Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bailey’s Prayer

19 Friday Nov 2010

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, rescue dogs, talking dogs, Uncategorized, vacation

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My Dearest Bailey,

I am taking you in for surgery tomorrow for a mass on your bladder wall. I am praying that it is not cancer and simply a cyst.  Dr. Crago does not think it’s cancer since you are asymptomatic, but you have always been my mystery girl since I adopted you as a middle-aged lady. And such the Lady you are. All girl, my femme fatale, so full of love and kisses—  how you love to spoon and play catch. Today I saw this early Hannukah gift and thought the bone was a blessing for you. How excited you were when I took it out of the bog! You love a new toy so much and I love to provide you with them.

I would do anything to make you better, you know that. You are my girl, my Lady Bailey. So many people are sending you good thoughts for tomorrow, but no one more than me.

All the love I have to give you,

Mommy

Two Years Ago….

21 Wednesday Jul 2010

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Before July 20, 2008, I never knew how important a blade of grass could be or how much a dog is like a small child. Yesterday was Bailey’s two year adoption anniversary and although two years feels like such a short span of time, it seems Bailey has always been a part of our lives.

She is a dog with a personality that is human-like. She seems to know exactly what you are saying and what you are thinking. She only has to look at you and you know what she is wanting as well. And although she is safe, has two fabulous homes to live in and is extremely spoiled, yet she always wants more.

Only at night can I move from room to room without her following me everywhere. Only when she is so tired she finally, like a child, settles down. During the day, she always wants something: more food, more water, more kisses, more attention and more love.

When I researched Border Collies, I knew they were a breed who needs to be busy and we are. She goes with us on every errand and loves it. There are certain stores that allow her to come in such as Home Depot, Barnes & Noble and she is always happy when the local mall has the pet fare and she can actually go to the mall for a day. In essence, she loves to shop! She is my child. We don’t have to buy a thing, but we like to look around.

She is my sidekick in life and truly my shadow and I would not have it any other way. As we turn the page on her second anniversary I think of all we have learned – that we are both very much loved by each other and that’s the way it should be.

She was at the shelter a year before we came along. She was “the office dog,” at Angels for Animals in Canfield, Ohio, and then 3 weeks before me, someone adopted her for just 3 weeks and returned her. We are so glad that they did otherwise we would have never met this wise soul of a lady who kisses total strangers and loves to be loved. Russell and I cannot go anywhere without people telling us how beautiful, gorgeous, sweet, soft and friendly she is. It is true. She is all those things and Russell, my wise husband, says her attributes are exactly like mine. He tells me that only I could have found a dog so much like myself, but that is why he loves her so much and he really does. That is his “little girl,” as he refers to her everyday.

When we adopted a 7 year-old dog, we knew it was the right thing to do, but we could not have found a sweeter life to share. Happy Anniversary little girl, we love you very much.

Bailey and me on the day she was adopted

A Walk In the Park

04 Sunday Jul 2010

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Bailey told me she had something to say so since this really her journal, she said she wanted to write something, so I gave her the keyboard…
I LOVE going to Buehl Park! I love when Sherri & I go there. It’s so beautiful and big. She took me TWICE this week. It takes us about 20 minutes to drive there, but it is really worth it. There is so much to see and we always meet lots of people and dogs. I love seeing dogs- well at least the nice ones, like me.

I always make Sherri proud because for some reason people always stop and pet me and tell me how beautiful I am, which I have to say at age 9, I am liking a lot. No one thinks I look my age and they tell mommy that too. We both like the fact that people always think we are younger than we are- not that we are old but it’s nice to think that we are still looking good! That is important to us both, but I digress!
We had two gorgeous days in the 70’s and neither of us like the really hot weather, so it was perfect for walking in the park. We saw so many lovely flowers and we discovered an area with a fountain and little lake. What I LOVE about the park is that each time we go there we walk a different way. The park is so enormous that you can take so many different paths. Each time we seem to find new things to look at. I am anticipating how beautiful it will be this Fall.

When we walk, I sometimes think Sherri is thinking exactly like me. We usually walk for an hour but the other day we went nuts and walked for an hour and a half! I know she thinks I am the greatest – except when I beg and beg and whine for table food – but I am not stopping that! I think she is greatest too… Not many people are willing to adopt dogs in their senior years, but she had no qualms about it. I like to think I am in investment in her and Russell’s happiness. They do love the heck out of me and Safari. Russell calls me his beautiful girl and Safari his Big Sweet Boy. He loves my big, brown eyes and say Sherri and I look like each other. Some other people have said the same thing. Sherri has pretty eyes – everyone tells her that – so if mine look like hers, than that is big plus for me!

She likes to say that we both won the lotto by finding each other. I know she wonders about where I was before the shelter. I am so glad those people who adopted me before she did ( for ONLY 3 weeks) took me back. They were idiots. I don’t even remember where I was before the year in the shelter. I think I have blocked it out because wise people live one day at a time and I like to think my best life started the day they sprung me loose! This is the life I was supposed to have and them as well. I always hear them talking and Russell always tells Sherri that she was the best thing that ever happened to him and I know she feels the exact same way. They too feel like life for them began 21 years ago. They are so in love that sometimes I have to get out of the room!

Life with them is really a “walk in the park.” Today America was born. And my adoption day, July 20th, is my personal independence day and I could not be happier. I think Safari & I make them pretty darn happy too and that is just nice to know.

Don’t Leave Me Ever Again!

25 Friday Jun 2010

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I know dogs love their “peeps” but I think Bailey loves to be around us more than most dogs. I know other people who have dogs, including my sister, who has two, Max & Bella. They don’t need to be around her every minute, like Bailey does.

I can be assured that with each trip away from her, that her irritable bowel will act up following my (or our) return. Guaranteed!

After finishing a great book called Nose Down, Eyes Up, by Merrill Merkoe, I think the conversation would go something like this:

“Why do you have to leave me?  Who would rather see than me, and why can’t I go with you?” “There is a plane ride? You know how much I LOVE to go for a ride in the car, but a PLANE???”

“Bailey, I don’t think you would like a plane ride and you do go for car adventures every single week, more than one a week. And in the winter, you get to drive to another house in Florida for 3 days in the car!”
“I know, but I want to go with you everytime you leave. I don’t think it’s fair that Safari and I have to get left out of ANY trips!”

“Well, Bailey, sometimes it is not possible to take you everywhere because as you know Dogs and cats are not allowed everywhere.”

“But you take me into the bank, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble and CGrape Coffee and Wine Bar!”

“I know but those are all in Florida where they are more dog friendly! I went to Chicago and had to see my clients, the family and some old friends and collegues this trip. You would have had to stay with Max and Bella.”
“That would have been fun! I bet they would have liked me right? Are they big dogs?”

No, Bella is a teeny dog and Max is a smaller dog as well. You might have wanted to herd them!”
“You know I herd and kiss, herd and kiss…” I never got to herd any sheep like Border collies get to do, so I don’t herd with any working intentions. It’s all for fun!”

“I know Bailey, you are ALL ABOUT Fun!  They all would love you I am sure. Maybe if we ever drive to Chicago…”

“When when….?”
“I have no plan for that honey”
“See this is what I mean!”
“I am sorry Bailey, you know I think of you and Safari as my own furry kids, but you just cannot go everywhere.”
“I know that mommy, but you cannot blame me for whining, barking and trying, right?”
“No, I guess not. You both have a great life with us, don’t you think?”
“Yes I know that. You know I love treats!”
“Yes I know, but you got so worked up from my trip, now you cannot have any until your bowel settles down.”
” Yeah, Yeah. I already am sick of thet WD food.”
“Yes I know but you have to eat that till you return to normal, okay?”

“Yes, okay.I will try to get my tummy better and not be so stressed. It just seemed that you were gone forever!”

“But I was only gone for 4 days and Russell was here to take care of you!”

“I love him but you take much more of my crap then he does. You know I can manipulate you better than him!”

“I know, but I do not like that quality in you.”

“I know but you love me unconditionally and I could not ask for more than that. I feel the same way about you, mommy. That is why I never want to be without you. Not ever. Even for 4 days.”

An Upcoming Birthday…

22 Saturday May 2010

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized, vacation, Vacation by car

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This is a picture of Bailey at our private dog park that was taken after her hair started to grow in. When we she came into our lives in July, 2008, she was shaved except for her tail and around her face. May 24 is her birthday. Well, that is the day it is celebrated because that is the day she was returned to Angels for Animals in Canfield, Ohio for the second time. As I bathed her yesterday I was thinking about the paperwork I looked over when I went to see her at the shelter after getting an email from www.petfinder.com.

The papers stated that she was adopted for about 3 weeks but the young couple returned her because “she did not get along with their other pet and because she was not housebroken.”

Such lies. Bailey gets along with EVERYBODY! She loves other animals and would never hurt a fly, literally! She was incontinent, if they would have done some research or taken her to the vet as you are supposed to do when you adopt a new friend, they would have learned that she was spayed too early and most female dogs who are spayed  early will become incontinent at an earlier age. She will be turning 9 years old on the 24th and Safari will also be tunring 9. Oddly, his actual birthday is May 23th and we took that as a sign when we adopted her!

How anyone could have returned her is so beyond me. Everyone Loves Bailey! People stop us in the street to tell us how gorgeous she is and what a sweetheart of a personality she is. It’s so exciting to see her so happy and loved. She was at Angels for a year before she had the trauma of being adopted for only 3 weeks. It is no wonder she follows me everywhere and loves to be with us. She is needy in that way, but it is understandable. She thought after a year she was going to have a new home and then she gets sent right back to the shelter. Even the people at Angels loved Bailey and in July there will be the Angels for Animals Doggie Day Reunion and we will be there! Bailey loves a celebration!

We will celebrate both Safari’s and Bailey’s birthdays next week and I think how lucky we were that those stupid people did return her. They missed out on knowing and loving the most wonderful little lady on the planet. She gives us so much joy and love and makes us laugh daily with her “spin tail” and big smiles…Happy Birthday Bailey & Safari!

Coming Home…

03 Saturday Apr 2010

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Lu & Bailey after we return home!

In my world, I think everyone should share their world with a cat or a dog and why I think this would take hours to explain. The only advantage that people without pets have is that travelling is much easier. You want to go somewhere? You just pack your bags and you are ready to go. When you have furry children, it takes a lot more planning–well, at least for me it does. Leave Bailey and Safari to stay with just anyone? After my experience this summer with a boarding facility, I was not that happy and I do not think they were either. Any vet will tell you the best thing in the world when you are travelling is to leave your pets at home with a sitter. Easier said than done!

Fortunately, my girlfriend Lulu, was willing and able if I flew her down to Florida and that seemed like a small price to pay to know someone I love would be loving my kids-what is better than that–certainly not a boarding facility! I also thought it would also be good for Lulu who has been unable, like many, to find a real job in this economy and misses having pets in her life since Misha and Zoe, her cats passed away. While she would love to adopt two more cats, she is savvy enough to know that it’s not the right time, fiancially- but she will get there eventually, I am sure. In addition, she needed to get out of cold Chicago for a while and have a change of scenery.

So, with a horrible cold, she left Chicago and made the trip to Florida and did a most excellent job taking care of both Safari and Bailey. As you know, Bailey is a fairly needy dog, who needs a lot of love and attention and knowing that Lulu was there just made leaving so much better. I talked to her about keeping a diary while we were gone for 10 days. She called this the Dog Child Diaries, but perhaps it should be called the Dog & Cat Child Diaries, so Safari does not feel left out. Here is an excerpt of her diary:

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Day 1: Bailey:

My Dogma and da are leaving today on a cruise…..I hear that is a fun thing to do if you are a person or a suitcase.  Suitcases are evil, they get to go with my dogma and da on their adventure but I don’t get to go!  Suitcases suck! 

My dogma is going to miss me so much, she even took one of my poop bags with her to remember me….I bet she’s going to miss watching me poop too!

10:30 – Pill with carrots and crunchies.   11:00 – Pee break.

12:15 – Poop walk, double whammy on the Morman’s lawn…oay!  A double bagger due to the cat food fiasco the day before!

4:40 – Dinner…..finally!   I’m starving…..of course, I am always starving!

5:45: – Pee walk, saw Sharon and 2 dog pals ahead of us…….run to catch up….come on Aunty pick up the pace!!!  I wanna go with them to wherever they are going…..doesn’t matter where! I just wanna go with them…..run side by side….yes, I can keep up…yes I can!

Treats and one more crunchies meal.  Pee every hour until 9:30 pm bedtime.  Think I will keep my eyes on Aunty, I’ll sleep next to her tonight!

Day 1: Safari: There they go again…..at least I’m in my own house this time around!  Let me see how I can train this sitter!   3:00pm Shrimp treat….ok, she’s trainable!  I’m cool now!

Sunday, March 22, 2010

Day 2: Bailey

7:40:  We are going on our first walk……yippee!  Pee, pooped, and we walked down to the school and back.  No friends out today, bummer!  It’s nice and breezy but rather humid. 

8:20:  Breakfast of Champions

9:30: we start our pee walk for the day!  It’s kind of cloudy now but very windy.

10:30: Sweet potatoes, pill, small crunchies and a spoon of Newman’s …yummy!

Day 2: Safari

7:30: That lazy babysitter just won’t wake up….okay, last try….I’ll jump up on mom’s printer and hit the blinds and see what happens!  Success!  I don’t like that chopped grill shit…..I think I’ll just eat crunchies!

I want to go out in the garage……why can’t I go?  Screw what dogma said…..she’s not here!  GET ME OUTTA HERE!  Damn!  Now I’m really boycotting the chopped grill…..don’t even think about getting me to eat that crap!  Oh, now you want to brush me….well, oooohhh, that feels

good but I’m gonna pretend I don’t like it unless I can go out into the garage!  One more try, meow nicely and paw the door……..argh….BITCH!  I’m gonna pout!

2:45 – I hear the freezer door open….okay, time for my shrimp cocktail!  Hurry up!

Day 2: Bailey

12:15 – Pee /treat

1:35- PM Poop Walk & pee marking!  Treat

3:00 – Pee….White Pit bull from across the street wanted to play…..rough!  He didn’t have a collar or leash, came and peed on MY lawn!  I’m not quite sure how to react?  Aunty Lulu wouldn’t let me go….but that was a good thing!  His dad had to carry him home!  BRAT!

3:30 – Early dinner….Rain and more Rain….ugh!

11:00 – Bedtime…..I did my best milking the day for treats!  Yeah….I’m a PRO!  I’ll sleep in Aunty’s room from now on!  I’ll keep an eye on her in case she wakes up and decides she NEEDS to give me a treat!

Monday, March 23, 2010

Day 3:  Safari  7:15am – MEOW, okay lazy aunty, GET UP!  I’ll let you pet me today and ooohhh, PURRRRRR!  I’m still turning my nose up at the canned food until you let me out in the garage!!!!

Aunty Lulu:  Okay, I’ll let you into the garage for a little while and see how you are…..maybe you will be good since you got your way….pleeeeeezzzzzeeeeee?

Day 3: Bailey   

7:30am – OH, do I have to get up now?  It’s raining and dark outside!  Alright, I’ll go…..  Oh, I like the puddles but I can’t smell everybody after the rain!  Extra sniffs!

9:45 – pee break……raining still….ugh! Naptime!

10:30 – carrots, pee pill, crunchies and a bonus teaspoon of Newman’s …..oh yeah, life is good!

12:15 – pee break…..oops…..poop too!  Are we off schedule? Maybe it’s because the sun is coming out….yeah! treat? Pleze?

2:30 – we went for a major walk all the way down to Bonita Fairways and made our way back through the park…..peed at least 10x along the way, marked all my spots! 

3:00 – treat and water….hey is it dinner time yet?

3:30 – It’s gotta be close to dinner time, I’m starving!  Oh good, she’s making the chow now!

5:30 – pee break in the backyard….quickie!

6:30 – begged and waited patiently to go outside…..leashed up, walked outside, sniffed the air, turned around and dragged Aunty Lulu back inside!  Weird! 

7:40 – backyard pee quickie!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Day 1: Bailey:

My Dogma and da are leaving today on a cruise…..I hear that is a fun thing to do if you are a person or a suitcase.  Suitcases are evil, they get to go with my dogma and da on their adventure but I don’t get to go!  Suitcases suck!  My dogma is going to miss me so much, she even took one of my poop bags with her to remember me….I bet she’s going to miss watching me poop too!

10:30 – Pill with carrots and crunchies.   11:00 – Pee break.

12:15 – Poop walk, double whammy on the Morman’s lawn…oay!  A double bagger due to the cat food fiasco the day before!

4:40 – Dinner…..finally!   I’m starving…..of course, I am always starving!

5:45: – Pee walk, saw Penny and 2 dog pals ahead of us…….run to catch up….come on Aunty pick up the pace!!!  I wanna go with them to wherever they are going…..doesn’t matter where! I just wanna go with them…..run side by side….yes, I can keep up…yes I can!

Treats and one more crunchies meal.  Pee every hour until 9:30 pm bedtime.  Think I will keep my eyes on Aunty, I’ll sleep next to her tonight!

 Day 1: Safari: There they go again…..at least I’m in my own house this time around!  Let me see how I can train this sitter!   3:00pm Shrimp treat….ok, she’s trainable!  I’m cool now!

Sunday, March 22, 2010

Day 2: Bailey

7:40:  We are going on our first walk……yippee!  Pee, pooped, and we walked down to the school and back.  No friends out today, bummer!  It’s nice and breezy but rather humid. 

8:20:  Breakfast of Champions

9:30: we start our pee walk for the day!  It’s kind of cloudy now but very windy.

10:30: Sweet potatoes, pill, small crunchies and a spoon of Newman’s …yummy!

Day 2: Safari

7:30: That lazy babysitter just won’t wake up….okay, last try….I’ll jump up on mom’s printer and hit the blinds and see what happens!  Success!  I don’t like that chopped grill shit…..I think I’ll just eat crunchies!

I want to go out in the garage……why can’t I go?  Screw what dogma said…..she’s not here!  GET ME OUTTA HERE!  Damn!  Now I’m really boycotting the chopped grill…..don’t even think about getting me to eat that crap!  Oh, now you want to brush me….well, oooohhh, that feels good!

good but I’m gonna pretend I don’t like it unless I can go out into the garage!  One more try, meow nicely and paw the door……..argh….BITCH!  I’m gonna pout!

2:45 – I hear the freezer door open….okay, time for my shrimp cocktail!  Hurry up!

Day 2: Bailey

12:15 – Pee /treat

1:35- PM Poop Walk & pee marking!  Treat

3:00 – Pee….White Pit bull from across the street wanted to play…..rough!  He didn’t have a collar or leash, came and peed on MY lawn!  I’m not quite sure how to react?  Aunty Lulu wouldn’t let me go….but that was a good thing!  His dad had to carry him home!  BRAT!

3:30 – Early dinner….Rain and more Rain….ugh!

11:00 – Bedtime…..I did my best milking the day for treats!  Yeah….I’m a PRO!  I’ll sleep in Aunty’s room from now on!  I’ll keep an eye on her in case she wakes up and decides she NEEDS to give me a treat!

Monday, March 23, 2010

Day 3:  Safari  7:15am – MEOW, okay lazy aunty, GET UP!  I’ll let you pet me today and ooohhh, PURRRRRR!  I’m still turning my nose up at the canned food until you let me out in the garage!!!!

Aunty Lulu:  Okay, I’ll let you into the garage for a little while and see how you are…..maybe you will be good since you got your way….pleeeeeezzzzzeeeeee?

Day 3: Bailey   

7:30am – OH, do I have to get up now?  It’s raining and dark outside!  Alright, I’ll go…..  Oh, I like the puddles but I can’t smell everybody after the rain!  Extra sniffs!

9:45 – pee break……raining still….ugh! Naptime!

10:30 – carrots, pee pill, crunchies and a bonus teaspoon of Newman’s …..oh yeah, life is good!

12:15 – pee break…..oops…..poop too!  Are we off schedule? Maybe it’s because the sun is coming out….yeah! treat? Pleze?

2:30 – we went for a major walk all the way down to Bonita Fairways and made our way back through the park…..peed at least 10x along the way, marked all my spots! 

3:00 – treat and water….hey is it dinner time yet?

3:30 – It’s gotta be close to dinner time, I’m starving!  Oh good, she’s making the chow now!

5:30 – pee break in the backyard….quickie!

6:30 – begged and waited patiently to go outside…..leashed up, walked outside, sniffed the air, turned around and dragged Aunty Lulu back inside!  Weird! 

7:40 – backyard pee quickie!

And so it goes on and on. Who would do this for you? What a wonderful thing to come home to! I think she should start a luxurt oet sitting business. The Flying Dog Sitter! You pay and she will play! Diaries will only cost you an extra $20 – a great souvenir upon your return. I think this is a highly viable business and Lulu LOVES to travel! What more could you ask…If anyone is interested, just let me know!

Single? Get a dog!

29 Friday Jan 2010

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Recently I went to Starbucks to get a coffee. Bailey loves to go for coffee, because she knows she is going to get a little lick of whipped cream. And a man came up to me as I was leaving with my coffee to ask me what kind of dog Bailey was. He proceeded to tell me how beautiful and soft she was and he quickly whipped out his wallet and showed me a picture of his dogs a Corgie and a German Sherpard. “My mom told, me you have a picture of your dogs in your wallet but not me,” he said. Right then, I knew he was single. And after that moment, I knew he was a guy that was looking for a woman who might love him and his dogs.

I am not single. I have been happily married for many years, but after I thought about the brief chat about dogs, I recalled my girlfriends who are single and how they should get a dog! This was not the first time this has happened to me either, but for some reason, I never thought about it. Guys come up to me all the time when I am walking Bailey! When I was single I had cats- I still have a a cat and always will have cats in my life, but dogs are true men magnets and I never thought to get a dog when I was single, in hopes of engaging a nice guy who also loved animals as much as me. So why did I not think about that? Have you?

There is a wonderful a ticle by John Homans right now on the cover of New York Magazine http://nymag.com/news/features/63232/ about dogs and people. For dog lovers, or anyone who shares their life with animal companions, it is a must read article.  The love I feel for Bailey is just like having a child, so the thought of two single people meeting who both like dogs could be a great study in interpersonal communication because immediately you share a ground more common than who looks good. I mean one’s look can change over time for the good or better, but the unconditional love that is shared between an animal and their person and then yet another person is simply special.

I met my husband in a very romantic way and it could have not been more ideal and it did not involve cats or dogs, but I wish my girfriends who long to meet the right guy would just make the commitment to rescue a dog. First, I believe in the good karma it brings and second, they would be putting themselves out there in a manner that they have not yet before. Of course having a dog is unlike having a cat. It’s the total opposite. But, if you ever wondered about what it would be like to have a child in your singleness – just get a dog because the wondering will end. They are the real deal. They demand constant time and attention, money, playtime and all the love you can muster. They will take it all and give it back twofold. So if you can meet someone else who is willing to have this kind of commitment to a dog, just imagine what a wonderful relationship you might build together. With your dogs and cats, of course!

A Merry 2nd Christmas!

26 Saturday Dec 2009

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It’s only our 2nd Christmas, but it’s funny how quickly a family pet can be adopted into your normal routine of life. Sometimes I feel like Bailey has been with me forever. After finding her through www.petfinder.com and then adopting her in June, 2008, it hardly seems like this can only be our second big holiday together! If it were not for me still trying to figure out her health issues (excessive panting, excessive hunger, allergies, etc) I feel like I have known her a long time.

It’s Christmas day. Well, now it’s almost 10-pm and I have spent the better part of the evening reading about  natural dogs foods so I can test out something new. I keep thinking that this ultra allergen prescription food I have her on has something to do with her seeming to be starving all the time and maybe it’s not so ultra-allergenic at all. Much like people doctors, nutrition is not taught in Veternarian Medical school so it is up to me and many others to do the research for our furry kids. I do not want to see her suffering from itchy skin all the time. I do not know why they don’t teach medical students of all kids about nutrition – makes perfect sense that they should! We are what we eat, after all! What happened to the body is a temple? That SHOULD be taught!

Bailey continues to be such a joy, but also such a challenge with her ‘”special needs.” I know my efforts are appreciated though. Since I never had kids, the animal companions that have graced my life have taken that space in my life and I have welcomed it generously. You have to be their guide and all they ask is for love in return – that seems like a great deal to me.

I was recently reading a www.petfinder.com story about a lady who adopted a Sheltie mix which had only two years. When I read that I had thought about when I agreed to bring Bailey into our life. She was a 7 yr-old dog who had been a shelter-drop-off and in Foster care there for an entire year. No One wants an older dog. Everyone wants a puppy. You come into the dogs life when they have the most challenges and then those become yours as well. I knew that going in and that was part of the reason I wanted an older dog. They need the second chance. Today I read an article in my local paper about someone’s mantra – it was something like, recognize a need and meet a need. I liked that and that too, reminded me of Bailey. She needed me and I guess I needed her too. She teaches me things every day. You need patience to deal with an older dog who is stubborn and set in her ways. But, with a lot of love, anything is possible and while you never know how long you might have together, you have each day and the opportunity to make the best of each of them and hopefully you can celebrate many more Christmases toegther.

Riding Through Hurricane Ida….All the Way to Florida

28 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized, vacation, Vacation by car

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Are we in Florida Yet?

Hurricane Ida’s tears were punishing. From the time we rode into West Virginia, through Virginia and both North & South Carolina, the wind increased and the rain fell harder. A trucker told to to avoid the 15 mile backup on I-77 by taking Hwy 20, which we did not know wound through and around The Jefferson National Forest and was worse than if we had steered the course on 77.

But Bailey was perfect. Her second trip by car down to Southwest Flordia since her adoption in July 2008. I just think  she is so grateful for experiences in her senior years. It’s as though she just retired and is spending her pension doing new things. I am her fund through which she withdraws her adventures, the sights she gets to see. We are here two weeks today. Tomorrow is her favorite activity, The Saturday Farmer’s market, where other dogs come to strut their stuff amongst cucumbers and heads of lettuce and freshly made baked-goods. She always looks for crumbs from the popcorn maker, the bagel guy and the key lime pie creator. She knows where to look and she stops at many a booth where people tell her how soft she is, how beautiful she is and how sweet a personaliy she exhibits. There is is nary a dog who loves praise as much as she.
 
She loved the ride down here and the stops at the two hotels. Now that Bailey is a member of our furry family, we stay at suite-hotels so we have more space. Safari always keeps us up at night. The first night was bad but he behaved the second one. I dislike having to stop twice. We probably won’t do that on the way back to PA in in the Spring. At least I hope not.
 
But Bailey is a great traveller. I wonder if all dogs are? I appreciate the quality in her that makes her ready to go on any adventure. Almost daily we go to our little independent coffee/wine shop, CGrape, here in Bonita to see Mai & Drew, the owners. They have two dogs. Bailey gets to walk right in. I get my coffee and she gets a little, 1/2 mini dixie cup of whipped cream. She LOVES that she gets to go inside a “people” place. For some reason, dogs are allowed inside all kids of  places. Yesterday there was a Boston Terrier riding in the cart at Home Depot!
 
Thanksgiving just passed and I am so thankful for Bailey and Safari, of course.  There are certain women out there who think you are nothing if you don’t have a child. They are usually over-the-top people who I don’t care for anyway, but it is amazing that they think they are superior to us women whose “children” have paws and fur. I prefer it that way. My “kids” appreciate all that I do for them. They love unconditionally. We communicate without words and that takes a special ability and I am proud to have that in my soul. My greatest passion aside from loving my husband as much as I do, is my love for animals and it always will be. The ride down here is simply part of the journey of the many furry kids that have touched me.  I don’t need a special time of year to be greatful because it’s part of who I am.

Now I Know Why They Call it “Boarding…”

23 Friday Oct 2009

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florida and safari 023

I love to be home!
I love to be home!
We had planned a trip to Toronto. Initially Bailey was going to my friend Bev’s home and Safari would be staying at home alone and my neighbor Bobbie would be watching and feeding him. Then I thought, why not keep them together? I had learned about a certain “boarding facility” through Angels For Animals, which is where I had adopted Bailey. The owner had been to several Angels events, promoting his service.
I have never liked the idea of boarding and having cats my whole life, I have always had people come in to stay/feed/watch if we were going out of town. I thought perhaps I was being too critical of the process and decided I would try it and then they could stay together. This place allowed Bailey and Safari to stay in a private room they had right off the lobby. It was really for cats, but at least they could be together and Bailey would not have to be in a traditional kennel. My stepmom, Harriet, said dogs do not rationalize, but I had wondered, would Bailey think she was being sent back to shelter? The thought of that made me sick and I did not want her to think that, so if they were together, I thought she would not think such a terrible thought.
It’s a long story, but I did not like anything about their experience. When I called to check in, I learned Safari was not eating his wet food and this is a 19 lb cat who DOES NOT miss a meal! I knew he was sad and depressed. Since I work from my house, these two are horribly spoiled. I am around all the time so they are used to being around Russell and I all the time! I felt so guilty.
They said they play with the “residents” every 2-3 hours, but I think they were bored.  I am sure that our Border Collie was Bored in the Boarding facility as was our beautiful cat! I can honestly see why it’s calling boarding! They are bored with strangers they do not know.  I think this is whay they think-“When the heck are they coming back? “Why didn’t we get to go?” “Where are they anyways?” “Who the hell are these weird people?” “I want to go HOME!”
I have to admit that I am a complete homebody. Yes I enjoy going out during the day, but I am always happy to get back home as well. I LOVE being around them so much and I know they feel the same. I can never imagine not being the parent of furry kids. Pets. Even the word is nice. You “pet” an animal and you can instantly conjure up someone relaxing and stroking the little head of a cat or dog. The word “boarding” makes you think of a cage or confined situation. All I can say is never again!  I will go back to finding people to help me. That is the better way. That can be the only way!