I hope this year brings only love and peace. I wish only happiness for you this year, and the sincere hope that your packs are strong and healthy.
Happy New Year, friends!
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| Arwen's Pack |
I've come to realize that I'm absolutely dog crazy. My pups are constantly amazing me and teaching me the simple life lessons I probably should've already learned. Rather than drive my human loved ones crazy with dog chatter, I'll unload it on you, my fellow dog crazies. Enjoy the show.
Showing posts with label Nyxie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nyxie. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
That Damn Dewclaw
My poor Nyxie has a split dewclaw. We discovered her injury a couple of days ago when she was licking non-stop at her poor pitiful paw. It's the front right paw, the same nail I clipped too short a few months past. Surely this is my fault somehow. Maybe cutting it too short made the nail weak, ergo the current state of affairs. The poor pup has been licking and guarding her paw from Arwen and Fenway since it happened. She hasn't cried out, and has been playing, eating and sleeping fine, but I know it bothers her.
We discussed lopping it off at work, but this would cause her undue stress and even if we removed the nail, the quick would be exposed and painful. We decided to let it grow out a bit, aided by her licking, applying a natural antiseptic, and giving her daily anti-inflammatory meds. She's just about worked it off, and the quick beneath it is slightly less raw. There's no swelling and other ickyness.
Although surely this has been hard on her, it's been killing me. I can't bear the thought of her in pain. I watch her and worry. Then I watch some more and worry some more, hoping she'll lose that damn nail soon - it's hanging by a tiny thread! That damn right front paw with that damn dewclaw. Being a parent sucks sometimes. She's the most sensitive of the three, really - the biggest bark and the softest heart. The Cowardly Lion comes to mind. She's been so brave through all this, though.
Maybe she'll share her Courage with me.
Please send positive, healing thoughts! Also, I've added a new custom-order sign listing to my online store. I'd love to make a sign for you and your pack...
We discussed lopping it off at work, but this would cause her undue stress and even if we removed the nail, the quick would be exposed and painful. We decided to let it grow out a bit, aided by her licking, applying a natural antiseptic, and giving her daily anti-inflammatory meds. She's just about worked it off, and the quick beneath it is slightly less raw. There's no swelling and other ickyness.
Although surely this has been hard on her, it's been killing me. I can't bear the thought of her in pain. I watch her and worry. Then I watch some more and worry some more, hoping she'll lose that damn nail soon - it's hanging by a tiny thread! That damn right front paw with that damn dewclaw. Being a parent sucks sometimes. She's the most sensitive of the three, really - the biggest bark and the softest heart. The Cowardly Lion comes to mind. She's been so brave through all this, though.
Maybe she'll share her Courage with me.
Please send positive, healing thoughts! Also, I've added a new custom-order sign listing to my online store. I'd love to make a sign for you and your pack...
Thursday, October 13, 2011
In Praise of All Dogs
I was reading a recent magazine article about World Vets, an organization that sends vets and vet nurses abroad to help animals in regions with sparse or no veterinary availability. Like the Peace Corps but for animals. I love this idea!! Doing this would feed my soul for years!! I know everyone reading this blog babies their pets like I do, but there are so many others that need care. (I know there's a need for help here too, but the idea of travel always romances me.)
While reading this article, I noticed a picture of some of the stray dogs in Africa. Among them, was a dog that looked like Fenway's twin. This dog was proportionally shaped, with short brown fur, a dark snooter, white socks, a white star on his chest. My imagination immediately led me to think of Fenway as a dog from an exotic land, somehow dumped in the suburbs of Dallas. Maybe he was born in a freighter to some African stray who'd sought shelter in a shipping container just before birthing her litter. Maybe he was part of a wild dog experiment, and had been shipped over from Africa for some canine genetics investigation. Or maybe, and far more probable, is Occam's Razor: this is what happens to dogs when we stop playing with their genetics.
I'm certainly not against selective breeding for ability and appearance - Arwen and Nyxie's genetics were certainly the product of selection. Their beauty is striking (I'm a bit biased, I know...), and they do just what they're "supposed" to do. Nyxie protects and herds, Arwen pulls (we've made HUGE lifelong strides to reverse this one) and even at her age, has stamina to rival that of her younger siblings. Regardless, breed selection should always be ruled by the guiding hand of health and sound temperament.
But in the end, Mother Nature gets it right. My muttly little dog is both handsome and able. His temperament allows him to play well and communicate appropriately with other dogs. He is smallish, yet large enough - not quite a little dog, but not quite a big dog either. Dogs bred to be tiny or extra large tend to have the most health problems, so "medium" seems to be the safest. His color provides good camouflage over most terrain, and his quiet watchfulness would certainly draw little attention from prey or predator.
Fenway's coat color and thickness would be no match for arctic snows, and his size and quiet demeanor would make him the least effective Czech border patrol dog in history. But today, in our home, this little brown dog rounds out our international Arwen's Pack. He brings neutrality. From his flexibility in playing rough and tumble with Arwen, to playing keep away with Nyxie and her toys, our little man has brought balance. Who knows where he came from or what his genetics are... It's just a damn good thing he managed to get away from those canine genetic investigators, or from that litter of African strays!
Fenway - Mutt of Mystery!
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| World Vets provides pet sterilization and helps with zoonotic disease prevention. |
While reading this article, I noticed a picture of some of the stray dogs in Africa. Among them, was a dog that looked like Fenway's twin. This dog was proportionally shaped, with short brown fur, a dark snooter, white socks, a white star on his chest. My imagination immediately led me to think of Fenway as a dog from an exotic land, somehow dumped in the suburbs of Dallas. Maybe he was born in a freighter to some African stray who'd sought shelter in a shipping container just before birthing her litter. Maybe he was part of a wild dog experiment, and had been shipped over from Africa for some canine genetics investigation. Or maybe, and far more probable, is Occam's Razor: this is what happens to dogs when we stop playing with their genetics.
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| A local dog from the World Vets website - another Fenway twin? |
I'm certainly not against selective breeding for ability and appearance - Arwen and Nyxie's genetics were certainly the product of selection. Their beauty is striking (I'm a bit biased, I know...), and they do just what they're "supposed" to do. Nyxie protects and herds, Arwen pulls (we've made HUGE lifelong strides to reverse this one) and even at her age, has stamina to rival that of her younger siblings. Regardless, breed selection should always be ruled by the guiding hand of health and sound temperament.
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| Beautiful girls undoubtedly to conjuring up mischief! |
But in the end, Mother Nature gets it right. My muttly little dog is both handsome and able. His temperament allows him to play well and communicate appropriately with other dogs. He is smallish, yet large enough - not quite a little dog, but not quite a big dog either. Dogs bred to be tiny or extra large tend to have the most health problems, so "medium" seems to be the safest. His color provides good camouflage over most terrain, and his quiet watchfulness would certainly draw little attention from prey or predator.
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| The Mutt of Mystery himself! |
Fenway's coat color and thickness would be no match for arctic snows, and his size and quiet demeanor would make him the least effective Czech border patrol dog in history. But today, in our home, this little brown dog rounds out our international Arwen's Pack. He brings neutrality. From his flexibility in playing rough and tumble with Arwen, to playing keep away with Nyxie and her toys, our little man has brought balance. Who knows where he came from or what his genetics are... It's just a damn good thing he managed to get away from those canine genetic investigators, or from that litter of African strays!
Fenway - Mutt of Mystery!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Solar or Hydro Powered Puppy?
Each dog has his or her own loves and preferences. When you add a new pup to the pack, his loves unravel like a mystery. Part of the magic of bringing in a new dog is watching his personality and habits emerge.
First, we're pretty certain that Fenway is hydro-powered. Or maybe solar-powered. I say this because he can always be found diving into the water bowl, gulping down huge amounts of water. We still have him on kibble, which makes him drink more than the girls; but holy cow, can that dog put some water away! He's like a camel! It's truly impressive for his small and Runty stature. "Runty" is his nickname, by the way. He didn't want me to blog that, but it's irresistible.
If he's not hydro-powered, then Fenway is certainly solar-powered. I've posted several pics of him laying in the glorious sunbeams, luxuriating in their warmth. I suspect we'll need to get this guy some booties and a coat for the winter months, much to Matt's chagrin. He won't argue too much if I suit him up in skulls...
The girls are still getting used to him, but now they're both playing with him. Like the shiny new toy, he's in big demand. We'll just have to get a bigger water bowl and slide his bed closer to the window. I think we can handle that...
Check out my latest article on the health benefits of walking with your dog on The Examiner, Dallas!
And also please stop my Etsy store for some Halloween goodies!
First, we're pretty certain that Fenway is hydro-powered. Or maybe solar-powered. I say this because he can always be found diving into the water bowl, gulping down huge amounts of water. We still have him on kibble, which makes him drink more than the girls; but holy cow, can that dog put some water away! He's like a camel! It's truly impressive for his small and Runty stature. "Runty" is his nickname, by the way. He didn't want me to blog that, but it's irresistible.
If he's not hydro-powered, then Fenway is certainly solar-powered. I've posted several pics of him laying in the glorious sunbeams, luxuriating in their warmth. I suspect we'll need to get this guy some booties and a coat for the winter months, much to Matt's chagrin. He won't argue too much if I suit him up in skulls...
The girls are still getting used to him, but now they're both playing with him. Like the shiny new toy, he's in big demand. We'll just have to get a bigger water bowl and slide his bed closer to the window. I think we can handle that...
Check out my latest article on the health benefits of walking with your dog on The Examiner, Dallas!
And also please stop my Etsy store for some Halloween goodies!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Let's Play!!
One of the biggest changes that's occurred in our home is rediscovering the joy of play. While the initial fear and uncertainty of a new dog has settled, and the girls have come to realize he's not the devil in a dog suit, we are starting to see something beautiful. Play! Watching dogs at play brings a smile to my face each time. They play with complete abandon and carelessness. The essence of glee! But each dog has her or his own style of play.
We'll start with Arwen of course (who else?). We've discovered that Arwen has the worst play skills of any dog ever. Really - ever! Her version of play involves complete and total subjugation of the playmate (Fenway). If the playmate tries to get up or, you know, "play", this results in loud "woos" and stiff body posturing over said playmate who's only option is to roll onto his back in total submission. Game over. If this playmate decides to run, butt-biting is perfectly acceptable, then the standing over routine, complete subjugation again and this is sometimes followed by laying on top of the playmate to assure he can't get up. It's a bit like watching a cat and mouse "playing". Or like watching Vlad the Impaler in furry form. Needless to say, there's a great deal of human intervention involved and even more time-outs. She could never quite do this with Nyxie because of Nyxie's size. Nyxie prefers toy play rather than being bit on the butt. I can't imagine why...
So for years, poor Nyxie has longed for a true playmate. One that will grab hold of a toy and tug! One that will chase her silly self as she bounds from couch to ottoman and back to couch in a single graceful motion without biting her butt. After her initial uncertainty and fear of our new little pup, she now seeks him out to play, toy in her mouth. She'll bark at Fenway and bow, showing beautiful play-skills. Sometimes she can get out of hand and starts "mouthing" the top of his neck, but a quick correction from us sends her sensitive soul to settle down.
Finally, there's little Fenway. Coming into our home as a new pack member is not for the canine faint of heart. Neither one of them was terribly welcoming, but through some sweet talking and posturing, he's winning them over. He learned quickly to lay on his back or find a human to cuddle against when things would get too rough. And best of all, he plays like a pro. He'll eagerly follow when teased to chase, but can end a play session with a look. He easily entertains himself with a chew bone, but can hang on to the other end of a Wubba like a champ!
Sometimes all you need is a little fun, however overdue it might be...
We'll start with Arwen of course (who else?). We've discovered that Arwen has the worst play skills of any dog ever. Really - ever! Her version of play involves complete and total subjugation of the playmate (Fenway). If the playmate tries to get up or, you know, "play", this results in loud "woos" and stiff body posturing over said playmate who's only option is to roll onto his back in total submission. Game over. If this playmate decides to run, butt-biting is perfectly acceptable, then the standing over routine, complete subjugation again and this is sometimes followed by laying on top of the playmate to assure he can't get up. It's a bit like watching a cat and mouse "playing". Or like watching Vlad the Impaler in furry form. Needless to say, there's a great deal of human intervention involved and even more time-outs. She could never quite do this with Nyxie because of Nyxie's size. Nyxie prefers toy play rather than being bit on the butt. I can't imagine why...
So for years, poor Nyxie has longed for a true playmate. One that will grab hold of a toy and tug! One that will chase her silly self as she bounds from couch to ottoman and back to couch in a single graceful motion without biting her butt. After her initial uncertainty and fear of our new little pup, she now seeks him out to play, toy in her mouth. She'll bark at Fenway and bow, showing beautiful play-skills. Sometimes she can get out of hand and starts "mouthing" the top of his neck, but a quick correction from us sends her sensitive soul to settle down.
Finally, there's little Fenway. Coming into our home as a new pack member is not for the canine faint of heart. Neither one of them was terribly welcoming, but through some sweet talking and posturing, he's winning them over. He learned quickly to lay on his back or find a human to cuddle against when things would get too rough. And best of all, he plays like a pro. He'll eagerly follow when teased to chase, but can end a play session with a look. He easily entertains himself with a chew bone, but can hang on to the other end of a Wubba like a champ!
Sometimes all you need is a little fun, however overdue it might be...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
When In Doubt, Just Cuddle
He cuddles. Fenway likes to snuggle in and be warm and cozy. He's showing some genetic Pibble with all this cuddle-puddle behavior. I'm not sure if it's a safety tactic to keep away from the less than welcome ladies in the house, or maybe he's just chilly. I just like to think of him as a cuddle bug.
The girls snuggle a bit with us - Arwen enjoys a nice upside down belly rub and will stay in close proximity to me at all times, but a good long cuddle is simply too much heat for her, I suspect. Nyxie like to snuggle into Matt's pillow when it's just the 2 of us. She'll press her nose against me and steal my warmth, facing me on his pillow, her body pressed against me.
To say they've accepted Fenway is a bit of a generous stretch. "Getting familiar with his presence and not actively trying to kill him all the time" might be a more accurate assessment. Fenway is an "old soul" dog - one that seems to understand things that he shouldn't already know. Aside from a perpetually worried look on his face, he's the embodiment of zen. I suppose I'd be perpetually worried as a newcomer around these 2 myself...
We're taking one day at a time here, working it all out. We're giving time to each, while letting them know how much they're loved. Change can be tough, but cuddling comes easy.
The girls snuggle a bit with us - Arwen enjoys a nice upside down belly rub and will stay in close proximity to me at all times, but a good long cuddle is simply too much heat for her, I suspect. Nyxie like to snuggle into Matt's pillow when it's just the 2 of us. She'll press her nose against me and steal my warmth, facing me on his pillow, her body pressed against me.
To say they've accepted Fenway is a bit of a generous stretch. "Getting familiar with his presence and not actively trying to kill him all the time" might be a more accurate assessment. Fenway is an "old soul" dog - one that seems to understand things that he shouldn't already know. Aside from a perpetually worried look on his face, he's the embodiment of zen. I suppose I'd be perpetually worried as a newcomer around these 2 myself...
We're taking one day at a time here, working it all out. We're giving time to each, while letting them know how much they're loved. Change can be tough, but cuddling comes easy.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
And Then There Were Three...Arwen's Pack Has Grown!
This past weekend, Matt was outside just after midnight when he heard some nearby wimpering. Turning to listen closely (whether by instinct or simple curiosity), he saw a small brown dog come bounding over, all whines and ears back. The little pup just sat at his feet staring up at him. Well what the hell do you do at that point?! After a choice HBO word, knowing full well what was in store, he reached down and comforted this lost creature. I know this because just moments later the bedroom light flooded over my sleeping self and I was told to come downstairs and see something "cute, furry, lost and terrible".
With the same choice HBO word, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and threw off the covers. "Terrible" is right - we couldn't bring this puppy into the house. What if it had distemper or parvo? We'd just seen a case of parvo not a week ago at the clinic. All these thoughts were put on hold as I opened the door and looked down the stairs. There, a whining, simpering, doe-eyed puppy looked up at me and melted my heart.
We looked him over and found gum in his dirty fur, his skin loose over visible ribs. Poor kid - was he in this condition and just ran away recently? Was he abandoned by somebody? Stairs were completely foreign to him and every house around us has 2 stories. "Inside" seemed to be another totally foreign concept. He was wearing a collar without tags and when we scanned him later, we discovered he had no microchip either.
We put a leash on him and walked around the buildings, hoping to reunite him with his owners. Nobody was out looking, the streets were empty. More HBO words....what now?
Plan B involved taking him to the clinic where I work and checking him over for parasites, a microchip, and some clue as to his age. We had to wake up T at 12:30 in the morning to keep her from being home alone. Upon seeing the foundling, her eyes lit up like diamonds. She was in love!
At the clinic, we checked him for parasites and he was badly infested with hookworms. Yuk. Those could kill a pup! I dewormed him and left him there; safe for the night.
Against all of our better judgement (except T because she's in love), we've decided to keep him. So maybe the "shake" I mentioned we got earlier is sweet, but still a shake in the other sense as well!
But bloggie friends, I need some help with 2 issues:
1) We are considering the name "Fenway" after Fenway Park, of course. We're 2nd generation Red Sox (and T will make the 3rd gen) fans, so it seems fitting. Any other suggestions?
2) The girls aren't impressed. Arwen is trying unsuccessfully to dominate him with her usual bullying tactics and Nyxie is afraid of him all scared growls. Yup, my 80 lb GSD is terrified of a 26 lb muttling who won't get bigger than 30-40 lbs! Poor girl...There has been some snapping at one another, and integrating isn't going as smoothly as I 'd hoped. He has great calm energy. Any ideas or help?
Thank you, Loves!
FYI - interwebs are acting funny so pls be patient with me. I had to write this post from my phone!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4
Thursday, September 1, 2011
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.
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.
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| 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!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Diplomacy
I just witnessed a peaceful exchange of goods done with grace and style. It was unmatched diplomacy that made my jaw drop. I wasn't watching CNN or some historical documentary. I was in my living room watching the girls play.
Arwen has taken a fancy to Blue Bear, a fairly new toy that looks like a gummi bear that I bought for Nyxie a few months ago. It's since become forgotten in the toy basket, abandoned for stuffies and tennis balls that are Nyxie's favorites. One day, Arwen walked over to the toy basket (odd enough for her), rummaged through, and plucked Blue Bear out, prancing away with him in her mouth. Arwen has been a loyal Orange Ball fanatic for years. On that day, for whatever reason, Blue Bear caught her attention. Maybe she'd been pining away secretly for Blue Bear, but I doubt it. What Arwen wants, she demands.
This morning while drafting an entirely different post, I was watched the girls gnawing on each other, like they do most mornings we're home alone. Suddenly, Nyxie picked up Blue Bear (that Arwen had been chewing earlier) and settled in to play. I got a bit leery here, thinking Arwen might become territorial. She walked over towards Nyxie and watched her sideways. Nyxie stood, letting go of Blue Bear but still standing in front of him. The girls exchanged some bitey face, sniffed at each other's hind ends, and Nyxie slowly (not nervously) walked past Blue Bear. Arwen reached down and picked him up, chewing contentedly.
I sat mesmerized at the ease with which this happened. Many of you know how large and in-charge Arwen can be, dominating most "disagreements" with an icy look. What I witnessed was pure magic. They spoke volumes of respect and affection without a single word. Flawless, successful communication. It was beautiful. Now I know this happens repeatedly on a daily basis - 2 dogs sharing the same resources and coexisting gracefully - but it was too elegant not to share with you.
Oh, the lessons they can teach us if we're just paying attention!
Arwen has taken a fancy to Blue Bear, a fairly new toy that looks like a gummi bear that I bought for Nyxie a few months ago. It's since become forgotten in the toy basket, abandoned for stuffies and tennis balls that are Nyxie's favorites. One day, Arwen walked over to the toy basket (odd enough for her), rummaged through, and plucked Blue Bear out, prancing away with him in her mouth. Arwen has been a loyal Orange Ball fanatic for years. On that day, for whatever reason, Blue Bear caught her attention. Maybe she'd been pining away secretly for Blue Bear, but I doubt it. What Arwen wants, she demands.
This morning while drafting an entirely different post, I was watched the girls gnawing on each other, like they do most mornings we're home alone. Suddenly, Nyxie picked up Blue Bear (that Arwen had been chewing earlier) and settled in to play. I got a bit leery here, thinking Arwen might become territorial. She walked over towards Nyxie and watched her sideways. Nyxie stood, letting go of Blue Bear but still standing in front of him. The girls exchanged some bitey face, sniffed at each other's hind ends, and Nyxie slowly (not nervously) walked past Blue Bear. Arwen reached down and picked him up, chewing contentedly.
I sat mesmerized at the ease with which this happened. Many of you know how large and in-charge Arwen can be, dominating most "disagreements" with an icy look. What I witnessed was pure magic. They spoke volumes of respect and affection without a single word. Flawless, successful communication. It was beautiful. Now I know this happens repeatedly on a daily basis - 2 dogs sharing the same resources and coexisting gracefully - but it was too elegant not to share with you.
Oh, the lessons they can teach us if we're just paying attention!
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I've continued the Tick series - this time about Ehrlichia - on The Examiner Dallas. You can read about it here.
Also, a quick story look at blood work and blood draws at the vet why vet from Hello Dallas - "Are Veterinarians Undercover Vampies?"
Thanks for reading! I have a few new items on my Etsy shop also. T has decided to make some goodies so she can eventually have enough to buy a car when she's ready to drive. I'm so proud of her! You can see her items here (under the subheading "Indentured Child Labor" - that kid cracks me up!)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
A World Without Dogs?
Last night, we watched a movie, "Priest" about a diesel-punk apocalyptic world of vampires monsters and the priest/ninjas that fight them and keep this futuristic world safe. Not your average fare, but as I've said before, our family is all about things that "go bump in the night", vampires, zombies and the like. And I'm a Paul Bettany fan, so it worked out doubly in my favor.
About halfway through the movie, Nyxie climbed across the couch, and curled her 70 lb body into the crook of my own. I was lying on my side, head propped on some pillows and legs curled forward. She wanted to spoon with me! There wasn't a ton of space, but this is where she wanted to be. I slowed my breathing and made more room for her, aware of the unspoken closeness with such a wonderful creature. It's not rare for her to cuddle with me, but I never take these moments for granted. They're the ones that really count.
Some time later, Matt opened the freezer, breaking the spell. The freezer opening is the great Ice Bell - no matter where the dogs are, they come bounding into the kitchen for an ice cube. (And with that, they have conditioned us to offer them an ice cube each time - they are wonderful trainers!)
After the movie, Matt observed that there wasn't a single dog in the movie.
He laughed, "People wouldn't live anywhere where there weren't any dogs..."
Indeed.
About halfway through the movie, Nyxie climbed across the couch, and curled her 70 lb body into the crook of my own. I was lying on my side, head propped on some pillows and legs curled forward. She wanted to spoon with me! There wasn't a ton of space, but this is where she wanted to be. I slowed my breathing and made more room for her, aware of the unspoken closeness with such a wonderful creature. It's not rare for her to cuddle with me, but I never take these moments for granted. They're the ones that really count.
Some time later, Matt opened the freezer, breaking the spell. The freezer opening is the great Ice Bell - no matter where the dogs are, they come bounding into the kitchen for an ice cube. (And with that, they have conditioned us to offer them an ice cube each time - they are wonderful trainers!)
After the movie, Matt observed that there wasn't a single dog in the movie.
He laughed, "People wouldn't live anywhere where there weren't any dogs..."
Indeed.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Armagghedon and Chicken Little
With each rush of the wind and the almost continuous flashes of lightning, Nyxie clung quietly nearby. She doesn't exactly have storm anxiety, and we're careful to keep our energy at calm levels. I'd call what she exibits as "storm uncertainty". She keeps close tabs on us, trying to gauge whether she has cause for true concern.
We took our last of the evening walk with the girls at the storm's edge. The razor line between stagnant humidity and the sky spilling its weight. In what had to be 50 mile per hour winds, I held tightly to Arwen's leash and Matt to Nyxie's for that last potty break of the night. All I could think of were pee pads. No bugs milling about, just a poor up-ended beetle, struggling to right itself. I nudged it into the bushes. We saw a bird fly quickly past, surely a Herculean effort in that wind!
As the second night of severe thunderstorms crashed overhead, we braced ourselves for yet another groggy morning. Without further adieu, I bring you "Texas Weather".
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| Keeping Blue Bear safe from thunderboomers |
We took our last of the evening walk with the girls at the storm's edge. The razor line between stagnant humidity and the sky spilling its weight. In what had to be 50 mile per hour winds, I held tightly to Arwen's leash and Matt to Nyxie's for that last potty break of the night. All I could think of were pee pads. No bugs milling about, just a poor up-ended beetle, struggling to right itself. I nudged it into the bushes. We saw a bird fly quickly past, surely a Herculean effort in that wind!
As the second night of severe thunderstorms crashed overhead, we braced ourselves for yet another groggy morning. Without further adieu, I bring you "Texas Weather".
**The video was taken by my phone, so please excuse the quality. Amazing lightning at about 0:49 and close to the very end, but otherwise, the video is VERY dark! **
I promise to resume my story about our move from Maine to Texas in my next post. There's just been too much to share lately!
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Awards and Good Things
As usual I'm late in catching up with the awards being circulated in blogville lately. We've been given 2 wonderful awards! When I first started blogging about the girls and their positive impact on my life, I had no idea what kind of response I'd receive for both my stories about them and the way these stories are told. As it turns out, we've been well-received and even have a few followers!
I love writing about my girls. They challenge me to be kind, patient and other-centered. Simply put, they bring out the best in me.
If you haven't checked out these blogs, you're missing out. They're awesome!
I love writing about my girls. They challenge me to be kind, patient and other-centered. Simply put, they bring out the best in me.
There are some blogs I seek out when I want the comfort of kind words, positive thoughts or even just a good giggle. Among many others, these blogs stand out for inspiring general doggie goodness:
White Dog Diary Online - Positive to the core. Uplifting and truly conscious of creating a better world through actions and the written word. Proud to be your friend!
Bailey Be Good! - Another positive, thoughtful and bright person taking care of a lovely young pup. Your words bring me hope!
Mango and Dexter's Great Adventures - You always put a smile on my face and bring me back to that rich New England humor that I miss so dearly.
The Chronicle of Woos - I look forward to your pics of those gorgeous Sibes of yours. And now I find out you're "family"?! Well - it all makes sense then!
Romping and Rolling in the Rockies - Breathtaking pics writing with a purity of soul. A clear, honest voice. Each time I read your blog I want to throw everything in my car and go live in the woods!
T2 - My Life With Pit Bulls - Logical, passionate and smartly written. There's an honest edge to your voice that I admire.
Two Pitties in the City - Caring, hopeful, and honest. I love these 2 wonderful Pitties and their humans and miss them when I can't get to reading my blogs.
Adventures of Anna the GSD - This is one of the funniest blogs out there. Each time I read about Anna, she cracks me up. She has the voice of a true Diva!
Kol's Notes - Another super funny blog. I always know Kol's frank way of telling it like it is will have me chuckling and sharing the post with my DH.
Khyra's Khorner - Thoughtful, love in action - Khyra's mom does a rescue run each week, helping to directly save lives!
The Shenanigans of Shawnee the Shepherd - Shawnee's was one of the 1st dog blogs I ever read and I was immediately hooked. Each week I look forward to another gorgeous installment of Vitamin "N" - Nature!
If you haven't checked out these blogs, you're missing out. They're awesome!
Now this one comes with rules, so here goes - I need to tell you 7 things about us and pass this on to 15 uber-versatile bloggers. Here goes:
1) Arwen loves massages. I give her regular back massages and she just eats them up! She has arthritis in her back, so I imagine these little rub-downs feel pretty good to her.
2) Nyxie has a sensitive tummy, like GSD's are prone to have. Stress will give her the runs pretty quickly. We try to keep things low-key ;)
3) I lived in New Orleans for a few months after college. That was quite an adventure!
4) I've worked in a residential treatment center for teens at one of the oldest psychiatric hospitals in the nation (since closed) and afterwards, as a social worker for teen girls.
5) I'm an avid Red Sox fan, like my wonderful father before me. We used to sit together and watch the games on TV and we even saw a couple together at Fenway! I was lucky enough to be living in Portland when they won the World Series in 2004 and could celebrate with die-hard fans. In my dad's lifetime, he never saw them win the World Series.
6) Matt does the majority of the cooking in our home. I am a very lucky woman. He likes to cook with simple, basic ingredients, bringing out their flavors to perfection. Yum!
7) I have a 13 year old stepdaughter - daughter, really - whom I met when she was 3 years old. We were lucky enough to have her come back into our lives after a 3 year absence while living with her mother out of state. I'm blessed she's back in our lives.
It was tough to pick only 15 blogs as "versatile", because I think we all have to be versatile to continue blogging. You'll find some repeats from above on this list, but maybe their versatility is inspirational! These are the blogs that I find most versatile:
1) White Dog Diary Online
2) Two Pitties In the City
3) Kol's Notes
4) Bailey Be Good!
5) Pet Blogs United
6) Five Sibes
7) Roo's Doins
8) A Scratch Behind the Ears (and Other Nice Things)
9) Adventures of Anna the GSD
10) Heartbeats
11) I Still Want More Puppies
12) 24 Paws of Love
13) CyberSibes
14) animal lover, quilt lover
15) The Dogs of Greenhill Farm
Please check these blogs out if you haven't already - they're definite winners! I can't thank you all enough for reading my brain droppings. I'm lucky to be able to share the magic of Arwen and Nyxie!
My next post will be the 2nd installment of our big move from Maine to Dallas. If you haven't read the first, you can do so here.
2) Nyxie has a sensitive tummy, like GSD's are prone to have. Stress will give her the runs pretty quickly. We try to keep things low-key ;)
3) I lived in New Orleans for a few months after college. That was quite an adventure!
4) I've worked in a residential treatment center for teens at one of the oldest psychiatric hospitals in the nation (since closed) and afterwards, as a social worker for teen girls.
5) I'm an avid Red Sox fan, like my wonderful father before me. We used to sit together and watch the games on TV and we even saw a couple together at Fenway! I was lucky enough to be living in Portland when they won the World Series in 2004 and could celebrate with die-hard fans. In my dad's lifetime, he never saw them win the World Series.
6) Matt does the majority of the cooking in our home. I am a very lucky woman. He likes to cook with simple, basic ingredients, bringing out their flavors to perfection. Yum!
7) I have a 13 year old stepdaughter - daughter, really - whom I met when she was 3 years old. We were lucky enough to have her come back into our lives after a 3 year absence while living with her mother out of state. I'm blessed she's back in our lives.
It was tough to pick only 15 blogs as "versatile", because I think we all have to be versatile to continue blogging. You'll find some repeats from above on this list, but maybe their versatility is inspirational! These are the blogs that I find most versatile:
1) White Dog Diary Online
2) Two Pitties In the City
3) Kol's Notes
4) Bailey Be Good!
5) Pet Blogs United
6) Five Sibes
7) Roo's Doins
8) A Scratch Behind the Ears (and Other Nice Things)
9) Adventures of Anna the GSD
10) Heartbeats
11) I Still Want More Puppies
12) 24 Paws of Love
13) CyberSibes
14) animal lover, quilt lover
15) The Dogs of Greenhill Farm
Please check these blogs out if you haven't already - they're definite winners! I can't thank you all enough for reading my brain droppings. I'm lucky to be able to share the magic of Arwen and Nyxie!
My next post will be the 2nd installment of our big move from Maine to Dallas. If you haven't read the first, you can do so here.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
We're Featured on Pet Blogs United!
Pam and Oskar run a fantastic blog, Pet Blogs United, where they feature a weekly pet blog to help spread friendship and offer support for our pet passion. My blog is a slice of the goodness in my life. With so much negativity and cruelty surrounding animals and the way people treat them, we need a safe haven. A place to celebrate being caretakers and marvel at our special furry connections.
I've met incredibly kind and gifted people here, many of whom I'm pleased to call friends. I feel honored to be featured and to actually have readers share this wild ride with me. Arwen, Nyxie and I thank you. It's good to be in Arwen's Pack with you!
I've met incredibly kind and gifted people here, many of whom I'm pleased to call friends. I feel honored to be featured and to actually have readers share this wild ride with me. Arwen, Nyxie and I thank you. It's good to be in Arwen's Pack with you!
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