Guess I'm a Glutton for Punishment

I found a lost dog yesterday. Sigh. At least, I hope he's a lost dog. Strays are very rare here in my area, so I picked him up in hopes that someone would do the same for my pet if he were lost.

I've had him scanned for a microchip with two different scanners, put up two ads on craigslist, and put up twenty flyers all around my area. Hopefully I find his owner in the next few days.

I'm also trying to juggle: socialization for the puppies, getting Tyler into a new place, making sure Freddie's training happens, and trying to keep Katie from Spectre and Nala. And my job. And running the household. And a stab at a social life. :(

Rain Rain Go Away!!

I HATE when it rains here. The dogs don't really like to play outside when it's wet, so we're all stuck inside. But I do push them out the door to do their business, and I inevitably end up with mud all over the house - on the floors, on the walls, on the couch, in my bed. Sob. Then there are the dogs who don't actually do their business when they go outside, and I find their messes in the foyer. Nasty. Now I just have to wait for the rain to stop and the yard to dry out a bit, and then I can really sweep and steam/sanitize the floors.

I HATE when it rains here.

A Load off my Shoulders (for now)

So...When I finally got Freddie's new mom on the phone today (to ask when I could bring his crate over) she said she didn't think it was working out and it wasn't the right time for a dog. Completely crushed and overwhelmed, I hauled my sorry self over there to pick him up. Right when I got there she changed her mind and did not want to give him up. HUGE sigh of relief. Fingers crossed that it sticks!!!

In other news, I want to give an update on Spectre. I took her cone off for good last weekend and now keep her crated/loose as she is comfortable. Thankfully, she has always loved her crate as her safe haven and she still does after all her time spent healing in it. She is comfortable and confident with the other dogs again. Her wound is almost completely closed, and her fur has grown back. Another sigh of relief.

This morning Geneva got her nails done. I held her down while my friend clipped and filed them down. She was like a bucking bronco - worse than cutting any big dog's nails. But now it's done, and we're planning to do it on a regular basis so that she can get used to it.

Strength & Patience...

Are what I'll need to get through the next five months. Now Katie attacked Spectre last night and tried to attack Clara and Eddie this morning. I'm taking her to the vet as soon as possible to see if perhaps there is a medical issue causing the change in her behavior. It's a real possibility; she is over ten years old. I hope nothing is wrong; I don't either of us to have to go through something like that without Adam being here.

Fleas!

My days with the dogs pass by so quickly, and they do so much it's hard to remember everything. But last weekend I had some flea bites on my leg when I woke up. I examined everyone for fleas but found nothing. The next day Sidney was really scratching his back with his mouth, and I found a flea. Blech!

I have a SEVERE aversion to fleas. When Adam was deployed several years ago, I had a horrible flea infestation during our first summer in the house. When the weather got warm I think the eggs in the yard hatched. Or something like that. We had four dogs at the time, and two of them had horrible fleas. I started a small scale attack that got bigger and bigger until I realized I had to bomb the house and the yard. Things were absolutely miserable for a couple weeks until I completely got rid of them.

Anyhow, a quick hot wash of my bedding and Advantage for everyone did the trick. Thank goodness. For real. We don't have carpet anymore (where fleas hide) or cushy couches everywhere that also need to be cleaned.

Ahh, a day in the life of a domestic zookeeper...


There may be bugs on some of you mugs, but there ain't no bugs on me!

Anything Else?

I had a lot of doggie stuff on my plate today. There was an applicant who was interested in Eddie and Geneva. I did not feel it was a good match for either of them, but it's not easy to turn down a potential home when they are few and far between. However, it had to be done, because I just wouldn't feel comfortable otherwise. They can't make decisions for themselves, so it's up to me to make the best decisions for them.

We have been presented with the opportunity to send Clara and Eddie to doggie bootcamp where they would be boarded, socialized, and trained - essentially they would be fostered by the camp. While that was the good news today, I had a bit of bad news. Seems things are going super well for Freddie. I'm hoping he can also get in on the doggie bootcamp, so that he too can be a well-mannered member of canine society. We'll see.

Also, Katie keeps picking on Nala. She has attacked her three times in the last four days I think; I'm not exactly sure why. My husband thinks that now that she is gaining confidence she is challenging Nala for leader of the pack position. Whatever the reason it's not acceptable. With increased supervision and redirection it will hopefully come to an end.

Oh, and I almost forgot to add...The lady who just returned Clara called today to tell me she found a litter of puppies dumped at her church and was wondering if I could do something. Hmmm, no? I'm trying to adopt dogs out not bring dogs in. Of course I did not say it like that. Then she asked if SNIPSA had a truck that went around picking up dogs. I told her that unfortunately they don't, but both ACS and ADL should be able to help with puppies. And of course she asked if I had those numbers. Sorry, no. I was in the middle of working. Sigh.

I Spoke Too Soon

Clara was returned tonight. Boo. Oh, well. She's no trouble at all and a total sweetheart. Guess this may be her forever home.

Welcome to 2011

Puppies! January 2010.


I am currently down to TEN dogs. Yes, JUST ten dogs. We've not had such a low number in quite awhile. Sad that this is a low number for this house.

Freddie's visit went well; I think it's going to stick and be a fabulous home for him. AND she is very interested in Stanford. It's like a new year's miracle. I literally cried like a baby after that visit out of sheer happiness and relief.

Clara is currently on a trial visit. It could go either way depending on how long they try it out. We really think if someone gives it several days it would work out. But we'll see...

I am basically down to two "cycles" within the pup shuffle - Tyler and then everyone else. Like I've been saying we hope to get Tyler to a better place ASAP. Sigh.

Going from 14 to 10 makes things much more manageable for me. Ha, I remember when 8 was overwhelming! They are starting to seem more like pets/companions and less like a part-time job. Part of me is terrified that all who have gone will come back, and I'll be back at 14 dogs all alone.

Hoping this momentum continues in 2011!