I Had a Visitor

...and his name is Rex.

I didn't know his name was Rex when he showed up in my front yard. Little Bug was barking while looking out the window so I took a peek, and there was this handsome boy. I opened the door and invited him in. He was happy to come in for a visit. I put him out in the backyard and called the Police for Animal Control. He seemed pretty non-plussed about being at a stranger's house. 

A policman came and took him away, but not before asking if I would want him if they couldn't find his home. His tags were barely readable because it was obvious he enjoyed chomping on them. We could make out a town (which is 20 miles away from me) and a tag number. I definitely did not want him to be put down, so I said I would take him and find him a home. I told him I am involved in dog rescue and that actually, I have a friend's Aunt that is looking for a dog like Rex. I'm assuming they moved at some point to my town, but I do not know as no information was left with the card. 

So I how did I find out his name you ask? 

I went out to run some errands and came home to this beautiful bouquet and card on my doorstep. The card thanked me for taking care of Rex, then the Mom that penned the card, thanked me another three times. It was signed by her and her two daughters. Two dozen roses with a few that look like to be tropicals mixed in. This was intentional effort, time taken out to show appreciation. This dog is truly loved. I did what a person should do. That's all. I'm sure Rex was happy to see his family, I'm happy that they were reunited. My heart was deeply touched by their love for their dog, and the gift of a sweet thank you. 

Meeting Joey

This is Joey.



I didn't know his name when I found him in my neighbor's yard sniffing around. I just happened to have looked out the window, well, I was keeping an eye out for the mail carrier, when I saw him. Of course, I had to go see if I could get him onto a leash and hopefully find his home.

I crossed the road into the yard, keeping about 12 feet between us. If he was a runner, I didn't want to spook him at the get go. I crouched down and called him to me. He came. That was easy. Usually I'm chasing lost dogs down the street. This big guy had a collar but no tags. Plus, he had a flea collar. You know what that flea collar means to me when I see one on a dog? It's like a secret message that you just know a dog is an escape artist and was not meant to be a stray in any way. Of course, the collar says that, too, but the flea collar? even more so.

I clipped a leash on him and took him into my house. Little Bug greeted him at the door. Little Bug's body language said, "you what? you want to come in here?" I urged him on and her to move that little body out of the way. She did some Big Boss body posturing with a bit of Chicken Little thrown in. She could settle it outside. Out the back door they both went.

He was very friendly. Very nosy as he checked out every room. Very congenial, he didn't lift his leg at all. A gentle unassuming soul. He took treats very delicately. He liked the potato chip (I know, it is pretty much a rule that any of my dogs do not get stuff like that unless it falls on the floor) but, I happen to have one in my hand and it was a test. He did not go for the orange...nor the banana. His body size was an indication of the things that did bring him joy.

I called the ACO, and of course, she was not on duty, but rather than call the police right away to come get him, I thought I'd try to find his owner. I took him for a walk around the neighborhood, hoping to see someone looking for him, or to see if he'd walk me to his house. No go on either. I decided that if the ACO didn't call me back within a couple hours then I'd make the police call.

I kept an eye out for a slow moving vehicle (I've been driving that slow moving vehicle before, it's an awful thing.) Finally, I heard a yell. By the time I got outside the huge white SUV was too far down the street for me to chase after. It was slow moving, I knew it was the one. As I chatted a bit with my neighbor about the big guy inside the house, the SUV made it's way around the circle and was making coming toward me and although it was still a couple of houses away, I heard the words spoken to my neighbor down the road, "have you seen a dog?" I started yelling and waving my arms. Yes! Yes! he's here! I was so happpppy -- for them and for him. He was ready to find his owners, maybe because it was dinner time, or he just missed them, but he had started to be a bit whiney.

I opened the house door and, told him his parents were here and out he came. His mom opened her door and he catapulted himself into her lap. This guy probably weighed a good 80 pounds. She was crying, he was smiling. All was good in the world again. That's when I found out his name.

It turns out that he had a tag, but it somehow got lost or something and they hadn't replaced it yet. They moved to this area of the neighborhood about a month ago from California. They had left their house at 10am and when they got back around 5pm, only one dog (one VERY cute little Rat Terrier named Roxy that I wanted to steal) was still in the house. I have no idea how he got out, the mom made a comment of, "he must have had to go outside." Further details did not come as we chatted about things, but I made sure to get their address in case I see Joey walking around again.  

A Tisket a Tasket a Vintage Laundry Basket

Along with the store display rack I told you about yesterday...I pulled this out of the dumpster, too...

A vintage laundry cart. A friend thought maybe it was originally used at a laundry-mat. 

It would be cool to use it as a towel holder in a bathroom, or for something in a kitchen. I'll be using it for its intended use for now, as I was looking for something that could replace the wicker chair that I would pull over to the clothesline and place my basket full of clothes onto. 

It pays to visit friends you haven't seen in a long time. 

Miniature Schnauzer Nick (aka The Nickster)

Nick is staying with me for a few days while his mom, Sue, goes traipsing around, garden hopping...read about her gardening trials and tribulations here. 

He's a very good boy but feeling a bit out of his element. Right before this shot, I'm sure he was saying, "Bug and Hanz why oh why are you smelling my ears?" He tolerated it well and then they were on their way. He wasn't so excited about having a camera in his face either, hence, a slightly blurred photo...after about 30 others taken first!! LOL

Have a great day!!!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

These two can often be found snuggled together whether it be on the dog bed, the sofa or the Man chair...

Where I Am, He Is...Howie

The Grass Is Not Greener....

Just different.

a couple posts ago my blogger friend Cindi left me a comment, "I think I want your life. Or maybe the grass just looks greener. Over here it's just a lot of crap and only half of it is dog crap."

Well, Cindi, this story is especially for you, because the grass is not greener, and here's the proof.

(and if anyone else is reading and is sensitive to the unpleasant side of dogs, you might want to skip this read)

Last week was a full week of work and regular life. The plan for the weekend was for me to leave early Friday morning with R.'s two girls and have a girls weekend at camp while R. went riding off to Laconia, NH with some friends to catch the end of the bike rally.

Thursday I worked and was running around getting things packed, and went to family dinner at R's mom's house. I still had to grocery shop for the weekend so I did that on the way home, entering my house at 9pm...to the very loud and foul odor of dog shit. It permeated my 800sf house. I could not find where it could possibly be, that's how strong the odor was in EACH room. The question was, which of the three dogs was the offender. I entered my office where I had crated Hanzie and there it was...all of it's diarrhea goodness....with him, in his crate. Fortunately, Hanzie is so conscientious of his den that he tucked it all into the toweling used for his bedding and sat at the front of the crate looking at me like "get me out of here please, I didn't mean it."

I can't react toward him, but the stress was building up since I wanted to be in bed by 10pm because it would be an early morning start for the girl adventure. Taking the towels out and throwing them into the laundry is really not a big deal, it's not like I haven't had to do it before. The big deal is that his crate is on top of another crate and both crates are tucked into a small closet. If you've ever had a dog take a dump in it's wire crate, you probably know that it doesn't all stay within the crate. So both crates got pulled out, got washed, the closet floor got cleaned up -- thankfully of only a small mess.

As everything was getting washed and disinfected the dogs were in and out a couple times. I was finally able to put the groceries away and prepare some food for the weekend. Obviously, I didn't make it to bed for 10pm.

At about 10:30 I'm getting pretty much everything buttoned up and I let Hanzie out again. At 10:38 he comes back in, and like normal, hops up onto the sofa, the vintage one, the one with velour fabric, the one that I decided I'd try to keep without a cover on the seats....

....and pukes watery shit smelling spew onto one full cushion and a back cushion.

REALLY??

I did lose it a little, swear words projected from my own mouth, even though I know it's not his fault that something terrible is going on inside him but I was tired and getting stressed trying to get everything done. I scrambled to clean up what I could with towels and was forced to pull from the garage, the big guns....the shampooer/upholstery cleaner. I went over that sucker 4 times. Then I figured, since I had it out, I might as well clean the other cushion, too, and what the hell, the man chair has been getting a lot of use by Howie, so why not do that real quick even though I did EACH piece of furniture TWO WEEKS AGO!

dammit.

I got to bed around 1am.

All three dogs continued to have bouts of diarrhea through the weekend.

So, Cindi....do you feel better now?

:)

oh oh wait Cindi, there's more! On the way home from camp, Hanzie and Bug are in the crate and guess what? Yup, very smelly pooping episodes in the crate, attached to the crate, outside of the crate...by Bug.

Now are you happy? LOL

Damn Dogs

They've been being so good. Leave for 30 minutes, solicitors come to door (there was solicitation in my storm door handle)  3 dogs get hyped up and this is the result...at least that's how I think it went down. I've been here before.

Hanzie is the master of 'eat anything' and Bug is the instigator of 'hey let's play, I'm feeling feisty' and Butch (I have to introduce you to Butch) he probably just stood there not quite knowing what to do but definitely wanting to join in the shenanigans.

Loyal Dog Stories Will Warm Your Heart

Playing my daily Freekibble game, today there is a link for 'more photos.' Sweet stories of loyal dogs. One especially gave me a few tears, the dog in Japan after the Tsunami, stood by the side of it's injured canine companion. Watch the video, see how it puts it's little paw over the head of the other? A definite 'awwww' moment.

My Job Is Done

Presents are wrapped and under the tree and in a pile for "to Grandma's house we go."

The little nut in the photo is looking for the gift of me rubbing her belly.

40 Lab Beagles Rescued

Clicking along and giving my daily dose of Freekibble, today's question is about The Beagle Freedom Project. 40 Beagles have been rescued from a lab in Spain. It's a heartwarming story, their sweet faces showing caution and wonder as they step out onto the grass for the first time ever....get the tissues, you might need them. (Click on the photo to be brought to the story. )

Do You Play Freekibble?

You can have a daily email sent to your inbox. Click on the Bow Wow and/or the Meow, answer the question, right or wrong, and kibble goes to shelter pets. Often times, links to pictures are included, today's link was about Rhoda and Clarence. http://www.halopets.com/freekibble/donation30.php Great pictures that their mom posts on facebook. You have to check it out.

Go to Freekibble and get started on giving...if you don't already...cost? a minute of your time.

I learned that it is a very sweet young lady that started this project. Oh, what kids can do.

Hanging Out By The Fire

My little wooly monster, Bug, with Harley and Rex, keeping warm.

Sad But True - A Dog's Story

A friend put this on her fb page, taken from a woman named Lynda Bloomberg. I don't know who the original author is, maybe it is she. It is a sad story of what often happens when humans don't know how to own a dog.

"I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge . Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys. Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door. Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn’t get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days. Would I still be at home if I hadn’t barked? I was only saying, “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I’m here! I want to be your best friend.” Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t make me learn how. Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me. I died today. Love, Your Puppy" 


She added: 


"This is really sad that some people do this! 


Please forward this to everyone, its time to stop animal abuse.Copy and paste this if you are an animal lover."

Mites and Feeding Raw

Took the kidlings to the vet yesterday. Their ears were bothering them and since it's all 3 I knew it had to be mites. The assumption was correct. I think maybe Little Bug brought the bugs with her. The darling that she is.


Whilst checking on the ears the vet and I talked about feeding raw. She is a huge advocate of it and I told her that I am feeding completely raw now and she gave me a recipe that includes a couple things I didn't. She wants to make sure they are getting some vitamins, minerals and calcium that doesn't come with just meat and veggies. 


The calcium can come from raw bones and I do give the dogs chicken wings and drumsticks but not often enough. 


If you are interested, here is the recipe:


*quite a few years ago (around 20) I started reading and researching raw and bought Dr. Pitcairn's book "Healthy Eating for Dogs and Cats" I have to revisit it. I actually just went to look for it on my bookshelf and can't find...really don't like it when that happens. Found it!! 


I generally don't like to use grains but will add potatoes (preferably sweet) instead. My dogs do need some carbs as they have lost too much weight. Rice is pretty easily digestible and oats are soluble fiber which can be good...I stay away from corn, any wheat or soy, these can be allergens for some dogs and in dry food products, are added as fillers to keep the cost of the product down. If your dog's weight is changing up or down, change the amount of carbs. Basically I use this recipe as a guideline and will also give dinner leftovers, cooked or uncooked, salad makings, ground flax seed, salmon oil, etc. Good stuff. Raw chicken wings and drums are good for teeth cleaning, bleach free bully sticks and trachea are a nice treat, too, and help with keeping teeth clean. 


I add water to the meal as dogs often do not get enough and this helps with hydration but also, and very importantly, with flushing and moving the food along so that crystals or stones do not come into play.


these measurements are based on per day for a 15 pound dog, so adjust accordingly:

1/2 c. meat (beef, turkey, chicken or venison ground or cubed)

1/4 c. ground veggies (carrots, broccoli, kale, squash, etc.)

1/4 c. cooked rice or pasta or oatmeal

1/2 tsp. bone meal

1/2 tsp. nutritional yeast or 3 Brewer's Yeast Tablets (this gives B vitamins)

1 raw egg (for essential fatty acids)

1/8 tsp. cod liver oil or 1" cube of liver (for vitamins A & D)

1/8 scant tsp. kelp powder (for iodine & trace minerals)

1 vitamin E capsule, 100 i.u. or 2 tbls. wheat germ

My Spoiled Rotten Cutie Bug

As I peruse FB and play with Photo Booth, my Love Bug snuggles into me. This girl has brought me so much joy. She's not a worrier, or a territorial pee'r, she tries to make out with me on a regular basis, she's just looking for some fun. She paws and pounces like a kitten and attacks Hanz whenever she gets the chance. If I'm sitting, she often has to be next to me. We are totally in love with each other. 

Bella The Lab

Last weekend Bella was here again for a few days again. She is generally mopey when her owner leaves her behind, she's not crazy about all the other dogs being around and lets them know it, too. She hid under the dining table for the first couple days but found that she could be really comfy in the man chair....

....otherwise known as 'the chair I said you could be put in the living room because I want to show you how much I care and want you to feel comfortable even though I had to remove my favorite antique barrel chair that was super comfy and fit more with my decorating style but if your back feels better because of it then I'm happy you're happy.' 

Well, to be honest, I'm still not happy about it but R. is more comfortable with his back and that's what truly matters...right???? right?

Playing with the Webcam

I've owned this computer for over 2 years and I used the webcam once. This morning, with Hanz and Bug snuggled up against me, Bug's Head on top of Hanz's, I wanted to catch the image. By the time I figured out how to use it (which really only took a few minutes) the characters repositioned themselves. 

Hanz has that look on his face -- what the? what the?...

 Bug, of course, has to scope things out....

 ...figures everything's cool and settles back in. 

Dog Sitting Bella

Well, Bella came by for a few days of pouting visiting. 

The good girl that she is, she fell right in line with the other lazy bums....

Bella, ignoring me

My Hanzie, he's permanent, and oh what a poser!

Frank and Tink, foster dogs, loving the heat from the stove.

Tink gave her the 'what for' from the moment she walked in, Bella was not amused... 

oh my, Bella, what big white teeth you have. 

After she left, I spent almost 2 hours vacuuming up Black Lab fur. A reminder as to why I have non-shedding dogs. 

Pee Wee Visits

sThe other day my friend James came over and brought his dog Pee Wee.

Look at that cute, scrappy Terrier Mix face. I love Pee Wee --he is not the sharpest tool in the shed, which makes him an easy dog to have around. He is toooooooo cute. I think he's Terrier stuff mixed with Beagle. When he comes over Hanz's jealousy goes through the roof and he'll growl at Pee Wee if he's being petted by James and Pee Wee wants some, too. Hanz is generally a happy go lucky boy, but occasionally he'll have ownership issues.

but, as you can see, James has got the magic touch....look at the devotion...

and you remember this picture of devotion?

then Pee Wee got tired after ball chasing and decided to take a little snoozle.

Pee Wee is one of those dogs that if James needed to rehome him, I'd take him for sure.