FeatherLight » dogs

Cesar Millan can suck it

Amanda — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:28:04 +0000

Not really. I’m kidding.

So, Moses has seemed kind of bored the last couple of days with only ME to play with. I mean, he’s mostly just a fluffy throw rug anyway, but he does like to play. I have plans to try out a dog park in the Avon area this Saturday (I have to pick up a day pass tomorrow), but what to do in the meantime? We walk around the neighborhood on a daily basis, but that’s getting old quickly. I went to the Indy Parks website today to see what parks are close to me – I figured we could walk for a good, long while and he’d get some exercise. You know, a well-exercised dog is a well-behaved dog… I’ve been watching a little too much Dog Whisperer, I think. Anyway, the closest park to me is Southwestway Park. I always thought it was just a softball park, but it does have a playground and picnic shelter, AND hiking trails.

When I read the words “hiking trails”, I had visions of the nice paved paths at Eagle Creek Park. Or at worst, the mulch-covered trails that wind through many Indiana state parks. I packed Moses up – water bowl, bottle of water, treats for the road, and plastic bags (you know, in case he left a deposit on the trail) – and we headed out. We got out of the car, I sprayed myself down with some skeeter keeper-offer stuff, and we hit the trail. It was kind of downhill at first, and a wee bit muddy, but it seemed to be gravelled so I thought we’d be okay. We came to a clearing pretty quickly, only it wasn’t so much a clearing as it was a cleared path for power lines. Whatever… we kept going, came to a fork, and Moses wanted to go left so left we went. Went a little further down an increasingly muddier trail, climbed up a little incline, and took a right. I’m thinking that at some point, we’ll come back out close to where we started, so we forge ahead – up a little more of an incline. It was doable, though I was breathing heavily by the time we got to the top. Kept going… and came to an even steeper and longer incline. Still thinking we’d come out where we started, we headed up the incline. Moses did just fine, but I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. There’s a reason I don’t do interval training on the treadmill… I’m overweight and very, very, very, out of shape. Anyway, we kept going until we ended up in that same clearing with the power lines, only… we were two towers away from the one we started out next to. We started to walk up the next incline, and I decided that was it. We were turning around. I’d rather the devil I knew than not knowing where I was.

We made it back to the car in one piece, not really worse for the wear. Moses was still ready to play when we got home, so the half hour hike didn’t wear him out much, but I’m pretty well done for the day. I tell you, if this is going to be a regular thing, I’m canceling the gym membership.

New addition

Amanda — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:52:47 +0000

This…

is Moses!

I finalized his adoption with Indy Great Pyrenees Rescue today, and couldn’t be happier. He’s really sweet, and has been such a good boy since I got him home. He fell asleep on the ride home – I had to take a detour because of a road closure I didn’t expect, so it took almost an hour – and as he’d breathe out, his cheeks would puff out, too. It was too cute! I’m very excited to have him home with me, and can’t wait to write about our adventures.

More of “the cute”

Amanda — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:56:57 +0000

It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted, and my life is so boring and lame that I really don’t have anything to post about now. Let’s see…

I have two new foster rabbits: Willa and Spencer, and I recently inherited our oldest living foster rabbit, Honey.

I spent 45 minutes on Friday evening cutting mats out of the hair on my cat’s back – he’s so fat that he just can’t groom himself well, and all of the saliva just ends up gluing the hair together. It’s gross, and now he looks ridiculous. I hope he’s more comfortable.

I’m moving forward with dog adoption – I’m working with a local rescue group, and went to an adoption event last Saturday to meet some of the dogs. I think I met “the one”, but am still waiting for the home visit to find out if I’m approved. I have a good feeling, but you never can tell…

I’m psyching myself up this week for the big MEMORIAL SERVICE this Saturday. This thing has taken on a life of its own, and it’s more than my mom would have wanted. As far as I’m concerned, the only people that should be there are people that knew Mom, that loved her (or at least liked her), and have been supportive of our family. Those people will all be there, along with several others who haven’t had a presence in the lives of our family for years. The planning was sort of taken out of my hands – not unwillingly – so I’m just going to sit back and watch it unfold. It’s interesting to hear Dad’s perspective, because I think he’s looking for a different experience than I am. I’m pretty well over it, at this point, and am trying to figure out how I’m going to hold it together in front of all these people. I know I don’t have to hold it together, but I’m not really into sharing my grief at this point. Except in writing.

I painted the spare bedroom this weekend – it’s a lovely shade of blue now, and while it needs another coat before it’s officially done, I’m ready to start filling it up with furniture. I’d like to get this daybed and thisbookcase from IKEA; I’d also like to get this lampshade to hang from a pendant cord. I think I’d like a glider, like this one to put in the corner for reading, but I’ll be checking Craigslist for one of those. I would also like to get a drafting table to use as a hobby station, but I’m not sure if that’s practical, since I also need to squeeze the sewing machine cabinet in there somewhere. Oh, and my grandmother’s cedar chest will be moving into that room, though I may refinish it and paint it red. I’m planning to hang the Sunbonnet Sue quilt that my Gammy made me when I was a little girl – it’s bordered with red and white gingham, and I think it’ll look great against the blue walls. Once that room is done, it’s on to the living room – I’m beginning to be in dire need of a new couch.

I think that’s about it. I’m ready to go to bed – I have an early day tomorrow, and then another night with the girls. It seems Pawpaw is playing “roadie” this week doing security for some kind of tour, so I’m pulling double babysitting duty. It’s a good thing the girls are so cute.

Pupdate

Amanda — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:16:33 +0000

I ended up taking Mr. Stray to the Humane Society of Indianapolis Sunday morning. They’ll ultimately transfer him to animal care and control, so if he’s placed for adoption it will be there.

The overnight stay was kind of rough – he was so upset in the crate, though I think it was being left alone more than being in the crate that was causing his distress. He howled and yowled and whined and yipped for about 2 hours before finally giving up and quieting down. I bought him a Kong and stuffed it with some plain yogurt and kibble to keep him busy in the crate, and at some point he started gnawing on that… what a good boy. He was VERY good on the trip to the shelter; no whining or barking, and so well-behaved.

The technician at the shelter named Mr. Stray “Ramon”… not a name I’d choose for a dog, but whatever. He was a lab/shepherd mix, and she actually estimated him at 6 months to a year. He was definitely not neutered – I wasn’t really surprised at that, since people who don’t neuter their dogs tend to be just the kind of people who leave their dogs to roam free in the freezing winter weather.

Having a dog here for 24 hours really gave me some food for thought; I do intend to make this the year I adopt a dog, and it made me think about what I need to do to make adding a dog to my house easier. I definitely need a dog that has basic obedience skills. It would also be a lot easier to integrate a dog that’s already crate-trained, and it would be fantastic if I could find a dog with little or no separation anxiety. The great thing about working with a rescue group? They can totally find me the right dog! I’m psyched.

Daring rescue

Amanda — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:11:49 +0000

Daring because I totally brought an unknown, stray dog into my house (gah) today. Rescue, because this dog has been wandering my neighborhood since January 23, and NO ONE else has done anything about it. Oh, one other person called animal control, but no one has tried to catch him, I don’t think anyone has been feeding him… nothing. We had 13″ of snow fall in my neighborhood Tuesday night, and some really cold temperatures, and yet he was out there sitting on my cross-the-street neighbors front porch and yard, shivering, all week long.

I first called animal control Tuesday morning, but with the impending snow and subsequent chaos because of the amount that fell, no one was able to come out until Thursday. Evidently they did make a trip, but couldn’t find Stray anywhere. Friday night was really the first opportunity I had to do anything for him… I had tried to offer him a bowl of water earlier in the week, but he wasn’t interested. Cat food, however, he was interested in. This morning when I opened the front door he came flying across the street to see me! I fixed up a spot in the garage, led him through the house, and installed him out there with some more cat food and a bowl of water. A friend (thanks, Amy!) brought a spare collar and leash and some actual dog food, and for the rest of the weekend I’m keeping him in the kitchen, gated or crated away from the cat, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

He seems like a nice dog – he’s not terribly skinny, so he’s been eating something, but his coat is long and thick, so he’s probably been an outside dog for a while. He doesn’t like being left alone, so I’m kind of trapped in here. He also hates the crate, so much so that he destroyed my kitchen curtains while I left for an hour to get some supplies at PetsMart. Crazy Stray. I’d take a picture, but that means I’d have to leave the kitchen and right now, he’s flat out on the floor sleeping up against the gate in the kitchen doorway. In order to get out, I’d have to step over him… he doesn’t want me to leave. Unfortunately for him, I have other animals to care for, as well. He’s going to have to get used to it.

I’m not terribly excited about taking him to animal control Monday morning, but his chances there are better than if he remained a stray. I know he’s just as likely to be euthanized there as to be placed for adoption; they have too many animals and not enough room or staff to care for all the animals surrendered there. Taking him there buys him 4 days of warmth and safety, though, with guarantees that he won’t be hit by a car or injured by another animal. It’s sad; I don’t know why he’s a stray, but I’m a rescuer. I had to do something. Doing nothing, just waiting to see what happened, just wasn’t an option… it never is. I may be apathetic about many things, but animals are not included in that list.

If you live in the Indianapolis area and are looking for a nice Lab mix, check with Indianapolis Animal Care and Control next week… he’s an adult dog with some scars on his nose, black with a white chest, ears that stick up and then flop at the ends, and a curly tail. He needs people, and probably a fenced yard…

The worst timing

Amanda — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:27:14 +0000

It’s been about three weeks since I’ve been needed overnight at my brother’s… my sister-in-law was on vacation over the holidays, and RC took vacation last week. While it was a nice respite, being able to sleep in my own bed every night, I’m now out of practice. The girls were SO excited to see me, even the four-legged one – you’d have thought they hadn’t seen me at all during that time! And they were terribly cute, playing “let’s dress up and pretend we’re playing in the snow”. Wia has such a big imagination for a three-year old, and Emma follows right along behind her.

Yep, they were cute until bedtime rolled around. Wia took the opportunity to get up no less than 10 times… “I need a little drink of water”, “I need to make a stinky”, “I need to take out my ponytail”, “I need a little drink of milk/juice/more water”. I finally had to threaten a spanking, and fortunately it worked, because I don’t think I could follow through with it.

But poor Bailey suffered the most… she’s now 15 weeks old, and is 99.9% house trained. She’s so good – she lets you know when she needs to go out, and will even come and get you if you’re in another room. But she still takes a long time when she needs to do her business, and I wasn’t paying attention to the cues tonight. I sort of hurried her back in after she squatted, and didn’t give her time to… you know. Wia and I finished up her evening ablutions, and came into the kitchen to get a sip of water, and there it was. In the middle of the living room floor, a steaming pile of Aunt Amanda’s Mistake. Poor puppy. She was so embarrassed; she just stood by it and kind of whined. I felt terrible. Thankfully she forgives easily.

That new puppy smell

Amanda — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:31:23 +0000

100_0867
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic

What IS that smell? I’m sitting here on my brother’s couch, snuggling with my brother’s puppy, and I’m having a hard time seeing the computer screen through the haze of puppy farts. She’s only 10 weeks old… how in the world can she make that kind of odor at such a young, innocent age? If she weren’t so cute (see picture at left), I’d throw her away.

I still think I’d like a dog, despite spending all this time with Bailey. I also think I’ve decided an adult dog would be great. Or at least a young dog, already house trained and past the mouthing/biting stage that this one is currently going through. When she’s not asleep, she’s attached to one (or more) human appendages with those needles other people call “teeth”. Tonight I literally dragged her around the living room by my pants leg… I used to only worry about the bunnies ruining my clothes, but now I have to worry about an 11 week old puppy? Again, it’s a good thing she’s cute. Also, I can leave her here and go home to my quiet little bunnies, who do NOT bite.

ETA (the next morning): The haze of puppy smell? Was NOT puppy farts. It was a pile of puppy doo-doo on the floor behind the couch. Apparently when I took her out to go potty I didn’t wait long enough for her to do all her business. Bad Aunt Amanda.