In the evening after dark I let Emma out in the fenced yard. I saw a bunny run, a big fat one and not the fastest I have seen. Then I saw it run again, it couldn't figure out how to get out. Emma saw it and chased at it. She was gaining on him. She cornered it at the fence. The bunny started to run again but this time near a closed gate. Emma chased it and I said "Emma leave it" and she stopped. She turned to look at me and that darn bunny snuck between the end of the gate and the end of the fence. Just that space under the latch.

Let's hear it for the life saving command "leave it". I don't know if Emma's instincts would know what to do if she cornered that bunny with no exit but let's just say we didn't have to find out...it sure stirred up some instinct to chase though. I didn't know Emma could run that fast. The term quick as a bunny - she was pretty darn quick herself...

I wrote twice tonight.
No offense Emma but I am glad the bunny got away.

This is foster mom Judy with Emma. I just treasure Judy so much. What is hard to capture in words is how much I liked her when I taught her children. She was an active volunteer and it was a small school - so I got to know her well. She was very gifted in art and volunteered with that in the classroom. She also was there for holiday parties, helping with the yearbook and many other things. I remember at the time thinking gosh i wish she was my neighbor or something so I would know her a long time.

So now Emma brings us back together again. I hope for years and years. She was an awesome mother to Emma. Now she takes care of Tiga, and is training Charlie. All that and a great personality.

I am sure Emma would say she loves Judy's contagious enthusiasm. She seems to embrace life, always have a friendly smile, and is caring and compassionate. Yesterday Judy and Emma looked so awesome together. Emma will never loose that link to Judy. I will be sure of it. I am so glad circumstances are such that we can stay connected with the foster family. That does not always happen.

Tiga is a sweetie too. We offered to take her if Judy ever goes out of town. We have the fenced yard. Emma would like it I think. My house is not big like Judy's but I think two dogs would be okay for awhile.

We went to school to vote in favor of a school referendum. I think being in the school made me think of my days as a teacher...and it caused me to think of Judy.

Special thanks to Judy today and to the other foster families who have given two years to help change lives. I am so excited we are going to help staff the Helping Paws booth at the MS Convention on Nov 17th.

The school near my house wants a demonstration and they have Liz to do it. I would like to do it with her like I did last year but am searching for a ride. We will see what works out. I have a friend who might be able to help out. Silly because I could walk there when I was able to walk normally.

Well Judy --we mean it from the depth of our hearts. From head to toe, and head to paws thanks with our whole being for what you did to train Emma. We had a great day together.
We appreciate you.

Love to all,
Emma and Mary

The birthday pictures that I mentioned in the last blog.



Oh that was good!

We went to Helping Paws today to finally get my scooter. Tiga was there. Yeah for Emma. They played together, Emma was like a mom to Tiga when Tiga came as a puppy to live with Judy. Tiga has since been the birth mom to two litters of puppies. They were so cute together . I did not have a camera but wish I did. Judy was there of course, and Emma was thrilled. She also liked the smells.

When it was time to go home however she went right to the door. She had a good day today. We went to get tabs for our car, to Menards, lunch, Helping paws and home to nap. Later we went to Target. That is a lot of activity for one day for me. It was cool today, very windy and a few snowflakes!! Emma doesn't mind though and had fun outdoors at home with me.

I have found that sometimes in public Emma is not as sharp as other times. I communicated with Sue K the graduate follow up coordinator about it. I sure appreciate that Helping Paws has that follow up. She thought I needed to reinforce Emma more with food, and/or praise and touch. I have already found warming her up a bit helps.

My observation is I think since I only go places with others now (since I can't drive) that I rush too much. I don't think on those occasions I give Emma enough feedback. Also she is just so good I have often recently forgotten to bring treat for her. I mean like kibble or small low cal treats. I think my baby just needed some rewards (her paycheck for work done) and time to work with me. I just want to keep her sharp on skills. This weekend and today went so much better with her. She had more precision in her positioning and was quicker to retrieve or open doors etc. This is a learning process. But don't we all do a better job when we get more praise?!!

Emma means so much to me. I love her snuggled up next to me. It calms me. I like being with her and her gentle nudges when she wants me to get up from my nap. Again today it was a late nap and she oh so gently awakes me to tell me hey it's dinner time. Like I said she was a bit sharper today in our shopping. I had to walk at Menards and oh I was slow. Emma stayed right at my side. Target we used a scooter and that went very well.

The best part for Emma was the Helping Paws visit. She is so enthusiastic to see Judy and Tiga. She always has kisses for Judy her foster mom.


This picture was taken when she still lived with Judy.

We saw our first snow flakes today also. Not enough to show up on the ground though. Just a reminder that winter will be coming. Emma will like that as she loves the snow. There are not many leaves to jump in at my house anymore. She loves rolling in the leaves or marching through them. She loves the smells of the fall leaves, the plants in my gardens also. She is so good at using her sense of smell.

A friend of ours tells us she would be a great hunting dog. That might have been the case. For now though she is an awesome service dog. She helps me hunt down scooters so I can go to larger stores.

Tomorrow we are babysitting and then gathering with our kids at night to celebrate birthday's. Rosa's, my son's, and my husbands. Rosa of course had her own one year old birthday party with relatives and family friends. I can't resist sharing pictures of her enjoying her cake.

May your birthday celebrations be joyous - Mary and Emma

I love this picture that show Emma under the table during present opening at Rosa's birthday party. Today we went out to lunch with a friend and she was so good under the table. The waiter had no idea we had a dog until we were ready to leave. He was so surprised. She likes being under tables. We usually ask for a booth which she likes best.

This is surprising after lunch we shopped at some of the stores in Maple Grove (Arbor Lakes) and I walked. I had to rest now and then but was so happy to be walking with a cane (not a walker) it was a good day. I did get tired and my friend had to go back and get the car to pick me up at the last store. We had walked in several stores and a few blocks which is more than I am use to. Now yesterday, just walking around my house was a challenge. My MS is so unpredictable. I think it was many months ago that I shopped with a cane. Normally I use my walker and even more often a scooter.

She was shopping for birthday presents. I enjoyed looking at Christmas things and found a few stocking stuffers. We also went to Target (where I used a scooter) and I found a shower curtain for our new bathroom. She found some things too. I want an award for going to Target and spending under $10. That is a first I think. Greg will be proud of me. Ha ha.

So Emma got practice walking with me and the cane, and with the scooter. She did a good job of "watch" and paying attention to me. Though I must admit she wanted to smell some of the plants in the shopping area of Maple Grove. She did well in the stores though. One was a gift store and I have to watch her tail. They have things at that height that are breakable We did fine. I used my third pair of eyes that I developed when I had young children to care for.

It is an adjustment to see how dark it is due to the time change. I miss having it lighter in the evening. Emma's hunger is still on daylight savings time I think - though she was very patient tonight waiting for dinner.

I have some phone calls to make so i better let you go. Hope you had a good weekend.
Emma and I do NOT have plans for tomorrow yet. Plenty to do at home that is for sure. She is going to help me with some laundry tonight as we watch tv.

Wishing you a great week.

Mary and Emma