FINAL THOUGHTS.....MAYBE NOT!

You're probably wondering about the title of this post.  Until a few months ago, I firmly believed that there would be no therapy dog work without Casey.  I have had another dog(Chester) for about 4 years.  Chester has a great, friendly personality.  However, although I've had him for about 4 years and he's 8 years old, he just won't listen.  It's imperative that a dog listen, if he is to pass the therapy dog test. 
Recently, I got a new ILST(Independent Living Skills Trainer).  It just so happens(I wonder if God had anything to do with this?) that Bill, the ILST, recently completed training his third service dog.  Bill has met Chester and really likes him.  Not only has Bill offered to work with Chester, but more importantly, he'll be showing me his training techniques so that Chester will receive training 24/7.  Hopefully, we can train Chester to pass the Therapy Dog Test and become a therapy dog.

THANK YOU, GOD!

Casey was just over 141/2 when she was euthanized and the life span of Golden Retrievers is only a little over 12 years.
Daily, in my prayers, I thank God for bringing Casey and I together.  Casey had a positive influence on hundreds of people(including me).  I thank God that his love for me is so great and that he manifested it in bringing Casey and I together.  I also thank God that Casey's death was relatively swift and not a lingering process.  That benefited both of us. Finally, I thank God for his assurance that Casey and I will be reunited in the future.  Romans 8:21

THE REAL MEANING OF "NO CARROTS, PLEASE."

With the end of summer, school vacation was over and it was time to increase our work load.  I contacted the Lake Avenue Elementary School in Saratoga Springs and was advised that Casey, Sally, and I, would be part of the program, as soon as we could be scheduled.  I also contacted the Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs and was told that Casey, Kirsten, and I, were included in their plans.
On Monday afternoon, September 30th, Casey and I were at our usual job at Saratoga Bridges.  It was on this occasion that Casey turned down carrots.  You have to understand that Casey rejecting food is a real rarity.  I can't say that it hadn't happened before, but previously Casey had made a hog of herself at the previous job, and was just too full to eat.
Several things happened Tuesday morning, that set off alarms.  Casey was unable to get up from the floor without my assistance.  Also, and this is really unheard of, Casey turned down breakfast.  My home healthcare worker was present that morning, and we both commented that Casey seemed wider(bloated) than usual.
I called a taxi and took Casey to the vet.  The vet listened to her heart and did an ultra-sound on her.  The ultra-sound showed that she had a large tumor on her liver and listening with the stethoscope, revealed an arrhythmic heartbeat.  The vet, who was familiar with and fond of Casey, said to me, "You have a very sick dog."  At that point I made a decision which pained me greatly, but I'm sure was correct.  Casey was euthanized on 10/1/14 and subsequently cremated.

QUIET SUMMER

As the school year ended, things wound down.  We only had 2 jobs now, both on Mondays.  Every Monday, Casey and I would go to Saratoga Bridges day treatment program in Clifton Park.  On alternating Mondays we went to ACT in Gansevoort, where they have a facility for individuals with traumatic brain injury.