Shhhh... Don't tell Gracie;)

Hannah adores Max William. She tries so hard to understand and respect that he is Gracie's boy and is here to take care of her, but let's face it, that cute puppy face is gonna tug at your heart strings:). Max was hanging out with me in my office yesterday and Hannah just couldn't resist a little cuddle time:)

Best buddies

Stinking cute

Who can resist a face like this?;). Notice the fragments of a grocery sack scattered on the kitchen floor? A guy's gotta chew on something right?;).

Christmas has gone to the dogs

Those of you who know me, know I love Christmas. Our house is filled with reminders of the season. I love having a Christmas tree in each room and decorate each one with its own theme. Here's the one I did today for our dogs, Brody James, Cooper Todd, Felicity Hope, and Max William:)

Max the Mighty Dog

We've been blessed by Max William for two weeks now. He's such a character and just a perfect addition to our family. I'm thrilled to report, as well, that his golden nose is working beautifully. Since he has arrived, Gracie's blood sugar numbers have come down by nearly 25 points on average:). I can wait to see what her next a1C is going to be this next February. Good dog, Max:)

Max's first Christmas tree

Well... I'm not sure if it's bravery or stupidity, but we put the Christmas tree up yesterday; our thanksgiving tradition. I didn't want to risk our collection of hand blown glass snowmen ornaments, so we hit the store and got some fun, non- breakable decorations for this year. Max is, of course, fascinated by this 8 foot tall, sparkling tree in the living room and has already been caught chewing on a lower branch or two. He's just certain it's there for his personal entertainment:). Wish me luck in keeping him from eating the entire tree or knocking it over during the next several weeks. On a side note, Max had a great first Thanksgiving. He's such a chow hound! He was begging for turkey from everyone while we cleaned up from dinner. I will say, he was a perfect angel during our meal though, laying under the table where he belonged:). I am thankful for so many things, and Max, my newest blessing, I'm very thankful for too:)

Breaking the rules

OK... Look at those big, dark eyes and that sweet wet nose. Could you stop yourself from spoiling him? Really? I'll admit, I'm a softy. We started out with a "no Max on the sofa" rule. As you can see, he has his accomplice in breaking that rule;)

Little elves

This has absolutely nothing to do with Max or Gracie's diabetes. Thankfully, Max was being a normal puppy because Gracie's numbers were in check. I found Gracie and Hannah this morning working away, making a happy little mess, at my desk. I went to investigate a little closer and was so surprised...they had decided to make Christmas decorations. Hannah donned her Santa hat, they both got into my scrapping/stamping supplies and they spent the morning creating. Now, normally I'd get after them for getting into my supplies without permission, but how could I when they are wanting to celebrate Jesus' birthday?;)

Max the working puppy

As cute and cuddly and adorable as Max is, we can't forget that he is indeed a service dog. Along with his title comes a boatload of training to prepare him for his life's mission of taking care of Gracie. Max goes nearly everywhere we go and right now that can be a little daunting for me and exhausting for Max. He is still just a baby, remember;). Sunday was a full day for him. It started out with heading to Sunday school and meeting all of Gracie and Hannah's classmates. Then it was his first time in church... That didn't go so well; the loud music scared him to death so I had to take him out to the nursery area. Note to self: crank the praise music full volume at home and rock the neighborhood; Max needs the practice after all;). After church it was off to lunch at old Chicago. He was awesome there and stayed laying down, under the table where he belonged. From there it was a not so quick trip to Barnes and Noble. By then he was getting pooped. Thankfully, he had Tess along to carry and snuggle him while waiting for everyone else to finish shopping. Once we finally returned home, he took a nap and was recharged in time for dinner and an evening of playing and guarding his girl Gracie:). Good Dog, Max:)

Journal Star Article

Here's the story that ran in the Lincoln Journal Star last Monday. Yes, I'm just now figuring out how to get it posted:)

share

New Puppy Is Keeping One Lincoln Girl Safe - News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.com

New Puppy Is Keeping One Lincoln Girl Safe - News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.com

"Pupperazzi" :)

Gracie and Max have been in the news, spreading the word about dogs like Max and what they can do for people.  It makes me laugh because everywhere we go these days, people spot Max and read his service vest, then stop us asking "Is that the dog we saw on the news?" He's become quite the local celebrity.  We even spot people snappping his picture (yes, other people than his Mom;).  I jokingly commented that Max has papparazzi and Gracie giggled and said, "No Mom... he has PUPPERAZZI."  Here's a link to the latest news clip on Gracie and Max.  If you know anyone in need of an alert dog, please share Gracie and Max's story and have them go to www.GuardianAngelServiceDog.org

http://www.kptm.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=6474771&at1=News&h1=Puppy Has Power to Save Lives&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

A tired pup=a productive mom

Well, it's getting cold around here but I've fast discovered that Max William still needs to get outside to burn off his energy or the house just isn't safe;). I bundled up, stuck my earbuds into my ears, grabbed his leash and hit the sidewalk. He's still a bit stubborn on his leash but he is getting better about walking. After his walk and a good long cuddle time, he crashed. Sleeping puppies are just as cute as sleeping babies, don't ya think? ;)

Support our troops

Gracie and Max visit Santa Claus

Our national guard had something going on in the target parking lot this afternoon so of course we stopped to check it out. Lo and behold Santa was there:). He assured us that both Gracie and Max are on his good list:)

Maybe nobody will notice...

Keeping in mind that Max will probably grow to be around 100 lbs, I'm trying to keep him off the furniture. Well, it's rather cold tonight so we have a fire in the fireplace and are all snuggled up under quilts. Max William couldn't resist joining in. When you're as cute as that, nobody has the heart to actually make you get down:)

Our little moose:)

I just weighed Max William...20.2 lbs and only 14 weeks old:)

Gracie and Max = a great team:)

Since Max's arrival on Friday afternoon, he and Gracie have been inseparable. Max is quite the trooper with everything that's required of him and he hasn't let his girl down. He has become her guardian as well as her companion. In the midst of all the hardship Gracie's type 1 diabetes causes, Max William is a true blessing. In this short amount of time, we already can't imagine life without him any more:)

Gracie and Max William

He's on his way:)

Today is the big day... Max William is on an airplane traveling to his new home.  There is a very excited family waiting to meet him and an ecstatic little T1 quietly waiting to give him a giant hug.  I spoke with his trainer last night; he told me a couple things about our little guy.  1- he's not so little; he's the biggest 13 week old pup he's seen in a long time.  2- he's very laid back.  No whining, barking, pretty compliant... YAY!  Maybe these traits will rub off onto my girls;).  3- he has picked up a trait of his parents; when you're holding him, he lifts his chin into the air for lots of scratching and as if to say, "Yeah, I the man";)

The next few hours, while waiting for him to arrive, we will finish cleaning up around here.  Busy work really, just expending that excited energy.  I'll post lots of pictures tonight of our little, well not so little, Max William and his girl Gracie:)

Nesting:)

We are only a couple days away from Max Williams's arrival. It's time to really get his things ready for him. Tonight we got his kennel ready... A cozy blanket, a stuffed animal buddy, his toys, etc. his bed is already in place at the foot of Gracie's bed; his kennel is just a place he can go to get some rest and take a nap. He will out grow it soon enough I'm sure, but for now, it's a cozy little den for our little crown prince:)

Count Down

We are 4 days away from our little warrior arriving to help us fight the daily fight to keep Gracie alive and enjoying a healthy life.  His doggie bed is already at the foot of Gracie's bed.  His bag is packed and ready to go with all he will need anytime we're out and about.  We've puppy proofed the house... well, almost.  Still working on that;)  It's a very exciting time around our home but mixed with this excitement is a hope that we haven't had ever before.  The hope that Gracie's blood sugar can be controlled and in range more often than it's not.  The hope that Gracie won't have to suffer the long term effects of her disease, such as heart problems, amputation, blindness.  Max William has a very big mission for his life.  His mission is the same as mine... keep Gracie happy, healthy, and here with us for a very long time to come:)

Where's Max William?

One of these precious pups is Gracie's Max William. Looks like he's going to be a bundle of energy:). Can't wait to welcome him into our family...6 days and counting:)

Getting Ready for Max William

Here's Max William's parents, Belvedere and Marilyn... Aren't they beautiful?!?.  If Max William looks anything like them, he's gonna be gorgeous.  Our home is in all out Puppy Panic.  We have 10 days to get it all together before this little bundle of joy and excitement arrives.  Today Gracie and I hit up a few stores, just scoping things out.  She chose a couple of new Vera bags, one for herself and one for Max William.  So that Gracie can have her hands free to handle Max William, she chose a new Vera backpack to carry all of her diabetes supplies in.  For all of Max Williams supplies that we'll need to carry with us, she chose a coordinating Vera bag, a diaper bag actually, that is lined inside with vinyl, has lots of pockets and gives us plenty of room to carry everything.  She's pretty proud of herself for not choosing something too "girly" for her little man:).  From there we hit the pet store and had his new name tag engraved so it's ready when he arrives.  While we were there, we browsed all the aisles loaded with things that Max William is going to "need" according to Miss Gracie.  Things like toys, snacks, all the "on the go" supplies for his bag, beds, and... a wardrobe.  Yep you read that right:)  She's checking out all the sweaters, jackets, tee shirts, boots, etc.  I reminded her that he'll have his service vest, but that didn't stop her from shopping the clothing aisle:)  Since he'll be here in time to go see her big sister Tess dance in The Nutcracker this year, she's trying to talk me into finding a little tux for this little guy.  This mom is going to have to draw the line at a doggy tuxedo:)

Okay... I'd better get back to the cleaning and puppy proofing.

Max William ~ 1 Day Old

Somewhere in that beautiful bunch of puppies is Gracie's little Max William.  His Mommy is Marilyn ~ isn't she beautiful?:)