Ardella is home

Ardella returned yesterday afternoon and there was much rejoicing. I was so glad to see her and am happy she had a nice visit with Deanna, Ashley and family. Tomorrow Ardella is 12 weeks old and I need to take a picture.

I worked today. I'm still feeling disoriented and spacey. That might last awhile.

Nontraditional Service Animals

Earlier this week, a friend of mine gave me an article that her daughter, Rebecca Skloot, had written for the New York Times Magazine, 1/4/09 issue on nontraditional service animals. I found an NPR story on the same article and I'm linking to that because not only is the magazine article linked there, but so is Rebecca Skloot's blog. At any rate, it's a fascinating article about how other animals besides dogs are used to help people with disabilities and how the public is reacting to the use of these animals. I knew about miniature ponies, but never had envisioned how a pony could be trained to be a guide. I only knew that one advantage was the lifespan of a pony, that they could work as guides longer than dogs, but I had no idea what they could do.

I can understand the health concerns of the public regarding other animals, but I've been inspired by the human-animal bond for some time and hope that there is a change of public attitude. At any rate, read or listen to the article. It raises some concerns, but certainly is educational.

My baby is with a sitter for a few days and I think this is best for us all until I'm really on my feet again. I sure miss her though!

I'm afraid I am really going to be late with my Loopy Ewe swap package. I feel so bad. I keep telling myself I'm a "flake," but I don't know how to speed up the healing process and I still intend to send the package, even though it will be late. Argh! I hate accidents!

I keep thinking I owe people e-mails, so if I do, be patient. I'll sort it out eventually.

Update

I woke up today unable to move, but I'm moving now, albeit carefully. My neck muscles are really sore, it hurts to swallow, and my ribs and right knee were bruised. I can't find a head bump. I'm still having some memory/concentration problems, but I'm pretty sure they'll get better. Thanks for the messages, just wanted to reassure you all I was okay.

Ardella will be spending tomorrow at another home and Lyn will pick her up at puppy class. I feel better knowing she'll be with someone else while I can't pick her up or bend over to get things out of her mouth or correct her.

Headache

I was so excited about today, couldn't wait to see all the festivities. Unfortunately, I took Ardella out for a walk on a street that was significantly colder than our street and hit my head and don't remember getting home or anything until I was in the car being driven by my son to the hospital. Apparently, he had to intercept me driving myself there. I also apparently wrote my supervisor. I did keep hold of Ardella and got her to her crate okay, according to my son. I really don't think she tripped me - I remember seeing ice and then nothing.

Anyway, I'm home from the hospital, am off tomorrow and hope I can remember more in the morning.

One week later

So, in one week we've gone from this



to this



Ardella grows daily and it's obvious even to us when she gets up that her legs are longer or she's filled out a little more. Ardella is not napping as much as she was when she first got here and has become an assertive, confident (sometimes bossy) puppy. This week we went to the Vancouver Mall for a scavenger hunt and I tired before Ardella ever did. Ardella has taken a few trips to the grocery store and to the pet store. She rides in the cart, usually stands with her paws perched on the back of the cart while we maneuver our way through the adoring crowds of people that swarm on her when on outings.

Ardella likes Aidan and Aidan is warming up. The cats are so-so in their attitude and Ardella has pretty good manners with cats.

Ardella has gotten angry a few times when we've taken leaves and rocks out of her mouth, but mostly she's a lovable little bundle.

Work was a little challenging this week, but Ardella seemed to adjust to the schedule and I adjusted my breaks to coincide with outdoor/play time. I eat lunch at my desk and use the 30 minutes of break to take Ardella for walks and to feed her. I get up at 5:30 (well, theoretically), take Ardella out to "do her business," and then Lyn takes over from 6 to 8 before he goes to work. After 2:30 we play, go on outings, etc. When Lyn gets home from work, I try and fit in knitting, but that's been hard. I'm usually ready for bed at 9:30, sometimes Ardella is.

Ardella likes to play with tug toys. I spent some money on toys only to find that her absolute favorite toy is an empty orange juice container. Here's the toy about an hour after she received it. I'm obviously going to need to solicit my friends for empty orange juice containers!



I had a big thrill this afternoon when Bruna's raiser contacted me. I received an invitation to her blog and learned the names of all of Ardella's litter mates and even saw a You Tube film. That was awesome! I'll tell the rest of the names after I know it's okay to do so. I know there is supposed to be a big event in August where all the litter mates and puppy raisers can meet, but it's really nice to get to know them now while the puppies are little. It sounds like they all have a few physical traits in common - like those darker spots on the tips of the ears (yellow lab puppies at least).

Anyway, it's been a long week. I'm behind in knitting projects, but at least I've found the swap projects I want to do and am sticking with them. I just hope I can get them done by the dates they are due!

A is for Ardella!

Here she is minutes after being handed to me.




Here is the first picture in the house.



It's been a long day and we have puppy meeting and get acquainted with the house to go through right now. We took a number of pictures, but I'll put the rest on later tonight or tomorrow. Oh! I love her already! So far litter mate names are Annabella and Annalyn. I'll be hunting around for others and hopefully will learn them all.

Belated Happy New Year!

So here's something new and different! More snow! We've had a lot of it since December 21, 2008. We have rain in our future and I'm relieved.

Christmas was great - all the kids arrived, plus Ryan came with Keri because Spokane was buried in snow. It snowed like crazy here in Vancouver so Ryan and Keri stayed an extra day. Kevin left on Christmas day and got stuck in the snow. We had a lot of fun eating, watching movies that various family members received - The Dark Knight (best Batman movie!) and Pan's Labyrinth (which was still as good as the first time). So, it was a simple, cozy Christmas - my favorite kind.

Now, Pan's Labyrinth is a moving movie, but I was reduced to puddles of tears when Lyn and I went to the movies on Tuesday with the Puppy Club to see Marley and Me. I think it was too soon after Shane's death and boy was it cathartic! It was a comfort to be surrounded by numerous yellow labs (who were behaving). M&M was a surprisingly good movie. I really expected to hate it.

We are counting down the hours now until "Little Miss A" (as called by Lynne the puppy club leader) arrives this week. I have been poring over A names and Lyn and I laughed ourselves silly one evening thinking of the possibilities. It is bound to be unusual but I hope I love it. I don't think I can possibly guess and I certainly haven't been able to find any hints anywhere about the puppy names for this litter. I've also been watching puppy videos and reading other guide dog puppy club blogs. I confess I'm a little nervous about everything. I dread sleep deprivation and I get a little worried about the ultimate goal of raising a dog who will hopefully lead someone one day. Mostly I'm looking forward to the coming year - I think it will be one of the best things I've ever done.

One of the things I had on my list to do before the puppy gets here was to get Aidan groomed. Here he is sporting the new cut he got today. I can actually see his eyes now!



I'm also still working on Christmas presents and swap scarves/socks. I sure hope I still have time to knit. Next time I write, I'll have cute pictures.