This is why we rescue!

A very inspirational and tear-jerking video "Blind Dog Living In Trash Pile Gets the Most Beautiful Rescue." 

And, now that you're crying, here's something to put a little smile back on your face: 

THE DOG has some Questions for GOD:

Dear God: Is it on purpose our names are the same, only reversed?

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom smell one another?

Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still same old story?

Dear God: Why are cars named after the jaguar, cougar, mustang, colt, stingray, and rabbit, but not ONE named for a Dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be hard to rename 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?

Dear God: If a Dog barks his head off in forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad Dog?

Dear God: We Dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dog's Prayer:

Dear God: Help me to remember the rules so I can please my people and be a GOOD DOG!

1. I will not eat cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.
2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., because I like way they smell.
3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.
4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.
5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on toilet.
7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.
8. I don't need to stand straight up when I'm under coffee table
9. I must shake rainwater out of my fur before entering house - not after.
10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt across carpet.
11. I will not sit in middle of living room and lick my crotch.
12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's not a good thing.

P.S. Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

BIG DAY OF PROGRESS for Marki

I had to go to Madison to see my Pulmonologist for a follow up on the Histoplasmosis (fungus) I got in my lungs 3 yrs. ago. I thought it might be reactivated as I have been coughing and having respiratory issues for 6 weeks now. My CT scan looks pretty much the same so we're taking a wait and see position for now.

Marki looking cute and calm

Anyway, Sheryl picked up Marki when I could not get her into the house before I left for Madison. My friend Pat was coming to take care of the dogs and I did not want her to have to contend with Marki's games. Due to weather, I stayed over night with my sister. Sheryl was taking Marki to Parkside to have her stitches removed and we arranged to meet there.  A retired couple who might be interested in adopting a rescue dog was going to meet us there as well. Sheryl had put a leash on Marki and had observed that she would tolerate contact if she did not have an escape.

Marki wearing her harness - miracle device!

When I brought her home I changed the leash over to a small harness that I had on hand. I connected that to a long leash I was given by one of the GBAR ladies this weekend. I was able to pull her about using the harness, thus not choking her, and was able to detach the longer leash for a short one when she was inside. By tonight she was approaching me and standing still when I petted her head and praised her for her great progress today. A BIG BREAK THROUGH! It feels so good.


Thanks Sheryl and other GBAR ladies for encouraging me and helping me to make Marki more comfortable. I see great things ahead in her future.

Opal continues to do great! She sat on the man's lap at Parkside for over 1/2 hour while Marki made friends with his wife. Not sure if they will pursue adopting either of these girls but it was a good visit.

Marki and Opal hanging out in the kitchen

Gizzy and Bubba, dog therapists!

Bubba and Gizzy, continue to help with encouragement with going outside and showing these little girls it's cool to have a house to live in.  All is good!

Stitches Out - Fake Puppies In

So happy!  I think she is smiling!

Opal had her stitches out and is recovering quickly from all her surgery. Tonight she even gummed a semi-soft treat. Almost immediately after she eats, she goes out and does her business and then goes in my bedroom where I have a small faux fur lined doggie bed for her. She sits in there and cries. I thought it was because she was hurting, perhaps her mouth or the incision site.Then I realized that she is feeling well-fed and is looking for her puppies so she can share what she has with them. That made me cry. 

Opal lying with her puppies.  Head at top of pic :)

So, I bought her some stuffed toys at Walmart that were on clearance from X-mas. She has 3 two-headed Angry Bird toys, two hedgehogs, a green dog wearing a silly smile and X-mas garb and a big yellow dog. Unfortunately, Gizzy thinks these are his toys and will take 3-4 in his mouth at one time and attempt to bring them outside. If he tries to steal when she is with her toys, she'll growl at him. If he manages to get some toys, I can usually intercept at the door. Since I did this, she seems less anxious and more content. She continues to follow me all over the house and loves to have her ears and tummy rubbed.

She has been trying to show Marki that I am ok and coaxes her in when she is being stubborn. I have a bad cough and had not slept for 3 days when I got home from Urgent Care this morning with drugs and Sominex. Marki then proceeded to push my buttons by refusing to come in. I almost lost it when I had to go out and chase her around the snow covered ground in my boots and jammies. Opal, Gizzy and Bubba kind of blocked her escape routes and, when out of options, she escaped back into the house. I then trapped her in the bedroom and made her sleep in there with the rest of us. She did not like it, but when I woke up, she actually let me pet her head for a few minutes. You have to be so patient and shrewd with these dogs at times. It can be difficult when you are tired or not feeling well. I woke up my old self with drugs to help me and happy dogs. All is well in our little doggie home.

Marki would not let me take her picture so Bubba volunteered  instead

Frosty Morning

We woke up to this beautiful scene this morning.

Opal is about 12 days out of surgery and she is an angel. She loves laying on her back and "airing out" her incision.

Not a very "lady-like" position.  Is she smiling?
Cute!

Tomorrow I will take her to Younkers where she will have a chance to meet some people, possibly her new family.  The timing is right as I have become quite attached to this brave little girl, and she to me.  This is when I know that I have to let go, because there will be a right place for her which will open a new place for another dog like her in our home.  Don't get me wrong!  This is hard!  If not for Bubba and Gizzy, I don't think I could do this, but having them here to cheer me on makes me want to give as many dogs as I can a chance at a loving home and a new life.

Opal, looking like the queen of the kitchen.  

Marki had her surgery Thursday. I had to trap her in the hallway with a blanket and use it to restrain her so I could get her into the car.  She was biting me the whole time, which was ok because the blanket protected me.  Once in the car, Gizzy and Bubba rode along in the back seat with her and she even came in front and let me pet her on the passenger seat.  She bit Dr. Dyal when getting her IV placed, but she came through the surgery with 21 teeth intact and her spay done.  She was very alert when I picked her up and she sat on my lap all the way home.  Once inside, she started her "avoidance" behavior immediately, although she seems a to be allowing me to get a bit closer and comes in with less reluctance.  I was not able to take her IV bandage off so she's still wearing it a day later.  

Marki froze for a second so I could get a picture.  The green on her leg is her IV bandage. 

Marki is not ready to go meet anyone yet.  I will continue to work with her hoping to break down her fear by doing what I call "forced love".  I will trap her in the blanket again, once I think she is amply recovered from her surgery, and hold her on my lap for extended periods of time until the day comes when the trapping will be unnecessary.  I know it will happen and then she will find a wonderful home.  

Good Stuff Happening Here!

Opal is recovering so well, beyond my expections. She is eating like a horse, follows me everywhere I go, and is letting me redirect her when she licks her incision. We moved her bed very close to mine so I can just reach down and pet her if she needs to be redirected. She has 3 stuffed toys which she positions near her tummy and that seems to calm her. I also got an herbal spray from a friend that I sprayed around the various doggie beds and I believe it has a calming affect. I have not even given her any pain meds since yesterday and can see she is much more alert but showing no signs of pain, other than being a little annoyed by her stitches. Look at these photos.

Look at my pretty scar. I am a warrior.  Now go away!

Ok, that's enough pictures already.  This girl needs her beauty sleep.

Marki came in my room long enough for me to get a picture. She is still very skittish but doing much better at coming in and risking me getting close to her. She is not as food driven because she's ok with the kibble that is always available. I'd pick that up but my own dogs are used to having access to that throughout the day. Remarkably they are not overweight and use self-restraint (wish I could do that!)

Alright already, take a picture so I can get out of here!

I am so adorable I always want
to be in pictures.

Can never get them both to look at the
camera at the same time.

Gizzy and Bubba continue to be awesome at being my partners, coaxing Marki inside, leaving Opal's food alone at supper time.  I really believe they like having this "project" for us to work on together.