Emma and I went to the Donaldson Companies today and helped with the presentation there seeking funds for a MS Society Program. I was last and time was rushing by so I had to condense what I was going to stay. I think it went fine however. Now they have to wait to see what comes of the grant request.

I am tired. In fact I hope to go to bed soon. Tomorrow Judy & Charlie, Liz & Houdy, Emma and I are doing a demonstration for the afternoon group held by Dr. Schapiro and Dr. Calkwood. It went well last year so I hope for the same this year. IN FACT two people from that group are getting their dogs in October. I told you about Janice and Kona.

Emma did superb today. Everyone was so impressed with her. One gentleman asked so much and wasn't it handy (planned) that I had a brochure to hand him about HElping Paws. The taxi rides went fine. Emma really huddled close to me. She likes to put her head on my shoulder if I ride in the back seat with her. I used a walk which was good because boy they had a small elevator in that building. I am not sure my scooter would have gone in easily. Emma's position was awesome. She rested under the table as I spoke - it was a boardroom.

Emma was so glad to go outside when we got home. It was clear from her body signals and enthusiasm she wanted to go outside right away. So we did and she got exercise before our nap. She just was wonderful today. Helpful and a great ambassador for service dogs.

We are off to bed. Emma will be thrilled to see Judy and Liz tomorrow. Greg is not going to work till late afternoon so we don't have to use Metro Mobility (yeah). I need to get some things together for the demo but may wait and do that in the morning. I just used all my energy up for the day. Even the dishes will wait till morning unless my husband does them. I hate to leave them but there arenot many and I just need sleep.

Hope you had a good day. It is suppose to be cool tonight so I am getting out an extra blanket. Thanks for all the nice email and cards congratulating me on how well things went Sat night. When you feel so grateful for the wonderful people of Helping Paws it really was rewarding to be able to share my thoughts.

Have a great day - Mary and Emma

I am double checking my clothes, practicing my talk for tomorrow. Emma on the other hand is reminding me to take breaks to play, take her outside, pet her, play with her and so on. I practiced a few things with her and treated her so now boy would she like to do more for me and get more treats. To train her I often use milk-bone or charlie bears. Milk bones I use the puppy size and break them in half. Helps with the calories. I should have her monitoring my food (or I should) as closely as I do hers!!

Emma was home all day. I went for awhile to a luncheon at a friends. It was in her garage which was a bit chilly . I guess she figured it would be too crowded in the house and hoped for a better day. She has a gorgeous deck and plenty of chairs so I am not sure why she didn't use her deck. Anyway she has an outside dog that is on a long rope and goes freely in and out of the garage. That dog is not house trained and I didn't know how it would be if I brought Emma. So she stayed home. Greg was home the entire time because he worked all weekend. He was mowing so she was outdoors a lot.

When I come home she always acts like I have been gone years. Again she snuggled next to me. She wraps her paws around my arm. One under one over like she is hugging my arm. It is so darn cute. Then she snuggled close to me while I made some phone calls and rested.

Tomorrow we get picked up by the airport taxi to go to the Donaldson Companies. I have not been there. I think it is almost 45 min from my house. Out past the airport? I need to practice my speech more. I hope it fits the need but this time i am not the only one speaking. My husband likes it and he is honest. Emma listens while I practice. Though she is biased I think she always likes what I say ha ha. espcially when I say "hungry?" or "treat".

She did a great job of finding the phone for me tonight. I couldn't remember where I set it down. I said phone and she came back with it in her mouth. Not as good luck with my cell phone. The other day I put it for her to answer it when Greg called it. Yes she got the pone to bring to me but she chomped down on it and broke the screen. I just replaced it because she did that to my camera phone. This is NOT a camera phone and YES this time I bought insurance for replacement. I need to get a good case when I replace this phone.

Off to bed. Mary and Emma

Here I have lived 52 years and in the same week two organizations want me to speak for them. Yes, on Tuesday Emma will accompany me to a MS Presentation for the Donaldson Companies Board of Directors. I am nervous in a different way for this presentation. First it will be very business like and I hope I dress appropriately. I am not sure how many people will be there. I have not reviewed my talk yet with the woman who arranged it, I plan to do so tomorrow. We have been playing telephone tag.

For Helping Paws I could include stories of Emma. I needed to complete the speech in 5 minutes. I am not sure how close I came to that but she is a good source of material.
For the MS society I am talking about myself, my MS, and how the Chores Service Programs helps me remain in my home and be more independent. This is a program that grants clients $750 per year to use towards services such as lawn care, snow removal, house cleaning and other services. I use it for house cleaning. I have a full 10 minutes for that speech and I think I could do that in 5. Well anyway I am working on it.

I don't think I can compose a poem to end that speech now can I. I just don't feel as creative. I do feel honored to be asked to present and can talk from the heart about how much this service means to me. It is like every time that women comes in the door to help with cleaning - in comes moral support. I have so little stamina. I can't even empty a full dishwasher without stopping to rest. I can't vacuum anymore and keep my balance or have the energy to push it. They scrub my bathroom, kitchen, do all the floors...well you get the picture. I have to figure out how to explain this in an interesting way.

I think they do want me to be specific about MS and how it impairs my ability to do things. This will help the members to get a real glimpse of why this program is so important to individuals like myself. When I wrote that part though I felt like I was whinning or complaining. I will look at it again and see how it sounds.

EMMA HELPED ME BABYSIT TODAY - She was so cute with the girls. Now she seems to understand I don't want her to fetch the toys off the floor when they play. The day was cool and it flew by. Once the girls left she had our "we" time. I played with her more, gave her some petting, we went outside, and just spent time together.

Rosa decided while eating today it was great fun to feed Emma. She would put her hand down and feed Emma her cheerios or other finger food. Emma of course was delighted. Difficult to ask Emma to "leave it" when her tiny hand is putting it right into Emma's mouth. I guess that is a sign she is full = when she starts feeding the dog.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAD TIME TO VISIT WITH ME AT THE HELPING PAWS DINNER - It was fun to meet so many people at the dinner. I am glad you are still reading the blog as I like to write it. It appeared that the dinner was a good success fund raising for the organization. I sure hope so.

Off to bed.
Have a good day. I wrote this morning also.
A special hello to Judy's folks. I am sorry I did not get over to visit with you but thanks for coming to the dinner. Emma of couse was so thrilled to see Judy and her family.

Have a good MOnday.
Mary and Emma

The dinner was a huge fund raising sucess. It was a fun event and good fundraiser for Helping Paws. It seemed to go smoothly.

When Emma and I did our talk I was so nervous at start. Once I got up there though I felt calm. I had on a clip on micraphone so that made it easier. Emma was at my side. In the speech I used her name a great deal. I am told she would look up each time wondering if there was something I was going to ask her to do. She was pretty sweet.

My speech went well. My theme was a salute to teamwork. My speech was from the heart and a sincere thank you to those who give time, talent or money to helping paws. I also spoke about how Emma helps me and how through Emma everyone there is helping me deal with my MS. It went very very well. I was stunned to receive a standing ovation.

I ended with a poem and I will include it here.

Emma you are my rock
You are my constant companion
There when I have joyful times or difficult times
Always sensing my mood
Always eager to help me with my needs
Always attentive and ready to work.

Emma you are my soft place to fall
I can snuggle you when tears fall due to the difficulties of my illness
I can rely on you to enthusiastically greet me and lift my mood
I can count on you to help me with tasks that are difficult for me
I can be more idependent because you are my helper.

I start the day with your kisses and I end the day with you snuggled next to me.
Not one day passes that I don’t think about the blessing you are in my life.
Where would I be without you.

I met several people who read the blog and many new people also. I really enjoyed the evening.

Hope you have a good day.
Mary and Emma

I am so nervous. We are about to leave for the Helping Paws Tail Waggin' Dinner. My hair would not curl like I wanted and my make up is not how I wanted it either. Oh dear I didn't think I would get so nervous over a five minute presentation.

The theme is A Toast To Teamwork. I am going to talk about Emma. I am also going to talk about what a gift she is in my life. I will thank those there for their part in Helping Paws emphasizing that when they support Helping Paws through Volunteer work or financial donations - they are investing in the lives of individuals like myself. Through Emma they support me in my journey with MS. I will end with a poem to Emma.

I don't think I will write more till tomorrow. I don't dress up a lot anymore so that is a big deal for me. I hope my new shoes don't hurt my feet ha ha. I know the evening will be enjoyable and hope I can relax about my short talk.

Emma looks great as she was groomed yesterday. I splurged and had my hair colored at a Hair Salon instead of doing it myself. What a treat that was.

Hope I get to talk to some of you who still read this blog.
Mary and Emma