We were outdoors most the late morning - midafternoon. I helped a bit with weeding, but mostly had to supervize. I get so worn out so fast. Today it seemed more discouraging to me than normal. I trimmed my dead rose blooms a bit...then literally stopped to smell the roses ha ha. I am headed for the shower, a short rest and hoping I feel a bit better so I can go to an Open House. I just got a bit too warm though it is a super nice day outside. It is just so easy to do with MS. Your body thermometer is off wack and for me, I get too hot so easily. I feel like I want to peel my skin off. It takes awhile to cool down again.

They sell cooling vests. It is like ice packs or cooling packs inside a vest that to me looks like a life jacket usually. I don't own one. I have not found one in my size and worry then I would look if larger than I am. I am fat enough now. But maybe someday I will have to try harder to find one that fits. Enough on that topic.

Emma was adorable outside. She sure wants to be at my side every minute - that is unless a dog or kids attract her eye. She still remains with me but will focus elsewhere..but when I say "Emma" she perks right up. I had her in the fenced yard with me. For less than 5 minutes I was outside the fence while she remained inside. I was adjusting a hose and sprinkler and didn't want her to get wet. She could fully see me. She watched patiently.

Well when I went back in the fence with her it was like a joyous reunion. She was so pleased to be at my side. I petted and played with her. I am not exagerating either - she was just thrilled to be right with me again. I petted her a great deal and played with her. She and I are a pair - a team. I am glad that we can take her with to the Open House
today

Once in awhile, I will do a quick errand without her. Usually Greg is home. I hate that feeling of not having her in the car. Often I forget and talk like she is there, or when i stop go to let her out of the car. You can understand why she is with me 99% of the time.

This week my husband will be gone to a mini MBA program. He won't be home much. Gosh good thing I will have Emma to be with me. he won't be gone overnight but not home till later than 10 pm. each night. The class time is 11 hours a day!! Imagine.

Emma loves the bed in the room where my computer is. She looks at me when we move to another room like "are you sure?" It amazes me but she is nearly always in the same room as I am in the house. We are a team.

I can't wait to get her new pack. That will be in a week I think. I will be going to Helping Paws two evenings this month to work with dogs. I will let you know more when it happens.

Enjoy your day - - The Team - Emma and Mary

The fact that Emma will lay quiet through a movie amazes me. Today though we had a bit of a new behavior. We went to see Ocean 13. Yes it was good.

Well very near the end it was very loud and action packed (no surprise). I had a spasm in my leg and in moving it hit my cane. The cane fell to the floor. Right in front of Emma. She thought she needed to get the cane and I think also assumed it was time to go. So imagine me trying not to miss a minute of the ending. Emma stood up to get the cane, thinking it was her job to do. I got her attention. Emma for some reason would sit, but not lay back down in a drop position.

That was okay with me. Then she rests her head in my lap. She looks so confused. Did she think it was time to go. It is dark so she can't see my hand signals well and it is loud. I don't think she can hear my whispers. So I bend down , lift her ear and whisper for her to lay down. Then she knew what I meant and did just that except she had inched away from my seat by the aisle and was partly in the aisle. Now her head is on the distant side.

I decided when it was the very last minutes to get up and walk her to by the door. I then did not risk someone stepping on her in a rush to leave, and still saw the end of the movie. The weird thing is if I had not bumped the cane over I think it all would have been fine. Then I think she couldn't hear me to know what to do. It was interesting to note that she would right away think it was time to get the cane for me and then be ready to leave. She probably picks it up more in a normal day than I realize.

The only other action that sometimes makes her think an event is over is when people start clapping. Then she thinks it is the end. I was at that meeting yesterday and they spoke of the award my Dr had received and we all clapped. Well Emma rose quickly to her feet thinking it must be time to go (she had been resting for over an hour it goes 90 minutes). She doesn't always do this but once in awhile.

Emma had fun outside. A squirrel came in the yard and boy she had fun chasing that creature out of the yard. the weather was nice for outdoor fun. She is such a good dog.
Tonight we went out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant and she was so well behaved. Sometimes I forget that it is a surprise to see a dog at a movie or out at a restaurant. I am so use to her always being at my side.

Tomorrow we have some things to do at home and then go to an Open House. They asked me to be sure to bring Emma and that is a nice welcome. Their own dogs are going to a neighbors i am told, as they might not handle a crowd as well as Emma will. I hope it doesn't rain on them. It is my great neice. How come I don't feel old enough to be a great Aunt??

The kids in the neighborhood are on summer vacation now. There were many children at the movie theater for the various movies, and many outdoors playing in the neighborhood.
It is fun to see them out and about. I remember how exciting it was for my own children, and even for myself to be on summer vacation. My Granddaughter still has a few days of school left next week.

Emma kept running to the window when she heard kids playing outdoors. The weather was great today - - not too hot. Yeah.

I am going to read and then head to bed. Nope first I have to organize my medications in my weekly pill boxes. i do two weeks at a time. I take various meds for the MS and other health needs. They help me keep going.

Hope Saturday goes well for you. Let me tell you Emma is on the ball and ready to pick up my cane if need be. We just need to practice waiting for me to tell her to do so. maybe I don't realize that in our daily routine.

Wishing you a good day.
Mary and Emma

Thursday

I am home tonight with Emma. We went to the YMCA for water exercise and stopped to purchase a new shower bar and curtain for the shower. It will be working tomorrow. We have had the bath but not a shower for awhile. The tiling turned out so nice. Our next step will be to paint. We came home and of course napped. Maybe I shouldn't write that each day since almost always we nap - even if I watch Rosa for a few hours.

Emma was hungry before her set dinner time and kept following me around with her dish. It was so cute. I did give her some of her meal early to tide her over. I measure how much she eats each meal. I don't know why today she was hungry earlier than normal.

Emma was so good in the store today. I had to walk with a cart (no scooter at this store) and I walk slow...then I forgot a few things...rested a bit and then we went back to get them. She stayed close to me and was so patient. When I am at a bigger store with a scooter we can go faster but not as fast as my own scooter. The lift for that is not installed right now into the newer van (we sold the old one) but we still use it a lot for walks in the neighborhood -except today I thought it was too warm.

Emma is so much company for me. When I was raising my 4 children I liked the hustle and bustle and activities that went with it all. Now the house seems so quiet. My health doesn't allow me to be real busy or active - though I am not complaining for someone with MS I do well!! I just am aware of how much Emma means to me.

Tonight she is helping me with a load or two of laundry. I am trying to keep up with it so I don't have so much at one time. She just seems so eager to help me in anyway she can today. I am so blessed to have her.

I am still battling some stiffness/spasms in my neck but it is better than it was - yeah. I sure wish I knew if it was MS related or maybe as silly as sleeping wrong on it? I have gentle neck exercises I am doing.

The weather is getting stormy. i better go listen to the weather.
Mary and Emma

Wednesday

I wrote yesterday but apparently didn't submit it correctly. I just looked now and thought where did it go?

Emma and I are doing fine. Yesterday we went swimming and then stopped by just to visit Rosa and her Daddy. It was fun. Came home and took a long nap. Today we heard my neurologists (MS DOCS) who help with MS talk then came home and guess what? Took a long nap. I am more fatigued than I have been for awhile. Next week that is the topic for the Wed afternoon session with my MS Doctors. I hope I remember to get there.

One thing I notice about Emma is how well she grooms herself. Often people will say she looks like she just had a bath. Her coat looks good. Seems like no matter where we go people comment "What a Pretty Dog". She makes it easy to keep up with grooming needs like brushing, and nails.

If you want to view pictures from the slide show of Emma done by the Mpls Tribune - try pasting this website into your computer

http://www.shrutimathur.com/helpingpaws0106

I think it should work for you.

Hope you have a good day. I can't think of more to write tonight. Emma and I are just relaxing....take care.....Mary

Remember the email note I mentioned yesterday. Shruti has the web address you can go to if you want to see the article that was in the Star and Tribune last year. It was fun to reread. Just cut and paste in this address http://www.shrutimathur.com/helpingpaws0106/article.html. It worked for me. I am not sure but it might interest you.

Today we were home. The woman came to clean, and Justin (we consider him family) to grout the tile. We were home till after school when we met a friend (teacher) for an early dinner. Then we went to Target to get a new iron and a few things. Emma had great behavior in each situation.

Sometimes I wish I had a camera to capture the faces of the adults and children who see a dog in the store. Some are surprised, curious, enthusiastic, puzzled and many more emotions. She sure makes a lot of children smile. Tonight there were so many young families. Adults were telling children "Look at the Puppy. She is a Working Dog".

One little boy I would guess about age 4 or 5 spoke to me. "Is that YOUR Dog?". I said yes and explained she was a working dog. I told him a few things she could do. He was pleased and said "Boy, that must come in handy!!" Then he proceeded to tell his mom about the working dog. he was just so honest and cute.

The days here are long with sunlight so late. I love that fact. I don't drive at night/dark so this makes it possible for me to be out about before it gets dark. Now I am off to bed with my Emma. Tomorrow I think we swim and will visit Rosa for a few hours. I think Greg's brother is coming to paint our garage door - yeah we need that done.

Hope you are enjoying summer. Mary and Emma