Viooltje from Lady Greenthumb's Garden tagged me! Below are the rules of this tag..... ( oh, an aside: Viooltje is a beautiful person. I would bet that if we ever met in *real* life, we would be firm and fast friends )
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on the blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4.Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
K, six random things about me.....
1. I am a dogaholic. I admit it. I don't think I will ever have less than 3-4 dogs in my pack. I love the smell of them, the feel of them, their intelligence, thier softness, their kindness, their generosity of spirit and love...just every damn thing about them. They make my heart smile.
2. I love old black and white classic movies. Romance especially. "An Affair To Remember" with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant being one of my favorites. Oh my gosh what a handsome man.
3. Purple is my favorite color. Any shade will do, but I am partial to deep dark purple. It makes me happy!
4. I abhor it when I hear of wealthy people spending millions and millions of dollars on weddings, or bar mitzvahs, or their 4th or 5th homes. Selfishness I say. Help find a cure for a disease, or buy a poor village a water well and some cows.....whatever. Just do something good and decent with your EXCESSIVE wealth.
5. Politicians nauseate me. When I was young I believed in them. Now that I am wiser and older ( and more cynical ) I don't look at them in any way, except to wonder when they will fall and fail us.
6. True leaders inspire me. Dr. King, Ghandi (s ), Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Carol Hine from S.A.I.N.T.S., ( although I am sure Carol would cringe for me to mention her along with the others, but hell, it's how I feel ), and many people who are nameless and faceless, but walk among us as angels might. They lead with grace, humor, and truth.
And that's 6! Yes! I thought I'd never get through that!
K, so here's my 6 blogs to tag....
Netnerd This is Kelly's ( my son ) blog. I gain all my political and other interesting and thought provoking reading done with him.
hollywood farm girl This is Tammy Lynn Michaels blog. She is the wife of Melissa Etheridge....very interesting feelings she has.
My Life With The Critters This is Jean's blog. She fosters and is owned by Pot Bellied Pigs, Dogs, a Cat and an Alpaca. Wonderful stories, great photos, and she either makes me think, or makes me smile,and sometimes both!
S.A.I.N.T.S. This is Carol Hine. She runs a senior animal sanctuary here in B.C. Canada. Her blog will make you sob, laugh, and, hopefully, think deeper concerning the rights of animals, specifically seniors.
Nicaragua Redux: The Sarna Dog Chronicles From her bio: For the moment I live in Granada, Nicaragua. Through an organization called Building New Hope I work with Casa Lupita, a spay/neuter clinic that also works to improve the quality of life of street animals in Granada.
Three Woofs And A Woo This woman has an incredible and addictive wit. She is a professional photographer,who's specialty is dogs. One day I hope to have her come out my way to photograph my dogs.
July 18, 2008
Friends and Dogs....2 of my favorite things.
I had the extreme pleasure of having my friends Jo ( and her niece Taya, a lovely 14 y/o ) and Jen, ( and her daughter Bailey, a most insightful young girl ) and Jo's Australian Shepherd, Gunny, Jen's Sable German Shepherd Dog, Hailey and my new German Shepherd Ticket! ( they brought Ticket over for me from Vancouver Island, and my next blog will be about Ticket,and the insane joy she has brought us all!)
That made 5 dogs ( including Watcher and Frankie ) and 5 humans sharing a space of 950 square feet of indoors and 3/4 of a fenced acre for all of us. It worked out exceptionally well! Whew!
It was a great time. Some insightful conversations about dogs, about humans, life etc., a BBQ, a few cocktails and snacks....and a few more cocktails. hehehe! And dogs, dogs, dogs....I was in heaven with it all.
Jo, Jen and the dogs came over for a Herding Clinic nearby. They worked with sheep, as well as cattle. I went for an hour on the last day, but damn it, Gunny and Hailey weren't up, and I had to leave. But I did take a few photos of a couple of other dogs.
A shaved Old English Sheepdog, a male.
Peking and Racer Ducks
6 month old Border Collie pup, JJ.
Australian Cattle Dog
That made 5 dogs ( including Watcher and Frankie ) and 5 humans sharing a space of 950 square feet of indoors and 3/4 of a fenced acre for all of us. It worked out exceptionally well! Whew!
It was a great time. Some insightful conversations about dogs, about humans, life etc., a BBQ, a few cocktails and snacks....and a few more cocktails. hehehe! And dogs, dogs, dogs....I was in heaven with it all.
Jo, Jen and the dogs came over for a Herding Clinic nearby. They worked with sheep, as well as cattle. I went for an hour on the last day, but damn it, Gunny and Hailey weren't up, and I had to leave. But I did take a few photos of a couple of other dogs.
A shaved Old English Sheepdog, a male.
Peking and Racer Ducks
6 month old Border Collie pup, JJ.
Australian Cattle Dog
July 17, 2008
April Lai
April Lai is my friend.
April, a gorgeous, senior female German Shepherd Dog, came to live with Jack, Watcher, Ruger and I when she was nearing 10 years old.
Her owner, a senior, became seriously ill, and needed to be with his family for the remainder of his life. And so he reluctantly parted with April ( amid many worries and stress about her ) and he returned to Hong Kong. Her breeder had no room for her ( shame on her!! ) , but April's sire breeder made room in his kennel. She was safe for the time being. But totally out of her element as she had always been an indoor dog. A "lap" dog, so's to speak.
He posted on a show dog list ( as April was a registered GSD ) and made a plea for a family for her. I read it and immediately emailed him, asking about her. I picked her up the next day.
She was a bit wonky on her back end when walking, and more stood and dropped when she needed to lay down, rather than gently lowering her limbs. She was a senior, so I'm sure arthritis had set in, but the 3 weeks she spent on a concrete floor in a kennel didn't help it.
3 weeks into her being here I had her vetted. In my heart I knew the problem. She had Degenerative Myopathy. And a seriously wicked case of it.
We all made sure she had a magical and wondrous last few months of life. April was very much my shadow without moving. Her eyes never left me. She scrouched down and rolled onto her back for belly rubs and inside back leg scratches. She loved those. She had leash less walks in the mountains, and absolutely would have dove right into the Fraser River if I had allowed her to. ( the current would have sucked her to Mexico I'm sure )
She took great joy in creek walking, where she would stretch her neck out and *eat* the water. Not a stick or a ball chaser, but she truly loved chasing the Stellar Jays who so bravely entered *her* domain. She had 2 younger brothers who adored her every move, her every blink, her every smile....and she smiled ALOT.
And oh my doG was that lady ever a talker!! Talk talk talk.....talk talk talk. Talk talk talk. I know her human Dad through her. He was kind and gentle with her, she said, through her every move and nuance. She talked and explained everything to me every step of our short time together.
April was delicious. Her eyes softened me. Her being....her spirit softened me. I am ever so grateful that we found each other. April was adored and loved by her humans, no matter where she lived.
April died 2 years ago today.
I miss you, you most precious being. Thank you baby.
April, a gorgeous, senior female German Shepherd Dog, came to live with Jack, Watcher, Ruger and I when she was nearing 10 years old.
Her owner, a senior, became seriously ill, and needed to be with his family for the remainder of his life. And so he reluctantly parted with April ( amid many worries and stress about her ) and he returned to Hong Kong. Her breeder had no room for her ( shame on her!! ) , but April's sire breeder made room in his kennel. She was safe for the time being. But totally out of her element as she had always been an indoor dog. A "lap" dog, so's to speak.
He posted on a show dog list ( as April was a registered GSD ) and made a plea for a family for her. I read it and immediately emailed him, asking about her. I picked her up the next day.
She was a bit wonky on her back end when walking, and more stood and dropped when she needed to lay down, rather than gently lowering her limbs. She was a senior, so I'm sure arthritis had set in, but the 3 weeks she spent on a concrete floor in a kennel didn't help it.
3 weeks into her being here I had her vetted. In my heart I knew the problem. She had Degenerative Myopathy. And a seriously wicked case of it.
We all made sure she had a magical and wondrous last few months of life. April was very much my shadow without moving. Her eyes never left me. She scrouched down and rolled onto her back for belly rubs and inside back leg scratches. She loved those. She had leash less walks in the mountains, and absolutely would have dove right into the Fraser River if I had allowed her to. ( the current would have sucked her to Mexico I'm sure )
She took great joy in creek walking, where she would stretch her neck out and *eat* the water. Not a stick or a ball chaser, but she truly loved chasing the Stellar Jays who so bravely entered *her* domain. She had 2 younger brothers who adored her every move, her every blink, her every smile....and she smiled ALOT.
And oh my doG was that lady ever a talker!! Talk talk talk.....talk talk talk. Talk talk talk. I know her human Dad through her. He was kind and gentle with her, she said, through her every move and nuance. She talked and explained everything to me every step of our short time together.
April was delicious. Her eyes softened me. Her being....her spirit softened me. I am ever so grateful that we found each other. April was adored and loved by her humans, no matter where she lived.
April died 2 years ago today.
I miss you, you most precious being. Thank you baby.
July 03, 2008
Rocket Delivery and Road Trip
4 months ago, my co-worker's daughter was in the local Vet's office picking up some flea medication for their animals.
Another lady was there...asking the Vet to kill her 8 month old poodle X. The puppy, she said, was not handleable.
My co-workers daughter scooped the pup and brought him home, hoping he would be company for their 6 year old Spaniel X. He was snappy and extremely fearful of men, very aggressive if the other dog even walked by his food bowl, and becoming more and more cranky, was never consistently trained to go outdoors to do his business, and just a super unhappy puppy. My co-worker and her daughter had the very best of intentions, but they had no knowledge of how to properly deal with his problems.
Rocket has been through 4 guardians in one short year. 4 different people/families all having no real clue as to how to tend to this baby. Poor bugger.
Soooo, my co-worker, who knows I am a sap when it comes to dogs, asked me if I could help find him a home. Rocket is now living in Kamloops with a woman who is experienced with small dog issues. After Rocket is neutered, vacc'd., and learns to trust once again, he will be available for adoption.
At 10 am this morning Kelsie, Brianne, myself and Justin drove up to
Merritt ( about 75 minutes away and up a mountain to meet half-way ) to hand deliver Rocket to his new friend/trainer Courtenay.
Rocket, I wish you all the wonderful things in life you deserve....a guardian who adores and worships you, plenty of fresh air, and walks, quality food that will make your silky coat gleam and your innards feelin' wonderful, and friends wherever you go. And I hope you don't lose the spunk I saw!!
Thank you Jean, for posting on rescue and message boards about this little guy. You always come through. And Courtenay, thank you so very, very much for taking on this little terrorist!
Rocket:
On our drive back down the mountain we stopped a few times to stretch our legs, and enjoy the mountain scenery. And also veered off on logging roads....
We came across a few Marmots. Popping up from their carefully dug holes in the ground....showing no real fear, just curiosity.
Hangin' out in the yard after the trip with a nice cuppa',and here comes our resident Stellar Jay. ( thanks for sticking around while I dashed indoors to get my camera buddy! )
Another lady was there...asking the Vet to kill her 8 month old poodle X. The puppy, she said, was not handleable.
My co-workers daughter scooped the pup and brought him home, hoping he would be company for their 6 year old Spaniel X. He was snappy and extremely fearful of men, very aggressive if the other dog even walked by his food bowl, and becoming more and more cranky, was never consistently trained to go outdoors to do his business, and just a super unhappy puppy. My co-worker and her daughter had the very best of intentions, but they had no knowledge of how to properly deal with his problems.
Rocket has been through 4 guardians in one short year. 4 different people/families all having no real clue as to how to tend to this baby. Poor bugger.
Soooo, my co-worker, who knows I am a sap when it comes to dogs, asked me if I could help find him a home. Rocket is now living in Kamloops with a woman who is experienced with small dog issues. After Rocket is neutered, vacc'd., and learns to trust once again, he will be available for adoption.
At 10 am this morning Kelsie, Brianne, myself and Justin drove up to
Merritt ( about 75 minutes away and up a mountain to meet half-way ) to hand deliver Rocket to his new friend/trainer Courtenay.
Rocket, I wish you all the wonderful things in life you deserve....a guardian who adores and worships you, plenty of fresh air, and walks, quality food that will make your silky coat gleam and your innards feelin' wonderful, and friends wherever you go. And I hope you don't lose the spunk I saw!!
Thank you Jean, for posting on rescue and message boards about this little guy. You always come through. And Courtenay, thank you so very, very much for taking on this little terrorist!
Rocket:
On our drive back down the mountain we stopped a few times to stretch our legs, and enjoy the mountain scenery. And also veered off on logging roads....
We came across a few Marmots. Popping up from their carefully dug holes in the ground....showing no real fear, just curiosity.
Hangin' out in the yard after the trip with a nice cuppa',and here comes our resident Stellar Jay. ( thanks for sticking around while I dashed indoors to get my camera buddy! )
June 27, 2008
Jack
This is gonna' be sappy, and sentimental....so if you're not sentimental and sappy, leave now.
Jack's birthday is today.
My boy has been gone 4 and 1/2 months. Weird....it feels like 4 and 1/2 seconds. Truly. It feels like seconds of grief, oceans of tears, and I love this feeling. It must never go away. I have no want for this intense emptiness to leave. Is there anyone who knows the feeling?
His face is the one I see on my computer wallpaper, it is the last photo I took of him.
His face, that unique *Jack* face....I can still look at his photos, and feel him. I mean, freaking feel him butting up against my leg. I can see him, I can feel his breath on my neck where he slept all crooked up to get the draft from the open window, and to keep me within his paw reach.
I see him running through the bull rushes like a maniac, I see him sitting beside me, laying beside me, I see his oh sooo perfect face lifting up for a facial massage. I feel his breath.
I have a *blankie* of his I haven't washed yet. ( he was cremated with his favorite....and oh!....he was a very macho dog and would abhor the word *blankie* ) and is up on a top shelf. Sooometimes, I grab it and suck in the smell of him.
My boy is still an addiction.
June 25, 2008
Alexander The Great...and flying pigs
K. and I went on a spontaneous road trip today after some appt.'s out of town. We couldn't bring Watcher and Frankie, because Watcher has proven to me, twice, that he is able to open a locked inside car door. ( and I learned that the first time was not a fluke ) And because I have not yet bought a car barrier, they had to stay home.
Our first stop was to a new ( ish ) outdoor garden decor shop. Oh my gawd, my mouth remained open for the entire 1 hour visit. Some absolutely stunning pieces, made from bronze, or granite, or ? It appears the website is under construction, but the addy is New Country Decor It is in Bridal Falls, B.C.
Alexander The Great ( and if anyone out there is reading this, and you love me madly, and you have $17,000 to spare....pleeeeze buy it for me!!! )
And omg.....I am in love with this fountain!
Awesome stuff right!!
One last photo to leave you with, and tomorrow the rest of our day trip to Cheam Wetlands and to visit Lady Franklin Rock in Yale.
This photo was taken in Yale, at Barry's Trading Post. Ya' gotta' love the sign!
Our first stop was to a new ( ish ) outdoor garden decor shop. Oh my gawd, my mouth remained open for the entire 1 hour visit. Some absolutely stunning pieces, made from bronze, or granite, or ? It appears the website is under construction, but the addy is New Country Decor It is in Bridal Falls, B.C.
Alexander The Great ( and if anyone out there is reading this, and you love me madly, and you have $17,000 to spare....pleeeeze buy it for me!!! )
And omg.....I am in love with this fountain!
Awesome stuff right!!
One last photo to leave you with, and tomorrow the rest of our day trip to Cheam Wetlands and to visit Lady Franklin Rock in Yale.
This photo was taken in Yale, at Barry's Trading Post. Ya' gotta' love the sign!
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