Look out Ohio!

...here we come! We are on our way to 4 Paws for Ability to meet Mindy and there is a good deal of excitement in the car! We will arrive tonight and take tomorrow as a day to relax before we start our training.

The car is now appropriately attired and we are off!

Nesting!

I think we are officially nesting as we anticipate meeting the newest member if or family: Mindy the Service Dog!

We bought a minivan. Since we didn't get one when Aria and Evan were little, I never thought I'd be saying those words! But the new "baby" is 60 lbs. and needs more space.

Aria, Evan and Dinky all really like the new ride so I'm sure Mindy will too!

Meet Mindy!

Today was an exciting day for our family...we found out all about Evan's new dog. Her name is Mindy and she sent Evan the following letter and photo:

Hello Evan!

Did you know your sister has been sneaking around trying to find out who I am before you do??? Not to worry! Piper never gives up that info! So now let me tell you who I am! My name is Mindy and I have a brother here named Mork but I am smarter than him so he is still in training while I am all ready to graduate! I am a Goldendoodle. People say we look like Snuffleupagus. Do you know who that is? I am so excited to meet you! I can’t wait for you to come to Ohio. I heard you were kinda famous and wrote a book and everything. That is so cool! I think we will make a great pair you and I. I also heard my friend, Dinky, was living with you!! That is so cool. Dinky was a bit of a hassle sometimes, little guy, always wanting to hang out with us big dogs but he is an okay dude. At least I will already know someone when I get to your house! So, I hear you are coming next week and I will finally get to meet you. One dog in our class, his name is Phantom, he told me he played with you once. He likes to brag but I think he really did meet you. He says I am lucky to be your partner, that you are a cool kid so that is just awesome! See you soon!!

Xoxo Mindy

This month!

Evan will get his dog this month! The training is just around the corner and we have been collecting dog items in preparation for his new best friend! Evan said, "This Mutt Mat is going to be so much cooler with a dog on it!" I couldn't agree more! We're counting the days!

Next Month!

Evan will get his dog next month so the excitement is really building! We are all very excited and counting the days!

Aria's dog, Dinky has been a great "practice dog" for all of us!

The Countdown Begins!

After Evan completed his fundraising, the waiting began and we are still waiting. Evan will meet his new best friend in July and suddenly that doesn't seem so far away. The months have been racing by and now it really feels like it's just around the corner!

This article came out this week and really made me think, once again, about how completely life changing having a service dog will be for Evan and our family. This is the organization Evan's dog is coming from and before we know it we'll be in Ohio for Evan's training!

New York Times Magazine: Wonder Dog

The article and video do a great job at providing a glimpse into the world of having a service dog by your side. Soon our family will have their own story in this realm.

Thank you for Supporting Evan!

So we have good news and bad news...

The guy Evan voted for in the People Magazine Readers' Choice Hero of the Year was one of the winners! The guy you voted for (Evan) was not. He's still my hero and I don't feel any differently about him with or without the title.

I am thrilled for the people who did win and they have accomplished great things that have made the world a better place. We need more people like them in this world.

Oh, and in case you are wondering who Evan voted for, it was Dennis Tyler who rescues Greyhounds.