Underdogs Go South

One of my family's favorite TV shows is Animal Planet's Pit Bulls and Parolees.  Although we don't always catch the show at its regular air time, we can usually catch it through our cable's "on demand" feature.  If you've never watched this show, (where've you been?) it's about a tough, heart of gold Pit Bull rescuer who runs a huge rescue ranch in California with her daughters and extended family of parolee guys.  See, Tia Marie Torres doesn't just rescue Pitties.  Her husband is incarcerated and she believes in second chances.  She's opened her heart to parolees, helping them get their lives on track by caring for the dogs at Villalobos Rescue Center in California.

Yeah, she's pretty awesome...

Tia is one of those women who really knows dogs.  She also really knows people.  She's tough as nails and has razor-sharp intuition.  Her daughters impress me and I hope I can raise my own to have the same strength and sense of self that her two have.  And to also instill in her a rescuer's heart.  Raising a strong girl is tough work - she's done it twice.  Cheers to you, Tia!

Tia with daughters, Tani and Mariah

Pitt Bulls and Parolees is one of the few TV shows that has actually moved my own 14 year old daughter to tears.  She says Tia is tough like me (aw, shucks).  She's grown so attached to Fenway (who's suspiciously of Pittie lineage) and empathizes deeply with the plight of these rescue dogs.  It's a beautiful thing to see, really.  

BFF's

So why have I told you all this?  

I just finished watching episode 12, season 3 -"on demand", of course- and got some wonderful news.  Villalobos Rescue Center has moved to New Orleans!  Any of you who follow my blog know how much I love New Orleans.  It's the city that truly holds my heart.  

Now this was no easy move for them, I'm sure.  People, belongings, and over 150 Pit Bulls were moved!  Only Tia... 

Tia and her family

I wanted to help spread the word here and ask you to visit their website.  They're humanitarians, rescuers, and relentless champions for the ultimate underdogs - Pit Bulls and  parolees.  If you read through their site, you'll find they ask for doggie goods, volunteers, and financial support.  

As though my family needed any more reason to go to New Orleans?  It makes sense for them to be there.  If ever there was a place that will be home to a tough fight, New Orleans fits that bill.  Good luck, Tia!  Maybe someday we can clink Hurricane glasses and talk dogs, raising teenage girls and fighting the good fight.  

Cheers!

Doggie Laxative

Special thanks to Two Pitties in the City for a recent post about "Decorum" that reminded me of Arwen's "peculiar" behavior.  In other words, if it goes south, blame them.  Only kidding of course, and sending them and their 2 fabulous Nanny Dogs much love!

St Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, New Orleans

A couple of years ago, Matt and I took a trip to New Orleans.  We met up with some friends of ours in Houston, and headed to the Big Easy for a long weekend.  While I was super excited to return to one of my favorite US cities, and share with Matt a place I knew he'd fall in love with, I was wrought with worry.  I was going to leave behind Haimmie and the Girls.

T was yet to live with us, so the only kids we had to be concerned with were our 4 legged ones.  I will never board my kiddos if I can help it.  (That's a post for another day)  Haimmie, our ferret, only required 2 feedings a day like the Girls at this point, as he hadn't been diagnosed with his insulinoma (a nasty pancreatic tumor that ultimately creates severe hypoglycemia).

My little Haimmie after a recent bath

To prevent them and me from having a nervous breakdown, I asked my friend Alexis to petsit.  She is one of them most dog-savvy people I know in Texas and I knew she could handle the beasties.  She's a tiny slip of a woman, but tough as nails.  She came over a few times before we left so she could meet and greet the girls and get the routine down.  As we're raw feeders, there's a few extra steps involved, like thawing the following  meal's food at each prior serving.  I walked her through all of it, obsessively explaining each and every bit of each and every step.  She patiently listened and took it all in.  I am so thankful for her in my life.

I'm a worrier as some of you may have gleaned from my posts.  You're shocked, I know, but it's true.  I was nervous about leaving the girls, but so excited for a vacation.  I was thankful for the ease of communication that technology affords while we were away, although I imagine Alexis might have felt otherwise.  I called her each day to see what had transpired with the girls and prayed they wouldn't give her too many headaches.  She obliged me each obsessive, lunatic phone call.

Upon our return, we were met with a detailed note (on the flipside of the 2 page instructional note I had left) from Alexis.  Apparently all went great with Nyxie, although on Day 1 she was greeted with the "German Shepherd Bark" which can be alarmingly intimidating as you all know.  After that, it was smooth sailing.  There was just one glitch.

Arwen didn't poop the entire time we were gone.

Four days!  She has this strange Poop Only for Mom Fetish that denies her the simple pleasure of relieving herself around anyone but me.  She will only rarely poop for Matt.  She's nothing if not "quirky".  Talk about anal retentive!  This dog is a champ at holding it in.  For the sake of my dog's bowels, future trips will need to be kept short.

Should I poo?

Maybe here?

Nah - I'll wait for Mom!

So what does THAT tell you about my priorities? 

Better add "Doggie Laxative" to my list of pet parent jobs.

Dollies

New goodies in the shop - fun dollies!  Hopefully I will not offend with these.  I was inspired to make these while living in and visiting New Orleans.  Do you have any idea how long it takes to save, clean, bleach and prepare chicken and turkey bones?!  Hope you enjoy them!