Did you see this?

Loyalty goes a long way!

We love this picture! It shows how much love there is between us furry folks and you, humans! Check it out!

A sample of what we do....

It has taken me some time to really gather my thoughts to write this blog post. Tara puts a lot of effort into training us, but our focus is on children and individually. On Tuesday I got to try something new: I taught a public workshop! "The Whispered Word of Suicide" was present by Tara and I to a group of Stephen Ministers at a local church. I must add that I had no idea we were doing this. I am sure Tara told me, but I was not paying attention---don't tell her but I do that a lot! I had been at work with her most of the day and slept in the work room for the last two clients, so I thought we were going home, but we didn't!

When we got there, we were able to get set up. I sniffed around and greeted the people in the room. I was a little unsure of the different floors we walked on as they changed as we walked through the building to get to our room, but I was more than happy to see carpet that I knew in the room we were teaching in. Tara carried one of my beds in and told me to go on "place". It was hard to listen because other people kept saying "Abbey come".

As 6:30 rolled around the meeting started. They were talking about some church things, prayers, praise, etc. I decided to sit on Tara's lap and just listened. All of a sudden this woman walked in and I just knew something was wrong. I kept trying to tell Tara but she wasn't getting it and was telling me I was being rude and to calm down so they could continue their meeting. I don't usually have a leash on and forgot that I was wearing one and Tara pulled me back. I kept tagging her and telling her that I HAD to go see this lady. Finally the lady started to cry and I gave Tara the "I told you so look". I could tell Tara was surprised, but she still wouldn't let me get to her.

I don't really know what was said, but the lady started to cry harder and everyone, except for Tara because she made me sit with her, got up and started praying for the woman. Once everything calmed down, we were introduced and I went and sat with the woman who was crying. Tara talked for a minute about my job in counseling sessions and how I gave her the signals something was wrong, even before it was disclosed.

Once I knew that lady was ok, I walked around the room to get a good read on everyone. A very nice man in the front took of my leash and I then went fully into "work" mode. I visited with a couple of people who were struggling with hearing Tara talk so easily about suicide. She does talk about it with ease, but after all, that is the point of her presentation. If we don't talk about it, then how are we going to save lives?

After the more intense portion of the workshop, I started to focus on the door and window. I chased a lizard that was outside and listened to the people outside the door who were talking. People thought I had to go potty, but Tara knew better. She told them it was because of the lizard and people talking, but I took on too much emotion and was ready to call it quits. I finally went and laid down, but made sure Tara knew I reached my limit and could not visit with anyone any longer.

Many people do not realize that in our work, we don't have to know what people are saying, we take on the energy of the emotions. I slept good that night and know that I helped the one lady and probably others in the room.

Tara praised me like crazy when we got outside and I got some special attention from her. I was so excited to come home and tell Bode about it, but he was sad he didn't get to go too.

I love what I do and I am so glad to share it with you too!

Off to bed....
Abbey

We rescued Tara...

Abbey and I were shown this by a friend and it is so true! Did you know that we are both rescues? Well in reality, we rescued Tara :)

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor,
peering apprehensively into the kennels.
I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly,
so she wouldn’t be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel,
I blocked her view from a little accident I
had in the back of my cage.
I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been
walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get busy
and I didn’t want her to
think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card,
I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past.
I only have the future to look forward to,
and want to make a difference in someone’s life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against
the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck;
she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek,
and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright
that I Instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see
that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today…

I caught her...

Abbey loves to steal our human brother's car seat after we take him to school or before we pick him up. It always makes Tara laugh and she tells Abbey that she is such a "Drama Queen". Here she is proving she is queen!

She (Abbey) is always complaining that she can't see anything because she is so little. Sitting in the seat, she gets the same view I do from the car. Abbey, being the people watcher that she is, must know what is going on in the world around her! Surprises make her anxiety increase and this way she can easily keep track of life.

Do you feel like you have to always know what is going on? Does your anxiety grow when you can't see what is going to happen next? Some stress and anxiety management tools may help you! Abbey is learning some herself and finding ways to cope with her anxiety in life!

Until next time...

Bode

A day in our life...

so, we have decided to share with you a typical day (if there is such a thing) in our life!

-6:30-7am: Hear our human brother wake up and pretend we are still asleep

-7:30am: Reluctantly go outside as fast as we can and come back in where Bode attempts to go back to sleep and Abbey takes a seat on her couch to keep an eye on the neighborhood

-8am: Hear Tara fill our bowl, walk out to make sure it is enough food. Abbey eats, Bode decides to graze throughout the day

-8:45am: Get our work "clothes" on and pack up the car

-9am: Take our human brother to school and say hi to all the other families in the parking lot

-9-9:30am: Arrive at the office, take a walk around the inside and outside to make sure nothing has changed since we were last there. Bode finds bunny and ensures he knows where it is and no one has touched it. Abbey claims the large dog bed in the work room.

-9:45am: Remind Tara that we know where she keeps both treats (the good ones from Pawsotively Purrfect are in the fridge and the "others" are in the big playroom)

-10-5ish: clients, clients, and more clients...our favorite!! We go out and play in the yard a few times; play tag with each other; run around with the the other therapy dogs; drink water and nap

-5pm: Return to the school to pick up the little human and again, greet everyone we can see! We get so excited when he gets in the car and tells us hello!

-5:30pm: Home and run around the yard with the family, play inside, walk, nap...so many things to do!

-6:30pm: Here comes dinner!! We are ready this time and eat it all then off we go to play in the yard.

8pm sharp: We put ourselves to bed! Abbey sneaks into the closet and pulls down clothes to make a bed on her bed. Bode sprawls out across the king size bed and attempts to claim it without sharing!

Sometime after that, Tara attempts to relocate us (and our foster sisters). She claims that beds are for humans, but we think that we should all take turns on the floor, dog beds, and that huge, cozy, king sized cloud...I mean bed!

That is our life...most of the days vary in times as there are some mornings Tara makes us get up early or we go in later because we stay at the office until late (bed time) in the evening!

It is now 10 minutes past our self prescribed bed time...good night world!

Love Abbey and Bode!

Our Foster Sisters....

We have not been keeping up with this blog as we have two foster sisters from Brooke's Legacy Animal Rescue and they keep us so busy!

Please spread the word about Kelley and Dulce!