Patience is a Virtue

In the photo above we have Annabelle and Sammy simultaneously chewing on their own Nyla bones. Maddie is dozing on the couch. Since she has no teeth, she can't chew on bones of any kind!

But this post isn't about Maddie or her lack of teeth. And it's not about Nyla bones either. This post is about patience and how animals have more than I do.

I always want to rush into things and make things happen before it's time. I want my dogs to get along. I want to ride Tango as well as my trainers. I want to write the best story ever in thirty minutes. Then I want the publisher to read it and respond in a week. I don't want much!

If I haven't learned anything else from animals, I've learned that all good things are worth waiting for and that not all things happen overnight. That doesn't mean that I don't do things spontaneously, because that's my personality and I do. What it does mean is the best things in life often take some time, work, and effort to get.

Just look at these two dogs. When Sammy first came I fed them him in a separate room from the girls because he had food aggression issues. Annabelle and Maddie had earned their feeding places and they weren't about to give them up. Slowly but surely Sammy and the girls warmed up to each other. They slowly learned to respect each other's space and with that respect came trust.

The first time I saw Sammy and Annabelle this close together with bones, my instinct was to jump up and move one of them farther away. Instead, I waited and watched. Somehow in the midst of chaos, my own little pack of dogs is helping me to learn some patience of my own.

The usual me would say, "Isn't that amazing?" to end this post. But frankly, anyone who knows animals, knows it's not amazing at all. My dogs and horses teach me something new everyday. I just have to be patient enough to process what I'm learning!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Adapt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."

I need to get to know Mother Nature better. Seems that Sammy and Annabelle already know her well.

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A Work in Progress - Our Sammy

As many of you know, Sammy came to us in late spring. He was big, doppy, and totally incorrigible. I loved him from the very beginning. So did my youngest son, Ryan. Chuck wasn't so sure. After all, our other dogs knew what they were supposed to do and Sammy didn't. On top of not knowing what he should do, Sammy did anything he wanted to do which included going into the living room (sacred area for my husband's comfort) and unloading the dishwasher, cupboards, and counters on a regular basis.

Sammy was a third wheel. He didn't know how big he was and even though Maddie and Annabelle weren't threatened by him, they had their own little niche in life. The girls more or less ignored him for most of the time. Occasionally Sammy would run over one of them and that wasn't a happy time. Spring led to summer. We took Sammy to an introductory obedience class and worked and worked with him at home. By mid-summer he was housebroken and had an inkling of what was a good idea and what was not. Chuck even began to develop a fondness for Sammy. He began to play big dog games with him and seemed to really soften up towards our gentle giant.

Now that fall has arrived (in full force) and Chuck is getting ready to retire, Sammy is included in all family events. He loves to go for walks in the park and stays right by our sides. In fact, just like Annabelle and Maddie, wherever I am, Sammy is. Yes he takes up more space but I certainly don't care. As for Maddie and Annabelle, they've taken Sammy into their little pack. Annabelle's still head honcho and puts Sammy in his place from time to time but Sammy's okay with that. After our last Newfie died I swore I'd never get another because I couldn't go through the pain. Well, I guess I will someday because Sammy's worth it. The joy he brings to my life is immeasurable

And the humor he and Chuck both bring to me just can't be said in words. Our Sammy can't always be called a "good boy" yet, but he can be called amazing...simply amazing. I sure do love him.

Sammy's a work in progress and a good retirement project for Chuck...don't you think?

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Surgery Update

This back surgery thing hasn't been so bad even though it was more extensive that we thought. I ended up with two rods, two plates. numerous screws, lost- count- at- 39 staples and who knows how many sutures. I feel pretty good. I've been able to enjoy the company of good friends who drop by so I'm not ever bored. The flowers in my family room make me feel like I'm on a tropical vacation...well almost. All and all, I couldn't ask for more

My sons and their families have been here to exercise Sammy almost everyday. My husband went back to work for the first day today and he was a great help. He even gives me my shots to thin my blood. Now who would have thought!

And, as you can see from the photo above, even when I'm sleeping my three guys

don't go far from my side.

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It's Hot!

YOU KNOW IT'S HOT WHEN....

A fan sits in front of your air conditioning vent just to blow out more cool air.

One dog lays in front of the fan while another WATCHES a flitting chipmunk through the back door window.

Your dog sprawls on the floor to eat his dinner just so he can still catch the low blown air from the miracle fan!

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Party Animal

We've talked until we're blue in the face. Yes indeed. We've told her that Sam the man...dog...is a party animal. She doesn't believe us. Not until she gets home that is.

The minute she walks out the door Sammy heads over to the counter. No matter what she leaves in the sink, Sammy gets it out for his own personal party. You'd think by now she'd have it figured out. But no, not her.

She comes home to find her sweet Sammy sound asleep on her cutting board. It took him most of the time she was gone to carry over the three mugs, two spoons, and the dish brush. That's not to mention the plate he broke before he could get it over to his favorite spot. Of course we didn't help Sammy lick of the cutting board, spoons, or mugs. We don't even like coffee. In fact we never moved from the stairs in the first picture. Do you believe us?

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The Best Spa Day the Girls Ever Had!

Maddie saw it first.

Then Annabelle took a peek. The girls couldn't quite figure out the new truck in front of our house. It didn't look like the normal delivery truck.

And it wasn't! It was the Aussie Pet Mobile with professional groomer Lori inside. The girls were in for a treat. They didn't have to go to the usual groomer and be put into cages with all sorts of scary sounds around them. They didn't have to wait for hours to get into the dreaded bath then onto the worse than dreaded grooming table.

Lori was awesome. It took her less than one hour per dog to bathe, groom, and clip nails. The girls were happy as clams. In fact they were so happy they asked me to never take them to the old groomer again. They want Lori to come to them.

Lori promised to be back later in the summer. The girls actually didn't want her to leave. Imagine that! What a relief. Groomed dogs and no chaos at all! Why didn't I think of this before? The girls have never looked or felt better before!

Wait until Lori meets Sammy!

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I Was Right!

Remember last week when I told you our walks were never going to be the same again? Well I was right. Mom holds Annabelle and me in one hand and Sammy (that's his name) in the other. Annabelle and I usually walk out in front and Sammy usually walks right beside Mom.

The picture above was our first walk together. We almost run out of sidewalk because Sammy's so big. Annabelle always likes to stop and sniff everything. I like to tinkle at the corner of everyone's driveway.

Not Sammy. He walks like he's on a mission. Mom even walks him close to fire hydrants and most of the time Sammy doesn't even stop. What's wrong with the boy? Any good strong boy needs to lift his leg now and then. He's going to give Belle and I a bad reputation.

I tried to talk to Sammy while we were walking. "Slow down there big guy," I said to him. I glanced up to see if Sammy was listening to me and he wasn't. Mom says it's a guy thing and that they don't listen very well. Maybe she's right.

Oh well. We feel pretty safe when Mom takes us on our midnight walks now. Who's gonna mess with us when we're with Sammy boy? Yep...our walks are not the same anymore. Maybe someday I'll think they're even better. Give me a month or so!

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An Email I Had to Share....

IF I DIDN`T HAVE A DOG OR CAT

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety. My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel. When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there. I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, with out taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable. I would have money, and no guilt to go on a real vacation. I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave it ALONE. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers. I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy yummy for the tummy'...My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere. My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,, W-A-L-K,, T-R-E-A-T,, O-U-T,, G-O,, R-I-D-E,, C-O-O-K-I-E

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside. I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog or cat ties them down too much. I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading 'mud' season. I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.
How EMPTY my life would be!!!

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Compare Walks!

She puts us to sleep just talking about it. Imagine that! Our mom talking!!!

We've been on plenty of walks lately because the weather's finally settled down. In fact, the sun's been shining for a few days in a row.

We've walked around the block. We've walked in the park. We've taken walks during the day and we've taken them at night.

In fact, just a few nights ago Christian and Alexa stayed all night. Christian was the great night leader. He carried a flashlight and we followed him and his bright light. The kid's pretty darn cute. Yes, we get to go on walks...but they're just walks.

Now, compare our walks to Tango's! Who do you think gets to have the most excitement.

We think we deserve a trip to Disneyland at the very least! Or better than that, if she'd just stop singing HAPPY TRAILS before she goes for a ride that would help. Her trail riding stories are getting old too!

It's our turn for something better...wouldn't you agree? The dog days of summer are just around the corner. We need to have a plan of action! Help!!!

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She's Boring...Very Boring!

Quite frankly, she's been boring us to death. As you can see, I'm half asleep and Maddie's about to fall over.

All she talks about is meeting her deadlines for magazine articles (which aren't even about us), horses, trail rides, and rescue dogs! Good grief!!

When was the last time you heard one word from us?

Well, we've decided it's time to get her attention. She needs to know that we've noticed what she's been doing. Spring has sprung and we're going to spruce up her blog while she babbles about other things in her life.

The first thing we did was to move her GUEST BOOK to the top of the page. She loves to look at all her friends when they leave pictures, but we thought she'd take more notice if it was the first thing she saw when she opened her blog.

Once upon a time it was her goal to fill her GUEST BOOK with cute little animal faces from all around the world. She wants all kinds of animals even though we tried to convince her to stick to dogs. She's hard headed that woman! Just ask our dad if you don't believe us!

So, as a favor to us, (if you haven't already) would you please sign her GUEST BOOK and leave a picture. And if you don't have a picture, just leave one of yourself! She's hard headed, but not picky! She just wants to know who you are.

AND...as much as we hate to say this, if you're a rescue dog or horse, would you please mention that when you sign THE book? I'm sure she'll take us for extra walks when she sees what we've done!!!

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Can It Be Too Cold?

I've tried and tried to wake her up but it's just not happening. Maddie's not a winter kind of girl. Now I don't expect her to go outside for hours on end, but just ten minutes to chase a squirrel or two wouldn't hurt her, would it?

After all, I'm the one with the short hair and bare paws. Maddie's got slippers on her feet for goodness sakes!

She says she hates ice balls. Go figure! I could get frost bite and Maddie worries about snow in her feet. She never gets ice balls because Mom won't leave us outside that long. I guess my problem is that I'm just not a loner. I like company. Even Mom has deserted me, so to speak. She'll go to the barn to check on Tango, but she seems to have forgotten our walks. She said something about the wind chill being under zero. The wind chill doesn't seem to bother her when she's at the barn!

I do believe the problem could be resolved if Mom would buy us some clothes. I've seen lots of you wearing all kinds of trendy outfits. I've seen you in winter coats and boots too. Maybe someone should call children's....I mean doggy....services and report our mom. Now that I think about it, Mom's more to blame than Maddie. What do you think?

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Oh Brother!

I heard her. What a bag of wind that girl is! Maddie needs to go to the groomer because she's a mess! She rolls in the leaves. She digs in the mud. She pulls tulip bulbs out of the garden. She really is a walking dust mop...full of dust!

As for me, I'm clean. My hair is short. My feet aren't slippers. I don't roll. I don't dig...much. And I've never had a tulip bulb in my mouth. But guess what? I have to go to the dang groomer too!

Why?

Because Maddie's a scaredy cat that's why! Mom thinks if I don't go along, Maddie will freak out! So I have to go through the washer and drier right along with her. Is that fair I ask you? No it's not!

Besides that, I have to sit in the stupid cage and wait...and wait...and wait. Maddie takes twice as long as I do. It's all about Maddie. Poor Maddie pish shaw! Poor me!

Give my mom and earful. I do believe she's enabling Maddie and we all know that's not good!

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Maddie's Turn

You know, it seems like it should be my turn to talk. No Annabelle. No Tango.

I just heard my mom saying that it's time that Annabelle and I go to the groomer. Frankly, I like myself just the way I am. I was admiring myself in the mirror this morning. I looked adorable if I do say so myself.

If my mom had any sense, she'd like me that way too. In fact, if she gave it much thought, she could get rid of her dust mop and broom. Shoot...I have so much fur on the pads of my feet I could do the job they do in a heartbeat.

And I know how much Mom hates to clean. You should see her. She starts in the kitchen loading the dishwasher but before she gets to the floors she runs upstairs to get something she forgot. The next thing you know she disappears into her office and sits down at the computer.

Then the phone rings. Then she finds her riding boots and cleans the zippers. Then she comes back downstairs and opens the back door to shoo out a wasp. The woman can't stay focused!

Yep! In the time my mom wastes, I could do all the floors in the house. Besides that, it's getting colder outside. If I go to the groomer they're going to cut away all the nice warm fur off my feet. No slippers for me! What's a girl supposed to do?

Would you please try to talk some sense into my mom? She might listen to you!

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The Difference in Dogs

I have always known this to be true, but yesterday it struck me again. Dogs are as different in personalities as people.


I was in Texas visiting my sister for a long weekend. Maddie and Annabelle were well cared for by my husband Chuck, but they missed me nonetheless and were exuberant when I got home. I missed them too, but being at my sister's is the next best thing to home because she has a dog and four cats!

Anyway, back to what I was starting to say...Chuck opened the door from the garage to our house and Annabelle bolted out to see me. Chuck was frantically calling Annabelle back inside. I wasn't. Why? Because I know that Annabelle won't take off. She won't go anywhere that I'm not. She'll be calm and focused.

I opened up the car door to get out more luggage and Annabelle jumped in the driver's seat and waited patiently for me. Then she followed me into the house.

Maddie on the other hand would have jumped up to greet me, run down the street, and chase after whatever it was that attracted her attention. Then she would have become slightly confused and spatially challenged looking this way and that. Maddie's a lot like me.

For me, the key to respecting my girls (or any of the dogs I've had) is understanding that they are just like us with different personalities and challenges.

The only difference between dogs and us was best said by Josh Billings: "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."
Too bad most people can't learn from dogs!

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Come On Maddie...Snuggle With Alexa!

Hey Maddie, don't be shy! Come on over here. Alexa's just like her nan....she loves us!

And...Alexa's as warm as toast. When you snuggle with the girl you feel as good as a cup of hot chocolate on a blustry winter day!

Come on Maddie! You can do it. What's that? You want to keep flitting all over the house? What for? There's no mice in here and we terrorized all the moles that are left in the backyard!

Seal it with a kiss Maddie. You'll get treats forever and you won't have to even give those moles and chipmunks outside another thought until spring. A little love goes a long way...trust me I know.

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Maddie's Not a Ditz...I Take It Back!

What's that, Maddie? Say it one more time..the air conditioning is humming in my ear and you're mumbling.

I said, Annabelle, that there's something wrong with her. She's outside taking our picture and we're sitting in this stupid car like this is a normal thing to do.

Okay, Mad Mad, cut her a little slack. She's just figuring out how to take pictures and download them on the thing she calls a blog. She likes to talk about us, you know.

Oh yay. Woohoo for her. She says nice things about you. She tells people I'm a ditz or I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree. How'd you like that little Belle Belle?

Keep it in perspective BFF. She thinks you're cute and cuddly. She gives you treats every time you look at her cross eyed. You've got her wrapped around your little pitsy paw.

I suppose you're right, Annabelle. Move to your left just a little, would you?

Okay, Maddie, I moved to my left. What you want me to do that for?

C L I C K

To tell you the truth Belle, I just wanna see who she thinks the real ditz is while she's looking for her SPARE SET OF KEYS!

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OH PLEASE!

So they think I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree. They call me a ditz. Well, guess who gets a boatload of attention without having to do stupid tricks or even behave very well? WINK WINK! You guessed it....ME!

Kelly was smart. I'll give him that. He had a much bigger vocabulary than I do. And Annabelle aims to please. She does whatever Mom says. She's even got Dad jumping though hoops. I say, "Go for it Annabelle...you go girl!" When Dad gets on the floor to play with Annabelle, I go right over and lick the salt from his potato chips right off his hands. Annabelle makes it easier for me to reach him. Who's a ditz?

Then there's Tango. He does tricks to get treats. He bows. He kisses. He pushes balls and pulls ropes. He takes Mom on long rides. Then he gets all gussied up and wins ribbons at horse shows just to make Mom happy.

I don't have to do a darn thing but look cute and snuggle WHEN I'M COLD.

Who's not the brightest bulb on the tree?

YOU TELL ME!

Love from the true genius,
Maddie

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With Love from Annabelle and Maddie

This is our cousin Jake. Mom babysits for him whenever our Aunt Dee and Uncle Mike go away. During football season, she goes over to play with him almost every Saturday. The good thing is, that whenever our mom and dad go away, Aunt Dee comes over and takes care of us!

The first thing Jake always does when Mom gets to his house is sit up so she can hold his paw. Jake loves to have his paw held. He sits up pretty darn good for a big guy, doesn't he? Jake sits like this for as long as my mom will hold his paw. He's a strong boy! Mom says he has a great back. Guess that's cause her back hurts all the time!

Click on this picture to get a good look at Maddie's face. I'm going to save it and use it for blackmail the next time I can think of a good reason! Maddie hadn't seen cousin Jake for awhile and you can tell by the look on her face that she's not as calm as me. I had to remind Maddie to use her manners. Good grief!

"The first thing you do when you visit your cousin," I told Maddie, "Is to give him a kiss on the cheek...that's what families do. Then stop with the terrified look...it makes you look like your eyes are going to pop out. You don't want to scare cousin Jake do you?"

"The next thing to do," I told my sister, "Is to turn your face just slightly so that Jake can lick your ear. That's what families do too! It's called AFFECTION," I told Maddie. "Then if you're lucky, Jake will let you go with him to his big backyard. You're going to want to do that," I told her.

Maddie went and sat by the fireplace for awhile and thought about what I said...she's like that. Jake waited patiently for her to get herself together. Finally she did.

Then we all went outside for a nice long walk around the woods. Mom left the camera in the house or we'd have pictures of that too.

In case your wondering why we're talking today instead of our mom, it's because we convinced her it was our turn. I told Maddie I'd talk this time. Maybe by next time, Maddie will be brave enough to do the talking. She's a little ditzy, but she's quite creative. In fact, she's a little like our mom, but don't tell her I said that!

You'll hear much more from us later. We're gonna give Mom the old boot from time to time.

Oh! Wait a minute. One more thing. Maddie said I am suppose to tell you to scroll down to the very bottom of this page. Mom added a guest book so we can see who you are. Maddie needs to put a face with a name. Go figure!

Love,

Annabelle and Maddie

P.S How'd I do?

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Finally - They're Bonding

I noticed it yesterday. Annabelle was licking Maddie's ear and Maddie wasn't growling. Finally. I do believe they're bonding. It's been really hard for Maddie. She was just ten-weeks-old when we brought her home.

Kelly was here and ready to take charge. I'll never forget their first meeting. Kelly was in the backyard. I sat Maddie down in the grass. Kelly came over, sniffed her once, twice, three times, and then rolled her like a little ball.

From that moment on, Maddie followed Kelly's every lead. In fact, Kelly actually housebroke her. When Kelly went outside, Maddie followed. She did whatever Kelly did.

When Kelly died, Maddie was lost. She spent hours looking for him. It was heartbreaking. Annabelle had never really bonded with Kelly or Maddie. She was the newest rescue member of our pack and was truly the odd dog out.

After Kelly died, Annabelle did the same things she always did. Poor Maddie kept looking and waiting for Kelly. My sister-in-law, Dee told me Annabelle and Maddie would bond with time and she was right.

This morning was chilly. I was sitting on the couch with a blanket over me. Annabelle was half in my lap (like Kelly used to be) and Maddie jumped up and snuggled against her...just like she used to do with Kelly.

Time doesn't erase loving memories but it does help heal broken hearts. Things are looking up. Maybe Maddie won't be so sad anymore.

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I Missed My Dogs!

I just got back from a wonderful long weekend with two lifelong friends. We had a terrific time but I couldn't wait to get home. Wanna know why? I missed my dogs! My husband stayed home and took care of Maddie and Annabelle, so they were just fine but I missed them anyway. Is that silly or what?!

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