We ended the day with a trip to the doctor office. I had to get medication for bronchitis. Maybe we will get some sleep tonight. I am not going to babysit tomorrow - just rest and try to get over this crap.

I am off to an early bedtime. It is what is going around nothing serious. Just trying to get over it so it doesn't flare up the MS. More tomorrow. Emma is being good.

Mary

This was a grey fall day, windy and cool. We were home all day. I did get Emma outside but we like sunny days the best. Emma was so cute scampering around the yard. A few of her toys did not get put away and were hidden under leaves. Finding them is fun!! Simple balls, a frisbee, and a few throw and fetch items all entertain her. She loves the leaves though most were taken up when Greg mowed. Their will soon be more I am sure.

In the day I am doing better but am up and down at night with the cough. Emma faithfully gets up with me. A drink of water, cough syrup, or just sitting up a bit is often helpful. Emma is so good - she cuddles next to me, gets up with me, and then is ready to do it all over again. What a good girl.

I am reminding her to be gentle when getting the phone for me. How do they teach gentle to them as puppies? I will have to find out. Sometimes Emma forgets and bites down on what she retrieves luckily my phone has survived it. If I say 'gentle" it seems to help. She loves to get the phone for me, or the brush, or anything. That is "fun" for her.

It snowed in Northern MN today. They are reminding us in the news in the next few weeks or so we typically see fluries. Emma loves snow. But accumulations won't be till November "yeah". You can tell it is fall today.

We are going to snuggle in and watch tv and read tonight. I have some towels to fold (always laundry). Greg is home which we appreciate.

Rosa and Sophia were with us part of the day today. My son had to go to the Dr. We were pretty quiet, watched a video and snuggled. Emma even seemed tired today. Greg got home from work early which was nice. The day was relaxing but passed by quickly. Rosa keeps you busy as an active 11 month old but it is so enjoyable to have the girls here. At one time Rosa walked all the way across the room to be by Emma it was so cute. Most the time Emma was curled up on the couch with Sophia. Everyone getting over being sick.

I am thinking of the staff and participants in team training. That includes volunteers. So much to learn and do with the dogs. Today it was nice most of the afternoon so if they had planned outdoor time they at least could do that. I remember when we were in team training we were so glad when the weather cooperated. I am so happy for the graduates.

The help of staff is so essential as you work with your dog.I remember at times their reminders and suggestions seemed a bit overwhelming as I learned to work with Emma. To me it was so different than my pet dog, who was not well trained. But I learned. Emma showed me how well she could do things. She continues to amaze me. She is such a great dog.

Tonight we watched tv. Emma is so funny. Most the time I am on the sofa which is long enough for both of us to lay down. If I sit on the love seat sometimes she sits by me. Last night she sat by me and wrapped her paws around my arm. Like we were hugging. She has done that in bed but not while sittling before. She had one leg/paw wrapped one way around my arm and the other the opposite way. It was so cute. She shows me so much affection.

Today she was not at all jealous of the girls. Her tail wags away when they first come in. i have to protect Rosa from the tail so she doesn't get knocked over. Then Emma just settled in except for when we took her outside. Emma was happy but more quiet than some days but no she did not seem sick and no she does not miss a meal.

Good luck to those in team training - if they even have time to read this. I know the time is well spent. I was impressed with how well organized the time is. The teachers/staff make such good use of the time and cover so much material. It is a well rounded program and I still refer to the huge manual they wrote and gave us with info on the dogs.

I feel much better today but still some coughing.
Mary and Emma

My cold is still causing a lot of coughing. I feel like I have had gallons of cough syrup (not really) but I did feel better today. It always takes me awhile to get over colds. It was another very warm day out so we put the air conditioning on. Believe me in MN you do not usually need air conditioning. You would expect temps in the 60"s not 80's. We have neighbors already planning their trip to Arizona where they stay for the winter. They have a house there. I can't imagine keeping up two homes - one is enough for me. Usually it is cool here before they leave.

Leaves are falling and oh does Emma love rolling in them, and smelling them. She loves being outdoors. My children Dan and Becky were over and helped with a few things. They were outside with Greg and I and Emma was in her glory. She thought it was great fun to have everyone around. My fun loving puppy. Then my neighbor came over to chat and she was even more excited. Fun fun.

After an early afternoon dinner Greg headed to work, the kids headed home and it was just Emma and I. I wonder what she thinks when there is so much going on and then it is just the two of us. We of course snuck in a nap but also got outside. I kept the nap short.

I am a mentor for the MS Society so called for that tonight. There is such a nice woman that I visit with. Since I don't drive it is helpful that we can visit by phone weekly. I also had a few other calls to make. I am trying to calm my cough down so will sit quiet for awhile read or watch tv.

Emma is so much fun to be with. She sure is a good companion. Maybe I will get a picture of her in the leaves.

Enjoy fall where ever you live.
Mary and Emma

I am still battling a cold and maybe the flu. I hurt all over. I can just rest though and take care of myself. It is nice out so I am making sure Emma gets out to play.

I believe I am correct that team training for five graduates and dogs starts this week. I remember how important those days were in forming a bond with Emma and learning so much about what she could do. It has been two years and I can't imagine life without her.

Since it has been warm I think she is more sleepy than normal. I have not turned on the air conditioning since it cools so much at night now. It was so cute she just wanted to go out. Now sometimes she nuzzles me to wake me but this time she so gently was licking my legs. I don't mind her kisses. It was a gentle way to be reminded "hey Mary this bladder needs to go outside". There are lots of neighbors out doing yard work too and that interests her. Greg is off doing an errand but will be back to do some things around here also.

One of my friends Jeanne, who has MS is home from the nursing home. She needs a lot of help but was able to go back home to live. I am so glad for her. She can afford home health care so that makes a difference. Nothing is as good as your own bed in your own house. I worry if I reach that stage in my illness how I will cope financially and emotionally but she is a lot older than I am. I guess we just take this one step at a time.

I think the cold hits me harder due to my MS. I am sure I will feel better soon though. Best wishes to Claudia, and Janice as they start team training and to foster homes like John who have dogs ready to join their new owners. I hope the staff and participants are getting some relaxation before the busy time of team training.

Have a relaxing weekend.
Mary and Emma