Friday, December 24, 2010
Ho, Ho, Ho, from my family to yours!
This is from Christmas 2008. The dogs really don't like the head gear but I think they are so cute! Merry Christmas 2010. I hope Santa fills your stocking with lots of good things and I hope that all your dreams for 2011 come true!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Video-Breakfast with a golden named Ginger.
Video-Breakfast with a golden named Ginger.
Originally uploaded by Lanie's Life
Friday, September 24, 2010
My life has been a series of dogs
My life truly has been a series of dogs. I like to take a trip down doggie lane from time to time to think of all my lost loves from my past. I will start with a short list of the dogs I grew up with and I will move on to the dogs from my adult life.
Childhood Dogs
I wish I had a picture to support the list of my childhood dogs. I am going to try to go home and look for old pictures of these dogs and if Mom and Dad have any old pictures of our pooches from dog days gone by, I will post them at a later date.
1st dog from childhood that I recall was a dog named Scooter. He was a short legged dog with a long body and long curly hair. Imagine a dachshund mixed with a border collie. I remember him being a sweet and spirited little thing and loving him very much. His life ended too soon as he was hit by a car that was leaving a family picnic at our home. This was the first real loss I suffered in life and I remember it being very tragic. I remember crying for hours in the living room with my Sisters and Brother. Scooter left a permanent path beaten on the grass in the backyard where he would trail up and down the path to the back door of the house. I know that all of my dogs have left a permanent trail in my heart and that each of them will always and forever be remembered fondly. On a happy note, I believe that Scooter was just the beginning of appreciating and loving dogs. What I did not know at my young age was that there would be many dogs in my life and that they would each bring purpose and passion to my life.
2nd childhood dog was a white Maltese named PeeWee. He was very small but he made up for it in intelligence and personality. This dog was really my Mom's dog. She taught him all sorts of tricks. He was a sweet little dog and he was loved very much by the entire family. PeeWee loved people and charmed most who visited.. Mom taught him to say his prayers before dinner. I guess you could say he was a "Eat, Pray, Love" dog. PeeWee did other tricks too such as lay down, roll over, play dead, sit, dance and jump up. Mom took PeeWee to the veterinary clinic one day to have his shots. She left him there while they gave him his shots and routine physical. He got sick from the shots and said they would have to keep him for observation. We had a beach trip planned so we left town. When we came back our Dog "Peewee" had died at the vet's office while we were gone. The whole family was distraught by this loss and we did not know if we should be angry at the Vet or mad at ourselves for leaving town while he was sick at the Vets office. As an adult I realize that the circumstances were out of our control and probably the reaction that PeeWee had to the shot was out of the Vets control as well. But this might explain why I have such separation loss anxiety when I have to leave my dogs. Mom said she would never get another dog. This loss crushed her as it did the rest of the family. But she stayed true to her word and she never did get another dog. But Dad was always trying to bring home another dog and one day he did.
3rd childhood dog was a Basset Hound names Molly Brown. This dog was my Dad's dog but he said he got her for us. Molly Brown was a cute Basset Hound who's belly seemed to hang almost to the ground as did her long and floppy ears. She was amusing to watch walk around. One day while I was out in the barn to check on Molly Brown I made an interesting discovery. Little did I know that I would learn a bit more about the birds and the bees that day. When I arrived in the barn another dog was on top of Molly Brown and he was going to town. Somehow I thought they were doing it all wrong, but I guess not because Molly Brown got pregnant that day and I would later get to witness her pups being born. Talk about a belly hanging to the ground. Molly's tits hung to the ground and she looked miserable. I don't remember how Molly died. I believe that she got sick one day and had to be put down. I think that my parents did not tell us much other than she was ill and passed on. Mom vowed there would be no more dogs and Molly was the last dog that I remember having while I was living at home. I would miss Molly's long silky ears to stroke and the way she ran in a slow lumbering way that was so cute and less than graceful but I was sure there was a place for her in heaven.
Little did I know that these childhood dogs would be just the beginning of my life's journey with dogs.
I will continue the series of my stories on "My life has been a series of dogs" so stay tuned for stories about the dogs from my adult life.
Childhood Dogs
I wish I had a picture to support the list of my childhood dogs. I am going to try to go home and look for old pictures of these dogs and if Mom and Dad have any old pictures of our pooches from dog days gone by, I will post them at a later date.
1st dog from childhood that I recall was a dog named Scooter. He was a short legged dog with a long body and long curly hair. Imagine a dachshund mixed with a border collie. I remember him being a sweet and spirited little thing and loving him very much. His life ended too soon as he was hit by a car that was leaving a family picnic at our home. This was the first real loss I suffered in life and I remember it being very tragic. I remember crying for hours in the living room with my Sisters and Brother. Scooter left a permanent path beaten on the grass in the backyard where he would trail up and down the path to the back door of the house. I know that all of my dogs have left a permanent trail in my heart and that each of them will always and forever be remembered fondly. On a happy note, I believe that Scooter was just the beginning of appreciating and loving dogs. What I did not know at my young age was that there would be many dogs in my life and that they would each bring purpose and passion to my life.
2nd childhood dog was a white Maltese named PeeWee. He was very small but he made up for it in intelligence and personality. This dog was really my Mom's dog. She taught him all sorts of tricks. He was a sweet little dog and he was loved very much by the entire family. PeeWee loved people and charmed most who visited.. Mom taught him to say his prayers before dinner. I guess you could say he was a "Eat, Pray, Love" dog. PeeWee did other tricks too such as lay down, roll over, play dead, sit, dance and jump up. Mom took PeeWee to the veterinary clinic one day to have his shots. She left him there while they gave him his shots and routine physical. He got sick from the shots and said they would have to keep him for observation. We had a beach trip planned so we left town. When we came back our Dog "Peewee" had died at the vet's office while we were gone. The whole family was distraught by this loss and we did not know if we should be angry at the Vet or mad at ourselves for leaving town while he was sick at the Vets office. As an adult I realize that the circumstances were out of our control and probably the reaction that PeeWee had to the shot was out of the Vets control as well. But this might explain why I have such separation loss anxiety when I have to leave my dogs. Mom said she would never get another dog. This loss crushed her as it did the rest of the family. But she stayed true to her word and she never did get another dog. But Dad was always trying to bring home another dog and one day he did.
3rd childhood dog was a Basset Hound names Molly Brown. This dog was my Dad's dog but he said he got her for us. Molly Brown was a cute Basset Hound who's belly seemed to hang almost to the ground as did her long and floppy ears. She was amusing to watch walk around. One day while I was out in the barn to check on Molly Brown I made an interesting discovery. Little did I know that I would learn a bit more about the birds and the bees that day. When I arrived in the barn another dog was on top of Molly Brown and he was going to town. Somehow I thought they were doing it all wrong, but I guess not because Molly Brown got pregnant that day and I would later get to witness her pups being born. Talk about a belly hanging to the ground. Molly's tits hung to the ground and she looked miserable. I don't remember how Molly died. I believe that she got sick one day and had to be put down. I think that my parents did not tell us much other than she was ill and passed on. Mom vowed there would be no more dogs and Molly was the last dog that I remember having while I was living at home. I would miss Molly's long silky ears to stroke and the way she ran in a slow lumbering way that was so cute and less than graceful but I was sure there was a place for her in heaven.
Little did I know that these childhood dogs would be just the beginning of my life's journey with dogs.
I will continue the series of my stories on "My life has been a series of dogs" so stay tuned for stories about the dogs from my adult life.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Simple Rules for Living from the Dogs
We learn so much from our furry friends. They teach us so much about life's lessons.
They are a great example about how to live life with enthusiasm, courage and love.
They teach us how to honor those we love and how never to miss a snack along the way or
to take time to smell the roses, trees and bushes in life. They teach us to slow down in life and savor
the moment. Perhaps I was a dog in another life. I don't know how else to explain how much I relate to
my dogs and how much joy I receive from them. They love me unconditionally and give me the purest love that I've ever known.
1. Always be happy to see those you love.
2. Approach each day and each new experience with enthusiasm (even a walk).
3. Never underestimate the power of praise.
4. Play every chance you get.
5. Don't be afraid to show your joy! When you are happy – show it. Wiggle and wag.
6. Take lots of naps and always stretch and yawn before you get up.
7. Never turn down a car ride with someone you love.
8. Be loyal.
9. Lounge under a tree in the shade on a hot day.
10. Every once in a while put your head out the window and feel the air on your face and hair.
11. Have a favorite toy.
12. Don't hold a grudge.
13. When someone is having a bad day – nuzzle them gently.
14. If you feel like it, shake and let the drool fly.
15. Eat each meal with vigor and enjoy anything that's offered.
16. Sleep in any position you find comfortable.
17. Scratch where it itches.
18. Protect and defend those you love.
19. What you look like doesn't matter – it's what is in your heart (and the way someone rubs your tummy).
20. Enjoy every day to it's fullest – even if you are sick, in pain, deaf, blind, wheelchair (cart) bound or just not mentally all there.
21. Take pride in following the rules.
22. Accept praise and attention without giving excuses.
They are a great example about how to live life with enthusiasm, courage and love.
They teach us how to honor those we love and how never to miss a snack along the way or
to take time to smell the roses, trees and bushes in life. They teach us to slow down in life and savor
the moment. Perhaps I was a dog in another life. I don't know how else to explain how much I relate to
my dogs and how much joy I receive from them. They love me unconditionally and give me the purest love that I've ever known.
1. Always be happy to see those you love.
2. Approach each day and each new experience with enthusiasm (even a walk).
3. Never underestimate the power of praise.
4. Play every chance you get.
5. Don't be afraid to show your joy! When you are happy – show it. Wiggle and wag.
6. Take lots of naps and always stretch and yawn before you get up.
7. Never turn down a car ride with someone you love.
8. Be loyal.
9. Lounge under a tree in the shade on a hot day.
10. Every once in a while put your head out the window and feel the air on your face and hair.
11. Have a favorite toy.
12. Don't hold a grudge.
13. When someone is having a bad day – nuzzle them gently.
14. If you feel like it, shake and let the drool fly.
15. Eat each meal with vigor and enjoy anything that's offered.
16. Sleep in any position you find comfortable.
17. Scratch where it itches.
18. Protect and defend those you love.
19. What you look like doesn't matter – it's what is in your heart (and the way someone rubs your tummy).
20. Enjoy every day to it's fullest – even if you are sick, in pain, deaf, blind, wheelchair (cart) bound or just not mentally all there.
21. Take pride in following the rules.
22. Accept praise and attention without giving excuses.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Welcome to the Dog House, now follow the dog rules and nobody gets hurt!
Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Complain About Our Pets
1. They live here. You don’t.2. If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That’s why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it’s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy and walks on all fours. Although they doesn’t speak clearly, they communicate extremely well, especially cats.
5. Dogs and cats are better than kids …they eat less, don’t ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called (this does not apply to cats), never drive your car, don’t hang out with drug-using friends, don’t smoke or drink, don’t worry about having to buy the latest fashions, don’t wear your clothes, and don’t need a gazillion dollars for college. Also, if they get pregnant, you can sell the children
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Running free on the beach! Does life get any better than this?
Running free on the beach! Does life get any better than this?
Originally uploaded by Springfield Retriever Mom
All animals except man know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Internet Family
Our family began on the internet. Thus the title of today's post:; The Internet Family! It's testament to our modern times that we rely so heavily on the internet to communicate and reach out to the world, so much so that you can form an entire family by using the internet. Here I am writing a blog that without the internet I would not be doing otherwise. Oh, I am writing in a journal these days but I doubt I would write as often if not for the internet.
I responded via the internet to a personal ad back in September 1999. This is where I first met my husband Bruce. We married a year later on November 9, 2000. We've been married for 10 years come this November and in that time we added two more family members via the internet. We found our dog Spencer online October 2007 at the Greenhill Humane Society website;http://www.green-hill.org/. We found our dog Sara online November 2007 at the Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon website; http://www.goldenbondrescue.com/.
When I was growing up we did not have internet for socializing and yet all of my nieces and nephews use the computer daily for socializing. It is hard to believe how far we have come in such a short time. I can read daily posts from friends, family and neighbors. I can view pictures of their family, friends and neighbors. I don't have to leave my house to communicate anymore. I rarely use the telephone and many of my friends and I rely solely on the internet to make lunch dates and plan parties and such. I believe that we know more about friends and family than we ever have before because we all post and write our thoughts and feelings on the internet. We share more. I know very few people that actually write the old fashioned letter and mail it via the US Postal service. Thank you's and I miss you's and birthday cards are just a click away via the internet. We've become a technological society. It's convenient. Perhaps it may seem a bit unconventional the way that my family was united, but I couldn't be happier or more delighted by the way my life has turned out since I met Bruce and our dogs on the internet.
So, the next time someone asks you if you know anyone who met on the internet who has gotten married and is happy, tell them yes, "I know someone who started an entire family by using the internet!"
To find your dog online go to:
http://www.green-hill.org/
http://www.goldenbondrescue.com/
http://www.petfinder.com/
I responded via the internet to a personal ad back in September 1999. This is where I first met my husband Bruce. We married a year later on November 9, 2000. We've been married for 10 years come this November and in that time we added two more family members via the internet. We found our dog Spencer online October 2007 at the Greenhill Humane Society website;http://www.green-hill.org/. We found our dog Sara online November 2007 at the Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon website; http://www.goldenbondrescue.com/.
When I was growing up we did not have internet for socializing and yet all of my nieces and nephews use the computer daily for socializing. It is hard to believe how far we have come in such a short time. I can read daily posts from friends, family and neighbors. I can view pictures of their family, friends and neighbors. I don't have to leave my house to communicate anymore. I rarely use the telephone and many of my friends and I rely solely on the internet to make lunch dates and plan parties and such. I believe that we know more about friends and family than we ever have before because we all post and write our thoughts and feelings on the internet. We share more. I know very few people that actually write the old fashioned letter and mail it via the US Postal service. Thank you's and I miss you's and birthday cards are just a click away via the internet. We've become a technological society. It's convenient. Perhaps it may seem a bit unconventional the way that my family was united, but I couldn't be happier or more delighted by the way my life has turned out since I met Bruce and our dogs on the internet.
So, the next time someone asks you if you know anyone who met on the internet who has gotten married and is happy, tell them yes, "I know someone who started an entire family by using the internet!"
To find your dog online go to:
http://www.green-hill.org/
http://www.goldenbondrescue.com/
http://www.petfinder.com/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labor of Love
It's Labor Day. Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.
But what about our Labor of Love. The work we do that we don't talk about that brings us our inner most satisfaction in life. For me my favorite Labor of Love is my Dogs. They are where I find my strongest passion in life. As Gilda Radner worded it so elegantly " "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
Nothing that I do for my dogs do I ever consider work. Feeding them, walking them, playing with them, grooming them. bathing them. cleaning up after them. It's all for the love and passion of my best friends. They love me unconditionally and they are always delighted to see me. The never whine or fuss and the only time they get worked up is when they are guarding me and caring for me. I think that my dogs work just as hard for me as I do for them. They guard me and protect me 24/7 and their job is never done. They are always on duty. So today, I honor the work that our dogs do for us and the ways that they care for and protect us, and in general make us better people.
Have you hugged your dog today?
But what about our Labor of Love. The work we do that we don't talk about that brings us our inner most satisfaction in life. For me my favorite Labor of Love is my Dogs. They are where I find my strongest passion in life. As Gilda Radner worded it so elegantly " "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
Nothing that I do for my dogs do I ever consider work. Feeding them, walking them, playing with them, grooming them. bathing them. cleaning up after them. It's all for the love and passion of my best friends. They love me unconditionally and they are always delighted to see me. The never whine or fuss and the only time they get worked up is when they are guarding me and caring for me. I think that my dogs work just as hard for me as I do for them. They guard me and protect me 24/7 and their job is never done. They are always on duty. So today, I honor the work that our dogs do for us and the ways that they care for and protect us, and in general make us better people.
Have you hugged your dog today?
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Rescue Me!
Spencer and Sara are Rescue Dogs. But it is hard to figure out who needed rescuing the most, Spencer and Sara, or Bruce and I. What ever the case, we are all happier now that we are all together in one big happy family! Spencer was a rescue dog from Greenhill Humane Society. Two weeks after we lost our dear Rusty of 13 years Bruce came home and said he could not come home from work one more day without a dog to greet him. So off we went to Greenhill Humane Society to find a new kid to adopt. We did a walk through the Shelter and Bruce and I came back to the same dog. What Bruce and I did not realize is that we had both already spotted this dog online and had it in our minds that if he was the best dog there for us we would check him out. After knowing that it was a no brainer. We took "Bob" for a test walk around the yard at Greenhill. The moment he landed both big paws on my shoulders and his huge tongue all over my face I knew we were taking this dog home. Bruce bonded instantly with "Bob" too. So we went and did all the paperwork and picked him up a few days later after they had "Bob" all ready to go. It was October 12, 2007 1 day before my birthday. He was the best birthday present ever! We knew we would change his name because Bob just didn't fit him. We tossed a lot of names around but "Spencer" seem to fit with his personality. Spencer had been raised by a family who had a Golden Retriever and kept Spencer from her litter. The family had to move from a house to an apartment and could not keep the dogs. Spencer's dog Mom was a Golden Retriever and Spencer's dog Dad was a Black Lab Chow mix. If we had been there the week prior we would have adopted Spencer and his Mother, but there was a reason that Spencer's Mother was adpoted before we got there. Spencer needed another dog and we had planned on getting a second dog anyway. We had already applied for an adoption of our second kid with the Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon. We went through an application process and a home study and they called our references and called our veterinary clinic to make sure we were good candidates to adopt a special dog. I was so impressed with this agency that if anything ever happens to Bruce and I, I want them to find new homes for our loved ones, Spencer & Sara. We adopted Spencer in October and one month later we were watching the Golden Bond website daily for a sister for Spencer. One day a picture of an adorable little blonde Golden appeared. I called immediately after seeing her. They said that we would be checked out and if we were a match for her we would be first in line for her because we called first. We loaded Spencer up in the car and drove off to meet the beautiful blonde Golden Retriever. We all instantly fell in love with her, Sara was very shy around us and slow to warm up to us but was happy to take a treat from both Bruce and I. Sara was not shy around Spencer and they played and tussled until they were both about to drop. We knew that we wanted Sara. We kept Sara's name but changed the spelling,. We thought that Sara was a great name for such a petite blonde girl who has such a sweetness about her,. We had a trip planned so we had to wait 2 weeks to come back and pick her up. 2 weeks later on November 17, 2007 we loaded Spencer up in the truck again to pick Sara up. Sara was staying with a foster family in Redmond, Oregon and the drive was well worth it. The foster parents told us it would take Sara at least 3 days to warm up to us and to be patient with her. We got home and took the dogs for a short walk and then brought her inside. Sara let us love on her the moment she got into the house. Spencer showed her around the new digs and the rest is history. We've all been a happy family ever since! It is amazing how much better life is when you have a dog or two living with you! From the time we wake up in the morning until we go to bed at night, our days are just fuller and happier spent with Spencer & Sara. If you have a dog who you feel is a family member then you know what I'm talking about.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Dog days of Summer
We are taking advantage of the lazy days of the end of summer. It's time to reflect back on our summer journeys which were all too short. We look forward to what we hope will be an Indian Summer lasting on into the gradual fall season with welcomed color and the feel of crisp mornings to awaken the senses of new days ahead. But as I know all too well, every day is a great day to be a dog, no matter the season. All things dog are good, unless you are a dog who is car sick, (but that is whole new post for another day!) We call our home the dog house. We've spent a fair amount of time in our little dog house this summer. The little dog house is our trailer. The truck and trailer don't travel without two dogs. I know this should conjure up some images for you with two people and two dogs in a little dog house!
Here is a sampling of pictures from some of our summer trips with the dogs. We enjoyed the journeys with Spencer and Sara and I hope that you enjoy the photos from our dog excursions.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Sara & Spencer
I've decided to create a daily dog blog since most of my days are spent with our dogs. They are a huge part of my life. They are very therapeutic for whatever ails me. They bring so much joy and pleasure to my life that I thought I would share some of that with others in hopes that is is therapeutic for you as well,
Yesterday was hair day for Bruce and I. We had our hair cut and only my hairdresser knows what else I had done. When I got home from my hair cut I decided that Sara really need a trim and brushing too. You would not believe the fur that came out of her coat and she is still shedding. She looks even more beautiful than ever. Spencer just tried not to look at me... hoping to avoid any unnecessary combs or brushes or sissors coming his way. After almost an hour of working on Sara I had enough dog hair to make another dog and I made so much mess that I decided to vacuum the entire house at 8:00 pm after we got home from our dog walk.
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