The Literate Dog...

Reflections

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:02:34 GMT

Reflections

Current mood: implacable
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

So, now we have another contract. That has effectively pushed me into paying more attention to work. I have spent the past few days researching where I can effectively promote this book, both on line and off. Promotion is actually quite time consuming and can be pretty pricey. And all the while we are expected to be handling our daily lives (which includes caring for a parent with Alzheimer's, preparing for a wedding in June, preparing for a new grandchild in August, being president of our local Therapy Dog program, SCCV, volunteering at church and such mundane things as housecleaning) and busily writing on our WIP.

The only thing it doesn't include is time for sleep. The bad part about this is that if I say I don't have time, there go the future book contracts, and if I do, something has to give. So what do we give up? I guess my decision is to just increase the speed and effectiveness with which I accomplish tasks. Wish me luck. I will be blogging much more regularly, and hopefully including things that will interest everyone.In another note, MiCa was slapped twice last Wednesday by one of the Autistics. It bothered me, but you have to accept this as a viable possibility when you enter this field. She's all right, and I can honestly say I don't know how I would have reacted if he'd hurt her. It would not be anyone's fault. They do their best to screen the kids, keeping out any potentially dangerous ones. And they had that kid down as I was pulling MiCa away, but still. . . . It can be hard to take.

I have a Board Meeting coming up this week. They are asking me to retain the Presidency for one more year, while we finish up the change over to being independent and set up the new policies and procedures to make the organization easier to manage and fairer for everyone. I have been promised back up by everyone on the board, so I think I may take it on, though it does, at least at the moment, require many hours of work.

I have also been asked to consider a position on the board of Camp Shaver. Don't know that I have the time to take that on right now, but I hate to leave little ones out there hanging. Two things I cannot refuse are kids and dogs. Oh well, here I go again.

New Book!

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:10:54 GMT

Phantos Fire just sold to Mundania Press!!!

It happens every so often. This morning I got an email entitled Phantos Fire. I noticed it in passing, not really paying attention. I opened it and read that I had another contract!It took me a moment to realize what she was saying, then my day changed. Fireworks started shooting off in my head and a huge silly grin appeared on my face. Every book is special, like a child almost, because it is entirely of your own creation, but this one is especially so. I wrote and rewrote it, then did it again. For a time I feared it would never see the light of day. But it will. On or about September of 2010, Phantos Fire will make its debut. Keep posted and I will begin to debut excerpts and characters. On second thought, I will begin to debut characters and excerpts of my current new publication, then, as the time grows nearer, I will introduce Phantos Fire. Stick around everyone. I'm now fired up and ready to go!

Dementia

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:09:00 GMT

I hate dementia. When Mom was diagnosed (it seems so long ago now) we thought we could handle it. For the first few years, it wasn't too bad. Mom forgot a lot, but apart from being mildly annoying, it was tolerable.

Then came temper fits. Those we handled fairly well too. Ignore some and stand up to others. We talked a lot. At the end, no matter what happened, there was always talk. That, and reassurances of the love and devotion we had always felt was enough, we thought, to sustain us.

It was hard to see that mind, the mind that functioned so well, that fought for advancements in nursing, that always wanted to learn new things, the mind that accepted challenges with joy, diminish. Slowly, almost so slowly I missed it, she stopped conversing. Never one to be the center of attention, she slowly became a shadow of her former self, both literally and figuratively.

My daughter refers to the disease as a thief of time, but it is so much more than that. It robs the victim of personality, interests, even speech and coherency itself. Mom is down to ninety pounds. She herself admits she "hates food", and has fought eating to the point where she has little muscle left. When illness strikes, it hits fast and hard. She just spent a few days in the hospital recently for an infection we didn't even know she had. She couldn't tell us about it, never mentioned pain, and it went on almost until she turned septic. And we never knew.

Living in a four generational household, it is difficult to see the four year old granddaughter watch out for her great grandmother, taking her by the hand and shepherding her away from danger. It is a clear indication that Alexis thinks more rationally than her 82 year old great grandmother; it is also an indication that my grandchild is growing mature far too early.

Growing up, Mom and I spent hours together. She was one of my best friends. It is hard to see her unable to watch even the simplest of television programs, unable to follow or comprehend the plot. She cannot read, and growing up I don't believe I ever saw her without a book. Puzzles of any sort or beyond her now, and she cannot write at all. She cannot dress or bathe herself. I am grateful that she is still able to remember to use the bathroom.

Mom thinks my daughter is her niece, and has no idea who my husband and my son are. Although she knows I am her daughter, she cannot remember my name most of the time.

I love my mother, but there is not much of her left. I miss my Mom. Sorry for the rant.

Egyptian sign

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:25:41 GMT

Osiris

Two sides to your personality, fiery but fragile, often indecisive.

Colors: male: yellow, female: green
Compatible Signs: Isis, Thoth
Dates: Mar 1 - Mar 10, Nov 27 - Dec 18

Role: God of the afterlife
Appearance: A green-skinned man wrapped up like a mummy, wearing the Atef crown and holding a crook and flail
Sacred animals: bull

What is Your Egyptian Zodiac Sign?
Designed by CyberWarlock of Warlock's Quizzles and Quandaries

I can do it!!!...

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:40:54 GMT

I have a recurring nightmare. It begins with my sitting in a large room. I am late for my meeting, so I slip into the room, trying to remain unnoticed. I sit down, only half listening to the monotonous voice. Suddenly my ears perk up as I realize the person is talking about needing something.

I feel my hand raise. I reach with my other hand to try and hold it down. Total failure. My eyes dart around the room, desperately seeking other raised hands. There are none. All eyes turn to me, plastic smiles pasted on their faces, eyes bright with relief.

They surround me like jackals after prey. I am drowning in their insincere congratulations.

I wish I could say this is always just a dream, but it isn't. I am motivated by the best of intentions, but always a sucker for a sad tale. In this way I have found myself President of the therapy dog corporation, in the past worship coordinator for my old church and now I find myself considering a job I have no business applying for, that would be nothing but headaches and pays far less than it is worth. It is a great cause, but. . .

Help! I hardly have time to write, my house is a mess, and I never have time to do a complete job of anything. But it is money, and I could get this job fairly easily. Help! Someone talk me out of this!

Realms of the Shadows is available for preorder!!!!!

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:15:30 GMT

Our new book, due out next month is finally available! Check it out! I am so happy!

"Realms of the Shadows"
by Anne and Jeff Lambert
ISBN 978-1-59426-032-2
Trade Paperback $14.95, eBook Coming Soon

Arola wakes from another terrible nightmare, the shadows shifting restlessly
above her, waiting for their chance to claim a new victim. Iolet, driven by
a desperate, yearning need, braves the shadows to climb Widow's Peak, the
highest and most perilous cliff she knows. They are sisters who have never
met, living half a world apart, about to be drawn into a conflict that will
forever alter their lives.

Lumina, dark and sultry, is as cold inside as she is exotic without.

Escaping from a desperate past, she, with the aid of her goddess, Quadrini,
is bent of world domination. The strife centers around control of an earth
crystal defended by the Circle. It's a winner takes all situation—there are
no half measures. Iolet and Arola, with elder members of the Circle, aligned
against Lumina, and only one faction will live to tell the tale.

Iolet, Arola and Teria, Iolet's fiancé and heir to Horizon Isle, come of age
in the battle to protect the Crystal and their way of life.

http://www.mundania.com/books-realmsoftheshadows.html

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:23:42 GMT

What a ride!

I haven't blogged in ages. Life interferes, and I have decided that I need about six more hours in every day to get things done.

To catch up, I have a new literacy student for two hours a week, and we're still trying to find the time that works for both of us. She's incredibly smart, just needs help in written language. Its an absolute joy to work with someone who really wants to learn and applies the lessons we have each week to her life.

After telling the SCCV board I wanted to take a year off, I suddenly find myself President for the coming year. Never mind the details, its a long story. But as long as I have the responsibility, I figure I may as well do something the organization needs. So I have taken on a project; writing and implementing a policy and procedures manual. Yeah, with the way we're growing and the new tangents we're taking into schools and libraries, its past time for this.

I also have a book coming out some time within the next few months. Although I am looking forward to it, I do not look forward to the time spent in promoting it. Oh well. One goes with the other I suppose. I still attend the Cons anyway, so those are all set up, all I have to set up now are the signings and such. And spend numerous hours with promo on the net. And interviews, and articles. Yeah, I definitely need those extra hours in my day.

Jeff is finally finished with his National Boards. Thank GOD! He's also dropped the coaching. Next year looks like it will be pretty interesting and fun. He'll actually be home before dark and not fall asleep directly after dinner. I'm not complaining, its better than the Navy was, but he needs more down time. For his own health, he needs to slow down. This year has definitely proven that, even to him. So I am happy for this change.

Other than that, my life is in high gear. Someone once told me that as you get older you life settles down and slows down. If I ever catch that lying little $*^%()&, I'll kill him. He LIES!

Bright spots

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:41:24 GMT

Sometimes the nicest things happen when you least expect them. The loss of Kiska, combined with being sick as a dog (no pun intended) has really had me down. So today I went to the doctor. When I went out to get the proscriptions filled tonight, I decided to stop by my local sub shop for dinner, since I was definitely NOT in the mood to cook.

As I gave my order a woman tapped me gently on the shoulder, and it was Lori, Christie's Mom. I've been meaning to look her up, but knew she didn't have a phone, and then events got the better of me and I did nothing. But now I have her phone number, and we plan to get together as soon as I'm up and about again, which will be at least a few days since my oxygen sats were down to 92 percent and I was told in no uncertain terms to go home and go to bed!

But it really was nice to see her, and to have a lunch date to look forward to. Maybe things are looking up.

Kiska 1996 - 2008 RIP

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:27:32 GMT

Kiska 1996 - 2008 RIP
Body: My beautiful wonderful Kiska died this evening as he lived, with dignity and love. We discovered last night that he couldn't walk any longer, and although he was willing to deal with this minor inconvenience, to see him struggle like that was horrible. A good part of my heart goes with him. I feel like I lost part of me. A perfect companion, he will never be forgotten.

Therapy dogs

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:49:04 GMT

I am so thrilled today. We went to our usual hospital today and MiCa was working with the autistic kids today. She's really sensitive with them, and even ignored my commands to interact more with one small patient. I am constantly awe struck with the sensitivity she shows. Even the therapists are amazed at her. Several of them have started a "Malamute savings club" to save like you do for a Christmas club only to use it for a wall around their property and training funds for their dogs when they get them. And one of the women told me today that she wants ME to train her dog.

Yeah for MiCa!

2007

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:01:31 GMT

You Had a Fantastic Year!

Compared to most years, last year was definitely great.
Overall, you're living a much better life than you were twelve months ago.
And nothing is a better mark of a good year.
Here's to hoping next year is even better!

How Did Your Year Rate?

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:44:58 GMT

Thinking...

Sorry for dropping off the end of the earth like that for the last few weeks. Things have been really upside down for me the past few weeks, with no sign of returning normalcy any time soon.

Thanksgiving was great, made more so by friends and now adopted family. Bob, Jeanne, thanks for being there when Pat needed you. You are welcome here any time. Your opinion about recent developments and people are right on. You have a way of getting to the bottom line of what's important. Kiss Kyla for me when she's home with you again. I miss that little girl. She reminds me of Alexis (see pictures). They both have that same sweet, open disposition and love of life that captures your heart.

Family made my Thanksgiving. Although we didn't go to Mimi's this year, which seemed a bit odd, our celebration was quiet, happy and filled with good conversation, good food and good friends.

The living room and kitchen are now painted, and look good. This coming week is the main bathroom and my bathroom. Following that will be the office and our bedroom, then Megs and Moms.

Had some disturbing news. Seems Jeff's most recent blood results have come back with his iron levels VERY HIGH!. As a matter of fact, they were over twice the upper limit of high normal. Looks as if a special diet and lifestyle change will definitely be in order. Also treatments, which consist of blood draws one or twice a week until the iron level drops to somewhere near normal, then as frequently as needed. No beef, so seafood (not even allowed to touch raw seafood or walk barefoot on the beach) no iron fortified foods, lots of chicken, fruits and vegetables. He's not going to be real happy about that. He's a beef eater from way back. But at least he'll be all right once we get those levels back to normal and start a preventative program to keep him there. The disease (still to be formally diagnosed) is Hemachromatosis and apparently as many as forty five million people in the US have it, undiagnosed. It isn't the disease so much as the other stuff it can cause that is frightening. Sure makes you realize who and what is important in your life!

Anyway, I will try to keep in better touch, but with Christmas coming and gifts to get ready and all that, it may be sporadic. Please forgive me for that. I will try.

Yep, it was one of those days. . .

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:38:06 GMT

I should have known when my husband woke me up twice while getting ready for work. Should have guessed when I couldn't get back to sleep again. Should have known for sure when an hour and a half of errands turned into four hours (even though Meg DID buy us lunch, which was very appreciated!). Knew for sure when the order at the pharmacy got messed up. Ran and did the rest of the errands, and of course, forgot one important ingredient for dinner and had to go back in and get it. Then forgot to stop by the pharmacy and had to go back. Kept granddaughter in the car and she had an accident because we couldn't get her to a bathroom fast enough. Mom leaned all over the bread and now we have a nice flat loaf. Then, of course, ran out of thread less than an inch before I finished a project, and of course, I have no more.

Sent the first edits back to the editor. Will see what she thinks. Had to change a word. Used the word adit, which means (my editor tells me NO ONE will know what it means, so here it is for the public at large - adit is an entrance to a mine or cave. Anyway, the first round was just punctuation and general stuff, the second round is more intense. Saw the cover of my book today up on Mundania Press page under coming soon. It was a real thrill. Now if we can just get these edits and the galleys done.

I think I'm going to quit now before the day gets any worse. Lunch was nice though.

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:30:01 GMT

Catching up!
Sorry to have been so quiet recently, but I'm trying to catch up! Seems the final edit is being done on the novel coming out sometime in the next few months, and so the editor and I are really working night and day on it. Luckily its mostly stupid little things that are easily corrected, but it still took me four hours today, and will probably take the same amount tomorrow.

Meg's birthday was yesterday, and so that was fun! She didn't much like turning thirty, but it comes eventually to all of us. Better that than the alternative! She had lunch with Christie and Lori, and got wonderful gifts from them. We made her favorite for dinner, had the usual cake, and then opened presents. For once I finally managed to surprise her. Got her the set of dishes she's been drooling over and she had no idea! Mom got her a set of cutlery, heavy and nice.

I'm also staying up late to get the crosses done for Betty tomorrow. This is the third set of 6 for her friend. Its good money, but I really wish it hadn't come up the week before the show. As it is the next week is going to be crazy, getting all that done.

Other than that its just been really busy. I want a break and the holidays are just around the corner so I don't think I'll be getting one any time soon. I still have to finalize what everyone will be getting. Thanksgiving is just about set, and it looks like we'll probably have ten for dinner, eleven if Pat comes home. Lots to do for that as well.

Ack!!!! I'll never make it!

Life

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:43:33 GMT

Its definitely been one of those days. I have a show in two weeks and the first thing that I noticed this morning was that the sewing machine was inoperative. Shit! Nothing like being put of of business even before you get started. At least the shop has a rapid repair feature for regular customers. But sure blew my mind for the rest of the day!

Then I got a call from the Sandoval County Volunteers. They want to interview me, as well as hire me to interview other volunteering seniors in the community for local papers. Great. Fits right in with getting my name out there for the publisher, except that I have little enough time as it is. I will write my own interview and head over there Thursday morning and see what happens. So in the past month I will have been in the paper and interviewed twice - once for having a really great dog who donates blood and once because I have a really great dog who visits hospitals and someone once taught me to read, a gift I now pass on to others.

Then we got home and UPS had delivered Meg's birthday present. Would have been better if the box had not been dented in three inches! It always happens with UPS. That guy has had so many complaints about his delivery that he is determined to get even with us. Luckily, it was not damaged, due to the care with which it was packed and the nature of the gift. (sorry Meg, no hints). Meg was kind enough to take pictures of the box and tomorrow I will send those to the lady at UPS who has been kind enough to work with us the past few times to let her see what this ass does with our deliveries.

So life is good, really except for a few little problems, which might have been BIG problems, but fortunately weren't.Here's hoping the sewing machine gets back to me FAST!!!

Great Dane

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:57:51 GMT

This is just a little fun to try.

I know some of you will get a real kick out of this. You love dogs and/or own a dog. You've always wanted to know what kind of dog you'd be if you were one, now admit it.

Try the test to see what kind of dog you are! Send back to me and forward to friends. Don't forget to change the subject line to the dog that YOU ARE!

http://www.dogshowusa.com/games/profiler/whatbreedru.shtml

Safe

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:51:01 GMT

After a day of not being able to reach Pat by phone, he finally called this afternoon. The fires are worse and they (all the military personnel) have been put on standby to fight fires. But he's safe. As nearly as we can figure, the cell towers were either really busy (understandable, given that everyone is attempting to call their loved ones just like we were) or that the cell towers were out of commission due to fire damage.

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:46:34 GMT

Better and better!

I had a friend approach me recently. I knew something was up, but not necessarily what. Turns out she wanted my advice. She's writing a book. She's taking the scenes from real life - her career. As she had a successful twenty plus year career I am assuming that she has ample experience in her field. She has the main character down. She knows the age, sex, and general personality traits. But she only a few pages. "How do you know which word is the right one?" she asked, truly concerned.

I had only one piece of advice. When writing, get the story down first. Work out all the kinks - just get that story down. Is this the right word? That's what rewrites are for.

We began to discuss other aspects of writing; plot, character development, character arcs, description, narrative, passive voice, point of view, etc. She hadn't a clue. At one time I thought she was going to run screaming into the street.

As we kept at it, I realized when looked at as a whole it can be frightening, but taken individually, these are just minor aspects of a whole, more or less like general personality traits make up the whole individual. Looked at like that, its must less intimidating. So I think as I have the time I will tackle them individually. If anyone has anything to throw in there that I might have missed, please, by all means, jump right in.

Today I will be discussing character arcs. Character arcs are how your main characters grow during their experiences. No character is perfect, so during the experiences they have as the plot progresses, they will learn, hence growing.

This growth could be straightforward. Perhaps your main character is too trusting. If that character gets hurt or let down by other characters in the book as the plot develops, they'll definitely learn not to trust too easily by the end. They'll be more discriminating. less ready to take absolutely everyone at their word. It makes the character more human and easier to identify with. If they're too suspicious, perhaps they'll need to trust someone with their life my the end of the book. That certainly would be enough to make most people grow.

If you're writing a teen novel, a main character who is wise beyond measure would not be believable. But if that same character learns through their experiences how to think about their actions before they actually execute them, that character would be a bit wiser in the end. That is a character arc. While it wouldn't be advisable to start with a character with more flaws than character and end with a philosopher, a little growth in target areas dictated by your plot is certainly a reasonable goal for yourself and your character.

All major characters should have a character arc. Some may be more minor than others, all that will depend on the importance of that particular character to your main character and plot.

Fire closer to Patrick

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:07:56 GMT

Just got word from Pat (my son). He and the others had been confined to the barracks all day, pending evacuation. They were just ordered to work to try to get as many of the jets out as they can. Coming hard on the heels of the death of his two friends yesterday, this is yet another blow to him, his friends and the command. Will let you know as I do.

CA fire

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:54:05 GMT

I read today that it is difficult to have any control over the fire raging in CA. There are two reasons for this. One is the Santa Ana winds, which are strong and blowing the fire all over the place. The other is that they keep having to pull fire fighters off fighting the actual fire to rescue people who refused to evacuate and now have to be saved.

I am incredulous. So because someone was criminally stupid and refused to leave they now have to endanger firefighters to go in a rescue them from their own stupidity? If I were a firefighters family and I lost my husband/brother/son/father to the selfish stupidity of another I swear I would sue that individual. Or ask the DA to put them on trial for murder.

This always happens in any natural catastrophe. There is always the person who refuses, for whatever reason, to vacate their personal property. Now I understand some cannot move freely (those who are handicapped or otherwise unable to leave on their own - plans must by made by the city to evacuate them). But I believe that normal citizens who refuse to vacate must be held accountable for their own actions. If they refuse to leave, inform them that they are now on their own. No further attempts will be made to rescue them for any reason. Make them sign a release form, releasing the city from any further liability on their behalf. The brave men and women who fight to save us and our homes should not be endangered needlessly.

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:43:08 GMT

My son called me last night. He's in the navy, stationed in San Diego. Seems four of his friends drove up to Sacramento for the weekend. Last night they were struck by a teenage girl, drunk and passed out while driving. Two had minor injuries, one is in a coma and the fourth is also in critical condition. How many people like these, in the prime of physical condition and life, will we have to lose before we get tough on drunks on the road! The two worst injured are not expected to survive the weekend.

literacy

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:01:08 GMT

My new student called me today. This person is a bit nervous, and was anxious about the contested test scores. I told the student we would take that information and incorporate it into our lessons when it arrived. This student is SO young! Wants all the tutoring to be over today so that we can be done tomorrow. At least the student knows he needs help. That's the first step. Now if he can just handle the work it takes to get him there.

I have had four students so far. The two younger fell by the wayside. They had neither the commitment nor the underlying desire to carry them through the actual work they needed to accomplish their goals. No homework, no writing, no reading unless they absolutely had to. And they got back exactly what they put into it - nothing. The third student was older and had struggled against life enough to know if he didn't do it, he wouldn't learn it. I can provide the tools, I cannot make you learn. There is something to be said for age and wisdom. We'll see.

Family

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:45:50 GMT

My thoughts recently have run to food and family. Its fall, what can I say. In the food category, pumpkin/cranberry/walnut cake with cream cheese frosting has become the height of desire. Fresh pumpkin, dried cranberries, white whole wheat flour and applesauce instead of oil make it really healthy. Well, except for the sugar, and that's Splenda's sugar blend. So its really not all that unhealthy. I really like cooking with the white whole wheat/flour combo. With white whole wheat you can't even tell its whole wheat. It doesn't have the tannins that regular whole wheat has, so you don't have to increase the sugar or honey. Anyway, the entire family scarfs it up as fast as I can make it. Also in the line up this week are braised ribs, baked ham, and some really great soups. Earlier this week I made an apple pie to die for. Five kinds of fresh apples. What can I say, I love fall.

As far as family goes, I've been reviewing lots of things. I think my feeling about family is expressed in the story I had published in Chicken Soup for the Mother and Daughter's Soul. Yeah, I really did. I forget about it most times, but its in there. It about half way through, entitled The Gift. Its the way my mother raised me. In short, when I was 13, she sat me down and told me she had provided me with all the morals and values I needed to get me through life. Now, she was rescinding all (or most) of the rules. She wanted me to make my mistakes now, while I still lived in her home and she could help me. She told me she would be there whenever I wanted to talk and that I could come to her with anything. I made the usual mistakes (I'm definitely no saint) but within a year or so learned (most importantly) to think before I acted and secondarily to come to her to discuss things was thinking about, because I had learned that the wisdom that came with age could keep you out of those little embarrassing episodes that most kids fall victim to. I raised my kids the same way, and they still come to me for advice. They know I don't really care whether they take it or not, after all, its their life, but it does give them some additional things to consider. The offshoot of this is that I actually like my kids and they like me. And we respect each others rights to make decisions that affect their lives and mot mine, or the other way around.

Just my thoughts for the day.

Fall Fair

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 21:56:54 GMT

Today was Lovelace WestSide's Fall Health Fair, and as Lovelace's Daisy Dog (The canine representative for Lovelace Sandia Health Systems) MiCa had to be there, Daisy collar and all. We were scheduled for two hours and ended up staying for three. It was so fun! The weather was crisp and breezy, there were several hundred people in attendance and many of them were children.

If you ask MiCa, probably the best thing she found about it was the freshly grilled hamburgers. She got all the rejects, those that for one reason or another broke or fell apart. The man grilling saved them for her and Lady (MiCa's partner in the hospital, a lovely European German Shepherd). Lady, unfortunately, was pretty freaked out by all the people and balloons popping to want any, so MiCa, true to her nature, stepped forward to get the job done. She succeeded admirably, to the amusement of everyone.

But she managed a three hour shift by herself, came home and collapsed on the floor. She's slept for two hours so far and I think she'll probably go another two or three before she feels like being sociable again.

Going to the dogs

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:27:31 GMT

I seem to be going to the dogs recently, both literally and figuratively. My older dog, as I have stated before, is getting near the end of the line, a fact that both distresses and depresses me. My Therapy dog is now working six days a week, so there we lose at least three hours a day between grooming, travel time and the visit.

Today we went ot a local children's psychiatric center. This is one of MiCa's favorites, as she loves kids. Today one of the kids came running in with a construction paper skeleton, shouting that he had made it for her. She looked, sniffed it, then rewarded him with a Wooo, woooo! He loved it, and everyone else laughed. They play games with her, like hide the treat in one of your hands and allow her to choose which hand its in, put the treat on her paw and tell her when she can get it and things like that. Keeps them busy and it is interactive, much more like being home with their own pet.

The older kids like to groom and hug her. She now recognizes them and will greet each kid with a special wooo, wooo and even nuzzle a few of them. I think MiCa and I get more out of it than anyone else.

I've also met a lot of wonderful people doing this work. The staff comes out of the woodwork when we arrive, and the other dogs and handlers are some of the best and most unselfish people I've ever met. You can do it an hour a week, or more if you're so inclined, but the rewards are endless.

If you like doing things with your dog, consider pet therapy. You can't go wrong bringing happiness into the lives of people who really need it.

Next week I take on a new student for adult literacy. This will be a younger adult, and the foundation is a bit concerned, because he is so headstrong. But we'll work it out. Teaching literacy is a lot like teaching life skills. Even if they don't exactly want to do it the foundations way, you explain that life will not allow them to do it all their way, and perhaps a bit of cooperation will go far toward getting them the goals they really want. It usually works, at least if they don't want to spend the rest of their lives asking if you want fries with that. Don't know how compliant this one will be, but if he isn't that will be something else we can work on. Wish me luck.