These MN Twins Fans were tired today ha ha. We did go to swimming and that felt good. I can exercise in the water in ways I cannot do so outside the water. It is so comforting and good for those of us with MS. We have one lady who has lost so much ability and muscle strength but with the assist of a swim belt can still swim. The belt is just for extra safety if she gets tired. She can no longer stand or walk on her own...so she loves the movement in the water. Sometimes she can hold a standing position there...she is an inspiration to us all.

We came home and took a nap. i mean a mega nap. I slept for Four - yes four hours. Tonight I will go to bed at a more reasonable time. I mention that especially for those with MS. Not everyone with MS needs those mega naps but sometimes I sure do. It is not lazy but needed to replenish my energy supply.

Emma and I had fun outside playing with her frisbee and other toys I throw. The frisbee and a good old fashion ball please her immensely. She likes watching the birds, rabbits and squirrels that are around this time of year. The temperature was very comfortable today.
I think in the high 60's?

They are saying we might see sun and 80"s by Sunday or Monday. Now with MS I don't need it too much higher than 80. My motor function declines when i get too hot. I love being outside in the spring and summer and fall though. We did not go for a walk today, hopefully tomorrow. My long nap meant a late supper so we just didn't get out there to walk before dark.

My doctor for MS always says "Some things are worth being tired for" and I agree. I don't mind the mega sleeps now and then in order to participate in life. I heard we might get some twins tickets from friends for another time also. We heard they won today in a day game (which we slept through).

Emma doesn't mind the mega naps either. I guess she got up when Greg got home from work and then climbed back into bed with me. Tomorrow I will get her outdoors for more exercise and we need to make a trip to the grocery store for a few things also. Yeah Friday we will see my daughter Anna for awhile. i have the greatest kids in the world.

Off to do my dishes, Mary and Emma

(Now Emma would be happy to lick them clean for me. Wouldn't it be nice if that worked? No I do them by washing them. She picks up dish towels or utencils or things I drop.'

We went to the Twins Game tonight. Emma did fine. She laid under our seats. At one point she was a bit streched out to where there was an empty seat by me. Can you believe this? The people right beside me dumped a bunch of their food garbage right in front of her nose. I mean practically on top of her. Especially the peanut shells flew all over. I mean I don't want that stuff on my dog. I thought it was very rude. I know people often dump their trash on the floor at a stadium - but when there is a dog right there? I was not a happy camper.
Emma responded to the command "leave it" but we moved her a bit just the same.

we went out to use the bathroom and strech at the end of the 7th innning. The walkiing on steps was difficult for me. The usher pointed out she had a handicaped area seat open so Emma and I watched the rest of the game from there. The floor was clean and their was more leg room so more room for her to rest. Now most of the people by us both in the beginning of the game and end of the game were just wonderful. They thought Emma was so cute and well behaved.

The Twins lost but that didn't damper the fun we have. We came early and could picnic on the plaza outside the metrodome. It was fun to eat there and also fun to people watch. I wore my Twins jersey that I got for my birthday last year. Greg had a Twins shirt too. I should have tied a homer hanky on Emma. She was very patient both inside and outside with all the noise and all the people. She is such a good dog.

Tomorrow we get to sleep in which is good since this is a late bedtime for us. We will go swimming if all goes as planned and are invited out to lunch as well. I never thought I would be fortunate enough to go out to lunch with friends like I do. We go to places that are in expensive - but I sure enjoy the company of friends.

Emma had fun in her yard today. Tonight when we got home she ran so fast round and round the yard. I always think she is glad to get home - or is that because I am?? I hope we get to another game but next time maybe they will wind. We got tickets through my daughter's work - it was very enjoyable.

Hope you have a nice day. take time for some fun.
Hey Tiga had her puppies!! If you want to see pictures of them and read the blog send me a comment with your email address included.

I am sure Judy and Tiga are busy with eight little puppies. I am so glad they are all healthy.
Mary and Emma

Monday

I fell again today. My goodness I am going to have to use my cane every second. This time I was moving really slow. I banged up my knee and elbow when I fell in the driveway. I was leaning on the car for balance. Moving around to the other side to get something out of the car and also my cane. Greg was home but had gone in the house. At first I thought I would have to lay there awhile. I had let Emma go into the house with him. I won't do that again. I could have had her go for help, try to brace herself to get me up etc. In any case after a few minutes I could get up by myself. Thank goodness.

Book club was interesting. We discussed The Bluest Eye by Toni Morris. It is a pretty depressing book though she is a good author. Our next book is "What We Keep" by Elizabeth Berg. I have read it before a few years ago but look forward to reading it again. We try to include variety in our book choices. Emma is great at book club. The staff at the store also like her. She lays quietly in her spot while we discuss things.

Emma enjoyed being in her yard in the nice weather. It was in the 60's and sunny. We snuck in two naps today. i guess I was tired from the weekend.

At the weekend, the hard thing is everyone wants to pet the dogs. There were three service dogs there. One was an excellently groomed large poodle trained by hearing and service dogs. Michelle had her Helping Paws Golden Retriever. I am sorry I can't remember her name today. I was thinking at this next year maybe we should ask in their announcement in the beginning (you know where bathrooms are etc) we should ask if one of us or a staff person would explain that the helping dogs are working and cannot be petted. The three of us all felt this large event with almost three hundred people is distracting enough for the dogs. There was loud music at times. You don't mean to be rude but it gets old when everyone wants to pet her.

I think sometimes I say yes just because I am weary of explaining why over and over all weekend long why she can't be petted, yes she gets play time, etc. You hear over and over "I just can't help myself - I want to pet that dog". I want a good reply to that that is both respectful but firm. I did try to tell people she was working. Unfortunately like any group of people some people start petting before I have a chance to get out my words.

Emma does handle petting well and gets back in focus. But I want it to only be when I tell her it is okay and then limited time. If I am going to let someone pet her I say - wait till I tell her it is okay. She Always looks at me when someone reaches to pet her. I want that behavior to continue and her to stay in step with me unless I say release or take off the pat.

I am thinking about camp and how I will handle that. Will I make you crazy if I count the days? Yes we go to camp in 13 days. This is the first time they are having two camps - one in May and one in August. I was not accepted for August so am going in May. I am confident it will be fun and maybe the cooler weather of May will be good for camp.

Part of the problem is myself and I know that. Okay helping Paws Staff don't hate me. I have to be firmer about if I want her petted or not. Michelle I believe told me what she found is in those situations if you think you are going to let one or a few people pet her, pretty soon everyone thinks that they can do so. She is so correct in that observation.

A friend on the MS Staff suggested I say "It is really hard for me to tell you no but Emma is working and you cannot pet her". Sounds polite right! But some people are petting her before you get that sentence out of your mouth. They just don't know better or think they should be the exception.

Now I don't want to scream at them "Hey don't touch my dog, that means you and yes you are a grown up - you can help yourself and don't touch my dog". I confess sometimes I think it though.

I think part of it this weekend is I was in crowded hallways, big dinning area that was packed with people. So when we were moving, we were often going slowly. Then I am watching our steps so we don't stumble and get where we want to go. Then it is easier for people to reach down and touch her and that is exactly when I dont want her distracted.

I know it is a matter of education. We do our best to educate others. Many people did understand and respect that you should not touch a working dog. I guess I am just a bit frustrated about it this time. I don't mean to suggest all the MS women were touching the dogs. I just think more education is needed.

There is also lots of questions about what a service dog does. It would be a good audience for a demo but I think Eileen would get a large amount of calls asking for dogs!! The focus is on women's health issues normally.

I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining. We had a great weekend. IT was partly my fault as I let a few pet Emma and then others wanted to do so. The other two women have had their dogs longer and told me they just say no to everyone and that works better. My idea of a little announcement at the beginning of the weekend might be a possibility for next year.

I am going to watch the Twins and go to bed early. We get to go to a Twins game Wed night - yeah for that.

Go Twins and have a happy tuesday.

Mary and Emma

We had a super fun weekend Fri-Sunday. We are tired tonight and I have a book to finish for book club tomorrow. I will write more Monday.

Emma did show off her hunting instince. I used a long flexi leash when I took her outside to go potty or exercise. She went up to a bunch of bushes and some birds all rose up and flew. She was so excited to scare up those birds. I have a friend who likes to tell us what a good hunting dog she would be due to her breed. He is probably right.

She ran around like crazy in her own fenced yard and then indoors when we got home. On the way home she had her head against the window and I think fell asleep. She is just the most adorable dog. She also loved sleeping with me. She didn't have to share any room with Greg and spread out as much as she could.

Greg says the cat here was pretty lonesome since he worked long hours. It was the first time Greg has been alone in the house without Emma and I and with no kids living at home. He said it was so quiet without me. Sometimes I know he thinks I talk too much but I guess without me it was a bit lonely. But he worked tons so is fine.

I better get that bood done for book club and head to bed.
It was nice to see so many of my friends from camp there this weekend and others I have met through the MS society programs.

Mary and Emma

The highlight of our day was visiting Helping Paws and the best was seeing Judy Emma's foster mom . Okay we enjoyed our nap too ha ha when we got home.

I think Emma has such a joy when she sees Judy. No she will never forget that special bond. We got there before puppy class (they are 11 months now) was over. It took great restraint for Emma to stay with me once she eyed Judy. Judy was working with Charlie, the dog she is currently trainning. There was a group working with their dogs.

I think Emma would have liked to meet those dogs when they were not working or learning and PLAY. She managed great to watch class. Once she was able to meet Judy she just wiggled with delight. She has such affection for Judy. I almost cry when i see that she will never forget her first mom. yeah we both love Judy.

She also knew some of the other foster moms and the staff. She had fun and yes I let them pet her if they wanted to do so. There new place is bigger, brighter, and just so nice. Very cheerful.

Judy treated us to lunch. She drove. Yeah as I don't know my way around Hopkins. We jabbered away. Well she had tons of questions for me so I hope she did feel like I also listened to her. She is just the neatest lady. I feel so honored that she raised Emma and that this reconnected us. She has an awesome family. i loved being the teacher to two of her three children.

I feel so grateful to the organization that I wished I could do more to help them out or something. I sure by word of mouth sing their praises to everyone I meet. It is a great organization.

We also swam again today or should I say I swam. It was so weird what happened. Emma always is in a "drop" on a towel near the lifegaurd desk. She knows the lifegaurds. Well normally she keeps her eye on me, and snoozes a bit too.

Well today she was sitting and looked alarmed. She didn't make a sound but I knew something seemed wrong. I walked over in the pool to her - I mean close to her but staying in the pool and asked her to drop. She didn't which like never happens. Emma is a dog who never minds dropping (lying down).

I got out and petted her and reassured her that all was well. The instructor realized one of the plastic bins of equipment we used was not in the usual place. She said I bet it is blocking her view of you. She easily dropped once petted and assured I was fine. We moved the equipment bin so her view of me was wide open - and she did just fine the rest of the class. I do believe my wonderful Miss Emma was uncomfortable with not being able to see me. I suppose when she sat up her view was better.

I have never had the slightest problem with her at the YMCA. Her behavior by the pool, and in the locker room is wonderful. How am I so fortuante to have such a great dog in my life. Trained by Judy no less!!! And now we both are part of the awesome family of Helping Paws. What a blessing.

One day till we go - yep we leave tomorrow for the Women's Getaway. It is an educational event and a fun event too.

Have a nice Friday. Mary and Emma