t-shirt sites are up! deadline is Wednesday 3/12

Hello there! Well, the sites are up.  There are two different t-shirt designs to choose from:

www.booster.com/charlietheservicedog
This one is Charlie's face filling up the front of the shirt.  It comes in pink or gray.

www.booster.com/charlietheservicedog2
This one has Charlie's whole body on the back and his face on the front in the upper left corner. It comes in jade or azalea.

If you live nearby and want to save on shipping and pick it up directly from me feel free to shoot me an email (angelinapiazza@gmail.com) or a message on Facebook.

Charlie goes in tomorrow to get some extensive x-rays on his elbows... possible sedation is involved. Keep him in mind!

AND he's turning 4 on Monday... I've got some squeaky balls up and maybe a frozen yogurt treat thing?!

Coming soon...

I am excited to tell you that a fabulous friend of mine drew a design for tshirts that I will be selling!  Here is part of it...

You see, Charlie recently started having some arthritis and other medical issues and the vet bills are rolling in. These tshirts will help with those costs. 

Stay tuned for more details and the opportunity to purchase the tshirt!

Love Like Charlie

I am excited to announce that Charlie has inspired my pastor at Worship Center to do a 7 weeks series called, “Love Like Charlie.”  It starts the weekend of October 5 & 6.  It’s about Charlie’s devotion to me and how we can apply that to our lives and relationship with God.  In addition to the weekend services, they are having small groups that meet once a month and watch a DVD that Charlie and I are in!  I am actually hosting a group at my house Wednesdays at 7:30pm.  If you’d like to join (anyone can sign up- even if you don’t attend Worship Center) go to this link.

At a recent trip to Lancaster Central Market (we go for coffee & water every Tuesday and Friday- one of the perks of working in the city) I heard someone yell my name, but as I looked around I didn’t see anyone who had called me, so I kept cruisin’ through the market.  The next thing I know, Carter, from United Way Lancaster, stopped me and invited me to the balcony upstairs (where she was calling me from) to do a quick interview for the 2013 United Way Campaign video.  So, here is the link to the video that has Charlie & me in it! 

I’ve officially switched Charlie’s food to Blue Buffalo (the other one seemed to be bothering his skin and he was having a lot of ear troubles).  It’s very pricey, but I figure that it’s a much better food and will keep us away from the vet!  Plus, he has lost 12 lbs since he’s been on it and now looks very lean and fit!  We’ve also been tracking steps with a pedometer and using an app called RunKeeper to track how far and fast we go.  During lunch hour we do almost 2 miles- and this weather is great because we don’t have to worry about heat stroke or burning his pads on the ground!

This month we have been offered an opportunity to go speak to 4 and 5 year olds at a day care nearby in the city and I am very excited to be talking to them about Charlie and how he enhances my life!  If you would like us to come talk to a group or something similar please contact me (angelinapiazza@gmail.com) because I love sharing about Charlie and allowing other to be more comfortable with people that have disabilities- it’s all about breaking down those barriers!

We’ve been keeping busy- lots of backyard action (and I just bought a riding mower so now I won’t get stuck in the jungle grass!), doctor appointments (he got to lay up on the examining table with me), lots of long meetings for work (it’s budget season!), we went to the Living Well expo and saw lots of other service dogs, went swimming in a lake (and got to jump off the dock), went to garden club, had a 3 hour road trip to Maryland where we went to a vineyard and then a friend’s house, had a birthday outing to Terrain, went out to eat at several different restaurants, and went to the Dream Ride event!  We are looking forward to more adventures, including a trip up to Massachusetts, a yard sale, Hershey Bears game, and who knows what else is in store!

Hope you're enjoying the fall!

where did the time go?

Okay, okay... I realize it's been MONTHS since our last written update- but I think of writing often, so does that count for something??

We’ve been enjoying our brand-new fence- even in the rain!  As of May the posts were concreted, pickets attached, and gates installed.  What a great job the CCS Building Group did with the installation.  They spent hours after working all day to put that fence up- volunteering their time and evenings to bless Charlie and me.  I am grateful and will think of the outstanding group of men that came out every time we are out there.  Charlie even gets to romp around with his friends!  I love being able to share my yard and fence with others (so if you ever want to bring your dog over let me know).  We’ve got plenty of beautiful weather ahead of us to be out there and enjoying it while letting the dogs tire themselves out.

In other news, Charlie has been doing MUCH better on the bus rides to and from work... despite the fact that we are on it an extra 20-30 minutes in the afternoon because of the crazy bridge work going on and detours and traffic jams out of the city!  Plus, the people are grumpier because of that and he still manages to keep his cool.  One afternoon, a guy rang the bell to get off (way before the stop so the driver forgot about it) and freaked out when the driver didn’t stop and yelled at the driver.  So, naturally, the driver slammed the breaks to let this guy off as soon as possible which sent Charlie into a lunge to brace himself from sliding.  As he was bracing, this guy starts toward the front of the bus (more like falling because we were stopping so hard).  He didn’t wait until the bus stopped and Charlie could sit closer to me, instead, this guy climbed ON the seats to get around.  Talk about impatient.  As I replay the scenario in my head all I can do is chuckle about it.  We also had a slightly discriminating situation with the bus that got resolved, although I have no clue how because of union rules.   Anyway, the bus is our only mode of transport to/from work, so let me just suck it up and move on... easier said than done.

What else!? Lots of ice cubes, baby pool fill ups, and slower walks have been the name of our game.  It's hard to believe that we've known each other for 8 months!  

In less exciting news, we've switched our dog food to Blue Buffalo brand and cut most treats out because of allergies- those dang ear issues!  Luckily, a squeaky little ball is just as motivating.  Any one have any good recipes for treats?

I've decided to create a page on Facebook solely devoted to Charlie since he is so famous and needs his own outlet.  Check it out and like it to get pictures and other updates.  We will soon be in a sermon series at our church, Worship Center, so stay tuned for that, too!

www.facebook.com/charlietheservicedog

 

whirlwinds

Despite the lack of posts, Charlie and I have definitely NOT had a lack of things to do and people to see and places to go!  It's been way too long since I've updated, but after reading this, you'll (hopefully) understand.  Well, here it goes...

I bought a house and moved into said house.  This wasn't too big of an adjustment as it's only a few blocks from my parents' house (1/2 a mile, to be exact) and we were back and forth and becoming familiar with it before we actually moved in.  Charlie seems to enjoy the house as much as me!  I was blessed with an amazing decorator who turned it into a home (pictures will come eventually).  So, if you ever need a talented decorator just ask- I would gladly refer you to her.  The best part about the new house for Charlie would be that I bought a bigger bed so he now sleeps with me, he has a 1/2 of an acre to run around on, and he's got the biggest doggy bed in the living room to chill out on (you should see my chihuahua on it).  Currently, our yard is being fenced in (courtesy of CCS Building Group) and we will soon be able to romp and play freely!  I am so excited for this because we can then have his doggy friends over as well!  Thankfully, the fencing was obtained at a deeply discounted price by Lezzer Lumber; however, as a new homeowner and service dog owner, I still have sticker shock!

Charlie and his new fence going up!

To help pay for this (and Charlie's future needs- food, vet bills, etc.) I've decided to offer some of my services at a discounted price.  I would love to do a 1/2 hour photo shoot (subject matter of your choice- pets, kids, family, etc.).  This package would include a cd of 5 high resolution images that are edited in  post production.  Please contact me directly (angelinapiazza@gmail.com) to set up a time!

Okay, back to our happenings.  In order to get the house ready Charlie and I were shopping ALL over the place trying to find stuff- from the Roots Flea Market to Harry's Used Furniture and Costco to Home Depot and HomeGoods- you name it, we might've been there.  Now, if you know me at all, you know how much I despise shopping.  I find it painful.  BUT I must say, with Charlie there to keep me entertained, it was much more bearable.  Well, for me at least, don't ask those that I was shopping with because they might have a different story.

Charlie and I had several speaking engagements over the past few weeks as well!  He is famous, after all.  We were able to go to the General Sutter's inn and talk to the Lititz AMBUCS.  They had invited us after Brian Donmoyer (the president of the club) approached us at the UDS table at a Hershey Bears game that Charlie and I were helping out with.  We had a delicious meal and then were given the opportunity to share about how Charlie has changed my life.  I was even able to demonstrate how I can command Charlie to bark at strange men.  WATCH OUT.  Another event we went to was the UDS Gala at the Lancaster Country Club.  What a fun evening that was.  I spoke to the guests about how Charlie helps me but the best part was that I was able to introduce Suzy and Dan Keller of the Keller Bros. dealerships.  This awesome couple had donated funds so that the Service Dog Program at UDS could purchase a new vehicle to transport all the volunteers and the dogs around to our different outings.  It was very cool.  Finally, just this weekend, we had an opportunity to share with a group of elderly folks that get together, a group called PrimeTime.  It was a blessing to see their faces light up as Charlie went around to greet them.  We hope to continue to do things like this because I love sharing Charlie and let others know about us!

What else!?  Every day is something new.  During my lunch break we go outside (loving the warmer weather) and run all over the city.  Our newest route involves Musser Park on Lime Street.  It's a great park to go to because it has smooth paths and we can go full speed in my power chair.  We do a few laps there and continue on to other blocks and then finish by getting coffee over at Cross Keys!

One day, we were going back into work (the Government Offices on Queen Street that surrounds Binn's Park- the one with the fountain) and a little white dog was off leash and followed us right into the building!  Thankfully, we have the Deputies there that screen people as they go in and they stopped the dog from going any further.  I have a feeling strange things like that will happen more often now that the weather is getting nicer!

Stay tuned for more updates and stories!    

here and there

Charlie and I have been pretty busy since we've passed our Public Access Test.  We had a big celebration the following Monday evening at the UDS Service Dog Training- 4 dogs had a birthday (one of which was Charlie) and 2 dogs passed the Public Access Test (one of which was also Charlie).  He was given tons of treats and some great toys (one of which was a worm that he loves to squeak and snuggle with).  He also received a ball which I didn't even let him see since we have to wait until we move into our new house and have the fence put up!  Last week we also had a few meetings at work, once of which included the Commissioners... they didn't even notice him til he yawned noisily!  We went to a meeting at church that was for young-adults (there were at least 200 people there) and he did awesomely with the noise and crowd.  We thought it would be difficult to escape because usually people don't see me down in my wheelchair, but with Charlie it was a piece of cake- he made the way for me and parted the seas.
We've been to Central Market many times (where he usually gets some nice goodies) and we finally got to the Bulls Head Pub... a good friend of mine was in town from Albuquerque and we had a sister date there.  He did great, fit right in!  I guess you could call me a Lititz townie, and now Charlie can join me!  We went to Tomato Pie Cafe and he took a nice nap right under the table.  He does really well in restaurants- you wouldn't even know he was there.  Saturday was my niece's 3rd birthday so we took her to the beauty salon for a haircut and her first manicure (which she wanted off by that evening) and Charlie came along and watched...I don't think he was a big fan of the salon- typical male. We also went to the Hershey Bears game (the UDS Service Dog Program has a table set up at each home game) with his brothers (not by blood)-  Pax (3 months old) and Brogan (2 years old), as well as Holly!  We had a blast, as usual!
Friday is supposed to be closing on our new house... can't believe it is almost here!  We are just waiting on the underwriter to finish the mortgage application/approval up- the wait makes me want to poke my eyes out.  We have the floors being refinished this weekend and our fence people came out earlier this week to measure and such!  Some other things that have to get done are the bathroom (not accessible for me as is so we have to fix the tub and vanity), fix the sump pump, replace the attic fan, dig window wells, install a radon mitigation system, and build a ramp off the back deck.  My awesome Uncle is coming in from California to build the ramp with my dad.  I am getting a mini shed to store/charge my power chair.  My mom is accepting volunteers to paint (we are doing the whole house) for next week.  SO, if you know anyone or have recommendations for workers for any of the above, please send them my way!

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

Today is Charlie's 3rd birthday (or as one kid kept telling me over and over- he's 21)!  Unfortunately, we lost an hour, but we definitely made up for it.  We went to church to take pictures of the WC Kids, sat outside and soaked up some sun, went on a nice long walk to our soon-to-be house, and to top it all off Charlie chowed down on an awesome sweet potato bone thing (which was gone in less than 3 minutes).  He's currently taking a well-deserved nap!

However, the best gift was last night... we went over to Park City and took our Public Access Certification Test (and PASSED).  This is a test that simply demonstrates that the dog and the handler are safe in public together.  We had to accomplish a list of tasks such as walking through the mall with Charlie not soliciting attention from others, I had to drop the leash and he had to stay by my side and then recover the leash for me, and he had to not get distracted by a loud noise (Lorrie, our trainer, dropped her clipboard on the ground).  We had to navigate tight quarters (we simply went into a store), eat a restaurant and be unobtrusive, and I had to hand him off to Kristy (our other trainer) and disappear from his sight.  We also had to be approached by others- we had an adult step over him while laying down and then pet him and then had a child pet him.  He also had to do a controlled entrance and exit to the mall (and vehicle).  While eating, Lorrie dropped some french fries right in front of him and he had to leave them alone (he just looked at me because he knew not to touch them!).  So, tomorrow night at training we will get our ID card that shows we are certified and Charlie gets a brand new vest that no longer has the In-Training patches on!