Dog Party

Must have been a great party :)

Felt I needed a fun post♥

What A Day!

Bandit telling me his side of this story

I had one of those...

OH MY GOSH! kind of days.

I could probably make this into six different post but I will try to reduce it into one.

I'm not even sure where to begin...

Might as well start with the beginning...

 I fell asleep around 3 am (problem sleeping whenever Hubby is out of town). I woke early to the sound of my cell phone  ringing at 4:39am. It was my youngest daughter (away at college).  Now, anyone with college children know the drill...

{WTH? the phone is ringing? OMGosh.. it's my daughter! what's wrong?}

but when I answered... silence... no voice, no sounds, nothing. It hangs up... I call her back and it goes to voice mail... I try again... and again... then I try texting... again... and again.

Somehow, I calmed myself, and actually feel back to sleep after much prayers!

At 7:22am I receive a text telling me, she thinks she must have "sleep called" me... strange child of mine. 

Made me think of my college roommate, Angela... and the MANY nights, she amused herself talking to me when I was asleep.  Apparently I was a chatty sleeper and you could get ALL kinds of honest information out of me when I was asleep. Quite entertaining so I am told.

Back to my day.. so relieved she was okay!

I "woke" up at 8:30am to start my day. (okay...hang on.. I am sure some of you are wondering, what the heck? 8:30? LAZY! But let me explain, I get off work at midnight, therefore I am entitled to a later morning).. So, I get up, have my cup of Joe, read some emails, fed the pets, take out the Dogs, and jump in the car to head to my 10am appointment with Betsy's.  If you are not a follower from way back, you may wonder who's Betsy.  She is my wonderful Angel ~ Therapist... that has taught me valuable coping skills and helps me to stay sane as well as keep things in check.

Great Session! whoa I love this Gal!  I'm on the right path & always feel fabulous after my Betsy hour.  See you in 6 weeks Betsy!

Now, I have just enough time to swing by Target before heading to my ASL classes, so in I pop.  They have WONDERFUL Dollar Deals, and to my pleasure the Dollar Easter Socks are in. So I pick up a couple dozen for my "Girls" to have (I am becoming, "that Dorm Supervisor that always gives out Holiday socks").  Which is fine, as you can never have too many socks & the girls get a kick out of them. 

I realize as I am in line to pay that I have to go pee really bad.  I am standing there doing my Kegals to keep myself together.  I think to myself, do I really want to go into that public restroom?

Naw...

I can hold it! At lest till I get to class.

OR NOT

As I am walking to my car in the parking lot I feel myself sprinkle as I take each step. I arrive to my car...with a big wet spot in my crotch.

OMG!

Did I really just pee myself?

Seriously?

Well, that is some serious... "Becoming an Oldie situation!"

So much for getting to class... I have no choice but to go home and clean up.

You'd think that would be enough...
NOPE!

lets move along to 1:00pm...

We live in a neighborhood that is picky about fences.  The type of fence I am allowed to place would cost us big bucks for the full back yard.  Not gonna happen. So, unfortunately, I am a Hillbilly that attaches my dogs leashes to a long tie down leash outside.  My Dogs LOVE being outside.  We hate having to keep them leashed but, well, Bandit is not real bright, and Riley gets very into scents (she is a Coon hound) and they will take off. We have been using this method for two years, as we debate buying the "Fence" or attempting the "Invisible Fences".
The Dogs were enjoying the sunshine, No barking, just relaxed and happy. They have managed to slip off the main leash a couple of times, but never venture past a neighbor house. Dakota, the little guy, does not require a leash. He stays put although he can be an instigator.
FIVE MINUTES...
I stepped inside for 5 minutes.
Then I checked on them. Dakota was a nervous Nelly, and Riley & Bandit were GONE.
I mean GONE.

I'm running around calling them. No barking, no howling.
I start to feel panicky.
I jump in the car and spin around the block.
Not a Pup in sight.
I drive around again adding the additional streets.

our neighborhood (we are "A")

Where the Heck did my Babies go?
OMG
I have asked every person I see in the neighborhood and NO ONE HAS SEEN THEM...
I exit the neighborhood and circle the exterior perimeter slightly terrified.
I start back into the neighborhood & receive a call. It's a Los Angeles number so I let it go to voice mail  (I'm a little busy).  Then I get another call, this one is from my Veterinarian. I answer...OMGosh..do you have our Dogs? Jenn (Vet Tech) says we have Riley... a Good Samaritan picked her up running down the middle of Brookville Road (very busy street with 55 speed limits).  Riley was with Bandit, who apparently was hit by a car...
He ran off though, she wasn't able to get him in her car, although big ole' Riley was tired of this adventure and more than happy to get her 110 pound butt in the nice lady's car.
Riley was taken to our Vet's Office, one of the Gals that work there headed out looking for my Bandit, as I also continued the search... I pulled off the side side of the road, where Bandit was last seen, calling & searching...but where did my Bandit go?
I get another call...
"Hi, I think I may have your Dog..."
OMGosh!
Is he okay? Where are you? I will come now!
Turns out, Bandit headed South after Riley got picked up.  Met another Dog and followed it home. The man that called, happened to have been a cilent of mine from my Real Estate days. He said Red, (the Dog that brought Bandit home) was a stray that he & his wife befriended & started feeding.  He came up the drive-way with Bandit. They found us through his tags.
I thanked him, loaded my very happy to see me but very exhausted Dog into the car & headed to the Vet.  Bandit has a couple of skinned spots on his leg, but other than than he is fine!  We picked up Riley who was very thrilled to see us.She started HOWLING as soon as she heard my voice.
I brought them home for a good long nap.

safely home

All this took place within one hour.
2:00pm

Off to work.
Now, work stuff I have to be careful what I am allowed to say. So I am gonna try to be brief but give you an idea of the craziness of the day.
3:00-3:15pm
Staff meeting... Grab vehicle keys & paperwork for off campus outing, open Dorm
3:15-3:45pm
Roll call, get Girls off to practices, take some to another Dorm and take one with me to get vehicle
3:55-5:45pm
At Med Check, for a Resident's Physical appointment, fill out a TON of paperwork, get parent on phone to talk to Med Check person, interrupt for my Girl, get HALF WAY FINISHED when they stop the check up & inform me they have made a serious mistake, and can not complete this.  She can not continue here due to out of network and an insurance issue (although, I have already paid out of pocket personally).  Without going into detail, I got reimbursed, and we left, two hours wasted.
6:00-6:30pm
Arby's with my disappointed Girl, talk about possibilities so we can get her IHSAA forms completed and get her playing her team sport. 
7:00-12:00am
Back to work, met with supervisor, take care of my 15 residental Girls, talk to three parents, dissolve some high school girl drama, meeting with supervisors & Dorm Counselor on an issue, tuck my Girls in, clean up Dorm, fill in Night Dorm Supervisor, and clock myself out.

12:30 - 2:30am
Get home, shower, chat with Hubby on phone, (he's in Detroit), grab a glass of wine & LOVE my Dogs.

As crazy as it was, I know it could have been a REALLY HORRIBLE Day.  So many things could have happened...
My Dogs! My precious spoiled Dogs could have been lost, hurt, or killed.
So I peed myself... probably not the last time and
my girlfriends and I have gotten quite a laugh over it.
Work craziness... I may not have gotten accomplished what I sat out to do, but I tried, and I did have a bonding experience with one of my Girls. She will survive and prehaps can get this issue resolved. It gets caotic but it also is wonderful. I love love love this job.  It brings me so much joy.

This all had a lot of value as well. I appreciate the good when I remember that things don't always go as planned. I have once again learned the value of laughing can help you through ANYTHING.
Life is good.

Whoopsie!

Oh Crap!
So, Hubby is out of town and I have been trying to get caught up in Blog World with this free time.  Which okay, truth be known, I can get rather consumed in the reading & commenting and not pay attention to whats going on around me.
I work a 9 hour shift and give myself time to get there & back so it makes for a long day for the dogs to be cooped up in their room.  I decided earlier to let them lounge outside and soak up this beautiful fall day as long as possible.
Okay, confession time... We are a little bit Hillbilly... just a little when need be. The one reason I did not want to buy this house is the stupid association rules that do not allow me to put a fence up in my backyard. Oh, wait a minute... I can put a fence up...to there liking which means a wrod iron fence to the sum of around $12,000 to surround my yard & not even give me privacy. It's my damn backyard & I really want my critters to be able to gallop about and enjoy the yard.  so anyway here's the Hillbilly thing. We have a stake in the yard with a long tie down leash (actually to make it more Hillbilly, it is two leashes linked together). I then link Riley's leash to the end of it, with Bandits leash handle through the tie downed leash so he can run the length as well.
Anyway.. every now & then they will pull the stake out and wander the yard. Not very often, but it has happened.  By The Way... Dakota isn't leashed, he just stays right next to Riley & Bandit.
So, I am engrossed in Blog reading with the dogs out, and I hear a dog howl...hmm, that sounds kind of like Riley. But I don't get up. There it is again.. But it sounds far.  hmm. Back to reading.

Then all Hell breaks loose & I am sure that is Riley's bark, although not in the back yard, accompanied by Bandits bad ass gonna kill you bark & Dakota's little yeah...that's right! yipping.
I dart out back, hear the dogs but not in sight.  I am calling them, trying to figure which direction to go. A neighbor a few homes down appears and waves telling me they are over here.  I run to find my dogs tangled with the Hillbilly leash stuck in between beautiful landscaped pine trees, making a mess & still trying to attack my neighbor Tim.  He had wanted to help them when he noticed them but they wont let him approach. Even with me present, they pretty much want to eat Tim.  Yes, I am that neighbor with the mean dogs.  The unpetable dogs in a neighborhood swarming with the friendliest dogs you'd ever meet. I thank him & apologize and we agree he needs to step off so I can get them untangled...  I can only imagine what he was thinking of me, the leash tiedown, and my unruly Dogs.

To make matters worse, I get a bunch of tree sap all over my hands and my fingers keep sticking together.  See? Nice how my ring finger is now attached to my middle finger.  AND I have an annoying habit of running my hand through my hair... It is sticking to the hair.  When I try to talk with my hands signing today, I will be a mess.  Scary hands.

Hey~ did you notice the cool crackle polish? Here's a better picture with a clean hand from last night. Im petting Riley.  I bought a bunch of polish for my girls at the School.  Their school colors are orange and black so I did the crackle with orange & black.  I know! I am so cool!  No wonder the girls all love me! I also braided hair last night. I hope no one ask tonight because my sticky hands will get caught in their hair.
I have been searching turtles as we thought it would be fun to have a pet turtle.  But I forgot we live in INDIANA, where little turtles are banned from selling. And the turtles over 4 inches (legal size) are so expensive. I have also realized with all this research that they really are not the pet we should be looking for.  I mean come on, my animals always outlive their normal life expectation and therefore could easily out live us all!  Nah... maybe I will look more at Hermit Crabs. Please don't mention gold fish..we already tried them. Long story..
Anyway...
I best be getting my butt off the couch & start getting ready for work.
Have a great one all!

Sleeping In on Lazy Mornings

I love going back to bed, sleeping in late.
For years, I had that internal clock that made me wake up everyday at 5:45am. Sleeping in late back then was 8am.  I always got up before everyone else in the family. Had my morning coffee in peace, then woke the family accordingly to schedules (school, work, whatever).
But things change.
The Babies went to college and no longer had me as their alarm clock.
Hubby's schedule changed as well, and his sleep habits did too.
Me? Well, a couple things changed me. 1~The medication I take for depression, allows me to sleep better than ever before. 2~ get laid off and not be needed to wake early and slowly your internal alarm clock starts changing.

Now, I wake when Hubby does, let the dogs out, then return to bed (with the dogs) and cuddle.
The above picture, with all three dogs and one cat, has me wedged under the covers as well.

It is complete bliss to sleep in for another hour. So relaxing and sweet.

I think it makes for a better day too.  I have that little extra boost, when I have the extra hour.

Now with the new job.  My sleeping in will continue.  I won't be getting home till after midnight, and after shower & all, bedtime is more like 1am.  So,  hello bed.  hello morning sunshine with your warm kisses.
I love this sleeping in business.  I don't think it's lazy at all. Just lucky.

Quondam Tuesday Bruno

Let me introduce you to one of the Best Dogs that Ever Lived!

BRUNO

1999-2005

We got Bruno, formally known as Chumsky, at the Indianapolis Humane's  Society in 1999. We went in search of a companion for our dear Lucy, whom was elderly and needing some extra TLC. 
Bruno came to live with us, and became Lucy's constant companion. When Lucy lost her sight, Bruno guided her along, giving her the best final days of her life.

 When Bruno came to live with us, he was a BIG PUPPY. This was him the first day. At the Humane's Society there was a lot of attention around some smaller breed puppies scamping around playfully.  Bruno, was know as Chumsky at the time. His crate held a sign over it that said, "I'm cute too." He laid there looking so sad. People would walk by and say. "look at those paws, he's gonna be huge!" 
We gladly accepted this big guy into our lives.

 He loved us all so much.

Bruno w/ Lucy

yeah he was allowed on the couch

...and the bed

 Bruno had the worse allergies I have ever seen for a dog. He was always sneezing outside and took allergy medicine. He preferred indoors in the spring & fall.

playing Happy Happy Hippo w/ Annie

Bruno w/ Baby Riley

6 months later still loving'

can I go too?

 This beautiful huge Mutt was the joy of our lives. Everyone thought he loved them best. He spread his love to all. He chased the young boys into the pool every time they would "try" and push one of the girls in the pool. He loved to play and loved to cuddle.

We lost this Gentle Giant to  Lymphoma Cancer. Way to young.

He will always shine in our hearts.

Best Dog Ever. 

Black & White

I love walking outside when it's late and quite. Like everything around you is asleep.
Because we don't have a fenced in yard, I walk my dogs in the backyard before bed. Often it is very late and everything is so peaceful outside.
When it's dark and you only have the moon & stars reflecting the light, things look very black and white. I don't see colors, just the contrast of dark and shadowing.
Last night,close to midnight, I walked my dogs in the backyard. It is so peaceful and dark. All color is drained and between black and white, I see shades of gray.
So beautiful!
There is something about it that calms me.
I wish I had a photograph to show you. Maybe tonight I will remember to bring a camera outside with me.

Puppy Spa Day

Dakota got his first Professional Grooming!  I know, I know! He is three and should have before now. BUT.. he is a Puppy Mill Rescue and very sensitive, skittish, and I needed to find the "right place". It just took me longer than I thought it would.

I have been grooming him at home... Learning as we go. He gets baths nearly every week as I understood Pomeranian's need this kind of care.

He doesn't mind, in fact, by now seems to enjoy it. (Okay, maybe he doesn't look like it in this photo).

I stumbled upon "Clippety Do Dawg" last week. Even though it has been around for a long time, I never noticed it. It's a tiny house converted into business next door to our Post Office. Who Knew?  All this time I have been looking online and a sweet old fashion, dog loving Gals were right under my nose!
Becky was very understanding and considerate to my concerns. She booked us as a first appointment of the day so Dakota would not have to hang out in a crate. She gave me all the information I needed and was priced fairly. 
Sooooooooo...
This morning, my little guy got dropped off (okay...just like when my girls got dropped off at preschool, I waited in the parking lot.. in case they needed me). An hour later, I get a call from Becky telling he will be ready in about 10 minutes if I want to head back (so I waited in the car for ten more minutes).

My Little Guy is so Handsome! They even put a cute little Monkey scarf on him! He was very well behaved. No nipping or even barking. They feel in love with him.
Who wouldn't?

Bandit..... my naughty boy

The Bandito Sleeping

I LOVE my little Bandit. He is such a precious sweet dog. He has anxiety issues, vision issues, jealousy issues, behavior issues. We shower him with love and affection. We have always treated him extremely well. He loves us and likes to be right up next to us. In fact, he insist on leaning on us or at least sitting on a foot.

I am very frustrated and near wits end over his marking problem. I have tried countless remedies, training tools & methods, and have been trying to correct this for YEARS. My Hubby has no idea how bad it is. He thinks it's an accident now & then. A jealous issue usually (because his mates/buddies are getting attention more than he or we left him too long, etc.)

I have tried things the Vet recommended. I have tried things friends suggest. I have been on Caesar's website and even requested a question about it (no reply). I can't afford a trainer or a Doggy Therapist. 
I need help my Bloggy Friends! I am open to any suggestions. If I put his Doggie Male Wrap on, it protects his targets but them he has a soggy wrap that must be washed right away.
His main targets are the corner of my bed and the curtains in my window seat. I wash these items daily and try all the expensive protein enzyme destroyers.
HELP PLEASE!
I love Bandit, but I've had enough of this pissy problem!

Trespassers

My Dogs are going CRAZY!
They have been in my bedroom window seat, barking, yapping & howling for some time.  They spotted trespassers in the yard and are not very happy about it.

The offenders are five Canadian Geese that decided to stop by for a visit.
Typically, they hang across the street, in my neighbors back yard as they have the pond.  But today, I have a few that wanted to visit our yard.
Currently they have made their way to the back section and are hunkering down by the bird feeder eating what has been kicked out of the feeder.

I don't mind so much.
As long as they do NOT decide to make a nest and have eggs...That would not work so well with my dogs.
That would not so well with me either.
Riley's howling (have you ever heard a coonhound howl?), Bandit's high pitch non-stop barking. And Dakota's little yippie yappy on and on. Geese poop is one of Dakota's favorite things to roll in. (I think he thinks it makes him not so fluffy & cute). Riley will give me a work-out as she gets hot on their scent when I take her out. And Bandit, well, he's just Dog enjoying the opportunity to be a protector.
A daily dose would not be welcomed.
Eventually these Geese will move on. There are such nicer quieter yards to choose from.

Ice Ice Baby!

Rob Van Winkle aka Vanilla Ice, 1989 hit "Ice Ice Baby" has been running through my head all night.
We have survived Round One, and are expecting Round Two this afternoon.
It is absolutely beautiful!
And it's absolutely dangerous.
So grateful Hubby stayed home.
Haven't heard from my girls so I am not sure if they had classes or not. Annie works on campus and this is a work morning, and Emily would be with her 5th graders about now. I will check on them later.
Here's some pictures of round one.
~~~Enjoy~~~

around 11pm last night

Good Morning Ice

That's Riley trying to walk on the ice

Because it was so "warm" prior to the Ice Storm, much of our snow melted. That's why you are seeing patches of frozen grass, and frozen snow. Imagine a sheet of glass on top of snow, where it is now smooth. It is extremely difficult to walk on.
I thought the dogs would have an easier time walking on the frozen grass, however, the frozen blades of grass hurt the dogs paws. Riley had the hardest time. She is so big. She would slip on the smooth ice, but cautiously try to walk on the painful frozen grass. Poor thing never did take care of business. She retreated back to bed. Little Dakota legs kept slipping out beneath him. Remember he is my crippled boy and having the bum leg, he had a more difficult task. However, he managed. Bandit, seem to fair the best. He seem to enjoy it, and, like a child keep eating the icy grass.

Dakota & Riley

Bandit

Riley

Front of our home

Our street, yep, that's all ice

Round Two will hit us in a few hours. I worry so for our trees. They are fairing okay now, but add another 1/2 inch to an inch of addition ice...that's too much weight on the trees. It is eerie to hear the tree branches creaking in the wind. Sounds like they are breaking. Same with the sound of autos trying to drive across the streets.

Bandit's New "Clothes"

I have been having a "problem" with my Bandit ever since Dakota came to live with us. That would be 3 years. He is an insecure dog.. he accepted Riley (she was in the household before Bandit). But, when Dakota came to live with us, Bandit became very jealous, he seems to love Dakota, /they are pretty inseparable and even chose to cuddle up and sleep together. The problem is he started "marking" territory. Huge problem.. I have tried so many things to break him of this. It's not like he has to pee... He will pee in 4-10 spots outside. I would think he is "empty"... but noooooooo. Next thing I know he has tinkled a bit on the door frame, chair, etc. (I know, pretty gross). I should have stock in Nature's Miracle & Odor Ban!
Anyway...  I think I have found a solution that will work. Fingers are crossed!
Introducing...

How about that?  I did a little research online and found many colors, sizes and types. Today I checked our local PetsMart and found they carried this one.
We tried it on Bandit, but first sidetracked him with new treats.

3 dog chews & Bandit's nose

Bandit choose first. But Riley and Dakota also got one.

Dakota got the pink icing one

Riley with her choice

Now please don't laugh, Bandit is sensitive, he barely noticed it.

Isn't he cute?
Surprisingly, he didn't try to pull it off. He was so happy to have free run of the house.  And of course, there was the distraction of that treat.
Eventually, he did try to lift his leg and mark something...BUT...like a well made diaper, it absorbed in the "wrap".
He is naked again right now, and sad to be back in my office/their room. But his wrap is in the washer and we will give it a another try.
Stylist Pup, eh? I think he looks pretty good in his new "clothes".

Puppy Love

Bruno in his favorite sleep position, hogging the bed.

Once upon a time, there was a magnificent dog by the name Bruno. This gentle giant of a Dog came to live with us when he was just about 4 months old. We wanted a companion for our Beloved Lucy Girl. Bruno was a Humane's Society Dog.

Even though he was a mixed breed, one look at his feet told us he would be a BIG dog.  Bruno grew to a healthy 125 and had a slender build. He ate a lot. He had allergies, and took allergy medicine for them. His back bothered him and he amazed us as he was smart enough to twist and align it when he slept.

This loyal Pup was a dream Dog. He stayed by Lucy's side, guided her, assist her, and slept next to her. He protected my daughters, and never once bit anyone.
When Lucy died, Bruno mourned. He continued to be a great Dog to us, but he missed her terrible. We decided to get him a little sister. Riley, was purchased at The local Pound at 5 weeks old.

Bruno wasn't too sure about this crazy ball of energy. He gentle played with her, let her razor sharp teeth hang off his body, and learn to adore her. Riley got  very sick after our first week with her (parvo) and landed in the Veterinary Hospital for several weeks. But, once she arrived home, Bruno again, stepped into protective nurse mode and tended her every need, much as he did for Lucy.

Everyone that meet Bruno, adored him. For Halloween, he donned a kitty headband and sat on the porch with me passing out candy to the children. He played, loved our family and was such a good boy.

One day, I noticed a swelling on Bruno's throat and thought he had gotten stung by a wasp. (he was always killing them when they would fly around the swimming pool. Surely to keep them away from the kids in the pool.). Off to the vet we went. But it wasn't a wasp sting... He had lymph node cancer.  There wasn't anything we could do.  Our vet found several other lumps, and would not be able to cure this. We chose to give Bruno medication to keep him comfortable for as long as possible and make the best of what time we had left. A few months later, we loss our sweet gentle giant. Too soon.  He was only five years old.

Had we known this Dog would not live long, we would have still chosen him. The love Bruno shared with us in five years are worth a hundred years. I would not have traded them.  He gave to each of us. He is still a part of us, and still in framed photos in our home.

Recently, a blog friend, Herrad, from Access Denied-living with ms  received devastating news of her Beloved Spike.

Spike has Bone Cancer. 

Herrad & her Richie, understand a thing or two about Puppy Love and about dealing with death.

Sometimes, life is so unfair. Sometimes it is very unexplainable. It certainly is unpredictable and challenging.

I think my friend would agree with me. It is worth it. You take what you get and make the best of it. You need to enjoy every second and every opportunity. You never know when it is gone. You may never know how fortunate you are, but if you live each day the best you can, if you can pay it forward (much like our Pups). Then, I think you have something.