Yeah for Kona and Janice. They will beginning training together in October as a team. Yes Kona chose Janice and I am thrilled for them both. Janice is a friend with MS. She heard about Helping Paws at the demo Judy, Liz, and I gave. She has admired Emma. Now when we go to the Wed Afternoons with the MS Doctors - both dogs will be there (when i can arrange a ride). I am so pleased for her.

How special it was to see the excitment in Janice's eyes as she told me the new. I remember that day well. The day I was matched with Emma. I was so excited I stayed in the Helping Paws parking lot a long time just calling people. I was so thrilled I literally thought I couldn't drive till I calmed down. Tears of joy, anticipation - oh it was such a special day. A day I will never forget.

Unlike some joys, my joy with Emma has not diminished. Not one day. There is a special joy each morning when I wake to her excitement to see me. Her kisses and waggin tail. There is a peace every night when I go to bed and she snuggles in at my feet. Each day is better because of Emma. I really mean that more than words can convey.

Congratulations Kona and Janice...and all the upcoming graduates. Congratulations to the foster homes ( I mean you too Cooper) I don't know all the dogs or people but I know they have done a fine job. Thanks so much for what you do to help graduates.

Thanks to the staff, and volunteers who help with all that goes into training a service dog and running such a special organization. Every day I am touched (or pawed ha ha) by your talents and time in the way you have worked with Emma. So if you get overwhelmed, over worked or just the blues - take a minute that day to think of all of us out here with dogs...you have changed our lives forever...thanks so much.

Mary and Emma

My husband thought of a great idea. HE took my granddaughter shopping. She already has all her needs in clothing and supplies. Tonight Rosa, Mommy and I went along as he and Sophia shopped. They bought a backpack and the supplies Sophia thought someone her age would need for school. Then she bought a card and wrote a note it. The backpack filled with supplies will be donated at his church and distributed to a family in need. Wasnt' that neat that he thought to include Sophia? We talked about how we want to help others who need help and why.

We also met someone there who was of another ethnic background and having trouble understanding her child's supply list and identifyking things. We all had fun helping her locate and select what she needed. She was very grateful and seemed so nice. So that was a good thing too.

Those types of things are important to Greg and I and our children. I am sure to many of you. In our case one year I was sick with MS, Greg with cancer and our church called to say they were bringing supplies over for our kids. I was so grateful I cried. Honestly things were so hard here I hadn't even thought of supplies yet. I couldnt' drive. Money was tight due to Greg's illness and I think I was not working. Now we are so grateful when we help others because we know the help means so much. It is not just receiving the supplies or we also received some food donations - it is the moral support that it gives you when things are so challenging.

On another subject we had such a long day. We went to my counseling appointment, then took Metro Mobility to my MS Drs. Education Event. Waited for a ride home. Then the girls came and Tia. We had a fun night but it was two days without a nap. It was a good day though. Emma was wonderful.

We are off to bed. Hope all is well with you.
Mary and Emma

I was hoping to make Emma a movie star. At the urging of some staff at the MN Chapter of the MS Society I drew up ideas for a film that gave ideas on how I cope with MS. This was a national contest sponsored by the MS Society. They actually drew entries from outside the US even. I took a lot of time and effort to put my ideas together. I bounced my ideas off my family. My dauther in law Tia was a big help as she has had experience in film.

A big part of it was Emma, My Family, and of course the friends of I have met through MS Society programs. My film did not make the final 5 chosen to be produced. We did make the final 20. So that was an honor. Sorry Emma I did not get to make you a movie star. The winners were to go to the National MS Society Convention in October to debut their films. No one made it from MN. I thought it was an honor to be in the top 20 and was pleased to get a letter indicating that fact and thanking me for my entry.

Today we helped babysit Rosa with Sophia's help and Anna was there part of the day. I had a super fun time with the girls. Emma settles in pretty well there. When she first came she played with Lily (a beagle) but then they both just hung out together. It was a very nice day.

We are off to bed. No nap today. Hope Emma knows she is still a star in my eyes.
Wishing you all a good day.
Mary and Emma

We did errands with Greg today. he took a vacation day and worked yesterday. One of our stops was Target. I used the scooter there and made extra laps around the store so Emma got her exercise. It was a gray day but not much rain here at all. In other stores I used a cane, or leaned on a cart (like you would a walker). I can't tell you how much that means to me that Emma can handle all those situations. her positioning was very good.

Today she really did a good job when I said "watch" to continue as I used the scooter to make eye contact with me as we were moving and not watching other distractions. She did a great job of picking up my cane when I needed it, and of getting the leash (not her favorite the leash). She just was sure a great worker today. I am so proud to be with her in public.

There were a lot of children out and about with parents today. maybe because it was a gray day and kind of wet due to past rains? Or out purchasing school Items? Emma really likes children and they can be distracting to her - especially when they want to talk to her. Well today she handled it very well. I think more and more children and adults are aware of the need to not disturb a working dog. I was surprised that a child I would guess around age 6 said to mom "Remember Mom we can't pet that working dog". I don't always see children that young aware of what the vest means.

It is fun to see those still riding in shopping carts get so excited as they proclaim "doggy doggy" or as I heard today "whoff whoff". Everyone was courteous and respectful. Some of the time we were with Greg and other times we parted ways. At one time I was looking at baby clothes (oh fun) and trying to find Greg. As we started to move I told Emma - "look for Greg". We were going and all of a sudden she pulled to the left. Sure enough down the aisle was Greg...just like I asked her. Smart dog. Normally she does not pull when she sees Greg. What a sweet puppyl

She did not spend a lot of time outdoors. My backyard is soaked. She looked like she was walking on her tip toes. It was amusing. So the exercise indoors was good for her!

I am not as dizzy but at times it bothers me. I am so glad for the improvement. It makes it more comfortable to leave the house and do things like errands. Tomorrow we are going to see Rosa. My daughter is the nanny but has to be gone for a little over an hour. So Emma and I are going to babysit during that time. I think I can handle it. I won't do a lot of lifting nor will I carry her on the stairs - just to be on the safe side.

I also shopped for a new phone. Mine was broken. I think due to dropping it. I was able to purchase insurance that will cover anything even dropping it. Yeah. I got a simpler phone - no camera and yet sturdy. It has large diggest and larger buttons. That should help me.

Off to bed....Have a good day...Mary

Saturday we had a day to enjoy friends. In the morning we joined my sister and two friends from childhood for breakfast. We had fun catching up on what was new with each other and our families. I have known one of them since I was 5!!. Emma was well behaved as we talked away!

We came home to do a few chores and take a nap - of course. Then we headed out in the evening to a friend's birthday party. It was fun to see the hosts, and also to meet some of the parents that I had taught their children. Emma was delighted to see Judy, Steve, and Tiga, Tori, and Charlie. It was fun. Sorry I missed some of the friends from Helping Paws as we arrived right after they left.

Greg had to take Emma to the backyard to do her duty. Well of course Emma was so delighted. She enjoyed the smells and exploring a very familar area from when she lived there. When we went in the house, she immediately wanted to rest under their kitchen table. I think that was a favorite spot when she lived with them. She also got to meet some of the neighbors who watched her grow up. It was just such a fun time for both of us. Greg said he enjoyed it also.

Today, sunday, we are really moving slow. It is another rainy day like yesterday. We need the rain. Sadly though Southern MN got so much rain they had floods and I believe 5 died. Here the rain was slow and steady. It is again today. It is a cozy day. We napped early, are watching the Twins Game, folding laundry and I need to read. UGH book club is in a week and I have most of the book to read.

Emma is pretty snuggly today. She likes to cuddle up on the bed or couch. In the spare bedroom/office she enjoys the bed. I set up the bed with winter comforters for her to snuggle up in. She eagerly goes there when i am on the computer.

I am working on the speech for the Helping Paws Tail Waggin' Dinner in September. My time is limited so I hope I can use it well.

Poor Emma has not been out much today - she does not want to go out into the rain unless she can't wait to go potty. We are waiting for a slow up in the rain to get her out again.

So today I am thinking what a blessing friends are. I hope this week you find some time with a special friend. In person, a phone call, email or letter might be a good goal. This is the week for summer MS Camp. I went in May. I am thinking of my friends that are there. It is a wet day for them. I hope it doesn't rain all week on them though we need the rain.

Have a good week - Mary and Emma