Mary Lou and Companions

Jan 15-22: Skat in heat?

2012-01-22T22:24:00.001-05:00

Very changeable weather, cold and windy (very windy), warmer, rain, tornado watches, thunderstorms ... more like March weather... Skat goes in heat, the Damcat is smitten... looking at vans ... Banshee goes to pet therapy, Snoopy to rehab, little Mattie visits, Corey healing well, DB very energetic all week ... Skit learns to leap to the top of every piece of tall furniture in the house ...

Monday January 16

Off for MLK Day! Cold and windy, mower won't crank, morning walk all around property, feed and kennel. Let DOCAD in ... you're not gonna believe this but Skat (the long haired kitty) is in heat. Yeppers, 4 months old, trilling and flirting and, uh, the Damcat is well, smitten shall we say. Ack. Quick research online, he cant hurt her, and this MAY induce ovulation so she'll go out of heat. Take Banshee into town for vet visit , discuss rabies vax and reactions, also discuss Skit and Skat, set appointment to spay next week. Then go look at more vans, geez I hate car salesmen and dickering. Return home, its after dark, let Banshee out, fix dog food, fix plate of human food for husband, then off to church meeting (husband feeds dogs). Return, the DOCAD still inside, the Damcat is exhausted, sleeps like a rock all night

Tuesday Jan 17

Warmer but very very windy ... have early hearing in Columbia so husband feeds dogs. Return from hearing, dogs kenneled, let out for walk, and brief run, then take Banshee to nursing home for pet therapy, a really moving experience today, several residents shared stories and pictures of their beloved dogs who had passed. Leave and go to another car dealer, this is getting really tiresome. Husband goes to chiro, I return home, almost dark, kennel, fix food, then take for walk and feed and kennel. Inside, the cats all sleeping, Skat seems to have calmed somewhat ... but still exhibiting mating behavior. All fine until the Damcat throws up, on the bed, have to remove sheets, wash, turn mattress, clean ... ah, the joys of pet guardianship...

Wednesday Jan 18

Pleasant morning but mower wont crank ... walk Snoopy, all the way to the back, where she attempts to greet neighbor's horses, jumping around ... ack. Limping. Carefully make our way back, she stabilizes ... feed and kennel, off to work ... long day, return home after dark. Dogs kenneled. DOCAD busily destructing the house. Now Skit has managed to learn to leap to the top of the armoire in the bedroom and won't come down (like a cat in a tree?) fine, stay there, shake food and here she comes ... Skat no longer displaying mating behavior ... could the Damcat's 'attentions' have induced ovulation? Frankly, this is more than I EVER wanted to know about cats mating behavior... vet says let's wait a week to see if she is out of heat ...

Thursday January 19

Mower won't crank again . Cool and cloudy, threatening rain ... little Mattie shows up ... morning walk, then work a bit on a file and go to Cola for hearing, client no show, wonderful. Return and work at satellite office then home. Take dogs for evening run, mower running fine. Groom all. Corey's sore healing, but slowly. Banshee has sandspurs on her belly. DB has rolled in something unpleasant. Snoopy is skittish tonight. Feed and kennel.

Friday January 20

Wake up feeling very poorly, stomach hurting, nasuous ... husband has gone into town, fix food, walk dogs, starts drizzling, feed and kennel, lay back down. Let DOCAD in. Husband brings me some immodium and settle. Feel a bit better, if shaky, go out and groom dogs then take Snoopy and go into town to arrange a change in foster homes for the heeler we're trying to rescue, then to rehab for Snoopy and chiro, return home, its dark, dogs kenneled. Feed and kennel Snoopy. Stomach hurting again.

Saturday January 21

Very unpleasant weather today ... starts off warm and cloudy, starts drizzling while I'm running the dogs, meet husband back at kennels, feed and kennel. Stomach bothering me again. Let DOCAD in, feed, clean their room. Raining off and on. Around noon, break in weather, let dogs out, brief walk, then put Snoopy inside, run the others ... pick Snoopy up, its starting to rain again, back to kennels. Raining hard now, high winds, tornado watch. Ack. Finally stops very late afternoon, give dogs final run, feed and kennel. Husband and I go into town to buy supplies at WalMart

Sunday January 22

Foggy, cool morning. Morning run-walk, feed kennel, go to church. Turns colder, in 40's, damp and windy. Let dogs out, walk-run, then groom and leave in crates, give husband lunch, put DOCAD in bedroom with Damcat and go get dogs, run the 3 while Snoopy inside, very cold. Let all dogs in, take naps, try to work on computer. Stomach bothering me again. Husband napping with the cats. The day wears on. Friend who is fostering the heeler calls, not going well with her resident dogs. What next. Hopefully she can take her to the potential adopter tomorrow. Put in a wash, getting dark, take dogs for final walk (mower wont crank) feed and kennel, return and let DOCAD out of bedroom. They are very energetic tonight, leaping through the air ... get wash out of dryer, ack, a pen has leaked all over dryer. DOCAD go IN dryer and wont come out. Start folding cdlothes, they leap into the clothes pile and start wrestling. Put them in their room for the night

Jan 9-15: Anniversary of Angel Ginger's diagnosis

2012-01-15T22:23:00.000-05:00

Rain mid week, turns much colder very windy, brrr ... little Mattie visits several times, the DOCAD doing well (they have now destroyed a houseplant and two sets of blinds) , try to keep them inside at night but it doesnt work ... Banshee destroys her crate pad, Snoopy doing well at rehab, husband and I look at vans ...

Monday January 9

Heat wave continues, temps in 70's ... light rain but nothing much ... let DOCAD in, then morning rum-walk, joined by little Mattie, off to work ... very tiring day ... dark when I return... DOCAD doing their job of creating chaos and deestruction, but calming somewhat (whew) ... whoops spoke too soon, Skat climbed up my leg at supper, ouch...
Anniversary of Angel Ginger's diagnosis ... 2 years ...

Tuesday Jan 10

Some rain in night, damp and foggy morning, let DOCAD in ... and here's little Mattie for morning run. Husband takes Snoopy, I run dogs, feed and kennel, go to work , now pouring rain... return early after meeting, still light, husband in town, little Mattie greets me at gate. Back to trailer, was going to put DOCAD inside but dont want them running and getting on roof if Mattie chases them ... fix food, back to kennels, release dogs, Snoopy on leash, all wildly excited to see Mattie, she and Corey chase each other all opver (quite comical, she runs underneath him, he gets all tangled up turning around to follow her, barking joyously ... Snoopyt wants SO badly to join in ... not yet, sweetie... long walk all artound property, back to trailer, let all (except Mattie ) inside, check emails, then leave Snoopy inside and take others on evening run, then pick Snoopy back up ... husband has arrived and is unloading truck with worker, doghs all rush over, barking, mass confusion ... finally get sorted out and feed and kennel ... let DOCAD in, quickly, while Mattie chewing on her bone .

Wednesday Jan 11

Colder this morning, but not raining yet, morning run, feed and kennel ... Snoopy walking well, Corey's ears doing well ... feed DOCAD and clean their room, go to work ... starts pouring rain, rains all morning til mid afternoon ... dentist appt late afternoon, return home in time for evening run, DB in high spirits, running in circles around us, little Mattie shows up, Snoopy so wants to play with her ... we walk to the back of the property, some critter has dug under fence, husband is carrying branches over to plug up hole, Corey goes nuts (he loves to chew branches) husband makes mistake of throwing one for him, and poor Snoopy tries to JUMP after it, aargh ..fortunately no damage apparent. Go slowly back to kennels, feed and kennel. DOCAD inside with the Damcat, chasing each other ... the Damcat is acting like he's a kitten again...

Thurs Jan 12

Getting colder, cloudy, morning rum-walk, feed and kennel ... return after dark, dogs kenneled, take out yogurt-essences .. husband ill with stomach flu, give him soup, DOCAD in rare form tonight, attack my one remaining houseplant knocking it on floor, dirt everywhere ... aargh. Vacuum it up. Put DOCAD up for night. Very windy tonight, scary sounding, feels like the trailer is going to blow apart ...

Friday Jan 13

Very cold and very windy morning ... horrible, like a knife cutting through you. Mower wont crank. Walk dogs, trying to stay on side of building out of wind, finally all take morning poop, little Mattie shows up, feed and kennel. Go by food bank, drop off food , pay taxes, then to work (hearing in Ga,) ... then to office then chiro, return home after dark, dogs kenneled, DOCAD inside, raring to go, not satisfied with their destruction of last night ... calm down after awhile, keep them inside tonight as it is really cold.

Saturday January 14

Still cold, not as windy thank heavens. The DOCAD are in the bathroom with the Damcat, he apparently terroirized them and threw them out of bed, they are huddled behind the toilet. No injuries though. Let them out, feed them, fix dogs food, go let dogs out for morning walk (mower wont crank), feed and kennel. Take Snoopy to rehab, she is doing very well, gets on the blue peanut no problem and even almost whole body on big red peanut (will get pictures, the goal is to stand on it). Pick up dog food, return home, take dogs for run (mower cranks), then groom, Banshee rips up her crate pad, kennel, put DOCAD in porch room, husband and I go to look at various vans and deal with car salesmen. Return after dark. Feed dogs, let DOCAD into trailer, feed. Tonight decide to put them in bathroom,leave Damcat out, this doesnt work, they start ripping apart the bathroom, let them out but they simply wont lay still in the bed, the Damcat starts washing them, they start fighting out feet under the covers ... strange, during the day they will curl up quietly in bed with you to take a nap, but not at night. Finally put them out in porch room. Its warmer tonight.

Sunday January 15

Not as cold today. Morning walk, as mower wont crank. Feed and kennel, Let DOCAD in, go to church. Return, let DOCAD out for awhile, then put them inside and let dogs out, go for long walk around property, then inside (cats and husband in bedroom). Fix lunch. Put in a wash, read, take brief nap, go for another long walk (poor Snoopy keeps getting sandspurs), then groom, leave in crates while go fix food, then back and take a final run, husband walks Snoopy. Feed and kennel. DOCAD inside with the Damcat, all is well. Put them outside in the porch room when go to bed.

Jan 2-7: Van finally dies

2012-01-07T22:22:00.000-05:00

Week starts out very cold and windy .... ends up sunny in 70's ... very strange weather for January! Mower works off and on during week, van is OK early week but transmission messes up on weekend, almost stranging us ... DOCAD fitting in well, stay inside the 2 cold nights but have to stay in bathroom with the Damcat (who isnt tremendously pleased to be babysitting all night) as they are TOO lively at night ... Banshee goes to NH for pet therapy, Snoopy doing really well at rehab now, Corey's hiney healing but he is being really obnoxious towards the DOCAD ... county council meeting on new animal shelter, vote in favor ... monitoring this mess is going to be a full time job, I fear ...little Mattie visits several times ... a busy week!

Monday January 2

Cool and clear, very windy all day, temps struggle into high 40's... brrr. Didnt sleep well last night, stomach bothering me, but OK today. Husband better too. Morning run-walk husband and Snoopy follow us all way down hill ... , windy ... feed and kennel, then feed DOCAD and clean their room, let them out for awhile. Washing dogs' crate pads today, start wash, then go to get dogs for run, Corey starts barking at DOCAD's porch door, husband comes out on porch and throws water at him ... leave Snoopy inside with husband and the Damcat, continue run (mower working)... stay out for about an hour, Corey still wet and now dirty, let him chew sticks in the woods awhile and he's finally calmer ... back to shed, crate them. Go inside, print out info on shelter for neighbor, meet her at gate, then back to shed, groom Corey, Banshee and DB. Husband going into town to doctor, brings Snoopy to shed also. Back to trailer, let DOCAD in for a bit, continue washing-drying crate pads, then let dogs out, walk around as much as I can stand, then put them in van, go to store, van running OK, return late afternoon, was planning to take dogs inside til suppertime but when let them out of van, they go nuts, DB leading the pack, sniffing and barking and carrying on in 'intruder alert' mode ... cannot see anything amiss in any outbuildings, but cannot get them calmed so kennel them with chewies, go inside, fix food, put last of crate pads in dryer, go and let them out again, same thing, this time full tilt towards front gates, loud barking, Snoopy trying to follow (and pulling me) ... they finally calm down, and I feed and kennel them. Have NO idea what is wrong, maybe its the wind (which makes ME feel like I'm going crazy too) ..back to trailer, dark now let DOCAD in, husband returns, he and worker putting plants in greenhouse and heaters in pump house (supposed to go to 15 tonight) workers wife sent me some soup and cornbread! Let DOCAD stay inside tonight, in bathroom with the Damcat which they all enjoy (though I miss the Damcat in bed).. DOCAD are too rambunctious in the night. (they think the bed is a trampoline and jump up trying to catch the light pull on the fan)

Tuesday January 3

Oh boy, its cold, and WINDY ... about a 30 mph wind this morning. Mower wont crank. Walk dogs, very miserable (me, not them), feed and kennel. Let DOCAD inside, clean their room, go to food bank ... return, DOCAD inside, let dogs out for brief run, still horrible wind ... then load them up and go into town for pet therapy at nursing home for Banshee. Others get very brief walk, its really too miserable to be out in this ... return home, put DOCAD in bathroom, let dogs inside while fix their food and print out materials for council meeting on animal shelter, then feed and kennel, change clothes, go to meeting. Husband and friends join me there, Council voted 4-1 in favor of building and operating a new animal shelter. Although I am encouraged by the fact that Aiken SPCA will be a 'partner' in this venture (offering help with adoptions, spay-neuter clinics), and by the fact that the operating budget has been increased from $36,000 to $50,000, I still have concerns about kennel space and staffing. Return home, still windy and very cold, temps plummeting, put extra blankets in dog kennels, let DOCAD stay inside tonight.

Wed Jan.4

Very very cold. Husband got up around 5 AM and put dogs in heated shed in their crates. Water frozen solid this morning, mower wont crank, my foot is giving me a new weird problem (hurts on top) and can hardly walk. Limp around, at least it isnt windy, though its about 18 degrees. Get fresh water for dogs, let them run, feed and kennel, temps up to 25 now. Go to work. Return after dark, DOCAD still inside. Husband has let dogs in several times, put DOCAD in bathroom. Let them stay inside again tonight

Thursday Jan 5

Not as cold as anticipated in the night. Let kittens out, then feed and put in their room, unkennel dogs, mower wont crank, so walk dogs, foot better today thank heavens. Feed and kennel, go to work, long day but at least warmer, in 50's! Return home after dark. The Damcat is beginning to get tired of the DOCAD, he hides in the closet, and he lets them push him away from food, so feed him separate and put DOCAD in their rooom

Friday Jan 6

Warmer today thank goodness. Morning walk, mower still wont crank. Husband gone into town. Give dogs a nice long walk, feed and kennel, groom them. Snoopy walking really well until gets sandspurs .. first in front paw, then in back.Feed DOCAD, let them inside. Skat is getting really chubby, Skit is more the slim sleek type, like Damcat. Take them to vet for 2d set of shots. Go to work, then chiro, return after dark, dogs kenneled, let DOCAD in.

Saturday January 7

Mid winter heat wave continues, temps in 70's. Husband let DOCAD in, I made mistake of trying to put them in room while I fix dogs morning chow, Skat promptly ran up a tree, very difficult getting them back in .... husband then goes into town. Let dogs out, walk Snoopy, halfway down hill she is taking her AM poop and it starts raining ... not hard enough to get damp, back up the hill, feed and kennel. Get ready to go into town, husband returns, workers arrive, someone is working on mower today thank heavens ... load dogs into van, go for Smoopy's rehab, she is doing fantastic today! Does all the exercises, adds new ones, very happy about it all. Bring Corey in and weigh him, he's at 81.9. Leave rehab, going to Pet Smart ... when the van transmission starts slipping and sliding ... oh, no ... turn around, head home, and make it, thank God. Whole day now in shambles, didnt get to library, didnt get to store, arrgh. On the bright side, my back feels pretty good. Unload dogs, kennel them briefly, while fix husband lunch, put kittens in bathroom, then let DB, Banshee, Corey out, mower now fixed, take them for run, then swing by kennels, get Snoopy and go back to trailer, inside for awhile, husband finishes work, comes in and takes nap with the cats. Out again with the 3, then Snoopy for walk, little Mattie shows up to visit, all glad to see her...feed and kennel. Let DOCAD stay in until late, then put them out in their room.

Sunday Jan.8

Still unseasonably warm, very misty this morning, bring DOCAD in, morning run-walk, mower working ... dogs appearing and disappearing in the mist, Snoopy spots a rabbit ... feed and kennel, go to church. Return, DOCAD still inside, let them out briefly, then putback in, let dogs out, walk all around property, then to the shed to groom. Corey's hiney healing nicely, his ears looking good. Take dogs for brief walk then inside trailer (DOCAD in bathroom), nap time. Do wash. Then evening run , husband walks Snoopy, a bit of mowing, DB and Banshee fence run with horses, little Mattie shows up in time for supper. Feed and kennel, back to trailer, DOCAD napping with the Damcat. They wake up and begin terrorizing us, sitting on keynoard and swatting monitor screen, climbing UP my leg, leaping thru the air and landing on .. husbands foot, OUCH ... that did it, put them in their porch room for the night.

Dec 26-Jan 1: Happy New Year

2012-01-01T22:20:00.000-05:00

A pleasant week weatherwise ... DOCAD (Demons of Chaos and Destruction, aka Skit & Skat) driving us all bonkers ... the Damcat trying his best to keep order ....Snoopy doing well, walking pretty confidently now ... Corey to vet to check sore on hiney ... mowing (the mower cranks!) the vetch (already) ... the van gets its transmission filter changed (keeping fingers crossed) ...

"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 Dec.26

Sunshine! Thank heaven, I really couldnt take another day of rain... let kittens in, clean their room, feed them, then go for morning walk with dogs (mower wont crank), feed and kennel. All dogs very excited that its no longer raining! Back to trailer start a wash, let kittens in, they are quite sweet in the morning, very cuddly, cleaning each other, the Damcat joining in, then napping. Put them back in their room, let dogs out, now the mower cranks so put Snoopy inside with husband and take others on long run, burning off their pent up energy ... this is so much better. Do some mowing too, the vetch is coming up in back. (this usually happens in February-March ... it has been so warm so far this winter ...) back to home, fix lunch, do another load of wash, nap, then out again with dogs. Picking up branches in woods (Corey's favorite pastime, he is so helpfull), practice sit-stay-a bit, back to get Snoopy, take her for walk, husband working on windows, then take all dogs to shed, groom everyone, clip DBs nails, try to get Snoopy on grooming table with ramp (gift), but its still too steep. Let all out for last run, get food feed and kennel. Let kittens in, clean their room.

Tuesday Dec 27

Back to work ... cold morning, frosty, morning run-walk (mower does crank), feed and kennel, off to work ... return after dark. Dogs kenneled, take out yogurt-essences. DOCAD (Demons of Chaos and Destruction, aka Skit & Skat) are inside already, bouncing on the bed trying to catch the fan pull. Feed them, clean their room. Whew.

Wed Dec 28

Cool morning, dogs in VERY high spirits, Snoopy trying to jump and play .. not yet, sweetie. Husband walks her while I run the others (mower still cranking!) feed and kennel, let kitties out, feed and clean room, then off to work, have appointment in town late afternoon, husband not feeling well, headache but chiro not in today ... he goes on from appt to Lowes, I return home, let dogs out, walk Snoopy to trailer, take others for very brief run then feed and kennel

Thurs Dec 29

Cold. Mower wont crank. Walk dogs, feed and kennel, go to work, return well after dark. Let DOCAD in, they are now climbing the vertical blinds ... ack.

Friday December 30

Off today! Cool crisp frosty morning, morning run-walk, feed and kennel, let kittens out, feed and clean room. Put in a wash, Let dogs out, walk Snoopy then give her to husband while I run the others and mow (yes, the vetch is growing) ... decide to take Corey in to let vet look at his sore (which is healing but not as fast as I would like), van is still inoperable, so just take Corey ... stop by new local rescue to check it out (looks quite good for an outside small rescue, animals all well tended and happy) ... then into town to vet, who says Corey is healing fine, puts some collagen cream on it no charge ... go by PetSmart, getting late so no trip to gardens, return home, dark, other dogs already kenneled. Feed Corey and kennel him, back to trailer, let kittens out, watch them play in the dusk ... uhoh, on the roof ....

Saturday Dec 31

Warming up! Morning run-walk, husband in town, have just finished when he returns. Feed kittens, clean their room. Take Snoopy into town for rehab, the van is being worked on, run a few errands return, let others out, brief run, then groom and leave in crates while let kittens out ... musical animals game continues ... let dogs out, put Snoopy inside trailer, take others out to take down Xmas decorations on gates, mow a bit, then return. Van is supposedly fixed (replaced the transmission filter), load up dogs, go to store, seems to run fine, return after dark, feed, kennel. Let DOCAD in ... they are in fine fettle, racing thru the trailer, wrestling with the Damcat, chasing their toys ...

Sunday January 1

Happy New Year! Cool, cloudy morning, morning run-walk, feed, kennel, let kittens in, go to church. Return early (no refreshments today), sprinkling rain, but stops and clears up. Let kittens out for while then put them back in their room and let dogs out. Corey is totally fascinated by the kittens, stands at their porch door whining, tail waving ... but he is just too big for them yet .... husband feeling poorly again. Take Snoopy on leadh and others and walk all over property, stopping to let Snoopy (and myself) rest. She is doing very well, walking pretty confidently now. Return and put dogs in crates, check on husbaan, fix him soup. Put in a load of wash. Back to shed, let dogs out, bring inside, Corey is especially rambunctious today, wont stay still, wont nap. Let him out, he harasses the kittens in the porch room, then bark. Grrr. Leaving Snoopy inside with husband, take others on long run, mow, then back to shed, groom. Corey drinks an entire bucket of water but still antsy. Wind has picked up a lot, maybe thats it. Take him out again (Banshee and DB not interested). Getting dark, get food and Snoopy, feed and kennel all. Back to trailer, let kittens out to roam a bit, but, here comes little Mattie (havent seen her in awhile) ... she sees the kittens and runs off ... let DOCAD in for their evening chaos and destruction duty.

Dec 19-25: Christmas week

2011-12-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

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

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

2011-12-17T22:13:00.000-05:00

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.

Dec 5-12: Edgefield shelter meeting

2011-12-12T22:11:00.000-05:00

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?

Nov 28-Dec 4

2011-12-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

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.

Nov 31-27

2011-11-27T22:09:00.001-05:00

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.

Nov 14-20

2011-11-20T22:08:00.001-05:00

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).

Nov 7- Nov 1`3

2011-11-13T22:07:00.001-05:00

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.

Oct 31-Nov 6

2011-11-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

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.

Oct 24-30

2011-10-30T22:04:00.001-04:00

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.

Oct 17-23

2011-10-23T22:03:00.001-04:00

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.

Weekly update Oct 10-16

2011-10-16T16:53:00.000-04:00

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.

Weekly update Oct 3-9

2011-10-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

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.

Weekly update Sept 26-Oct 2

2011-10-02T16:52:00.000-04:00

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.

Weekly update Sept 19-25

2011-09-25T16:51:00.000-04:00

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.

Weekly update Sept 12-18

2011-09-18T16:50:00.000-04:00

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.

Weekly update Sept 5-11

2011-09-11T16:49:00.000-04:00

Storm misses us, get a bit of rain at start of week, weather nice but heats up by weekend ... dove hunters slaughtering birds in fields behind us ... pet therapy day for Banshee, good turnout ... DB still very itchy ... the Damcat chases a mouse , husband kills it ... deliver donated dog igloo to Sally ...wheel falls of mower on other side .... Snoopy injures her foot ... a somewhat exhausting week.

"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 5 Labor Day
Very very windy, storm clouds whizzing by, not a drop of rain. And the damn bird hunters popping away in the field behind us, sounds like a war zone. I HATE hunting season, half these guys are drunk and shooting randomly. Even my gang, who arent usually perturbed by gunfire, don't like this one little bit. Go in and out, take brief runs then back inside. Groom everyone. DB still itching. Just leaving dog shed when it starts raining, go back and kennel ... pours for about an hour. Its now almost dark, so get food and put everyone to bed

Tuesday Sept 6 Windy clear and cool

Very windy morning, still clouds but clears up ... feels like fall! Dogs all excited! Morning run, feed and kennel, go to Saluda to food bank, return and pick up Banshee for pet therapy day... good turnout! Afterwards go by PetSmart for Banshee's pink ribbons to be admired (and check out any spilled food under the counters). Only reaches 85 today! Return home, others all inside, crate Banshee, then let all out, evening run, feed and kennel

Wednesday Sept 7: Sally needs a doghouse

Nice weather continues! Morning run, feed and kennel, go to work. Return home early to go check out Sally's situation, needs a doghouse. Will try to get one there this weekend. Return home, let dogs out, evening run. Play ball with Snoopy and Corey, DB is less itchy. Banshee has located a rat near the slab, is hot on the trail, but never catches it

Thursday Sept 8: Beautiful weather continues but need rain

Another beautiful day, temps only in 80's... morning run, feed and kennel, go to work. Return, evening run, mow, water (still very dry) trees... Corey gets sandspurs all in his feathers, time for a trip to groomers to clip his paws ... Banshee still hanging out by slab after the elusive rat ... play ball with Snoopy and Corey, have to 'handicap' for Corey, as Snoopy is much faster ...

Friday Sept 9: Wheel falls off mower (with husband), adoptions at PetSmart

Wow, another lovely day! Morning run, Banshee heads straight to the slab, now joined by DB ... Snoopy playing ball with workers (who are trying to put in another patio area and make mistake of throwing a ball for her) Corey goes on run with me, pick up food, back to kennels, then have to round up the 'missing three'. Feed and kennel. Go to work, stop by at lunch to help with adoptions at PetSmart ... back bothering me a lot today, I'll never be able to volunteer to walk dogs again unless I carry my own front hook harnesses ... late chiro appointment, then return home, almost dark ... husband had been riding MY mower and the other wheel fell off (almost putting him in ditch) so have nothing to ride, my back is hurting dont want to try tractor. Walk around a bit, dogs go halfway down hill, wont go any further, stand there staring at me. Back to trailer, get food, Feed and kennel

Saturday Sept 10: Deliver doghouse to Sally, Snoopy hurts her foot, the Damcat chases a mouse

Awakened by constant gunfire, the dove hunters are back, 7 AM ... also my mower not fixed, worker comes over and fixes it. Get late start, morning run, feed and kennel. Out again, mow and water (dry again) then kennel dogs, go into town with husband and truck to pick up igloo dog house from friend Erika (thanks!) and deliver to Sally's new home ... this will provide sufficient shelter until Sally is taught house manners when unsupervised. Sally is doing fine, but is now jumping up at you (like the little dog), and will require some firm consistent training. Return home, exhausted, back hurting, unkennel dogs, go for brief run, as its pretty hot out (nothing like it has been, of course) we're in the shade over by the pine trees, Snoopy jumps for the ball and ...somehow injures her left rear foot. Check it out, no sandspurs, no visible wound but she's limping badly, and, not like her usual 30 second limp ... back to trailer, let dogs in, try to doctor Snoopy's foot, others wont let me of course, Snoopy gets freaked and hides behind couch. Let others out, finally manage to dunk foot in peroxide. Snoopy is the only dog I have that totally freaks if you attempt to restrain her to doctor her. (It's taken me yeas to get her to the point I can at least brush her, and clip nails, one at a time ... Leave her with husband while do evening run, turn off water, check area we were in when Snoopy injured foot, see nothing, return, feed and kennel. Manage to get some spray on antibiotic on Snoopy's foot. The pad seems slightly swollen. Give her some Arnica. Prayers that it will be better tomorrow, taking her to vet is impossible unless she is sedated. Later in evening ... the Damcat corners a mouse in the kitchen, chases it down hall into bedroom ... husband ends up dispatching it, as the Damcat just wants to PLAY with it... eek!

Sunday September 11: Snoopy still limping

Much warmer again, sigh ... warm muggy morning run, Snoopy still limping badly, poor thing, hops gamely after us. Feed and kennel, give Snoopy Arnica, go to church, on return let dogs out, except leave Snoopy in pen, then return, let her out and go inside. Check her foot again, her leg is fine, top and bottom of foot are fine, touch between her toes and she freaks (and with Snoopy, this is really scary, head whipping back and forth, eyes glazed). Settle all down, take naps, do wash. Take DB,Banshee and Corey for brief run, still very hot outside. Put Snoopy in crate in shed with husband, DB decides she wants to be in there also. Can't groom anyone because husband has co-opted my table for computer parts. Take Corey and Banshee on run, then inside, fix food, the Damcat saunters out and attacks Banshee (swipes at her), Banshee chases him, the Damcat then swipes at me and gets me on ankle. Enough. Go get DB for evening run. Snoopy joins us when get to front, apparently husband let her out. If this hasnt cleared up by Wednesday, I'll take her to vet, she'll have to be sedated in the car and carried in... I think she either got stung by an ant in between her toes or got a sandspuir spike in there, but where we were playing ball there are no sandspurs. I cant tell if its swollen in there she wont let me touch it. I really hate it when one of my animals in sick or injured and I can do nothing ... Feed and kennel.

Weekly update Aug 29-Sept4

2011-09-04T16:48:00.000-04:00

A long hot dry week ... lots of gnats... hottest summer (June-August) on record for this area ... plow up the squash patch ... little Mattie joins us for evening run ... Banshee and DB catch mice ... persimmons coming in ... possibility of storms ...

“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 August 29: Hoped for rain but not a drop

Hot and sticky morning, workers here, dogs pretty sluggish, morning run, water trees, feed and kennel. Corey's ear doing well, maybe we've hit upon the proper regimen. Go to work, heats up to 100 during day. Return, dogs all inside, fix food, go out for evening run and a breeze has spring up, and its clouding up ... possibility of rain??? Husband has bushogged and plowed up the squash patch, but Corey finds a few ends of squash ... the last this year ... but, rejoice, the persimmons are coming in! Corey brings an entire branch filled with green persimmons to the rest of us, he's eating them cant understand why the others arent interested ... feed and kennel, looks like it'll rain, put up all windows, theres thunder and lightening, but in the distance ... we end up not getting a drop, while the next county floods

Tuesday August 30: Little Mattie joins us for evening run

Cool and breezy morning! Had to put on long sleeve shirt. Dogs burst out of kennels, running about in mad excitement, fall is here! Morning run, feed and kennel. Go to work, return to be greeted by all dogs at gate, go inside, give the Damcat treats, let dogs in fix food, look at sliding door and... there's little Mattie waiting for us! Let dogs out, moremad excitement, DB and Mattie running in circles, Corey barking, Banshee hopping up and down, Snoopy finding a ball ... go for evening run with all dogs, gosh its nice to have Mattie back!

Wednesday August 31: A bit cooler

Last day of August ... only in low 90's. Nice morning run, dogs all very happy ... DB and Banshee each catch a mouse back in the former squash garden, DB eats hers, Banshee brings hers to me... fed and kenneled, went to work. On return greeted at gate by all 4, went inside briefly, fix food, then out for evening run and watering. Groom all 4 dogs, Corey again has sandspurs in feathers... clip DBs nails, even manage to get some waterless shampoo on Snoopy!

Thursday September 1: Hottest summer on record

Heard on news, this has been the hottest summer (June-August) on record for this area... average high temp of 97. Today is warm and muggy, lots of gnats ... heats up to 96. Morning run, feed and kennel, go to work. On return, all 4 dogs greet me at gate ... go inside, fix food, out again for evening watering (there is nothing LEFT to mow, no rain for so long, nothing growing )... DB is very very itchy, I can find no fleas. I think I will try the 'borax dip' tomorrow ... feed and kennel

Friday September 2

Off today (my agency gives extra admin leave days since we havent had raises in over 5 years) ... morning run, husband has gone into town ... do some watering, cant get faucet up by gate to turn (darn wrists are so weak now) ... pretty warm already, so dry the dogs are kicking up clouds of dust ... feed and kennel. Husband returns, helps me bathe DB and put the 'borax dip' on her. Sure hope this helps, she is scratching herself raw especially around her tail area. Let her 'dry' in her crate, then out for brief run, turn on the water on several lines of trees, back inside for lunch. Read, nap, then go into town for chiro appointment, was going to visit Sally, but her mom is giving a birthday party for son, though she saysI can come by and go in yard with dogs, its still 98 degrees at 6:P.M. Go by store, then home, dogs inside except DB is in her crate, husband had put them in crates while he was working in shed and DB didnt want to leave her crate, so, he left her there. Fix food, go out for evening run, let DB join us ... my mower blade has slipped off the belt again (lucky not much to mow,eh)... feed and kennel

Saturday September 3

Warm and muggy, lots of gnats, generally unpleasant. Morning run, then give DB another borax dip. She is stil very itchy. Gave her benedryl. Let her dry in crate, let others out, then DB, go for run, then inside, lunch, cleaning house today. Have to crate dogs again to vacuum living room. Let them out, then go for van ride to store. Corey's left ear is now bothering him. heck it, it looks OK. Evening run, do some watering, even though a hurricane is supposedly on the way it may miss us like the last one did

Sunday September 4

Still warm and muggy and buggy. Morning run, feed and kennel, go to church. On return dogs are all inside with husband, am greeted enthusiastically, change clothes, take out for a run, its pretty warm, dry , dusty ... back inside. Lunch etc. Clouding up now, think maybe storm on the way, take out for a run ... never rains. Play ball with Snoopy and Corey. DB seems a little less itchy... try to batten down everything in case storm hits tonight, but now the forecasters say it'll be tomorrow ...

Weekly update August 22-29

2011-08-28T16:47:00.000-04:00

A good week! Still very hot and dry most of week, a few cool mornings to tantalize us with a hint of fall ... DB finds a dead bird ... visit Sally in her new home, she is doing great ... groom all 4 dogs on new table ... little Mattie comes to visit (first time since July 19!) ...

For those of you whose churches may be looking for new ministries and outreach, here's a link to some great animal ministries and community programs started by church ministers, which are deeply compassionate to both people and pets: including a church member-organized pet-sitting program which led into many other generous services, a placement service for the companions of patients in hospice, and a dog who accompanies a South Bronx missionary. Humane Society of the United States' Faith Outreach program released a booklet called "Animal Protection Ministries: A Guide for Churches."
http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/animal_ministry_guide/

For those of you who are unable to view videos on my FaceBook page, I've now started uploading to YouTube ...

http://www.youtube.com/user/libertymls1#p/u

Monday August 22

Oh geez, up to 100 degrees today. Morning run, hot and sticky, DB finds a dead bird and carries it all over property ... husband later finds it but cant tell how it died as it's um, chewed a bit ... hope it isnt West Nile... feed and kennel, go to work, return pretty tired, back hurting. Evening run, feed and kennel..

Tuesday August 23

My goodness, it is actually cool this morning! Needed a long sleeve shirt! Dogs all excited, running wildly about, noses in air, ahhhh ... fall?? Feed and kennel go to work ... warms up later in day. Return home, my back is bothering me a bit, lay down and ice it, then out for evening run, feeling better.

Wednesday August 24

Warming up again. Morning run, Banshee and Snoopy both get sandspurs in pads,and cant get them out without help. It is SO dry out here now, the sandspurs are drying up and attacking us ... feed and kennel, go to work. Return, stop by store, still hot. Met at gate by DB and Banshe, Corey and Snoopy and the Damcat inside. Let Bashee and DB in, fix food, give all animals some chicken scraps (which the Damcat promptly throws up) Evening run, feed and kennel.

Thursday August 25

Warm and muggy morning. Dogs pretty sluggish, move quickly around property without any 'side trips' , feed and kennel. Gets really hot in afternoon, up to 100. Return home, dogs all inside, grumbling 'is it cool enough to go out yet? Huh? Huh?' Fix food, they are driving me bonkers, so go out for evening mowing. Still unpleasant, buggy and muggy, but perservere. Feed and kennel.In the night, I am sitting on porch and .. I thik I hear little Matie's bark! Could it be?

Friday August 26

Right pleasant this morning, breezy, cool, not a bit of rain from Irene which is hitting further up the coast ... fed and kenneled, take morning off, groomed all dogs (Corey and Banshee have sandspurs and debris in their feathers and tails, cant wait) . Into town at lunchtime, stop by SPCA Thrift Store (half price sale), two precious dogs up for adoption, then to work, then to chiropractor, then hooray, get to visit Sally in her new home! She is doing well (see separate update). Return home, fix food , go for evening run, and, little Mattie joins us! Hooray! Her eye is looking better! Snoopy and Banshee are thrilled to see her! Feed and kennel, then Mattie sits on porch with me awhile.A truly great, blessed day!

Saturday August 27

Cool and cloudy this morning ... morning run, mowed a bit, husband in town so fed and kenneled by myself. Went to lunch for new pastor's wife, return home, met at gate by all dogs and husband on tractor .. back to trailer, change clothes, let dogs in, do wash, take nap. Out again, still hot, up to 100 again today ... husband in shed with Snoopy and Banshee. Let Corey and DB inside. Fix food, here come Banshee and Snoopy. All out for evening run and mowing and watering, still and buggy, not real pleasant, but Snoopy and Corey have a great time playing ball. Feed and kennel.

Sunday August 28

Warm morning, muggy ... will this heat ever end? Morning run, water some trees, feed and kennel go to church ... return, too hot to stay outside, let dogs in, DB very itchy, put some salt water on her tummy this seems to help ... outside briefly, Corey finds orange bone and wants to play fetch, noooo, way too hot sweetie. Back inside for naps, wash, and other household chores. Dogs very restless, keep wanting to go out, so we go outside a few minutes, its still hot, go back in. Finally 'colls off' to 95 around 7 PM, evening run, mowing, watering ... lots of gnats tonight ... gotta keep moving! No little Mattie, well at least we saw her Friday and she was OK.

Weekly update August 15-21

2011-08-21T16:46:00.000-04:00

Weather starts off pleasant warms up by weekend ... the gang all gets groomed on my new table ...Sally finds a furever home ... the Damcat has tummy upset ... see first flock of geese ... no little Mattie again this week

"Beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices."- Lord Byron (inscription on tomb of his Newfoundland Boatswain)

Monday August 15: Cool this morning

Cool morning, in high 60's! Nice morning run, greet neighbor returning from work, feed and kennel, go to work. Return, stop by store and pick up yogurt for dogs. Evening run, fairly pleasant, nice breeze, play ball, play 'throw the squash', feed and kennel.

Tuesday August 16: Pleasant morning weather

Pleasant weather again, though heats up mid day. Morning run, Banshee gets a sandspur in her paw, then Snoopy. A flock of geese go honking by, Corey in mad pursuit... feed and kennel, go to work. On my return come across a huge snake in the road about a quarter mile from home, looks like a mocassin ... ack... I keep thinking of my friend's dog killed by a snake last week (but thats over 100 miles away) ... greeted at gate by all dogs and husband, mad excitement ... go to trailer, let them in, fix food, then out for evening run and mowing

Wednesday August 17: Muggy and buggy

Weather heating up again, mid 90's, muggy and buggy ... morning run, still have to ride tractor, hopefully tomorrow one of my mowers will be fixed. Corey gets a bunch of sandspurs in his feathers, finally get them out (the sandspurs around the trees are getting high and withot a mower I cant get close on the tractor)... feed and kennel, off to work, stop by to visit Sally in afternoon, she's cheerful and happy, despite the gnats this time of day ... pick up Banshee's herbal blend from Claire and give her a 'pets go to heaven' picture frame for Angel Heidi .. return home, dogs all inside, loudly and ecstatically greeting me ... fix food, evening run ... some mowing, some watering ... return, the Damcat has thrown up ... clean it up, feed and kennel dogs

Thursday August 18: Mower still not fixed

Mower still not fixed, washers wrong. Use tractor again for morning run, this is really killing my back. Feed and kennel, go to work. Long day. Return pretty tired, husband has gotten more washers, hopefully the mower will be fixed tomorrow ... evening run, try to mow some, this is out of control also very very dry so water trees. Very buggy, gnats, feed and kennel

Friday August 19: Mower fixed

Finally have mower fixed! Morning run, a spot of mowing, feed and kennel, go to work, then pick Sally up at kennel and take her to vet, clean bill of health , and best news yet! One of the nice young women at kennel wants to adopt Sally! She has her dogs with her today, let Sally meet them (first time Sally's been off leash in a minth! Goes well! Will let her take Sally home tomorrow!) Go to chiropractor, return home. Evening run on my mower, hooray, mow some of the spots couldnt get for last week with tractor. Dogs all in high spirits, I think they like having me 'nearer to them' on the mower. Feed and kennel.

Saturday August 20: Sally goes home, rain

Morning run, hot and muggy and smoky (burning fields in back) feed and kennel, then to town with husband to take Sally to her new home! (see separate update). Stop by store and doctor on way home. Rain storm blows up, has just rained at home. Let dogs out briefly, brief run, then load them up in van and go for ride (to store) on way home another storm blow in, kennel dogs, let them out again after storm, evening run, feed and kennel.

Sunday August 21: Groom the gamg

Foggy this morning after yesterday's rain ... morning run, I always enjoy watching dogs disappear into the mist then reappear ... feed and kennel, go to church, everyone really happy Sally found a home! Return home, dogs greet me at gate, back to trailer, change clothes. Too hot for a run, so stay inside, fix lunch, do wash, take naps, then take all dogs to shed and groom everybody! Corey has some bad sandspur mats on legs, as does Banshee. Clip DBs nails. Even get Snoopy briefly on grooming table (though I dont attach her to the arm), brush her. Back to trailer, still in mid 90's. Fix food, then go for evening run and mowing. Feed and kenel

--

Mary Lou
DB,Banshee, Snoopy and the wild Irishman Corey (dogs)
Ginger in spirit (2005-4/9/10)
The Damcat
Callie in spirit (04/90-06/07)
http://marylouandcompanions.blogspot.com/
http://gingeroftheflyingears.blogspot.com

Weekly update Aug 8-15

2011-08-15T18:50:00.000-04:00

On the bright side this week, temps start out in hundreds but moderate by week's end ... 2 great visits with Sally ... new grooming table a great success ... my gang enjoys playing with, and eating, the final harvest of squash ... on the down side, no little Mattie again this week... one good friend's dog has to be helped across the bridge and another friend's dog killed by a snake ... both lawnmowers now out of commission, and my back is giving me fits.

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

Monday August 8: Hot and muggy

Hot and muggy morning, pretty sluggish morning run ... feed and kennel, go to work in pickup so husband can take car in ... another hot day, 102 ... return home, temps still in high 90's, fix food, brush corey, finally go out to mow ... hot and nasty, buggy, get stung by mystery bug mowing under trees, big welt on my arm, put tobacco on it ... lots of gnats harassing me and digs... feed and kennel

Tuesday August 9: Visit Sally who meets a cat!

Pleasant this morning, nice fresh breeze.. morning run, DB and Banshee hunt for critters in the high grass ... feed and kennel, go to work ... having to drive pickup again, husband supposed to get car wheel checked today ... temps up in hundred mid afternoon ... visit Sally late afterenoon, she is in fine spirits, its about to storm, we go out in play yard and she meets a cat! The neighbor's cat was out in his yard, a BIG grey tabby, puffed all up and hissed at Sally, who promptly sat down, looked at me, I said 'thats a kitty, good kitty'(or something similar) Sally yawned (a calming signal) and then ignored the cat. Dropped by to pick up flower essences from Claire, (whose sweet little gdog Heidi is nearing theend of her time on earth) then return home, husband not back yet, let dogs out, go for nice evening run, nice breeze again .. apparently did rain earlier ... mow some on far side, husband returns, dogs all very happy rolling in grass clippings, feed and kennel... pleasantly cool in evening

Wednesday August 10: Second mower down

Hot mugginess descends again ... morning run, gnats plaguing us ... feed and kennel, go to work, another hot one, in the hundreds ... return fairly late, still upper 90's, DB, Banshee and Snoopy meet me at gate, where's Corey? Down the hill with husband, he then comes rushing to greet me ... inside, chage clothes, go out to mow ... about 10 min later wheel comes off mower ... so thats both mowers down ... walk back up hill, horrible, buggy, swarms of gnats and skeeters ... tell husband, he doesnt believe me and goes to see for himself, meanwhile I let dogs in, fix food, I've had it for the day ... husband returns, yep I'm right. Feed and kennel

Thursday August 11: Both mowers still out of commission

Cooler today (in high 90's). Not feeling well myself, stomach issues ... morning run, feed and kennel, then back to bed. Finally better, go to Columbia for hearing. Return, husband had taken picked up other mower from shop, they fixed one thing and broke another. So now both mowers inoperable. Get on small tractor, evening run, pick squash, a lot of which is now bug damaged so the dogs have a grand time playing with the squash, chewing like a bone, chasing each other etc. (wish I'd brought camera). Cool this evening, nice breeze!

Friday August 12: New grooming table set up

Cool cloudy morning. Groom Corey on new grooming table, wow, what a difference! Root some rosemary clippings, get some squash and cantelope, take in to town to Christ Central and friend ... planning to visit Sally in afternoon but pours rain, go to chiropractor (my back is totally messed up now), then try to find washer for lawnmower wheel, return home, no rain here, evening run (on tractor, husband shows me how to mow with it, I just keep bouncing all over the place, its better when mowing)... feed and kennel

Saturday August 13: Visit sally

Warm and humid. Morning run, dogs pretty sluggish. The washers I got dont fit mower. Groom Banshee, then go with husband to visit Sally (see separate update) who meets the cat again... drop by PetSmart and visit adoption groups (and give out some squash), go by other places to try to match washer, get one that may work, then return home ... pretty hot out. Let dogs inside, try to nap but they are too restless. Husband has put new washer on mower. Go for very brief run... make it halfway down hill, wheel comes off again. AARGH. Walk back to trailer. Back in, the dogs now want to nap but the Damcat doesnt, he keeps licking my face and meowing firectly in my ear. Argh. Up again, do a wash, fix dog food, then finally cool enough to do some mowing on the tractor. Feed and kennel.

Sunday August 14: Storms!

Cloudy and very 'close' (humid) Can hardly breathe. Morning run, feed and kennel, go to church. Return, husband not feeling well. Let dogs out, it's only in high 80's, mow (on tractor) for about an hour, getting hot, go inside. Dogs had already given up and were on porch. Fix lunch, getting ready to take naps when storm blows in, quickly kennel dogs ... storm ends, unkennel dogs, go for brief run, back inside for naps ... just settling in when another storm comes by, no chance to kennel dogs, fortunately this one is brief and not very violent ... out again, do some more mowing, then husband takes over while I play ball with Snoopy and Corey. Feed and kennel.

Weekly update Aug 1-8

2011-08-08T18:49:00.000-04:00

A few nice days with temps in low 90's, some rain (and storms), but several awful days (102, 104) ... pet therapy day for Banshee, several visits with Sally (she's doing great!) ... still harvesting squash ... Corey has short bout of vestibular syndrome (head tilt)... weeds growing like, well, weeds ... a good week, but no sign of little Mattie this week ...

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland

Please help find a home for Sally! And, don't forget the kittewns who need a home!

Monday August 1: Cooler and cloudy (in 90's)

Cooler and cloudy this morning . morning run, dogs very peppy, cavorting about .. flock of geese! Corey takes off running and barking after them, isnt it somewhat early for geese? Feed and kennel, go to work, gets hot during day but only high 90's, when I return it is, hold on to your hats, only 92! Dogs and husband inside with the Damcat, change clothese, fix food, out to ow (weeds have grown dramatically) ... husband picks squash (corn is over and done, still getting squash) ... continue mowing, right pleasant, cool breeze ... ah, this is better! Banshee and DB stick near husband in squash patch, I think there must be a critter of some kind up there ... finish mowing, feed and kennel

Tuesday August 2: Pet therapy day for Banshee, visit Sally

Sigh ... temps rise into hundreds again ... morning run, hot and sticky ... feed and kennel, go to food banks, return lunchtime, fix lunch, pick up Banshee and go to pet therapy ... Banshee's new haircut very popular ... take her to PetSmart for an outing ... husband then comes to town with mower in tow, meet him at repair shop, put Banshee in his truck and fasten her seat belt harness, turn to go and poor Banshee decides to come with me, ack ... she is hanging mid air by the harness (well, at least we now know it works) .. poor sweetie, she doesnt struggle or get upsety, just hangs with a look of total shock on her face ... I prop her up, unfasten her and she gamely climbs back in the truck seat, unharmed ... buckle her in again and give her a treat. I then go by library and to Powderhouse to visit Sally, who is doing really great, too hot to go outside so worked with her on basic obedience (sit,down, stay) and she is beginning to 'get it' (even stay...) back home, still ungodly hot ... changed clothes, fix dog food and husband supper, then go to church, return at twilight, dogs and husbandoutside, go for evening run, feed and kennel.

Wednesday August 3: Corey has head tilt again

Heat continues, up to 104 today ... morning run ... let dogs out, you may recall, in May, Corey had this vestibular syndrome where his head was tilted to one side and he kept going in circles back in May, took him to vet, gave him pred, 2 days later he was fine (but had to finish course of pred). Well this AM here we go again, head tilt, dizzy ... no overt ear infection signs (ears have been good lately). My inclination is to wait 2 days and see if it improves .. clears up on its own... as I really hate to give dogs (or people)steroids unless absolutely necessary . poor Corey, he gamely follows on our morning run, sideways ... feed and kennel, check his ears which are fine .. go to work. Husband calls mid day says Corey is still tilted ... return home, yep, he's struggling ... brush him, wash his face, massage his ears .... then go for evening run and mowing ... he's a bit tentative, but improves! Maybe this will pass! Feed and kennel

Thursday August 4: Thunderstorms!

Morning run, Corey is back to normal, no head tilt, prancing around like a king ... whew! Feed and kennel, go to work ... another hot one, up to 102 ... this has been a really bad summer ... return, dogs all inside, stormstarts brewing, too late to ennel ... nasty little storm lots of lightening, Snoopy and Corey all upset, Snoopy trying to crawl under couch, behind couch, pacing ... Corey freezes at crack of thunder then tries to crawl under me on couch, followed by Banshee who is grabbing pillows off the couch... the Damcat has hidden under the bed, DB remains unfazed ... finally storm abates, fix food, go for evening run, feed and kennel.

Friday August 5: More rain!

Cooler today, only in high 90's ... morning run, everything very damp, dogs are cheerful and boisterous, Corey eating pears, barking at pear trees ... feed and kennel, go to work, husband calls and says Corey has thrown up AND had the runs ... (then admits he gave them all a can of aged vienna sausage ... starts raining early, around 4, come home through downpour, husband has managed to crate DB,Banshee and Corey in dog shed, but Snoopy refused to go so she is in the trailer, pacing,whining ... storm abates, let her out, go let others out, take brief run, then back inside, brush Corey, clip DBs nails, brush teeth, fix food, evening run, feed and kennel

Saturday August 6: Visit Sally

Foggy this morning, damp, sticky.. morning run (I always enjoy watching the dogs disappear into the fog and reappear) ... feed and kennel. My back bothering me, I think from driving the little pickup yesterday ... go into town with husband to visit Sally, my back spasms badly, have to make side trip to chiropractor ... get to kennels before they close, whew ... poor Sally is beginning to go stir crazy, wants to jump and play so badly ... take her out in play area on leash, practice walking, sit and down, my back giving me a fit so I'm pretty inept today, but Sally is doing great ... give her a Zanie puzzle toy (you put treats in it) hopefully this will help stave off boredom (other suggestions welcome) ... go by Tractor Supply to pick up food, see dogs (and cats) SPCA and FOTAS have for adoption ..return home, my back is bad. Let dogs out, its pretty hot, go inside for naps (and lying on ice pack), just getting ready to go out and here come afternoon storms, get dogs crated before it hits ... lasts about an hour, let them out again, fix food, cut up squash, then out for evening run, and here comes another storm ... feed and kennel.

Sunday August 7: Cooler! Hooray!

Day starts out hot and muggy ... morning run, DB and Banshee after a critter in the high (unmowed) grass near the drainage pond, Snoopy and Corey follow me up to kennels for breakfast, DB finally appears, and, at last, Banshee ... really need to get that mowed down there ... feed and kennel, go to church .. return, still very muggy feels like will rain any minute, change clothes, start mowing , husband joins me... and it starts to drizzle ... back up hill, close windows in vehicles and sheds, stops raining. Husband has continued mowing, rejoin him for about an hour, then wheel on his mower attachment breaks ... inside for lunch, naps, wash ... out again, it is remarkably cooler, high 80's and NOT humid, very pleasant! Mow for about an hour, dogs all very happy, rolling in grass clippings, leaping about, DB running in circles, Snoopy finding balls and bringing them to be thrown, Corey barking, Banshee jumping up and down through the high grass ... husband tries to fix wheel and join us but no luck ... finish up, go in fix food, time for supper! Feed and kennel. Oh, if this weather could just hold for a few days ....

===
Mary Lou
DB,Banshee, Snoopy and the wild Irishman Corey (dogs)
Ginger in spirit (2005-4/9/10)
The Damcat
Callie in spirit (04/90-06/07)
http://marylouandcompanions.blogspot.com/
http://gingeroftheflyingears.blogspot.com

Weekly update July 25-31

2011-07-31T18:48:00.000-04:00

What a week ... some nice rainfall followed by a week of increasingly awful temps in 100's ... poor injured fawn has to be dispatched by husband ... Sally doing well ... squash explosion continues unabated, to Corey's delight ... fleas appear to be under control ... Banshee goes to groomer ...

'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 July 25: Rain!

Morning run, hot and sticky ... DB still itchy but dont see any fleas... fed and kenneled, went to work, returned, hot and muggy, change clothes and out for a run and watering when all of a sudden a storm blew up, we raced back up the hill but only made it to the tractor shed ... it slacked up a bit and I managed to get them down to the kennels, Corey was kenneled DB Snoopy and Banshee inside the dog shed, Snoopy refused to come out, I took Corey's food out to him and then I got stuck in the kennel area wow what a storm, lasted almost an hour. Managed finally to get others out and fed and kenneled.

Tuesday July 26: Sad incident today

We had a very sad incident this AM ... on our morning run (it was still very wet from early AM rain) we were in back near the pear trees when I noticed Corey instead of barking at the pear trees was standing in perfect setter stance at the fency, pointing, I rode over to see and the others come rushing up,, they all started pointing and barking there was a baby fawn caught in the brambles back there on the other side of my fence, I finally got dogs away and husband went back with me, fawn badly injured, apparently had been hit by a car (and somehow made it all the way back up the hill), but it couldnt stand as
2 legs were damaged... called wildlife rehab and they said they only
had 2 people in the state and the fawn couldnt survive with 2 legs
down, and asked my husband to dispatch it so, he had to shoot it, this
is the 2d or 3d time he's had to put an animal down like that, it is
very upsetting (I couldnt do it at all, I dont think but you never
know what you can do til you have to). Fed and kenneled, went to work ...
Visited Sally today, it started pouring rain the minute I got there so
they put us in the 'bath room' (where they bathe dogs) to visit. She
is doing great, wriggly and happy per usual, coat coming back nicely,
ears look good. What a nice little dog she is! Raining all the way home, dogs all inside, clip DBs nails, stopped raining after awhile, went for evening run, Snoopy leaping in drainage pond several times, whoopee! Fed and Kenneled

Wednesday July 27: Japanese beetles ack

Temps rising again, hot and steamy after yesterday's rain, lots of gnats ... and Japanese beetles swarming .. ack. Morning run, grass is growing (well, weeds are) ... all dogs right perky today, DB running in circles, Corey chasing trucks, Banshee bouncing around, Snoopy following everyone with a ball in her mouth ... fed and kenneled, put some more DE on DB and in pens ... went to work. Return nightfall, sticky hot, evening run , did some mowing ... skeeters bad but the B6 patches seem to be working and I'm not getting as bit up ...

Thursday July 28

Temps reaching 100 again. This is a brutal summer. Morning run,foggy, both of husbands worker sick now with flu, shake some trees to try and trap beetles, dogs more sluggish in the hot muggy morning ... feed and kennel, to work, on return greeted by DB and Banshee at gate, Snoopy and Corey inside ...evening run, pick squash (will this never end) Corey and Banshee vieing over pears, give Corey a whole squash (which he carries around like a toy, he'll only eat squash if its in slices, thank you very much.) Feed and kenel

Friday July 29 : Banshee goes to groomer

Heat continues ... morning run, fed and kennel, then take Banshee into town to groomer, drop off squash to various folks, visit SPCA Thrit Store, to work, then pick up Banshee (who looks wonderful) go by Feed Store to pick up Probios and cat food and let Banshee be admired, then home, temps in 100's ... dogs all inside, decide to put Banshee in her crate in AC shed so wont go through DB-Banshee reunion ritual inside ... this turns out to be big mistake, I go inside for awhile and Banshee has an accident in her crate, she is horrified (and has the runs) clean her up, then take all for run, still hot, muggy, buggy ... feed and kennel

Saturday July 30: Sally doing great

Blazing hot weather continues .... morning run, already hot and sticky ... water a few trees, feed and kennel. Husband and I then go into town to visit Sally, who is doing great (see separate update), go by PetSmart (SPCA not there today again) and SPCA and get rid of some squash ... return early afternoon, temp 103, let dogs inside, lunch, naps ... I'm not feeling well, feel better when get up ... go out briefly , Corey finds an orange bone, brings it proudly inside, and Banshee steals it ...looks like it may storm, check Internet, decide to take dogs for run, temps have dropped into high 80's, nice breeze, never rains, but have a pleasant evening run and mowing session, husband joins us, play ball with Snoopy and Corey, then feed and kennel.

Sunday July 31: Hot and muggy

Hot and muggy morning, geez, this feels like the weather in the lowcountry, can hardly breathe ... and gnats... morning run, tried a bit of mowing, watered the trees in front (supposed to maybe rain this afternoon) ... feed and kennel go to church , return, husband goes out to turn on sprinklers but dogs stay on porch and clamor to get INSIDE, bring Corey in and brush him, have he is a mess ... then others. Too hot to eat lunch (I think eating yesterday when I'd gotten so hot did me in)... slice up and freeze some squash ...do wash ... take naps ... still horribly hot (103) outside , no rain in sight ... clouds up around 6, thunder and lightening all around us ... looks like it'll be over soon, dogs still inside, Snoopy cowering behind couch ... husband decides to watch a DVD (as the Internet goes down), something about wild boars, Corey gets all upset and frantic at the wild boar noises ... thunder outside, wild barking inside, Snoopy trying to disappear, Banshee grabs a dryer ball and guards it against everyone... DB laying peacefully at my feet, snoozing...the Damcat hiding in the closet ... this place is way too small ... rain slacks up, get food, feed and kennel (Snoopy not eating, too scared of the storms..)

Weekly update July 17-23

2011-07-23T18:47:00.000-04:00

Very hot (over 100) weather returns, no rain, but muggy and buggy ... Sally goes to vet for HW treatment, does well and is back at Powderhouse ... little Mattie visits twice ... Corey discovers he loves squash too ... Corey and Banshee vie over pears ... squash harvest continues unabated ... and for bad news, we get fleas ...

Monday July 18: Sally goes to vet for HW treatment

Warmer today, morning run, fed and kennel, then off to pick up Sally
and take her to the vet for HW treatment ... I'm sure she'll be fine, they are excellent vets, but I really hated leaving her there, she's such a little trooper, no sign of fear at all(unlike my Snoopy, also a rescue dog, who is so scared of the vet she has to be sedated).... took much longer to take her to vet than anticipated, so worked in town today ... return home, very tired, pretty hot out still, watered the pear trees, Corey and Banshee enjoyed eating pears ... feed and kenel, and little Mattie showed up! Fed her too, gave her treats.

Tuesday July 19: Mattie comes over to play

Weather definitely heating up again ... somehow managed to break transmission on one of mowers, needs to go to shop .. morning run, feed and kenel, go to work (taking squash to food bank on the way) ... vet calls mid afternoon, Sally'd bloodwork was 'perfect' and she handled the first HW shot well ....return home, still very hot, fix husband supper, fix dog food then out to water, everything getting very dry ... little Mattie joins us, Snoopy and Banshee thrilled to see her, water the apple trees and trees up front, feed and kennel

Wednesday July 20: Horrible hot weather from hell

OK, here we go, up in the 100 degree range again.. whew ... hot in early morning ... morning run, water some trees, feed and kennel, husband picks MORE squash, load up with 4 bags to go to another food bank ... to work, meeting at church with AC on the blink ... go by vet to visit Sally, she is doing great! then chiropractor, then home, still hot as blazes, looks like rain in a few areas but no luck here ... dogs greet me eagerly, go for evening run and watering, skeeters are fierce (I now have a mosquito netting top which helps some) ... feed and kennel

Thursday July 21: Oh no... fleas

Hot hot hot ... mid July heat wave continues ... morning run, water trees, feed and kennel, dogs are dragging ... go to work, still in high 90's when return, and oh no, husband has found fleas on poor DB, I know these must have come with Jake when he was here, he was scratching, I didnt see fleas, I sprayed him with the herbal flea spray but didnt put DE on him (should have) ... or perhaps when we transported Sally from the pound to the vet in my van... I am so stupid, I didnt think to remove all bedding from the van. Aargh. havent had fleas out here in past 5 years ... vacuum carpets, put DE on dogs (and the Damcat) ... may have to use Frontline, husband wont let them inside inside with fleas and its too hot outside and they'll have to stay in crates in AC dog shed all day ... evening run, DB scratching fiercely, Snoopy also scratching now ... eh gads. Feed and kennel

Friday July 22: Sally goes back to kennel

Up to 104 today. This heat is awful. Morning run, water trees, everything drying up ... fairly nice very early in morning but by 8 AM its bad. Feed and kennel. DB still itching badly, dont see any fleas, but spray all with herbal spray ... cant bring them inside. Husband takes them into AC dog shed when it gets above 95. Go to work. In late afternoon pick up Sally from vet and take her to Powderhouse (see separate note), she is doing amazingly well, everyone loves her, what a great little girl. Call husband, he says DB and Snoopy scratching ... Pick up Frontline, return home, dogs are in AC dog shed, let them out for evening run, they are pretty sad at being cooped up in crates all day ... I really,really hate to do this, but, I put Frontline on them. You cannot know how I hate doing this, I feel like a failure... Evening run, water trees, very nasty,hot and sticky and buggy ... feed and kennel.

Saturday July 23: Heat continues

Morning run, hot and sticky already ... no rain in sight, so water trees, again. Turn on sprinklers in back. DB still scratching but not as bad ... double up the DE in their food as I assume they'll also have tapes ... feed and kennel, I go to town to visit Sally,try to take video, she is doing great,very happy, get to go in big play area, but dont dare let her loose for long. Practice 'sit' (she has this down pat) and 'down' ... too hot out here, go back inside kennel. Then go to pick up Corey's herbs from Claire, stop by PetSmart (no adoptions today except McCormick Humane) ... do some shopping, return home, husband and dogs are in AC dog shed (my husband has a computer 'workshop' in there too) ... fix lunch. Freeze some corn and squash. My little freezer is now full. Gosh its boring inside without my dogs! The Damcat, however, is tickled pink. Go let them out to pee, its still over 100 degrees. Put them back. Finally around 730 go out for evening run, watering, etc. Feed and kennel. Thunder in evening, no rain.

Sunday July 24: Dogs allowed back in again

Morning run, hot and sticky, husband has turned off outside water so cant water ... feed and kennel, then bathe DB with oatmeal soap, dont find any fleas but she is stil very itchy. Go to church, on return do brief noonday foray and water (husband has watered some this AM) Back inside, let dogs in ... do wash and other indoor chores, temps up above 100 now ... out again around 7, temps down to 97 ... water some trees, pick some squash ... Corey has now decided he loves squash as much as pears ... Banshee likes pears but not apples, DB likes pears too... Corey barks and barks at them when they get one first! Snoopy doesnt care for any of it, she is only interested in ... playing ball... feed and kennel at nightfall.

===
Mary Lou
DB,Banshee, Snoopy and the wild Irishman Corey (dogs)
Ginger in spirit (2005-4/9/10)
The Damcat
Callie in spirit (04/90-06/07)
http://marylouandcompanions.blogspot.com/
http://gingeroftheflyingears.blogspot.com

Weekly update July 11-16

2011-07-16T18:45:00.000-04:00

A wonderful week, despite record breaking temps ... the light goes on for Sally and her sweet loving self emerges ... angels from all over the world rally to send support and donations ... the squash explosion continues ... my gang is quite relieved whentemps moderate into 80'sat end of week ... what a lovely cheerful group of dogs I have ... and what a wonderful group of human friends, both on and offline ... I am truly blessed.

Monday July 11: AC off at work

Warm and muggy, morning run, to back to check corn, worker picks whole giant bushel basket full ... and more squash ... throw ball for Corey and Snoopy, feed and kennel, go to work, where the upstairs AC (where my office is) is broken. Wonderful. Work downstairs. Return home, has just finished raining, storm blw up out of nowhere husband says... he and dogs all wet. Steamy hot ... go inside, brush Corey, Fix food, go back out for evening run, take squash-corn to neighbor. Feed and kennel

Tuesday July 12: Miserable weather continues

Another hot sticky day ... morning run, dogs sluggish ... feed and kennel, go to work, AC still not fixed, another day camping out downstairs ... return home, fix husband supper, fix dogs food, then go to church, return, dogs still out, go for evening run, nasty, buggy, muggy ... fed and kennel

Wednesday July 13: Hottest day this year, 104

Really awful hot day, reched 104 degrees ... morning run, hot and muggy, dogs not very energetic today, trotted around did their business, then fed and kenneled, went to work ... went by kennel to visit Sally, who is doing wonderfully well (see my separate note) ... went to chiropractor, storms brewing ... by time I reach home, temps have dropped into the high 80's ... greeted at gate by all dogs, change clothes and get ready to go out to pick squash and mow, halfway down hill lightening starts, back up hill, get food, kennel ... Snoopy wont eat, storm too near ... make it back to trailer, storm hits, not much rain though ... stops raining around twilight, let dogs back out, go with husband, pick squash, dogs all very lively now, running around in the cool twilight ... kennel again, feed Snoopy, give treats to others

Thursday July 14: More squash

Cooler today! Morning run, dogs all burst out of kennels as if it were fall! Feed and kennel, go to hearing in Columbia, then back to work, tired, return home, fairly cool but lay down for a half hour, brush Corey then out to mow with husband, pick some squash and corn, Corey and Banshee all exited about the pears ...feed and kennel

Friday July 15: Cloudy and cool!

Cloudy and cool all day ... mid 80's high temp, feels like fall. Dogs very lively, DB running in circles, Snoopy picking up a ball, Corey racing along the fence line, Banshee bouncing up and down ... feed nd kennel, go to work, drop by kennels to see Sally, she's such a cutie, her coat is coming back in ... take a few more pictures ... give squash to several people in town, its never ending ... return home, cool and cloudy, dogs all inside with husband who doesnt feel well... fix food then go out to mow, really pleasant, almost need a long sleeve shirt!

Saturday July 16: Visiting Sally, Mattie comes by

Another gorgeous day! Sunny, temps in 80's, breezy, like May in July! Morning run, mow a bit, Corey chasing trucks (before anyone panics, our property is fenced, when a logging truck or truck hauling a trailer goes down the paved road in the front and we are in that area, Corey fence runs with the truck... some of them, he wins! Whether he would chase a truck down the road, I doubt it) ... onwards to Powderhouse to meet Deborah, play with Sally, take more pictures .. then stop by PetSmart for adoptions, then home ... let dogs out, go for brief run-mow, not that hot, high 80's, rather pleasant, then inside for nap time ...outside again, then load dogs in van and go to store and around neighborhood trying to unload squash on unsuspecting neighbors ... back home, inside briefly to fix food, then out to mow with husband, and oh no, pick more squash ... dogs really enjoying this beautiful day! Temps in80's, nice breeze, very pleasant ... play ball, eat peears, life is good ... back to kennels, feed and kennel, and, here comes little Mattie for evening snack ... a good day!

Sunday July 17: Nice weather holding

Nice weather holding ... temps in high 80's ... morning run, feed and kennel, go to church, return after lunch, mow a little (too hot in the sun, the dogs give up quickly and return to the porch) ... back inside, fix husband lunch, do wash, take naps ... out again, mow, water ... bring Corey in, brush him (he has sandspurs in his feathers...) husband takes squash to neighbor ... back inside, downloading pictures of Sally, husband watching TV, someone on TV screams, dogs all rush to living room, barking ... ack, all outside, last evening run, feed and kennel

--
===
Mary Lou
DB,Banshee, Snoopy and the wild Irishman Corey (dogs)
Ginger in spirit (2005-4/9/10)
The Damcat
Callie in spirit (04/90-06/07)
http://marylouandcompanions.blogspot.com/
http://gingeroftheflyingears.blogspot.com

Weekly update June 27- July 3

2011-07-03T23:40:00.002-04:00

Jake continues to learn the routine ... the Damcat still horrified at the puppy invading his side of trailer ... Corey goes to groomer ... little Mattie meets Jake ... an explosion of squash ... take Jake on big trip to his furever home, great folks he'll be very happy ... but the gang (except for the Damcat) misses him ...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

The squash explosion continues

2011-07-03T23:38:00.000-04:00

Relatively cool morning, nice breeze, morning run, the gang has now figured out Jake's not coming back ... no more looking for him ... ride back by the sqush-corn patch, my God, there are MORE ... take some to church. I have refreshments today. Return home, let dogs out, they want a run ... it's hot as blazes but they wont settle down, so go to bottom of hill and back, then inside for lunch and naps ... get call from Jake's new Mom (they dont have Net access as they're on vacation) Jake is doing wonderfully, eating them out of house and home, wrestling with their other younger dog, and generally creating havoc ... she sounds very happy:-) ... get ready for evening run, go to back with husband in pickup to pick rest of the squash, I'm in the midst of a squash nightmare, I have never seen squash that grows this big this fst, it is actually quite tasty even when big, no woody texture, tender ... give some to neighbor in back, still have whole pickup bed full... the corn looks like its almost ready too. Interestingly, my dogs who love and devour fruits and tomatoes are totally uninterested in squash ... looks like it may rain, do some more mowing, then back to fix food and feed and kennel.

We all miss little Jake

2011-07-02T23:37:00.000-04:00

Morning run, Jake's last run with the pack ... he has learned the routine so well and so quickly ... feed and kennel, then collect supplies for his 'dowry', put harness on him , crate him, go with husband to meet my friend Beth for our big trip to take him to his new family ... see separate post on that. On my return, mid afternoon, greeted by DB and Banshee at gate, friend drives me in, unload Jake's crate, she leaves ... go inside, Snoopy and Corey all excited to see me ... let DB and Banshee in, fix husband late lunch, take brief nap, put in a wash, then fix food and take my gang for evening run and some mowing ... they are looking all over for Jake, I did explain to them I was taking him to his new home, but they still expected me to bring him back, I guess ... play ball with Snoopy and Corey, mow, then feed and kennel. The Damcat is relieved that Jake is no longer invading 'his space '.... This is one of those experiences that I felt like St Francis was with me the whole time, from sending Jake to Rose's at exactly the right time, to finding exactly the right furever home, to arranging it so I had to drive him myself instead of using transport, to having my friend Beth be off work today so she could accompany us ... I have a really good feeling about this ... however, I do miss little Jake, it was fun having a puppy around:-( and he is such a great little guy.

Visit friend with new puppy

2011-07-01T23:31:00.001-04:00

Morning run, warm and muggy , down the hill to pick squash... husband has put sprinklers on ... we all get wet ... down to woods, Jake now interested in tearingup a patch of moss ... DB and Banshee digging for some critter, Jake joins them ... all now muddy... Jake jumps up on mower and into my lap so I'll be muddy too ... Corey and Snoopy playing ball ... back to trailer, get food, husband gone into town, feed and kennel. Husband returns, I go to work (though we're closed today, I can use our satellite office and have some things looming over me I need to finish ... while in town, visit my friend E who has just been adopted by a new puppy and wants me to look at her ... really cute little girl, apparently was wandering around neighborhood .. has found a great home with E, who has 2 other rescued dogs ... finish up work, return home .. husband and worker hve picked rest of squash, bushels of it, I could feed the county. Corey and Banshee inside, DB, Snoopy and Jake in crates in dog shed (A/C) as very very hot and husband had work to do and Jake was too destructive, he says... my back is hurting so I lay down and ice it awhile ... up again, still hot but in lower 90's now, let all dogs out, take some pictures, mosquitoes bad, spray self with poison, mow til dark ... have found a new area of sandspurs, aargh ...feed and kennel.

Jake meets his new family

2011-07-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

Today was the big day ... we took Jake to meet his new family! I took all my dogs for their regular morning run, Jake was happy as a lark, then loaded him up in his crate with a whole bunch of supplies (food smples, toys, leashes, collars, chewies, treats, etc) put his new harness on him (he still pulls on a collr) and met my wonderful friend Beth who drove our little transport to Charlotte (thanks Beth) Jake slept the whole way, stopped outside Columbia for a potty break (and water), the on to Charlotte ... got the right exit but missed the McDonalds (which is hidden) so went to Bojangles (where there were some nice shade trees) and called new mom Nancy (who was at McDonalds, they came over to meet us) ... she and her boyfriend and one of her other dogs ... great people, great dog, I know Jake has found a wonderful furver home! Took a few pictures and video (which I've posted) ... Beth and I returned home, ran into a few problems on way back (traffic snarled on I-77 due to accident, took a side trip through Fairfield county to get to next exit), a few thunderstorms ... but a nice trip!

I'd like to thank ALL who participated in the effort to find Jake a furever home and get him there! Special thanks to Kevin L and Terry A for sending me $$ to help with transport, to the others who tried to help me rrange transport, to the other 2 families who offered Jake a Furever home (but lived too far ...)

This has been quite a wonderful experience! Thank you all for your help, support and love!

Video
http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=100000448447582#!/video/video.php?v=236283526396594&comments
http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=100000448447582#!/video/video.php?v=236283526396594&comments
Pictures http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.236264266398520.64833.100000448447582#!/media/set/?set=a.236264266398520.64833.100000448447582

Mattie comes to visit

2011-06-30T23:29:00.000-04:00

Morning run, Jake bouncing up and down, all very lively this morning ... get basket and pick squash (very difficult with puppy in your face) ... to take to work, overwhelmed with squash this year ... feed and kennel, to work ... really tiring day, very busy ... return, Banshee and Jake on porch, Snoopy and Corey inside, hmm, wheres DB? Husband finally remembers she's in the dog shed (she wanted some peace and quiet) ... fix food, Jake is very good in kitchen, just sits quietly watching ... manage to get all outside, go let DB out, forgot my water back to trailer, Jake slides in past my feet and ... theres the Damcat... jumps up on the washer, he and Jake stare at each other, the Damcat starts washing his paws ... take Jake out, go mowing, joined by husband... and, little Mattie! Poor sweetie, her eye sill blueish ... all dogs surrounding mne except Jake who spots that I've stopped comes running over, and, Mattie sees him, starts barking, Jake promptly comes to other side of mower gets his treat, steps backl deferentially Great little dog. Mow a little more then feed and kennel all, including Mattie

Rain in the night

2011-06-29T23:28:00.000-04:00

Rained in night, wet and steamy morning. Let dogs out, Jake has popped 2x in Corey's pen ... but no one has the runs. Morning run, feed and kennel, to work. Husband also goes in to town, leaves Jake in Corey's pen. Poor Corey. (Actually, Jake does just fine in the pen or crate, plays quietly with his Kong, sleeps.) I go to chiro, then home, greeted at gate by DB, Jake and Banshee, Jake has the gate protocol down pat now. All follow me back to trailer. Corey and Snoopy inside. Go in, ice my back for awhile, then fix food and go out to mow. Still too hot, sit on porch awhile, dogs OK at first, Jake then starts scrambling all overm me. Give him a stick to chew (Banshee steals everything else we give him). Mow, joined by husband on tractor. Dogs in good spirits, Jake picks one, then another to follow. They 'trade off' babysitting duty. Finish mowing (well its never finished), pick some squash, back to trailer get food, Jake circling around us in a 'happy dnce' ... feed and kennel. Leave them all with chewies, then back to put Jake in with Corey/

Corey goes to groomer

2011-06-28T23:28:00.000-04:00

Warm and muggy. Morning run, Jake spent night in Corey's pen again, doing fine. Feed and kennel then take Corey to groomer while I go on to meeting. Pick him up, its raining, Corey looks great but is very very glad to leave ... stop at Boots & Bridles (not raining) to let him pee and pick up dog food, then home ... met at gate by DB. Let Corey out at parking area, other dogs all appear, sniffing him (he smells too good,lol) change clothese, fix food ... looks like rain ... take brief run then kennel ... rain blows over, let all out, husband takes a few pictures then starts raining, Hard ..grab food, rekennel dogs, feed ... Snoopy hides under shed, harness her and get her to pen ... husband makes a break and runs to house ... I stay with dogs til rain slacks up then walk quickly to trailer ... soaking wet ... put Jake in with Corey tonight

Jake continues to fit into pack

2011-06-27T23:27:00.000-04:00

Morning run, Jake prancing around like he owns the place, jumping up and grabbing Banshee's ear, whoops no, bad idea ... try Corey , who shakes his head and runs off at top speed. Oh well, lets bother Mary Lou, nip at pants legs, whoops, she's on mower, well guess I better follow dont want to get left out. Good little dog, he's learning... but oh, those needle sharp puppy teeth... feed and kennel, go to acupuncture ... very painful, not doing this again. Feel pretty bad most of day. Finish as much work as I can, go home early. Lay down with the Damcat (who is still horrified at the turn of events which has brought a puppy into his 'side of the trailer') ... up again, still in pain, but better. Corey and Snoopy inside, brush Corey, then let rest of dogs in, Jake is ecstatic, he's inside! Inside! whirls around and around finally settles in corner by refrigerator at my feet while I fix food. Give all treats. Go out and try to mow, have to dump grass clippings, finally manage. Husband then joins us on tractor. He mows in back while I mow in front (trying to keep Jake away from tractor). Mosquitoes bad over near woods ... decide to feed and kennel.

Weekly update June 20-36

2011-06-26T23:58:00.001-04:00

2eek starts off hot as blazes, then nightly rain moves in mid week, actually get a few days in the 80's ... St Francis sends Jake, a little lab mix puppy to my husband to rescue ... find him several home offers thru the magic of the Internet, working on transport ... Jake fits in well with my pack, learns lots from the big dogs, and the Damcat ... don't see little Mattie this week ... a good week, certainly is interesting having a puppy around again!

"If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the Earth." ~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, from a letter to President Franklin Pierce.

Warming up again

2011-06-26T23:50:00.000-04:00

Hot and muggy this morning, puppy barking his fool head off, fix food, go let them out, morning run, Jake underfoot, circuit of the property but really pretty hot already, feed and kennel, go to church. Put Jake in Corey's kennel with him as husband feeling poorly and may not let them out. Return from church. husband has not let them out, change quickly, let dogs out... decide to dop a brief run, mow on the 'shady side' even that too much. Back to trailer, its about 98 now, too hot to leave Jake out. Bring all dogs in; fix lunch. Have to keep constant watch on Jake (not housetrained, and house not 'puppy proofed') too difficult with all dogs inside, too small an area. Get the crate and put in kitchen area, crate Jake, take brief nap, he settles down pretty quickly.Mid afternoon, let him out, he promptly pees on the kitchen floor (well at least its linoleum) husband then takes him and goes to dog shed where he has computers set up and A/C. Now husband has graduated from 'why cant we keep him' to 'why cant YOU train him to not whatever (jump up, nip, pee)'.Ah, how quickly we forget puppyhood when we have adult dogs .. Jake is so small and so fast (and completely untrained to not enter unless invited) that he gets in everytime I go in or out ... the Damncat is not amused, he is outraged that this newcomer can get UNDER the baby gate and into HIS safe area ... Jake tries to 'make friends' and gets a swipe of the Damcat's paw ... fortunately didnt connect, as I sure dont want to deal with an infected cat scratch! Bring Corey in, brush him, do wash, husband reappears with Jake ... Jake has managed to destroy 2 tennis balls ... take all for run (cooler now) and mowing. Corey eats a bunch of apples, and promptly gets the runs again. AARGH. Jake doing very well now, has caught on to the 'mowing routine' (sit under a tree or otherwise mind your own business til the mower stops, make sure you change positions as the mowing proceeds around the property, when mower stops drop whatever you're doing and RUN to get treats! Clouding up, husband runs over string on his mower and quits, I decide to do one final circuit and manage to clip my ear on a low branch ... back to trailer, doctor ear, get food,feed and kennel. Jake is eating like a dog twice his size ... no picky eater here!Put Jake in Corey's kennel as more rain expected tonight.

Jake having a ball

2011-06-25T23:55:00.001-04:00

Very damp this morning ... cool... let dogs out, all very cheerful (even Corey, who had to put up with Jake last night) ... morning run, feed and kennel. Go into town to SPCA volunteer meeting and then shopping at WalMart which takes forever, return home , greeted at gate by Banshee and Jake ... he has quickly learrned the 'gate routine', smart little guy. Back to trailer to unload groceries, DB, Snoopy and Corey inside. Husband says Banshee has been on babysitting duty with Jake outside, she is very patient... put groceries up, fix lunch, take all outside, not real hot today, low 90's ... Jake comes in for a few minutes but then starts getting into trouble ... and he can get under the baby gate, poor Damcat ... though he doesnt bother the Damcat , I dont want him scratched ... put him out again with Banshee, take brief nap, then out to mow and play ball ... husband joins us ... scared to use big tractor cause you really cant keep an eye on Jake, who still tends to follow us back and forth ... he's getting tired, husband takes him inside to cool off ... I go inside, brush Corey, fix food, then out again for final stint of mowing ... boy the weeds have grown with all this rain! Watching Jake interact with the 'big dogs' is fascinating ... Corey will be rolling on the ground scratching his back, Jake will run and jump on Corey's tummy, Corey will scramble up, and shake himself and walk off, very dignified, while Jake stands and watches ... all dogs will run up to me for treats, the 4 big dogs sit, Jake tries to climb up my leg ... and Banshee will 'clear her throat' (not really a growl), Jake will get off and sit ad wait his turn. I just did a few videos (very inept, just Flip videos) and then went frame by frame to pick 'snapshots', and the subtle body language is fascinating in slow-mo ... the older dogs can 'quell' and redirect the puppy with one look, or head tilt. And the puppy watches them, to pick up the 'routine'.

Heres a video (turn your sound OFF , Corey barks and barks and barks ...)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=233690266655920&saved#!/video/?id=100000448447582
Here are snapshots from video
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.233685413323072.64138.100000448447582&l=92aa7f269f

Cloudy and cool, Jake transport falls thru

2011-06-24T23:35:00.000-04:00

Cool and cloudy again, yippee! Dogs out for AM run, Jake's crate clean as a whistle,he runs out and does his business, then follows us on morning run, all bouncy and happy. Greet workers as they arrive, very cheerful little puppy, very deferential to the rest of the pack, clearly studying them to see 'how to act'. Feed and kennel, then inside to check email to see if any luck with transport for this weekend, think I have one! Yeah! Put in a call, contact my adopters ... then back outside to let dogs out while husband goes to bank. He returns, I leave and head for work ... on pins and needles all AM, but then find out transport fell through for tomorrow ... very disappointing (for me and for the nice lady in VA who wants to adopt Jake ... this transport stuff is much more difficult than I thought, if you're not a rescue, and if you're trying to transport a puppy (they want puppies to be neutered at 3 months, not something I'm going do...) Return home, Banshee and Jake outside, DB,Snoopy and Corey inside ... fix food ... getting ready to go out and a huge storm blows up ... quickly get all fed and kenneled ... rain, hail, thunder, lightening ... all night. Put Jake in with Corey, as rain blowing in to his crate ...

Get several adoption offers for Jake ... way up North

2011-06-23T23:45:00.000-04:00

Cool and cloudy ... let dogs out, Jake had peed in his crate, but in the corner ... ran right out and pooped... morning run, all dogs cheerful, Banshee playful with Jake .. back to get food, fed and kenneled, went to work. Husband reports rained off and on during the day, he kenneled Jake in Corey's pen and took Corey inside ... then let Banshee and Jake out and the rest in, took several walks, played ball etc. When I arrive home, greeted at gate by Banshee .. Jake right behind her, DB, Corey and Snoopy inside. Change clothes, fix food, evening run, too wet to mow ...then ran out of gas at bottom of hill, walked back up. Fed and kenneled, Jake now knows the 'routine' .. very quick learner. A wonderful cool day, in the 80's ...Have now had 2 great offers for Jake, one in VA, one in NJ ..trying all evening on FB and Net to get transport ...

St. Francis sends Jake to be rescued

2011-06-22T23:50:00.000-04:00

Very damp out, cooler, nice breeze, cloudy, dogs burst out of pens, all revved up (you'd think it was fall)... brisk morning run, pick some squash in back , pick up branches taken down by last nights storms, feed and kennel, use enzyme wash on Corey's ears.
What a day ... My husband was in the checkout line at Rose's store, everyone was yelling 'dog in the store' ... they were trying to kick the puppy out, he looked up, saw my husband and staggered over to him, husband picked him up and . ..it was Jake ... apparently Jake had followed his 'owner' about a mile to the store ... husband put dog in buggy and called me, before I get there, his 'owner' came out of the store and
told husband it was his dog but he didnt want him, he couldnt take care of Jake, his father had given him to him and he didnt need a dog.He had NO car, 4 kids (none of whom wanted Jake.) I got there from work and got a notarized statement from the owner. Unfortunately Aiken SPCA cant take owner surrenders. They did say they would board Jake 5 days for me to try and find him a home, after which he'd be PTS. Cant
take him to county, he's a male black lab puppy, no way would he survive. I brought him home tonight but cannot keep him, I have 4 dogs, I am full up, literally.

Jake is a great little guy! Got along well with my dogs, knew all the right 'doggy language' to intro himself, is very friendly and cheerful (even after his ordeal of walking a mile through city streets trying to keep up with his former owner) ... not a snap or a snarl or a grumble out of him ... appears healthy, no fleas, poop looks good,runs and plays well. I just cannot BELIEVE that no one in his 'family'... kids included, wanted him. All they'd say is 'he chews up everything' (well, duh, he's a 3 month lab puppy).

Evening run, Jake keeping up with the big dogs, fed and kenneled, put Jake in a crate in the kennel area, between the other kennels ... he settled down very quickly... rain during night ... posted info on Jake to my lists and FB

Pictures
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232900660068214.63783.100000448447582&l=9156c2152f

Storms move in

2011-06-21T23:45:00.000-04:00

Warm muggy morning... dogs somewhat sluggish, but perk up about halfway down hill... play ball with Snoopy, practice sit-stay with Corey and DB ... feed and kennel, clean Corey's ears, go to work ... very hot again, husband reports 102 in shade on porch ... return home, greeted at gate by DB and Banshee, Corey,Snoopy and husband inside with the Damcat ... fix food, let others in, then change and go out to mow ... and storms start moving in ... backl to trailer, get food, rush rush, out to kennels, whoops, Snoopy under the shed ... feed others, get harness, lure Snoopy out, harness her (she'll come immediately when harnessed) ... get all fed, back to trailer, big storm hits, lose power for about an hour ... rains off and on most of the night

Hot and steamy

2011-06-20T23:00:00.000-04:00

Very warm already this morning ... had a bit of thunder and lightening in the night but no rain ... but very humid. Morning run, dodging the piles of sandspurs (which were dug UP Friday, but never taken to the burn pile ... and no workers today ...) Corey and Snoopy's pens are clean, both take 'normal' morning poops ... fed and kennel, to work ... very hot by noon, husband reports up to 100, he and dogs stay inside most of day, says they kept wanting to go out, then would get to edge of yard (right around trailer) and go no further ... smart dogs. Husband feeling ill from heat, when I return all dogs and the Damcat and husband still inside ... fix food, give all treats, finally go out, whew, still hot, upper 90's ... turn on sprinklers in back, mow a bit ... mosquitoes bad near woods, sticky, unpleasant ... gradually a bit cooler, Snoopy brings me a ball, throw a few, then return to trailer, Snoopy promptly jumps in frog pond and rolls in the muck, yuk ... feed and kennel.

Weekly update June 13-19

2011-06-19T23:44:00.002-04:00

My back bothering me really badly first of week ...several evening rainstorms, praise God! ... little Mattie comes over once, eye looks better ... dogs get a van ride ... Corey and Banshee go to Woofstock! with me ... mowing resumes ...

"Some people still think it will be impossible ever to bring an end to the killing of homeless animals in this country.Among them are some of the nation's largest, oldest, and most well-known - and well-funded - animal rights organizations and humane societies.They may be right. ...It may indeed be impossible. Then again, lots of perfectly honorable and decent people, 150 years ago, believed it would be impossible ever to bring an end to slavery, however much they disapproved of it." - Michael Mountain

Sunday June 19: Corey and Snoopy have the runs

2011-06-19T23:39:00.003-04:00

Cool and damp morning, we got a good rain last night ... let dogs out, Corey AND Snoopy both have the runs, clean pens, rake out straw, then morning run, feed and kennel, give Corey and Snoop pumpkin, give Corey some FishZole , getting late, go to church ... return, decide to mow some (the weeds are taking over) even though hot, change clothese, let dogs out, mow for about an hour ... go in, fix lunch, dogs all sack out for naps ... do wash, lay down with the Damcat, do some more housework, still hot outside .. finally out again, mow until dark (joined by husband on tractor), throw ball for Snoopy and corey, try to keep away from apple trees ... back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel, do Corey's ears (looking good) give him and Snoopy more pumpkin ..

Woofstock! , more rain in night

2011-06-18T23:37:00.000-04:00

Still damp out from the rain last night ... let dogs out, poor Corey has the runs ...morning run, feed and kennel, give him pumpkin ... I bet it was the apples he ate yesterday ... go inside and start getting stuff ready to take to the 'Woofstock' dog festival, husband can't come (has to work on computer for an old customer from years back) so can only take 2 dogs ( it's too much excitement for DB and Snoopy anyway if they can't 'esca[e' to the van and it'll be too hot) husband says may join me later ... brush Banshee, brush Corey, load up then leave ... very nice event, though I cant enter any classes as husband can't make it, Corey starts out over excited, barking, wont even talk to his friend the animal communicator ... but calms down after we've made a few circuits, greeted several people, AND gotten into the shade ... Banshee is very sweet and pretty today, happy as a lark, (she'd sit in the blazing sun forever, just looking at me piteously, Corey, however, 2 minutes in the sun and he's barking clearly saying 'come ON you idiot, let's go over THERE in the shade') so I guess it's for the best we dont enter any classes, all the 'rings' are in the sun ... they do have 'cooling tents' for the dogs with wading ponds and ice, several dogs do appear overcome by the heat ... watch my friends in their classes (from the shade of the pavilion), get lots of treats, buy a Tshirt, then leave before the Best in Show (and mad rush to the exit ... poor Corey has another bout of runs just as we're leaving, clean him up, then home ... husband not back yet, decide to kennel dogs while i lay down as my back is killing me and I dont dare leave Corey unattended inside ... husband gets home, let dogs out, go for very brief run, mowing ... then inside and a storm blows up, hurridly kennel dogs, Snoopy wont leave trailer, get harness and she comes right on with me, rain has started but get her kenneled and back to trailer, very nasty little storm ... slacks up, thinking maybe can go out again, fix food... another wave of rain comes in ... finally a break, I go out and feed and give essences ... make it back inside, storms continue, getting worse ...

Mattie shows up, dogs get van ride, drizzle in evening

2011-06-17T23:36:00.000-04:00

Fairly pleasant this morning, morning run, husband gone to town, all workers here, went and marked sandspurs for them to dig up ... little Mattie showed up! Her eye looks better (some brown color returning) but she looks very skinny ... gave her extra food! Feed and kenneled, then off to doctor appt and work ... back bothering me by late afternoon ... return home, husband has gone to Tractor Supply to return weed eater (that was recalled) ... let dogs out, afternoon run, we've had an 'apple drop' and Corey is gorging on apples ... then it looks like rain, kennel them, husband gets home ... decide to go for a van ride; load up dogs, drizzling a bit, go for ride, return home, has stopped raining, go for evening run, feed and kennel

Mowing resumes

2011-06-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

Still wet this morning, doesnt look like we had any wind damage ... breezy and cool dogs all excited, nice morning run, feed and kennel (Corey's ears looking good) then to work ... my back feeling better in afternoon! Return home late, dogs greet me at gate , go in, fix food, change, and then mow a bit, naturally the weeds are popping up all over, feed and kennel ... Corey's ears still looking good

Back better, cooler, and rain in evening

2011-06-15T23:33:00.001-04:00

Somewhat cooler! My back still very painful, morning run, dogs very excited, water 2 trees but my back hurts worse getting on and off mower ... feed and kennel, clean Corey's ears, still looking good ... back bothering me, lay down and ice it, then go to work for meeting ... later in day go to new chiro who also does energy work, very comprehensive, feeling better, return home, greeted at gate by husband and all dogs, go inside let Corey and DB in, Snoopy has jumped in the mudhole so no inside for her ... fix food, brush Corey and DB's teeth then out ... try to mow but the blower is stuck and blows grass clipping all over me ... water a few trees, play ball with Snoopy and Corey, back feeling better but hands hurting, back to trailer, get food ... looks like a storm blowing in, feed and kennel ... nice rain in the night ... big storms in next county but all we get is thunder, lightening and lots of rain

Real problems with back

2011-06-14T23:32:00.000-04:00

Back extremely painful ... morning run, feed and kennel, to work ... decide to go to Aiken so can go to chiro ... having real problems ... he says its out big time ... back to work, then on to reiki circle ... then home, dogs already kenneled, get yogurt and essences and give to them with chewies.

My back bothering me

2011-06-13T23:29:00.000-04:00

My back is bothering me a lot today ...morning run, feed and kennel, go to work ... very difficult day ... return home, dogs inside, pretty hot .. lay down and ice back, then fix food, go out to mow, can barely sit on mower, so walk (walking is better than sitting), water a few trees, throw ball for Snoopy and Corey, then feed and kennel, this is very hard, to not be able to bend over to even brush the dogs

Weekly update June 6-12

2011-06-12T23:59:00.000-04:00

Another scorcher of a week ... rain all around us, finally get some late Sunday night ... everything crunchy dry ... watering trees is this week's big job ... dogs all hanging in there, kind of enervated by the heat ... Banshee goes to pet therapy, no other outings (its just too durn hot...) little Mattie makes one appearance this week ...

Sun June 12: Evening breezes

2011-06-12T22:57:00.001-04:00

Feeling a bit better ... morning run, still pleasant in early morning ... water some trees, feed and kennel, go to church ... return, pretty hot but let dogs out and water some trees, then inside for most of the day ... finally cools off around 7, go out with dogs, watering trees ... around 8 PM a nice fresh breeze springs up, all dogs 'point' with their heads up, noses toward the wind, quite a lovely sight ... Snoopy then runs and finds a ball and she and Corey begin an energetic game, Banshee runs up to DB and starts prancing around, DB runs in circles ... amazing how the wind has invigorated us! Water til nightfall, then feed and kennel, do Corey's ears ... later in evening, finally, at long last, get some rain ... praise God!

I am feeling poorly

2011-06-11T23:56:00.002-04:00

Woke up sick ... burning up, dizzy, nauseated... managed to prepare food, let dogs out and take for morning run ... and feed and kennel ... husband has gone into town ... went back in and lay down. Had planned to go to volunteer meeting at SPCA but too sick to drive. Managed to get back up around 1130, feeling somewhat better, eat some yogurt, back outside, let dogs out, its pretty hot but water a few trees, husband returns ... feeling bad again, back inside, let dogs in, tell husband am sick, go back to bed with the Damcat ... an hour or so later eat some soup, put wash in washer, back to bed ... finally around 630 feeling better, eat some yogurt, fix dogs food, brush Corey and DB's teeth, then go out and water some more ... dogs are pretty excited to see me up and about, run in circles ... Snoopy jumps in mudhole, Corey follows me closely ... laying in water while I attempt to water trees ... back to trailer at nightfall, get food, feed and kennel ...

Little Mattie reappears

2011-06-10T23:55:00.000-04:00

No rain last night ... thunder and lightening all around but dry as a bone ... morning run, water trees, dogs all in high spirits, joined by little Mattie! Feed and kennel, go to work ...long hot day ... go to chiropractor, back still hurts, hands still hurt ... return home, husband is working on computers, has Corey inside, others in shed ... fix food, change, go out and let others out, then more watering ... not much to mow, its too dry ... Banshee lays in the water as I water each tree, Corey lays beside hose and drinks out of it, DB waits til I hold hose up and drinks, Snoopy keeps coming up hopefully with ball ... hot and sticky, pretty unpleasant ... water til nightfall, then feed and kennel, give Heartgard (its not quite a month since our last 'cold snap' May 19, but decide to start now anyway ...

The hope of rain ... is dashed

2011-06-09T23:54:00.000-04:00

Heat continues ... cooler this morning, a bit, rather pleasant, water the crepe myrtles and new crab apple, Corey having a fine time chasing log trucks ... Snoopy jumps in the frog pond... yuk ... feed and kennel, go to work ... very hot by mid afternoon ... return home, stop by store to buy yogurt, greeted at gate by DB and Banshee, Snoopy and Corey inside ... let DB and Banshee in, change, brush Corey, wash DB and Corey's faces, then out to water and mow ... looks like it MAY rain ... storm clouds to the west , rumbles of thunder ... please, Lord, send it this way ... Snoopy freaked by the thunder, have to leash her to get her in kennel (she tries to hide UNDER the shed ...feed and kennel, use enzyme cleaner on Corey's ears (which are looking good)

Sticky oppressive heat returns

2011-06-08T23:53:00.000-04:00

Sticky oppressive heat returns ... morning run, trying to water treees each morning now, everything is 'crunchy' dry ... feed and kennel. No little Mattie again today ... Go to work, return and its still blistering hot, go inside with dogs, husband and the Damcat, fix food, read a bit, finally go out around 7 PM, sticky hot, mosquitoes ... out on citronella ... water the apple trees (which have apples, but the fruit isnt developing because no rain...) feed and kennel

Tuesday June 7: Pet therapy day for Banshee

2011-06-07T21:04:00.001-04:00

Morning run, Corey and DB come with me, Snoopy has managed to get new worker (who is working near trailer) to throw ball for her, and Banshee stays to watch ... DB, Corey and I tour the property, turn on sprinklers in back, then pick up food (and Snoopy and Banshee) at trailer, feed and kennel, to work ... return lunchtime, all dogs inside, take Banshee to pet therapy ... then to PetSmart, tractor Supply and Boots & Bridles, picking up various items ... Banshee is on her best behavior today, very polite and pleasant ... return home, kennel Banshee, others all inside with husband ... kennel the rest, take brief nap, change and out to mow and water (mainly watering now ...) Snoopy jumps in mudhole, DB gets sopping wet under sprinklers, no little Mattie again (I think the mom has returned home and is keeping her in) ... feed and kennel.

Monday June 6:

2011-06-06T22:59:00.000-04:00

Another warm morning ... morning run, husband gone to pick up worker, others arrive, let dogs out, husband arrives with new worker, all greet him ... then proceed around property. Feed and kennel, go to work ... return, not as hot today as yesterday, greeted at gate by DB, go inside and greeted by Snoopy, Banshee and Corey, change, fix food, let DB in, then all out for evening run ... mow, water trees, play ball with Snoopy and Corey ... actually rather pleasant out, low 90's ... feed and kennel. no little Mattie.

Weekly update May 30-June 5

2011-06-05T21:37:00.006-04:00

Heat wave continues all week, Friday the only halfway pleasant day ... Banshee goes to a new pet therapy event... little Mattie rejoins us! but her right eye has been injured, think she's now blind in that eye ... DB and Snoopy insist on swimming in the mudhole my husband is 'raising frogs' in ... sandspurs are returning ... looks like this will be a long hot summer ...

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

Blistering heat

2011-06-05T21:33:00.002-04:00

Hot already this morning ... morning run, joined by little Mattie ... feed and kennel, go to church ... return, greeted at gate by DB ... very hot out by now ... go to trailer, Snoopy, Banshee and Corey all inside with husband and the Damcat... let DB in, fix lunch, let all out briefly, then inside, it's 100 degrees on our porch (in the shade) ... do wash, housework, read, let dogs out every few hours, little Mattie has now taken up residence under the porch ... finally cools off around 7 PM (to mid 90's), go out and water new trees, mow a little, til nightfall ... Snoopy finds a ball and brings it to me but I'm not exercising them too much in the heat ... little Mattie gamely follows us around, DB and Corey drink from the hose as I water ... the gnats are now out too ... Banshee plays with little Mattie a bit ... back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel. Clouding up, rumbles of thunder... Lord, let it rain ....

Banshee goes to pet therapy

2011-06-04T21:29:00.001-04:00

Slept a bit late this morning, rather warm for morning run ... husband has gone to the '40 mile yard sale', Corey's leg is fine, no hint of a limp ...feed and kennel, husband returns right as I finish, good timing! Rest awhile, water plants on porch, then get Banshee and go to pet therapy and adoptions, Banshee loved the ice cream and orange sherbert at the assisted living facility ... stop by new SPCA thrift store (in North Augusta) ... return home, kennel Banshee, then go inside to be greeted by Snoopy, DB and Corey, then take Snoopy and DB out and kennel them ... DB and Banshee go through their snarking routine they do when reunited after a separation, (this is the reason I kennel Banshee when I return then bring out DB ... if I just let Banshee join the others she and DB do their snarking routine and then Snoopy gets upset and snarks at Banshee who will turn on her and before you know it they're all upset with each other... )leave them with chewies to calm down, back inside to brush Corey , take a nap, husband out in shed working on computer, lets all dogs out, go for very brief run (still hot), fix food, then go to a church party to welcome new pastor; return after dark. husband has just fed dogs, little Mattie is here! Give yogurt-essences and chewies.

Corey twists his leg

2011-06-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

Not quite as horribly hot, morning run fairly cool, joined by little Mattie (who is not letting her eye slow her down a bit) ... Banshee in particular seems very happy to see her! ... go to dentist for appointment that was rescheduled from wednesday, over 3 hours ... then to work. Return home, greeted by all dogs at gate, husband out working on my car ... go inside and fix food, brush Corey (who now has sandspurs, this is going to be a long summer) ... evening run, mowing in back, husband joins us on tractor, throw ball for Snoopy and Corey, until Corey twists his leg (he is so heavy, when he leaps into the air and twists to catch balls, he sometimes lands 'wrong') ... no little Mattie this evening ... back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel. Give Corey some arnica, hopefully he'll be better in morning.

Little Mattie joins us again...

2011-06-02T21:27:00.000-04:00

Yet another scorcher ... temp hit 100 today ... humid, miserable. Morning run ... feed and kennel, Corey's rat looking good! to work, return... still very hot, muggy, nasty ... husband and dogs greet me at gate, go to trailer, let dogs in while fix food, try to sit awhile til it gets cooler but no, they want to run ... so change and goout, its like walking thru molasses ... mow some, try to find a 'cool spot', its clouding up and rumbles of thunder ...finish mowing, back to trailer, feed and kennel ... and, little Mattie shows up! I am so happy, but ... she has injured her eye, at least she looks blind in her right eye (it has a blue cast to it and doesnt move) ... feed her, then husband and I go to neighbor's ... yeah, the son said they took her to vet and 'got some pills', have no idea what is wrong with her eye ... said they'll have the mom call me... little Mattie follows me back to porch, I sit with her awhile, she doesnt appear to be in pain, but very skittish .. oh this is heartbreaking. so sad ...

Heat wave continues

2011-06-01T21:26:00.000-04:00

Heat wave continues... morning run, husband has gone into town to meet worker, dogs are pretty sluggish, its hot already ... feed and kennel, get ready to go to dentist, my car wont start, move everything into pickup, go inside, dentist calls and cancels, decide to wait for husband to return to see if he can fix car, he can't, so on to work in pickup... was going to buy battery but husband calls and says thats not it, return home, very hot still, greeted by dogs inside, all excited, piling over each other, let them out, go inside and change, then let them back in... fix food, still too hot to go out, lay down, up again, go out and mow til nightfall and play ball with Snoopy and Corey, while DB jumps into the mudhole (that husband is 'raising frogs' in, he keeps filling it from hose) and Banshee rolls in the grass ... husband joins us on tractor, nightfall, feed and kennel

Hot hot hot

2011-05-31T21:25:00.000-04:00

Last day of May and it's a scorcher! Hot already early morning, morning run uneventful, feed and kennel go to work, husband calls mid afternoon to report that its 100 degrees on the porch in the shade, he and all dogs inside (good idea) Return home, all inside still, fix food, give treats to dogs and the Damcat, attempt to brush Corey, cut a few mats ... then out to finish mowing the far side... feed and kennel

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T21:24:00.001-04:00

Off for Memorial Day! Morning run, warm already, feed and kennel, out again to mow before gets too hot, get in an hour, then inside to do wash, let dogs in, brush Corey, he is getting mats on his tummy, they didnt shave him close enough last grooming ... dogs very restless, take them out for brief runs, but its really too hot ... mid 90's ... decide to go into town, load up dogs, go to WalMart, sit in parking lot with engine running while husband goes in and shops, people return to the car next to us and dogs go berserk, barking growling ... at an innocuous looking bunch ... maybe they sense something, they very very rarely wake up and go on like this when we're out in the van ... return home, let dogs out, unpack groceries, fix food, go out to mow, one of husband's workers and wife drop by with food from their bar-b-que, yum! feed and kennel dogs and humans (and the Damcat, who is very fond of BBQue chicken

Weekly update May 23-29

2011-05-29T23:45:00.004-04:00

Heat wave continues ... way too early for this level of heat (High 90's) ... logging continues down the road, giving Corey plenty of trucks to chase off ... Banshee and Snoopy keep fence running with some invisible critter ... Corey's ears doing well, Snoopy and Banshee still molting ... holiday weekend, visits to PetSmart and park ...cools off mid week ...

"Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." Albert Einstein

Heating up again

2011-05-29T23:44:00.002-04:00

Cloudy and cool morning, cleared up (and heated up) quickly ... morning run, feed and kennel, husband feeling poorly ... go to church ... have covered dish lunch so arrive home a little late ... husband still feeling poorly but better. Hasn't let dogs out (but their kennels are in the shade, and they're comfortable ...) let them out, VERY brief run (its sunny and quite warm now) ... back to trailer, a bit of housework and naps ... brush Corey, take Banshee outside to porch room and brush her, let DB inside by herself and clip nails ... all back inside. Dogs very restless now, so back out for run ... mow some on shady side of property ... play a tiny bit of fetch with Snoopy, practice sit-stay with Corey and DB, Banshee and Snoopy then fence run with invisible critter ... cooling off now, a bit more mowing, then back to fix food. Clean DB and Corey's teeth (Banshee and Snoopy wont let me) ... then back out to feed and kennel.

Weekend PetSmart visit

2011-05-28T23:43:00.000-04:00

Foggy and cool ...morning run, feed and kennel, out again for brief run then loaf up dogs and husband and go to town, to chiropractor, then to Pet Smart and park. Getting hot again. Dogs greet their fans at PetSmart, only 1 group doing adoptions today, but several people and their dogs ... and a pair of ferrets on leash (Banshee doesnt know WHAT to make of them...) park very quiet for a Saturday, guess folks are out of town for holiday ...return home, stop by SPCA briefly then home ... pretty hot now, inside for naps , Corey in his favorite position completely covering the kitchen AC duct ...... out again after it cools down, mow some, feed and kennel, Corey's ears looking great! Husband says he saw little Mattie briefly, she came out and looked at him but didnt come over ... apparently the neighbors have gotten 2 new dogs also ...

Cool and cloudy

2011-05-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

Off work for long weekend ... husband woke me to say he was going in to town, I tried to get up and had terrible vertigo, I get this off and on, benign positional vertigo... husband returned I manage to get up and am OK after a half hour ... dress, let dogs out for run, its cool and cloudy, and damp from last nights rain ... feed and kennel. Go to deliver food to food bank, take DB for the ride, she's all excited she loves to ride ... return, let others out, take for run, threatening rain. Go inside with all dogs, fix lunch, nap, out again ... now there is a big set of storm coming. Decide to kennel dogs. Rains, but big storms die before they get here. Unkennel dogs decide to go for van ride, load up and had for store. Return home, brush Banshee and Snoopy, let inside, fix food, back out for evening run and some weeding (too wet to mow) and fruit thinning.

Off work for long weekend ... husband woke me to say he was going in to town, I tried to get up and had terrible vertigo, I get this off and on, benign positional vertigo... husband returned I manage to get up and am OK after a half hour ... dress, let dogs out for run, its cool and cloudy, and damp from last nights rain ... feed and kennel. Go to deliver food to food bank, take DB for the ride, she's all excited she loves to ride ... return, let others out, take for run, threatening rain. Go inside with all dogs, fix lunch, nap, out again ... now there is a big set of storm coming. Decide to kennel dogs. Rains, but big storms die before they get here. Unkennel dogs decide to go for van ride, load up and had for store. Return home, brush Banshee and Snoopy, let inside, fix food, back out for evening run and some weeding (too wet to mow) and fruit thinning.

Cooling off a bit, storm coming tonight

2011-05-26T23:41:00.000-04:00

Morning run, not quite as hot today ... Corey chases an early log truck, quite pleased with himself, feed and kennel, go to work ... return after very long day, greeted at gate by DB, Banshee and Snoopy, Corey inside with husband and the Damcat ... my hand is hurting bad (a lot of writing today), fix food, husband helps with brushing Corey. Let others in, give treats and here comes the Damcat, DB starts barking at him, the Damcat sits on his side of the gate and washes his paws, Snoopy and Banshee now join in the barking, so put all out, mow a little, feed and kennel. Storms coming tonight hope it breaks the heat

Sticky heat continues

2011-05-24T23:40:00.000-04:00

Heat wave continues ... morning run, feed and kennel, to work ... return late afternoon, in high 90's, dogs all inside with husband, wait a bit then out to mow ... dogs are all moving slowly, for them, and lay down in shade to watch me. Water some trees. Get first mosquito bite of the season... need to find my citronella bracelets ... worker has at last weed eated down by the drainage ponds, so they are clear ... sticky hot, return to trailer fix food, brush Corey, brush DB and Corey's teeth, ... then feed and kennel

Even hotter

2011-05-24T23:39:00.000-04:00

This heat is unbelievable, yet another day in high 90's ... morning run, feed and kennel, go to doctor then work ... meet husband after work at Home Depot looking at other mowers, then eat a sandwich and return home ... let dogs out, it's around 7 PM and down to 90, change clothes, take them for evening run and a little mowing, gosh its still hot ... water some trees, Corey and DB drinking from hose, DB choking (she always does this) throw ball for Snoopy, Banshee and Snoopy fence run with some invisible critter in high grass on neighbor's property ..return, let dogs in, fix food, try to brush Corey , feed and kennel

Heat wave continues

2011-05-23T23:38:00.000-04:00

Hot and hazy morning ... morning run, several logging trucks go bo (they are logging down the road), Corey thinks these are the epitome of evil, only one step from cattle trucks, which send him into a frenzy, and chases them away, running full tilt, full alert barking ... the other dogs eyeing him in bemusement ... feed and kennel, go to work ... really long day, return home, stop by store, still in high 90's ... back home, greeted at gate by all dogs who are out with husband ... inside , change clothes, let dogs in, fix food, try to brush Corey who is all wrought up, so take for evening run, a bit of mowing (hands bothering me a lot) ... feed and kennel, try the new enzymatic wash in Corey's ears (its oily, yuk)

Weekly update May 16-22

2011-05-22T23:48:00.004-04:00

Week starts off cool, lows in 40's, rainy, big storms... I hit a buzzard on way to work ... all dogs fine , Corey back to normal, Snoopy almost finished molting on hindquarters, DB outsmarts husband and gets to ride out storm inside ... no little Mattie again this week .. the Damcat chases the dogs ... week ends up hot as blazes, in mid to high 90's ... oh boy, cant wait til July ...

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them.And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." Unknown

OK, its summer

2011-05-22T23:46:00.001-04:00

Heat wave continues ... warm, hazy morning, morning run uneventful ... Corey nd DB still feasting on the wild plums but their tummies seem to have adjusted ... feed and kennel, go to church .. return late, as new pastor and his wife showed up (he doesnr start til June) and we took them to lunch ... greeted at gate by all 4 dogs, Corey's bark ringing out thru the neighborhood ... it is very hot by now, husband trying to finish rearranging his tractor shed ... back to trailer, change, let dogs in (I'm not going for a mid day run in this heat) ...husband joins me inside... nap, then up again, still very hot, dogs restless, Corey barking, so, take them for very brief run from one patch of shade to another, then back inside... fix food, brush Corey, finally cools off around 7 PM ... out for evening mowing and watering (naturally, he's planted 2 new trees right before this heat wave hits ... this really hurts my hands (turning the spiket)... ack. Getting dark, head back, get food, fed, kennel, vlan Corey's ears (which are looking good), brush Snoopy (who has almost finished molting on her hindquarters, now its the front ...)

Hot today

2011-05-21T23:46:00.000-04:00

Very warm in morning, 70's already, sticky... morning run, feed and kennel, husband gone to town, let dogs out after rest then mow for about an hour, very warm (supposed to be in mid 90's today), was going into town for a kite festival but its too dang hot ... back inside with all dogs, lunch, nap, do wash, yep, its pretty darn hot outside... 96 ... temps down to about 90 at 6 PM, go out, mow awhile, back in to fix food, brush Corey ... last evening run at dusk, still not cool. This is going to be a looong summer...

Warmer again

2011-05-20T23:45:00.000-04:00

Getting warmer again, not as cool this morning ... my hands are really bothering me. Morning run, feed and kennel, then to work ... long day, go to chiro, get herbs for Corey and Snoopy and massage oil for my hands from herbalist ... return home ...DB and Banshee greet me at gate, husband inside with Corey and Snoopy. Try to brush Corey, hands hurting. (They only hurt when I use them.) Still pretty warm out, it got up to 92 today ... change clothes, let dogs in, ack, Banshee on couch, he runs to back... fix food, then am letting dogs out when the Dancat comes streaking back in and chases the dogs to the door... they are about half in half out, i push them on thru and the Damcat almost follows them ... ack, close door, the Damcat is swatting at them from behind the glass, the sits down and cleans his paws while Banshee and DB go nuts ... out to mower, mow some in back, play fetch with Snoopy, then feed and kennel.

Meet a deer at the fence

2011-05-19T23:44:00.000-04:00

Cool morning, dogs burst out of kennels. Morning run, a deer crosses the road and comes to a stop right outside our fence, face to face with the dogs who are as startled as the deer, who turns around and runs back across the road ... back to kennels, dogs greet new worker, feed, go to work. Return, dogs all kenneled, husband has gone into town. Change clothes, let dogs out, mow ... and meet another deer, this time a tiny fawn, on the woods side, Banshee and Snoopy fence run with the fawn, who crosses the road, Banshee and Snoopy run all the way BACK up the hill, looking hopefully for another fawn. No luck. Finish mowing, back to trailer, get food, feed and kennel.

Cool weather, sunny

2011-05-18T23:44:00.000-04:00

Cool weather continues, lows in 40's ...sunny. Morning run, dogs all exuberant. Feed and kennel, go to work. Go to bone dr, who says I have arthritis. Return late afternoon. Hands bothering me even though I haven't mowed in 2 days. Greeted at gate by all 4 dogs, husband out on tractor. Change, join him, and mow til almost dark. Husband says to keep dogs away from back left corner as Banshee had killed a baby bird back there ... well, if they fall out of their nest, nothing much I can do ... Last day for Corey's pred. Feed and kennel.

Rainy weather continues

2011-05-17T23:43:00.001-04:00

Cool continues, in 50's ... morning run, not raining yet ... feed and kennel, go to work ... rains off and on, husband reports BIG storm in afternoon, he and dogs were in back, they kept messing up some plants he was trying to plant so he took them back to kennels, DB ran off so he left her loose, she rejoined him in back and this huge storm blew up, thunder, hail, they run back to trailer ... DB then goes to sleep, totally unfazed by the storm. I return about an hour later, storm has ended, still drizzly ... go inside, DB greets me, fix food, then go let others out for evening run, get down the hill, starts raining, back up the hill, sit in tractor shed awhile, stops, so out again, dogs are very energetic chasing each other, chasing the horses in back, brimming with energy, starts drizzling again, fed and kennel.

I give Mr. Buzzard a ride

2011-05-16T23:41:00.000-04:00

Cool cloudy morning ... morning run, all dogs bursting with energy ... feed and kennel, go to work ... on way to work I round a curve and ...ack, several buzzards at their morning road cleanup job, one doesnt manage to take off in time, slams into the front of my car... and gets stuick there... I continue into town, stop at first gas station, jump out and go to front of car ...there is Mr. Buzzard, head stuck thru my grill ... 2 nice men come over, start to pull Mr B loose, he MOVES ... he is still alive, drop him on ground where he shakes himself and stumbles off into woods, shaken, but alive! Praise God! My grill is a mess... the rest of the workday is anticlimactic ... return home through blinding rain, which stops about a mile from home ... greeted at gate by DB, Corey,Snoop and Banshee inside ... fix food, take them for evening run ... very damp but not raining... feed and kennel... down into 40's tonight

Weekly update May 9-15

2011-05-15T23:50:00.002-04:00

What a week ... Corey has a strange illness, head tilt and loss of balance, clears up with pred ... weather gets very very warm (up to 95), then we have storms and it cools off ... Snoopy still molting, DB and Banshee in good spirits, no little Mattie all week ...

"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

Beautiful, cooler, breezy

2011-05-15T23:49:00.002-04:00

The kind of day that makes your heart sing! Temps in 70's, sunny, breezy, morning run, dogs all burst out of pens, playful, energy flowing .... feed and kennel, go to church ... return, change clothes, let dogs out and mow for an hour... very pleasant, Corey chasing hawks and geese, DB sniffing the wind, one paw raised in perfect pointer stance, Banshee bouncing up and down, Snoopy following me around with a ball ... back in, lunch, brief rest, then another hour of mowing, husband working in garden shed straightening things up, back inside, the Damcat is on couch, jumps to the back, startled, all 4 dogs stop dead in their tracks while the Damcat streaks to the back ... give treats to all, including the Damcat ... back out, cutting branches (Corey's favorite, he gets to carry branches around) ... my goal is to be able to mow under every tree without knocking myself in the head ...) sit on porch for awhile but dogs are too revved up, so more mowing ... finally evening comes, fix food, brush Corey and Banshee, then feed and kennel, Snoopy has managed to get soaking wet in the drainage pond, making it hard to rake her... DB is shedding too ... ack.

Rainy Saturday, off and on

2011-05-14T23:48:00.000-04:00

Cooler, cloudy ... morning run, Corey again heads for plum trees ... feed and kennel, let rest then out again, want to finish mowing the part I left undone last night ... around lunch time storms move in again ... inside, lunch, brush Corey, clip DB's nails ... Snoopy circling uneasily, at first thunder hides behind couch ... storm passes, gp put again, too wet to mow, do a little weeding, then husband decides to go in town, load dogs in van and, we're off ... stop at dollar store, then to PetSmart, dogs greet their favorite clerk (who always carries treats in a treat pouch ... not many people here tonight ... get ready to leave and ack, its starting to rain .. rush to van, load up dogs, then go by Tractor Supply for more dog food (on sale) and Home Depot, and home ... has stopped raining ... unload dogs and stuff we bought, gop in and fix food, take dogs for brief evening run, very nice, the air so crisp after the storms, birds bathing in the puddles, beautiful sunset ... back to get food, feed and kennel, give Corey meds and pumpkin ...

Big storm in evening

2011-05-13T23:47:00.000-04:00

Very warm again today, temps reaching 95. Morning run, Corey makes a beeline for the wild plums, which are undoubtedly what is giving him the runs.. oh well, I have pumpkin on hand ... Back to trailer, feed and kennel, then to work ... return, its still very hot, so don't go back out again for awhile then husband notices on weather that storms are coming ... take dogs for run, mow a tiny bit and then it clouds up, get dogs into kennels ... this storm not bad, blows over quickly, so let dogs back out again ... more mowing then Snoopy comes running up, quivering all over, barking... and sure enough a big storm has come up behind the trees ... race back to trailer get food, get to kennels, Corey kenneled and here it comes ... open shed DB,Banshee and Snoopy run inside ... crate them. Terrible rain, then slacks up, so I go out and feed Corey, come back and get DB and Banshees food and take them out and ... here it comes, wind, hail, rain, awful, DB and Banshee totally unfazed, eat their chow. I am stuck out here, about ten minutes later it slacks up, husband comes out to join me, still cant get Snoopy to come out of crate in shed, so leave here there, back to trailer, it has stopped raining, all clear, back to shed still cant get Snoopy out, give her food, get her harness, then lead her to her pen (she is fine the minute I get the harness on). Feed her, give all chewies.

Very warm, in 90's

2011-05-12T23:46:00.001-04:00

Very warm weather ... in 90's ... morning run, Corey acting fine, except has had a bout of the runs ... other dogs all seem relieved to have their wild Irishman back ... feed and kennel, go to work ... return, still very hot, lay on couch for awhile til it cools off a bit, then go for evening run and mowing session.... bring Corey inside for brushing, then Banshee ... feed and kennel.

The wild Irishman is baaack!

2011-05-11T23:46:00.000-04:00

Morning run, Corey back to normal, running, barking, ah yes, the wild Irishman is baaack! Feed and kennel, give meds, to work. On my return, greeted by DB and Banshee, Corey and Snoopy inside ... fix food, then out to mow, husband has to go into town... nice mowing session, dogs all very lively, return to trailer, fix food, brush Corey, then feed and kennel

Corey better

2011-05-10T23:45:00.000-04:00

Go out to kennels with heart in throat ... how is Corey ... (this brings back the awful time when I was afraid every morning when I went to let the dogs out that Angel Ginger may have relapsed ...) Corey is, thank God, better ... head still tilted, but, he is moving better, trotting ... not his usual exuberance but a definite improvement ... feed and kennel ... go to work ... go by vet to talk to regular vet who is in today, she says the infection wasn't that bad, sometimes they just get an inflammation in the ears that throws off their balance and the pred should clear it up ... return home late, had reiki circle ... husband has fed and kenneled dogs, says Corey is much better ... go out with yogurt and essenses ... Corey seems much better ... brush Snoopy...

Corey acting strange, head tilt

2011-05-09T23:43:00.000-04:00

Morning run ... Corey acting oddly, not running, just walking ... does take off after wild geese though, eats fine ... ask husband to monitor him, around 3 PM husband calls and says Corey is tilting his head to the left, and seems to be unable to move head to the right ... and is moving slowly ... he takes Corey to vet, our regular vet not in today, they check his ears and temp, no temp, cytology shows bacterial infection again ... give him Animax again and pred tablets. When I get home husband not back yet, he and Corey arrive shortly thereafter, and yes, Corey is acting very strange, no joyous barking, moving very cautiously, and his head definitely tilted, I feel his jaws and neck, no obvious pain or tenderness ... though he seems to have trouble swallowing, and instead of a loud joyous bark theres a pitiful moan ... he follows you with his eyes, not his head ... no energy, does follow slowly, lays and watches as I mow a bit, husband with us ... oh my poor Corey ... I HATE giving pred, but, I do, if its an inflammation of some kind I gues its what he needs... feed and kennel, he doesnt seem able to bend over to eat, husband raises his dish, he gobbles up the food as usual ... put the Animax in his ears. I hope to God this IS only an ear infection BUT his ears had I thought been gettting much better, and he has NEVER shown symptoms like this, its like his balance is off.

Weekly update May 2-8

2011-05-08T23:54:00.003-04:00

A truly gorgeous week, weatherwise, May can be so lovely... we have a cool snap ... pet therapy with Banshee, Snoopy still 'molting', DB in fine spirits, the Damcat getting bolder and bolder, little Mattie visits... Angel Ginger's Paws4ACure tshirt arrives...and the big 1 year anniversary of Corey coming to join our family ...

# "No Matter how little money and how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich." - Louis Sabin

Corey's one year anniversary!

2011-05-08T23:54:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day ... one year ago, Corey the wild Irishman was brought to join our family ... here's the link to the day of his arrival 'My girls meet Corey' http://marylouandcompanions.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-girls-meet-corey.html

Beautiful day, warm, sunny ... morning run, feed and kennel, go to church ... return, change clothes, let dogs out and work on cleaning out the little patch of woods ... getting HOT ... back inside, fix lunch, take naps ... up again, some more mowing, take pictures of Corey in his birthday hat ...lots of treats, then load up into van and go into town for evening walk in gardens, then to WalMart for husband to buy hose reels ... takes a really long time, but I open all doors to van so dogs can see (and be seen), have several folks come over and comment on the 'beautiful Irish setter', and one very sweet older lady who was flabbergasted that I had FOUR big dogs, she was very taken with DB, but said if she had to choose, she couldn't ... (well, me neither,LOL... ) getting dark, arrive home after dark, unload van of dogs and groceries and hose reels, go inside with Corey, fix food, then feed and kennel. A good day!

Angel Ginger's Paws4ACure tshirt arrives!

2011-05-07T23:51:00.003-04:00

Beautiful weather, high near 80, slight breeze ... morning run, husband in town at flea market, feed and kennel, brush Snoopy (she will only tolerate 5 minutes of brushing at a time ... this seems endless, she looks SO scruffy my huband says we should rename her Scruffy) ... go inside, start a wash, husband returns ... let dogs out, mow some in front, about an hours worth, back inside, put washin dryer, let dogs in ... brush Corey (his hair looks really dry since the last grooming, maybe they didnt put conditioner on? I'm going to up his fish oil) ... lunch, fold clothes, naps ... then out again to plant the flowers and strawberries bought yesterday (I forgot the potting soil, fortunately one of husband's workers went to town today and brought us some ...) also some sweet potatoes (husband is trying all kinds of different things, well, I wish him luck ...) back inside with Corey and Snoopy, lay on the couch for a moment but then the Damcat saunters in (jumps over Corey, who doesnt even blink) and swats at Snoopy who lunges for him... ack, put Snoopy out, let Banshee in, brush her, then the Damcat sashays up and swats at Banshee who, to her credit, just pulls back and rolls her eyes at me ... enough, I put the Damcat in the bedroom, let Snoopy and DB in, fix food, give everyone treats, then back out for evening mowing ... the dogs hopefully eyeing the wild plums,which are beginning to ripen, better stock up on pumpkin (they get diarrhea from overindulging) ... ah, Angel Ginger so loved the wild plums ... the t=shirt I ordered (with her name on the back) from Paws4aCure (http://www.paws4acure.org/) an organization that raises funds or the pet owners and families that cannot afford veterinary treatment for their dog or cat with cancer without help... their annual 'walk' is next Sunday, but its in Massachusetts,. so I donated to the cause ..when Angel Ginger took sick, I had no insurance on her, fortunately, I have good credit and put her treatment on my credit card ... but if I had not had credit, of course I'd not have been able to afford to treat her,and this is one small way we can all help those who can not afford treatment... getting dark now, finish mowing, back to get food, feed and kennel.

Rain in morning

2011-05-06T23:51:00.000-04:00

Another cool evening, in 40's ... my throat is better, thank heaven... morning run, getting cloudy ... feed and kennel, looks like rain (not supposed to but ... here it comes! just as I'm leaving for work) clears up later in day, by time I get home its sunny and pleasant, in 70's ... husband in back on tractor, I get through gate and up to trailer unnoticed ... Corey is observing husband working from top of hill, spots me, and comes racing up ... let him in, brush him, give he and the Damcat treats .. other dogs arrive. Let all in briefly, then change and out to join husband ... mow for awhile, throw ball for Snoopy and Corey, mow some more, then weed (using my new 'easy pull' weeder (for old dilapidated folks like me who can't bend over or use their hands well) actually works quite well! Mow a bit more, then in to fix food, feed and kennel, Corey's ears looking good! Brush Snoopy and Banshee and DB ...

Cold snap

2011-05-05T23:50:00.000-04:00

Got really cool in the night, down to 42 degrees! I developed a sore throat in the middle of the night ... got up feeling awful, crisp clear weather, morning run, dogs burst out of kennels like it was the first day of fall! Fed and kenneled, went to work ... return, still feeling sickly, greeted by DB and Banshee outside, Corey and Snoopy and the Damcat inside ... fix food, then go for very brief evening mowing session, joined by little Mattie! Banshee in particular plays enthusiastically with Mattie today ...practice a little sit-stay with DB and Corey, throw blue toy for Snoopy, then feed and kennel ... Corey's ears still doing well ... brush Snoopy, who is still in heavy molt...

Rain in the night

2011-05-04T23:49:00.000-04:00

Rained in the night ... no big storms, thank God... morning run, then to work ... return late afternoon, put in an hour and half of mowing ... brush Corey and Banshee, fix food, feed and kennel, brush Snoopy ...

Banshee goes to pet therapy

2011-05-03T23:48:00.000-04:00

Cloudy and cool this AM, morning run, feed and kennel, off to work. Return lunchtime, dogs are kenneled, husband not feeling well. Fix him some soup, then go get Banshee and go to pet therapy. Can't take all dogs as it has gotten sunny and up in high 80's. Husband lets others out after I leave. Good pet therapy session, JoAnn brings her big Irish Chase, who is very calm (compared to my Corey, who tried a few pet therapy visits but was way too over the top ... and, I doubt he'll ever calm down with age, since he's over 8 now) ... return home (dont go to PetSmart of gardens as I want to get some mowing in before it rains)... DB meets me at gate, call husband to PUT the others up while I bring Banshee in (this is an ongoing problem with Banshee and DB, if Banshee goes somewhere without DB, on her return they snarl and jump each other, so I have to separate them, yes, this is management not reconditioning, I need to figure out a 'plan') Kennel Banshee, get Snoop and Corey from house and kennel them, then let DB out of shed and ... of course she rushes to Banshee's pen and they start snarking at each other. Get chewies, get DB into her pen, then leave them all for a half hour to settle down. When I get back out and let them out, they're fine. Mow for several hours, clouding up, back to trailer, let all in while fix food, clean DB and Corey's faces and teeth, then feed and kennel.