Seasons

Funny how the seasons go, even the different months within the seasons. Take Fall for example.  September is the beginning and comes with hints of Fall, and lingering Summer.  October is Fall in all it's glory.  Then comes November.  It takes on a whole new meaning.  It's a time to take stock and give thanks.  Life is like that, seasons are like that, the dogs are like that.

While it's early for "Thanksgiving" it's never too early (or too late) for thanks giving. I'm especially thankful for Mickey.  He's our resident old dude.  He is what got me into pointers.  I like to imagine he scratched, literally and figuratively, two things off his bucket list recently.  

First was a romp he took in the corn fields.  He is only loose out in front when I'm there to watch him.  There's the rub.  I had him with me, and then got chatting and forgot he was with me.  I went in and left him out.  Well, talk about doggy bliss.  Off he went on some scent-filled adventure.  He may have been tracking birds in the corn rows.  He could have been chasing the ducks on the river.  He might have been looking for deer. I'll never know and he's not telling.  But for roughly 45 minutes he had the run of his life.  For 45 minutes I had the run of my life too, looking for him. In the end, he showed up of his own accord, thirsty, happy and weary.  Come to think of it, I ended up the same way myself.

His second adventure, was less one of joy.  We came home one day to discover he had scratched the hell out of the kitchen door.  Mick, aka model citizen...Mick aka trustworthy as they come...Mick...aka pointer who sleeps all day.  What the hell Mick??  Perhaps for years he has wanted to be a bad dog. Could be he's been fighting the rebel urges for years.  We were baffled as to what made him cross over to the dark side.  We discovered he reacted out of fear.  The evil smoke detector had begun beeping because of a low battery. New note to self, Mick does not like beepers.  Maybe it's a new phobia.  Old dogs can learn new phobia's.  We have proof.  

We couldn't be mad.  Just not possible with this golden oldie canine friend. Can't help but give thanks for this old boy who teaches us new tricks.

Part of the Territory

Part of fostering is letting them in and being willing to let them go.  Another part is wondering if they will ever go.  Sometimes they just get in the door, get settled and then they move on.  Other times...like lately...it seems like it will never happen.

Now, we know better.  This isn't our first rodeo.  Although sometimes it feels like it.  We have two fosters right now.  Someone thought that would be a good idea.  Ummm....no names mentioned.  Pleading the fifth, saying it seemed like the thing to do at the time and all that jazz.  In that nameless person's defense, it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Addy has been with us since February and Wallace since August.  People are missing out I tell you.  They both will make someone a great forever friend.  We find ourselves in the meantime.  Isn't most of life spent in that time zone?  In the meantime we love them, care for them and want them to leave.  In the nicest possible way.  It's like raising teenagers...a whole lot an angst involved and you can't wait for them to leave.  And in the same moment you don't want them to go at all.

So there it is. It's just part of the territory.  Part of fostering, part of waiting, part of loving and letting go.

News from our little house on the prairie...

It's been a while since we checked in because life has been full and busy.  Lot's of stuff in our doggy dog world. 

Layla completed her first pet therapy visit.  Such a treat to get back into that type of volunteer work.  I forget some folks don't have the grace of dogs in their life on a daily basis.  Need to remember that more when life gets crazy because of said dogs!  We visited an adult residence for psych patients.  A little hard to tell if they enjoyed seeing the dogs, but you just have to trust in the magic they hold. 

Wallace would like you to know several things.  Fresh raspberries are in the northeast corner of the yard.  It doesn't take much to put your paws up on the fence and partake of them. It does not endear you to the human residents however.  He'd like to remind you that his big adorable furry self is still looking for a forever home too. With maturity (hahahahaa) and training he'd make a great pet therapy dog.  Right now, sometimes I think I need therapy because of him.  But seriously, he has what it takes folks, just need to polish him a little.  He'd also like to apologize for the window screen debacle...and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Mick went walkabout yesterday.  No fault of his own, it was my error and thankfully no harm came to him.  I got gabbing and went in the house leaving him in the front yard.  He refuses to say where he was for that 45 minutes.  I can tell you he was not down the lane, over by the river, or in any part of the corn fields I searched for 45 minutes.  He and his nose were probably in canine bliss.  It was not, however, bliss for me.  In the end, he trotted up to the porch and headed to the door just like it was a planned outing.  Phfewwww...thank dog on that one.

We've been blessed with company of late.  Hunting company and extra dogs.  Family company, traveling company.  I can remember when we moved to the middle of nowhere thinking we'd never see anyone.  Glad to be wrong on that score.  Now Addy doesn't enjoy all the company as much as we do, but by
putting a calming wrap (TTouch Wrap) it really eased her anxiety.  She breathed a sigh of relief and we did too.  All the visiting dogs appreciated that as well.

So there you have it.  Lots of life in our furry little world.  By the way, come see us some time.  We'd love to see you.

  

The Dog Days

My life seems to revolve around flowers and dogs.  Dogs and flowers, cooking, working, sleeping, repeat.  Begin again.  Granted it's bound together by faith, family and love. 

We've had a house full lately.  Our two residents and two fosters.  Well, Wallace is large enough to qualify as two dogs alone.  You wouldn't think adding one more dog would make such a difference, but it does.

Then we've also been blessed with company.  Last weekend we hosted a campout.  The back yard looked like a KOA camp grounds.  Seven tents, nine dogs total and 12 people.  It was like a three ring circus!  Wednesday we had company again, and then last night my favorite hunter was here, plus a friend and two dogs.  Here is the deal, I love the company!!  But the commotion?  My head was spinning, but it doesn't take much for that to happen.

Isn't it a delightful dilemma?  All the activity at our little quiet haven.  Life is like that whirlwinds of stimulus sometimes, peace and quiet other times.  Balancing the two so as to fill your heart with joy.  

Now Wallace is much like life lately.  Big, quiet (sometimes) and full.  Full of shenanigans, yet mellow at the same time.  You have to watch him all the time.  Face it 60+ lbs of curiosity can be a challenge.  He doesn't like to be left alone, much preferring human company.  He will eat anything that doesn't eat him first.  He's learned to give Addy wide berth, that Layla is the playful one, and that Mick is an old crab.  He's determined to get him to play, and Mick is determined not to.

I'm like life lately too.  Go, go, go...finding it hard to gear down to rejuvenate as needed.  Sometimes we need to get off the merry-go-round, even if it's so merry as we go around.   So that's my wish, for fullness of life, and the comfort of rest.  And finding the happy balance.

I'm a Helper

Everyone needs a helper.  Someone to lend a hand, or paw.  Someone to let you lean on them. To be there for you.  Someone you howl for when they are gone.

Wallace is that sort of guy.  Except he's a dog.  He's a big goober of a dog.  He drools when stressed.  He's learning the ropes.  Oh, I can't eat that rope?  How about the shoes, or the pillows, or the coffee table?? No???  Well, what can I eat?  How about that nice eggplant you picked? He is learning the finer nuances of being an indoor dog.  Like how not to fall off of the love seat.  How not to tip over the recliner.  Did I mention he's a big goober??  He's teaching me what it's like to have a shadow.  Although, he's like velcro until I go down stairs.  Wallace draws the line at stairs...and getting into cars.  Nope, can't make me.  I lifted him in the other day, had too.  All 57 lbs of him.  I won't be doing that again unless I absolutely have too. But, a good helper will lift you up sometimes.  Either physically or emotionally.

He also helps me laugh and not get too engrossed in busy things.  One must keep on eye on him at all times, less damage that way.  Hence the dog bed currently residing in the trash can, took my eyes off him for too long.  He is digging the worlds largest hole to bury his Kong in.  Helpers will dig holes to bury things in.  I'd go into depth on that but the names are being withheld to protect the innocent. He's not particularly fast, but he is consistently into mischief.  He's a juvenile delinquent in a big dog body. This too shall pass as he matures and learns the routine around here.  Okay, learning the routine will happen way before the maturity develops.

Everyone could use a helper like Wallace.  I'm pretty lucky to have this gift in my life for a while. Someone else will be lucky to have this gift for a lifetime.  All that said, do you have room in your heart for a good helper??

Old Fosters New Fosters

It's that time again...sorta.  We usually have a one foster rule here.  And, Addy is the resident foster.  She's been with us for a while, since February actually.  She is beyond the "foster" status and more like a permanent resident.  However, we still hope her forever home finds her.

So now the urge to foster another has bitten me hard.  We have the space, at least in the yard we do.  The house is another story.  What's one more for a while.  Well, one more means another life gets saved, and one also who gets the open space in the shelter.  One more means another cool dog that we get to love up on for a while. So I'm happy to announce the Wallace is coming soon.

Wallace hails from the Quincy, IL area.  He'll be our first IL foster.  Add another state to the roster bringing us up to 7 states.  Guess I have a few more states to get dogs from....  Oh honey, guess what!!

That said, kudos to Reno for never faltering when I say I want to foster.  Of course the back story is I say I want way more dogs than we ever get. Probably a very good thing.  Even so, Reno's a trooper and I love him for that.

So the journey continues, and the journey begins again.   Do you know anyone looking to adopt a dog....have I got some good ones for you!

Guest Book

Over the years I should have kept a guest book.  If I had been really organized there would be one for home guests, and another for doggie guests. Maybe the doggie one would have had more paw prints than the human version would have signatures.

Since I moved away from "home" I have a greater appreciation of guests and visitors. Not to mention a deeper understanding of home.  So we have especially enjoyed all the people who find their way to our little house on the prairie.

I have a friend who keeps a guest book...it is in the bathroom.  She figures sooner or later everyone will sit for a minute there and can sign in.  I like that idea, but don't want to copy it.  Most all who come get hugs and dinner.  I don't think it would be too much to ask for a signature or comment.  Maybe just....dang that dinner was good, or, wow you've got lots of dogs, or, pass the pie, or, you really are a crazy dog lady!  

Of course I realize you've touched our hearts by visiting, but it would be nice to see it in writing or better yet a photo journal.  Even if I never get that organized I want you to know that just by visiting you have signed the guest book in our hearts with love.  And, if you'll just give the resident doggies a treat all will be right in the world.