Sunday, December 25, 2011

Dec 19-25: Christmas week

Week before Christmas ... weather cool then warm again, ends up raining Christmas Day ... Skit & Skat fitting in, causing chaos and destruction, but learning to 'be good kittens' (ie, dont scratch the humans, dont jump on the table during dinner, dont climb the human's legs) ... the Damcat is a stern taskmaster ... mower broken all week, finally patched by weekend .. van drivable ...  pet therapy day for Banshee, she has a great time and looks adorable in her Christmas get up... rehab for Snoopy (who is doing quite well) ... Corey is ansty from lack of running (he wont RUN if I'm walking ...) his hiney sore healing but not as quickly as I'd like ... DB in high spirits, running in circles ... no visit from little Mattie (I think they went somewhere for holidays) ... a good week.

Monday December 19

Crisp clear frosty morning, morning walk-run (me still walking), workers arrive ...feed and kennel by myself (husband busy) ... then on to work (after getting air in all tires, and oil) ... long day, return after dark, take yogurt out to dogs, let kittens in, they are doing so well with the Damcat now, they are all giving each other baths ...

Tuesday December 20

Fairly warm again, 60's ... husband gone into town very early, let kittens in, clean their room, feed them, then get dogs for morning walk ... feed and kennel, husband shows up; back to trailer, let kittens in to play with the Damcat ... then go to food banks, unload food, return home. Let dogs out for walk-run (me walking,lol) load them into van and go to nursing home for pet therapy (Banshee), the others along for the ride. Very successful visit, Banshee and I alone for half of it, but another of our team and her dog show up halfway through; whew, this is a large facility, but very appreciative ... one resident told me 'I lost my dog, my bird, and then my husband, and ended up here ... and they wont let me have a dog' She was very happy to see Banshee ... they were having a party, and  one of the aides (not a resident) dropped a piece of chocolate cake on the floor ... I moved really fast and scooped it up from under Banshee's nose ...back to van, took Corey out briefly, the worker who had escorted us was parked next to me, she was entranced by Corey, who was on his best behavior, she wanted to know if HE could come in next time, I was going, well, he's very friendly but he is also VERY vocal ... she acted like she didnt believe me, but then my wild Irishman decided we'd talked long enough and started barking ... so she could see what I mean... was planning to take dogs into North Augusta and try the park there, but, it started raining, so return home ... kennel dogs, then run to trailer, get soaked ... kittens inside with Damcat and husband ... try to take a nap but, they're not quite ready for the concept of remaining quiet at naptime yet... stops raining, so let dogs out, then feed and kennel

Wednesday Dec, 21

Drizzle all day, morning walk, feed and kennel, return home after dark. Kittens into everything, on the table, climbing up my legs while I cook... aargh. Put them up.

Thursday Dec.22

Off work today. Morning walk, feed and kennel, feed kittens and watch them play awhile, then go into town, need to stop by my office for awhile. Return home, take dogs for long walk all around the property, which of course starts my back aching. Feed and kennel, then lay down.

Friday Dec. 23

Warm today, in 70's ... let kittens in briefly, then feed, let dogs out for morning walk, feed and kennel, let kittens out again, then go to meet with friend about county shelter proposal. Return home, fix lunch, dogs walked, then load in van go to town to chiro appointment, then to gardens for a walk ... Corey entranced by little white poodle ... stop by Home Depot meet husband to look at lawnmowers, dont buy anything, return home, van transmission starts acting up, stop and check fluid, its OK, make it home no further problems. Dark when arive home, feed and kennel. Let kittens in, they carouse through the trailer, sppreading chaos and destruction. What fun!

SAturday Dec.24

Christmas Eve, warm weather continues, husband has patched lawnmower engine, still leaks but runs, so take dogs for morening run, while husband walks Snoopy, then feed and kennel, let kittens in. Then take Snoopyto rehab, husband comes, go in his truck, pick up window at lowes, check out a few more mowers then return home, let others out, run, gosh it fels good to be mobile around the property again, dont know how long it'll last. Brush everyone, let inside, take naps, then fed and kennel, take preset to neighbor, return home,  let kittens in. They last about an hour then the Damcat starts playing too rough

Sunday Dec.25
Merry Christmas! Colder, cloudy ... morning run-walk, then feed and kennel, go to church... very small congregation (everyone goes to the 'big service' Christmas Eve, I dont, too big a crowd), return home, it's now starting to drizzle, quickly let fogs out for a run, put Snoopy in trailer ... and it starts raining harder ... put dogs in shed, heater on, brush ... then go  back and get Snoopy, kennel them for long rainy afternoon. Kittens inside, doing quite well, learning to stay OFF the table while we eat (and then get to lick the plates)... the Damcat playing rough, but also grooming them quite nicely ... kittens curl up with husband for nap ... rains ALL day ... go out to feed dogs, at least pens are staying dry ... let them inside shed for brief grooming, then feed and kennel.


And a poem for Christmas Day

Dear Lord on this Christmas day
There’s just one gift for which I pray
Please watch over all dogs everywhere
And Bless them with someone to care.

Watch over the pups with plenty to eat
and hungry strays out on the street
Those getting treats each time they yap
and those that struggle for every scrap.

Those that sleep on a nice soft bed
Those with hard ground under their head
Those who play with girls and boys
And those that never had any toys.

Those kept clipped and brushed and clean
And scruffy ones that don’t smell too keen
Those who get to ride in cars
And those that sit behind a cage bars.

Those that flunk obedience school
Dig up the yard, snore and drool
Chew up your stuff, chase the cat
And still they’re loved in spite of that.

And those that are as good as gold
But left out to shiver in the cold
Chained up and forgotten there
They long for a warm home to share.

Please God on this Christmas night
Help more people do what’s right
For each dog they meet, to do their best
And send your comfort to all the rest

By: Rocky Ridge Refuge

   
http://www.rockyridgerefuge.com

==
Thoughts Of A Stray...

Another morning...I stretch my tired body. It was cold and rainy last night. But at least that pine tree gave me a little protection. Still nothing to eat. Let me try a little grass. So many puddles after the rain. I wish the water weren't so muddy. I wish I had a bowl again, like I did back home. It seems so long ago. I wonder why they threw me out? I must find some food. ...Hope that man doesn't chase me away from the dumpster again.

Why does he care if I take what he throws out? I'll walk a little further today. Maybe I can find a quieter place to rest tonight. It's so noisy by the roadside. Oh, here comes someone walking their dog! Maybe they'll let me follow. NO!!! They're crossing the street! Wait for me! Wait for me! It's early yet, but I'm so tired. I think I'll try to sleep. So tired. So hungry. So lonely.

"Hey, mom, under that tree! Looks like a dog!," the little boy said. " Honey, it looks like this one didn't make it," the mother said. "poor guy, he couldn't have been more than six months old." --Author Unknown

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Dec 12-17: Videos of DOCAD,Snoopy,Corey

Long week ... very warm to start, ends with normal December temps ... van out of commission all week, finally fixed on Sunday, also no mower so dogs do not get proper exercise ... Snoopy doing well at rehab, Corey to vet for hot spot on hiney ... meeting about the county impound-kill facility ... the Damcat playing too rough with kittens?... Skit gets on the roof and wont come down ... little Mattie visits several times ..do home visit for rescue ... a long week, at least my back feeling some better, I need all my strength to cope with the kittens!

Monday Dec 12

Cold and drizzly, morning run very brief, feed and kennel, go to work, return after dark. Take out chewies and yogurt. Let kittens inside clean their room.

Some pictures of Corey http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.322210637803882.80953.100000448447582&type=1&l=684351f0f0

Video of Corey & ML napping
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsXoRY6-1l4
Tuesday Dec.13

Warmer today, very pleasant temps ... morning run, feed and kennel, then let kitties out, clean room. Unfortunately my lawnmower is now on the blink, they think the head is cracked as its leaking oil. Also van still not fixed. Groom dogs, then let inside, get ready to go to meeting about shelter. Meeting is fairly successful, got an increase in the budget of around $10K, but still underfunded according to HSUS stats for number of animals. Don't know if they will postpone vote to do more research or not. Still no concrete building plans available. Return home, feed and kennel dogs, let kittens inside, still worry about the Damcat being too rough with them, I really need to do a video so some of you cat xperts can chime in!

Wednesday Dec.14

Video of Damcat & kittens brings interesting responses, but bottom line is everyone thinks I should stop the play (or whatever) when gets too rough. Morning walk, foggy, feed and kennel, then on to work; return before dark, walk around (no mower a bit, let dogs inside, then feed and kennel

Damcat & Skit&Skat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og9fxh_-6yM


Thursday Dec.15

Foggy again, still very warm ... morning walk , joined by little Mattie, feed and kennel, feed kittens, clean litter, go to loong day at work, return after dark

Friday Dec.16

Warm weather continues, high 70's ... in December. Husband lets kittens in, then goes into town to bank, I feed kittens and then start morning walk-run ... no mower, still, so we walk slowly around trailer, Snoopy now walks very well in straight line, try to practice circles, but other dogs keep coming over ... they won't run far unless I go out on mower. Corey in particular not getting enough exercise. Little Mattie shows up, feed and kennel, back to trailer, workers start arriving, little Mattie barking fiercely. Husband returns, finally Mattie leaves, let kittens back inside, then go in to work. Husband brings Corey in and meets me at vet, get Corey's hiney looked at (vet says it is healing, but forming a callus as its where he sits, so gives me some antibiotics ... then to chiropractor, am late so he's taken next patient, walk Corey around outside so he can pee, then put himn car, have chiro adjustment, then meet husband at Subway, then return home, get food, feed all dogs, then let kittens in, until play gets too rough, feed them and put up for night

Saturday December 17

Somewhat cooler and cloudy this morning, morning walk, feed and kennel, let kittens out, feed and clean room then get Snoopy and go to rehab.(Van still not fixed, cant take all dogs). Snoopy does well today, even with the distraction of other people and dogs,
lets Maggie the tech put her swim harness on for first time, and gets a Christmas present!  Leave rehab, go by library and a few errands, then to Jay's for energy work, Snoopy actualy lets him touch near the injured leg ... then on to do a home visit of a local woman wanting to adopt from a rescue in NC, then (finally) back home ... other dogs are kenneled, let them out, take for walk, then groom, then back inside for nap, fix food, another walk, feed and kennel, let kittens out. They are beginning to 'fight back' with the Damcat! He still grooming them and playing well with them (if a bit roughly).


And a video of Snoopy at Rehab
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCqHbDC7OLU
Sunday Dece,ber 17

Much cooler today, bright sunshine, beautiful! Let kittens out, feed them, put them back in, let dogs out, morning walk, feed and kennel, go to church, return, let kittens inside again, then out, then put them back in and let dogs out ... walk (quite a long walk, Snoopy doing well)  then inside to fix sandwiches for husband's crew, deliver sandwiches then take dogs into shed to groom,. Corey's hiney healing well. Van has now been fixed, load dogs in van, take for ride (just locally), return, let them inside for awhile, Banshee being very obnoxious, tearing up paper and harassing others, put her out, then DB wants out. Take brief nap, but Corey wont settle down either, so fix food, then evening walk and feed and kennel.  Let Skit&Skat inside to 'play' with the Damcat, eat supper, after supper I am watching Damcat groom Skat when I realize, havent seen Skit for a long time .. shake food (the cat 'recall' system) still no Skit. Search entire trailer, refrigerator. go outside ...no Skit ... oh no, I'd started a wash while the kittens were inside ... stop the washer, half full of water ... husband gets plastic trash bin, we pull all the clothes out ... no Skit. But now the floor is flooded, as the trash bin husband found leaked. Get that mopped up, put clothes back in washer. Check outside again ... this time I hear a  pitiful meowww... Skit is on the roof, peering over, wont come down ... husband climbs up and finally gets Skit, who is puffed up 3x her size in fear ...let her inside again, then put both kitties up for the night in their porch room ... they are too young to be out at night,lol.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Dec 5-12: Edgefield shelter meeting

Warm weather to start, cold front moves in midweek with a blast ... Skit and Skat come inside to meet the Damcat ... council meeting on proposed county impound-kill facility, vote postponed ... back hurting very badly this week ... pet therapy day for Banshee, rehab for Snoopy, Reindeer Romp (I only take Banshee as my back is acting up) ... the week ends with my dog van breaking down, and I'm catching a cold ....


"Ever occur to you why some of us can be this much concerned with animals suffering? Because government is not. Why not? Animals don't vote." ~Paul Harvey

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."  Edmund Burke


Monday December 5

Warm weather continues ... can this be December? Fine with me. Morning run, Corey's hot spot looks better, but it should be healed by now ... feed and kennel, feed kittens and clean their room, off to work, return well after dark. Take yogurt and chewies out to dogs, check Corey's hot spot, clean his ears (which are doing fine... )

Tuesday Dec 6

Still very warm, Morning run-walk, feed kittens, clean box, then off to food banks ... return lunch time, load up all dogs, go to nursing home for pet therapy with Banshee, then to Hopeland gardens to walk others ... traffic too bad to go over to PetSmart, so return home, brief run, feed and kennel, then on to council meeting about funding new county shelter. At least vote postponed. Back starts hurting in the night.

Wednesday Dec 7

Cloudy and cool, bad weather coming today ... morning run, my back is really bothering me, feed and kennel, go to work ... bad weather comes mid day, very high winds ... leave work, go to church for ordination service, then home, I am in severe pain by now...

Thursday Dec 8

Clear and much colder! Manage to do morning run-walk and go to work and return home. Let kittens in house to meet the Damcat, goes surprisingly well, he is playing with them, grooming them etc.

Friday Dec 9

Cold and heavy frost. Back still very painful. Morning run-walk, feed and kennel. Take Snoopy with me into town, take her to rehab, go and try to work, go to meeting, try to work, give up. Take Snoopy home. Other dogs in trailer with husband. Lay down, then get up feed and kennel, go back in town to chiro, husband drives, pick up building supplies, buy back brace, return home, let kittens in house after supper.

Saturday Dec 10

Back seems some better. Morning run, starts hurting again. Little Mattie joins us. Feed and kennel, then take Banshee into town for SPCA event, very cold, windy, stick it out for a few hours then return home. Kennel Banshee with others, then lay down for an hour, up again some better, clean kitten room, then let dogs out, take for run, riding the mower makes back hurt. Take dogs to grooming shed, groom everyone (except Snoopy who cant get on table and I really cant bend over) then am taking them out to go back to trailer when husband shrieks ... 'put the dogs up' ....  he had let the kittens out , Banshee and Skit in a 'standoff' ... whistle, dogs all return, rekennel, wait for husband to put kittens up, then let dogs out and proceed to trailer. By this time my back is painful again, so lay on couch (or try to, Corey keeps nudging me awake, and yes, I know they havent had enough running today ... ) Fix food, decide against atempting evening run, feed and kennel. Then let kittens in house .... wow they are really destructive, Damcat tries to keep them in line. Skat even got in the refrigerator and perched in the bottom door, didnt see her, closed refrigerator. After a few minutes noticed only 1 kitten milling around my feet, opened refrigerator and there was Skat, trying to open the butter tub. Been a long time since I've had kittens. Put them back on the porch for the night, am NOT trying to sleep with them rampaging thru the house.

Sunday December 11

Cold and windy morning ... put on back brace, morning run-walk ... riding the mower really aggravates my back. Feed and kennel. Feed kittens. Go to church, return. Kittens are inside. Back hurting, lay down, kittens all over me, fighting with each other in the bed, this isnt working. Put kittens on porch, go get dogs, take the 3 for run. Then back to trailer. Feel like I'm catchinhg a cold now (guess its the wind). Husband also not well. Highpoint of afternoon was dogs are asleep, I'm on computer, the Damcat has gone under sink and comes out, slamming the cabinet door which the dogs think is an 'intruder' knockong on door, leap up, race around knocking things over while I try to catch Snoopy's leash, to let them out to check on the non existent intruder. Husband and I then decide to take dogs for van ride, I get them all loaded up, we take off, make it a block ... and with a terrible noise, a belt breaks ... smoke pouring under the hood ... husband walks back home, gets truck and tows it home... the dogs were wonderful watchdogs, the people who stopped to help (while I was sitting waiting for husband to return) were greeted with ferocious barking and growling. After get back, its near dark, let dogs out get food feed and kennel ...then let kittens in house while clean their room ... Damcat plays with the kittens , grooms them, chases them and tries to get them to chase him. But ... he also grabs them (not hard but grabs them) by the neck behind the ears (they just stiffen), and, they were on their side and he was mouthing at their tummies. The Damcat is NOT 'puffing up' and not making that weird moaning noise upset cats make. but the kittens 'squeak' when he grabs them behind the ears. The kittens using his litterbox hasnt distressed him, they eat together in relative harmony (occasionally he swats them). I'm pretty good at identifying dog 'body language', but its been a long time since I've had kittens to interact with a grown cat, and, really havent observed any cat fights for years (the Damcat and my last cat, Callie, who passed 4 years ago, never fought ... How do I tell if cat behavior is getting 'dangerous' and needs intervention?

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Nov 28-Dec 4

Rain in early week, then cold and clear, cloudy and warm by week end ... Skit & Skat growing bigger!... little Mattie visits ... I visit Sally ... rehab for Snoopy, take all to open house a rehab, lots of friends and treats ... Corey has another hot spot on his hiney ... find out about horrible proposal for impound-kill facility in my tiny rural county ...

Today God Though I can not do it all Alone I will not lose faith in what you want me to do.. God I love you and the calling you have placed on my life.. Thank you though at times I am weary that you never leave me or the animals you place on my heart. I am but one but the friends I have also make me mighty in the fight.. You meant for your creation to be treated with God type love... Shine through me make your love seen through me. Amen


If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.  ~St. Francis of Assisi


Monday Nov 28

Colder, foggy, feed Skit & Skat, let them out (they dont go far) morning run for dogs, feed and kennel, go to work ... return, its pouring rain, dogs have been kenneled but not fed ... fix food, take out to them, batten down hatches ... rain and wind ...

Tues Nov 29
Cool and cloudy, but not raining ... let kitties out, then dogs morning run ... poor Corey has hot spot on his hiney, spray. ... go to work, long day ... rains off and on most of day, husband reports manages to let dogs out but then it starts again ...

Wed Nov 30

Cold, clear, bright blue skies ... kitties are hungry! let them out, feed, clean litter, latch them back in, let dogs out (all excited after 2 days of rain and being cooped up) wheeeee, lets run!!! morning run, feed and kennel, go to work, return not quite dark, dogs crated (husband had them out most of day), take for evening run ... joined by little Mattie.

Thursday Dec 1

A bit warmer but still chilly, feed kitties, then morning run-walk, go to work, return in the dark, dogs are kenneled, go out with yogurt-essenses, and groom everybody.

Fri Dec 2

Chilly and clear, frosty... morning run, Corey rolls in the frosty grass with great delight, his hot spot is better .... little Mattie joins us, feed and kennel all. Wait for Mattie to leave then let kittens out, clean their porch, feed, then off to work ... brief visit to check on Sally, she is fat and happy, owner not there, dogs in yard ... Sally is fine, but jumps on me a LOT, really needs training ... finish work, go to  chiro, return well after dark, dogs kenneled ... find out about proposed 'animal shelter' (actually an impound-kill facility) for my small rural county ... when other counties in my state have recently made the news as they have given up running a county shelter and are now contracting out to a larger county,  tiny Edgefield county going in the opposite direction going 'back in time' in the animal welfare field, and, will lose $$ for their taxpayers in the process.

Saturday Dec 3

Another chilly morning ... let kitties out, feed, change litter, then morning run-walk for dogs, feed and kennel, then load into van, go into town for Snoopy's rehab, then quick trip to gardens, walk Corey. then DB and Banshee, then back to Rehab for open house; Corey  all excited  (as usual) DB and Banshee calm, Snoopy walks around quite nicely; lots of friends here, lots of treats. Back home, brief run then take nap, my 80 lb lap dog squeezing me off the couch ... fix food, evening run, feed and kennel. Let Skit & Skat out for evening romp and tree climbing, feed. Inside, the Damcat has thrown up, whoopee.

Sunday Dec 4

Warmer, cloudy, fairly pleasant, morning run-walk and kittie feed-cleanup, go to church ...return, let kitties out, watch them play, climb trees, then 'reporch' them, let dogs out, mid day run, then inside ...fix husband lunch ... do wash... back out, groom Corey and Banshee, take brief run then back in for nap, fix food, take dogs for eveninbg run, feed-kennel, then let kitties out, watch play, feed.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Nov 31-27

A wild week! Two 8 week old kittens appear in the middle of the night and 'move in' ... the Damcat is NOT pleased ... Snoopy to rehab, Corey to groomers, several van rides and trips to gardens and Pet Smart ...


Monday November 21: Skit and Skat appear in the night

In the middle of the night last night ... husband went out to the building he's working on to make some measurements ... and came back followed by 2 little kittens ... ack. Friendly little critters, gray tabby (my favorite) one short hair, one long hair, both females, my guess 8 weeks ... feed them and put them on porch for the night, the Damcat is puffed up 2x his size, hissing and making that dreadful moaning noise unhappy cats make .... frantic emails to 'cat people', googling, etc ... Dr Dodds vaccine protocol for kittens is FVRCP at 8-9 wks and 12-13 wks. No mention of FeLeuk testing or FIV. So when do I do these? Do I do test first or ??  Morning comes, they're still here ... sitting at the door, hungry. Feed them, latch porch, put litter box in with them, go get food for dogs, do morning run-walk ... here come the roofers in the middle of all this ... feed and kennel. Go to hearing in Columbia, return home at nightfall, kittens still on porch, husband has fed them during the day ... fix dog food, evening run, in the almost dark, then feed and kennel ... interestingly, dogs go right by porch, dont even seem to notice kittens (who are sitting in window ...) Let kittens out at night, they roam a bit but come right up the second you open door they're trying to get in and boy are they fast! Cant let them in til have had tested for FELV...

Tuesday November 22: Skit & Skat go to vet

Kittens now have names, Skit and Skat ... clean their litter box (poop looks fine), feed, latch porch, then get dog food, do morning run-walk, roofers are back, plus husbands workers ... feed and kennel. Call around, will have to get kittens to vet today if want them vetted before holidays ... husband them informs me the flashing he got yesterday is wrong and I have to go by Lowes and get some NOW ... do so. Arrive back at property, drop off flashing, pick up kittens and take to vet (not my regular vet, the one in Edgefield) and drop them off as I have a meeting in Aiken in .. yikes a half hour ... go to meeting, vet calls and gives me good news, Skit and Skat are FELV/FIV negative ... proceed with shots. Finish seeing clients, them return home via vet, pick up kitties (everyone amazed at how tame and friendly they are) ... return home, put them on porch, latch, get dog food, release dogs (who have been kenneled most of the day), the roofers and crew are still here ... getting dark, evening run ... Corey and Banshee very excited to see me, DB mainly interested in ratting over by the woodpile ... feed and kennel. Workers still here into the dark, but finish shingles before the rain hits ... Storms in night

Photos of Skit & Skat
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.307477089277237.79041.100000448447582&type=3&saved

Wednesday November 23: SPCA volunteer lunch

Off work today! Cool and breezy, clearing... let Skit & Skat out briefly, feed them, latch them in porch again. Get dog food, unkennel dogs, morning run-walk ... one set of roffers shows up to finish job. Corey is all excited, chasing trucks, barking at geese ... feed and kennel, comb sandspurs out of Corey's head. Clean Skit & Skats litter box, let them out, take a few pictures then go to food banks, then stop by friend dDborah's to pick up 'cat stuff' (this is the cat lady who rescued Sally last summer and then rescued some kittens, she found homes for the kittens and had leftover items)... then to Aiken for SPCA 'volunteer lunch' with friend Erika (who I hope will be able to volunteer from home) ... onwards to do errands for husband, pick up kitten food, stop by office (even though we're closed) and finish up the work I left undone yesterday (because of having to take kittens to vet and pick up stuff for roofers) ... then home. Greeted at gate by DB, Banshee is in her crate, Corey and Snoopy in pens, husband had been trying to put them up when I arrived. Fix food, let Corey out, Banshee wont come out ... evening run. Getting dark. Husband reports DB and Banshee have figured out Skit & Skat are on the porch and are, unfortunately, very interested. Corey is totally oblivious. Feed and kennel dogs. Let Skit & Skat out to play, gosh they are so full of energy, and so agile, been a long time since I've had kittens ... feed them, latch them in for night.

Video of Skit & Skat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQQLjObqVJ4

Thursday November 24: Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Cold last night, crisp and chilly morning, let kitties out, clean litter, feed, latch back in, take dogs for  morning run-walk, Banshee and DB head straight for porch and sniff around everywhere Skit & Skat have been outside ... then shrug and proceed down the hill ... Corey in fine fettle this AM, a flock of geese honks by and he follows them to fence line, barking back exuberantly ... feed and kennel, go back imside, then let Skit & Skat out again ... watch them play ... and they  climb a tree (well, a small tree) .. not to mention swinging like monkeys on the porch railing ... put them back up. The Damcat has caught a BIG mouse by the washer, and unusually, killed it and sits there with it between his paws, looking at me as much to say 'see, we dont need any MORE cats, I'm on the job' .... Let dogs out, husband walks Snoopy all the way down the hill and back up ... this is pretty far, but she's not hopping ... actually unless she turns sharply she doesnt hop, as long as she proceeds straight ahead she's fine, slow but fine ... put dogs in grooming shed, groom, then leave crated while husband and I let kittens out and clean some of junk off enclosed porch where they now reside (so I wont trip over things in the night when I go in there) ... getting dark, one of husbands workers and wife bring by some Thanksgiving goodies and play with kittens ... they leave, fix dog food, let out of crates, take for evening run-walk, feed and kennel

Friday November 25: Mattie comes to visit

Cool crisp clear and sunny, perfect weather ... let Skit & Skat out, feed, watch them play, clean litter box, latch them in again, get dog food, morning run-walk, Banshee and DB frantically interested in tracking the kitties on the porch,  ... Snoopy limping a bit ... feed and kennel. Workers arrive. Let Skit & Skat out again, this time Skit gets on the porch roof ... ack. Put them back up. Let dogs out, come inside, then load into van and go for van ride and by bank. Return, let dogs in, fix lunch, nrief computer time and do wash, then take dogs out to grooming shed and groom, leave in crates, return and let kitties out for afternoon romp. Latch them in again, get Xmas decorations for gates, let dogs back out, put Snoopy inside, little Mattie shows up to help decorate gates , lawnmower out of gas so no evening run, get food, feed and kennel. Little Mattie still hangs around, cant let kitties out. Sit on porch with Mattie for a bit, go inside

Saturday November 26: Snoopy goes to rehab

Warmer this morning. Running late. Give kittens AM food  then husband lets out dogs, walks Snoopy. Feed and kennel, then let kittens out and clean litter box, put them back in, let dogs out for very brief run then load in van to go to town for Snoopy's rehab, whoops, flat tire ... get it pumped back up, depart. Snoopy does well today, meets another 'patient' ... leave rehab and go to Hopeland Gardens to walk Corey, DB and Banshee, all on excellent behavior, Corey getting in and out of van with no problems. Go by PetSmart, almost disaster, take Corey in he is doing quite well, greeting all his fans, make a grooming appointment, then as we're returning to van a couple is walking across lot wit a great pyr and ... a husky ... Corey is going into greeting mode to the great pyr when he spots the husky and goes absolutely nuts, barking ... no, screaming, ... flailing at end of leash, shrieking, thank God for front hook harnesses or I'd be on the ground. My other dogs hear him and also start barking ... I plant myself and walk backwards (at least this time I'm not stuck between cars ... and finally get his attention, go to back of van, he is quivering and shuddering ... finally calms down enough to get in crate in van. Snoopy is particularly overwrought, she wants OUT (presumably to attack whoever was threatening her Corey) Spray DAP in van, sit for a few minutes... the only thing I can think of is the 2 huskies who attacked us last spring (in the same place) have left an indelible impression on Corey, or perhaps he had trouble with huskies in his past, this is the only type dog he reacts to with anything except cheerful friendliness... or it could be the combination of the area and the breed? I dont know, but it is really scary   Decide to NOT take DB and Banshee in to PetSmart. Leave and go by Jay's for energy work on Snoopy's leg, have to let Corey out for a drink of water and a bit of a walk, he is still shook up ... put him back in van, take Snoopy on back to see Jay ...she does OK finally lets him touch her and give energy ... leave and go by store and am heading home when husband calls, I have to go back cross town to pick up something from Lowes ... do this and finally get home, pretty late. Let dogs out, then put in crates-kennels, unload van, then let kitties out briefly, fix dogs food, then evening run-walk, feed and kennel

Sunday November 27: Corey goes to groomer

Warm and cloudy ... husband in to old property early to pick up ladder ... feed Skit & Skat and clean box, workers start arriving. Then Skit and Skat get inside and go for the Damcat's food (he is sitting peacefully at his food bowl, the kittens dive bomb him, he backs up in horror,) I grab them and put the out, latch porch ... Fix dog food, Morning run, one of workers helps walk Snoopy, feed and kennel, husband returns ... go to church, return, let Skit & Skat out for a bit, ack, they get inside again, this time the Damcat drives them back out ... feed, then latch them in, get dogs, run DB,Banshee and Corey then load all into van and go into town, drop Corey off at groomers, take others to Hopeland Gardens, Odell Weeks and do a bit of shopping for essentials, then pick Corey up ... poor guy, he comes out of groomers shrieking 'I need to pee, I need to pee' and theres a line at the cash register plus people all trying to pet him and ooh and ahh (well, he DOES look gorgeous) ... finally get outside ... ahhhh ... the relief. Load him back up, them check transmission fluid (van has been slipping gears) it looks OK, return home, almost dark. Unload dogs take all inside, fix food, then feed and kennel, husband and workers still working ... feed Skit & Skat, let them out, watch them chase leaves, then latch them in for the night.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Nov 14-20

Heat wave (80's) continues til midweek, turns cold for 2 days, then warm again ... weird weather for November ... Banshee goes to pet therapy at new nursing home, very nice ... Snoopy doing well at rehab ... DB goes ratting ... Corey continues battling sandspurs ... little Mattie visits several times ... work progressing on building ...


"Kindness is the face of compassion; action, the hands; love, the heart; and politics, the voice. Integrate kindness to animals into your life in all these ways."  Sunbear Squad Inc


Monday November 14: Heat wave continues

Warm weather continues, reaches 80 degrees ... in mid November! Morning run-walk, husband's workers all here, too busy to help me except with walking Snoopy ... finish feeding, kennel, go to work, return after dark, dogs kenneled. Take out yogurt-essenses and chewies.

Tuesday November 15: Banshee goes to new pet therapy venue

Unseasonably warm weather continues ... morning run-walk, feed and kennel, go to food banks and then return at lunch time, dogs kenneled, let out, walk Snooopy to trailer, take others for brief run, fix lunch for husband, then take Banshee to new nursing home for pet therapy ... too warm to take all dogs for the ride ... very nice (but large) nursing home, patients and staff very appreciative, think Banshee looks 'like a little bear'. Friend Claire and her sheltie Peter join us (thank heavens, I hate to do these by myself!) Return home, DB and Corey greet us at gate, Snoopy in kennel ... ride to kennel area then put DB and Corey in shed and Banshee in kennel, have to 'get over' the DB-Banshee 'we've been separated' routine ... let DB and Corey out, leaving Banshee's gate open, she and DB snark at each other for awhile then run off together, then let Snoopy out and walk her to trailer, all go inside. Take the 3 on a brief run, little Mattie joins us, then load up for van ride, its getting dark ...return, little Mattie waiting for us, feed and kennel. Husband goes into town to pick up lumber.

Wednesday November 16: Rain

Rained a bit in night, still damp, still warm .. morning run, feed and kennel. Big storms coming some time today. Husband and workers covering up lumber and trusses. Go to work, storms coming in late afternoon, leave a bit early, tornado warnings, rough trip home (but just rain) husband has fortunately fed and kenneled dogs before storms hit, as Snoopy and Corey wont eat if there's a hint of thunder ... lots of rain tonight, wind, but no really bad stuff, praise God!

Thursday November 17: Still drizzly

Still very damp, drizzly this morning ... morning walk-run in between drizzles, feed-kennel, onwards to meeting in Columbia ... return home, still daylight! Whoopee! Dogs kenneled, let out, husband takes Snoopy inside, run the others, very excited to have me home early! Cover some pipes (supposed to freeze tonight), fix food, go out to feed, DB has disappeared, keenel the rest, go searching out buildings for DB (sometimes she'll get locked in if no one notices her in there), still no DB, am about to go on search mission when ... here she comes! Running full tilt ... ah, she's been 'ratting'. Good girl! Kennel her, feed all.

Friday November 18: Very cold

COLD this morning, hard freeze last night. Frost sparkles everywhere ... out early to get dogs fed and kenneled before crew arrives to put up trusses ... morning run-walk, a bunch of very lively dogs. Poor Snoopy really wants to run today ... but after a few moments settles down and walks with husband ... feed and kennel, notice that Corey has a bunch of sandspurs in one front leg ... the workers arrive, 4 extra vehicles, 6 extra men, the dogs are going nuts. Go back out, try to calm them, they eventually settle down. Decide to groom Corey as it'll be dark when I return, get the sandspurs out, then off to work, chiropractor and store. Husband reports he let dogs out during workers lunch break, they all went to check out the unfamiliar vehicles and Corey and Banshee promptly stole various items from 'new' trucks ... including a hammar, tape measure and styro cup.  Return home after dark, husband has fed and kenneled, take out yogurt-essenses and chewies. Cold!!

Saturday November 19: Snoopy goes to rehab

Another cold morning. Morning run-walk , feed and kennel ... and Corey throws up his breakfast. Hasnt appeared sick, his poop was normal ... and he immediately wants to be fed again... give him some yogurt and a chewie but thats it... had planned to take all dogs with me when I went to take Snoopy in for rehab, but am not taking a sick dog for a van ride, lol... so, just take Snoopy. Take a bit of video so y'all can see what the rehab exercises are like (which I'll post sooon). She is doing well, according to Dr. D, using the bad leg fairly consistently, stretching out her stride etc. Fingers crossed that we keep improving with no setbacks! Go by PetSmart to talk to rescue folks there, then return home, let other dogs out and into trailer, work on phone and computer to find a foster for the blue heeler I've been trying to help rescue, yippee, find local foster! Fix lunch for husband who then goes into town to get lumber, then take dogs to grooming shed, groom all, clip DBs nails, then out again for evening run (kennel Snoopy), pick up food, then feed and kennel.

Sunday November 20: Drizzly day

Ack! Its drizzling this morning! (no hint of this in last night's weather report). Wait for break in drizzle, morning run-walk, then feed and kennel just in time, starts drizzling again. Go to church, return, still drizzling. Husband is going into town again. Take nap, put wash in, then it finally stops drizzling so unkennel dogs and bring inside... leave Snoopy inside, take others for run, they are all excited ... spot neighbor's huge white cat (who they've seen dozens of times) and run around barking, a bicyclist comes down the road (very unusual occurrence) and Corey fence runs with it (outruns it and stops at end of property turns around like 'what? where is it?' ) ... Back inside, do a bit of cleaning, its now getting dark, fix food, then take Snoopy out for evening walk, little Mattie shows up, we're all strolling around, DB and Banshee playing with little Mattie, husband returns, hand him Snoopy's leash so I can get food and other dogs to kennels, husband has to leave again immediately so crate Corey,DB, Banshee and Mattie, then come back to trailer get food and Snoopy, feed and kennel all. (well, I dont kennel Mattie for the evening, I feed her and she goes home).

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Nov 7- Nov 1`3

A tiring week, have to go out of town for a work related meeting Tues-Thursday, I really hate being 'dogless' for days ... sandspurs terrible, weather nice, one hard freeze ... little Mattie visits several times, Snoopy doing well at rehab ...


"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." - Milan Kundera

Monday Nov. 7

Clear crisp morning run-walk, dogs in fine spirits ... flocks of black birds landing and taking off again, Corey chasing after them barking joyously ... go to work, return, its after dark (darn daylight savings time) dogs kenneled. Go outt with yogurt-essenses, then take Corey in and groom him, poor guy, sandspurs galore ...

Tues Nov. 8

Beautiful, warm (70's) sunny ... morning run-walk, then finish packing, then back out with dogs ... little Mattie shows up, goes on full tour of property, playing with Banshee and DB, running in circles, running under Corey, all having a marvelous time ... and I have to leave and go to a work related out of town three day meeting. Ugh. Kennel dogs, husband drives me to Saluda where I'm picked up by co-workers and whisked away .... the only animal related thing that happens in the next 2 days is I win an 'award' (picked by coworkers) as 'most likely to have an animal follow me home'...

Wed-Thursday Nov 9-10

Husband reports dogs are 'doing fine'. Return home after dark Thursday, dogs kenneled, but greet me with mad chorus of barking and yelping, get yogurt and essenses, go out to kennels, give essenses, rub Snoopys leg, give chewies, get a small bit of loving ...

Friday Nov.11

Cold! Am off for Veteran's Day (thank goodness cause I'm exhausted) Cold crisp morning,. morning run, dogs all excited ! Snoopy seems to be limping a bit when husband gets her out ... feed and kennel. Return in an hour, let all out, Snoopy on leash, walk a bit, then kennel her and run the others, then back to kennels, take all in for grooming ... poor  Corey has sandspurs everywhere, including (ouch) right near his penis sheath ... finally get him sandspur free and mats out. Brush DB, she has small cut on her tummy, doctor it. Banshee is fine, no mats, and she is growing in her undercoat for winter ... Snoopy I still cant get on table, so brush as best I can, then do a spot of muzzle training. Back out again, take all inside trailer. Lunch, read a bit, fall asleep. Up again, take all out for a bit. I had orginally planned to go to town and help with adoptions but my back is killing me. Husband finishes work, feed and kennel dogs,  little Mattie shows up for supper, then into town for chiro appointment, and picking up more lumber; stop by the pizza restaurant Sally's mom Nikki works at, since I havent seen Sally for 2 weeks now ... says she is doing well. Return home.

Saturday November 12

Another cold morning, hard freeze last night ... morning run, walk, feed and kennel, then take Snoopy to rehab, she is doing well, leg seems to be strengthening ... return home, change and go to church friend's funeral, then return, dogs all still kenneled as husband has had workers all day working on building ... let them out, walk Snoopy, then put her inside, take others for run ... much warmer now ... pick up some branches, get sandspurs out of DB's paws, go to shed and take Corey in, groom him, again ... these sandspurs are vicious ... return to trailer, take brief nap, Corey decides to get on top of me on couch, he is way too big for this ... then out again,   til nightfall.

Sunday November 13

Warmer today, morning run-walk, feed and kennel, go to church. Return, huisbandhas workers again, unkennel dogs, take Snoopy for walk then put her in trailer, take others for mid day run, put insulation on some pipes, then inside, fix lunch, do wash and other housework, hands killing me ... lay down to read, fall asleep, wake up to Corey licking my face and the other 3 sitting staring intently at me ... get up, take all out again ... Corey is limping, bad. Has sandspurs in back paw all jammed up in between his pads , ouch ... back inside, husband comes in and helps me extricate the sandspurs... decide to go for a van ride. Unfortunately, van is low on trans fluid, by the time I figure this out, find the fluid, and cant get hood to open, its getting dark. Oh well. Sit with dogs on porch, Mattie joins us, watch sun set, then feed and kennel.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Oct 31-Nov 6

Beautiful fall weather this week ... sunny, crisp and clear, one evening rain , but all in all beautiful ... dogs all in fine spirits, little Mattie visits several times ... pet therapy day for Banshee, rehab and energy work for Snoopy, 2 van rides and outings for all... a good week! 

In the good news department, Sasha, the elder dobie I posted about last week who was in the pound after her owner died has been saved by Broken Dobes rescue! Hooray!

Let me share with you a poem from my friend who does animal rescue work in Georgia ... on the ones we couldn't save ..
---

You're there, wandering the roadside, lost.
You're there, chained in a back yard..., forgotten.
You're there, starving under a house with your newborn litter.
You're there, cowering in a kennel at the pound, hopeless.
You're there, on a steel table, waiting for the needle.
You're there, in the landfill in a black plastic bag.
You're there, even when no one else sees you.
You're there, every time I close my eyes, look over my shoulder, look into my dogs' trusting faces.
You'll be there, when I stand before God and give account of my life.
When I kneel to ask forgiveness, will you lick my face?
~ EG 11/1/2011
By: Ellen Graben


Monday Oct 31: Beautiful weather

Beautiful weather, morning run, very windy, dogs all love the wind it sets them off running in circles, noses high, running the fence with the horses, joyous, excited, what MUST they be able to smell in the wind! feed and kennel, go to work, return, Snopy and Corey in kennels, DB and Banshee out loose, husband said Corey kept eating pieces of scrap wood and he couldnt monitor him ... let them out, go inside and fix food, then evening run, feed and kennel.


Tuesday Nov 1: Pet therapy day for Banshee, van ride for all

Beautiful fall weather, crisp clear, bright blue skies, just fantastic ... morning run-walk, feed and kennel, go to food bank and then return, dogs inside, fix lunch, then load up all and go to town, stop by BBB to check stall mats (and let Corey have a 'visit', he calms down after his first 'stop') then to nursing home for pet therapy, Banshee looks so pretty today ... another of our favorite patients has passed away, this is so sad sometimes... then on to PetSmart, take Corey in, then DB and Banshee , then take Snoopy for a brief walk-pee. Home again, Corey and Snoopy inside, DB and Banshee hanging out with Mattie, who came to visit, and husband who is working on building ... let Banshee in, take quick nap, fix food, out for evening run, give Snoopy to husband (who is still at building site). Little Mattie has gone home. Feed and kennel, here comes Mattie again, so sit on porch with her and watch sunset

Wed Nov 2: Little Mattie visits again

Beautiful weather continues ... morning run-walk, all in high spirits, running with the horses in back ... eating the last persimmons ... feed and kennel, go to work, return, greeted by DB and Banshee at gate, Corey and Snoopy kenneled , let them out and walk Snoopy to trailer, fix food. Take DB,Banshee and Corey for evening run, husband walks Snoopy, return to trailer, almost dark, little Mattie shows up for supper. Feed, kennel

Thursday Nov.3: Rain this evening

Beautiful weather, morning run, feed and kennel, go to work, return, cloudy, rain imminent... almost dark, dogs inside, fix food, take the 3 for evening run, meet husband at kennels with Snoopy, feed and keenel


Friday Nov 4: Return after dark
Rained in the night, still fine cold mist in morning, husband gone to town, must do entire routine by myself, which puts me behind ... go to Columbia for meeting, return and go to chiropractor, where I see my Xrays, my back is worse than I had thought , oh well ... return home well after dark. Dogs have been kenneled , take out yogurt-essenses, chewies ...

Saturday Nov 5: Rehab and energy work for Snoopy, van ride and outing for all

Happy Guy Fawkes Day! Very windy, clear and cold! Morning run-walk, feed and kennel, then load up all and go on long excursion .. first stop, Snoopy to rehab, doing very well, the Snoopy to Jay's for energy work (very receptive, let Jay pet her, very calm, almost kissed him ... wow ), then to Pet Smart for outing, no one there for adoptions today, I think this is the first time there have been NO rescue groups there on Saturday ... Corey his usual exuberant self, fell in love with a little teacup chi female, wish I had a camera ... Corey is 'courting mode' is a sight to behold, and the big red dog flirting with the teeny tiny chi was just too cute for words ...  DB and Banshee acting very sweet, met nice woman and her dog Sugar who're intereted in pet therapy, then picked up sandwich for me (and a plain to share with dogs), then to Hopelands Gardens, Corey gets his walk, is much oohed and aahed over, he is prancing about like a racehorse ... then DB and Banshee, finally Snoopy a very brief walk ... then on to BBB, pick up food and stall mat, let Corey greet everyone, he is SUCH a ham. ... back home, at last, husband and worker unload the stall mat (which has ridden home on top of Corey and Banshees crates) let all out, then inside ... fix food, feed the Damcat, try to read, husband then tells me he has to go back in town to pick up nails and I have to go with him as his feet are bothering him and he's concerned about driving ... sigh ... brief final run for DB,Bnshee, Corey, then feed and kennel, go back to town... return 'way late in the night' (for me, around 1030) ... 

Sunday November 6: Visit from Mattie, van making weird noises

Gorgeous fall day, brilliant sunshine, cool morning, just wonderful. Time change last night so its light when I get up! Morning run, feed and kennel, go to church, return, husband and workers working on building, dogs kenneled. Let dogs out, walk Snoopy, then put her inside, take others for run, then inside. Fix lunch, do wash, take naps, am just getting ready to go out to mow when husband finishes working and decides he wants to load up dogs and go to town, unfortunately, van is making a weird noise and cant get hood open .. so unload dogs, little Mattie shows up .. kennel dogs, go to store, return and its almost dark (the downside of time change) take the 3 (and Mattie) for evening run, Snoopy for walk, get food, feed and kennel.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Oct 24-30

A good week ... beautiful weather... turns much colder end of week, first freeze ... the Damcat and DB and Banshee hot on the trail of mice ... the Damcat actually gets OUT of the trailer and goes on the porch ... Snoopy hobbling gamely along, often on all 4 legs ... dogs all get van ride and outing on Saturday ... little Mattie visits several times ...

I dont usually promote rescue dogs in my 'updates' but this one is heartbreaking, Sasha, a 10 year old dobie girl whose owner died ... and the family dumped her in the Aiken County Shelter ... Sasha is in good health and very sweet, obesience trained, and no doubt stunned to find herself on a cold cement floor ... please, is there anyone who can offer this good ol' girl a comfortable place to live out her last few years??? Adoption fee only $35...
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21204465

“Preach the gospel always, If necessary use words.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Monday October 24: The Damcat hot on the trail of mice

The Damcat awakens us at 5 AM, the mouse he's been stalking for weeks has been caught in trap under washer ... back to sleep, briefly ...sunny morning , damp but no frost ... the Damcat gets out on porch, hunting more mice I suspect ... latch him in then let dogs loose for morning run-walk, feed and kennel, go to work. Return, rather tired, was going to groom but no energy. Evening run, almost in the dark.


Tuesday October 25: Little Mattie visits

Getting warmer again. Sunny this morning, run-walk, little Mattie shows up for chow. Feed and kennel, off to work, put on a big luncheon, exhausting. Finish work return home, husband has just returned from buying still more lumber. Let dogs out, briefly, then inside to fix food, then out for evening run. Practice sit-stay-down with the 3, they are getting pretty solid (though Banshee tends to wander off if the stay lasts a long time...) husband walks Snoopy, we watch a blimp go by... then feed and kennel.

Wednesday  October 26: DB and Banshee hunt mice, catch one

Warm this morning. Morning run-walk, Mattie shows up for breakfast
Return home, all dogs inside, fix food, take the 3 for evening run... but only Corey comes with me, DB and Banshee are after a mouse (I assume) in a pile of old fence posts by travel traiiler. (Husband says they caught one earlier in garage....) Ackk, why are mice so early this year!!! Corey and I have a fine run, practice sit-stay-recall-heel, he does really really well by himself ... return to trailer, get husband, Snoopy and food, back to kennels, here come DB and Banshee, no luck catchig the mouse

Thursday October 27: Banshee banished for tearing up towel

Up earlier so can get to early meeting. Morning run-walk, feed and kennel. Return home very tired, loong day, almost dark, gfreeted at gate by Banshee, rest are inside (husband had banished Banshee to porch for tearing up a dish towel... fix food, pet Snoopy, take the 3 for evening run (in the dark, no lights on mower) ...Mattie shows up for evening run (in the dark) and supper. Feed and kennel, clean Coreys ears (which look good!)

Friday October 28: very windy

Morning walk-run, breezy this morning which always sets dogs into frenzied running in bursts of speed. Snoopy hobbling gamely along. Feed and kennel, then take Corey in shed and groom him, finally get the mats out on his stomach. The hot spots are cleared up, hair regrowing. Go to work, the Xrays, the chiropractor. Pitch black dark when return, husband has fed and kenneled. Take yogurt-essences out to kennels, fix tomorrows food

Saturday October 29: All dogs get van ride and outings

Rained last night, still drizzly early morning, delay morning run til stops. Windy, cleaning, dogs all (including Snoopy) raring to go, sniffing the wind, running full tilt (except Snoopy. husband walks her ..) feed and kennel. Then groom Corey and Banshee (muddy paws, tangled feathers), give DB and Snoopy a quick rub down with waterless shampoo, then load all up and go into town, stop by Boots & Bridles, walk a bit in in park, then across the street to my vet, who is having open house, miss the costume contest (but we werent in costume), Corey on pretty good behaviot by now has settled down .. then on to PetSmart, take DB and Banshee in to greet our friends, very very busy today! Decide to not take Corey in, instead go to Hopeland Gardens and walk him, then DB and Banshee, my feet are beginning to hurt ... Snoopy gets to take a very brief walk to pee. Back in van, Corey cant or wont get in, have to lift him (first front then back) I hope he's not developing some kind of rear end arthritis...  this is a bit much, I know I have to give Snoopy a boost into the van, but she weighs under 50 lbs ... on to grocery store, quck stop by dollar store then home, pretty tired. Disembark, get groceries in one hand, lead Snoopy with other, into trailer. Very windy. Husband puts up groceries. Make coffee, sandwiches, then lay down (my feet hurt) up again to fix food and then do evening run, at nightfall, getting cold... feed and kennel.

Sunday October 30: First freeze last nite

Beautiful cool fall morning, light freeze last night, frost rimming the trees and grasses ... morning run, dogs all energetic but without the frenetic energy of yesterday (caused by the wind, I think) ... Snoopy walks with husband while I run the rest. Feed and kennel, go to church, little Mattie shows up just as I'm leaving , too late ... covered dish lunch, return home. Change clothes, take Snoopy inside, take others for run, mow for awhile ... lovely out here today ... back inside, fix husband lunch, do wash, try to take nap but the Damcat wont let me sleep ... up again, husband out at slab with Snoopy, lets her back in.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Oct 17-23

Week starts out in 80's, ends with lows in 30's ... some fog and rain and high winds midweek ... Corey's hot spots healing ... Snoopy's slow steady improvement continues .. little Mattie visits .. a good week

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter ~ the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness, and betrayal. I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment, & then He spoke softly, "I have done something," He replied, "I created you." ~ Author Unknown


Monday Oct 17: Warm, sunny

Warm and sunny. Morning run and walk, feed and kennel. Snoopy walking pretty well. Corey's hot spots healed and ears look good. Go to work, return, workers just leaving. Fix food, evening run, feed and kennel


Tuesday October 18: Fog and rain

Early morning hearing, dense fog, have to drive slowly so  ... left food for husband to feed dogs ... return from Columbia, continue work, very warm, in high 80's ... rain coming in ... return home, husbands workers just leaving, dogs kenneled. Fix food, go to take dogs for run, starts drizzling.Back inside. Eventually slacks up. Evening run, feed, kennel


Wednesday Oct. 19: More rain, then windy

Damp mist this morning ... dogs out for morning walk-run ... starts drizzling halfway through, quickly back to kennels, feed and kennel. Go to work, steady rain. Starts clearing up mid afternoon, cold wind. Check on Sally, her mom says the training went well Monday! Hooray! Return home, husband had kenneled dogs. Fix food then evening run, it is COLD ... high 50's and a very strong wind, brrr .. dogs are enjoying it immensely, DB running in circles, Corey running in full gallop, head in the wind, ears streaming, Banshee bounding up and down. Husband is walking Snoopy. Who wants so very badly to join in the race with the wind ....

Thursday Oct 20: Cold moves in

Clearing, substantially colder, still windy ... morning run-walk, feed and kennel, off to work ... return late almost dark, greeted at gate by DB and Banshee, Corey and Snoopy inside. Fix food, evening run, feed-kennel


Friday Oct 21: Little Mattie visits

Frost this morning, brrr ... clear and chilly, husband gone to bank, let dogs out for morning run, have to leave Snoopy in pen ... return, kennel Corey, put DB and Banshee in crates, take Snoopy out on leash and go back to trailer to get food, little Mattie shows up, workers arriving, husband arrives, takes Snoopy for brief walk, kennels. Proceed with feeding. Go to work, return, Corey inside, Snoopy and DB and Banshee kenneled. Let them out, all inside, fix food, leave Snoopy inside while do evening run ... whoops gazebo door has now fallen off ... mow a little, then back to pick up food, meet husband at kennels. Feed and kennel. Whew.

Saturday Oct 22: Snoopy's rehab going well

Clear and cold this morning, in high 30's. Morning run-walk, feed, kennel, then leash Snoopy and go to town, help set up SPCA 'dog fair', then take Snoopy to rehab, she's doing SO well, walked almost the whole time on treadmill, there was another dog there but it didnt faze her, loved on Maggie (the vet tech)  and even lay down on mattress with her, got laser treatment, just enjoying herself now ... then to Claire's to pick up herbs, Snoopy talked' briefly to Claire, then home (brief stops to pick up supplies for lumcheon I have do do next week) . Met at gate by ... Banshee. Back to kennels, put Snopy in kennel, here comes DB. Unload car, go inside, Corey and the Damcat greet me. Let DB and Banshee in, Fix lunch for husband, go get Snoopy and bring her inside then take DB,Banshee and Corey for run and mowing. Return to trailer, husband leaves to go buy lumber, dogs settle down for naps. Read and work on computer, do wash. Dogs wake up, restless. Take to kennels, kennel Snoopy, take others on run and mow, then back to kennels, take all inside shed and groom. Corey is a mess, hasnt had thorough grooming since last Sunday (I've been so slack), get most of matts out, brush Banshee (who is in good shape), then DB and finally Snoopy (who cant get on table, so I cant do a very good job bending over, plus she licks my face constantly). Kennel all, whoops, its dark, husband still in town. Got get food, bring back and feed everybody, rub comfrey oil on Snoopy's knee, wash up bowls, measure out tomorrows food, refill water buckets, etc.   Without husband to help, this takes well, twice as long, about 45 minutes. Give all evening chewies (dried tripe) return to trailer. Not going to fix supper til husband returns, maybe I'll luck out and he's eaten in town.

Sunday Oct 24: Corey gets tangled in couch cover

Warmer today, morning run-walk, feed and kennel, go to church ... return, dogs kenneled as husband and workers working on building. Change clothes, let dogs out, walk Snoopy (she is alking pretty well) then put her inside, take others for run and some mowing (the broom straw is going wild) .. still sandspurs, too. Corey has gotten all persimmons from low branches now and stations himself at trees barking for me to pick some for him (and Banshee and DB). Finish mowing for awhile, go inside, fix lunch for husband, attempt to take nap, Corey somehow managed to get himself completely wrapped in the throw cover on the couch and couldnt get untangled. The other 3 dogs came to help me get him untangled, Banshee then dragged the throw cover off and started ripping it up. So much for THAT nice peaceful nap:-) Take Snoopy out for walk, return inside, put wash on, fix food, then outside again, workers leaving. Mow a bit, then take Corey, DB and Banshee to shed to try some more mat removal on Corey I dont think they clipped him well enough on his stomach last time. This is a mess. Using mane and tail detangler helps but not that much, working on the mats with combwhen husband brings Snoopy and food down to kennels,  this sets Corey over the edge (almost literally, as I had him high in the air to try and get his tummy) ... ok, I give up. Feed and kennel.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Weekly update Oct 10-16

Rain much of the week... Corey's hot spots improving ... visit Sally... take Snoopy to rehab... Mattie visits ... Blessing of the Animals ... a tiring week, but good.


Monday Oct. 10: Columbus Day

Off for Columbus Day. Morning run, cloudy, windy, feels like will rain at any moment. Spray Corey's hot spots. Feed and kennel, go to town for some errands, return mid afternoon. My back is really bothering me today/. Dogs all inside, brief run, then inside again, do wash, nap. Starts drizzling. Take all out to shed, groom, Corey's got more sandspurs. Ack. Snoopy learning to like basket muzzle.

Tuesday Oct 11: Rains all day

Fine mist this morning. Morning run, starts drizzling, quick back to kennels, feed and kennel go to work. Rains all day. Return. Has just stopped raining almost nightfall, take the 3 for a run, feed and kennel

Wednesday Oct.12: Visit Sally

Drizzling still in morning, had early hearing in Columbia so fixed food and left with husband to feed .... long day, dropped by to quickly visit Sally (and drop off dog class paperwork for her mom) ... return home, met in driveway by Corey and Banshee, Snoopy and DB inside. Go in, give all treats, husband had left food in kennels. Out to kennels, crate everyone, then groom. Corey's hot spots better. Its stopped raining, so take the 3 for evening run, whoops Corey has the runs (too many persimmons?) Return to kennels, feed and kennel.

Thursday Oct. 13: Storm hits early evening

Cloudy and damp, but not raining, morning run, now DB has the runs, break out pumpkin for everbody. Feed and kennel, go to work. Clears up during day but on way home a terrible storm hits, fortunately husband had put dogs in kennels. I wait out worst of it at the BiLo, when I get home it has stopped raining. Things blown everywhere. Fix food, take the 3 for evening run, husband walks Snoopy, feed and kennel

Friday Oct 14: Therapy for Snoopy

Clear and cool and windy, still very wet from last nights rain ... morning run, all very excited, trying to keep them away from persimmons, DB and Banshee digging after a critter in woods, Corey running up and down front fence line. Feed and kennel. Thrn get Snoopy, go by food bank to deliver food then to town for Snoopy's rehab (cant go tomorrow because church yard sale). Snoopy does very well, lets the ech and vet pet her, walk her, go through exercises, has laser therapy, and hydrotherapy, lets tech towel her dry; vet says she is coming along well. Take Snoopy back home then leave for hearing in Columbia. Return late day then go to chiropractor, then home, its dark, husband has fed and kenneled dogs. Get yogurt and give them yogurt-essenses and chewies, check Corey's hot spots, rub comfrey oil on Snoopy's stifle. Tired.

Saturday Oct 15: Mattie comes to visit

Beautiful clear sunny weather .. morning run, DB and Banshee digging after a mole, Snoopy walking well with husband, Corey's hot spots have healed up nicely, but poor guy keeps picking up more sandspurs ... feed and kennel, go to help at church yard sale, return home after lunch. Dogs all kenneled, husband has workers on building today. Take dogs inside, then take the 3 for brief run, return, fix lunch for husband and workers, lay down and read, am pretty tired. Up again. as Corey and Snoopy keep licking me in face. Take the 3 for run, mow, finally huband finishes work, feed and kennel, Mattie shows up for supper, then go to town with husband to buy lumber. Return late. Tired.


Sunday Oct 16: Blessing of the Animals

Bright clear sunshine, heating up again. Morning run-walk ... ack, DB has gotten grease all over her, must have gotten under a vehicle? Feed and kennel, go to church. Return, let dogs out for run, put Snoopy inside, husband has people working on building. Fix him lunch. Then take dogs to kennels, crate, work on cleaning up DB and Corey , the waterless shampoo cleans up DB's grease! We should do a commercial. Groom Corey who has sandspurs galore, then Banshee and Snoopy, then load them into van to go to Blessing of the Animals. Arrive later than had hoped. All dogs revved up, and I forgot to give them DAP spray or essences. Manage to get seated, have brought a tennis ball for Corey (unfortunately its a squeaky type) ... all OK until ... Corey spots the donkeys and, goes nuts. Will not shut up, he is screaming 'donkeys! Donkeys! Over theeeerrre!' at the top of his lungs, so, take him back to van, get back to service. Snoopy is now getting very anxious, backs off from the man in robes and hides behind my chair.  DB is enamored of the male dalmation next to us and keps play bowing, twirling around, jumping ... Banshee gets the ball Corey left and starts guarding it from Snoopy(who just wants to 'get outa there'.)  Get the 3 blesed, then put Snoopy in van. After a bit, bring Corey out, he has settled down, get him blessed, walk him around, talk to folks, we are actually near the donkeys wth no problem, until ... the donkeys move, Corey goes off again, so, put  him back in van. Return home, take the 3 for run, Snoopy inside, lay down a few minutes then fix food, go out and mow til nightfall, feed and kennel.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Weekly update Oct 3-9

A tiring week, beautiful weather continues, Corey gets another hot spot and goes to vet.. Snoopy does well at rehab... the Damcat chases Snoopy  ... little Mattie shows up for supper twice... Banshee goes to pet therapy ... visit Sally ... a tiring week, but a good one...

"Auschwitz begins whenever someone looks at a slaughterhouse and thinks :
They are only animals." - Theodor Adorno , 1903-1969



Monday October 3: Beautiful weather continues

Beautiful sunshine continues... morning run (and walk), Corey chases a chicken truck, gleefully, Banshee and DB digging after some critter in the woods, Snoopy (and husband) watch from up the hill (he takes Snoopy to the front porch to watch us go down the hill, then over to vantage point on side to watch us by woods ... Snoopy is remarkably calm about all this, she doesnt try to run to us, she watches, and waits ... I ride over and pet her on the way down and then coming back. The other dogs are also remarkably (to me, at least) calm, at first DB would try to 'entice' her to join in a game of chase (none of these dogs are 'wrestlers', their idea of a fine time is to chase each other and run in circles (and Snoopy and Corey, of course, want to play ball.. oddly, since Snoopy has been lame, Corey has STOPPED fnding balls and bringing them to me, after that first day when he went around picking up Snoopy's toys). Feed and kennel, spray Vetericyn on Corey's hot spot, comfrey oil on Snoopy's leg ... go to work. Return almost nightfall, DB and Banshee greet me at gate, Snoopy and Corey inside, fix food, take the 3 for evening run, meet husband and Snoopy back at kennels.

Tuesday October 4: Feast of St Francis today, pet therapy day for Banshee

Feast of St Francis today! Beautiful weather, warming up ... morning run (and walk for Snoopy), feed, kennel, go to food banks then return, pick up Banshee and go to pet therapy. Too hot still to take all dogs. Pretty depressing visit, one of our favorite residents who loved Banshee , has passed away. Also, the nurse who gives out treats was in a meeting, Banshee and Katie (another of the therapy dogs) ran up to her door and ... it was closed. The expression on their faces ... then, the door opened, another  nurse gave them treats. Whew. After therapy, went by store to pick up Probios and dog food, then home, husband had dogs kenneled as he had a coputer torn apart and in pieces all over living room. Kennel Banshee, take nap, then take the 3 for a run, Snoopy for a walk, then crate everyone and groom everyone ... Corey's hot spot getting better. But poor thing has sandspurs everywhere. Snoopy learning to eat treats out of muzzle. Clip DBs nails.

Wednesday October 5: Corey gets another hot spot, Mattie shows up for supper

Warm sunny weather is back, but highs only in high 80's ... morning run (and walk), feed and kennel, spray Vetericyn on Corey's leg, rub comfrey oil on Snoopy's leg, go to work, and dentist today, return home totally exhausted from dental ordeal, husband in shed with dogs, lay down for brief nap, then fix food, go and get 3 dogs for run, pet Snoopy ... mowing sandspurs, manage to run mower into a hole way in back of property and have to walk all the way back ...  while walking notice that  Corey now has a raw spot on the outside of the same leg he had the hot spot on the inside , I didnt see it last nite when I gave him a thorough groooming so I guess he got into sandspurs today sometime and gnawed it ... yikes. Back to tractor shed, pick up other mower, mow some more, I have GOT to get rid of these sandspurs ... DB and Banshee seem to manage it fine, they just 'comb' them out with their teeth, poor Corey is like Angel Ginger was, the burrs get all tangled in that fine setter hair and he just doesnt have the oral dexterity to remove them neatly , I feel SO badly about this ... back to trailer, pick up food, feed and kennel, and ... here comes little Mattie!  Gave Mattie supper and a chewie, petted her a bit. ... proceed with nightly doctoring (spray Corey's hot spots, rub comfrey on Snoopy's leg...) dried tripe has arrived (we were out for 2 days) so all are really excited at their chewies ... back to trailer accompanied by Mattie, we sit on porch awhile, then she goes 'home'. I sure wish they'd give or sell her to me, her nails need clipping, her eye still looks bad.


Thursday October 6: The Damcat chases Snoopy

Morning run-walk, sunny weather continues, Banshee and DB chasingh a mouse by the slab, Corey chases a truck, meet husband and Snoopy back at kennels, go to work. Long day, return home, all inside, door locked, knock and all start barking, husband apparently fell asleep ... he lets ALL dogs OUT of front door and here they come racing to confront the intruder ... including poor Snoopy, hopping. Settle them down get Snoopy back inside, where the Damcat chases her, Snoopy gets behind couch and stays there. Let others back in, fix food, take the 3 for evening run. Feed and kennel. Corey's hot spot (the new one) looks awful, am taking to vet tomorrow

Friday October 7: Corey goes to vet for hot spots

Sunny again, morning run-walk, Snoopy doing well today. Feed and kennel, go to work, return after lunch, pick up items to take by church for yard sale next week, load up Corey and take to vet for a look at his hot spots. Get antibiotic spray. Also get his HW test (negative) and his other lumps and bumps checked (all OK), and vet says his ears look great! Husband supposed to pick him up so I can go to chiro, doesnt show up, call, he's fallen asleep. Take Corey over to park to walk and be admired, then to chiro, finally husband shows up and takes Corey home. Have chiro visit, return home,  greeted at gate by DB and Banshee,Corey and Snoopy inside. Go in, fix food, take the 3 for quick evening run, feed and kennel.

Saturday October 8: Rehab for Snoopy, visit Sally

Morning run, trying to get done before husband's workers arrive. Just manage to do so. Corey really doesnt like the new spray for hot spots I think it must burn. He's an awfully large dog to try and do something to if he doesnt like it,lol. Put dogs up, then take Snoopy to rehab, she did wonderfully today, let the techs pet her, even a new one she'd never seen before, even let tech towel her off after hydrotherapy. Left rehab, went by PetSmart, visited SPCA adoptions then visited Sally and her mom; pick up paperwork for training for Sally. Sally has learned to go into her crate on command (good for new mom!) and things seem to be settling down. Return  home, all dogs inside, husband out with workers. Bring Snoopy in, let others out, brief run, then back inside, fix lunch for workers. Take naps. Back out for mowing and evening run, feed and kennel.

Sunday October 9: Mattie comes to visit

Cloudy and windy morning. Morning run-walk, fed and kennel, go to church. Return, let dogs out for run-walk, mow for several hours, then inside, husband goes to town to buy lumber. I am typing away at computer, all dogs asleep, Corey right by my feet, his tail starts thumping ... ack, the Damcat has sauntered in and is nose to nose with him which is fine, but the Damcat then spots Snoopy and we almost have a melee (the Damcat has now decided that he can chase poor lame Snoopy, OK, this is fine if the other 3 arent in here ...) I put the Damcat back in bedroom. After awhile, go out to mow, first take Snoopy slowly back to kennels. Take others for run then mow right around where Snoopy can watch us. Unfortunately, then the wheel comes loose on mower, the other mower the battery is dead. My back is hurting badly. Leash Snoopy, limp back to trailer. Let all in, put Damcat in bedroom, fix food. Almost dark. Husband arrives. Mattie shows up, runs with DB and Banshee for a bit, then Feed and kennel.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Weekly update Sept 26-Oct 2

Hot and muggy to start the week, beautiful cool fall wweather for weekend! Snoopy beginning to walk on all 4s ... Corey has hotspot from sandspurs ... groom all dogs ... Banshee loves it!... visit Sally... little Mattie shows up, briefly! ... DB in fine spirits all week ... a pretty good week, at least I now have some hope Snoopy will recover ... its just so slow and awkward for her ...

Don't forget, the feast of St Francis is October 4 ...

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.  ~St. Francis of Assisi

Monday September 26: Damp and muggy

Morning run for DB,Banshee and Corey ... very damp out, husband walks Snoopy ... lots of sandspurs popping up after rain last night ... neighbor (across road) big white cat sitting out by road, staring at my dogs, who, to do them credit, just stare back ... return to kennels, feed and kennel. Go to work. Return late, its hot and muggy DB greets me at gate, then Banshee ... then Corey ... husband had had them in kennels after a walk, thought I'd be home a half hour ago ... then heard Corey barking ... back to trailer, change, fix food, then out for late evening run (almost dark), Snoopy walks with husband, hasnt pooped today. Feed and kennel, rub comfrey oil on Snoopy's leg


Tuesday September 27: Hot weather continues, groom all, Snoopy practices with muzzle

Damp muggy morning ... husband takes Snoopy on leash, I take the others on morning run, feed and kennel. Snoopy still hasnt pooped. She also doesnt want to eat (her good stuff) so spoon feed her. Seems like her leg is hurting, rub with comfrey oil. Go to work, hot today, in 90's, with showers popping up ... husband reports all dogs are snoozing most of day ... return home, not raining here, dogs in crates in shed (husband had been wiorking on computers). Fix food, then go out and groom everybody ... Corey all excited, but manage to get him halfway decent, Banshee loves being groomed, would stand there for hours ... clip DB's nails, her skin is very sensitive tonight, she shivers when I brush her ... poor Snoopy cant get on table, so brush her on floor, then practice with the basket muzzle, she will now eat treats out of it and I can even pull the strap behind her ears... husband takes her on leash for evening walk (she finally poops!), and, she WALKS on all fours, for several steps ... and then again ... I am beginning to be hopeful that her ACL will heal, without surgery ... prayers continue... I know it seems so slow, but it hasnt even been 3 weeks yet since the injury ...  I take others for evening run ... nice breeze, feels like may rain any moment ... get food, feed and kennel.

Wednesday September 28: Smoopy walking on all 4s ... a little

Still hot and muggy ... foggy morning ... husband takes Snoopy on leash, I take others for run, Snoopy hopping, feed and kennel, go to meeting and to work ... return, greeted at gate by... DB. Turns out Corey and Banshee are in trailer, Snoopy in shed, husband had been in shed with all dogs then had to go to trailer so let the 3 out, 2 went in with him, DB spotted me arriving and ran to gate. Fix food, then husband gets Snoopy on leash, I start mowing, come back up hill, Snoopy is walking on all 4 legs, sloowly ... I ride mower up ro her, she steps up for treat ... holds position well, legs extended ... pet her awhile, then go off with the others, husband and Snoopy go inside to wait for us (Snoopy did poop today. I think perhaps the arthritis herbs were constipating?) Pick up food, to kennels, watch Snoopy, again walking on all 4s... then starts limping... feed and kennel, rub comfrey oil on leg


Thursday September 29: Sandspurs ...

Still hot, in 90's, but supposedly fall will blow in this weekend ... morning run per our new 'routine', return to kennels, feed and kennel, go to work ... return, greeted at gate by DB ... Corey, Snoopy and Banshee inside shed with husband ... let Corey and Banshee out with me and DB, go to trailer, change, fix food, then mow, trying to get the darn sandspurs, am coming back up hill, there is husband at 2d bench (in front of trailer) with Snoopy, she is walking on all 4s, slowly ... comes to mower, puts her front paws up and stands on rear legs good girl! Pet her for awhile til the other dogs all come rushing back over, so mow some more ... the sandspurs are AWFUL this year ... back to kennels, husband has brought food, feed and kennel

Friday September 30: Visit SAlly

Morning run, had to wait for husband to return from town so he could walk Snoopy ... still warm and muggy, DB and Banshee digging for a mole over by the woods ... Corey sitting at the fence, staring intently across the road at neighbor's big white cat ... back to kennels, husband has walked Snoopy (she pooped) , feed, kennel, put enzymes in Corey's ear, comfrey on Snoopy. Go to work and food bank ... visit Sally, take paperwork for pet training to her mom, who has both crates set up now, though Sally is still not totally enamoured of her crate, this gives her a break from Lola (the little hyper Boston... when its just Sally and Sasha (the older bulldog) Sally is quiet, the minute Lola starts in on her she starts jumping up etc, hopefully separating them a bit more will quiet things down ... Take Sally down the street for a walk to watch cars, she walks very well on leash, is somewhat intimidated by the cars. Sit and wath cars for awhile. Then back to work, and to chiro, on way home stop by party to kick off the County Shelter and Rehab 'walk a dog' event... home pretty late, almost nightfall, greeted at gate by DB, Banshee, Corey, Snoopy kenneled already (husband says she was limping) ... go in trailer, fix food, back to kennels, feed and kennel, rub comfrey on Snoopys leg

Saturday October 1: Beautiful cool weather, Snoopy goes to rehab

Substantially cooler! In 40's last night, beautiful crisp clear morning ... 3 dogs burst out of pens, running in delight, husband walks Snoopy ... oh, I feel so sad for Snoopy, to go through that awful hot summer and not be able to run in the fall ... but I know she has to continue slow steady progress to recover ... feed and kennel, then take Snoopy to rehab , she's settling in nicely, lets the nice young assistant walk her through some exercises, lets vet and assistant pet her, perks up happily at the sight of 'her' brown swim harness and has a nice long time in hydrotherapy, and, lets assistant dry her off! Its only been 3 weeks since her accident, they say after  6 weeks you can tell if its healing on its own ... it'll be 6 months before she may be able to run again ... leave rehab, stop by and get some energy work from my chiro, then return home, met at gate by DB, Banshee and Corey inside with husband ... kennel DB, then let Snoopy disembark and kennel her, then inside, notice Corey licking his left leg, oh yuk, sandspurs, and he's licked an area raw (last year he did this on top of his foot where sandspurs lodged) spray 'hot spot' spray on it ... fix husbands lunch, then let DB out and take the 3 for run while husband puts Snoopy on leash and walks her to slab (where he and workers are working on building) mow a bit, then take all 4 dogs inside while fix food for church member whose father passed away, husband comes in, work finished, load all dogs in van, drop off food and go to store. Return, put Snoopy inside with husband, take others on evening run, back to trailer, get food, husband and Snoopy, feed and kennel

Sunday October 2: Corey has hotspot from sandspurs, Maggie returns

Beautiful fall weather continues ... very cool last night, down to low 40's... morning run (and walk for Snoopy), feed and kennel, go to church. Husband has workers out here today, working on building ... return from church, dogs are kenneled. Change clothes, let 3 out, leash Snoopy, walk her to go potty, then rekennel her, take others for run and attempt to mow sandspurs ... have GOT to get rid of them, Corey now has a hot spot inside his rear leg where  he gnawed out some sandspurs caught in his feathers (spray with hot spot spray)  .... and, back at trailer for a break, little Mattie shows up! Hooray! play with her awhile, she looks OK, eye still bad, , then go get Snoopy, bring her inside with Corey and Banshee, DB in crate. Do wash, fix lunch for husband and workers. Husband takes Snoopy back to kennel, then mow for an hour, workers leave, husband brings Snoopy inside for nap. Take others out for evening run and mowing, getting dark, back to trailer, pick up food, husband and Snoopy, feed and kennel.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Weekly update Sept 19-25

A long week ... finally get rain ... and then more rain, and more rain ... Snoopy breaks away and chases a rabbit ... using her bad leg, a little ... more rehab, warming up to Dr D ... storms end the week, the Damcat freaks out ... get donated crate to Sally ...

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” ~Mother Theresa

Monday September 19: Snoopy chases a rabbit, uh oh

Cool and cloudy mornings continue. Husband slow this AM, let 3 dogs out, leaving Snoopy in pen (gave her a treat) then husband comes out to put her on leash. Proceed down the hill, get to bottom, no DB yet (which is not that unusual as she often goes to oe side for her morning poop). Coming back up side, see DB running like the wind ... followed by... Snoopy, hopping ... and husband and worker, waving the leash ... apparently DB had startled a rabbit, given chase, Snoopy had leaped after them, breaking her 'breakaway collar', which husband had not fastened to the leash with both hooks. Sigh. Snoopy hops to me, lays down, other dogs all rush over. Husband hands me collar, I fix it and give Snoopy back to him to hop the long way back. Get food, feed and kennel. Thank God she didnt tear up her other leg. Go to work, return home, husband at gate with Snoopy on leash, and Corey. DB and Banshee in crates. It is late, put Snoopy in pen, take others for evening run, get food, feed and kennel. Note, Snoopy has NOT pooped since Saturday

Tuesday September 20: Corey runs into my car (no one injured)

Warming up again. Morning run, husband takes Snoopy on leash, I take other down the hill. Back to kennels, feed and kennel, rub comfrey oil on Snoopy's leg. Off to work, very long day, return home, greeted at gate by DB, Corey and Banshee, husband up by slab with Snoopy, walking her through the sand; As I'm driving in, Corey running beside me, a big truck goes by, Corey spins to follow it and runs into my car, fortunately he isnt injured. Husband reports Snoopy finally pooped. Cloudy, looks like may rain! Evening run for DB, Corey and Banshee, feed and kennel all.

Wednesday September 21: Rain

Only a sprinkle of rain last night. Husband goes to kenels with me, takes Snoopy out on leash, I release the others and go downhill while husband walks Snoopy, he then rekennels her and goes into town, I kennel the rest, feed all, put comfrey oil on Snoopy. She is scared of the bottle, but if I put it on my hands outside the kennel she'll let me rub her leg. She is ocasionally using the bad leg, a little bit. Go to work, long day, tiring, Senior extravaganza display, go by vet to get insurance form signed, return, greeted at gate by DB,Banshee and Corey, Snoopy with husband inside, go inside, greet Snoopy, let others in, treat everyone, fix food. Lay down for 10 minutes. Looks like rain, husband says has rained several times. Evening run, husband walks Snoopy on sandpile, then takes her in shed with him (he's still working on computers in there, so no grooming table). Pick up food, go to kennels, feed and kennel all.

Thursday September 22: Rain continues, miss morning run

Raining, miss morning run, go to meeting and then to work. Husband reports fed dogs later in morning, had a pretty good day with them, raining off and on all day. Return from work, am trying to get to meeting at church but dont make it. Dogs kenneled, go in and rub comfrey on Snoopy's knee, do a few exercises, then let others out, do evening run, feed and kennel.

Friday September 23: Morning rain, again

Pouring rain again, have to drive to a meeting in Columbia ... husband reports finally stopped around 11 AM, feed dogs, then let them run, walked Snoopy, says she's doing better. He then went into town around 4 to get supplies, I have very late chiro appt when I return from Columbia... we both arrive home after dark. Go out to kennels, fix food, rub Snoopy's knee, feed. I really really hate missing both runs with my dogs.

Saturday September 24: Snoopy's rehab, take crate to SAlly

At least not raining this morning, rained in night, very damp, foggy... morning run while husband walks Snoopy, feed and kennel. Get Snoopy and take her to rehab, too warm today to take all dogs (like I did last week), cant let them sit in van. Snoopy does well, she is getting less nervous, rehab vet says she's slowly improving, and of course she LOVES the hydrotherapy ... husband meets me at rehab so exercises can be explained to him also, we have to be cautious to not push Snoopy, but to continue the slow steady progress. She is putting her foot down occasionally and is not holding the leg completely bent up, which is good. She even took some treats from Dr. D at end of hydro session and let Dr D pet her briefly, maybe by next time she will let her do the laser treatment (well, I can hope!) Leave rehab vet, go by friend (who donated the dog house for Sally) to pick up a donated crate for Sally, then drop it off at Sally's new home; Sally is looking good, her coat is nice and shiny; she is still very hyper and jumps up on you, gradually settle her down, maybe now that new mom has 2 crates she can separate Sally and the little hyper Boston terrier and work with Sally. Keeping fingers crossed that this works out for Sally, I am monitoring the sutuation as best I can. Return home, kennel Snoopy, let others out (it is pretty hot, in 90's) for awhile then inside, go get Snoopy, all inside for nap time. Do wash, try to work on rescue on FaceBook but the new 'feed'' is awful ... load dogs in van, go to store, we sit in a/c van while husband gets groceries, then return home, evening run for the 3, evening walk for Snoopy, then feed and kennel, rub comfrey oil on Snoopy's knee.

Sunday September 25: Storms mid afternoon

Rained again last night. Now we're just about flooded, drainage ponds full (poor Snoopy, would have such a wonderful time swimming, but they're way in back) ... morning run, our new routine, let 3 out, husband waits in pen with Snoopy til we're moving  (if take Snoopy out while other dogs still milling around, she tries to jump up and play ... ) then walks her, slooowly, she now doesnt poop in AM, but does at mid day walk ... I return with other dogs, feed and kennel all, rub comfrey oil in Snoopy's knee. Off to church, return, take 3 dogs for run while husband walks Snoopy, then inside for lunch. Hot and humid. Do a little mowing of sandspurs (which are awful, and getting in Corey's feathers) ... big storms blow in mid afternoon, crate dogs in shed with husband (no, he's not crated, he's building a computer) I stay in trailer with the Damcat, who is totally freaked because I am doing a wash, hecant get by the evil washing machine to get to bedroom and hide under bed, so he stalks around and around, meowing mournfully and piteously ... storm ends. Bring Corey inside, as husband reports he was totally freaked by the storm (others are in their crates snoozing, even Snoopy, who does fine in a storm if crated) ... but Corey wants to climb on your lap. Let other dogs out, husband takes Snoopy for evening stroll, while I take others for run,  feed and kennel all.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Weekly update Sept 12-18

What a week ... starts out hot as blazes, in mid 90's, ends up cool and cloudy, fall is here ... full moon ... Snoopy goes to vet, torn ACL, goes to first rehab treatment,gets herbs, crystals and energy ... have to 'restrict activity' for who knows how long ... Corey goes to groomers, Banshee and DB enjoying cool weather ... visit Sally ... dont see little Mattie this week ... mower back from shop, now have both operating again ...


 "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown

Monday Sept 12: Persimmons ripening

In 90's again ... hot morning run, Snoopy still limping, trying gamely to keep up, bringing balls to be thrown (I throw a few feet) ... DB runs in her circles around Snoopy, trying to 'egg her on' ... the persimmons are ripening, Corey and Banshee feasting, Corey finds a NEW persimmon tree (well, new to him, I knew it was there) and barks excitedly at it ... feed and kennel, go to work ... return, greeted at gate by all 4 dogs, Snoopy, still limping. Go inside, fix food, brush DB and Corey's teeth, try again to feel between Snoopy's toes, oh no, she's having none of it ... evening run, feed and kennel

Tuesday Sept 14: Snoopy still limping

Warm and muggy. Morning run, Snoopy limping (well, hopping on 3 legs) ... feed and kennel. Giving her Arnica. Will call vet today. Flat tire. Get fixed, go to work. Another loong day. Return, Corey and Banshee inside, DB and Snoopy in crates (husband had been working in shed). Fix food, leave with husband to feed, I have meeting at church. Return, give dogs their yogurt, then into shed to groom them. Corey definitely is overdue at groomer. Poor Snoopy, cant get on table. Put them all up again. Full moon again.

Wednesday September 15: Snoopy goes to vet, has torn ACL

Foggy morning, can barely see. Morning run, Snoopy still hopping. Trying to restrict her activity level. Feed and kennel, then take Snoopy to vet. They come out to car but want me to bring her inside to sedate, which I do, she doesnt get too freaked out, only snaps at tech and vet when they approach to try to get her on scale ... I manage to get her on scales, still at 45 lbs, then they give her shot (cant do IV obviously ) it takes about an hour for her to nod off enough for me to get muzzle on her and vet to manipulate her leg. No thorns in pads (which was my guess) instead its a torn ACL. Oh no, poor Snoopy, my great ballplayer, who loves to leap in the air and catch balls midair ...  Do Xray and blood work in case I decide on surgery wont have to bring her in here again ... wait for husband to come pick her up (he's in town buying supplies) so I dont have to drive all the way home and back ... he arrives in truck, tech carries her out, she is coming around, but no snapping. Poor Snoopy. I'm going to have to restrict her activity level for months, whether or not do surgery. Call pet rehab place and Am going to try conservative treatment for 8 weeks, if she shows any sign of improvement, will continue conservative treatment (restrictted activity level, anti inflammatories, glucosamine basically) ... get appt for Saturday (they have an underwater treadmill, also can hopefully teach me some gentle massage) I think it important to get her using the leg again asap, to avoid atrophy and to lessen danger of other knee blowing... On to work, yoga class, then return home, all dogs inside. It is really not possible to leash Snoopy to walk her while the others are loose. Fix food, then take Corey,DB and Banshee on run whle Snoopy stays in with husband. Very hot and buggy tonight. I sure miss Snoopy on our run, she livened things up with her constant wanting to play ball ... sigh. This reminds me of when Angel Ginger was sick, and tried so hard to 'run' with us, and I had to leave her inside because she just wouldnt not try to 'keep up' ... back to trailer, husband comes out with food and Snoopy, kennels Snoopy and Corey, proceed with evening feeding. Please pray for Snoopy, that she can recover from this and someday, play ball again...

Thursday September 15: Restricting Snoopy's activity level

Another warm day (supposed to get cool tomorrow)  restricting activity for Snoopy is tough with my 'set up'. Letting dogs out of kennels in AM, husband has to help now, and put Snoopy on leash, and she doesnt get to go for our run ... what we did today was I let the other 3 out and took off down hill while husband stayed in kennel with Snoopy til we were gone, then leashed her and took her out to potty. Rekenneled her. Then I return with the others and proceed with feeding. The 'normal' day has been, after I go to work, husband unkennels dogs again depending on weather they hang out with him and workers outside, or go inside with him. Now Snoopy cant hang out with the others outside (there is no way he can monitor her while working). So, he left one dog kenneled with her, then tried to alternate, but this got too difficult so he kenneled them all til noon, then took them all in the trailer with him. It's about 150 ft from the kennels to the trailer. Hope that isnt too much, but I dont know what else to do.  Snoopy is still hopping on 3 legs. She does not appear to be in pain, she sleeps fine, she appears perfectly comfortable. When I got home, I was greeted outside by DB and Banshee, Corey and Snoopy inside. Let DB and Banshee in, fix food, then put DB,Banshee an Corey out, petted and brushed Snoopy for a few minutes then (since it looked like rain) took the 3 for a quick run, thunder and lightening, so returned and kenneled everybody. Husband says he took Snoopy out, on leash twice during afternoon (let all dogs out, Snoopy on leash, there is a ramp up to my porch so she can go up and down that, then potty. Other than leaving Snoopy kenneled all day, which I think would be very hard on her mentally, this is about the best we can do in restricting activity. In the good news area, the broken mower has now been fixed, so I'm back to two ...

Friday September 16: Turns into fall, visit Sally

MUCH cooler. Feels cold. Had to wear jacket, wind blowing, in 60's. Brrr.Morning run with DB,Corey,Banshee, husband on duty with Snoopy on leash .. the other 3 run wildly down the hill, Corey barking, DB at full speed ... the cool weather ... dammit I hate this for Snoopy, waited all through this awful hot summer ... and now cant run. Back to kennels, feed, pet Snoopy awhile. Then go to work, stop by food bank. At lunchtime go visit Sally, who wont go IN her doghouse yet. Sigh. Work with her and her mom a bit, then inside (where Sally has torn up new mom's couch cushion and chewed an end table) Explain the value of CRATES. Sally is also jumping on people still, show her mom a few techniques to work on. Back to work, then to chiroprator, then home. Greeted at gate by 3 dogs, Snoopy of course inside with husband and the Damcat. Give Snoopy some attention, brush her a little, then let others in, fix food, give all treats. Take the 3 for a run, Snoopy stays with husband inside, poor dear can not understand why she doesnt get to go ... meet husband back at kennels, he has Snoopy on leash. Feed and kennel.

Saturday September 17: Snoopy goes to rehab

Very eventful day! Another cool day. Morning run (morning hop on leash for Snoopy), feed and kennel. Then load up all dogs (Snoopy did jump into her crate in the van), go into town, drop Corey off at groomer, then take Snoopy to rehab. (DB and Banshee snoozed in van). Snoopy was very skittish at rehab, but after a long while settled down some,  wouldnt let vet or assistant touch her but did take treats; I learned a bunch of exercises to do with her, then she tried the hydrotherapy treadmill, surprisingly (given her fear issues) she did well, and of course Snoopy loves water! The rehab vet and staff are very kind and patient, those of you on FaceBook can see pictures of Snoopy at rehab. Dried her off, back in van, Corey not ready yet so went by my herbalist-communicator friend for some herbs, a spot of reiki and communicating for Snoopy, the loan of some crystals to put around Snoopy's sleeping quarters, and a bowl of homemade soup for me! (Hooray, I thought I was just going to get power bar for lunch today!) Corey ready, pick him up, (he looks gorgeous ) then take DB and Banshee into PetSmart to visit, then drop by feed store to pick up dog and and cat food (Corey went in with me), then stop by my chiropractor friend for some energy work for Snoopy ... then finally home. All are worn out, (me in particular) we all take brief nap, then evening run for DB,Corey and Banshee, and feed and kennel.

Sunday September 18: Flexi lead chases Snoopy

Weather still cool and cloudy. Morning run, husband keeps Snoopy on leash while I take off with others, am at bottom of hill and I hear hollering ... look up, Snoopy is hopping down hill, being chased by  her 'flexi lead' with husband running after her yelling and waving arms, Banshee runs over and attaks the evil flexi lead box, I get there and manage to unclip lead, untangle everybody (DB and Corey have joined in) . This is only ONE thing I hate about flexi leads (which I never use, I had this one left over from years ago and husband said Snoopy wouldnt potty near him and the 20 ft training lead he got tangled up, so he wanted to try the flexi.) Husband took Snoopy back up hill (on lead), I finish morning run with others, back to kennels with food, feed and kennel, go to church. In afternoon, take several runs and mowing with 3 dogs while Snoopy stays insidewith husband. Husband then takes Snoopy into shed while he works on computers, I then bring all dogs in, crate them, take Snoopy out and try a few of the exercises I learned at rehab, she still hasnt pooped today ... then get Snoopy onto grooming table and massage some comfrey oil in her knee joint, she is letting me touch her knee and foot briefly now, I am also trying to masage foot as rehab vet told me to , to keep it from curling up. Also do a bit of practice with her  taking treats out of a basket muzzle (I've been lax about this, but when I started back she was at the same point, she will eat treats from the muzzle but freaks when try to fasten it. I will perservere.) Then groom all dogs, Corey (although groomed yeterday) has sandspurs in his feathers. Banshee is in pretty good shape. Clip DB's nails (she requires minimal brushing, I rubber curry her weekly.) Go get food, take 3 for an evening run ... Corey brings several of Snoopy's toys to me, found out on the property, usually Snoopy brings them to me and Corey and Snoopy chase them, but when I throw for Corey alone tonight he has no interest, its like he's collecting up Snoopy's toys ... back to kennels, husband has Snoopy in shed, kennel her then  feed and kennel all.