24 PAWS OF LOVE

Everyone Needs a Snoopy :)

2012-02-14T00:51:00.016-05:00

I'm not really a big Charlie Brown fan, but I have always loved Snoopy and his sidekick bird Woodstock. For some reason my husband was watching the Peanuts special, "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" this past weekend and I sat and watched the last half of the show with him.

Here's a little intro from where I picked it up:
The character, Linus has a heart-shaped box of chocolates he wants to give to his teacher, and wants her to be his Valentine. For some reason in the middle of the classroom's Valentine party, the teacher leaves the building, while Linus tries to catch up to her to give her the candies. Only to watch his her leave with her boyfriend.

It was the following scene that got me with Linus on the bridge. (Check video clip HERE)

The mood was heartbreaking and I found myself begin get a little teary. Until...they showed Snoopy and Woodstock behind the bush, catching the chocolates and gobbling up all of Linus' anguish.

I busted out laughing as I could truly relate. How many times have I thrown all my pain and sorrows on my dogs who just lavished it up like chocolates, while transforming my tears into love? Countless. I can not tell you how many "Snoopy's" have saved my life and are still doing so today.

So to all of the Snoopy Dogs out there, Happy Valentine's Day! Think what a better world it would be if we all had a Snoopy!!

Snoopy times 6

Monday Memories-Best Buds

2012-02-13T01:31:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Monday Memories...our little trip down memory lane.

Today's memory brought to you by: Boxer (kitty) and Silver (dog)

(Long before the days of Brut, puppies and the 24 Paws of Love)

Silver and Boxer were best of friends

They both loved to cuddle together

snuggling close

Sometimes a little too close :)

But isn't that what friends are for??

Mr. Observant

2012-02-09T00:55:00.001-05:00

My husband calls from the other room, "Honey come here!" There is a sense of urgency in his voice and I can't tell whether to be concerned or not, but I hurry to meet him.

There's my husband on the toilet holding Blaze's head in his hands. With this wondrous grin on his face, he looks at me and says, "Did you know Blaze has these long black hairs above her eye?"

I rushed in here for this? I roll my eyes and say, "They are part of her eyebrows."

He giggles with his eyes all aglow and replies, " I never noticed them before. Look! There are 7 of them!"

"They all have them," And he says I'm the one who'd make a lousy detective!!

If it took him three years to notice the girl had long, black eyebrow hairs. 3 YEARS!! Nice going Sherlock!! Lord knows how many things he's really missed all these years together!! Can anyone relate??

BOYS!!

Daddy's Corner

2012-02-08T00:42:00.006-05:00

Monday Memories-Would you do it?

2012-02-06T00:39:00.002-05:00

Perfect.

Just the way they were on their first day in this world.

About 24 hours after Silver gave birth, I ran her to the vet to make sure she had given birth to all her puppies, par the vet's instructions. Being a new “Grandma” I had some uncertainties if there were any more pups to be born. After Silver had her x-ray and all was clear, the receptionist, out of the blue made mention that to in order to have dew claws removed and tails docked, I had a three day window to get it done. I was shocked by the very thought. I had never heard of removing the dew claws. I had ten freshly born, healthy pups and I couldn’t imagine chopping off any parts of them. The thought was a bit disturbing, to say the least.

Brut's back dew claw

Both Brut (father) and Fiona (daughter) have a third dew claw on their back right leg, an inherited trait, that Brut must have picked up in the genetic line. As you can see it hangs looser than a front dew claw and is more susceptible to getting caught on things, though I have never run into that problem. Our vet mentioned when Brut was young if we wanted to have it removed we could. It has never crossed my mind. I have always loved the uniqueness.

Fiona's back dew claw

From my understanding the removal of all dew claws is a preventive measure, because they can snag and tear off. It is can also be a selling point if the dew claws on puppies are already removed. Tail docking is considered show standard for particular breeds.

Though I am aware of that these procedures exist and understand the theory, but I personally could not begin to fathom the idea of actually doing them to our little newborns. Even now as I look back at that precious little bundle, so perfect just the way they were, the thought gives me chills. I am just not to type that could do that for any reason.

How do you feel about it? Could you do it?

Something Wagging Challenge-Boxer

2012-02-03T10:46:00.001-05:00

I could write out a long in depth post about what lead to taking on this challenge with my competitor in question, but simply put; I've had resentments towards Boxer because he isn't my former cat, Sparky and Boxer has resentments, well, because he is a cat!

THIS IS NOT A 'NORMAL' CAT
I was completely disillusioned by Sparky and two previous cats (all whom have passed on) who were mellow, affectionate, and cool as cucumbers and I thought all cats were that way. Then I got Boxer and suddenly I was dealing with this wild, obnoxious cat who demanded my attention and didn't care how he got it. And while I would like to blame his behavior on the dogs, he has always been this way. More dogs just gives him more reasons to be ruthless.

Just let her try to sit down!!

MY LAP WAS OUR BATTLEGROUND
Every night the war would begin with this 16 pound cat, who according to the vet was not overweight, where we would have our battle of wills. He would stand on my lap, I mean just stand there on my tired-end-of-the-day-legs like dead weight. Then he would slowly turn around, doing his 'claw dance,' butt in my face all the while jerking and knocking me with head butts that had the force of a miniature ram. I in turn would hide my arms behind my back, or try to get him to lay down, until my sensitive nerves couldn't take it anymore and I would push him off my lap. Or I would try to pet him, hoping to calm him and it would only rile him up more. I almost dreaded our nightly visit and these battles only fueled my angry feelings towards him more.

SPARKY NEVER ACTED LIKE THIS
And there was my struggle. I'd missed my heart cat so much, I just couldn't accept that Boxer was nothing like him. I hadn't even realized that I'd had built up these resentments towards Boxer because he wasn't Sparky. A few months ago I became aware of how much these thoughts and feelings were hurting our relationship and that I needed to change the course we were taking.

Look deep inside...or else

THE HEALING PROCESS BEGAN
I began by letting go of Sparky and focusing on Boxer. I started practicing more patience and kindness with Boxer, but we were still struggling with his demands for affection. So when Pamela's Challenge came along, I seized the opportunity to improve our lap time by using simple "ignore and reward" technique. When he was quiet on my lap and/or being gentle, I would pet him. When he got too pushy, I hid my hands. It was simple. And it worked. Not only did our lap time improve, but our over all relationship took a dramatic turn. We are not having those large uproars on my lap every night. Now, we are enjoying each others company and I am beginning to see Boxer for more of who he is, rather than who he is not.

I am sure I am not alone when grieving for another animal to misplace those hopes onto a new one. Boxer was never going to be Sparky and I still missed Sparky more because of it. Their personalities are almost bipolar to each other and it has been difficult letting go of that, not to mention that these differences created a situation with a type of cat, I'd never dealt with before. It was frustrating because I have discovered I don't know cats like I do dogs and I didn't know what to do.

Pamela's challenge gave me a way to acknowledge what I started with Boxer and our healing process and helped me to focus on one aspect of our relationship-the time on my lap. If I accomplish nothing else with Boxer except this, I have conquered everything. Our evenings together are almost like heaven now and I'm finding myself falling in love with that little booger all over again.

Yep! I got her back.

I mean seriously, who can resist all this mancat savvy!!

A special thanks to Pamela and her Something Wagging Challenge that gave Boxer and I what we had been missing. Our relationship.

It's a DOUBLE BLOG HOP!! JOIN US!!

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And the Saturday Blog Hop!! Hosted by Life with Dogs, The Two Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume.

That Face

2012-02-01T00:37:00.000-05:00

Chance grabbed a hold of Blaze's neck in an attempt to entice her into another round of play. Blaze looked up at me with those comical eyes as if to say, "Can you believe this guy?" And for a split second this was who I saw:

Blaze at 3 weeks old

That little diva puppy who terrorized the entire litter with the same cajole and devious attitude who was standing before me. And it struck me in a way like I had never realized before that my little girl was home. That I had witnessed her birth and the first 9 weeks of growth and here I was looking right into those same eyes again, forever.

There is no wondering or worrying or missing or hoping to see her again. She is right here and I couldn't be more blessed. Regardless of what the circumstances were for her return, she is safe and sound and with us.

If it had been up to my husband, we would have kept every single puppy and if the circumstances would have been ideal, we would have. And while the thought of having twelve dogs (mom, dad and ten kids) is a bit more than daunting, when Blaze's face flashed before me, I began to understand where my husband was coming from. I never thought I could love a dog more, until I watch them be born and have that undying willingness do anything for them.

I would divide the house ten different ways if our puppies needed to come home again. As it was, I only had to split it in two, so I can spend every day with that puppy dog face that is my Blaze.

24 Paws Crossed For You...

2012-01-31T01:39:00.000-05:00

For everyone who's going through some sad losses and tough times our paws are crossed for you.

We may not know all of you, but we understand the pain of losing a furry loved one or one who has an illness.

We'd like to send a special prayer for our friends KB and K,

May the Power of Paw carry all of us.

Monday Memories-Brut 'Heart' Walk

2012-01-30T02:23:00.000-05:00

It was something I could never explain. Long before we joined the blogging world. I just knew there was something different about Brut and I that I could never really put into words. Brut was almost two years old and while we were out on a walk, my conscious translated that knowing feeling into a simple understanding. Brut wasn't a part of me, nor was he an extension of me; we were a complete unit walking as one being. My best description for a term I would later come to know as a 'heart dog.'

Daddy Quotes

2012-01-28T00:38:00.000-05:00

"They may not be human, but they are close enough for me. I have never been showered with so much love like this before."

-Daddy
24 Paws of Love

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Brought to you by Life with Dogs, The Two Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume

The Brut Root

2012-01-26T03:31:00.000-05:00

Dealing with Brut is sometimes like diffusing a time bomb. It requires delicacy, patience and a gentle but firm hand. The more we practice this approach with him, the more the root of his aggression begins to surface-FEAR.

Brut's larger than life exterior has masked much of the fear that runs through his veins and erupts into aggression. As we began to touch on this fear we found ourselves dealing with a hurt and frightened puppy under that tough outer barrier and doing a balancing act between these inner and outer forces.

The fear is so painful for him, it is like a blow to the head. It is the intensity of this pain turned inside out that expands into this grandiose image that he uses to protect himself.

I have known since Brut was young by his reactions that he riddled with fear, unlike any I'd ever seen in a dog, but he expressed it so violently it made it difficult to known how to handle it or even fully recognize it. In the midst of a dog fight, my first reaction wasn't, "Gee, Brut looks scared maybe he needs a hug" And while he did show his fear in other ways, there was no comparison to when he exploded with it.

It has been a long process. For all of us. When we began to help Brut make his decision for him, we turned down a road that is changing everything we know about dealing with a so-call aggressive dog and exposing that deep seeded fear that he has been protecting. Finally we have found a way to work together and bring that fear out in the open so that it can safely be acknowledged and tended to. Taking every measure we have with all the time, love and patience that Brut needs to heal from it.

The progress has been astounding. No fights or threats of fights and only one small altercation that was diffuse quickly with no one getting hurt. It is amazing. Every step taking us further into the complex mind of a dog who learned way too early that he had to protect himself to survive. It is working. It IS working.

And as we continue into the next phase of our journey, we can not imagine where it will lead us, but know there will be oodles of hope along the way.

You can read the basis for our new method dealing with Brut's flare ups HERE.

Progress, not Perfection

2012-01-25T01:08:00.002-05:00

Not exactly the same set up, but you get the point.

(This is an old picture and the only one we have of Brut and Zappa on the couch together)

Daddy's on his spot-the far right of the couch. Zappa comes in taking his spot on the couch, the far left. Brut shortly follows to take his spot in the middle. Any other time, Zappa would have gotten down but not without some grumbles and growls while Brut would patiently wait. My husband and I are engrossed in a show, when Zappa decides to stand his ground, warning growls erupt and Brut is halfway on the couch. Brut starts to slide on top of the couch, both dogs snapping and snarling until Zappa eventually retreats.

Zappa is on the far side of room standing, Brut is on couch and there is a low roar between the two of them. Daddy ask Brut to get off couch, Brut complies, but can't get him to sit. That's when I realize Zappa is standing and tell him to sit and lay down, he responds. Brut immediately gives his attention to Daddy who sits and lays at my husband's feet. (Thanks Five Sibes!!) Brut was not about to "submit" to Zappa, Zappa had to go down first.

The entire atmosphere even from the time this scene started was warm and calm. Calm enough to think through and clear enough to respond quickly.

This encounter happened a couple of weeks ago and I am still reeling in the excitement. I don't know who's response surprised me more, my husband or Brut. This hands on method we have been practicing is doing wonders at bringing down the levels of intense energy that is usually emitted when their is a altercation. Before a situation like that would have escalated with a emergency-panic reaction. And my husband was phenomenal. I can not begin to rave about how this calm, but direct method is changing everything we do AND my husband and I have found a way that we can both work with the dogs in a language that is easy for both of us to understand. The results have far exceeded what I could have ever dreamed.

What a wonderful lesson of never giving up!!

Tomorrow I show you how we are getting to the root of Brut's aggression using this method.

Sometimes it just takes Daddy's Touch

2012-01-24T03:44:00.000-05:00

I was starting to give up entirely on dog sledding. If it wasn't bad enough that this winter has sucked, lack of snow, ice, rain, I was also feeling like I was running out of hope with the dogs.

After a test run with Zappa that was a lot more of me running and him pulling an empty sled, only proved to me that Zappa needs a partner in the snow and I currently didn't have one for him. My dreams for sledding were fading fast. I was almost ready to give up entirely.

So then my husband says, "Let's try Chance." I had pretty much written off my favorite sled dog because he had become a bit apprehensive with his sledding harness. Come to find out I'd been using the wrong size harness for him all last year and it had made him uncomfortable. I was still working with him getting used to one again and progress was slow. I wasn't sure how Chance would do it, but I agreed. Maybe with Daddy it would make a difference.

Daddy is the comforter, the one who holds and calms the dogs while I do all the "bad mom" stuff like medicine, ear cleanings and such. The dogs practically jump into his arms at the vet while the vet pokes and probes. Everything is better when Daddy is there.

So I set up the sled and without any discussion Daddy starts putting the harness on Chance. Great idea!! While he doesn't have a clue what he is doing, Chance stands calmly and lets him put it on while I assist. Chance doesn't fuss as he puts all his trust in the greatest man alive. Somehow everything is going to be alright. We get him hooked up to the sled, Daddy opens the gate and we are off. Not one qualm or hesitation, in fact he is so excited he runs straight across the driveway and over the embankment of snow. We are all laughing and the grin on Chance's face is priceless. Daddy guides Chance back to the road where Chance burst in a comfortable run. His gate is smooth and strong. The road isn't at it's best, but Chance has no problem taking charge. We blend into a single harmony as Chance runs like a thoroughbred while feels as if I am hanging on to his wild mane. The inevitable power and passion engages us as our hearts cling to each others, relishing the force and freedom of being one. In one rush, the dream is alive again.

How do you really thank the love of our lives for that??

How about with one big sloppy kiss??

Monday Memories-Starring Chancer Dancer and the Milk Pumpers!

2012-01-23T01:32:00.000-05:00

Monday Memories-our weekly trip down memory lane.

This week:

THE MILK PUMPING DANCE

We open with newbie Rocket, just minutes old, taking those tumbles and rolls with ease. He is ready to play his part as milk pumper. Then out of nowhere a silly girl tries to help by shooting Rocket to the top of the pile. Not sure what she was trying to accomplish there, but it does cue the other puppies. Look at those back legs go! Can you believe the strength of those little legs pulsing to their own synchronized beat? Only hours old, these puppies already have the milk pumping moves. Lead by Chance,(the big white boy in the middle), the seven pups prepare the journey for their three sister who have yet to be born. There is nothing like the Newborn Milk Pumping Dance to welcome everyone home. :)

Playbows for Snow!

2012-01-21T00:37:00.000-05:00

After getting a dusting here and there and having it melt, FINALLY, we got about 8-10 inches of the white stuff that we can play in!

Here's Brut and Silver getting down in it!

Anyone ready to jump in with us??

Now lets jump over to the Saturday Blog Hop

Hosted by Life with Dogs, The Two Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume.

The Secrets of Luigi

2012-01-19T01:06:00.001-05:00

Boy, I bet those dogs would be surprised to find out the real reason she bothers to go outside every day in the freezing wind and snow is to take care of me! Shhhh...let them think it's their silly tactics are working!!

ONE wish

2012-01-17T01:38:00.001-05:00

Ready? Set? LUNGE!!

If you were granted ONE wish that would eliminate ONE training problem that you and your dog have been struggling with, what would it be? Something that you and your dog have been working on that has caused so much frustration between the two of you that you've just about given up hope, only to wake up the next day and find your dog executing your command perfectly.

If you could have ONE training problem completely solved, what would it be?

Mine would be leash walking. I wish I never had to train my dogs to leash walk ever again. I wish I could just hook them up and they would walk like it was bred into them. So that every walk was a peaceful, smooth walk and I didn't have to worry about those occasional or not so occasional arm jerks. No lunges into the ditch. No special collars or commands, just a great loose leash and heel, so that maybe I could walk more than one dog at a time! Could you imagine?? That would be a dream come true!

So tell me, what is yours?

Monday Memories-Do You See What I See?

2012-01-16T00:48:00.000-05:00

Our first summer with all six dogs...

My husband pulls out these photos and begins his story

She interrupts him in a voice of quiet awe and says, "These dogs are loved."

A cashier at a feed store saw what we felt in our hearts.

She could tell just from the photos.

They were the most loving words I'd ever heard from someone I didn't know and needed to hear so badly during such a difficult time as we began this journey with two packs of dogs.

Her words still ring in my head when I feel I am not enough for them.

I swear they were straight from heaven above.

I needed to "hear" them again today.

Has a stranger ever touched you with such powerful words?

Dedication Week-Simple

2012-01-13T01:03:00.000-05:00

Our entire world has been transformed from ugly browns and grey to soft snowy white. It has been such an exhausting day and the freshness of the new fallen snow was rejuvenating. Because of our hectic day, the dog's scheduled ended up out of whack and there was nothing better than an evening out in the wet fluff to clear our heads. We all stood in the quiet snowfall, listening to the stillness. I watched as Brut lay making snow angels, his eyes holding mine at just that right moment as he swished back and forth. Zappa made his own snow angels while Fiona took the opportunity to pounce on him. Somewhere out of the shadows Silver slide into view waiting for me to throw her favorite football. I hear Blaze and Chance out front in conversation with a distant dog, knowing that their turn is next. All of the tension and fatigue drain out of me as I thought to myself, "This is the life."

This is the life that makes my heart go round with the circle of love that surrounds me. I could have laid down right there in the snow and fell asleep in the precious peacefulness.

I could thank each one of you every day for just being there.

Dedication Week-Accepting Brut

2012-01-12T01:07:00.000-05:00

For every blogger that I have encounter, we dedicate this next post to you as part of our Dedication Week. It is the collaboration of every tale you tell, every cute, funny story and every heartache that you share that has given me a place to come and be with those who understand what a dog's love means. A love that is still transforming the nucleus of our personal dog universe and creating a trickle down effect.

The King

I started out on dog forums in a desperate attempt for information and was chastised for Brut's dog aggression . I took some hard blows from this forum right about the time my husband kept pressing about starting a dog blog. I could barely fathom the thought. It hurt bad enough to deal with a behavior that I could barely understand and I was certain blogging about him would open me to more criticism than I could bear.

I honestly don’t know how or why I but I began to check out dog blogs. Something must of sparked because I suddenly began putting our site together and despite all my fears and apprehension, I bit the bullet and we created the 24 Paws of Love.

I was cautious, I felt my way through and the feedback was positive. I began to test the waters a little further, with THIS POST, and not one person slam me for Brut’s nature. The ice broke.

Just think about what you've been a part of

From that point I took each step in those icy waters and found other dog lovers who may or my not have understood, but were open and empathic to a degree that completely blew my mind.

I began to change, which meant Brut began to change because I was able to be open with you about the real struggles, the issues, my fears and sorrows. Your acceptance became mine and helped to speed up an evolution of change to bring us to where we are now. I still can not believe it.

The trickle down effect

The hardest thing about having a dog that is dog aggressive is accepting Brut as he is. I would have never thought that my husband's crazy idea would change our lives in a way that were so positive and rewarding. And whether you agree or not with our situation, your acceptance of Brut has created an impact on the 24 Paws of Love as a whole by helping a wonderful family of dogs in a bizarre circumstance to feel right at home.

Because as the saying goes around here: "When Brut is happy, everyone is happy." And we know he is happier than he has ever been. :)

***Pee.S. We are hearing rumors of snow flying the next couple of days.
Please keep your paws crossed!
Our last snow fall turned into treacherous ice and mud.
We are HUSKIES!! We need SNOW!!**

Dedication Week-Blaze's Anxiety

2012-01-11T00:54:00.000-05:00

This post is dedicated to our readers and the dog blogging community as part of our dedication week, because without you we could not be sharing this wonderful news.

Where's that Chance?

I’ve dying to tell you about the progress of Blaze and her separation anxiety with Chance. She has went from having straight panic in her eyes that has turned in pure excitement. It has been so much fun working with her. Before I get too far ahead here’s a little background:

Chance and Blaze grew up with related families and their bond is one of the strongest I have ever witnessed. They were both abused and only had each other. So when one is gone the other is in a constant worry. Blaze's anxiety is stronger than Chance's and so when Chance leaves, say to go for a walk with Daddy, Blaze would fly into sheer panic.

Separation Anxiety?

Not us!

I had heard to try and let the dog work it out for themselves. The anxiety only intensified, so I began with clicker training and had her sit, click and reward. I did this for some time, building on the commands. Eventually she began to come to me and sit on her own when Chance would leave. I was quite amazed at this progress. I added in talking in a soothing voice, brushing, and petting to give her the security she needed while also making it a game of waiting and watching for Chance to come back.

One day I was in the middle of a project that I could not stop and when Daddy and Chance left, Blaze wandered around a bit then laid at my feet. She wasn't whining or crying or pacing. I couldn't believe it. This was such great progress!! She was alert but her body and eyes were calm. She was confident and secure, not the manic mess I was used to witnessing. Something was working.

Chance, Shamance...Where's my treat?

Then we even took it a step further:
Daddy and Chance left, I was in the basement. I came up when they left. We did our clicker training thing for a minute. I told her I believed in her and that she could do this, I left telling her I would be right back. I went back downstairs to finish stacking wood and when I heard her start whining a little I talked to her through the floor and told her "just a minute." (a trusting phrase the dogs know) So when it was quiet, I went to say hi, talk to her for a minute, then repeated everything again. I can't remember when I have even seen her so confident and secure with herself. She was truly beginning to believe in herself and her pride was showing. It was awesome!

Now when Chance leaves Blaze can barely contain all her excitement because of all the wonderful and great things that happen when he's gone. And let’s not forget when he returns, Blaze gets the best reward ever. A walk with Daddy.

And it doesn’t get any better than that!

Dedication Week

2012-01-10T00:34:00.002-05:00

You know that feeling when things start to gel and come together? When that 1,000 piece puzzle has more than just the border and starts to come into focus? Or all those times you've wondered if all those little baby steps were getting you anywhere only to come out of the storm and see the rainbow?

That's how we are feeling. That's how the 24 Paws of Love is doing.

I feet like I am on Miracle Street after trudging through the mud for what has seemed a very long and grueling walk. Sometimes I still can't believe it myself and I feel like I'm going to burst with so much excitement. I had no idea all those little accomplishments would add up to so much. For them and me.

We would like to dedicate this week of the amazing progress of the 24 Paws of Love to you, our readers, who without your help, would have never been possible. We would like to thank you all personally for being part of our journey and giving us more hope than we could imagine from your own personal stories and comments. You have been a lifeline that we have desperately needed and have come to depend on dearly as no one else could fathom the amount of dog loving crazy that goes on in this home. But you do. And I think the best way to thank you, is to let the dogs tell you themselves and share in what you have become a part of by just being there.

Won't you join us?

Monday Memories-Our Big Scare

2012-01-08T20:02:00.087-05:00

With a house full of dogs, cats and plants, I have always taken extra precautions. I have never had any issues with the animals and my plants. For some reason they have always left them alone. I have always checked which, if any of my plants were toxic and kept them out of harm’s way or just gotten rid of them. Sharing this night of horror is one of the hardest things for me to admit because it was my neglect and anger that made this fearful event worse than it already was.

I had a plant called a Sago Palm. It was my third time cutting this ancient plant plant back at the base to restart it . It is a fern like plant with plastic-like fronds that grows very slowly, maybe a frond or two a year. After three years I had about 5-6 fronds on it and was thrilled.

Enter Blaze. I cleared all of my plants except for the Sago Palm, so Blaze could use the same ledge as the plant to help with her separation anxiety. My plant was so happy in this spot, I never saw it on any of the toxic plant list for dogs and for unknown reason I left it there. I had no idea that Blaze had been nibbling on the plant, but she had knocked it over more than once. FIRST CLUE. Why I did not move that plant, when I had been so careful with all of my others, was way beyond me. I still doesn't make any sense to me to this day.

Well, one night Blaze had chewed an entire frond off and I had just had it with everything. Chance and Blaze's return had been so difficult, not only their trauma, but trying to make a divided household work and all of the uproar it caused to everyone, that in my hurt, frustration and exhaustion I threw they plant outside.

In Chance and Blaze's yard.

"Now you can have it!!" Words and actions that I could never take back.

A couple hours later. The nightmare started. Both dogs were vomiting while it came out their rears. Over and over again. I called the vet. She had never heard of the plant. I looked online and there it was under toxic plants: Sago Palm. Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.

My heart sunk and terror of what I had incurred has haunted me to this day. It was the most horrific night of my life. I searched the snow covered yard for any signs left of the plant. It was gone. They had ingested all of it. We knew that fact that they were working it out of their system so quickly after eating it was a good sign, but it didn't stop the fear that something more life threatening could happen. All night of cleaning up vomit and diarrhea and being so terribly frightened that the worst was going to happen because of something stupid I'd done. Neither my actions or lack of them with this plant made any sense and now my two babies lives were in jeopardy.

After a couple of hours of non stop action, the retching began to slow and eventually all the sickness came to halt. Weak and exhausted Chance and Blaze finally were able to lay down and rest, with only some intermittent vomiting. They were quiet the next day, but were doing OK. Later in their day they began to bounce back to themselves. They had made it.

It was the scariest night of my life. And I still have the hardest time forgiving myself for causing it all to happen. I still don't know why I never moved the plant, whether it was poisonous or not. I don't know what caused me to just leave it there in easy reach, or what made me think Blaze wouldn't chew on it at all. Why I had taken great precautions with all of my other plants, yet left this one right in front of her face? And what, just what had ever prompted me to throw in out in the yard for them to devour. You can not believe how many times, I have wanted to write this and couldn't bear facing the world with something that could have been avoided and catastrophic because of something I had done. The results could have been fatal. We have had some close calls in our lifetime with our dogs but this was by far the closest and most serious.

Grateful, doesn't even begin to describe...

You can look on ASPCA -Animal Poison Control Center where they have a list of toxic and non-toxic houseplants and outdoor plants for more information.

If you see signs or symptoms of your animal that your pet may have ingested a plant or any other poison, please, do not wait, call your local vet for help. Time is of the essence.

A Great "Sledding" with Zappa

2012-01-07T00:07:00.000-05:00

Before I pass out on the keyboards let me tell you about my fantastic time "sledding" with Zappa.

So I'm walking Fiona through this little wooded spot across from our house and like a light bulb exploding, I think, "I'll try out Zappa on these small trails." Which I've been thinking about all summer, but it just now hits me like a brand new idea. So when I get home, I get the little sled (the homemade version) because it will work better through the small trials. Zappa is so excited that no matter what I say to him, he won't sit to get his harness on, until I ask him if he wants to pull. Boom, butt to ground.

This "ride" would be classified under "New Context," since we usually just cruise down the road, turn around and come back. So I get him hooked up and once he is on the trail, Zappa is doing good. I've got one foot on the runner and I'm am pushing off with the other. That's when it hits me, the snow is wet and heavy. HOLY CRAP! I'm going to have to run with Zappa. He's not going to able to pull me. So like every instant idea that pops into my head, I didn't plan this part out!! We make it to the field and I am hopelessly trying to run with Zappa, who is still trying to figure out what is going on but handling it like a champ. While he is staying a good trot, pace wise, I'm doing my best to keep up running in wet snow, 4 inches deep, in my heavy boots, blazing our own trail while trying to hold it together for Zappa's sake. Did I mention I forgot my Superwoman cape in all the excitement??

After we are about half way through the loop I want to take, trying to show Zappa the way, while also having to untangle him each time I praise him because he would stop and turn around when I did; I always think back to a mushing meeting we went to back when we were just starting with Brut and someone asked if you needed to be physically fit to participate in the sport. While the speaker seem to skirt around an answer at the time, I always bust out laughing about halfway through a run and think HELL YEAH! You better have some kind of stamina or gusto and a few muscles or your dogs will leave in you in a white dust On and off the sled, guiding, untangling, running along side, or behind and starting all over again. In fact it more common to be off the sled than one when training sled dogs.

I'm breathing so hard from the running and the excitement my heart feels like it is going to burst through my chest. Zappa is concerned at times, maybe a little worried but he is trusting me which was the icing on the cake. After the umpteenth time of untangling him, I wasn't sure how well he was going to hold, but he did great!

Then he had a bit of a glitch, Zappa stopped and turned around too quickly getting the sled wrapped around him and when he tried to get away it stayed with him. He freaked out for a second, and was a bit scared to go again, but I got right up front with him and ran along side and you could feel his confidence soar as well as mine. I slid to back of the sled and we ran the last couple turns of our loop together as smooth as silk. We were both cruising like well oiled machines at this point. I didn't even notice my legs were moving so fast, we were that in tune with each other. So when we poked through the trails again, I told Zappa, "Let's go home," and he did. Turning on the next path that lead to our house.

I was completely ecstatic! With the snow conditions, going on a new route, not knowing any turn signals or commands, Zappa did great!! And what a blessing it was to run this new course without the added fret and worry of cars, people or dogs, as it can be going down the road. I think we were both on top of the world. And the trust that has been building between us is paying off. I know I say it every time I post about dog sledding, but I will say it again...THAT was the best ride of my life!!

The Obnoxious Cat Challenge

2012-01-06T00:27:00.002-05:00

Do I look worried?

An obnoxious, demanding cat.

(She ain't seen nothing yet!)

Pamela's Challenge.
(Yeah, right. We know who the boss is.)

Who's going to win?
(Like you have to ask? Don't you know who I am?)

Watch for our post between Jan. 31-Feb 7 to find out.

Find out more about the challenge HERE and join us!