Fragrance of the Morning

Wednesday, 4 Aug. 2010 It began like any other day would in a sleepy little town in WV. The smell of coffee and breakfast wafting from somewhere deep in the tree covered hillside. This, however, would be the last time local residents would wake to such a sweet fragrance. Today was the day the puppies came to town. No more could the smell of eggs n bacon dominate the breeze. No more would passersby close their eyes and inhale, immediately taken back to some childhood memory of Mom in the kitchen. Instead, tourists would run..... residents left on unscheduled vacations and even birds who once flew overhead changed migratory patterns, leave for the swarming Vultures. Had the Apocalypse come? Few knew the cause of the noxious fumes. Even fewer dare pass the garden gate to see first hand, what had caused such mayhem. Even FEWER would dare tell....... for NOBODY wanted to share the beautiful babies that had drawn them here. 16 beautiful baby Pits. Part of a Raid on a local breeder. 94 dogs seized, 86 of them pits and over half of them puppies. All I got was 16. The fowl smell... the diarrhea.... the circling vultures... it's all temporary. Poop will harden and diets will improve and puppies will get adopted. Before long, the smell of bacon will once again be the fragrance of the morning.

Gettin Crazy Again!!

Nacho, as in Not Yo Dog, was here with us for all of two days.

Labeled aggressive, he was about to be the next one killed by BCHS, when I yanked him outta there. Yes, he's sometimes snippy with certain people... SO AM I!! Duh, we don't have to like everyone!!

Since Nacho didn't need any rehabbing, I advertised him right away.

Right away I received a reply from Nacho's new Mama. Of course I didn't know that at the time, but after Nacho and I met her, I knew. He's as happy as a little pig in mud now with his two bigger and older new siblings. Good Luck Nacho!!

This little lady weighs about 4 bags of sugar and is just as sweet. She's been at the pound since July 7th, which is unheard of. Most dogs picked up by animal control are put down in that amount of time unless adopted. Shadow was a special case though. Her owner was what they call an unattended death, which means, someone found him dead. He was found with Shadow next to him and a cat as well. The AC Staff, just couldn't put her down, so they did all they could do to keep her out of the system and unnoticed. Well, yesterday, I went to meet this unfortunate yet lucky little lady. She lives with me now. I'm not sure what I was thinking. It wasn't like I would get there and say no once I saw her, knowing her story. I brought the little angel home.... introduced her outside to my herd of dogs and let them all inside. All the dogs ran into the house and into the dog room. Shadow ran straight for Moses's crate hidden in the corner behind the sofa. In the crate, turned around and looked back out at me. What The Hell???

I forgot to say how after I picked up Shadow, I went to get Moses's ashes. When I got in the car, I introduce Moses to Shadow, put the box of ashes on Moses's bed and drove home. Now Miss Shadow is sitting in Moses's crate and freaking me out a little. Even last night when she wasn't laying on the sofa, she would lay in front of the crate. Is this little girl so connected to death now that any existing energy from it draws her to it? I don't know what it was. I chose to believe it was a sign from Moses that she was ok, because He HATED any dog near his crate. He hated a lot of things, but especially being bothered by other dogs. I'm still going to look for a forever home for Miss Shadow, but until it comes along.... Welcome Home little lady!! Now for the crazy news. While I was at Animal Control... I overheard conversation of a Puppy Mill bust that may be going down. 83 Pitbulls in all... mostly puppies living in a doublewide trailer. OMFG!! This day n age... that kind of thing should NOT be happening and now here I was hearing it first hand. So, today, I go to pick up the litter that I'll be fostering.... maybe two. Yes, A Mama Pit and her 4 - 6 week old babies on top of the 7 dogs I already have here... LOL!!!

The Doggy Rescue World didn't stop revolving Moses. I still miss you buddy, and I will for a long time, but Daddy's got to stay busy and these babies need me just as much as you once did. Check in sometime around sunday when I'm pulling out what's left of my hair!!! I'm sure that MY trip to CRAZY will be a short one!!

One of life's questions and lessons

How exactly are we supposed to gauge success and why is it so important? My guess is, it's taught to us from the beginning. Popping out of the womb, its the first thing we hear. "Ma'am, it was a successful delivery". At least I thought it was me they were talking about.

I guess I should try to make everything a success, but what qualifies? I didn't burn the toast this morning... was that a success? I went a whole week and didn't threaten to send anyone to meet their god.... did that qualify? I took the term "responsible pet owner" and used it to end the life of my suffering little buddy, Moses..... does this make me successful? I'm not quite sure what it is that's got me questioning all this.

Yesterday, we had a party here. All the NPS interns from the Harper House came over for a summer evening cookout. I so was not in the mood to set up for company. I was still depressed and I really wanted to just hang out quietly at home and sulk. They all arrived and the evening began. Their tales of mishap and adventures were hysterical. I laughed like I haven't laughed in a long while. The oldest of this group was 27 which made Steve and I feel, well..... even older. About halfway through the night a few of them realized that since I had 3 kids of my own who were 20 to 25, that all of them could also be my kids. This of course really helped with my feeling of being ancient, but at the same time I felt a sort of Sage-like hierarchy developing. These kids were all trying to make it on their own and be successful. They were proud of their achievements and most of the evening was spent talking about them. I should've said how they are all Living History Re-enactors and the highlight of their time here has apparently been their new costumes, complete with fancy hats. We laughed at the stories about loading and firing black powder rifles for the first time. Some told storied from childhood with fondness and just a touch of homesickness. When the evening ended, many of them were reluctant to go. I'd like to think they had gotten a piece of comfort being here or that maybe they didn't feel so much like a visitor to Harpers Ferry, but more like friends.

Yes, Friends was what they were now. We had spent 6 hours with a group of people whom we had only met in passing and now we were all looking forward to hanging out again. There were invitations to stop by anytime and they all let us know how long their internships were, just so we would know how long they'd be stopping by. There were handshakes and hugs and silly laughter at the few who had difficulty going down the steps and the night fell quiet. So I guess I've answered my question. Success isn't something we can gauge in small increments. Only at the end of our life can we tally up. Did we choose to make every life moment a positive one, or did we waste it on self pity or greed or worse.... were we cruel?

Last night, even though I was still missing my Mosey, I cowboy'd up and got this party going. I did it because I wanted to meet my neighbors no matter how temporary they might be. I did it because I needed to focus my attention on something other than sadness and grief. Mostly, I did it because I have this unnatural mothering instinct and that includes the two legged orphans as well. A dorm full of 20 somethings qualifies. We ate the food.... we drank the beer.... we ate the cake. They loved the door prizes (I always have door prizes) and they all made it back across the street safely to their beds. I would have to say the party was successful even if it doesn't qualify me as a success. I'm happy to have 12 new friends and it would be super nice if I knew them for many years to come. If time takes them away from us, then I will always cherish the fun we had laughing last night and how 12 strangers took the pain away for an evening. Thanks guys, Thanks for adding to my total. I hope you come again and again!!

I Miss you Moses

I was going to write something witty, but this time I can't hide my pain behind the laughter. My Mosey is gone. I knew he was nearing the end, but I refused to pay it too much attention, until he quit eating. Moses never wasn't hungry, and now he even turned away from chicken. The blood in his stool had turned to just blood. I laid awake on the couch with him the whole night. I sang him his favorite songs and told him his favorite fairy tale. The one about the big-headed Ogre who had captured him for food, but discovering he was just skin and bones decided to fatten him up. Little did the dimwitted Ogre know that he was being tricked. Before long Moses had convinced the Ogre that the two of them were best friends and best friends just didn't eat each other. So they set off on a lifetime of adventures together. Well Damn it, I'm not done with my adventures and my best friend is is gone. I held him in my arms as the needle pricked the vein in his tiny little leg. His eyes just stared into mine, never blinking. His tongue darted out and licked the tip of my nose. Something he always did when I asked for kisses. I saw his eyes sparkle just before his little body went limp. I laid him on the blanket and sobbed. I cried hard for my Moses. I still do. I could have held onto him a few more days, but I had promised him when his time came I would NOT let him suffer. He had suffered enough in his short little life. I lifted him from the table and clung to him begging him to forgive me between sobs. I didn't care what anyone thought. It wasn't their hearts that had just been ripped from their chests. Composed, or so I thought, I opened the door to leave and the entire vet staff was there to console me. The tears flowed once more. They had all been there too when Moses was first brought in. They had seen his amazing recovery and his spunky little run and they also saw it when the light returned to his eyes. I apologized that I couldn't stay and headed for the car. I drove him to the crematorium and left him in their care. Moses will return to me this coming tues. There isn't a single day that I regret having Moses. He taught me many things, but the most important lesson was this. He taught me how to forgive and be happy. I miss you Moses.

.....and it's only been a week.

It's been a week since I last posted. I am SO Freakin Tired. Will I ever get caught up on lost sleep or am I supposed to write it off and trick my mind into believing I no longer require 8 hrs of uninterrupted slumber? Whatever I decide, the fact remains, I am stumblina. I almost qualify as narcoleptic. In my dream like day to day I have managed to have quite a productive week. JR has been here since the 18th, so add that to the regular puppy schedule. At least when I tell a dog to lay down they do it. Then on the other hand.... the dogs won't take the trash out for me or pick up poop. I'll keep him!! The Rescue week started on tues with a visit from our friend Lori. She was looking for a playmate for hr sweet little Yorkie, Zoe, and was thinking that maybe Caesar would be a good match. Zoe didn't care much for Caesar, but Caesar was IN LOVE with Miss Zoe. Lori loved him too and they were off. He's won Lori's heart already by piling her bed high with stuffed animals and not chasing any of her 30 cats. He's humped quite a few, but no chasing. Lucky little Caesar... I think he's Manny now... not sure if she settled for a name yet. Be good little fella.... I'll miss you! Dash had his first Dental. Poor fella, they did him late in the day, so when I got him he was still drugged and running into things. He mostly slept all evening and through the night. I just covered him up and would rub his head once in awhile. The next morning he was a little better but not 100%. His breath is amazingly fresh now though... YAY!!! I can pet him and scratch under his chin without wanting to vomit now!!! Echo was also scheduled with the vet. She finally got her spay completed. No more puppies for this gentle little Mama. She's destined for a life of luxury now. Her adoption is final and we will meet her new Mama on fri morning at Dulles Airport. Little Miss Echo, given away by a well intentioned hoarder and covered in fleas, I took her in and got her into Crested Rescue. Now she's going to live in Maine as an only child and be spoiled as much as possible. Have fun little lady. I'll miss you. The same evening Dash n Echo were recovering, I had a visit from a bubbly young lady who had been looking for a black male cat for so long she was beginning to think males didn't come in black. I totally could have taken off on that one, but didn't know her that well so I let it go. She's already called me like 4 times to share funny kitten stories and to give me the date of his neuter, so I could confirm she was being a responsible pet owner. I'm starting to like people again.

While at the vets office dropping off Dash n Echo, I casually mentioned Byrdie the Border Collie Puppy.I was immediately bombarded with staff. Apparently one of the staffs father had recently lost his BC of 15 yrs. and was testing the water, so to say, about getting another.I agreed to bring Byrdie with me in the evening when I returned to pick up my dogs, if they could have him there. He was there alright and although he was a little apprehensive, which is understandable when you've lost a pet, he was obviously under byrdie's spell within minutes.(Update) I received the call from him Monday. Byrdie has been to the vet, and her new name is Gracie May.Way to go Gracie May!!!

Thursday came and Jaime arrived with Bailey to meet Kai. I truly didn't think Kai would ever be adopted when he came to me. Separation Anxiety and panic anxiety are two conditions that are hard to overcome and Kai had them both. His behavior had improved significantly and although I was unsure if he was ready to be adopted, I felt good about his recovery so far and Jaime had Bailey who was Kai's sibling. How could I ask for a better arrangement for Kai. If he was going to thrive outside of my home, it could only be in Jaime's. The Jury is still out however. Kai has had a few issues... destroyed some blinds, ate a baseboard, and suffered one serious panic attack during the thunderstorms a couple nights back. Jaime doesn't want to give up on him yet, though. He's in good hands!! Hang in there Kai. I know you loved living here, but Jaime's gonna spoil you a helluva lot more than I would have. Friday morning started WAY too early. I got JR up at 6:15 and we were out the door. Our first mission of the day was to find a suitable new home for the Big Ass Groundhog we had caught in the live trap. This was the same Groundhog that had been eating the garden to bits. A few people... who are all knowing, tried to tell us that groundhogs don't eat tomatoes. Hmmmm... that's what I baited the trap with and it was gone when I found him in the morning. I'm starting to dislike people again. We dropped off the groundhog and a safe woodsy area with plenty of nearby ...... um.... food. I wouldn't dare say nursery or orchard. We then headed over to Animal Control. 7am, here we were picking up two HUGE Labs that needed transported to Myersville MD. They were awesome boys though. So friendly and well trained. Animal Control had found them as strays... kept them the required amount of time and now they were off to Lab Rescue. We met our contact at McDonalds, handed over the precious cargo and were on our way over Catoctin Mountain to Thurmont for a fun filled morning of shopping for fabric.... YAY!!! JR had never been in a Fabric Warehouse.... and better than that... A WHOLESALE Fabric Warehouse. We found the fabric we needed for our patio sails and awning cover and headed back to Martinsburg. It was Fri and today was the last day for a certain doggy at the shelter. Andy was brought in to the shelter to be put down by his elderly owners. They both cried as they signed the papers and left him. Andy is 11 yrs old, going blind, riddled with tumors and becoming a little incontinent. Too much for the elderly couple to handle, so rather than just drop him somewhere they made the responsible pet owner decision. The staff however couldn't bring themselves to euthanize Andy. He was too happy and didn't appear to be in any pain. They gave him 4 days to be adopted and if by Friday he was still there, well he would be put to sleep. He's with me now. bathed and brushed and clipped, he's a little grumpy from time to time, but he's super. If I manage to find him a place to live out the rest of his life, then great. If he ends up here until the time his quality of life drops to an unacceptable level, then that's fine too. I just couldn't allow him to go just yet. Hang in there Andy!!! Friday night/ Saturday Morning I was supposed to meet the transport that was bringing me my newest Chinese Crested. I was a little confused, because the e-mail I had received said the transport would be Sunday morning, but the lady who called said sat morning. So, here it was 2am and I was sitting in the parking lot of Petsmart in Hagerstown, MD There were four other families there to get their dogs as well. I was 2nd and when I told the fella the name of the dog, he kinda screwed up his face and asked me if he could get the other three first. I knew then the dog wasn't on the transport, but it was cool, because the truck delivering these dogs was none other than "Last Chance Highway"..... the new animal planet series. No puppy named Ripley on the truck for me, he apologized, took down all my numbers and promised to have someone call me the next day. I planned on making my own phone calls as well. I'm NOT a night person anymore and driving at 3am is not fun for me. On my way home though, I pulled into the shelter parking lot to check on any dogs who may have been dropped in the overnight kennels. Sure enough, both kennels were full. One had a full grown Red Rotti in it... super sweet dog! The other had a litter of little black pups, a single yellow retriever type and one little basset/mix. The little basset/mix wasn't responding though. It was still so hot out and this little fella's fur was so thick, not to mention he was only about 8 to 10 weeks old if that. I made sure there was water for all of them, and put the little guy in the car with me. I called the next day to let them know I had him and that he was doing better. Clancy is his new name and I'll make sure he gets dewormed and vetted before he goes off to his new home. I won't be advertising him for awhile. We're having too much fun with him and he's a terrific training tool for the other fosters. Little Clancy.... such a sweet little boy!! Saturday, in case any of you were in a coma, was a living hell as far as the temps outside went. We hit 120 in the sun and 106 in the shade. Needless to say we only went out to water the garden and feed the chickens. I cooked and did laundry and Steve kept JR entertained with JR's new Sudoku board game.... Geeks!!! Saturday night came and once again I had to drive to Hagerstown to meet the transport. I was so tired around 11pm that I got in the Jeep and left early. I figured I could sleep in the parking lot. I did.... unfortunately all I had for a pillow was a stinky dog bed and a stinky dog blanket. I was so tired I didn't care. On my way there the transport called and said they would be arriving around 1:30..... WOOHOO a whole hour earlier. What would I do with a whole extra hour for sleep!!! LOL! Sadly the truck this night was a different truck and not so glamorous. It didn't even have a name on it. One huge section on one side was all smashed in. I hope this didn't happen when it was full of pups. There was a different driver too.... not nearly as rugged as the one from the night before. He opened the trailer and pulled out his nearly dead flashlight which was necessary because the interior lights did not function. (Fortunately the AC did) Bins and boxes were scattered across the floor and in the middle of it all was a small plastic carrier with one frightened and trembling Chinese Crested named Ripley. There was no applause like there was the night before as each dog was brought forth to meet the their new family. Just a sad tired little man who handed me a crate and some paperwork. I thanked him, carried Ripley to the jeep and introduced myself. I don't think I've ever met a more petrified dog. I walked him so he could go pee, put him back in the crate, covered it with a blanket, put on some soothing music and headed home.

Ripley's recovery will take some time. He's the product of a backyard breeder who didn't socialize the dogs at all. I hope she rots in hell.

He's been bounced from home to home, from foster to foster, and now lives here.

He will stay here until I feel he's ready for adoption by a forever family.

Just stay sweet Ripley and we'll get though all this together.

There's nothing on my Calendar for today. Whew!! To think it's only been a week.... what a week!!!

Casa Dean (The Movie)

I think I've learned at least 6 new ways to say I'm exhausted.

GO, GOOO, GOOOOOO, GOOOOOOOOOOOOO, CRASH.

That's the life of a puppy..... This puppy, Byrdie.

I sat watching Byrdie run about the house yesterday and just laughed, imagining if she could talk what she and the rest of the dogs would be saying.

"Oh, here comes the big one that steps on me.... RUN UNDER THE CHAIR" "Whew, made it just in time." "What's that underneath me?" "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know someone else was hiding under here."

"I'm NOT hiding", said Emma, the hairless Crested "I DO NOT Hide".

"She's just a Baby", said Dash, the old Shepherd, "Leave here alone".

"She's a pain in my Tail", said Roux, the fat brown Dog.

"She wouldn't BE a pain in your tail if you could MOVE your tail", said Echo, the hairless Crested.

"You can Lick My Tail", said Roux.

"That sounds like Fun", Said Byrdie, and she was off again.... with the big dog Kai, the Pit Mix, right behind her.

"Stop, Stop, Stop, Stop all that ruckus you ornery kids", yelled Moses the old Crested Powderpuff, from his bed beneath the table. "I can't get any peace n quiet with all this running".

"What's his problem", asked Byrdie.

"He's just a grumpy old FooFoo", said Caesar, the PomChi. "He doesn't know how to have fun".

"I DO TOO, you little shit", said Moses. "Call me FooFoo one more time and see how much fun I have kicking your shaved Chihuahua Ass"

"OK, Everyone", said Dash... "calm down now, before we all get in trouble for yelling". "The humans don't like us to yell".

"Yeah, Byrdie", said Kai, "Let's just play over here away from all the girly girls and the old men".

"OK", said Byrdie.... "Can I bring this stuffed toy I just found"?

"I'm NOT A TOY", Screamed Caesar, "LET ME GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

... and they were off again.

The pack I love

What a messed up day.

It started out great and slowly picked up speed down hill. It was headed directly for a giant pile of, festering in the sun, shit.

I guess I'm exaggerating a bit, but a few of the people I had to deal with made it seem like hell.

Despite all the aggravation and the head games and the annoying phone calls with dimwitted twats, a few good things did happen today.

Muffin, the Schnauzer is now in her new home with her great new family.

She got adopted by a young military couple whose family also have Schnauzers.

Muffin totally took to them as soon as they arrived, which was really nice to see.

Coco is also on her way to her new human.

She almost didn't make it though, because sometime around 2pm I got a call from the BCHS telling me the Cow that left Coco in the overnight drop at the shelter had called wanting to know if they still had him.

That's when the self appointed Nazi COW that runs the shelter told the minimum wage, barely capable of following simples directions staff to tell me I had to return Coco to the shelter so they could return him to the person who abandoned him 3 weeks ago.

I was like... "The HELL I will".

That woman never took Coco to the vet and didn't even know how old he was.

Did I need to remind them that she left him in the middle of the night at the shelter???

Did everyone suffer a freakin brain meltdown or something?

We don't reward irresponsible pet owners with their dog back when they call us.

I took Coco to a transport where he will go to meet his new owner.

BCHS and it's power tripping board president can kiss my ass.

I may need medication after today.... some people just never know to leave my last nerve alone.

On a good happy note.....

I also picked up a new puppy at the same time.

Some douche bag on Craigslist posted that his puppy "HAD TO GO NOW", "BEFORE IT PISSED ANYMORE IN HIS HOUSE".

This cute little Border Collie is 10 weeks old.

I called the guy and he told me there were like a dozen other people in line ahead of me.

I said thank you, wished him luck and hung up.

An hour later he called back telling me she was available.

I had people coming to meet Muffin though and couldn't go right away.

His response.... "I don't care as long as she's the F%#K out of my house by tonight.

I made a call and asked a friend to pick her up.

He really was a douche. Dickheads like him need to be castrated.

I picked up this sweet little girl in Martinsburg.

Kai has been having a blast with her... well all the dogs have been playing with her.

She's so much life. I forgot what it was like to have a puppy in the house.

She's a little shy of men and that's most likely because of her short stay with Sir Douche.

I'll get her over her fear though and on her way to a new family soon enough.

She's wearing the hell out of all the dogs here.

She's even got the Cresteds playing!

I've never had a Border Collie in the house... well not a puppy.

Looks like I'm in for some really tiring playtime. She's non-stop!!

Even with a new puppy running back and forth and causing mayhem....

it's so quiet with Muffin gone.

Schnauzers really are loud.

Poor Coco... I tried to like him, but I just couldn't help it... he was a poodle.

I kept apologizing to him... telling him how sorry I was that he was a poodle.

He didn't seem to care and would lick my nose.

It's 10pm and I'm tired.

Oh yeah... I forgot about the earthquake this morning.

Steve and I totally did not feel it.

The dogs however knew it was coming.

4:52am Dash n Kai jumped on the bed and Muffin and Coco and Echo who were upstairs, started barking and whining.

All the dogs were upset and we couldn't calm them down.

I guess they knew something was up.

I just rolled over and yelled ... "Why an I Awake"??? The first day this week I didn't have to be up at 5am and the dogs woke me up.

I was furious and all I could do was roll over and cover my head.

Later when we read about the earthquake, we realized how the dogs must've felt it and tried to warn us.

I love my pack!!!