Spun Tale...Tail!

Sammy's about had it with spring and summer. He's tired of the heat. He's tired of the grass and...he's tired of itching!

The poor little guy doesn't mean to leave hair all over the house but even after I brush out bushels of white and brown fluffy fur he scratches out bushels more. I'm thinking of turning my house into a spinning factory. Why I think we could make the most beautiful sweaters and afghans you've ever seen. The colors would be so neutral they would go with anything.

I could give Christmas presents that would leave people in awe. "Where'd you ever find this cashmere coat?" they would ask. "And who's the designer?" I'd smile and reply, "The designer is Sir Samson of Center Woods."

I could even donate things to my sister-in-law Sandy http://homelessbridge.blogspot.com/ who has a group that knits and crochets for the homeless. "Sandy," I would say, "I've had Sam's fur cleaned and sterilized at least fifty times. My spinner can offer you more scans of yarn than the store in your basement can hold."

Sandy would be happy. I'm not sure what she'd say but I would be willing to bet she'll leave a comment and let us know. And as for my husband Chuck...well, when I give him his pair of Samson-fur-socks he's going to be overwhelmed with joy. "I'll never have to worry about fur on my socks again," he will say. "I've got FUR FOR MY SOCKS! Jan, you are more talented and gifted than I ever knew," he will say to me.

I'll feel a little smug. "Just think," I'll whisper to

Chuck. "All the money I earn from my Samson- designed products will pay for all the steroids and antibiotics that Sam is going to take until well after the first frost. Chuck will be happy. I know he will.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

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?

Read more...

Mistake

I made a mistake. As I was downloading my very lovely photo of Annabelle, Maddie, and Sammy playing in the backyard I accidentally clicked on this one. When I looked at it I thought I might as well use it!

This photo is the very reason that my back needed to get well quickly. In fact, my bones were probably scared into healing. This is me raking Sammy in early summer to get rid of his shedding hair. The task took at least 30 minutes three times a day.

I must really love Sammy. Chuck only rakes leaves!

Read more...

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.

Read more...

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!

Read more...

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?

Read more...

Doing the Best I Can....

Frankly, when the doctor told me I couldn't ride anymore until I had surgery I went into a place I don't usually go. I was so depressed I didn't even want to talk to people. That's not the normal me. All I could think about was how much time and work Tango and I have done and the upcoming summer show season. I tried to keep it all in perspective and remember I'm not seriously ill, I just have a back that is falling apart. I felt guilty for feeling so sad and sorry for myself. A good friend told me, "You don't need to feel guilty. Your pain belongs to you. Your whole routine has been interrupted."
She was right. Not only can I not ride, I can't work or exercise. For a couple weeks I just sat around waiting to gain weight. Then two wonderful things happened.


Number 1. This is my friend Emilee on Tango. She's going to ride him, train him, and show him this summer for me. Next year when I'm better, we can do it together...Emilee and me. Em needed a horse and Tango needed a rider.

Number 2.
Sammy is still here and it looks like he's going to stay. I figure if I can clicker train Tango to do tricks, I can clicker train Sammy. The more I thought about it the more I thought about Sammy's past. The boy didn't have it so good, that's for sure. Since I can't ride Tango pony I can spend extra time with Sammy boy. In fact, if I want to, I can compete with him. Who says rescue dogs can't show? Rescue horse sure can!


So the long and short of it is that I'm smiling more now. In a minute I'm heading to the barn with my granddaughter and her friend. I'm going to watch them ride. Maybe I'll sit on Tango for a minute or two. Maybe I'll just groom him. I just needed time to figure things out. Luckily I don't stress out. I just get sad and move on to do other things. I'll keep you updated about when the surgery is scheduled. Meanwhile, prepare to see more photos of Em. I told her she was going to be the star of my blog this summer...right along with Maddie, Annabelle, and Sammy boy.

Read more...

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!

Read more...