Fundraiser

 Since Bug has past her temperament test to get into the service dog training I now need to raise money. I have started a fundraiser page. If you can help please donate. Bug and I appreciate any help you can give.

Bug's Service Dog Training

Eval

Today I met with the trainer who will be helping me train Bug. She came over and did a temperament test and said she'd be a good candidate for service dog training. She gave us some advice on getting her settled in and told us about how long to let it take. With in the past few hours since the trainer left I can already see a difference. Right now we are working on getting her comfortable with her kennel, us being pack leader, starting on getting her "up" in my lap and reinforcing basic commands.

Introducing Lady Bug

This pretty girl will be on my doorstep tomorrow evening. I'm so excited! She is a 2yr old pit bull. We are adopting her from a friend of the family. I hear shes a what a pit bull is really like, sweet, kind, gentle, and the best of all....a cuddle bug! I have found a trainer here in town and she is going to help me see if shes a good candidate for becoming a service dog for me. If she is I am going to start training her as my service dog. I am praying she is.

New Year

I'm not big on New Year resolutions but I found this and decided these are things I'm going to work on this year. A few of these will be tough but I will be a better person to give these up.

What a Year!

2013, what a year! Moved 3 times within 6 months, robbed 3 times, part time caregiver died and fired a caregiver. The good times of this year was my cousin's wedding, new van and moving back home. Hoping 2014 will be a better year!

Katie's Shower

This past weekend was Katie's bridal shower. We decided on a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theme. Mostly just used the colors and had "diamonds" and pearls sprinkled here and there. It turned out great! Katie got a lot of kitchen stuff. Saturday night we had dinner at Katie and Seth's house and I got to see someone special!

 My baby boy! He's doing great! He is so happy being a home dog. Sorry these are sideways.

Foster mommies

Today Lisa and I became foster moms to two adorable female puppies. The shelter says they are litter mates but I'm not sure about that. They are 7-8 weeks old. Pixie is an aussie shepherd mix and Jewel is a lab mix. To me Jewel doesn't look like a lab at all. Every Saturday they go to an adoption event until they are adopted.I'm hoping I don't get attached to them.

What A Month!

May has been one hell of a month! Everything that could go wrong did. Our move is on hold till this week. After we signed our lease we found all sorts of stuff wrong with "our cute little house." We found that:

1. a new roof is needed
2. windows DO NOT open
3. screens are needed
4. wires had to be fixed
5. AC control panel needed replacing
6. toilets needed fixing
7. sink in 1 bathroom needed fixing
8. had to build ramp onto deck to get me in the house(we knew that)
9. closets need closet rods
10. needs stove & fridge(they gave us stove)
11. air vents needed

Lisa's ex-husband and ex-father-in-law built the ramp onto the deck for us. They also cut our yard too. While they were mowing our yard one of the city counsel members was driving by and stopped to thank them because it was getting bad. Come to find out the owners at one time had to be taken to court to tear down their garage because it was so bad. They also said the neighborhood was trying to get it condemned because it turned into a "drug house." It isn't in a bad part of town but guess the owners were letting anyone rent it. The counsel member looked around and sent an inspector and fire marshal out the following day.We find all this stuff out days before we were to move in. Since so much needed to be done we pushed moving back about a week. Nothing still had been done on the house and owners said they never got a list(which is a lie!). Tuesday of this week the fire marshal shows up and does a walk through and gives the owner a list of what has to be done. It takes the fire marshal showing up to get things done. Now we have working toilets, a working AC control panel, new ceiling fans, light for the deck, windows that open(3 out of 15 windows may not lock or open 1"...6 out of 15 don't have screens at all, the others do but have rips in them). Friday we took a load to the house ans started unpacking some. Lisa has the kitchen almost completely unpacked. While unpacking the kitchen we realized we only have 1 outlet in the kitchen to use.

On our way home Friday we had to stop and get gas. As Lisa was pumping gas someone drove up beside us, hopped out, opened the passenger door, grabbed Lisa's purse and drove off. I started yelling and Lisa popped her head in asking me what was wrong and I told her "HE HAS YOUR PURSE!" She turned just in time to catch the license plate number. After waiting 2 hours for cops to show up; and they didn't until after we got home, we decided to go to a station in the morning. While waiting for cops we call banks to cancel cards and my parents to let them know what happened. This is the 4th time within 8 months! So glad to be moving out of a big city.

There was 1 thing good that happened to us. We found a puppy! We took her back to her owner and they said keep her. Lisa's ex-boyfriend is taking her but I feel she will probably be staying with our pack. She's such a lover and a snuggle bug! Lisa's ex named her Sarah...Lisa & I named her Mulcahy when we found her but he said she looks like a Sarah.

Moving Day

It's almost time for us to move! The people we are renting from want us to move in on the 15th instead of beginning of June. So much needs to be figured out and done before I will be able to get in the house. That's why we wanted to move closer to June. We now have to tear down a rotting deck and rebuild one with a ramp so I can get in the house all by the 15!! I myself am starting to stress about that. We also need to put in a fence but that can wait a little bit. A friend of mine is coming over next weekend to help me pack which will be helpful. I'm excited but starting to get nervous at the same time.

On another note I found out when graduation is for summer class at KSDS. I now need to talk with the trainer and see if im in the class or not. I'm praying I am.

So Excited!

After everything that has happened in our apartment complex this year Lisa & I decided to find a rent house. We had been talking about it off and on so a) we'd have more room, b) the dogs would have more room & a backyard to run in and c) hopefully less problems. Since our break in 2-3 weeks ago Lisa hasn't slept well and we don't feel safe at all so we have been searching hard to find a house. Monday I suggested looking in Rosenberg which is about 45 minutes to a hour away from where we are now. Lisa asked if I was okay with that; I of course said yes because it will get you closer to your girls and I want to move out of Houston. Tuesday we headed to Rosenberg to search for rent houses. That day we only found two. Lisa called on both, one didn't sound like he liked the idea of pets and the other one met her at the house to let her see it. The house is perfect for us. Yes, there are a few minor things we need to do to it but the landlord is perfectly fine with us doing what we need to do. With all that said yesterday we sent in our deposit and can do what we need to do before moving in(build a ramp for me to get in and put fence up). Once fence is up we will have a nice size backyard. We are planning on moving in around the first of June. We can't wait!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Had a good birthday! Started celebrating yesterday with a birthday lunch with my parents and my dad singing me his version of "happy birthday" which I always look forward to! Then had dinner with friends and had 2 adorable kids (3 yrs & 20 months) sing me happy birthday. Today I slept in and was woken up by 2 dogs kissing me happy birthday. Later on friends stopped by and gave me a cake. I think I have enough cake to last me till next month lol. This year I am hoping will be a great one. I certainly know it will be a busy one.

2012

Wow what a year! Stressful is all I can say. 2012 started okay then went down hill and is climbing back up. The highlights of this year were going to Tuscaloosa in a seconds notice to see James, a close friend, and his band, Judd Hall, play. It was a long, short trip but fun.

After this trip my relationship with my roommate/caregiver/friend went downhill fast. Within two months we weren't speaking to each other and I didn't feel comfortable left alone with her. It all started with me finding an apartment on my own because our lease was up and she wasn't looking. I also had decided that there was too much tension between us that I didn't want her being my roommate anymore either. I also decided to change hours caregivers were gonna work and she didn't like that because it gave her less hours. I understand that but in reality it would be better and economical on her part because of gas prices & her not living with me. She then started slacking as my caregiver so I then had to fire her, which was hard but had to be done, and she through a huge fit! Thank god my other caregiver was there because I was afraid she was gonna do something to me but she didn't.

Once I moved my stress level went way down. I know Watkins was feeling stressed out to because he started acting out of character for him. Even though we moved away from that situation he was still acting out of character.  He was attacked last October by the manager's dog, all the stress of my old roommate and going from only dog to living with 3 other dogs(that he knows really well) just was too much for him. He started not wanting to go places with me. when he did go with me he acted out. Twice he took a toy out of a child's hand and that's not service dog behavior. I had to finally decide he'd be better off  being retired. I had to figure out if I wanted to see if a family member would take care of him or if I wanted to give him back to his puppy raiser. I have always believed that the puppy raiser should be able to have the dog back the last years once they are retired. Watty's puppy raiser would keep me updated if I had decided that but my parents said they wanted him. I was all for it then my parents decided he was too much for their age and physical abilities (he is a strong dog!) so they said they had talked to my cousin and uncle and they wanted him to stay in the family. My cousin, Katie, who went with me to get Watty said she'd take him. Lisa and I took him in August to live with Katie and her family. He is so happy with them.

 

In March my baby brother got married! Ian is officially off the market. He married his girlfriend of 10 years...I think. I was in the wedding as well as my older brother Justin. Justin was the best man and they had me read something. It was actually a cute wedding. for the recessional the music was Star Wars music. The wedding "cake" had Princess Leia and Han Solo as bride & groom. I also found out Katie was soon to be engaged! She asked me to be her maid of honor! Of course I accepted and I feel honored that she asked me.

This upcoming year is going to be a busy one with helping Katie with her wedding, hosting a shower(or 2), co-host bachelorette party, being in her wedding, and also getting another service dog. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year and a great 2013!

Fundraiser

I have decided to raise money for an awesome cause. KSDS is where i receive my service dog from. They are a non profit organization that relies solely on donations. For 1 dog to be trained it costs $25,000. I know that would be a hard goal so I have decided I want to raise $1,000. If I raise more I know I will be indebted to whoever donates. I am also doing this in memory of my fist service dog that past away in 2008, Shocker, and my second service dog, Watkins, who had to be retired early in his career.

Shocker 

Watkins 

FINALLY!

I go to physical therapy to help keep me as loose as I can be with this stupid disease but have had pain in my shoulder for years. Recently it has become both shoulders not just one. I have been to 3 doctors and have had procedure after procedure trying to find out whats going on and been on many different medications trying to lower pain with little to no relief.

Today I am at physical therapy and the physical therapist hears me telling my physical therapy assistant (who does my pt) about my shoulders bugging me more and more comes over after she is done with her patient and takes over. My old physical therapist left about 2 months ago and she took over for her. She looked at my paperwork and then ask what was going on. After i told her about my shoulder issues she just jumped right in and worked my shoulder out. She explained what was going on and why. She also showed what needed to be done and explained what we were gonna work on and hopefully I'll be able to have a lot less pain and more movement. None of the other therapists I've had ever told me what, why and how we are gonna work on it to help ease my pain. I'm praying it works.

Missing him

It has been two moths since Watty went to live with my cousin, Katie. When we got up there he acted like that was were he belonged. I let Katie, Seth and Cayden take over discipline immediately. I helped teach Cayden some of the commands since he is only 9. Watty enjoyed Cayden's stuffed animals that were all over his room. He also enjoyed chasing Cayden around the house and backyard. I was surprised Watty didnt notice their pet turtle in the backyard.

Since Watty has been at Katie's she enrolled him in an obedience class so Cayden could learn how to train him. He also has gone to a water park with Katie and went missing for a few minutes. She did find him and it is so Watty; she found him taking french fries out of a kids hand by the concession stands. When she told me that I was like yep that's Watty. Watty also goes to Cayden's soccer practices and games. He also has met a new friend at the game named Bubbles.

I miss him but know he is in the right place and having fun.

Saying Goodbye

I can't believe it is almost time for me to say goodbye to my baby boy. Next weekend I am scheduled to take him to his forever home. He will be living with my cousin and her family in Dallas. I am glad he is living with family but sad at the same time because he is four hours away. This upcoming year I will probably be seeing him a lot anyway because I am helping my cousin with her wedding. When I got Watty something told me I wouldn't have him long and I guess my gut was right. I have many fun memories with Watty that I will cherish forever. I want to thank Sandy and Bob for raising a great boy. I will be getting a successor dog in the spring.

Hard Decision

Had to make the hard decision of retiring Watty. I am heartbroken on that decision but the way he has been behaving lately it is best he become a pet. I have been struggling with this decision since he was attacked last October. I tried my hardest to get him back to his old self but after this past week of major struggles I think its for the best. My parents are going to take him and I will get a successor. I always thought retiring a dog would be easier than loosing a dog to death. I can say it hurts the same if not a little more.

Moved

After having a fall out with my roommate and our lease at our apartment being up I moved out. I am now living with another friend in another apartment. Our apartment is closer to my parents which is a good thing because gas is so expensive. My friend and our dogs are so much more relaxed at this apartment than our old one. I know its only been 3 days but we love it here. Its so quiet. We hear NO sirens, gun shots, or super loud music.

My new art

Last Monday a friend of mine surprised me and took me to a tattoo shop. She had heard me talking about a certain tattoo I wanted to get and took me to get it. She has a tattoo and I love how it looks 3 years later. So bright and pretty. The guy that did her tattoo did mine and I am in love with it! It took 5 hours to get done.

This is the bass he copied from.

The meaning behind this tattoo:
1) Jay's bass(favorite Flatt)
2) lyrics are from my song STAND
3) 2 paw prints (1 for Shocker & 1 for Watty)
4) fleur de lis for the best fiddle player in the world Chank
5) Jay has buckeye stickers on his red bass so that's why I have those on mine.

Flattshack

For a while I have been trying to find an apartment so I could live on my own. I finally found one! My friend Jen and I are roommates and we have almost been here a month. I feel so free and less stressed. Watty is doing well here and already has a buddy. A friend of ours has dubbed our apartment the Flattshack lol. It a two bed 1 bath apartment...pictures to come later!