Grad School Graduation

I graduate on May 20 from my Master of Arts in Arts Management program.  I can not wait. I have loved this degree and am really happy with the education I have received from my program.  All I need now is to find a job using my degree :)

I am planning on walking at graduation with Charlie.  My cap and gown will be green and I want to make Charlie a graduation hat to wear as he walks with me across the stage.

I found this great tutorial on Little Birdie Secrets and thought I would share it with you.  Now all I need is to go shopping for green felt.

how to make a graduation cap

Cue "Pomp and Circumstance." Yes, it's that time of year again. Stacy's son and my son go to the same preschool, and today was their last day of school. Since there wasn't a formal graduation ceremony, one cute mom took it upon herself to plan a wonderful program, complete with little felt graduation caps. I believe she bought them from Oriental Trading Company, but when we saw them we thought, like we always do, "we could makes those!" And now you can, too. This size was perfect for our five-year-olds, but it also fit Stacy's little one and ME! The elastic is the key.

Felt Graduation Cap Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Felt (about 22" by 22")
*Needle and thread
*Small piece of elastic, about 1 inch long
*Sewing machine
*Embroidery floss or yarn
*Piece of light cardboard or heavy card stock (see link to video for more information)

1. Cut two pieces of felt that are 9 inches by 9 inches. Cut one piece of felt that is 2 ½ inches by 22 inches.

2. Sew the long band (2 ½ inches by 22 inches) together at the short side using a ¼ inch seam Turn inside out so the seam is on the inside of the band

3. Fold one of the 9 x9 squares in half to make a triangle and again to make a smaller triangle.



4. Measure 3 inches from the point of the triangle and make a mark on one side, again in the middle, and again on the other side of the triangle. Cut out the center of the triangle in an ice cream cone shape using your 3 inch marks as a guide




5. Pin the square piece with the circle cut out to the band. Sew together using a ¼ inch seam.




6. Place the whole square piece on top of the hat and sew all four sides together. Please note that I accidentally left my seam on the outside in this picture. Don’t do that or you will be able to see the seam. It should be on the inside of the hat.



7. Cut a piece of elastic about 1 inch long. Sew this to the inside of the hat over the seam. As you sew, pull the elastic as tight as possible. Really stretch it out. You want it to bunch back up when you are done sewing. This will help the hat stay on.



8. Make a tassel using your floss or yarn and piece of cardboard. You can use this great video tutorial (or watch it here) if you need help.


9. Using needle and thread, sew your tassel to the top center of the hat.


Congratulations Class of 2009!!!

Pedigree Dog Shoot

Refuge from the Rain

I was taking Charlie to downtown DC to meet up with some friends and we got stuck in a torrential downpour. While walking for 2 miles in the rain and carrying Charlie in my coat, I found myself mumbling words i wouldnt say around my mother and realized I needed to find some refuge. As my shoes sloshed on the sidewalk, I rounded a corner and found the most charming coffee house/bakery called Buzz Bakery. The ambiance was hip, the staff was fantastically friendly to me and Charlie, and the treats were heavenly. I bought myself a massive chocolate chip cookie, a hot drink, and sat myself down on a comfy couch in the corner. After a sugar buzz, a half hour of people watching, listening to stress calming Michael Buble, and ten minutes spent under the hand dryer I am ready to adventure out again.

Thanks Buzz Bakery in Alexandria VA! Your hospitality was most appreciated.





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Charlie's birthday

I forgot to post about Charlie's Birthday! We were in Asheville NC when he turned 6 so we bought him and Jack some doggie cupcakes at Three Dogs Bakery! I really loved this store.  They had tons of yummy looking treats which are made with all natural ingredients so even humans can eat them.  I kind of wanting to try something, but I didn't.

Happy Birthday Charlie Pants!
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Dog Playing Dead

I saw this on Facebook and thought I would share it with all of you.  Be ready to laugh.  This is a video of Bailey the Dog playing dead in his Oscar winning performance on David Letterman.  Way to go Bailey!

Doggy Rain Boots-Are you Kidding Me

Okay in my search for a picture of human rain boots, which by the way if you check HERE you will see the raddest rain boots ever that I got a couple days ago, I ran across this picture of dog rain boots.




I need to run out immediately and buy these for my two dogs, Jack and Charlie, seeing as I already own the matching pair of dogs,

now they need a matching set of waterproof rain boots.  That is seriously too funny.  What do you think-yes or no on dog shoes?

Check out funny dog rain coats too.

Charlie and I Went and Saw "Unknown"

Because of mine and Paul's jobs we don't get to go on dates in the evenings or on the weekends so today he took the morning off and I didn't have teach until 2:30 and we went an saw the movie Unknown.  Think Bourne Identity meets Taken.  Unknown stars Liam Neeson, January Jones and Diane Kruger.



I really liked the movie.  There were a lot of twists and turns in the movie and I was captivated the whole time.  Plus, I really like Liam Neeson he is a fabulous actor.

I am also pretty sure that Charlie enjoyed the movie too.  He just laid in my lap wrapped in his blanket.  I am always amazed how good Charlie is when we go out in public.  I always think the loud noises in movies will freak him out, but they never do.  When he was little and in training we took him to go see Star Wars and when Darth Vader came on the screen Charlie jumped up and barked really loudly at the screen.  That was his only movie outburst.  I guess he could just feel his dark side or something.

So if you are thinking of going to a movie this weekend I would highly recommend Unknown, especially if you are lover of intense movies.  I also saw Just Go With It last Saturday. Charlie was my date for this movie.  It was cute.  I am not sure if it is worth the expensive date night ticket price, but I do think it is worth seeing.

Denied Pre-Board by United Airlines

Last Sunday, February 13, I was flying from LAX to Dulles on United Airlines.  Because I travel with a service dog I have to check in at the ticket counter to show identification of the dog.  While waiting in line, the next available ticket lady took one look at me with my dog Charlie and said "Ma'am who is standing behind you?" I had no idea who they were, but she said "I will help you next" speaking to the people behind me.  Obviously she wasn't interested in helping me. I was standing in line, but for some reason I was bypassed.  I am not sure what her reason was.

When I was at the gate to board the plane the same woman was serving as the ramp agent.  My boarding ticket said boarding group 4, but in all my years of traveling with Charlie I have been allowed to pre-board.  Actually, most airlines inform when I check-in that I can pre-board so that I have more time to get adjusted in my seat and not feel rushed down the aisle.  When the ramp agent said that they were boarding first class passengers and those with special needs I got in line.  When I got up to the front and asked if she has asked for special needs passengers she took one look at me and said "You aren't in a wheelchair" and made me stand off to the side. I kindly asked her if I could please preboard because travelling with a service dog is a bit stressful and I take longer to get down the aisle and she just waved me off and said she would preboard in a minute.  I am pretty sure that when they say passengers with special needs that is the call for preboard and I am also fairly confident that I fall under that category.

She continued to call up boarding groups 1 and 2.  I stood where she told me to stand feeling like a fool off to the side as an example of the disabled girl who didn't understand directions. It was humiliating.  I kept asking her if I could board and she kept waiving me off. Finally, another ramp agent walked passed me and I kindly asked if this flight would be preboarding. She informed me that preboarding has already taken place. I asked her if I could preboard eventhough my ticket said boarding group 4 and she said of course.  So I headed down the ramp. 

By the time I got on the plane it will very packed.  Some passengers boarding accidentally stepped on Charlie, which could have been avoided if I was allowed to board early.  As I was boarding the plane I was greated by a flight attendent.  I explained to her that I was unhappy with the ramp agent and told her what had happened, and instead of her being helpful or apologetic she gave me a fake plastic smile and said "oh no compassion?" I felt so stupid and frustrated. As I navigated my way to my seat I held up the line of other passengers for quite a while while I walked down the aisle, put my luggage away, and got my service dog situated.  By the time I was sitting down I was in tears. 

Thanks United for discriminating against a person with a disability and singling them out in front of a group of people.  It really helped me feel more like a freak than I already feel most of the time.  I don't know why this woman choose to single me out that day and make my life more difficult, but it was truly unfortunate.  Maybe she doesn't have to let me preboard, but I wasn't asking for much and I obviously needed assistance. My ticket was even marked as needing assistance.

I guess my advice to those traveling with a disability is to choose a different airline. I have had great customer service with Delta and Jet Blue. 

Here are a couple of interesting articles about how United Airlines has been accused of discriminating against those with disabilities.  Has anyone else had a problem? Please share.


http://consumerist.com/2010/04/united-flight-attendant-refuses-to-help-disabled-woman-with-bags.html


http://www.examiner.com/airline-industry-in-national/united-hit-with-another-viral-social-media-complaint-but-responds-quickly

Employee Disability Discrimination and United had to pay out $600,000

Here is a story about US Airlines telling a man he could not fly due to his disability

Flying with a Service Dog- Airport Potty Stations

I love flying out of Dulles Airport in Washington DC because they have 2 service dog potty stations right in the terminals. The one Charlie used was by gate D1 (between gate D and C) and I believe there is another one between gates A and B.

This potty station really helps out when we have a long flight ahead of us. Recently we went to Anaheim to go to Disneyland and the flight was 5 1/2 hours so it was great to potty Charlie right before we boarded the plane. I wish more airports would design a room like this for those traveling with a service dog.

Sign Petition

Doctor's Service Dog Taken Away by Canine Companions for Independence

(Pic:) - CEO of Canine Companions for Independence Corey Hudson. Mr. Hudson is also the North America President of Assistants Dogs International. Mr. Hudson ordered the wrongful repossession of a service dog from Dr. Gael Yonnet.

Salt Lake City, Utah - Dr. Gael Yonnet was severely injured in a snow boarding accident that left him paralyzed. Dr. Yonnet sought the independence that a service dog could give him and he applied for a service dog with Canine Companions for Independence. He was partnered with Elon.

Dr. Yonnet is a very active individual and he enjoys going on trails in the Rocky Mountains with Elon after long days working in a hospital.

Dr. Yonnet's service dog was taken from him a week ago by Canine Companions for Independence because Elon was not on a leash in examine rooms or on trails in the Rockies. All the time Elon stayed by Dr. Yonnet's side.

Corey Hudson nor has any person from Canine Companions for Independence returned phone calls to Dr. Yonnet or his thousands of supporters. Dr. Yonnet wants Elon back working for him.

To sign the petition to return Elon to Dr. Yonnet click the link below:Return Elon to his Home with Gael

On Facebook

Return Service Dog "Elon" to Dr. Yonnet

New Update on February 25, 2011
Dr. Yonnet was denied the return of his dog Elon.  Click HERE to read the article and  letter sent to Yonnet, from CCI.  After reading this letter I can see reasons why CCI would be concerned about Elon.  I am not a fan of shock collars to get dogs to obey.  Additionally,  in the letter is says that...


Despite my conclusion that CCI staff had good reason to seek the return of Elon, based on statements in your written appeal indicating that you were willing to work with CCI staff to address CCI’s concerns and make the placement of Elon successful, I decided that it would be helpful to meet with you so I could determine personally whether there was a way to make the placement successful. On Friday February 18, 2011 I called you in the morning to offer to meet directly with you here in Santa Rosa at the CCI Campus with me and the CCI managers responsible for Elon. I suggested we could utilize a facilitator to attempt to understand each other’s position on the issue of managing your working relationship with Elon. I further offered to have CCI pay your travel expense and stay at the Schulz Campus dormitory. In that conversation, you declined to meet with me or anyone from CCI saying that you had told a CCI staff member that you would create a “public relations nightmare” for CCI and that now you were going to continue to do just that. Similarly, you said you would “destroy CCI” and that you would “bury CCI.” You further stated that you had no respect or trust for CCI’s staff and that you had told a CCI staff person you would bring a “reign of terror” to CCI.

This is a very unfortunate situation.  I am a big believer in mediation and believe that it may have been a way to help resolve this situation.  Dr. Yonnet I am sorry for your loss.  Don't stop fighting.

Service Dog Taken Away

I don't know what I would do if this happened to me. Thank goodness Charlie was trained through an organization that helped me train Charlie verses just placing Charlie with me and granting me "custody" not "ownership" of him.

Read this story and watch this video. It made me cry.

CCI give Yonnet his dog back.  If it means keeping his dog on a leash Yonnet says he will adhere to your rules.  This just breaks my heart.  Dr. Yonnet my heart goes out to you right now.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

The Bike Has Arrived

Remember THIS and THIS awesome story about me winning a bike.

Well yesterday this big truck showed up in front of my house!

Inside was this really big box

I couldn't open it up fast enough

 Charlie and I love this new bike. I wrapped Charlie in a blanket so he would stay warm, but he squirmed out of it.

Jack even wanted to go for a ride.  I also made Paul (my husband) take Charlie and me for a ride. What a comfortable trip I think I will make Paul take me around all the time.

Madsen Cycles designed this awesome middle seat insert so that Charlie wont fall down in the bucket. Isn't that so thoughtful and awesome?

Charlie loves his new bike- he likes to just sit in the back when the bike is in the house. Isn't that funny?  He even growls at Jack when Jack gets near it cause Charlie knows it is his bike.

Thank You Madsen Cycles! We are so happy. I will add more photos soon.