Hi Shelly,
I am sorry you had a stressful month.  My prayers are with you.
Virgie and Hoshi
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shelly" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 2:31 AM
Subject: stressful month


    On January first in the evening I started feeling kind of sick by the 
next morning I had the worst case of the flu I've ever had. I couldn't keep 
anything down and ended up in the hospital because dehydrated. I was there 
for 2 days. It was overall a positive experience. Nothing traumatic just the 
usual not being able to find a place to draw blood or change my IV that type 
of stuff and the meds being painful. I had
great nurses. No matter how many times I called them or how stupid the need 
was "I don't know where you moved my water" they never acted like I was a 
burden.I was still weak when I left the hospital so Ellie stayed with my 
parents. She was there for a week. She was very very happy to be home. She 
did come visit in the hospital and everyone loved her grin.
I took a while for my strength to return and for my sleep schedule to even 
out, so I didn't do much of anything besides read Karin Kingsbury rocks! . 
We also had a wek of really snowy cold weather so Ellie and I didn't venture 
out much.

I returned to volunteering 2 weeks ago. I have a new second grader Jasmine 
since Emily moved. She is quite a good reaer enjoys reading and is very 
sweet.

 I know if I don't mention it someone or several someones will ask so yes 
Rex and I are still together. It was a month of growing and learning how to 
comunicate through conflict. But we've worked it through and I at have 
gained more skills and knowledge for the future.
I wrote a couple months ago about the dogs attacking Ellie. At last weeks 
riding lesson the same there was there to greet us hackles up and growling. 
Ellie refused to get off the bus until the dog waas taken away. This fear 
seems to have generalized to all dogs. We've only encountered a few its not 
exactly dog walking weather. Ellie refuses to guide past them. I know the 
typical way of dealing with fear is to not coddle and help the dog go on by, 
but I refuse to pull her along. I have asked that the owners pass me which 
of course they do and Ellie is emmediately fine.
Seeing her afraid is quite hard for me! I wish I could promise it'll be ok, 
but of course I can not do that  I just pray we can work through it.
I have met through my vet a wonderful woman who is a petsitter, dogwalker 
and takes her dogs to an offleash dog park near my home. She is willing to 
pick me up once or twice a week  This is great as Ellie has no other place 
to run off steam. We went for the first time today and while she was upset 
with the initial meeting of Kathy's dog she calmed as other dogs came to the 
park and even began playing. She had a blast with a little boxer puppy and a 
Sharpe Laab mix just imagine a lab with wrinkly skin! Its really wierd 
looking!
I guess that's it for this update.
Shelly Tammany and Ellie