Life&Story: All In Your Attitude

I am delighted to start a new weekly feature called Life&Story: Inspiring Moments where I select a story I find to be amazing and post it here.  I am looking for entries so please nominate someone you would like to highlight and send me their story and every Thursday they will be highlighted here on superdogcharliepants.blogspot.com.  Send all entries to leahstone17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

I am so happy to share this amazing story with you.  It is a story about choosing your attitude even when life throws you a curve ball.  My friend, Grant, recently celebrated his 12 year anniversary since his accident and while some might find that to be a somber day, he and his family celebrate this day and recognize his fantastic accomplishments. I think that is brilliant. Enjoy! If you love Grant you probably love his daughter Tracy. Click HERE to read about her highlight as the friend everyone should have.

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My life took a twist at age 46 after a ski accident left me a paraplegic.  Now I’m 58 and still learning what joy each day can bring.  You see it is all about attitude.  If I had chosen a bad attitude, and those around me had allowed me to do that, things just wouldn’t be the way they are.

I discovered that even though I couldn’t walk, I could still enjoy the world around me.  With the help of my family, and friends I returned to work after six months.  I continued that work until I was able to retire.  Working gave me the confidence that I could do many other things as well.  Special programs allowed me to try skiing again.  I have been kayaking; I have purchased an off road four wheeler and ridden in the back country.  I even traveled to Hawaii and went snorkeling.  Now these things I have mentioned take a considerable amount of effort and assistance from others around me but they are still a lot of fun.

So a friend asked if I would share about what it is like to be in a wheelchair.  I have found that some people are uncomfortable talking with me, even sometimes looking at me.  As a result I often look away from them to help relieve their pain.  Some people however are very comfortable talking with me, often I find out these people have a family member or friend who is also in a wheelchair and so they do not find talking with me uncomfortable.  Sometimes they even kneel on the ground and get down to my level; this is nice since looking up for a long conversation can make my neck really sore.  So don’t feel sorry for me or others in a wheelchair, just talk to us like anyone else, get down on our level and look us in the eye it will be a nice gesture.

Now some people are worried about saying the wrong thing or asking to personal of a question.  Don’t worry about that too much,  it’s not such a big deal with me after all I have been through, what is important is that people respect me as a person, don’t run away from having contact with me.  I’m pretty open about things so if you want to ask a question just ask, I imagine most people with disabilities are pretty much the same.  I do think however some people may be touchy about barriers that prevent them from being able to do things.  Can you blame them?  When it gets harder to do almost everything in your life, it can get pretty frustrating and send you over the edge sometimes.  So when those around us try and help remove those barriers it is greatly appreciated, believe me.

Things to consider:

If you see someone in a wheelchair waiting outside in a line and it’s cold, invite them inside because their circulation isn’t very good and once they get cold it takes forever to warm up.

All people with disabilities are not the same; if you have questions ask them.

Before you help someone you should ask if they want your help.

If you are talking to a person in a wheelchair for a long time, sit or kneel down so that you are at eye level with them so they don’t have to strain to look up at you.

Think of a person in a wheelchair as a person first, with feelings just like anyone else.

Travel Time:Service Dogs Disneyland or Disneyworld

I have been to Disneyland twice with Charlie the amazing seizure-alert service dog.  Both times have been brilliant experiences.  Disneyland has phenomenal customer service and employee training and I am thrilled to report that every interaction with a Disney employee was amazing.  I was never discriminated against because I had a service dog. I actually saw about 5 or 6 other service dogs in the park during the 4 days we were there.

What do I do when I get to Disneyland?
When going to Disneyland with a service animal it is very important to check in at Guest Services (at Disneyland I believe Guest Services is in California Adventure on the left hand side right when you enter the park).  The park likes to know you are there and gives you a special pass to assist with waiting in lines.  Disney doesn't want the dogs to have to wait in the lines so you get to enter through the handicap line to ride the rides. Brilliant.  This pass allows you and 5 other people access onto the ride.

Click on the following link for more info
Services for Disneyland Guests with Service Animals

What do you do with your service dog while riding the ride?
Well someone in your party has to stay with the dog while you ride the ride.  When you get back that person can then ride the ride. 

On some rides you can bring your service dog with you.  Charlie rode almost all children rides (Small World, Peter Pan, Wild Toad, Sleeping Beauty, etc) and he even was allowed on the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.  So fun.  The service dog has to lay down at your feet while riding the ride.

Overall, Disneyland was a blast with my family. We rang in the New Year at Disney and just had an amazing time.

One of our trips to Disneyland was during the horrendously busy Christmas time. For Christmas my parents gave the whole family a trip to Disneyland! Charlie and I met my family at the Long Beach airport and were so excited to see all of them. Counting myself and nieces and nephews and in-laws I believe there was 16 of us total (2 were MIA as they couldn't get work off, my bro-in-law Aaron and my hubby Paul--sad for them). How do you get 16 people from the airport to the hotel if the hotel doesn't offer a shuttle from the airport and you don't need to or want to rent lots of cars? By traveling in a quadruple stretched hummer limo---that's how!

Charlie wasn't so sure about the Disney Characters.

Check out the other photos on my Picasa page!

http://picasaweb.google.com/leahstone17

Spotted: Little Darlings by Sharon Montrose

I love Sharon Montrose's work.  I blogged about her HERE as my dream job obsession. She is a brilliant photographer and one of her specialties is photographing animals.  Check out this new line of photos for a nursery called Little Darlings.  These photos below are all by Sharon Montrose and are found on her blog sharonmontrose.com/blog.  You can see the entire collection of Little Darlings HERE.

Charlie's Clues: Home Built Ins For Pets

Saw this post on Atticmag and had to share. Enjoy cool Built-ins For Pets

by Allison on April 4, 2011 in Home Decor

Clever ideas to make life easier for pets and their families.

Tucked under the eaves, there is plenty of space for a large dog to nap or move around – even windows to watch the squirrels. The wood framed metal screen doors don’t appear to have hinges, which makes me wonder if they are pocket doors – both sliding to the left when hidden.  That would be a great idea, since it would allow the doors to be out of the way and pets could enter anytime.

Another underutilized area in the home is the space under a staircase. An arched doorway makes this dog den even more special.  Remember doors should always be constructed of a material that allows airflow so it’s more comfortable for them.

The door of this bed nook was crafted from a vintage grate and blends into the decor when closed.  Thinking outside the box leads to one-of-a-kind features.

Laundry rooms are other good areas to corral pets.  This one features a bed niche alongside their bathing sink.  A doorless niche is perfect if pets don’t require containment and it keeps the bed from being underfoot.  Be sure not to miss the funky dog wallpaper.


A kitchen remodel is another opportune time to include a kennel and feeding station.  Here the resting spot is built up a step, creating a raised area for meals.  Raised feeding reduces neck and back strain in larger breeds and also promotes healthy digestion.

A pair of vintage childrens’ chairs were altered to accept stainless bowls.

Look at the adorable dog-bone- shaped drawer-pull cut-outs.

Sources:  Do It Yourself, Funk Design, Detroit Home Magazine, laxsupermom, Gardenweb, The Fun Times Guide, Artisan Kitchens)

Travel Time:Service Dog in Las Vegas

All I can say is that New York New York hotel is amazing for service dogs and has an amazing staff and the spa at the Tropicana is horrendous with understanding service dogs and will be getting in major trouble. Let's just say the spa (Glow) at Tropicana denied me entrance cause of Charlie but did inform me that a different disability like being blind would allow me access. More to come later about my love for NY NY hotel and anger at Tropicana spa. CP and I are waiting at Vegas airport to fly back home to Colorado!




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Hanging in Vegas

We have already met two new friends whose daughters have seizures. I gave them this blog address to contact me about life with a seizure dog. Always fun to make new friends.

Heading to the ballagio. Anyone have any fav Vegas suggestions or access to any discount show tickets for us? I have heard La Reve is amazing.





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CP and I are Heading to Vegas

I am so excited to fly Southwest Airlines tomorrow with Charlie cause of its awesome customer service to service dogs. Let's hope it is just as good this time.

We are heading to Vegas so I can take some singing lessons, teach some singing lessons, and enjoy the sun and fun with Paul and my awesome friend Tracy.  

 

via

Charlie Pants Looking Regal

Love this photo.

Happy Tuesday.

Happy 4th Birthday Jack

Today Jack turned 4.  I figured by now he would be calmer. Nope!  We love you and all your energy Mr. Jack although Charlie I think actually loves you less, so quit pouncing on him.

This is Jack at his 1 year old party.  Check out Charlie and Jack's birthday treats from last year and look at this great idea for a dog birthday party. Maybe I will throw one of these for Jack and Charlie together in February to celebrate Jack turning 4 and Charlie turning 7 (gasp)!

Dog Yoga (DOGA) part 2

After I posted yesterday's article about Doga (yoga with your dog) I found this other great article and had to post it as well.

Downward-facing dogs for upwardly-mobile pets: How 'Doga' (that's yoga for your pooch) became a hot New York trend

By Hannah Rand

Last updated at 8:02 AM on 11th January 2012

Forget fetching a stick, the hottest new way to exercise with your pampered pooch is dog yoga.

'Doga', which is said to appeal to your pet’s natural instinct to stretch, has become a new fad among New York dog-owners who believe it creates a unique bonding experience.

Classes involve stretching, massage and even chanting – at a pitch the dogs can mimic.

Ruff relaxation: 'Doga', or yoga for dogs, is said to appeal to your pet's natural instinct to stretch, and has become a hot trend in New York

Suzi Teitelman has been teaching doga in New York and Jacksonville, Florida, since 2002. 


She started the classes after noticing that her cocker spaniel Coali liked to lie beneath her when she practised traditional yoga at home.

 

She told MailOnline: 'Just as dogs pick up anxiety and negativity, they benefit from being a calm, happy environment with their owners.

'The owners often say that they've never see their pet so relaxed.'

The animals take part in the classes either by acting as weights to help balance their owners or by doing some of the moves themselves.

Read more HERE

New Year, New Workouts...Doga

Have you heard of this? Yoga with your dog! Doga. Charlie comes with me to yoga all time. But it is normal yoga, this looks too fun though.

By BETHANY LYTTLE

 NY Times

IN Chicago, Kristyn Caliendo does forward-bends with a Jack Russell terrier draped around her neck. In Manhattan, Grace Yang strikes a warrior pose while balancing a Shih Tzu on her thigh. And in Seattle, Chantale Stiller-Anderson practices an asana that requires side-stretching across a 52-pound vizsla.

Call it a yogic twist: Downward-facing dog is no longer just for humans.

Ludicrous? Possibly. Grist for anyone who thinks that dog-owners have taken yoga too far? Perhaps. But nationwide, classes of doga — yoga with dogs, as it is called — are increasing in number and popularity. Since Ms. Caliendo, a certified yoga instructor in Chicago, began to teach doga less than one year ago, her classes have doubled in size.

Not everyone in the yoga community is comfortable with this.

“Doga runs the risk of trivializing yoga by turning a 2,500-year-old practice into a fad,” said Julie Lawrence, 60, a yoga instructor and studio owner in Portland, Ore. “To live in harmony with all beings, including dogs, is a truly yogic principle. But yoga class may not be the most appropriate way to express this.”

Read more HERE 
see fun photos of Doga HERE

Photo: Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Happy New Year

image via squishfacedogs