Antelope Island State Park

Due to scattered showers all week, Dave and I decided to do some day trips instead of camping.  Today we visited Anelope Island.  We did a short 5.5 mile hike along the edge of the island.  We encountered various birds, a pronghorn antelope, rabbits, a coyote, and buffalo! 

Snow!

On Monday, we woke up to about a foot of snow which has since almost all melted.  Growing up in Arizona, snow like this is a treat, especially for Harvey who knows what it's like to be scorching hot!

Pro and Cons of Dogs and The Vegetable Garden

Gardening has been a challenge with dogs running around in the backyard.  Harvey wasn't particularly a problem. I could usually tell him "out" once and he'd commit that to his long term memory.  Last year I put a wire fence up around my raised bed to mostly keep Norm out.  Of course, he squirmed his little way in!

Norm's door to the garden

 

 

 

 

 

This year I'll have to devise a way to block his entrance, possibly with a piece of plywood.  The con is I've seen him jump the entire wire fence before to interrogate the neighbor's pet rabbit.  The second con is having a vegetable garden next to a neighbor with a pet rabbit.

Today, I was pleasantly surprised to find my garlic popping up. I thought for sure between the frosty winter and the dogs trampling on the garden, I was out of luck.  I have maybe five or so sprouting!

So, the only pro I can think of by having dogs inhabit your backyard vegetable garden is that they can produce wonderful fertilizer!  Well, maybe not so much.

Harvey and Norm's turf

My compost bin, which I started last spring.  Contents inside do not include dog fertilizer!

R.E.A.D.-Reading Education Assistance Dogs

R.E.A.D is a program that was created by Intermountain Therapy Animals in 1999 to improve the reading skills of children.  The child reads alone with the dog and the dog handler, providing a non-judgemental, positive, one on one learning environment.  The program started in SLC and now has participants all over the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Last month, Harvey and I restarted the R.E.A.D program at the SLC Main library where it first began in 1999.  We volunteer once a month for an hour to an hour and a half.   I bring a plush blanket so Harvey can relax while the child reads to him.  The librarian collects all levels of books about dogs for the kids to choose from or they can choose a book of their own from the library.  I am there to encourage the child and to help sound out words, if necessary.  After completion of a book, the child receives a paw stamp and a sticker with a picture of Harvey stating "I read to Harvey at SLC Main library today."

So far, it's been a positive experience and Harvey is all for hanging out, receiving treats, and meeting new children!  Each child learns differently and it's astonishing to discover that kids the same age have completely different reading levels, but Harvey doesn't care! Harvey had two children from last month come back this month to read to him.  According to Harvey, perseverance is what counts!
More R.E.A.D adventures ahead!

http://www.therapyanimals.org/R.E.A.D.html

Herding Instinct or Pure Annoying?

From looking at Norm posing perfectly and innocently above, you wouldn't expect him to be such a pest. But, he is.  He's not particularly pesty at home, only occasionally, he still enjoys chewing and spreading parts of paper and envelopes around the house from the office garbage.  He's actually very affectionate and well behaved in the house otherwise.  Hiking adventures are another story.  Why?  For some reason he attacks poor Harvey by biting his back leg and barking obnoxiously at him on and off throughout the hike.  Dave and I thought we were smart to buy a remote control training collar.  It seemed to work wonders the first several hikes, but quickly Norm decided the noise correction, then the vibrate correction, and then the shock correction didn't phase him.  So,  on the mountains we climb, with a pesty, loud, obnoxious, spoiled dog.  Even Harvey thinks so.

Therapy Thursdays

Harvey had the most productive and effective therapy day today.  First, he hopped on a patient's bed in the neuro acute care unit who said as we were leaving "that just made my day."  He then took a walk with a patient around the unit.  Next, he received a couple of treats from a patient (who tried to eat one himself) trying to re-learn how to walk.  We then proceeded to the burn unit where he sat in on physical therapy with a small boy. Harvey distracted him by allowing the boy to brush him while the physical therapist stretched his painful burned hand.  He then visited a toddler who cuddled with Harvey on the floor. Harvey made sure to kiss his feet.  Best of all, in the lobby, a parent called out "There's Harvey! That's the dog I was talking about!"  Good therapy man!

Harvey Turns Six Today

My dear little man turns six today.  His special day will most likely involve plenty of treats, a frosty paw, and a scenic hike.  Five years ago today, this special dog changed my life.  He taught me patience.  He consoles me, but clearly knows when I am acting ridiculous and lets me know to cut out the crap.  He reminds me to be youthful and he always accepts my affection, even when he's clearly been "kissed to death."  I love you little man! Happy Birthday!