My Week

 Tuesday: exercise at 7:45. Trick dog at Reflections at 1:30. We had a record for snow of 3/10" on this date.

Since it snowed, I showed the residents at the nursing home how Amber can wipe her paws.  I was actually happy that the residents of the nursing home enjoyed the hoola hoop jumps.  It seems like many handlers are getting frustrated with the management of Therapy Dog International because we have not gotten our 2021 ID card and dog tags that we should have gotten December 31st.  I just printed out the website that shows Amber and Sophie are active therapy dogs. 

Amber had obedience practice at 7 and our last scheduled rat hunt practice 8:20.  I either have to give up ratting or get a practice rat for the fall trial.

Wednesday I had a meeting of the Veterans Assistance Commission of which I'm secretary. 
I got reelected as secretary of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County.  I did have a contender. 

Thursday I had a massage.  Rebecca is the best.  She even uses a punch card for the massage visits.  She is also a veteran.  Scent of the day was lemon. 

In the evening I was on a zoom meeting for the last in a series of our "Jesus Approaches" women's retreat.  The author was a guest on our final zoom retreat.

Friday our exercise group had breakfast at the Chatham Cafe.  Sure seemed more crowded than previous Fridays were. 

As I got the dogs all leashed up to go for our long walk, Sophie stopped and pulled me toward the car to go somewhere.  She likes to go for a ride somewhere and it's not an isolated instance.  I think she misses going to the nursing home and getting petted and pampered.  I've driven my dogs to the park and to the pet friendly stores.  Today I drove to Lake Springfield.  There I saw this really thorny tree.

Here I am with the girls on a kayak dock.

I think they get tired our our neighborhood mile walk.  Amber did well at Friday practice. We were last in line and she hid behind me while we waited our turn because there’s 3 dogs she’s not fond of because of past aggression. I also think she's getting more possessive of me as her companion.  We are getting ready for June 19 obedience trial like our big failure last January that upset me.

Saturday morning I went to yoga class.  We had a substitute teacher.  I went to the north side of town to make a donation to the Legion Riders for their Legacy fund.  They were standing out in the rain.  Then I had lunch with my friend, Liz, at Star 66 Cafe. 

Sunday, as I listened to the Gospel, there is emphasis on the Good Shepherd.  This time I heard something new.  The first part seems often ignored about intruders coming over the fence and not through the gate.  A hired shepherd will run when he sees a wolf because he is getting paid and no love or ownership of the sheep. A Good Shepherd has stake in his flock.  I think this is why the framers of our constitution insisted on our president as a natural born citizen because they will have a stake in this country.  This applies to our current immigration crisis. It applies to renters vs landlords. 

The woman who ushers (we've had social distancing ushers) noticed me missing the last 3 weeks.  I had been to Missouri on Easter for Barn Hunt and CPE Agility the following week and I went to another another parish on the north side that honored our deceased Catholic War Veterans on the third miss.  I shall miss again next week.  I got our mile walk in before Sean came over.  I made a BBQ pork roast with  a potato-cheese based casserole.  Sean did his laundry and we watched a few more seasons of Outlander.  I cut the grass then watched a movie called "Bohemian Rhapsody".  I loved the music of Queen but didn't know all the background.

Now I've been tossing and turning in my head, after a year plus of COVID-19 restrictions, about those that were vaccinated and now shedding mRNa cells to the non-vaccinated.  It affects the reproduction system.  It's not very well known that this is a plandemic as evidenced by using the first copyrighted virus to put fear in people. Fear is driving people to get a shot that has not been approved by the FDA.  I believe it's tainted with intent to harm.  The vaccine is developed using aborted fetuses.  The news media, my church, employers, and medics should stop pushing the COVID vaccine like they are going to die without it. They push it because of fear of reprisal and sanctions. The goal of the New World Order is to reduce the population by 80% which is against the Biblical teaching to "go and be fruitful".  Now I will no longer reproduce but I don't want this bad protein either.  People cannot be un-vaccinated.  Those that normally would not get vaccinated are being told they can't see their grandchildren unless they are fully vaccinated.  For some they are even blackmailed in order to travel or even stay employed.  Truth views have to go underground because people don't want to hear the truth.  They want to hear science. Science doesn't lie but a scientist will.   American and Chinese science that is.  I cry when I see people caving or questioning my vaccine status.  Where is FREEDOM?    I shall wear a star patch like the Jews only to indicated "unvacinated"?  This is the new holocaust.   https://nojabforme.info

Time to break another wine glass.

 

My Week

 A few weeks ago, you may recall from previous blog, that Amber was in Delavan for an agility trial.  It took awhile for the certificates to show up on the website.   I don't believe a title is attained until I see it so now I'm a believer.   She has earned a Novice Hoopers and Novice Tunnelers title with NADAC.

At Monday night's VFW meeting I was sworn in as a 3 year trustee.  Oh well, all officers get exhausted (except the post surgeon).   Just means I review the bookkeeping quarterly.

Wednesday's trick class that I conduct had no-shows.  I stayed for 1/2 hour training Amber.  I brought her home at 6PM and then quickly went to our Amvets meeting.  Only four of us showed up for that meeting.  I fear we will be closing our post in the near future.

Thursday was Lincoln's Death day.  I had the privilege to help place a wreath for the Springfield Soldiers Aid Society at the Death Day Ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  This year marks the 156th year since this great leader died. Peggy and I placed the wreath along with other organizations. 

Waiting for the program to begin.

Some of the men asked if the dress was new and I said not really that I had it a couple years but it's wool. During the summer I wear cotton. They laughed because the soldiers are in wool year round.

I now have a DAR ID number.  Volunteer hours for this event were credited to DAR.  I have been tallying up volunteer hours for veteran related activities to both AMVETS and VFW but historic preservation category was not reported for veterans organizations.  Now the veteran related volunteer hours can be double dipped.

I went to the dentist on Friday to fix a filling that fell out.  I think I was done in like 10 minutes.  When I got there, his assistant aimed one of those temperature screenings at my forehead and I yelled "ouch".  She fell for it.  Ha ha ha!

Saturday there was another ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb that I brought Sophie along to watch.  This ceremony was more for the Sons of the Union Veterans involving many from out-of-town on a Saturday. Sophie enjoyed getting out.   Afterward I picked up a new hoe at Lowes, needle threaders at Joanne's (they both allow dogs), and some food from the BBQ truck.

I cut the grass but ran out of gas with a little patch remaining in the back yard.  Oh heck, it grows so fast back there that I'll get it next time.  My dogwood tree is in full bloom.  I've set out my humming bird feeder that I got for Christmas from my son.  Fingers crossed the little thing returns.

Sunday I went to our Catholic War Veterans Memorial Mass alone at St John Vianey Church.  The priest brought communion to us remaining in the pews in addition to other COVID restrictions.

So just after I stop forwarding my blog to friends and have them subscribe directly, the feature is slated for closure.  I got this notice "Recently, the Feedburner team released a system update announcement , that the email subscription service will be discontinued in July 2021.
After July 2021, your feed will still continue to work, but the automated emails to your subscribers will no longer be supported."

 

My Week

Tuesday I went to vote and when it said the end, I noticed there were 2 ballots in the folder.  They were stuck together apparently and the spare was not initialed by the election judge so I turned it in.  Not too many contested elections so it was a no-brainer.

At 1:30 I took Amber back to the nursing home for the first time in over a year.  The activity director had the residents sitting in a row behind the table with a front stage for Amber to perform tricks.  It was a great success. They seemed to get a kick out of the mail box among others.  I would like to teach Amber to close the mail box door but she's more interested in opening.  That's because initially there were treats inside.  I would have to treat on close and that's a whole new skill.  We were invited back in 2 weeks.  In the evening I went to the general membership meeting for the Capitol Canine Training Club.  I slipped out at the end to go to ratting practice in Rochester at 8:20.  Amber was still hitting on an empty tube instead of a tube with a rat in it.  "It's the critter not the litter" is our motto.

Wednesday I took the dogs to see how they would get along at a potential dog sitter for upcoming trip to the memorial.  I started the first week of open trick classes to members of the club.

After acquainting the girls with Connie, the pet sitter, I was on my way home and a lady swiped my car and scratched it. She admitted fault but a kind man stopped to give me his info as a witness. She was in the turn lane and changed her mind to go straight and I was the unlucky one in the blind spot. Shook up but easy to exchange insurance and move on.  The worst part was the thud of the impact.

Her insurance adjuster stopped by on Monday to make arrangements.  I'm not in a hurry but they like to close cases.

Then later I stopped to pick something up and put it back since I couldn't  my wallet. I retraced my steps and they had it at the customer service desk at County Market.
At 5:30,  I had open a Wednesday trick class at the club. Two people showed up with dogs.   Thursday evening I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.

Amber and I earned six 1st place ribbons out of ten runs. Sure we were first because we may have been a one-n-only in our category but it sure makes all that work (and training $) rewarding. Level one/two competitors are always last for the day and least amount of obstacles to load on the truck so I had to get this photo before the tunnel got packed up. Love ya Amber Ann! 😍 #nationalpetday2021 

Saturday 4/10/2021:
               FullHouse L1 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Score: 24 (Q)  Time: 37.15 seconds  1st Place

               Standard L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Distance: 139 yards  SCT: 71 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 48.15 seconds  1st Place

               Wildcard L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Distance: 91 yards  SCT: 49 seconds
               Score: 25 (NQ)  Time: 29.59 seconds  2nd Place

               Snooker L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               No Time

               Colors L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Distance: 72 yards  SCT: 41 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 18.06 seconds  1st Place

    Sunday 4/11/2021:
               Jackpot L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Score: 39 (Q)  Time: 43.40 seconds  1st Place

               Standard L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Distance: 132 yards  SCT: 69 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 45.68 seconds  1st Place

               Snooker L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               No Time

               Wildcard L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Distance: 81 yards  SCT: 46 seconds
               Score: 15 (NQ)  Time: 26.82 seconds  3rd Place

               Jumpers L1 -  8 Inch - Judge: Brenda Gilday
               Distance: 92 yards  SCT: 51 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 20.61 seconds  1st Place
  Only the Q's count as qualified scores.  At least Wildcard and Snooker are consistently NQs.  It was rainy both days and I ran the course in my rubber boots.  The sun came out when it was all over.  Most dogs would prefer a tunnel to a teeter so I planned my route that way and guess what? Amber started up the teeter when I called out "tunnel".  I called her off to re-route into the tunnel.  Wildcard doesn't allow for mistakes.

Well we did finish the final title in Level 1 since we had other titles in Level 1 series with one left open.  We attained a title called Fun Level 1.   Other runs were in Level 2 that we started.  Level 2 gets more challenging with the introduction of 6 pole weaves.   Weaves are hard and Amber will do them on my left (heeling side) only.  I have to position myself accordingly while still practicing the right side.

Three times I saw dogs have an accident in the ring.  Automatic failure.   

I tried to make up for lost time with Sophie by taking both dogs on a long walk.  Sophie soiled her fluffy little butt and needed cleaned up.  

Monday evening I went to our VFW meeting and got sworn in as a three year trustee. 

 

 

 

My week

 

Tuesday evening I went to practice at 7PM for the upcoming obedience trials in June.  I then went to Rochester for rat practice only to be informed that I wasn't on the schedule.  That's a bit disappointing since I thought I was before the upcoming Barn Hunt trials this weekend.  Another that came from far away Bloomington came to practice in the time slot that I had originally requested but mis-read the email appointment.

 Wednesday I went to agility practice in Mechanicsburg at 11AM and agility practice at Deb’s in Rochester .  There were 4 of us students (all masked in a big barn/shed designed for agility).  Deb said that when we are all fully vaccinated we won’t have to wear masks.  One was double masked.  I get the feeling that those of us that chose not to take this experimental vaccine (not approved by the FDC) will become the new lepers of society. 

I learned that Don Butler from our AmVets post had died the day before by a mutual friend who pulled over to tell me when he saw me walking the dogs.

For April Fools Day, I found a "shed" (antler) while walking my dogs this morning. I put it in my garden like my sister said along with my snake and painted rocks. Now I understand about boasting when a shed is found!

I went to Holy Thursday Mass.  I am really moved by this service despite being masked.  Last year we couldn't celebrate Maunday Thursday at all.  There was no washing of the feet this year.

Friday our Powerworks Masters wore our red shirts.

At 1PM, I met with the CWV to pick 6 artwork posters for an Easter coloring contest to go forward for national CWV poster contest.  

I walked the girls to where I saw a photo opportunity last year.  Sure enough, the same house decorated.  I put my bunny ears on the dogs, Amber and Sophie.

 

Catholic War Veterans Valentine’s Day Poster Contest winners. The top 3 were all from Illinois.

 

Kaylin Hartwick of St John The Evangelists School in Carollton won First Place in the Valentine Poster Contest.  Presentation of the check by Bishop McNicolas Post members on March 30, 2021.  Pizza and drinks were provided for her class 

 

2d place winner of the Valentine Poster Contest went to Clara Hyatt of St Anthony’s School in Effingham, IL. She was presented a check for $75 by members of the CWV post 1916 on March 29, 2021.  Cup cakes and drinks were provided for the grade school

 

 

3rd place award went to Delilah Jones of Christ the King school in Springfield, IL with a $50 check presentation on March 31, 2021.

 

 

Early Saturday morning I took Amber to Barn Hunt at Purina Farms near Eureka, Mo and brought Sophie along.  She did not find the rat on two trials on Saturday nor Sunday.

We went inside the Purina Area and had a photo taken in the lounge.  There was some practice going on so the doors were open.

 Amber is not used to hotel living.  She kept woofing.  I thought she felt that the the noises of people walking in the hall were invading our territory.  I brought the kennel in from the car to make her feel more secure.  I went to Easter Eve services at Sacred Heart Church in Eureka.  It was the best service ever.  Andrew was baptized and three others were confirmed and received First Communion.  I don't hear very well but the priest was a ventriloquist at the end of Mass he pulled out a puppet to discuss Easter eggs.  

Amber failed her 5th attempt at indicating a rat in the Barn Hunt at Purina Farms.  In fact it was so bad on Sunday morning that she was the only fail on the roster.   I have a new phrase is "It's the critter not the litter".

Photos of all the dogs are listed here:  https://cathypullian.smugmug.com/Barn-Hunt-4321/

As far as I'm concerned, I took my dogs to Six Flags since that's where the hotel was located near.  Amber had a good time at Six Flags.  In fact, the hotel was full of visitors for Six Flags weekend.  After I got back from Mass Saturday night, the parking lot was full except for one space.  When I pulled into that slot, I saw why.  It said reserved for veteran who served.

When I got home about 1PM, my sons were waiting for me.  They turned over the soil in my garden.  That was really appreciated.  They brought and prepared a nice Easter dinner with prime rib.  I gave them a chocolate egg and a vial of Easter Holy Water from the church in Missouri .  We watched the comedy of Dave Chapelle. I never saw Alan laugh so much.

 I was thinking of getting Amber a pet but this is not what I have in mind. 

You can imagine the pet I have in mind.  So the day after our 5th failed attempt to find a rat in Barn Hunt sports, I come home from exercise class to find a mouse in my trap from under the porch.  It was stuck by just the leg so I let Amber get over her fear of it's movement.  After awhile, she seemed to enjoy it and her natural terrier ratting instinct came back.  

Now I've been warned that dogs know the difference between the odor of a rat and a mouse but this is a stepping stone.  She seemed to realize the scent comes with movement.  God will provide a ram stuck in the bush for the holocaust in the form of a trapped mouse.    While Amber was playing with her new hobby, I dug up a dandelion next to my asparagus and saw the first spear of the season.

I'm now working on a video for Trick Champion.  It seems a bit easy.