disappearing calendar entries
 

I'm on 2003 full version.
When I enter an event, I often set reminders for future events. i.e. I enter
the day a breed a rabbit, then the date 2 weeks future to palpate the doe,
then 4 weeks prior to put in a nestbox. When the reminder comes up, I click
'dismiss' and go do whatever. When I go back, the event I dismissed is gone.
I don't see any other way to get rid of the reminder than dismiss and I don't
see any way to change the action 'dismiss' takes which is to delete the
event. Much later when I fill in my pedigree program, I need to go back and
record all of those dates and they are GONE. I really rely on this system
and want it to work correctly. HELP