Christmas Eve

The holidays are all about friends and family.  Many years ago, I got hats for our service guys at Weller.  Dan P. wears his, but the other guy never did, so I got it back...the bahhumbug one I wear in this blog...  I love Dan and his family, he is one of those guys that can't help but cry when you cry, or hug you when your lip is quivering.  He knows.  He is a wonderful man, and I'm proud to know him.

And during the holidays, I try to get out and see as many friends, family and doggie people as I can. This year my dear friend Rebecca made picture ornaments for some of the other rescue dogs, and I have been out delivering them all week.  Everyone just LOVES THEM.  A true gift from the heart from yet another giving soul, who many, MANY times holds me up emotionally to continue saving dogs and heck, just SURVIVE!

There are surprises and dear friends and volunteers who come bearing gifts for rescue.  And a "new-to-us" computer is heavenly.  Peggy is our official WGSPR volunteer photographer.  She's also working on a fundraiser book, that I was proud to participate in.  So Peggy also brought me my photo.  It is the most beautiful thing, and the most precious of gifts anyone could ever give me.  When you are busy saving dogs, you are rarely thinking of photo ops.  But Peggy took the time to do that for me.  I so appreciate this...

And to continue my Christmas celebrations, I met with my old friend Judi last night for MEXICAN.  It's become our new thing, and I'm not complaining. We always gab the night night away. She is another one of my soul sisters, we can talk about ANYTHING, we can reminisce about omg....ummm, ok, I won't elaborate, but trust me, we have been places, done things, met folks in high places, well, you would be safer not knowing.  Needless to say, it's always a GREAT time when Judi and I can sneak away for some fun time.  I'm not sure what the rest of the holiday season will bring me, but I am praying in it is a JOB.  One with health insurance.  I'm not getting any younger you know.  So, I'm off to chill out, maybe crack some wine, watch Christmas movies...there isn't a dog out there to worry about today, thankfully.    http://santa-tracker.com/  



Tommy's lucky day...

This is Tommy's lucky day, because we gotta foster home, because we gotta ride...because we can.  Five, six years ago when this rescue fell in my lap, on a daily basis, I didn't have a clue who would help me save a dog.  So I saved them, sometimes having up to six dogs in my house.  I made some mistakes, I learned alot, I met some pretty interesting people along my path.  And I saved alot of dogs along the way.  So today, as we pull Tommy out of that cold, damp shelter he has no business spending Christmas in, I am thankful for all of the opportunities that have come my way in life.  I'm not saying it's all easy, what I'm saying here is every single person, every single dog, every single contact, every single move I make, creates a new opportunity in one form or another, and it's what you do with those opportunities that form any outcome.  I heard from my old saw guy (a former job) this AM.  He was calling to go thru the normal happy holidays greeting, but Don and I share more then just that.  Many years ago, I helped him sell a saw...mind you I'm no salesman, I'm a secretary...but ya know what? Don gave ME a commission for that saw sale.  We worked side-by-side at machine tool shows, I helped him obtain information, he always made me feel good and laugh.  We shared a common interest in hunting dogs, and would often trade info there.  And we like brandy manhattans.  And as we tip our glasses together in a toast, he says "Good nite Irene".  With such meaning, only he and I share, as at least once a week, we treat ourselves to the drink.  Sometimes (I told him) I just raise my glass and say "this one's for you, Ray".  Don thought that was funny.  (Ray was his father, and Irene is his mother)  Anyhow, Tommy gets out today, which makes save #4 in December alone.  This makes me feel likes it's gonna be a good Christmas afterall!     

Giving Advice...



Jim & I working a show

 Hey!  I'm no expert.  Yes, I've had hundreds of dogs pass thru my hands (in one form or another) in alot of years, and when you have no other distractions, you pay attention.  You find training programs in forms of books, tv programs, seminars, online info, and word of mouth are all interesting and valid for their own merits!  Can I say I'm a strict follower of any?  Nope, because my belief is each dog is different, they all have their own personality, character, behaviors and habits.  Now if you think of how a dog's gestation period is only what?  6 weeks?  How much brain development can they really have?  How complicated can they really think?  In my opinion, they AMAZE me with their comprehention, their decision making, cooperation, their dedication and yes, LOVE for their master or family.  Simply amazing if you think about it...  Dogs bleed, they feel pain. And yes, I do believe they feel emotional attachments to a certain extent, and they feel loss for their own kind and their humans.  While I'm certainly no expert, ALOT people ask me questions about dogs health or behavioral issues. This is a recent one:

Need some advice, Lisa.  A friend of mine has a 2 year old female Rotweiler. She took her to obedience training 4 different times before she calmed down.  My friend took her dog to get fixed last month and since then, she has turned VERY aggressive, to the point of drawing blood when playing.  She has kids and the dog has gotten aggressive with them too, but never drawn blood.  She doesn't know what to do. She got the dog right after she left her abusive husband so there is a very strong emotional attachment there too.  I told her that I would ask your advice. Is it natural for females to get real aggressive after being fixed? If so, is it usually permanant? A female is a female, so her hormones are messed up from the fixing...is there any kind of hormone replacement stuff for dogs?  Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!  Love you!

 

I love you too cousin...and my immediate thoughts are:  

 

That is NOT natural. The spaying would have nothing to do with that behavor!! I'm thinking is something else wrong with the dog? Does it have LYME maybe? That can turn a dog aggressive. However, bad behavior (obedience school drop-out), not enuf exercise, then too much over stimulation with kids, and her breed period... she's a set up for disaster. Not just the average everyday family should have a rotty. I have to be honest, she should find appropriate training, dedicate herself to the dog (which she certainly cannot do, because of kids and the leftovers of her own shattered life...) or contact Rottweiler rescue see if they can help the dog find a way to a normal life. I would not mention drawing blood however, or they won't touch the dog. And right now, I'm sure they are swarmed keeping up with dumped dog in shelters, this would be an "owner surrender"...and those are last on my list.

Honestly? I see so many dogs be euthanized for these very reasons. And it's all correctable. But it takes time and dedication. It's NOT THE DOGS FAULT. The dog is a product of it's upbringing, just like kids, unfortunately. She can call me if she wants...but I already know her answers to my questions. 

 

The Cesar Milan methods would most likely work for a dog like this. She should invest in a pair of roller blades, tie the dog to her waist and go! I bet expending some energy will be the start of good things. A tired dog is a well behaved dog. Sometimes kids over activity can toss a dog into overload. I suspect some of that could be happening too. Any abuse the dog may have encountered should be going AWAY if the abuser is gone...AND if your friend or the kids are not using those same tactics to intimidate the dog into submissive behavior?  I mean think about that... if I wanted to shut a dog down, the simplest way is to find it's weak point and PREY ON IT, if it helps me quiet the dog down for my own sanity, it is OUR behavioral flaw. Does she crate that dog? I would definately instill that as time out/dog safety zone for when it all gets too much, the dog can crawl in there to calm down. To create calm you must BE calm. Cesar talks of all these things. There is another behaviorist in Madison that is simply awsome. She has some interesting testing criteria videos on her website: http://www.bluedogtraining.com/ check it out. 

 

When it comes to dogs, love does NOT cure all.  They are not that complicated.  My experience tells me this dog needs more then what she is getting in that relationship. But my 'rescue hat' says this is not my problem...or even that other breed rescue's problem, because we have perfectly fine, well rounded, even dispositioned dogs that will be overlooked and die in Wisconsin's shelters before we can worry ourselves with owner surrenders who have most likely CREATED the nightmare they now need help with.  OK, pardon me if I am blunt...but I get tired of folks who are ignorant, thinking 'all the sudden' this dogs behavior changed, therefore the dog is damaged, and it's thru no fault of the owners, because...blah, blah, blah...  If I could tell you how many times I hear that one?  I'd never need to work again.       

The things that take your breath away...

The More the Merrier...

As I said, I don't have alot of holiday things, but I do get to celebrate some.  I DID wear my dog, Miracle's hat to Joyce's work party... I sampled martinis this year (well, three at least) and had one of my FAV shots...kamakazee, and that was all, home by 930PM.   

This week was my other job holiday party, always a very nice time, great people, great food, lotza laughs, once again home by 9PM.  I'm a real party animal you know...

There are a few traditions I never skip during the holidays... to get together with friends, drink a grasshopper, eat shrimp, have steak, eat cookies (notice I did not say bake them), have a bowl of Christmas candy, and tahdah....CLEAN OFF MY DINING ROOM TABLE!  Once a year, I gotta see the top of my table!  Ok, maybe twice (when the folks come too you know...)

Cards and gifts that surprise come thru the mail or other, are always awesome too!  It's strange to spend Christmas alone, but surprisingly NICE, cuz you do not have to get dressed up, or even UP, to go anywhere, or to cook anything (until you want to), you can open presents if you want, or not. It's pretty much like any other day of the year, 'cept in your heart you know it's not.  You do wish you could be with your family.  It's not the same.  This year I put in a request.  To my sister.  I told her I MISS HER, and I need my family around me right about now.  A girl can only hold out so long you know?  I need a 'fix'.  So this weekend, she's coming to my place.  Let the cleaning begin!  Thank goodness I don't have a job, because I DID find the top of my dining room table. And it looks pretty nice, as I remembered it.   I'm trying not to think about all the dogs in dire straights right now who need to be saved.  It's overwhelming.  I do the best I can.  Afterall, I remind myself, I AM only one person.  Bring on the next holiday party, I need some cheer.

Let the Holidays begin!

I don't have family much around, I don't have a job this year to have a company holiday party, I do have a part-time job, and will have a dinner next week for that...but tonight is probably the most fun of all, cuz it's with my friend Joyce, who I have known for ummm, 25-30 years?  We were room mates way back when... so tonight is her work holiday party, that I'm generally her 'date' for and it's so much fun...cocktails, finger foods, yummy shrimp, etc... fun shots to experiment... and we get to catch up on each others lives.  We always take pictures, I always wear a funny holiday hat... I need the cheer this year...

The Cindeeloowhoo hat was hard to balance...

I always like this one, doesn't do a thing for my hair however...

I think it will be this one...they haven't seen this one, and it keeps my ears warm too!  It's a win-win... 

I need a night off from dogs.  But just to keep you looped... Wayne pulled Fritz and Gunner out today, was almost a cat slaying, but all good now.  New WGSPR vol Laura is picking Gunner up in Madison tonight, he is very afraid, very skinny.  Nice project.  We probably have to call off moving Dusty this weekend, as we have blizzard conditions moving in. 

I called in the horderves for our officer party next week, yum, yum...but for tonight, I'm just gonna enjoy the annual event with my friend, and try not to think of anything else. 

And to all a good nite...

Changes all around...

Ok here is my first problem. I hate the cold.  I hate it too hot, but I really hate it too cold. 

And when I can't find my winter hats, I'm not happy either.  But I found my famous ya-ya hat, it's easy on the hairdos, thankfully...not that I really care much...

The very challenging job I tested out for the last 90+ days decided to cut me loose, leaving me pretty darned depressed about my future once again.

We saved Boomer this week, who didn't wait long to go fugative in the city of Brookfield...but luckily a lady whipped her car door open in a nearby park and asked Boomer if he wanted to go for a ride...well, you know how that goes...  Bam!  Boomer apprehended once again!  Thank the Lord!

The folks who adopted Dusty from WI shelter returned her, no fault of her own, just too much with kids, etc... urgh... FOSTER ANYONE?  She freaks in shelter, so we gotta move her fast...

Hawk went home this week and surprise!  He got goldfish to tend to as well... wonder how long that will last (for the fish I mean...tehe?)

Dumb as a box of rocks, Stuart finally found "the one" and is tearing apart his new house with Sophie!

Don't think it gets much better then this...Bo finds home too!

Any only a couple weeks after taking Hunter home, those adopters want to return him.  hmmmm...  does it EVER END?

We saved Toby this week, and he's probably staying where he is... handsome hey? Divorce case, surrendered to shelter....

This just plain pisses me off... I have been hearing about two older GSP males, father and son, owner commited to VA?  I can't remember the entire story; but I don't really have space for these two dogs...well, now they got pulled from a boarding place, come to find out that was NASTY...and are in shelter, and it's a small shelter, so they have ONE WEEK folks... I need foster homes...I mean, look at these two! They were family pets!

“GUNNER” I am a 6 year old Neutered Male German Shorthaired Pointer.  I was surrendered from a boarding kennel where my owner had left me for a very, very long time.  I like to play and have long walks.  I am really skinny and am Lymes positive and am on medication for it.  I don’t like cats, but other dogs are okay with me.  I never learned to hunt, but when I am outside my nose really works well!!!.  I would like to go to a home where there is a lot of love to give me!!

“FRITZ” I am a 13 year old Neutered Male German Shorthair Pointer.  I were brought to our shelter after my owner basically abandon me for a very, very long time.  I like to play and I like other dogs.  I am a very beautiful dog!!  My hunting instincts make me think cats are something that I should hunt so I would not work well in a household with cats.  I wasn’t raised for hunting, but I do act like my nose works really well.  I really prefer lying on a couch.

So... as you can see, this is only Wednesday, and I'm to my eyeballs in CRAP already.

But one goofy pointer and a jar of peanut butter can make you have a whole different outlook on life... 

Thank you Crazy.