Reaching Out

Sometimes opportunities present themselves that just say "go for it!" Sometimes those opportunities are full of fun, hectic and exciting. Sometimes they involve reaching out to help someone else. Sometimes they involve hard work and sweat.

I am almost always game for those things, and am blessed that Reno is too. Luckily we have friends who think like we do. Case in point, we had the privilege of helping a friend of a friend get moved over the weekend. Health issues made it impossible for her to finish her move. That's where my friend came in who basically said, would you? could you? How can you turn down a friend like that? Of course her prediction of a 2-3 hour job was a slight underestimation. That just gives us a little ammo to hold over her head.

Sure, it had to be one of the hottest days of the year with the heat index at 110. But that was a small issue all things considered. We got in and went to work packing, stacking, hauling and delivering. Our discomfort was not relevant to the job at hand. Yes, we were 8 of the sweatiest people in town. It did prevent us from hugging when we parted. We love each other, but not that much!

I like to think it was as humbling for us to do as for the recipient to recieve. I'm certain God nodded his head in pleasure at our efforts, as did we. Reaching out is like that. Hands joined, help given, and hope delivered. Not a bad days work.....

What Are You Good At?

Everyone has something they are good at. For Mr. Hanky - it's picking tomato's. Sure, sure, I realize for a hunting dog this is an unusual skill set. The odd part is he prefers stealth hunting for those tomato bad boys. Plus, if they are heirloom tomato's - even better. One rarely ever sees him at work, but like a tornado the path of destruction is obvious.

As an "employee" he is a really hard worker. You could say he puts his nose to the grindstone and really gets into it. One has to love his enthusiasm. But, actually, the tomato vines don't tolerate his approach. While he has a soft mouth, his head and paws are not so gentle.

Not that I have actually seen him in action. But I've seen the remains, and I've seen the chlorophyll on his muzzle and forehead. Perhaps he was a gardener in another life, or maybe he travelled the world and hacked his way through remote jungles.

This talent of his explains why our vegetable garden is a gated/fenced community. But it is what grows through the fence that tempts Hank. Maybe he needs his own garden patch. Maybe I've been out in the sun to long. Could be it's his gift to me. Long after he is gone we will reminisce about Hank and the heirloom tomato's.

And really, he looks kinda cute in chlorophyll.

Kisses on the Nose

The only complaint I have about dogs is that they refuse to tell you their story. C'mon, it's not fair. I tell them my story day in and day out. Well, they tell you their good stories with their tails, they just don't tell you when they hurt or what horrible things plagued their prior lives.

I cannot fathom what must have happened to Sophie before she came into rescue. She has been with us since January and we are still working on trust issues. Yes, she's made progress, but as far as adoption potential, she's still a challenge. It will take a person with vision to see her potential. Most people want a dog who fits into their lifestyle quickly.

Each time I take her outside I bend over and kiss her nose. I can't help but wonder how many kisses it will take to heal her past hurts. I wonder if there are enough kisses in the world for that. In all honesty, if our success as a foster home was based only on placements, we'd be somewhat of a failure. After losing Sidney, and then getting Hank with his tumors, and now little Sophie with her issues it's not looking like our streak will change anytime soon. Sometimes it is disheartening.

But, most the time, the satisfaction is in the day-to-day of fostering. It's not for the impatient, it's not for the weak, it's not for the selfish. It is a commitment. With that commitment sometimes you get kisses on the nose, most times you just give them.

At least Sophie gets hers. Maybe that is what my role in her life is meant to be.

Lovely

My dogs are just plain lovely. I think it is a pointer thing. I may be biased. If so, deal with it.

People who meet Sophie are taken with her sweet face and lovely markings. To bad those same folks don't get to see what a doll she is on the inside. It takes time for Sophie to warm up, but she's even cuter then! Some lucky person is going to adopt Sophie I just know it.

I have had many people fall in love with Mr. Hanky. Of course, who wouldn't love Mr. Hanky. Even short term he brings an increase of 100% on the happiness scale. Every fibre of his being exudes joy. He's a real Romeo too.

And Mr. Micky? He is adored by the staff at the hospital we do pet therapy visits at. Even when I tell them that he is not always a stoic soul, but in fact a top notch dufus in his own right. Still they love him.

What is not to love about dogs? And, specifically pointers? Oh, there is that bias coming out again. Let me add that getting a dog was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. Truthfully, what are the smartest decisions you ever made and does that choice give back anywhere near half as much as a dog does?

Yes, there are times I grumble, maybe even growl at scooping poop, or taking a dog out in the pouring rain, or freezing cold. There are times I wish I had all the money I have spent over the years on vet bills. Sure, I'd be driving a Lexus. But a car without dog fur is just a car.

A car, house, blouse, chair, carpet (you get my drift) without dog fur just doesn't define lovely for me. Dogs do.....especially pointers, oh, and any other dog who I am lucky enough to come in contact with.

Testing 1-2-3

There are lots of different tests we experience, school tests, relationship tests, training tests, driver education tests. Testing my patience is one I keep getting. I must be remedial. We are tested to see how calm and cool we are under pressure. Which, like today, was a laughable event.

I walked around the side yard to discover Mick on point. Now, there are several ways to point. Some are classic, some are hilarious. I found him in the hosta's, locked on point with only his butt and tail showing. If only I'd had my camera with me. Within seconds out shoots a baby bunny and it was game on. Hank and Mick chased it toward the front door through the shrubs and back into hosta's. Commence screaming. Out shoots the bunny again only to be scooped up by Mickey. At this point both the bunny and I are screaming. Not exactly an exhibition of grace under pressure. Definitely a test of verbal commands for the dogs. DROP IT I yell at Mick who does just that. Of course, then Hank swoops in and snags the bunny. Shifting gears I start yelling at Hank....you may have heard me. A rapid fire volley of commands is never a good thing. I doubt their pointer brains could register all the babble coming out of my mouth. I headed for the door and to their credit they both came. Of course, Hank still had the rabbit. He had the good grace to drop it and step over it to come inside - anything to get me to shut up I'm sure. If they could have put their paws over their ears I think they would have. Phfeewwww, crisis over. Well, not for the bunny. RIP little bunny.

Now, some folk just don't test well. Like me in the heat of the moment. Sophie has had several meet n greets lately, but just doesn't test well. I feel bad no one gets to see the sweetheart she is. It takes time to see the real her. I hope and pray someone can see past the present into a wonderful future with her.

Maybe, just maybe, she will pass the "I'm So Lovable" test. Until then, she can stay with us. It's okay Sophie, your forever home will find you just as surely tests will find us.

Curled Up

I am always fascinated by how the dogs curl up. Their paws are their pillow, their fur is their blanket. At this moment Hank and Sophie are curled up at my feet while I write. The ability to just be at rest, safe, loved, belly's full, warm, dry, cool, tired, well loved....is that not a complete blessing in life?? They are content. Drifting and dreaming in their own doggy dog world. Happy to be close to me. Just as I am happy to be close to them.

I do envy how easily they curl up, legs tucked in, snug as a bug in a rug. They don't need their Advil to go to sleep, nor do the have to have the pillows fluffed and placed just right. They don't toss and turn like we do. They can open their eyes to check on me and drift right back to sleep. They can be up in a flash and alert ready to follow me where ever I might head. I've never seen them walk on sleepy feet with eyes barely open like I do with them early in the morning.

They just are. They just do. They just be. They don't need that cup of java to be ready for the day. Although a Beggin Strip never hurts the moment either. They never think, dang, I really need a big glass of wine. That is not to say they don't think. They do, we are just not privy to their thoughts.

They may think we are the biggest dorks in the world, but we have control of the kibble, so they keep us around. They may think we are gods and goddess's of all that is good in the world. I, for one, will not tell them otherwise. They may think that dress does make me look fat, but only gaze at me with eye's of love. I love that about them.

So they rest, curled up at my feet. Ahhhh, life is good.

Money Money Money

In all honesty we've been dealing with unemployment and a crappy economy for a long time now. We are not alone. Many, many are suffering and way more than we are. In spite of the challenges we are incredibly blessed even with our current situation.

The dogs don't know it and don't care. They dig having someone home daily. It works for them. Ohhhh let me out, ohhh, its hot, let me in......repeat.

If you are looking at my blog, and I hope you are, you will see it now has advertising on it. Part of me is appalled to see this. Yes, I chose to "monetize" my blog. Uh-huh, I realize I won't get rich (monetarily speaking) either. I may make a little bit from this. if so, every little bit helps. And honestly, if it was up to me I would only have dog related advertising on my blog, wonder how I set that up. I rather hate the new look of it. But, and there is aways a but, I'm going to give it a whirl. Please don't let the commercialism dissuade you. Feel free to click on those links. It sort of like clicker training for humans.

It's still me here, living in my doggy dog world. And I'd love to still share it with you.