I'm sure anyone reading this knows I have a problem dog. For the 6 years I've had Charleigh-Girl she has run me ragged. Even Monday of this week I put her on her leash and tried with all my might to keep her off the two nice people who came to service my air conditioning units. She pulled so hard that my poor back is wrenched and resting on the heating pad as I type. Nearly killed me.
Rob's mother, Shirley, had an angel come into her life during Zane's illness. His name is Dan Strickland, and he is a professional dog trainer. I was so impressed with what Dan did with Shirley's Sam that I asked him if he could come help me with C-G. He told me that I was out of his territory, but that his firm, Bark Busters, had a great trainer for my area. I finally got on line and checked it out. Turns out, the Bark Buster for my area lives 2 minutes from me. His name is Michael Hoskinson.
Michael had great recommendations on line. People who seemed to think their dogs were as bad as Charleigh said that within 10 minutes of Michael's arrival their dog was no longer rushing the front door! Several folks who will remain nameless actually snickered when I suggested that might happen with you-know-who.
Well, Michael came to my house this morning. Guess what? Before he left, Charleigh wasn't even approaching the front door when he went out and rang the bell! She is, however, rather morose this afternoon. She's been fired as my boss! She no longer owns a house! She is no longer allowed to bark at everything that moves on the street in front of the house she formerly owned. It's a lot for a girl to handle in one day. But...Michael says she will be a happier, more relaxed dog now that she isn't in charge of me. I know I will be happier and more relaxed!
I took "before and after" videos. They are just mahvelous, but I can't get them to copy. Stand by--I have proof!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It Was Such a Great Idea
In 1998 I requested a blank journal for my birthday. Its purpose was to record clever, funny things that Madeline, 4 1/2, and Susannah, 2 1/2, had been saying almost since the day they were born--knowing that I would not be able to remember them. So...here is the journal today.
Yes, I got it. No, I didn't write in it. I did, however, jot down notes on various pieces of paper--just not nearly enough! I got it out today and reveled in the memories it contains. So, after all these years, I will transfer all notes to the journal.
I know you all have treasured memories like these....
I wrote, "Today, on the way home from Fielder Road preschool, the girls were discussing their upcoming birthdays. Madeline said she wanted to have boys, as well as girls, at her party. Susannah said she didn't want any boys. Madeline then told her if she didn't invite boys she couldn't invite Gaga (Jack), because he was a boy. Susannah said, "I don't care if Gaga is a boy! Mommy, can I invite Gaga? I wanta invite Gaga. I don't care..." Susan called and left us a message relating this incident, and at the end we could actually hear Susannah saying, "I don't care if Gaga is a boy!"
When Madeline was 5 we took a family trip to Disneyworld. There was a wonderful pianist who played nightly at the Grand Floridian where we stayed. One night Madeline said to Rob, "Daddy, he grew up to be a fine musician!" At age 5!
There were tears when I read this one. In August of 2002 when Susannah was almost 7, we were playing with my beautiful childhood dollhouse. She began giving me a demonstration of breakable vs. unbreakable using various plastic and ceramic items from the dollhouse. She would pick up a plastic dog and throw it down on the carpet saying, "I can throw this one down and it won't break." Then she would pick up a breakable item and say she couldn't throw it down. Suddenly she picked up the "Mimi" plastic figure we had bought. She said, "I could throw this one down," and she turned toward me with the most earnest look in those beautiful blue eyes, and said, "but I wouldn't want to."
Susan and Madeline were driving Rob's Jeep. Madeline was in her carseat and saw a pair of Rob's boots in the floor of the back seat. She asked Susan what they were doing there. Susan said, "Well, this is his car, you know." And Madeline said, "Well, it's not his closet!" (This from someone who usually had numerous pairs of dance shoes, etc. in the car.)
At age 5 Susannah asked Susan why dogs have 4 legs and people just 2. Susan tried to explain about that being the way God created them and balanced them, etc. Susannah said, "I know another reason. If I walked on 4 legs you couldn't see the front of my outfit!"
There are many stories about how much the girls liked to come spend time at our house. I realize now that there is nothing better to remember, and having specifics is priceless. Even without the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, our memories definitely do not get better as we get older. I would encourage all of you grandmothers and future grandmothers to take my great idea and develop it more fully than I did.
Yes, I got it. No, I didn't write in it. I did, however, jot down notes on various pieces of paper--just not nearly enough! I got it out today and reveled in the memories it contains. So, after all these years, I will transfer all notes to the journal.
I know you all have treasured memories like these....
I wrote, "Today, on the way home from Fielder Road preschool, the girls were discussing their upcoming birthdays. Madeline said she wanted to have boys, as well as girls, at her party. Susannah said she didn't want any boys. Madeline then told her if she didn't invite boys she couldn't invite Gaga (Jack), because he was a boy. Susannah said, "I don't care if Gaga is a boy! Mommy, can I invite Gaga? I wanta invite Gaga. I don't care..." Susan called and left us a message relating this incident, and at the end we could actually hear Susannah saying, "I don't care if Gaga is a boy!"
When Madeline was 5 we took a family trip to Disneyworld. There was a wonderful pianist who played nightly at the Grand Floridian where we stayed. One night Madeline said to Rob, "Daddy, he grew up to be a fine musician!" At age 5!
There were tears when I read this one. In August of 2002 when Susannah was almost 7, we were playing with my beautiful childhood dollhouse. She began giving me a demonstration of breakable vs. unbreakable using various plastic and ceramic items from the dollhouse. She would pick up a plastic dog and throw it down on the carpet saying, "I can throw this one down and it won't break." Then she would pick up a breakable item and say she couldn't throw it down. Suddenly she picked up the "Mimi" plastic figure we had bought. She said, "I could throw this one down," and she turned toward me with the most earnest look in those beautiful blue eyes, and said, "but I wouldn't want to."
Susan and Madeline were driving Rob's Jeep. Madeline was in her carseat and saw a pair of Rob's boots in the floor of the back seat. She asked Susan what they were doing there. Susan said, "Well, this is his car, you know." And Madeline said, "Well, it's not his closet!" (This from someone who usually had numerous pairs of dance shoes, etc. in the car.)
At age 5 Susannah asked Susan why dogs have 4 legs and people just 2. Susan tried to explain about that being the way God created them and balanced them, etc. Susannah said, "I know another reason. If I walked on 4 legs you couldn't see the front of my outfit!"
There are many stories about how much the girls liked to come spend time at our house. I realize now that there is nothing better to remember, and having specifics is priceless. Even without the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, our memories definitely do not get better as we get older. I would encourage all of you grandmothers and future grandmothers to take my great idea and develop it more fully than I did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)