Otis & Friends 1I’m Otis, Prairiewoods’ favorite squirrel, and I’ve taken over this blog for 2016 in honor of Prairiewoods’ 20th anniversary. You’ll hear from me or one of my friends each Friday.

You might think that squirrels and dogs can’t be friends. However, I’ve learned that some dogs are gentle and kind. Kaysen, a great big Yellow Lab, is a dog I’m happy to call my friend …

Hi, I’m Kaysen, and I LOVE Prairiewoods! I am Paula’s service dog, and we go to Prairiewoods every Tuesday for Visio Divina and Lectionary-Based Faith Study. Paula loves it. She loves the people who go to the groups, and she says Rodney is a great teacher. I think he gives great ear scratches.

We also have lunch there. Or, I should say Paula has lunch there. I get nothin’. She thinks their food is fabulous and so are the kitchen ladies. It sure smells good.

Paula Tomy and KaysenMy very favoritest thing about Prairiewoods is Sister Nancy. She is the nicest lady in the whole world! While Paula is eating lunch and talking, talking, talking, we go on adventures. She takes me places Paula can’t go because Paula is in a wheelchair. (That’s why she has me!) We go into the woods! I see really great trees and hear birds and I can sometimes smell the deer. I have seen something she called a Hermitage. Looked like a little house to me. I have seen a creek, too. Sister Nancy talks to me and I listen and walk and smell fresh air.

Prairiewoods is the best place in the whole world!

—Kaysen (with help from his human, Paula Tomy)