Bella Beats the Odds

It was a busy transport weekend. Saturday it took 5 drivers/cars to take all the Quincy K9 Connection 
critters who were northbound. What a bunch of fantastic and happy dogs we moved! It never ceases to amaze me at how rewarding this is. At the same time the greatest reward would be to never have to do it because all dogs are loved and cared for throughout their entire lives.

Bella on one of the last "legs" of her journey

Sunday we transport a solo pooch, Bella, a gorgeous black and tan GSD. She had tremendous markings, a great personality, and a horrendous story. Imagine a German Shepherd, at almost 2 yrs of age, weighing 29.5 lbs. Furthermore imagine her being in a crate that would be good for a Beagle mix, nothing to eat or drink except what she "eliminated" herself. Long story short, she was nursed back to health, seems immensely socialized and loved now and is in a foster home after spending 2 days going from car to car and crossing several state lines.

Comeback Kid

Admittedly blogging failed to make the "priorities" list for the past year or so. However, life happens and now mine is shaping up again so I'll be writing more often.

Let me start with including a photo of our little foster girl, Toodles. See her above, clearly taking command. She's only here through tonight and then she's hitching a ride on the Transport Trail, taking the Hinsdale, IL bound route. Thanks to Quincy K9 Connection, for alerting me of her need to be fostered and then arranging for her to go to open arms! Isn't she precious? We're thankful for our six, all of whom adore her, but we're at our manageable limit right now! Fostering, like blogging, may be making a comeback in my life!

All right...I'm warmed up now. Let's see what cleverness I can come up with in the very near future!

Dog Spasms or Muscle Spasms - Need Help, Please

OK, I'm writing again. What else can one do when there is a blizzard underway outside, the local TV station, which provides network access, is "out", and one of the owned dogs is having his fit. I don't know what else to call it. Let me carry on and describe it. Maybe someone has an idea.

Tripp, who is between 9 and 12, started gnawing at his "privates" a few months ago. It was ignored and written off as "...we just won't take him in public...". Well, it's gotten worse. We tried allergy medicine - nope. We tried Atopica - nope. He's had urine and blood work done: normal. And, yet, the spasms are occurring closer together.

It's not epilepsy. The vet says it's mild muscle spasms. They are lasting 3-4 hours now. He whines and/or barks for the duration. Eventually his hips start gyrating if we let him go. If we put a hand on him or use the vacuum cleaner, actually vacuum his back, front, sides, he's fine. The deeper into the spasm the more desperate the barks and he begins to pant relentlessly.

We give him calming medicine as soon as we hear the bark that signals a spasm session is on its way.

This is heartbreaking. We want to figure out what it is but no one seems to have a clue. I've watched YOUTUBE videos of seizures and this seems different. He knows what is going on and is very actively involved in it. It gets a bit odd, watching him "in the act" of having this. We know he is miserable. He barks incessantly as if he is trying to tell us something.

We are at a loss. It's getting worse. What was once every few weeks and for a short time has quickly become every couple of days (3 since 12/13) and lasting anywhere from 2-4 hours.

Help.

My best friend and I have to do most of our communicating on the telephone rather than in person because we are hundreds of miles apart. Our conversations are always interesting and we both end up laughing till we ache about stuff that we find hilarious in our own strange ways. When she relays stories to me about incidents in her life she uses a prelude to the "punch line", "wait for it..."

Makes me think about all the pets in all the shelters who have to hear that in a not-so-funny way. There they are, day in day out, the lucky ones that is, hopeful that the footsteps they hear bring a person or people who will take one look and fall in love. They yearn to leave the cold surroundings, no matter how many workers or volunteers try to cheer up shelters, they remain cold, as in lonely. They want to snuggle up with someone and give out that extra large sigh of relief that comes when they know they are home. To them, "wait for it" is not good news. It means another day is crossed off; it may mean they run out of opportunities soon. We want to believe their water dishes are "half full" and that it means someone is filling out the forms to complete the adoption! 

How grand that would be! And, with that, what good fortune we have had to be able to help transport rescued pets to no-kill facilities again this year. Although 2012 closes out soon we all give that deep sigh of relief that comes when WE know so many lives are saved. For being able to do this we are thankful.

This past weekend I arrived at our pick up point early enough to go inside and grab something to eat. Lucky for me I found a single banana and that was exactly what I wanted. Not that I wouldn't have plucked one from the bunch but this was easy in a - grab & go - way. OK, it was a sign for me - GET SOMETHING HEALTHY. I took it straight to the self check-out (something creepy about calling it that now that I write it). Rang up my banana for a whole 20 cents, put in my quarter, got my nickel back and wait for it....

GOT A GIFT RECEIPT. 

This week the sweetest reference to an older dog was given to me, oh, on someone else's Facebook posting. It's calling the dog "sugar-faced"! How darling is that? I have three sugar-faced pups myself and just love looking at how wisdom shows up in expressions. Now I see them as having been caught dipping into the sugar bag of life - loving every minute of it. As I sat with them this morning for our early morning pet-a-thon session once again I was reminded of how in the moment they all are, no matter what their age or experience. Dogs love us every moment they have us and we have them. What a joy it is to know that and to feel that.

How do I know? If you have a dog you're not asking that question. If you don't then it is simply this: Look into their faces and see the emotions. Watch how they huddle in to cuddle. They read us better than we read them. It doesn't take long for a dog to figure out a person. 

Saturday's transport was wild in that we had a big boy who had to stay in his crate because he was stressed. It took four of us to balance 130 lbs plus the crate and lift it into the car! He was relieved he didn't have to get in and out and up and down. He knew he could trust us. His face revealed it instantly. He, like all the others, figured out what we this group of humans does is good.

Thanks to all transporters and groups/individuals, coordinators, drivers, shelters, fosters and adopters. Personal thanks to Quincy K9 Connection for the dedication and success they have!

Make some critter's life better; be a pet parent, but do it before Christmas or after, not during the hectic rush! Why wait?

Two in One

Okay a pre-post note: Our internet service has been upgraded and I feel we have joined the 21st century which we all know is all about technology. Indeed, there are two postings today.

There's another friend in my life who you should know. Her name is Shawn. We have never met. The aforementioned technology brought us together, in fact it was blogs! She's been worse at keeping hers updated this past year than I have but that is not what has made her my friend. She's a special person and tackles monstrous tasks such as re-doing her home and yard, taking up running at a time in life we usually sit back and watch others, and travels with her work and for pleasure. Plus she simply shimmers and buzzes with life.

How do I know this since we've never spent time together? I see it in her writing. It's in the photos of her on FB and in her blog. She thinks positively and holds her friends in high regard. She is accomplished. She is surrounded by action yet is introspective and self-challenging. I greatly admire her.

Since I am committed to the title of my blog, my dogs and cats would love Shawn. She's the kind of person who actually is the kind they think I am!

Travels with Becky



Becky in Batavia



Ever notice how anticipating a visit with someone goes on and on and on? When the visit occurs time flies. Well, my best buddy, Becky, was here FINALLY just over a week ago.

I actually took time off from petsitting. I know I know. Hard to imagine. But I did. And, I didn't do rescue transport - Ed substituted for me while Becky and I traipsed around northern and central IL. We had a grand old time. Next will be my trip out to visit her in Colorado. It is with unending gratitude I give thanks for her life and friendship!

We went to Morton Arboretum in Downers Grove, IL, to Geneva, IL, to Long Grove, IL, and to Fabyan Park in Batavia, IL. Oh, and we had breakfast at my parents' favorite place, drove by the home where I grew up (yes, it is still standing), and visited the cemetery where they and my paternal grandparents are buried. This last experience had more of an impact on me than I expected, aka, lump-in-throat. It was a place I hadn't been in a few years and had never seen the stone we put up for my parents.

Funny or not?::::::So as I'm driving around, getting back into the routine, I really concentrate as now I have a 6-speed and it's small. Tough to do anything other than drive and notice how others drive. In two days I saw a woman driving Rte 29 early in the a.m., apparently going to do a presentation for she had her copy of her materials propped on the steering wheel and was either practicing or was also on the cell phone. Yipes. Then at noon the next day, as I crossed from the west side of Springpatch to get back to my home, I was followed by a man brushing his teeth. Yup. He pulled out of an insurance company lot, we stopped for a light and he commenced to brush. Thought he'd be done when we started out again but nope. He was fiercely committed to brushing. Double yipes. What's with this? You just never know who is watching and who will put it in a blog post. I will watch my own driving more, just in case.

Yes, it has been awhile since I posted and I have no excuse. Had all sorts of notes about other spottings and topics of interest to me but then it's not all about me. I know that and continue to work on applying life's lessons accordingly!  In the meantime, as I sort through scraps of paper I know I'll uncover all those topics, reflect, and determine if they are worthy of a post. If they have to do with a strong friendship or critters you may see them evolve!
Till we meet again, here's a few recent photos.

Batavia park

Down the Road to Decatur

There's nothing like a friend saying, "Liked your blog. Looking forward to the next entry." to inspire a person to write. I'm just sayin'...

to be me or not to be me?

Off we went today, on a playday. At our nearly or merely ripe ages that means taking a field trip to another town. In this case, Decatur, IL. You might ask, "Why?" or "Huh?" or even, "What's there?". Maybe you don't ask but let's say you do as I can tell you. Have I lost my head?

local architecture sample

There's a wonderful gift/office/gourmet/book/furniture store (H & E) to stroll around in and get ideas or even make a purchase of something unusual. Find the coffee house, down on West Main, called Wildflower. Goodies are from Pakera in Champaign and if you don't indulge you'll surely enjoy looking at them. It's a very eclectic setting and long ago I coined the word, "eclectian" as I am one! We had quiche (me), a croissant (Ed feeling French), a frappe and a smoothie. There's some energy! We did make it to the sunflower (only in French) gift shop where I purchased two books, but not to the art galleries :-(.  But I took photos - hope you like 'em!  Regardless, I am into these wonderful little books of big quotes, this time, well "Time" and "Peace".

Peace - "One by one we can be the better world we wish for." Kobi Yamada

Time - "Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with them." (unknown but let me claim it!!)

See how important it is to read such inspirations? I'm surrounded by inspiring and wise souls - 6 dogs and 3 cats and 1 magnificent husband. Fortune is mine right there but golly-gee, I've got some terrific friends, have a great education, spent good year with wonderful employers, have my health and am doing all I can to give back to my community and beyond. It's not always easy but it is always rewarding. Sometimes it's as simple as saying to someone else, "Pay It Forward". So, do.

as in "what the...?"

Summer Reading Program

Every summer the local library conducts a children's reading program. It always seems to be a load of fun and my traditional input is to request the same for the adult readers in the community. We have winter, with Cabin Fever - a joyful experience on its own but a summer program would be welcomed too. There doesn't have to be an end of the program potluck; we'd manage!

This year I've noticed a tendency in my own summer reading: there's always some sort of theme. One year, OK two or three years, it has been dogs and assorted other typically 4-legged creatures. When THE HELP was published I found myself reading it, along with several other southern novels, all which drew me to take a trip below the Mason Dixon line. 2012 finds me reading my second Young Adult novel! Mercy you say - aren't those easy reading?

They are not always easy reading if you choose carefully and I have chosen WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS and THE YEARLING. Both explore relationships with animals. Both have young people as main characters. Both include richness in dialogue, character development, and moral messages. Their appeal is not limited to the pre-teen or early teen group. I'm distanced from that age range by a good country mile.

So if you're hankering for some down-to-earth novels that every one of us should experience, check those two out. If you cried at OLD YELLER, if you are a friend of Flicka, if THE VELVETEEN RABBIT makes you feel real, if you punned your way thru THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH and found your way to the library then you'll love these books! Check it out. What a novel idea.

Snoqualmie point walk with beagles

Kevin and the beagles

Bob with Mt Si in distance

Brew barking - not a surprise

Brew looking for dog tracks

Brew and Bob Skijoring!

Can you skijor with beagles? Well, it turns out that it is possible.
Today, Kevin and I took the beagles skijoring. They had a great time running in the snow. We went about 4 kilometers with them. Surprisingly, once they were running, they pretty much went straight. The next time we go I think we will have a couple of additional equipment items - harness for us to wear so you don't have to hang onto the leash and at minimum an 8 ft leash.

Here is a video of Brew and Kevin. (click on links at bottom of pictures to watch the videos)

From Beagles Skijoring 2012

Here is Bob

From Beagles Skijoring 2012

I guess we will need to teach the beagles these commands as well.
http://www.skijornow.com/skijornowhome.html

Hair Ice discovered on a morning walk with the beagles

http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrcarter/ice/diurnal/wood/

Happy New Year!

Beagles on their 1st walk of the year

Happy Holidays from Team Beagle

Damaged Goods

Sure enough, we were bound and determined we were going to be do-gooders this holiday. It comes upon us suddenly and we get tunnel vision regarding all else going on in our lives. Off we go, cheerfully convinced that no harm will come from our being away from home on a Wednesday night.

Wrong. Wrong, wrong-wrong.

Fast forward only about 3 hours. In that time it became quite apparent that someone within the confines of the household had realized he has a deficiency in both wood and plastic. It had to be Baxter.

We're not sure what he started with but we know he developed a taste for hard plastic a few weeks ago when he went after a cordless phone. Highly likely this outburst resulted from a caller wanting to reduce his interest rate on all his credit cards. Baxter does not like nagging callers, especially when they don't have anything any of us want. Really.

We let that go.

However, that same evening (and I'm still building the background for you here) he also yielded to the temptation of the TV remote control. It's never been necessary to hide this from the dogs; they get to decide what to watch 90% of the time. We leave Clifford on TV when we go away, or Garrison on the radio. But not planning to be gone long and it being nighttime we figured, "Anh, we'll let them sleep." We could only hope he wanted to watch something on PBS to get him and his companions thru the angst associated with the ringing phone now ringing, crippled and sprawled, on the floor. Besides, it still worked, looking a little less together and more like the Velveteen Rabbit, "loved".


We let that go. We learned nothing from the experience.

Back to last night; stay with me here. We walk in after helping do the prep work for 230 Thanksgiving meals. Yup. That's right. I did say "do-gooders". We were thankful for being able to help and in high spirits as we opened the door.

And, there it all was - the aftermath: indoor dog party. There must have been a fling contest of coasters for they were scattered all about the living room. Granted one of the dogs loves to play frisbee/bring it but she knows to keep that outside. It had to be Baxter.

His tell-tale teeth marks were on the wooden holder for the coasters. Gnawed. DNA testing not required. Guilt confirmed by the pointing of the paws of his so-called pals and the sad sack, "I'm so sorry, Mom. I couldn't help myself. They made me do it" eyes. Baxter led us to the remnants of the remote control. No longer would it serve its intended purpose. Fortunately after the last adventure we'd ordered a replacement which had remained in its secret box. Bits of silver plastic appeared under furniture which had been sat upon during the free for all.

Any pet owner who thinks they have control, remote control or otherwise, needs to think again!

Book Covers

Once again it became clear to us how much is missed when people are judged by appearance. Ed recently underwent brain surgery (the previously mentioned benign tumor - gone). While several of us waited in the surgical waiting room we observed a pair of people upon whom most would turn their backs. Our group didn't "mix" with them but observed. One of them even came over and took a muffin from the stash a friend of ours had brought! We all chuckled over it and moved on with our waiting, waiting, waiting.

It turned out the unlikely couple's friend took the room across from Ed's so we saw more coming and going over a few days. One of the pair visited regularly, oddly dressed. We had glimpses of a wig on a chair and high heels but the room belonged to a guy so we weren't sure who was who or what was what.

Then, the young man (patient) occupying the room came over. He brought Ed a handmade card. Origami. A shirt. With a get well message neatly printed and a word of praise for God. It was moving. It changed me as it seems so many actions these days do. As Ed said, this young man, ill, probably homeless or close to it, reached out and gave us a clear example of the commandment - Love Thy Neighbor.

Sadly it took this to get me to go speak with him but I did and I admit I'm still baby-stepping my way to being God's humble servant. But I did talk to him and did wish him Godspeed at the end of Ed's stay.

There's so much to learn, so much for which to be thankful.

Gone. Summer '11.

Ah, deep breath. The circle of life. It shows up sometimes in a tight formation, other times loose and large. I like living large. This summer has been smaller, concentric circles.

First, an actual vacation for me - going to camp in early August, at the height of the heat. Challenged to climb a Ozark mountain, I did it, in spite of near heat-exhaustion. Yes, I wondered if dying in the woods was my fate. Alas, it was not so the blog goes on and on, and maybe, on....

Then, shortly upon coming back we learned my husband will have BENIGN brain tumor surgery in later September. Humor moment: It explains a lot of things. Reality moment: It sucks and it is scary in spite of the stated status and predicted outcome.

So circles of life have been developing. The planning and execution of the vacation, the inclusion of loads of new friends into the big circle of acquaintances and friends, some maybe for life, others for this once a year adventure. This circle is very elastic and has opened up to bring back into it a couple of long time but lost friends.

All around it are the daily circles which are newly created to accommodate what will happen next. There's an exercise regime to keep too much weight from being added because "the mister" is on steroids. That's an actual physical circle of riding bikes in the mornings. We have the circle of errands to run to stock up on stuff that he thinks he needs on hand so I don't have to run out during his recuperation time. Chances are extremely high I will have forgotten something. Please. I'll need to go somewhere sometime.

More so, there is the circle of support. Prayer is immense and I've actually learned (hush) it is an act of service. Truth told, I sorta poo-poo'd some who cavalierly said "We'll pray..." but I have learned those who are really good at it are serving. It's not a substitute for action. It is an action. And, it is a much needed one.
Folks also offer to do stuff but at this point I'm not sure what it would or will be. The lawn's not growing so there's no mowing to do for awhile - maybe next spring! We are fortunate not to "need" anything. So, what will be best is for people to come and visit.

Of course, it's obvious to me this is a time you-know-who thinks long and hard about the circle of life in the philosophical sense. Has he done it right? Has he done all he wants? What difference has he made? Is there such a thing as a legacy and what is his? What will happen IF...(lots of fill-ins)? Fortunately we've had these kinds of conversations over the years. We know. All is well. What matters is being at peace with who each of us has been, is and will be. It ain't over till the pearly gates open!

Brew at Enumclaw 08.21.11

Off to another show to see if we could improve our Rally Advanced scores.  While we could move up to Rally Excellent and pursue our next title, I decided we should have a few more rounds of practice at the Advanced level.  And today, we did do much better with a score of 94.  The course was fun and included a lot of different elements.  The ring stewards at the show to my surprise were my instructors and training partners so the pressure was on.  I'm sure in Rally class tomorrow, Debbie will be pointing out all my flaws.  LOL  Helen gave me a great complement and said that Brew's attention on me was wonderful.  And after watching the video, I was very proud of Brew's attention.

Brew at Portland - Beagle Specialty and Team Rally

Back in July, Brew and I competed at the Beagle Specialty in Portland. At the Beagle Specialty, we entered in Novice Obedience and got a score of 176/200. Not our best performance but we were the only beagle entered in Obedience so we got 1st. LOL.

In the afternoon, we competed in Rally Advanced. In Rally, we were joined by other beagle competitors, although they weren't in our class at least we had beagle company. We got an 88/100 and our 3rd and final leg towards his Rally Advanced certificate. (So we added some more letters after his name - RA).

On Saturday, our Rally score was 78/100. Brew was just a little distracted - ok he was a lot distracted - he kept looking outside the ring (for you know who...JO!)

On Saturday, we also competed in a new event for us - Team Rally. So our team consisted of a Newfoundland, Papillon, schnauzer, and a beagle. We competed against four other teams. So each team member goes thru the course separately but one right after the other. Our team got 3rd place so not too bad.




On Sunday, we tried again and at least improved our score to an 89. We made Jo go away long before we went into the ring. (Jo would just say that the beagles like her better - sure because she gives them all the good treats and lets them sleep in bed with her.)

To see Brew and me in action:
Portland Videos

Starbuck Torbay Blue Chip Stock "K2"

At the Portland show, K2 got her championship. Such a pretty girl.