Hmmm …

I was looking back through some Ranch pics and saw the below trilogy. It caught my eye bc of the way Pebbles was sprawled out in the mud. As you can see here, it’s typical for Pebbles. She always likes to get dirty:

But this was just too weird – she doesn’t love water so I was actually documenting that she got near it willingly! I’m sure that it in no way did this newly found affinity for lakes have anything to do with her being tied to Piper! Maybe that’s why she’s down – hanging on to dear life, dead weight and making Piper drag her. If I’m going in, I’m not going in easily!

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“Pebbles, look at that? What is that? It’s shiny and right there at the edge of the water. Don’t you want that? It’s just for you and you’re gonna love it. Everyone is going to be so jealous of you! You just have to have it”

“Where? Oh, I see it! I must have it … It’s MINE!!!”

“Oh, Pebbles. Guess it wasn’t anyth … wait … what’s that over there? OO, there it is. Let’s go get it!”

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Happy Day Ranch #4

Posed Perfection

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Happy Day Ranch #3

Buddy System Kinks:

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Happy Day Ranch #1

Last weekend, I traveled down south to visit my Mimi!

Isn’t she adorable!! The best!  Sadly, this blurry awful photo is the only one we took together.  Pathetic isn’t it!  I’m going to be better about that next time.

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The just under 4 hour drive was uneventful enough.  Gorgeous weather permitted us to roll the windows down and enjoy the breeze – or 70+ mph winds.  Abbi loves the wind in her face … she just plops down, gets cozy, and rests her head on the door where the vibrations lull her to sleep.  Pebbles, on the other hand, suffered from car sickness as a puppy so nowadays, her spot is directly behind the driver. Anywhere else and she panics – climbing over anything and everything to get to “her spot.”

Angus and Piper also got to go.  As Angus is about to have to undergo heartworm treatment, he’s living up his “last days” to the fullest.  The Ranch was a perfect weekend for him and he was so anxious to get there he never sat down. Seriously, he didn’t!  Piper got her own personal space and security in a crate in the back. She was more than happy to not be crammed in the back row between frozen-stiff P and pacing A.

It’s an awesome place – the weekend was going to be full of memories.

(breath-taking view from the back porch)

We arrived, well I did – to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies! About 4 dozen that would barely last us the weekend 😉

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Mimi has three pets – Maggie, a loveable, pleasantly plump dauschund (VERY pleasantly) and then there’s the two kitties –  Ginger, and Tigger – neither of which were all too happy to have us there.  Ginger is the Bubbas mommy and Tigger their brother!

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My Ebonies!

So, it’s come to my attention that though I have 4 orange and white pets of my own – I have a natural affinity for black pets!!  In the last week, while I’ve been celebrating the FIVE adoptions I had, I quickly filled their spots with THREE un-adoptables (at this time).  With that – los tres are black – ALL black – not a single hair of another color.  Black cats and dogs are some of the hardest to place – did you know that?  I didn’t – oops!

But goodness, I’m already in love. Mattie has been fantastic and these two – well, of course they are!

ANGUS: black lab

What an excited boy! You can’t even tell he came from the same place Piper did and that’s such a blessing.  He loves people and has already done great on his first leash experience. At just under a year old, he’ll bring a lot of life  It can only get better from here.

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MACEO: black cat

Maceo is a 7 year old who was very reluctantly surrendered by his owners so that he could find a home where a big old dog wouldn’t stress him out too much (hmmm, maybe I’m not the best foster). He’ll be spending time up in the kitty suite until he’s comfortable enough to hang out … though he’ll probably never come down the stairs into the dog dungeon. He’s so neat and I’m excited to have him around.

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Withdrawal

can refer to ANY sort of separation like adopting out 2 cats & 3 dogs in a week?

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In order to experience the symptoms of withdrawal, one must have first developed a PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE warmth required for a good night’s sleep, snuggling needed to enjoy a movie, excitement demanded so I feel welcomed home.

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This happens after consuming one  ….. Pebbles

OR MORE ….. Abbi, Griff, Rhino, Piper, Mattie, Willow, SueAnne, Zoe, Corkie, Beck

of these substances for a certain period of time.

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Generally, a person will start to feel worse ….. Corkie, Willow & Beck adopted

AND WORSE ….. Zoe & SueAnne adopted

hit a plateau ….. I’m holding tight to Mattie and Piper

and then the symptoms begin to dissipate ….. ONLY because I’ve got a new pup coming tonight and a second Sat! AND potentially a new kitty in there somewhere!

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SPUNKY, SPUNKY!!

YESTERDAY!!!!! Oh, yesterday! It was the BEST day I’ve had in a LONG, LONG time!!!

No, it wasn’t bc we partied all day at work and got off early or bc the drive home was traffic-less or bc I won the million-dollar lottery.  Last night was fabulous because Piper was SPUNKY!

Typically as I walk up to my door, I can hear the excitement from my girls tucked away in their crates.  They let me know where they are and that they missed me.  Almost the first thing I do is greet them and let them loose.  They wiggle with glee and head straight for the door – guess it wasn’t excitement to see me after all.

Well, in the midst of greeting and releasing – I noticed a new sparkle in Piper’s eyes.  She was wagging her tail almost wildly and watching my every move.  Quickly she stepped out of her cage but never took her eyes off me.  We all went outside and she ran around.  SHE RAN!!  Now, this in itself is a victory!

She’s been cowering and creeping through the yard, never letting me out of her sight (not like last night when she just wanted to see me – but bc she didn’t trust me not to get her when she wasn’t looking).

But OH the joy she expressed.  Her body was moving right along with that waggin’ tail.  For the first time in her over thirty days here, she went up to my girls and greeted them. Pebbles sensed her excitement and jumped for glee.  “Wanna play?” she asked. “Chase me!”

Though that was a bit much for Piper still, that tail never stopped!

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Whatta Weekend

You may not be from around here but it was ab-so-lute-ly gorgeous!! I spent it outdoors, err WE spent it outdoors every moment we got.

Friday night I met Beck’s new family.  Boy is she a smart kitty lover! Beck is going to be one spoiled cat – brushed, petted, loved and adored as the only man of the house.  He’s one lucky kitty and I’m happy for him – his daily boxing matches with Rhino might have had the best of him soon .

We left Willow up at Petsmart in hopes that a week there would find her a good home and the Pebbles and I headed to Home Depot for some last minute training before her Therapy Dog test Saturday afternoon.

Soon we were home and happily greeted by the jealous herd there.  It was bittersweet without Beck and Willow to greet me at the door.

Saturday was a long FULL day – woken at 6am by Piper’s whining (a new thing she’s learned with confidence), immediately outside, I get breakfast ready because I’m here to serve them, all inside, eat, outside, give kitties nose drops (kitty cold from Willow), get scratched, chase kitty to give more drops, clean scratches, dress in grundgies, sweep, clean up breakfast, inside, crate a few, gather the rest, load up the car, everyone hop in, to the dog park, out, run, run, run, play, run, almost 3 hours later load up for home, they sleep, I clean (isn’t that how it always is?!), give kitties nose drops, bandage scratches, Pebbles and I go to our test, squeak out some nerves, test, test, test, PASS, celebrate, home, one-on-one times with those left behind, wonder if Willow got adopted, crate, I get “Kat time,” home, give kitties drops, outside, bed.

Sunday was pretty much the same with a few additions – church, home, lose Mattie, dog park, WILLOW GOT ADOPTED!, nursing home visit, home, another visit to family, do dishes, turn on disposal, find Mattie after she shot out from under cabinet, comfort scared kitty, laundry, bath 5 dogs and 3 cats, brush 5 dogs teeth, 2 dogs cry, 3 dogs hate me, 3 cats growl, clean 8 sets of ears, give kitties drops, lay down on couch, watch movie while dogs go wacko bc they’re clean, wake up with three kitties on top of me, two dogs on each side, crick in neck.

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Well, It’s about time!

For those of you actually interested in the progress of those fosters hanging out and about … well, I apologize for not being very consistent in that area.  Yes, I’ve had some fun posts, but nothing that lets you know what’s going on individually!  So, as we are quite a crew, let’s go one-by-one!

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SueAnne has the BEST news possible!! She has been ADOPTED!!!!! This precious elderly man came into Petsmart with her daughter buying trinkets for her two when he spotted our dear Sue and rushed over.  He scooped her up, tilted his head and inquisitively asked her name. “Oh, SueAnne,” he whispered, “aawwweee!” He just cooed over her and I knew it was love at first sight. He just couldn’t get enough of her. One of those most precious men that is joyful and endearing to everyone.  He went home, applied, returned to PM the next day and bought several “necessities” including a car seat so she could go everywhere with him! For those of you fosters or shelter workers out there – you can understand how wonderful it is when the perfect person finds your pup or kitty!  She will be doted upon day-in and day-out. Exactly what she wants and nothing more! She’ll be hanging out for another week until he gets back in town and can start the 2 week trial officially! I’m gonna soak it up!

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Zoe always gets interests at our adoption events and this last weekend was no change.  She got several applications and I’m hoping that one will follow through because I just know they would be a wonderful family for her.  She’s learning stay for a period of time and calm but she can’t get down just yet (neither can Pebbles).  She is such a cutie and I know will give tons of joy and laughter to her adoptive family!

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Piper is making strides and then falling backwards.  We set up a zip line for her in the backyard to see if that would help her relax a little back there and actually go to the bathroom anywhere but Abbi’s bed and Pebbles’ crate. This will hopefully give her confidence!  She’s coming when called though it’s hard to trust that I want to just love on her. I think she’s got a little bit of separation anxiety but right now she’s just curled up on her bed with Sue. Well, okay – she’s as close to the wall as possible, but it’s a step forward from desperately trying to be invisible under a chair.

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Willow is merely hanging out for another week and doing her time until she moves onto her forever home. Yep, pretty much the day she was available she was ADOPTED and has merely been counting down the days. I will miss her as she follows me around, loves to cuddle and sit in my lap, and completely ignores the Bubbas’ hisses (I think they’re jealous).

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Beck was finally introduced to the rest of the gang last night and has done wonderfully.  He’s just walking around with the big dogs like he owns them and it cracks me up.  His favorite spot is in my Asian wooden bucket which holds my throws.  He just settles in and watches the world wisp by until he gets thirsty, when he carefully maneuvers down and around to get a drink – he’s a very thirsty boy!

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INTRODUCING Mattie!  She’s a gorgeous short-haired black kitty who was given up because she never came out from under the bed.  Right now she’s hanging out in our luxury cat room with fresh water, premium canned food, specialized fitness equipment, and bird’s eye view (guest bathroom) where she doesn’t have too many places to disappear.  But … she’s come and greeted me every time I’ve entered and loves lovin’.

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And of course – my four.

Well, the Ladies are enjoying the thought that a few will be departing soon though they do like having them around.  Pebbles absolutely adores kitties and if by some mere accident she gets stuck on the side of the pet gate where they aren’t, she wines! Not because she wants to be with me, but with them.  Abbi just likes to take advantage of having more “little ones” to care for.

And the Bubbas, well, their initial curiosity has quickly departed.  They hiss at Willow, I’m sure from jealousy as it’s merely when she’s near me.  There is no issue with Beck so it must be her, it’s gotta be her.  But I mean, I obviously didn’t train them very well – because it’s a HER! They are fine though, adapting nicely.

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I’m pooped …

One might be quick to assume that a home where the pet to person ratio is 9:1 would be practically out of control.  But if you did assume such a thing, you would be a little off base.  Yes there are times when toys cover the floor, tails wag with glee and dogs literally fly over you (well, only Pebbles).  But mostly, the only noise I ever hear is Abbi’s soft snoring (okay, not the entire time, but predominately soft).  Yes, even now …

ZZZZZZZZ …

Abbi is our resident cuddler … self-proclaimed, of course

Probably because she looks so retarded when she snoozes solo

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