I have an email friend named Logan.
Logan is in Team Training with Suzan and working hard.
If you want to read Logan's blog here it is
http://aservicedogsjourney.blogspot.com/

Logan lives out of state. It is late and I can't remember which state he lives in. Mary or I will think of it and let you know. Logan and I even play scrabble on the computer together. UGH Logan usually wins. I think it is great fun. I am so glad Logan is finally with Suzan. They knew each other in training because of Suzan's involvement with the organization.
It is interesting to read what team training is like for Logan. I think they only go for two weeks.

Logan is a cutie and you will see his picture. Check out the website it is interesting.
Love, Emma

I can't believe what a nice day we had. The weather is nice (a bit warm) but we enjoyed it. We played outside this am and took a late morning nap. Emma is sure a good nap dog ha ha. Then we met a teacher friend for lunch. I taught with her when I worked at St. John the Baptist in Excelsior. We had a great lunch. Yummy salad bar but even better was the conversation.

She is the kind of friend that I expect to treasure her friendship for the rest of my life...at least I hope so. She makes me laugh. We can talk about anything and everything. We have kids similar ages, she is still teaching, and we have a lot in common. I treasure her friendship. When I was at St. John's, when I barely knew her she gave me rides to school due to problems with my vision. I was out of her way. I think it was those minutes and hours in traffic that cemented our relationship. We would laugh, gripe, and discuss the days events. It was a wonderful way to start and end each work day. The drive was 30-45 minutes and we talked most the way.

We visited Half Price Bookstore and soon were lost in thought. We were there a very long time and Emma was very very patient. I picked up a book for my granddaughters and a book for myself. It was fun.

Then we headed home. We rested a bit. As it cools off, I hope to go outside with Emma and do some weeding and watering. The temps are close to 90 so my sunny south side gets awful dry!! If it is too hot, or if I am not too tired there are some inside things like filing I need to do. I never run out of chores, just run out of energy.

I felt so much better today than most days. MS is like that. Some days are harder than others. I was slow starting today and didn't do much till noon. But once I had that morning nap I was ready to enjoy the day. Sticking to quiet activities helps.

Emma and I took a long walk (my scooter ride time) and then we saw a neighbor who has lived here over 20 years. Our adult children played together, had sports teams together, and band together. It was fun to catch up on things and hear how they were doing. She lives a few houses away and I don't see her much. I hope I didn't talk her ear off!!

Emma was glad to stop there and rest in their grass. This was a longer walk than normal. The temps had cooled and she seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. Even when you can't "walk" - the change of scenery was nice. I use to know more people in our area when my kids were little. With four kids in school, sports, 4H and church activities - you meet a lot of people. I miss those days in some ways but am glad my health was better than. I had some episodes which we now know were MS attacks but still kept up with the busy life of raising 4 dear children.

My time outside included watering some flowers. I did not get the weeding done but it will be there when I get to it. I have roses so I literally "take time to smell the roses" when i am outside. I like it in the evening when it is a bit cooler and I can get outdoors.

Here's hoping you get fun times outdoors.
Take good care.

Mary and Emma

Another very warm day for Me. Humid and in the 90's i think. We enjoyed a cool nap in the air conditioning of our home. We watched Rosa for about two hours, and Sophia. It was her last day of school so it was fun to hear about her day. Then we took it easy and relaxed.

Rosa, now seven months old - sure likes the dogs. Both Lily (their dog) and Emma entertained her today. She is so happy to watch them.

Not much to say today. Maybe tomorrow will be more eventful.

Okay this is new. I left Emma to be groomed. All by herself at the groomer. At first she didn't want to go in the door. She knows that place because of the nail trims. Once we got inside the waiting area she was interested in what was going on. when I gave the woman the leash she walked her back to the area where she would be groomed. Emma kept looking back at me. I had to tell her "It's Okay" and then she walked dutifully. Then i walked to the car wiping tears from my eyes. Can you believe it?

Once I got hope it seemed deathly quiet not to have Emma around. I made suppper early (it can be reheated) and the time flew by - still I did not like not having her with me. When i went to pick her up they told me she did just fine. I had made them promise to call me if I needed to come early. She looked so nice and was joyous to see me. Now she is close at my side, like normal. She did just fine and I am glad to know I have this option.

She has not been bathed here since the bathroom remodeling began. Now we have a tub and shower but it just is too much for me to do. My husband has been so busy. She keeps herself well groomed and sure looks cleaner all the time than my pet dog did. My pet dog loved to roll in the dirt more I guess and an American Eskimo, he had long hair that needed trimming now and then. I think I made the right decision to take Emma. She did just fine according to the staff. I need to know she can manage that situation with ease.

I visited the American Academy of Accupuncture and Oriental Medicine - where my daughter goes to school. I learned a bit more about their services for people with MS and set up an appointment for two weeks from now. I will let you know how that goes.

A good part of this 90 degree day we hid out in the air conditioning of my house. Tonight we get to watch Rosa and Sophia for about two hours. That will be fun!! I never tire of seeing them. The day included time to rest so we are in good shape. The evening will be cooler so we will be able to go outside. I am glad of that.

I don't know if I wilil have time to write later. Isn't it silly that I got teary leaving Emma? I kept explaining she was a service dog (they knew that) and was use to always being with me. I sounded pretty over protective I think.

Wishing you a good day. Weeks have passed and we have not been out to see the puppies. i have not always have a car and other days have had things to do. I sure appreciate that Judy has Tiga's blog to help share with us about the puppies. I wonder if we will get their before the puppies go to foster homes? We had planned to see them at Helping Paws Open House but I had a migraine that day....we will see what happens in the days ahead.

Hope you stay cool if your area is warm. Have a nice nice day.
Mary and the sweet smelling dog

Emma was well behaved at a Graduation Open House yesterday. I hope she will be the same when we go today. One of my neice's relatives is recovering from a stroke and looking into getting a service dog. She had a lot of questions. Other's were just curious about the dog. We had a nice time.

They had a video of pictures of the graduate from baby till now. She is my great neice and the pictures reminded me of how much she looked like her own mother when she was young. Time flies by. Like my Grandma use to say "The days are sometimes long but the years go fast!" Where did all those years go.

On the way home we went to a Lowe's and found a great deal of a light for our bathroom - it was on clearance. Yes ladies, and gentlemen I still have those lovely ones that hung from chains from the ceiling popular around the year 1980. I am ready for a change. Emma got a lot of walking in that big store. Thank goodness they have scooters for me.

One thing I notice is when you are out shopping with a dog, people sure ask me a lot if I need help. It is pretty obvious by the dog, cane, scooter (unless I am walking) that I am handicapped. As they help me they often ask about the dog, I am always glad for the help.

It was pretty quiet in the store and a man with two school age children was near me while we waited in line to check out. I took time to talk to the kids about the dog and what it meant to be a helping dog. They were so interested, and cute. It is fun to have the time to do that. They thanked and thanked me.

Emma is sure shedding. I brush her but more keeps coming.
I am taking it easy as we have another Open House later in the afternoon and then are going right to Greg's work. I will go to church with him and sit and read while he works.
I will also get to go to Mass with Emma. I know some of the people who go there because of the times I go with - so that is nice. That is why I am writing now rather than later in the day.

Thanks again to Judy, and the staff for training my wonderful Emma!! She behaved so well at the Open House.

Mary and Emma