You call this protection! Harumph! 

Elsie's Growing Up

Poor Elsie. She's not a "little girl" any more; no more puppydom for her.

Yes. She's experiencing her first heat cycle, and she seems completely annoyed by it all. I don't blame her.

She's more subdued than normal.
She needs more hugs.
She's less adventurous outdoors (pretty much stays on the deck).
She doesn't seem to feel terrific (do dogs get cramps?).
She doesn't seem keen on washing herself all the time.
She hates wearing "fancy pants" (what we call her sanitary belt/pad) indoors.
She hates cycling in and out at different times from Ridge, our unneutered male.
She really hates being crated when Ridge is out.
And she hates everyone fussing with her butt (canines and people alike).

LOL. Poor girl. It's just part of growing up.

Baxter is oblivious for the most part; Elsie and Baxter are still buds.

Ridge is going wild. Poor boy.

Sorry, Ridge. You've got to wait at least another 14 months 'til Elsie is cleared to breed. Hang in there.

And Elsie, sweet girl: please understand that we crate you and separate you from the boys for your own good--we're protecting you. Honest.

It's funny how raising dogs and raising kids can be so alike sometimes.

Go figure.

'Til next time,
Joan

I'm not so sure about this Cat, Mom. Make it go away...I just want my sleepy spot in the sun all to myself. 

Uh oh. Now what am I supposed to do? I don't understand Cat body language! Is he submitting to me? (hardly!) 

What's this cat doin', Mom? 

PROGRESS! For the first time since we've had all three dogs, Snickers the Cat decided to brave sitting with one of them (he and Baxters were buds when Baxter was a puppy and our lone Lab). Hurray!  

Elsie (far), Baxter (middle), Ridge (near): what would life be like without them? (Gotta like those tongues!)

The REAL List

Now that my conscience is soothed, having posted my National Pet Week tribute to the dogs in yesterday's sappy-but-heartfelt poem, I can give the real list of how the dogs make a difference. Here it is:

Baxter, Elsie, and Ridge, without you ...

• we'd have nothing to trip over when cooking dinner
• no one would slobber over us when we come home
• our friends could walk in the door without being "sniffed"
• we'd have the entire sofa to ourselves--we could even stretch out; what a novel idea!
• we might even reclaim the recliner
• we'd enjoy a cup of coffee without our arms being nudged and our beverages sloshing
• we'd read a book without it being bumped from our hands
• we'd peruse the Sunday paper, arms fully extended, without being startled by a paper-thumping tail
• we'd have no nose prints to smudge our back door or car windows
• we'd have no land mine piles dotting the back yard
• we'd have no toys to clean up before vacuuming, no twigs and stigs and other debris to remove before mowing the lawn, and no dog hair--mountains of dog hair--to decorate our floors
• we wouldn't invest our life savings in lint rollers
• we'd awaken to music or the radio or an alarm instead of to a chorus of canines
• we could sleep in late if we wanted
• we could go to be early--as early as we'd like
• Snickers, the cat, could roam freely--without terror--in our home once again
• we could keep the house clean
• we could leave food on the counter and have it still be there upon our return
• we could go away for a weekend without worry
• we could stay out all day without wondering if we're gone too long
• we could work all day without interruption
• we could have a tidy, sterile existance of predictability and routine

But then we'd also have

• cold feet in winter
• higher blood pressure
• no one to nuzzle us when we're sad
• empty laps when we're relaxing in front of the TV
• no one to make us giggle or smile
• no one to stroke and pet to calm ourselves down
• no one to help us see humor in this world
• no one to make us pause throughout the day
• no one to remind us to take pleasure in simple things
• no one (in this world) who models unconditional love so well
• no one who wiggles with delight at our return
• no one to greet us with kangaroo-hops at the gate
• no one who wiggles all over with excitement and pleasure
• no one to show us what contentment and satisfaction look like
• no one to alert us to danger (real or imagined)
• no one to keep the cat in his place
• no one to tell us when the postman (or UPS or FedEX...) is here
• no one to teach us about God's sense of humor
• no one to follow us around all day
• no one to pre-wash the dishes in the dishwasher
• no one to make us feel like we're the center of their worlds
• no one to force us outside to enjoy the outdoors
• no one to teach us about life's little pauses
• no one to model true loyalty and faithfulness
• no one who will remind us to play
• no one who will calm our hearts and help us forget the troubles of the day

The list could go on and on...

It's a trade-off, I'll admit, but it's one I'd make again in a heartbeat.

'Til next time,
Joan

(Wink, wink.) Mom just posted a poem about us...it's pretty good (wink, wink) for a human (wink, wink). 

A Bad Poem in Honor of National Pet Week

In honor of National Pet Week, I promised to post a list of how our canine kids make a difference in our lives. My list turned into a poem (and, I’ll admit it’s a bit sappy, and a poet I am not), but I'll post it all the same. Enjoy!

To Baxter, Elsie, and Ridge:

When you nudge us when we’re busy
Or you greet us at the door
You make us feel like heroes
coming home from distant shores.

When you shred the loveseat’s pillows
Or dig up another plant
You remind us life is more than things
We do not need to rant.

When you munch on our new sneakers
Or chew up another book
Your dancing eyes of innocence
Almost get you off the hook.

But we know you need attention
So we scratch behind your ears,
And our blood pressures get lower,
Adding numbers to our years.

When you nuzzle out our sadness
Or you dance within your dreams
You help us to remember
Life is better than it seems.

When you wag your tails with gusto
Or you wiggle with delight
You fill our hearts with laughter
As we giggle at your plight.

When you nestle in for slumber
With your heads upon our laps
You teach us to tread slowly
And to make more time for naps.

When you nudge us when you’re hungry
Or you want to play some more
You make us find more time for fun
and for wonders to explore.

When you moan with satisfaction
Or sigh with rest-filled peace
You remind us that life’s little things
Can help our strivings cease.

So, Baxter, Ridge, and Elsie,
You’ve enhanced our lives ten-fold
Where would we be without you?
Prob'ly weary, dull, and cold.

Happy National Pet Appreciation Week!

‘Til next time,
Joan

National Pet Week

National Pet Week

According to those more “in the know” than I, this week (May 4th through May 10th -- or 1st through 7th depending on who you read) is our official National Pet Week (note: this is not National Pet Peeve Week – that’s in October). This year’s theme (for the U.S. version of this celebration) is “Pets Make a Difference.”

In addition to sponsoring contests and activities, National Pet Week serves several purposes:

To promote responsible pet ownership
To communicate the value of pets for people and people for pets
To raise awareness of the importance of animal health professionals and related services
To increase public awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of working companion animals

In honor of our national celebration, I’ve decided to develop a list of how our canine kids have made a difference in our lives.

I’m still working on it and will post it tomorrow (hehe).

‘Til next time,
Joan

The Thinker. :o) or should I say...teacher? 

Lessons from Dogs

A good friend sent this little ditty to me (Hi, Kath!), and though I've seen it circulating on the Internet before I never knew from whence it came. And since I didn't know its source, I couldn't duly credit it, and since I couldn't duly credit it, I didn't want to include it here.

Now, thanks to said friend-- ;o) --I can offer this wonderful thought-provoker with its source appropriately credited (sort of).

The following is called "What I Learned from My Dog," and it's included in a book called Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets by June Cotner (author and complier). June Cotner attributes the following to "author unknown." I wish I could be more specific. Enjoy!


What I Learned from My Dog (author unknown)

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in my face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, I will always run to greet them.
Let others know when they have invaded my territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something that I am not.
If what I want lies buried, I will dig until I find it.
When someone is having a bad day, I will be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on attention, and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often one is scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout - run back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.


While the above is thought provoking enough, my friend's e-mail adds the following paragraph to "What I Learned from My Dog":


"If you can start the day without caffeine,
if you can get going without pep pills,
if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
if you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you their time,
if you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you,
if you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
if you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct them,
if you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
if you can face the world without lies and deceit,
if you can conquer tension without medical help,
if you can relax without liquor,
if you can sleep without drugs,
if you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog."

Something to thing about, eh?

'Til next time,
Joan

Gentle-souled, big-mouthed Elsie sitting with Daddy Don 

Gentle Soul; Big Mouth

Though all three dogs are gentle at heart (it's a Lab trait), Elsie has our softest touch. Certainly, Baxter and Ridge treat us with care and sensitivity, but Elsie's interactions are consistently tender and sweet.

You'd think by the way she soothingly leans against us and softly gives us kisses that she'd be our quiet, peace-filled, genteel little lady.

Think again.

Elsie, by far, has our biggest mouth. Her bark sounds more ferocious than Ridge's (whose bark is high-pitched and soft for a male); she yaps far more often than our Baxter; and she eats the most digusting things (cat poop, for instance).

And her yawn (see photo above). Her yawn...boy, oh boy...how to describe it. The last time I saw a yawn so big and tongue so long was when we were on safari in Africa (literally). A male lion we caught on film lounging on a termite mound opened his mouth to yawn when we were but 20 feet from him. His mouth was nothing short of cavernous.

Elsie could compete with Mr. Lion for Grand Canyon Mouth of the Century.

Who would have guessed: this petite, mannerly, tranquil epitome of docility has a mouth as big and husky as comedien/singer Carol Channing's (I'm dating myself here).

LOL. It's so incongruent. And it's so like Elsie.

But she knows how and when to use use mouth. And use it, she does, appropriately. Elsie never uses her mouth to wound; she only uses it to greet us exuberantly, to say hello to neighbors, or to lovingly alert us to dangers and foes.

If only people showed such restraint; if only we'd stop wounding each other with words and use our mouths in only appropriate, up-lifting, benifitting-others ways.

We have so much to learn.

'Til next time,
Joan

The human-canine connection: there's nothing quite like it. Here, a picture of Don and Elsie is truly worth a thousand words. :o) 

Elsie asleep in Dad's lap. 

Sleep

And now from the "Did You Know?" department: Did you know that before the invention of the lightbulb Americans averaged 9.5 hours of sleep per night? And that was in the days when we were a hard-working agricultural society. We worked hard, but we allowed ourselves the grace to sleep when the sun slept so we'd be fresh for the next day's work.

Then came Thomas Edison.

Why is it that we 21st-Century humans think we can run 24/7 without rest or necessary sleep? Oh, yes, thanks to Mr. Edison, we have the light we need to work 24/7, but our bodies aren't designed that way.

We would do well to learn from our canine friends.

Oh, yes, they work hard, play hard, and eat with gusto. They perform when called upon to do so. But sleep, for them, is a must. It's a priority. And nothing will keep them from their needed sleep (except maybe a few days at the kennels, which is why they sleep for two days after their return). They'll flop anywhere, anytime, whenever their bodies cry out for rest.

I love to watch the dogs sleep; they rest peacefully most of the time. Occasional dreams make their limbs dance and their faces twitch; they may even whimper, bark, or moan while they dream. But in all, they rest well. And they stay healthy for it.

I wonder how many of our contemporary health issues are complicated by insufficient rest (probably quite a few). In a society that values performance and productivity above all else, rest becomes an expendable, devalued commodity.

But it's not expendable. It's necessary.

I'm learning that I need 8.5 hours of sleep per night to function optimally. Oh, I can get by with less, but I'm worse off for it. And if I go weeks and weeks with too little sleep, my body rebels and my health pays.

Like Baxter, Elsie, and Ridge, I think I'll pay more attention to my need for rest, and sleep when I need to. Sleep is not a waste of time, as we're tempted to think; it makes us that much more productive (and easy to live with) when we're awake.

Gee, the dogs are sleeping. Maybe I'll go take a nap (says the woman who got only 5 hours of sleep last night). ;o)

'Til next time,
Joan

Ridge, our ever-faithful, eager-to-please, always-ready-to-work-for-you retriever. Here he's waiting for Daddy Don to throw the retrieving dummy. 

Ridge alerting to voices he hears in the living room beyond the gate.