O is for Open for Business!

At long last I have created and listed new jewelry at ArtFire. Just click on the title and you will be whisked away to my shop!

Buster and I are adjusting well to being home and working as a team. Dolly is lovin' the life of retirement with my mother. Now if I could sell some jewelry, life would be really good.

N is for Never Fear, Buster is Here!

Buster and I are home! Once again, I had a fabulous experience at Southeastern Guide Dogs. Buster is a 2 year old, solid black Goldador. His father is a Golden Retriever, and his mother is a black Labrador Retriever. He is 80 pounds and a truly awesome guide dog. Although I feel closest to my trainers (Lynn and Carl), I know it takes a village to raise a guide dog. I am eternally grateful to the staff, volunteers and supporters of SEGDI for Buster. My favorite dreams are those in which I can fly. When I was matched with Buster, it felt like a dream come true. Of all the dogs and all the people and all the wings in the world, Buster arrived with a pair of magical wings that are a perfect fit for us!

Dolly is doing well at Arbor Acres Retirement Community with my mother. I am eternally grateful to my mother as well for providing such a wonderful home for Dolly. Now I hear Christmas is just 12 days from today so I'm off to load my sleigh...

M is for Meeting my new Guide Dog

My shops are "on vacation", and I am packing my bags. In a few days, I will meet my new guide dog at Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, Florida. They will not give me even a hint about my new dog, but I will try to post and include a picture when I do meet him/her.

Dolly is ready to don her new collar and live a life of luxury with my mother. I wonder how much weight she will gain from enjoying all those bonbons!?!

Thanks to all of you for your support. Special thanks to Anne at myhelpinghands.artfire.com for the wonderful vacation banner. See you in December...peace yall!

K is for Knew This Day Was Coming...

...but it's still hard to imagine! After guiding me for more than 6 years, Dolly is ready to retire. She is going to live with my mother, fortunately, and they adore each other. Mother lives close by so we'll get to see her often. I will be returning to Southeastern Guide Dogs in FL to train with her successor dog. Because this will be my second dog, I only have to stay for 20 days. I am scheduled to be down there from 9/25 to 10/15. This will be a huge transition for my family, and I am thankful for their love, support and courage.

Anytime you need a break, visit guidedogs.org and click on PuppyCam! It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. If you are ready for that break now, just click on the title.

G is for Go Spread the Word!

In anticipation of spending 18 days in Florida at Southeastern Guide Dogs to train with Dolly's successor, I have marked a lot of jewelry down to half price in my Artfire shop! My hope is to get my shop cleaned up before putting it into "vacation mode". Dolly's retirement process has begun, and I expect to train with my new guide dog within the next few months. This has been a very difficult decision for me, but it's the right thing to do for Dolly as well as my safety. Fortunately Dolly is in relatively good health, and she will go to live with my mother when I go to FL. My mother lives close to us, and she and Dolly adore each other. Please help me spread the word about my Artfire sale. Just click on this post title, and you will find yourself in my shop. I think you'll be able to tell which items have been marked down to half price! Many thanks from Dolly and me! I'll keep you up to date on her retirement process...

D is for Dolly

D is always for Dolly! You may or may not believe in coincidences. Either way, I have some big news regarding Dolly! After six years of guiding me, Dolly is ready to retire. This is a fresh decision on my part, and I still fell very emotional about it so no going on and on. The retirement process has begun, and I'll keep you up to date.

D is for Dolly

My guide dog, Dolly, is delightful, dexterous, durable, devoted, darling, dynamic, demure, dear and knows how to play Duck, Duck, Goose. She is an Australian Shepherd, and her coat description is Blue Merle which is the combination of black, white, gray and brown. I got Dolly 5 1/2 years ago at Southeastern Guide Dogs (guidedogs.org) in Palmetto, FL. What a truly awesome experience that was! I spent the month, well almost the entire month, of August 2004 in training with her. The hurricanes were so numerous and nasty, we were sent home early. Anyway, Dolly knew over 40 commands so I had a lot to learn! In addition we celebrated her 2 yo birthday together down there. How about that for a brilliant dog! I could go on and on and on about Dolly..........just ask me a question, any question. She is one of the absolute best things in my life!