Amore Pet Care

I'm on the Hunt

2010-02-24T07:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, I want a new foster. I've found myself opening all the 'help' emails that I'm getting from the local shelters. Soon it will be time when a new puppy comes home. I really, really, really, really want a male rottie puppy. There's only one problem, though, in that I would have a really, really, really hard time giving him up. So the better idea might be to stay away from rotties!

We shall see. A friend's dog is coming to stay with us for a week in March, so I need to wait until she goes home.

Double ACL's

2010-01-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

Holy, moly, Chirstmas time was crazy. Boo, my oldest, was having some issues walking. Actually, she was having issues back in October, but one day she wouldn't feel well and the next she was running around like a puppy. So Dr. Bobo wasn't quite so sure it was an ACL tear. She seemed to get better, but then around Christmas, I knew something was definitely off. Although, the majority of days she never acted like it, the days that she was hurting were really bad.

So he sent me to a surgical center, and sure enough her ACL was torn. Now, Boo and I don't have good experiences together at the vet. My nerves don't help her nerves, and we end up both being nervous wrecks. They were trying to calm her down with pills, and after 'enough medication to sedate an elephant', Boo still wouldn't let her guard down.

Finally, after two hours of medicine, and more medicine, she was finally relaxing enough that they could start to really examine her and move into surgery.

So I got the phone call shortly after leaving, that we weren't dealing with one torn ACL, but we were dealing with two. So we couldn't do surgery on both right away, but we did go ahead and had the right one repaired.

I went to pick her up the next day, and she was soooooo upset. When I brought her home, it wasn't the physical demands that were killing me, it was the emotional ones. As Boo went through this process, it was exactly a year from when Baxter started to slowly decline. Boo had to wear a cone, she was on pain killers, so she walked like she was drunk. And she was limping on one leg. It was everything that Baxter had gone through in his final weeks. I tried to hold it together, but when she had an accident in her crate, I lost it. (Baxter had completely lost all control of his bowels in the end). I sobbed for several days as I took care of her, Baxter's last few weeks and death all staring me straight on.

I got through it, though. It's been a long seven weeks (only one more to go) before she can start moving around again. Of course, this doesn't include the surgery on the other leg. She's not showing any signs of pain or discomfort in that leg, and we're going to talk with her surgeon about possible options. I would like to hold off until Michael is home to help me. Boo loves her pet sitters, but Michael and I are the only two allowed to put a leash on her. Considering she is leash bound for eight weeks, it puts a bit of a damper on any travel plans. If Michael was home, it would help out tremendously, physically and emotionally.

So between cancer, ACL's, and distemper over the past year, I'm so ready for a vet break!

They're Gone.....

2010-01-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

So my sweet, sweet baby boys are both officially gone now. Diego went to a jackpot home several months ago, and honestly, I was planning on hanging onto sweet James. I told Michael that I would keep him up for adoption, but ONLY if I found the jackpot home for him.

Well, the jackpot home came through right around Christmas. I knew I wasn't being fair to hang onto him when there was a great family ready to welcome him into their home. So I said I would do the home visit, still not thinking it was going to amount to anything. Then it became even more clear that his time with me was going to soon come to an end.

I'm not going to lie, I miss him dearly!!! And I cried when I had to give him up. However, I know that it only allows me to get another dog to rescue. So it's the one reason I can justify giving him to a great home.

I'm going to miss him, but I know it's for the best!

Today's the Day

2009-10-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

So today is when I need to make my decision about the boys. They're at the vet, as we speak, getting their manhood clipped. James has been acting dog aggressive towards food and toys. Although we're working on it, and he's improving. I still wanted to get the snipping taken care of, in hopes it would curb whatever aggression he has left in him.

I was devastated leaving them there. First, because I hate leaving them an entire day, when they have no idea what's going on. Second, because I know that I need to make up my mind on what I'm going to do with these little guys. Only two more hours, and I get to take them home.

A Day In The Life...

2009-10-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful fall day today, and I pulled out last year's leather boots. I was so excited to wear them. They're knee high, and have a biker look to them. On the outside of each boot there are three buckles evenly distributed through the bottom to the top. I was so excited, as these were one pair of shoes that I didn't have to take to get the heel repaired, thanks to my darling Maximus and now two puppies.

Then as I was zipping one up, I saw it. The middle strap with a buckle, on the left boot, was only half there. *Sigh* Not sure how I'm going to repair this one, but I'm hoping my shoe people can make miracles happen. And here I was so excited that I found one pair they didn't get a hold of.

The Babies Are Growing

2009-09-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

My two precious baby boys are growing. They're approaching the six month mark, and pretty soon they'll need to get the snip, snip. Their vet has told me everything is looking fantastic, and he just told me to hold off fixing them for another four weeks. Those four weeks will be up in the middle of October, and I have some major decisions to make.

For one, I know that I need to put fostering on hold. Without Michael here it's far too difficult for me. If something goes wrong, I don't have the bandwidth to do it all. I hate to have to put it on the back burner, but I just know that week of four hour nights of sleep, just didn't cut it for me.

I also have to decide what I'm going to do with these two little boys. I love, love, love them, and they hold such a special place in my heart. Michael was very sure that we weren't going to keep them until he came home to visit. Then I heard 'I'll support whatever you decide to do, but just to let you know, I'm a little partial to Diego.'

So it didn't help. I know having as many as I do is crazy, especially with me living by myself. Plus there's the fact that these two boys are perfectly adoptable, and they'll make someone an amazing companion. However, we had just gotten word that another one of our fosters were getting returned, so it's made me extremely gun shy. Luckily they changed their mind. However, with their original decision to return him, came an extremely long email, detailing everything that was wrong with this dog. I fear that two years from now I'll get the same letter about my precious James.

So long story short, I'm not sure what to do. Luckily, I have two more weeks before I really have to decide. It breaks my heart to even think about them not being here. However, I also know there's going to be someone who can give them even more attention than I can.

Rain and Potty Don't Mix

2009-09-25T14:13:00.001-07:00

Ugh, I know I need to love the rain, but during the last week of constant rain, I'm completely re potty training one of my dogs. Yep, you guessed it, Daisy.

Daisy has decided that she hates getting her feet wet. If it's even just morning dew on the ground, she puts one foot on it, then backs up on the concrete and runs to the back door. If it's raining she doesn't even make it far enough out to attempt to put her foot down. Instead she plasters herself against the back door, begging to come back in. I am now completely retraining her, which is just lovely.

Even in the pouring rain, I need to walk outside with her and say 'Daisy, go potty' about five times. Of course she looks at me as if I'm severely beating her. I mean what kind of horrible mommy would make a dog stand outside in the middle of the pouring rain when there's a perfectly dry dining room that she can go in?

I'm the evil mommy. I've also resorted to the old treats and rewards when she does go. Is it completely sad that my two five month old babies are far more potty trained than my four year old dog?

I'm telling you, God was playing a really mean joke on me when he put Daisy in my path. I love her, but there's not a day that goes by when Daisy doesn't try my patience.

A Funny Pic

2009-08-21T09:17:00.001-07:00

This was taken a while ago, and I only wish my dogs were like this all the time. The trick to this was that I was coming in from the house, and I wouldn't come through the door until they all sat.

Miracle Boys Pictures

2009-08-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

Here are James and Diego, the two Distemper puppies!

Another Miracle

2009-08-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

So I did it, I convinced Michael to let me get another foster. My maternal instinct was kicking in and he had a choice, a puppy or a baby. He of course, went for the puppy. By chance I was lead to open an email from the Irving Shelter, where I found my dream rottie puppy. He was six weeks old.

I convinced Michael, and we waited for the shelter to open. While we waited, I looked at the email and found a little black lab puppy, 4 months old, who looked like Bailey. He had a brother, so as I showed him to Michael, I said, if the rottie falls through, I'll take both of these little guys.

Well a woman waited two hours for the shelter to open to pick up the rottie, and I couldn't compete with that. Now there's another part to this story, before I continue. Michael just moved to Cleveland. So I'm on my own. Before I committed myself to these puppies, I had a moment of reality. Six dogs, six dogs????? Six dogs in my home, and I'm on my own. It's crazy, so I decided that I couldn't do it.

When I called Michael to tell him, well, he gave me a lashing. He told me I had to get those boys, and that I couldn't let them die in a shelter. Harsh words, but after hanging up with him, I was on my way to Irving to pick up these little guys.

So they were easy, the best puppies ever. I brought them home on a Wed, Michael left on Saturday, and on Sunday, James became deathly ill. By Monday morning he could barely get up and wouldn't eat. As I was talking to D from FHS, it started to click. And as I read every symptom of distemper, I realized it was what I was dealing with. To say I had a breakdown, is to put it mildly.

Distemper for 4 month old puppies is typically a death sentence. Basically, through my tears, I told D that I couldn't put another dog to sleep this year. And as I was trying to handle everything, I could NOT deal with a dog going through seizures. I had to do whatever it took to make these little boys better.

I went to the first vet, gave me antibiotics and pretty much told me 'good luck'. Just waiting it out wasn't going to be an option for me, so I did more research. And then I found my angel. Dr. Ward down at Plano Animal Clinic has quite an interesting track record. He's found solutions for lots of diseases that many can't fix. Where the survival rate for distemper is 20%, his is 80%.

I brought the boys down there and after his analysis, I was handed two bags full of liquids, pills, and powders. 9 bottles to give them, pretty much twice a day.

On Tuesday James broke his fever, and neither of them ever looked back. I literally can cry just thinking about how lucky I am. It's been almost two weeks, and it looks like I'm in the clear. I adore them, and I love them, and I really don't want to give them up for adoption. I'm just so grateful that I can be in the position to have to make the choice. They are the greatest little puppies. I actually yell at Daisy more in a day than I do at the two puppies combined. Of course, I'm not really sure that's saying much.

It's a Miracle

2009-07-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

It's official......Cali has found a new home. I really do love this dog, but two Daisy's in a house is way more than one can handle. She has found the most perfect home and family, and they have fallen in love with her. I have to go and pick her up for her final vet appointment, and tomorrow it will be official.

I honestly didn't believe this day would come, and I had it in my head that she was going to be around forever. In fact, I was already starting to research getting her therapy dog trained. She would have been perfect. However, my dreams/prayers were answered, and she has found the most perfect home.

I'm keeping my eyes posted for a possible new foster. Of course Michael doesn't know about this. I figure it's easier to bring a cute puppy in need home, and ask for his forgiveness, rather than asking for his permission. He tries to act tough, but honestly, all I need to do is show him a picture. As soon as I do, he's like 'Okay, go get him.'

As much as I would love to stay at four dogs, I feel to guilty being complacent. Can't wait to see what we can save next!

The Power of Clean Teeth

2009-07-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

My dear Boo is turning 5 in 6 weeks. Bailey is approximately the same age, although I think she's a few months behind. Regardless, both of their teeth were getting pretty nasty. Therefore, their breath was getting unbearable. When I just had Baxter keeping up with the brushing was easy. As you topple on four more dogs, brushing every one's teeth on a regular basis becomes impossible.

So we made our appointment for the girl's to get their teeth deep cleaned. Of course any vet visit for Boo can be stressful. Michael dropped them off, and asked again if they wanted him to stick around while they sedated her. But they told him to go ahead, and they would get it. 'Take the crazy one to this kennel' were the words they used as they guided her to her holding cell.

When it came time to pick them up, we always make sure that we're there as early as 10 minutes than we're supposed to be. I know Boo is in complete agony the whole time she's there, so making her wait any longer is stressful for me, just thinking about it. We discovered that she only tried to charge two employees *sigh*, and of course she did her run around the office screaming routine. It's truly a blast. Okay, so it's truly humiliating.

But they made it, and what a difference a cleaning makes. Their teeth are now back to white, and I'm so thrilled with the results. They can breath within five feet of me without me passing out. Now if we can just get Boo to stop taking poop snacks in the back yard, the cleaning should last for a while.

How Daisy and I Both Found Peace

2009-07-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

So I used to run a lot. I actually completed a couple of marathons, and back in 2004 I was in great shape. I moved to Texas, things happened, and I just, well, I just let myself go. What used to be four miles became barely four meters.

Now as I've mentioned, Daisy is crazy. She has more energy than one could ever imagine, and getting her to settle down has been a chore. She's not like a lab, where at two years old she became extremely calm. No, two came and went, and we just sat back watching Daisy run in circles in the back yard.

So this year I decided to find me again. I wanted to feel better about myself. Although, I wasn't ready to commit to full marathons, I signed Michael and I up for a half in July. As we started our training, I decided to take Daisy along.

To say that she is born to run, is truly an understatement. She loves it, and a dog cannot be more perfectly built for running. And as the Texas sun beats harder, Daisy still can't wait to get out there. I ran her five miles the other day, thinking it had to be her max. However, after a quick 20 minute rest after our arrival home, she started chasing Maximus all around the house.

So we're all back into running here. I've come to a point where I enjoy it again, and I love to get in the zone. Our race is just a few weeks away now. Daisy is calming down bit by bit, and she loves nothing more than to join us on our runs. I'm really thinking that if we end up doing a local half marathon, she could do it. No, I wouldn't push her that far, but I swear she would be all in. She's honestly one of the greatest running partners someone could ever have. I'm just thrilled to discover that something so simple has made Daisy and myself more at peace.

4th of July With a Bang

2009-07-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

What a great and successful 4th of July weekend. It was insanely busy, but we all made it out alive!

The best, most exciting news of the weekend, though, is that I think Cali may have found a home. She's only been on her trial adoption for 3 days, but I have a really, really, really good feeling. They have a 10 month old lab puppy tat has lots and lots of energy. They just want to find a dog on the same level.

I'll be honest, I had given up hope. I had pretty much prepared to have Cali for life. To think that she might have a fabulous forever home is so encouraging. So time will tell.

Now I just need to work on Michael letting me get my 2nd baby boy ;)

The Illusion Collar Rocks

2009-06-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

So as adorable as our dear 'puppy' Maximus is, he's a pain in the butt to walk. At 80lbs, his lunging and crying just aren't something you want to deal with on a daily basis. We've tried pinch collars, the Halt-e, you name it. And we've had no luck. Walks are actually embarrassing, and something that we absolutely do not look forward to.

So in a desperate attempt to find something that works, we went to Cesar's website and ordered one of these. It actually works very well. He's not lunging as much as he usually does. Although, the walk hasn't hit perfect territory yet, we're getting there.

I'm a little relieved that it's better, and I would recommend this collar to someone having a hard time getting control of their dogs. It helps keep the slip collar up on their neck, so it's not falling all over the place.

Thumbs up to Cesar. Once again, you're my hero!

How Baxter Came To Be Again

2009-06-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

So this is a story that still gives me chills down my spine. So I briefly mentioned how in November Renee and I split a littler of 6, 5-week old puppies. They were from East Texas, were full of worms, and had come from a pretty rough life. Pictured above was Bobby. From the beginning Bobby was pretty special. He was extremely sensitive, and it made me wonder if he had been hit several times in his life. If you raised your voice to him, he ran and hid. It was heartbreaking.

So on Christmas Bobby was delivered to a home that I had made a visit to just days prior. They seemed like a great family. Well after some doubts on their end, I asked them really rethink their decision. I didn't want him to be in a situation where he was thrown outside all day or returned to me years later with no training.

They decided to give him back. I got him on a Thursday, and on Saturday at a Adopt a Pet, we literally had to tell people to stop giving us applications. People had seen his picture on Petfinder and had come from all over the DFW area to see him. I saw this couple who had brought their dog Boscoe with them, and I just had a good feeling. Boscoe reminded me of Baxter, and so of course I immediately liked them. They also reminded me a lot of Michael and myself, and they lived down in Dallas.

I picked them, and after a home visit, there was no question in my mind that Bobby had found the perfect home. When they came back two weeks later to finalize the adoption, my Baxter had fallen very ill. I just sent her an email telling her my oldest was very sick, and I wasn't going to be able to meet them at PetSmart to see him, but I still wanted updates on how Bobby was doing.

We laid Baxter to rest on January 19th, a Monday. After an entire weekend of not leaving our house, to be with him, Michael and I decided to get out to a movie, just to take a break. As we were waiting for the movie to start, I got an email with Bobby updates. In the title, 'Pics of Baxter and Boscoe'. My heart stopped, and I started shaking. Without me ever mentioning Baxter's name, they had renamed my extremely special Bobby, Baxter.

So in a way, I guess in my heart he lives on.

Frosty Paws

2009-06-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

So I wanted to share this little secret that I learned from a client of ours. My dogs love frosty paws, but with 5 of them, they don't get them very often. So after doing a new client meeting, I learned how to make my own. Now, the normal recipe calls for lots of yogurt, little peanut butter, and honey, but I changed it up on my own. Here's what you'll need:

Glad reusable small cups w/lids
2 large containers of plain yogurt
One large container of creamy peanut butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup honey

Mix the ingredients, put them in the glad cups, cover and freeze.

Yep, that easy. If you go to Costco, you'll easily get 30 of these made for less than $10. And my dogs love, love, love them.

It's the best trick I've learned in a long time!

Hope your pups enjoy.

Heartworms - UGH!!!

2009-03-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

So two years ago, we rescued our Crazy Daisy. Pregnant, crazy, you name it (you can read previous posts about her). She was literally insane. She delivered 10 puppies, but we lost 3 within the first two days. So 7 survived. It's funny because when I rescue, I'm always sad then I never get to see my dogs as puppies, no pictures, nothing. However, seeing Daisy's puppies in action, I realized God blessed me by giving her to me at a year, rather than 2 months!!!

So we found homes for them all. All, which I believed to be great homes. However, Cali got a tough break. Her first family didn't take care of her, and after countless calls from Animal Control, the last one finally did it for us. This time she got out of the yard and was running loose up Preston Road.

The family that found her, adored her, and asked if they could take her. I asked them to fill out an application, and they seemed like a great fit. Well fast forward six months, and I got a phone call. They were moving to St. Louis, and apparently St. Louis doesn't accept dogs, or something like that. So they didn't want to take her with them. It's our obligation as fosters to take her back.

She was in heaven here...loved our dogs, loved having two people around that cared about her. She was simply in HEAVEN. Well we didn't get her to the vet to do a normal check-up because Baxter derailed us. Finally a month after getting her, we took her in for a quick check-up because we had hit the jackpot with a new home.

We were suddenly halted, when we found out she had heart worms. Yep, the people who swore up and down they had kept her on preventative, must not have. Our poor Cali has to sit in a crate for the next four weeks, after a horrible treatment.

Poor girl can't cut a break if she tried. Hopefully after this, we can find another jackpot home, and she'll be on her way to living a fabulous rest of her life!

Moving On....

2009-03-05T13:14:00.001-08:00

I hate to use the term moving on because I will never get over or forget Baxter. However, our house is recovering. This is my advice to anyone. You must have at least three pets. Here's why, if you have one pet, and lose them, it's horrible. I could never imagine coming home to an empty house. It would kill me.

If you have two pets, then not only are you sad, but the other pet is sad too. Then you're both moping around, missing the one you just lost. However, when there's at least three. You still have babies in the house, and the babies have each other. I'm honestly a little shocked that no one really showed any interest in Baxter leaving. He was 8, and my next oldest is 4, so there was always a gap. Then it goes 4, 3, and 1. So the last four are all very close in age.

My baby boy Maximus has stepped up to the plate. He was immediately ready to take on Baxter's spot in bed, but we had to make him sleep on the floor for a while. He still has some work in the training department, and i don't want to give him any reason to act more naughty. But he has become my baby, a total momma's boy. Without the five here, I wouldn't have been able to function for a while. However because of them, I'm forced to get up each day and move forward.

All I have to say is that it makes me sad to think about people who have animals, and don't love them to the fullest potential. Your life really is missing out. Animals can bring so much to you, so much joy and happiness.

I'm also begging Michael for another rottie puppy, and he's not having it!

Our Family - November 2008

2009-01-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

Good-bye

2009-01-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

Looking back, I wish I would have kept up more on this blog. We had puppies, which I can talk about, did family pictures back in November, but my past month has been consumed with my dear baby boy, Baxter.

It started with a limp back in December. Something so small, that Michael and I debated if we even noticed it. He tried to jump in the back of our Highlander for a simple ride in the car and fell out backwards. From there it started to go downhill.

Our first trip to the vet came up clueless. We tried pain pills which seemed to make him feel much better. Once the pain pills were gone, the limp got worse, and his leg just seemed to lose feeling. I brought him back. We talked about options, cancer was a word that was brought up. I immediately shut down, REFUSING to believe that it was a possibility. The other options were a back injury (which would be logical since he fell from the car), or a degenerative disease where he would eventually lose all feeling in his spine. We started treatment for the back injury.

A week later we were still clueless, and it was getting worse. I found myself in tears so many times, as I tried to help him stand. I also prayed, I prayed so much for God not to take him from me. He was only 8, and I took spectacular care of him. He was never overweight, walked consistently all of his life. I vowed I would do whatever it would take for him to be with me for many more years.

As his conditions worsened, we got in immediately to meet with a specialist. When she was pretty confident it was the degenerative disease, I was ecstatic. It was just going to be a back injury which I felt would be surgery. I spent that Monday while they did his MRI, just attempting to swallow the total bill. He was my life, and I was willing to pay anything.

It wasn't a back injury but a tumor in his spine. It wasn't just a basic tumor, but a cancerous one. A week was spent begging, pleading, and searching for answers. Trying to figure out what we could do. But in the end, it was too late. He lost control of his bladder within days after the diagnosis, and then lost his bowels the next day. It was the most horrible experience of my life, just watching someone you love being over taken by such a horrible disease.

I spent Sunday night on the floor with him, hoping it would help him sleep. I was also praying for some sort of sign, that it wasn't time to let him go. As he tossed and turned, got up and needed to go out, but could barely walk and couldn't go to the bathroom, I knew what needed to be done. He was suffering.

We let him go on Monday, January 19th. I think to this day, five days later, I'm still in denial. Part of me thinks he'll be back, just gone for a little while. I will miss him every day of my life, and still can't believe our time was cut so short. He was my dear, dear, dear boy. To Baxter I love you, and only pray that there will be a time that we'll get to see each other again! I've been in a daze for a while now, and still trying to see through the fog.

Barktoberfest

2008-10-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

It's that time for Barktoberfest. It's a great event for all. Bring the kids, bring the dogs, bring yourself. We'll have a booth, so please stop by!

For more information visit www.friscohumanesociety.com

October 25th, 2008 - 12 - 4 pm

My Dearest Boo

2008-10-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

Who ever said dogs are just dogs. Or dogs are stupid. Or it's just a dog, never had dogs, EVER. I never dreamed how many different personalities can emerge from different dogs, but I love it. I often talk about the time when I was getting ready to adopt my second dog. I had Baxter for four years, and ADORED him. If you asked me what Baxter did wrong, I would tell you nothing. To me, he was perfect.

So when it came time to get a second dog, I had no idea dogs could be so different (this was pre-pet sitting days too). I went out and found a smaller version of Baxter, a puppy that looked like mini-Baxter. I was so excited, but was in for a very rude awakening. We named her Boo, and the car ride home should have been enough for me. I thought all dogs loved car rides, after all, Baxter would ride all over the state of Arizona with me, and even went back and forth to Texas. During our first ride home with Boo from Sanger, she threw up at least six times. Oh, and yes, she was sitting in my lap.

Boo was impossible, very difficult to raise. She snapped. She was naughty. Walking went from easy with Baxter, to extremely difficult with the addition of Boo. At times, I really wanted to pull out my hair. I had no experience with how to deal with a dog like her. Instead of making it better, we created a monster! I could honestly say there were moments when I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and take her back. When she wasn't Baxter I didn't want her. I had no idea a dog that looked so much like him, could possibly be so difficult to deal with.

But I stuck it through, hired some trainers :) and learned how to deal with her personality. Every day I thank the Lord that I did. She is my blessing, my light, and so unlike Baxter. And I love it. She is absolutely brilliant, in dog terms. She can pick up a trick in a moment's notice, and even pick up words that you're saying in no time. She's the entertainer, always wants to be the center of attention and is willing to do what it takes to get herself there. If all the dogs are acting crazy, Boo is listening. And she's my little angel, my sweet, sweet girl. Her cutest trick is if I tell her that I think her daddy needs a hug, she goes running over to him and backs up, so he'll reach down and hug her.

I thank God for the opportunity to raise such polar opposite dogs because it's prepared me for all that we do today. As we bring other dogs in, I expect the unexpected, and it makes raising them so easy. You embrace each ones differences and make it there own. My life would be extremely boring if I had a house full of Baxters. I love the boy to death, but he can be such an old man sometimes, so set in his ways. It makes me appreciate so much of what we do, too.

Maximus, aka 'Mi Mi Mi'

2008-09-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while. And I have no true excuse. Have we been busy, yes, absolutely. Busier than I could have ever imagined. It leaves us asking the question...Bad Economy, Really? Life is good, good, good. We haven't pulled in any new rescues lately. Maxiumus won over our hearts back in March, and we haven't let him go yet.

I found him on the email list, and he was in an 'urgent' situation. Basically, you know that he's not going to make it much longer, and his only way out was through rescue. The boys were getting ready to be put up for adoption, so I begged Michael to take this little guy home. He was about six months old, and seemed to be pretty healthy.

We brought him home on a Friday. He got a clean bill of health on a Saturday, and on Sunday something didn't feel right. By Monday am, I was holding this 40lb baby in my arms in the middle of a crowded vets' office. He just laid there, with his head on my shoulder, and I knew he was sick, sick, sick.

It was the worst we could have hoped for, Parvo. He had to stay at the vet in hopes they could pull him through. He made it, and on Friday we got the call that he was keeping fluids down. However, they now thought he had distemper. He had to be carried to the car, and he could barely breathe.

Each day that went by, he seemed to be okay. A snotty nose, horrible coughing, and a raspy, raspy breathing routine, made us fear the worst. When he acted like he enjoyed his walks, our vet told us to keep walking him. According to him his days were probably numbered, and we should make them the best we could.

We kept him away from everyone else, in a little room upstairs. He was too contagious, and we couldn't chance him touching another dog. But as time passed, his breathing seemed to improve, and you could actually hear him running around in his little room.

By week 6, I heard him crying upstairs. I went up there to find that he had popped out the screen and was standing in the middle of the window. He had seen the other dogs outside playing and was determined to get out there with him. Luckily I got in there in time before he did anything drastic.

It was at that moment that I decided he could be co-mingled....And he's the best, best, best dog ever since. I adore him more than life itself, and he's such the baby of the house. He loves everyone and gets along with people, dogs, you name it.

This was maximus the day we brought him home from the vet (on a Friday). I didn't think he would make it through the weekend so we took these pictures just so he wouldn't be forgotten.

Daisy finally found a partner in crime!

Here he is on our bed. Some where he's not supposed to be :) And yes, we need to make our bed!

The Boys

2008-03-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

New Challenge

2008-03-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

So we haven't spent this time, just enjoying a home with 'only' four dogs. We did have plans to take the month of February off, but then that didn't happen.

A few weeks go was like any other day, with emails piling up with dogs needing to get out of shelters. Unfortunately, I never thought I would say this, but you actually do turn numb to it. As much as you want to help them all, you just can't. Then the email came through, which was a final plea for two little brothers who needed out before their time was up. They had, literally just a few hours.

I showed the picture to Michael, and he told me to go get them.....Well they're bassett/lab mixes, and yes too cute to be true. They were covered in mange, which I had convinced myself was the non-contagious kind. Of course Dr. Marcum looked at me like I had lost my mind, and told me it was the contagious kind. So needless to say these two little guys have been confined to our bathroom or the garage. They're not allowed to hang out with our dogs, nor actually be any place where our dogs frequent. At four weeks, they will be ready to mingle with everyone, and I can't wait.

This is where rescue makes me sooooo happy. I already have people interested in them, and these are two little guys that were just about out of life. It makes me want to bring in so many more, and this is the fuel that keeps Michael and I wanting to foster.

They are soooo full of life and so happy. I honestly don't think they have stopped wagging their tails since getting here.

Little Gerrie found a home :(

2008-02-07T21:01:00.001-08:00

So it happened, the bitter sweet moment, of Little Gerrie finding a home. Luckily, luckily, luckily (and a 'thank goodness') she has gone to someone we know and who only lives a few streets over. Holding her in my arms that last night, knowing I had to savor every moment, was a tough one. However, I know she is loved more than I ever could, and she's in a home where she's very happy. She was such a treasure to our lives, even if it was only for a short time. And she gives us the desire to keep giving pups like her a second chance at life. To see her run like a crazy dog, on all fours, honestly sometimes brings tears to my eyes.

We've just gotten back from a much deserved vacation, and I'll be back out on Friday for a conference --- Once I get back it will be on to our next one. I'm really really needing a puppy since Daisy is driving us CRAZY without someone to constantly play with. Thank goodness her friend Tito is coming for the weekend to give us a break.

More Pictures

2008-01-17T23:50:00.000-08:00

Here's some insight into my crazy house! I just love pictures....

I love these pics because you can see how Baxter is always posing for the camera. I took a photography class when I had only him, and he has learned to always look at me. It's hilarious at times because the other girls will be looking in 20 different directions, and he's looking right at it!

Ummm, our dogs aren't supposed to be on the furniture. Typical Daisy!

Finally, a decent one of Bailey! She is the hardest dog to photograph.

Busy Times

2008-01-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

Of course I didn't have time to breath during Christmas, and I was hoping for a break in January, but so far, no such luck. (Which I guess is a good thing, right?) Life has been good, but busy, busy. I'm sitting here at 1 in the morning, with my Baxter lying in a bed at my feet, snoring. To me, there's nothing more comforting then a dog fast asleep at my feet. I love it.

Some highlights of end of 2007/Beginning 2008

- Ashley joined our team, and I've managed to find another great source of help!

- We will be signing the paperwork for Daisy to officially be taken off FHS' adoption bored. She's found a forever home at our house.

- We brought in Little Gerri (who will be another post). Oh my gosh, I LOVE this little girl.

- Tommy the Turtle has also joined our house. My dogs find hours of entertainment, just starting at her, waiting for her to come out of her shell. She is slowly getting more and more used to them, and they try to give her kisses.

- We continue to bring on awesome, awesome clients. It just makes 2008 way more exciting!

Little Gerri

2007-12-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

I've worked with animals all of my life. Although I can say that I love all animals, there are just those that touch your heart more than others. This is where Little Geri steps in.

Michael had put off all fostering until after the holidays. This is our busiest time of the year, and dealing with the stress of having another dog to take care of, can take it's toll. I received an email about a dog that was supposed to be euthanized the next morning. He was 7 months old, very social, just seemed to be a good little dog. So I showed him to Michael, and we agreed to save him. Well someone from the humane society was about to go pick him up for us the next morning, and he had gotten adopted.

She asked me if I wanted another one, and I hesitated, just because we wanted this one, hoping he wasn't a project. She had asked about the one with the 'leg issue', and I told her I would think about it.

Well the one with the 'leg issue' turned out to be Little Gerri. It's crazy how things work. I went to pick her up, and she is just the most special little girl that I've ever seen. Not sure what she is, but at only 2 months, this poor little girl has gone through so much. Someone had put a rubberband on her leg, and although they were able to get a vet to remove it, it was disgusting, swollen, and we feared her losing her leg forever.

The whole story is posted here
http://friscohumanesociety.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=165
And we are thrilled to say that today, Little G's leg is healed, and now 100%. She still needs to learn how to use it, but we are so excited to see her running around with four legs.

She is a puppy like I have never, ever seen. Usually, I'm dying to know when they're going to grow out of their puppy stage, but with her, I could keep her this way forever. She is the best little puppy. I've attached pictures too from over the past month, just to show how she's grown and improved!

Who would have thought

2007-10-18T23:35:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a great weekend! I have my favorite Dalmations, and we get to see two clients that we love...that we've only taken care of once before. There are just some animals that get you so excited to get the call!

This has been an insane week! Although all my children are four legged, I felt like a true stay at home mom this week. We took in another foster (yes, I'm officially crazy). Between all dogs, I had six vet appointments. Two dogs may have potential food allergies, so now I get to cook for my dogs every night. I'm potty training, and one of my dogs started going to day care this week (yes, I have a house full of dogs, but her attitude has changed, so I want to get her out more.)

It's been an awesome week, though. I have seen how just hard work and consistency can turn a dog around. We picked up our new foster, a little puggle, on Monday. His family surrendered him to the FHS. He had never been around another dog, and barked at Michael and I the ENTIRE time we did an evaluation on him. He was a little mess, but we took on the challenge.

He was shocked when he walked into our house to be greeted by a lab and two rottie mixes! And then Daisy saw him and immediately thought he was dying to play. But we didn't allow him to be scared. We made him get sniffed and sniff, and worked on commands with all the dogs around. As I'm sitting here, four days later, my dogs are worn out after an hour and a half long game of chase. Mr. Chester being the one who was being chased, and he LOVED it. He's learning to play! He's almost potty trained (no accident today), and he's not barking at people who come over! It's so awesome, and he will be adopted in no time.

For anyone who has a new puppy, and is reading this -- one huge piece of advice. SOCIALIZE your puppy. I have two dogs here, perfect examples of why it's crucial!!!

Speaking of which, Daisy has enjoyed being my helper in making him submit. Sometimes it's nice when I can't catch him in the backyard, but then sometimes I have to tell her that it's my job. She's doing so amazing. I dread the day, that perfect family fills out an application for her. Her friend Tito came over for a playdate today, and she loved showing him her new toy so they could play tug-o-war.

Oh yes, another reason why I felt like a mom -- My dogs were having friends over for playdates!

2007-10-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

We had a great past few couple of weeks. One of our cliet's lab puppy came and stayed with us while they went on their honeymoon. I just had to show this picture because it really does say some amazing things. The dog on the right is our foster with FHS, 'crazy Daisy'. We've had her for almost a year now, and when we first brought her home she was so dog aggressive that she could be no where near any of our dogs.

It's been so much work, five weeks at K-9 Bootcamp, and patience beyond belief. Although we're not 100% there, I never dreamed in my lifetime I would ever be able to take a picture like this. She and Tito were inseperable the entire time he was there.

This dog tested our marriage, and yet we stuck with it. We gave her a chance, and I really believe had she gotten into many other people's hands she probably wouldn't be here anymore. So it's so exciting when I can introduce her to other dogs, and not even have to think twice about her doing anything wrong! Sigh of relief......Now we're about to add a new foster with a whole new set of issues. We just loooooove to punish ourselves :) And yes, I have the feeling that Daisy's not going anywhere, I think she's our foster for life.

Excitement

2007-09-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm so excited! My passion in life, is animals. I love them, and want to do all I can to help them. But something that has always bothered me is that fact that I love animals more than most people! So I've finally figured out a way to work with and help both, and we're putting then pen to paper. As an old co-worker of mine told me once 'Stop talking and do it.' Thanks to the addition of Amy to our team, we're moving forward!

I'll be keeping everyone posted as developments occur. Hopefully the wait won't be long!!!

So it's been a while

2007-09-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it takes a pet sitter over six months to get in a break! But yes, unfortunately, that is the case. I'm in the regrouping mode, as I'm trying to take a step back on what we accomplished, and set more goals of what is to come!

Anyway, today was an absolutely great day. We had a crazy day at the house, as one of Daisy's puppies came to hang out with us. She's been spending lots of time here lately, and Daisy loves it. Michael and I joke that she gave birth for the sole purpose of having seven new toys to play with. But we also have Mr. Tito here, who is a 6 month old lab puppy, and he is in heaven. He's an only dog, but here, he has what feels like an ulimited number of dogs to play with. (Well it feels like that to me, anyway!)

It was also a great day because I got to see one of my favorite clients. Yes, yes, we have our favorites. This one is a diabetic, blind, 12 year old dalmation, who still has the most amazing, what I would call, zest for life. He's so awesome. He comes running down the stairs to see me, still, and he and his sister looking sooooooo forward to their small 10 minute walk they get for each visit. I wish I could take them longer, but 10 minutes is really Mr. Chillie Pepper's max. But oh, they love it, and it makes me realize first how short their little lives can be. And second, how much they just enjoy the little things.

I find myself in tears sometimes when I go over there, just because I know his time here is limited, but I really do love it when his owners tell me they're going out of town because it just means more time I get to spend with him while he is here!!

Monkey Dog

2007-04-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

I decided to start this blog, just for a way to share stories of animals--- a day in the life of a pet sitter, lessons learned, etc. I am a true animal love, and have a passion for rescuing. A friend of mine started to foster, and she was bringing home the best dogs, so in December I managed to catch my husband in a moment of weakness, and talked him into fostering.

I never do things only half speed -- of course I need to go in full force. So the first dog that I bring home was a pregnant shepard/lab mix. We had no idea of her temperment, and we brought her home, we found her to be out of control. She counter-surfed, attacked our dogs, chased after dogs, you name it.

So one week later, she had her puppies, and through good luck and the grace of God, we pulled through. We lost 3 right away, but raised seven healthy puppies and found amazing homes for all of them. I've never felt something so rewarding in my life. I remember the night she gave birth, I cried, knowing that they were alive because of what Michael and I decided to do.

So now the house has quieted down quite a bit, but we still have Daisy. She's improved by leaps and bounds, but still has some way to go. She loves us, and she loves her sisters (her and Baxter are not on best friends terms, but in time). In fact yesterday when we trying to get the 'lay down' command to stick, she would lean up and lick my face, as I raised my voice in impatience.

We've given her the name of Monkey Dog because she likes to crawl up on everything. She'll climb and balance on the back of a couch to get a hold of a toy box that's behind it. She literally crawls on people and lays flat, so it's harder to pull her off. Then today, Michael had planted a new tree in the back-yard, and she was trying to climb up it to get the leaves. This is what happens when this dog doesn't get a walk -- she becomes out of control. I love her, though. I love her so much! And I know that if she never finds the person with the patience that she truly needs, we'll happily give that to her.

I don't know her history, but I have a feeling her previous owners didn't want to deal with her insanity. I guess I'm grateful they didn't because she's been a blessing in our lives!