Stopping to smell the roses...or any other flower will do

What a week!  With so much going on in life, sometimes the things that really need to get done just get ignored.  But this was the week I was determined to get things done.  For the last year, things have really been unusually busy for me.  We've had what seemed to be a never ending string of fosters with short breaks for vacations in the Spring and Fall, I've found volunteer opportunities with ISR and ICAC and Meals on Wheels to fill my time, I've had what seemed like weekly vet appointments for Imke with her arthritis and her ear infection, and I've done more work travel than is normal for me.  It's exhausting just thinking about it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed all of the time with my fosters and I love my volunteer work...and of course I'd do anything to make sure Imke stays healthy and happy, but sometimes you need a break.  And my time has finally arrived!  But not before getting a few more things done.  

My poor yard has seriously been lacking attention and was in need of a spruce.  So many plants didn't make it through the Winter, the weeds were taking over, and the mulch was gone.  My plan for this week was to fix that situation.  Every night I would come home from work and head outside to get some work done.  It was beautiful weather for being outside and the girls were happy to be out with me.  Without a foster to worry about, I was happy to be able to let them follow me from back to front yard so that they could investigate every inch of their domain, while I was hard at work. It took lots of hours of effort, but I am so happy with the end result!

The yard always looks so much better with some colorful mulch!  Everything looks fresh and new...and weed free!  

I had planned to take things easy over the weekend and maybe even head North for a couple of days, but the yard work took longer than planned so I decided to stay home to make sure everything got finished.  And as a bonus, I even had time to clean the house.  But after a very long and very exhausting week followed by an exhausting Saturday, we needed a nice relaxing Sunday.

With the forecast calling for temperatures in the 90s, my first thought was that we should head North toward a lake, but when Sunday morning arrived, we were all too tired to even think about a drive, so it was settled.  We would spend a slow and easy day at home.   We were all slow to get moving, but sometimes those are the best kinds of days.  After lots of lounging, it was time to head outside.  A good landscaper's work is never done, and I had flowers that needed watering.  With my shadows in tow, we were out into the front yard with a watering can and a plan.

Imke loves the front yard.  It has always been her favorite part of our yard and she'll wander around sniffing everything.  Luckily, I never have to worry about her wandering off.  Maddie hasn't always been as trustworthy, but lately she's been very good...and she never really leaves my side.  So she went from plant to plant watching me water each one.  From front to back yard, in and out of the house to refill the watering can, Maddie followed while Imke was off exploring every corner for the potential of something new to smell.

Dianthus

Gerbera Daisy

Once the watering was done, I decided to sit down in the yard with the girls for a while and just enjoy the beautiful, sunny day, but not before I snapped a few quick pictures of some of the flowers currently in bloom.

Purple Coneflower

Geranium

Now with the pictures done, I laid down in the grass in between the girls under the weeping cherry tree.  There was a nice breeze and some good shade.  I took a deep breath and just had to smile.  This is what life is all about- a nice day with your work done spending time with someone you love.

Imke

Maddie

It was at this point that Imke spotted a tiny red squirrel in the middle of the street and I was reminded just how lucky I am and just how good these girls are.

We see a squirrel!

They inched a bit closer and watched him climb the tree, but never even considered leaving the yard.

Mom, he's right there!

And they settled in to watch him run and jump around the tree.  Ever patient and always watching. I'm sure this was the best part of their whole day.

Squirrel TV

We spent much of the day outside, took a break to take a ride in the Jeep to get a special treat, and I got lots of time to catch up on my reading.  I think I'd forgotten how nice life can be when you take some time to relax and just enjoy it!

Happy girls!

But the real highlight of the day, and of every day, was just spending it with these two.  No matter where I go, they make every minute better.

6 years ago

Today marks 6 years since I started my journey as a volunteer and foster parent with the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter (ICACS).  My very first volunteer "job" was helping at the Information table at the 2011 Adopt-a-fest.  Although I knew no one and really had no idea what I was really doing there, I was happy to help.  Boy have things changed since that day!  

This past weekend I volunteered at my 7th adopt-a-fest and my most recent foster, Little Mermaid found her home during the event.  She is the 4th foster dog that I have had who got adopted during an Adopt-a-fest event.  In between these two events I have learned so much and met so many amazing people and dogs.  I can't even imagine what my life would be like without my volunteer time there.  

Little Mermaid, my 35th foster dog

6 years, countless volunteer hours, hundreds of dogs walked, and 35 foster dogs later, I am thankful that I made the decision to start volunteering.  I now volunteer for two amazing organizations, ICACS and Illinois Shorthair Rescue.  I have met so many people and made so many really good friends along the way and I have an extended family with all of my adopters.   It is pretty awesome.  

During that first event 6 years ago, another volunteer adopted one of the shelter dogs, a dog who he had met through his volunteer work at the shelter... who knew 6 years later, that volunteer would be such a good friend and that he and his dog would be such an important part of my life.  Zi has been on many adventures with me and my girls and if I hadn't decided to volunteer at the shelter that day...I may never have met him.  Great things can happen when you follow your passion and do what you love.  

So on this day I just want to wish my good buddy Zi a very happy Zi-day. You really hit the jackpot when your dad adopted you! 

The girls and ISR Foster Wade hanging out with Zi on his beach

Zi

In memory of Pongo

I'm sure many people think that it's silly, but I have loved finding friends through a facebook group dedicated to German Shorthaired Pointers.  We are a special lot, we who love these dogs. It is good to know that there others out there that share in the special bond that we have with these amazing dogs.   I am proud to be part of the GSP community.  We follow the journeys of each other's dogs and, even if we've never met, we love to hear the stories of their lives.

Over the years, new puppies have been added to families, many dogs have been adopted through rescues, happy, awesome, and every day things have occurred, and sadly. many have been lost to old age, to cancer, to tragic accidents.  And each time we mourn together.  Today we lost a very special member of our community.  His name was Pongo and he had a very special disease.  Pongo was born with a specific form of lupus that is found only in the German Shorthaired Pointer breed.  He started showing symptoms at a very early age and eventually lost all of his fur.  Lupus is hereditary and difficult to control. Most Lupus dogs don't have a very high quality of life due to the discomfort from the disease.

Pongo

But despite his circumstances, Pongo was a very lucky boy.  He was fortunate enough to have a mom who worked very hard to make his life better.  Kerstyn has been fighting for Pongo and for all the other GSPs out there for years.  She has worked with the University of Pennsylvania, who helped develop a test to identify carriers of Lupus, and is working hard to make Lupus testing mandatory before breeding, and to ultimately find a cure for this horrible disease.  She has done so much work to learn about holistic medicine that can help in the comfort of those suffering with the disease.  And she has assisted so many others...those that have Lupus dogs around the world and others who just need guidance in holistic methods for treatments for any number of ailments.  Pongo even had his own facebook page to help spread the word about Lupus

Pongo

Despite his difficult life, Kerstyn cared for him well and gave him much love and many fun times. Pongo loved to play ball and was a silly boy, just a like any other GSP.  Due to his disease, Pongo had to wear special clothing to keep covered and couldn't be out in the sun.  But today, he got one good round of playing ball and relaxing in the sun before he left this world.

We have lost many in this group, but some have been more memorable because of their journey. There was beautiful Hannah, not a GSP but a beautiful yellow lab...an honorary GSP because she lived her life with two of them.  She lived an amazing life North of the Arctic circle and was very loved.  Denise, her mom, takes some amazing pictures of her beautiful pups in the frozen tundra. Miss Hannah was always very lovely.

Hannah

Then there was Klausie...taken so young, but leaving us all with many memories.  Klaus Otto and his brother Bismarck lived in Germany.  They were real siblings from the same litter, but poor Klaus became very ill with some auto immune issues and died before the age of two.  During his short life he had a big impact on many of this us who followed his story.  He made frequent trips to the Vet and to make his life a little better, he was spoiled by his mom and dad with an ice cream cone after each visit.  So as we celebrate and mourn together, we have the very important Klausie cone tradition.

Klaus and Bizzy

Forrest was beautiful California boy who lost the use of his hind legs due to Degenerative Myelopathy, but his parents weren't ready to give up on him and bought him a set of wheels so that he could tool around with them still.  Forrest participated in a 5K and continued to spend time at his favorite place, the beach.  He showed us a strength of spirit that was an inspiration to so many.  But his disease became too much and we had to say goodbye to him as well.  With the loss of Forrest, the girls took a run on the beach in his memory since that was his special place.  His parents have set up a special basket of tennis balls on "Forrest's Beach" so that no dog shall be denied the joy of chasing a ball in the sand.

Forrest's Legacy lives on through his facebook pages RunFreeForrestRun and PostcardsFromForrest
as his parents continue to help raise funds for the GSP Rescue in California.

Forrest

There were also others, like beautiful Miyote from Canada and Rusa from Sweden who left us with beautiful old grey faces full of wisdom from a life full of love and adventure.  Both of the families of these lovely girls have brought new pups and new joy into our group, but we will never forget these wise and loving faces.

Rusa

Miyote

There was also our very own superstar Travis, the George Clooney of dogs, as his mom Stephanie always called him.  The older half of the Pointer Brothers duo and star (with his brother Gus) of Ifitwags.  If you love this breed, you should definitely follow Stephanie's Instagram page!  This handsome boy from British Columbia was taken from us due to cancer, I will never forget his final morning and the awesome breakfast his mom made for him.  But his loss brought us a new special friend of a different breed, the Ginger Ninja, whose antics I know we have all enjoyed watching.

And Pongo was a fellow Michigander.  Pongo would have celebrated his 10th birthday next month, but his poor little body could take no more and his loving mother released him from his pain.  I had hoped someday to meet him, but that was not to be. So tonight the GSP nation around the world is celebrating his memory with his favorite treat...McDonald's french fries.

To honor the memory of the many special dogs who have recently left our group and for their loving families, tonight we celebrate with a shared Klausie cone...and french fries for Pongo.

Imke and Maddie share a Klausie cone

Patiently waiting for the french fries

   

Yum!

I hope Kerstyn and everyone else that has recently suffered a loss in our group can feel all of our love surrounding them because we all know how hard it is to lose someone who has added so much love and joy to your life.

Everyone hug your furbabies extra tight tonight and think of those families out there dealing with the grief of their losses.

* Note:  I hope no one minds that I am sharing pictures from the facebook page, because I do it to honor the memory of your departed beloved pups.  I know too soon we will all suffer the same sadness, and I hope that we continue to support each other through our joy and grief.

43 minutes

The answer-43 minutes...but what is the question, you may ask?  Well that's the time it takes for a sweet little cattle dog to stop barking in her crate.

We have a routine every morning, the girls and I.  Generally, approximately an hour before my alarm clock goes off every morning, Imke, my living, breathing, brown-spotted alarm clock, will wake me up for her morning potty break.  Sometimes Maddie will tag along, but most times she doesn't.  While Imke is outside, I proceed to get breakfast ready for the girls.  As soon as the food hits the dish, Maddie shoots out of bed like a lightning bolt.  I then let Imke in and they proceed to eat while I go back and lie down on the bed.  When their breakfast is finished, they both come climb into bed with me for some morning snuggles and a little nap before the real alarm tells us it's time to get ready for work.

This is how most mornings work...and as we add fosters to the mix, they find their own way to fit into this routine.  But this morning, for one silly little cattle dog, Imke's wake up call meant it was time to get up and play!  

Poor Imke was knocked to the floor as she attempted to get out of bed...and grumpy old lady words were yelled at that silly puppy.  Outside they all went and the girls were thankful for a break when they came in to eat while mom had to chase down said puppy and convince her breakfast was more important than sniffing the grass.  Breakfast time finally completed, we all headed back to the bedroom to rest until it was really time to get up.  But not that silly little cattle dog. 

Imke burrowed herself deep under the covers and got as close to me as she could, while Maddie buried herself inside her cozy cave for protection.  But I think the hiding made someone think this was just a fun game.  And there was much grumbling, and growling, and snarling...and general old lady grumpiness.  So, after 15 minutes of trying to convince a puppy it was time to relax, I had a brilliant idea!  I should put the puppy in the crate so the girls and I could get our quiet time. 

With a cute little puppy trailing behind me, I grabbed a Kong full of yummy peanut buttery goodness out of the freezer and down the stairs to the basement we went.  She followed me right down and ran right into the crate.  Whew, I little peace at last.  But as I crawled into bed next to Imke, it started...the barking. 

I hadn't heard one sound come from this adorable little thing since she got here...until that moment. And boy does she have a voice!  For the next 23 minutes it was non-stop.  But I know better than to fall for that pathetic bark for attention so I just let her go.  Then suddenly there was silence and I rejoiced. and less than 20 seconds later, it started again.  This time it only lasted for 6 minutes and there was nearly an entire minute of silence that followed, but I was wrong to think she was done.  

At this point, I considered just getting out of bed and turning on some music for her...forgetting that probably wouldn't work for a deaf dog.  Then I thought about starting to get ready for work, yes it was early, but I wasn't relaxing.  But I didn't move...and 14 minutes later there was silence again.  I was still out of bed before the alarm and in the shower...and there was silence.  A full 10 minutes of beautiful silence.  After 43 minutes of nearly continuous barking, I thought she was done.  But I guess she decided she still had more to say and the barking once again ensued.  

At this point, I was ready to let her out so that she could run and play and potty before I left for work, but there was still periodic barking so I patiently waited until the right moment.  The quiet came and I ran right downstairs to let her out...and then the smell hit me.  Poop!  One nice little pile that was easy to clean and she hadn't gotten into, thankfully.  And I wondered if all along, she had been trying to tell me something.

So she's gotten her play time, she's gone potty, she's tortured the girls, and she's now quietly resting on the couch.  Just in time for me to have to leave for work.  A good reminder of how much fun it is to have a puppy in your life!  Here's to hoping crate training part two is much more successful...