I'm still too emotional to put all the photos up

but here's a teaser for now.

America makes the big time!

Pat Lawson, the magic behind many successful CCI events, was sweet to use America's photo on a tee box sign for the upcoming CCI First Annual Invitational golf tournament.

Many thanks to Allie's Party Equipment Rental, Inc. for supporting our cause.

Here's a link in case you'd like to join the fun

GolfTournament

Woof if you love America

Davi and Willie, you're such instigators!!!

We all got a message from Davi yesterday, asking us to vote for her photo that she submitted to Aaron Brothers' Show Me Your America contest. It's a great shot of her grandson, a baseball phenom, throwing out a runner at first base.

So, of course I followed directions as I'm wont to do. But at our CCI outing last night Willie said I needed to submit this famous photo of Mer. I didn't give it much thought, but she, being the encourager that she is, followed up with an email. Once again I followed directions because that's what I do.
So now Mer and I are asking for your votes. You can't vote until Sept. 16th, but you can rank the photo, which will move it up in the ratings.
voteforamerica


I also hope you'll vote for Davi's photo!

votefortrevor

Here's another to vote for:

voteforbubba

and another, Nona, being raised by Sharon Crawford and her girl scout daughter as part of silver award

voteforNona

America meeting new friends

Deidre, aka Deedsee, aka Dietzie, CCI pup extraordinaire

Volunteers for CanineCompanionsforIndependence wear many different hats, puppy raisers, puppy sitters, puppy bathers, puppy shuttlers, just to name a few. This week, as a CCI volunteer, it's been my privilege to foster a special puppy.


Deidre is being raised by the inmates at Miramar Brig.
It's been proven that puppies raised by prisoners make excellent service dogs. That's a good thing for those of us on the outside, but it's also been proven that puppies raised within prison can change the morale of the prison as a whole and give the inmates, as individuals, a life altering experience. We all know the unconditional love a pup gives. Picture that unconditional love smothering someone who might have nothing to live for. As I said, life altering!

CCI has been working with the Miramar Brig for several years and the graduation rate of these puppies far exceeds that of puppy raisers on the outside. However one of the drawbacks is that these pups need socialization beyond the confines of the prison environment. That's where people like me come in. The pups are furloughed for two weeks every few months so that they can experience normal everyday things that we take for granted, but that they have not seen or heard, traffic noises, cars honking, taking a walk in the neighborhood, leaves falling, children running up for a pet.
Because the pups are so well trained in their commands they're very easy to be with and what fun I'm having letting Deidre run up the stairs, explore the backyard, go to a restaurant, accompany me to church.
Thank you, CCI, and especially Stu and Cath, for giving me this opportunity.
It's also a wonderful way to get over the sorrow of turning in Wyanne.

Food for thought

I occasionally check in on this lovely lady's blog, One Happy Fool
She's a cancer survivor, teaches art to youth in prison, and challenges herself daily to draw! She takes multiple art classes and faithfully posts her work. She's miles ahead of me, but gives me inspiration.
I almost forgot to mention she has a CCI service dog, released for kidney problems.

Here's one of her works from a mixed medial class.



here's her bio:
Barbara
Northern California, United States
I'm a woman of a certain age, living with one husband, one daughter, three dogs and one cat. I have more interests than I can name. I especially like to read, watch movies, paper craft, garden, correspond and draw. I sometimes cook, desperately try to clean house and generally keep track of myself. Oh yes, I work parttime too. I like rainy days and most animals. I want a goat. (Not an option, but I want one.) The photo was taken in the chemotherapy suite where I spend LOTS of time.

Way to go, Ilia!

Meet the 2008 ASPCA Dog of the Year
Ten-year-old Cole Massie of Los Angeles, CA, may live with cerebral palsy, but he has all the support a kid could want, thanks to a very special black Lab/golden retriever mix named Ilia.

Recently crowned ASPCA Dog of the Year as part of the 2008 Humane Awards program, Ilia performs service duties like bringing items to Cole in his wheelchair and opening and closing doors. But the pooch also has that special healing touch that can’t be taught. “He provides amazing incentive to Cole during therapies, doctor’s appointments and procedures,” says Cole’s mom, Michelle Massie. “He calms, inspires and motivates my son far better than anyone ever has."

Or, as Cole sums it up: "I like when he lies next to me in bed at night and we listen to Harry Potter on CD, and that he helps to clean me when I'm in the bath by licking my face and arms. He's my furry brother and best friend—and a serious bed hog!

This past July, three years after boy and dog were paired by the nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence, Cole was faced with a difficult, but life-changing surgery. “He had walked on his toes, and his feet were totally rolled in,” says Massie. “The operation would allow him to use his feet and free him of the wheelchair.”

“Cole was frightened by the idea of surgery at first,” remembers Massie. “We explained how much more independent he’d be afterward, but he wasn’t buying it. Finally, we told him that if he had this procedure, there was a very good chance he’d be able to walk Ilia on his own—with no parents and no walker." After that, says Massie, "Cole would stroke the dog’s head in bed each night and whisper, 'I will walk you, Ilia. I will walk you.'"

After much coaxing, Cole underwent the surgery in Summit, NJ, and Ilia traveled more than 7,000 miles to be by the boy's side. The ten-year-old is now on his way to becoming an independent walker—and his dedicated service dog will be with him every step.

The entire family will attend the ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City this October 30, where Ilia will be honored along with seven other extraordinary animals and people.

P.S. We'd like to remind you, pet lovers, that even heroes have their quirks. As Massie reveals, “Ilia knows 46 commands, but he won’t fetch!”

Self realization and fellowship temple

I'd love to follow in Pioneer Woman's footsteps and have a contest to name this photo, but sadly, no sponsors...
Sherry,Wyanne and I visited the gardens at the self realization temple. What do you suppose Wy's thinking?

My silly Wyanne

I just love that she's a girl after my own heart - sun goes down - so do we:-)