Friday Dec.31 New Year's Eve

Much warmer today! Lovely morning run, throw sticks for Corey and Snoopy, watch horses in back pasture gamboling around ... Corey gets too excited and starts barking ... no Mattie today. Feed and kennel, then go into town to try to listen to work related audio tape, failed to get program installed... return home lunchtime. Dogs all out helping husband and workers ... Banshee notices my arrival and greets me at gate ... when I get to trailer Snoopy comes up ... DB is asleep in the sun ... Corey is monitoring husband. go inside ... Corey hears the door (I guess) and comes rushing up barking loudly, all excited ... let them all in, fix lunch, then out for a mid day run. Gosh, it is beautiful, almost 70 degrees, sunshine ... back inside for dog naps ... decide I'm going to go to PetSmart as I have a coupon that expires today ... husband agrees to go with me but the day wears on ... clip DB's toenails, brush Corey and Banshee ...finally, I fix food and take dogs for evening run, am halfway around when husband is at last ready to go ... at 5:15 ... load up dogs quickly, make it to PetSmart 10 min to closing ... Corey and snoopy come inside with us, buy food, then leave, take DB and Banshee for potty break, return home ... dark ... feed and kennel. a good day, if a bit frustrating, but oh, the weather, if only it'd STAY like this.

Thursday Dec.30

Cold again, morning run, all dogs very boisterous today, DB running in circles, throw sticks for Corey and Snoopy, Banshee playing with little Mattie who appears halfway down the hill... feed and kennel, go to work, trying to straighten office out ... return after dark, husband has fed and kenneled dogs, take their yogurt with flower essences and chewies to them, clean Corey';s ears (still looking good!)

Wed Dec.29

Still cold ... morning run, accompanied by little Mattie ... fed and kenneled, decided to work in Aiken as office still in chaos ... toe still hurting ... no podiatrists available til next week ... return before dark, evening run, accompanied by little Mattie , husband says she hung around all day

Tuesday Dec.28

Very cold last night, in mid teens, husband put dogs in crates in heated shed around midnight. I am having problems with my toe (this is the same toe that acts up every now and then, middle toe, very painful), husband lets dogs out, they then come inside trailer while I fix food; limp out to shed, get mower (which cranks!) and have brief morning run ... they all roll exuberabtly in something over near the woods, I limp over but cant find anything particularly gruesome ... then feed and kennel. Corey's ears still OK! Still off work, go inside and attempt different wrappings on my 'sore paw' ... let dogs out after they digest breakfast, another brief run, Corey picks up a small rock and wont give it up for any treat... finally 'trick' him by throwing a stick. My toe is, by now, killing me. Back to trailer, work on computer while dogs sleep, fix lunch etc until time for husband's doctor appt ... decide to take dogs with us ... go out and load up, little Mattie appears, sorry sweetie, only have 4 crates in the van ... this excursion lasts ttil after dark ... most amusing part is when I am waiting with dogs in parking lot at doctor, have walked them as best I can and resettled in their crates, leave the van back door up so Corey can watch whats going on (the others could care less, they sleep...) he lays there peacefully watching traffic until 2 very innocent looking ladies walk by, he goes into his ferocious 'alert! intruders!' barking, waking up DB who joins in... stop by Bojangles on way home, get egg biscuits and share (the egg part) with dogs ... arrive home, its dark, disembark, go to trailer and get food, feed and kennel.

Monday Dec. 27

Sunny and cold and windy ... snow melting but real cold, couldnt get lawmowers to crank, got husbands tractor started, go to kenels, get off to release dogs, tractor wont crank again. Walk back to trailer and a bit down the hill while the dogs, who had headed off on their usual circuit, come back, puzzled ... little Mattie joins us ...I cannot take the wind ... back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel. Out again in awhile, little Mattie waiting on porch, still cant crank mowers or tractor, let dogs out and then inside ... around noon, manage to get mower cranked, and go for run. Dogs all excited. Corey and Snoopy chasing sticks, Banshee playing with little Mattie, DB running in circles. Temps hover in high 30's, Cant take the wind more than a half hour, back inside. Several more brief excursions, little Mattie stays with us all day, right up to evening feed and kennel. I wonder if her people are gone? Put a bed for her on porch, just in case.

Weekly update December 20-26

An excellent week, all in all ... little Mattie joins our pack again on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ... Corey's ears better, bump under Banshee's nose gone ... we get snow the day after Christmas and dogs have a wonderful time ... get a new Ez to use video camera and take lots of pictures (now to turn it into a coherent video...) missing Angel Ginger a lot, especially thinking of her last year in the snow, so valiant in her blue sweatshirt ...

Sunday Dec.26 SNOW

Well, it did indeed start snowing in the night, still snowing this morning ... husband took dogs on morning run on his tractor as neither mower would start, I fixed food, he came back with snow covered dogs and we took to kennels and fed ... decided not to attempt drive to church, no one had been down our road yet and it's all back roads ... snow continued throughout morning, slacked up and I went out to let dogs out, driving husband's tractor as now one mower will start but the seat was down and is covered with frozen snow ... dogs having a grand time, Corey and Snoopy chasing the ball, DB running in circles, Banshee and Corey eating snow ... tractor suddenly stops, husband had walked out and gotten on back and tilted the seat ... he has video camera and takes pictures ... starts snowing again ... back to tractor shed, disembark, go to trailer, dry dogs off as well as possible and let them inside ... they are still all excited but finally settle down for naps ... sun comes out briefly ... snow melting ... but now its windy ... I take them for final brief run, then we feed and kennel. Spend several hours trying to figure out how to save the 'raw footage' and edit into coherent videos... will try again tomorrow! A good day, despite missing church ... the snow was beautiful.

Sat Dec.25 Merry Christmas!

Cool and cloudy ... snow is supposedly on the way ... brisk morning run, Corey very revved up, chases flock of wild geese, chases hawk, barking joyously ... he (thank heaven!) chases right up to fence, then veers sharply, stops, gives a few final barks, then runs back to me, very pleased with himself ... Banshee in a snippy mood today, give her green cloth to play with (she has hidden ALL the toys, probably in her cave under the porch) ... feed and kennel. Go inside, little Mattie shows up! Give her several treats, hope she hangs around today ... get Christmas gifts, including video camera! and new gloves! ... back outside, little Mattie still here, let dogs loose, ride around property and watch them play ... a rousing game of fetch stick with Corey, Snoopy and little Mattie ...

We had a very good Christmas Day here, cloudy but not terribly cold (in 40's), had lots of runs with the dogs, played fetch, (Snoopy and Corey in ecstasy) little Mattie (the neighbor dog) came over for breakfast, again mid afternoon, and in the evening, we've really been missing her ... got a new Flip video camera and its so EZ even I can use it (well, we;ll see how the video actually comes out ... got pictures of DB trying to be a lap dog on my husband''s lap, Banshee stealing all the couch cushions and rolling around in them, Corey and Snoopy chasing the ball, the horses in the back pasture kicking up their heels and all my dogs running gleefully along with them, all my dogs hunting for acorns and staring mournfully at the bare persimmon tree, all the normal everyday things with which my life is so richly blessed) ... husband's worker and his wife brought us a LOT of food (most of which I can't eat cause of my 'sensitive stomach' but hey, my husband can eat it!) its raining now, supposed to snow tonight ... the last time it snowed here, last February, Angel Ginger was still with us, valiantly beautiful in her blue sweatshirt (they shaved her for ultrasound and she was so cold ...) cavorting around in the snow, I was looking at the pictures from then (didnt have a video) and oh, dear, I miss her sweet soul ... but God is good, He (and Ginger and St Francis) sent Corey to us , who has fit in so well with our little pack ... I do hope though we dont get snowed in tonight...

May the peace and joy of Christmas fill your hearts this night, and always!

Friday Dec.24 Christmas Eve

Cold, but sunny and right pleasant ... morning run, feed and kennel, and, little Mattie shows up for breakfast ... again disappears ... let dogs digest, come out again ... mid morning run ... was going into town with dogs but have to wait to give Christmas gifts to workers and it's after 2 PM by the time get finished ... inside for lunch and naps, outside for evening run, then load into van for trip to BiLo, return, feed and kennel. Last day of Corey's course of ear med from vet. The bump under Banshee's nose has disappeared!

Thursday Dec.23

Crisp and cold ... morning run, feed and kennel ... little Mattie shows up in time for breakfast ... disappears again when I go inside. Go into town to one of our satellite offices (our office is officially closed) to do some work, return, dogs all outside helping husband and workers ... take Corey inside, brush him (he's a mess) then out for evening run, feed and kennel

Wednesday Dec.22

Cloudy and damp, a slight mist , but warmer ... morning run, dogs very excited to get out (didnt get enough exercise yesterday)... make a double loop around property, feed and kennel, off to work (have to finish packing up office for carpet to be installed...) weather turns really nice, 70 degrees! and here I am, stuck inside ... oh well. Return home after dark, dogs have been fed and kenneled, get yogurt and flower essence mixes , go to kennels and greet everyone, do Corey's ears, give tripe. husband assures me they got plenty of exercise today!

Tuesday December 21

Damp mist this morning, but at least not terribly cold ... morning run, feed and kennel, off to work, raining in Saluda ... return home around nightfall, husband out shopping, says he's been gone since lunch time ... prepare food, too dark for a run and its drizzling ... dogs are kenneled ... husband returns, feed dogs and do Corey's ears, which are getting better ...

Monday December 20

Pleasant morning run, all are lively and cheerful ... the horses in back racing about, kicking up their heels, Banshee following along fence line, barking ... then joins the rest of us at persimmon tree, hopefully staring at the almost nude branches, Corey now barking ... sorry, gang, too high for me ... back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel ... to work and then dentist appointment, pick up Christmas gift cards and mail, return around nightfall ... brief evening run, feed and kennel

Weekly update December 14-19

Gets terribly cold, nights in the low teens ... dogs crated in heated shed on these nights ... Corey gives us a big scare, won't eat one cold morning, rush him to vet, remembering Angel Ginger ...who one day was fine next day wouldnt eat.. he's lively and voracious by time I get him to vet ...buy new crate pads for van so dont have to switch pads back and forth ... Banshee begins to tolerate the Damcat ... temps moderate by end of week (lows only in mid 20's, days make it to 50's ...

Sunday December 19

Sunshine! Cold, but good morning run, dogs all very excited ... feed and kennel, go to church, return another run, then inside for lunch ... give Corey a good brushing, trim his nails, brush Banshee. The Damcat and Banshee stay in same room for a few moments ... the Damcat now has Snoopy, DB and Corey under control, but Banshee ... not yet ... Naps, then another run, pretty chilly, but nothing like it has been ... feed and kennel. a good day!

Saturday Dec. 18

Cloudy and cool (in 40's) ... go for morning run, dogs all excited to have routine back in place ... have completed about half of run when ... starts raining... catches poor Corey in the middle of his morning poop, poor DB is still loitering hopefully in back by persimmon tree (all are gone now except very top) .... full speed ahead back to trailer,  attempt to dry off dogs, husband helping, all crammed into little covered porch area, Banshee grabs the towel, mass chaos... get my raincoat, get food, head for kennels, feed and kennel. Oh my, this is unpleasant... but at least it's not snow.... drizzle lasts all day, temps never make it to 40. Dogs too wet and muddy to come inside, I have nowhere to clean them off ... finally drizzle lightens to a mist around 430, take them for brief run, while husband puts new crate pads in crates in van, then pile into van and go for a ride .... feed and kennel.

Friday Dec. 17

temperatures in 50's, nice... morning run, feed and kennel. Corey's ears better, no black gunk... he does need a good brushing (instead of the hit and miss grooming he's been getting this week...) Go to work, Christmas lunch for pet therapy group, very nice. stop by Tractor supply and get TOTW on sale and 4 new crate pads (on sale!) so dont have to move crate pads back and forth between shed and van... Return home almost dark, husband is leaving to go to bank right as i arriv e, he has put DB and Banshee in shed and Corey and Snoop in kennels... let Corey and Snoop in with me while i fix food, do Corey's ears, attempt to brush him (but he's too wound up...) back to kennels, let DB and Banshee out and feed and kennel all. Husband arrives back as I'm finishing up (good timing!)

Thursday Dec. 16

A lot warmer! Raining early, then stops, take dogs for actual morning run ... they are in high spirits! Feed and kennel, off to work, return after dark, husband has again fed and kenneled, take yogurt etc out, do Corey's ears, give tripe ... starts raining again but much warmer (in high 50's...)

Wed December 15

Another cold night ... husband put dogs in heated shed around midnight, this time, had a collar and leash for Banshee who trotted calmly to the shed ... husband lets dogs out in early AM, everything frozen solid, I fix food while they run around outside, then briefly let them in, fix food, back to kennels, Corey eats with great gusto. Off to work, return after dark, husband has fed and kenneled, I go out to kennels with yogurt-flower essences and do Corey's ears (use the vet medicine) then give tripe ... not as cold tonight, thank heaven, cause it rains, ice just a bit north of us ...

Tuesday December 14

13 degrees last night ... husband put dogs in heated shed again  (except Banshee decides SHE wants to stay on porch, husband carries her to shed) , let them out early AM, still under 20 deegrees, let them in house, did ear drops, fix food, take them back out to kennels ... and Corey wouldnt enter his kennel OR eat, this is VERY unusual, and exactly what happened with Angel Ginger (one day fine next day wouldnt eat and lethargic) ... I tried taking him inside trailer, he still wouldnt eat, even turned down tripe... and was acting very weird ...so, I took him in to vet at 9 AM. By time we get to vet, Corey is bouncing around, acting just fine. She checked him, no fever, gums look good, no swollen nodes. Brought him home just now, ate fine. I am glad I took him in... I waited 2 days to take Ginger in, kept hoping she'd snap out of it (and it was a weekend.) And Corey NEVER doesnt want to eat. So, I return home, stop by to pick up dog food, take Corey in, he's his old boisterous self ... return home, greeted at gate by DB and Banshee, Snoopy inside, let all in. Feed Corey his breakfast which he eats voraciously. Whew. We have frozen pipes, husband is going to cancel his skin doctor yearly checkup appointment to deal with plumbing, I take his appointment (I missed mine last month)... good news, no skin cancer ... return home, dogs inside, fix food and take for very brisk evening run (it only got to 35 today, and temps dropping) feed and kennel. Another terrible cold night in the works, husband puts dogs in shed again (Banshee pulls her trick of coming to porch, this time have leash ready.)

Monday December 13

Horrible cold last night, mid teens ... husband put dogs in their crates in heated shed around midnight ... let out in early AM, still only 16 degrees ... dogs came inside, Snoopy threw up, cleaned it up, fixed their food, took back out to kennels... no morning run. went to work. Return after dark, dogs inside, did ear drops for Corey, fix food, kenneled.

Weekly update December 6-12

Very very cold almost all week ... highs barely making it to 40, nights in teens ... temps get a bit better Friday and Saturday but terrible winds Sunday ... little Mattie makes brief appearance (at least she's OK) ... get herbs and massage oil for Corey's ear ... Banshee goes to pet therapy, DB comes for the ride and we have a nice outing, also take all 4 on outing Saturday ... husband's worker gets a new (real young puppy!) ... the Damcat catches a mouse .... not a bad week, just a bit cold for us Southerners ...

Sunday December 12

Weather takes a nasty turn ... rain in morning, then stops, not that cold, in 40's but feels much colder... morning run, feed, kennel, go to church ... rains while in church, stops again, get home, take mid day run ... getting very windy... back inside, rains again ... stops but getting horribly windy (50 mph gusts) ... stay inside most of day, take evening run, find 2 spots on property where the wind not quite as bad ... the dogs are running wildly, the horses next door are galloping around, their dogs chasing them ... it would be exhilerating if I could stop shaking from cold ... feed and kennel. Temps are dropping now ... and the winds continue ...

Saturday December 11

In 50's today! Supposed to get cold again Monday... cloudy and a bit windy, but bearable ... husband has gone to town to flea market, morning run, feed and kennel... husband calls, asks ';do you want a puppy' ... I say NOOOOO ... he says he called our worker Jesse and 'he got one' (someone had a litter of free puppies ... 6 weeks (way too young) ... but nobody asked me first, ah, men. Well, Jesse brings the little critter over and yeah, she's pretty irresistible ... supposedly an Aussie-blue tick mama and 'small shaggy dog' daddy ... husband has bought a crate for Jesse, give him some puppy food (I had a few cans for church food bank donation which I'll replenish), wee pads (left over from Angel Ginger's incontinent episodes during chemo) some treats and toys... DB,Banshee,Snoopy and Corey are fascinated with puppy, its too small to walk well yet so let them into shed and meet puppy on couch ... after they leave, go for a mid day(by now) run, eat lunch, then go to Aiken to meet Claire and pick up Corey's ear oil massage and herbs ... husband and i walk dogs in the gardens for awhile, then are going home as its almost dark, stop by staples and he buys a Flip video camera (well, thats what I wanted for Christmas!) Hopefully this will work easier than the last one I had, I'd really like to get some videos of my dogs! Return home, dark, let Corey and Snoopy in while fix food, then feed and kennel. A good day!!

Friday Dec.10

Not as cold this morning! In high 20's... brisk morning run, at least I made it through the whole property ... dogs all very playful, Corey finds a stick and is throwing it for himself... feed and kennel, off to work (car tire fixed but pulls to right)... return before dark, evening run, fix food, brush Corey, feed and kennel.

Thursday Dec.9

Still pretty cold ... had to take little truck to work as my car tire is messed up (belts coming out or something) ... quick AM run, (on one of husband's tractors, as neither mower will start) feed and kennel .. return home after dark, husband has fed and kenneled, so I go to kennels to clean Corey's ears and give everyone yogurt ... husband reports that little Mattie came over briefly at lunchtime ... at least she's OK.

Wednesday December 8

Frigid weather continues. Have early hearing in Columbia ... fix food and leave for husband to feed dogs, I simply can't get out there and do morning run etc when its 15 degrees ... return late... husband had exchanged vehicles with me mid afternoon to take my car to shop, I had dentist appt which didnt end til 5 ... arrive home almost dark, husband not back, let dogs out, go inside and fix food, then out again for evening run in the dark ... I of course take wrong mower again (the one with no lights) which adds an element of excitement ... return to trailer, get food, feed and kennel.

Tuesday December 7

Cold weather continues... brrr... morning run, dogs' water all frozen solid ... feed and kennel, get water in plastic coffee cans to them... (need to get 4 more stainless buckets to keep filled inside the shed and exchange in AM) go to work. return lunchtime. Take Banshee to pet therapy, DB goes for the ride, Snoopy and Corey stay with husband. Banshee wearing her Christmas jingle bell collar, pretty good visit, several new patients who like dogs ... then go to Boots and Bridles to check for stainless steel buckets , take DB in, she is very cheerful and prances around, makes friends with a little boy ... but no buckets. Go to PetSmart, take DB and banshee in to be admired ... buy a few treats, then to Tractor Supply, where they do indeed have buckets! Take DB in, she is much admired here (well, she's a bird dog and they love hunting dogs here ... got asked if i were going to breed her..heh.. nope, she's been spayed years ago) ... then home, greeted at gate by Corey and Snoopy who are out playing fetch with husband ... unload DB, Banshee and buckets, then go for evening run ... very cold, windy... but dogs are having a grand time. Feed and kennel.

Monday December 6

Oh boy is it cold! The Damcat catches a mouse at 4AM and is bringing it into the bedroom to 'play' with it... aargh ... husband gets up and finally catches-disposes of it ... In the 20's for morning run ... one mower wont start at all, other is sluggish ... dog's water frozen ... dogs, of course, in fine fettle, running and leaping  ... Snoopy is limping on L hind leg for a few minutes, I have to start keeping track of this ...feed and kennel, break up ice in water, go to work ... return right at dark (had to leave early one headlight out) ... husband and dogs greet me at gate, wildly enthusiastic, Corey's bark ringing out ... husband has been throwing the red bone for Corey and Snoopy ... back to trailer, fix food (let Corey in briefly) very cold, out to kennels, feed and kennel, Corey's ear still bad. Corey's former Mom sends me a nice surprise, 2 Irish setter Tshirts she found when putting up summer clothes ... which I'll wear with great pleasure as soon as it warms up (which will be soon? please God? It doesnt usually get this cold this early and stay this cold this long here...)

Weekly update November 29-Dec.5

An interesting week, weatherwise, days of 70's and 40's ... threatening weather and crisp clear days ... missed morning runs 2 days as had to be to early meetings out of town and it was just too darn cold to run before daybreak ... missed an evening run as returned after dark ... I think this is what I dislike the most about winter ... Good outing on Saturday, park, PetSmart and more reiki! ... all dogs in high spirits all week... Corey, of course, is always in 'high gear' unless he's sleeping, he doesn't have an 'idle' ... no little Mattie this week, I'm beginning to worry ... the Damcat continues on his mission to annoy the dogs, Banshee is restraining herself admirably .... all in all, a good week, and I give thanks for each day I am granted with all in good health and spirits ... I've been thinking about Angel Ginger a lot this week ... and missing her ... I love each of my animals in different ways, they each have their own specialness... God has indeed been good to me, to fill my life with these beautiful creatures and their love.

Sunday December 5

Much colder today, high in the 40's ... morning run, not very pleasant (for me... the dogs, of course, LOVE the cold weather and are running in circles and leaping over each other in enthusiasm...) the persimmon tree is mostly bare now, the dogs line up under it staring hopefully at the fruit on the highest branches that I can no longer reach ... throw a stick and knock down a few, but, well, the persimmon season has ended, gang ... feed and kennel, Snoopy wolfs down her new herbs ... go to church (late! I hate being late!) return, take dogs for mid day run, still very 'brisk' out ... come inside, lunch and naps ... the Damcat taunts the dogs, sashaying past them (I really dont worry except for Banshee, who is barely containing herself...) ... take the Damcat into bedroom and have a nap while dogs stay in living room with husband ... out again for mid afternoon run, geez, it is really cold, windy too ... brrr ... . at least I locate the red bonelike toy, over in the faar corner ...take Corey in and brush him, he's a mess ... husband then plays 'fetch' with Corey and Snoopy while I fix supper ... feed and kennel. a good day, a pretty good week ... but no little Mattie all week..I hope she's OK, I think they finally figured out she's in heat and are keeping her in...

Saturday December 4

Cooler today, alternating clouds and sun ... morning run, fed and kenneled, then load up dogs and husband and go into town ... walk at Hopeland Gardens, met with Claire to pick up herbs and flower essences, Snoopy got a bit more reiki (sheas in her crate in the van and accepted it calmly ... with Corey sticking his head over to get some too...) then to PetSmart ... showed off my beautiful gang to several folks who hadn't met all 4 at a time before ... Corey actually doing quite well, only started barking once ... then a late lunch, then home ... evening run, fed and kenneled. Corey's ear bad again,  this is baffling to me ...

Thursday Dec 2- Friday Dec.3

Computer down yesterday so missed my daily entry! Two days in a row, no morning run, had to be at work very early and it is VERY cold (for SC that is) in 20's ... so fixed food and husband fed and gave morning run. Amazing how much I miss that part of the day. Both days return home a bit early so I could at least do evening run ... greeted at gate by all 4 dogs, very excited ... no little Mattie all week though. Corey's ears doing quite well! Banshee still has bump under nose. Friday I get to groom Corey, his coat is really looking good now! I guess he's like Angel Ginger, loses hair on flanks in the summer ... husband and workers have been throwing sticks for Snoopy and Corey, as they seem to have lost their red bone toy (or Banshee stole it and hid under porch, somebody skinny who is not scared of spiders is going to have to go under there and retrieve her stash ...) DB is slimming down again (when we went to Dr Ruth in October she said DB was getting a bit chunky and to cut her rations, so I've reduced her to 1 1/2 cups day instead of 2 ... she looks great. Good evening run, fed and kenneled.

Wednesday December 1

Cold and clear and very windy this morning ... bundle up, let dogs out (they  burst out of pens, all revved up) go down the hill in biting wind ... brief foray to persimmon tree (almost the end, the wind has knocked down the last of them), then back up hill, feed and kennel... hands almost frozen, very difficult to clean Corey's ears ... then off to work, return, all dogs out, husband and worker putting plastic over  newly poured slab ... still very windy ... go in, let corey and DB inside, brush Corey (coat full of static electricity!) curry comb DB, let Banshee and Snoopy in while fix food, then out (near nightfall) for last run ... pretty darn cold and still windy, not pleasant ... feed and kennel.

Tuesday November 30

Warmer, in 70's, big storms on the way ... morning run, fed and kenneled, off to work ... return right at nightfall, husband has gone into town ... unkennel dogs, have evening run in near dark, (whoops, took mower that headlights dont work) very windy, threatening skies ... fed and kenneled ... husband arrives in time to help with Corey's ears (he feeds peanut butter as I clean ears and put in drops) ...storms finally get here around 1030 PM, fortunately we dont lose power, just a lot of wind and rain ....

Monday Nov.29

Dreary and cold, not a nice start to the week ... short morning run as concrete truck here for final pour ... fed and kenneled ... went to work. Return home after dark, husband has fed and kenneled, I go back out to clean Corey's ears, put salve on Banshee's bump, [et everyone and give tripe chewies and peanut butter (I give PetZLife tooth cleaner in peanut butter in evening.) Supposed to start raining tonight.

Weekly update Nov. 22-28

Beautiful warm weather continues until weekend, turns much colder ... take all 4 dogs for outing to gardens, Pet Smart and around town ... several other van rides ... a tree full of buzzards... Banshee has a weird bump under her nose ... off several days for Thanksgiving .... second anniversary of Snoopy 'coming home' with us .... Corey and Snoopy get reiki and communication ... an interesting week!

Sunday Nov.28

Getting pretty durn cold in the morning, my hands don't work well:-) ... very windy also, but nice morning run, the dogs LOVE the colder weather ... fed and kenneled, went to church, return, go for mid day run... still cold but not as windy, pretty nice sitting in the sun on the porch ... inside for lunch and a nap, DB and Snoopy jockey for position in the sun ... brush Corey, his leg is better, put the drawing salve on Banshee's bee sting (or whatever it is) ... out again several times, hubby plays fetch with Snoopy and Corey (using a red bonelike toy of hard rubber, Corey less likely to take off and chew it to bits) ... nice relaxing day ... but no little Mattie, 3rd day now, guess they finally figured out she's in heat and are keeping her in ... fed and kenneled, Corey's ear a bit better.

Saturday November 27

Beautiful, much colder, clear and crisp ... dogs burst out of pens, running and leaping for sheer delight in life ... morning run, did have to clean pens (whoops, I forgot last night when we took our late evening ride that lasted 2 hours ... they usually take  'before bedtime' poops on evening run ...) nice morning, husband and 2 workers fixing slab for pour Monday ... I put up Christmas decorations on gates ... all dogs (except Little Mattie, havent seen her for 2 days) accompanying me , very interested ... then Claire arrives for a reiki session for Snoopy ... mad excitement, DB tries to get in car with her .... excellent session, she does reiki and communication, with Corey about his ears, and tried with Snoopy about her fears of confinement ,,, Corey receives the energy well but, being Corey, then decides he's had enuf and starts barking ... Snoopy very leery of the whole thing,  circles around Claire on the edge of the energy field ... when the energy stops she will come over ... interesting  ... Claire feels Snoopy was tied up and beaten in her past, which would certainly explain her fears ... hopefully we can help her work thru this and release the trauma, I'd really like to be able to take her to the vet or to be washed without sedation... Banshee attends Corey's session, and gets in her 2 cents worth about her feelings for the Damcat (wishes he'd GO AWAY) ... the bump under her nose may be an insect bite (this is kinda what I was thinking...) as I've mentioned before, on Angel Ginger's blog, I believe in the 'woo woo stuff' like animal communication and reiki (and T Touch and herbal escenses) and am very excited to have a local practitioner .... I have previously had my friend Cricket Mara in NM do Healing Touch and True Awakenings ...  these energy healings  can be done 'long distance' so to speak, but it is especially wonderful in person ... if you'd like more info about Claire, here's her website Insight Animal Wellbeing. Claire is also a herbalist, and will create a blend for Corey's ears .... After Claire leaves, let all back inside for a bit, fix food, go for evening run, all in high spirits ... feed and kennel.

Friday Nov.26

Raining on and off today ... got in morning run, slightly damp, started raining in earnest halfway back, fed and kenneled. Stopped raining, let dogs out, another brief run, then inside ... this continued most of the day ... dogs are pretty antsy, not having gotten enough exercise ... the Damcat is in suicide mode, sauntering into kitchen, running under dogs' noses ...  late afternoon husband suddenly realizes has to go to town for concrete, loaded up dogs in van ... 2 hours later, return, pitch dark but at least not currently raining, unload concrete and dogs, feed and kennel. Just in time, starts raining again

Free dog food!

Here is a link to get a coupon for a free bag of Natura dog food ( HealthWise®, Innova®, EVO®, Karma® and California Natural) These are all pretty decent foods, but there might not be a retailer near you...)

When it asks you what food you currently feed, click 'other' (to get the free bag of food coupon, otherwise you get a discount coupon)

If you do NOT want to do this for yourself, please do it anyway and give the coupon to your local rescue or food bank (to buy pet food for the indigent) (or, to me!! I'll happily take all the free bags of food I can get!!)


https://www.naturaadvantage.com/

Thanksgiving Day Thursday Nov.25

Happy Thanksgiving! Another beautiful warm day ... morning run, mowed and watered, dogs all very very happy today ... dancing around in the sunshine, rolling in the fallen leaves ... bring inside, brush, nap ... out again, in and out, love this weather ... play fetch ... go for van ride and return at nightfall, to be greeted by little Mattie in time for supper...

Happy 2d anniversary of Snoopy coming home!

the day before Thanksgiving, 2008 ... I stopped by the SPCA on my way home from work and brought Snoopy home ... i had been working with Snoopy at the SPCA since April, she had been apparently abused and was terrified and would snap at everyone ... after months of working with her, she bonded to me, but it was apparent she would never be 'adoptable' so, I brought her home ... Snoopy has come a long long way, she is very loving, very playful, still shy of newcomers but warms up quickly... i am so very glad to have her with us!

Wednesday Nov.24

Off work today! Beautiful warm weather continues ... husband and workers readying for concrete pour this afternoon ... morning run, water trees, mow a bit, then gather up dogs in van and head for town (to the out of way while pour going on) ... went by store to get TOTW dog food , took Corey in, comments 'thats the happiest dog i've ever seen' ... met a woman who worked for an Irish setter breeder 20 years ago ... said Corey was a 'fine specimen' ... then on to Hopeland gardens, first shift Corey and Snoopy, met a couple and their JRT (she used to have an Irish as a young woman ... gee, every time i go out I meet people who had Irishes 20-30 years ago...) I have to walk Corey and Snoopy one on each side as their strides are so dissimilar, and Corey wants to meet everybody and Snoopy is hesitant but we do pretty well ... back to van, water, crate Snoopy and Corey, take DB and Banshee out for walk thru park, this also goes well, I am especially proud when we get to bridge with folks feeding ducks on both sides ... I say 'forward', DB and Banshee walk staring dead ahead, not stopping, despite people reaching out and throwing bread for ducks, ducks flapping around in pond, children squealing, people commenting on 'what well behaved dogs' ... reach the other side, am VERY proud ... then Banshee sees a squirrel and LEAPS after it, almost pulling me on to my behind... recover, and proceed back to van. Give water. Treat everybody. Next stop, PetSmart ... Corey first, greet his fan club (2 of the clerks and the groomer), he falls in love with a little white poodle with a pink bow in her hair .. play bows, whimpers, rolls his eyes, raises his ears, wags tail, prances around...  buy some salmon jerky, back to van, take Snoopy in, then back for DB and Banshee, buy some more dog food ... DB and Banshee acting very calm until a small dog rushes growling at DB, she pulls back politely but is rattled, looking at me like 'what did I do??' I reassure her, return to van, manager brings food out...  Home stretch, stop at grocery for people food. Arrive home, concrete truck STILL there ... kennel dogs, unpack van, by this time almost dark, fix food, unkennel for brief run (staying away from concrete slab) joined by little Mattie ... feed and kennel. a good day!

Tuesday Nov.23

Morning run, feed and kennel ... an odd sight, the big dead tree next door where a hawk usually sits in the AM is filled with buzzards, looks like Halloween .... dogs are also very interested in something on other side of fence... I dont hear or see (or smell) anything though ... go to work .... return , water trees, do some mowing ... nightfall, feed and kennel

Mon Nov.22

Warm beautiful weather continues ... morning run, fed and kenneled, off to work, then to a hearing in Columbia ... return right at nightfall, greeted at gate by 5 dogs (including little Mattie) ... evening run, fed and kenneled.

Sunday November 21

Beautiful warm fall continues ... 70's again, clear and bright ... morning run, calmer this morning (guess they figure the normal routine has resumed) ... fed and kenneled, went to church ... return, go for mid day run and water trees, joined by little Mattie... who i think is in heat ... grrr ... her owners don't have the $$ to spay her, they are good to their animals but they keep taking in more that they can't afford .. our small rural county doesn't have funds for low income people to get vouchers ... they do try to keep her in when she's in heat. must not have noticed... anyway, Corey's chewed leg is healing nicely, but Banshee has a small weird bump under her nose ... keeps licking at it ... afternoon nap, brush Corey, then another long run, water some more then feed and kennel. Nice to be back to normal!

Saturday November 20

Another beautiful day! Dogs very excited on morning run, circling me all the way...  little Mattie joins us halfway down hill, back to trailer to get food, feed and kennel. Out again after digestive rest , take a brief run, then take Corey and Snoopy inside, Corey's back leg isnt too bad, put some hot spot spray on it ... he doesnt seem to be gnawing now ... brush him, clean ears (which  arent that bad), he actually hold still to be brushed. Snoopy's 'blackface' has worn off. Bring Banshee and DB in, brush Banshee, who is ecstatic at being brushed and wriggled all over... go out again, water trees. back in at lunch, the Damcat saunters in and out, all is fine unless he moves too fast ... take brief nap, then out again, water some more, and mow a bit (yes, there are still weeds growing, wild onions, and some sort of purple stuff (not the vetch that plagues us in the spring) ... little Mattie joins us late afternoon. Bring dogs in while I fix their supper, then feed and kennel. I am so VERY glad to be home, at least I dont have to go anywhere (overnight) for another year.

Wednesday Nov. 17- Friday November 19

Wednesday: Beautiful morning, good morning run accompanied by little Mattie ... fed and kenneled... then packed up, fixed advance dog food and supplements,  and left for work related 2 day out of town meeting ..husband reports that all went well ... dogs drive him crazy following him around all day, wanting to play fetch stick, wanting to be petted, walking through the concrete he was trying to get done ... this is rather unusual behavior, they usually leave him and his workers alone, sit and watch yes, but dont constantly interfere ... I'm guessing they dont want to let him out of their sight for fear he may also disappear for days ...husband also reports Corey has chewed one of his back legs (looking for sandspurs no doubt),  return Friday evening after dark, husband picks me up in Saluda, has fed and kenneled dogs ... when we get to the gate I can hear them barking frantically ... too dark to let all out, but stop at kennels, go and greet each dog, Corey leaps up and whaps my chin with his head, Snoopy rolls around at my feet, I let DB and Banshee into dog shed, they immediately sit and wait for treats ... get tripe, take back to kennels, give everyone tripe. What a homecoming!

Tuesday Nov.16

Weather changes ... rain. Well, we need rain. Let dogs out, faint drizzle ... halfway down hill starts raining in earnest, return, fix food, feed and kennel some rather damp doggies ... go to work. Still having vertigo but better... Rains off and on all day... return before nightfall, has stopped raining, Corey inside, brush him, then go for evening run ... dogs very excited cause persimmons have been knocked off by wind ... little Mattie joins us ... feed and  kennel. More storms in the night.

Monday Nov.15

Another lovely day ... morning run, joined by little Mattie, fed and kenneled, went to work ... return in the dark... to be greeted by husband and my 4 dogs at gate ... husband on lawnmower. Mad excitement, could barely drive thru gate, Corey paces beside car, his head even with the window ... get to trailer without running anyone over ... inside, Corey and  Snoopy come in with me. husband reports that Corey and Snoop drove him and workers nuts all day, wanting to play 'ball' with sticks ... no way to pick up all the sticks on the property ... little Mattie waiting with DB and Banshee when come out with food, fed and kenneled.

Weekly update Nov. 8-14

Truly beautiful weather all week ... sunny and mild, crisp clear mornings and evenings ... time change somewhat disconcerting ... dogs eating lots of persimmons... Damcat bolder and bolder, dogs backing off deferentially now ... we all go to Bark in the Park and Pet Smart ... friend and Irish setters come to visit, run and ... play ball... little Mattie hanging out with us most days ... all in high spirits and good health, a good week

Sunday Nov.14

beautiful weather continues ... morning run, fed and kenneled, went to church ... returned, took mid day run (accompanied by little Mattie) and watered trees, found busted water line (so that's where DB got wet this morning) ... inside for lunch and brief rest ... I am having my dizziness (benign positional vertigo) ... fix lunch, go out to water again, and, JoAnn and her Irishes Chase and Maggie arrive ... mad excitement as the 6 dogs run and jump about in greeeting, little Mattie runs off and barks at us, Maggie takes off running in glee, Corey heads for the persimmon tree, ah, the beautiful dogs, the 3 red setters and their great loping strides ... have a good run,  including ball playing ... DB and Banshee join in briefly, stealing the balls ... but its between Snoopy, Chase and Corey ... Chase can hold TWO balls in his mouth, Snoopy is smaller but fastest, Corey can outbark anyone ...finally manage to retrieve all balls ... but Corey steals one out of J's truck and refuses to return it... here we go again... human and doggie friends leave, its almost nightfall, little Mattie reappears and starts playing with Corey and Snoopy, DB and Banshee join in, mad circling, jumping, rolling ... get food, feed and kennel. a good day!

Saturday November 13

A truly gorgeous day ... and full of events! Started with brisk morning run (accompanied by little Mattie) ... fed and kenneled. I always kennel the dogs at least a half hour after meals to ward off bloat... let them out, took another brief run, then brought Corey and Banshee inside to brush, as we're going on a 'field trip' ... tried again to clean Snoopy's tar or whatever it is on her face, this is a mystery ... getting fainter though. DB is spiffy, as always, my dear low maintenance dog. Load them in van, hurry up husband (we already missed the FOTAS breakfast) finally get to town about 1030, go to Bark in the Park at Hopelands Gardens ... met a wonderful lady and her husband and 4 shelties, she does reiki! and herbals! And is also very nice! Took Corey and Snoopy out first, went around to the booths, greeting everyone, Corey his usual loud self, then put them back in van and I took DB and Banshee around (husband tired). DB attempts to go in pond after turtles, but other than that, they behave impeccably. After this, went to PetSmart where SPCA and others having adoptions ... took Banshee and Corey inside (DB and Snoopy have had quite enough excitement for one day and are napping peacefully) ... husband falls in love with little Angelica (the poor little puppy who saw her sibling killed by another dog in front of her and is traumatized ... very scared, very shy..) and BEGS me to let him have her, but no... we have all the dogs we can reasonably handle... I'm sure she'll find a home , she is gorgeous and so very sweet ... adoptions are down right now though ... return home, let dogs out, here is little Mattie, waiting to greet us ... rest for a few moments, then kennel dogs and go across street to neighbor's house blessing ... and little Mattie follows us. And stands on edge of crowd, barking. I am SO embarrassed, and she isnt even my dog. Finally husband goes back home to lure her back ... when I get home, she is playing with my gang... fix food, take evening run ... and whoops, she goes across road again ... but returns. Feed and kennel. A good day!

Friday Nov.12

Another beautiful day! Bright and sunny, crisp and clear ... excellent morning run, joined by little Mattie, all in high fettle ...  husband has gone into town, feed and kennel while workers arriving ... do Corey's ears by myself (they arent hurting him as badly and seem improved) ... go to work. Stop by SPCA thrift store to see who's there for adoptions (Presley, sweet hound dawg, Angel, little fluffy possible Aussie mix, and a cute little Mama doxie-corgi-?? mix (who had 7 pups at the shelter, 5 adopted now) ... back to work, stop by county shelter, quickly walk Rufus (border collie, a delightful little pup) and Benny and Denny (matched set of some kind of terrier)  ... back to work, then home ... greeted by all 5 dogs at gate, they've been out keeping the men company ALL day (husband says Corey and Snoopy stole a bunch of stakes and insisted on playing fetch) and Snoopy has managed to get ... some black substance all over one side of her neck ... wont come off, but isnt sticky or oily ... take Corey inside for quick brush out, fix food, take all for evening run, then feed and kennel, make a last attempt at cleaning up Snoopy ... aargh.

Thursday Nov.11

Off work for Veterans Day ... morning run, joined by little Mattie (who spends the whole day with us...) a good day, hanging out with my dogs all day ... watering trees ... mowing a bit ... going for several runs ... brushing Corey ... clipping Banshee's face (her hair grows OVER her eyes) ... even brushing DB and Snoopy ... working with Corey on 'stay' and 'down' (he seems to get the signals for 'down' and 'come' confused at a distance)  a beautiful warm day (low 80's) this has been a great fall, so far ... feed and kennel, little Mattie finally leaves, after nightfall.

Wed November 10

Warmer, beautiful day .... morning run, all lively and cheerful, gobbling up persimmons (these are the little wild persimmons, berry sized ... the dogs like them even before they turn sweet, except Snoopy ... she spits them out if they're not ripe) ... went by food bank to deliver food from church, then to work ... pretty long day ... and then had to go pick up dog food, so almost dark when get home, but still have evening run, joined by little Mattie... husband giving some extra dog food to neighbor (another dog has showed up on his property) ... feed and kennel my gang.  I just realized ... it's been 7 months since Angel Ginger crossed the bridge ... it seems like yesterday, and it seems like a hundred years ago .... dance on, my sweet red girl, until we meet again... it has helped. immensely, to have had Corey 'sent' to me the month after she passed (and I have no doubt Angel Ginger and St Francis sent Corey to me, they knew I needed him, not as a replacement, oh no, there can never be a replacement ... but as a reminder that life does, indeed, go on ... I have always felt strongly that St. Francis 'sends' animals to me, for me to care for, adopt, or sometimes nurture and send on to another home .... this has happened innumerable times... after Angel Ginger passed, I was actually scared to go to my volunteer work at the shelter or to adoption events with my friends for fear I would convince myself that St. Francis had picked a dog for me ... and it wasn't 'time' yet ... anyway, after a month of this, I guess Angel Ginger and St. Francis decided it was time to act, and, sent Corey to me... ah, Corey, the wild Irishman, as different from sweet, dignified Angel Ginger as a dog of the same naturally sweet breed can be .. I think of Angel Ginger as 'my wild Irish rose, the sweetest flower that grows', lace-curtain Irish, sweet and dignified ... and Corey, the boisterous wild Irishman with a heart of gold and rough manners, slobbering freely, leaping around with gusto, rowdy, rude and so engaging he brings a grin to everyone's face ... just what we needed in our little pack.

Tuesday Nov. 9

Warmer today, still clear and sunny ... nice morning run, stop and eat persimmons, back up hill, feed and kennel, go to work ... almost dark when i return ... greeted by all 4 at gate, Corey beside himself with excitement ... I guess they didnt think I'd get back before nightfall ... husband says he took them for evening run so go inside to fix food, take Corey and Snoopy in, try to brush Corey but he's too excited still ... Damcat saunters into kitchen, Corey backs ip deferentially ... I hate this getting home at dark, and missing our evening run, it's the high point pf my day ... feed and kennel. No little Mattie for 3 days now ...

Mon. Nov.8

Crisp, clear and cool start to the week ... one nice thing about the time change, it's light in the AM... morning run, feed and kennel... to work. Return an hour early, just getting dark ...no one, animal or human, in sight ... note one lawnmower missing... fix food, change, go out ... get on mower, finally find husband and dogs ..., Banshee spots me first, then DB, then Corey ... then Snoopy and husband ...Corey outruns them and gets to me first ... and, here comes Snoopy... mad excitement, sit for awhile, then back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel...

Weekly update Nov 1-7

Turns cold ... several days of cloudy drizzle ...first freeze ... dogs all enjoying the cold weather, me, not so much ... Corey briefly joins Banshee for pet therapy at nursing home .... take dogs for several van rides ... little Mattie continues visiting ... and even comes inside briefly ... the Damcat getting incredibly bold, stalking the dogs, swatting at Corey ... have a wild 'bird chase' ... a good week ... missing Angel Ginger, she so loved the cool weather and the persimmons ...

For those friends not on FaceBook, I've posted some pictures of the Blessing of the Animals at http://tinyurl.com/2cxbn7u

Sunday Nov 7

Freeze again last night ... crisp and clear morning ... and the sun's up (time change) ... morning run, clean pens (the extra hour apparently is too long for DB,Banshee and Corey ...) dogs very lively, Corey galloping around property, DB running in circles, Banshee and Snoopy chasing each other ... woowee! Feed and kennel (Corey's left ear still bad) go to church ... return, Corey inside, others out, take for mid day run ... still pretty cold (around 50) ... in for lunch ... let others out to  brush Corey ... finish, Corey is lying peacefully beside me at computer when the Damcat saunters up and SWATS at Corey ... Corey jumps up and backs away ... put Damcat in bedroom, let other dogs in for nap. Go out again for an hpur or so of mowing, manage to get lawnmower stuck... husband is installing heater in pumphouse ... go back inside, almost dark , getting cold,  so fix food, feed and kennel ... then go unstick mower. No little Mattie all day ... I really miss her when she doesnt visit.

Sat Nov.6

First freeze last night ... cold and clear in morning, brrr... go out an hour later than usual, still cold ... but dogs' water didnt freeze ... clean DB and Corey's pens (yeah yeah, i was an hour late) go for morning run, little Mattie joins us, return to get frood, husband is sick, feed and kennel by myself, Corey's ear bothering him... out again in an hour, go for a brief run, then inside, do the wash ... the Damcat now has Corey totally subdued, but Snoopy and Banshee still not cowed ... in and out, little Mattie sneaks inside, yikes, this is really too many dogs ... and she can get UNDER the cat gate ... mainly housework today, chilly out ... several runs, but short ones(10-15 min)... husband feeling better, go for van ride to BiLo ... return after dark, little Mattie waiting patiently for us ... feed and kennel.

Friday Nov.5

Colder, sun and clouds mixed all day with a smattering of rain ... good morning run, joined by little Mattie ... fed and kenneled ... Corey's ears (left) acting up again ... go by thrift store, shy cute little cocker-collie puppy, totally obnoxious but cute pittie puppy... poor sweet Angel (hound mix) is back ... lunch with pet therapy folks, go by county shelter (nice little beagle guy, pittie girl) finish work, return home ... all 5 dogs greet me at gate and escort me in, change, brush Corey, go for evening run ... pretty chilly ... husband reports the  Damcat is now on the attack ... stalking the dogs ...

Thursday Nov.4

Damp, cold, mist, rain on the way ... take brief morning run, dogs in high spirits (they like cold damp mist?) feed and kennel just in time, starts raining. Go to work. Husband reports dogs in and out in breaks in the rain ... return home, drizzling, but bearable ... DB, Snoopy and Banshee greet me at gate and escort back to trailer , husband then lets Corey out, and here comes little Mattie .... mad excitement ... go inside, let Corey and DB and Snoopy in while fix food, Banshee stays out with Mattie ... change clothes, put on raincoat, go for evening run, starts drizzling a bit, return, feed and kennel.

Wed Nov.3

Chilly and cloudy ... morning run, feed and kennel, then to dentist ... for many hours ... then to work ... feeling kinda poorly. Return home, husband has gone to town, unkennel dogs, let Corey and Snoopy inside, brush Corey, fix food, go back out, evening run joined by little Mattie ... husband not back yet, feed and kennel.

Tuesday Nov.2

Cold and cloudy with a high wind ... yuk. Morning run unpleasant for me, dogs enjoy it however, the wind rippling through their fur, their noses lifted to catch every scent .. horses in back are bucking and kicking and generally having a grand time too ... stay briefly in back 9the wind cuts through my jeans like a knife, need to start wearing my winter longjohns) ... feed and kennel, go to work, drop pet food off at food bank. Return lunchtime, decide to take ALL dogs with me for Banshee's pet therapy visit to nursing home ... load up in the van, take off. arrive, decide to take Corey in also... big mistake, he is entirely too boisterous and loud for this facility ... give Banshee to friend while I take Corey back out to van, where he, DB and Snoopy nap while Banshee and I do pet therapy ... return home, stopping at store ... dogs are having wonderful naps ... when we get home, they reluctantly leave the van, and then come inside, where they continue to nap.... up again! Husband spots flocks of birds outside, eating our grass seed, rushes out with dogs, chases birds ... I join in, it is amazing, huge flocks of hundreds of birds, we chase them from one side of property to the other ... whew. Snoopy runs and jumps in wading pond, panting, Corey still running wildly back and forth ...  Banshee and DB circle from each side of flock, finally chase them across road ... getting chilly as evening approaches, mow a bit (still after those sandspurs!), water new plantings, then feed and kennel. No little Mattie this evening, she was here briefly this morning and again when we arrived back from nursing home, but left before the big bird chase ....

Monday Nov.1

Crisp and clear morning , dogs filed with energy ... Corey runs to the far side in front, then all the way down the hill by the fence, greeting the horses, then joins the rest of us by the pond ... gets a drink, a treat and then runs up the back, greeting those horses, then joins us at persimmon tree ... dogs all wait for me to pick a few for them as there are few on the ground now ... then up towards the front, then feed and kennel, go to work. return almost nightfall now, brief evening run, husband reports dogs stay out all day with him and help him work on the block wall ... brush corey, get sandspurs out of his armpit and Banshee's feathers, feed and kennel

Weekly update October 25-31

Another good week...a few rainy days (this is GOOD!), a threatening storm misses us ... Snoopy gets to swim in the 'rainy weather pond' ... little Mattie continues to visit ... go for a nice van ride ... and Snoopy and DB decide to nap in the van ... all dogs in high spirits in the beautiful SC fall weather ...

How the Damcat got his name...

For those who've asked ... How the Damcat got his name ... well, when I got him as a kitten (10 plus yrs ago) I named him Slick (he has very lovely slick shiny fur) ... but he quickly developed a habit of stealing ... anything he could pick up, jewelry, pencils, small tools etc he'd pick up and take to his den in the closet. It got so whenever anything was missing, and i'd say 'where's the whatchacallit' my husband would say 'The dam cat got it' ... hence, Slick became the Damcat. Which incidentally, is how my pointer DB got HER name... when we discovered the 2 little puppies (DB and Banshee) under our toolshed, and, lured them out, DB (who is white and black like the Damcat) promptly stole my husband's screwdriver off his toolbelt and took off with it .. husband said 'oh no, it's the Damcat in dog form come to torment me' .. since DB was a girl, we named her Dam Bitch, but, since you cant really stand in your yard yelling 'here, DamBitch', I shortened it to DB.

Sunday October 31

Glorious weather continues! Brisk morning run, fed and kenneled, went to church ... returned, DB, Banshee and Snoopy greet me outside, Corey inside ... change clothes (before Corey's enthusiastic kisses ruin my Sunday clothes...) take all for run, joined by little Mattie ... mow some, water the new plantings, back inside for lunch ... brush Corey, take naps ... husband goes to town to get building supplies ... go out again, enjoying the beautiful day ... do a bit more mowing ... go inside, fix food, check my email ...dogs asleep ... Corey jumps up, barking, followed by others, husband has returned (he just pulled into gate and they sensed him) ... mad greetings, evening run, little Mattie has disappeared ... feed and kennel my gang. A good day, a good week...

Saturday Oct.30

Another perfect autumn day, crisp clear morning, temps in the 70's by noon, beautiful bright blue sky ... good morning run, feed and kennel, let out again for mid morning mowing, inside for lunch ... then take all dogs on a ride (husband is working today), go by the BiLo, All gods creatures is having a car show-adoption event, check out the dogs (a really pretty little pointer-setter mix caught my eye),  introduce Corey to those who havent met him... buy groceries, return home ... let dogs out, get husband's help with groceries ... Snoopy gets BACK in the van, in the drivers seat, and isnt budging. then DB disappears ... take Corey and Banshee inside, brush them... go back out, now DB is in the passenger seat and Snoopy still in drivers seat. OK, roll windows down, leave door open, if thats where they want  to nap, fine with me. DB notices we arent going anywhere and comes to trailer, but Snoopy stays in van... do wash, husband finishes work, takes nap... go back out for late afternoon run and mowing (yep, it needs mowing...) then feed and kennel... no little Mattie today...

Friday Oct.29

Beautiful crisp clear fall day! Dogs burst out of kennels, we are joined by little Mattie halfway down the hill, have a wonderful morning romp ... feed and kennel, go to work ... stop by SPCA Thrift store at lunchtime, very sweet black lab... oh, I wish I could take them all ... return home, greeted by all FIVE dogs, including little Mattie, and husband, who reports little Mattie spent almost all day here ... let Corey and DB inside, brush Corey, who is all aquiver with energy ... brush DB, the Damcat sits under table and watches ... fix food, go for evening run, feed and kennel. Ah, beautiful....

Thursday Oct. 28

Still damp and misty ... let dogs out for morning run, Snoopy promptly goes for a swim in the 'pond' ... Banshee and Corey look at her like she's lost her mind ... beginning to drizzle again, feed and kennel, go to work ... very long day ... husband reports stopped raining round noon, he and dogs mowed and planted trees ... return home almost nightfall, evening run, quickly ... feed and kennel.

Wed Oct 27

Cloudy, rain threatening ... quick morning run, feed and kennel ... go to work...didnt rain, but warm and muggy... go by county shelter, get 'oriented', walk one dog (very sweet little spitz) ... back to work, then home ... now they say bad storms coming ... evening run, joined by little Mattie, DB and Banshee catch a mouse in a pile of wood under old carport (hooray, my great hunters!)... getting dark, threatening rain ... feed and kennel... starts drizzling as leave kennels ... later in evening bad storms, lots of rain ... I really hate it when the storms come in the night, at least in the daytime I can see it coming and get in the tornado shelter... haven't done a 'drill' yet with the dogs and Corey's never gone down into the shelter before ... its difficult to get them in cause the steps are steep and 'hidden' ... one of my last memories with Angel Ginger was when we had a middle of the night tornado warning, got all the dogs and Angel Ginger followed me right down without a pause, I always said, she'd have followed me thru the gates of hell..

Tuesday Oct. 26

Dense fog ... morning run, dogs cheerful, despite mist ... feed and kennel (no one has the runs, hooray for pumpkin!) go to work .. long day ... stopped by county shelter to meet volunteers there (I may add the county to my volunteer activities, although they do euthanize (injection) the 'adoptable' dogs (that vols work with) are out front and are 'safe' ... (I'm a coward, I can't work with death row dogs, too heartbreaking, i want to save them all ... I CAN share posts on FB, but I cant handle it in person) .. clears up, turns HOT (mid 80's)  return home, husband lets dogs out, take Corey back in briefly to groom him, fix food, go for evening run ... warm and very breezy ... I love to watch the dogs on a windy day, the 2 hunting dogs (DB and Corey) with their noses to the wind, poised in 'pointer and setter' stances ... Corey's red hair rippling in the wind ... mow a little (yikes, new sandspurs) return to trailer, little Mattie joins us for supper ... feed and kennel.

Monday Oct.25

Drizzling ... short morning run ... feed and kennel, go to work ... husband keeps dogs in much of day, good rain off and on ... I return (...almost nightfall gosh, days are getting shorter and shorter, and next week ends DST, so it'll be dark when i get home ... ) at least its not raining ... go for evening run, no need to water ... feed and kennel.

Weekly update Oct.18-24

A good week ... weather beautiful, dogs all in high spirits... Banshee gets a thorn (or something) in paw and limps a bit but recovers quickly ... Corey goes to groomers and livens up a pet therapy session ... all go to PetSmart on an outing, and, to the Blessing of the Animals at my church ... little Mattie visits almost every day... the Damcat continues to press his luck ... I am so blessed to have these wonderful animals for companions, they make each day a joy.

Sunday Oct.24

Morning run, all in good spirits, feed and kennel, go to church ... return, all outside, DB greets me at gate. Take for run, water some trees, joined by little Mattie, then inside to get cleaned up for ... the Blessing of the Animals! Went well, all reasonably quiet and deferential during service ... while I was reading Genesis 1:20-25, Corey spots cat in carrier and starts inching towards it ... and when priest is going around to bless each animal (which included goats and donkeys) Corey decides the service is over and starts barking ... leave other 3 with husband and walk him a bit, look back and other 3 dogs are fixedly watching us ... Snoopy is shy about being blessed, DB and Banshee are polite, Corey is, well, Corey. Not a shy bone in his body (he even decides to make friends with a donkey by, um, sniffing butt ... fortunately I pull him back before he gets kicked) Banshee perks up at refreshment table and reaches up to grab a doggie biscuit...  at one point during the service we mention those who have crossed the bridge, and, pray for those who are ill... last year this time, of course, Angel Ginger was in apparent good health,  my sweet red girl, dancing with the angels now ... good turnout, collection was for our local food banks to buy pet food. Return home, rest briefly, go for evening run, joined by little Mattie, feed and kennel.

Sat Oct.23

Crisp and cool again, good morning run, fed and kenneled ... out again in an hour, another run, watered peach trees, joined by little Mattie ... back to trailer, load dogs into van (sorry little Mattie... only 4 crates) go to town with husband (who has to go to chiropractor) ... then to PetSmart with the whole family ... Corey is actually quite good (once I take his leash instead of DH), I walk Corey and Banshee, DH has DB and Snoopy .... then go to store and back home ... lunch, naps, the Damcat trotting into kitchen amidst all 4 dogs, totally unconcerned ... until Banshee goes into 'stalk mode' ... yikes, run, Damcat! afternoon-evening run (joined by little Mattie)... poor Corey has ear full of sandspurs... aargh.

Friday Oct.22

Crisp cool fall morning ... dogs burst out of kennels, in high gear ... but poor Snoopy had a bout of the runs in the night ... seems fine now ... fed and kenneled, went to work (another drive to Columbia) ... returned, husband and workers still working on wall ... greeted at gate by all 4 dogs, took Corey inside, brushed him, let Snoopy in, tried to lay on couch for a few minutes as my back hurt, fell asleep, Corey woke me up with a big sloppy kiss ... urk. Got up, fixed food, went out for evening run, little Mattie joins us, ride over to look at new horses next door, had just gotten one of them to come towards me when Corey comes barreling along, barking ... the horses in back dont worry him, this is a NEW horse and, it was coming towards me... continue on around property, water some fir trees in back that look kinda sad ... little Mattie goes thru fence to play with neighbor dog (if neighbor catches her, she's toast, but Molly the catahoula-pit, who never gets to play, likes her... continue, water new trees, back to trailer to get food ... Corey, Snoopy and little Mattie erupt into a wildly exuberant game of chase , DB and Banshee watch indulgently ,, finally go to their respective kennels. feed and kennel, give everybody chewies. a good day.

Thursday Oct.21

Cool, sunny morning ... beautiful sunrise, good morning run... fed and kenneled, went to work ... return, greeted at gate by DB,Banshee, Snoopy and little Mattie ... escorted me back to trailer. Corey inside, vibrating with eagerness and joy... fix food, then go for evening run, water new plantings, watch Corey, little Mattie and Snoopy running in circles, barking in glee, Corey jumps OVER Snoopy, Mattie runs under Corey , what exuberance! ... DB monitors from one side, Banshee sits by me and cleans her paws (she's not limping at all now) feed and kennel, tripe for all.

New cancer treatments

New lymphoma treatment shows promise in dogs

"Researchers have identified a new target for the treatment of lymphoma and are testing a potential new drug in pet dogs afflicted with the disease. At low doses, the compound, called S-PAC-1, arrested the growth of tumors in three of six dogs tested and induced partial remission in a fourth.The results of the study, conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois, appear this month in the journal Cancer Research." (09/07/10)
http://www.sciencecodex.comnew_lymphoma_treatment_shows_promise_in_dogs

==============================
Anti-tumor effect of nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl),

http://brf.vpweb.com/default.html
http://gozips.uakron.edu/~jbauer/NO-Cbl%20case%20study.pdf/

Dr. Dongho Seo who practices at Smith Ridge Veterinary Clinic, South Salem, New York using the new treatments

http://www.smithridge.com/  

Wed Oct.20

Cloudy, cool... and started drizzling during morning run. The dogs and i were unfazed, but husband met us at kennels with food ... he thinks he melts in rain, LOL. By the time I'd changed clothes, the drizzle had stopped. Got Corey and dropped him off at groomer, then on to work and to hearing in Columbia ... return, pick Corey up (he was a real sweetie, they said ... but boy did he hafta get outside to go potty ...) he looks beautiful1 Called husband, he was in town still, met at Subway to eat supper ... waited and waited, took Corey on walk around the building, waited outside in grassy area, Corey sitting with head going back and forth watching traffic ... omigosh, an evil truck hauling a tractor on a flatbed! Corey leaps up, alert barking, almost pulls me over .... OK, back to the car. husband arrives, we quickly eat sandwiches and return home ... unkennel other dogs, go for evening run and water the new plantings ... Banshee not limping at all. Husband throws blue spiky toy for Corey and Snoopy, DB then appropriates it and trots off towards trailer, it's time for supper, guys! No little Mattie, shucks, can hear her barking next door but they won't let her loose. Feed and kennel.

Tuesday Oct.19

Cloudy this morning, still cool, good morning run... fed and kenneled, went to work ... while I'm at store getting pet food for food bank, a guy who used to work for us several years ago stopped me and said he'd come by our place several times to talk to my husband about work, but our 'new big red dog' scared him ... barking ferociously, with 'the hair standing up on his head' ... I told him Corey was a good watch dog, and he said he had pit bulls and he was more leery of Corey than his pits, LOL ... ah, the ferociousness of an Irish setter is so well known .... husband calls a few hours later, Banshee limping again. Return home lunchtime, Banshee outside, others inside. Feel her leg and foot ... ouch! Between two toes on left hind foot .... feels like a mat, she wont let me touch ... get husband, tie cloth strip around her muzzle (impromptu muzzle), hold her and feed treats while husband (who has better eyes and steadier hands than I do) feels between toes, clips hair (probably a thorn from a sandspur), then wipe with antibiotic cleanser .... Banshee, sweet girl, remains relatively calm, moans and grumbles a bit, but appreciates the treats .... let her inside, then quickly brush Corey, and take him to pet therapy ... stop by store to get probiotics and give him a chance to unwind (he gets calmer with each 'visit' when we're out), then to nursing home ... only 3 of us today, Corey is, well, pretty mouthy and energetic, but the folks enjoy him, he vibrates with life and joy, and is SO friendly ... after nursing home, go by PetSmart, buy another DAP collar (for Snoopy) enthusiastically greet everyone, then go by SPCA Thrift Store to drop off flyer for animal blessing at my church next Sunday ... Corey enthusiastically sniffs all the items in the sore, greets customers, gets treats, has a grand time ... stopped in parking lot by a woman who used to own Irishes ... amazing, whenever I take Corey out, I run into several people who either had an Irish as a child, or years ago ... and spot Corey and start grinning, he is the 'epitome' of Irish setters ... return home, let Corey out at gate 'enclosure' so he can greet others, all back to trailer, all go inside. Banshee not limping as badly ... fix supper food, check computer messages, then out for evening run, joined by little Mattie ....feed and kennel, wipe Banshee's sore foot with antibiotic cleanser again and put colloidal silver on it... everyone gets egg, and dried tripe. a good day!

Monday Oct.18

Cool morning, good morning run ..... fed and kenneled, went to work, returned late, had to stop by store ... met at gate by DB, Banshee and Mattie... Corey and Snoopy inside ... fix food, take for evening run, water new trees and new boxwoods by gate that husband just planted ... Mattie and Snoopy and Corey running and jumping, DB carefully monitoring, Banshee sitting by ne ... fed and kenneled.

Weekly update Oct. 11-16

A beautiful week, weather wise ... nothing exciting (which can be good) ... Banshee sprains her leg but is OK the next day, Corey gets lots of sandspurs, even DB gets sandspurs ... little Mattie visits almost every day (Snoopy really misses her when she doesn't visit), the Damcat pushes his luck, we plant new trees and bushes and water, water, water ... no rain in sight ...

Sunday Oct.17

Another beautiful day ... SC in the fall can be so lovely ... cool in morning (40's), brisk morning run, feed and kennel, go to church ... return, take dogs and water pear trees in back .. little Mattie joins us, slips through fence again to torment neighbor's dog, then back, return to trailer for lunch, afternoon nap. (Yes, I am a firm believer in afternoon naps, when I can take one, my dear departed daddy always took a nap and lived to his mid 90's...) Let dogs in and out, brush Banshee and Corey. Poor Corey has his ears full of sandspurs ... no idea where he gets them, he's a magnet! just like Angel Ginger ... she managed to keep her feathers and feet cleaned of sandspurs ... poor Corey tries, but hasn't the 'knack' yet...  the Damcat keeps coming into the kitchen, Banshee and Snoopy are the problem, they want to charge ... Corey now pretty much ignores the Damcat as does DB... put Damcat in bathroom, put wash in washer. Go back out ... water the peach trees back behind the gazebo, the two pears in the very back (that I keep forgetting), find out the hosepipe to one set of fir trees has somehow come loose underground, yikes... go back down to report this to husband, who has planted a butterfly bush near the apple trees (to draw bees to pollinate) and has left the water ON to an apple tree (which probably wont need watering again any time soon) ... back inside briefly to fix dog supper, out again for one last run, little Mattie has joined us, carrying a HUGE soup bone, which Corey then appropriates ... I take it from him, it's been COOKED ....throw in trash to loud complaints from Mattie and Corey. Give them extra yummy treats to compensate... husband finishing up boxwood planting ... feed and kennel, husband joins in time to help with Corey's ears (he gives Corey the peanut butter-tooth stuff I give for their teeth while I clean ears and put in drops). Corey and Snoopy need more water, fill their buckets, give everyone dried tripe as evening chewie. A great day! God is good.

Sat Oct.16

Beautiful fall day ... temps in 70's, bright blue sky ... morning run, feed and kennel, then out again, water peach trees til lunchtime. Dogs in fine high spirits. Lunch, afternoon nap, then out again, finish apple trees, husband plants boxwoods , water new crepe myrtles and butterfly bushes ... little Mattie joins us ... neighbor (little Mattie's family) has 2 horses in their pasture, didnt see them arrive ... little Mattie decides to go visit back neighbors, plays with their dog Molly, tortures their other dog (who is penned)... back down to front, turn off drip hoses in front, then back to trailer to get food, feed and kennel. a good day!

Fri Oct.15

Cool morning, wear jacket ... dogs burst out of pens, Banshee not limping at all ... morning run, feed and kennel, give Banshee arnica again ... go inside to change clothes, the Damcat is throwing up... clean it up, go to work ... very loong day ... bring computer back for office, husband meets me in town to carry it in, then goes on to WalMart, I return home, let dogs out. Banshee still running fine, not favoring her leg at all. Let Corey in, brush, clean ears... my back is acting up again. Go for evening run, water new trees. No Mattie today ...Feed and kennel.

Thurs Oct.14

A bit cooler ... dogs cheerful and lively... saw 2 beautiful deer in the woods (ha! I spotted them before the dogs, unlikely as that seems ... the dogs were still up at the persimmon trees and i was coming down the hill, the 2 deer came out of the pine woods, spotted me, and hightailed it towards the hardwoods, white flags flying) ... fed and kenneled, went to work ... returned, 3 dogs meet me at gate... husband reports Banshee is limping, she is, she struggles to meet me in driveway... check her left hind leg, no flinching, pads OK, no injuries ... hmmm... go on brief run , poor Banshee limping gamely along ... little Mattie shows up for supper ...feed and kennel, give Banshee some arnica ... maybe she just twisted her leg somehow ...

Wed Oct 13

Morning run, all dogs VERY anxious to RUN ... Snoopy (she is released last) actually digging at gate to be released ... nice run, but Corey AND DB get sandspurs (have got to get that whole area plowed up, cant seem to keep them down) ... feed and kennel, go to work ... traffic jam caused by wreck on way in, computer problems, leave early, go buy dog food, return home ... dogs all greet me at gate, let Corey inside to clean him up (missed brushing yesterday) his left ear still bad ... and he's got more sandspurs ... let others in, try to relax for a minute but NO, they want to run ... go out and water apple trees, little Mattie shows up, Snoopy is happy ...final run then feed and kennel, put dog food in containers, yippee, the dried tripe and trachea has arrived! Everyone gets a piece of tripe ... including little Mattie.

Tuesday Oct 12

Beautiful sunrise this morning1 Good morning run, fed and kenneled ... went to work. return, stop by store, by time get home its almost nightfall ... change quickly, fix food and off we go, water the new trees, little Mattie joins us ... hurry hurry.

Monday Oct.11

Off work today for Columbus Day! Morning run, feed and kennel. Out with husband and worker deciding where to put all the plants we got at the nursery Friday ... little Mattie joins us. Let other dogs out. Hot outside today! go in to cool off, dogs insist on coming in too ... catch up on email (didnt get weekly update out last night) ... back out again. Husband and worker finish planting crape myrtles, water them, also finish peach trees and mow some sandspurs. Dogs follow faithfully from side to side of property, laying in shade (it's almost 90 again.) Finish around 2, go in, have lunch, take nap. Up again, brush Corey (who has sandspurs in feathers and ears, poor guy) Back out again, little Mattie joins us for evening watering the new trees ... Snoopy just loves playing with Mattie, is so sad when she doesnt come over ... feed and kennel at nightfall.

Weekly update Oct 4-10

A week full of adventures! Trip to vet on the coast, 3 hours there, dogs are great travelers .... pet therapy day for Banshee ... little Mattie visits almost every day ... crisp fall weather turns to summertime again ... the Damcat almost gets in BIG trouble ... Corey goes to an animal blessing  then to PetSmart and Hopeland Gardens and behaves quite well... Chase and Maggie come to visit ... a good week!

Sunday Oct. 10

Another warm day ... morning run, fed and kenneled, went to church.. return and husband had gone to store. little Mattie greets me, let others out, go for run, it's HOT! Water a few trees, then inside for lunch, clean Corey's ears ... then out again ... we're in back of property when husband returns, back down to trailer to help him unload, put away groceries, then lay down to read, fall asleep. Awakened by Corey barking his head off, JoAnn and Chase and Maggie have arrived! Go out, have a wonderful few hours of running, stop to talk to neighbor in back, the 3 Irish setters looking very beautiful, Corey spots a hawk and takes off chasing it ... eat persimmons (Maggie and Chase not interested), chew sticks and blocks of wood ... husband joins us briefly on tractor (wish he'd brought a camera, all 6 dogs laying around picturesquely) ... little Mattie didnt show up again, intimidated by 2 MORE Irishes, i guess ... JoAnn leaves (Maggie jumps right IN her truck this time) ... water some more trees, then feed and kennel. a great day!

Saturday Oct.9

Beautiful day, in the 80's ... morning run, fed and kenneled, cleaned Corey up for today's adventure, a trip to All Saints for animal blessing... Corey all  revved up, in high gear ... put the DAP collar (which I bought for Snoopy) on him... stopped briefly at Bonafide, then to blessing. JoAnn and Chase and lucy and one of her dogs there. Corey was fairly well behaved, only one or two 'I'm bored' barks ... stole Chase's ball and then lay with it between his paws .. after blessing, went to PetSmart, I actually managed to stand and talk to people for a few minutes without Corey barking ... then went by library to drop off boks, and then to Hopeland Gardens... big wedding going on, Corey was fine, primarily interested in sniffing the ivy ... sat and watched the ducks and turtles, a little Chinese girl came over and petted Corey, an elderly lady remarked how 'sweet' he was ... leaving, got behind a lady and her elderly mom, they moved aside so we could get by, lady commented on how 'nicely' Corey walked on leash, she has a Gordon setter than 'pulls her down'... I told her about the magic of front hook harnesses... back home, greeted at gate by DB, Snoopy and Banshee, let Corey out at gate, return to trailer for afternoon nap. ,,, later was working at computer, Snopy asleep on one side, Corey asleep on other, Banshee right by Corey, DB behind me ... and the Damcat saunters into the room, jumps over Corey and onto my computer, Banshee spots him, jumps up, knocking into Corey who springs up ... the Damcat leaps onto the couch, Snoopy and DB wake up... Banshee is frantic... holler for husband, get dogs into kitchen and get them to sit whi;le the Damcat streaks back thru hall, whew, close one ... the dogs one at a time, or even two, the Damcat can hold them at bay, but with 4 dogs and no escape route... anyway. Settled down again. Later go out to water trees and concrete, little Mattie joins us... wild exuberant play commences ... they run around like lunatics, Corey and little Mattie barking at the top of their lung ... WOOF WOOF... yip yip ... then all collapse around wherever I am, drink water, lay around a bit to catch their breath and they're off again ... evening falling, heading back to trailer, husband emerges with food (I'd fixed earlier) ... fed and kenneled.

Friday Oct.8

Warmer, but still nice ... morning run fed and kenneled. Snoopy eating well now. Have cut DB's food back a tad as she was getting a bit chunky... went to work. Stopped by SPCA thrift store, beautiful St Bernard up for adoption, what a sweet girl ... took condolence gift (pet memorial frame) to friend who lost her cocker spaniel Charlie Wednesday ... terrible traffic jam caused by wreck ... back to work ... by nursery to pick up plants at end of season sale ... home, Mattie waiting for us, let dogs out for evening run ... wildly excited, Snoopy lies on the hillside crouched down like a lion then leaps up and chases Mattie who runs under Corey, followed by Banshee with DB running around them in circles, joyous barks ringing out... feed and kennel. The new ear flush seems to be irritating Corey's ears, email vet, decide to stop the new flush and go back to Earoxide .A good day.

Thursday Oct 7

A bit warmer, but still really nice weather ... fixed food and left on washer as usual, the Damcat jumped up and knocked it off and began eating Snoopy's wet food (I put Snoopy's supplements in wet food in AM, as she sometimes wont eat her dry) ... giant mess, dog food all over husband's boots and even on wall ... clean it up, refix food, put in refrigerator ... go out and little Mattie waiting for me to let dogs out for AM run ... let dogs out, have glorious AM run but have to hurry because the concrete pour is today ... fed and kenneled, just in time, then to work. Returned, met by DB, Banshee and Snoopy, Corey inside ... brush him, let him out and do evening run ... no little Mattie. Fed and kenneled.

Wed Oct 6

Another crisp clear morning, good morning run ... fed and kenneled, went to work... returned pretty late (had to go by grocery store), met at gate by DB and Banshee, Corey and Snoopy inside... brush Corey, then very brief evening run ... fed and kenneled, here comes little Mattie ... too late for food but got a chewie

Tuesday Oct.5

Beautiful bright sunny crisp fall morning! Dogs burst out of pens, all excited, eager for a good run... Corey does a complete circuit (just like Angel Ginger used to...) then flings himself to the ground and rolls, grunting in pleasure... Snoopy also rolling and cavorting, Banshee and DB galloping in circles ... I guess the inactivity yesterday was a bit much for them... feed and kennel, do Corey's ears, go to work. Return lunchtime, fix lunch, pick up Banshee and go to nursing home for pet therapy ... Banshee seems a bit tired today, but rallies for treats ... then go to library, chiropractor (take Banshee in, she falls asleep, chiro remembers her as 'your quiet dog') then to PetSmart, pick up a DAP collar for Snoopy, Banshee gets several compliments on her pretty pink necklace (made by pet therapy leader, these are great, stretchy and very attractive...) and starts prancing around PetSmart batting her eyes ... stop briefly at grocery (sure is nice to be able to run into a store with a dog in the car again!) return home ... Snoopy outside, let Banshee out, Corey and DB inside (I have to re-intro Db and Banshee carefully after separation)... go inside, brush Corey, then take all for evening run with husband on other mower ... feed and kennel at nightfall.

Monday October 4

What a day! Morning run, fed and kenneled. Neighbor calls, another beighbor's animals have gotten loose, send husband to help while I finish packing van for big trip to the coast ... leave around quarter to 11. All dogs settle in to their crates, sleep peacefully til we stop for potty break around 1230, take them out 2 at a time, walk, potty, water, give treats, back in van. Settle down again. (they're great travelers!) Arrive at vets right at 2 PM, not bad traffic coming in. Wonderful vet, I love her, wish she were closer ... got new herbal meds for Corey's ears, got blood drawn for various testing (except poor Snoopy, who does better than at any other vet, and manages to maintain up to the point of having blood drawn, then freaks ... vet says she's too hyped to even sedate (
we've run into this before, had to give her enough to knock her out) so didnt get her one tooth checked either (she has a beautiful set of teeth, except for ONE)... vet commented on all their beautiful teeth, and no, I don't give lot of bones, but i do use PetZLife (great stuff). All the dogs have put on weight this summer (the lazy things), Db needs to slim down a bit. Others fine according to vet, very muscular and in good shape. Corey's hair loss and dry skin, did thyroid test (will get results later) but she suggested adding even MORE fish oil. Will do so. also will try a DAP collar on Snoopy (I have a DAP diffuser, but, the dogs are all pretty calm at home ... and only Snoopy totally flips when being restrained and something being done to her (bath, nails, vet check, whatever). I wish this vet were closer as she is very willing to 'work' with you, does all exams in front of you, which i appreciate not having to BEG to stay with my animals ... poor Banshee got her anals expressed (I CAN do this, but, am always worried I'll injure her) I think the last bout of the runs from the persimmons did her in. After nice vet visit, returned home. Had hoped to check out a dog park with beaches there, but, husband anxious to get home by dark... and Lordy the traffic come home was appalling. I'd shoot myself if I had to drive in that every day. Uneventful trip home, potty-water break (this time at a really bad location, next to a truck stop, never again... the dogsidnt seem to mind, but i sure did.) Home right after dark, disembark, and... little Mattie is waiting for us... get food, feed and kennel, use Corey's new ear wash and ear drops (a 2 prong process, twice a day...)

Sunday October 3

Another beautiful day! Morning run, Corey running back and forth along the fence line at the woods, joined by others, clearly something on the other side (probably not deer, deer will race the dogs down the hill on the other side of the fence) ... fed and kenneled, went to church, returned and had mid day run (finally cool enough to go out midday!) then lunch (little Mattie shows up briefly) and nap, followed by another run, then a van ride, then another run ... fed and kenneled. a good day!!

Saturday Oct 2

Beautiful fall weather continues! Dogs lively, cheerful, running like the wind ... fed and kenneled, Snoopy eating well! Went to town to help SPCA with adoption event at St. Mary's Chocolate festival ... a good day, found homes for several dogs ... return home, husband has gone into town, let dogs out, then take nap, then out again for evening mowing... little Mattie joins us, all having a marvelous time! Fed and kenneled. Mad barking in night, husband goes out with flashlight ... turns out a be a black cat that's apparently living in the woods and had visited the kennels to torment the dogs ...

Friday October 1

Beautiful, crisp clear morning. Dogs burst our of pens, good morning run ...go to work ... return, husband has gone to town but, DB and Banshee greet me at gate? Snoopy and Corey in pens ... let them out, go inside. husband had put all in pens but apparently forgot to latch DB and Banshee (who are very pleased with themselves). Take Corey and snoopy inside, brush Corey. Damcat comes in and watches ... no problems. Go out and mow (mainly hunting for sandspurs) til dusk, feed and kennel ... husband returns ... here comes little Mattie. Feed her too. And finally, we've had night temps under 55 degrees ... so no more Heartgard needed this year!

Thursday Sept 30

Still cloudy and damp. morning run, Mattie shows up. All dogs lively and cheerful (and damp). Fed and kenneled went to work, returned, all 5 dogs (including Mattie) meet me at gate. Go inside ... prep food, then outside for evening run ... Banshe's ears full of sandspurs, find when on top of hill by pear trees, remove and put in my pocket continue evening run, fed and kenneled

Wednesday September 29

Tropical storm on coast, cancelled vet trip again... only light mist here in morning, chilly, brief morning run... Snoopy has runs again ... aargh. Clean pen, feed and kennel. Little Mattie shows up ... too late.Go to work. Return, damp and dreary, chilly ... dogs and husband all outside planting grass seed in bare spots. Let dogs in... aargh, Corey's ears full of sandspurs. Husband comes in, helps gets sandspurs out of Corey's ears , all matted up.ay down on couch, Snoopy and DB pile on top of me, Corey too, then Banshee ... all settle down. Still light mist, brief evening run, feed and kennel.

OK Go White Knuckles video

This is totally awesome!!

OK Go White Knuckles video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs&feature=channel

Donate to Animal Rescue

Most of the dogs in the White Knuckles video are rescues. They’re the lucky ones – they have loving families. Unfortunately, there are countless animals out there who do not.

When you buy the White Knuckles video on this page, net proceeds go to the ASPCA, specifically earmarked to support rural, volunteer-run animal shelters in America. You can buy the video at whichever price you like, and you can buy it as many times as you like. Just keep in mind, the profits are going to save animals. Be generous.

Please note that the $2 version is standard-definition, the rest are high-definition.


http://www.okgo.net/dogs/

Tuesday September 28

Damp and cloudy ... and cool! 60 degrees ... get a jacket! Morning run, dogs are very exuberant ... sitting over by woods, all of a sudden DB and Banshee take off back to the trailer at a dead run, followed by Snoopy and Corey, OK ... I go over and see the dogs surrounding... a guy who used to work for us last year, he'd parked his car way down at the other gate ... dogs are very politely surrounding him until I arrive... good dogs! get husband, then feed and kennel and go to work ... sun finally comes out but only gets to 79 degrees! Beautiful ... return home late afternoon, DB,Snoopy and Banshee greet me at gate, Corey is inside... take for evening run, right pleasant weather! Feed and kennel. No little Mattie today ...

Monday September 27

Rained during night, drizzle in morning, call vet and reschedule. Light mist, have morning run (a bit damply), pick up food ... and Mattie appears in time for chow. Feed and kennel, Snoopy not eating dry food, Corey's ears better ... go to work. Rains all day, husband has dogs inside mostly, lets out during brief 'dry spells' ... when I return home, no one human or animal in sight ... not raining ... go up to trailer, hear tractor, assume dogs out with husband, then see Corey's head on porch... he hears me and head snaps around... he rushes barking to door. I let him and Snoopy in, even though they're a bit damp, fix food, then out again, and here come DB and Banshee ... evening run, Snoopy takes swim in drainage pond, Corey chases goat next door (up and down fence line)... feed and kennel, here comes the rain again...

Weekly update Sept.20-26

A good week ... hot, muggy, buggy, but ends with rain .... dogs get over 'the runs'... Corey goes on first pet therapy visit (loud, boisterous, exuberant Corey... well, he certainly does liven the place up...) ... Snoopy gets a swim ... little Mattie comes over several times ... the Damcat continues his suicidal forays into the kitchen while Banshee goes into 'stalk mode' ... DB and Banshee tear the dog shed up looking for a mouse ... Corey gets kicked out of PetSmart for scaring the cats (they're perfectly safe, behind glass...and he wasn't barking at the cats ...) get all prepared for trip to Charleston to vet and will have to cancel due to weather ... but ... all are happy, exuberant, well and cheerful... God is good! I found myself thinking of Angel Ginger several times this week, and, looking at some pictures of her ... what a beautiful sweetheart she was on this earth ... every now and then when I'm laying on the couch and Corey is on the floor beside me he;ll look up and rest his head on my thigh, and for a moment, it's as if it's Ginger (the melting Irish setter eyes, so sweet and full of love ) ...

Sunday September 26

Cloudy and light drizzle ... took dogs for brief morning run, fed and kenneled, went to church ... returned, not raining, all dogs inside, husband lets out DB, Banshee and Snoopy as I arrive. Corey inside. let others back in, change clothes, take for run ... starts drizzling again, come back inside. Damcat in one of his suicidal moods, keeps coming into kitchen ... only dog I'm really concerned about now is Banshee, who goes into 'stalking mode' when spots the Damcat ... Drizzles off and on all day, get in several runs between drizzle .. do the wash ... take nap with the Damcat ... heavy rain due to hit this evening .. bring Corey inside, brush him, cut nails ... let Corey out, take last run ... little Mattie joins us! Hadn't seen her since Friday morning ... she and Corey chase a few trucks, she jumps over Snoopy, Snoopy and DB chase her, Banshee joins in, Corey starts a wild joyous barking ...looks like will pour any minute, back to trailer, get food ... make it to kennels and yep, here comes the downpour ... get dogs fed and kenneled, they don't get wet, but I sure do, going back to trailer ... I am so disappointed, looks like we'll have to cancel trip to Charleston tomorrow, not going on a 3 hour drive through rain with wet dogs .

Saturday Sept.25

Morning run, fed and kenneled, then took DB to have nails cut ... meet a cute little 4 year old boy who petted and loved on DB (who was very polite), then home, other dogs inside, let out for brief run, then took Corey into town to pick up crate liners and dog food ... Corey his usual mouthy exuberant boisterous self, PetSmart really busy today, was visiting with SPCA friends and talking to a lady from McCormick humane (who'd come over to admire Corey) Corey all excited, barking, (though he'll go into a down-stay and remain calm for a moment, then someone else will come up or he'll spot a new person he hasnt greeted ... he is super friendly, pleasant to dogs and people alike, but he's GOT to 'keep moving) , we were then asked by PetSmart to move away from the cats (which are behind glass) as Corey was scaring them ... whoops... then on to tractor Supply to get TOTW food, the check out guy wanted to take Corey home (hadnt seen an Irish setter in years) ... Corey was nice and quiet in Tractor Supply;-), put him in a down-stay while I studied dog food labels etc...  back home, dogs inside, fix lunch (mid afternoon) then take brief nap with the Damcat... then go for brief run and van ride to store... return at nightfall, fed and kenneled.

Friday Sept. 24

Slept late, husband had turned off alarm and gone to sleep again. The concrete pour canceled. Little Mattie is outside, wakes me up by barking at workers. Morning run, joined by little Mattie, fed and kenneled went to work. Stop by SPCA Thrift store, 2 sweet cocker spaniels for adoption. Lunch with pet therapy folks, then work again, return home. DB, Banshee and Snoopy outside, greet me at gate, Corey inside, attempt to brush him, but he's all antsy, so fix food then take for evening run... these gnats are awful. Feed and kennel. DB and Banshee flush out a mouse in the dog shed, wild excitement, mouse runs across floor and disappears ... Lovely sunset, full moon again.

Thursday Sept 23

Early morning run, fed and kenneled, went to work, meeting at hospital. Return home late, DB, Banshee and Snoopy greet me at gate, Corey inside... go for evening run, very buggy and hot. Mattie joins us, dogs all play wildly, running, jumping, barking ... fed and kenneled

Wed. Sept.22

Morning run ... discover I left water on at tree by drainage pond last evening when I got to talking to neighbor and forgot to go back and turn it off ... and pond is full. Whoops. Feed and kennel, no one has the runs! Go to dentist ... grueling 5 hour procedure (bridge) ... return home feeling like I've been whipped. Another HOT day ... this is the hottest September i can remember ... husband and dogs inside, lets them out (our rule now is no more than 2 inside when I return so no pile ups in hall...) I let them back in. Then lay down with the Damcat. Husband goes into town. I peel what is left of the pears, give cores to Corey ... brush Corey, then go for evening run, Snoopy discovers the full pond and joyously dives in, gets out, rolls, jumps back in, Banshee and Corey sniff at water, stare at Snoopy ... who is having a wonderful time. No little Mattie again today... Water a few pear and apple trees, then return to trailer, get food, feed and kennel.