Daddy's Home!!

Matt has been working from home for a couple of weeks now with his friend's software business.  No more daily commuting and working for a hated boss.  Now there's the stress of invested labor - somehow a much more satisfying stress than working for somebody else.  One of his first assignments has been to sell a number of their company's Apple MacBook Pro's.  So that he can do so, we're playing host to these computers in their boxes, all in our itty-bitty apartment.

What the dogs' see: "Agility Obstacles!!!  Wheeee!!!"
Now I understand why when we say we have 3 dogs, people always ask if we have a big yard.  Nope - we sure don't...

Since the big transition to Matt working from home, the dogs are rarely in their crates, and have more flexibility overall.  Matt's there to walk and feed them, and they can have cuddles at will.  But they are NOT momma cuddles.

"You're leaving us here with HIM?!"

For the first few days, the dogs greeted me with the wild-eyed look of kids after a night with a 1st time babysitter.  Matt's home to walk them at lunch, so I don't have come home midday, either.  This makes me a far less rushed, crazy woman.  After about a week, the kiddos have settled into their new routine, content and calm.  I hate to admit it, but they're doing just fine without me - all of them.  Except for maybe the apartment itself which still needs my TLC...

So in an effort to help me care for the poor, neglected apartment, please consider buying one of these acBook Pro's from Matt's company, WebLDR.  While I love the idea of an at-home exercise course for the kids, high-end computers do NOT make good agility poles.  Having these computers here at home, I can honestly say they're really nice refurbished computers for a very reasonable price.  The hard drives were totally wiped and brand new operating systems have been installed, so they run like new.  I can understand the reason for the whole Apple craze.  To see another description, you can see Matt's local Craigslist listing here.  Send along your email or phone # with any questions! To reach Matt directly, call (214) 937-9979.

Apple MacBook Pro 15 inch

I have a couple of new articles up:
The Examiner: Walking the Dog Like a Pro
HelloDallas: Cutting Back Fido's Food the Easy Way
I've also recently discovered StumbleUpon - to "friend me, my username is ForPetsSake.

The Intruder

Today I pulled out the vacuum and did a bit of routine cleaning, getting a jump start on the long weekend.  At our house, this routine is met with some hostility.  The Intruder is hauled out of the utility closet and then (since I never remember the right order of things) I realize I have to pick up all the dog toys spread out over the floor.  The toys are everywhere.  It's as though some sneaky anarchist hid some TNT at the very bottom of the toy basket when I wasn't looking and then set it off.  I know there's no TNT (Nyxie would've sniffed it out and alerted- WOOF!) but there is an anarchist.  Two, in fact.

So out comes The Intruder.  It's loud, pushy, and just runs all over everything - it's....the vacuum!  Arwen tolerates it, but definitely gives it a wide berth, eyes intent on watching, but all the while trying desperately to play it cool.  Nyxie is transparent in her dislike.  She's downright hostile towards it.  She'll pace around it as it's being plugged in, just waiting for it to fire up.  As soon as it's turned on, she'll hop towards it in a play/ fight move.  The initial excitement is over when I snap my fingers, but as I go room to room cleaning, she'll follow me and The Intruder at a safe distance.  And God forbid I extend the hose to use the crevice attachment...her arch enemy!

Surely this is some rude beast from an evil netherworld bent on destroying the perimeter's safety.  How can she possibly keep us safe when we invite such dangers in willy nilly!?  It's a tough job protecting Arwen's Pack.  It's a good thing she has a long weekend to rest up from The Intruder's visit.

I've got my eye on you....

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New articles for your reading pleasure:

1) If you're in Dallas this weekend, there's a fun benefit event happening on Sunday - The 2nd Annual Motors and Mutts Classic Car Show to benefit A Different Breed Animal Rescue.  It'll be a great car and dog friendly event!

2) My newest article for HelloDallas discusses canine obesity - just a few extra pounds can hurt your pup!  You'll see a couple of familiar pups on this website ;)

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Fridge of Love

My friend recently gave me a thank you card for a birthday present we gave her son.  It was a thoughtful gesture that showed not only excellent manners, but appreciation.  What was even more wonderful was the surprise of opening the envelope to find a picture of the birthday boy himself!  I think I'm pretty new to this picture sharing tradition, but I love it.

Fridge of Love - feels good waking up to this!

My refrigerator is covered in pictures of T, fun magnets and many pictures of our friends' children.  There's enough pictures of our friends' kids for a beautiful wall collage.  I love these pictures of smiling kids - in graduation dress, tiny bathing suits, halloween costumes, and Christmas finery.  I feel like I'm connected to them on a daily basis in this great big web of friendship.  The families of these kids represent the relationships that span time and space, the many wonderful people whose lives have intersected mine.

That's a ton of babies!

So with that heartfelt statement, I have to share a second story.  Last night, Matt was putting away dinner and glanced at the fridge door.

"Whoa!  Who the hell are all these kids?!"

If you know Matt, you know that this was a benign, yet completely honest statement.  I'm always the one that opens mail and receives the letters from away.  Had he opened an envelope with a photo inside, he would have handed it to me since I'm the "Lore Keeper".  So it comes as little surprise that he was oblivious to the pictures going up on the fridge door.  But I still laughed so hard I cried.
      
When I recovered, I started thinking about all the 4-legged kids I know from all the amazing families I'm connected with both offline and online.  But no body ever sends us any pictures of their dogs!  I thought of all those happy faces and realized I wanted to add them to my daily web.  So I ask you, friends both in Blogville and beyond, to send me your doggie pics!  I'll make a collage of them to share with you - I'm hoping to need a bigger fridge...

Please forward pics to forpetssake2@yahoo.com  I can't wait to see all my 4-legged friends!

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In other business:

I've just joined Twitter as "foleygrace" and you can follow me using the button on the top right of this blog page.  I'd love to follow you, too if you're on "the Twitter".

My newest article for The Examiner Dallas is the 1st in a series on ticks.  It's everything you should know about them but were too grossed out to really ask.  Please comment, follow, "Like", or Tweet.  Every click and follower is a tiny bit of money for me!  (That translates into lots of food and toys for the girls)  Also, please let me know if you'd be interested in writing for your local Examiner - it's an easy way to earn a bit of cash.

My newest article for Hello Dallas gives a local pet food drive for seniors the spotlight,  Maybe you could spearhead a pet food drive in your area?

Stormy Road Ahead - The First Leg from Maine to New Jersey

Matt had brilliantly planned our route south from Maine.  He took into account the travel time and distance through each major city along our beloved East coast to meticulously avoid each rush hour and “sun in the eyes” time.  Our trip started around four in the afternoon, leading us through New York at dark. 

The girls seemed confused and edgy, certainly reflecting our own feelings as we left our beloved Maine.  What was ahead?  What would Texas be like?  We had no idea.  I can’t imagine the girls had any thoughts of this, but the drive early on was tense and uncertain.  We felt displaced and alone -tiny specks on a map line, eating mile after mile of road.  We wondered what our friends in Portland were doing as we lumbered on towards Texas. 

We kept our eyes peeled for rest areas that were well lit and busy enough to seem welcoming, but deserted enough to allow Nyxie to stretch her legs without creating a scene.  We stopped about every four hours.  We both love road trips, but Matt is definitely the one best capable of driving long distances.  The older I get, the more apt I am to feel dreadfully sleepy while driving unless something keeps me company.  Matt needed sleep on his breaks and the girls’ quiet panting was mesmerizing.  Haimmie slumbered in his hammock and Miss Poo continued being a snake – neither of which provided any sort of lively company.  My eyes started to droop somewhere in New Jersey until I saw the first streak if lightening.  Seconds later, I heard the thunder and knew it was time to stop again before the rain followed.

Haimmie snoozed in his hammock most of the drive, oblivious to the miles rushing past us.

The New Jersey rest stop was bright and gaudy, with neon signs advertising coffee and pizza.  I wanted neither but the girls needed water and a leg break.  Turning off the engine woke Matt and we carefully extracted the girls from their tiny half-backseat.  Each of these walks was nerve-wracking for me.  I imagined the girls dashing past me in their excitement to get out of the car.  I imagined broken leashes and injuries that would require emergency vet care.  I imagined losing my girls and that fear was physically painful.  As they were growing restless and undoubtedly infected by my own fear, I decided to slip them a sedative cocktail.  I gave each girl a Pill Pocket with dreamy drugs – just enough Ace Promazine for their weight range.  Another thunder crack, this time closer than the last.  With Arwen and Nyxie back in the car, and Matt still snoozing away his well-earned nap, I headed into the rest stop and did some comfort shopping – Twinkies, Cokes, a candy bar and a couple of bottled waters.  I couldn’t find anything I could justify buying in the rest stop, and just made it back to the xB (remember the magical car?) as plump rain drops pelted the windshield.  The storm was upon us. 

Note all the space around Arwen?  NOT taken while on our road trip.  Imagine Nyxie next to her, both squished by "stuff"

“Where are we?” muttered Matt, lifting his hat from his face.

“Still in New Jersey.  There’s a nasty storm rolling in so we’ll be here awhile.”

“Damn” he exhaled, settling farther into his pillow.  Behind him, the girls rested their heads and eyes began to droop.  I sat wide awake, scanning the parking lot and locking the doors. 

“Go to sleep, girls – Momma’s got you covered.”

Soooo sleeeepy.....

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Please check out a couple of articles I've written lately.  Feel free to "Like" or leave comments!

The 1st is about my imaginary summer vacation and is featured on the Fido Friendly Blog.

The 2nd discusses some of what we found in Dallas when we arrived and is featured on the HelloDallas website.