The Best Kid In Town

OOPS - did I do something? I dropped my ears and looked up at Jen, thinking she wouldn't notice.

Hi, I'm, SKY, Jen's service dog. I can do all kinds of tricks, even surf (check out my cool pic). But, I also do tricks I don't mean to.

When I get excited my tail goes crazy. I wave it so fast that people can catch some wind. So, I was very close to our chess set with all pieces in place and my tail started going. Next thing I know, the chess game is on the floor. Not the entire game but there would have been many moves unable to be made.

As a service dog, I'm trained to strategize. So I'm thinking I have one of two options, leave it and act as if nothing happened OR wait for Jen or Nick to give me "the look". Before I could even sit down to contemplate any longer, I decided to be a really cool dog and do the right thing.

I started picking up the pieces and then got "the look". How cool do you think I felt? put Jen & Nick in a state of shock (or euphoria, one of the 2). The only thing I needed help with was where these unsual pieces should go. Jen helped me with that and we got the whole thing cleaned up.

I have to say I felt like I deserved, and still deserve, a steak. FYI for anyone else that has a dog, the pieces don't taste all that great. I spit them out pretty quickly which, I'm pretty sure, pleased Jen!!

I'm going to go check on that steak now!
Peace,
~SkY

Gaining Insight

I just realized that 201 times a thought, comment or event has made it's way onto this blog. Good, bad, happy, sad or funny...it's been noted. My last post was number 200 - That's a lot of thinking.

There are so many thoughts that go go through my head before I actually start typing that if I wrote everything I experience I could have a post 3x a day. I can have so many notes for my blog but somehow my days take on a life of their own. I'm not sure how that happens but I'm loving it!

Last week, as I was planning my next move, I received the best phone call. I have been accepted into a fantastic leadership program which starts next month. I am really looking forward to starting this and gaining new insight into myself and the others in the program. It is a year long program that provides opportunities to capitalize on unique leadership strengths and gain powerful resources. P.L.A.Y. and I can expand many things from this opportunity.

So, my thoughts changed yet again. I have had so much energy over these last few years that I realized the more I tried to get ahead and plan.....my plan would be altered. So, I establish my base and what I would like my goals to be then let life take it's course. It's amazing how you end up where you should be.

Need something different to do? Check out this Cool Endeavor

Cross Country Run, Barefoot for Charity?“…the only way to accomplish incredible things is to set really ambitious goals…I’m doing this to challenge myself and to raise money to help struggling young people, ” said Knudson. “This cause is dear to me, so to get people’s attention I’m running barefoot.“I love this guy…Tellman Knudson.

Chances are, most of you haven’t heard of him until now, but take notice, because on September 9, Tellman is ditching his shoes as he attempts to become the first person to run across America barefoot… his 3,200+ mile journey begins in Battery Park, New York on September 9…cutie pie will then head west, running the equivalent of one marathon a day. His route follows historic Route 66 for much of the way, with stops in Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Phoenix and finishing on the pier in Santa Monica, California.

Tellman’s goal? To raise 100 million dollars for homeless youth…he chose Battery Park as his starting point with the Statue of Liberty as the backdrop. “I wanted to include this incredible symbol of liberty, support and acceptance. It is what so many young people need, and something I hope I can give them through my efforts,” said Knudson.It’s easy to see why Richard Branson is supporting Tellman and his run for charity. Tellman is an entrepreneur who has had great success in internet marketing…he is CEO of OvercomeEverything, ListBuildingClub and several others…but, perhaps giving us a glimpse of this man perseverance is the fact that he overcame femoral antiversion, a debilitating leg condition, to compete on his high school cross country running team, setting several school records and competing for the New Hampshire state championship? I have no doubt Tellman is gonna make it cross country just fine.Please visit his website for more info. Run Tellman Run! The worlds watching…

*From Celebrity Athletes Charity Gigs & Gossip

Flashback!!

I went to the hospital today to visit a patient whom my surgeon has had to amputate and found it such a rewarding experience.

I met with a wonderful family as well as a few of my nurses and physical therapist. It was so cool to visit and catch up. I have to say that staying in touch with everyone that made such an enormous impact on my life, medically, has truly made a difference in my recovery. Going backwards, in a healthy way, and learning more of why I am here today just allows me to feel more and more calm about my experience.

I observed my surgeon walking through the halls and the people who would say "thank you" and it made me feel so blessed to be one of the lucky people who had a team that became invested in the person. So cool.

Anyway -- I was also reminded of the Slurpee's I got hooked on in the hospital :-) Ha..I had to give in and indulged in a Coke Slurpee for old times sake. Are 37 year olds' still supposed to enjoy this?

Texas Govenor signs new bill for my friend, Jamie Schanbaum

I just realized how busy this dress of mine has been - ha! Oh well, all for a good cause :-) I was visiting Jamie in her Austin rehab.

At the Texas Capitol last week my 20 year old friend, Jamie, who lost her legs and part of her hands to meningitis this past year had something big to celebrate.

Gov. Rick Perry signed the Jamie Schanbaum bill mandating the meningitis vaccine for some college students. (Under the new law, students can opt out of the vaccine for personal, religious or medical reasons.)

Starting next year all college freshman and transfer students who live on-campus must get the vaccine. Jamie is a former UT student and wants to make sure this doesn't happen to others.

Watch the story and signing here:

http://weareaustin.com/content/fulltext/?cid=24921

CONGRATS Jamie!!! Way to Go.