I am writing early today. Emma and I got out shopping with Greg. He only worked part of the day. Emma did outstanding. We were at Target and she got lots of walking and practicing in. While he grocery shopped, I took her and practiced moves like around, side, heel, we greeted a young child, we retrieved the leash (on my first request), we went left, right (she knows it better than I do) among others. When we were in line to check out we practice behind. Greg was also behind me. We practiced a lot just like team training. Emma seemed as delighted as I was that she did such an awesome job.

Now we are going to start a major job. My family room is cluttered and more like a storage area. My kids are all coming tomorrow to help sort, toss, and claim what is there's. Then there is some furniture down there to move. A sofa that is going to sofa heaven will be moved - you get the picture. Operation Clean Up. I am going to do a bit of sorting tonight with Greg and Emma. I can't lift things but I think I know whose is whose stuff and maybe sorting in piles or something. I have to think of the best way to do this and not get so overwhelmed that nothing gets done. We are going to end our cleanup with a pizza party and game night.

I am hoping we can accomplish this task without getting upset by the clutter or who has more in the way. Maybe Emma will keep our spirits up? I hope so. Tomorrow I am the entertainment for Rosa or maybe we will alternate - that's why I want to get a handle on some of it tonight. Even if I work like a half hour rest and then a bit more rest and so on I hope to get a bit done tonight and this afternoon. I need to dust down there. I can at least do that much!!

Emma has been just great today. I was surprised though to get some angry looks at Target from customers - most times everyone is glad to see her. Many more of course complimented me on her beauty and her behavior. She minds so well in the store. i couldn't have asked for anything more from her. She is the best.

Well Emma, Can you dust? Retrieve (yes) Keep my spirits up (yes)...we will see how today and tonight go.

Hope your weekend fun or chores go well for you.
Emma and Mary

Well it didn't really rain cats and dogs but boy did we get rain.

We got a lot of rain in a strong thunderstorm tonight but escaped damage. We were driving during part of it and could hear the hail. A good time to stop and wait out the rain. By "we" I mean Greg and I. I still am unable to drive due to my dizziness and vision. Anyway we are glad to be home now. Cozy and warm.

Emma is a bit nervous in the thunderstrom but managed okay. We have been practicing our "m & m's" moves. Practicing so I am sure she remembers both side and heel (she does) and practices being in front of me also. She knows to go in front but I am working on getting her to face me more straight on. Again we just hadn't practice that much lately.

Emma is eager to play with me now so this will be a short entry. I just took her outside but of course it is all wet and getting to dark to play. We will practice some retrieving and I need to brush her, and then play a bit with her toys. We had a good day.

Mary and Emma

Emma enjoyed being at home most of the day. I found out at the demo on last Wed that I need to work a bit on "front". I don't use it enough. She knows with a bit of prompting to go in front of me but I am not getting the precision I want to have her sit looking at me. Yes it is time to practice "M & M's" - that is "side - front - heel" . I also tried to use my finger to motion to her exactly where I wanted her to be in front (like a pointer) but she looked at me like she wasn't sure. The good thing is such realizations that we need to refresh our work on a specific skill causes me to look at the cue list (commands). Then I look through them all (I just did) and tried to see if there were others I thought we would work on. I think she is doing good. A little bit of extra work on them doesn't hurt.

I take time evenings to work with her in our "play time". I make a list at times like this of the things I think I want to remember to work on. Like M & M's. One of the school's near us "Basswood" usually has a demo once a year. It is less than a mile from my home and Emma and I want to help. I have not heard a date yet. The bummer is I am not driving so will have to try to line up a ride just for that short distance. Well anyway Emma loves to practice and it will be good for us to do so.

I have a few small chores to get done - though writing is more fun. I better close. I also have a book to have read for book club which I think is Monday.

Emma is so much fun to be with. She was so fun today. It didn't rain so being outside was a delight for her.

Mary & Mary

We babysat today at Rosa's house. I was only alone a few hours til my daughter Anna was done with school and came over. I had to wait till Greg got off work to get a ride home. It was almost 7 when he did. It was so cute on the ride home I sat in the back since we were dropping Anna off. Emma sat in the middle due to the car seat in the car. She then layed her head on my chest so cute while we dropped off Anna, did and errand, and drove home. It is so comforting when she does that. . . even without a car seat she usually snuggles up to me if I am in the back seat with her. She sighed in content I think. What a great dog.

Both dogs (lily my granddog, and Emma) did great today even though it rained so much getting outside to take care of bathroom needs was a challenge. Every time I took Emma out on the leash and put Lily on her leash we would get out there and it would start pouring. This time Emma did not go quickly the many times today. Instead it was about 5 and finally on that trip outside it was not raining and she found her spot to go to the bathroom. Gosh my bladder would have been overflowing. Ha ha.

Of the many cute sounds Rosa makes I say bow wow to her when her dog barks. She tries to imitate it and boy is it cute. She is such a doll. Sophia was a delight after school also. We watched a Barbie movie together.The dogs snuggled beside us. Sure was fun to spend so much of the day with Anna, Rosa, later Sophia, and then Tia. I love being with my family!! And of course Emma.

Emma had to be patient as she ate later than normal. Yeah my husband did bring some extra dog food when he picked us up so she could eat before she went home. She liked that very much. Both dogs were so well behaved though we didn't get outside much due to the rain.

I think Emma is more tired at night tonight. She seems so anyway. I am too so we are a good pair!! I was proud of her behavior today. She doesn't have to help me with much at home tonight. I showered, and got ready for bed. We did stop on the way home for a bite to eat at Krmarczk's it has polish food and is not far from the U of M campus. Yum it was good and has a lot of variety.

One of the women clearing tables was obviously so afraid of the dog. I felt so bad for her and told her I would keep the dog by me and he was a good dog. I am not sure she knew English as she did not respond to my words. I just feel so bad when people look terrified of a dog. I remember as a child I was the same way. Emma is so gentle. I positioned myself so she could go back behind the counter with out me near her and then proceeded to our booth. The other help were fine with having her there. She has been there before. The woman who was afraid never asked us to leave - she just looked so scared.

I don't have a rain gage but this would be a good day to have one. We received so much rain from early am throughout the day. I don't know if it will rain tomorrow. It is suppose to be in the 80's again by the weekend. It sure is good for my yard and gardens to get this rain.

Wishing you a good day, Mary and Emma

I am very tired tonight but had a good day. We went to Greg's church (where he works) for Mass today and helped after with giving out root beer floats. Emma was a jewel as she laid right by me. Many people were thrilled to see her but did not try to distract her. It went well. Of course she got compliments for being such a lovely dog and well behaved. This was at the 10 am Mass which is not one we go to often. Greg does but we usually go to an earlier one at our neighborhood church or to the evening services at Greg's church.

We were able to see Mike, Tia and the girls today for awhile and that was fun. I am tired and headed to bed early. My dishwasher is not working right so a repair person is coming tomorrow I think unless I have to change to another day? In any case as I hand wash dishes I will appreciate the convenience even more when it is repaired. I hope I don't need a new one. It sounds like something got into it. But I can't see anything.

Emma is really attentive tonight which I appreciate. I am not dizzy much at all today so yeah for that!! Emma is ready to play so I will go. Then we will snuggle as I read or we might just head to bed by 8:30.

Mary and Emma