Long Time Gone

Wow. My life as literally gone to the dogs. I now understand the term we rescuers call burnout. This has been a very bad year for animals being abandoned. Our rescue is full up and there is no end in site. Here is my latest foster Rocco. He is a very funny guy - or so he thinks! He will be one year old on January 17. Happy Birthday, Rocco! We will find you that perfect home.

#54 The Puppy Mill Survivor

After a 9 hour drive in a van full of puppy mill castoffs, terrified and filthy, this little lady was pulled out of the van and put onto my lap and into my heart. The sun was playing off the Aspen trees along our 6 hour drive home and every once in a while a ray of sun would hit her filthy coat and light up the beauty underneath. #54 (tattoo in her ear) was from then on named Aspen.

She has been up for adoption since January 10, 2007 but because she had never been out of a wire bottom cage and had been neglected, the perfect family is hard to come by. She had to have 29 teeth removed because of abcesses and rot and she has been crudely debarked. Still, she is a pretty little girl full of promise. When I think of where she spent the last 7 or 8 years of her life, it sickens me. She is one of thousands and thousands of dogs that have had this secret life of neglect and pain. I'm so thankful her life was spared and that, as she slowly eases her way out of the shadows of her past, we can be here to make her future years the best they can be.

Christmas Past and New Year's Present

The 2007 Christmas season passed by once again in a blurr. No sooner had we put up the tree and decorations that we were taking them down again. The yorkies were spoiled and each opened each others stockings and then Oban our new baby spent the evening trying to get the others to play with him by stealing their toys and pouncing on them. That's what Christmas is about, huh?:-) Family, friends and picking on each other.

My new years resolutions were made (by me) and so far I have managed to stay true to them. One of many, besides the always popular "get in shape", is to spend more time writing on the blog. I enjoy writing except many times my mind draws a blank - or draws up incredibly boring monologues that I hesitate to even share with myself.

As soon as I feel inspired I will write again, but until then enjoy your New Year!!

Patient Puppies in a Pumpkin Patch

It may be ridiculous, but you have to admit they are cute...and I think they like dressing up for the camera too.

Bubby (a dog worth loving completely)

Hi all. I haven't been here for awhile, because it is summer and I haven't felt much in the writing or being creative.
Anyone who has been to this site knows that I am crazt about my yorkies pups. I never even considered getting attached to a larger dog...and then...along came this little 30 lb puppy that stole my heart. What do you think? Kind of cute, huh? This is a great puppy and I fell in love with him at first site-or first bath, or maybe it was how sweet he was to the vet. Anyhow, I could tell by how he interacted with me that we were kin and he reciprocated my feelings.

This puppy was brought to the city, introduced to 4 yipping yorkies, put into a harness and asked to walk up city streets and cross asphalt with noisy cars and trucks going by and he did it with pride and enthusiasm. I started giving him treats for sitting at every corner crossing. He would sit and look at me with this big smile and I realized - it wasn't the treats that he wanted. He wanted my praise. So, neighbors thinking I'm weird, I started giving him kisses and hugs everytime he did what was asked of him...and by the end of the walk...I was in love. He was soooo good and so wanting to please. I had never experienced that with my yorkies. They always have conditions, like, yeah, if there are no squirrels, or if I'm in the mood. This puppy was always and only focused on being praised and doing well.

There was no way I could keep him though. I sort of realized that. It was making my other 4lbs female pups miserable. He wanted to play with them the way he scrapped around with his mother Espen on the farm. That wasn't going to go over ever with my Sophia "wicked yorkie of the midwest".

I think he has been found a good home. I sure hope so.
He made me realize how many great pets are out there that never have a chance to fully become the best and happiest animal they can be. I know that sounds corny, but think of how many animals you know of that are just fadlike pasttimes or just living every day for the one or two interactions that have with their owners. It is so sad for me to think about.
There are so many animals that need homes out there, it breaks my heart to think of them just waiting, or worse, falling into the hands of people who really don't care about them.
This one, like so many others, was special (very special) and I miss him and hope that he has found someone to love and care for him his whole life.

Bye, Bubby /Howard/Walter/Charles/Henry/ and finally Griffon. I hope you have found your true name. I love you.
Beth

Happy Fourth - or was it

Happy Belated Fourth of July....
Isn't their another way of celebrating our Independence Day though than setting off fireworks and scaring most animals to their breaking point? I used to enjoy fireworks until I realized how dangerous they can be to an animals health. I've had 2 $400 vet bills to alleviate Skye's Hemmorhagic Gastro Enteritis which is triggered by stress. We do our best to keep him away from the noise, but even after the 4th, kids are running around setting them off on a whim. Last night we were enjoying sitting out on our porch when one went off (tossed onto the sidewalk in front of us) and poor Skye took of to his place under the bed. I understand wanting to celebrate our fine country's independence, but couldn't we instead start a new, quieter tradition that isn't so devastating to animals. Just a thought.

What's all the Buzz!

In case you folks think I am the only person to give magnificent fashion to our loving friends, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of our friend, Maggie May. She is going on four and a ball of fun. As you can see, she is not your standard yorkie, as her coat is a peculiar yellow and black. Her hobbies include going for walks, chasing the hamburger, and pollinating spring flowers:-).

Oddly, my boy Skye went through a similar phase with his coat a couple of years ago. I asked him what all the buzz was about to which he exclaimed "It's all about me, baby!" I can't help but think Maggie and Skye were meant to be soul mates.