you must watch this precious video--GoD and DoG

A Southerner in the Snow...

As I am sitting here in my nice warm house, I am thinking about tomorrow, mountains, ice, snow, and if my Mini Cooper (and me) will come back in one piece.

Tomorrow is my usual rescue transport...four dogs who will most certainly never see a home if they do not travel tomorrow. My leg of the transport journey just happens to be in the mountains with a forecast of snow.

"So?" You Northerners say...well, we Southerners close down shop when there's snow in the forecast. No one knows how to drive in it and the mere mention of snow causes a panicked run to the grocery store for canned goods. I mean, you could starve to death in the 24 hours the snow sticks around before melting.

Actually, more often than not, our problem is not enough snow to be driven on and just enough rain/snow to harden into ice. Now, that's a disaster waiting to happen. It's a modern production of Rednecks on Ice, except there's no happy ending--triple klutzes do not earn a good score.

So, ashamedly I admit I am very nervous about driving over the mountains into Kentucky tomorrow with a bunch of rescue dogs in my tiny Mini Cooper. Yes, I am a true Southerner-"afeared" of the white stuff. I don't think I qualify to be a major character in the Rednecks on Ice production, but I do qualify as a Nervous Southerner in a Mini Cooper that's had to be fixed twice in the last year because of a hit-and-run and a nasty burglary. Poor Smidget can't get a break. (Think positive Smidget!)

I am looking out the window at the cold rain coming down, well-aware it will be freezing over tonight, making a nice slick base for the shallow snowfall to come tomorrow. And I can't help but wonder if our Northern transporter counterparts are rolling their eyes, laughing hysterically while gunning their snowmobiles in disgust.

Yup, we're chickens down here. But we're chickens with big hearts. I am going to pretend I drive in the snow all the time tomorrow and race over the mountain at a scorching 15 mph if I have to. I won't be the link that takes the transport down and lets these adoptable dogs go by the wayside like so many do.

I'm laughing and crying inside...laughing at myself for being scared and crying because, well, I really am scared. But what do you expect? I will be a Southerner in the snow. Just give me a wide berth if you see me coming!!

From Noah's Ark Rescue--GREENVILLE, SC.....Let's find this wandering pair a wonderful homefor CHRISTMAS....PLEASE, HELP.

from Noah's Ark Rescue...
GREENVILLE, SC.....Let's find this wandering pair a wonderful home for CHRISTMAS....PLEASE, HELP.
HOLLY and NOEL

This traveling pair have been seen wandering all over Winder, Georgia hoping someone would adopt them for the past two months. How anyone could look out their front door, see these two and not let them in to stay is amazing to me. Just one look and they win me over.  They originally were seen separately and then they teamed up with the dog always following the cat. Never the other way around. When we found out Animal Control was going to be called, we decided we just couldn't risk them being PTS. We sent a wonderful volunteer to pick them up and transport them to our vet in Greenville, SC. We have had them both fully vetted. Holly, the dog, had to be spayed. Noel had already been neutered, which we are very thankful for, since I bet he just loves to have a good time. They are both as friendly as can be and would make the perfect ready made family. It's Christmas time. Let's give them a present of a new life together with a wonderful family that will love on them as much as we do.

I (Noah's Ark Rescue) have personally picked up all of their expenses since they are not an abuse case. They were abandoned but not abused.Please, send this e-mail far and wide so we can get them home by Christmas.

If you are interested in this wonderful pair, please
contact us at the e-mail below. NoahsArksRescue@mac.com

Pics of Princess Sadie

Now she's called Princess Amy, but she was all doll. And she wasn't even stinky!

Pet Assistance Network and Brown Dog Foundation help families struggling to care for their pets

Know of someone who is struggling to keep their pet despite rough financial times? A new organization called Pet Assistance Network may be able to help.

For those in Nashville and selected other areas (hopefully in Knoxville soon), Brown Dog Foundation can help those in need of emergency life-saving veterinary services for their pets but who are unable to afford it.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month...

how about adopting a human? This is a cute video:

sunshine!

I can't believe the sun is peeking through today...at least here and there. Gosh, any light at all at this point is a Godsend.

I'm doing a pet loss support group tonight which is kind of difficult for me right now after losing my kitty Grayson, but these groups help people so much. Our culture doesn't do a very good job of honoring companion animal grief and people really suffer when they can't get support from others. Loss is loss in my opinion. If you've loved an animal like a family member, that loss is commensurate to the attachment. Additionally, that loss reconnects people with other losses in their lives. Unresolved grief issues can pop up.

Mom's MRI went well...she had to be perfectly still for 45 minutes, which is like asking my mother to do a tightrope act between two speeding 747s, but she did it. We should know some more by tomorrow. She is nervous about getting bad news (that the cancer has spread outside of the known area). One day at a time. I am not good at waiting and she isn't either. Genetics, I guess. Overall, she is nervous but still has a good attitude. Me, I've gained 3 pounds. I'm not sure what that's about!

One day at a time. :-)

heartaches

I almost can't write about losing Grayson so suddenly. It makes me hurt all over. I was part of making a pet memorial event happen just three days after his death and I thought I was going to be physically sick for hours on end. My body hurt as if I had the flu. Today I feel better having had some sleep and quiet time.

I have lost my father, four cats, and two dogs in the past 4 1/2 years. It's only been four months since losing my 17 year-old kitty Atticus. He was my art partner...always sitting near me any time I went to create. It's just been one loss after another and I feel as though my heart as been pureed. Throw in turning 40, major surgery, job loss...well, hell...that's enough.

Tomorrow I am going with my mother for her follow-up appointment to a breast biopsy. I am very nervous about this as my bad luck with beloved companions and family seems to be curse. I hope and pray we get good news for her tomorrow morning. If we hear otherwise, I think I might explode.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT TODAY IS THAT I HAVE BEEN MARRIED 13 YEARS. My DH surprised me with a netbook...he knows I'd rather have technology than jewelry (I can pick out my own jewelry-LOL). I absolutely love it...it's so light and portable and the battery lasts forever. Super cool gift!!!!

Grayson

say a little kitty prayer...

Poor Grayson is at the vet.
He has been getting more and more disoriented over the past couple of days and I asked the vet to squeeze him in today. They are keeping him overnight for fluids and checking bloodwork. Not really sure what is going on with my little old man. He's 15 and the last of the original crew of kitties we adopted. Hopefully we will hear something tomorrow.

Nero and Gizmo

Last weekend I transported some pups part of the way to their new forever homes. These families are going to be some lucky people. Both dogs are just super!! Nero is a husky mix and Gizmo is a Catahoula Leopard puppy. Both saved thanks to Bonnie Blue Rescue. :-)

A message from the unemployed...

Being unemployed since April has been a challenge, a tragedy, a blessing, and just a weird experiment in the journey of life. I've never been unemployed since graduating college in 1988, then after I changed my career to social work, bam--here I am. I find it odd that a support service like marketing is 100 times more stable than something like social work. And when I look in the paper, marketing jobs abound...social work almost nothing and half of those are with scary, dysfunctional agencies no one wants to work for...

The things I miss about work: helping people, being intellectually challenged, feeling useful and needed, money, having structure in my life, seeing friends and colleagues, getting OUT. Things I don't miss about work: getting up early, being stressed out, having to get up and out when I'm sick as a dog, not getting to enjoy the outdoors-especially mornings.

Things I will miss when I go back to work: sleeping in, not worrying about staying up late, not necessarily having to get dressed up or put make-up on, shopping in off hours, having lunch with my mom whenever I want to, spending more time with my husband (he works out of the house), and probably most of all-getting to spend time with my animals. I have become a lot more bonded with my dogs, Petey and Pepper. Pepper has gotten a lot more confident since I've been off. She's gotten more consistency and guidance and that has changed her for the better. She's still a nervous, high-strung, anxious dog, but she's a lot better and I think that's because she's had a lot more time with her mama. I tend to be the most "consistent" of the puppy parents and that helps any anxious dog. Petey has just gotten more cuddly with me. He was previously cuddly mainly with my husband.

I am hoping to get a part-time job with benefits and maybe do a little private practice. I also hope I get to stay very involved in veterinary social work. It's kind of an odd field, and more challenging than one would think. I find it the hardest work I've done so far. I'm not sure how to explain that just yet.

Being unemployed has riddled me with anxiety and doubt at times, and has given me a sense of getting a wonderful break at other times. I haven't done anything I thought I would do (all those huge projects you never have time for), but when else are you going to not work for months at a time other than getting laid off? I have to work at not feeling guilty and at times have thoroughly enjoyed it. Like now, my eyes are getting heavy, Pepper is laying beside me on the couch cleaning her paws. The washer is humming downstairs, and it's rainy outside. I'll probably take a little nap. How sweet is it to take a mid-morning nap? Pretty sweet. It will be really hard to get my sleep schedule back on track but I think that's the least of my worries.

So, someone...hire me. It's time for me to go back to work (plus my severance package just ran out...ha).

message from the dogs...

Please Remember

1) My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy/adopt me.
2) Give me time to understand what it is that you want from me.
3) Place your trust in me - it is crucial to my well-being.
4) Do not be angry with me for long, I won't remember why you're mad.
5) You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.
6) Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when you are speaking to me.
7) Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
8) Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand but I choose not to bite you.
9) Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is growing old and weak.
10) Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to do this" or "let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY!
- Author Unknown

REWARD LOST DOG IN KNOXVILLE TN

(This is a courtesy post to help out a family who lost a beloved pet in a terrible car accident)
REWARD/LOST DOG KNOXVILLE: Please help us locate our son's dog that disappeared tuesday night after he got into an accident just off of I-40. He has a large white
mane directly behind his neck dappled with black spots. His feet have some white and the tip of his tail is white. He weighs around 40lbs and is neutered. He answers to the name of "Puck". He is friendly and may or may not have a collar because he was freaked out from the accident so bad and my son was holding on to it when he got into the accident but thinks the collar may have slipped off. If it is, it will have "Sir Puck and my son's cell phone #. HE DOES HAVE A MICROCHIP. We have looked all over and my son is distraught because he is in the hospital and can't look for him. He was last seen around a Weigels somewhere between Cedar Bluff and Campbell Station just off the highway. Last seen at a Lovell Rd Shell gas station. If you see him, please try to get him for us. He will be hungry, distraught and lost without our son. If you can't get him please pass it on and let us know where you saw him. If you found him and are thinking of keeping him, please know that my son loves this dog more than life, literally and we will be eternally grateful to have him back. He had to choose between his life or the dogs that night. REWARD FOR HIS RETURN.

Dog's nose for danger saves lives--Scout rocks!!

Dog's nose for danger saves lives

http://knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/22/a-nose-for-danger/

Knoxville News Sentinel

Mesmer-eyezd

Yuki tries to get Svengali on me...

not a good way to end the day...

I have to pull myself together to get through the work day. I have to put my little Rooney to sleep this afternoon. He is very sick and there's nothing the vet can do for him. I will miss him so much! He is an awesome cat...the personality of 20 cats in 1.

Pets for the Elderly

I got so excited when I saw this website!!! I hope a shelter in your area is supporting this cause!


PETS FOR THE ELDERLY