Taking a Chance

Now for those of you that don't know, a few of the dogs have an insatiable appetite.  Since I'm notorious for leaving "treats" in the car, the dogs are great sleuths for finding them.  Chance is one of them and he was escorting me today on our adventure.  So when I LOCKED my fresh bought pizza in the cooler for later, I presumed it was safe.  Never underestimate a dog that has the nose of a bloodhound, the conniving mind of a husky and the ravishing appetite. 

I made a stop at Brut's dad's house to talk with the breeder, I had no idea the hungry detective was at work.  I was only inside for a few minutes and I'll be damned...he was devouring the last of my just bought pizza.  I was a little perturbed and when I saw him and he hung his head a bit and got back in the front seat.  I shook my head in puzzlement and frustration as to how he got the cooler open.  The handle swings one way to lock and the other to open the lid.  No, it's not the most complex contraption, but just goes to show never estimate a Chance that was starved before he came back to us.   

As Chance lay his head in my lap, licking the pizza sauce from his lips, I swear he was smiling.  He was proud of himself and enjoying his full belly.  As I patted his head, I couldn't get too mad at him because I believe he thought we were playing a game of "find it" and he was quite pleased he had mastered a new skill for the game.  While my belly grumbled for the rest of the ride, I had to smile and was reminded  how smart a dog can really be.  

Chance and a game of "Find It"

 

Listening to the dogs

When I listen and pay attention to the dogs and what they are really trying to tell me, I find that I become more flexible and understanding of their needs. I've found (through trial and error) that when I try to do things that I need to do with the dogs and it is more than they are ready to handle, I end up frustrated. I'm learning to back off and let our dogs be who they are with their unique individual qualities and gifts. Which means they also have their own set of individuals struggles that are unique to their situations. I'm trying to give them the space to grow and mature and try to help them by testing their readiness. It saves a lot of heartache. I am gaining experience. I have been learning this as I go along. Learning about the dogs behaviors, their temperaments, their tolerances, their likes and dislikes. How they function alone and when they are paired, or as a whole group and how to respond to those differences. Simple things like brushing to the more complex situation of Brut and Zappa all depend on my listening to my dogs.

For months the dogs were going through their spring molt (shedding summer/winter coats) and I had hair every where. Chance and Fiona would both run and hide if I had the brush in my hand, even with treats. Chance had been hit with objects by his former owner and the brush was another object. Fiona was shy and timid about everything new and she didn't like the brush. They are the white dogs and since I never owned a white dog, it never occurred to me that their skin was more sensitive than the others. I kept trying to brush them, not listening to what they were telling about the brush and the their readiness for it. A light bulb went off and I tried a different brushing tool, a shedding blade. It was gentler and easier on them, I stopped when they'd had enough, and they were rewarded with a treat. I kept testing the water every so often with soft bristle brush, they both accepted that. Now today Chance will sit and let me brush him with the wire brush with no problem. Fiona I'm able to use a soft plastic brush and that seems acceptable to her.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm learning not to rush things. I would read about how to approach a problem, like with the brushing, and think they should have it down after the first time with no problem. I will just do it, they will accept and we'll never have another problem with this again. I was always disappointed. I didn't start to understand the time that some things take and the level of emotional and mental maturity to be able to handle certain situations. It's the dogs that got my attention to make me realize I was trying to hard and not listening to what they were trying to tell me. I had no awareness of what happened to Chance before he came back.  When I would come to him with an object that was going to touch him, he would freak out and scream. Or that the brush was too painful on Fiona's skin to enjoy being brushed. I kept trying to do it on my agenda using the same tools I'd always used. It wasn't working. They let me know every time, over and over until it finally dawned on me to try something different and that began a snowballing of ideas and opening my mind to other possibilities with all the dogs and their different situations. It has paid off.  It is simply amazing how much they really let me know when I stop and listen and try to understand and bond in this amazing relationship between woman and beast. It is nothing short of awe being able to communicate with unspoken words and relate with these four-legged creatures in ways that are unimaginable.

The real beauty of dogs

In this messy, scary world where people will torch you the second you turn your back, my screen saver starts to float from picture to picture of the dogs and I feel the miracle of love envelopes me.  Each picture simple in their nature of unconditional love and their freedom of being loved.  I am surrounded in the miracle of their love.  Their backgrounds all a little different, their personalities each their own, and full of blessings every day.  I can not begin to touch with words the unlimited beauty within each of them that despite all the hectic of the day, the frustrations, all needing my attention at once, I am still speechless at the end of the day.

They have all touched me again in some way, with a jester, a kiss, a unexpected cuddle of affection, always when I need it most.  Some silly antic that brought a smile to my face and made me laugh at how cute and goofy they are.  

A serious look that makes me think I know what they are thinking, though it's probably the other way around.  Those wind up moments when they are literally bouncing in circles, the always frantic rush out the door, and the more insistent paw bang to come in.  Then there are the quiet moments that give me a chance to reflect.  Simple moments in time captured that let me know everything is going to be all right.  Making life bearable again and a little bit easier.  It makes me want to love again a little more each day.
    

Night Riding with Daddy

Ready to ride with Daddy!

God, I can't wait until the weather cools down just a little bit.  It's not as hot here as it is on the East coast and I'm so grateful for that.  I really think I'm going through dog withdrawal.  I have only been able to take them a few times in the evening.  Yesterday I even got a small fan and let it run in the car while I was away from the car.  I think Fiona didn't care much for it, but it helped in keeping the temperature down. 

I took Momma Dog and Daddy Dog tonight for a couple of hours after the sun went down.  I don't think Brut was too happy as he lost the front seat to Silver, who jumped right in and stayed in it all night. 

It was nice having them in there.  I don't have as nice of a day when I am dogless.  When I'm by myself, I will turn on the music and go into that world.  Today it was Robin Trower and "The Bridge of Sighs" album.  Although I love the music and makes me feel I'm back as a teenager.  (which sometimes isn't a good idea :)  There is nothing that is more real than having your "dog partner" with you as you are driving along the road.  Sometimes we even make our own songs together.  Silver is the best singer, she can really belt out the jams when she sees another dog walking around.  Actually all she has to see are kids, people, people with dogs, cats, you name it.  Get anywhere near our van and she will let you know, don't get too close. 

Hopefully tomorrow will be cooler so I will be able to take one with me during the day. 

Until next time,
Feeling blue without the 24 paws with me.

How the Paws beat the heat

Here's what the Back dogs have to say:

Zappa, Fiona, and Silver all agree, Doing absolutely nothing!!

Brut says, "Lying down and looking pretty."

Lets check on the Front Dogs....

Chance says, "This is the only way to beat the heat!!"

Nothing like a good mud bath!!

But where is Blaze?

Trying not to get wet!

Missing My Co-Pilots

"It's about time I went someplace!"-Zappa

You know, it is just unbelievable that with just a change in the weather how the dogs can sense something is wrong.  In the last few days, I haven't been able to take a dog with me except for in the evenings and even then sometimes that wasn't possible.  It has been too hot to take one.  I took Zappa yesterday, but I could tell it was almost too hot for him.  It was a quick ride and soon he was able to get out of the car.  We were on the job for about five hours and he was able to have some fun looking for anything that moved.  He stayed close to where I was, like everyone else does.  I think he was just happy that he was able to come with me for a ride.

So when the routine changes because of the weather, it not only effects them, it effects me.  It doesn't seem right or fair that I don't have one of them with me.  It sounds strange but I think all the dogs feel the same way.  When things are normal, they are smart enough to know that only one gets to go when I leave.  They also know when nobody goes, as they can all watch out the window and see.  So when I don't take anyone and they see me in the car riding alone, what are they thinking?  Did they do something wrong?  Do I still love them?  Are they being punished?

How can you explain to them all, that it's nothing they did.  How do you let them know it is because of the  heat and the windows don't work right in the van?  The miracle of dogs is when I come home, they are still really happy to see me again.  The feelings I have walking into a house of loving dogs that act like they haven't seen me in weeks is just indescribable.

Thank God for the love of dogs.  When everything else in this life seem to be a fake and in turmoil, there's nothing like getting a reality check knowing you have a family of 6 dogs waiting to be with you.  It is all worthwhile.

So hopefully the weather will cool down so I can start taking each dog with me.  I miss the one-on-one time.  Believe it or not, each one has something to share with me each time they go.   

Squirrel Patrol Update: Dogs-1, Squirrels-1

Fiona's revenge!

Squirrel Patrol

The mission begins...

I began the daunting task of cleaning out the shed, or as the back dogs like to call it, the squirrel condo.  As I started pulling out boards, Brut and Zappa began casing the perimeter looking for run away squirrels.  Trying to keep them contained from reaching the higher built wood shed.

Do you see 'em?  Do you see 'em?

Every board I pulled out would start a frenzy of lapping the shed at least three times.  Keeping their noses to the ground, they searched out their prey.  They know their time is limited as the sun was fading into the night.  Round and round they go, stopping for quick checks, they had to be somewhere.

I think I smell one!!

Suddenly Brut stops, tongue hanging out, tail slowly begins to wag until it is up to full speed.  There, in the tree above, two squirrels awaiting their doom.  Zappa has now joined Brut and they both stand patiently waiting for the squirrels to miss the branches as they zoom and hop from through the tree.   Chatting to each other, they laugh at the dogs below and I think I actually saw one of them flip Brut off.

Is the camera rolling?  Is my make-up on right?

Fiona has joined the hunt by this time and keeps close tabs on the two squirrels above.  Between the three of them there can be no escape.  All eyes to the tree.  Keeping vigilant tabs on the two culprits, they execute their attack as planned.  Which seems to be running around in circles and not knowing what to do.  Hoping like a manna from heaven, the squirrels will fall.  Or at least one of them...

I just want to be friends...

As the darkness falls, so do their chances.  One squirrel hops to the wood shed for freedom up in the rafters, while the other has made a dubious escape right under their noses.  Good team work for the squirrels, good exercise for the dogs.  I could almost hear them high five each other.  Squirrels-1, Dogs-0.  Better luck next time.

Struck out again.  Tomorrow, same place, same time.

BE THERE!! 

There will always be tomorrow.  And look here comes the Commander in Chief Silver, to gather the troops and head on home where even in defeat Daddy will give us our bones of honor for putting our hearts into mission.

It's a hell of a job, but someone has to do it. 

by Mark