3rd Annual Molly Curtis Benefit Softball Game outcome!

What a great week we’ve had!  Charlie and I were the recipients of the funds that were raised by the 3^rd Annual Molly Curtis Benefit Softball Game!  There was a check presentation on Wednesday during the weekly Lancaster County Commissioners’ Meeting.  You can watch it here: http://hosting.videominutes.net/Player.aspx?handshake=55358&video=1986.

Charlie and I were given a check for $1,950!  This is such a blessing and will go directly to his rehabilitation costs.  Here is a picture of us with a few of the key people that made this happen.

 Charlie is doing very well.  His surgery was five weeks ago and he returns to see the surgeon this coming Thursday to be cleared to start back to his normal duties and playing!  He has been feeling better because he will bring me his ball that’s in the house and shove it on my lap.  We are taking longer walks (up to 20 minutes) and there is a lot less limping.  I do range of motion exercises with his elbows and he willingly lets me do them.  He goes to his rehab once a week where he gets water therapy, massage, exercises, heat, laser, and acupuncture. He always comes back relaxed and sleeps well that night!

There are a lot of pictures to check out on his Facebook page… www.facebook.com/charlietheservicedog.

Thank you for those involved in the softball game! 

Surgery Update

I am happy to report that Charlie's surgery went well and we had a great first day of recovery.  He is currently doing what he's mostly been doing since we got home... snoozin' right next to me on his comfy bed.  

In case you need a refresher, let me back up a bit.  Charlie was diagnosed with bilateral elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis a few months ago and with the advice of a surgeon at UPenn Animal Hospital it was decided to operate as soon as possible.  The thought behind getting the surgery now instead of later is that it would relieve Charlie of his pain and possibly slow any further digression of his elbow joints.

We spent a couple of months raising funds through t-shirt sales, generous donations, a silent auction event at Commonwealth On Queen, and a softball event with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Deputies against the Prison's Correctional Officers.  We've raised our goal to cover the surgery expense as well as the rehab costs.  

Yesterday, we arrived at UPenn Animal Hospital in Philly around 7am.  We had a very brief wait until the talented Dr. Agnello and Mark came out to greet us and go over the surgery.  Charlie was handed over and whisked away for his pre op stuff.  He was weighed, measured, and had blood taken to make sure everything was in order to proceed with his elbow arthroscopy.

They put him under anesthesia and everything went smoothly.  They were able to remove the fragmented medial coronoid processes in both elbows- the one in his left was larger than his right.  They also smoothed out the areas that were rough and said the cartilage was severely damaged there.  The good news is that everywhere else the cartilage is healthy.

After they did all that digging and removing they gave him some injections to help with the pain and to decrease inflammation.  They kept him for a few hours to monitor him and let him sleep off the anesthesia.  

And then, I got the call I was wishing for all day- Charlie is ready to be taken home! They were gracious enough to let us go to him instead of them taking him to us... to know Charlie is to know his stress level was significantly lowered for us to go get him.  As we rounded the corner he looked so tiny with a soft cone around his head and as soon as he saw us he started whining and wiggling like a maniac.  It was obvious the drugs still had not worn off- he was very loopy!

We were given assistance to put Charlie in the car and as soon as he was in he plopped down right on my lap and snored for the whole ride home.  

He is currently restricted to very limited walking- 5 minutes at a time.  He gets his elbows iced and is on some pain meds.  We will slowly increase his walking and work on his range of motion, but he won't be able to run or jump for at least 6 weeks.  He gets his stitches out in 10 days and will be able to get into rehab then.  

Please check out his facebook page for more updates and all the pictures... www.facebook.com/charlietheservicedog.

Thanks for your love and support.  We really do feel it!!!

Benefit Softball Game

At this time next week Charlie will be on his way home from the hospital all fixed up.  I am so ready for him to feel better.  He has been having ups and downs; I notice the weather and AC affecting him the most.  He has been going to weekly therapy visits for the past 2 months and he loves it.  We will have to take a break after the surgery, but once he is cleared, we will start back up and go twice a week.

I work for the County and was recently asked by the Sheriff's department if Charlie could be the beneficiary of their annual softball game.  We are so honored to be a part of this.  I must admit, we're rooting for the deputies!   A lot of them know and love Charlie from work.

If you are able to, please come on out to the game, August 9th at 4pm to Field #2 in Central Park!

We did it! We did it! We really, really did it!!

 I still have to pinch myself because it hasn’t sunk in yet… thanks to your generosity, the $3,000 goal for Charlie’s medical fund was reached!

Last week the fundraiser for Charlie was held at Commonwealth On Queen (301 N. Queen St.).  We had a silent auction (see some of the items below), t-shirts, and books written by me for sale.  BUT, most importantly, the famous Charlie was there to meet and greet! 

He was completely exhausted from all the love by the end of the night (and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much)!  We saw many familiar faces but also had a wonderful time meeting some new people.  We are feeling very loved.

Charlie’s surgery is scheduled for the first week in August up at UPenn with their awesome staff.  But, before we have the surgery Charlie is going to go do some rehab locally to build up his muscles and exercise with less stress on his joints- he’ll be doing aqua therapy and acupuncture!  I’ve personally experienced both of those and know how relieving they can be so I am excited that Charlie can get that kind of treatment.

Stay tuned for more updates on his progress and THANK YOU for the support.  Charlie is truly blessed.

Thanks to the businesses and individuals that donated the following items:

·         Certificate to 1-800-PetMeds (value: $50)

·         Certificate to Stauffers of Kissel Hill (value: $25)

·         (2) Lupine leash & collar sets

·         A Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway- valid thru 12/2016 (value: $600)

·         Dance Envoy Semester Package- 1 class/week for 15 weeks and costume rental, leotard, dance skirt, tights & ballet slippers (value: $195)

·         Hand-made jewelry

·         Basket of goodies from Lancaster County Coffee Roasters

·         (2) Model Trucks from Ford Keller Bros of Lititz (value: $100)

·         Gift basket from Outback Toys (value: $50)

·         Hanging Flower Basket from Perfect Pots Container Garden

·         ProCare Physical- Strasburg , Pa   Functional Movement Screening (value: $200)

·         Edible Arrangements, Lancaster, $50 gift certificate in a mug   (value: $50)

·         Great Lengths Salon, Willow Street, Pa  One Massage and One adult haircut (value: $100)

·         Strasburg Creamery, Sweet Gift Basket  (value $30)

·         Melinessence, 50 N Queen St Lancaster  (value: $50)

·         David the Goldsmith $25 gift card  

·         Christina Maser gift basket   

·         Salon 717 - Cut & Color

·         POUR - (2) $25 Gift Cards

·         Campus Grille - $25 Gift Card

·         REology  Studio - Decorative Piece

·         Lancaster Trophy House

·         Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival - 2 tickets for 2015 Festival

·         Lancaster Hummus- 5 packs of Hummus

Fundraiser... TONIGHT!

Tonight is the big night! The fundraiser for Charlie is being held at Commonwealth On Queen (301 N. Queen St.) from 5:30-9pm.  We will be having a silent auction (see some of the items below), t-shirts that can be ordered, and books written by me for sale.  BUT, most importantly, the famous Charlie will be there to meet and greet!  If you can’t make it, you can still order t-shirts until Sunday from this site: www.booster.com/charlietheservicedog4

We hope to see you tonight!!

 

A few silent auction items:

·         Certificate to 1-800-PetMeds (value: $50)

·         Certificate to Stauffers of Kissel Hill (value: $25)

·         (2) Lupine leash & collar sets

·         A Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway- valid thru 12/2016 (value: $600)

·         Dance Envoy Semester Package- 1 class/week for 15 weeks and costume rental, leotard, dance skirt, tights & ballet slippers (value: $195)

·         Hand-made jewelry

·         Basket of goodies from Lancaster County Coffee Roasters

·         (2) Model Trucks from Ford Keller Bros of Lititz

·         Gift basket from Outback Toys (value: $50)

·         Hanging Flower Basket from Perfect Pots Container Garden

·         ProCare Physical- Strasburg , Pa   Functional Movement Screening (value: $200)

·         Edible Arrangements, Lancaster, $50 gift certificate in a mug   (value: $50)

·         Great Lengths Salon, Willow Street, Pa  One Massage and One adult haircut (value: $100)

·         Strasburg Creamery, Sweet Gift Basket  (value $30)

·         Melinessence, 50 N Queen St Lancaster  (value: $50)

·         David the Goldsmith $25 gift card  

·         Christina Maser gift basket   

·         Salon 717 - Cut & Color

·         POUR - (2) $25 Gift Cards

·         Campus Grille - $25 Gift Card

·         REology  Studio - Decorative Piece

·         Strasburg Creamery

·         Lancaster Trophy House

·         Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival - 2 tickets for 2015 Festival

Charlie's in the news!

In case you missed it, Charlie was in the Lititz Record!

http://lititzrecord.com/news/fundraiser-will-benefit-beloved-service-dog/

First Friday in Lancaster City Event

this and that

Hey there, folks! I thought I would give you a brief update with what’s been happening.  Since Charlie can no longer ride the bus (driver slammed breaks on and he went flying down the aisle) he stays home during the day in his comfy crate- and loves it (trust me, if I didn’t have to work to pay the mortgage I would totally love hanging in that crate!).  I Skype in on him every now and then just to curb my self-inflicted guilt of crating him and guess what, 99% of the time he’s sleeping.  And that other 1%?  That would be him changing positions only to go right back to sleep.  That makes feel better about leaving him at home, at least until the next person asks me, “Where’s Charlie?” and when I answer they make me feel bad all over again (so, if you are reading this PLEASE stop asking me that).

Now that the weather is getting better, we are spending a lot more time outside.  I am trying to do multiple, short spurts of play so that he can build his tolerance up again without making his elbow hurt too badly.  We’ve been going on walks at a slower pace, too.  All exercise is turned down a notch to accommodate his elbow.  The good news is that ever since he’s been on the super duper joint supplements he isn’t getting stiff (after laying down and then getting up he’d be really sore before).  But, if we run too much then he starts limping again.  I give him pain meds as needed for that.

On May 1^st, we go back to UPenn for further evaluations on his elbow.  We know for sure he has the arthritis and that the joint is deteriorating, but they want to do further testing to verify the elbow dysplasia (fragmented coronoid process).  This visit entails a meeting with their ortho vet and a very possible CT Scan.  The thing that I am most worried about for this appointment is that Charlie can’t eat his breakfast because they’ll have to sedate him for the scan- Charlie LOVES his food.  I know how I feel when I have to fast like that (watch out, I am the hangry queen).  Poor guy!

Last week was fun because Charlie was delivered to me at work (thanks Ma!).  He even got to come to a meeting with the Commissioners!  I went to go visit my best friend in Georgia for 5 days, so Charlie got to go on his own vacation to his favorite family’s house- the Williams family!  Anne Marie (Charlie’s first mom) is picked him up in the city after work and I am left for the airport as soon as I was done work.    I knew he is going to have a blast with them.  He got to hang and play with his brother, Pax (the cutest chocolate lab that’s a service dog in-training), go to the beach, run errands, and be with his first loves!  We both came back refreshed and excited to see each other- you’d never see a butt wiggle so much with happiness!

This weekend we get to go and teach 1^st-4^th graders for 3 services at the Worship Center in New Holland.  The kids LOVE learning with Charlie.  He has some great lessons under his collar.  We spend about 9 hours there once a month and it’s a great experience for all of us!

Sunday is the deadline for the Team Charlie t-shirts.  They come in green and purple and all sizes!  Check them out at: www.booster.com/charlietheservicedog3.  It’s a great way to support Charlie!

Here's the news folks!

It was a little over year ago that Charlie and I started our team training.  We had only known each other for a short amount of time- during a few trainings and outings that we worked together here and there.  During those couple of months before we were placed together it felt almost unbearable… the wait to actually start our journey.  I would check my phone constantly for an update from his trainer or anxiously await the next UDS event that we would be paired up together- any excuse to see him.  Then, the week finally arrived for team training.  I got to see his reoccurring and unwavering excitement for me when I rolled through the door in the mornings at the training facility.  We bonded hard and fast, like we had always known each other.  But then things began to change. 

I feel like I owe an explanation to all of Team Charlie’s supporters.  A lot has happened over the course of this year that we’ve been together.  If you ask me what I love most about what Charlie does for me is that he makes me feel safe and seen.  People don’t ignore me like they used to- they see Charlie and me together and instantly smile.  They actually stop and talk and move out of my way.  I am treated like a human being (minus that time the bus driver didn’t want to let me ride because he didn’t have room for my wheelchair and service dog but that is a WHOLE different story).

I am guessing this situation is a lot like the beginning of a marriage, especially one where you’re young and naïve and have no insight on what it’s really like.  The kind where you’ve skipped the counsel, don’t ask the right questions, and think you know it all.  It’s as if the whole world around you would be supportive and understand everything without any effort.  You have all these hopes and dreams and ideas of all the great things that are going to happen and how every moment will feel better than the last.  And how everyone will recognize how perfect the two of you are together.  I understand that Charlie isn’t my husband, but I do think he was made for me.  It’s just that I had a very different picture of what was going to happen, even before I met him.

In my head was this grandiose idea of what life would be like with a service dog.  I thought my daily well-being would miraculously change and everything would be easier.  I wanted to believe that this would be the best behaved creature I’d ever encounter and everyone would want one just like him.  I pictured a gentle beast that wouldn’t hurt a fly, lived well beyond his years without any health problems, could read my mind, and always put me in a good mood. 

And then we had our bumps in the road.  At first, I told myself it was an adjustment period, give him time to settle in.  He needed to re-learn everything with me because I am new.  That he was still bonding and those things would subside.  I tried what I felt like was everything.  I kept a lot of things quiet and only told those who had known Charlie since he was a puppy.  We did a great job of keeping up our perfect-team image in public.  It’s like he knew the spot light was on him and that he needed to keep the front up. 

In the end, I expected too much of him and pushed him too hard.  I had to stop before it was too late, and I still wonder if that point has already been passed.  He was physically hurting and emotionally unstable. 

Charlie is still an active service dog.  He makes my life better.  There are just certain things that I have to do in order to keep him healthy and happy.  He won’t be able to ever handle riding the bus again because it’s too much and he doesn’t know how to cope.  He won’t be able to romp with his friends or share toys like he used to because he gets too overwhelmed and reacts in an un-socially acceptable way.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to travel with him because he needs structure and a constant routine.  I have to monitor his stress threshold and make sure he doesn’t go over it.  I will have to face that he is no longer as physically fit and he was supposed to be due to arthritis and dysplasia in his elbow.  But most of all, the easiest thing of all, is that I have to keep loving him and setting him up for success. 

  I did not prepare for these medical issues in any way- emotionally or financially.  So, I have Team Charlie t-shirts for sale and the proceeds will go directly to his medical bills that are rolling in.  He has already had his elbow x-rayed multiple ways to see the severity of the arthritis and determine if there is dysplasia, but now they want to do a CT scan and surgery to slow the deterioration in his elbow.  Here's the link for the t-shirts: www.booster.com/charlietheservicedog3.

So what is my game plan?  Well, Charlie is currently on antidepressants to help with his stress and super-duper joint supplements for his elbow.  He also takes some prescribed pain meds when he is having a rough day.  I have to wait on the CT scan and surgery for three reasons- the cost, necessity, and recovery process.  One vet says it’s important to do it sooner than later in order to slow it down and the other says to wait and see how he does with the medications.  I am leaning towards waiting, especially because of the risk of surgery, the possibility of it not even working, and the expense.  And he won’t be riding the bus- I can’t control who is driving and how they drive (he slid around quite a few times and the breaking point was when he slid so hard that he was choked).  It’s just too much for him.  Eventually, I’d love to get a vehicle that I can drive and transport my power chair and Charlie.

That dream that I had of us will never come to be.  I now have to edit our lifestyle and proceed with caution.  I needed to grieve my idyllic life.  I had to understand that what I thought was completely wrong- he isn’t some dog with super powers.  He’s a dog.  And he’s still my here-on-earth saving grace.  I knew we were brought together for a reason, but didn’t think this was the road we’d have to take. 

I am truly blessed with some amazing supporters who get this and are there for us in so many different ways.  It’s like I’ve gained a whole new family through this all.  Thank you to those who are behind us and believe in us.  Your love is felt and appreciated- you have no idea how many times I’ve felt this load bearing down and then one of you pops up and lifts that load right off of me.

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!