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!

It's been a while

Whoops, I lost track of time and have been hibernating.  But Spring is soon here, yay!

I have some exciting fundraising updates for you... according to the gogetfunding.com site, I have $2,470 raised!  But better news is that I’ve received donations from people who prefer not to give online and that brings the total to $4,175!!  And the best news is that over $400 came in from the fundraiser that was held at Folklore Coffee Company a few Sundays ago!  That is 60% of my goal (and 83.5% of the required $5K to give back to UDS)- sorry, that was the Budget Analyst in me. 

 

We have been going all over the place lately- CVS, Ciro’s (the Sicilian old lady mama chef even came out to see him), Central Market, Mommalicious, Garden Spot Furniture, Café Chocolate, Tomato Pie Café, the bank (where he already knows that they give me a treat for him!) and church...I am probably missing a few, but there are too many places we go! 

While at work Charlie sleeps under my desk on a big bath mat/carpet thing (and occasionally snores and barks in his sleep).  We go on bathroom breaks and then I run him on the sidewalk around Binn’s Park in the city (I work in the building that sits around the park).  During lunch we go around quite a few blocks at full wheelchair speed- almost 5 mph!  People bounce right out of our way if we go fast and it’s less opportunity for them to reach out and touch him!

Charlie is turning 3 in 11 days!  And in 23 days I am closing on my first house... surreal!  I can’t wait to get in there and put a fence up for Charlie and his friends to play in.  There a a few things to be done before I move in- one of them is building a ramp and walkway so I can get in the house in my power chair (or building a shed to store it in at night)... so if you know anyone, shoot me an email with their info so I can start getting some bids!

1/29-2/5 Update

We made it through the week!  We had some tough moments, too.  Monday’s snow early in the morning was not a fun time- we ended up waiting for the bus for an hour in that snow.  I tried holding my umbrella over Charlie and me but it was nearly impossible and he ended up soaking wet.   Once we got on the bus he dried off a bit, but the floor was all wet from everyone else bringing in the snow.  Thankfully, we arrived to work in one piece (despite the hour long ride) and Charlie curled right up on his mat under my desk where he fell asleep soundly.  He likes it under there because I catch him snoring and dreaming (legs twitching, quiet noises- as if he were chasing a squirrel or something)! 

The rest of Monday was nice and warm until we had to go back outside.  We left work early because I had a meeting at TABOR- about 4 long blocks from where I work in the old Armstrong building on Queen St.  Unfortunately, halfway through block one it started to rain- freezing rain (which then made the sidewalks extremely slippery).  Charlie was slipping and my wheelchair was sliding!  Not fun at all.  Then, when we got to the building we had to wait for someone to let us in the handicap accessible entrance, but I went to the wrong one so we ended up waiting 15 minutes outside this building in the freezing rain.

The rest of the week was uneventful (thankfully) minus Tuesday's crazy rain storm... I was able to get home a bit early and avoid the downpour.  We stayed low for the rest of the week as we are still adjusting and therefore exhausted by the time we get home each night.  We did work on a few commands and Charlie was able to "tug" off my boots as well as "hold" and "carry" a plastic bag with various things in it to weigh it down (I am working on getting him to be able to carry my lunch bag for me).  

Saturday we took a trip into Philly to pick up a beautiful leather chair at West Elm.  Charlie did so well in the van, slept the whole way there and back!  It was difficult once we parked and had to walk to the store because there were so many smells and sounds.  We are working on no pulling while walking and that morning was surely a challenge.  Later that evening we joined a few from the UDS gang and went to the Hershey Bears Game to man the table where we sell dog treats and calendars and people come to visit the dogs.  It's always a fun time to see Charlie's fan club!  

Sunday we went to church and there was absolutely no whining during the service!  That was awesome.  After that we headed to Cafe Chocolate in Lititz because I had to take some photos for a class and Charlie did a great job just laying there and watching me as I did my thing.  

Monday night we went to UDS training and got to see everyone.  Charlie had a rough time going into the room because he was so anxious.  But, once we were in he settled nicely and worked hard the rest of the time.  It was one of the dog's birthday, so to celebrate each dog received a nice treat- frozen yogurt... Charlie was literally drooling over that thing!

Charlie is popular at work already- all the Deputies love seeing him as we go in and out.  Today we had our first meeting together with all the staff in my department.  He slept the majority of it!  Lucky.