More Shelter Tales and Shots

I did - the camera didn't ... evidently it has to "think" before it acts. I'm told this is normal for digis, screw-ups not due to my electronics allergy. Maddening just the same. Shots I thought I had - would have been great for adoption profile listings - were blurred. Too bad "pose" is not a known directive.

Cropped this pair out of the below - making some progress with pic tricks anyway. Shadows still a pain, stayed out from under shade slats, never thought about the fence lines showing up.

Pretty funny here for a double/triple/almost quadruple take, thought good ol' Cujo has cloned himself. Three new mini-pins in residence, not sure if these two were the pair left in a house when people moved or if one is the "vicious" - didn't get that whole story. Couldn't tell them apart even when they were all in one place at first. Once I sat down they all attacked for attention. Oh yea, real hard cases. And no, that is not an inference that mini-pins have any kind of a bad reputation. I don't know the breed at all. Whatever the one, or any dog, supposedly did to earn a label was not and never is the dog's fault. Either on stupid purpose or by sheer ignorance, people are the behavior problems.

Good for instance ... a few weeks ago I mentioned a very unhappy 8-year-old whose crime was running across the street to a new neighbor's yard. She'd chilled out to new situation and was enjoying laundry room privileges. Hard to explain the system, halfway between close-watch confinement to fully trustworthy in general population and considered adoptable.

The laundry is also the kitchen, including a bath tub area, lots of people and critter traffic. I happened to find Miss Jamie by herself - great time to get a shot. OK, bad angle I know. The ones I sat on the floor for might have been good, except this was now one tail-waggin'-shakin'-it-happy-all-over dog - much more interested in cuddling than cameras anyway. We talked about the world situation, shook hands on it, then she flopped down beside me. About 10 seconds later, a cat materialized on my lap. Gawd, it really did come out of nowhere ... then somebody else (a human) came in, and while we were laughing at this scene, Jamie took exception to the cat. Don't know if it was instant jealousy, she didn't like cats, whatever ... the correct description expression would be fur flew for a few. Fast forward ... as if nothing at all had transpired, dog right back beside me, cat on lap again. Just another day in slobberville - paradise to me.

Next, the aloof Pia allowed me to touch her. Not for long, and not until she decided my hand was OK, empty of brush and otherwise non-threatening. Then back in her igloo to hide again. She came out one more time to see what the ruckus was - people walking by - honored me with a brief head nod and skittered back into hiding.

Possibly the full moon is responsible for my recent popularity. Also received an official approval (jumping up on desk to stare) from an office top cat who usually can't be bothered with such. That was that story. I say cats know I'm not really a cat person, therefore, they are obliged to test.

Little sweetie Happy, showing off her happy dance

Bricks, renowned fence-climbing clown

That was about it for the day except for taking Jamie for a walk. Interesting note, she about jumped out of her skin when she saw the leash, so excited it took a few tries to hook her up. Obviously negated the excuse for getting into trouble running loose.

What a good girl, even rewarded me with a gift package. I seem to have that effect on dogs. Mike can take Buster out, back and forth, up and down the hill, to all the hot spots, three or four times ... nuttin' honey. It is hilariously uncanny. Told staff to put me on speed dial for constipation cases.

Oh well, it's probably my past training. Part of animal hospital poop scoopin' was inspection upon suspicion of worms. I found a beaut the vet had never seen except in the textbook. I tell ya, it's a rare talent.

The following arrived without author credit, will be happy to add if notified.
Slightly edited for this publication, and before anyone takes offense because your breed is not capitalized - check a dictionary. As a rule, to which millions of exceptions apply, only proper names are capped. As in ... Pomerania was once a separate region of central Europe. English, French and German are duhs. Then there's Dane which wouldn't look right if Great was down-capped. Shetland sheepdog is correct, but sheltie stands as the abbreviation. Should be all clear as mud now ...

Are you truly ready for a dog?

This is a test that every potential puppy owner (PPO) must pass and, after passing, will be given a license to begin learning about the breed of their choice.

No physical force, yelling, or cursing is allowed during the test. Protective clothing or soil-proof clothes are not allowed. Small wounds and scratches are to be handled in a blasé manner.

Tests will be held in a variety of environments and PPO will enter brush, woods, etc. with a happy face.

Any PPO seen wiping dog hair or saliva off their clothing will not pass.

  The tests:

  PPO must control a highly stimulated 10-month-old male GSD puppy. PPO must be able to get the dog to do a down in two minutes. Flat buckle collar and nylon lead only.

  PPO must stand between a 14-month-old golden retriever and a field. The handler of the puppy will then throw a ball directly into the path of the golden. PPO must stand their ground and take their clobbering in good nature.

  PPO must serve dinner to six Rottweiller puppies, not older than six months and not younger than four months. PPO must not spill the food and the puppies will not be held in any stay position.

  PPO must quiet four shelties or six Pomeranians when the doorbell rings. PPO has two minutes and the puppies must have been handled previously by a breeder immune to the noise who lives in the middle of nowhere.

  PPO must hold their ground with 10 Jack Russells chasing an animal they perceive as prey. PPO must hold their leashes and not move more than six inches. No corrections may be issued, but PPO is welcome to try to distract them.

  PPO must walk two Great Danes on ice. PPO must not move more than 100 feet.

  PPO must play with a Newfoundland after the dog has been swimming in a pond, then must attempt to dry self with a dishtowel. At no time will the PPO appear disgusted.

  PPO must leave three huskies alone at home, uncrated, for three hours. PPO is allowed to cry upon return.

  PPO must fit a basenji into a winter coat within 5 minutes. Basenji cannot have worn a coat before.

  PPO must removes thistles from an English setter by hand with a fine-toothed comb.

  PPO must exercise a viszla that has not been out for two days. PPO must not tire out before the dog.

  PPO must sleep in the same room as a bulldog. If the PPO cannot sleep, must still be happy in the morning.

  PPO will navigate through 10 small dogs without stepping on one.

  PPO must be able to secure a good supply of used plastic bags within three days.

  PPO must be able to successfully get a dog to throw up in a plastic grocery bag while in the passenger seat of a car.

  PPO must not die of shock when they get the vet bill for neutering a mastiff.

  PPO must sit in a closed room with two dogs that were fed broccoli and beans and exhibit no disgusted facial expressions.

  PPOs must vow to nurture, love, train and care for their dogs for the rest of the dog's life. PPO must accept that each dog is an individual which needs to live in a pack. PPO must vow to educate themselves about the breed of their choice and requirements expected. PPO must vow to obtain his dog from a reputable shelter/rescue/breeder. Furthermore PPO must conduct themselves in a responsible manner, securing liberties for the rest of the dog-loving community.

  PPO must remain good-humored and remember that for every insane, tough moment there will be a hundred more good ones.

  PPOs must try to be the person their dog thinks they are.

The last line is my favorite. We'd all be better off if we'd pay attention to lessons from animals.

Helen adds: PPO must, while in the midst of a litter of five beagle puppies, age six weeks, be able to answer the phone, carry on an intelligent conversation, all the while making certain puppies do not get into the electrical wiring, litter box (when this applies), spill their water dish, knock over any kitchen chairs, or urinate anywhere but the newspaper from the previous day, set forth for that specific purpose.

Mine (Boston terrier specific): BTs must have at least a two-hour sunbath daily, said requirement must top the amenities list for consideration when moving to a new home. Bed clothes will be arranged to BT satisfaction - once task is accomplished, the exact middle of whose-bed-is-this-anyway? is preferred. Attempts to reposition a Boston who is fast asleep, under the covers and in chainsaw-snore mode will prove futile to anyone lacking ton-of-bricks training. The beans and broccoli diet (listed above) is not necessary for production of the Boston's notoriously numerous noxious contributions to atmospheric conditions. The female human of the household must learn to appreciate (tolerate) the male human's delight in the perfect partner's participation in post prandial concertizing.   

The BlueAir Brothers ... Buster conked out first for a change

Watch for more funnies and some serious issues on upcoming pages. If you've already sent material or links, please be patient - pedaling as fast as I can.

MarthaJones1@aol.com
Don't forget to use a clearly defined subject line - too risky these days opening unknowns.

Special thanks to Jane for the perfect graphic found in a member-sharing send from DreamLovers - and to Kathleen, editor, for one of the best variety publications around and consistent support of all my pages. Subscription info: http://hometown.aol.com/dreamloversmail/myhomepagenewsletter.html  

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