Voila! I've cracked the code to do blogging, at last.

Now I start again. I'm still on the learning curve, always will be.

These are some of the things I learnt from puppy raising.

We started puppy raising six years ago. Our bundle of joy was a ten week old cross golden retriever. Her name is Sabina and her Mum was Tipper, a gentle blond Labrador and Dad Roo a very beautiful good natured Golden Retriever.

We studied the guide lines and did every thing our Supervisor told us to do. She grew into a gentle, loving, placid young dog. She was chosen to breed. We thought she would have made a very good Guide dog but on reflection we now realise that she did not have the drive to do the work. Having babies was a much better fit for her.

Oh the struggle to make the decision to release her and not keep her. Our reason was that we wanted to keep on puppy raising and not become brood keepers. She went to live with Jane. Jane loved her and she was taken all over the place. She then had her first litter. So cute. We asked for one of the pups to raise. We were given Sizzle. But I have jumped ahead.

After Sabina left us we were given a black female Labrador to raise. She arrived at ten weeks old and not well at all. Eventually the diagnosis of Guardia was made and she slowly recovered. Her name  was Jean and was she a handful!

We thought that we were 'experienced' so this was going to be fun.
I decided it was my turn to be the primary carer as Howard had been the primary carer for Sabina. At four months old I found that I could not control feisty Jean. She had a mind of her own and I handed her over to Howard. She was hard work. The problem was she was far too bright and had the drive of an ox. If we didn't keep her busy all the time she found things to keep herself busy. Once she arrived very proud of herself with a CD that she had carefully taken out of the CD cabinet. I think she was choosing her own music. I would not have put it past her.

Eventually, much to our joy, we handed her to a the trainer. Good luck!
Everything was done to get Jean to the standard required to guide. The problem was that she was fully sponsored by an elderly man who had named her after his departed wife. So all the stops were pulled to get her through.
Finally she was ready to be matched and just then a young lady with Tunnel vision had phoned to say that she needed a dog. This was a match made in heaven.

Julie was a hard working young lady. She had two jobs and Jean was required to help her get to work by train. All was well.
After three years hard work, Julie had to surrender Jean as her situation had changed and there was not enough work for Jean. What to do with a dog that was fit, healthy, intelligent and 5 years old?

A wonderful man took her and trained her in no time at all to be an assistance dog.
We had the joy of meeting up with her again and we could not believe how obedient she had become.

Take two of this frustrating learning curve. Still have hiccoughs. Oh well .... keep trying. If at first you don't succeed.

More Learning Curve.

How frustrating to forget passwords and how to get started blogging. Hopefully I have it sorted now and blog away. BUT I don't think it is sorted. This is a test run... a learning curve

Learning Curve

Life is one big learning curve and it's true just when you think you know all the answers, 'They' change the questions.

I love learning. I have set myself the task of learning something new everyday. Is this possible?

Today I played the cello with two friends who play the violin. We practiced and practiced until we felt we had made some progress. So I reckon that can be something I learned today.

But it is not satisfying enough. I aim to learn something that improves my character not my skills. Persevering with the cello when I'm not gifted is good for character building.
Persevering in prayer when I see no results, now that is character building.

So that's it for today's learning curve but the day is not finished and there may be lessons waiting around the corner.

Till tomorrow when I will concentrate and hopefully learn something new.

Learning Curve

Sometimes we know it all. We know we have to clean the house and garden. We even know how to do it, but we choose not to. Oh we make excuses, "too busy" "too tired" too hot" too cold".
We know we should be loving and kind and helpful and patient but we too often fail and often and blame others for our failures.

I was reminded again yesterday in Church about the things we should be doing. 'Healthy Homes' is the title of the series. We all want that, for sure. Most of us, especially the ones sitting on the pews in my Church know what and even how to have healthy homes BUT most of us do not want to put in the work that it will take, never mind the sacrifices it will need.

What is a healthy home? I thought all families were dysfunctional in one way or another. I still think so, as we are all sinful human beings. All we can hope for is a sort of healthy functional home.

My idea of a healthy home is where everyone feels accepted and loved. Where criticism never enters, at least not the destructive type. Where there is guidance and help and understanding. Where differences of opinion are discussed openly and honestly. Where respect is a two way street.

Praying and playing and working together as well as giving space for each one to develop and grow and have individual interests are essential elements to growing healthy families.

We can never achieve a healthy family on our own or in our own strength. We need the cooperation of all in the family and most of all we need the guidance and help of God our Perfect Father.

There are many more aspects that make a happy healthy home. I'll share them here as the series unfolds.

Learning Curve No.2

Today I learnt that I am 'normal'.  How did I discover this wonderful revelation? I downloaded the book called "Love and Respect" and there I was, 'normal!'

Every now and then we get on the 'crazy cycle' and when that happens I feel alone and confused. But now I know others also experience the 'crazy cycle' and as I read more about what it means I hope to avoid it altogether or at least get off sooner. Four days is a long time to be on the 'crazy cycle' and it's four days I will never get back again. Life is far too short to spend any time there, so I'm hoping it will happen less and less.

So here is to less crazy days and more happiness ahead.