More vertigo today. Emma and I do NOT like that at all. I got some chores done later in the day that did not require much movement - bills, reading accumulated mail and things that were quiet. I also napped a lot. It is not as severe as it was at first but it makes me feel pretty uncomfortable and uneasy. Emma helping retrieve things, companionship, openning cupboards and things were very helpful.

Some of the work Greg did at home today (he worked at his job a chunk of the day) was outside. Since I was taking a nap = he took Emma outside. He could easily keep an eye on her. She stays just long enough to do laps, do her "duty". and play a bit with him. Then she is ready to come in to check on me.

She hops on the bed. Today she kept greeting me with lots of kisses before she settled in with me. She really knows how to help my spirits and help me relax. She lets out a big sigh as she lays next to me. She is happy to be at my side it seems. She is such a great friend.

I need to go rest and hold my head very still. We have a movie to watch but I might head to bed early.

Hope you had a good day. Mary

Correction note. I mistyped. Heel is the left side and the right side is the word "side" for Emma. We have Rosa with us. At 10 months old it was fun to have both her and Emma with us as we did some errands. Greg ended up going into work though it was a planned day off. We went with.

It is so cute he was working at a counter top area in the main office. Emma loves it and went to lay down there while we waited for him. Soon Rosa joined Emma - it was so cute. The counter was just tall enough she could even stand there and not bump her head. But for awhile she sat and petted Emma. I was very near if she needed anything. Rosa was very gentle with Emma and Emma was content. It was heart warming moments.

She is still here and her folks are coming for dinner which is already in the oven. I am going to play with Rosa and Emma. Just thought I would write a quick note.

I started to have lots of trouble with vertigo and was glad to be home by 2 pm. Only Greg is lifting Rosa when I am feeling dizzy. It is a yuky feeling but I am not flat in bed so that is good. I am coping the best I can. Rosa and Emma keep my spirits up. My husband is a fantastic Grandpa and he is so fun with Rosa! She adores him. Her face lights up when he comes in the room.

Emma is getting lots of attention from us also. She is enjoying the yard, being outdoors, and everyone at Greg's work likes when she comes there with me. She knows her favorite spots to rest while I sit and wait for Greg. She has been super good all day. I love Emma so much.

Rosa is the cutest baby ever. Honest. I am not biased just because I am her grandmother - or maybe I am? My own children were just as cute though. She has eyes that twinkle and a wonderful smile. I wisll not see Sophia tonight she has plans. Well off to play with Rosa and Emma. Also going to take a pill for the dizziness though I don't think it helps much at all.

Thanks for the email remminding me I had terms written wrong for heel and side. I know the correct way to do it with Emma just can't write it out correctly ha ha. I am sure I will need to go to bed early.

Mary and Emma who loves to be outdoors in the fall.

I think Emma is enjoying it being a bit cooler. She is running even more laps around the yard, playing with me, and I think more active outdoors. The cooler is a bit easier on my MS though in some ways I hate to see summer end. Already the days are shorter.

Emma is going to help US babysit tomorrow. Rosa will be here but I am not sure if it will be a full day. My husband will be home since he works Saturday. Today we went to water exercise and tonight we did some errands with Greg. Always with Greg as I can't drive.

I am having more trouble with vertigo today. I almost fell going into the YMCA. I was in the parking lot at the time. I thought I might also have trouble in the water but once that episode subsided I was okay for about two hours. Then it hit me again. Tonight I also had some trouble. I am grateful that I am not though flat in bed.

I am realizing I so often put Emma in the "side" (left side) position rather than "heel" which is the right side. So tonight I tried to force myself to do the heel position. It has to do with which side I use my cane. I do want her comfortable and use to using both positions. When in a scooter I of course use both.

Emma wanted a lot of affection when at home with me today also. I don't mind at all. She wants to be physically close to me when I sit, or always when I nap or sleep. It is like having a living breathing teddy bear to comfort you.

Emma and I wanted to say a special hello to Judy's parents. I know you came to the dinner. We did not get over to your table as I couldn't get the walker through all the chairs.
I appreciate that you came to hear us speak. I hope you are doing okay.

Emma and I got a nice thank you from the MS staff who worked with us on the presentation at the Donaldson companies on Tuesday. It sounds like we may be invited to do that type of thing with them again in the future. I would be so honored to do so. With both that and the Helping Paws talk - it was such an honor to have the opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who help make those programs (MS SOCIETY & HELPING PAWS) possible. It was very rewarding.

Off to relax and then head to bed.
Hope you are doing well. Yeah tomorrow is Friday. Though Greg works the weekend again. He is a lay minister so of course he works on Sundays. It amazes me how many people (even his siblings) are surprised that he works Sundays. Those are often 12 hour days for him. Services in the morning and evening, meetings inbetween and/or since he is there he works rather than drive back and forth to our home (especially with the price of gas).

I am really amazed at how the price of gas and food seems higher to me also - how that is adding up and I notice it in my budget.

My hospital bill was huge - thank God I have insurance to cover a good part of it. I am a supporter of universal health care even if it does raise taxes. We can spend billions to help another country - surely we can find a good way to help ever american have insurance and medical care. Okay I usually don't mention political views here so don't let me chase you away if you don't agree. I just looked at that bill and thought how devastating it would be for someone without insurance or poor insurance coverage. My brother is in the field of medicine and interestingly is also for universal health care. He has to eat costs when people aren't insured. His view is also that then maybe people would take the time to get the preventive care, physicals and such which would reduce some of the major costs of health care.

Okay that is enough politics. Have a good Friday. Mary and Emma

My Dear Emma,
Today you got up early with Greg. He fed you. I think he took you outside - maybe for a walk. you both let me sleep a bit late. I woke up though to you - my dear Emma snuggled next to me. I just love when you snuggle next to me. You are so comforting, so reassuring, and you are such a special friend.

Our talks this past week have gone well. You have shown suberb behavior. It is fun to go out in public with you. It is nice to have your help and also to hear the compliments of others.

But I also dearly treasure you in our alone time. In the time that I would otherwise be alone facing the day and the challenges it can bring. You are my dear Emma - my trusted companion.

Thankyou Emma for your companionship and unconditional love.

Mary

This was an unusual day with Emma. In the morning she sometimes followed commands and other times hesitated. In the afternoon Judy and Charlie, Liz and Hudy, Emma and I did an educational demonstration for the afternoon MS group. I think it went well overall. There were a few things Emma did not do as well as normal. Maybe she was distracted by the other dogs. Another woman brought her puppy hoping to learn more about training. At first the young dog was pretty excited and that was distracting to our dogs. But soon the dog rested and our dogs got down to work. A woman also came in the audience who has a dog from Hearing and Service Dogs and added some ideas from her experience. Due to allergies in her family she had a large standard poodle.

Emma would have loved to have played with the other dogs. She handled herself well in their presence. She was of course estatic to see Judy her foster mom. I hope that is always the case it is just so sweet.

Tonight Emma has really wanted my attention. We have been outside to play a few times, played indoors, and I have petted her a lot. She just can't seem to settle down by herself or rest at my feet or on the couch with me. I am happy to give her some loving care but not sure why she seems more restless than normal. We were home alone.

She wants to work tonight. She will take the remote and bring it to me. I was crocheting and she brought me some yard that I had set on the coffee table. She also brought the phone though it wasn't ringing, and one of her toys. She helped me take of my socks and put them in the hamper and other helper jobs. Like Judy reminded them in the demo the work seems like fun to them. They enjoy doing it and the attention they receive.

I am hoping Emma will want to go to bed when I do. She was so silly last night. She got up in the bed with us (I don't mind that) and got right in the middle rather than at my feet. She pawed me for attention. She had been out so that was not the issue. Then she rested her head on my stomach. I kind of ignored her after giving her some pets hoping she would settle in to sleep. Then she put her head on my husband trying to get his attention. It reminded us of when we had little ones and we were ready for bed but they were NOT. She finally settled down and we all got to sleep. Again this is NOT normal behavior. Normally she is very obedient and crawls into her bed or sleeps at my feet.
Maybe she needed extra loving?

Emma is a great dog. We all have our moments. Tomorrow we swim (yeah we can sleep later) and will likely go to lunch with the women. We have a favorite small Italian place we go on Thursdays often. Then there will be time both before and after for a nap. I have no plans for the evening but I think Greg will be home.

I met Claudia who is getting Koda and of course Janice was there who is getting Kona (not sure if I spelled names correctly. I also met a woman whom I forgot her name who is on the waiting list for a dog from Helping Paws. It was a fun afternoon. Congratulations to Janice and Claudia!!

Hope your day goes well.
Mary and Emma
Thanks again Judy and Liz.