January is a special month. There are several important birthdays in our family. The first birthday celebration is Friday, January 20th. Memphis Hoekstra will celebrate his 2nd birthday! I’m not sure if we will have cake (yes, there is a cake out there that’s okay for dogs), but Friday warrants some type of celebration.
When Sam and Memphis graduated from This Able Veteran, Memphis had a “gotcha day” cake. It was in the shape of a bone, and I think the small piece that he had was gone in less than thirty seconds. Memphis is on a very restricted diet, only eating a certain type of food (a cup in the morning and a cup in the evening), and a certain kind of treat. 
On January 25th, Sam and I will have a 14-year old in the house. I can’t believe I typed that. On that same day, I celebrate my birthday (yes, my daughter and I share the same birthday).
The kids and Sam have asked me what I want for my birthday. They’ve also asked if I want a cake (not sure how they can top the Kentucky Wildcats basketball cake I had, but they can try).
As far as gifts, when the kids ask me, I can’t think of anything…when Sam asks me…I’m still trying to think of something…
So, our friends at This Able Veteran are in need of some supplies. Training new service pups, they go through a lot of their basic, everyday supplies with the dogs. Bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, small fleece blankets, gently used towels, gallon-sized Ziploc bags, laundry detergent…those things can help out the trainers and the service dogs. Memphis loves blankets, and I know those service dogs in training would love some too.
If you feel so compelled, for Memphis’ birthday (or mine and Kirsten’s) could I encourage you to think of the new service dogs (and their Veterans, wherever they may be)? This Able Veteran operates on sponsorships, donations, and the kindness and goodness of others. If you are local, TAV could use some of these supplies at their facility.
Donations for future Veterans coming into class–gift cards to local restaurants (McAlister’s, Panera, Applebee’s, Logan’s, Cracker Barrel, etc.) fuel cards, gift cards to Petco, or even a monetary donation that would help with various expenses for the dog and Veteran team while the three-week trauma resiliency program is in session…those small gestures would mean so much.
I think those things are good gifts…
To find out more about donations, please visit http://www.thisableveteran.org
Memphis decked out with a party hat and noise maker.