Another Year to Say I Love You, Bailey…

31 Friday Dec 2010

Posted by in animal families, border collies, cancer in dogs, Dog walking, dog/human relationships, dogs, Florida, loving dogs, loving life, nature, New Year's Eve, rescue dogs, talking dogs, Uncategorized, vacation, Vacation by car

≈ Leave a comment

Dear Bailey,

I thought for the new year, I would just write you a letter for your blog. July marked our second year together, although I feel as though you have always been a part of my life, that is just the kind of girl that you are. You fill up each day with endless amounts of energy and love for me, Russell and Safari.

You consistently remind me of a man I once did public relations for.  He always said “leave a little piece of you wherever you go.” What he meant by that is that something as simple a grocery store clerk should be acknowledged by her badge name. “Hello Susan, how are you today? My name is Max and I hope that you are having a great day!” That was the kind of guy he was.

You remind me of him because you do that. There is so much Bailey all over Western, PA, Northern OH, and Southwest FL, everyone remembers you! Your personality alone makes people stop and talk to us – every single day. Your kind, gentle manner as well as your stunning beauty –which everyone compliments you on daily–is contagious. It worked on me the very first day I met you. One kiss – much like Russell–and I was hooked. One true kiss. So very enchanting…

This was a tough year for me with you because of the discovery of a bladder  mass in November, but you sailed through your surgery here in Florida. Remember how I slept on the floor next to you the whole night and  to the amazement of Dr. Larry, you are feeling terrific!  Our new friend Carrie gave me the idea to sleep on the floor with you, because that is what she did with her dog after its surgery. I am glad she told me that story because I know you appreciated beging snuggled up together when you felt like crap after the surgery. You and I live everyday to it’s fullest and most enjoyable capacity. I kiss your bladder everyday and we tell  it to go away now, don’t we? 

You know deep in your heart that you could never have found a better partner than me, for you. Russell thinks we are so much alike and it’s true. The two social gals…you are my assistant in all we do and they even love you at Dillards Dept. store! Kids beg to feel your soft silky coat, men and women compliment you on your perfect disposition and aside from your begging for food at the dinner table you are simply perfect.  We love you so much Bailey. You bring us laughs and joy every day and I know that we do the same for you.

Today we had fun at Doggie Park with all the big dogs, wishing them all a happy and healthy new year! Then we got home and you ate your special turkey and had a great bath. Now you will be clean and fluffy for the new year!  We will have many more fun days! We are two, middle-aged girls in love with life and I feel so blessed that we can share that life side by side, together. My wish for you is a HEALTHY 2011. I already know it will be happy because we give that to each other daily!

We get older everyday, that is true, but we can take each day to it’s splendid limits, wrap it in your boundless energy and take joy in that as we welcome in a new year with more laughs and more smiles and always, another day to say I love you Bailey…

Some Girls Simply Have Tenacity

05 Sunday Dec 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

≈ Leave a comment

Many people have told me that Bailey is just like me. She is strong willed and ahe has endless amounts of tenacity, my sister observes. She is right. She is kind and loving, affectionate and playful. She is so social that she will never understand why another dog would even bother to bark – that is not her style. She has beauty and grace and now she has cancer. But she doesn’t know she has it nor does she act like she does. There is a chance that her operation- which she came through beautifully–could have saved her, along with the pill I give her daily, and maybe all the mass was removed but it is hard to know. We will wait three months for the next ultrasound and x-ray tests. She acts like she always does. She barks whenever we eat, her appetite is fantastic and she loves us and Safari like no one else. She is the most grateful person I have ever known. I know few people as loving and grateful as Bailey. She continues to go wherever we go and wherever that is, the story is basically the same. “She has the sweetest disposition,” She is just the most beautiful girl.” “What a sweetheart.”  I do not think that a day has gone by in more than 2 years since we adopted her, that some stranger has not talked about her in some positive manner.

She is easy to talk about that way. Her easy going manner and loyal, loving ways continue to amaze us daily. How many people do that in your life? Maybe your sibling  or parent (mine does) or maybe a husband (mine does), maybe your cat (mine does), and maybe a few great friends ( you know who you are)  but that list does not extend too far beyond that. It really does not have to. Quality is much better than quantity, although I would take 20 Bailey’s into my home if I could because she is simply that special.

I told her that she will be fine. I told her not to break our hearts because she makes me, at least, a better person everyday. We learn from each other and the one thing I have always said since I was a young kid, is that the two most important things in life are good health and love and I think they need to go hand in hand to work well.

We celebrate all the seasons here so we can soak up all good blessings, with a little luck and all the love we have to give, we put our faith into the gift of good health – for that is only present we need.

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

≈ Leave a comment

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

My Turn to Write….

09 Saturday Oct 2010

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

≈ Leave a comment

 I love to walk in Buhl Park and when we were walking the other day, mommy said I could finally have a turn to write on here. I mean, it’s called Bailey’s Journal, not Sherri’s Journal! I think I want to write from now on!

We get to the park about 3 times a week. I think she feels guilty if we can’t go for whatever reason. Mommy is a busy person, but thankfully she works at her desk at home, because I would go crazy if she didn’t. I am a Border Collie and I get bored quickly. She tells me that “I always want something” and that is the truth! Usually I want food, but I am taking it easy since I just had a very bad urinary tract infection. I have to take antibiotics for two weeks which gives me the loosey goosies….One more week to go. The infection is all gone because I went for my follow-up appointment yesterday and everything checked out perfectly. I cost my mommy & daddy so much money this week and I feel bad about that, but I am 9 years old now and I require extra TLC and heck, they don’t have to send me to college or buy me a car, so they don’t mind. Mommy works very hard to give me, Safari and daddy the best of everything. It’s not my fault I got this stupid infection! Who knows how you get these things? Dr. Wendy says they are the same when women get them and I am all woman!! A Femme Fatale! Yes I am! I love being a girly girl and that makes me exactly like my mommy.

Sometimes I wish I could tell her where I was before we met because she constantly wonders about it even though she will never know – that’s the reporter in her. I cannot even remember anymore because frankly I do not care. After a year at the shelter, I had enough of sleeping in a kennel. I was the special office dog, but offices get boring too. But where was I before that? I am sure it was nothing compared to the life I have now especially since I don’t remember. Maybe I wanted to forget!  Now I get to live in two places and always bask in the sunshine. Who knew when they came to adopt me that would be the case? Certainly not me! I am a very lucky dog girl. No one would have EVER taken better care of me, of that I am sure. My parents are so loving toward each other, it’s really nice to be around them. They kiss me all the time. He calls me “his little girl” and she sings me a song she made up about me and kisses and hugs me and Safari constantly. I try hard to bring joy to their lives and I must be succeeding. She says that everyone loves me – it’s true, I must say…Everywhere we go someone stops to say how sweet and cute I am and what a nice personality I have.  I am very polite in public because I think you should be gentile. They are both extremely polite individuals. I am not polite at home when it comes to food, I admit that. I love food and I can’t believe that mommy is a food publicist! She is always talking about food, cooking food and writing about food! I love food! even Dr. Wendy told me the other day, “You sure found the right home!” I sure did.

Soon we will be travelling to our winter home in the south. I love the trip in the car more than they do! I love to stop at all the gas stations and rest stops because there are so many other dogs travelling as well and I get to meet a lot of people! My bones won’t be achy from winter’s cold which is good because because my left back leg has been bothering me. I guess I am going to start taking some Cosequin as soon as I am done with the antibiotics.

Mommy did a lot of work this morning cleaning out the garden before we went for our walk. After we went for our walk she stopped at the grocery store to get some ingredients she needed to make another pot of chicken soup since daddy has a nasty cold. She made that, made a bread and the other day she tried making a pie for the very first time and it did look just like in Country Living magazine! She was amazed herself! I only had a little drop of crust, but it sure did taste good! Now she is on load four of her laundry. She emptied the dishwasher, cleaned up the kitchen and I think she is getting tired. Oh! And she made a card for their friend’s wedding tommorow! Makes me tired just thinking about everything!

Our walk today was so beautiful. All the colors are turning in the park now. We will go on Monday again. The roofers start the big job that day- that is going to be fun to see! I have to go have some dinner now. Mommy said I could have some chicken and carrots out of the soup, mixed in with my food. I LOVE food. What else does a girl dog need? Love, Kisses, Safari, Shelter, the Park, Rides in the car and the Wind in my face. I love my life and my family more than anything.

Two Years Ago….

21 Wednesday Jul 2010

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

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

Posted by in border collies, Dog walking, dogs, loving dogs, nature, rescue dogs, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

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

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

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

≈ Leave a comment

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

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

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

Posted by in border collies, dogs, loving dogs, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

 

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!