It's A Doggy Dog World

Old Dogs/Sick Dogs

2012-02-01T20:55:00.002-06:00

I could scream with frustration. But it's not about me. It's about Mick and he doesn't feel good. Adding an antibiotic to his diet made a swift turn around for about 4 days, and now we are backsliding some. He is better than yesterday, but still not great. He has become Mr. Finicky Eater. Short of doing back flips, I can't find a consistent combination of food to entice him.

We try all manner of things. As an owner it's what I do. I've cooked more for him this week than I have for us. Bacon and eggs are usually a hit. But not this morning, and not tonight. Liverwurst and cottage cheese was spot on at lunch time, but now holds no appeal. Hamburger and rice was an epic fail. Hank, bless his heart, volunteers to eat every dish Mick turns his nose up at.

I wonder if jello is the answer like when I was little and under the weather. I wonder if a Popsicle would help, but I rather doubt it. As a pet owner, I can't remember ever feeling so helpless.

So I cook, I pray and I feel for my dear boy. I hope he turns around soon and licks the bowl clean.

The Right Time

2012-01-26T22:22:00.002-06:00

Every pet owner I know agonizes over when the right time is to let a beloved animal cross the bridge. It is a painful decision. Usually made over a period of time. It involves vet visits, hope, despair, and resignation. Resignation is not a bad thing. Letting go is a true gift of love.

My sweet boy Mick is having health issues. We are doing the vet visits, hoping for answers, and praying for him to get better. And in the meantime, I sit with him in the recliner every night, lay with him on the floor, and hand feed him when necessary.

If he was feeling better, he would think he is in heaven. He had a cheeseburger for lunch, and scrambled eggs and bacon for dinner. I hand fed him the eggs. Yesterday he had some dill havarti cheese. He's probably wondering why I've been holding out the good stuff for so long. Kibble, all these years you've fed me kibble? Oh ya, that dollop of yogurt was supposed to be the icing on the cake? Seriously!

I don't know who is deriving the most comfort from our cuddle time. I do know it's part of the journey. And in time, we'll know how it all ends. In the meantime, please keep us in your thoughts.

I've Decided...

2012-01-23T21:44:00.002-06:00

In raising kids I always believed in giving the kids choices. Just because they are young adults, out on their own doesn't mean I've lost all my influence.

It occurred to me yesterday that it would be awesome if one of my kids married a veterinarian. A friend suggested it would be cool if one became a veterinarian. That would be cool, so I'm giving them a choice. Be one, or marry one. No pressure there. See, choices are good.

It would be okay if they became independently wealthy. As long as they remembered the years they depended on me. I trust they would be hell bent to lavish their love and earthly belongings upon me.

As it is, I'm blessed that one is a mechanic, one knows how to program my phone, and that one is an amazing chef. Still a vet in the family would be sweet. All they really have to do is use the gifts God gave them, find their bliss, and be open to future spouses with initials that say DVM.

That's not too much to ask, is it?

Adopted!!!

2012-01-18T21:43:00.003-06:00

Mick and Hank are doing the happy dance because Snowflake has found her forever home. Yup, we set a personal record for shortest time a foster was in our care. Twenty-four days from pick up to placement - not too shabby.

It all worked out just the way it was supposed to. Application and home visit on the same day. Adoption final the very next day. Good thing she was already in Omaha for training. It certainly made it easy for her new Daddy to meet and fall in love with her.

Now, I'm going to remember, next time a puppy needs fostering that puppy mentoring is not my strong suit. Reno, however, is amazing with them. That makes us a good team.

I think it's easier to let them go when they are only with you a short while. They don't own as big a piece of your heart then. Still, I wish I'd gotten to tell her good bye and kiss her schnozzle one more time. I would have told her to be a good girl, to not eat any remotes, to watch out for wine racks, and that carpet is best left unchewed. Hopefully, she learned that in her short time with us.

Happy Forever Home Snowflake.

Finishing School

2012-01-16T22:33:00.003-06:00

This week Snowflake is in Omaha for Finishing School. Well, it's also known as Boot Camp for Incorrigible Puppies. But we told her it's finishing school. We are hopeful she'll finish up being wild and unruly.

I know she's just a puppy. I will be the first to admit not having oodles of puppy behavior shaping experience. Hence, I question my sanity when I said "oooooh, let's foster of puppy!"

Here is the good thing. Great Plains Pointer Rescue has a trainer who is kind enough to work with Flake this week. Foster support is crucial. I wish I knew more about training puppies. It's been disappointing to not be better at it. But, there is no shame in asking for help. I plan on taking advantage of some personal training as well. In fact, I offered to go to Omaha for a week of training and leave Flake at home with Reno, Hank and Mick. Funny how I was the only one embracing that idea.

Puppies are hard work. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how quiet it is without her racing through the house stirring up....well...everything. But, I also miss that cute little attention seeking face. Like all our fosters, she's wormed her way into our hearts. We will be happy to see her at the end of the week. We're happy she's getting some expert training that will make her more adoptable. It's all good in a boot camp sort of way.

Kennel Up

2012-01-12T21:25:00.002-06:00

We have been working on crate training for several weeks now. Face it, who of us can't relate to learning new behaviors, new ways of doing things. We resist, we struggle, we squirm. Even when the treats are enticing we drag our heels.

Snowflake (aka Flake) has been a wee bit reluctant to embrace the process of going into the crate under her own power. There are times when the schedule allows for a slower entry process. Sometimes the schedule requires a quick departure so it's a assisted entry. Sometimes I'll say kennel up and find Hank standing in Flake's crate. One couldn't ask for a better role model than that. I don't think she's impressed with his abilities.

I am finding, at feeding time, that patience pays off. When I put the bowl in and let her go in the crate in her own way it happens nicely. Not quickly, but nicely! Picture one 5 month old puppy doing laps in a tiny living room, prancing towards the crate, darting away from it, leaping with excitement. She nudges me from behind as if to say - hey you go in there and eat. If you wait through her antics the lure of the food wins out.

By then of course Hank has bolted his food and tried to lick the silver off the stainless steel bowl. Mick is waiting patiently for his food and wondering when Flake will leave for good.

Progress can be measured in little steps and prancing leaps. Flake can testify to that.

Old Dogs

2012-01-09T22:12:00.003-06:00

Mick is my very first pointer. All the other pointers, and there have been many, owe their presence in my life to Mick.

Now, Mick is getting up there in age. He's roughly 10 1/2. Until now, he's been a healthy happy camper. Of late he's had some issues with what we think is arthritis. X-rays tomorrow should answer that definitively for us.

He has good days and bad days. Funny how we take the good days for granted in life. Shame on us. Recently he's had some hard days. That means I have hard days too. Last night I ended up sleeping beside him on the floor. If that is what it took to give him an ounce of comfort I was all for it. How I felt did not matter. That I could be with him was paramount.

Some people say I'm a good dog Mom. I say I'm lucky to have a good dog and it is the very least I can do. Old dogs are precious princes. And Mick is the most charming of all.

Two Weeks

2012-01-07T22:32:00.004-06:00

Little Miss Snowflake, Sierra, or Little Bit has been with us for two weeks now. Sometimes I think she hasn't learned a thing, and other times I pause to realize how far she has come.

She is settling in. Some things still tempt her. For example, the laundry hamper. Have you ever seen anything more tantalizing?? Dirty socks are her favorite. But she is not adverse to boxers or panties. Dragging towels is great fun. Outside, she likes to dig in the turf, grab a piece of the sod and run with it.

This week she was spayed. So now she is definitely adoption ready. Oh yes, she is learning that leather love seats make cozy places to sleep. Any dog that comes here will learn that luxury. Sometimes the dogs even let us enjoy that pleasure too.

Funny how two weeks can be such a short time and a long time all at once. We're learning a lot from her. One only hopes she learns as much from us.

Respite

2012-01-04T20:43:00.002-06:00

Ahhh.....everyone needs a little break. Snowflake is in for her spay procedure today. Boy oh boy is it quiet without her.

Several names have been suggested instead of Snowflake, or Sierra as we call her. Wild Child is used frequently. Vortex has been mentioned. Motion and Commotion hits the nail on the head too.

I must have had a temporary lapse in judgement when I suggested fostering a puppy. Truthfully, one look at her face makes it worth every moment of chaos. When she slows down, after approx 4 hours of non-stop activity, and snuggles up to you to sleep she is pure angel.

Youth is like that. Mick and Hank are not. I feel bad that Snowflake has a couple old fuddy duddies as her housemates. She drew the short end of the stick as far as playmates go. Sure they can teach her alot, but they don't help her burn that puppy energy off. She hoped for the Tasmanian Devil as a playmate and got The Odd Couple.

So it's on my to-do list to find her a young at heart pup to play with. A tired dog is a good dog. Around here, four of us are exhausted and one is raring to go!

Beginning and Ends

2012-01-01T15:13:00.003-06:00

The end of one year and the beginning of another is foremost in our minds today. I used to never be a fan of New Years, because I never knew what the New Year would bring. Funny, and sad how I expected myself to know those things. We never know from one moment to the next!

Life is all about ends and beginnings, beginnings and ends. And the multitude of moments in between.

With a new foster dog every moment is a revelation, an investigation, and teachable moment and an adventure. I need a holster for my squirt bottle! I need eyes in the back of my head, and a bottle of Nature's Miracle.

That's not to say we are not making progress! Oh we are! Crating is so much easier. Potty training is going well, as long as we are diligent about ins and outs. I don't think she's potty trained, but we definitely are. Leash training has commenced. Laughing at the audacity of that sentence. Rome wasn't built in a day. It's not quite the lunge-fest it was the first time out.

Hank is going to earn his wings with this little one. She sits on him, crawls over him, leans into him, tramples him every chance she gets. Mick is not so friendly. But, in his defense old age is plaguing him with arthritis pains so her shenanigans add insult to injury.

Her pace is non-stop, and I'd just like a moment in one place. I have a new appreciation for my old dogs and a sense of humor about young dogs. It's part of the process of fostering. Ends, beginnings, middles, beginning of ends, ends of beginnings. Much like the New Year.

The Word Of the Week is.....

2011-12-29T21:36:00.002-06:00

Leave it. Leave it, leave it, leave it. Followed by No, and Nooooooo. Ahhh, there is nothing like life with a puppy. Someone pass the squirt bottle please, or better yet the super soaker.

Did you know many things are edible to a puppy? The newspaper is amazing. Sticks, out of this world. Buttons, bracelets, bathrobes, boxers - oh yes, very edible. And, if Snowflake, aka Sierra had an Indian name it would be Thundering Paws. Or, Boxing Dog. So many possibilities.

Right now she is asleep in the recliner with Reno, who is also sleeping. Puppies at rest are especially appealing. She does prefer cuddling while sleeping. Today she layed her head to rest on Hank's butt. He wasn't thrilled, but she got away with it. But, frankly, everyone needs a soft spot to lay their head.

Oh yes, and did I mention dingleberries??? Sierra had one today, and was quite distressed by it. I'm sure she was thinking OMG what is this shit? I was thinking the exact same thing. Situation resolved without me having to get involved. Phfewww, that was a close one.

We also tried going for a walk today. Well, we walked. She lunged. And lunged, and lunged. Made Hank, who usually surges ahead on walks, look quite docile. Mick gave us the sad eyed look because he is having arthritis issues and is on restricted activity. No walks for Mick for two weeks. If only he understood that.

But good news! Kenneling is not a full contact sport anymore. She gets it, she really gets it! Whohoo!

So I leave you with this question - what is the word of the week at your place? Do tell.

Settling In

2011-12-27T21:54:00.002-06:00

Snowflake flew across several states to NE, leaving behind the only home she's ever known. You'll be happy to know she's settling in just fine. I moved two hours from the only home I'd ever known and I didn't settle in as easily as she did. They are so much better at embracing change than we are.

She is learning quickly - what to do, what not to do. Mostly what not to do. Case in point. Counters, are a no-no. Books are a no-no. The kitchen table - also a big no-no. She also found the soft spots to lay on. In fact, she was born to sleep on a leather sofa. Born, I tell you.

Funny how dogs, and people tend to sit in the same place on a regular basis. Almost like "assigned" seating at the table. I sit here, you sit there. Repeat day in and day out. She has staked her place at the left end of the couch. No matter that Hank owns that piece of real estate. Coming through, make way. Don't mind me, I'll just squeeze in here. You won't even notice me.

Hank to his credit bears that graciously. Okay, sometimes with a grumble or two, but then he concedes to the little lady. Come to think of it, I often grumble before I concede. Hopefully I am as gracious as Hank.

It's all about embracing life and snuggling in. I need to do a little bit more of that myself.

Whirling Dervish

2011-12-26T22:00:00.002-06:00

For two days, Snowflake, aka Sierra, has been bouncing off the walls. She is a regular whirling dervish and a silly one at that. I don't know if she's run out of steam, or just decided to bring it down a notch.

Could be jet lag caught up with her. Even puppies rest eventually. I love that side of puppies. Face it she was vetted and pulled from the shelter, flew with three different pilots for Pilots N Paws, overnighted in one household, and them came to ours. Then moved from our "summer" home to our Grand Island home. No wonder she's exhausted.

She's learning to go into the kennel. At first it was like wrestling a marlin. But, thanks to Bacon Strips its getting easier. Right now she's sleeping on the love seat, covered up with a blanket. Tell me she isn't well loved.

For those who wonder, she was a breeder surrender. Pups that don't get sold in a timely fashion end up dumped in the country or in shelters. We think she ended up there because of the markings on her face. One eye is ringed in brown fur. The other is not. That creates the illusion that one eye is larger than the other. It's taught me to make sure I put eye liner on both eyes so I don't look unbalanced. It seems rather fitting for us, as a number of our fosters have been slightly imperfect in terms of appearance. In reality she is entirely perfect just the way she is. Or maybe we see the world, and our fosters, in love colored glasses.

Either way, as the dust of this dervish' arrival settles, we find joy. And humor, and training challenges, and pleasure. It never ceases to amaze me how much love helps them blossom.

Long Journey's

2011-12-25T06:31:00.004-06:00

Journeys often begin with a plan and a destination, this one also included a wing and a prayer. Well, several wings, many prayers and lots of hope. It involves a small English Pointer puppy who needed a chance to find a forever home. Dogs in shelters everywhere need that chance. Puppies often have a better chance just because of their cuteness factor (CF). I'm all for the CF, play that card whenever you can in life.

This pup hitched a ride, with 3 different volunteer pilots, on December 23 to fly from euthanization in a rural shelter in Tennessee to Great Plains Pointer Rescue in Nebraska. She was met with open arms and a news crew from a local TV station. Not a bad start.

Her transport name is SnowFlake. But maybe we should name her Puparazzi. Of course, Taz, Spaz and Flake come to mind also. She is a bit of a wild thing. In a -oh what is that, can I see that, look at me go, watch me run kind of way. Her reflection in the window is cause for barking. The glass in the front door was a complete revelation to her. She thinks twice about running into the door now.

Now doubt she has a zillion questions. What is a plane, what is a leash, where do I pee, why did I bounce off the front door, what is toy, where do I sleep, why does Hank growl at me? What can I chew on, why do I have the attention span of gnat, what is a crate, are tv remotes edible, how fast can I run up the stairs....you get my drift.

So many questions from a little pup on a journey. So many second chances, so many people willing to help. And the saga continues. Santa may bring gifts in his sleigh, but God delivers gifts via volunteer pilots.

Merry Christmas little Snowflake, let the fun begin.

Guess What Santa is Bringing??

2011-12-20T20:34:00.003-06:00

Dear Mick and Mr. Hanky - guess what Santa is bringing for us for Christmas???

Is it a bird - no. Is it a plane - no. Is it a new foster dog - YES!

It's time to bring another one into the fold. At least temporarily. C'mon, it's what we do. Or, it's what I do and Reno indulges me.

This time it's a puppy. Yes, it will come with it's own special madness and serendipity. Yes, Hank, she may try to bite your butt. Yes, Mick, the peace and quiet as you know it will come to a screeching halt. But hey, you too were puppies once.

Foster #11 for us, is yet un-named. She is approx 5 months old, and being pulled from a shelter in Tennessee by the good folks at Great Plains Pointer Rescue. We're delighted, excited and up for the challenge.

Yes, boyz, I still love you, will always love you. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help this little one integrate into the household. To learn what love is, what 'no' is, what "ah-ah" means. She'll learn as much from you guys as from me. So she's a lucky dog. She'll learn from the best.

I'm going to say Thanks Santa....da boyz are saying oh crap, here we go again. Either way, let the fun begin.

Now or Later

2011-12-18T07:54:00.003-06:00

I wish I could teach the dogs two concepts. The first would be the concept of days off and weekends. Hellooooo.....On the seventh day God rested, I'd like to as well. Is an extra hour too much to ask for. Granted, I haven't created the universe or anything grand like that, but still...

The other concept I'd like to teach is that of "later". We will go for a walk "later". Not now, not at 6am, because this is the weekend, but later. I promise. Later when it's light out, when it's warmer, when the bed is not calling my name. Later will be a longer walk and I'll enjoy it more because I'll be, well, conscious.

Sometimes I'm not sure who trains who. We started the am/pm walk ritual when we downsized to a postage stamp sized yard. It's good for them, and it's good for us. I would just dig a little flexibility on the time table. They say now, I say later. Except they say now with pleading brown eyes. Okay, and I later in what comes off as a bit of a whine.

It goes something like this. Let's walk Now? Now? NOW? blink, blink, wag, wag, wag, happy dance wag. Later, please, later, can we later...oh please, please, please l-a-t-e-r.

It's not a pretty negotiation. But you can guess the end result.

Double Trouble

2011-12-11T21:36:00.002-06:00

Rescues work on a shoe string budget, with a staff of volunteers who's hearts are always larger than their pocket books.

Pointer Rescue Organization has two injured foster dogs right now. Joy, who was hit by a truck recently, and Buck who appears to have injured his ACL while playing. Now, they may be foster dogs in name, but they are our babies at heart. We hate to see them hurting, we long to patch them up and see them heal. We stress over funding for medical issues such as these.

If I had a fairy Godmother I'd ask her to sprinkle some money dust over the rescue to help with vet bills. I'd ask for someone in the family to marry a vet who does pro bono work. I'd pray for a winning lottery ticket. I'd say, hey, would you be willing to forgo that grande double skinny caramel macchiato with extra whip to help a four footed friend down on their luck? Could you have a bake sale fund raiser? Could you chip in the money you find in the clothes dryer? Could you make a donation in honor of your favorite four footed friend to help another four footed friend?

If you could, hearts will be warm and tails will wag in thanks.

Dogs In Need

2011-12-08T21:01:00.003-06:00

In rescue, there are always "Dogs In Need". They need someone to stand up for them, to advocate for them, foster them, adopt them, vet them, train them, and above all, love them

Sometimes, they also need a miracle. Joy, is one of those dogs. She is an English Pointer being fostered by a Pointer Rescue Organization volunteer. She was hit by a car this week. Hence, the need for a miracle. That is where you come in. What's that you say? I don't have my miracle worker hat on.

Ahh, but you do. Joy needs major vet care to help heal from her injuries. Pointer Rescue (www.pointerrescue.org) needs some major assistance to pay for those bills. Happy, Happy Joy, Joy - as her foster Mom calls her, needs all the help we can give her. She needs our prayers, and all the good karma we can align for her.

I also know this is holiday time. We are pressed for time, busy with family, and tapped out in the budget department. So I ask you to just ponder the dogs in need around the world, and specifically Joy. Ponder, what you can do to help. Know that we can and do make a difference.

Fruits and Veggies

2011-12-06T21:30:00.002-06:00

I learn a lot from the dogs. In fact, they are my best role models. Kindness, you bet. Humor? They make me laugh every day. Forgiveness....I can only hope to forgive and forget as easily as they do.

They have been known to be food opportunists. Not that I'm complaining. We have been lucky with that over the years. A few cases of counter surfing, one money hungry Labrador, a little springer who snatched a sandwich off my plate while I answered the door (little minx)! A pointer who helped himself to the fruitcake while Reno and I were gazing at the fireplace.

Yesterday was the case of the missing Kiwi fruit. While cooking dinner I heard Mr. Hanky snarfing something down. He was quite intent in his consumption. I was amazed he found something edible. When I got him to give it to me he had 1/2 of a kiwi fruit in his mouth. Huh?? Where did you get this?? He pleaded the fifth. How can this be? Well, it was there...I ate it. It was yummy. Can I have the other half back?

Now I honestly don't know where he got it from. I remember buying one, in an attempt to eat more fruits and veggies. But I don't remember it in the fridge, or on the counter. I certainly don't remember knocking it off the counter and onto the floor. Either way Hank seized the Kiwi. And he liked it skin and all.

Perhaps, next trip to the store I'll buy two. One for each of us.

Places In Life

2011-12-04T21:25:00.002-06:00

We all come from different places in life. Heck, I find myself living in one. When I started blogging, many years ago, it was because I figured I might be experiencing something similar to others and that by voicing my thoughts someone else might benefit. Or at least laugh, or on a good day find some wisdom, healing or hope.

Usually the dogs are my conduit. Without them I would not be me. Dog-wise, things are very calm in my life. We are not fostering, although I'm beginning to plant the seeds that it is time again. Since our move, I haven't done any pet therapy visits. Although I'm hoping to get going with that again soon. Hank and Mick are good, healthy, happy. All good things.

I need to own how difficult it is for me to live in a new place. How isolated it has felt, and yet, how right it is to share daily life with Reno. It is a mixed blessing. We have jobs - amen. We have a roof over our head - amen. We have time with each other - amen, amen, amen.

And, sometimes, we have me in tears. I believe it's normal. Although having never done this before I couldn't say for sure. Of course, being a weepy person by nature, we kinda knew this was coming. I feel for all our service men and women in foreign countries, or simply in towns that are far away from home. I empathize with those searching for the feeling of home in places that just don't feel like it.

I know we are all in different places in life. Some are easy, some are not, some suck, some cause us to celebrate. This place, with the dogs, with Reno is where the road has taken us. It's not easy, but it is right. I'll be better off because of it. Certainly this place needed another crazy dog lady, and that would be me.

Fencing

2011-11-27T11:59:00.002-06:00

After 47 days (guess who was counting) without fencing at our little dog house we are finally secure! Kudos to Reno for his hard work to make this happen.

No more wait, wait, wait while I secure the boys on ropes. No more going out to untangle them after they have wrapped themselves around the trees. You can see the joy in their movement as they can prance across the yard without ropes. I can only guess it was a shock to them to be tethered. Huh, we have to be tied down? What, I can't get over to that spot that really smells good? Mommmm, I'm stuck!

I see many dogs in yards tethered. I hurt for them. We see one German Shorthair Pointer regularly on our walks. He lives in a tiny dog run, with a small dog house about 50' from the owner's house. I'd like a word with that owner. Okay, I'd like several. I imagine what my dogs might say to that dog as we pass..."hey, do you ever get out? Were you a really bad dog? Sucks to be you dude". And between Mick and Hank they probably say "damn, are we lucky dogs". And they are.

There are dog who never go further than their fenced yards. Never get out for walks, never get the joy of human touch and companionship. Never eat regularly, get groomed, or just plain loved up on. For those dogs I pray.

For mine, and the new fencing, I give complete thanks.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T12:56:00.002-06:00

Yup, it's time. Time to pause for just a moment and say Thank You. It wouldn't hurt to throw in a God Bless You, and maybe an I Love You or two. I'm going to add, a phfewww, I've Survived too. It's been a roller coaster year.

It's my first Thanksgiving away from home. Wonder if at this age and stage of life I can claim a freshman 15. I doubt after age 50 anyone would believe it though. Maybe I'll just claim a new appreciation of all things familiar.

Even the dogs have new nicknames this year. Reno has dubbed them with Indian names. After many walks together Mr. Hanky is called Two Poops and Mick is called Sniffing Butts. So far, I haven't been named Squaw-That-Bitches-Alot. Or, Rivers of Tears. But I digress.

Hank takes not only one ritual poop per walk, but two. Hence, Two Poops. Mick sometimes walks slightly behind Hank and appears to be sniffing his butt. Not for the poop I hope. The good thing about where we live is that there are several trash companies, so someone always has a can on the curb that we can deposit the two poops in. Life is good.

So there you have it. A pause, with the paws, on this day to celebrate. I hope you have as much to give thanks for as I do. And may you always have an extra bag to pick it up with.

Picking and Choosing

2011-11-21T20:58:00.004-06:00

If I had to pick between the personalities of Hank and Mick, it would be a tough choice. Hank goes through life with pure joy and in "lalala" mode. Mick is definitely more cool, dignified and would look really good with a monocle.

Mick is my hunter. Even on leash he's in hunt mode. Hank? Not so much. Perhaps Hank was a blonde in another life, and Mick was a scholar and athlete. Hank was a Miss Congeniality. Mick was a little cool and distant. Hank was voted most likely to say pet me, pet me, pet me. Mick was voted most likely to be the strong silent type.

Truthfully, I'd like to be as driven as Mickey is. But I'm closer to happy-go-lucky like Hank is. Mick is the one usually to go on point. Hank will honor Mick's point some of the time. If those two brain cells are active at that exact time.

Both are good cuddlers, although Hank tries to be at one with you, and Mick is content to ease gently up to you. Hank enthusiasm should be bottled, cloned or put in pill form.

Truth be told if I had to pick, I'd choose them both again. They are just the best in all respects. But then again, I didn't pick them. They were chosen for me.

Reflections

2011-11-18T08:29:00.002-06:00

The seasons are changing. Frost, cold winds, some snow. Dark. Very dark. We walk in the morning and in the evening and we see lots of dark. Dark and cold. Dark and windy. Dark with a glimpse of light on the horizon. Dark, and more dark. So glad the dogs are mostly white!!

The dogs don't care if it's dark or light for our walkies. I am the one who feels vulnerable in the dark. Reno asked me one day if I was practicing for being homeless as I layered several coats on for my walk. Very funny. It was that time of the season where it was too cold for my light jacket, and still not cold enough for my winter coat. Fashion is not a necessity when walking in the dark.

My one concession for walking in the dark is to put reflective collars on the dogs. I'm amused at how I never bought reflective collars, but over the years I acquired them. I know Mr. Hanky came into rescue with one, not sure where the other came from. I love how when I needed them I already had them. If that isn't cause for reflection I don't know what is. More often in life we have what we need, we just don't realize it.

It's comforting to me on the walks to have that bit of light shine on the dog's collars. Now it's pretty quiet when we walk, so I may be the only one who sees that. Still it feels right. I still need to add something reflective to my apparel, but for now the dogs lead and their light shines.

Published

2011-11-13T21:12:00.002-06:00

So I write this blog, and am blessed to have a small following of readers. Actually you all are volunteers as well as readers. Don't get me wrong, I dig it. I love the process of writing. It tickles me pink to have others that enjoy my crazy dog lady thoughts and life.

I am feeling totally affirmed to have my writing being published by someone other than myself. A short story I wrote about former foster dog Sidney is being published in one of the Happy Tails Books. It is in their book entitled Lost Souls: FOUND, vol. 2.

Now I submitted the story about two years ago. So when they wrote asking for a picture of the dog in the story I sent one of Kobe. I wrote a lot about Kobe. Oh! You want a picture of Sidney? Really? I wrote about Sidney?? If nothing else there will always be a blonde at this keyboard, and she is certain to pull her blonde card for all to see.

Now it's not like I'll be receiving royalties for this story and that's okay. It is a feather in my cap, a biscuit in the dog's Kong, a ribbon on my bulletin board to have this happen. You can get a copy by going to www.happytailsbooks.com. I hope the story is good. It's been so long I'm not sure. I do know Sidney was a blessing, so the story must be good, cause he was good. Thanks Sidney for helping a crazy dog lady achieve a dream.