My Week

Tuesday I had lunch with the ladies of the Women's Overseas Service League.

Wednesday of course was 9-11 and we were asked to wear red white and blue.

I went to our AMVETS meeting Wednesday night.  I had perch for dinner there at the Chatham Cafe.  Our Sergeant at Arms was ill and she usually brings the flag that we salute so I took the window flag from my car.  I mentioned this to the owner that it would be nice to have a flag in the meeting room and she said she would look into it.

Wednesday I got my reject letter from Thereapy Dog International  for the TDI evaluator position.

I worked over a year to get the necessary minimum experience they require on the evaluator checklist of requirements.  This includes going thru a probationary entry membership in the Capitol Canine Training Club, adopting Amber, numerous classes, weeks of time assisting other trainers, 4 AKC titles (Canine Good Citizen,  Novice Trick Dog, Rally Novice and Rally Intermediate).  I spent so many hours on Monday afternoons from July - March observing Lisa Potts private training sessions in her home. That was not enough to please TDI.  She was the trainer for TDIEVA Sophie since there was not availability in the local obedience classes before the next TDI test. Lisa Potts would not write a letter of recommendation after all the time I spent with her.  I have paid for Rally Advanced trial on Oct 11 and some upcoming agility classes and shall look no further.  I am now feeling "sour grapes". 

I started to take apart a recliner that was chewed up in Amber's early days of training.  I've been wanting to do this but was holding off.  Now is the time to work off my madness. 
This will bring closure on her past behavior.

 
Meanwhile I'm going through hospice orientation for Memorial Medical center .  There are some pretty lengthy videos online and my completion is recorded.  In addition I get a background check and lab work.  According to TDI, this is for experienced dogs.  That would mean Sophie goes.  I do plan to phase Amber into this after her first 50 visits.  Sunday  I took Amber on her first TDI visit to Reflections after Mass.  I cleared this with the activity director a week earlier but she will be off on Sunday.

Thursday was a busy day.  Yoga was a bit shortened because the instructor's father was not well and her shoulder had pain.  Then at 10AM I had my follow-up appointment on my hearing aids and had a tune-up.  The tips were changed.  He also used a camera in my ear and said I looked good.  I asked if he ever saw any "bots".  He said he has seen little spiders in ears with the camera.  They fall from bedroom ceilings.  He also saw ticks on more than one ocassion and the person didn't even know.  In the afternoon I took Sophie on her visit.  Then at 7pm I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.  I had to leave that a little early since it usually runs over an hour so I could make my 9PM agility 101 class.  

I was the only one that brought a bucket. There were not enough for all so someone used mine and the dog peed on it. Of course the rules involve the owner to clean up but I sanitized it when I got home.  I know about the scent drive and I do use this bucket inside.  The buckets from the club were smaller. I should get a small one to get her to put front paws on one and feet on another.


Had late practice Thurs night at 9 for Amber. we are in Agility 101. I think we are ahead of the rest of the class actually. Then I was busy with 2 back to back exercise classes. then I got a PayPal payment for 2 of my barbie dolls to ship.. I picked up a new small bucket at the tractor store. then had 7pm Ring Ready obedience training

Saturday morning I took Amber and Sophie to Southwind Park for  APL's first annual Donuts and Dogs 5K Fun Run.  I did not pre-register and there was a long line for those that did not register in advance.  So we went to visit the booths. Amber got a doggie massage which was really good for her because she seemed skeptical (shy) at first.
This is not Amber's massage but another dog by the same masseuse.  I really think the doggie massage was good for this budding therapy dog.

 Amber was interested in the balloons

 Nice photo op at the with the sunflower that doubles as a solar energy source for the park.

 Mini waterfall and off course they both got in the stream.

Afterward, I took the dogs to the Cool Cruzers car show since I wanted to see the booth for our Legion Riders and Wreaths Across America.  I also ran into Peggy and Dean there with their car, Gertie.   She snapped this photo of me and the girls hiding in the shade of a neighboring parked show car (not Gertie)

 In the evening I went to Gordmans to pick up some hula hoops for my dog training.  These are a little hard to find at the end of the season.  While there I saw a rug that was in the sale rack with no price tag.  I inquired and was offered a decent price and said I'd take it so the man brought it to the register for me.  When I checked out, he only charged me $1 with the condition of "no  returns".  Heck yeah!

Sunday I was the first reader at Mass.  Listen here:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/2019/19_09_15.mp3

Well it's kinda like those parents who take pictures of their kids' first day of school. This is Amber's first Therapy Dog visit. She's not much for laps but the residents really enjoyed her tricks. She played piano, paws/feet on bucket, roll over, spin right/left, obedience walk around, basic rally work, dead dog, roll over, hi-5, and demonstrated "leave it". We need to learn more tricks!