Sometimes you just have one of those days.
Zekie has a new friend. He and my mother-in-law’s dog Paisley have become fast friends. They played chase and wrestled until they were both soggy from play biting each other. Turns out Zeke has very good inter-dog skills. They were both exhausted by the time they were done.
This was yesterday, New Year’s Day. Because in our family, as you may remember, dogs are included in family gatherings. Because, well, they are family.
Since it was a holiday and we planned to be gone for a while, we loaded up all five dogs and took them with us to grandma’s for the afternoon. This was somewhat necessary with Zeke’s anxiety issues.
Here are Shelby, Cassius, and Zeke supervising the peeling of the potatoes.
Even Nikki came along with the rest of the crew.
And of course Baxter Puppers!
After a busy day of begging and supervising…
everyone was worn out.
We wish your family a happy and healthy New Year in 2019!
Stay in your house and be safe.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
I’ve been off work for 6 1/2 days for the Christmas holiday. These photos sum up my days. I am one blessed girl.
Our family obviously considers the dogs an important part of the family. These photos span two separate gatherings and dogs are welcome.
Ok, the photo of the cats is at home. But they were part of our family celebration.
My favorite photo is the one of Zekie sitting on grandma’s lap on Christmas Day. He went along because we are in the process of treating some anxiety issues and it was too long a time for him to be alone. More on those issues when we have a resolution. But since Zeke was with us, he was well behaved (mostly) and enjoyed being part of the day. And I was certainly more relaxed knowing he was safely with us. Understanding families are a blessing too!
The face of innocence. Don’t you believe it for a second. This does capture a peaceful moment though.
This is how Zekie waits for me to go to work once I start heating up and loading the car. He has given up following me from room to room and just lays in a chair where he can monitor my movements.
If I were the only one home, he would be laying on the back of the couch, frantically watching out the window. But daddy is still home so all is not lost. Living with a dog with separation anxiety is not easy.
Happy Winter Solstice everyone.
There will be more light in our days from this point forward. Well, until the Summer Solstice anyway, when things start going the other way again.
Please forgive me for my lack of posts as of late. I am spending much time dealing with and trying to overcome behavioral issues. The dogs’, not mine.
Doggie charging stations. 😉
When you live in a house built in 1830, every remodel is an accomplishment. This is my newly re-done closet nook off the master bedroom. Uneven ceilings and floors make it harder every step of the way. My husband did a fantastic job and it is even insulated now!
I’m very happy with the way the green paint turned out. My walls are now “lime granita”. In the foreground you can see Zekie’s crate. We joke that Zekie likes his new bedroom. I’m not totally sure it’s a joke though!
Spoiled much? You bet!
This is my little artist, Zekie. He uses many mediums and is especially into repurposing.
This is his fiber art piece. It’s the jacket he moved his crate across the room and took off a chair. Then he pulled it through slats in his crate and shredded it. Anything for his art.
This is one of Zeke’s repurposed metal sculptures . As you can see he is creative and quite the determined worker.
Personally, I am hoping he will take a hiatus from future projects. I have my doubts but time will tell.
I have learned over the years that each of my Therapy Dogs has had a different way of working. Each has excelled in his or her own special way.
Jewel was my first certified Therapy Dog. She was one of the moms from a puppy mill case that took in 97 dogs but ended up with 105 after puppies were born. Jewel was a color headed white, full sized collie. I named her Jewel because her beautiful sable spots looked like jewels on her white coat. She was a sweetheart. Her method of providing comfort was to stand quietly while she was petted. Sometimes she would lay down with a person who wasn’t ambulatory. You could feel the gentleness emanate from her.
The photo above is my Trevor. He was an abandonment case that I took in. He came to me as an adult, but weighing only about 20 lbs. At his full weight he was 32 lbs. Trevor was a natural born Therapy Dog. He could do the job without me. He would go to people I didn’t even see, because he sensed that they needed him. He could work a room like I’ve never seen. What a gentle soul he was.
Duncan, above, trained and was certified as a Therapy Dog the same year as Trevor. I was Duncan’s third home by the time he was 4 months old. He was quite the handful and continued to be for many years. Duncan was a good Therapy Dog and brought joy to many. Duncan was different though in that he did the work because I asked him to and it made me happy. Whatever made me happy, made Duncan happy.
That brings us to my currently certified Therapy Dog, Shelby. She is a rescue dog whose original owners purchased her from a flea market. When she was 18 months old, they decided that she was too rambunctious. Hello, is that not the definition of a teenage puppy? Shelby is a tireless worker and has a work ethic that doesn’t quit. She can greet and visit with people for hours. Shelby is a good Therapy Dog because she enjoys working, and working with mom is even better. She is a joyful worker.
There are many ways that a dog can approach therapy work. And more than one way to be a success at it. As long as the method leads to happiness, the goal is achieved!
Sanctuary Acres 