PATSY'S POCKETS OF PEACE

I received this message from the trainer of Miss B...

2012-03-28T09:36:25.479-07:00

I received this message from the trainer of Miss Breeze...... "Breeze is a blessing! I took her to the Alamo Heights Little League fields last night for some socializing, distractions and loud noises. She loves the kids and they call her over to the dugout for a pet before getting up to bat. She relaxes by the bleachers during the game, but is always available for some love and attention from anyone who might happen along her path. She even charms the umpires!

The Warrior that has Breeze will have a wonderful companion for life. She is lucky and we are lucky. Many thanks to you and Bart for allowing us to participate in such an amazing organization. We look forward to many more wonderful canine companions in the future!"

Although not exactly the same, it is times like th...

2012-03-27T13:54:37.809-07:00

Although not exactly the same, it is times like this that make me think about Zig Ziglar's story about kicking the cat.

http://biggsuccess.com/bigg-articles/whos-kicking-your-cat/

Sometimes you just have to let go and give the poor cat a break ;)

Jarod Myers is who you need to contact. He wears ...

2012-02-28T11:16:52.989-08:00

Jarod Myers is who you need to contact. He wears John Amos' bracelet as well. I have tried to call but all three numbers are disconnected and he isn't on facebook anymore...don't know what has happened. feel free to try...he is in Texas...or was. I will keep searching for you and if you find him let me know.

Hello. I'm not even sure if you are still chec...

2012-02-28T00:23:50.560-08:00

Hello. I'm not even sure if you are still checking this blog, but my boyfriend was with John the day he died and he still remembers him to this day. He recently loss John's memorial bracelet on a beach in Cabo San Lucas. I wanted to replace the bracelet, but didn't know what information was written on it. Please email me if you can help at santpham@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Perfectly said Patsy...

2012-02-19T14:34:06.218-08:00

Perfectly said Patsy...

and that is how you learn to live in the moment. ...

2012-02-19T14:20:12.624-08:00

and that is how you learn to live in the moment. just BE present

It is our pleasure! Thank you for your trust in u...

2012-01-24T19:23:14.839-08:00

It is our pleasure! Thank you for your trust in us! God bless you and Too!

thank you those words.....greatly needed and appre...

2012-01-15T03:57:50.403-08:00

thank you those words.....greatly needed and appreciated...

Patsy, You do have to think of yourself, too. Yo...

2012-01-13T15:53:05.080-08:00

Patsy, You do have to think of yourself, too. You have done SOOO much to help others. A break or change seems in order. I once was told that when someone says "no" to an opportunity of service, it opens the opportunity for someone else to have the blessing of serving. It is not for you to know just who might step up, but chances are God will "speak" to someone if He means for this to continue. Take good care, B. P.S. One of your recipes for potatoes topped with potato chips continues to be a family favorite! I remember you from MANY years ago!!! Get some rest lady!

My dog, Too, and I have recently been accepted int...

2011-12-16T20:17:02.588-08:00

My dog, Too, and I have recently been accepted into the TADSAW program. We are working hard to learn all the lessons and become a responsible, respectable team.

Too and I will be taking our K-9 Good Citizenship test on Tuesday. Dianne Espe has been a blessing to both of us. She is kind and caring. She expects a lot from us and we are more than happy to comply. She never expects too much. She expects what we can accomplish successfully.

Since beginning the program, I knew that Too and I would ultimately be in public places and needed to handle this task proficiently. So I found her a little boy's rain slicker in a resale store. I used a red sharpie to mark down her back. S. I. T. (Service Dog In Training under the letters).

We have gently asked our surrounding community if it is okay to come into their establishments so we may train in the public arena. We have only been denied one time. We have been in Wal-Marts, Petsmarts, Lowes, Home Depots, HEBs, Walgreens, CVS, a variety of second hand stores, many restaurants, Whole Foods, Central Market, and many other public places. Too is doing her teacher and her human mom PROUD!!! She has never caused a problem in public. She minds her business and her manners. In a recent trip to HEB with our trainer, Dianne, we were told by her; "That's impressive!" when Too walked very closely to the cold cut section while never even turning to look at the meats that were at her nose level.

I don't know if Too is an exceptional dog or if it is that we have an exceptional trainer. All I know is that I am so comforted and supported when I can have my wonderful "Battle Buddy" with me. It is especially helpful when we are allowed to be together in the VA.

I am a Desert Storm veteran. I have been struggling with PTSD for over 20 years now. I kept thinking every new year that eventually the PTSD would magically get better. No such luck! Six years ago, I attended a Vets Journey Home weekend as a participant. That was the beginning turning point in my life. I quit dying one day at a time and began living them one day at a time.

I was diagnosed with a brain aneurism just after submitting my completed application package to TADSAW. I was sure my hospitalization and recuperation period would knock us out of the program. Much to my surprise and glee, TADSAW saved our place in line. Too and I began training as soon as I had healed enough from what I call my "upstairs repairs".

Even though we are not certified yet, it is an amazing journey. People and children ask daily if they can pet my dog. I tell Too, "Tell the nice lady or baby or gentleman hello". She walks forward sniffs their outstretched hand and accepts their pets. Then she returns to my heel on her own. The children especially become very happy when I thank them for being kind to my dog. People are curious about the cute little dog that wears the bright yellow rain slicker.

Today, I had the honor to tell a veteran at the VA about the TADSAW program. He and his wife were curious and brave enough to ask me about Too. They wrote the website information down and were going to go online and check out TADSAW as soon they returned home to Killeen.

I cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude enough to the TADSAW program. I am already feeling positive results from being able to spend more time with Too. She is so excited on "work" days. When I dress her, she takes on a very professional "dogatude". When I take her slicker and lead off she returns to a household dogatude. She is such a blessing to me!!! I am working hard at our training. I can hardly wait until "graduation day". I know she will look SO glamorous in her TADSAW Service Dog vest!!!

Thank all of you SO VERY VERY MUCH!!!

As Always,
And Ever Grateful,
Lee LeTeff
Desert Storm Vet and Warrior in Training

I have two dogs that we adopted from Gina. The pre...

2011-12-11T17:52:53.336-08:00

I have two dogs that we adopted from Gina. The precious little Doxie we are sure had been in a puppy mill and was abandoned because of heart worms. She was around 3 years old and probably had puppies every cycle - she was filthy and I don't think had ever been bathed - had fleas though only springtime - had a filthy blue collar - didn't know a thing about what to do and where. You should see her now! She is the very best little girl! She had treatments for her heart worms and when well, was spayed. It's her turn to be the baby and enjoy life!! She is a wonderful loving dog, however, though the feels so good after her bath, she still would avoid it if possible - lol.

The 2nd one was going to be a foster and we decided to keep her. She's still a work in progress, but is learning something new each day. She is a chi mix and she and Missy, the adopted Doxie, are best friends. The chi's name is Honey Bea.

Why anyone would buy a dog is a total mystery to me when there are dogs like these. They are wonderful pets.

Holly of course. or Mistletoe. who couldnt kiss ...

2011-12-08T21:30:56.517-08:00

Holly of course. or Mistletoe. who couldnt kiss her?

You have a gift for finding the best angel dogs fo...

2011-12-08T21:26:08.326-08:00

You have a gift for finding the best angel dogs for our wounded warriors. Thank you for all you do. Thank you to people like the woman mentioned in your post. What would her world be like without her there to save the animals she can?

Hi, I live in Austin. My dog, Bo, came from Gina a...

2011-12-08T19:31:43.599-08:00

Hi, I live in Austin. My dog, Bo, came from Gina and the shelter she rescues from. I would love to help int he transport of this sweet girl. IF you can use my help,please call me at 214-212-2453.

Amen! Joseph Pieper (philosopher- mid century) arg...

2011-08-07T19:17:03.262-07:00

Amen! Joseph Pieper (philosopher- mid century) argued in "Leisure- the basis of Culture" that we need time doing NOTHING. He thought the "modern" world was too frenetic, and this was like, in the 1950's. Ouch.

And now we know why it was impossible to find anot...

2011-07-14T09:17:51.995-07:00

And now we know why it was impossible to find another name or even a nickname for Helen. Such a sweet willing girl <3

Dear Robert J. Black...I just wanted you to know t...

2011-07-13T14:51:31.680-07:00

Dear Robert J. Black...I just wanted you to know that I have adopted Aron F300 from Kirtland AFB. His retirement paperwork is complete, I qualified as a civilian to adopt him and we're ready to begin our lives together. My lucky day (and Aron's forever home) is two days away - July 15, 2011. I love this dog so much! and look forward to providing him with the best possible home and care. I know how special he is. He will be my special friend and 'just a pet' to live the rest of his life in a peaceful, loving place...with a red rubber ball, a frisbee and lots of "squeeky" toys.

If you want to contact me to see how Aron is doing, talk to the Kennel Master at Kirtland AFB to get my name and phone number.

Have you ever checked with Air Compassion for Vete...

2011-07-05T12:49:09.700-07:00

Have you ever checked with Air Compassion for Veterans regarding air transport to training?

You are a very welcome inspiration!

2011-05-08T14:14:24.135-07:00

You are a very welcome inspiration!

Encouraging news for Good Friday!!!

2011-04-22T12:21:38.674-07:00

Encouraging news for Good Friday!!!

It is totally amazing to me over and over again ho...

2011-04-21T13:27:05.259-07:00

It is totally amazing to me over and over again how these animals steal our hearts. I pray Gunny makes it through this crisis.

Amen, Patsy....so many times we have to say, "...

2011-04-21T12:02:08.026-07:00

Amen, Patsy....so many times we have to say, "Thy will be done." Praying for Gunny and all who love him.

So sad, Patsy. I was just reading the facebook po...

2011-04-17T21:35:20.068-07:00

So sad, Patsy. I was just reading the facebook posts by Military with PTSD. A young soldier reached out on the site to anyone who would listen. He is suicidal...can't leave his room...and followers are talking with him at this moment. Almost 200 posts, trying to help him, he's extremely fragile. And I sit here in Oregon...he in Illinois...and all I want to do is run to his side. I can't. So instead, I pray. God Bless him...keep him safe.

How very sad for the families and friends. But, y...

2011-04-17T19:17:37.976-07:00

How very sad for the families and friends. But, you are your talents and experience to help as many as you can.

I am possibly having one of the worst days since m...

2011-04-15T15:02:20.162-07:00

I am possibly having one of the worst days since my return from Iraq. I learned today that two of my friends, warriors, brothers committed suicide. I have absorbed myself in my hobby and my music, with my wonderful TADSAW dog at my feet. She has spent the day licking my leg and laying under my desk.I am coping, I just cant help to wonder if there was something more I could have done for them. I am thankful for getting to know you guys and I love ya'll with all my heart. I am sad about being retired from the Army and leaving so many great friends, but I want ya'll to know that you have left an ever lasting impression on me and my family. Thank you guys for having this vision and thank you for letting US be a part of it.