The Lastest Ranch Trip

So we leave Scottsdale at 6:15ish, headed for Wiekieup - "TheRanch" - to bring down another load of stuff. At around 7:20, we’re almost driven off the road, right outside Wickenburg. We see this Intrepid weaving across the center line, over the left shoulder line, and right up on 3 other cars just ahead of us. We starting dialing 911! The driver notices the other cars - who definitely saw him, slowed down or moved over - slammed on his brakes, and swerved to the left, drove over some bushes in the median and swerved back onto the road almost losing control. We all let him go where ever he wanted to...he pulled over a short ways down the road to check his damage. Kendra thought she saw him get out and puke! As we drive by, we were still on the phone with 911, and were able to give them the license number, and we pulled over a ways ahead of him to keep an eye on him. We saw the DPS go by, turn around and start following him. So of course, keeping our distance, we followed too. He officer followed behind for a bit, then on went the lights. The guy started to stop right there where he was - in the left lane! Obviously not all there. He realized there was a McDonalds to the right - we all held back, and let them pull over. We pulled in as well, knowing they may want to talk to us since we called. We watched for a minute. the officer leaned in the window - the guy got out, turned around, faced the car, turned again toward the officer and suddenly the cop threw him to the ground! He hauled him to his feet, cuffed, pretty much tossed him in the back of the squad car – and then rushed into McDs. We were joking - “Boy do I need a cup of coffee”. Well, then everyone in McDs was rushing out right behind him. He was getting cars out of the parking lot, and not letting anyone else in. We were apparently far enough away for the time being we didn’t have to move right away. Then more cops came – and the fire department, an ambulance, and everyone was making a very wide arc around the guy’s car – still running, mind you - and another truck parked next to it. We gave the officer our information, and were told to Back Out of the parking lot – the opposite direction of the building. We went around the corner and pulled up next door. The people we parked next to told us that the guy pulled a hand grenade and in the struggle dropped it on the ground, in front of the other truck. Holy Smokes! A Hand Grenade! Who has hand grenades? So now there are a bunch of officers – WPD, and DPS – standing around waiting for the Bomb Squad to get there. At least that’s what we thought they were doing. They might have been playing rock/paper/scissors to see who had to go get the silly thing. But we left them all in good hands. Nothing was happening very fast from then, so we headed out of town. When we drove back through – around 4:30, it looked like nothing had happened. But I am very sure the whole town was talking about it – because just the 5 of us were talking about it all day!

Today...

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I am thankful for what I have, have had, and what is yet to come.

There are a lot of people I am missing today...yet I am so very grateful for everyone that is here with me on this Thanksgiving, and I am grateful that I have so many loved ones to miss! May their feast in heaven be a glorious one...and may God be with us during our grief.

Pettin' Puppies!

In 5th grade, Kendra's Junior Girl Scout troop elected to work on their Bronze Award - the highest service project award Juniors can get. They started talking about what to do. They decided to pack Puppy Suitcases. Small items that new puppies who will be trained to be service dogs, would need. Poop bags, small bowls, paper towels, baby wipes, items the trainers would need for maybe a day at the mall – to assist in cleaning up any accidents. They were going to have garage sales, car washes and bake sales, to raise money to pay for all these. In the process, t hey were earning badges that applied to this project. It was a lot of work. Well – apparently too much work for some, because a few months later, they voted not to do it anymore. Two of the girls were heartbroken – Kendra and Abby.

So these two girls scaled back the project, and did it anyway. We got in touch with an organization – AZ Power Paws – who breed the dogs, send them to their trainers and place them with a person in need. They had a list of toys and things they can use. Well – we earned our sewing badge, and made sheep skin toys for the puppies. Round ones, square ones, and bone shaped ones. Kendra designed the patterns, the two went shopping (using their cookie money to buy the material) cut them out and sewed them. We spent many hours on them over the summer. Well, AZ Power Paws finally had puppies!

We took the toys over to the house this morning. Cindy – the mommy dog – had 6 puppies 3 days ago!

We got to go over and pet them. This organization found that if you start gently handling puppies from about day 2, they are calmer dogs. They’re used to being handled by different people, and become socialized earlier and are just plain calmer. Perfect for a service dog. Some of these puppies will grow to be full blown service dogs – doing everything – to companions for those who just need a little bit of help – some deaf or hearing impaired people just need someone to hear for them. And, sadly, some of them won’t graduate, but they give it a good try! So - here we are petting the puppies. And we’ll be back – helping out with other things they need help with. Tough Service Project! I’m glad he girls wanted to finish it!