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.

Vetrinarians cost way too much!!

I always envy those people who go to the vet once a year (or sometimes even less than that!) and have a check up and get some heartworm meds and then call it good for vet care for the year. I am not sure how that happens exactly? I realize the more animals you have the more likely you are to end up at the vet's office but I only have two little pups?

I really feel like I end up at the vet's office at least once per month. If not for supplements for Marley's back then for chiropractic or accupuncture treatments or for one of Dylan's many injuries. I never go more than a few weeks without seeing someone from some vet's office somewhere.

Marley's back and hip problems have become very expensive over the past year. It's well worth it if it keeps her feeling well and moving well. She's too young to live her life on pain medications. So instead, we go the all natural route. She sees a holsitic vet and takes a variety of dietary supplements and herbs to help manage the inflammation in her discs and keep her joints lubricated.

Dylan is a healthy boy. He really shouldn't need to go to the vet more than once a year for a checkup. However, he is also a crazy dog with lots of enthusiasm and athleticism. He manages to injure himself every couple of months doing any number of things. Currently, he is laid up because his pads are completely worn out. It's been two weeks and he's still limping in pain (although the limping has been much better). His injuries not only cost me lots of money but cause him to be miserable because he isn't able to get proper exercise. Plus he has to miss Flyball and Obedience classes.

I wonder if it's possible that I will ever go a year where I take even one of them to the vet just the one time? It amazes me that some people manage to go years? I don't like that plan but man would it be nice to just have a yearly check up.

Dave Ramsey on Podcast

I listen to several podcasts every week. One of my favorites is the Dave Ramsey radio show. Paul actually introduced me to him a few months ago. Dave's a financial advisor that helps people learn how to get out of debt. He also talks a lot about investing and planning for finances in the future.

I gotta admit, at first, I felt a little dumb listening to it. But the reality is, I really like it. It's motivating for me to try to keep my finances in better order. I'm really trying to stay more organized. He's a little more religious than I would prefer but overall his financial advice is great. He really stresses staying out of debt and I think that's a great plan. I've never been a big fan of credit cards (mostly becuase I don't trust myself with them) so I have very little debt. I've worked my way through a bunch of financial stuff the last several months. I'm really feeling the momentum to get things all straightened out and in much better order over the next few months.

I would highly recommend the show to anyone experiencing financial stress. I'd say try it but give it a good couple of weeks before making a decision about how you feel about it. You will hear from some amazing people (e.g. people who have paid off 30K in debt on a 40,000$ income with a family of 4) and hopefully come to some realization that living with credit cards is a vicious cycle that will never end unless you just stop using them. You can get it free on Itunes or check out http://www.daveramsey.com/.

It's been tough for me to have to miss concerts, dinners out with friends, and even trips to flyball tournaments and seminars. Missing Flyball has by far been the most difficult. I have no doubt though, that it will be well worth it in the end.

Big Black Dogs

This is a big black boy named Leon. My boyfriend's dog is such a handsome dog. I can't understand why people are so afraid of big black dogs. Big black dogs are the least likely to be adopted and for no reason other than their color.

Leon is the sweetest boy! I wish this pic showed more of the definition in his face. He's such a cute boy with all his curls! I really enjoy being with him. Lately he has been getting more and more excited when I come over. It makes me happy when he is happy to see me.

Black dogs are much more difficult to photograph! I sometimes even have issues with Miss Marley. It seems often it looks like she has no eyes because they blend in with her black fur. This pic makes Marley look like she doesn't have eyes at all. Here eyes are actually open but you just can't see them because she isn't showing any of the white of her eye.

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!!!

Survivor Night

Tonight is Survivor night.

My friends and I have Survivor night every week. We get together and watch Survivor on TIVO. It takes us like 4 hours because everyones chatting away. For most of us it's more about the social interaction than about watching the show Survivor anyway. We always have a lot of laughs and a good time!

I'm always urging everyone to watch survivor so it doesn't take so long. It makes me feel like a party pooper but I have to work early on Friday mornings. I've also been working both jobs on Friday so it's a really long day. I definitely feel myself aging as I realize I just can't stay out as late as I used to. I used to be able to work on only a few hours sleep but I just can't do it anymore!

When Survivor is in it's off season we still often get together on Thursday evenings and hang out! In the summer time they have the Gallivan Center shows on Thursday so we did that all summer last year! It's just good to have a night to socialize with good friends!