Almost a dog today

4 Paws left two messages on our answering machine last week while we were out of town. When we got home, we were anxious to hear what they had to say.

So, mom called Natalie at 4Paws this morning and she said they MIGHT have a dog for me. But, she needed to know if I often pinch.

Well, I don't really pinch. I don't even have that ability to put those two little fingers together yet. But I do hold on to things tightly because that's how my muscles react. I don't mean to hurt anyone or anything, but sometimes my muscles just kick into high gear and I squeeze...and apparently this dog they thought might be a good match is a little sensitive. So, they are going to look for another good match that will not mind my squeezes so much.

Let the Wait Begin

We just got a note from 4Paws stating that they received our video of Laura, and the trainer will be viewing it this week. He also will be reviewing a form we filled out telling more about Laura and the type of dog we think would be best for her. Once these two pieces are reviewed, 4Paws will let us know the class we will "fit" into for Laura and her dog. So....will we make it for next fall???

We did it!

We reached our fundraising goal! Yeah!!!! Now 4 Paws will be finding just the right dog for me and begin training. If they can find the right dog soon, I could have it by next fall. But, it could be longer and that's OK. What's most important is that they find the right dog for me, and train it just for my specific needs. We will be very excited to see how this progresses and we will keep you posted. Thank you, again, to all who have helped us reach this goal!

A Surprise!

While I was at preschool this morning, mama got a wonderful surprise at our homeschool co-op. One of the moms said that her (very young) daughters wanted to give her something before she left. Mama was pretty puzzled...

So, at the end of co-op, they handed mama a little wooden treasure box. The little girls had decorated it so beautifully! The treasure chest was full of money these little girls had collected over the past few months just for my dog. They did lots of chores, and as one of them said, "We worked SO hard!" She was so cute! What a blessing this is for me, as all the donations have been. And what a wonderful witness these little girls are, demonstrating that one is never to young to make a huge difference in someone's life! Thank you, dear friends!

Drum Roll, Please...

And the grand total for my fundraiser is...$1,331.05. Mom's giggling at the $.05...every penny counts! Mom's sending out specific thank you notes to those of whom she's been made aware. If you didn't send in a check, we don't know who you are, but are extremely thankful for all of your donations. At this point, $1,655.13 has been raised for my dog. That means only $344.87 to go...that's NOT much at all!!!!!

One More Week

One more week for the fundraiser at Aunt Shelly's work. Aunt Shelly called today and said that $813.00 has been collected this far, and that does NOT include the $500.00 that will be matched! So, as of right now, the fundraiser total is $1313.00. With the money that has already been collected...we are only a few hundred away from finishing! Yahoo!

Fundraiser Update

Aunt Shelly just called and gave me an update on the fundraiser they are doing at her work. So, far, almost $400.00 has been collected. That means, almost $800., because her work is matching up to $500.00. That really puts me a lot closer to finishing my fundraising. Thanks to all who have donated.

A Step Closer

Another funds update from 4Paws (see the ticker below). Thank you to everyone who has donated. Mama will thank you each when she gets home. Every penny counts for my dog. When Mama and Daddy get home, they will have to start the video of me, my house and my family so 4Paws will know just the right dog for me. We're all hoping for a goldendoodle, but we'll just have to wait and see. I'm very excited for September 1st when the fundraiser through Aunt Shelly's work will cease...I'll be even closer to meeting the fundraising goal!

Fundraiser Opportunity!

Mommy just got a call from Aunt Shelly and her workplace is going to do a fundraiser for me! Here it is...donations will be sent to her workplace and they will match up to $500.00! And, this group is also a non-profit organization, so all donations are still tax deductible. They will collect money until September 1st. Then they will send one big check to 4Paws. So, if you are interested in donating, please make your check out to Women's Life Club 611 and be sure to put Laura Miller Fundraiser on the check. Mail your check to:

Women's Life Insurance
Attn: Cheryl Babel
1338 Military St.
P.O. Box 5020
Port Huron, MI 48061-5020

On our way...

I received my first donation update today from 4Paws and I have almost $80.00 so far. A good start, but I still have quite a bit more to raise, so if you're interested, please donate so my puppy can start training.

My First Donation Jar

My mom finished my first donation jar. Mom and I are very excited. Now mom has to find a home for the jar. We're off later to a local restaurant to see if they will host a fundraising event for me, too.

Oops! Too excited in this photo!

Ah, that's better!

Vote for Karen

You know the Energizer Bunny, and how he keeps going and going and going... Well, there are people out there like that, too. You have a chance to vote for the 2009 recipient of this award at this site:

http://www.energizerkeepgoinghalloffame.com/

We're voting for Karen Shirk. Karen started 4 Paws For Ability.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome, friends, to my very own blog. Why a blog of my own? Well, it's pretty exciting! I'm going to get a dog. Not just any dog, but a dog that is specially trained for me. You see, I have to work really hard to do most things, and lots of things, others have to do for me. My mom found a wonderful place that trains dogs to help kids like me. This place is called 4 Paws For Ability. Check out their website...it's awesome what they can train their dogs to do!

My parents requested an in-home companion dog for me. This dog will be my very own friend, will comfort me when I'm not feeling well, and sleep right next to me. 4Paws will choose a special dog just for me, and have it trained to work with me when I arrive in Ohio, probably next year. I don't know what kind of dog it will be, but our family trusts that 4Paws will make just the perfect match. And I know it will be some kind of poodle mix, since my dad has dog allergies.

What's really cool about 4Paws is that they do not charge families a fee for the dog...they give the dogs to families that need one. What our family does need to do is fundraise for 4Paws so they can keep providing dogs to families. It takes A LOT of money to train and care for the dogs, and since they are a non-profit organization, they rely upon donations. Our requirement is to raise $2,000.00. If you would like to donate to our fundraising efforts, you can do it in a couple different ways. NOTE: Your donations are tax deductible.

First, you can write a check payable to 4 Paws For Ability, Inc., and mail it to their address at 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, OH, 45385. It's very important that you put LAURA MILLER in the memo line or your donation will not go toward our goal.

Second, you can go to their website, click on DONATE at the top of their homepage, and pay with a credit/debit card. Again, be sure to put LAURA MILLER in the memo box.

I will keep you up-to-date on this journey!