Rhapsody’s Chronicles 2008
13 January 2008 – Sunday
Another new year for Rhapsody and I to look forward towards. We hope that 2008 will bring us into another great year of adventure for the two of us. Last Thursday, brought us back to UCA for another semester of schooling and lots more new friends to meet. Of course, there were some old friends who have known us from the past. But as we go through this semester, perhaps Rhapsody would know a few basic sign language. Like:
Well, maybe Rhapsody wouldn't understand all of this but wouldn't it be great if she could? Oh! By the way, in case you don't understand what I signed. It said: "Let's go home." Now Rhapsody typical day at school is quite simple. Waits for me to let her out of the back of the Explorer, then place her harness and leash on. Wait for her commands, "Forward" and off to class we go. Once in class she watches me as to where I am going to sit for the semester, so that in the future she would just walk towards that desk. She then let me sit down and she sits facing towards me, while I fumble through my backpack looking for something. But she knows exactly what is coming every time when she escort me to my class and desk safely. it is a T-R-E-A-T. Yes! Rhapsody knows what T-R-E-A-T is. <smile>
Yeah! I recall last semester when a professor of mine said to me before class got started. "Is Rhapsody waiting for her treat?" I chuckle and grin a bit, realizing I have forgotten to give her treat to her, nonetheless, she patiently waited for her T-R-E-A-T, before she settle down on the floor in from of me and sleep.
We like all of our new professors this semester, but one we are not sure how she feel about animals, especially dogs. Since this professor is a native of India. We're not sure about how their culture is like. One thing for certain, her accent will be difficult to follow it is very strong dialect for me to follow. Of course, last year, I had one professor from Ireland, imagine following that dialect.
Since Rhapsody and I have place this new updated look and "Notify List", we had a great response from all of our readers. This one was especially fun for both Rhapsody and I . . .
"Rhapsody, We love your photos and "good work" you do with Matt. We are: 1. Lacy--I am 8 year old and a Cairn Terrier. I love it outside even when it is cold and snowy. 2. Zoey--I am a 6 pound Yorkie. Boy am I spoilt. I spend hours with Carole in her computer chair while she looks on the computer for all these dead people. She calls them ancestors. I get to sleep with Carole and Jack too. I will be three in May. 3. April--I'm the new kid on the block. Will be one on April 1st. I am a Yorkie-Poo but more Poo than Yorkie. I try to get my way and the toys all of the time but Carole usually sees me and I get yelled at. Jack just looks the other way so I like him best. Woof! Woof! Lacy, Zoey, April"
However, one will always be dear to our hearts from Cinda and Tom, Rhapsody's puppy raisers. "Thanks for the Chronicles! Happy New Year, Cinda & Tom." We did received a belated Christmas card from them with a short note of their life's adventure, which some wasn't so fun, especially when Tom had an unexpected heart attack. Tom, Rhapsody loves ya', <lick, lick>.
We love hearing from you. And soon close for more adventure with Rhapsody.
February 23, 2008 – Saturday
Wow! February has been a “cyclone” of adventurous trials and tribulations of unforgettable moments for both Rhapsody and I. Now you may wonder why I quoted “cyclone” in my first sentence; conversely, the events that had occurred these past few weeks up until today been unbelievable. Of course, Rhapsody has been in many of these moments and she had her quavers.
Back towards the end of January, Rhapsody and I day started like any other day for the both of us before going to school, whereas, she is ready to go for that long ride to Conway. It was later in the afternoon when the wind really picked up, leading into a gust of wind. Rhapsody and I went with my wife to Pet Mart store, which is Rhapsody utmost favorite place to be, to get some food for our feline friends. As we gotten out of the car, Rhapsody and I had to practically push our way up to the doors of Pet Mart, just imagine that cartoon of a dog’s long ears flapping high into the air, well, Rhapsody was merely fix that caricature reflection. Once inside, the dreadful sound of the wind, in the store made us wanted to crawl into a deep hole for it felt like was about to topple over us.
My wife told me that we were going to await this wind, until she got a phone call from one of our kids. Our son began his conversation, “Mom, don’t get mad at me!” Moreover, you know if you were a mother, of course, you would react when you don’t know what had happen at home. Nevertheless, Romney, my wife, received the news that our second car had been damaged by this wild and damaging wind. What finaly had happen, our carport in front of our house was only held down by containers of rocks and bricks finally gusted upward like a hot air ballon over the car tipping over the containers, crashing and smashing two of the windows. On the way over to the other side of the car scratching it and landed down onto the ground after hitting the trees; even though, the carport seen better days it was completely totaled.
Even though we were able to get the windows replaced and get the car presentable. It was hard to have it happen to us. Romney and I talked about getting another car similar to the other; she found one on eBay and won the bid. So the question was at the time was how to get that car for it was located in North Carolina.
After deciding to take the trip to North Carolina, Romney, Rhapsody, and I gotten our flight confirmed to leave early Friday morning of 8th. We acquired another swirling momentous afternoon on the day of “Super Tuesday” election. The weather turned all gray and dreary as we came home from school, but I decided to leave Rhapsody home as I went to vote. I am glad I did. As Romney took me to the election poll, it started to sprinkle some rain. After about 15 minutes, inside the polls, it was heavily rainy. Half way home, the tornado warning alarm sounded, putting Romney into a panicky mood. It started to thunder and lightning, and as we drove home it got worst. Once home, Rhapsody was forever grateful to see the both of us.
It was the next hour after we gotten home that gotten us concern more because we found out where the tornado was hitting. It was merely over 15 miles southeast from where we lived, and what was scarier was that two of our daughters were still in Conway at school. Romney called one of them to find out what they are doing. We found out that she was on their way home, but was unaware of the tornado nearby. So Melissa, our daughter, put the pedal to the medal going 95-mph to get past Atkins before the tornado crosses the freeway. As the moment went by and a bunch of prayer in our hearts and as a family, we waited for our daughter to call back; five minutes turned to fifteen minutes we finally gotten a joyous call from Melissa. All is well! She told us it was not very far from where she past it on the freeway. And the people of Atkins had many home destroy with three deaths, our heart went out to their family members.
Rhapsody all the while as the air was tense, tried to remain calm. She was staying near us ever so closely that day. What was funny though? Rhapsody sensed something was going to happen that afternoon. She wasn’t doing her normal stuff after coming home from school, but was just looking into the air and smelling it. Of course, she wasn’t happy about all the thundering during the night. If she had her way, she be up on the bed between Romney and I.
Finally our trip to North Carolina, which Rhapsody felt something was about to happen again. Nevertheless, she just didn’t know It was flying in the air. Frankly, I think Rhapsody it better the first time we came home over a year and a half ago. This flight was nice but quick, so I think Rhapsody wasn’t happy about the plane or maybe the way the pilots was flying it. Once Romney and I transferred in Columbia, South Carolina. She was making a beeline out that plane door. Of course, the flight attendances were wonderful and flaunting over Rhapsody. You thought I was presenting a show dog. After we transferred our flight to Wilmington, North Carolina, Rhapsody was amiably ready to kiss the ground at the airport for she did not like that airplane very well. I know! I am not kidding though. Rhapsody wanted to get out of that plane. We found a cab and got our new car. Finally heading homeward bound, at least that what Rhapsody thought.
Romney and I decided to take this opportunity as a get-away from the kids. Well, we thought all right except for one little one with four legs and a wagging tail, Rhapsody. We never saw her cling to us like super glue; of course, you would do the same right? Especially, what had happen in the past few days with the tornado, lightening, thundering, and so forth? As we traveled down the freeway towards our first destination, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the sandy beaches are breathe takingly worthwhile to spend time.
Following restful night in the hotel nearby, Romney and I took Rhapsody to see the beach. She was exceedingly happy once I let her run with her retraceable leash. Rhapsody ran in and out of the water as the wave quietly came in and disappeared. Although, I didn’t take me shoes off, I would tell that Rhapsody a bit chilled for she did not wanted to remain in the water for very long or go that far into the water. It was a beautifully calm quiet day at the beach, much needed after the “cyclone” of the past weeks in Arkansas. Even though, Romney only spent for about thirty minutes on the beach, it seems to be enough to take into our soul.
Rhapsody was ready to go, especially to take care of her business. I quickly found a place for her to go. Poor girl, she was so overly excited, her bowels runneth. We finally walk back up to the car and dry her off. Romney and I were sadden that this weekend was only a very short one and urge to drive back home was long ahead of us.
But before we left South Carolina, we paid a short visit to one of my fellow graduate, Bob Buchanan in Columbia. Even if the visit was diminutive, it was yet memorable for Rhapsody because she got befriend a fellow guide dog named Rafael, Bob’s new guide dog after his few mishap with the original guide dog, Abigail. She just decided that being a guide dog was too stressful for her. That’s okay, Rafael have been awaiting Bob to come and get him. Rhapsody and Rafael were enjoying the run around the big pool in Bob and Nancy’s backyard. While Bob and I were chatting along, one of the dogs got into the pool. At first, I looked and thought it was Rafael, so Bob called him and he wasn’t the one who was wet. It was Rhapsody. I chuckled a bit! Moreover, I shook my head at Rhapsody. Smiling whiles she wagging her tail and saying to her. “Did you not get enough water in the ocean today?” By this time, Romney and Nancy were coming out of the house laughing as they watch her step into the pool water. Again, I dried Rhapsody. We went inside for a few minutes and before long, Romney and I had to say our good-bye’s and hit the road again.
The rest of the trip was pretty much sight seeing, we stop in another hotel in Tennessee. We stop at a rest area/visitor center was where it was full of history of the past. As we approach our final target, Russellville, Arkansas. Romney and I felt great about getting home again. All the while, Rhapsody was incredibly happy to be home and just to see her boys again.
So as the “cyclone” of events occurred these past few weeks. Life is never a dull moment with Rhapsody. She always ready to go out the door to see who she’ll meet or what she’ll encounter in our daily walk of life.
4 March 2008 – Tuesday
RHAPSODY’S SNOW DAY – March 2008
Wahoo! Rhapsody is having a snow day today in Russellville. She was just so happy to see all this powdery soft white wet stuff outside as she awaits to take care of her business. However, it had to wait until she ran, jump, and charge in the snow. Romney and I had to laugh at Rhapsody as she tried to run across the yard, but it was more like that Winnie the Pooh character called “Tigger” as he normally pounce up and down. So that was what Rhapsody was doing for nearly an hour just pouncing up and down and burying her head like an ostrich would in the sand, except this is the snow. Along that line, she was biting at the snow and eating some of it too.
You have to visit the new addition to Rhapsody’s Photo album showing all her heart desires. This is the worst weather condition I have seen since moving to Russellville, but then again, we had severe winds, tornado conditions, and a buckets load of rain. What the heck! Why not add some 14-inches of snow and pour buckets of rain all day yesterday; which I really tried my best to get Rhapsody to do her business and come back in before she became too wet. Nonetheless, Rhapsody ran and ran as much as he could today in the snow. She was happily playing, just to stay outside as long as she can.
Today, I found out that Conway County did get some snow but not as much as we did here in Pope County, nevertheless some of the schools closed except for UCA. So I had to email and call my professors about my weather conditions. Boy! This had been a trying winter for school and me. Maybe later I will have to take Rhapsody walking around the church that is across the street from our house and see how much more mischief she will try to get into. One of her boys, Jared and his friend, Andrew, are now playing outside, and guess where Rhapsody is? You got it! She is outside in the snow, playing along side her boys.
My hope is this weather and remainder of the school year will be better conditions from here on out, so I can finish the semester. I am definitely going to take the summer off and seek summer employment.
4 May 2008 - Sunday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHAPSODY!Happy Birthday, Rhapsody! Today she turned four years old and soon she and I will have been together for two wonderful years since graduating from the Guide Dog for the Blind. Although, it is a typical Sunday, Rhapsody got a royal treatment of not attending church like we normally do each week. However, she didn't seems to mind it too much.
Yesterday, Rhapsody and I attend one of UCA graduation ceremony for Melissa finally gotten her Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer and Living Science. Rhapsody loves Melissa for many weeks she took us back and forth from school when we attended together. Some of you make know how Rhapsody is when she see a very familiar face, she always gets overly excited and profusely wagging her tail, then wants to jump up on you. This is how Rhapsody is every day that Melissa comes and picked us up for school. Just imagine, twice a week for over the course of two 16-weeks semester and daily for 10-weeks during the summer. At time it was hard to get her to calm down. Gheez! I wish she was that way with me, or is it just a fact she see me daily that I don't count?!
Of course, Rhapsody have for the past weeks been going with Romney and I, instead of Melissa for our courses have been different. Last Thursday was my last final for the spring semester. And this summer NO classes. We need a break!
Well, Rhapsody has gotten the normal treatments today as any other day, however, I think she enjoyed being able to go outside for a little extra play-time with me. My hope and prayer, Rhapsody will continue to be with me for many years to come before she has to retired from her service for me. She is surely an exceptionally wonderful dog and I owe my great thanks to Tom and Cinda MacKinnon for being her puppy raisers.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Rhapsody! from Daddy!
17 May 2008 - Saturday
My time is surely going quickly and yet so much to do. Of course, Rhapsody has been enjoying being with me more that I am going outside merely every day to work in the yard. She just lay fully extended on the lawn while I am filling up our raised bed boxes with dirt or digging out the weeds from the flower bed. From time to time Rhapsody would just sit there waiting for me to pay attention to her when she has her toy near by. Then I would say to her, "I'm going to get it!" Yet she knew that was the cue to play now.
I would toss the toy across the yard, and she would fetch it; after about four or five times of this she would try to play keep away and make me come after her. Finally she would just be tired of playing and want me to sit on the ground and wrestle with her and the toy, but I would finally say, "No more, right now!"
I had to finally chuckle inside, even though I scolded Rhapsody for getting into my garden boxes full of fresh dirt. She still is a normal dog with the love of being outside with me. And of course, inside with me; last evening, before going to bed, Romney asked me, "Is Rhapsody in trouble?" I responded, "No, why?" I was sitting at my desk typing on the computer when she asked this because Rhapsody was curled up behind my chair. On some occasion when Rhapsody have been scolded for getting into something in the house, she is on tie-down next to my desk chair but at this time she wasn't. So is it that time in her life she just gotten settle to be near me without being told to. Rhapsody surely have been a great dog, and a wonderful guide dog, and yet she still is a normal dog and does what other normal dog do.
Well, it time to close this for I was making Rhapsody's dinner, which she is very good at reminding me it her dinner time every afternoon. She just come up next to me by the desk chair or when were are outside together, to poke me with her cold wet nose on my elbow or get next to my face and give me a gentle kiss. Telling me, "don't you think it's time to make my food?"
HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY!
Rhapsody and I spent our anniversary day pretty much at home working in the yard and working on our garden. Rhapsody has surely enjoying soaking in the early summer sun but she oft times move into the shade of the trees to cool down before going back out into the sun again.
I can hardly believe it has been two years since we have walk to our independent from the Guide Dog for the Blind school in San Rafael, California. We still keep in contact with Rhapsody's puppy raisers, who are now raising another puppy similar to Rhapsody but seem to have a bit more spice in her life. Rhaposdy and I still wishes them good luck for their adventure.
Well ready for bed after a long day working in the yard. Rhapsody seems rather content today.After nearly eight weeks off from school, Rhapsody and I decided to go back to school since some things came up for us to have a need to attend. Although, Rhapsody have been getting use to the idea of not attending school, I think, she misses being around others than those who were at home.
Since we only were allowed to take two classes per summer sessions. We got to meet some more new people, and of course, Rhapsody loves to meet them always. Especially, those sweet kind ladies in the 'Christian Cafeteria' on campus where we spent some of our lunch time together. One gal, Betty, loves dogs and as soon as Rhapsody came into the door she would lurk further around the cashier counter to see if Betty was there to greet her. Then, Betty would talk sweet and lovingly to Rhapsody while waggin' her tails very happily.
After while, we finally got settle in to our daily routine going from one class to the next, even though it was only across the hallway on the same floor, however, before these classes we would go to the library for me to study. So as you can see our day begins at 5 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m., which can get a bit long but as long as Rhapsody is fed her food twice a day and get spoiled with good-deed treats. She is a happy girl.22 July 2008 - Tuesday
Today, was rather an important day but thinking it was just another adventure for her since we got to go into another building on campus where we never been before. We got to meet with Mr. Lu Hardin, the president of the University of Central Arkansas. The only reason for this special visit was because of some mobility and accessibility issues on campus that I had to address to several people when I was concern with not able to find a place to eat on campus. Nonetheless, I was able to resolve the issue with the food; it was Mr. Hardin concern over the accessibility for those with disabilities. At first, we didn't meet with Mr. Hardin for some reason he had an unexpected meeting by the time I got there to meet with him, so he asked his secretary to talk with one of his vice presidents.
As the vice president and I were chatting and taking notes of our conversations. We finally got a surprise visit from Mr. Hardin. At first Mr. Hardin was timid to pet Rhapsody, even though, she had done her part of the greeting by sniffing his leg and shoe. I finally had to say it was okay for him to pet her for she wasn't working at the moment.
Rhapsody and I finally head our way out of the building again and trying to find the best way to get back to where we needed to go again. Funny thing was that when we were trying to figure out which building I needed to get to, we had ran into some obstacles with thoughtless people who were driving one of the campus cart. And whomever it was that left this one decided it was okay to totally block the adjacent sidewalk to the administration building. So I had to direct Rhapsody into and over the flower bed, so we can resume our walk into the building. And this was one of the reasons, I had talked with Mr. Hardin today was about the lack of accessibilities on some parts of the campus, especially the back of the campus where some of the local food courts were at that had no accessibilities from the campus side over to the strip stores. But then again, those strip stores had NO sidewalks for a safe journey down the path to the store but only a busy parking lot which isn't safe for me nor Rhapsody.
I don't know if anything will become of my concerns over these issues but it was a fun day to meet the university's president.Wow! The five weeks of summer session surely pass by very quickly. Rhapsody and I have gotten through these weeks with meeting new people daily, including those we know from our classes. We have gotten through some warm days, raining days, and hot and humid days here in Arkansas. Although we only walk about as much we needed to at school but haven't don't much at home because of the crazy weather, lately.
This weekend it has been raining all weekend into the beginning of this week. So it had been very lazy days for us and we only have about seven days before our classes start again for the fall. Until than we are going to enjoy our time off and hope more new adventure will come our way. Have a doggie gone good day!Since this week is fall break from school, Rhapsody and I figure this week was suppose to be a week of catching up with behind household chores, or that much needed fixing in the backyard fence or the any past homework from college. Well, we never gotten around to the household chores, in hope that someone else would do that, or that fence that needed repairing will have to wait for another day. Instead, I spent my time and effort in catching up with past homework assignment, reading the last of my researched essay paper that will need to be finished by the end of November, and reading all my PowerPoint notes for government class. Yet, all the while, Rhapsody still gets my attention when it comes to feeding and walking time.
That is until a couple of days ago, she came down with a case of stomach flu. Now I am guessing that dog's can catch with human does if they are rather close to them often. This week got to spent time in the Boy's room with one of my son, Jared, who has been sick all week. Therefore, it makes me wonder. Nonetheless, I have been trying to take care of her illness and she seems to be willingly to go out and still get into things like normal but still ill. Therefore, I cut her food intake until it has gotten under control. In the meantime, she seems to be getting back to normal.
Other than Rhapsody little mishap, she have been her fun lovable self. Always can't wait to get home each full day of school because she wants to eat and play in the big backyard.
In addition, since last year, Rhapsody has created many new friends in college. One place we go to is the college library, she has Lisa and Rosalie; and then, in the Christian cafeteria, where we go to eat lunch, she got three friends, Betty, Jo, and Dina. It seems that each part of her day at college, she looks forward to seeing these women.
Of course, in every class we attend to, she always especially happy to see some of my classmates. At times, a bit of jealousy occurs in me, when she profusely wagging her tail at sight of them, which she is nearly beating me to death with that tail of hers. I just hope these classmates do not mind for I keep wondering if they are not bother by her presence. One day, just as we gotten to college and I have just put on her harness and leash. Rhapsody did not wait for my verbal command or hand signal to go forward. She was off down the sidewalk as we routinely go to class. I couldn't figure out what the rush was, at least not until we got to class, she wanted to visit with Rachelle, but not only was that the case but she saw her in the parking lot and was trying to catch up to her before class. Nevertheless, we walk up to her just to give her greetings.
Well, Rhapsody's adventures is never a dull one for she take me wherever I need to go, whenever I need to go, and yes, she happy to go with me. See ya' later!
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