Cast Your Vote November 2, 2010

With elections just around the corner, Shiloh and I want to remind all human halves of service dog teams to vote on November 2. Does your state need laws protecting Service Dogs from being interfered with or injured? Does your state better awareness of access for people with disabilities partnered with service dogs? You human partners can ensure your voices are (or will be) heard on these and many other issues on ballots  across the country affecting the lives of people with disabilities by casting your ballot on November 2,2010.  According to the American Association of People with Disabilities Disability Vote Project "At least half of all Americans with disabilities are not registered to vote." I ask you, my loyal readers how can we as a community expect our current rights to continue to be protected, our equity as members of society to be validated, or our issues to be seen as important when we are not seen as a community that votes?

Anniversary: Two Years, A Wonderous Journey

This October 17th marks two years that Shiloh and I have been a team living life and all its surprises together! In the last two years we have gone from complete strangers to each others rocks of Gibraltar. Shiloh and I have done so many things together that it is hard for me to list them all on the greatest hits parade we have:

• Moved twice
• Attended weddings, birthdays and baby showers
• Interviewed for and gotten jobs
• Survived my wisdom teeth getting pulled
• Met Galaxy from Greatest American dog (I have picture here somewhere...)

Shiloh continues to amazed me with her steady, sweet countenance and her drive to work. She recently showed me that she finally has made sense of what I have been trying in my completely inept, bungling human way to show her how she can help with my balance issues during a recent return trip to Newport (read about our fun at the beach in the past) where she would place herself either beside, in front, or behind depending on what point in the stairs I was at and how she understood she could best assist me. With her beside me I could have one hand pulling myself up with the railing and the other holding onto Shiloh's backpack handle for a little forward momentum (I tend to fall backward when I fall, but it really does take much to keep me on my feet and balanced).




Finally, I wish to thank everyone who made Shiloh and I possible:
-The Staff and Volunteers of Summit Assistance Dogs
-Shiloh's Trainer Sue Meinzinger (known affectionately around here as Aunty Sue)
-My cousin April for her $100 Donation
-My longtime friend Wayne Terry for his donation of a Large Dog Crate ($100 value)
-Shelley Maynard,Owner of Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 Donation
-Kathleen Ison for her $10 donation
-Olivia Emilia and Rob Harden for their $50 donation
-My longtime friend Anne Hensley for her $50 donation in memeroy of her first SD Andrew
-My longtime friends Pam and Loc Reader for their $100 donation
-My former co-workers at Pierce County Deparment of Emergency Management for their $155 donation.
-My Aunt and Uncle, Steven and Marie McDonald for their $100
-My college internship supervisor Mr. Jim Stevenson and family for their $100
-My Unce Dale McDonald for his $300 donation
-My Grandmother Mary Ellen for her $200
-My parents for their $600 donation to Summit and their love and support through out the entire process
-My best friends Leslie Weilbacher and Katie Berger for all their love, support and perspective!

Sometimes People Do Get it Right!

Snoopy Happy Dance

The other day I stopped at the little coffee counter where I work and while I was waiting for my drink this young woman was admiring Shiloh from a distance. I was floored when she addressed me before Shiloh and then she politely asked if she could pet her. I believe in rewarding people for behaviors I appreciate, so I said of course!

News: Celebrate World Animal Day all week with Walgreens and Delta Society!

For one week starting Monday, October 4th, you'll be able to put your pet on the cover of a magazine, save money and support Delta Society all at the same time!

From October 4th thru 9th, Walgreen's Photo Centers will be offering their 8x10 "magazine cover" templates for $3.99 (regular price $5.99) when you use their coupon code MAGSALE. Choose from dozens of options including "Dog Fancy," "Cat Fancy," "Bird Talk," "Pet Scene" and many more. Either bring your photo into one of the many photo centers or upload your photo online and pick it up at the store.

Half the proceeds from the promotion will support Delta Society's work to promote the human-animal bond. All over the world, Delta Society's 10,000 Pet Partners® therapy animal teams bring comfort and healing to people who most need it.

So get out that camera and make your pet a star!

To get started, visit www.walgreens.com/deltasociety and follow these steps:

· Click on "Create"

· Click on the magazine cover you want to print

· You'll be prompted to login. If you don't already have a Walgreens account, you'll need to create one at this time

· Click the "Upload" button then click the "Browse" button to select the picture from your computer. Click the "Upload Now" button

· Drag your photo onto the template (If you see an orange triangle that means your photo is too low of a resolution to print & you'll need to pick a different picture)

· To edit the picture, hover your mouse over the picture, then click on the pencil

· When you're all done, click on "Continue"

· Review your order and click on "Add to Cart"

· Input the coupon code and click "Update Total"

· Click on "Checkout". Here you can choose to pick up the picture or have it shipped. Click "Continue"

· Select payment options (either pay now or at the store). Click "Continue"

· Review your order and click on "Submit Order"

More About World Animal Day

World Animal Day is celebrated each year on October 4th on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Started in 1931 as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species, the number of World Animal Day events taking place throughout the world has grown year upon year. Take this special day to commemorate your love of your own animal companions by creating a magazine cover with your pet and supporting Delta Society!

*Coupon code MAGSALE valid for up to 5 uses per account thru October 9, 2010. Code must be entered at time of checkout to apply discount. Discount does not apply to prints (any size), scrapbook pages, previous purchases, taxes or shipping charges. Orders must be placed by logged-in customer by October 9, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to qualify. Timing will be determined by Walgreens server clock. Multiple coupon codes may or may not be used based on cart contents. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

News: Today in Corvallis

Looking for something fun to do today? Want to support a good cause?Osborn Aquatic Center’s 6th Annual “Dog Day” fundraiser for OAC and the Heartland Humane Society.
This exclusive event one day a year turns Otter Beach and the outdoor pools into a Fenced Dog Park for three 90-minute sessions. It happens just before the outdoor pool is drained for maintenance.
Dogs of all ages and sizes are welcome!
The three sessions go from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
The cost is $5 per dog each session. People can go for free.