Making up for missed blogging

Went web searching for info on dogs with dog bites that get infected or have gauze left inside the wound.  Instead I found this.

Is it any surprise that I L-O-V-E it?  ;)  Ok, now, I'm really getting ready for sleepy.

 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1, aoljpollCreated, aoljpollCreated_1

Seeing red

I'll be returning Rodeo to the vet tomorrow.  I noticed something oozing from his incision tonight and it appears to be fabric in nature.  (gauze)  If they left something in him, I will be furious.  I also will not be responsible for any bills from tomorrow if that is the case.  Leaving something in him would require another surgery to remove whatever it is, a lot more antibiotics and a lot longer with the E-collar on.  It also appears to be severely inflamed, possibly infected.  Good lord, I will be pissed.

Thankful that it's been quiet

Been going to bed early for once so I haven't been spending as much time online at night.  I need to catch up on almost all of my journals that I read.  I've also had a very mild cold, another reason for ealier bed times. 

Rodeo seemed to be in a quite a bit of pain yesterday.  He's on two different pain medications and an antibiotic.  I think he feels slightly better today.  The bite on the inside of his thigh is severely bruised and red.  The top one is just now starting to turn purple from bruising.  He really hates the E-collar.  I take it off a couple times a day for about ten minutes to let him be free of it but he becomes obsessive with licking his wound so it goes back on.  He's still constantly looking at me very pathetic.  He's slept in the bedroom every night since it happened.  He wakes everyone up at least once an hour from running into the wall with his E-collar.  I'm looking into having a bully breed rescue take in Rocky.  At the very least, I have one agreeing to put him on their website and petfinders for me and do all the adoption paperwork. 

It's been raining like the world is coming to an end all day today.  Go figure, as soon as I'm getting ready to take Rodeo out to potty, it starts thundering and lightning.  Apparently, Princess is TERRIFIED of thunderstorms.  She was running back and forth in the backroom, jumping on the dog crates and my washer/dryer.  I couldn't get her to go in a crate so she just continued like that till it stopped.  I will have to update her profile so note that whoever takes her must have a crate for t-storms and the 4th of July.  Otherwise she's going to tear up someone's house.  We're supposed to get some really strong winds tonight so I'd better go latch the cat house so the door doesn't fly open.

The photos

Taken shortly after we got home.  There are staples going up and across.  There are numerous punctures that were left open, mostly to encourage draining.  At the bottom of this picture you can see where the other incision was made from the redness.

This is his inner thigh.  You'll have to forgive my photograph as I was doing it alone while trying to hold his leg up very carefully.  The bulge you are seeing is his muscle.  I don't know how it's going to heal. 

Another of his inner thigh.  The part just below the bulge is where there are more staples.  I don't know if she was in a hurry when she did them or if it is generally not an easy place to put staples but it looks like hell.

I took this one to give you an idea of how large the incision was.  You can see one of the punctures is draining. 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_4

$500 Later

Where do I begin?  I woke up earlier than usual with Jasmine.  The first thing we do every morning is let the dogs out.  I put them all outside and got Jasmine some snacks and went back to the bedroom to watch some tv for a while.  I never meant to fall asleep, certainly not with the dogs outside unattended.  A few hours later I woke up and went to go call my mom.  I let a couple of the dogs in and went to chat on the phone.  The others seemed to be out busy with something.  I noticed that Rodeo was really dirty but thought it was just from some heavy playing.  After getting off the phone with my mom, I went to let the rest of the herd in and was now very aware that something was not right with Rodeo.  He was cowering in a corner and when he finally came out, he was limping badly.  I got him in the kitchen but really couldn't see anything because he was so caked with mud.  I knew he was bleeding from somewhere.  I filled the bathtub with warm water and tried to get some of the worst of it off.  After drying him off a little bit, I put a blanket on the kitchen floor and had him lay on it.  I rolled him on his side and noticed a deep wound on his inner thigh.  He sat up and I looked at the other side of his thigh and saw his muscle protruding from another wound.  Honestly, I started freaking out a little bit and was starting to hyperventilate.  (something new for me)  I called my husband (who was out at a bar with friends) and told him he needed to come home n.o.w.  Of course he had to take one of his friends home first so I told him I would get Jasmine up and ready and call him back.  After everyone is ready to go, I called him back and told him to meet me at the Emergency Clinic.  It wasn't until I was halfway there that I realized they weren't open yet.  Shawn got there first and called me to say they'd be open in a half hour so we would just wait.  Once I got there though, they just let us in even though it was before hours.  He bled all through the waiting room and then in one of the exam rooms.  They took him back to do what I believed at the time was stitch him up.  An hour and a half later, they came out and told me that they had to do minor surgery as two of his top muscles on the rear leg had been torn and separated so they had open him up to get everything arranged and stitched together.  They also had to open the bottom of his thigh as those muscles had been separated.  He is on human strength pain relievers and antibiotics.  They said he will extremely uncomfortable tomorrow.  They also put on an elizabethian collar.  I hate those things.  Rodeo won't even move with it on.  To take him out to go potty I have to remove it and put it back on when we get back in the house.  I originally thought that my doberman Cash was the culprit but now I'm leaning more towards Rocky.  For one, Cash was up by the house when I went to let everyone in, while Rocky was out back licking the ground.  (assuming blood)  Rocky also will be going to the vet tomorrow to have his eye looked at as he seems to be unwilling to open it and it's red and oozing.  I was going to take them both today but Rocky attempted to go after Rodeo while I was getting them ready to go to the car.  Therefore, I chose the worse of the two to go.  I've thought for a while that it would be best for everyone if we found Rocky a new home.  He has been becoming aggressive with the other animals and is food aggressive with both human and animal.  It's just hard to finally make that decision.  The vet said that whoever the fight was between that they were out for blood.  Poor Rodeo looks just miserable.  I just don't know what to do at this point.  I could put an ad in the paper and require that I can get vet references, house check and that they don't have any other animals.  I don't know.  I just want to go to sleep and wake up to find this has all been a nightmare.  I will post pictures of Rodeo's wound (after surgery of course) after Jasmine (finally) goes to sleep. 

Pictures of my kid

She's got to be one of the cutest kids on the whole planet.  Well, when she's not throwing a fit.

I can't believe how well the bubbles came out.

She's actually trying to eat them.  No, I'm not kidding.

Much concentration.

She fell asleep with her pony from the My Little Pony show.

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_5

A few pics from when we got her to sit still

My husband actually doesn't like this dog very much.  For the most part it seems to be because I did not consult with him before agreeing to foster her. 

Everyone thinks she's ugly but I think she's cool looking.  Although you can tell by looking at her eyes that she's a bit on the wild side.

A view from the back so you can see just how merle she actually is.  She's even got a naturally docked tail.  She can't get much more aussie.

My husband took this one of Princess a few days ago.  Seems he's started to take a slight liking to her.  Oh yes, you heard me right, he likes the foster dog from hell.  It's gotten to the point that there's a running joke among all the foster (doggy) parents when one of their foster dogs breaks something, they say to eachother at least it wasn't the toliet. 

 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_4

Fast as fast can be, you'll never catch me

I have had my new foster, Zoey for a little over 24 hours now.  I can say that she is 100% Australian Shepherd in EVERY way.  The dog is purely nuts.  My husband has nicknamed her bullet because she runs across the yard/house so fast you can hardly see her.  She is (unfortunately) extremely prey driven and wants to follow (eat) my cats.  She learned not to mess with my oldest and fattest cat, Sweety after Sweety slapped her between the eyes.  Thus far she only chases them and has not attempted to pick them up.  It seems to be more herding than anything.  It has been extremely difficult to get a good picture of her.  She doesn't sit still unless she's sleeping and if she sees humans, she's immediately awake and bouncing off the walls.  We (me and my director) have already discussed that she needs a... special home.  Whoever adopts her needs previous herding breed experience as this dog isn't for just anyone.  She would definitely not be happy sitting on a couch all day.  She seems to have mild kennel cough so I'm going to wait and see if it resolves itself before putting her on antibiotics.  I'll be calling tomorrow to make her spay appointment and possibly have her dewclaws removed.  (depends on what the board of directors decides)  She was just dropped off in the middle of the night at the shelter so who knows where she came from.  I have a pretty good idea of why she was left there.  (someone didn't know what they were getting into when they bought an aussie)  I'm not sure if she was abused or not.  She is fine around people until you go to touch her and then she pees everywhere.  I'm not sure if she's just scared in general or if someone wasn't particularly nice to her before.  She bit me tonight.  It's the first time I've ever been bitten that badly by a dog.  She was chasing after a cat and I put my foot out (thinking she has plenty of time to stop) and she just kept running like I wasn't there.  My foot when into her mouth and one of her sharp teeth went through the bottom and bruised the top.  I could use a stitch but she's not yet up to date on her rabies so I won't be going to the doctor.  (the shelter doesn't do their rabies... just an extra expense on a dog that might not ever make it out)  I'm not sure what I'll tell the doctor if it becomes infected as they write out a report and send it to the Humane Society.  (and I'm not real fond of the people who work there and that's all I'll say on that)  All I know for sure is that it was super painful when it happened and left me cussing for a few minutes.  Zoey however never broke stride and continued on her cat chasing quest. 

 

Insanity is only what you make of it

I had assumed I would be receiving an aussie puppy today as my director was going to the shelter to pick out some dogs and I had requested one of two aussie pups they had.  Both these dogs were on hold (in process of being adopted).  You would think that was the end right?  Well, she happened upon what she is calling (you never know until you see it with your own eyes) a pure breed aussie that is a blue merle.  She called several times but of course, I was asleep.  I called her back in the afternoon and she said she hadn't pulled the dog for me because she didn't know for sure that I would take it.  I told her to call the shelter and I'd pick him/her up tomorrow.  I know, I must be insane to take in yet another dog.  If he's as eye catching as she is leading on, I won't have him more than a month.  I just feel like I have to do something while I'm waiting on Princess to get an adoption.  I really hope I don't end up with her for a long time.  At least she gets along with all my other dogs though.  The aussie I'm getting tomorrow is approximately five months old, naturally docked tail.  Not sure whether it's male or female or if it has blue eyes.  I told her yes before she even gave me much details.  Go figure.  This was not something I cleared with my husband beforehand so he is a little annoyed with me.  I figured I'd bring home a cute cuddly puppy and he wouldn't be able to say no.  I didn't expect to have a half grown dog.  I also have to pick up two chinchillas while I'm there.  NOT for me.  Another girl has offered to foster them.  I'm just picking them up since I'll already be out there.  It is my opinion that chins are evil creatures just waiting for the right moment to ripe out our jugulars.  They just have a sneaky way about them.  I'm not afraid of them but that's not to say I'm their biggest fan either.  So as of tomorrow I will own seven of my own dogs and foster two others bringing my total to nine.  Do you think that's a little over the county ordinance of three animals per household?  *grin*

Messes and whining

Jasmine has made many a masterpiece with her paints.  (and messes)  She hasn't figured out that when you mix all the colors together, they just become one ugly color so I'll need to get her some more paints if she wants a little variety.  (and seperate them while she is painting)  Maybe I'll get her some small paintbrushes while I'm at it.  She's also been making me use her bubble thing over and over.  The thing is battery operated so I thought I wouldn't have any work to do.  Wrong.  She wants me to shoot the bubbles up in the air so that she can pop them.  At least she likes it and is still at that age where she could care less that it didn't cost a fortune.

I swear I might as well put a darvacet on the bedside table for when I get up in the morning.  The last few days I have been having a ton of pain from the vein in my uterus.  It's the worst it's ever been.  My husband keeps saying go back to the doctor but all they can do for it is more pain medicine (which I don't want) or a hysterectomy and I'm certainly not ready for that.  I'll just deal with the pain and whine intermittedly. 

Kids get WHAT on Easter????

I didn't make it to the adoption event today.  I woke up this morning in a lot of pain from a varicose vein in my uterus.  It's been bothering me a lot the last few months.  It comes and goes so hopefully it will be going soon.  I spent a lot of money on candy for the event last night too.  Guess I'll just have to use it at the next one. 

The Easter bunny forgot what day tomorrow/today is.  That is until about eleven o'clock at night when she/he said uhm, honey we have somewhere we need to go.  It's always difficult to shop for things when the one you are shopping for is with you.  My husband distracted the little monster with expensive toys that we could not afford while I went hunting for things we could.  She ended up with a very large pez dispenser.  (the kid loves pez)  Apparently it sings too or something.  I bought some bubbles and then a bubble machine that is *supposed* to blow bubbles inside of other bubbles.  We'll see how well it actually works.  I also bought some finger paints.  We haven't went on that messy journey yet so I figured what the hell.  I think it would be cute to take one of her creations and frame it.  So far she forces us to create with her and I'd like one that is all her doing.  (crayons and markers)  I really wanted to get her a easel or small desk to do all her coloring but it seems that suddenly no one has anything remotely close.  The only thing I found was an indoor/outdoor table but it had slates through the top of it and she would've been forced to use something hard to prevent her crayons/markers from going through them.  Go figure a few months ago it seemed like everyone had something like that and now, nothing.  Maybe next month we'll find something.  We also bought her two outfits earlier in the day.  One for Easter and the other because she refused to leave without it.  (a sesame street shirt, go figure)  The Easter outfit is one that she can wear again as it's semi-casual instead of the dressy stuff I normally get her for holidays.  I wish she would let me put her hair up tomorrow but she always pulls it out so it's not worth the fight.

I have yet to receive any applications on Princess.  I'm going to take new pictures of her to put on the website (which wasn't messed up, it was my computer) and to put on petfinder.  I've got to figure out something to put on her that is cute and eye catching.  We're going up to the kill shelter this week to pull dogs and some cats and there are a few I have my eye on.  Go figure they're puppies but they're australian shepherds.  I may take one but not both.  I'd just feel awful if one of the girls didn't pull the other one though.  I know at least the one would go fast as he has blue eyes.  There's also a shepherd at the other shelter that I would like to pull if they still have it on our next visit.  He's all black with lopsided ears.  Both of his ears seem to flop the wrong way giving him a goofy appearance. 

So far none of the dogs have gotten out of the yard since the electric fence has been up.  By now someone has to have been shocked but I haven't heard any yelping.  We watched Rocky on his first trip outdoors off the tie out and he was very cautious around the wiring.  (we did top and bottom of the fence since he's a jumper)  He seemed to be sniffing it.  I think he must have been able to feel the currant through his whiskers as he has not bothered with it since.  The other dogs don't typically escape unless Rocky or Cash shows them where to get out so I think it will be accidental when they hit it.  I'm sure it will happen to the Aussie's at least a few times as they like to run near the fence around bushes. 

Happy Easter!

Yeah, this blog has some of that too

I have an adoption event tomorrow but not exactly sure of the times.  Either noon to four or eleven to three.  I tried checking the web calendar and found that the website is not working, at all.  Shit.  I'm hoping this is a screw up on my computers behalf and not our entire website.  Do you have any idea how long it would take to rebuild everything on that website from scratch?  My god, the idea that it completely crashed makes me slightly ill.  We do not have really computer savvy people working for our organization.  We use a basic webpage set up to do all our information.  Recently, we've had someone volunteer to make it a really awesome page BUT this person works long hours and only has so much time to devote to a new website.  Ugh, I'm just slightly freaking out at the moment.

I woke up today to find that my husband had went out.  I thought I remembered him saying he was going to his best friend's house today but to be completely honest, I don't listen all that well when he talks.  My husband can be long winded and give the most mundane details so sometimes it pays to listen only half the time, or at least it saves what's left of my sanity.  Eventually I called him after realizing I was on my own for the day and found him at his friend's house.  It was made clear that he was enjoying himself and had no plans on coming home just because I was bored.  (it was put much nicer than this though)  Eventually he said why don't you just come over here.  Well, the weather sucked out today.  Snow, the day after the first day of spring.  And, even worse, ICE.  I didn't want to drive in it.  He eventually compromised.  Everyone was hungry so we would all meet at Logan's and then my husband would drive back to their house, leaving his car at the restaurant for the time being.  For once the food was pretty good and the cheesecake was fantastic.  (they have really good food when they don't manage to screw it up)  I had a long island so I was quite happy by the time the meal ended.  Unfortunately, when I get tipsy I also get... sarcastic.  (mean)  I think I was starting to piss my husband's friend off.  I'm not too worried about it though to be quite honest with you.  He won't be mad forever and seemed better by the time we made it back to their house.  On the drive home, I had forgotten that I eventually had to be the driver as my husband's car was still at Logan's.  Crap.  The roads were far worse and I really didn't feel like driving.  I waited around while my husband got all the ice off his windows.  As is usual, for some reason he ended up behind me and as usual, road my ass the entire way home.  Now this gets on my nerves on a normal day but today the roads s.u.c.k.e.d.  I literally felt like my car was on pure ice several times and felt as if I had very little control over where it went.  This was all made worse by the bright shining lights in my mirrors.  By the time we got home I was steaming and told him from now on, I follow him when we have two vehicles. 

I thought I would share this story from my mom's house as I'm pretty sure that this doesn't happen often in the horse world and it's probably observed even less.  I'll give you basic background quickly.  (or try to make it quickly, hard to tell how these things are gonna go once I get started)  My mom has three horses, two females and one male.  The females are Danni and Rizzo and the male is Cody.  Cody has never really allowed Danni to eat with him and Rizzo.  He bites and kicks her if she tries.  On a few occasions I've seen her fight back but not many.  She's an extremely passive horse to the point that Eeyore looks spunky in comparison.  My mom always feeds them in at least two different places.  (she gives them hay for those of you non-horse savy folks)  That way, no matter what, Danni has a place to eat as Rizzo has no problem eating with her.  Yesterday, my mom fed Cody and Rizzo in the barn and had a second bale of hay ready to go feed Danni but had gotten side tracked with a stray cat that has been hanging around so she momentarily forgot about feeding her.  She looks up and sees Rizzo get a mouth full of hay, turn her head around and pass off the hay to Danni.  Do you have any idea how rare that is?  For Rizzo to have realized that Danni for one, didn't have a place to get food from because of Cody and two, to think to give it to her!  It had to be so cool as a horse person to see that right in front of you.  I know a lot of you are looking at this like yeah whatever.  But it's R.E.A.L.L.Y. cool to us.  I mean horses are pretty me me me oriented.  For example, when you see them scratching another horse (what looks like biting on each other's backs/necks), they itch the horse where they would like THAT horse to scratch THEM.  It's not a thinking of well, he might like a little scratch on his back.  It's, I really could use a scratch on my back maybe if I scratch his back right there, he'll scratch mine right there.  Man that was cool.  Wish I had been there to see it.  And these are both mares who have never been studded out and had it take.  (never had a baby)  So any maternal instinct that Rizzo has, are all in her head.  ;)

I went and had my eyebrows waxed for the first time yesterday.  Man that hurts like a biiiiiiiaaaatch for a few seconds.  The idea of ripping even larger sections off in that same manner is just... wow, no.  I may continue to do my eyebrows because it really does only hurt for a few seconds but those few seconds it's torture.  I made no noise though as she ripped about a thousand of my little tiny hairs out of my very soft delicate skin.  And now today, I see that I must be mildly allergic to bees wax.  Is that going to stop me from doing it again?  No, I can live with the hive like dots that are there.  They'll be gone within a few days.  I had a feeling that was going to happen because my hands were drawn to my brows yesterday and today.  As soon I touched them, the little bruising screamed no back!  They were itching because the hives hadn't come through yet.  Some days, I feel like I'm allergic to have the stuff that is commonly used.  Several antibiotics I cannot take.  One makes me REALLY sick.  104 degree temperature type of sick.  (of course my dumb ass didn't realize that I was slowly poisoning myself until I took the very last pill in the bottle.  The other one made me... not myself.  I don't know how to explain it.  I couldn't eat and I had major mood changes and just didn't feel like "me".  You know I just did one of those, what the hell was I even talking about moments.  So yes, that means this blogger needs to go to sleep or else I will continue to ramble on with stories that make no frickin sense.  ;)~

I want just ONE quiet day

Do NOT read this entry if you are eating or preparing to!!!!!!

I was planning on cleaning the house a bit tonight as it's a mess and with all that has been going on, I haven't had a chance to do much of anything at all.  I kept hearing noises coming from the small animal room (rats, rabbit, birds) and I finally decided to go see what was going on.  Some how, at some point, Tikki managed to get out of his cage and was trying to fight with his "friends" through the bars of their cage.  I picked him and immediately noticed an injury to his stomach as well as oozing pus.  Crap, what the hell do I give a rat for infection?  I took him in the bathroom while I tried to figure out what to do with him.  Eventually, I decided to treat it like I would if it were a cat with an infection, minus penicillin.  I wet his stomach over and over again trying to loosen the scab so I could pull it off and drain the infection.  He was such a good boy even though I know it was painful.  The smell was just terrible.  Hours later, my bathroom still smells like death.  Jasmine had to leave the room several times.  Hell, I had to leave the room a few times.  I have no idea how he became injured in this way as he is alone in his cage and I don't see anything he could've hurt himself on.  Eventually, I got most of the scab off and began flushing the wound with warm water and using a q-tip to clean out the inside of it.  I swear, the entire time he just sat there patiently waiting and at one point even began cleaning his feet as if to say well I don't have anything better to do at this angle.  After getting him cleaned up I put some triple antibiotic ointment in it and put him back in his regular cage for a few minutes.  I then got started cleaning out the ferrets old cage.  I knew I needed to house him somewhere that I could keep completely clean and this was the only place large enough.  I washed it out and dried it and then had to figure out how to place the shelves so as to keep him safe.  (so he couldn't fall a large distance)  I put a hammock in his cage as well as several hideouts and two hand towels.  He hasn't moved much since I put him in there.  He tends toget scared easily in new places.  I covered the cage with a blanket and turned the light off.  Hopefully, he calms down by morning and doesn't try to escape.  This is the second time he has mysteriously gotten a wound on his stomach.  (the wounds look almost ulcer-like)

Shawn got the electric fence completely hooked up but we're waiting till tomorrow to see if it is working.  I'm sure as hell not touching the wire to find out.  The plan is to let Rocky off the tie out and wait for him to jump the fence.  If he doesn't cry, it's not working.  If it works, the dogs will get to spend a lot more time outdoors.  They will be VERY happy even if they can't escape.  I hate using the fencing but it's that or have them get hit by a car.  My director is planning on doing the same thing at her house if it works at mine as she too has problems with the dogs getting out. 

Thursdays are usually ferret cage cleaning days.  Because of the whole rat incident, I only did half the cage.  Shawn is supposed to drill holes into the sides of their litter boxes for me tomorrow.  They keep moving them out of the corners and then just going poop on the floor of their cage.  It's been driving me nuts.  Not to mention that it smells. 

Don't bite the hand that fosters you

The rescue got in an email today that basically said please help, dogs will be euthanized, etc. etc.  We get these everyday, several times a day.  It's hard to say sorry but we are full as well and there is nothing we can do about it.  This particular pound is over six hours away from us in Kentucky and requires a fee to pull a dog even if you're a rescue.  I never understood that.  It will cost them to euthanize the animal and yet they want US to pay THEM to take the dog off their hands.  The reality is that by pulling these dogs, we are saving them money.  In my opinion if you really want to prevent your dogs from being euthanized, you should be a little more rescue friendly.  Not only would we have to pay the fee of pulling the dog but we would have to pay transport fees for whoever drove down there to get them.  This is not a case we are going to take on as far as I know.  There are two that I would be willing to take but there are just as many dogs in need within a reasonable driving distance as there are all across the country.  I understand why these emails are sent out constantly.  I was doing the same thing not long ago.  But when you overload rescues with these emails day in and day out, you become ignored.  One of our director's looks over each and every one of these emails and typically they all come from the same sources every day.  It's hard to listen when you send it everyday.

One of our girls got bitten by her foster cat today.  I guess it's pretty bad.  She's waiting till morning to see if she wants to go to the doctor but from the sound of it, it's already infected.  If you've ever had an infected cat bite before, you know how painful it an be particularly when it's your hand or arm. 

I got the fever

I'm having a woe is me kind of evening.  I was fine all day till I did the check book.  I just have to tell myself that someday it won't be like this and we will get through it.  We'd be in a better situation if it weren't for all the food I eat.  ;)  Seriously, I may only weigh 112 but I L.O.V.E. food.  It's my weakness.  If my tummy starts to growl, it's all I can think about.  And the longer it growls, the snippier I get with anyone that comes in contact with me.  I act like it's their fault that I'm hungry and they should DO something about it.  Once my stomach has been fed I regret the money spent.  Bad tummy, bad.  We also have the extras that we could live without, the direct tv, dsl internet, more animals than a small petting zoo.  Ok, so I could live without a *few* of the animals but most I would throw a tizzy if I was forced to part with them.  (I was once again looking into pit bull rescues... it's not promising so I'll have to work with him... a LOT more)

I cannot wait till this chilly weather goes away.  The little old lady who I helped with her leaves has flowers coming up.  That's got to be a good sign.  Oh, and I saw TWO robins today.  Not just one but TWO!  We've got some flowers starting in the back but I'm not sure what they are since my grandma planted them.  The only ones I planted that actually bloom are a few tulips and hyacinths and who knows if they'll do it two years in a row.  I think I'll get some crocus bulbs this fall and plant them instead as they seem pretty hardy.  I can mix up the colors a bit.  I just wish they lasted longer.  They're like fireworks... oooooh pretty... oooh gone.  There are a lot of flowers I would like to try my hand at but they're a little on the exotic side and I have more of a brown thumb than green.  I'm planting my garden in the front yard this year.  (did you hear the large groan from everyone in my family?  NOT in the FRONT yard!)  I don't WANT to do it there but I have little choice.  We have seven dogs and typically one foster (I'll only take two if they're both small to medium in size and house trained) and they just destroyed my garden last year.  We had some pumpkins come up and my husband mowed over their vine so they died.  The dogs ran through the garden area so much that it was just weeds.  If I don't get anything in the front yard this year (I would really just like a few good sized pumpkins) then I may not do it again the next year.  I always wanted my own garden.  I would ask if I could plant one at my mom's but there was never an *appropriate* designated area.  *grin*  She has two acres, most of which is devoted to the horses and dogs.  The only area open for gardening was the front yard and I got a resounding no.  Therefore it was something I really looked forward to our first summer here but the dogs ruined it all to hell.  I also need to stock up on some weed killer.  The back corner of my yard has been overtaken by this ivy like plant (NOT poisonous) and I'm ready to kill it off.  Last year when I was killing the weeds that had popped up throughout the yard, I just used whatever was in the garage, without looking at the label and after using it pretty much anywhere I ever thought I saw a weed.  I decided to read the label... kills weeds AND grass.  Whoops.  Lucky for me we had a drought and all the grass died anyways.  ;)~ Will be more careful next time.  I'm also thinking of cutting down all the bush like things by the back fence.  They make it a pain in the ass to get anything done back there and it's like we're missing out on a part of the yard because you can't DO anything back there.  I have a bush that I cut all the limbs off sitting by my back steps.  *evil grin* It's getting a bit wobbly, like with a little *strong* pulling, it may come loose.  I'm going to put Rocky on the tie out and tie it around that damned bush.  Sit back, and watch who wins.  I want to replant there with a pretty flowering bush but I obviously have to wait till that one is out of my way.  The bush that was there was just... ugly.  The bush I want is pretty with light pink blooms.  Wow, I just realized how much crap I wrote about plants.  Spring fever has hit me full blast this evening apparently. 

Honey, when did we get an opossum???

I left my mom's house around midnight.  Surprisingly enough, Jasmine stayed awake on the ride home.  (normally she's tired out from playing and passes out before we hit the highway)  It's lucky that I only live eight miles from my mom's door to my own.  I'm starting at the end of my day so you'll understand why I may be a bit moody despite having a fairly nice day.  When I got home the dogs were their usual obnoxious selves.  They never do what they're asked when I really need them to.  It was just frustrating dealing with them and a toddler that was getting sleepy.  After I was done feeding them and letting them out to potty, I went to see the ferrets for a minute and check their food/water.  The only one that lifted their head was Bear.  I thought maybe the other two just didn't hear me so I gave them  a little nose rub.  Boots woke right up but Bindi stayed unmoving, her eyes open.  I thought omigod, she's sick and now she's dying.  (ferrets can go down hill VERY fast and we've had something going around the animals the past two weeks, just an eye goopiness)  I lifted her out of the cage and she was completely listless and unresponsive.  I was rubbing her and gently shaking her but I was getting nothing from her.  I was crying when my daughter came in the room and was getting ready to go wake my husband to take her to the animal ER.  Of all three of the ferrets, Bindi is by far my favorite.  She's just the perfect little girl and my heart was breaking at the thought of losing her.  As soon as she heard my daughter's voice, Bindi suddenly awoke and was her normal chipper self, although seemed confused about how she got from the cage to the chair.  I had always heard that ferrets can sleep so deeply that even the most skilled ferret parent can think they are dying.  I thought I had already seen that in other ferrets and could tell the difference.  I never thought her eyes would be open wide as if she was awake and unable to respond.  She got tons of kisses and rubs and hugs when I realized she was fine.  Jasmine was looking at me like I lost my marbles.  It was awful but at least now I know how badly it can seem when they are just sleeping.  I'm still shocked at just how "dead"she seemed. 

I didn't even get a chance to pee this morning before Rocky got out of the yard.  (electric fence isn't up yet because it's been raining... wouldn't make a difference anyways, he jumps the entire fence)  I stood at the door the whole time thinking no one would dare escape while I was watching.  Unfortunately for me, I didn't have my contacts in (my vision is 1.75 in one eye and 2 in the other) and the fenced part of my yard is over 300 feet deep.  I managed to get the girls back in the house when I realized that Rocky was probably gone.  The aussie boys kept jumping up and down at the back corner of the fence.  (probably trying to figure out how exactly he GOT out) I put some jeans on and a jacket and trekked out to get him.  I was mostly worried about keeping my aussie's in the yard.  I may be a horrible animal parent but my dogs do have different level of importance and Rocky isn't on the high list.  I went out back and began calling, thinking for sure this would be the time he didn't come back and wondering how I would tell my husband.  Sure enough, I heard his tags clicking from a few yards over and he came flying up around the fence to the other neighbors yard.  Once I got the back gate open he came to me.  I'm lucky that he's not a runner.  He may get loose but when you call him, he comes.  I may WANT to beat the shit out of him for running away when he comes back but the only thing that reinforces is that coming when called gets me beat.  I gave him a few pats and told him he was good for coming home but that he would now have to go inside.  He's only been going out on a tie out since.  Cash is doing MUCH better about staying in the yard so I have been letting him off the tie out when it's just him and Molly outside or if we're out with him.  Cash is a great dog but it's taken some time to get him to that point.  I hope Rocky will become a good dog too.  Cash used to bite my daughter.  He broke the skin once and thank god my husband wasn't there or he might have killed that dog.  Cash doesn't respect my husband and he WOULD bite him if he got the chance and was cornered.  However, he respects me and all it takes is a look and he knows that he's in deep doggy shit.  After the last bite, they weren't allowed in the same room together for a long, long time.  One day, my sneaky child decided to go in the backroom very quietly while Cash was back there with his toys and bed.  When I realized where she was, I took off at a full run thinking she was about to be bitten up into little toddler pieces.  What I saw, stopped me in my tracks.  There was Cash, HAPPY to see Jasmine.  They were playing fetch and he was willingly returning the toy and then dropping it for her.  When she laughs, his little nub wags.  (ok it's more like his hind end wags... he makes up for the lacking of a tail)  They play together all the time and we haven't had even the slightly attitude on Cash's part.  They lay on his bed together and she tells him stories.  It's sweet.  I'm just so glad that he's grown out of whatever he was going through there for a while.  Now he's doing great in everything else as well.  I'm thinking of trying him in some mild agility.  I think he would really enjoy it.  (I'm not going to show him in agility, this will just be for us to do together, although he is purebred and could easily get in and probably win since most shows around here are smaller, faster dogs and it goes by sizing to what class you're in, Cash is in the largest class) I'm also going to get Savannah in agility this summer.  I was watching her outside yesterday and was like wow.  She is like a rocket around that yard.  I have three aussie's and she just flies past those two boys.  (the boys have their own "style" of running... they run and then suddenly start hopping, almost like a rabbit...)  Now with her, I could really win some competitions.  I would like to put a few wins under her and update her akc papers before I send them in so I don't have to do it later.  Savannah Loves attention so winning would make her to back flips.  ;) 

After the madness calmed down, we got started on dinner.  We had pork chops (Jasmine's favorite), corn and some noodles.  This little girl of mine can eat and eat and eat.  She had ravioli before dinner was done, then had a cookie and for dinner she cleaned her plate and had a second pork chop.  After dinner we went to my mom's.  She's been sick for a few days so I haven't been over.  Jasmine was overjoyed to see her uncle Jason.  It's really great to see them get along so well.  I can actually SEE that he loves her now.  When she was first born, he didn't want to hold her, didn't want to touch her, nothing.  The first time he held my daughter ever was after she turned two.  He carried her over a suspension bridge because she was scared.  Now they run around like crazy and she's screaming the whole time.  They even played hide and seek.  Well, my brother hid her balloon and then she had to go find it.  She took my mom to see a fireworks display.  They sat on the bottom of the steps (going upstairs) and Jasmine would show the *fireworks* that were *in* her hand, then she would *throw* them in the air and apparently see a wonderful display of pinks, reds and blues.  Yes, her imagination has REALLY taken off recently.  We had a lot of fun but I could tell my mom was getting tired and I wanted to get home and eat some cookies.  ;)

The Gibbons Center

If you are interested in the Gibbons Ape and want to help this is a very interesting website about them and they are in bad need of donations.  They need to move their facility due to contruction moving to close to them.  (it's bad for the apes)  So if you can donate, do so.  If not, just keep them in mind next time you want to donate to a good cause.  It's close enough that Marty could even go visit... if he could ever pull himself away from that damned starbucks. ;)

Gibbon Center Home

The Gibbons Ape

 

"Indonesia has the shameful distinction of holding the "highest deforestation" title in the 2008 Guinness Book of World Records, destroying an estimated 300 soccer fields of forest every hour." *CNN Website*

This should not be happening in this day and age.  The forestation in Indonesia is literally killing the Gibbons ape.  There are less than 4,000 left in the world and only 150 of them are living in the wild.  They are considered the MOST endangered species in the world.  We recycle more now than we ever have.  There is less reason to cut down massive amounts of trees for paper products.  This isn't just about paper though.  They are cutting into the forest to make new homes and cell phone towers, etc.  What is it going to take before we stop killing off species?  These animals are here for a reason.  When you kill off just one species, it affects the entire ecosystem of that area and sometimes the entire world.  You kill off one bug completely and it throws of the ecosystem.  The bug kills other bugs and some birds, bats and animals eat the original bug to survive.  It's the food chain people.  We learned about it in third grade and yet it doesn't seem to have really taken hold in our brains.  And you know what's funny?  If the humane race suddenly went extinct, it would affect the entire world - for the better.  The animals would flourish.  Plants and nature would be as pristine as they were hundreds of years ago.  Ironic that WE are the species that mother nature finds expendable.

To read more - Scientists fight to save the last Java gibbons - CNN.com

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Lazy Sunday???

How did you all spend your Sunday?  We took Princess to get fitted for her harness.  She pulls a lot less on the leash now.  Afterwards, we took her with us to Tractor Supply Company to get electric fencing.  Our end bill was expensive but hopefully that will keep them in the yard.  We also found out where they had been getting out.  One of them broke a plank on the privacy fence and they were escaping that way.  Hopefully everything combined will keep them in the yard. 

Afterwards, we dropped off everything at the house and went to get something to eat.  On our way home, the little old lady on the corner was out cleaning up leaves and dirt from this winter.  She was putting them in trash bags.  When we got to the house I told Shawn to play with Jasmine outside and I'd be back after a while.  I walked across the street not knowing what to expect.  Some elderly people can be snippy.  She was very nice and was grateful for the help.  It took a little over an hour to get up all her leaves and bag them.  There's no way she could've moved those bags by herself.  I had trouble moving them.  She's almost ninety and frail.  I told her if she ever needs anything else to come by the house.  I still can't believe she was going to do all that on her own.  She said her husband fell on the walkway the other day and broke some bones in his face and is still in the hospital.  Thankfully, someone stopped and called 911 for her.  We talked while we were cleaning up.  She definitely has lived a full life.  I'm sure I haven't heard the half of it.  She wants me to come over and look at her Alaska pictures (she used to live there) when it gets warmer out.  Now, honestly, I don't look forward to looking at hours of photos with a little old lady that I don't know BUT it would make her day so I'll end up doing it.  It won't kill me to listen to her life for a few hours and who knows, maybe I'll learn something.  I feel good about doing but it sucked.  haha  I was having an awful asthma attack by the time it was all over.  When I came home, I played with the dogs and Jasmine outside.  Throwing frisbee's and chasing everyone around.  It makes me really look forward to summer.  I'm getting Jasmine a cheap metal swing set for now.  When we move into our "permanent" house, she'll have one of those nice wood ones.  I don't want to spend all that money right now as there's no way that it would be able to come with us. 

Just another Saturday

Today went better than expected I suppose.  Princess was a pain the first hour or so at Petsmart but I eventually managed to get her in a crate.  Immediately after crating her, I walked where she couldn't see me to give her time to adjust.  She was pretty good after that till about an hour before we were to leave, then she got antsy.  The only other problem I had with her is that she only really responded to me.  When people would come over to pet her, she would sniff them, wag but mostly ignore that they were even there.  When I would walk over she'd go nuts and lick my hand like crazy.  Not sure what I can do to change that.  She didn't get any applications today but one person was interested and said they might fill out the app. online.  We only adopted out one dog the entire day which is rare for us at this location.  It was Princess' puppy.  Quite a few cats went home which is good.  Cat adoptions had slowed down for a while.  All in all, it was a pretty slow day.  A lot of dogs and fosters were there but not a lot of activity.  We have a dog that I am just in LOVE with right now.  He was an owner return.  (guy said he couldn't handle the dog without a fenced yard... it's a POMERANIAN *eye roll*)  He's such a love bug and will crawl right into your lap.  I spent most of the afternoon spoiling him and carrying him everywhere.  He's a big blonde fur ball.  He would come home with me for sure if we weren't already a full house.  After the event I was going to go to TSC with Princess but those few hours were a lot for her to deal with and I decided she should just go home and I'd do the electric fencing later.  There were a few times when she seemed pretty stressed out.  It's common on a first event.  She came home, drank a lot of water and passed out on the bed.  I have to take her back tomorrow but just for a harness fitting.  (prevents pulling)  I'm glad I went in late so that her first event was a short one.  She's started to calm down in the house and I think with some work and the right person that she will make a good house dog.  At the very least, the whining has almost stopped, unless a cat is nearby. 

No good deed

The bitch broke my toilet.  I have to take Princess to the event tomorrow and she was in need of a bath.  She doesn't smell so much as is just greasy feeling.  I had a feeling this would not be an easy task so I've put it off.  I got the water going and ready before I put went and got her.  At first, I thought it was going to go pretty good and then she freaked out.  She was flapping around like a fish out of water.  My bathtub has doors so I went to shut her in there and give her a minute to chill out.  Just as I got the doors almost completely closed, she managed to jump out.  She jumped on top of the toilet back, causing it to go flying and break into a million pieces.  Jasmine had been in the bathroom with us and the last time I had saw her before this occurred, she was sitting on the toilet with the lid down, watching me get the bath ready.  My immediate concern was that she had been hurt by the lid.  Luckily, thankfully, she had the sense to run to the side of the sink when all the commotion started.  Had it hit her, I fear something would've been broken.  Being as I was pissed, I cleaned up the glass and tried once again to load the dog into the tub.  After a few minutes, I realized that one of us was going to end up with a broken bone or two so I aborted it all.  She has been in a crate since.  I was very frustrated and really didn't want to be bothered.  I took Jasmine into the bedroom with me so I could sit with my husband.  My heart skipped a beat here and there.  This is not just an expression for me.  I have an arrhythmia and when I get really upset, it tends to skip a beat here and there.  My mom has the same thing.  After I calmed down, I went in the other room to get on the computer and let my director know I would still be there tomorrow but the dog was n.o.t. getting a bath.  While I was in there, Jasmine begged and whined to let the ferrets out and being as I was in no mood to fight with her, I let them out.  Now, earlier we had gotten her a frozen coke, which at that time, she was drinking.  One of the ferrets decided to try and get a drink and knocked if over.  Now there are only two rooms in my house with carpet, that wasone of them.  Damn it to all hell.  Ferrets promptly get put away and I run to get a towel.  After cleaning it all up I have to spray some stuff on the floor to keep it from staining.  By now, I'm deciding to cut my losses and go to bed but first I have to feed the dogs.  As I was getting the food, Mia and Molly got into a fight (which for them is just a lot of noise and snapping) unfortunately, Jasmine got caught in the middle.  Once again, she was spared any injury except for a scratch to her foot from someone's toe nail.  Ok, I officially want to implode.  Thankfully, nothing has happened since then.  Jasmine is watching Underdog and I'm watching No Country for Old Men, which is so far at least an interesting movie.  I find it funny that they are using old style pistols instead of the usual 9mm that police officers carry here.

Shawn was supposed to spend the evening with his best friend but decided (all on his own) that he wanted to spend the evening with us instead.  Usually I spend Friday's with my mom but she isn't feeling well today so it was just me and Jasmine.  We went up to Lowe's to look for some sheet plastic.  (I want to use it for a rat cage) And just browsed around looking at what we can't afford right now but someday hope to be able to.  Afterwards we got a bite to eat and hit the local walmart.  Jasmine was being rowdier than usual so we cut our evening short.  Once home we beat the crap out of my husband with cardboard.  You know when you get wrapping paper, the center always has the tub of cardboard, that's what we were using.  I thought Jasmine was going to throw up she was laughing so hard. 

Can't Sleep, again so I blogged

When we called the shelter where ZZ Top was located, we found that he had several adoption pendings and will not be needing saving at this time.  I would've liked to have seen what he looked like under all that hair.  At least he's going to find himself a home.

I've decided that since my dogs can't seem to stay in the yard that I will shock the crap out of them.  We have tried everything to avoid this.  We have landscaping timbers across the bottom of all of our fencing.  That is almost a full acre, fenced with landscaping timbers across the bottom.  I can tell you, it wasn't cheap.  They still manage to dig under them and in one case, Rocky was jumping.  Today Princess got loose and that was the last straw.  I can't foster dogs without knowing that they are completely safe from getting out of my yard.  I cannot put Princess out without dreading that she will get hit by a car.  How would I turn around and explain that to the rescue?  Therefore, I have been looking at electic boxes tonight and found that for a small one, they're not that expensive.  Just over ten bucks for something that will cover more than our land.  I will probably stop up at Tractor Supply Company tomorrow and purchase the box, wiring and everything else I need.  If a horse fence doesn't stop them, I don't know what will.  I hate having the two boys on a tie out unless I'm out there.  They want to be like the other dogs and run, not be chained up.  I will just have to unhook the electric when Jasmine is outside playing in the summer. 

I made a stop at the local mall today to exchange a shirt for Jasmine.  (I accidentally bought a 2T when I needed a 4T)  While there, I walked past one of the sports stores.  I managed to ignore the Brett Favre shirts and keep on going through the mall.  I had to pass them a second time on the way back to my car and that's when I couldn't resist temptation.  The guy in the store claims that for whatever reason, these shirts will only be able to be sold for a short time.  I don't know if he was bs-ing or not and it really didn't matter.  I wanted to say 'Hey guy, you don't need to make a sale here, I was already going to spend money.'  I bought a green t-shirt that says Brett Favre We Will Never 4 Get.  (for those who have no idea about football, Brett's number was 4)  I was pretty happy with it.  I'm planning on wearing it to the adoption event on Saturday.  ;)  I'm glad I got some number 4 stuff before he retired.  I'm sure prices will be sky high soon.

Sharp Dressed Man

Lately, I have been looking at houses that will probably never be in my price range.  (never say never right?)  It's fun to look and imagine what your life would be like if you lived in a house like that, had a life like that.  I almost always look within the school systems that I would like Jasmine to go to.  The second most expensive houses in one of those school systems caught my eye.  This is not what I would normally find attractive in a house.  In fact, the whole reason I clicked on it was because I thought omigod, how hoity toity is that?  But the views from this house where just unbelievable.  Who wouldn't want a house on lake Michigan.  It looks like you live on the ocean but you never have to worry about a hurricane (east coasters) or earthquakes (west coasters).  It's even highly unlikely that you would have a tornado that would produce anything other than a few downed trees and high winds.  I wish these sights would bring out the best in me instead of the worst.  When I saw this house my first thought wasn't wow, it was more along the lines of why not me?  Why does this rich sob get to live in a house like that?  He's probably a lawyer who makes his money off screwing the innocent.  (usually insurance lawyers, not the defense attorneys)  I began thinking the worst of these people.  How I'm sure they've never done a nice thing for anyone in their life.  Then I tried to tell myself I don't know them and they could be an elderly couple that worked their entire lives to have a house like that and then when they could finally afford it, they realized they couldn't care for a house that big with that much land.  For whatever reason, my envy and jealousy turns me into a very mean, hateful person.  I don't like feeling like that and I think that's why I try and tell myself that these could very well be well meaning, great people.  I think how unfair it is that I will never have a view like that, land like that or a house like that.  And then common sense kicks in and says 'Look whiney ass, you chose this life.  You chose to be a stay at home mom, not go to college and marry a man that chose not to go to college.  Put on the big girl panties and shut the hell up.'  Of course the other part of my brain just says 'But, but, but, it's just NOT fair!' (this is the link to the house... Listings Search > Cressy & Everett Real Estate) I've met very few people with money that are genuinely good people.  I know they're out there but it's really damned hard to find them.  And then the few that I'm friends with that have money (you know who you are missy), I don't look at them like that.  I don't see the money because I only see the good that they do for themselves as well as for others.  The woman I got all my aussie's from, has money but I don't see her that way either.  She's nice, great personality, loves animals, her kids, etc.  And it took them a long time to get where they are and while getting to that point, they struggled.  Just so everyone knows in advance, I will NEVER be to proud to take a million dollars from you.  ;)~

Something else I've realized while looking at these houses, is that no matter how great the house and land are, I don't think I could purchase a house that had dead animals hanging from the walls.  It's a big turnoff for me.  I don't think I would ever forget where those animals were on those walls.  One house was just covered with them.  Each wall had at LEAST three deer.  (one room was literally deer after deer on the walls) In the kitchen there was what I believe to be a black bear.  Another room had what appeared to be a wolf.  I just could never live in that house.  The people who lived there also fed the deer in the backyard.  Gee, can't imagine it was just good will.  I think living somewhere like that would give me nightmares and leave me crying for those animals that had been put on the walls as decorative items.  Put on the wall to show the size of some mans penis and ego.  Good job, you can kill an animal with a gun.  An animal that you left bait out for and then fenced in most of the property.  Yes, you're a big man.

Once again, I've done something I will regret or my husband will make me regret.  He's unaware of this as of yet.  Why tell him something that I don't know for sure is going to happen?  I got an urgent email this evening from the rescue.  It was concerning a dog that is set to be euthanized on Tuesday of this coming week.  Our director normally makes it a point NOT to forward these as we get tons of them daily.  I don't know what made her stop with this one.  He's a big ole boy.  It's hard to tell what he really looks like under his coat.  The petfinder ad claims he is a bearded collie, puli mix.  I strongly doubt the puli.  It's a rare breed to find anywhere, let alone in a small town in Indiana.  And then why the hell would it be mixed with a collie?  The shelter claims he's not matted.  Again, I doubt that.  He is in major need of a grooming.  As soon as I saw him though, I emailed her back and told her if the person who wants this dog saved, can get him pulled from the shelter and then get him transported up here, I will foster him.  I strongly doubt it will happen.  Frequently, you call/email these people back and they have already found someone to pull the dogs.  (you know we NEVER get these types of emails for cats, only dogs)  If he does end up here, I will have him in at our groomers FIRST thing because you can tell by looking at him that he probably stinks to high hell.  Oh and I just LOVE his name.  ZZ, as in ZZ top.  haha

What's better than liquor and chocolate?

I LOVE Bailey's Irish Cream.  Not long ago they came out with caramel flavor added to it.  Two of my favorite things in one bottle?  Sold!  I always make shakes (first without alcohol) I pour a glass for Jasmine and then I add a ton of Bailey's and blend it together.  It's the best tasting thing and I would drink it all day if it were non-alcoholic.  (I don't drink it for the alcohol but the flavoring, if anyone knows where I can get that same taste without the alcohol, let me know!!)  Tonight as I was preparing to bed, I had a strong craving for a Bailey's milkshake BUT wasn't about to use the blender at 3am, not only because I'm not a lush but also because I didn't want to wake up Jasmine.  You know how a cat is to a can opener?  Yeah that's Jas with the blender.  I swear she circles my ankles and everything.  At any rate, I decided what the hell, I'll just have a sip, straight.  Have you ever seen that clip of the skunk that gets stung on the nose by bees and then it spends the next fifteen minutes pawing at it's face and shoving his nose in the dirt?  Yeah that was me about two seconds after the Bailey's hit my tongue.  First it was, mmmm, Bailey's.  Then, what the hell?  I cin't fill muh tingue!  Oh shit, I just swallowed.  Uh oh, now this rancid liquid is invading my esophagus and I swear it's even in my lungs.  Get it off, get it off!  Now, you would think I would've learned my lesson but just like the stupid skunk, I went back for seconds.  This time I added a tiny bit of milk.  Yeah that's going to fix it such a small amount of milk that a mouse would've turned up it's nose.  Needless to say, the Bailey's met the sink.  And my tongue still doesn't feel right.  No, I don't do straight liquor normally.  Could you tell?

Another Day, a few more dollars

The fundraiser went pretty well today.  I don't know how much we made but several of the girls had their entire office in for lunch.  (it was what's called a give back at a local restaurant... you eat, then the organization gets a percentage of what you spent donated to them from your bill)  I was there with my mom, Jasmine and Shawn for almost three hours.  The waitress s.u.c.k.e.d. 

I'm taking Princess to the vet tomorrow.  She's been vomiting a few times a day since we brought her home and last night she vomited a small amount of blood so today I got permission to take her in.  Hopefully it's just something simple because if she's sick, she can be up for adoption and I'll have to keep her longer.  Today she was a little calmer than most days.  I left her out most of the day (which is where she is most comfortable) so by the time she came in, she was tired.  We got in four standard size poodles today.  I'm not a big fan of any poodle but these four are adorable.  I told my director on the spot that I'd take two if she took Princess.  haha  They were kept in a chicken coup from our understanding.  They are all ten months old, three black and one brown, two males, two females.  The females look like they were cared for a little better but they all stink and the females are also a lot more hand shy than the males.  These are definitely pure breed dogs so don't even think that just because it's pure breed, doesn't mean it won't end up in a shelter.  I'm not sure of the specifics as to how we got these dogs but it was some how through the large Best Friends Sanctuary that they came here.  I'm pretty sure there were more than just the four because there were two other organizations that were supposed to take some to be fostered.  I'm sure once their vetted and their health is cleared that we won't have them after a few adoption events.  People will melt for them.

Ah hell

Yesterday, my husband told me that after he got home, Rocky the pit bull got loose.  Nothing new so I didn't give it a second thought other than to realize that he too would have to go on a tie out till we figured it out.  (can we say electic fence anyone??)  After about an hour, I had to go get some clothes out of the dryer.  The washer and dryer are in the backroom, where the dogs spend a great deal of their time.  Upone entering the backroom, I was hit with such a strong aroma that I literally took a step back.  While Rocky was out of the yard, he decided to roll in something.  That something was a pile of skunk pee and poop.  Usually the smell doesn't bother me but on that particular day, it made me want to vomit.  I haven't touched the dog since.  And no, tomato juice does NOT work.  Years ago, two of our dogs were directly sprayed by a skunk and were bathed in gallons of the stuff, only slightly muting the smell.  Thankfully, since Rocky wasn't sprayed, his smell is rapidly decreasing.  Until the smell is gone, he is my husband's problem.

I was supposed to attend an adoption event today.  You're also supposed to sleep a few hours a night.  I wasn't able to sleep all night, tossing and turning.  Jasmine woke up at six am so I got her some breakfast and a dvd and tried to sleep again.  At about nine, I woke up my husband and told him I was DONE and he could deal with her.  Still I tossed and turned.  I was fretting about the bills so I figured if I just worked out the bills that I would finally get an hour or two of sleep.  It worked but I slept through my alarm which I had set for two in the afternoon.  I'm not sure if my husband tried to wake me up or not.  I woke up at seven with both Jasmine and Shawn asleep next to me.  Crap.  Thankfully, we weren't going to be busy today as we were only having cats and Princess.  (well, if she had driven herself, Princess would've been there)  I explained myself in an email (which I HATE doing because what it comes down to is making excuses for why I let someone else down) and asked for advice with Princess who throws up several times a day.  (only stomach bile... I was basically asking for permission to take her to the vet)

After finally crawling out of bed (with a migraine no less) we went to get some food and grocery's.  Taking the two of them to the store with me is always a nightmare.  It wouldn't be quite so bad if my husband could take a chill pill and understand that our daughter is two and doesn't listen very well.  As long as she is fairly quiet, stays out of the others way and I can see her, I pretty much let her have a long leash.  My husband on the other hand wants her to walk directly next to the cart like an angel and never make a sound.  Never.  Going.  To.  Happen.  It basically ends up a power tug-o-war between the two of them the entire time we are out, leaving me telling them both to shut up or nobody gets to ride the pony. 

Monday we have a large fundraiser so I will spend most of the evening there.  Thankfully, it's at a restaurant.  Food, alcohol and a WHOLE bunch of crazy women.  It should make for an interesting combination.

Princess. is. driving. me. nuts.  The dog whines all day and night.  Never being in a house before causes her to be confused when she's in one.  I cannot wait for this dog to leave.  Cannot wait.  The next dog I foster, I will go to the shelter and pick out myself so that when it ends up being a manic pain in the ass, it will be all on me.  I want to put a shock collar on her and zap the crap out of her everytime she so much as breathes whiny.  She wouldn't be such a bad dog if she would chill out and shut up.  My director says it's good to have one once and a while that doesn't "steal your heart." 

More to read

I've decided to expand my "other journals" section.  I had reserved this area for journalers that I talk to on a semi-regular basis and whose blogs I read daily.  Yet another reason why I hate being an aol journaler.  We have few options on our blogs as compared to other formats.  Why don't I just leave?  Well, I like, no LOVE most of the people I have met through this format.  I feel in general it is easier to use than most and easier to search for journals that you are most interested.  At any rate, most of the added journals are medical blogs, some doctors, some nurses, some EMT's but all good reads.  Beware, several of these bloggers use very strong language. 

In a second

Driving down a dark country road my peripheral caught an object on the side of the street.  My heart starts pounding but I do not dare hit the breaks, not enough to time to stop, not enough time to miss him.  In a split second I feel panicked knowing I am about to cause the death of a living thing.  I am in the wrong.  Mother nature did not create vehicles, man did.  Should I swerve and risk my life to serve justice?  After all, the bunny is only doing what he was born to do.  In his perfect world, there would be no streets, houses or cars, just trees, grass and predator vs prey.  Oh no, what do I do?  A split second later, I realize my little bunny, was nothing more than a large leaf "hopping" under my tires.  So I killed a leaf, not the Easter bunny.

Who knew I could cook?

Something kind of exciting happened for me today.  (well at least exciting in my neck of the woods)  Last night I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies as I was having a craving.  I decided it would be dangerous to my waist line to leave over fifty cookies lying around the house so I sent more than half to work with my husband and told him to give them out.  One of the guys who tried them said that he likes them so much that he wants to buy a batch from me!  Ok, I like my cookies better than anyone else's or any store brand but I wasn't sure other people felt the same way.  Now I have to find a price for them.  Initially I was just going to give him a batch but then I thought that could be dangerous if other people decided they wanted some as well.  If I told my husband that I suddenly had to start charging, some people may be offended and think I (or he) was playing favorites.  I have to start sending him to work with goodies more often!  Baking is NOT something I want to do for a living but earning an extra twenty here and there isn't a bad a idea.  (it takes three hours of standing over hot cookies and a hot stove to make these cookies so no I do not want to make a living at it)  I'll have to make sure to tell him that they are best if you put them in the microwave for 15 seconds before eating them.  They're still cool enough to eat but the chocolate is melted.  This is my own recipe that I tweaked from the back of a nestle chocolate chip bag.  My husband said a few other people were asking how they could get more as well.  Maybe I should include a warning, expanding waistline cannot be blamed on producer of said cookies.  (it takes two sticks of unsalted butter to make a batch)  Soon I hope to learn how to make my aunt's unbelievable chicken and dumplings.  Send that to work with him too.  ;)

Loooong neck bottle ... sorry it's been stuck in my head

I am getting so frustrated.  I had this great idea for a rat cage.  I was going to take my old super pet cage that had been used for my ferrets and rat proof it.  Unfortunately, the wood I need, no one seems to have ever heard of and the fencing I need seems to be out of stock everywhere.  I would like melanite wood as it resists water.  Rats tend to pee where ever the hell they are walking so I need something that is nonporous.  I didn't want to buy wood and then have to seal it with a polymer but it's looking more and more like that's what is needed for what should've been a very easy project.  The wood is going to be used as shelving.  The current shelves in the cage would be way to far apart for even the largest rats.  I need the wire/fencing to keep them from escaping.  (when ever I read or see the word escape, I think of Finding Nemo when Dorie says Eh-scap-eh)  This was supposed to be a very simple project.  Now, I could scrap the whole idea but I'm too stubborn for anything that easy.  Besides, I was planning this same thing for my next cage only I was going to use an old kitchen cabinet and cut out a mesh door from the cabinet door, add shelves and you have a cage.  I'll just have to go to one of the home improvement stores and ask one of the underpaid employees if they have any ideas. 

I became a little bored tonight.  This always spells trouble.  I hate my bathroom.  It looks like an old persons bathroom and is very outdated.  Now I don't have the means to update it to a nice new state of the art potty so I have to improvise with what I have.  My husband hates when I get bored and it usually happens while he's asleep, not giving him a chance to prevent my antics.  I removed all the hardware from the vanity so that I can prime and paint them black tomorrow.  I figure since I'll already have the metal primer and paint, I might as well do the floor vents in all of the house, kill two birds with one stone so to speak.  (is that really possible by the way?  would I have to throw the stone so hard that it went straight through the first bird, hitting a second and killing them both?)  I'm also going to look at wood primer and paint tomorrow since I'll be out for the rat stuff any ways.  Again, can't afford a new vanity so I have to make do with what I have.  I'm going to go with white cabinets, black hardware and white (fake) tile walls.  A great deal of my house is paneled walls.  It was the *in* thing at some point and time so my grandparents decided to go crazy with it and then never went back.  I can't afford (there's that word again, ugh) to do drywall even in the bathroom (nor do I want that headache again) so I am going to buy updated tile paneling and hope that I can make it look presentable.  Hopefully, in the next six months we can purchase a new shower/bath and replace that as well.  The bathroom could just really use a boost before we go to sell.  I'm trying to stick with the higher selling points in houses, the kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom.  We'll be putting new flooring in the kitchen before we sell but I think that's all we'll be able to afford there.  In the master bedroom we'll be ripping up the 50 year old carpet and no I'm NOT joking.  In it's place will be lament wood flooring.  I'm also going to try and fix the walls and repaint them a neutral color.  I would like to replace both ceiling fixtures in the living room with two identical fans with lighting.  We currently have a fan w/o lights on one side of the room and an ugly basic ceiling light on the other side.  I'm trying to do low cost updates that will get the most cost increase on the house.  I hate the housing market right now but I have to get started sometime, no better time than now.  Plus, my husband *finally* handed over the checking account along with the bills to me so I can save money where needed and get things going instead of living week to week.  There are very few houses for sale in our area so maybe that will be a good thing when we go to sell.  It's actually a nice neighborhood and normally very crime free.  As far as I know, this house has only been broken into once in fifty years and no one was home at the time.  Our neighbor was arrested by the FBI years and years ago.  That was an interesting scene for my grandpa, I'm sure.  The house was surrounded by SWAT, FBI and ATF.  No one ever bothered to tell us what happened but I'm guessing the nice quiet neighbor was in some knee deep shit.  My mom and I arrived as they were finishing searching the house.  A new neighbor lives there now and they don't seem to care for us much... at all.  Another incident was with the police chasing some idiot through the fenced backyard.  That's when my grandpa said maybe a dog would be a good idea.  ;)  I don't plan on telling in possible future owners those stories though.  I'm going to move out to the boondocks and live and let live.