"I am proud to say that we have a new addition to our family!"
-- Christine
The best thing about writing this blog is getting to know so many other humans who love dogs. Their dogs, their friends' dogs, and strangers' dogs. And I get to read about the dogs they rescue! This is Lady. She is a beautiful pitbull terrier who was adopted by one of our Facebook friends. Christine D. already had two other dogs. But like most dog lovers, she couldn't turn down a pup in need. Her friend was severely allergic to her 9 month old pitbull mix but didn't know who to rehome her precious pup to. So Christine gave it a shot and decided to meet the dog. Would Lady be too much for her? What if she didn't get along with her other dogs? So many questions rattle our brains when we contemplate taking in another pup. When there is a dog in need of a home, we want to much for the decision to be the right one. If dog lovers could have it their way, all dogs would get along FOREVER.
"We went up to see Lady... she took to us instantly and Sugar and Tippy like her too."
Christine is the typical dog lover. Concerned, compassionate, and quick to try. It is no doubt that Lady is in the right hands, and the right home. She now has a forever type of family. She is safe from the heartbreak of being rehomed again.
This awesome story reminds me of a poem... hope you like it!
I'm out of the country for a whole year due to my job. And I'm missing my dog. Of course I miss my kiddos so much, but this is a dog blog and I'll stick to the topic
Here are things I miss about my dog:
The times when I'm going from room to room cleaning and every time I turn around, he's there hanging out with me.
When it's late at night and I'm on my porch having a drink and he's laying on the floor just relaxing.
When I'm busy cooking dinner, helping kids with homework and doing laundry, and I turn to see him just staring at me as if he's wondering when I'm going to relax.
When I'm at the dining table after the kids have gone to bed and I'm writing notes or journaling and he comes over, puts his head on my lap and just stays there knowing it helps both of us feel better if I just pet him for a few minutes.
When I'm lying in bed sick and he lying on the floor beside me all day long.
When we're hiking and the scents excite him so much that his drool hangs from his mouth so much that when he shakes his head it wraps around his muzzle. Yes I miss that too.
When I'm reading a book and he lays on the floor in front of me, sprawled out on his back and looks at me with a crazy face that says "You know you wanna pet my belly."
When we go for car rides and he spends the whole time looking out the window and then randomly leans over and licks my face like he's saying "Thank you, this is so fun!"
When I'm crying over a breakup and he comes over and licks my face.
When he goes on a puppy run in the house and tries so hard not to crash into things but the hardwood floor doesn't care and he crashes anyway.
When the cat slaps him in the face and he looks hurt, then chases the cat.
When he lays in bed next to me and looks over at me like, "Ha! You let me on the bed."
When he farts in his sleep and wakes himself up.
When he snores like a grown man and it scares me out of sleep.
When his hips hurt and I rub them for him and he looks so much more relaxed.
And finally, when I catch him stealing food off the table and he walks away slowly, hoping that slow motion movement camouflages him.
Today's Blurb
We didn't go hiking this weekend. Boo!! Afternoon rain showers have really put a damper on things. Haha, I made a pun. Also, I worked the past two Sundays, so homework has been needing attention on Saturdays. Bruce and I have been getting ansy though. We need to be outside! There's a nice trail behind my apartments, so I'm thinking we'll be walking those after work this week.
There's been something on my mind lately and I'm a little nervous to express it. But I'll do it anyway. I feel really, really sorry for people who have no time for their dogs. I go on Craigslist a lot, partly for pet gear and partly for curiosity, and all I see are people rehoming their pets because they "just don't have time" for them. I won't get into it too much right now, but I will say this: I love MAKING time for Bruce and The Ferrets. I'm a single mom. I work full-time. I leave my home at 6:30 a.m. and get home at 6:00 p.m. As soon as I get home, Bruce gets a nice walk, a stretch, and a chance to chase bunnies. Then there's chores. The Ferrets are out and terrorizing everyone. I somehow squeeze in some time to brush Bruce and the kids and I play a few rounds of hunting games with him. So when I see ads on Craigslist, I feel really bad for people who can't make time for their pets because their lives must be so busy and chaotic! I'm not trying to be judgmental, I'm really not. I just feel bad for the pet.
Anyway, onto other topics.
Bentley's Back
That's right, Bentley's back! I just love this cat. He's full of character and he's soooo cuddly. I still couldn't believe he was abandoned by his original owners. How could anyone do that to their own pet? Humans. I swear. We are the only animal on this earth who choose to take in another animal purely for their entertainment and then neglect or abuse it. Not all of us do it, but there are so many who do. Just go onto Craigslist or Google your local animal shelter or humane society. We suck. Anyway, back to Bentley.
So every time he's over at my place, his toys get lost or Bruce chews a friggin canned food cover or Tupperware. So tomorrow I'll be going shopping for cat food (Bruce), toys and a can cover for opened cans. More to follow on his visit...
From The Humane Society Of The United States (HSUS)
When I found out how veal calves were treated, I was appalled! I couldn't believe ... well, okay, I could believe... the way these poor animals were treated. Did you know that for 16 weeks (their lifespan), calves are kept confined in cages too narrow for them to even turn around? It is disgusting. Babies forced to stay in the same position until they are killed for their tender meat.
Thanks to HSUS, though, the Superior Court of California in Fresno County has upheld Proposition 2, which bans the inhumane treatment of farm animals. Now let's get the rest of the nation on track!
The Star Nosed Mole was rated The World's Ugliest Animal among several others to include the Blob Fish, the Naked Mole Rat, and the Sphynx. As much as I love animals, this Star Nosed Mole creeps me out. I don't want to look at it anymore.
I still can't believe this is happening. If it's not babies, it's dogs. Why do people believe they can just leave their kids or dogs in the friggin car?? Recently, I read about a baby dying because of this very thing and of course I read the comments beneath the article. I couldn't believe the number of people suggesting parents leave their cell phones or purses in the car seat so that they wouldn't forget their baby. Are you friggin kidding me?? Are cell phones and purses really more important? And dogs. People think it's okay to leave their dogs in the car while they're shopping, dining, or even attending a state fair. When are the laws going to punish people who do this the same as when they leave a kid in the car? If they could do it to a dog, they could do it to a kid.
You read it correctly. There are few things more entertaining! Check out pics of these awesome dogs enjoying what we humans love too. Here's the kicker: Frosty Paws is a dog-safe ice cream. Don't give your dog human-friendly ice cream, it'll mess up their belly!
Every night at bedtime, Bruce and I head to the bedroom. When we get to my bed, I give him a head rub and a kiss on the nose and tell him "Goodnight, baby." Then he goes under the bed and gets comfy.
Tonight we headed for the bedroom and he raced to the bed. Then he stopped and looked back at me as if to say "Are you coming?" When I reached him I gave him some love and as soon as I said "Goodnight, baby" and stood straight up he dove under the bed.
It was raining last night. It was nice and cool and the plants needed a break from the heat. But I noticed Bruce was walking a little slower than usual. His back end did a kind of hop and his hind legs were stiff. He walked almost as if he had a volleyball between his hind legs. His hips hurt when the weather cools. It made me sad to see him hurt.
Dogs are so good at masking pain. Even though Bruce was obviously hurting, he followed me outside. When I sat on the couch, he laid on the floor at my feet. It didn't matter where I went, if he thought I was going to be in a certain room for longer than a minute, he was at my side. Regardless of his pain. I gave him a kiss on the nose and decided I'd try my best to help him.
I heated a compress and applied it to his hips. He was curious about it at first and at times he'd squirm away but overall he was a good sport and he let me massage him for a little while. I felt his legs loosen up a little while I rubbed him down. Every once in a while his legs would tremble. After a while, however, he relaxed enough to fall asleep. And, as I often did whenever I massaged him, I fell deeply in love for him and regained an appreciation for dogs that people often fail to have.
My dog would walk with me throughout the house with stiff legs and painful hips. Not because I ordered him to. Not because I lured him around with treats. But because in his mind he is my dog. And as a dog, I am his priority. I ask myself, if he were a human would he do the same? Probably not. I wouldn't. And not because I wouldn't care for my other human. But because as a human, we have to really work hard on ourselves to be as dedicated to others as our dogs are--while dogs do not.
I truly believe dogs were given to us by God to show us how to love. They love unconditionally. The way we cannot. We are so blessed to have been given such a gift.
As I headed to the bedroom for the night, Bruce followed me and stood by my bed. He waited for me to get in the bed before he crawled under it for the night. Laying on my belly, I reached under the bed, found his head and gave him a gentle scratch. "Goodnight, baby," I told him. A few thumps of his tail on the carpet told me that he said it back.
Every once in a while if I have to work a late night, I'll go home and get Bruce's feeding and pottying taken care of. Then I'll get him in the car and take him to work with me. He has a blast at work.
Let me just reintroduce Bruce a little bit. He's got that bloodhound in him. In half of him, actually. And it controls ALL of him. His nose is into everything. The ground. The air. The doors. Crotches. You get the picture. He's also super lovable. He absolutely treasures people and especially kids. He is an attention hog. But he's pretty polite. For the most part. He gets into people's crotches if I don't catch him quick enough. But other than that, he's quite a joy to bring around people. He doesn't jump at anyone or even lick them. Nope.
Bruce goes up to people and gives them the cute puppy smile.
And then he gives them the sad eyes. At this point, they usually give him the "Awww" and rub his head.
And then he's got them. He's on his back for belly rubs. What a ham!
Needless to say, he was totally loved on today. He got to have lots of rubs and everyone talked to him. He is a 90 lb goober for love.
Someone asked me if he was a working dog. He sure does look like it when I'm in uniform and he walks with me. But if anyone got close enough to see his puppy eyes they'd know right away that the only work he does is make people smile.
On the way home, his bloodhound kicked in. He held his nose up to the vent (warm air spewing out, mind you) and breathed in deeply. For about a good 30 seconds. Then he took a break. And went back to sniffing.
The best thing about writing this blog is getting to know so many other humans who love dogs. Their dogs, their friends' dogs, and strangers' dogs. And I get to read about the dogs they rescue! This is Lady. She is a beautiful pitbull terrier who was adopted by one of our Facebook friends. Christine D. already had two other dogs. But like most dog lovers, she couldn't turn down a pup in need. Her friend was severely allergic to her 9 month old pitbull mix but didn't know who to rehome her precious pup to. So Christine gave it a shot and decided to meet the dog. Would Lady be too much for her? What if she didn't get along with her other dogs? So many questions rattle our brains when we contemplate taking in another pup. When there is a dog in need of a home, we want to much for the decision to be the right one. If dog lovers could have it their way, all dogs would get along FOREVER.
