Names

I am going to start a list of great names for dogs. Future dogs, because you never know when you might need one. If we got a really gnarly foster we could name it Crusty or Gnarly, for that matter. Bracken is another good one. Skeezix, Okra, Keeper, Loner, Nugget, Pinot, Gracie....so many names.

Of course the flip side is the list that would be amusing, but not quite politically correct. Dip shit, Numbskull, Nerdbait, Bonehead, Goofball, Dopey, Moron, Trouble, and a whole slew of left handed slang names.

Days have names. Not just your basic Mon-Tues-Weds. Today, for example could be called melancholy-day. Another day might be Sad-turday. Or someday it might be Excitaday.

I am definitely melancholy today. It will pass. I want to wallow. I want to look back and wish things didn't change. I want all that, all this and all there is to come. Yep, I know it doesn't work that way. I think I have my house sold and that is why I am blue. See? Days have colors too, not just names. It is hard to let go of good things, even when better things come your way. I am attached, invested, and sometimes a chicken shit about letting go. Of course this means some tears are on the horizon. It's what I do. I'll be weepy and then be stronger because of it.

And I'll have good names like Reno, Mick, Layla and Mr. Hanky to help me through the transition.

Resting Places

Now, you could take that title many different ways. I was pondering the houses we own/rent. We one a home in one city and rent a home in another. I've always dreamed of having a "vacation" home, but didn't think this would be it. When we visit the home we own, it's not for vacation purposes. But we do rest our head there sometimes at night.

We have more dog crates in the rental than we have bedrooms. That is counting the one in the garage, but nobody has to sleep there. If you add the dog bed to that, the dogs have more places to rest that we do in the house. If you add the sofa and recliner that number gets even more impressive. Although we do sometimes get to rest on those surfaces if the dogs let us.

As always it's a lesson in what we really need in life. The size of the house does not matter, the size of the life we live does. There are comforts to be found in each. Some are more spacious comforts, some are small and cozy. All give us a place to rest our body and soul.

Home Finds You

Sometimes home finds you. Sometimes you find home. Sometimes temporary becomes permanent. Sometimes you gotta go with your gut.

As fostering goes, Ms. Layla OliveOyl Sooner of Girard has become a classic foster failure. I figure, two failures out of 12 fosters is not bad. Heck, two over the course of 11 years is not bad. I think we were way over due.

It happens. Sometimes you just open your heart and can't let go. Do you wonder if its the right thing, yep, you do. I first suspected a failure when I had trouble writing her profile. I wanted to say horrible dog, not adoptable. Of course I knew that wasn't true. More like adorable dog, totally adoptable we want her for ourselves!

So I wrote the profile. Then we talked, pondered, and wondered. Should we or shouldn't we. In the end we did.

Layla left the ranks of foster and joined the ranks of forever. Welcome home little darling!

I Like It

If someone asked Layla what she thinks of foster care I believe she'd say the following:

It's beats being on the street.
They won't let me chew on any baskets,or table legs, what's up with that?
Or rugs, they are off limits too.

And there is this damn thing that squirts water at me. What the hell?

However, the recliner is pretty sweet.
The food ain't bad.
The hands are gentle.
Plenty of water.
Treats, OMG, the treats.
Scrambled eggs, me likey.

And there is this damn thing that squirts water at me. What the hell?

However, the toys are cool.
The bones rock with all manner of goodies stuffed inside.
Soft blankets.
Dry feet.
No tight chains around my neck.

A couple of old dogs for playmates. Kinda like the two old men from the Muppet Show. Amusing, but old.

Did I mention the gentle hands?
Regular food?
The recliner.
Treats.....

Oh, yes, I like it here.

Comforts of Home

It is always such a treat to observe new foster dogs as they learn to simply be a dog and to enjoy the comforts life can offer them. Adequate food, gentle hands, toys, comfortable collars. These are the very basic things we provide our beloved pets and fosters.

Layla is adapting easily, almost seamlessly into our household. She has decided all the toys should be corralled and kept in a pile under the kitchen table. She sees an adorable pointer in the reflection of the oven door, and the dishwasher door. She initiates play with that reflection, but sadly it won't play back.

The food is quite to her liking. Although having starved to the point of emaciation she probably thinks any food is good food. But she's enjoyed scrambled eggs, home cooked chicken, cottage cheese, yogurt and home made treats. Of late, I've been cooking so much for the dogs I feel like I should start a business catering to dogs. Maybe they could rate the canine cuisine by a show of paws.

She is inquisitive, but not stressed. Always a good thing with a foster. Her whole life changed and she's embracing it. Yes, she gets into mischief, but she takes correction well. Another good thing in a foster. Walking her is entertaining. A lot of zigzagging movement, some forward motion, some standing still and refusing to move.

She did discover the recliner tonight. I'm certain she considers it a throne that royalty such as herself should enjoy to the max. If she could talk she'd be saying "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas any more". But there is no place like home, even if it is a foster home.

Geographically Speaking

I seem to be living/traveling vicariously through my dogs. Especially the fosters. For example, Sidney came from Oklahoma, Hank and Pete from Iowa, Sophie from Nebraska, Kobe and Layla from Kansas, Mickey from Missouri, Snowflake from Tennessee, JR and Queenie from Colorado. There was also Buddy, Bo and Jackson...ummmm...I can't remember their states of origin. Adoptive homes took two to NY state, others went to Mississippi, New Mexico, Minnesota, a couple stayed in Nebraska. Only one was a foster failure, so far. Several, sadly, have crossed the bridge.

Layla and Pete could be siblings, or second cousins twice removed. It amazes me how similar they are. Even right down to the nickname skeletor. Kobe had a face only a mother could love. Sidney was my butterfly boy. Hank is my only permanent foster and frankly we couldn't have been more blessed to share his life. Sophie taught us all about patience.

And then there is the whole network of friends I've made all over the country, and the world, who also help dogs. What a delight it would be to actually meet them all!

I may not travel much, but through the dogs I get around. All of this because I wanted to give back to rescue after adopting Mick. Funny thing is, all these years of giving back and I have yet to give back a tenth of the joy I receive from helping the dogs. It is the road I travel and geographically speaking it has been dogged with blessings.

Ohhh, nice digs...

So far, says Layla, all my needs are being met. Well, there was the whole water torture episode, I don't think I deserved that, but I lived through it. The nice lady got in the large ceramic bowl thingy and held me. The not-very-scary man got me wet and helped scrub me. It was scary, sort of.

I still have a ring around my neck. That is from where the chain was tight around my neck. When I was found it had to be cut off, and my fur is discolored from it. They wish I could tell my story, but we all know dogs don't really tell stories.

My hips and ribs tell a bit of my story. I was hungry, very hungry. So far I've had kibble, pancakes and even some cat food. Frankly, I've been so hungry even cat food is good. I just hope there are no cats in it. I get cookies here too. Not the kind huMom's eat, special ones just for Hank, Mick and I.

Mick is a cool dude. Hank is kind of a grumble butt. But they seem to like him, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I have a tiny condo also known as a crate. I have soft blankets and a fenced yard. They like me here, and I like it so far too. Guess I'll stay for a while..... ~Layla