Garnet got his license for 3 more years.

It is with great pleasure that I announce that the honorable Garnet the IV has had his federally sanctioned assistance dog license extended for three more years.

Garnet is the second assistance dog that my husband, Chuck Rich, has been blessed to have been teamed with by the fabulous folks at Canine Companions for Independence.

Last week Chuck and I attended a workshop for puppy raisers in our region that includes Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.. There were easily 20 dogs, ranging in age from 12 weeks to at least 4 years old. I'm so proud of my "Mr. G" He didn't get all goofy and silly at the sight and smell of these puppies. He was in full uniform and was very disciplined.

Ok, he did sniff and touched muzzle-ever so briefly-with a rather petite hearing-assistance dog, a very pretty yellow law mix named Maya. She's a great working dog and her person, Kara, is very much in love with her. Kara also told her story. Maya has that same look of self-assurance and "I'll take care of you, friend" in her eyes that Garnet has. No wonder they touched muzzle!

The whole idea of our being at the workshop was to inspire the puppy raisers that no matter how hard the training may seem at this time, no matter how hard it will be to give that puppy back and turn-in to CCI, they should feel very, very proud of the role the played in raising the CCI dog.

Chuck and I both spoke to the puppy raisers and while we were there the CCI staff assessed how well Chuck and Garnet worked together. The result: Mr. G and my "Mr. R" have had their federal license renewed for three more years, which is the longest extension you get before you have to be tested again.

I started to choke up at the end of my presentation. You see, it would be very easy for my Mr R to not venture out in the world as much as he does. And, I don't know what it's going to be like to grow old with a man who is paralyzed from mid-chest and down. (I often misspell parplegic so correct my spelling if I got it wrong.) But, this dog is strong enough to help him move around, by pulling him in his chair. And, he cannot wait to get up and carry stuff for us. He loves working. He wakes up in the morning in a great mood, and reassures me whenever I spot him looking at me or being my "watch dog." Now, that's what he does for me. What he does for Chuck, Chuck will have to write about one day.

I've always been a dog person, ever since I was young. If you go to the Rich Dogs blog on blogger.com you'll find some of the posts I've written about my connection to my pet dogs. (Yes, Garnet lives with three other dogs and is part of a dynasty of great dogs that have graced our lives. And,I mean it. They've all graced our lives.)

I've got anxieties about the future that Garnet, and his predecessor, Greg, have helped calm. I wish everybody would look at a dog in a work vest the same way I do. They are my heroes and my best friends. I respect them. In return, they give me so much more.

Happy Holidays

http://www.sallylogue.co.uk/

Chanukah came and went with me being worried about some health issues. After some outpatient surgery, in which the anasthesia knocked the heck out of me, I'm feeling better, although I'm still dealing with backpain, most likely, the result of socoliosis, specificially, the curviture of my lower, sacral discs ofmy spine.

My husbands been dealing with a very harsh cough and possibly bronchitis. It's finally starting to show signs of letting up. We're babysitting for a visitor, a beautiful black lab named Morphias-aka-Mo'Mo'. He's a 3 year old-a puppy. Full of energy, always wanting to play, who has a bit of a Mommy fixation.

Thanks to Sally Logue, an artist in England for posting the portrait you see in this post. You can find her here: http://www.sallylogue.co.uk/


May you live life with great pets, and animals whose only goal is to better understand you better

I'm a part time staffer for a radio reading service for the blind, visually impaired and physically people who cannot effectively read print. And, I often fill in over the holidays. I have some time to sit here and think about the whirlwind of the past few weeks and to add to this blog.

I've been shying away from politics, policy and other controversial issues lately. Frankly, I've been too busy working and trying to wrap my mind around organizing my life and household better. Finally, I'm feeling a little more relaxed. I suppose that comes from being confident in the jopb that I'm now doing, while writing this blog. Also, my husband's friend is a very good doctor, and he put my mind at ease about what some previous lab results have shown.

So, back to me talking to you: I hope that you enjoy these holidays, despite the problems, and challenges, that may be weighing heavily on your mind as they weigh on my mind.