for Alli, I don't know if I would have lived my life as I have these last 2 years. I've taken chances, gotten involved in things I might have shied away from and enjoyed every minute of it. My depression is manageable, I have very little anxiety, and I've learned to love just being me. Alli taught me that with the right kind of support, human or canine, the possibilities truly are endless. I learned not to fear new situations and not to be afraid of falling because she was with me, every minute of every day.......

Because of her, I'm able to be beside myself with excitement and anticipation at the prospect of a new "partner".

Because of her, I can move forward.

Because of her, I can enter the next phase of my life.

Life With Tippy

Peace,
Wendy