New Orleans HERE THEY COME

Riley cannot believe that Ryan is packed and leaving already. Riley will really miss Ryan.

Today is the day Ryan leaves to go to New Orleans with the Bonner students to help out in the rebuilding. Of course this morning it is snowing!!!. The plan for the students was to meet at school by 9 am then head to Philly where they were going to spend the day filling requirements for the grant received to help fund the trip. Well Mother Nature had a different plan in mind. Ryan left here about 7:45 and arrived at school around 10 am which should normally only take about 1 hr 15 minutes, but he arrived safely! I have been sitting on pins and needles until I heard from him. I think this was his first real experience driving in the snow. H just texted and said that they have canceled the Philly excursion and are heading out on their way to New Orleans. The plan now is to drive to NC , stay over night, let everyone get some rest, get up early tomorrow and drive the rest of the way to New Orleans. They expect to arrive there late tomorrow night. So I of course will not be able to function until I know they are safe and sound in New Orleans. Ryan is going as a chaperon again this year and is one of the primary drivers. There are 3 vans going with about 30 kids in all.

Please keep them all in your prayers for a safe trip down, a great experience there, and a safe trip back to school next weekend.

My new Partner Konar

This beautiful big black lab is Konar. He is my new partner for Pet therapy. We were certified a few weeks ago and did our first visit yesterday. We went to Greystone where Konar was the hit of the day for the patients and staff alike. Konar was originally trained to be a service dog for disabled people so he knows quite a few commands or "tricks" as the patients call them. One of my most favorite things is when you say the word "visit" Konar will lay his head in the patients lap. Yesterday each patient was able to have their own time with Konar which was so awesome. Konar is a big boy, but so gentle, loving and mellow. While Konar was visiting one patient, he is big enough where 2 or 3 other patients sitting in the circle could still pet him and have contact with him. We had more people yesterday for Pet Therapy than I can ever remember, all thanks to Konar. I am looking forward to being able to take him on many more visits. My thanks to Joan and Sandy for allowing me to take their "baby" and do this work. I have to admit, I did miss having Riley with me and many of the patients asked for him but Konar made it a very special visit for me.

Happy New Year

Wishing all our friends and family a Very Happy New Year and all the best in 2011

Riley and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

I hope 2011 will bring good health and happiness to you and your families.

See you in 2011!!!

Riley Retired Today

Today was Riley's last day of Pet Therapy. We visited Greystone today, which was very fitting because that is where he started doing visits over 2 1/2 years ago. Riley is really loved by the staff and patients there. It was very sad to tell them that Riley would not be returning. There were tears shed by alot of people. I told the patients that I would be returning in the New Year and I would be bringing 2 different dogs. I am certified with Rags and just this past week got certified with Konar a big loveable black lab. I told them that Riley has a neurological problem and can't get the necessary vaccines to be allowed to do any visits. I also told them that Riley was doing well and I would be bringing updated pictures in my future visits. I gave out all the picures I had which the patients just love to have. As we were leaving one of the patients, whom I knew would be very upset came over to give Riley a hug and kiss good bye. In true "Riley fashion" Riley returned the love by giving the man a huge lick on the face. Riley has been an awesome Therapy dog and has brought love and smiles to many, many people. He did his job well.

Riley Turns 4 Today 10/28/10

Today is Riley's 4th Birthday. He doesn't seem to excited about it and was even less excited when I tried his pumpkin costume on him. We are going to Greystone today so I thought it would be good if he went with his costume on.
Hard to believe that Riley is already 4. Last year at this time we didn't know where we would be a year later. Riley is doing ok right now, not great, but not too bad. He has had some very good days in the past few weeks. On those days I was able to take him for some nice walks which we both really enjoy. The cooler weather really does help him. Of course we have had unusually warm weather the past few days. I am not complaining about that though.
Riley has also had some bad days recently. It appears as though his back legs are getting weak. He is reluctant to jump and is having difficulty getting up the stairs. I am not really sure why as it is a symptom of both the SM and hip displaysia which we know he has. I am just going day by day to see if this progresses at all. He doesn't appear to be in any pain and I have enough medication to give him if I do see any symptoms of pain. I would really like to know the cause of the marked weakness to know which road we are going down here. I think we will just have to go day by day.
Riley is getting dressed in his Halloween costume for our visit to Greystone today. I know the patients will really enjoy it. I don't think Riley likes the whole idea but I will take it off after everyone has seen him. I think they are having a costume parade today so maybe they will let Riley join in.
I will be wearing my Witch's hat, how appropriate :)

Before and After

The picture on the left was taken this morning before Riley's bath and haircut. The pictuure on the right was taken after. He looks like a different dog and not very much like a Cavalier right now. I decided to have him trimmed short becuase his coat is thinning out alot and he doesn't like to be brushed anymore. So rather than having to brush him so much, I decided to get him trimmed short. He really looks like a different dog. I am not crazy about his new look but I know it is better for him.

It was 1 year ago today that Riley was diagnosed with SM. Looking back I had no idea where would be 1 year later. The disease is definitely taking it's toll on Riley. We are managing his pain quite good right now but I do see signs that it is progressing. How fast and how much it will continue to progress is anybody's guess. Riley is still holding his own and still maintains his wonderful loving temperament. He is not able to do some things he could a year ago but he is not in any way suffering. It's just so tough to watch him want to do things but he just can't. With all that being said, Riley is still my best pal. He's gotten me through alot of tough times this past year. I am praying that he will have many more days with me.