Category: animals

Feeling Better

Posted in animals, birdfeeder, birds, Depression, dogs, exercise, food, Iowa, medications, melanoma, memoir, mood, nature, sunshine, ZumbaLeave a comment

(re-run) I have some down days once in a while, but mostly I don’t. I know I’m lucky. I have aligned my life to feel better. Coincidentally, a relative’s therapist told her the five things she needs every day to get out of her funk. Then, if you still feel like crap, go see a… Continue reading Feeling Better

Murray, the Naughty Lab

Posted in animal training, animals, Cancun, dog walks, dogs, emergency room, hairdresser, vacation, veterinarian, x-rayLeave a comment

(re-run) Mary was a hair dresser and agreed to dog-and-house sit while one of her clients went to Cancun for a week. She was in charge of a ninety-pound chocolate lab named Murray. Cindy instructed Mary to walk Murray a couple times a day since he was only one and still had puppy energy. She… Continue reading Murray, the Naughty Lab

Return to the Scene of the Crime

Posted in animal rescue, animals, beach, bench, California, carbon monoxide alarm, dogs, donations, fences, Good Will, hard boiled eggs, memoir, Monterey Bay, Nordstrom, repurposing, smoke, smoke alarms, thrift store, yard, yard workLeave a comment

(re-run) Two weeks ago, I tried to burn my house down.  I came home in time to turn off the burner under the hard-boiled eggs. Eight of them had become missiles and hung in pieces from every surface in the kitchen. Four of them turned black in the Teflon pan. When I put the key… Continue reading Return to the Scene of the Crime

Playing Ball with Daisy, 2.0

Posted in animal training, animals, Christmas tree, dog manners, dog park, dogs, Girl Scout camp, memoir, rain, trees1 Comment

(re-run) A few months ago, my three-time rescue Jack Russell terrier got overly excited and went after a loose Pomeranian in the park next to my house. Long story short, she’s no longer allowed off-leash. “I thought you didn’t play ball with her anymore,” my handywoamn said when I explained to her that she needed… Continue reading Playing Ball with Daisy, 2.0

Wiener Dog Versus Rat

Posted in animals, California, Dachshund, dogs, fire department, fire fighter, handy man, memoir, rats, Tough Shed, writersLeave a comment

(re-run) Long ago, when I had three school-aged children at their respective schools, I sat at my desk writing during the quiet of the day, when I heard the Dachshund barking. He was somewhere in our spacious back yard. I ignored it at first, but when the barking didn’t subside, I decided I’d better go… Continue reading Wiener Dog Versus Rat

Murray, the Naughty Lab

Posted in animal training, animals, Cancun, dog walks, dogs, emergency room, hairdresser, vacation, veterinarian, x-ray1 Comment

(re-run) Mary, the hair dresser, agreed to dog-and-house sit while one of her clients went to Cancun for a week. She was in charge of a ninety-pound chocolate lab named Murray. Cindy instructed Mary to walk Murray a couple times a day since he was only one and still had puppy energy. She told Mary… Continue reading Murray, the Naughty Lab

Feeling Better

Posted in animals, birdfeeder, birds, Depression, dogs, exercise, food, Iowa, medications, melanoma, memoir, mood, nature, sunshine, ZumbaLeave a comment

(re-run) I have some down days every year, but mostly I don’t. I know I’m lucky. I have aligned my life to feel better. Coincidentally, a relative’s therapist told her the five things she needs every day to get out of her funk. Then, if you still feel like crap, go see a doctor, who… Continue reading Feeling Better

Dog Advice Regarding Kids

Posted in animal rescue, animal training, animals, Chihuahua, children, Dachshund, dog poop, dog training, dogs, Jack Russell terrier, memoir, neighbors, poop, tragedyLeave a comment

A friend with no children posted on Facebook yesterday that a child should never be allowed to do the following things, shown in photos. One was of a toddler sitting on the back of a big dog that was resting on the ground. Ok, I admit it. My youngest sat on my old dog, Tess,… Continue reading Dog Advice Regarding Kids

Wiener Dog Versus Rat

Posted in animals, California, Dachshund, dogs, fire department, fire fighter, handy man, memoir, rats, Tough Shed, writersLeave a comment

(re-run) Long ago, when I had three school-aged children off at their respective schools, I sat at my desk writing during the quiet of the day, when I heard the Dachshund barking. He was somewhere in our spacious half-acre back yard. I ignored it at first, but when the barking didn’t subside, I decided I’d… Continue reading Wiener Dog Versus Rat

Kuma, the Teddy-bear Akita

Posted in 4th of July, Akita, animal training, animals, boyfriend, California, casino, dating, divorce, dogs, father figure, Japan, kayaking, lake, Lake Tahoe, puppy, river, swimmingLeave a comment

(re-run) Beth’s husband had two Akita dogs.  She wanted to get one for their six-year-old son.  She got Lee a puppy and named him Kuma, which is Japanese for Bear. The two older dogs kept attacking the puppy.  The marriage wasn’t going well, either. Beth and her son moved out and got their own place… Continue reading Kuma, the Teddy-bear Akita