Don't tell Husband Bob he's been caught napping! As you can see by the photo, Bob and Brandy were recharging after a hard weekend at the Dog Farm. Actually, the weekend consisted of taste testing homemade dog treats, trips to the Bark Park, watching the Broncos on TV and other strenuous activities.
For several weeks I've been trying to find a home for a dear cat at the local animal shelter. Friday the shelter said Big Boy and numerous other cats and kittens would be sent to farms later that day because the shelter was full. My desperate, last-second phone call turned out perfectly. As the story was told to me, Friend Laurie called a couple who was hoping to find a long-haired gray cat to fill the void of their cat who died. Big Boy wasn't the cat they wanted but they went to see him just to make Laurie happy. The couple's other cat hadn't liked the man so he didn't expect much from Big Boy either. Arriving at the shelter, the couple sat down on the floor and Big Boy was let out of his cage. Big Boy strolled past the lady, climbed up the man's chest, purred like a song, rubbed on the man's shoulder and looked like, 'What are we waiting for? Let's go home!' The latest report is that everyone is doing great and Big Boy found his forever family!
My next blog I'll have to tell you about a bunch of girls beating up on the police and firefighters!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Baby and Cat
Baby, the Boston terrier, and Cat, the kitten, are best friends. Cat joined the family when she was two months old and Baby was two years old. The first night in her new home, Cat cuddled up next to Baby and started suckling. Baby's never had a litter of puppies but she let Cat suck. This nightly ritual continued several evenings and Baby started producing milk. Picture a kitten nursing on a Boston terrier! That was 10 months ago and every night at bed time you'll find Cat contentedly nursing on Baby. Cat has grown to be bigger than Baby now. Neither the cat or dog knows, or else they don't care, that they aren't the same species. I wouldn't have believed a dog would nurse a cat but my friend has pictures and videos of Baby and Cat. It's precious how much they care about each other and are inseperable friends.
Paws-itive Partners has taken on the challenge to match $15,000 to help the local animal shelter build a quarentine area for cats and dogs arriving sick or injured. Currently, with a lack of kennels, all the animals are housed together so infection, disease and unnecessary trauma is commonplace. If Paws-itive Partners can raise the funds, there will be an area for the cats and dogs needing special care. We're fundraising through soliciting, concession stands and selling T-shirts with the "Raising the Woof" logo. Our friend the animal-loving news reporter is putting together a softball game between his girls team and the police/fire department. I'm not sure on a game date yet, but every night between now and then I'm down on my knees praying the girls can whomp the guys. What an upset and crowd pleaser that would be!
With fall comes a later sun rise so it's dark when I get up. As I'm stirring around in the morning, the dogs give me their best let's-sleep-in-look. Now, what's wrong with this picture: Jo's up and getting ready for work and five dogs are still cozied up in their beds? I suppose someone has to work to support the four-legged family!
Paws-itive Partners has taken on the challenge to match $15,000 to help the local animal shelter build a quarentine area for cats and dogs arriving sick or injured. Currently, with a lack of kennels, all the animals are housed together so infection, disease and unnecessary trauma is commonplace. If Paws-itive Partners can raise the funds, there will be an area for the cats and dogs needing special care. We're fundraising through soliciting, concession stands and selling T-shirts with the "Raising the Woof" logo. Our friend the animal-loving news reporter is putting together a softball game between his girls team and the police/fire department. I'm not sure on a game date yet, but every night between now and then I'm down on my knees praying the girls can whomp the guys. What an upset and crowd pleaser that would be!
With fall comes a later sun rise so it's dark when I get up. As I'm stirring around in the morning, the dogs give me their best let's-sleep-in-look. Now, what's wrong with this picture: Jo's up and getting ready for work and five dogs are still cozied up in their beds? I suppose someone has to work to support the four-legged family!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Cat Haven
It's been a perfect visit at Sister Robin and Brother-in-law Bob's this week. I've missed the Dog Farm but it's fun to be in the Black Hills with Fransons. All four Franson fur children arrived at their home as rescue cats and they have good lives now. There's unlimited food and water, cat toys and a carpeted cat tree to climb. Sister Robin's house is a haven for the cats charging and chasing each other in their multi-level house.
Just a couple days before I left home, Annie introduced herself to the newest dog at the Mayber home. She didn't much like the intruder and growled and puffed her fur before making peace with the reflection in the mirror!
Annie's shown more interest in going to the Bark Park. Every evening Annie runs to the garage to get ready to go, but nervousness sets in and it's five minutes of coaxing and patience to get her to jump in the Jeep. One evening last week, Husband Bob took the dogs to the Bark Park and stopped at the gas station on the way home. Annie jumped out the Jeep window and took off running! Picture this: Husband Bob (in his dress clothes) chasing Annie down one of North Platte's busiest streets. Bob and two Good Samaritans finally trapped Annie under a parked truck. Bob crawled under the truck to capture terrified Annie. Bob said he's never been so afraid as he was for one of our dog's safety as when Annie was running around traffic. Some of our friends wondered if his real fear was facing me!
Enjoy your final days of summer. :)
Just a couple days before I left home, Annie introduced herself to the newest dog at the Mayber home. She didn't much like the intruder and growled and puffed her fur before making peace with the reflection in the mirror!
Annie's shown more interest in going to the Bark Park. Every evening Annie runs to the garage to get ready to go, but nervousness sets in and it's five minutes of coaxing and patience to get her to jump in the Jeep. One evening last week, Husband Bob took the dogs to the Bark Park and stopped at the gas station on the way home. Annie jumped out the Jeep window and took off running! Picture this: Husband Bob (in his dress clothes) chasing Annie down one of North Platte's busiest streets. Bob and two Good Samaritans finally trapped Annie under a parked truck. Bob crawled under the truck to capture terrified Annie. Bob said he's never been so afraid as he was for one of our dog's safety as when Annie was running around traffic. Some of our friends wondered if his real fear was facing me!
Enjoy your final days of summer. :)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Dog Farm Update
Between our critters at home and Paws-itive Partners projects, it seems I've been busy the past couple weeks. It's all good though so I'm not complaining.
I returned a call to a lady who needed Paws-itive Partners' help to spay her dog. Lexy came to them through the animal shelter. The new family is sure they adopted the smartest and most talented dog in North Platte. It might be true - it took only 48 hours to train Lexy to ring the bell on the door knob when she needs to go outside!
Sunday evening we were watching a dog show on the National Geographic channel. All our dogs were in the room sleeping, chewing on a toy or sitting on the couch next to Husband Bob. When the dogs on TV barked three heads popped up and became quite attentive. Brandy cocked her head, Maggie's ears went up and Annie turned around to face the screen. It was so cute to watch the dogs watch the dogs on TV.
A couple days ago Maggie was in the backyard when something caught her eye. She dropped to her belly, crouched level to the ground, her fur stood up on her back and her tail fluffed out. She was very focused on the squirrel 20 feet up in the tree. The squirrel was safe from Maggie so it was fun to watch her showing her retriever instinct.
Annie's spending more time out of her corner. She seems more relaxed and wanting to be with the rest of the pack more. Annie and I still haven't mastered house training but we are trying. We replaced the sun room carpet and have ceramic tile now. Husband Bob asked if I thought we would have an all vinyl and tile house eventually. Bless his patient heart!
I returned a call to a lady who needed Paws-itive Partners' help to spay her dog. Lexy came to them through the animal shelter. The new family is sure they adopted the smartest and most talented dog in North Platte. It might be true - it took only 48 hours to train Lexy to ring the bell on the door knob when she needs to go outside!
Sunday evening we were watching a dog show on the National Geographic channel. All our dogs were in the room sleeping, chewing on a toy or sitting on the couch next to Husband Bob. When the dogs on TV barked three heads popped up and became quite attentive. Brandy cocked her head, Maggie's ears went up and Annie turned around to face the screen. It was so cute to watch the dogs watch the dogs on TV.
A couple days ago Maggie was in the backyard when something caught her eye. She dropped to her belly, crouched level to the ground, her fur stood up on her back and her tail fluffed out. She was very focused on the squirrel 20 feet up in the tree. The squirrel was safe from Maggie so it was fun to watch her showing her retriever instinct.
Annie's spending more time out of her corner. She seems more relaxed and wanting to be with the rest of the pack more. Annie and I still haven't mastered house training but we are trying. We replaced the sun room carpet and have ceramic tile now. Husband Bob asked if I thought we would have an all vinyl and tile house eventually. Bless his patient heart!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Cancer Relay
Last weekend North Platte held it's annual Relay for Life to fight against cancer. Paws-itive Partners members made donations, bought luminaries in honor/in memory of loved ones and some members walked the course to show support for the cause. Although Relay for Life is to help with the fight against cancer in humans, it made me think of the pets who have also had to fight cancer. Just as in people, early detection is critical. Here some early pet cancer warning signs to be aware of:
persistent, abnormal swelling
persistent, abnormal swelling
- sores that do not heal
- loss of weight
- loss of appetite
- bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- offensive odor
- difficulty eating or swollowing
- hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
- persistent lameness or stiffness
- difficulty breathing, urinating or deficating.
Due to improper breeding prcatices certain breeds of dogs are genetically prone to cancer. The high-risk dog list includes Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Boxers. In order to discourage improper breeders, always avoid purchasing animals that have been mass bred in puppy and kitten mills.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Professional Tasters
In November, Paws-itive Partners will have a booth at one of the local Christmas Craft Sales. Ours will be a dog bakery (barkery) with homemade biscuits, doggy donuts, hand-dipped nibblers, etc. We have a few months to prepare but I thought it was a good day to start experimenting with recipes. It's 100 degrees, very humid and the air conditioner is running continuously. Not the smartest day to bake but Jas, Maggie, Brandy, Pennie and Annie are glad. The dogs don't usually go in the kitchen when I'm baking, and they aren't counter surfers, but when I make dog treats they are very alert. There must be something special in the recipes that tip their senses. The Dog Farm has an aroma of whole wheat, cheese, garlic and peanut butter. Each time the oven timer rings the dogs take their position in the kitchen to sample the products. They are my "quality control specialists" and they take their jobs very seriously!
I think Tyler, Thea, the dogs, puppies and crow have moved on from North Platte because I haven't heard from Tyler for several days. Our city's animal control officers were getting calls about them every day and I think those have stopped too. It's nice to know that citizens took time to report their concerns for the animals. Unfortunately, as poor as their accommodations were, the animal's care met city ordinances. After the Tyler-and-Thea-saga and other recent situations in North Platte, my next cause might be to get involved in changing laws. :)
I think Tyler, Thea, the dogs, puppies and crow have moved on from North Platte because I haven't heard from Tyler for several days. Our city's animal control officers were getting calls about them every day and I think those have stopped too. It's nice to know that citizens took time to report their concerns for the animals. Unfortunately, as poor as their accommodations were, the animal's care met city ordinances. After the Tyler-and-Thea-saga and other recent situations in North Platte, my next cause might be to get involved in changing laws. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
