Dear All, I have been in Afghanistan since May 4th.  My address is : 

COL Pam Mindt 

The 1972d endured the post-mobilization process at Fort Hood.  We were the first unit to arrive with no issues in dental and only one issue in medical.  We cleared the medical and administrative requirements our first week.  The staff deserve a great deal of credit and at the final validation in front of a two star general, I smiled as the members of the validation committee mentioned the soldiers of the 1972d by name.  This gesture speaks for itself.   

Once we arrived at the warrior training sites, the trainers were exceptional. The liaisons for the training portion were another story.  I won't go into much detail but can say that by the end of the time they were ready to vote me off the island.  I have strict standards of conduct and expect clear lines of communication.  These expectations are based in military doctrine.  I had to remind them several times that I did not make up Army Regulations, Personnel Policy Guidelines, and the manner in which to communicate.  At one point I was referred to as a B---h and I replied, that is COL B---H to you. 

Getting to Afghanistan was a welcome relief.  The 1972d covers a lot of ground and all teams were pushed out in the first three days.  In addition to this movement, a team of three was sent to a remote location to provide combat stress control services.  The 1972d's ability to accomplish this within the first week of arriving is a reflection of the soldiers of the detachment.  They came ready and now they are executing. 

I am settling into a battle rhythm.  The transfer of authority (TOA) ceremony takes place on 17 May. I am looking forward to flying the 1972's guidon over Afghanistan.  It is a clear indication that we have arrived. 

I share a room with two other females.  Hannelie showered me with care packages, four within the first two days of arriving and a box of Pete's coffee.  My roommates have decided that while they have husbands a wife might be a good idea.  They are still waiting for their first box. 

Since arriving Kandahar Air Force (KAF)base had six rocket attacks.  Last night there were three within five hours.  While they miss most of the time and don't cause injuries, one did last night.  So the challenge becomes not to become complacent and to move to a bunker within two minutes of the alarm.  So each night before I go to bed I lay out my items in the same way so when chaos hits I know where to grab.  This organization and OCD tendency will keep me alive.   

As I sit waiting out the attack in the bunker I close my eyes and imagine Hannelie working in the garden, little Kiwi looking for moles, Eric chasing the llamas, etc.  Closing my eyes and connecting to home as if that will keep me alive.   

Also, as I sit in the bunker I wait for the call from the Detachment Sergeant telling me that all the 1972d soldiers that live on KAF are accounted for.  I have started to gray on the other side of my head and know that as time passes the gray will just spread.  This war in Afghanistan is different from Iraq.  My time is just beginning here but I can already sense it and the hair on the back of my neck stands.   

After the TOA I will begin to travel to all the locations that the 1972d covers.  In addition, the 1972d's higher Headquarters is in Bagram and I will head there later in the month.  Hannelie bought me a new camera and once I figure out how to use it I will send pictures.  I am thankful that most of where I will travel is reachable by air and I am grateful for the skills of the pilots/aircrews that take us.  Earlier in the week one of the teams that pushed out came under RPG attack and the helicopter immediately conducted evasive maneuvers and the gunner frantically tried to find the source.  Those who were flying had the reality of war set in...they called me immediately upon landing.  The Sergeant said warn the others that the killing season has started. 

I miss home.  I miss my wife and family.  I miss the calm of the night.  I long for the licks of my doggies, the meow of the cats, etc.  I find refuge in my dreams and know that there are those here that will benefit from what the 1972d provides.  This knowledge comforts me and propels me forward.  I remain grateful for Hannelie's willingness to sacrifice and for those who keep us in their thoughts.   

In Peace, 

UNCLASSIFIED

 ♥ Kung Fu Kori and sweet Ashley ♥

Most, if not all, of you have adopted your yorkie(s) through YTNR. You know first-hand how rewarding this experience has been and how grateful these new family members are to be part of your lives.

There are many opportunities for you to do more for YTNR and the yorkies we help. Following is a list of ideas for your consideration:

            - Use your creative skills to make items that can be donated to the Angel Boutique for fundraising.

            - Make a financial contribution, via check or PayPal, to help with medical costs. These contributions can be for a specific fur baby or for best use.

            - Become a foster family until a forever home is found. If interested, your state director can assist you with the process.

            - Think of a fund raising project that you can hold in your area. Before implementing, share your idea with any board member to make sure all legalities are accounted for.

            - Volunteer to assist in YTNR administrative tasks such as e-correspondence of various types. 

            - Contribute your stories, articles of interest and photo's of your pets to our newsletter.   YTNR@bellsouth.net  

If you have the time and interest, contact MaryElizabeth (YTNR@bellsouth.net) for details.

If you have questions or ideas of other ways to support YTNR, please contact one of the board members.

Deadline for each newsletter is the 20th of the preceding month.   

I'm the Head of Public Relations and the Receptionist at my job. I've been working since I was 9 weeks old. When people come to my office to ask us to do a job it's my responsibility to greet them, say "Come in, please?", and introduce myself: "Hello! My name is Mary-Margaret! How may I help you?".

After I show them where to sit, I go get my mom...er...I mean...My BOSS! (Yeah....well, she's only my boss at the office but not at home...don't tell her I said that, though!)   She comes out and sits across from our clients and they start telling her what the problem is.   If they get a bit upset or start to cry, that's my signal to give them some loving.

I start out by sort of rubbing up against their leg and they reach down and pet me. If they're really distressed I might even hop into their lap and flip over on my back. There's something about a warm pink puppy tummy that gets most folks calmed down pretty well, not to mention I get a belly rub out of it.

By the time they're done talking to my mom and we get the job all set up, they get ready to leave. That's my cue to nuzzle up to them and, if they let me, I give them a big wet kiss on the chin. Otherwise, I hop down and walk over to the door. I "arf" good-bye softly a couple of times and do that pirouette thing I learned from Jilli Dog at the last Convention in Nashville.

We have another satisfied customer and another productive day.   It's good to feel needed and useful and appreciated, no matter if you're a pup or a people. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if more pups worked with their humans.   Our office building now has several workers of the canine persuasion. Even our building owner brings her French bulldog, Ozzie, to work with her.   (Note: Ozzie was one of the kids I mentored in Puppy School and he's turned out rather nicely, I must say!)

The Los Angeles Times did an article about Dogs at Work. Maybe this is catching on??

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/30/health/la-he-pets-at-work-stress-20120331

Love and schlurps... Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Napoleon (aka--Fonz) 

 

Fonz didn't respond to his name so we went ahead and renamed him.  Napoleon is Mr. Tough Guy around here with a big attitude. Peace has been made with our two parrots and the tortoise. Our tortoise indoor enclosure is behind our sectional sofa and one afternoon we found the dog inside the cage with the tortoise.  He jumped on the sofa, climbed the top back and jumped in.  He has bonded tightly with both kids, visits Grandma regularly during the day and has stopped barking at my husband in exchange for belly rubs.  And of course is INSEPARABLE to me.  Napoleon sleeps between my husband and I every night and wakes up very happy.

 

Potty training has gone very well.  Napoleon is trying very hard and tries to alert us to when he needs to go out.  He is at about 95%.  He is an avid frog hunter, but has no idea what to do with them when he finds them.

We've showered him with toys but have realized his favorite toy are Q-Tips.

Napoleon has his big appointment with our vet on Monday and we're driving him 1 1/2 hours to meet up with our wonderful groomer in Virginia next week.

 

He has been spoiled rotten in our family, no need for you to worry about him.

Diane 

  Here it is... we dressed up for the occasion.  Napoleon (aka--Fonz) at his first prom.  

   

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Dear YTNR:

Jonell (AKA Peanut) came to live with me through some interesting circumstances.

When my 15 year old Yorkie, Daisy, passed away in Dec. 2011, I remembered meeting Kathy Shireley and her husband Paul at my class reunion the previous Aug. At the time she told me they did Yorkie rescue and how much they enjoyed it. I called Kathy and begin discussing a new dog - I really wanted another girl-hoping this one would like the "fufu" stuff that Daisy did not. The more we talked and the more I saw Peanut on the Internet the more I decided he was the one for me. 

What a great decision -- he is the sweetest little guy you could ever have

- Kathy and Paul put forth a great deal of effort to make sure I got the dog that is so right for me. He enjoys his walks in the park, going to the library, farmers market and visiting with people. As a result of getting Jonell, Kathy and I have renewed an old friendship and enjoy time talking on the phone about our "past lives".

I have been told, Jonell is the only rescue Yorkie with his own fire hydrant (which he uses on a daily basis). If any top-knotters would like to friend Jonell, he can be reached at his Facebook page.

Linda Costello

 

 PLANNING FOR OUR SEPTEMBER DINNER

ROCHESTER - AIRPORT HOTEL EXTERIOR