Beginning of The Process

   
 I got the call!  I am tentatively slated for Team Training with The East Coast Assistance Dog Foundation for the end of July.  This means I will have to go live at their facility in Dobbs Ferry, NY for two weeks.  Each candidate in the Team Training class will be training with the dogs from 8am to 5pm every day, except Sundays.  Four or Five days into training, "my" dog will be assigned to me.  The dog actually chooses the candidate.  So, I do not get a choice in which dog I get teamed up with.  Personality, temperament, height, talent, etc.. are all taken into consideration.  Since my dog will be used for balance, the taller ones are actually easier for me.  Also, mine will have to have strong focus and be very child friendly.  It will have to be able to concentrate on work through the chaos of our busy house and kids.  Something they have never done before is train a dog to stop at every doorway, top of stairs and change of terrain.  I have very poor depth perception.  So, its important the dog notify me when there is a step or something coming.  It will also be able to pull the kids in their wagon.  I use the wagon a lot and they want me to be able to have a hand free, rather than one on the dog and one on the wagon.  I will also be able to latch the kids onto the dog in busy places so  that they don't run off.  Its going to take quite a dog!!!

      Im sure there are many people in my every day life that are wondering why I need a dog because I look fine.  Its days like the last few that I could really use one.  I haven't left the house in 3 days.  Yesterday I didn't get up until 4pm.  I watched the kids from bed and the couch because my body was just completely uncooperative.  Especially the few days prior to my infusion.
    Last week, I was feeling great.  I went into a store I have not been in before, looked around, and as I was coming out didn't see the step down and tumbled out onto the curb.  Things like that...it would be nice to have the dog there to spot me.
   On a different note... I had such a great time putting together my fundraiser (Cruise for a Cause/Whine for a Cure) last year that I wanted to make it an annual event.  I wanted to raise money each year for someone else to be able to get the aide of an assistance dog.  I had a thought the other day that maybe I could donate the money to someone locally in need...  If anyone has any ideas...
    I was stuck sitting in my parents bathroom for an hour while the kids were playing "truck wash" so I picked up and read the Readers Digest.  There was an article about a Marine who threw himself over a grenade to protect his fellow soldiers.  He ended up surviving, but having to have over 30 surgeries and still isn't back to his old self he said "Im at my new 100%".  What positivity and optimism.  Each day I strive to be my 100% and each day it might be a different 100%.  Yesterday, I didn't get out of bed but twice.  I watched my kids watch TV and play on the floor.  I read them books and made sure they were fed.  It wasn't much, but for that day, it was my 100%.  Hopefully today is a different 100%.