Hey There Delilah!

Meet Delilah! Rescued from the Gordon County Animal Control On Friday, July 31st. She is 15 months old and a Great Pyrenees (mix? does not look mixed - but who am I to say) She is very skittish right now. But follows me like a shadow. Wants to be touching me..... and I am not going to complain about that! It will take her a few days to feel comfortable, so I guess that is why she is sticking so close. And yes - I LOVE IT!!!!

She has met Oopy - and she is scared of him. He is so excited he can not calm down enough to meet her properly. Once Papa gets home we will give them a proper introduction. Also, going to introduce her to the dogs outside once he arrives as well. Do not want to make her any more nervous than she already is.

She seems really smart too. I grabbed the brush and she started moving her head underneath it. Sits on command - most of the time.

Will have her fixed soon - but only after she feels safe and secure here with us. Don't want her to think she is being shuffled somewhere else so soon after coming home.

I think it was meant for me to save her.... Beth was so sweet.... and loved me so faithfully til the end..... she would want me to share my love with another. To fill the void that was left. Why else would Delilah come into my life right now.... the way she did? I will still shed my tears for Beth - and miss her.... but I have a new baby girl to hold and love and have the companionship I need.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Today is nearly over. I am thankful for that. Its been one of the worst days I have experienced in a long time. As you know, my faithful dog Beth passed away today. Its been really tough on me - but I am trying to focus on some of the lighter times.

Like the time I had 2 fillet mignon's marinating and stepped outside for a few minutes. John was inside. He noticed that the dogs had gotten quiet, so he ventured to see where they were. All parents know - when the kids are quiet - they are up to something. Just as he entered the kitchen he saw her licking the last of the butter off the rolls I was preparing to put in the oven. Those steaks must be in the fridge he thought. No. Not on the grill either. Then he noticed the splatter on the floor! She had eaten not one but two - $15.00 fillets! ( and that was several years ago - probably worth more than that now!) No real need to get mad at her about it - after all I left them on the countertop.

Or the times a new kitten would come into our lives. She loved babies. She would lick and cuddle them like she was their Mother.

I bet we replaced 5 sets of mini blinds when we moved into this house. She was not familiar with this place and when we left to go to work she did NOT want to be left here! John said if she tore one more blind up he was going to put the broken ones in her food bowl! She was just nervous - and did not understand this was now home - she thought we were leaving her for good - not for a few hours! It did not take long. She never did have blinds for dinner.

Many are the times when I said she was going to have a bath - did she go upstairs and hide. IN THE TUB! Just her nose would be sticking out behind the shower curtain. I always thought she was thinking 'Momma will never find me here!" It reached the point that is where I looked first.

John and I talked a lot about her this evening and I feel I have had a revelation. No matter how bad loosing her hurt - If I known all those years ago when I got her what I would be feeling today... I would still do it all over again. In a second. The joy, the fun, companionship and love we shared far out weights everything else. She was worth it. And - in time - I will be OK.

We will miss her terribly - but - she had a good life - and she made our lives better. I have no regrets.

Bethany

July 1999- July 2009

Beth passed away last night in her sleep. She went peacefully. Will write more, when I can.

She live a long, good life. As I have stated many times before - she was my best friend. Totally devoted. As I was to her. And I will miss her.

After the tears dry, I will be able to focus on the good times. And take comfort that she went in peace here at home. For now - I seem to only be able to focus on the void I now have.

It's A Dogs life

According to WIKIAnswers.com the saying "It's a dogs life" dates back to the 1600s and its meaning is: 'a life of misery.'

But times have changed! Or those folks don't know the lives my dogs live!! They have the 'life of Riley', and live 'in the lap of luxury.' Think about it. To be a dog in the Bates home means that you are always well fed, have plenty of water when ever you are thirsty. Never every do without love and affection, and pretty much have your owners at your disposal. Want to go outside? Simply back at the door. Want to play with the ball, sit and whine. Just want some loving..... lay at their feet. And - you never ever have to bathe yourself! Special treats are given from time to time - not for doing anything other than being your special self.

And on a holiday, you eat like a KING! If no one shows up to eat, (Momma always fixes way too much!) Papa will fix you a bowl of all the fixings just because he is thankful for you. Occasionally, Momma will fix baby back ribs - and each of them get their fill of bones.

If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I hope to come back as a higher being. A pet in the Bates house!!! I realize that not all dogs are as spoiled as ours - there are many in shelters all over the country. And with the recession - many folks are surrendering their dogs and cats - simply because they can not afford to feed them. Sure, some are adopted out, but many more are euthanized.

The local Floyd County Animal Control has begun a program that will help people who have fallen on hard times feed their animals. Simply show that you are receiving government assistance - and you are eligible for free dog food and or cat food. I commend the Floyd County Animal Control for this. And any one able to donate food for these animals, I recommend you do so. If your local Animal Control or Humane Society does not offer this assistance, please help in any way you can. Donate time, food or any other resource you can. I am thinking I will take pictures of the animals and post a spot that shows this weeks pets available for adoption.

As I have stated before, all of ours are rescued. And I would not have it any other way. Save a life. Adopt from your local ASPCA or Animal control. And please, please, please have your pet spayed or neutered.

After all - IT'S A DOGS LIFE.

Oopy and the 'pool'

One of our dogs, Snoopy, whom we call Oopy more times than not loves to fetch. When he is tired, he goes as lies in the kiddie pool we have for them so none of the other dogs will take his ball. Today - I was adventurous, and after cleaning the patio and the pool I leaned it against the house.

John went outside to play with Oopy, and after he got tired he climbed into one of the water bowls - since the pool was empty!

If you look closely you can see his tennis ball in there with him! Needless to say - we have now refilled the pool for him - AND washed the water bowl!

Bethany

Anyone who knows me, or follows this blog, knows how much I love my dogs. Especially Beth. She is the oldest (she turned 10 on July 4th) as well as the most devoted. She is by far the best dog I could ever have - and those reasons are so many I can not begin to name them all. The 'average expected life span' for White German Shepherds is 10 to 12 years. And that is for healthy dogs. Beth has never be the healthiest of the breed. She is allergic to grass (yes GRASS!), fleas, and her whole life she has be plagued with various kidney infections.

This past Sunday, Beth had a couple of strokes. She was unable to stand on her own legs. John had to carry her down stairs, and outside. When she attempted to stand, she would not be able to hold her own weight. Needless to say - it was heart breaking to witness. She would not even attempt to climb the stairs. She just laid on her rug and watched every move I made. And when she was strong enough to stand - she leaned drastically to her right side. A couple of times, she simply fell over. I stayed by her side all day, and did what I could to keep her comfortable. She appeared to be in no pain - just disoriented, and weak. I feared the worst when I went to bed Sunday evening.

The following day, she was back to her old self - she even jumped up on the bed with her Papa (John). And greeted me in her normal loving way, as she has done daily for the past 9 1/2 years. I hoped she had recovered fully.

On Tuesday morning it took her about and hour and a half to gather the strength to go outside. She remained docile throughout most of the day, and rarely ventured off of 'her' rug. Once again I was dismayed at the thoughts of her being less than her perfect self. She seemed just so tired. The same was the case on Wednesday. I feared the worst once again when I went to bed last night.

This morning when I awoke at 5:15, she was up and ready to go. Back was the playful puppy I loved. She wanted her morning ritual of going outside and once finished coming in and playing with the Momma. Then spending the rest of the morning by my side as I prepared to go to work. And - this evening she has seemed full of playful energy.

Tomorrow, is another day, and I will cross that bridge then - and at least try not to worry about how she will feel until it gets here. Trying just to stay positive and loving and above all show her she is loved and comfortable.

To some of you, she is just a dog. To me, she is a part of my family, who has never betrayed me, never hurt my feelings, and never stopped showering me with the love and devotion that only a dog can give. The unconditional love that many feel - but few appreciate. And this is to honor her. She is in the truest sense - my best friend. For more info about Beth, see a previous post entitled Sunday Morning Solitude.

Undecided

Still have not yet decided where exactly this blog is headed. I do not necessarily think average people are interested in my simple day to day trials and tribulations. So - I think I must search for a theme to which I am passionate about - therefor to find others just as passionate about that subject to be become avid followers.

My passions are just as varied as my day to day routine. I adore my dogs, as well as my cats... but I do not go above and beyond to help other animals. I passion is my own little world and my own little (?) herd.

I love NASCAR. But I am biased towards the drivers I pull for, thus I loose objectivity when another driver puts my guy 'in the wall'.

I love to cook. But how many folks are truly interested in my choice of meals. After all - I am no Paula Dean. I attempt to make our meals healthy, yet tasty. But there is no set theme there as well.

I love working in Illustrator, Photoshop and art programs - after all.... that IS my job. I feel like I am given pieces of a puzzle and I am the one to decide what it looks like in the end. How lucky is that?

I am searching and requesting opinions, on which direction I should veer this blog into. And - yes - the readers (or reader) are the ones I wish to please. Comments are more than welcome.... as a matter of fact - I need that input to help me be no longer..... undecided.

Ode To Oscar

Dear Oscar Mayer - I love your wieners...... 
No bologna. 
Why did you leave?  Was your expiration date due? 
Will the Wiener mobile carry your remains? 

and Will you be buried - or BarBequed? 
Was your liver wurst?
Do not mean to ham it up - but I really do ....

Wish I was an Oscar Mayer Wiener.... 
That is what I'd really like to be 
Cause if I was an Oscar Mayer Wiener 
Everyone would be in love with me! 

And for your enjoyment copy and paste in your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNddW2xmZp8

Coming Soon...

And Ode To Oscar G. Mayer.

ADISON, Wis. (AP) — Oscar G. Mayer, retired chairman of the Wisconsin-based meat processing company that bears his name, has died at the age of 95.

Mayer's wife, Geraldine, said he died of old age Monday age at Hospice Care in Fitchburg.

He was the third Oscar Mayer in the family that founded Oscar Mayer Foods, which was once the largest private employer in Madison. His grandfather, Oscar F. Mayer, died in 1955 and his father, Oscar G. Mayer Sr., died in 1965.

To All -

A few of my favorite things....

Before I begin I want to take a moment to wish all a Happy Independence Day! 

I was thinking earlier this morning about a few of the best memories I have and the things I like best about the Fourth Of July. 

First and foremost: Fireworks. Lighting up the night sky with colors..... the ahhhs and ooos and the ones that take your breath away.

Home made ice cream. Not just any kind.... the one my Mom and Aunt Gwendolyn made as I was growing up. I remember Aunt Gwen always complaining to my Mom that she was using way to many eggs. "Its going to be so rich you won't be able to eat it. I  use half that many." ( Mother always used 6 eggs, and I swear - it was always the best! ) The biggest decision they had to make was what fruit to add. And the anticipation of tasting the sweet perfection... while the men took turns cranking the handle. Peach was my preference as a child - but there was strawberry, or banana as well. ( For those of you unaware - I HATE BANANAS! ) As an adult, (no comment from family about me being an adult please - I know I am still a kid at heart but that does not count here) my favorite is plain old vanilla. I am gaining a few pound just thinking about it.

Friends and family. All gathering together to have hamburgers on the grill. Everyone who comes brings something along with their appetites: ice, sliced veggies, buns, baked beans....

Take time to reflect on some of your childhood memories, and enjoy your day.