Monday, August 31, 2009

Jack and Bella

We went to visit Kris last night for dinner and Jack got to meet Shannon's new kitty Bella. Jack enjoyed playing (and to some extent, torturing) Bella. But Bella took it all in stride and playfully chased everything Jack tossed around the room. Cute kitty Shannon!







Friday, August 28, 2009

More local coverage of Jack and CAYLIE

Here is another recently published article on Jack and CAYLIE.

Thanks to Candace for this coverage. Click here to read the article.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

1st day of 1st Grade!

Yesterday was Jack's first day of school and he was so excited to be going back. We are very grateful for the new school hours this year as he doesn't get on the bus until 8:00 and doesn't get home until 3:30. We were getting him up at 6:00 last year so this is much easier. His new teacher is Mrs. Sosa and although Jack misses Mrs. Hall very much I think they will get along just great.




Thursday, August 20, 2009

"Pay It Forward"

Please read this article published in The University City Weekly newspaper of Charlotte, NC entitled "Pay It Forward".

Monday, August 17, 2009

CAYLIE

We had quite a whirlwind weekend but enjoyed our time spent with CAYLIE and the paws4people crew. On Saturday, Terry, Kyria, Jeremy and of course, CAYLIE, all came to visit us and Jack and CAYLIE practiced walking with a new harness. CAYLIE, still acting very much like the puppy that she is (16 months), bounded around the house and backyard retrieving a ball she had picked out of Jack's toys. She was quite the bundle of energy.

We learned that graduation will probably be in the mid-November timeframe. As to exactly when we will receive CAYLIE permanently in our home is still to be determined. She still has a bit to mature and the training with her and Jack will be more gradual. Still, we're hoping for placement late this year if all goes well.

Maggie was not her usual feisty self as she was recovering from an allergic reaction to a rabies vaccination but was a little put off by CAYLIE's bounding around "her" backyard and snapped at her once. I think once they are together for a while, they will be the best of buddies.

On Sunday, Lisa had her fundraiser for paws4people at Candace and Paul's house. She did extrememly well, raising $300 for "paws". Thanks to all the friends and family that came for support and purchases of Lisa's handmade glass jewelry. CAYLIE and Jack were in attendance of course. CAYLIE was much more subdued on Sunday, probably due to the large number of people and activity. She was content with laying at Terry's feet and napping from time to time.

Enjoy the pictures.


Learning to use the new harness

Jack and CAYLIE will have to figure out how to coordinate each other's movements which will only come with practice.

Jack was practicing voice commands like 'down', 'leave it' and 'eat'


Getting a wet kiss

What a beautiful dog

CAYLIE, Jack, ADDIE and Terry


CAYLIE at the fundraiser

A surprise visit from Mrs. Hall

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Charleston

It was a wonderful but too short a vacation for all of us in Charleston this past weekend. Although it was very hot and humid, we were blessed with little rain. We enjoyed two wonderful dinners; Friday night at Coast Bar and Grille and Saturday night at The Buccaneer. Jack had a great time Saturday in the park just outside the Embassy Suites while the ladies shopped in the flea market. He did some kids games and rode a pony. Pictures below....






Monday, August 3, 2009

Ready for Charleston

As we look forward to our vacation to Charleston this weekend, I wanted to update you on the seizures. We are trying the vimpat again with a bit more success. The seizures seem milder. When he is startled, he seems to be able to arrest them easier and they only last a couple seconds instead of a minute or so. But, that being said, he still has violent ones from time to time and it may be that he has the type of seizures in which the medications lose their effectiveness after awhile. We are still hoping to get in to see the doctor in Chapel Hill before October.

We are very excited about going to Charleston this weekend with Kris, Shannon, Jake and Natalie. It will only be for the weekend but it is one of our favorite places to visit and will be nice break from work and doctor appointments.


Jack says, "You rock, dude".