Barking dogs/females

Ava was barking as usual as I got their food ready this morning but I tuned her out. Ali comes downstairs and tells Ava to be quiet and is looking at me like why don't you hear this and do something. I just smiled and said I tune her out.

She was leaving for work so I didn't finish the thought which is that men from crib days on have learned to tune out barking and yelling females. :)

R.I.P. Lady Sasha

R.I.P Lady Sasha April 14 2014.

Lady Sasha crossed the Rainbow Bridge today in our arms.

She rescued me on Feb 26 2011 when she came up from TN through Double Dog Rescue. She joined Nicky a Shepherd and I that day, so until Nicky crossed the bridge it was Czar Nicholas and Lady Sasha. She was by his side when he crossed the Bridge so I know he was there to greet her.

She was such a gentle and dignified dog (hence the Lady title) to all the fosters and permanents that came into her life never a bark or growl just gentleness.

I found out she had been a “Still Dog” down in TN from a truck driver when I told him she barked at helicopters and low flying planes. She guarded either moonshine stills or pot farms.

I always wondered about the rescue dogs I've kept or fostered what did they go through why were they the way they were. I thought Sasha must have had a pretty decent caring life despite being a Still Dog due to her gentle nature with other animals and humans. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. The x-ray that showed us the tumor and bleeding also showed a bullet lodged in her spine. I couldn't believe it. This beautiful gentle dog had been shot.

She is at peace now and waiting for me when I cross. I'm always amazed at what I learn from these animals, gentleness, fun, caring, playfulness. I only hope I'm worthy of their love.

Rest In Peace my Beautiful Friend I know you will be there to greet me and show me the ropes when I cross.

Poor Ava

Duke usually doesn't counter surf til we leave so we make sure everything is clear. This morning he does it while I'm walking the munchkins and takes down the food cans. Ava cuts the tip of her tongue blood everywhere. Trip to the vet they do what they can she'll be fine. Now gotta get all the blood out of the pickup or could you see me explaining that if I got pulled over?! Well it's all gone the can't even get prove it was there.

Save a Rescue Dog!

I'm tired of reading FB on how a new rescue got loose. I wrote this for B.A.A.C. it applies to all rescues feel free to share it.
Congratulations you have adopted a rescue dog! You’re now in the parking lot waiting for the transport to drop off the new family member or you’re leaving the pound.
Here are some do’s and don’ts if you are a first time rescue parent and a good refresher if it’s been awhile.
You have fallen in love with a picture or dog you met for a few minutes you know nothing about this dog and this dog knows nothing about you. All this dog knows is every time he turns around he has been put in a vehicle and dumped in some new place he is skittish and scared and will bolt at the first opportunity. If you are at the transport they will put a slip lead on the dog. DO NOT REMOVE THIS until you are safely in your house. If it is to short attach another leash to the hand end of it. If you are at the pound put a choke collar on. When you get home from the transport put a choke collar on before you take the dog out of the house. Those cute non choke collars look nice but most dogs can slip their heads out of them before you can stop them and the chance of you getting the dog back after that is slim. Look at the lost posters all over Facebook that happened just this way. Until your dog is trained and knows you and the area a choke collar is a must.
Whatever name you have in your mind the dog doesn’t know it. They had one name in their first home and possibly many more in shelter and foster care so be patient give them time to learn their name with gentle pets and treats as you say it.
For the past few months and maybe longer every time this poor animal has been put in a vehicle it’s whole life has been changed. It takes them time to get use to you and the fact that this is their new furever home do not put them in a car or take them for a trip for a minimum of a month or longer if possible they are scared they are being taken somewhere to be dumped. I waited at least 2 months with each of mine and they were hesitant to get out of the car the first few trips. Sasha my husky took 8 trips before I didn’t have to help her out of the car. Remember they need to learn to feel secure with you and your family so go slow with them.
Get a good dog training book I recommend Kohler Dog Training it’s old school but it work I’m partial to shepherds and he trained WWII war dogs and Rin Tin Tin. Or just let your dog train you.
Remember love, gentleness and patience are your main tools. They don’t think or behave the way humans do and they are getting use to you as you get use to them.
There are more things such as introducing them to the other pets and food but the most important is keeping them from running away and making them feel loved.
Bonz

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First snowy hike of 2014. 3 days before Spring.

Here's the trail from Peterson park in Wolcott Mar 16 2014 still covered in snow and ice 3 days before spring.  What a winter.

Gyms

We never had all these gyms when we were growing up because we didn't sit in front of TVs or computers and neither did our parents. We were out doing things. Playing, chores, riding just not sedentary like the bunch out of shape lazy bastards running around today who blame the food and calories when what is truly causing the problem is stuffing food in their mouths and sitting on their asses.

Connecticut winter

Just watched and quickly turned off the news. If you've been in CT or New England for more then 1 winter and you don't know how to walk in snow, shovel snow, drive in snow or just be in snow and need to be told by the talking heads You Are a Moron!!!