But she wasn't a human; she was a dog, and therefore her only recourse was to have hysterical barking fits when anyone outside the immediate family dared to approach our front porch. She would nip at the ankles of any friends I invited over, and my parents would have to keep her upstairs when they had dinner parties so the guests would be able to have a conversation. She wouldn't let anyone pick her up, and she was desperately afraid of any noise or sudden movement, a fear which would manifest itself in hours of angry and frightened barking. 

Make no mistake, though, that I loved her dearly. And despite all the hysteria and barking fits, she was sweet, the way she would curl up in a ball on the living room floor, the way she would play tug of war with her squeaky newspaper, and the way she would defend our family to her death, if necessary.  I have always been eager ever since to get a new dog, but it has never worked out, between my frequent moves and my various pet-banning landlords.

The first time I met Jim was a blind date. We had talked on the phone before, but that was it, and I was highly suspicious. The first time we met in person, I had a friend on standby to text me with a fake emergency in case things didn't go well. They did, though, and I ended up giving him a ride back to his apartment. As I stopped the car in front of his building, he asked me if I wanted to "come up and meet [his] dog." Convinced that was a euphemism for something or other inappropriate, I quickly fled the scene. However, as I realized later, it wasn't.

His dog, Forty, is a sweet, quiet, happy, Dalmatian-Whippet blend. She rarely barks or gets aggressive; she prefers to sit in the sun, nap, go for runs, or get her belly scratched. Jim is protective of her, and rightfully so, so ever since we got engaged and moved in together, I've called her my step-dog.

The longer the three of us live together, though, the more I think of her as my dog, too. I cuddle with her during her thunderstorm panic attacks, and take her for walks through our neighborhood, color coordinating with her black and white spots when I can. If I'm sad, she licks my face, and if I'm happy she'll joyfully pounce and jump on me. 

I don't know what the point is, really, other than the fact that I'm really, really happy to have a pet again, especially one that is calm and quiet and watchful. 

Our city has free concerts in the park on Friday nights, which are highly dog and picnic-friendly, so Jim and I (and Forty) try to go when we can. Whenever we go, we usually have kids coming up to us and asking if they can pet our "Dalmatian." We usually say yes, with the parental okay, and let them play with her. The last time we were there, I told the little girl petting her that she wasn't a true Dalmatian, but actually half Dalmatian and half Whippet. The girl gave me a surperior glance and informed me, "Well, I think she's half Dalmatian and half cute."

I think so too...

The dog in question was looking pretty punky by this point but still up and walking around.  I stripped the bed and got some liquids into him to prevent dehydration.  Within an hour or so, he was looking almost perky.  So, the day didn't start very well but things were looking up.  I washed bed linens and took the pillow top off the mattress to take to the cleaners. I was getting ready to bake bread when I heard the ominous urping sound again.  I went rushing around to find doggie #1 but he sound asleep and was not the source of the noise.  Doggie #2 was now urping all over my rug in the dining room.  Soon, doggie #3 followed doggie #2 in the urping parade. 

The only dog not effected by this GI tract problem doggie #4.  She is currently crated as part of treatment for a back injury.  So whatever is going on, it is something that the dogs are getting into in their environment rather than something contagious.  What it might be? 

My first thought is that it might be a plant or animal in the yard.  I checked plant material and nothing was looking chewed on and the sago has not produced seeds this year.  I also checked for dead and/or chewed on critters.  Dachshunds are hounds that will go after anything that gets within their reach:  toads, possums, birds, squirrels, snakes, etc.  While no bodies isn't a guarantee, it's unlikely that all three dogs could have been involved in an animal hunt without someone noticing the loud hound-type noises. 

Next stop, inside the house.  I checked for cleaning products, chemicals, foods or the remains of any of the above.  Again, no luck.  Everything that might have been a problem is put away where dachshunds can't get to it.  Finally, I start checking out their food.  The dry food looks good and smells fresh.  The only dog getting any canned food right now is the one who isn't sick to her stomach but she is also getting some dry food.  Scratch the dry food off the list.  One last possibility is their water.  I found an odd reddish bacteria or algae in one of their water dishes.  Could that be the problem?  I don't know but the urping, etc. seems to have subsided since I disinfected their bowls.

At this point, I am just bewildered and confused.  Maybe it is just a stomach virus of some sort?  What happens if they get sick again?  I can't afford to take three dogs to the vet (or even one after our recent visit to the emergency vet and the whole gamut x-rays, blood work and other tests for the girl with the back injury).  The good thing is that they are getting better - no messiness since yesterday afternoon.  I'm hoping that that will be the end of it.

By this time, you have figured out where the messy in the title came from but you are questioning my sanity about the miracle part!  Dogs are my way of adding a little joyful chaos and unconditional love  to my life.  Even the dog going nuts being confined to her crate for her back injury, loves me and expresses that love in a way no human could or would do.  I don't love my dogs more than the people in my life but I do love the way my dogs can make me feel.  I laugh at their funniness and do silly things for them.  They bring me out of myself and my sometimes complicated life.  They make me forget that sometimes suicide has seemed like the only way out - who would take care of my little pack of dachshund barbarians if I wan't here?!  Oscar, Felix, Cooper and guest dog Vienna are both a joy and a responsibility that I would never abandon voluntarily.

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• fleas spend only 10% of their time on your pet
• the average flea lives 2-3 years
• one female flea can lay 1 million eggs in that 2-3 years
• eggs can live unhatched in your carpet for a year until the right environment occurs for hatching
• bark dust, wood piles, and ivy are ideal places for fleas to survive during the winter
• adult fleas prefer to feed on pets rather than people because pets are closer to the ground and have warmer body temperatures
• flea eggs are not destroyed by extremes in temperatures or pesticides
• fleas can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• fleas can transmit tapeworms and heart worms
• for every one flea on your pet, there could be 100 in the nearby environment

Here's a quick home test to see if your pet has fleas: lay out a piece of butcher paper and groom your pet for a few minutes as they stand on the paper.  Do you see any black, comma-shaped things?  If so, put a drop of water on it.  If its flea feces it will turn pink (from your pet's blood - yuck!)

Okay, now that we've covered the scary stuff, how do we deal with fleas in a natural, non-toxic, non-chemical way?  A wise pet owner starts to prepare as soon as the ice melts, the flowers bloom and the temperatures warm.  Preparation can ward off an infestation.  Fleas and ticks are not as tough as you might think.  Most people invite fleas and ticks into their homes by creating a pest friendly environment.  If your dog has a flea problem, it is pointless to treat just your pet.  You have to treat his environment, too, including your home, your yard and even your car if your pet travels with you around town.

Let's look at some basics.  When we're out walking our dogs, where do they go when they "have to go?"  to trees and shrubs.  Many times grass, weeds and other types of flora are not trimmed around trees and especially under shrubs.  Fleas and ticks love tall grass because its just a hop, skip and a jump to the next animal that happens along.  Keep grass trimmed close in the areas your dog frequents on his potty stops and keep him away from lawns that don't trim under trees and shrubs.

There are no shortcuts to preventing flea and tick infestations.  It's all about cleanliness, vigilance, and making the right choices.  Let's talk garbage. Your open or dirty trash receptacles are a tempting feast to birds and other dogs.  Both can be infested with fleas and ticks.  Keep garbags cans clean inside and out and keep trash picked up.  Bird feeders should be placed in areas away from where your pet eats and drinks or exercises.

Dog houses, concrete pet runs and containment areas can become havens for all kinds of bacteria, pests and disease.  Unless you have specific need for such areas, do without them.  They require massive amounts of upkeep and cleaning.

Now for inside the house.  Good housekeeping can be extremely effective in the war against fleas.  Water is a breeding ground for fleas.  Make sure all leaky pipes are properly repaired.  Natural pesticides such as bay leaves, coriander, dill, lemon peel or clove in pantry shelves or stored in grain can be effective in keeping fleas away.  Frequent vacuuming (my downfall - I HATE to vacuum) will remove flea eggs, pupae and the flea droppings used by larvae for food.  Sprinkle flea powder on the carpet and let it work for a couple of hours (remove your pet first) and them vacuum and add a piece of a flea collar to each new bag to prevent fleas from completing their life cycle inside your machine.  Vacuuming every day is essential if you don't want to use chemicals.  Occasional carpet shampooing (not dry-chemical cleaning) will suffocate the little buggers.  Getting rid of carpet altogether helps a lot.  For non-carpeted floors, mopping with soap and mild bleach water is quite effective.

Now that we've discussed environment, how about your pets themselves?  There are lots of alternatives.  Flea powders kill only adult fleas and have to be reapplied every week.  They can tend to make your pet uncomfortable and can make pet asthma worse.  Flea sprays vary.  Most are alcohol-based which kills adult and pre-adult stages. Some contain a growth regulator that will kill eggs as well.  If you use a spray, find one that is as organic as possible.  Flea collars are only minimally effective and can be toxic. Ultrasonic collars can be ineffective and can cause hearing problems in your pet.  Dips are highly toxic and can cause cancer.  Spot-on products range from very toxic to not so much - you have to do the research.  Look for one that does not contain organophosphates.  Oral products are administered once a month.  Flea shampoos can provide temporary relief and are good for getting rid of flea feces on the skin.

Here are some natural remedies that should be part of your arsenal.  Cut up a lemon, allow it to sit in a spray bottle overnight and then spray liberally on your dog, avoided the eyes.  Spray behind his ears and in his environment.  When you wash your pet's bedding, add a small amount of eucalyptus oil to the final rinse to help keep the little varmints away.  Salt kills fleas.  Apply a thin layer to your floor, carpet and furniture, then vacuum.  Use lavender in your dog's bath.  use a natural soap that contains citronella and tea tree oils.  The citronella helps ward off pests and the tea tree sooths irritated flea-bitten skin.  Add brewer's yeast and garlic to your pet's diet.  (Check out the Flea Fighter treats at www.naturalbarker.com/).  Neither of these actually kills fleas, but they make your dog taste bad to the flea and will deter them.  Scientific studies show a 20% decrease in flea numbers with the use of brewer's yeast and garlic. 

So, there you have it.  Just a few suggestions to help make your pet's summer and your life a little less stressful.   Hope it helps.

Keep it simple,

Sherry

ABOUT DOGS At dinner recently we got on the subject of dogs and strokes. Zack asked, "If a dog has a stroke does it end up with slurred bark?" Good question.

ALSO ABOUT DOGS We can't name many of our neighbors or any of the children running around, but we know the names of all the dogs: Penny, Fenway, Shelby, Fanny, Max, Skipper (Skip for short), Hank, and Fenway. Yes, there are two dogs named Fenway. Boston fans. I'm naming my next dog Bill Buckner.

We've been up there everyday this week - I have these periods of addictive activity - and have walked further than usual too: the sharp geometry of this new groyne some distance north towards Horsey struck me. All the rest of the groynes are like those in the photos below, at one or another stage of decay. Groyne repair would be a nice job, I thought; they look brilliant new, but are doomed from the start, a kind of life.

Their is a guy there l see quite a bit he has a lab that likes to play ball as much mine does.We started talking over that fact six months ago.We have gone from talking about the dogs to talking about books,world issues, what ever comes to mind.

I have been really careful not to flirt not send any kind of mixed messages nothing.I have a wall up to the sky and most times it comes across.He has asked me for a drink a few times and l always refuse.I cannot drink much or at all with the liver being messed up and l am not taking chances.

So last night he was there we are talking as normal and then he asked.....Me to dinner.A real date as in going out with a man date.I had to look around to make sure it was not some other female he was asking behind me or something.Nope no one there just me.

Well this was not really surprising l thought it might happen and it did.

I looked at him and said l can't.

He asked "Why"?

I was thinking oh crap here we go.Now l never assume people know my staus but most do.I am in the schools and such and people know me from that.II have run into students with their parents and had them drag me over with "This is that AIDS lady l told you that came to school and talked sort of thing."

I just took a deep breath and said "I have HIV."

He stepped back swore and said "Oh ok we can be friends."

Yep just like that we went back to talking about the dogs and the weather and nothing more.I think l am going to avoid the dog park from now on when l know he is there.

My doggie can still play sadly though it won't be with her best lab friend any more but it would be strange now.

Hard to do small talk after something like that.

Stephanie was telling me how she was woken up by a customer at 5 am who wanted to stay at the motel. The customer rightly wanted a discount at that early hour. Stephanie offered them a late checkout until 2 pm with a fee. Not exactly what the customer wanted. The customer was from Nevada and decided to stay somewhere else.  Good for the customer.

Now admittedly, Nevadans are spoiled by hotel casinos going the extra mile, giving comps and discounts and great prices (usually)... AND this is the first time I have ever heard of a late checkout fee.  I usually opt to stay until noon or 1 pm and have NEVER been charged a fee for checking out late.

Excuse me, hotel and motel owners, who is paying your employee's salaries and who is paying your profits???  Your customers. And if you don't treat your customers right, you won't have any customers sooner or later.

Yesterday, I talked with Wyndham Rewards... I've spent $1,000+ on motels in the last month or so and they are supposed to credit me with points so that I get free rooms... yeah, right... ok, at least the program does not cost anything but when I asked if my stays were recorded they told me that the stay I had a few nights ago is not in their system yet, it takes 10 days. Ok.  Then I stayed at one motel in Medford, Oregon for ten nights and the guy tells me that doesn't count because I used a coupon... so what I still spent $500 there that should count for something. It is really starting to annoy me that you spend so much money on these places and they don't feel any obligation to give you anything, not even a decent room.

Maybe I am spoiled. The hotel casinos in Nevada do give great deals and they do that because people spend so much money gambling... so why then when I called one hotel casino in Oregon, they wanted $89 a night...do customers have to go to Nevada for fabulous rooms and great service, and forget the rest of the country???

Wise up, people. In this economy and even when times are good, people want the MOST bang for their buck. And your bad attitudes and cheapskate ways are gonna lose you customers. It's just business. Plain and simple reality. And dog owners are going to revolt, too. Who wants to be charged $5, 10, 25 or $50 extra a night to bring along Fido or Fluffy?

and who wants to spend $28-50+ on a dog's own hotel suite if the service is not superb ?

customers have the power of choice... if you could choose between a motel that does not give you the amenities that it tells you it has, is rude, and the place smells, and a motel that is clean, fresh and homey, both for the same price, $50-55 a night with dog?  (crown pacific vs. captain cook inn, both in Lincoln City, Oregon), where would you stay?  no brainer, right... I chose Captain Cook Inn... and I figure if one motel can offer a great room and service for $54 a night, then so can the others.

http://beta.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/worklife/09/12/travel.pets/index.html

http://www.funnydogsite.com/pictures

This morning Diesel and I were wrestling and I sometimes will use a shirt or towel to cover his head and play with him. This time I tucked the shirt under his collar to make it a little more difficult to come out from under it. With the last flip of his head he sat down and looked at me as if to say, "...really? really." I immediately grabbed my iPhone and took this picture. It reminded me of the "Green Eyes" girl on the cover of National Geographic circa 1984. Ok, well...sorta.

I haven't slept much in the last few days.  Busy saying my "not goodbyes".  getting together with many of our friends just one last time.  And then getting together with those friends, just for a minute, because it was too hard to walk away the day before. 

Busy cleaning cleaning cleaning our little house.  It paid off, the house looked great as the Lord's van pulled out of the driveway, loaded with all the rest of our stuff. 

Busy getting the rats set up in their new home.  Poor little things, they were stressed.  They are so cute.  and as crazy as it might be, I will miss those little guys.  (thanks Nancy and Don for taking care of them).

Busy getting the shipping made for Entropy's eventual return to Alaska. 

Busy on the phone and computer getting stuff figured out for Dave, and updating friends and family on the goings on.

Today that is all done.

Today I will just be busy crying.

here she is, modeling her first bandana....pickles!

and by the way, pickles had another vet appointment last night.  here's the news:

my puppy is gigantic.

will try to post again later. i have to go to work early today.

Then the Nerf Darts course became a maze, then a fort.  It was fun!  The boys started taking pictures of their handiwork and then The Khan got the camera.  This is what you get when that happens.  Notice there's a picture of every living thing that was in the backyard's butt including a very attractive picture of Champ.

Yes, we laugh at this kid continuously.

She is 2 years old now.  As a puppy, she was known as the Tazmanian devil or the Bullet. Now she has settled down and protects Bev, constantly by her side. Her eyelashes are now 2 inches long.

Later...

"...and ham sandwiches with little legs, walking towards me, asking to be eaten..."

Whoa-that was weird!

"Hey, let me in! I freaked myself out...and I'm hungry!!!"

ennyway wunse the cytology is dun then i will find owt if i get to keep my tale he sed the warts cud be lots of things that i cant pronownse like an inflaymd seb .. seba ... sebayshus gland wich is commin with sebayshus addinitis or it mite be a his ... histee ... histeeositeoma or it mite be sum wurd that starts with "c" that mama and dada dont seem to want to say i think its the histeeo thing becuz it luks like the pikchers on wikipeedia but well see

the vetnameez persun also lissend to my hart with his funny luking ipod and sed that i hav a verry low grayd hart murmr on a skayl of 1 to 10 he sed my hart mumr wuz a zero he didnt say wot my hart was murmring abowt but i think i hav an ideea:

November 2007

December 2007

April 2008

ennyway it wuznt all big scarry wurds and hart murmrs the vetnameez man lukd in my eerz with his weerd and ekspensiv camra and he sed they wer verry kleen and he wuz verry impressd with how brayv i wuz he thinks i am a gud dog and of korse thats troo so i gess it wuznt so bad but maybe next time i wil bring him sum of my top notch caveear stuf so he can tayk sampels of that insted of from me ha ha ok bye

I also picked up some dog beds for their crates.  YellowDog ate his a while back and BlackDog had an accident on hers, so they've been going without.  They don't really need anything in their crates, they're only in there to sleep, but I feel bad when it starts to get cold at night that they're cold, so now they've got nice comfy beds.  Lucky Dogs!

I also had to stop and pick up some dry cleaning.  It was just three things.  One of SweetiePie's shirts, a wedding favorite, a pair of peach JCrew pants and a killer M Missoni skirt that I love.  It's from a couple seasons back so I don't have a link to it but it's a great pattern with lots of greens and browns.  I needed to have it cleaned for a while now,  but I just kept wearing it, ewwwww.

Total Spent: $143.59 for dog stuff, $15.50 for dry cleaning.

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Highly practical book about how to live and work with dogs. This book is philosophically aligned with "Bones Would Rain From the Sky", which I also loved.



Patricia McConnell provides many excellent examples illustrating the ideas and backs them up with solid research and keen insight. I always do better with case studies and examples, so this made the book very handy for me and one I'll keep referring to.



I especially recommend the chapter talking to the popular notion of "dominance". If all dog trainers would only read and understand this - that would be a happy day in the dog kingdom.


View all my reviews.

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I highly recommend this to everyone who knows a dog. Very eye-opening and challenging approach to working with dogs, but told in a very gentle, interesting way. By the end of this book, you will want to be buddies with its author. You will also (hopefully) have gained a new respect for and a better way to communicate with the dogs in your life.



The wisdom and insight in this book is not handed down in a prescriptive manner, which might frustrate some folks. I also agree with earlier reviewers that the first chapter or so seem a bit self-indulgent. Plow through - or do as I did and read the chapters all out of order.


View all my reviews.

A cat's diary

Day 183 of my captivity. My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape,and the mild satisfaction I get from clawing the furniture.

Today my attempt to kill my Captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded -must try this at the top of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favourite chair - must try this on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmmm, not working according to plan.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches.  The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return.  He is obviously a half-wit. The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait; it is only a matter of time.

Traffic police at Liunan spotted a car driving too slowly on a local expressway, reports Nanguo Morning Post.

As they pulled in behind the car, officers were amazed to see a poodle with its front legs on the steering wheel.

The dog's rear legs were resting on the woman driver who was controlling the foot pedals.

"We immediately signaled the car to pull over," said one of the patrolling officers.

The woman says she and her boyfriend came up with the idea of teaching their pet dog, Niu Niu, to drive after noticing the expressway was nearly empty and the weather was good.

Police gave them a warning ticket and asked them to take a more responsible attitude when driving on the expressway.

Ananova