Sustainability: the capacity to endure

Often times when we speak of sustainability we conjur up images of the environment. When my husband and I hear this word, we think about our kids and how they can achieve this type of self sufficiency in their lives to the best of their own abilities. So many times people tell us, Dont worry about your kids future, they will be fine, they are doing so great. We know this is meant well, but it isn't worry that motivates us to teach our kids this lesson, it's a reaslitic approach to a very real issue. The rate of Autism has sky rocketed. We know there is no government organization that would be equipped to deal with the freight train that will be hitting over these next few years as children with autism are turning 18 and needing real life assistance to hold down jobs and recieve the care that they may need once parents and family are no longer around or able to assist.

Its not a fear, its our duty as parents to best equip our kids to sustain themselves for their future. We have always loved the idea of kids in nature, this is why we utilize a service dog and work with her using animal assisted therapy. Kids with autism need much earlier on to learn the basics of self management regarding time and organization in their routines. These 2 videos shows a lot of these ideas manifested in a real workable situation.

So you think you know about poodles?

Bringing new puppy home

North Star video

http://www.myhero.com/go/films/view.asp?film=Joel&res=high
A wonderful video highlighting what an autism service dog can do for you. This video was produced by Danny Gross, son of Patty Dobbs Gross, founder of NorthStar.

A very patient pooch

Yes you can!

Yes you too can groom your own poodle!

When we first got Lily a year ago, my big worry was her hair. My big relief was...her hair!

Poodles dont shed and when I say that, I mean it! You can pull and tug but it wont come out. Its not fur, its hair.

This keeps our house very clean for having a large dog in it.

Now this means you need to clip it, at least every 6-8 weeks if you want them to look like a poodle as opposed to a portugese water dog!

After hunting down a groomer I was horrified to find that Standards cost about 100 bucks a groom at most groomers in the Bay Area. You can do a quick 50 dollar petsmart cut, but beware.

So I decided to learn myself. I've been successful now for about a year. It's amazing how in many ways Lily has become more than just a service dog to the boys, but to every member of the family including Mom. Grooming her and training her has become a beloved hobby and a natural stress reliever for me! Its a great way to bond with your dog, and train them while you are grooming.

Lately I have been finding more people in the community wanting to learn, I've been sharing tips and have begun making contacts in order to help groom others dogs. I hope that everyone gets the message that "yes you can!"

Lily and her family