Tag Archives: Dog

His Name Is Mitford

Our house is a zoo. My husband calls me “Dr. Dolittle”. It is true we have a lot of animals on our 12 acre property. (Ace, our senior dog, Lonnie our 9 yr. old terrier mix, Rocky our 2 year old Boxer mix and now Mitford, the puppy. We also have 2 indoor cats, and 4 more outside cats that are the best mousers ever. All but one of the cats, was either dumped on us, out here in the country, or was a stray left to wander, before they met us. We have 8 hens who give fresh eggs, 1 rooster, and a horse named Jazz, who is a retired barrel racer.) I am grateful for the land that allows us to have our animals. Yes, they are a lot of work, and time….but, worth it to me. Mitford is a ten week old puppy. I named him after the town in my favorite book series by Jan Karon. Mitford is one of the six offspring of our Scotch Collie, Ace and his “girlfriend” and next door neighbor, Sophia. Ace and Sophia made beautiful babies, even though it wasn’t a planned event. So, Mitford has one blue eye and one brown eye, which gives him a unique look. He has his mama’s big ears and super soft fur and, his dad’s huge paws, and coloring. I’m guessing that when he is fully grown he might weigh in at, at least sixty pounds.

Since Mitford is still not house trained he has to be walked every hour, and even then he has some accidents….but, he is getting better. Luckily for us, we have radiant heat, in our colored concrete floors. (We decided that concrete floors are different, but kind of fun to have.) The floors aren’t very forgiving when I drop a dish, but they are easy to keep clean. So, anyway, back to my story….. Mitford’s bathroom breaks have me living my life in one hour increments right now. At first, I was like, “This is going to take forever”, and I wanted him to hurry up and be done. Now, I am learning to slow down and enjoy the moments of walking around the property. Mitford and his schedule are forcing me to slow down and appreciate. We just came in from a walk and I took the time to see the heavy frost on the grass and roof tops. The sky appeared to have a blue haze over it, a haze the exact color of cold. It is sort of blue-gray. I pulled the zipper up farther on my coat and tugged my hat down lower over my ears.

So many times, I let the tensions of the day get to me, forgetting to slow down and actually enjoy the moments. Thanks to a little fluffy puppy, who is helping me to remember that all the moments are precious.

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Faithful Friend

My heart aches this morning.

I really hate death. It just hurts too much.

Yesterday afternoon, our elderly dog, Junior, died. Now, I am not comparing his death to other losses I’ve experienced. The deaths of loved ones are definitely not the same as the death of a pet. But, death still hurts. It always does.

My husband found Junior, laying in the yard. It is as if he had just laid down, the last moments of his life winding down…until he just stopped.

We were just getting ready to leave the house for evening choir and church services, when my husband, from across the yard, answered my question, “Is he dead?” He solemnly nodded as I ran across the yard, tears streaming down my face.

Yes, he was about fourteen and a half years old. Yes, I know he was old, and yes I knew he wouldn’t be with us much longer.

But, none of that mattered. Not at that moment.

I met Junior when I married my husband in 2005. He was about seven years old then. A brindle colored mutt. Maybe some sort of bird dog/boxer mix? He liked to walk with me through the years, even after his aging joints made walking difficult and painful. He always had a lick for everyone and would bark with excitement when the family drove up the driveway. Our collie, Ace, will miss his friend. I’m sure he will be lonely without his buddy.

The last year and a half of Junior’s life was a struggle. I faithfully gave him his glucosimine and chondroitin every day for his arthritic joints, picked him up when the steps to the deck got to be too much, and slowly walked him over to the barn on the coldest of winter days, where he could snuggle in the hay with barn kitty.

Grief is the price one pays for loving someone, or in this case, loving a dear pet.

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For All Things…

Two young Nokota mares

Early morning sunshine steaming across the open field, turning grass and weeds into stalks of gold.

A cool breeze feels good on warm skin.

Blooming roses, and the smell of lavender fill the air.

Petting the dogs, cats, and horse… telling them “good morning”, knowing they understand every word.

Being thankful for all things, in all things.

Joy does not come from perfection, because no life is perfect…my life included.

Joy comes from choice.

A choice I’m making to see all the things in my life.

Nothing is too big… nor too small

to be thankful for.

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Today I am thankful for:

* spinning windmills

* silly dog and spilled dog food

* chores completed…for now

* petting the horse

* playing fetch with the dog

* emails from friends

* a grandmother’s legacy

*  provision prayers answered

*  a multitude of pretty butterflies

* a shaded front porch

* time spent with my own thoughts

* being creative

* God who freely gives gifts

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Stream Of Consciousness

The Waltons

Image via Wikipedia

I’m having one of THOSE days. Not a bad day, just the kind of day that I can’t seem to sit still and put two coherent thoughts together. You know what I mean? It’s not dementia. It’s being Dawn. This happens to me on occasion. Sometimes I will tell my family members, as I’m staring straight at them, I see your mouth moving…but, what did you just say? Sometimes this happens twice in a row. I can’t help it. I need to learn to read lips.

So, because I am physically unable to write anything even remotely “put together” today…I came up with just going all stream of consciousness on you. Did I say that correctly?  I sincerely hope you can follow along, and not just think I’m nuts. (because that is an entirely different story)

Alarm clock went off—Hit the snooze—Overslept by 45 minutes, go figure—Shot out of bed, giving myself a little vertigo—Ran to bathroom, got a look at scary morning self in the mirror, screamed.—Went out to kitchen, had son (who was already up) flip on the news for me—started coffee and breakfast—went with dog to wake up other 2 children–Dog barked and jumped, he is a good “waker upper”. —-Lit new lilac candle, hoping it will mask smell of dog vomit.–Um, dog took his antibiotics on a not full stomach. Opps. Yuck.—Vacuumed rugs and floor, chased pet fur around the room. Pet fur is much like dandelions after they turn white and blow everywhere in sight. Just sayin’—-Put dishes in dishwasher, then realized that the coffee mug I wanted was in there, dug it out and washed by hand.  I have a bazillion coffee mugs, but I wanted that one. Weirdo. —

Promise myself that I will balance checkbook today, been meaning to do that for the past 3 days. Oh, well.–Cat curled up in basket in my library–my blanket basket, my WHITE blanket basket. I cannot keep anything out that the cats do not lay on. I hate cat fur. I tolerate cats, and not even that very well. Though I do love them, which makes me mad because I don’t want to. Arggh. I’m still more of a dog person. Much more.—The orange creamsicle candle I got from Wmart does not smell like an orange creamsicle. It doesn’t really smell much at all. What a rip off. Note to self, do not buy these types of candles anymore.

I need to decide what is for dinner. I have no idea. ugh. I need to prepare menus more often. It would probably help, but where is the fun in that? The sun has not been out today, but at least it has not rained. All 3 of the kiddos have test(s) to take in their home school work today. They are thrilled. Not. The Waltons are on the Hallmark Channel. I like to watch them in the afternoon while I’m fixing dinner, which I still have no idea about. I better go. I have a feeling this evening will be interesting.

I promise to have a REAL blog post tomorrow. Have a fun weekend everyone. Can I have ice cream for dinner? Um. I’m just kidding…..really.

And by the way, if there are any spelling errors you’ll just have to forgive me. If this post made no sense to you, don’t worry…it didn’t to me either.

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A Chapter Out Of My Life

A John Deere lawn mower in a Finnish garden.

Image via Wikipedia

It’s Saturday.

I took Lonnie dog for a walk,

He and Ace, the outside dog, got into it. Fur flying. Over nothing. Both males. Go figure.

I was having none of it. They both got that I was mad at them. Bad boys. Go sulk.

They are fine. Like 2 year olds.

My husband is mowing the yard on the one non rainy day we’ve had in forever.

I was outside picking debris out of the yard. Amazing what what can find after having winds in excess of 60mph this past week. Just sayin’.

The outside cat, Salem, wanted me to pet her. I did. She is not declawed.

She got her claws caught on my clothing. She panicked. I panicked…because she had her claws on me.

She hissed. I yelled, “stop it”. She didn’t.

Ouch.

We finally got disentangled. Two girls screaming in the front yard. But only one of us with claws. Not fair.

She went and laid down on the porch. Away from me.

I was thinking I should go inside, when my husband went zipping by on the lawnmower.

He is The Grass Geru. Lord of the Lawn. Mower Master. Okay….I digress.

Anyway, the tire of the lawnmower caught a rock and it shot up and hit our outdoor flood light. Well, it pretty much exploded.

Where I was standing.

Glass flew everywhere.

For the love of pete! At least it hit the light and not me.

I again resumed picking up debris. This time it was glass.

All the exploding excitement got the dogs to barking. Again.

That’s it.

I went inside. It’s dangerous out there!

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God Must Have A Sense Of Humor

Laughing Star

Image by cindy47452 via Flickr

Laughing.

Giggling.

Snorting.

Can’t breathe.

Tears streaming down your face.

Therapeutic.

Humor, is something to be thankful for. Life is a lot more fun if we laugh. There is too much in life to be sad about, or scared, or down right terrified about…..but, sometimes one just has to laugh. Laugh out loud. Who cares if others think you’re nuts? Tell them that you are just fine and this is part of your therapy.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 ESV

Today I am thankful for laughter. My eucharisteo is thanksgiving to God for blessing me with funny things. Things that make me “smile out loud”. Surely, God must laugh at the craziness that He witnesses.

#371  A cat that stalks me. I’ve never known kitty love before this cat. She is calico love, wrapped up in fur.

#372 The same cat that is a huntress and deposits her rodent “gifts” in my master bath, where I will be sure to see them…and praise her for her great effort and talent.

#373 A dog that will not eat his nutritional bits and instead spews them around the kitchen floor. I find myself talking to the dog, knowing full well he doesn’t speak my language.

#374 Mismatched pajamas and fuzzy slippers…a regular fashionista, I am.

#375 I’m a mom to 3 teenagers and that brings some good laughs…all by itself.

#376 Random conversations in the family van. About what? Weird stuff, usually. Don’t even ask.

#377 Extremely windy days…I think I saw a cat just fly by the window.

#378 Dark stormy day, that allows me to light my cookie scented candles…..the smell without the baking:)

# 379 Good friends that go to home school conferences together and laugh their way through the aisles of curriculum.

#380 Life can be funny.

*****Sharing all the ways that we are thankful. Click on the Multitudes on Mondays graphic on my right side bar. *****

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Time Change

Towels at my Other Gym

Image by davco9200 via Flickr

It’s a Monday morning…after yesterday’s time change. I know it is only an hour difference, but I feel like someone hit me over the head with a sledge hammer…and no, that didn’t really happen. I’d know if someone hit me with a hammer. I think. Unless, I was really sleeping hard. Then maybe not so much. Just sayin’.

Monday mornings. Are. Not. My. Thing.

I’ve decided that today is the day to wash all the towels and washcloths from the master bath. A large pile of white. Er…supposed to be blindingly white. Not so much right now. Sort of dirty white actually. That’s what I get for choosing all white for the bathroom.

Sigh.

I’m not letting this stop me from my daily Eurcharisteo. It’s hard to be a grouch if one is giving thanks.

* I have an abundant supply of towels and washcloths.
* A glass of ice cold tea.
* I have cold medicine to give a sick child.
* My children hugged me this morning.
* I emailed a friend.
* People that love me.
* I’m not alone in this world.
* The smell of a new candle.
* The llamas are out grazing this morning.
* The mud is drying up, from the wind.
* How I can silently glide around the house in my stocking feet.
* The cat going berserk this morning, that made me laugh.
* Lonnie dog as he looks at me with big, brown puppy dog eyes.
* A clean kitchen sink.
* Warm light.
* My husband told me that he loves me.

My heart is full. So is my washing machine. It is impossible to stay down when I count all the ways that God loves me.

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For The Love Of Laughter

you laughed so hard you cried?

Image via Wikipedia

“A cheerful heart has a continuous feast.”  Proverbs 15:15

When is the last time you laughed out loud, tears streaming down your face?  Laughed so hard you snorted? Got the hiccups? Your stomach ached from the muscles you used for a good belly laugh?

Laughter feels good.

Nikki, the family calico cat, has a special fondness towards me. Some might call it stalking. She follows me around the house like my shadow. She makes me a little paranoid when she follows me into the bathroom…and sits and stares at me. Eh, hem….I can do this myself, kitty cat. This morning I was making the bed when she came flying out from underneath it. I didn’t know she was there so I nearly had a heart attack. She made me laugh out loud because she was covered with dust bunnies. Okay, I admit to all my blog readers that cleaning under the bed is not at the top of my list. Not this week. Um… okay. Not ever. Nikki looked hilarious with a big  ol’ dust bunny right on top of her head, between her ears. She did not appear too humiliated by the whole thing.

I laughed so hard this evening! My son’s dog, Lonnie is a terrier mix. He can stand and walk around on his hind legs. Lonnie loved the smell of the pot roast that I was serving for dinner. Boy, did he want some! He walked around on his hind legs trying to get at the plate. He was so focused on the plate that he backed right up  into the garbage bag I had setting on the floor, ready to go out. The expression on his face was priceless.

This is the same dog that I blogged about last week that would not eat his yummy, dog food, nutritional bits. Go figure.

Tonight, while preparing dinner, I was singing and goofing around in the kitchen. My son said, “Mom, you are very ‘bubbly’ today. I like it when you are in a good mood. It makes the whole day better.”  His words struck me. How often do I forget, in my day to day busyness, to smile and laugh, and joke?

My son reminded me  that

Laughter is the best medicine and….

It makes the whole day better.

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Eat Your Nutritional Bits!

Shelves of dog food. Includes Beneful and Pedigree

Image via Wikipedia

Life has come to me arguing with the dog.He is not participating in the argument, so really it’s just me pretending to argue with the dog.

Okay, so maybe cajoling him.

Oh, alright! Begging him. This is so humiliating.

Tonight I was trying to get Lonnie, the wonder dog…all 19 pounds of him…to eat his nutritional bits.

I buy him the dog food that is supposed to be good for him. Healthy even.

The nutritional bits resemble little chocolate chip looking things. Yum.

Lonnie refuses his nutrition. Instead he roots through all the rest of the dog food, spewing bits as he goes. How in the world does an animal that has no fingers pick all those teeny, tiny bits out of the bowl? He must spit them out like watermelon seeds. I will have to make a point to observe this. I’ll have to be sneaky if I want to watch, Lonnie tends to be covert.

I called the little terrier to me when I saw the mess he made. I gave him the “stink eye”. He stared back. I proceeded to lecture him on his canine health. He licked me. I continued to inform him of his need for good teeth and a shiny coat. He actually yawned. At this point I placed my hand on my hip, got the mom stance and said (with a straight face) “Lonnie you are like a five year old who pushes his peas all around the plate. You need to eat your nutritional bits!”

I thought for sure that I had made my case.

Sigh.

On a good note, the cat seems to enjoy eating them off the floor.

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