On the Helping Paws website is the information for the Tail Waggin' Dinner. It is September 8th.

http://www.helpingpaws.org/

I am happy to let you know that Emma and I will be speaking at it!! I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to do this.

I know some of you will be there. Even if you don't plan to attend or live out of the area you might want to see the information about it. You can purchase tickets and/or make a donation to Helping Paws to go towards that event. The evening includes a silent auction, dinner, and a live auction. Imagine them inviting me to speak at such a big event. I am very excited to do this.

Just an FYI for those who are interested.
(I wrote twice tonight)

I slept or rested most the day. I needed it as due to steroids had not slept as well for several days. Later in the day Greg babysat Rosa.. I sat for awhile on the floor with her. She loved showing off her crawling skills to Emma and I.

When Rosa first comes Emma is so curious. Because Rosa was on the floor for her welcome from Emma we had to be careful that Emma's enthusiasm didn't mean a tail in the face for Rosa. Rosa does enjoy when Emma kisses her hello. Then after this welcome ritual Emma will rest on the floor not far from Rosa. She has a watchful eye and rests peacefully.

When we fed Rosa a few cheerios' and babyfood - Emma was right on the floor ready for any that dropped. Good ol' Emma though did not touch anything until I did give her permission to eat a few loose cheerio's.

I could not watch Rosa alone at this time but am enjoying her time with us. My husband is so good with her. I play a bit and then rest on the couch to watch. Sometimes Rosa will just pause to watch Emma. They get along well.

Rosa is now 8 months old. What she has learned amazes up. I am proud of Emma and how well behaved she is around Rosa.

The day was nice again so Emma liked being outside. I was able to make sure she got outside enough and that pleases me. Since my husband was home alll day she got a few more outside opportunities. But I am able to care for my dog and whe would have managed fine with me alone al day. That means a lot to me.

Emma helped get ready for Rosa too. She picked up a few newspapers and some shoes for me to clear the floor for our little crawler.

I can't carry Rosa or lift her due to the vertigo...yet still I am enjoying playing with her while Greg is close by to help out. He is the main babysitter for sure and he loves it. We think she enjoys being "Grandpa's Girl".

Emma is my girl. My helper and companion. Thanks Emma for being so good with Rosa also.

I will be heading to bed early. My vision is not as goofy today and the morning shot they added to my routine has helped my blood sugars...which helps the vision. IT is not as low as we want but much better than yesterday. I feel better than yesterday so will be content with that for now.

Ii need to go lie down. Hope you have a good day.
Mary and Emma

My health has presented challenges today. We started and ended the day at differebt medical clinics. Problems with MS and also the diabetes (we think due to the steroids). I will spare you details but have now three types of insulin to take in the day. I am having some increasing prolems with MS issues and some vertigo has returned.

Okay but on the bright side, since I was out in the car anyway we did go for a little bit to the Science Museum for the open house for my granddaughters day camp program. It ended today. Teachers explained the program, we visited various classrooms and saw the various projects they worked on in the Willy Wonka Camp. It was interesting to see how they combined sciene/ chemistry concepts with the fun of candy making and made it very educational. It sounded wonderful. Sophia loved it. She was thrilled that we were there.

Greg had to push me in a wheel chair. Emma was of course helpful. Sophia was thrilled we attended. This was the very day Rosa figured out how to crawl forward. She was able to show that off to us. It was a shorter time period than planned but my son and his family were pleased to see us. They actually visited the museum exhibits after we left.

Emma got a lot of attention as we waited for the program to begin. She is a kid magnet.
I did let her practice greeting a few children in the lobby to practice doing - Sit, Shake, as she greeted them. Once upstairs for the short program and open house we told the children the dog was working. Emma shined. She did an awesome job.

It has been awhile since I used a manual wheel chair with Emma. Since I can't navigate the chair alone their is one issue that comes up. The person pushing me (my son or husand) has to be clear on where they are going so I can direct Emma.

I found at first they underestimated the width of the doorway and poor Emma almost got squished. Reminder one - give me time to direct Emma to go behind or ahead. Also consider I would like to go through the door way with out hitting it.

Reminder two - even in the hallway or room rememer the extra width of the dog.

Reminder three - tell me so I can direct Emma if we are going right or left in a turn.

Reminder four - give Emma enough time to look at me for commands. A few times Grandma got pushed awful fast. No fair running into Emma in trying to push me.Or accidentally pushing me into walls or doors, tables or chairs.

The scooter works better for me but I didn't have it. Then I am in charge of the movement, feel more independent, and Emma and I are both more use to it.

There were many distractions with children of various ages, parents, the teaching crew and the show and tell items. Emma was at her best. Such a great service dog. I was so proud of her.

We had to be at another medical clinic at 6 pm to pick up the medication I needed for the weekend, and to get instructions. I think I understand what all I am to do and who I am to call if the diabetes causes problems on the weekend. My health team sure helped out today - including dealing with the insurance company who did not want to approve the medication I needed and a pharmacy that could not get the medication till Monday.

My vision was very very anormal and got worse as the day progressed. I was also shakey and weaker. As I get better control of my blood sugars and the MS improves that should all improve. I was still very grateful Greg encouraged me to go to the Science Museum, assuring me he would push me and help me. It was a priceless time with my granddaughters and son and his wife.

Now off to bed. Emma has been just a great helper today.

We don't have plans for the weekend. I am going to work on keeping my spirits up regarding my health. My family is so supportive and that really helps.

Have a good weekend. Wishing you good health - Mary and Emma

Emma and I went to the YMCA for my water exercise class. I did have a few problems with vertigo so had to adapt to what I could manage. The cool water felt good and I shortened how long I was in the pool. We treated ourselves to a simple lunch with the women and a long chat. My goodness I have gone to lunch more lately. I had to tackle bills tonight and that has to decrease. Still we had fun. Thank goodness that Greg could drive us. I am sure uncertain about when I will drive again.

The day was cool and it was so enjoyable to be outside with Emma. I just sat to deal with the dizziness which still creeps into the day especially more as the day progresses. Emma and I both loved the outdoors. Our yard was mowed so that smell was fresh and their was a gentle breeze.

I forgot to mention we were up nearly all night. I was so wide awake due to the steroids. This happens sometimes. So we slept in the morning. Greg was home and said Emma got up much earlier than I did. She is tired tonight and I am too. She is so loyal. did she go to bed without me? NO! She did dose a bit as I used the computer or watched tv. But in my million trips to get a drink or use the bathroom etc. she would get up with me. She did not get much time to sleep.

We will see how the vertigo is tomorrow.

Tomorrow afternoon we will go to the Science Museum where my grandaughter has been taking a fun camp program all week. I hope I can manage it as she is so excited. She insisted - don't forget Emma. I have not taken Emma to the Museum before.

I did feel better this am and early afternoon. I am having more vertigo tonight when I try to move around more. I am on the medications for several more days. One day at a time we will hopefully see improvement. Thanks for the well wishes.

I did go out to lunch with two friends. They kindly assisted me so I stayed on my feet. Emma was awesome as we sat and talked a long time. For those in the area we went to French Meadows in South Mpls. I think 26th and Lyndale South. It had yummy healthy food and wonderful desserts that were not so healthy but yummy. Fun to share. They have some bakery items there and I guess their breads are awesome. It was a warm friendly place to sit and chat. It had both outdoor and indoor seating. We chose indoor. I find that easier with Emma anyway it is less distracting and cooler for me too.

I am continuing to drink so much water due to the medications. I will float away. i recall when my pet dog Boomer was ill at the end of his life we had him on steroids. One time I was on them for MS at the same time - we took turns needing to go potty. I suppose the water is good for my system.

The weather is in the 70's so we were outside a lot this morning and early evening and after our outing. Emma is more active playing with me when it is cooler. I have to sit to throw toys but that is fine. It is cute we get outside and I say "find your toys" and she starts looking around the yard to see what we left outside. I think last year I was more organized and had a plastic milk bin with her toys in. But today we played with her frisbee that is made by nylabone. She loves it.

We did pick up when we were done (she did) as I have a friend of my kids coming to mow for us tomorrow morning. My kids are too busy working or school and on the other side of town. She is in the neighborhood and glad for the work. yeah for us.

You can tell I am in better spirits. We will have to be patient and see if this course of medication and the extra rest helps end this flare up. there is swimming tomorrow. I am not sure if I will go or not. Today I was still dizzy when I moved much and sometimes even while sitting at lunch things would start spinning. I will decided in the morning.

I have to be so careful with heat. I am finding a ice pack on the top of my head and a gel ice pack on my neck at times is helping with the headaches I am having with the MS. I look pretty weird I suppose.

Here are some words I realize we use with Emma -

Do you have to go OUT - patio door back yard
Do you want to PLAY - patio door back yard
Where is your TOY - She always finds a toy of hers inside or out
Go in the CAR - She goes to front door where we exit for the car
let's use the COMPUTER - she runs to my office and jumps on her favorite bed
"YOUR BED" - most times she knows we mean get off our bed and go to her own bed though once inawhile she wants a bit more petting. OFF works too.

Her bedtime routine.
If I take a bath or shower she is by the door checking to be sure all is okay.
She plays a bit of retrieve a toy with Greg
Greg takes her outside for her last quick potty break.
She is amazingly fast at this time of night unless the neighbor dog is out.
Greg brushes her teeth when he remembers (we are working on this being daily)
Once we are in bed. Goes to my husband's side of the bed. Backs up righ by his hand.
Stands there till he gives her ample amount of scratching on the butt.
Then she jumps up on the bed inbetween us for more petting. And we praise her verbally for another awesome day.
Most times when we say all done, turn off the light, she goes to lay at my feet.
If it is too hot or she won't move down we have her go to her bed.

Time to go play with my awesome dog.

Hey I noticed in the Helping Paws Update the information about the Tail Waggin Dinner. Hope I see some of you there in September. Yes Emma and I will be there. I would like to bring all my kids but not sure that is in the budget for this fundraiser.