The nicest guy...

I had a rough morning today. I woke up with miserable allergies that didn't go away until I got to work. When I arrived here, I realized I left my lunch and dinner sitting on the kitchen counter. I have to work a long day on Mondays I pack two meals with me. Money is tight so I didn't want to go out to eat. I also didn't want my dogs to think it was okay to feast on my roasted food.

To make matters worse, I lost a bunch of data on my computer and was freaking out all morning. Stuff that could totally screw up my work life for a good couple of weeks until I restored it all.

Paul was going to pick D&M up for the day since I have to work both jobs. I asked him to stick my lunch in the fridge so at least it wouldn't be ruined. He was nice enough to bring it across town to me at work! And he brought my princess Marley with him (and Sage and Leon too). So I got lunch, I got to see Paul, and got some loves from the puppies! It was so incredibly nice of him to drive so far. He brought the dogs so he could walk them at the Dimple Dell Gulch that's not too far from my work here.

Ohhh and when I got back from visiting with Paul and the dogs, someone had restored all my lost data. All in all, the day has gotten a lot better than the way it started. I'm so lucky to have met such a nice guy who is willing to go out of his way to help me - even without being asked.

Too Sleepy

I'm falling asleep at my desk at work. I think it's a combination of me being up half the night and sugar deprivation. I've really been trying cut back on the amount of soda I drink. My work has it for free here and I have become an addict over the past few years. It's so bad for me and I know it and so I am trying to cut back and only drink water when I am here at work.

Plus I didn't sleep well. I had some caffeine later in the evening last night and then I was up all night stressed about Marley and this whole mess. I'm bored with the work I am doing today and the combination of all of it is making me sleepy.

I went and got a mt dew thinking it would wake me up but I can't drink it. I keep trying to talk myself into it but I need to remember how bad it is!!!

Anxious about work

On Fridays, I have to work both of my jobs. My part time job includes talking to people about their animals. I've been a little bit on edge all week and haven't really been wanting to have my normal conversations because I'm afraid the tears will start flowing. I cried everyday so far at my f/t job but have managed to maintain composed today. I really don't want to lose it tonight. I have a lot of anxiety today about working tonight. I talk about Puck a lot on my job and I just don't know if I am ready to do it.

This is a cute Pic that Paul had on his phone. He lined the countertops with foil to try to deter Puck from walking on them. It obviously did not work!!

Surgery is coming!

Paul found out today that he needs to have surgery ASAP. So it's scheduled and happening Wednesday. Two days to prepare is not much.

He wrecked on his mountain bike a few weeks ago and tore his pectoral muscle completely! It all sounds so painful! I guess the orthopedic surgeon want's to fix it right away.

I'm glad my work is flexible and it was easy for me to schedule time off on Wednesday and Thursday. I was also able to make arrangements with my P/T job to go in late on Friday. Usually Paul helps me fridays to get my dogs out during the day. I work both jobs and it's a really long day for me and for them. I don't think he will be in any condition to be worrying about my dogs that day.

Should make for an interesting week. I just hope the surgery goes well and he can make a quick recovery.

Super Pet Adoption!

It's the super adoption weekend! It's a huge event with tons of rescue groups and shelters getting together to bring tons of dogs to one location for people to come adopt.

I' actually working most of the event with my p/t job. It's been great so far and I am happy to be able to get newly adopted animals started off with a wonderful diet. Hopefully people will stick with it since it really is an awesome product.

Usually I spend a lot of time volunteering this weekend but I won't be spending near as much time. I'm going to help out as much as I can though.

I sometimes worry about the dogs placed at this event. I hope the rescue groups are spending lots of time trying to screen the homes. When I place animals, I prefer to spend some time and let people take the time to think it over. I only really want people to adopt if they are positive that it's what they want to do. I also like to do home visits to check out the place where my animal is going to live. I know most people in the all breed rescue world don't do home visits but I hope that the efforts I put in make a difference in my foster's life by ensuring they have good homes for their whole lives. I also really stress feeding a high quality food and using PR training. I want to help people know how to be good, responsible dog owners. Especially if they are adopting one of my dogs!!

I really hope to get a foster again one of these days. I'd like to rescue a nice cattle dog or border collie or really anything. I miss having a foster dog. It's really rewarding and well worth the time and energy spent. The break I have had has been nice but I am starting to itch for a new dog. I have to hold out until I am ready to quit the second job though so I have enough time to work with the new dog and get everyone training and attention and excercise.

No good at Ping Pong!

I feel lucky that my work has a ping pong table! I get to play occasionally on my breaks.

I honestly don't think I have ever won a game of Ping Pong here at work. My team always loses - no matter who is on it. I'm always hitting the ball with my knuckle or hitting it so hard it misses the table. It is, however, always enterataining.

I wish I could practice at home so I could actually win sometime. I don't take losing too seriously though as long as I had a good time. I'm really not too competetive when it comes to stuff like that anyway. Guess that's why I never cared much for sports!

Poor Deprived Pups

It's gonna be a long weekend for Dylan and Marley at home without much attention. Sometimes it's hard for me to live alone, and work two jobs, and volunteer, and take care of the pups. My dogs sometimes have longs days indoors. I feel so lucky to have Paul to help me from time to time. I also have great friends who occasionally come look in on them and let them out to potty when I have a long day at work. I don't really like dog doors but my yard isn't secure enough for one anyway.

I used to telecommute for work and the best benefit was always just knowing that my dogs didn't have to spend 9.5 hours a day locked up inside the house without a potty break. It was so great to be able to see their cute faces all day and work with a warm body laying at my feet. Since going back into the office, I miss them so much while I am away. I wish I worked at a place that allowed dogs (but then my dogs wouldn't be friendly enough anyway). Dylan and Marley are such good sports though and never complain. They rarely get into trouble while I am away. The only time I ever seem to come home to a mess is if one of them was sick during the day. These days leave me with a ton of guilt because I know my dogs won't have an accident unless they really cannot help it. So I envision them trying to hold it and making themselves feel worse because they know they aren't supposed to go to the bathroom indoors.

I've got three long days ahead between the two jobs and the Super Pet Adoption. I know they will survive but I always feel guilty for having too many long days too close together. Maybe I can get them some special chew treats or something to keep them busy while I am away.

For kicks this pic is of my Little Princess Marley. She loved that super deep snow this winter!! Hopefully, it is over for this season. I really doubt though it because it's been snowing out there today!!!

Why don't people care about dog food?

It's always amazing to me how little people seem to think about what they are feeding to their dogs. The crap that goes into a lot of dog foods is really horrendous. I can't beleive it's even legal!

I've gone back and forth feeding Raw and kibble for a while now. I really like the Raw food plan for my dogs that allows me to feed them kibble in the morning and raw in the evening. It's what I would do if I could afford it. Unfortunately, I have been living on a pretty tight budget lately and had to cut most the raw food out. My dogs eat a high quality kibble. Each have their own dietary needs so they eat two different foods.

I really wish that people would do a bit of research about foods before they get a dog or a cat. I spend time whenever I place an animal talking about appropriate diet. I don't want my fosters going to somewhere that will feed them crap for food. I've had good success at finding people who actually will feed a decent diet.

I've been working for a holistic pet food company for a few weeks now. I really think they have a great product which makes it a good part time job for me. I have a hard time dealing with people though because I want to tell them that the food they are feeding sucks! Or that their dog is overweight and needs to be on a controlled diet or that they should take the prong collar off or get their dog fixed or they best not breed. I have so many opinions when it comes to dogs and I really can't express them when I am working. It's become a bit of a challenge for me but I am sure I can handle it.

It's rewarding to know that people are switching from crappy dog food to the food I am selling. I know it will make a difference in their dog's life. I just hope that most of them stick with it. I know so many are concerned about the expense but I really beleive that it works itself out over time with less in vet bills and with feeding less food overall.

If you are in SLC and reading this, I highly recommend taking one of Puppenschnoodles FREE seminars on how to choose a good pet food. You can find the schedule at http://www.puppenschnoodles.com