Another Year

Well not much longer and another year will be history. It has been one heck of a year. One that I hope doesn't repeat. My journey to obtain Social Security Disability is almost over. Been praying that it will be in my favor. If it does come through I am planning a road trip back home, Chicago, IL. Well part of the time will be spend there and the other part will be WI. It will be good to see family and friends. There will even be a few new ones that I met when Eileen died. According to the clock 22 more Minutes until 2011. Happy New Years to ALL.

A Pittance of Time, A Tribute to our Veterans

On this day I really think of my dad and his service to his country. So that his family and future children could live live free. To grow and become whatever they wanted. Several years ago when Email was the only way to get different videos this was sent to me. I always enjoy listening to it every once in awhile to remember what are soldiers are fighting for. . Below you is the story of how this song came to be. Enjoy and take a moment to say a prayer for our veterans and our boys overseas. It is only a pittance of time.


"On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.




Terry was impressed with the stores leadership role in adopting the Legions two minutes of silence initiative. He felt that the stores contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.



When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the two minutes of silence to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.



Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the stores clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, A Pittance of Time. Terry later recorded A Pittance of Time and included it on his full-length music CD, The Power of the Dream. "



Thank You to the Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch #10 and Woodbine Height Branch #2 for their participation in the Video.

Old Memories

I have been going through some boxes of pictures and other stuff and came across a book. This book was done in 1988 by Helen Wilson, president of Pet Haven, a rescue group in Nampa ID. I had submitted this story written by my mom. And I wanted it to be published in this book to honor her. It was originally published in a Chicago, IL paper. This is a true story of something that happened to me and a doctor that had the foresight to tell my parents to get me a puppy so I wouldn't be afraid of dogs. Well you all know the outcome of that. So I hope you enjoy this little story.

PICKED BY 'HEART', SAVED BY 'LOVE'­ THAT'S RUSTY

by Mrs. R. R. Smith

Rusty wasn't chosen like most pets are. Usually when people buy a puppy they look around at a number of dogs, decide what kind and what color they want and finally choose one that fits that description. But Rusty was chosen with a little girl's hands and heart! You see - her eyes were swollen shut!

It all started in April, 1958 when Rhonda Rae was four years old. We had promised her a puppy for Easter and then, several days before, she was attacked by a large dog and bitten on the face, head and arm.

She had many stitches across the forehead and pressure bandages to control the swelling but still the eyes were swollen shut  She looked so tiny and so pathetic. One of the days when we were at the hospital to have the pressure bandage loosened I happened to mention to the doctor, "And to think we were going to get her a dog!" "Why not?" he answered. "It would be the wisest thing you could do."

Her daddy and I looked at each other and realized what , must do. A half-hour later, with Rhonda snuggled snuggled between us we set out to find a dog. At the Anti-Cruelty society we were told they did not place puppies in homes with small children. Then on to one pet shop after the other.

The day before Easter there wasn't much left in the way of pets. Finally we found a shop with two tiny puppies in the window! Rhonda groped her way blindly toward the sound of yelping and the sales lady placed the little furry ball in her arms..Her Her fingers caressed the soft fur and when the puppy licked her cheek, she smiled. We knew she had chosen this little mongrel with her heart!

In the weeks that followed Rusty and Rhonda became inseparable, so it was with heavy hearts we told her he must go  away for a little while. She was going into Children's Memorial Hospital for plastic surgery and there would be no one to look after him during the day when we were with her. We took him to a farm in Wisconsin where we felt it would be safe for him to run around until she recuperated.

The operation went fine and it was with happy hearts we set out six weeks later to pick up Rusty. We were met with sad faces and even sadder news. Rusty had been shot by hunters and although the people felt he should be put out of his misery they had waited until we arrived. Rhonda clasped her dog in her arms and with tears running down her cheeks sobbed, "He'll be all right, Daddy, cause I love him."

We brought him back to Chicago and x-rays showed he had many pellets in his head and body. One eye was almost destroyed! Even the vet felt there was no hope for him without surgery. But we had no more money and so we took him home - to die.

But Rusty didn't die! Somehow he survived. And we like to think a little girl's love pulled him through. He's blind in one eye and is so gun-shy he almost dies every Fourth of July but we love him no less for his infirmity. He is the gentlest, quietest dog on the block - loved by everyone - but loved most by a little girl who chose him with her heart!

PS Rusty passed away on Nov. 8, 1976, he was 18 yrs old

What would Dogs Do (if They weren't spending our money)

Had to take Trey to the vet this morning. Last night I was watching TV and he was walking around. Something didn't look right on his right elbow. Called him to be and he had this lump there. Well I had just gone over him a few days ago looking for mats, it wasn't there than. So for the fact it had popped up that quick I called the vet first thing this morning. Took him and the vet looked at it and said it was a hemotoma. That he most likely through himself down when he laid down and broke a blood vessel. He says they see alot of that in large dogs. Took a needle prick to see what the fluid was and it was what he thought. While I was there I talked with him about Trey's anxiety. Licking walls, his feet, the back of Brandi's crate. Freaking out when I pick up the remote, etc. The triggers that set him off are numerous. The other night has I was raising my arm to set it across the back of the couch it popped and he jumped up and the licking on the wall was on. So we are trying him on Prozac and see if it helps. I just want to give this dog some peace in his later years.

Stopped by and picked up a pair of parroletts from a friend of mine. They are sure cute little guys.

Well I have a hearing date for my disability, now if I can just hang on until then. All of my  UE stops the beginning of OCT. But things are caught up from no money this summer so just keeping my fingers crossed.

Until the next time, Love, Eat, and Pray!

What A Year, so far

Well my year just keeps getting better. not! On top of losing my best friend, in July I go and fall and mess up my ankle big time. Tried walking through Wal-Mart yesterday, lets just say I will take a pain killer before I go.

I have had to rethink alot of things lately. My disability has not come through yet and unemployment has run out so no money. Can't try to find a job because of the ankle. Can't work Belle because of the money situation. So After doing the ankle I realized that I needed to get really serious (I had been half hardly to find her a home.) about finding her a new home. She needed to be out doing something and I couldn't give her that. So a few weeks ago I laid my heart out there trying to find her a home. Well Patrick called and said he would take her and he thought he might have a home for her. So he came and got her. Right now she is staying with LJ Estes, who has Belle's mom. When Patrick gets back from Lacamas she will soon be on her way to Montana. So until sometime in the future I am out from a activity that has shown me things I never thought I could do. I have met some great people and want to tell them all thank you. I will still keep the blog but it will have tales from the 4 dogs I still have. Maybe some time in the future before Trey gets to old I will be able to run a few novice trials. Only time will tell.

Dog Rescue Groups

I never thought much about rescue groups until this last month. When my friend died I was able to get 5 of her dogs. The rest I had to be left behind, 2 because they are large dogs and the other 2 were Chihuahuas and I just couldn't catch them. I was able to find home for the 3 Chi's. But than I was left with the 2 boys. One of them was hairless. Well I knew that Eileen had worked with one gal on rescue so she was the first person I contacted. Well things finally led me to a rescue in Portland that was able to take the 2 boys. And it just happened that Susan L was headed that way.

Than just a week ago A friend of Eileen's had called me. She had got some bad news from her doctor and she would need to downsize on her dogs. So a gal I had met through the losing of EIleen, her and I went to talk with her and get pictures and info. By later that night Pam had found someone to take the 2 Chinese Crested. This gal also said she thought she could find homes for the other 2. And did she ever come through, there is a gal flying in from Maryland next week to pick the last 2. This has given Sandy such piece of mind. And for me it has shown rescues can have happy endings. And of the chi's that I said had homes well one of them has made herself quite at home here.

Waking up in Portland

I need more sunny days. Took the dogs out and I could of swore that I was in Portland or even Kodiak AK. Where is spring?

Well I think I'm finally getting back to somewhat normal life. I just made arrangments to turn the last two dogs of Eileen's over to a rescue. They are in portland and can find homes for both the boys. Plus they will get fixed. (Couldn't spell the other word this morning). My daughter in-laws sister took the youngest chihuahua, I am keeping one (I know I need another dog) she just attached herself to me. She is small and quiet. She won't be much of a problem. Bet of all the 2 queens of the roost approve. Of course it was done kinda of sneaky. Brought the dogs home (my dogs were use to them being be) and one will stay. Now if I can get on with life it would all be good.

My new baby is the black one.

Loss

Yesterday I lost my best friend, she was like a sister to me. We had the same interests and outlook on life. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have my Missy dog. I had to go get her small dogs after I heard because her husband drives truck and won't be here until Thursday. There is so much to do. Her husband and daughter will have to come to a decision on the dogs and the horses. Than I guess I will try to find them homes. I have suffered loss before but this one really is getting to me. I guess knowing that I was the last one she talked to makes it even harder. As the hours kept going past and she didn't show up to pick me up to go to Boise I tried not to think the worst. I was getting ready to call her brother and have him go by her house to see if she had fallen or something. Before I could do that I got a call from ISP with the news. With all the troubles she has weathered this past year I know that she is now at peace and a better place. Girlfriend I will miss you.

Coming Out of Retirement

I am looking at bringing Trey out of retirement. Why? Because at 8 yrs old he has decided to settle down. I have been working him a bit lately and he is so easy and is listening to me. I have even begun to start getting him to drive. Which was our big hang-up before. So we will see what happens in the next few months and hopefully he will run at the Boise Fair.

I worked both dogs today and I had a little extra help while Trey was working. My little Jack Russell Mix decided to follow us out into the field. Of course she had no idea what was about to happen. So here I was out there working Trey and the sheep see her and stop dead, by this time she is at my feet with the sheep right next to me. . So I had to get Trey back off the sheep so they would finish the turn and continue on. It was interesting to do this because having two dogs out there and keeping a eye on the sheep it made you really think on what to do next. This whole time Missy was just trying to figure out what was going on. Never barked chased or anything.

Now Miss Belle, well she was another story. She was a pistol and my timing was off and she wasn't listening so it was a minor train wreck. I think being in the kennel looking at the sheep all day is what fired her up. Anyway we are going to start working with her more often.

So everyone I hope you have a nice Easter with your Families. I'm off to Ontario to spend it with my son's in-laws.

Trial Weekend Update

Well did our first trial in a year (going to aim to do better than that this year). It was pretty cold on Saturday, might not have been if there wasn't a small wind. Novice class was the last one of the day. Remember I said the first in a year well did it show, even though we had worked a little recently (as recent as Tuesday). Belle went down and sent the sheep 4 directions I think. Crossed the course chased sheep but did eventually listen to me and came back to me.

Sunday was much better all the way around. Weather was nice, just a slight breeze that stopped once in awhile and best of all there was sun. Again our class was the last to run. I was next to last where yesterday I was first. I was really happy with her outrun and lift. She didn't hesitate at all picking the sheep up with Patrick and his dog there. That was a good start. Made our turn and started the drive. That went so-so but we did get it done. Next was the pen and between Belle not listening real well and the sheep not wanting to cooperate we timed out. Over all the weekend was a good one. Thanks to the Don, Jeanie, Patrick and Dianne for a great time.

Driving

I wonder what it would look like if someone flew overhead and could see our driving pattern. They probably would think that is one drunk bunch of sheep or a drunk BC. I think Dianne was finally speaking English today. We tried something different on helping Belle drive and she was doing pretty good. Now if we can duplicate some of that Saturday. Guess we will see.

Thanks Ellie!

Just got down reading Ellie's post and now the butterflies have kicked in for this weekend. Going to Dianne's tomorrow for a lesson. First one in a long time. My goal (no resolutions for me) is to get active again with my dogs. Saturday will be a good start, even though i have got in a few practices since the first of the year. So can't wait until Saturday. See you all than.

I can't believe my life has been so boring lately, that almost 2 months has gone by without me updating the blog. In fact I just noticed I had a couple of comments from Dec that I needed to approve. Sorry Jodi and Kathy. In answer to your question Jodi about USBCH having a rule about a bitch in season no their ins't one. I choice not to run her in consideration of other handlers with male dogs. Plus we couldn't get sheep time with Dianne with her being in heat. But we will be out there next month. I have met a neat person that will let me come and work sheep so hopefully we will get sometime on sheep before the trial. I have been sick with a sinus infection for 2 months and I think we have finally beat it. But thanks to all the antibiotics I'm dealing with another problem right now. I will be so glad to get back to normal. Well that is all I can think of for now. So I will go back to hibernation. See most of you next weekend at the clinic.