Batman at Kamp Kayla
HELP!!!! I’m being EATEN by a Big-Bad Wolf!
Just kidding…
I’M eating The Wolf! 
Lily Goes to School!
Last week my darling 3rd grade grandson asked me to come to his school this week as his “special person”. If that wasn’t enough to melt my heart, his second request was! He asked if I could bring Lily with me. I was so shocked and so surprised, but gave an immediate answer of “yes”.
This morning was the morning of our visit to Knapps Charter Academy 4th Grade class of 23 students. My heart raced as I put Lily’s harness on her and packed up a bunch of treats for the children to give her. Would she sit, stay, down, heal for me in front of a crowd of students? Would all my training pay off? Would she jump on the students or teacher?
We walked into the school side by side and registered in the office. The office staff went nuts and wanted to pet her badly. I told them they could only pet her IF she was in a sit position, so I put her in a sit position and just like magic she sat while petted by everyone! She licked everyone’s hand before we left the office. We were off to a good start.
Down the hall we went to Ethan’s 4th grade classroom and when we walked in the door there were 23 sets of eyes and numerous OOHS! and AHHS! as we walked in the door. No pulling on the harness, no barking! She sat by my side as I taught the children about the history of the German Shepherd and how to take care of their dogs by walking them, bathing them and changing their water 2 times a day, micro-chipping, grooming and how to respect dogs.
The children wanted to know how many criminals Lily had caught…I couldn’t help but chuckle and explain that Lily was not a police dog, but a very special dog that I am training to visit nursing homes. They couldn’t believe she wasn’t wild and growling. I had my work cut out for me to explain how docile any dog can be if you treat it with respect. I showed them the correct way to engage a dog that you have been given permission to pet. It was magical! They all sat at their desks like little sponges soaking up all the knowledge I could give them.
I then invited each child up who wanted to pet Lily and give her a treat. I carefully showed them how to extend their hands with the treat on it and give it to Lily. Lily got 21 treats that morning…only 2 children shied away. What a triumph! I had never been so proud of Lily as I was at that moment. She performed on cue when I asked her to sit, stay, down and shake for the students. I will NEVER forget this moment as long as I live!
This is an Alta Tollhaus Dog! This is my baby and I owe Julie & Carole so much gratitude for this moment in time with my Princess Lily! Just had to share this with everyone!
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe…
Hey, where did Miny come from?!?
Kayla decided to join the group today. I think she liked being between two handsome guys. Michelle purposely blurred these photos to protect her son since he’s been caught kissing an older woman. What was up with my camera today is beyond me!
Grizzly is maturing quite nicely. I swear he puffed himself up to look rather studly next to Kayla!
It started out as a little kiss…
Now John can add “Romeo” to his kid’s list of names.
Happy Birthday L Kids
Yikes! Kayla and I are one day late at wishing Happy First Birthday to the L-Kids.
Kayla is never late with anything so it is all my fault. Hugs to all!
Love and Devotion
Lilli is an amazing dog, she is working with me in therapy and is very loving, compassionate and sensitive. She has given my 9-year-old Shepherd a new lease on life, and he has fallen totally in love with her in every way. Lilli is accompanying me to 12 step recovery meetings, her first meeting of AA was an African American meeting with approximately 100 recovering alcoholics and she was a gem. So curious and loving, and wanted to be part of the closing circle of prayer when everyone holds hands, we helped her figure out she could sit nicely in the circle while everyone prayed and she was a saint. Then last Friday she went with me to a doctors appointment, the doctors office located in a major hospital here. She was flawless, stepped into the elevator, up and down the floors without the blink of an eye. The doctors office was bustling with men and women and phones and machines. Not a flinch. Everyone respected her service vest being on and she seemed as though she has been doing this forever, its as though she knew her role and her focus was so intensely on me at all times. My physician could not believe how intent, calm and attentive Lilli was, a delight! I cannot ever tell you what love, what joy, what warmth, what heart, what devotion, what surprises Lilli has brought to us. There are no “thank you’s” big enough.
Here’s a headshot of Lilli and our family Christmas photo.
