Jessie Odegard and Matt Pescatore's wedding in Pittsfield VT

Wedding was Saturday, October 18th.  Jessie is Susan's brother Kevin's daughter with Mindy Isaacs.  Jessie and Matt live in Boston where she is a program manager for Health Leads, doing in-hospital social work. Matt is an agricultural economist, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu aficionado, chef and more.  

Above the Amee Inn, Pittsfield

Friends and family stayed here at the Amee.  Rustic and lovely, great breakfast, thin walls...all conversations public. 

Excursion to Woodstock, VT the day of the wedding.  Susan, Nancy and Tina Gittleson, Mindy's best friend

Cousins:  Jenny and Jessie Odegard and Kate and Kelsey Youngman

At the wedding site - Riverside Farm

Bridesmades Kate and Kelsey with mom 

Wedding barn.  The plaid flannel scarves were a gift from the bride and groom to keep us warm.  

The other barn, where wedding party stayed.

Bridesmaids

Jessie and the officiant 

Matt had 7 groomsmen... over on the right.  

at the reception, scarved

Kevin, Susan Casey and Tina

They had a silly picture camera where guests could pose!

Pre and post wedding ventures

Bennington, Vermont, en route from Pittsfield VT to Lenox MA

Old First Congregational Church

Grave of Robert Frost is here

Lovely setting

Dorset, Vermont en route from Albany to Pittsfield VT

Warren and Nancy Fuller, friends of Dave from way back.  Stopped for tea 

They were friends with Susan's relatives Pat and Bill Carpenter, at Middlebury College. They also know Lynne Frazier, who worked with Warren at CIGNA.

CANYON RANCH, LENOX

New tools for the gym - Sole energizers, a balance device, and a high-density noodle

Cooking class at Canyon Ranch... Steak and Salmon for 6

Dave's lunch at Canyon Ranch.  Healthy!

Christine Sardo Molmenti, a researcher and epidemiologist at Columbia University, presented on the risks of sedentary behavior.   "Sitting is the new smoking."  Getting 30 minutes of vigorous exercise several times a week is not enough.   We may be sedentary 70% of our day.  Driving, watching TV and working at desk are risk factors for kids and adults.  Spending years that way adds up and puts us at risk for metabolic dysfunction and adenoma (tumors of digestive system).  "Reduce prolonged sitting time" should be on the list of recommended public health recommendations. Take 10,000 steps a day, move around every hour at least.  Standing is better than sitting as it uses more energy. Also lack of Vitamin D is an issue.  D3 is stronger than D2.  Some kids/adults watch 7 hours of TV a day - risk of mortality goes up 50%.
Best to exercise at 60% of aerobic capacity for extended time rather than high intensity.

Shawnee joins the family

Barb Fishman meets Shawnee 

SHAWNEE TRAINING

Sit, then we work on Stay...

Touch, with Jackie the trainer

Touch, not up.  He's learning to... "sit" when he tries to hug standing up

My new toys that I picked out at PetValue

My favorite toy

We've been talking with rescue agents about adopting an adult dog.  Looked at Cavalier King Charles, Australian Shepherd, and concluded a Sheltie remains our preference.  Shawnee became available in Carlisle PA October 3.  4 years old, 34 lbs, tricolor.  He's ours!  He's had 3 homes, not all caring, so he's going to like it here.  Much calmer and quieter than Jasper.  Also bigger.  

We are inspired by watching Tyson eat breakfast and dinner after his people and are teaching Shawnee the same thing.  Also trying to have humans go first out the door.  That one not quite mastered.  Buddy seems to have good habits at the Cohens.  See the note from the rescuer at the end to know how timely this adoption was for all.

At home!  week 4

Love sunning in the leaves

buddies

hardly a lap dog

Dave meeting Shawnee with Pat McCann, rescue farm

Our first glimpse

comfy at home, just awakened

Next plan for pics...Shawnee and Marley, the Hottenstein's Chinese Crested Powder Puff, 9 lbs.  Marley leads Shawnee on a merry chase.  We will do a video.  The four humans were highly amused watching Marley and Shawnee play in Hottenstein's yard.  More play dates to come.

Shawnee's best qualities are:

• Patience.  he accepts brushing out burrs, even nasty ones, and uses the dog seat belt without protest
• Friendliness. he greets everyone with nose up - people and dogs
• Trains easily.  Learned to sleep on the floor right away, accepts instructions

Hi Susan

what wonderful loving pictures of your new boy, Shawnee, he is such a sweet and special boy hard to let go but knewi had enough here to love and care for and knew you needed him....he looks so content on your husband's lap thanks so much for your willingness to adopt him even though you applied for a younger boy who is now in a special needs home and doing well also.  your kind and generous gift was such a surprise and blessing i am so blessed to have meant you and had the honor to adopt this amazing boy to a great couple who will care and love him the rest of his days...Shawnee so deserves the wonderful home you have given him after living outside and forgotten, so sad but that is what I do take unwanted, and forgotten dogs and give them a new beginning and new life in a loving and responsible home.....so glad to hear his legs are healing and should be all done by now and stitches out soon...did find his rabies tag so will stick it in the mail to you this week so to look for it.  it was attached to an old collar so glad it was here and not lost.  Shawnee is one of the sweetest people pleasers I have meant besides my shelties, he is a perfect pet with a great personality and calm and so obedient not to mention very smart, would make a great therapy dog, people are drawn to his handsome face and sweet personality.

thanks for keeping me up to date on his progress in adjusting to his forever home.

blessings, Pat

Pat

We were happy to get your phone message last night.  So glad you can use our donation to do what you do so well.  

We love Shawnee and are having a wonderful time with him.  He's more comfortable with us every day, and is gradually meeting our friends, their dogs, and seeing the neighborhood. There's only one dog he didn't like, and he let us know, by shaking.  The owner picked up the little dog, saying she is not friendly.  He knows.  Today we walked to the lake, enjoying greetings along the way from people we met.  He sleeps on the floor in our bedroom.  Is eating better than the first few days.  And he's starting to let us know when he wants to go through a door (inside or out).  He had a fun play visit with a smaller puppy and loved running around the yard.  His legs are healing.  As you know, he's attentive and affectionate.  Yesterday I walked in the woods and a few nasty burrs got on him.  He was incredibly patient while I brushed them out.  We are getting him used to a dog harness in the car, for safety.  He never complains.  What a sweet guy.  We are grateful to you.