Sadie and Billy's Big Hearts

'It's easy to forget to help the helpers': Resident aids responders in LA and NC HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response has around 300 teams to help in the wake of a disaster event for free.

Need an antidote for DC insanity? Need to turn your back on divisiveness and inability to compromise? Think LOCAL.

Lee County Homeless Coalition, in conjunction with the United Way, the Salvation Army, Good Will, the Next Level Church, and others, sponsored an event in Fort Myers, Florida today for neighbors in need. Many people who need help are veterans.

Volunteers were recruited, so Sadie, Billy and I went. Sadie and Billy took turns napping and working.

Kindness, empathy and dedication to local needs brought so many folks together. Next time DC offers doom and gloom from either side, think LOCAL. Think friends and neighbors.

WE are America, not the government. WE are the HOPE.

And Billy Makes Two And Billy Makes Two

Billy has arrived!

Fluffy, curly and full of energy. Will he be a therapy dog like his big sister, Sadie, who became a certified therapy dog when she was 1½ years old? Can his sweet nature compete with his need to run and jump and get into mischief?
After 3 years of adventures, wondering what Billy would become, giggling at his goofy antics, wiping away tears, sharing his life with school children, hospital patients, other dogs, friends, strangers who have become friends, Billy has grown up (finally!) and is ready to romp his way into your imagination.
"And Billy Makes Two" is available on amazon and (soon) kindle. For the dog lovers, readers, and kind souls on your shopping list.

[A search for the author, Jeanne Zachos, rather than the title will show all 3 books – the first 2 about Sadie, and now Billy’s own story.]
[Kindle edition arrives before Christmas]

And Billy Makes Two And Billy Makes Two

Kudos to Matt Gregory and his seniors for planning and putting on an amazing breakfast at Schenevus Central School for our local veterans this morning. Dragons from pre-K to senior helped to honor those brave, committed men and women who served our country.

Thank you to our veterans and thank you to everyone who helped make the breakfast a welcoming success.

Happy Veterans Day on Monday as we remember those who served.

Friday, October 25th was the first anniversary of the shootings in Lewiston, ME. Last year at this time, multiple teams of Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response dogs/handlers spent 2 weeks in the community, including a number of the surrounding schools. HOPE was invited back this year because the community was so grateful for the dogs' presence during the crisis.

Sadie and I were in training for HOPE last year at this time, so we were not allowed to deploy. This year, we went with Gayle and Hoot, Diane and Brody, teams who were there last year.

We spent the day in the Winthrop schools - elementary, middle, and (mostly) high school. A freshman student at Winthrop HS was killed with his father, and another student's uncle was also killed in the shooting.

A community remembers its loss as it tries to move forward.

Sadie and Billy got some "decorations" from a young friend at school today. They posed in front of the new mural, too.

Sadie made her first visit to the Susquehanna Family Practice and Gender Wellness Center at Fox Care today. She enjoyed her visit, and we'll be going back!