Tying up Loose Ends....Updates

1. Me and Miss Daisy are no longer travelling the country!!!  Hubby had an opportunity drop out of the sky just before we left Amarillo, TX.  He interviewed for a recently opened position he had here before going on the storm team five years ago and got it!  Definitely a God thing......  Me and Miss Daisy will shift our focus to therapy opportunities; however, I do know of three upcoming road trips.  Stay tuned.  (All Around Amarillo)
2. Mema fell and broke her leg in September, so Me and Miss Daisy remain available to visit and go to her after she completes Rehab.  We have been to Middle TN  four days so far.  (Me and Miss Daisy are Burning the Roads) 
3. Daisy's furry pen pal, Jazzy (from SC), is going to our beach place soon.  She has a Halloween birthday.  (Me and Miss Daisy's Animal Friends)  
4. It is getting colder here in the Atlanta area this weekend.  Our lemons and limes are not ripe, so they will be coming indoors this weekend.  The lemons have a tinge of yellow to them, and the lime bush is blooming again but still has immature fruit.  (Lemons, Limes, and Pansies)
5. There is a chrysalis in our dry aquarium plus a remaining caterpillar yet to "turn."  Oh, and they  are not Monarchs.  They are Eastern Black Swallowtails based on the fact that they were found eating the leaves of a parsley plant.  Monarchs eat milkweed.  (Linda)
6. Our friends, Collette and Bluebell, were deployed back to Amarillo last week.  Collette, say hello to everyone at the Residence Inn for us!  (Me and Miss Daisy's Animal Friends)
7. Our trainer at PetSmart has been absent the last two Wednesday's due to health problems, so Me and Miss Daisy continue to practice our assignments on separating from each other.  (Daisy Goes to School)
8. The Sisterchicks had supper together last night at a new Peachtree City restaurant called "Due South."  Blackened BBQ Shrimp & Grits, Loaded Grilled Half-Pound Angus Burger with Tobacco Onion Rings (named for their color), Southern Fried Chicken Tenderloins, Warm Chicken & Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans, Brunswick Stew, and ONE piece of Dirty Cheese Cake (oreos) to split made for an interesting variety of dishes to sample.  (Sisterchicks Weekend, 2013)

   

   One  more Halloween pic (Daisy Dresses Up for Halloween)

     

Daisy Dresses Up for Halloween

Me and Miss Daisy have been playing dress up recently.   She likes to "help" put on her clothes by lowering her head for me to slip the neck of her outfit over her head, and lifting each paw for the sleeves.  She knows what's up....treats or a car ride to see Mema in TN.

Touched by an angel

Jazzy sent this cute bandanna

Snow White, her favorite

Are you scared?

Happy Halloween!

Me & Miss Daisy are Burning the Roads

Me and Miss Daisy have been to the beach and to TN since arriving home from Amarillo in early September.  Our friend Susan accompanied us to Myrtle Beach, SC,  for a few days of relaxation and to prepare our rental for upcoming guests this month and next.

Susan and Amy At Sea Captain's House Restaurant for Brunch

Daisy at the beach

 Ocean Lakes is our next favorite place to home.

Our "home away from home," "The Surf Shack"

Daisy sleeps under the stars

Daisy's Mema (my mom) broke her leg while entertaining family and friends from TX.  She tripped over some tree roots when they visited Old Stone Fort in Manchester, TN.  Me and Miss Daisy arrived home from Myrtle Beach and headed  for Middle TN where Mema is in rehab.  Hurry and get well, Mema!

Daisy and Mema

Daisy gives kisses

Daisy Goes to School

Me and Miss Daisy began classes at Petsmart when she was four months old.  She was a good student and passed 18 classes.  (There was a NY storm deployment in between the 2nd and 3rd set of classes.)  Daisy received "Longest Down" and "Cutest Trick" recognition along the way.  HOWEVER, she has trouble with  separation anxiety.  This prevents her from obtaining her AKC Canine Good Citizen paperwork, a stepping stone to becoming a recognized therapy dog.

Daisy with her instructor, Megan

Me and Miss Daisy recently had an assessment of her abilities for the test.  Daisy should be able to sit, stay, lie down, and heel on command.  She should accept friendly strangers, allow herself to be handled by the evaluator, come when called, walk through crowds, show little attention to other dogs in passing and sit politely for petting.  She did well except for "you know what."

We have had some private tutoring on Wednesdays.  Our assignments have been for me to put her on her back for increasing amounts of time for calming and in order for her to know me as pack leader, practice leaving her with a trusted friend for the three minutes, going out of her sight and returning when she stops barking, ignoring her when I first return from shopping or errands (instead of getting her too excited upon returning), and making her wait before going in or out of a door--again, calming her and getting her confidence up.

Chris placing Daisy on her back

Today is another Wednesday.  Time for her to show her progress.  She visited a nursing home this week, and a co-worker of Hubby's and a neighbor helped out by holding her while I left her for three minutes.  She sure has been clingy though this week.......

Daisy and a local assisted living center's residents