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15 Me & Mine Staff Jennifer Jaeger Traynham PUBLISHER
Rona Desmond MARKETING & ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
Jessica Jaeger EDITOR
Heather Smith & Brooke Reading PHOTOGRAPHY
FARM DIVA & PUMPKIN VILLAGE
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MATERNITY LEAVE, BREASTFEEDING, & THE LAW
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THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE
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WOMEN & SAFETY
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MEET JAMIE PARKS, AUTHOR OF COMING HOME
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MEET AXL THE GIANT
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MORGAN AND BRODY ROMNESS
on the cover
PHOTOGRAPHY:
HEATHER SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY COVER LOCATION:
PASS ROAD PUMPKIN PATCH, SUTTER
www.meandminemagazine.com issuu.com/meandminemagazine Me and Mine magazine is an LLC and its information, format and designs are protected by copyright laws. Any reproduction of content, photography or arrangement is not permitted unless written permission is granted by the publisher of the magazine. Contributing authors and photographers are responsible for content and accuracy in their submissions and Me and Mine Magazine, its founders or members assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Me and Mine Magazine, LLC, © Copyright 2018
On the Cover Morgan (age 12) and Brody (age 9) invite you to visit them at their Pass Road Pumpkin Patch. This is their second year having their stand, and they have both pumpkins and almonds available to purchase. They are both members of the Sutter Buttes 4-H program and lovers of all things fall! Morgan enjoys the cool fall weather and the fall decorations, while Brody likes caramel apples, pumpkin bread, and Halloween candy. Hope to see you soon!
Pass Road Pumpkin Patch 8832 Pass Road, Sutter Road Side Stand Open 8am-7pm
What Working or At-School Parents Need to Know About
Maternity Leave, Breastfeeding, & the Law by Tina Lavy • Vice President, TriCounties Breastfeeding Alliance
year after the child's birth each time such employee has need to express the milk. Employers are also required to provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” Employees of companies with less than 50 employees are not covered by the FSLA’s lactation break.
A few weeks ago, you welcomed home your bundle of joy and have had special time with your new baby. What should you know about maternity leave, breastfeeding, and returning to your job or school? Here is a summary of some of the laws and rights for new parents. New Parent Leave Act (NPLA), effective in 2018, allows some employees to take leave for up to 12 weeks to take care of a new child (biological, adopted, or foster). The NPLA law covers employers who have at least 20 employees in a 75-mile radius. To be eligible for job-protected leave, employees must have worked for the employer for at least one year, and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the last year. California Family Rights Act (CFRA) covers employers who have at least 50 employees in a 75-mile radius. The CFRA applies to California employees who have worked for their employer for at least one year, and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the last year. For both NPLA and CFRA, employers must continue the employee’s group health coverage and employers must return the employee to the same job. Family Medical Leave (FMLA) allows parental leave/time off to bond with a new baby. FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave after the birth of a child or placement with the employee of a child through adoption or foster care within one year of birth. Again, employers must continue group health coverage. There are federal and California state laws that address moms at work and lactation accommodation. Federal Standards Labor Act (FSLA) requires employers to provide “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one
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California’s Labor Code states: “Every employer . . . shall provide a reasonable amount of break time to accommodate an employee desiring to express breast milk for the employee’s infant child. Employers are not, however, required to provide additional breaks for lactation if they would seriously disrupt the employer’s operations.” The Labor Code also states “the employer shall make reasonable efforts to provide the employee with the use of a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, in close proximity to the employee’s work area, for the employee to express milk in private. The room or location may include the place where the employee normally works if it otherwise meets the requirements of this section.” Again, federal laws and California state laws address break time and a designated place to pump; however, each is worded somewhat different. Are you a student? There are California laws that support lactation accommodation for students as well. The Education Code states: “A school operated by a school district or a county office of education, the California School for the Deaf, the California School for the Blind, and a charter school shall provide reasonable accommodations to a lactating pupil on a school campus to express breast milk, breastfeed an infant child, or address other needs related to breastfeeding, which includes access to a private and secure room, other than a restroom, to express breast milk or breastfeed an infant child. A lactating pupil on a school campus shall be provided a reasonable amount of time to accommodate her need to express breast milk or breastfeed an infant child.” Though not comprehensive, the above information can greatly assist moms and dads in their new roles as parents. More information can be found, and your questions answered, by contacting your employer’s human resource department, and visiting the California Employment Development Department and the Department of Labor websites: www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/faqBTNM.htm www.edd.ca.gov/disability/Am_I_Eligible_for_PFL_Benefits.htm
PROVIDING A FREE BOOK EACH MONTH TO ALL SUTTER COUNTY FAMILIES Studies prove that reading to infants and babies boosts their brain power and creates a firm foundation for lifelong literacy with enrolled children ages 0-5. Sutter County Children & Families Commission in partnership with the Friends of the Sutter County Library, have brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Sutter County! The program sends enrolled children who live anywhere in Sutter County, a FREE BOOK every month until their fifth birthday.
ENROLL TODAY, VISIT:
Delivering Joy! Right Here at Home
The expanded Adventist Health and Rideout Regional Medical Center dedicates two floors to the celebration of new life, with our new Family Birthing Center Featuring: Private Labor & Delivery rooms . Sleeping accommodations for partner . State-of-the-art technology . Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for premature and ill newborns
To sign up for our free childbirth classes register online at Rideouthealth.org/ChildbirthClass
SutterKids.org and click on the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library logo. 1531-A BUTTE HOUSE ROAD YUBA CITY, CALIFORNIA 95993
(530) 822-7505
Family Birthing Center
www.sutterkids.org AdventistHealthRideout.org
VOTED BEST HEALTH CLUB! $99 ENROLLMENT FEE & NO CONTRACT!
5 DAYS FREE FAMILY PASS | EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2018
Present this card for offer. New members or alumni only. Local residents only. Limit one pass per year. Pass valid for 5 consecutive days. Must be 18 or older with a photo ID.
YCRC.COM • 673-6900 • 825 JONES RD, YUBA CITY
The Power of Your
Ȇoicŵ by JULIE GILL SHUFFIELD
When faced with a tragedy too enormous for us to comprehend, we struggle. We like to believe that “everything happens for a reason,” yet what possible reason could there be for a mother of two young daughters to be murdered by her husband? Phonthip Boonack Ott was murdered in 1992 and no reason will ever make it acceptable. But through the process of seeking justice, there is meaning and even power that can be found. To acknowledge that is to celebrate the life that was lived. To understand that there is domestic violence happening in far too many homes in our community is to be able to advocate for the victims and say “enough is enough.” Twenty years after Phonthip's murder, her daughters met with the Sutter County District Attorney to prepare for the early parole consideration hearing for Dennis Ott. Tippy Dhaliwal learned that despite the case being dismissed for insufficient evidence years earlier, her voice had been heard. It was heard in a letter and poem that she wrote as a teenager to the then-District Attorney imploring that the investigation continue and her mother’s murderer be brought to justice. Tippy didn’t remember the exact letter she wrote and did not know that anyone ever said yes to her personal plea. She just knew that she wrote countless letters to people who she thought could help bring her family justice. Her relentless pursuit of that justice resulted in the case being reopened and her mother’s killer being convicted of first degree murder. Later that year, at the parole hearing, Phonthip's other daughter, Jeanette Dyer, learned from the convicted murderer that he believed it was her voice that convinced the jury to find him guilty as she testified to witnessing him strangling her mother in a previous domestic violence assault. She found power in her voice in that moment. The bravery and determination that these women showed as teenagers is remarkable. They became their mother’s voice by locking away a dangerous predator and continue to use their own voices to keep him behind bars. They are amazing women, wives, mothers, co-workers, friends, and community members.
There is power in pursuing justice and not accepting the first no, or the second, or the twentieth. Stay strong and faithful until someone says yes. The author Rachel Hollis said it eloquently when she said that perhaps your mountain was put there so you could show others how to move theirs. Tippy and Jeanette’s voices moved mountains and have kept their mother’s murderer behind prison walls for more than 20 years. The work is not done and never will be as the family prepares for yet another parole hearing this fall. Let their story and their tenacity be used to help other people in our community move mountains. Working on this case as a young law clerk at the District Attorney’s office forever changed me, and has driven my passion for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking. I pour that passion into Casa de Esperanza by serving on its board in honor of Phonthip. There are mountains in this community that need to be moved. There are hearts that need to be changed. There are victims that need to be restored. There are victims that need to be kept safe as they bravely step away from abuse. Two and a half years ago, Casa was displaced from its home of 40 years due to a fire. We need to get back into our building and are working with Sutter County to make that happen. We are blessed that Rideout Health and Adventist Health have stood with us to provide a temporary shelter. But we need you. We need the communities of Sutter, Yuba, and Colusa Counties and Beale Air Force Base to stand with us.
We must join together as a community and use our voices to say enough. Time’s up. We will no longer tolerate abuse in our communities. Tell your elected officials that you stand with Casa and victims of abuse in our community and ask that they do the same. As Tippy, Jeanette, and their family raise their voices next month at the parole hearing, raise yours. Let the blessing of their mother’s life help us find the greater meaning in her tragic death by stopping abuse in our communities going forward.
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a New Season
Budget Blinds of Yuba City was started in 2003 by local residents Ron and Tammy Carr. The company has proudly served homeowners and businesses from the Yuba, Sutter, and Colusa counties, offering in-home consultations and design advice, expert measuring and professional installation, and a robust selection of quality window treatments, including shutters, blinds, shades, and more. Over the past 15 years, Ron and Tammy have developed lasting relationships with the customers they have served. The business allowed Ron to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher, and when that dream became a reality, both Ron and Tammy became engulfed in the school system. At that point, the Carrs made the decision to sell their business with the hopes of passing it on to someone who could continue to serve the community and their customers in the same positive way they had. During that same time, and unbeknownst to the Carrs, Gary and Tierni Martins had been seeking a business investment. After finding Ron and Tammy’s listing, the Martins began dissecting the franchise opportunity and all it had to offer. In a short period of time, Tierni and Gary quickly learned how amazing the Carrs were, and how strong the Budget Blinds organization in and of itself truly was.
The company’s dedication to encouraging their franchise owners to put their families first was very important to the Martins. After all, that is how Tierni and Gary structured Biltek, Inc., their Medical Billing & Coding Company opened in 2008. In the end, the Carrs and the Martins feel incredibly blessed to have made this business exchange, and during the process, built a friendship that will stand the test of time.
The Martins are passionate about the Yuba-Sutter community they will be serving and are excited to carry on the Carrs’ legacy. Call today to receive a free in-home consultation.
MENTION THIS ARTICLE AND RECEIVE 30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER. Budget Blinds (530) 755-2292
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A DVERTOR I A L
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The Employee Owners of Recology Yuba-Sutter proudly donate to our yearly Pink October events. You can catch us at the Race for Awareness 5K Walk/Run, Scramble Fore A Cure Golf Tournament, or the Dueling Piano Party. We will often be working along with other community members or 16 the fun. Please join 17 joining along in us along with the Geweke Caring for Women Foundation at these wonderful events that help fight cancer in OUR COMMUNITY.
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Visit www.pink-october.org for more event information or Pink Trash Cart leases.
Women & safety AN INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER BRIDGES
KEY SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Get off of your phone! Free yourself from distractions. Scan your environment for anything suspicious & report it immediately. Park in well-lit locations. Take shopping bags and purchases to your car and store them out of sight. Don’t weigh yourself down with too many bags at one time. Do not use your key fob to locate your car. When accessing your vehicle, do not open the door too much or completely unlock the entire car at once (unless you have other passengers with you). If you suspect someone is watching you in the parking lot (especially if you are loading purchases), move your vehicle to another area. Downsize to a smaller wallet (like our Slim Shelly) and only take the cards you need. Always use an RFID lined wallet to keep yourself from being a victim of identity fraud. Switch to a more hands-free bag, like a backpack or cross-body style. Contact me to host your own Empower Hour or Warrior Workshop and learn more about how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
www.mydamselpro.net/pro22145
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Tell us a little about yourself. I am Jennifer Bridges, Independent Damsel Pro for Damsel in Defense. I am a Registered Nurse of nearly 18 years and a mom to two beautiful, spunky children who are Twin Rivers Charter School Tigers. I am a stay-at-home mom, advocate for special needs children, and wife of a small business owner. I love to kayak and ride snow machines. But most of all, I am a passionate Damsel safety trainer.
How did you come across Damsel in Defense? Last fall, my sister and I participated in a firearms training course. We decided (after many years of insistence from our husbands) to finally take the plunge and learn about the responsibilities of personal safety. Incidentally, we were the only two ladies in the entire class. We learned about concepts of situational awareness and layering protection (like pepper spray). The instructor recommended Damsel in Defense. He insisted that the company had great items, especially for women. After completing the training, I went home and found a local Damsel in Defense rep. When I hosted my own party a few weeks later, I was completely amazed with the information, safety message, and forward-thinking of their protection tools. I absolutely loved EVERYTHING about Damsel in Defense, especially the mission (to equip, empower, and educate women to protect themselves and their families). What really resonated with me also was the wonderful selection of legal, albeit alternative, safety tools. I love the versatility of Damsel’s protection tools and how they can be used by virtually anyone, anywhere. The Damsel rep who came to my home to help with the Empower Hour is now my director and dear friend!
What is the most important lesson that you have learned through this company? I have learned that the crime statistics in our country are absolutely staggering and that most people, especially women, are not aware of them. I have learned that women are vulnerable and unprepared. Remember the part about us gals being the only two females in our class? That alone spoke volumes. Was it because women are not making safety a priority? Was it because we don’t care for that particular method of defense? Whatever the reason, it illustrated a missing, critical piece of the puzzle.
I love that I can offer women education about safety, as well as alternative tools they may feel more comfortable carrying (yes, even when carting the kiddos around). I also have my own personal experiences to draw on. I can easily recall a dozen or so times where people have approached me, been extremely inappropriate, and I was caught off guard. I had no plan and hated that feeling. Well guess what? Enough was enough. Now I find that everywhere I go as a Damsel Independent Pro, I meet women who tell me their stories of survival or their personal accounts of domestic violence, crime, or close encounters. So many women are unprotected and unaware and have not thought about how to defend themselves. Sometimes they simply don’t know where to go, what to buy, or how to correctly use items that have been bought for them.
Meet Jamie Parks AUTHOR OF COMING HOME
Tell us about yourself. Well, I am a stay at home mom of two kids. My son Corbin is turning 6 on October 5th and my daughter Hannah will be turning 3 on October 6th. I have been with my husband, Brian Park, for sixteen years and married to him for seven this October. We farm organically in Meridian and built a home out here in 2015 so the kids could grow up in the country and spend as much time with dad as possible, as farming hours can be a little hectic. Before I had my kids, I worked at the Yuba Sutter Farm Bureau as a Program Coordinator and loved being involved with the Ag Education aspect of my job.
What inspired you to write your book? When my son was an infant, he didn’t sleep. Maybe it was my nerves as a new mom that kept him up, but he really only slept at night if I held him. I’m the type of person who has a hard time going back to sleep once I’ve been woken up and this wasn’t a good condition with a sleepless baby. I started reading during these long stretches of night when I was awake. I think I read all the Harry Potter books in a week and a half during those nights! I already knew I was a huge sap so romance novels seemed like the perfect genre for me. I read so many books and noticed that some were really bad. The stories weren’t well thought out, the continuity fell short, and they were full of grammatical errors. Yikes! I kept thinking, “If they can do this, then I probably can too.” I had stories in my head, but didn’t do anything with them for quite a while. By the time my daughter came around, I felt like my mind was turning to mush. Being the one to take care of my kids is such a blessing, but I needed an outlet for just me. So, I started with a tiny idea. I’d write little notes in my Notes app on my phone. Then lines would come to me. Situations. I’d write those in there. My husband bought me a laptop for Christmas, so one day I picked it up and started writing. It snowballed from
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there and took about two years for me to finish. Once I was done and had given it to a few people to read, it went pretty quickly. I found an editor, found a cover designer, and even found someone to format it. Amazon makes self-publishing very easy and user friendly, so just like that, I was a published author!
Tell us a bit about the storyline. Like I said before, I am a huge sap! Hallmark Movies are just about the greatest things ever created, in my opinion, and that’s how I like to describe my book. Coming Home is about a young woman whose parents decide they are selling her childhood home and she panics at the thought that she won’t have a reason or excuse to go back to her hometown. She decides to buy their house and make her hometown and childhood home her future, too. She meets up with her best friend from childhood and realizes she may still have a little crush on him. Of course, there are some bumps along the way and some old and new friends are there to help her get to the HEA (that’s book lingo for Happily Ever After) but ultimately, that’s what the reader will get. It’s a short, sweet, and funny read. There are two other books in the series and the second is already in the works!
Where can we find your book? Coming Home is currently available on Amazon Kindle. Printing paper books is a lot more expensive and the process is more difficult. Eventually, I’d like to have paperback books but for now it is an e-book on Amazon for $2.99 (or free if you are enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program)!
WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT MEANT TO YOU? The community has been so great about this whole process. Moms will tell me they read and loved the book when I am at Brittan picking my son up from school. People have shared my link and recommended the book to friends and family. This community really comes together, and I do my best to give back to the community, as well. Last year my friend Kelly Hoppin and I did a huge fundraiser to be able to purchase Christmas gifts for all the residents at the Marysville Acute Rehabilitation Center and so many members of the community and small businesses and even a local Girl Scout group helped us reach the goal. All 77 members received at least one of their requested items. We are doing this again this year and will be selling handmade signs at the Colusa Fairgrounds Pumpkin Village on October 27 and 28th. All the proceeds will go towards making Christmas memorable for the elderly in our community.
PAUL BASI FOR SUPERVISOR
YOUR SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY ★ ★ ★ ★
Improve Emergency Preparedness Work to develop solutions to address our homeless crisis Balance Budgets Invest in innovation infrastructure that will attract manufacturers and businesses to Yuba City, which will create good paying jobs
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Grace Espindola for Yuba City Council 2018 FPPC#1404110
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
5K Run|Walk - 10K Run SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2018
Starting at the Stadium at Riverbend Elementary School 201 Stewart Rd., Yuba City, CA 95991 For more information and online sign up go to
www.yubacityturkeytrot.com
Proven Leadership for Sutter County 3 Strengthen Public Safety 3 Ensure Fiscal Responsibility 3 Increase Economic Development and Job Creation Paid for by Paul Basi for Sutter County Supervisor 2018
Center for Women’s Imaging Comprehensive care, tranquility and advanced technology dedicated to a woman’s needs Our relaxing, warm and inviting atmosphere offers advanced screening, diagnostic tests and procedures, including: . 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography Computer Aided Detection . Breast Ultrasound . Bone Density Testing . Breast Cancer Risk Assessment . Highly Professional Technologists . Radiologist Consultation . A Designated Patient Navigator Adventist Health and Rideout’s Center for Women’s Imaging is a partnership with Sutter Buttes Imaging, Inc.
For patient appointments or physician referral please call
530 751.5410 14 ME AN D M I NE M AG A Z I N E | FA L L 2018
AdventistHealthRideout.org
Meet Axl t GianĆ’ A N I N T E RV I E W W I T H DA N I E L L E S C A R B E R RY
Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Danielle Scarberry. I am 33 years old and have been married to my husband, Gary, for eight years. We have five dogs: Cookie, a Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix; Ruby, a Jack Russell mix; Stryker, a shepherd mix; Axl, and Freya, both Saint Bernard/Great Dane mixes. We also have a mini pig named Jellybean and two cats, Buddha and Izzy. Currently, we only have fur-children. We do plan on having children in the future if fate allows it. I work at Tropical Paradise Pet Grooming. I started in November 2006 as a bather and with time and dedication, started training to become a pet groomer in 2008. I have been grooming ever since. I am very passionate about my work and take a lot of pride in what I do. Being able to make dogs look their best is something that puts a smile on my face and the faces of my clients. I enjoy grooming all breeds, but my favorites are large breeds, cocker spaniels, mini Australian shepherds, and Doodles.
Tell us about Axl. Axl is a true gentle giant. Even at a young age, Axl loved making people smile. He is known around town as Axl the Giant. He weighs 140lbs and on his hind legs stands almost six feet tall. Due to his size, he overheats easily, so we must watch his outdoor activity closely and make sure he is well hydrated and cool. When Axl is not working, he spends most of his time indoors on his favorite loveseat curled up with his favorite toy. He enjoys goofing around outside with his sister, Freya, who has the same parents but was from a different litter.
What is a therapy dog? A therapy dog is a comfort dog to people who need them. They are not considered service dogs. Even though they are required to be certified and insured, they are not allowed in the same places that service dogs are allowed, such as stores, restaurants, and planes. Therapy dogs provide comfort, love, and smiles where they visit. Therapy dogs and their owners/handlers are called a therapy team. Teams visits care homes, schools, hospitals, retirement homes, airports, and disaster areas. They also work with people with anxiety disorders or autism. Therapy teams work together to bring comfort, love, and smiles to all they meet. All teams must go through a series of tests to determine if you and your dog are the perfect fit. There are many different organizations that certify therapy teams. Axl and I are part of one of the largest organizations called Alliance of Therapy Dogs, also known as ATD.
Tell us about the special training therapy dogs receive. All therapy dogs must be well-behaved and gentle. Basic obedience is always a good idea to better your chances of becoming a therapy team. It makes the testing phase much easier. Axl and I, with the help of my dad and stepmother, still train and work on different skills Axl must know. With our organization, Axl must always be on a 2-4 ft leash and must never pull. Axl always walks loose leash, which means there must be slack in the leash. continued on next page Âť ME AN D MIN E MAG AZ I NE | FA L L 2 01 8
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Who does Axl service? Axl the Giant provides therapy services to a few places in town right now. One of his favorite places to visit is Cherry Blossom Assisted Living off Live Oak Blvd. We visit regularly and all the residents, including the staff, love him. They always make us feel so welcome and I know that Axl will always have a good experience. Axl and I recently answered the call for therapy dogs for the horrible fires that are going on right now. We met with the Allstate Disaster Team, where we took part in their new program to bring therapy teams to help comfort victims of disasters. While there, we met several people who had lost everything. It was very hard for me to hear and see, especially when it came to kids telling me they lost everything. But, after hearing each person tell me how much Axl helped them, my heart became full of joy. Axl was also a big hit with all the first responders. We visited the base camp in Anderson, California, where every person we met was always smiling. Even if they were tired, they made time to stop and lay next to Axl and take pictures. Axl was such a big hit that the next week we visited, he was welcomed and rushed around to see everyone once again. It is experiences like this that make me happy that we decided to certify Axl as a therapy dog. Axl the Giant spreads his big love to everyone he meets. You can’t help but smile and want a hug from Axl.
How do we contact you? Axl the Giant and I are always looking for more places to visit. We welcome all who would like our services, and will even come to special events. You can Follow us on Facebook @AxltheGiant or email AxltheGiant@gmail.com. You can even contact me via phone at 530-379-5055.
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