I was too tired last night to blog. Not sick just tired out. We are off to water exercise and then to visit a friend with MS who is in the nursing home. I hope to write more tonight. Thanks for the kind emails/comments after I posted my last blog. Emma was as happy as I was to sleep in today. I have been having trouble sleeping at night. I know that I have been up to much when I look at Emma in the morning and can tell she is tired. She gets up with me even if it is many times at night. Last night I slept better so she got more sleep also.

More later. Hope you have a very nice day. Mary and Emma

Today we did go to water exercise/swimming class. Emma met a new life gaurd who was pleased and maybe even astounded at how great her behavior was during class. She just stays in a drop position and watches us. She doesn't make a sound, nor does she try to get up unless she is worried something is wrong with me or can't see me. That has only happen twice in almost two years!!

Two Years!! It is unbelievable to say that is how long we have been a team. For in some ways it seems like the anticpation, the nervous excitement was just yesterday. I remember being very worried about my own skill with such a trained dog. I worried about if someone more needy than I would be deprived a dog. I worried the dog would be bored living with me. I worried the dog might have a better quality of life with a healthy person, one who could run, and romp. I worried about so many things.

When I was matched with Emma I was so delighted. I think it was love at first sight. I went there thinking I was just going to show them how I worked with a dog. I felt like I was on a job interview. First talking with the staff and then actually working with Emma. I was so nervous I thought I would throw up. I wanted so badly to show them that I could be good with a dog "like" Emma. I never for one minute thought they were wondering if indeed Emma was the dog for me. Then I really would have been even more nervous I would think.

I remember as I worked with Emma and they watched that I was nervous. But as time unfolded it seemed to be easier. I enjoyed Emma and thought she was such a nice dog. I remember thinking that someone deserving would be most fortunate to have Emma as their service dog.

I also remembered that when they directed me to work with Emma close to the table they sat at or near the office door it was much harder to keep her full attention. They told me she was familiar with the people there. NO ONE TOLD ME she was trained by Judy who was out of sight in the office. NO ONE TOLD ME that of course she knew them all from her work in that building with Judy. They were though very understanding about her being a bit distracted. I was puzzled.

When we sat down to chat I think they had Emma drop under the table. They gave me feedback and asked if I had questions. My big question was "Do you think I will ever get a service dog - and if so will the wait be under five years?" I was serious I did not know they were evaluating whether or not I could be matched with Emma.

The first big surprise of course came after they asked me what I thought of Emma as a service dog. I gave them my observations but again not knowing they meant if I had her. Somehow the words tumbled out of there mouth. I think it was Eileen who said to me
something to the effect of Emma is free in October (training time) are you (she knew I was) but those might not be the exact words. Somehow the single words all joined together rang in my head. Even then I was not sure but dared to comprehend the posibility. Were they asking me if I wanted to have Emma as a Service Dog?

I remember a scream of delight and tears. Then they told me they had a second surprise. What on earth could that be? I had already heard such great news. They brought Judy in. Judy and I had joyful greeted when I arrived. I had not seen her for years nor had I known she worked there. They told us both Emma was trained by Judy and now would be Mary's dog. We hugged, cried, Emma got up to get some attention. It was such a happy moment.

The next thing I remember is being in the car using my cell phone. No one could drive when they were that excited. I had to call my husband, my children, and friends. Some were not available. Judy went out to grab some lunch for the staff. I was still there when she returned. Still joyful and probably crying.

I remember everyone asking what she looked like. Emma not Judy. I said like every yellow lab. My husband teased me and said 'Once you have her you will wonder why you ever said that". Well of course he was correct. Emma has the dearest expression, she is a bit smaller than most labs - - she is unique in appearance and mannerisms. i would never say anymore she looks like any yellow lab. How silly of me.

It is good to think of those memories. I am dabbing tears off my face that are trickling down as I compose this. My dear Emma is looking at me waiting to play. It is about time to go outside with her before darkness creeps in. She does go out again in the darkness but I stand by the house. This is play time for Emma and I so I will go.

I know many if not most of you have heard this story but after two years it is a good reminder. I have other thoughts on the topic but it will keep until tomorrow.

Thanks so much for the support you all give me about my life with Emma. I enjoy your emails, comments, the times I see you in person, and just knowing you are out there. It amazes me that after two years you are still reading it daily.

One person told me when I wanted to write a blog - "Who would read it" - I doubted myself and came close to not even trying the idea. It was my children who explained blogging to me and told me to go for it. So I did....now it has been read over 16,000 times!! I hope Emma keeps it interesting. What would I do without her.

Finally a big big big enormous thank you to Judy, her family, her neighbors, her friends, and a special thank you to her father and mother for always welcoming Emma and help her both in being socialized and Judy for her training. She is so easy to take anywhere. She is always appropriate, always a great example of a service dog.

Judy your gift will never be forgotten as being so precious. You gave your time, your enegry, your love, and then were willing to give Emma to me. Thanks so much.

Okay I am crying a waterfall. i better go play with that special Emma.

Thanks to staff to more about that tomorrow.

Love you all, mary and Emma
please excuse spelling errors

Emma got a good nap at book club. She just comes in and knows where to sit. We had a lively discussion about the book A Thousand Splendid Suns by the author of The Kite Runner. We liked both books. Our discussion was so interesting today. I am so glad to be in this book club.

It was a big treat after to go out to lunch. There were 7 of us and so it was a bit hard for Emma to find a place to rest herself. One woman almost kicked her. Granite City in Maple Grove was yummy but the seating was crowded. Emma was a good sport and handled it well.

When we got home Emma was so eager to be outside with me. Is it the cooler weather? I don't know but she is more enthusiastic than ever to get outside with me. she always likes going outdoors but gosh really wanted to go out over and over today. It was a great day to do so.

I did take a nap. I am having some asthma related problems and chest pain but we still had a good day. I didn't get any chores done except some calling that I needed to tend to. The asthma pain is impacting me a bit more now so I better go. I hope I feel good enough to babysit tomorrow.

Emma was attentive and helpful all day. I keep thinking of the wonderful people getting their service dogs in October. How thrilled they must be.

With warm thoughs, Mary and Emma

Sunday went well for us. The weather was so nice I sat outside with Emma and read a book for a few hours. She was thrilled to be outside as was I. Of course I took breaks to play with her.

I did some chores but was tired today. Greg had to work at 3. I had a nice surprise. Instead of being alone the rest of the day a friend called. She picked me up early evening and we went out for dessert. A rare treat. Of course the greatest treat was spending time together and chatting away about our lives.

Emma was awesome all day. At the retaurant one of the waitresses use to help train dogs for the blind. It was interesting to talk with her. She was thrilled with Emma's behavior. Emma and I had fun.

We have book club tomorrow and are heading to bed. I am glad for what was done yesterday but needed the quiet day today to recover. We now have in our living room (which we use more like a family room) a sofa and love seat. Well Emma loves that love seat. She strecthes out on it and looks so darn cute. She would lay on the sofa then the love seat. Maybe testing which she liked better? ha ha. When I want her to snuggle on the couch with me she is thrilled to do so.

No chest pain today so that was good. Only a little dizziness. Some problems with vision going in and out (like if you had a tv with a bad connection) but i was able to read. You should all be glad I am not out driving on the road. Thank goodness I have good friends who don't mind driving to see me. That is a true friend.

Hope you had a good weekend.
Mary and Emma

My dog is wonderful. This was such a busy day. The door from the basement to the outdoors was wide open all day. Easy access to the fenced yard and lots of people around all the time. My kids cleaned our basement and part of our storage area. They did the mission organization routine. Out of the large family room and closet came the furniture, boxes and things to sort. It had become a storage area. Out on tarps. Later there to be sorted into throw, keep, and donate.

Nothing came in until a good cleaning of the room was done. It has barely been used this winter and summer so it needed a good cleaning. Now there is no furniture in that room. Why? Because that fairly new furniture went upstairs and the upstairs couch is off to couch heaven. Most the stuff was things my children had not decided if they would keep as they have moved away from home. Other things we have had for years ready to leave the home. Operation Declutter.

Well anyway hope I am not boring you with details. The point is that it was such a rare day. Lily my granddog was here too. All my children were here. My wonderful daughter in law Tia was here and good at managing the troops. They all worked so hard.

I was sometimes inside with Rosie, sometimes outside with Rosie, and sometimes helping.
So Emma enjoyed all the excitement. Especialy that we were in and out. Because Lily was here and all the kids she wasn't always in the same room that I was.

Unfortunately later in the afternoon I got severe chest pains and breathing problems. Mostly the chest pains. I took my inhaler and then nitroglycerin. Though it is not my heart the drs told me to use it if it helps. Well Emma has thate sense. Once I was in distress she was at my side. I had to leave the work crew and rest. She cuddled up
so close to me. Not at my feet either. She was so attentive and alert. She laid so her head was right near mine.

I was really grateful. My bedroom is on the upper level of our split entry home. At that time everyone was outside bring the things indoors that we are keeping. They were also sorting some boxes. I knew if it got unbearable that I could ask Emma to go for help. That is so reassuring. With all that distraction and another dog in the house/yard she stayed by me like she was leashed. I was so proud of her.

I feel a little better tonight. I don't know if it was asthma, stress, or what all. It did not seem like a panic attack to me. Resting helped. I still have mild pain tonight but the breathing is much better.

Emma was so curious at the boxes we were sorting outside on the tarps. There also must have been something in the air as she kept smelling the air. I bet she will be tired tonight. She had lots of outside time and scampering about. Thank goodness we had great weather for this job. That was also helpful.

I am so proud of how much was accomplished by Greg and the kids tonight. I did help sort some things and tried to help with Rosa. Rosa wanted to be where the action was today. She was a good trooper.

Sophia joined us tonight and all ate supper with us. They had worked from midmorning till dark. Then they played games and chatted. I just can't believe how much got done. They even did some laundry for me!!

So the family room furniture is in my living room. It is barely worn as my kids started moving out just when I got it. Emma and I will have this different couch and love seat to rest on.

I have the greatest children in the world. This day was so productive.

I sure hope I feel better so I can sleep. Oops that sounds like whining. I think I am going to go back to the lung specialist to see if he thinks this chest pain is more related to my asthma. I think I am due for a check up there anyway.

Tomorrow we will be home all day.
Hope you are having a good weekend.
I am reassured by having my helping dog around. But with all the people around she mostly got to play until she was with me when I felt ill.

Take care all,
Mary anad Emma