I like this photo as it shows how attentive and on task Emma can be. It is the look she gives me especially in public as I give her directions. It still amazes me that she knows right and left. This is the look she gives me when I say "right" Emma and then move left. Ha ha. Poor Emma has to put up with my imperfections.

Today they worked on painting the outside of my house. I watched Rosa some of the time as my son helped. We also did some errands. My son drove us to Lowe's , Home Depot, and Broadway Rental. Getting supplies for the painting today. We had to rent a sprayer. The day seemed to go by so quickly.

We took Rosa outside it was so nice out. Of course Emma always enjoys outside. She was very interested in my throwing the ball today. You would think I never did it before. She gets so darn excited. Rosa likes to watch Emma play outside also. We had a good day together.

Tonight I was so tired I didn't do anything. I watched some tv. Like always, after Rosa leaves, Emma climbs in my lap and sits there for me to pet her. I should have someone take a picture of that big dog trying to be a lap dog. It is funny. After about five minutes or more she is fine and snuggled up next to me. It is like she just needs that reassurance.

I made some phone calls tonight. I am a mentor for the MS society and I enjoy that very much. This woman we connect by phone. Then I got to talk to my very best friend for a long time. That was good for my spirit/soul. Greg worked late tonight. I can't believe I am still awake but yes I am.

Tomorrow is Greg's birthday. My daughter is taking me to see "Lion King" after we go out to eat with her Dad. She has a package and didn't realize this show would hit Halloween. I am very excited. So don't be surprised if I don't write tomorrow night.

I had a Halloween picture of Emma that I wanted to post that is cute. But for some reason it won't load from my computer to this blog. Sometimes that happens to my pictures and I don't know why. The identical procedure loads others.

I wish you a Happy Halloween.

We missed nap time today. Isn't this a great picture of Emma sleeping as a puppy. She is so darn cute. Today she was laying in almost this position. It was amusing. I sure love her and especially when she cuddles up to me at night or naptime.

We went to the MS specialist today. He took a long time talking about my symptoms including the dizziness and vision issues. He really likes Emma too. But guess what? In my haste to leave I forgot to fully dress her!!! I didn't even realize till we were in the waiting room. We had the leash and gentle leader but no vest. Well Ladies and Gentlemen she is much sharper when fully dressed. She needed reminders on things she never does normally. She wasn't terrible and people still complimented me on her behavior - but gosh I could tell the difference.

The lesson to be learned is don't forget her blue coat/vest whatever you want to call it. It helps her know she is working. We did go to a store without the coat but they know her as a service dog so it was no problem. There I was in a scooter and she was very good. She takes her job more serious sometimes when I have my scooter or walker. I think she feels more needed? Or is it just that "I" remember to ask more of her in that situation and she rises to the occasion? I would bet it is more about "me doing my part" to get the best behavior out of her.



Here is Emma with Tiga in their packs. Resting as they wait to hear what Judy wants them to do. This was taken when she lived in her foster home. Since then Tiga has been the MOM to two litters of puppies for Helping Paws.

Regarding my MS - My doctor gave me a prescription to try for the dizziness. Another drug they tried did not work at all. We don't know if this one will either. The problem is it might make me too sleepy and cause me to not want to use it. I guess I will give it a try and see what happens. Just what I need one more drug. I also will be going to physical therapy to work on vestibular issues. That should help me deal with the dizziness they tell me. A friend of mine had this type of therapy recently and said it really helps her cope with the dizziness. MS is such a weird disease. I will have an appt in Nov with Dr. Calkwood who specializes in MS also but also in the vision problems. I also will have a MRI in upcoming months.

It was nice to have Emma at my office visit. She was stubborn though and believe it or not refused to pick something up for me. I couldn't believe it. She loves to retrieve. I wanted to show off her skills. She just looked at me like she couldn't possibly understand what I wanted her to do. Emma what were you thinking??

Thanks for reading this. I like adding pictures. Soon I will have some newer photos to share. I misplaced my card reader from my digital camera. Call me forgetful for sure.

Wishing you a good day.
Mary and Emma

This is a picture from MS camp. Doug was a volunteer who helped the more severly handicapped MS people. The person he was with really liked the dog. We got acquainted and Emma just was nuts about him. Once he helped me out by walking her. He was a big dog lover.

Everywhere she goes Emma endears herself to others. Since she can handle it there are times I let people pet her. It all depends on the situation. Other times when we are "working" I ask people not to pet. I hope I have good judgement in that area. She shines in her behavior and wins admiration.

Today we did some laundry (I love her help) and then we took a nap. Later Anna, Mike, Tia, and Sophia and Rosa came for pot roast dinner. (My kids and grandkids). Funny how they appreciate that a lot more now that they are out on their own compared to when I made it when they were home. We try to feed them well when we know they are coming over. The kids helped put up a scaffolding for the painting on our home. We had time to chat and even play yatzee. Sophia did great. It is a good game to practice her addition.
Gosh I love them all so much.

Rosa is walking and boy is she fast. Tonight I went to work with Greg from about 6:30 - 10:30. That is a long time for me but I wanted to go. I know several people who attend the 7:00 Mass there. I went to the 9:00 Mass with Rosa and Emma. Mike played his bass guitar for the choir. I was so forunate to see them both twice today - imagine that.

It was so close at church. Emma was resting under a table and Rosa went right under to give her big hugs. Emma didn't even open her eyes - she doesn't mind Rosa's hugs and stays calm. Grandpa and Grandma enjoyed Rosa and the music provided by Mike and the rest of the choir. I am always so proud of him and his love of music. Rosa even joined in singing at church. She also tried to dance to some of the music.

Emma enjoyed time with Anna and always likes when my children come home. I think she had a good day. Several people met us at church who had not seen us there before. Some are very surprised as you would expect, to see a dog in church or in the social gathering space. I am so pleased she handles that situation so well. I bring a blanket for her to lie on and that helps I think.

So here is to Emma and all the friends she makes. Not long ago a woman said to me (when seeing us at a store and no I did not let her pet Emma)
"She looks so cute and wonderful - don't you just want to hug her all the time?"
I responded "Yes, and I do".

The other cute habit she picked up is this one. When I kneel down or stand and put my arms out for Rosa to walk to me - if I say "Come to Grandma" - Emma will race into my arms. Rosa doesn't mind sharing me at all. It is funny when I end up with my arms around both Emma and Rosa".

Wow it is late. Remember I am one hour later than the blog says - but imagine me up after midnight. We have a dr appointment tomorrow in the afternoon.

I am so grateful for Emma. We had a nice day with family. I like when I go to the church Greg works at - they have good music.

Happy Monday - May your week go well.
Emma and Mary

This is a picture from the summer at camp in May. By June-August the grass was not that green due to the drought. Now the rains of the months Sept-Oct have given Emma green grass again. Happy as she looks here - now there are leaves and the smells. She loves to roll in them or lay in them. She likes the outdoors.

Emma did enjoy outdoors part of today. The highlight of the day was indoors for Rosa's birthday party. It was held at her Grandma Carol's. We had such fun celebrating with family and friends. Emma was well behaved. Rosa likes Emma.

I don't have pictures from the day on the computer yet. Emma spent most the time at a drop stay by a chair. Later during the activity of present unwrapping she was moved to rest under a table. Since no one minded the dog she did get some time to roam the room a bit too. Most of the time she was just on her blanket so cute.

When we got home she enjoyed her yard again. We were also at a fun activity in the morning. My two brothers who live in town, my Aunt, my Sister, and I met for breakfast. That was very enjoyable. We don't see each other as much since we are not meeting at the nursing home to see my mom since she died. We had to work at finding a date that worked for all of us. We agreed we should do it again. We went to an Old Country Buffet so no one had to cook. So we had a busy day.

Tonight we watched the movie Evan Almighty - I liked it. Now we sure had a very full day!!
I can't believe Rosa is already a year old. She was a happy girl. She really enjoyed eating the cake unassisted. The chocolate frosting made her look like she had a beard on her face. She liked her toys. Rosa even gave Sophia a special gift for being such a good big sister this year!!! Everyone had fun. Emma got to see my children and liked that.

Tonight Emma helped me with some picking up things. I was tired and so more clumsy. I also stumbled and fell on our front step going to the party. I was not hurt. Emma braced herself to help me up. She was very attentive.

Wishing you fun family times together.
Mary and Emma

Graduation with Emma and the Michurski's

Can you believe I have had Emma for two years. The above is a picture from that wonderful day.

Tonight we went to the Graduation for Helping Paws. Two of the women heard about Service Dogs and Helping Paws when we did a demonstration. We see them when we get to the afternoon talks by our MS Doctors. Unfortunately due to transportation issues I don't get there very often anymore.

Greg, Emma and I enjoyed going there. There were the new puppies in training too. It was amazing to see how they grow. But the highlight of course was the graduates and their dogs and their foster homes.

As the graduates expressed their thanks and words about the organization it amazed me once again - how people working together accomplish so much. There were five new graduates getting dogs. How wonderful.

We babysat today. I did sneak in a nap while Rosa slept but I am pretty tired so this will be short. Tomorrow I am meeting my siblings for breakfast! Then it is Rosa's one year old birthday. So I best get to bed so I can handle a busy day.

My sincere thanks to everyone at Helping Paws for Emma and the work they do with each dog. Congratulations to the foster families (Lynn and John I mean you) for all you did for the dogs who graduated tonight. It was a great celebration.

Wishing you all a good weekend. I can't believe Rosa will be one years old!!

Mary and Emma