Sad Day

A sad day indeed.
Today I learned that both Brisbane (above) and Sydney (top, the black lab) were put to sleep on Saturday. They were early on clients, and incredible dogs (from the same family.)
Sydney had cancer and was fighting it for awhile. Brisbane, the older of the two, had recently gone blind and deaf, and then developed a very bad vertigo problem, causing her to walk in circles constantly and bump into things. I loved those dogs. They will surely be missed.

I will always remember how excited Syd was when I'd arrive to walk them. She would jump up and down, what I called her "flying lessons." Bris would bark like crazy, which would annoy Syd, and she'd go over and ever-so-gently bite Bris on her throat to get her to be quiet! On the walk, Bris's ears took various postions thatwould remind me of the flaps on an airplane.

Another thing I will remember about them is how much Syd loved to chase squirrels. One time, she saw one, and took a flying leap towards it, only to hit the end of her leash and land on her side, on the ground. I couldn't stop laughing!

I also loved leaving thier house. For awhile, the dogs had free reign in the house (in later days they were confined to the kitchen and TV room). When I would leave, Syd would perch herself up on the sofa, watching me out the window. It made me feel especially loved.

RIP, Bris and Syd. I will always love you both and remember you fondly! Until we meet again!

my newest client

Meet Murphy.
He is a Newfoundland.
He is massive. Although his human says he only weighs 140, he looks much bigger. He has paws like a bear.
I think he kind of looks like Darth Vader, yet I also see some Oprah Winfrey in his broad nose and far set eyes. And that hair! What a lovely dog!
What do you think of Murphy?

Not Always Quiet

It's been a quiet week, but it's not always this quiet.

Once I was walking "Dancing Kerry." She is a very excitable golden retriver. For awhile, she was on doggie tranqualizers. Last I heard, she was off them. I'll have to see if I notice a difference next time I walk her.

Dancing Kerry must have been a cat in a previous life. She has a knack for finding mice. One fall,while I was walking her, I noticed what appeared to be a stick near her mouth. I tried brushing it off, but it didn't budge. That's when I realized it was in her mouth. I tried to pull it out. As a did, a leg came with it. It was a decaying mouse! I screamed like a girl, with thoughts racing through my head about how ever I was going to get that dead mouse out of my sight, and more importatnly, out of the dog's mouth. Kerry's excitement grew with my scream, and she tossed the mouse up in the air and caught it again (very cat-like!). This caused me to shriek again, like some 14 year old girl. She tossed it again. Quickly, turning away from the mouse in flight, refocusing Kerry's attention onto me, we were able to flee the situation.
And that is just one reason why my hair is turning white.

Woody Woodpecker

Arriving at a job, I noticed an injured woodpecker in the street.
Calling the local animal shelter, they gave me a few numbers to call before getting the right person. She gave me directions to her place, I got a box from the neighbors, and off I went. Poor baby. I reikied the bird on the way, holding the box in my lap as I drove. It must have been of some help, as the bird calmed down enough for me to wonder if it had died on the way to the "bird hospital." It didn't die, in fact, all the bird expert could initially find wrong with it is a broken wing. She explained the dangers of using pesticides and the possibility of West Nile Virus.
I am glad the bird seems to have a good chance of being rehabilitated. I will call the bird lady in a day or two for an update, and make a donation to the care of the bird. (She does this all out of the kindness of her heart, and does not get paid to rehabilitate the birds brought to her.)
Bless people like her!
We are all in this together, and we, as the "more intelligent species" should act as caretakers for those in need.


Note: for those who do not know what Reiki is, a simple explanantion is that it is an ancient form of hands on healing, where the practicioner opens themselves to be a channel for the healing energies of the universe.

Further note: I called bird lady for an update, and Woody did not survive. RIP Woody. i will remember you fondly.

Aunt Sue

This is my baby girl, Aunt Sue, who died this past Feb. She was my best friend ever. I love this painting i had commisioned of her. i think the artist did an excelkent job. it came from a photo i had, my favorite picture of her. to me it looks like she is looking down on me from the heavens. I did alot of research on pet portraits to find the perfect one to do a portrait of the perfect cat. i am very pleased with the results. you can check out the artist's web page here:
www.aimeehoover.com and tell her Aunt Sue sent you.