For Your Eyes Only

All About Sophie and Me (sic)

See the last few years of our lives together here:

https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/4BIV5OvcF31aGRuvCxLpOPdZ7gjeI8kT3Lvy4UkKgHr

Please disregard the two or three lovey-dovey greetings among the video clips. Out of deference to everyone's feelings and sense of privacy I prefer there were none at all. However, there have been others who have been part of our lives.

Given Sophie's familiarity and love for these people it was worth putting the clips in unedited until I can properly edit it. Though the principles of editing don't change much the technology that makes it possible does. So I'd like to think my college degree has been good for something in this regard. 

Nothing weird is intended by this toward anyone. I've merely created this for posterity and as a pleasant diversion one gray April evening and to show how wonderful our lives have been together. Sophie is always willing and able to show off her wild, prey-driven side in the high country, then later to her super-cool, calm and collected public service dog skills Sophie does it all with style. 

I'm justifiably proud of Sophie and the work we've (sadly) sometimes had to fight to do. But it's a fight worth taking on and, as long as I draw a breath I'll always fight to overcome my insecurities in order to employ my resolve as a legitimate and responsible service dog handler to help my vulnerable peers. 

Sophie is my family and I will fight if I must to do right by her. We've both been hurt too many times before together give up now. Anyone who has come to know us, whether other service dog/handler teams, K-9/handler teams or any of the countless strangers we've come to know here in Ft. Collins understands and has given us their full support. Please follow this link for some personal albeit raw kudos: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzIXoAi_ws

Perhaps one day no such conflicts will remain and all the barriers will fall. Until then, Sophie and I can always retreat to the great Colorado outback. If home truly is where your heart is, then that explains why we're so at home up there.

https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/4BIV5OvcF31aGRuvCxLpOPdZ7gjeI8kT3Lvy4UkKgHr

I wonder what tomorrow will bring us..! ☺

Take me out to the Little League ball game

Take Me Out to the Little League Ballgame... (unedited)

The beginning of the baseball season heralds reminders of how baseball affected our lives as young boys.
Baseball cards, the thrill of opening a new package and finding out which players are inside. The smell of the slab of stale, crispy bubble gum that had all the texture of a dog treat. That smell permeated the cards and made them even more special, at least until the smell waned.
The feel of new baseball cleats on my feet, the leathery smell of my baseball glove, the same smell the baseballs also head.
And the feel of a new wooden bat and, once I grew older, aluminum ones.
How about the appearance of a brand-new baseball, fresh from the box and with no scuffs on it yet.
And, of course, those special visits to the ballpark to watch our heroes play. We'd take our mitts to the game, hoping to catch a foul ball.
We'd also study them, Emulating some of the moves special to them that we wanted to try.
Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1970s, watching Willie Stargell and his trademark wind up of his baseball bat.
He'd make the pitcher wait until he was darn good and ready for his delivery. Only then could the picture throw his best effort.
It was one of the earliest forms of stare down, game face intimidation I witnessed, and it shaped my approach to the world ever since.
Even though girls have been major league baseball fans and Little league participants for many years, back then, organized baseball was largely the domain of boys.
We didn't chew tobacco, but big wads of gum instead. Anything we could do to be more like one of our heroes we did.
Even today, I still have a baseball card I ordered online of all places.
It's of a pitcher, Bob Veale, who was never quite that famous to we boys because so many cards had his picture on it, thereby decreasing their value.
We wanted cards with Willy Stargell, Richie Hebner, and Richie Zisk. No relief pitcher could match up to these guys.
The bubblegum smell has long since worn off, but the sight of the card instantly brought back the memories.