Year End Musings

I have to laugh. Here we are again, ready to say good bye to one year and say hello to another. Why am I laughing? Because it beats the alternative.

It's been a hard year, but not for us any more than for others. It's been a blessed year, for which we pause to give thanks. I used to be anxious about beginning a new year. Now I figure it might not be a bad thing.

How do you sum up a year of your life? Well, I figure I let the dogs in and out close to 6,570 times. Probably more than that, but I'm not known for my mathematical skills. Where do I sign up for someone to sponsor my trips to let the dogs in/out? I'm not asking much. Just think of the potential if my sponsor contributed a nickel for every time I went to the door? That would be pretty sweet. Wouldn't someone like to be the "proud sponsor of ME"?

I'm guesstimating I did 35-40 pet therapy visits. I laughed far more than I cried, but there were some weepy days. I scooped a lot of poop. I sang more praises for the dogs (good dog Mick, Hank, & Sophie), than I lamented bad dogs. I wrote 178 blogs. I prayed...and only God can count that high!

So there you have it. I didn't move mountains, but I hope I moved some hearts and helped some dogs. I didn't get rich, but I have many riches. I laughed, and I plan to laugh my way, with dogs at my side, into the New Year.

Puppies - 1 wk update

We have learned much this past week about the joys of having puppies. Mind you, we only have two 9 wk olds that we are riding herd over.

We're learned it is an awesome thing to play so hard you have to pee. We've learned there is always more work involved in a project than one might expect, but that the joys outnumber the work. I've learned that Reno is the Puppy Meister. His sense of play is as active as a 9 wk old puppy - and I mean that in the nicest possible way!

I have a greater appreciation for the comfort of belonging to a pack, the pleasure of spooning, and that ears were made to be chewed on. Literally and figuratively. That being said, Junior's ears should be way longer than Queenie's.

While it's a riot to watch (and hear) them play, the silence when they sleep is golden. We should all sleep as well as a tired puppy. We should eat with as much gusto as a puppy and relieve ourselves of .....stresses....as often as they potty. Bet you wondered where I was going with that!

Now, in all honesty, we thought there would be more times the puppies would sleep curled up in our arms. Hahahahaaaaaa.....okay, so that's not happening. Maybe we dreamed up that fantasy somewhere.

For kicks and giggles we had the third pointador puppy who came to Omaha over for a play date yesterday. Perhaps you heard all the ruckus? They had a ball rolling, nipping, growling, barking, running, piddling. It was a sight to behold.

So I don't know who's craziest here. Us, or the puppies? Either way it's been fun, crazy, and full of activity. Life is just like that. And then we nap.

Smarter

I'd like to think that on this round of puppy hood, that we are smarter than your average bear. Without a doubt we are. That's making fostering them easier, plus they are so darned cute you can't help but adore them.

Major kudos go to the gal who met them when they came into the world and nurtured them their first 8 weeks. She said yes to the two pregnant females who needed a place to give birth and enter rescue. She is our hero! In fact, we figured if she could handle those 21 puppies, we ought to be able to handle two. Oh, did I mention she handled all 21 single handed? Her husband is serving our country, while she serves these puppies. She is a much braver (or crazier) woman than I!! But I love her. How could you not? Plus she has the puppies litter box trained - how smart is that!

Now, before they arrived, a group of my friends were betting how long it would take for the puppies to steal my heart. Minutes, days, hours were suggested. You can imagine my surprise when Reno fell hook, line and sinker before we were even home with them. Talk about a role reversal. It's always me saying why don't we get another dog, or another foster, or two. He is always the voice of reason. Yes, I had my surprised face on at his comment. He even asked if foster homes get a reduce adoption price! Holy crap - he's becoming me!! This could be trouble!

You just never know sometimes what saying yes to one thing will lead you too. It led a wonderful lady in CO to 21 puppies. It led us to two. Is it smart? Oh, yes. Opening your heart to love always is.

Christmas Eve

Remember when you were little? How Christmas Eve seemed like it would never, ever get here. Well, working in retail it feels the same way. But I digress.

When it finally got to Christmas Eve you knew the wait was nearly over, you knew, or at least you hoped, it was only hours before the magic happened. Waiting is not something we do easily. Not as kids, not as adults, although we do improve some with age.

In rescue we are always waiting. Waiting to save one more, waiting for foster homes, waiting-hoping-praying for the right forever home to come along. Waiting for transports to fill, waiting for home visit reports, waiting for rescue magic to happen.

We have three fosters waiting right now. Holy moley, I never thought I'd say that. So much for the "one foster dog at a time" rule. Some rules are made to be broken, the two puppies in the front room are testimony to that. Good news is they are settling in well, and we are becoming smarter foster parents in the process.

Hank is still grumbling some, Mick got chased through the kitchen and cornered by the puppies today. Sophie is no more stressed than usual - which I think is some form of progress with her.

So we find ourselves on this night of nights waiting. I am certain you are too. Waiting for the arrival, the celebration, the sacred event. Waiting for puppies to piddle, for Santa to come, for the birth of Jesus.

So from our house to yours, may the wait be easy, the gifts be heartfelt, the joys simple.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Mick, Hank, Sophie, Jr. & Queenie.

And one last thing....

Dear Santa - We tried to be good ~ the puppies. I'll try not to growl at you or the puppies ~ Hank. I'm sorry about the blanket this morning ~ Sophie. Your treats are the cookies Santa, ours are the biscuits, don't mix 'em up. ~Mick

Slow Introductions

We have been slowly introducing the puppies to Mick, Hank and Sophie. Sophie is the most interested, Hank second to Sophie. And Mick? Hey? Where is Mick hiding? We don't want to overload the "residents" with the "visitors".

I will say Hank is less grumbly about the invasion than at first. That's progress. Although I'm absolutely certain all three are cursing under their breath about the injustice of their arrival. We keep telling them it's only for a little while.

I have to wonder at the huge adjustment the pups have been through in the last few days. To go from being with 20 puppies in the huddle to just two is probably a rude awakening. There is definitely not as much coverage when they snuggle in to sleep. And, what if, in the litter these two weren't exactly bosom buddies? "Hey? How'd I get stuck with you?" "What's up with this? Mom always liked you best?" "Oh ya? Well did anyone tell you that you're a kibble hog?" Children....children...hush....

For us it's an adventure in puppy wrangling. I can see that Reno must have been an awesome partner to raise kids with. Almost makes me want another....ah, ummmm, well ......no, never mind. I will say we've broken the only one foster at a time rule in a big way, and Reno just rolls with it. In spite of all the madness you have to love a man who serenades puppies. Our roles are shifting, he's the nurturer and I'm happy to clean up the kitchen. No, this won't last, I can absolutely guarantee that.

Just like I can guarantee that about the time our dogs accept the puppies as "normal life" in this doggy dog world, that they will begin moving on to their forever homes. Our three will probably do the happy dance when that day comes. Until then it's a bit crazy around here. Crazy in a good way, in a this too shall pass way, in a dang those puppies are cute way.

They are Here!

It was a ten minute drive to home from where we picked up the puppies, Junior and Queenie. In that ten minutes they managed to rip open a 40lb bag of puppy chow. Let the fun begin.

This much I've learned....I don't have enough eyes in my head for two puppies. Puppies who are litter box trained are a Godsend. Two puppies can make an enormous racket! Our three resident dogs have gone into seclusion. I may be joining them later.

Reno, on the other hand is embracing the moment. He was even inside the puppy pen with them playing and snuggling. Sophie was not impressed, but I was. Let me say this much, they are freakin adorable. One golden in color, one black with some white on her chest. Pointer/Labrador mixes. An amusing mix of shenanigan's and hi jinx all wrapped up in some soft fur and blessed with puppy breath. I won't even mention how much they piddle and poo-poo. Did I mention how much I love that they are litter box trained?

So it begins - wild puppy days and wild puppy nights.

Invasion of the Puppies

Dear Sophie, Mick and Hank - the puppies are coming, the puppies are coming. You will behave!

You were puppies. I hope you never lose your inner puppy. You were once in need of a forever home. You can relate. Sophie, you dear, are still looking for one and it will come. You know how things work around here, I need you to be role models for the little ruffians who are taking up residence this morning.

Not to point any fingers, or name names, but Hank (yes, you Hank) there will be no grumbling at the newbies. That is why you get to go for a meet n greet with them at Petco. You get to be first at sniffing their little butts. I expect you to be a complete gentleman. And, I expect you to be enthusiastic to Mick and Sophie about how great this is going to be! Mick, I know you will play Mr. Invisible and hide out in the bedroom. Sophie - if you ever had puppies, or have a maternal side it's time to shine.

However it plays out, it's going to get interesting. Plus it will make a great "remember the Christmas we had puppies" story. Ya, the Christmas we were really crazy, or optimistic, or so tired we couldn't see straight. Or, more than likely, all of the above.

It is the least we can do. Somebody out there is waiting for a new best friend, the least we can do is provide some temporary shelter for them. Sort of like a stable long ago and a newborn taking refuge there. Yes, Reno always loves when I make analogies about our home being a stable. There are some similarities.

Temporary shelters and taking puppy steps to a forever home. We are just part of the chain of volunteers who are making this happen for these pups. Lucky puppies, and lucky us for being able to help love them to a better life.

Eating our Words

At one time or another we all eat our words. One of my brother's swore he would never get married, buy a house or wallpaper. Guess again. I always said I'd never do a puppy again. We can thank a certain, stubborn lab puppy named Abby for that quote. Well, guess what? Tomorrow I'll eat those words in duplicate.

Yup, I'm gonna give puppy hood another whirl. Fostering, that is. Tomorrow, two of the pointador puppies from Colorado temporarily join the pack. Junior and Queenie have no idea what they are getting into. For that matter, neither do Mick, Hank and Sophie. Then again, perhaps neither do we.

We know for sure, that a gal named Jessica is an angel for fostering the 21 pointer/lab puts from birth until 8 weeks. This lady deserves a dozen roses, a medal of honor, a psychiatric exam, a standing ovation and a million bonus points for being a trooper. My motto is if she could do 21 pups, we can do two. I only hope we do it as well as she has.

So a new adventure begins..... Some people prepare for Christmas week by baking and wrapping gifts. We'll spend it snuggling with puppies. We can hardly wait.

Hindsight

I had a friend comment recently "If I had known what 2010 had in store for me I never would have left 2009". Boy, ain't it the truth? She ended a relationship, lost a house to foreclosure, had a recurrence of cancer and an apartment fire. Not exactly a walk in the park. She'd like to be on the giving side of life for a while instead of receiving.

It is infinitely more humbling to receive in our time of need, than to give. Yet, it happens. We all have our "year from hell" from time-to-time and it takes our breath away. It takes our courage, our enthusiasm, our stuff, and rattles our faith.

It's comforting to know (sorta) that it happens to almost everyone. Meaning we are not alone in our struggles. Or if we are, it is a personal choice.

It's that time of year we tend to look back and weigh the blessings and the curses of the year. Hindsight - you know..... All told we have more blessings than we know, and everything we experience is a blessing. Some blessings just come in disguise. The kind that blindside you and scramble our brains like eggs in a bowl.

Years like that give us all pause to reflect, to reach out to others, to appreciate, to give thanks. In hindsight, it changes all of us.

Holiday Spirit

Here we are on the 16th of December. The stockings are not hung by the chimney with care, the tree is not trimmed, the gifts are not wrapped, some handmade gifts are not started....no pressure here! Christmas cards - yes!! Those got done so I can check them off the list.

So maybe this year feels more Grinch-like than others past. I'm not feeling all misty over tinsel and consumed by the details. Maybe this year motivation is an issue. Anyone else feel this way?

You know, that why bother feeling? Except, I always bother, and that's what bothers me. So I think if I visited Santa today I'd ask for a life swap with the dogs.

From now until Christmas I'll live Mick, Hank and Sophie's life and they can live mine. That being the case I'll have a full belly and be snoozing away right this minute. My biggest challenge will be getting to the cookies first. Okay, so that might be an everyday reality. I'll nap in the morning, the afternoon and after dinner. I may have a brief case of the zoomies daily, then again I may not.

When I'm not napping, on the sofa, the bed or under the desk, I'll be totally adorable, a bit of a heathen, and begging to go out....and then begging to come in. I'll drink from the toilet. I'll sniff obscene things in the yard. I may come when you call. See? It's not a bad gig to have.

They can do the wrapping-trimming-decorating plus work retail. Alright, Hank could work retail, Mick couldn't be bothered and Sophie would find it just frightening!! Not that I blame her.

So there you have it. I don't think dogs worry about getting everything done and having the holiday spirit. They exist in the simple pleasures of existence. What a wonderful gift that is, and not one you'd find under the Christmas tree.

Visiting Priveleges

Mr. Hanky, Reno and I had the privilege of visiting someone who follows my blog. She's been a friend for quite a while, but this was our first time to meet her. She was having hip replacement surgery at a hospital in IA, about 30 minutes away. Since she is an IA friend, I decided to take an IA dog for the visit.

Mr. Hanky came from IA originally. The dear lady who helped Hank get to rescue is a friend of the gal who had surgery. Friendship came full circle with our visit. In a way Hank was able to repay the kindnesses extended to him long ago. Not that he needed to, it was just nice he could.

It was a bitterly cold day with blowing snow and messy roads. That's how Reno got involved, by agreeing to chauffeur Hank and I to the visit. He's a good guy that way. So we bundled up. Even Hank wore a winter coat. Luckily his hand-me down coat from Pete arrived last week. The timing was perfect.

So we met a old friend who is new to us. We made her day, and that made ours. Hank was his perfect self. Not at all the dufus he is at home, much to Reno's surprise. Hearts were warmed and healing happened. It was entirely the right thing to do. And Hank would second that motion.

Puppies in our Thots

It is with a sad heart I share that one of the Pointador Puppies crossed the bridge yesterday. Their foster Mom awoke to find Karat, unresponsive and seizuring. She raced the pup to the vet but to no avail. How heartbreaking for her, for us, for all who have been rooting for these 21 pup's. Life is so precious and little lives are especially fragile. What we are all taking comfort from is that God must have needed a puppy too and chose Karat first. Rest in peace little one, rest in peace.

Adoption applications continue to come in for the other Pointadors, and one of them is being adopted to a family here in NE. I've done many home visits in Omaha for other rescues, but this was the first time I was able to do one for Pointer Rescue. May I just say, this future NE resident is one lucky dog! This puppy is well loved already!!! And they haven't even gotten the pup yet.

Plans are in the works to transport this newly adopted pup, and two other Pointadors coming here for fostering. I mean that literally. In spite of saying I wouldn't ever do a puppy again, I found myself saying we'd foster a couple of them. What was I smoking that day?

I'm totally trusting in the premise that puppies get adopted fast. Plus, others are partnering with us to help with the food expenses, and I'm told the pups are litter box trained. It will be fun, I keep telling myself!! Frankly, why get just a little crazy when you can go all the way.

Needless to say.....puppies are on the brain. RIP little Karat, enjoy your forever home across the bridge. And, keep us in your prayers as we em-bark on this new adventure in fostering.

Paws N Pilots or Angels in the Sky

You know about the 21 puppies our rescue has growing by leaps and bounds each day. Well, a challenge every rescue faces is moving those same dogs across the country to forever homes or foster homes.

Transport coordinators work tirelessly to find volunteers to drive legs of a journey from one point to another getting dogs where they need to go. The economy affects this, weather affects it, location does too. It's just plain difficult to move one dog, much less 21.

Here is the deal. We have several of the 21 pups being adopted by homes on the East coast. We need several things to happen to make this a reality. I'm not afraid to ask for a miracle so here goes.

We could use a corporate sponsor to step up to the plate and pay for moving them. I'm thinking Oprah, Rachel Ray, or Ellen DeGeneres would be suitable sponsors. Dog lovers and compassionate people. Yep, I like that idea. Pilots And Paws also comes to mind, or Pet Airways. Do any of you out there have connections with these groups? How about pulling some strings for the Pointador Puppies??

Failing that, we'd take a cash donation to hire someone. Reno comes to mind, but I may be biased. We'd need enough money for gas, some meals, some compensation for his time, someone to ride shotgun and help him wrangle puppies. Overnight accommodations would be made by other dog lovers along the route who want to help out. Heck, I'd put him in a Santa suit and let him ho-ho-ho his way across country.

You think I'm silly for putting all this in print. Haha, well I'm not. We need to move some dogs and we need your help. I've opened the door for a miracle to happen. Calling all angels in the sky to help bring this to pass.

Pull some strings people and get back to me with the details!

Free Dog - Update...again

Funny how life works sometimes. Remember the free dog from the 5:30am call? There is good news. When the owner told his Grandkids he was getting rid of the dog tomorrow they had a fit! Yea for the Grandkids. Pepper (the dog) is now living with the Grandkids. I hope and pray they dote on her every moment. She deserves some serious loving.

That it ended up this way really does not surprise me. In rescue nothing is predictable and few things are surprising. Human's are either wonderful beyond belief or more stupid than one could fathom.

Bottom line - senior dog gets to stay with family. Now that's a happy ending.

Dear Santa - can we talk???

Dear Santa - can we talk? Face it, this time of year we tend to sugar coat things and then wrap them in pretty paper with a bow on it. I'd like to not do that. What has me thinking this way? Well, it's almost time to write my Christmas letter and I feel like there are two versions. One is the expected recap of the year, and the other is the unedited version. One would be way more politically correct than the other.

The thought of putting up a tree and decorations seems like too much work this year. Maybe the fact we've had a couple weeks of the cough/sneezing/crud that's going around factors in here.

Let me cut to the chase. Santa - all I want for Christmas is to be a two income household again. No, I don't want to have to get a second job to be able to do that. I'm certain Reno wants this 1000 times more than I do. The number of people with this on their wish list is staggering. I want to not worry about the economy, the cost of health care and whether I'll die of taxation instead of natural causes.

Yes, Santa, I'm feeling a little bitchy right now. If tonight was Christmas Eve I'd caution you to think twice about the cookies and milk. They might leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

No, Santa, I'm not usually like this. I try so hard to say on the nice list. Of late many of us are bearing more weight on our shoulders than you carry in your sleigh. And right now a well said Ho-Ho-Ho isn't going to mean jack-chit. Maybe I should be sending this letter to the White House instead of the North Pole. But at least, I know you'll read this.

Perhaps now that I've vented, writing a happy holidays letter will be easier. For I know, in my heart of hearts, we are blessed. But sometimes crabby happens even in this seasons of all seasons. I promise if I encounter you in the house delivering gifts not to bitch-slap you. And, I'll tell the dogs not to growl at you either. Well, no promises with Sophie, she doesn't much like men. Even ones bearing gifts.

Six Weeks

Hard to believe it but the 21 pointador puppies I wrote about are six weeks old now. Six weeks! Just that fast. Okay, so perhaps it's been a long six weeks for the foster mom and the puppies Mom's.

Several have adoptions pending, but not all. It's time for them to find forever homes, or foster homes. These pups are somewhat centrally located. They are in Colorado. But the pups have no preconceived notion about what geographic region they want to settle in. I bet they would like to be there by Christmas, or shortly there after. Perhaps Santa can move some by sleigh.

No, I'm not saying giving/getting a puppy for a Christmas gift is a good idea. Unless you are prepared to make a life long commitment to the puppy. Just sayin' these pups need to be moved somewhere and the sooner the better.

I have to say pointers, and Labradors, are a couple of my favorite breeds. So these mixes of the two breeds give them good looks, temperament, stamina, athleticism, hunt ability and a good chance for the side splitting antics. That would be the pointer genes, no doubt.

Look at these faces, awwwwwww, too stinking cute. Look into your heart. Do you need a new best friend? Would you be willing to foster? Here's your chance, let the fun begin. To adopt, or foster please contact: www.pointerrescue.org

Hand Me Downs

Several years ago, before Sidney, Hank and Sophie, we fostered the skinniest pointer boy we'd ever seen. His name is Pete. He had a lucky red collar and was the most handsome pointer ever to come through our door. Shhh......don't tell the other dogs I said that.

Pete left the flatlands of NE to live the good life in The Big Apple. After he settled in his owners returned Pete's lucky collar to us. You might say it was a hand-me down from a really cool dog. Hank wears Pete's lucky collar now. We think it's cool.

To my suprise I had an email that Pete had outgrown his winter coat. I was amazed, no doubt the birthday lamb chops had something to do with this! They wondered if Sophie could use his old coat. I think she would probably swim in it, but, Mr. Hanky could use a coat for the bitter NE winters.

It seems most fitting (pun intended) that the dog who wears Pete's lucky collar should also wear his winter coat. Proof that the distance between hearts joined by dogs is very short. And that, sharing, hand-me downs, hand-me ups, or hand-me overs can warm both hearts and souls.

Free Dog - Update

Good news, my phone call "free dog" from the other morning is being accepted into Great Plains Pointer Rescue. That is a huge relief, and no doubt a blessing for this dog. Kudo's to the gang at Great Plains!!!

Knowing this makes that 5:30am phone call all worth while. Just being part of that team made a difference. Sure, I still wish I could have just said yes, I'll take the dog. But, sometimes you just have to know your limits.

This is one of the celebratory moments in rescue. The satisfaction of knowing you played a tiny role in making a huge difference in an animals life. An accumulation of tiny forward movements spell new homes and second chances. I'm all for that.

Random Thots

I for one am thankful no one called at 5am this morning trying to give me their dog. I am thankful Sophie was quiet all night or I'd be calling someone to take this dog.

Sophie's been with us since last January. I don't think I need to send a memo to her about what our "normal" sleeping hours are, but since we got back from Maui she has decided she likes being up at 2am. For the record, I don't.

Personally I think Sophie sleeps all but two hours a day. She gets both her allotted amount of sleep and mine. Nice to know she's sleeping vicariously for me. It did occur to me with the onset of cold weather she is not getting her daily "look at me run like a crazy girl" time in the yard. If we can't challenge her physically, we need to do so mentally.

We (Reno - not to name names) had been lax in working on confidence training with her in the evenings. So last night he got his little bowl of dog cookies, and a some mini marshmallows out and worked with her. There is something so endearing about seeing a grown man laying on the floor with a mini marshmallow on his nose for a shy dog to snarf up. Thankfully, she also has a very soft mouth. It is almost like a moth taking the treat from Reno's face. Making her think about getting those treats, and work up her courage to do so, is the equivalent of the zoomies in the yard for her.

Of late she's been a pill about going into her crate at bedtime too. Must be payback for us being gone for a few days. Helloo Sophie - we've been crating you at night forever. Or since January, which ever comes first. I don't for a moment believe you have forgotten this. Such a stubborn girl sometimes. Oh wait, perhaps if I said such a girl - the stubborn part would have been obvious. Either way, you get crated at night Little Missy. You can go on your own, or with assistance.... Assistance it is.

Assistance, the thought of it is sometimes hard to embrace. And yet, that is what we are here to do. To help others get through their fears, their worries, their walls. On a small scale it's helping a dog into her crate at night, on a large scale it's reaching out to those in need. If we are loving people, it's what we do.