Look into my eyes.

Look into my eyes.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

A New Year

Wow what a year it has been.  (Okay the last several months) Cosmo has enjoyed being in a nice warm climate.  He and Tigger have been having a great time playing tag and wrestling.  I talked to Dr. Jerry Williams, Cosmo's vet, and he has a $100 coupon for me to use with the MU Cancer Extension Center in Wentzville.  I will be making an appointment to find out how soon the next surgery should be.  He also has information about a doctor conducting research on this type of cancer.  I will be contacting this man to find out more information. 

I went shopping and picked up great bargins to use for gift baskets at the dinner.  People behind me in line did not like to wait but $10 off every $25 I spent was a great savings.  I'm going out shopping again today to see what more I can get. 

If your not able to buy a raffle ticket but would like to help me get my DAD please check out

http://sdwr.donordrive.com/campaign/cosmic

Thanks 

Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas Blessing

We all went to church on Christmas Eve, including Cosmo.  I had been having a rough day and wasn't feeling well.  As we were waiting for the service to start Dad asked the minister for a blessing for Cosmo.  The minister informed us that blessings for animals were not allowed.  But during the service he inserted a blessing for all service animals who help people with disabilities.  Needless to say I cried my eyes out. 

When I get home Cosmo will have his surgery to remove his leg as soon as I can raise the $1000.  He deserves to live a long and healthy life.  I know that I'm worried about how he will cope but he is a very strong willed cat and can make this adjustment.

I'm on a mission to continue living my life in freedom and feeling safe living alone.  In order to that I need your help.  If you live in Missouri please buy a TV raffle ticket or help out at the dinner in March.  I know that for some people they may not have the funds to help out but think about selling tickets or helping get donations for the dinner.  Please let me know if you are willing to help.


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

More people to help

I received a call today from another stranger offering to help raise the $25,000.  She and her daughter sell AVON and are wanting to help do a fund raiser.  It amazes me how one sweet cat can draw so many people into my life.  Cosmo collects friends everywhere he goes.

I am also amazed at how many people have offered to sell raffle tickets.  I still have two more people to get tickets sent off to and will get them sent today.  If you are not in need of a TV please think about donating directly to Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers:  http://sdwr.donordrive.com/campaign/cosmic   This is the direct link to Cosmic fund.  I was given $20 in cash the other day and will be applying it to the fund later today.  Remember that the donations are tax deductible.  

Here are some facts:
SDWR has teamed with researchers at the University of Virginia to measure the effectiveness of Diabetic Alert Dogs. Published through the Diabetes Care Journal, the following study proves the accuracy, clinical and psychosocial outcomes of utilizing an alert dog for diabetes: http://bit.ly/DiabetesResearchSDWR
Scientific research proves that SDWR Diabetic Alert Dogs have a proven ability to:
  1. Carry Detection capabilities 20-45 minutes in advance
  2. Overall decrease A1c’s as much as 1.5 % in the first 4 months of placement for individuals with Hyperglycemic unawareness (for every 1% decrease, there is a 40% decrease in long term side effects in Diabetics)
  3. Alert highs and low accurately at least 91.7% of the time
  4. Provide improved quality of life as well as increase ability to participate in physical activities
In conjunction with years of experience in training and breeding, our study promotes the validity of SDWR’s outstanding service dog program.
  

Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Work Continues

Let winter break begin.  It will be filled with gathering information about local civic groups in my area and making contact with them. I will asking to speak to groups about living with Type 1 Diabetes and how a DAD can help me live a better life.  I will also be writing my presentation. 

I need to tell my story of living with Diabetes.  This is a very personal story that I have not shared with everyone especially my parents.  Once I do this I know their emotions are going to explode. 
They have always been there for me but living so far away from each other make for many worried thoughts. 

If you are part of a civic organization that may be able to help me to raise the needed funds please tell me.  Or if you are able to donate items or services for the March Celebration of Life for Cosmo please let me know. 

Monday, December 15, 2014

THE PARTY IS ON!!!!!!! Angels are watching.

So if you have ever had to find a venue that is available on certain dates you know how bad the last two weeks have been.  Add to that the venue has to free or cheap.  So my Moose Lodge membership helped me out.  WRONG!!!!!!!!!  Private club... not smoke free... asthma attacks.  So angels are coming my way.  Thank you to TJ and BJ for donating their church to Cosmo's party.  The date is set for March 27th.  The greatest pasta party ever!!!!!!!  You will not want to miss it. 

Oh and did I mention anything about a new angel who lives in St. Charles?  She doesn't even know me but donated several hundred dollars worth of kitchen product to the event.  Cosmo has always brought wonderful people into my life... Okay the weird guy in Sarasota was not so nice, but everyone else has been fun.

My vet has agreed to be interviewed by Laurie, Cosmo's foster mom.  I want other human companions to be educated about feline vaccine cancer. 

On a even greater note... Cosmo kept waking me up every hour from Friday night through Sunday morning. I was sick with a high fever and my blood sugars were very high.  No trip to the ER for me.  Hurray!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Cat Fancy Magazine is all about Cosmo!

I spoke with the managing editor about Cosmo's previous story. They have agreed to repost the article and then I can link people to it.  The organization is also going to give me the article in digital format so that I can use it for posters or to educate people.  This is huge that they are will to do this since the article is from 2012.  I will keep you posted.
It is official.  Warren's Retrievers and I now have a contract.  Here is the link to the donation page:




Contract!

Yesterday I decided to work with the group Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers.http://www.sdwr.org/
The contract is 20 pages long and that goes with the heavy price of $25,000.  The main reason I have chosen them is due to the extensive training the dog and I will get after he/she is delivered.  The trainers will come to my home every 2-3 months for 18 months.  This is huge since I know nothing about dogs. 

I wanted to get a new car next year but instead I will be making payments towards a dog.  The good thing about this group is that they help you raise the money for the dog.  Also all contributions that are given on behalf are tax deductible.  They also have connected me to several St. Louis families who have received dogs from their organization.  The stories I have been hearing about are even better than what Cosmo does for me. 

Last night was a good example of how much I need to keep an alert animal in my life.  I got home from working SNAP at 7:45 last night.  I was making a light dinner and laid down on the bed.  2 hours later I was woken up by Cosmo and my blood level was at 450.  Now I had not eaten anything since lunch so I have no idea what cause the high but Cosmo had been biting my arm for a very long time, according to all the puncture marks on the inner part of my arm.  Looking back he alerted as soon as I came in the house but I thought it was because he missed me. 

The tickets for the TV raffle are printed and packaged. I am waiting for the business cards to come and then I will get packages shipped to Cosmo's friends around Missouri.  I am amazed as to who has offered to help me with this event. Thank you can not express what I am feeling inside.  If everyone can sell 20 tickets this event will bring major amounts of money for the new dog.

I am also signing the contract for the Moose Lodge hall rental on Friday.  The dinner will be Feb. 20th at 5:00 pm.  There may even be live music.  I am in the process of getting donation letters printed and will be going out to businesses next week.  If you or someone you know have a business and would like to help by making a basket or donating a service please let me know.  Or if you are willing to go to companies and drop off letters and tell Cosmo's story please let me know.  I will have tickets available by then end of Jan. ready for people to help sell.

Thanks again for all of the support.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Looking for a Venue

Cross your fingers XXXXXXX

Over 8 years ago I joined the Moose Lodge in Bradenton Florida and I am finally in need of some help from their members.  (The membership also allows me to park at the beach for free.)  I am going to the Moose Lodge in St. Charles Tuesday to see if I can rent a space from them for the pasta dinner.   I will also ask about opening up ticket sales to their lodge members in order to have a larger group.  Cosmo will be going with me (if he will cooperate).

I have to admit that he is wanting to go out more with me.  I had not realized until I looked back how often he wasn't willing to go out in public in the past few month.  He is feeling better.

I am playing telephone tag with the Cat Fancy editor.  I left my email address hoping we can figure things out quickly. 

My vet gets back sometime next week,  then I can ask him if he would be willing to be interviewed in the hope to raise awareness about this type of cancer. 

I am waiting to hear from MNEA's legal department about my request for assistance setting up the fund raising bank account.  I need to get this done ASAP. 

I am also trying to get a handful of people to volunteer and help organize the dinner and gather donations.  So if you know of anyone who would be able to donate anything that we could raffle off at the dinner let me know.  Think out to the box....... paint a room, trimming bushes, teeth whitening, oil changes, house cleaning, babysitting... the list is endless.  Remember fellow teachers we are very resourceful,

Well I have a furry friend who is not happy with the computer in my lap so I have to go. 

Thanks to everyone who is currently helping Cosmo and me.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Spread the word....

Today I was offered something I couldn't refuse.  Cosmo's foster mom, Laurie Wolff, has offered to help me do a dinner fundraiser for Cosmo.  She also wants to help spread the word about the type of cancer Cosmo has due to his vaccines. This was a total surprise to me. Laurie just made me cry all the way home.  Cosmo is truly blessed by all of his friends.  This little guy was brought into my life for some major reasons. 

So we are going to have two events after the first of the year.  I now have to find a venue with a kitchen in the St. Louis area.  If you know of  a location that could be rented very cheaply or for free please let me know.  I also need some organizing volunteers to help plan and get donations for baskets and raffles.  Please let me know if you are willing to be part of the Dinner Crew.  This  is huge for me.
I saw this image last night and I think angle was meant for me to see.
 

I have started to re-post the blog on Facebook.  It would be great for people to LIKE the blog so you get updated automatically.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Still Shopping

It's been a long time since Cosmo has been able to be out with me.  I had a really blood reading today and it was great to be alerted and feel safe.  

Cosmo's friends at Roy's Auto we're living in him. They hadn't heard about the cancer.  Cat owners, please watch how your friend gets their vaccines. I found the papers from the biopsy and cried again. I'll be posting the information later so you all can become informed. 

Shopping for Business Cards


Today Cosmo has to go back to the CAT CLINIC.  There is a stitch that was missed when he was at the doctor.

Yesterday I tried to set up the account for the money raised for the new DAD.  I have to register as a non-profit with the state so that the money raised can be tax deductible.   I couldn't get through all of the online parts. I have requested legal services from MNEA.  I am hoping this is a fast process so that the process can be completed and the money raised can be tax deductible.

 I have also been in contact with another organization who train DAD's.  It is a very difficult decision which group to contract with because they are not local.  Handing over $16,000 to a group is very scary.  I am hoping to get some help from the attorney about how to run checks on the organizations.

There is going to be a DAD handover in Jan. for a young boy in the St. Louis area. I have been communicating with his mom and she is willing to keep me posted about their experience with the Drey's Alert Dog group.

On a fun note...

I cringed yesterday every time I saw someone walking in the rain with their dog.

Friday, December 5, 2014

It's been a great 8 years

As you know it has been a very long time since I have posted.  But Cosmo has been going through a lot recently  He has cancer and recently had the tumor removed.  There is no guarantee that all the cancer cells were removed since the tumor was attached to a muscle.  I have chosen not to take photos of his very long incision because I don't want to remember this time.  He is doing well now and his appetite is coming back.  I want him to gain the pound he lost. 

So Cosmo and I are starting a new adventure to purchase a DAD, Diabetic Alert Dog.  This adventure is the most expensive one of my life.  I need to raise more than $16,000.  The first fund raiser is to raffle off a 32 inch TV.  So if you live in or very near Missouri let me know and you too can help Cosmo.