Merry Christmas Everyone

I just wanted to make sure I got to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I was a little bummed about Christmas this year. With all that is going on right now we have been short on cash. I hate not being able to get folks things at Christmas. I am glad we pre-planned for the parents. We had family pictures taken this summer so that is the Christmas for all the parents this year. I know John and I said we weren't going to buy anything for each other but I couldn't help myself. I didn't go crazy or anything. He has been wanting this for quite some time. I am excited to get to see Reavis open his gifts this year. It should be fun because I bought 2 of the same thing. One for John and one for Rev. I know neither one of them are expecting it at all. I still need to buy some new Nyla bones for the boys. I will wrap them and they will have a blast tearing the paper off. It should be fun because Chester hasn't ever had Christmas with us before. I am not sure what he will do.

I think we are going up to my Grandma's so I will be excited to get to see them. We are also going to go by John's Mom's house and I have seen her in a while either. I think it will be good to get to visit with the family.

A little of everything.

Well here are the boys in front of our tree. I can't believe they all sat there so well. I just love those little guys. We of course had to have a photo with Santa done this year since we have offically become Chester's family. I can't say that I love my family or my dogs enough they make me smile every day.
Today was an awesome day. We had our visit at St John's pediatrics. We got paid with so many smiles. That is just an awesome feeling. When we were visiting this little boy named Kyle he smiled so big. His parents were so excited, they said that was the first time he smiled since his accident. They even took a picture of him with Chester. John with us since he is a PTO member and I could tell he was really proud of Chester and the work he does. We couldn't stop talking about all those smiles from the kids.
I made the boys some peanut butter and molasses treats. They loved them. I am going to make some more for the boys and our friends for Christmas. I love to bake and at least this way I can make things but not take on calories. I also need to make something for the girls at the vet clinic. I am not sure what that will be but it needs to happen by next week. I was thinking of making a loaf of apple butter bread.
I got a new cell phone last week. It is about time. I needed to upgrade the treo 650 it has been out dated for quite a while now. I have the palm centro. It is small but I love it and I don't need anything much fancier. I am just happy to have all my contacts and calander in one place. It has saved my ass more than once.

UGH...To the vets again!!!

Bradley has had a rough run of luck this year. There hasn't been anything major but it could have been. A month ago he had to be seen for a scratch on his left eye. It was treated with oinment for a week and he was fine. Then he got into a scuffle when the neighbor dog jumped into our yard. He had several puncture wounds. We treated them at home by cleaning with betadine and neosporin, so no vet trip for that run. On Monday night Bentley and Bradley were playing tug-o-war. Bentley turned lose as Bradley did a head whip. OMG he whipped the right side of his face into the corner of the wall. Yes the above picture is what happend as a result of the collision. Of course the Vet's office was closed, thank goodness Dr. Rund is awesome about calling back. We talked and he said to bring Bradley in first thing in the morning. We went into the vet's office, Bradley has no clot in the Iris, the cornea is attached. That is really good news. Bradley has medication for his eye 2 times a day for a week. Dr. Rund says it should heal and be back to normal. I am so relieve. I couldn't believe how much bleeding that eye had. It hurt Bradley enough that he let me hold him on my lap and hold ice packs on it twice Monday night. It hurts me so to see his eye that swollen. The really weird thing is that his eye is so far to the right because of all the blood and swelling. I can't wait for that to come down and get back to normal. He is back to wanting to play ball but we aren't doing a lot of that because we don't want him to hurt it worse.

Our first Pet therapy visit!!

If you hadn't guessed by the photo, Chester and I do visits at St. Johns pediatrics. He loves it and so do I. I don't think there is anything better in this world than bringing a smile to someone's face that is having a bad day. When that someone is a child or the parent of a sick kid, I think it is even better. Chester saw a young girl today that had blood drawn several times. She wasn't in a good mood when we went in but she sure had a big smile when Chester was laying by her on the bed. He did so good...I tell you he was born for this job. :) We had been to the hospital once before on a supervised visit. Today Chester walked in like he owned the place and he knew just where he was going. He also thought he should stop and visit a little girl in the hallway on his way. He is just the sweetest thing. I am so greatful that Chester & I get to do this.

November 2, 2008 Bentley Drew Kucsik becomes Bentley Drew Kucsik TD. What a journey it has been! I can't even begin to describe the amazing feeling that I had the moment I realized he had found the glove. I was overwhelmed with joy and couldn't hold the tears back. I was so very proud for it isn't everyday that a Boston Terrier earns a tracking title. The day was only going to get better. My tracking partner Misti and her cocker spaniel Truffie earned their TDX title that day too. I can't believe we both got into the same trial let alone that we both titled at the same trial. This was a weekend that will go down in history for us both. I feel totally blessed to have been a part of this weekend. I was greatful that Misti's Mom and Carolyn were both there to witness our joy and success.

Tracking results

Well we didn't earn our TD, but Bentley did track beautifully. He didn't indicate his glove so we didn't pass the first time out. We will be making out second attempt on November 2nd in Smithville, MO. Bentley and I have been doing a lot of glove work so we are hoping that our 2nd TD test goes better for us.

Nerves

I am hoping to have some new pics to post after Sunday. Bentley and I are in a TD test. I am bit nervous this trial has a lot of firsts. First dog I have ever trained for tracking, first tracking test, first time I will know so many folks at a trial. I know a lot of folks at the agility trials now, but I have been doing that for 5 years. The tracking test is put on by the dog club I belong to. I know Bentley can do this he has been tracking like a champ and I usually have no idea where he is going. Today he did great. I am really am excited for Sunday to get here. I am still trying to figure out exactly what shirt and jacket I am wearing to the trial.

We took the boys out to Sequiota park today and walked them. They had a great time and Chester stopped to visit some little kids along the way. Bradley was begging to get in the water near the cave so John gave him the ok. That is all Bradley need and he was in for a swim. He got out and was standing there and Bentley wanted in to so they were off and both in for a dip. Bentley has a case of monkey see monkey do but we still think it is cute that he tries to keep up with Bradley. John has been on vacation so the boys have gotten a walk at the park for the last 4 days. They will be sad tomorrow when it is just me home and no visit to the park.

Reavis has a band performance this Saturday and I am glad that I am going to get a chance to watch it. I haven't seen them yet this year.