Return to the Om tent

Today was a perfect day.

Jilly came by this morning with a lovely sun hat for me and pansies from her garden.

Then Kate and I headed off to Anne and Ron’s cottage mid-day. We had several swims in the lake and the water was like silk; warm enough to make it easy to get in but still cool enough to be refreshing.

We spent some time reading (Marley and Me – a gift from Barb) in the Om tent. There has been an addition this year of a side curtain which acts as a shade from the sun. I wish had brought the camera with me because Katey had a 5 minute standoff with a bull-frog and at one point I looked up just in time to see a beaver swim by us.

Sometimes I wonder at how Katey and I found each other. She is so easy to take care of and I get so much more in return than I give. She’s a wonderful companion to spend the day with; she doesn’t complain and she’s perfectly happy to do anything I want to do. I swear that on the ride home she kept looking up at me from her car bed with a smile on her face, as if to say “Thank you for the great day!”

Katey's blog

Katey TWD

I'm not a cat person, so I have to balance out the last picture with a picture of Katey. I know it looks like I'm choking her, but she likes it, honest!

There's also a picture with her 'nanny' on Katey's blog.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

I continue to be amazed at how much I enjoy having a dog in my life. Here's a story that's been making the email rounds about what we can learn from dogs:

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Peace on earth

Sometimes the universe brings you exactly what you need.

Two days on the road with questionable weather, too many Christmas treats, and family members with a wide range of very different expectations of how to celebrate the holidays all left me feeling stressed and exhausted.

This morning, while on what I thought would be a short stroll with Katey, I discovered a magical trail through a wooded area just outside Halifax. The water from an icy brook along the path was so much more soothing than mall music and Christmas bells. There were no shoppers bustling or cars speeding on the slushy roads; only fresh deer prints in the snow and a hoot-hoot from a far off owl. I felt like I was right where I needed to be, in the woods with my dog, a reminder of what’s really important, letting go of stress and negativity.

As we walked, I felt the joy seep back into my heart and the calm that I strive to achieve becoming part of this Christmas Eve day.

I wish you the same joy and peace throughout the holidays.

What I'm grateful for today: Those small and sometimes overlooked moments of joy each and every day

What not to feed your dog

These Purdy chocolates from Jennifer are wonderful!
Unfortunately, Katey the wonder dog thought so too.

I left them on the coffee table and they proved too tempting for her to resist. She ate 3, which doesn't seem to be a lot, but that much chocolate can cause serious health issues in a small dog, including seizures and even death.

This was a VERY expensive treat. Katey spent a few hours in the vet emerg getting a drug to make her vomit the chocolate up. Her mom spent a few hours in the vet emerg and $258.00.

Lesson learned...

What I'm grateful for today: That Katey is now fine, unlike a few of the other pets we saw at the animal hospital last night.

Hallowe'en

It was a very spo-o-o-oky night in the neighbourhood last night. The folks next door went all out with the decorations and we had fun, even thought there weren’t as many trick-or-treaters as we would have expected. Katey was an angel (but then she usually is). The dog next dog (also named Katie) was a devil, so they were quite the pair.

See more Hallowe'en pictures on Katey's blog.

Update on Katey the wonder dog

I've always kind of liked dogs. But OK, I admit it, I have sometimes secretly rolled my eyes when someone has gone on about some cute little thing that their ‘precious’ furry friend did. After all, it’s just a dog, right?

Well… that was until Katey came to live with me. I’ve only had her for 3 days and I can’t believe how much I love her! (Now it’s time for YOU to roll your eyes, especially if you aren’t a dog lover).

She follows me around the house, loves to ride in the car and is the most well behaved dog I know. (Really!). When I come back from being out, she’s waiting at the door and runs back in forth in the kitchen when she sees me. Usually it's the dog that has separation anxiety, but in this relationship, it's me.

They say that having a pet lowers your blood pressure and reduces stress. Having Katey around makes me so happy that she must be good for my health!

I will post pictures that you can oooh and awww over … when my camera comes back from being repaired.

Katey the wonder dog
Health benefits of having a pet
Katey's blog

Katey the Wonderdog

I am in the process of adopting Katey the Wonderdog. Adam says that they should do a story about her for one of the animal rescue shows on TV.

Katey was found wondering the streets of Ohio and taken to an animal shelter. No one was interested in her because she is an older dog (8-9 years) and was in rough shape. But, because she is such a sweetie, the shelter people decided to turn her over to Loyal Rescue to see if they could find her a home.

After probably spending the first part of her life in a puppy mill or with a backyard breeder, Katey had recently given birth when she was found. She was brought to Ontario to live with a foster family in Orleans, probably though a chain of volunteers who work like an across-country relay team. When she came to live with her foster family, she was very thin, full of fleas, and afraid of everything and everyone. Her foster family spent 4 months getting her well, both physically and emotionally.

Katey was making great progress until about a month ago when she was attacked by a 110 lb bull-mastiff during a walk in her neighbourhood. Katey's only about 14 lbs and the larger dog put 8 puncture wounds in her back. She was understandably traumatized by the attack, but the foster family continued to work with her and helped her to feel safe once again.

This picture was taken during our first walk together. Katey's ears are back and she looks pretty uncertain, but I'm happy to say that we have bonded since then. She came for an overnight visit last night and hopefully will officially come to live with me in her new home sometime this week. She follows me all over the house and enjoys walking by the river.

Despite everything she's been through, Katey's spirit is still there and she is learning to open her heart and trust again. Both of us old gals have been through a lot and I think we will be good for one another.

Loyal Rescue
Katey's blog

Katey

I can't help myself. I've been searching the dog rescue websites again...

When I think of Chihuahuas, I picture the toy dogs that celebrities carry in their purses - not a 'real' dog. But I am quite taken with Katey and am considering adopting her. She is an older dog (8-9 years), has had a rough time and just needs some love, so we may be a good match for one another.
Isn't she adorable? How can I resist those eyes?

There is a lot of red tape involved in adopting a dog through the Loyal Rescue organization (phone interview, home visit, reference checks). I'm hoping to have a home visit in the next few weeks. I know that Jennifer and the other 'aunties' will help me out in a pinch if I need any help.