This is a copy of the letter that I recently sent to our local library. A variant of “the dog ate my homework”.
I can only laugh. And keep Cassius in his crate when we go away. I hope the library employees laugh too.
I put it in perspective by realizing that if he had actually hurt himself, I would be willing to pay much more in veterinary bills.
So, although it cost me the price of a book, at least it was a soft bound book and everyone is still healthy. And, I hope, having that laugh.
My journal had a page for a preprinted gratitude list so I thought I would make a list of things that make me happy.
Who would have guessed that number one would be dogs? Hmmmm, everyone who’s ever met me?!
So according to the list, an ideal time for me would be a spring hike through gardens with my dogs while reading a book and eating a dessert. Sounds like a great time. I couldn’t work the pens in there but there has to be something left for when I get home!
How do you survive the winter cold and darkness? Well, you could move south or west.
But here in the Midwest, you can tough it out and go outside anyway…
or grab a blanket and hunker down until better weather arrives.
If you’re versatile like Baxter, you do some of each.
Just a quick update on foster boy Zeke. He is a happy pup.
He still has separation anxiety but it is manageable on the Prozac. If you don’t mind a dog with sizable amounts of drool in his crate when you come home. The crate is now more or less where it was when we left. Mondays are always the worst after I go back to work for the week. It’s a good thing I don’t wear expensive clothes (although this is part of the reason why) because Zeke jumps and paws at me for a while when I return. Dogs are far superior to nice clothes any day!
But the rest of the time he is a joy. He becomes a 43 lb. lap pup for about 10 minutes every day. We both enjoy this. On Sunday last week, he got to go to grandma’s for a visit along with Baxter and Cassius. The girls, Nikki and Shelby, stayed home because they were having a turn to go away the next evening to visit at the nursing home. Zeke was well behaved and listened. We had our 10 minutes of lap time there because I suspect he was feeling insecure.
Yesterday, hubby and I took Baxter, Cassius, Shelby, and Zeke for a walk on the Hike and Bike Trail and there were no incidents with other hikers. Of course this may have been because it was 15 degrees and snowy, so there were no other hikers! 😉 Hey, you seek progress where you can find it.
And last but not least Zeke has wormed his way into my heart enough that I call him Zekie!
Baby, it’s cold outside. The last week, temperatures around here have been averaging around 5-6 degrees Fahrenheit during the day time and zero at night.
The weather and tv stations have been advising that people check on their dogs and cats. Why would you have to do this? Your pet dogs and cats should be with you!
We take our dogs out for about 10 minutes of play time, to chase the frisbee and ball. That is enough for them. They are glad to go out and glad to come in. They do want to know why we didn’t turn the heat up before we went out!
Relief is in sight however. Forecast for today is in the 20’s. Oh, the excitement!
Do you buy Christmas presents for your dogs? We never used to but it brings them such joy to be included that we do now. Cassius knows he heard a squeaker somewhere! He was running around looking for the squeaky toy when this photo was taken.
Cassius also got a new jolly ball for Christmas. They are actually sold for horses but when you find a toy that might hold up to the jaws of steel, you go for it.
Cassius is a good sport so let’s Zeke have a turn with his new toy.
Baxter got, what else? A new Frisbee!
Shelby, never one to lay down on the job, supervises all the holiday proceedings and goings on.
Nikki mostly stays out of the way. When the big dogs are excited, things can get crazy. A petite girl could get run over!
And Zeke the wonder dog is happy to be a part of it all. He is a very nice dog. He joins in playing and chasing toys with our crew and barely bats an eye. No snarling or altercations, just smiles all around.
So much joy!
A greyhound playing on a warm day in December experiences much joy and happiness.
And being able to watch him brings equal joy to us.
Cassius playing with his Jolly Ball. These are toys that are made for horses but is the only thing we have found that holds up to this boy’s jaw strength.
Life is a ball. Live it well.
Shelby is a happy girl. Daddy said she is the best behaved dog we have ever had!
She has never had a potty accident in the house, at home or anywhere else either. She can go for walks off leash and come back reliably even if there are other dogs or squirrels. She does give the school bus a dirty look before she comes.
Shelby is good when meeting new dogs or cats. She doesn’t eat poop. When the cats get into a scuffle amongst themselves, she breaks it up.
She is a very good girl but indeed.
It’s been a red letter day! I spent most of it working as a team with Shelby and Nikki. And I was blessed today for many reasons.
First we conducted therapy dog testing at All Breed Training Club of Akron. They are kind enough to allow me to use the building and they have most of the equipment that I use so I don’t have to load up the car with much. There are now several more dogs eligible to visit nursing homes, hospitals, etc. ! If you’re wondering how Shelby and Nikki help me with this, they are my assistants to check the testees for reaction to a neutral dog. They work as the neutral dog.
Ways I was blessed during this event:
Then after the test I got to have lunch with my friend Erin who drove an hour and a half to have her dogs tested as a team. I first met Erin about two years ago when I tested her first therapy dog. We connected on Facebook and over time have discovered that we have more and more in common. We had such a good time talking about dogs and connecting!
Then Shelby, Nikki, and I came home for a while where they got to spend some time outside with our other dogs and bark at their brother Baxter while he chased the frisbee.
Then on to more therapy work! I recently met someone at work who’s parents live about a half mile down the road from me. The father is not able to get around like he once was and could really use a visit from a sheltie, I was told. Shelby and Nikki to the rescue! We walked down the road for a visit and now have even more friends.
I was so proud of Nikki. She sat on this gentleman’s lap for 45 minutes and I do believe she made his day.
Blessings from this encounter:
Life is good. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings and what opportunities I have to spread happiness.
Bookends?
A cat and a mountain goat?
Either way it is Saturday morning at our house.
Sanctuary Acres 