September 4 paws class gets their dogs...

Hi all! I got permission to post some of the letters and pictures that the September class got telling them who their dog is. A few weeks before we go to training is when we find out which dog is ours. They do not tell you until then because they do not want something to happen that would change the dog you are getting, and you've already attached yourself to the dog. They send an email from the dog to your child telling them about themselves and attach a picture. Here are some of the ones the September class got.

Hello!

My name is Aljax and my best friend in the whole world was Karen but now it is you though I will always love Karen. She saved me when I was a puppy. I lived for a while with a boy named Matthew but he always wanted a Chihuahua size dog and me, well I am not even close to that size LOL Actually I am quite large! I hope that is okay with you. I am the cutes dog ever! At least that is what Karen tells me every day. I am a master tracker with loads of experience! I can't wait to meet you. I am just so excited. It will be so good to be with a boy again and I know you will love me even though I am big, right? Can I sleep with you and be your best friend? Hurry and get here my best buddy Tristan, I am waiting for you! xoxo Ajax

Hello Buddy! My name is Barley. I was named after a very special golden retriever named Barley. Karen and Jeremy rescued him from the shelter and he was the coolest dog. Unfortunately he died 2 days later from a deadly virus they had at the shelter. Everyone at 4 paws was devastated. He was such a cool dude and I am honored to carry on his name and walk in his footsteps. My Mom is a Golden Retriever named Opal. I also live to honor her. She died of Cancer last year so I guess I have a couple of angels watching out for me and I plan to make them proud by being the best service dog to ever walk the earth. I feel like I know you already because they told me so much about you. I am so excited you are coming to meet me! I can't wait to go home with you and snuggle with you in your bed at night. Do you like to play ball and do you like hot dogs? Do you like to smell grass and flowers and things? I bet there are lots of things we can do together! Now I am really excited. I will try not to smell all the blades of grass in the playground so we can smell them together I mean just think how much fun that would be :0) XOXO Barley

Hello Katie

I have been so worried about you! Everyone says you are back home now and all is safe and sound that is so good to hear! I am sorry you have so much clean up to do.If I was there I could help you pick up all the sticks in the yard. I love to do that. I have been working very hard learning your scent from the shirts you wear so I will know you as soon as I meet you! I want to do my very best. I have worked so very hard for this moment. My name is Canyon and my sister Sequoia and brother Yosemite are also in the class as well as our half brother Barley. Our Mom is Allie and our Dad is Hobo and we were born at 4 Paws. I have been working very hard since the day I was born for this day. I am a boy dog but that is okay.If you want to play dress up or have tea parties I will be happy to play with you! Hurry up andcome up here to 4 Paws where it is DRY :0) BTW I hope no more of those big storms ever come our way once I move down cuz I will just have to scare them off! Hurry and get here OKAY????????????????????? XOXO Canyon

HELLO BEST BUDDY! OR IS THAT BFF? I know that is the modern way though I never text myself. My name is Sequoia and I am a member of the National Parks Gang. My Mom is Allie and my Dad is Hobo. I have 2 brothers and a half brother in this class, Yosemite and Canyon and then Barley who's Mom is Opal. Apparently my Dad is quite the "MAN" here at 4 Paws because I have a VERY large family! I hope you do not mind that I am a girl. really I am not a girly girl like Piper, I am more of a tomboy like Gracie. I mean you do not have to dress me in Pink or any thing like that. You can put me in Green Camo and we do not have to play dress up unless we dress like cowboys and Indians or something like that. I love the tracking game best of all. I hope you like it too. I bet you will because there is always a really cool prize at the end of the track! Hurry up and get to Ohio so I can teach you how to play! xoxoxo Sequoia

Hello! My name is Yosemite and I am a member of the national Parks Gang. My brother Canyon and sister Sequoia and also our half brother barley are also in this class. Us Goldendoodles rule! We are the stars of the class. Our Mom is Allie and our Dad is Hobo, Barley has another Mom named Opal. We were all born here at 4 Paws. We are really cool dogs and are the smartest in the class! We are the best trackers also but be careful what you say to the others as we do not want to hurt their feelings. Do you like to play ball? Do you like the tracking game? How about hot dogs? Do you like hot dogs? Right now I get a cool treat when I track but when you get here I will be tracking the best reward ever..... YOU! So hurry up now and head on over here because I am waiting to see you! xoxoxoxoxo Yosemite (YO SEM IT EE) like the famous park. But you can call me MITE short for mighty dog!

Hey Erik, My name is Blue and I am a boy, Black Lab. My real name is Blue's Clue's but they all call me Blue. I am a fun dog and can't wait to play with you. I hope you like to play ball and play the tracking game. Do you like to eat? I love to eat. I love hot dogs especially and Peanutbutter in my Kong. I love Tennis balls too! I want to go everywhere you go and do everything you do and play and play and play! Can I sleep in your room? Will you really, really be my best friend? I never had a best friend before and I have wanted one for so very long. Now it is almost the day you will come and meet me! Not long now. I am so very excited! Hurry up my best buddy ever and get here so we can start having fun! xoxoxoxoxo Blue

My name is Ginny and I am a Yellow Lab. I came to 4 Paws with my kids. They gave us all Harry Potter names. My full name is Ginny Weasley. Two of my kids are in the class too. I have to brag. they are so smart and they get that from me! Potter and Sirius are in the class. We came from a shelter in Kentucky, very nice people from Wayne County found us and told us they take all their special dogs to 4 Paws and that we were certainly special too! I can't wait to meet you. I really don;t mind boys, in fact almost all my kids are boys but I always dreamed my partner would be a little girl! YEAH I just knew it was meant to be because I am just such the little girl's dog! I hope that you are coming to 4 Paws really fast! How long is a week? I think I heard we have to sleep 10 more nights and then we will wake up and find you there! How cool is that! Hurry up my little best buddy, best girlfriend, special partner and keeper of all girls secrets! See ya soon! xoxoxoxoxo Ginny W.

I feel like I have been waiting on you forever. I think you are the most special boy ever for loving me just the way I am. I was so sad and thought no one would ever want me, not that I feel there is anything wrong with me. I can track better than all of them! But you know they gave me that label, sigh. I am so glad you do not care about "labels". I have been working extra hard because I want to be the best service dog ever so you will be so happy with me! I love to play ball and want to sleep in your room. I still remember sitting in the shelter asa puppy praying for a boy to love biut all the boys kept coming and taking other puppies. Karen says that is because I was meant for you and I think she is right! So hurry, hurry, hurry and get here to see me, Okay? xoxoxoxoxo Hans PS Didn't I grow into a handsome dude! Now don't listen to Karen who lectures my ears every day showing them pictures of GSDs and telling them to stand up. I think they give me character!

More glasses pictures

It looks like I'll have to go to the specialty store in Fort Worth and get Hananh some glasses. These just aren't very good ones. They are easily warped and really, they're too big. That's what I get for trying to save some money and actually use our insurance. (((sigh)))

New Glasses

Hannah got her glasses today. She hasn't been too thrilled about it so far. The first picture she's striking that pose that was cute but is starting to get annoying! LOL! I'm not sure why she started that. The second one I got while she wasn't looking and the third one I caught her with a McNugget in her mouth. LOL!

Play Date Day...

Here's a couple of pictures of Hannah and Jeida today. See the broke blinds in the back of one of the pictures....those are courtesy of our 12 yr old cat! LOL! Not! I think these two had a good time today. I know Hannah did. You be the judge! Where she got the idea you are supposed to make that kind of face every time a camera flashes I'll never know. LOL! It's kind of cute though, don't you think?

Fund Raiser....

Wow! That's about the only word that even remotely comes close to describing the experience we had on Saturday. It was one of the most amazing, touching, and inspiring days of our lives. These people were incredible to us. The amount that was raised was incredible. I'm talking unreal. I don't feel comfortable disclosing that amount but I will say that it will nearly pay for our 12 day hotel stay while we're at training.

The people at Central Baptist were very generous. The donations covered the entire back porch. Rachael and her team worked hard and tiringly to put everything out the night before. I came by to see if there was anything I could do and was unprepared for what I saw. I hadn't dreamed there'd be that much stuff donated. I cried on the way home that night. That wouldn't be the last time I cried either. We all got up Saturday morning and got to the sale about 8:30. It started at 8:00. They had already made $500 when we got there. People were so generous in their donations for the things they were purchasing.

Hannah was enjoying the playground with her brothers. I looked over and she was in a swing. I was so excited. She had never stood the swing before. It was a sensory issue and to see her swinging and enjoying it was a HUGE accomplishment. My heart was singing. She got to stay for a couple hours before she had to go home. I can tell you though that the two hours she was there she was having the time of her life.

I met several of the church people. I'm telling you, these people are amazing. Ruth Ann, her children, and husband were at the sale all day helping. The pastor's wife(sorry, lost her name) was there all day working with their daughter. Pastor Manning stopped by and we met him. Of course Rachael and her crew were there working. There were so many people. I wish I could remember everyone.

The whole day was incredible. Have I said that before? I have always been on the other side of this thing. You know, the side that does the work, the side that is doing the helping. It's a side I've always loved to be on. I loved the feeling I got when I was "giving". It can almost be addicting if you let it. To be on the receiving side was a little uncomfortable I have to admit. It's hard to NEED help. It really is. I don't know that it's pride. Maybe it is. I can tell you though, that I am so glad that I've had this experience. The feeling you get when you realize you're not alone. This burden is not one you have to bare all on your own is wonderful. It has brought a sense of peace to my turmoiled mind. I never want to forget what these people did for my precious little girl! NEVER.

Pictures from Sale Today

These are my guys! Aren't they handsome!?!?! Kyle and Zachary

Hannah enjoying the slide on the church playground

Hannah posing before heading down the slide. Note the white vest. That's her cooling vest. It keeps her core body temperature at a safe level so she doesn't overheat.

This is all the garage sale stuff. It filled the entire back porch area which is about the size of a gymnasium.

A closer look at some of the stuff and workers.

This is Rachael and one of her daughters. I think it's KC. I'll find out for sure and make a correction if I'm wrong. LOL! All three of her girls were there helping at some time during the sale. They are awesome girls. She should be one proud momma!

This is Ruth Ann. She is one of the leaders in with Rachael over Girls in Action at

Central Baptist Chruch. Her daughter, son and husband were at the sale too. I should have done a better job of picture taking. I'm regretting not having picutres of everyone. These people are amazing.

This is my man, David! Hot and tired, but still looking good!

This is a picture of the sale; shoppers, stuff, and workers. The lady in the brown shirt and pony tail is the pastor's wife. I forgot her name.(my memory is getting BAD lately) Anyway, she was really nice and down to earth. I wish I had gotten a better picture of her and her family. They were great! Her daughter was at the sale and her husband and son stopped in as well.

Here's Hannah striking her famous pose!

This is Hannah swinging. I have to say that this day was full of precious times for us. Hannah had never willing gotten in a swing. It's a sensory issue. She just couldn't tolerate the swinging motion. Not today! We had to pry her out of it. Her bubba Kyle had the honors of easing her into it and then the duty of giving her the pushes. LOL! He can get her to do alot of things none of the others of us can. I don't know what we'll do when he leaves for college in two years!
Still Swinging.

Still Swinging. Zach is looking on.

Still Swinging

Swinging. Zach and Kyle are hanging out to make sure all is well.

Hannah in the Paper/You'll have to click on it to read it...

Meet Jeida

This is Hannah's newest little friend, Jeida. I've attached a couple of pictures. Ignore the mess of a table behind the pictures. I've been getting things ready to take to Hannah's fund raiser Saturday and well, my house is a disaster! (stop laughing....o.k.....it's more of a disaster than it normally is) Anyway, Jeida is very kind to Hannah and tries to help her play. Believe me that's a frustrating job at times! LOL! Anyway, Hannah loves Jeida and was really excited when Jeida came home with her today. They've had ice cream, chicken nuggets, watched videos, played with games, and play doh. I'm so excited that Hannah has this opportunity. It's been tough to work out play arrangements that work for everyone. That, and it's just tough to find kids that will tolerate another child that isn't just like they are. Kind of sounds like our adult population, huh? Anyway, we wanted to share this day with everyone because it's VERY special to us. This is the FIRST time anyone has ever came and played with Hannah, EVER.

First Week

The first week of school just came to an end. It didn't go smoothly but what has ever gone smoothly with Hannah! LOL! She's been super cranky lately and irritable. I have to remind myself that we always go through this when getting on a new medication. Once the medication is at the right level and her body gets used to it, I get my precious little girl back. But, until then, life is not too fun!

She doesn't want to get up to go to school. Once she does, she's fine though and seems to enjoy it. I think it is just a huge adjustment for her going from one school to another. Different teachers, building, kids, etc. She seems to like all her teachers. She talks about Mrs. Mobley, who btw, got a desk slammed on her foot this week. Bless her heart. These teachers really are angels. Anyway, Hannah told me one day, "Mrs Mo-ba-lee say.....YEOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!" The next day I go to school and find out why Mrs. Mobley said "YEOOOOOOOOOW!" Hannah's back to bossing the boys too. At home she is constantly telling Alexis, "no, no, no, no Alexis. Trash Alexis. Good Boy Alexis!" Alexis isn't here but he still gets bossed.

This year I am taking a little girl to school when I take Hannah and picking her up. She's the little girl of a friend of mine that I worked with at Mikasa. The little girl's name is Jeida and she is absolutely adorable. Her daddy is going to be fighting the boys off with a stick! Anyway, Hannah just loves her and Jeida has taken kind of a mother hen roll. Helps Hannah buckle her seat belt and unbuckle it, etc. They have become "sisters". Tuesday Jeida is going to come to our house after school and watch a movie with Hannah. I'm nervous because Hannah is "different" but Jeida doesn't seem to mind at all. She just wants to play and she helps Hannah play. Their relationship may just be an answer to prayer for me.

Just when I about give up on Hannah ever "getting" something she surprises me. This morning she brought me her letter easel and started pointing at letters and telling me their names. She picked out f - r- o - g and spelled and sounded out frog. Mind you she learned that spelling from Super Why but hey, what kid doesn't learn some things from videos anymore. I felt encouraged anyway.

I think her story comes out in the paper this week. Hard to believe that her fund raiser is this next Saturday. Please keep it in your prayers. We need around at least $4,000 just to go to training in March. That will cover hotel, food, and gas to get there. We have to purchase supplies for the dog too. I know what we'll all be getting for Christmas this year. Dog supplies! LOL!

Who's the Brave one?

O.K. So, school started this morning....I know I've said it over and over how brave Hannah is, but you know what, she may be brave, but her momma is brave too! I left my little girl in the hands of other people for a whole day after nearly losing her just a little over a month ago! And I'll have to do it day after day too! Mind you, I know they are perfectly capable and very caring people, and will love Hannah to pieces once they get to know her, but still! LOL!

I heard from her teacher earlier who told me not to worry, and I'm trying not to. LOL! So far she's thrown things, hit the occupational therapist and told her she was killing her, and has not eaten or drank anything. I'm literally in shock! She never acts this way. I tried hard to prepare her for the change she would experience. She went from Franklin to the elementary this year. New school, new teachers, new everything. I just coulnd't get it through to that mind of hers no matter how hard I tried. When I say school she thinks Franklin. My hope is that she'll adjust in the next few days and she'll enjoy her new school as much as her old. She did have an absense seizure they think at lunch time. It only lasted a few seconds though so that is good.

I'm thankful that her teachers are so good and have been so willing to work with me. Please pray she can make this adjustment as quickly as possible, and that she'd continue to be well. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support.

Wow....School

Things have been busy around here. We took Hannah to "Meet The Teacher" night Thursday. We drove up in front of the school and she said, "WOW, school!" So, my fears that she would not understand that the new school was now her school were unwarranted. She knew. She walked into the building very excitedly and we found her classroom. When we got into the classroom Hannah discovered her desk and had to try it out. She was in heaven! She calls her teacher Miss Mo-ba-lee. Her name is Mrs. Mobley. I have not met the people that will be assisting in that classroom but have heard great things about them. Hannah should have an enjoyable year for sure. I think I talked way too much to Mrs. Mobley and kept her past the allotted time. She was kind to listen and I really feel good about leaving Hannah in her care. I'm always nervous about her being in another person's care, but I do know that God is in charge and He's the best one to be in charge!

This morning we went to Central Baptist to visit. It was an enjoyable service. I didn't get to talk to Rachael. I'm not even sure if she knew we were there. LOL! The congregation was very kind as they were when Hannah and I did VBS there.(the one day before she got sick) The music was fantastic, and the message fed both David and I. There was a couple of times Hannah said "amen" and got a few chuckles from the people around us, but they didn't seem to mind much. Hannah really gets with the preaching! What can I say? LOL!

It's only two weeks until the garage sale. I'm still trying to relax about letting other people help us in this way. It's not the end I'm used to being on. I know though that if I were doing this all alone it would be almost more than I can handle. I'm thanking and praising God everyday for people who were willing to help. I'm in awe of how God works, and the love His people have for others.

We are less than 6 mths away from going to get Hannah's new companion. I don't know who is more excited. Me, or her. She talks about her doggie but it's hard to know if she really gets that she's going to get one. I've read some amazing stories lately about what these dogs do for their owners. Once again, I stand in awe at how God works. He has created some pretty amazing things.

We're getting ready to start school on Tuesday. Oh, did I tell y'all Hannah has to have glasses again. She hasn't worn them since she was 2 years old! She had her surg and it corrected her vision. The other day she had her check up and her vision has been affected and we can either have another surg or do glasses. We have chosen glasses for now because the opthamologist told me that even if Hannah had the surg. she'd probably still have to have glasses. I'm just not up to putting her through a surg. right now. So far no new seizures. We'll see the neuro again on the 8th of Sept. Her rash is almost completely gone too. So, things are improving.

Thanks again and please continue to keep her in your prayers!

The Rash....Results

Drum Roll Please.............It's Fifth's Disease! Can you see me doing the Happy Dance?????? Yep, I am! I cried in relief! It's not lamictal!!!!! WoooHoooo! Did you ever think you'd see a mom happy her child had Fifth's Disease?!?! LOL! I feel like we need to go celebrate! Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Sigh of Relief....

Can you feel my relief from there? I had Hannah's ARD today and I am so relieved. The staff was great. They did an excellent job of making me feel like what was important to me was important to them. They listened to my over zealous information laiden self! LOL! And were so kind about it all too! I cannot tell you what a relief it was to know that Hannah would be in good hands and that my concerns and Hannah's needs were important and would be met to the best of their ability. I know Hannah will thrive in her new school with her new education team. She'll miss Mrs. Wheeler and all the people who took such wonderful care of her at Franklin, but I'm betting she'll love her new teachers and the people who work with her too. Thank you God for putting such awesome, wonderful, caring people in our path to help us let Hannah have a life!!!!!!

Hannah still has the rash and we're still waiting on test results. They are taking FOREVER! LOL! She has done well otherwise. Still no fever, welping, blistering, swollen glands, etc. We see the opthamologist next week to see if the swelling went down on her optical nerve and also to see if she needs glasses or additonal surgery.

Hannah's been a mess this week. She has lauged all week long over the silliest things. I mean giggled herself silly. She's decided that she needs naps. Well, not the kind of naps you'd think....her naps are mommy and her laying in bed and playing. She's been saying the word...."boogar" to me and I've been telling her "Gross Hannah!" Well, this week she's taken to putting a finger in each nostil and twisting them around and saying...."Boogar Momma!" Then she just giggles. Another thing she did this week that just fascinates me is that I picked up my cell phone to call someone and she came and stood by me and said, "254-498-2999. Thanks so much!" I'm like....WHAT? Then I realize that everytime I leave a message on the doctors answering machine and that's been alot lately I say, "my number is 254-498-2999 thanks so much." It amazes me that she can memorize something like that and is hit and miss on her alphabet and the sounds the letters make. Oh, to get in her brain and see how it works!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support! It is appreciated, I promise.