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Ready for a New Adventure

Hello everyone. Saint here. I know that it’s been a long time since we reached out to you. I’m very sorry about that: I can’t really type and Mummy’s been so busy with school that I hate to ask her to type for me. But now that we’re getting ready for our next great adventure, Mummy said that she would just have to take time so that our friends and loved ones can follow along.

We’re getting ready for a very long trip. Mummy calls it “BEYOND LIMITS: Back to the Roots Journey.” She explained that it got its name because we are going to travel west to where Mummy’s daddy and all of his family was from.

We’re going to a conference in Denver. Then we’ll continue on to Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Mummy wants to pay it forward and pay it backward. She wants to thank the land and its people for helping make her who she is. She wants to spread the BEYOND LIMITS core that Challenge is an Opportunity and that together, there is nothing that we cannot do.

We are sure to have so many amazing experiences.

We also want to advocate for social justice and equity. Mummy says that everyone has the right to travel and gain lodging. Yet this is really hard for so many people—particularly those with physical challenges. So we plan to really push and see what is possible right now—and what needs to become possible.

Mummy says that we need to do this because we are so lucky. We need to advocate for those who cannot.

And we’re sure to have lots and lots of adventures.

I am sharing a few photos with you from our getting ready.

Mummy’s primary care giver, Mary Coffin, is retiring. So Mummy took a photo of me with her.

I also had a surprise surgery on my paw. I was very brave but I was worried about Mummy all day. She really needs me, so I don’t know how she managed. I was glad to get back on duty.

Our friend Brandy came to see us. She just graduated from UMPI and is getting ready to start a new chapter in her life. She’s become part of our family over the last four years. We will really miss her. But she did promise to come back to see us.

I must be about the luckiest service animal ever. Mummy and I have such good times. I hope that you will follow along and help us build and maintain our terrific community.

I’ll try to write again soon.

Saint
Saint Says Good-Bye to Brandy for a Little While--5.30.2019

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On to the Next Adventure!

Garrett DeLong

Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog, but that doesn’t mean that the BEYOND LIMITS team and I haven’t been staying busy. It’s been one busy semester with the organization and I want to share some of my experiences with you guys.
First off, we are already on our way to do our next adventure. This summer, Dr. J and Saint are going cross-country throughout the western United States with their van, Miracle. We are calling it “Going Back to the Roots.” The idea started because Dr. J is attending a conference in Denver, Colorado, in June. Dr. J thought that driving cross-country would be a perfect opportunity to visit her father’s hometown in Utah and pay her respects in his honor. She is also using this opportunity to stop and visit in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming: three places that she has always wanted to visit.
I think that this adventure is inspiring for so many reasons. For one, Dr. J is channeling her family ancestors because over a century ago, they literally walked across the country to the state of Utah. She is literally “going back to her roots.”
It’s also inspiring because this will bring awareness of handicap-accessible vehicles like Miracle. Many people assume that if you have physical challenges you cannot operate a vehicle, and this is simply not the case
Right now, Brandy and I are compiling a list of places throughout the four states where Dr. J and Saint could potentially speak. We think that many people will find their story to be very inspiring.
Needless to say, we’ve been staying very busy! That’s it for me right now. I’ll start posting a blog weekly to keep you guys updated on the process we are going through planning this trip. Hope you all have a good weekend!

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Kicking Off Spring in the Best Way

Hello, friends!! Saint here. I’m so glad it’s finally sunny out! I love the sun and being able to play outside without my boots! Anyway, the month of May just started and Mummy and I kicked off the new month (and the new weather) in the best way!
May 1st was a Tuesday, so Mummy had a full day of classes, which is always so much fun!! I love seeing all of my friends throughout the day! We also had the end of the semester potluck for the University Times, and there was SO MUCH FOOD! There was a huge sandwich, cookies, and fruit! I wish I could have had some, but none of those things are good for me.
After a full day of classes, Mummy and I had one of my favorite things to do: A Facebook Live Event! I get to see even more of my friends! Plus, I’m not wearing my gear during these events so I get lots of pats. I even got a belly tickle!! This Facebook Live was about The Sisterhood, who are the women who help Mummy and me go on our adventures! We were missing some people, but Aunt Kimmie and my friend Pam Easler were there! It was such a blast to see everyone! I love doing Facebook Live Events!

What’s your favorite way to connect with friends?? Do you love spring just as much as I do?? I love you all!

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Celebrating My Friends

Hello everyone! Saint here. I hope you’re all doing well, and if you’re in school, I hope your finals went well! I don’t really know what they are, but Mummy has a bunch of friends over during finals week and they talk about the semester and how it went. I like having all these visits with my friends. We get to hang out and have a bunch of parties in class. It’s really fun! After the spring semester, my friends in Mummy class who have been here for a really long time have a Graduation Ceremony. That’s really fun to go to, because I go with Mummy and dress up in my outfit that Mummy calls a cap and gown. I get to dress up like my friends who are at this ceremony and show them that I am proud of them. I get to see all my friends get these papers that means that they have done a good job.
We get to take pictures with everyone after the ceremony. Mummy is always a little sad about this, because some of my friends who go to this ceremony never come back. Mummy says this is because they are going onto something better. Sometimes they do come back and it’s really great to see them again and see how they are doing! I’m always sad to lose my friends, but knowing that they are going onto something better makes me happy for them. That’s it for now. Hope you are all doing well!

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Taking Miracle to Percy’s

Hi everyone, Saint here! Today I wanted to tell you all a funny story of something that happened to Mummy and me a few months ago. It all started when Mummy noticed that Miracle (Mummy’s van) was making a funny, squeaking kind of noise. We took Miracle to Percy’s Auto so that they could look at her and tell us what was wrong.
We sat in the waiting room for a while until a man came into the room to tell Mummy that nothing was wrong with Miracle. Mummy insisted that we could hear a noise coming from the vents that sounded like squeaking. So the man left the room again to look at the car more closely.
When he came back, he told Mummy some interesting news: Miracle had been infested with mice! He said it was the worst infestation he’d ever seen. When the mechanic climbed under Miracle and started to take her apart, he said he got covered in mouse droppings. I’m sure it wasn’t very funny to him, but it sure made me laugh.
Can I tell you guys a secret? I knew some mice had gotten into Miracle. I didn’t want to tell Mummy, because I like the mice: they’re my friends. I told them not to chew up any of the wires that keep Miracle running and they listened! The guys at Percy’s told Mummy she was lucky they didn’t chew the wires, but I know the truth.
There are a lot of mice around where Mummy and I live. The winters are pretty brutal and cold, so I let the mice hang out in the basement. Sometimes Mummy leaves the car door open in the garage so that it doesn’t get stuck from the ice. The mice walked right in and made some little nests. They didn’t chew wires, but they did manage to get to one of Mummy’s string bags, a pair of gloves and her sour hard candies. The mice are gone now and so are the droppings. Miracle doesn’t squeak anymore and all is well. What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to your car?

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Greeting Accepted Students

Hi, guys! I recently went to Accepted Student Day at UMPI. It’s where people accepted to the school get to come and meet with professors, learn about campus and interact with clubs and students. Since Mummy goes to meet potential students, I get to go too. It was really fun this year, it was great last year too. Mummy, some of her students and I all went to greet new people interested in UMPI. It was really great meeting so many new people. They all seemed excited to meet me too. Mummy and her students explained to accepted students what we do in the PCJ program and in the U Times. It was nice hearing them explain all the great things we’re doing for the community and the experience mummy’s students have gained along the way.
Some parts were a little slow for my taste because I’m already an expert when it comes to what goes on in PCJ classes since I’m in them all. Since I already knew about things, there were some moments where I was able to catch a few quick naps, which was just what I needed between all the excitement. Everyone else stayed very busy though, moving around campus and interacting with one other. I can’t wait to see all the new students next semester. I sure will miss them until then though!

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Toys for life!

Hi everyone! Saint here. I hope you are all doing well and having fun! I want to tell you guys about some of my favorite toys. Mummy keeps my toys in a big box for me, but my favorite toys Mummy leaves on my bed so I get them easier. I play with them after I go outside in the morning and also when we get home at night. In the morning when I come back inside and I do some stretching, then I retrieve my favorite toy. It’s a short tree with squirrels, but the squirrels make noises. Its lots of fun to flip my tree in the air. Sometimes, I find the things that makes the noises, and I take them out. I bring them to Mummy. Then Mummy does surgery on them so the squirrels make the noises again. I also have a birdhouse with little birds in it: it’s a lot like my tree. I play with that one upstairs. I also have a really big pillow upstairs that is shaped like me. When Mummy is working, I get to play with Lambie. Once I played with Lambie too hard and she lost an ear. When friends visit Mummy at work I get Lambie to show them.
When Mummy and I went hiking, I had some friends to play with. They liked to play fetch, which I don’t understand. They would go after the ball once their person threw it and kept getting it, no matter how many times it was thrown. I get stuff for Mummy all the time, but Mummy doesn’t throw stuff just for me to get it. I don’t get why they do that. Their people could have gotten the ball themselves: they didn’t need help.
Hope you all are doing well and don’t forget to play today.

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Facebook Live

Hello, everyone! Saint here. Tuesday was a super exciting day for Mummy and me! After a full day of going with Mummy to classes and seeing all my friends, we had something else very exciting to do! Some of Mummy’s students came to Mummy’s office to see us and we did something called a Facebook Live Event. It was a lot of fun, except for the fact that Mummy put me in my booties and coat, but I didn’t mind too much. Mummy got me those booties a few years ago because the snow and salt hurts my paws. Mummy always looks out for me: she’s the best!
During the Facebook Live Event, Mummy and her students talked about BEYOND LIMITS and they asked a bunch of questions about me! Mummy kept on saying that the Live Event was about me, which was very exciting. That’s why she had me in my winter gear. One of Mummy’s students dressed in his winter gear too, so I didn’t feel too bad about having it on.
During the Live Event, I kept on running over to my bed because I was SO TIRED, but Mummy kept telling me no, and I’m glad she did. Even though it was a long day, I had tons of fun!!
I do need to get lots of rest though because Mummy and I are going on a big adventure next week. We’re driving to Kentucky and going on a hike! Make sure you stay tuned for that.
Have you guys ever done a Facebook Live Event? Do you have any Winter Gear? What do you Love about Winter? I love you all!

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My Awesome Adventure to the Vet

Hi everybody! It’s me again: Saint. How are you all doing? Can you believe that it’s almost March? Some of the snow is already starting to melt and it’s still February. I don’t mind the warm weather, though. When it’s cold, sometimes Mummy makes me wear my little boots and they feel very strange on my paws.
Mummy and I just went to the veterinarian for a wellness checkup. I go to the vet a lot and I love going! Everybody is so friendly. This was just for a routine checkup. Everybody at the vet’s office was very nice and while I was waiting for my turn, I even made a new friend with a pug. The other dog was very excited to make friends with me, too.
The vet got me in for my checkup very quickly and they gave me a physical. First, they put me on the scale because I’m supposed to weigh between 57 and 59 pounds. The scale was right by the food, so I was more than happy to step on it. I weighed 57.7 pounds, which is the perfect weight I’m supposed to be. Mummy makes sure I eat and exercise well so that I stay within this weight range.
The nice man examined my legs, throat, eyes, ears and took a complete blood sample to make sure I was all healthy and I passed with flying colors. He even said that I was one of the most well-behaved dogs he’d ever met. I think this made Mummy happy, so I was happy as well. They also gave me vaccinations so that I don’t get sick and I can keep going on exciting adventures with Mummy. Last but not least, I even got my nails done.
The visit to the vet took about an hour. I got four treats throughout our visit for being a good girl! They were very delicious. It’s very important that you eat well and exercise right. Mummy and I look after each other to make sure we both stay healthy. What do you do to stay healthy?
I hope that you have a wonderful week. Spring is just around the corner and then there’ll be mud everywhere. But I’m pretty sure Mummy won’t let me play in it because I’ll get all dirty and messy.
Well, that was my and Mummy’s most recent adventure. I hope you have a great day and stay warm! Bye for now!

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Never Skip Leg Day

Hello everyone! It’s Saint again. I hope that you have all had a wonderful week since the last time we talked. The weather is warming up, which means that Mummy and I will be able to play outside in no time! I love the snow, but it can be so cold sometimes.
Even though Mummy and I aren’t playing in the snow every day, she still makes sure I get the exercise I need. When you go on as many adventures as Mummy and I, you must be in peak doggy condition.
Exercise begins first thing in the morning for Mummy and me. Before we go to work, Mummy and I run on the treadmill. Mummy always sets the speed on my treadmill to 2.7 mph. This is the perfect speed for me because I can break a sweat without tripping over my paws. Mummy and I will do this for 30 minutes. Sometimes we go for longer, but 30 minutes is just enough for me to maintain a healthy puppy body.
I love the treadmill Mummy got for me. I even got to pick it out myself! A few years ago, Mummy and I went into Sears to get one. One of the employees looked really confused when Mummy asked where the treadmills were located. She looked even more confused when Mummy said that it was for me! I wonder why she was so surprised.
Since we exercise in the morning, I’m usually ready for a nap in the early afternoon. My favorite place to nap is under Mummy’s desk. If she has to teach, then her lap is the next best thing. Mummy says I snore in class. I never hear it, so I don’t know if I believe her.
That’s it for me today. I hope you all have a wonderful day.