Category: dogs

Best Dog, Worst Dog

Posted in animal adoption, children, dog training, dogs, humor, Iowa, marriage, memoir, Midwestern, Nebraska, party, puppy love, relationships, worst1 Comment

She was under a rusted-out Ford pick-up truck that looked as though it had been parked there for decades. Her sister was an ugly black and white Australian blue heeler/Brittany spaniel mix. She wasn’t much prettier. “Are you sure you want that one?” my future husband asked. I looked at the black spot on top… Continue reading Best Dog, Worst Dog

The Robin and the Chrome Bowl

Posted in birds, brain, California, caregiver, dogs, humor, nature, peace, relationshipsLeave a comment

Every morning, as I sit at my kitchen table putting up my blog post and sipping on strong tea, a robin comes near the back porch to meet its reflection in an upside-down chrome dog bowl. The robin does a little dance in front of the bowl. The reflection does a dance back to the… Continue reading The Robin and the Chrome Bowl

Crazy Daisy

Posted in animal adoption, animal rescue, California, caregiver, dog training, dogs, humor, memoir, neighbors, relationshipsLeave a comment

Now in my second month with the crazy rescue dog (she has lots of issues), I realized that my other dog acts worse when on a walk with the rescue girl. It didn’t dawn on me until one day my right hand wouldn’t grip anything. I had sprained it while walking the two dogs together.… Continue reading Crazy Daisy

What the Fluff? Rescue Dog Anniversary

Posted in aging, animal adoption, animal rescue, California, caregiver, dog grooming, dog training, dogs, firsts, humor, memoir, relationshipsLeave a comment

I brought Daisy home the day after Christmas, just one month ago. She was shy at the rescue place, but my bigger dog, Pepper, liked her right off the bat. Pepper and Daisy hit it off and didn’t growl at each other. Yeah. They saved that for the drive home. Pepper didn’t like the strange… Continue reading What the Fluff? Rescue Dog Anniversary

The Nuts in My Batter

Posted in animal adoption, animal rescue, author, biking, California, caregiver, dancing, dating, divorce, dog training, dogs, friends, girl friends, humor, memoir, Monterey Bay, music, online dating, relationships, singing, travel1 Comment

I have judge-y friends. Two years ago: “Why’d you go and get a puppy?” Last year: “Why don’t you ever travel? I’d die if I didn’t get to travel.” Last month: “Why did you get another dog? As though you don’t have enough to do!” Last week: “Why did you take your sister? You have… Continue reading The Nuts in My Batter

What Happened to Daisy?

Posted in abuse, animal adoption, animal rescue, ARF, California, dog training, dogs, holidays, memoir, puppy love, relationshipsLeave a comment

Eighteen days ago, I got a rescue dog. I’d wanted to get another dog ever since I gave away Pepper’s buddy last summer to make room for my sister. No, the dog I gave away did not go to the pound. He is sixteen, incontinent, and blind. I gave him to my ex, where he… Continue reading What Happened to Daisy?

Naming the Rescue Dog

Posted in animal adoption, animal rescue, animal shelter, ARF, California, dog training, dogs, humor, memoir, relationships, rescue2 Comments

The day after Christmas I bought myself a belated gift. I got an adult dog to be a buddy to my exuberant two year old dog. I’d been to the Martinez animal services shelter the week before, since they had so many dogs (140) and were giving them away. It was cold and damp at… Continue reading Naming the Rescue Dog

Lost in Napa

Posted in animal shelter, ARF, best, California, dogs, fires, humor, memoir, mom, Napa, relationships, travelLeave a comment

I got a rescue dog yesterday. She’s supposed to be a buddy to my two year old lab/border collie/pit bull mix. She is adorable, fast, and sneaky. She has already tried to eat Pepper’s breakfast and has snuggled alone in Pepper’s bed, a fight for the Alpha position. Pepper weighs 50 pounds. New Girl weighs… Continue reading Lost in Napa

Fair Weather Boyfriend

Posted in California, dating, divorce, dogs, gardening, memoir, moving, narcissist, relationships, vacation, worstLeave a comment

My first boyfriend after my separation and eventual divorce was happy to go house hunting with me. When I actually bought one, he promised to help me move. He had a pick-up truck lined up from his buddy for the breakable stuff, and everything was a go. The realtor called the day before moving day… Continue reading Fair Weather Boyfriend