... along came the rain

It was inevitable for it to cool down and for the rain to come. I keep hearing comments from people around town about how dreary the days have been. Silly people, this is BEAUTIFUL weather! : )

To each his own I guess... I crave the weird stuff, cold temperatures, lots of snow, rain, thunderstorms... though I'm enjoying the rain much more now that the ground had a chance to dry out during the hot days we had. For once there are no puddles in the dog yard!!!! This thrills me to no end!! : )

Still been bogged down with work. Late nights with much getting done. I crave walks with the dogs but this year has been a delicate balance of food bills, fuel bills and time with them. Its all one in the same as neither can exist without the other but like all things something has to give at some point...

Ive been reading this wonderful rescue book by Ken Foster called 'The Dogs Who Found Me'. There is one line in there that describes my life perfectly... "Its not the dog(s) I cant afford, its all these other things that are pulling me under."

How very true that is...

Aquila Days

Aquila was showing slight signs of shedding yesterday on her legs so I figured I would bring her in today to see if I can get any fur out of her. Not thinking I would get much out I was amazed when the down on her back let loose in clumps and continued to fill my plastic grocery bag to overflowing.

Its been 70 to 80 degrees for days and I know her and Boreas are hotter than the others who have gone through a full shed. My thoughts are always with them when the temperatures climb, but since I don't believe in shaving a dog, all I'm left to do is sit and wait until they are ready to drop their coats.

So when Aquila was ready it was wonderful and healing on so many levels both for her and for me. Each year she grows more and more patient with the process and the inevitable pulling I have to do on her long, long coat.

There is still much more to come out of her but what I was able to brush out I can tell it will make a huge difference for her. To know that she is comfortable and will be happier flows through her and into me over and over.

The benefits to keeping those we love comfortable and content is priceless.

Jumping Bean

I just about died today. Eighty-something degrees in the shade... I was melting, there is no doubt that I'm a winter person.

I cant wait for summer to be over. I think the dogs feel the same. They are doing their best to be on their good behavior but the few dogs that need to drop their coats have to take a few time outs from playing. Its too hot for them to have much fun.

I took Calypso, Juno and Ajax with me out to my first errand of the day before dropping them off back at home on my way to my second stop. They tried to stay cool but even though both dogs have dropped their coats it was still tough on them.

While I was stopped at the stop sign messing around with my wallet I see out of the corner of my eye a little butt disappear right out the jeep's passenger window. Calypso must have been thinking, "This is my stop, see ya!" I was shocked!

I called her name and she came over to the passenger door, called her again and she tried the drivers side. I opened the door, called her name and she popped back in as if nothing happened. Silly girl...

That was the extent of our excitement today, that and rearranging the yard to set Calypso up with her own pen since shes going into her first heat cycle. Shes not receptive yet but the boys are showing interest. I hate to put her up so she cant play with everyone else but I don't have much choice. In a few weeks everything will be back to normal.

Hopefully she will follow her fathers lineage and only have a heat cycle once a year. If shes planning to have it in the summer and goes the whole winter without one that will be perfect. She wont have to take any breaks in training if thats the case...

Work continues to consume my time but I'm doing some quick sketches for myself. Fun stuff that isn't stressful in the least. Its really nice to explore shapes, fur and dogs. I used to have so much more time to do this but lately time has been a major issue. This one posted here took about an hour...

Play Session Complete

Boreas settles in under my desk with 'One-Eye Bunny' and Ajax after tearing up the office.

It still amazes me that these two have worked out their play sessions so neither is hurt. Boreas is so gentle and plays very passively. If Ajax is getting too crazy Boreas will lower his head, then his shoulders down to the floor until gravity takes his body down all the way, usually right on top of Ajax!

White Light...

Its been more than a year since Iris has passed, more than two years for Ursa, and yet it still feels like only yesterday...

Working late nights leaves me alone with my thoughts, alone with my precious ghosts. Its so hard to move on and even harder to accept the past and know that I cant change it. And yet, with their illness', I know I wouldn't have done anything different.

I have no idea why their lives are so short, no idea what so ever. There is purpose to everything but I cant see the reasoning behind this.

I seriously need to find some time for art therapy. I started on a piece of my two girls a few weeks ago... its so tender, so dear to my heart, so therapeutic and requiring much needed time alone with my heart and my grief. I hope this winter will open up time to work on this new piece again.

I know my time this winter will be spent on the trail with the dogs in the wilds that I love so much. I will feel the girls there and call to Iris to come along... I know she will be with us, Ursa too... the two of them doing what they loved the most, following the team and sniffing around the forest. If only I could see them as clear as I used to. I just have to remember they are there, our loved ones are truly with us in every moment...

"And if I shed a tear I won’t cage it, I won’t fear love, And if I feel a rage I won’t deny it, I won’t fear love..." Sarah McLachlan

Shes a NATURAL!

Took the dogs out for a quick spin with the four wheeler. Been swamped heavy with work that I just had to take a break. It felt so great... not sure who enjoyed it more, me or the dogs!

Boreas couldnt go since he hasnt shed his coat but most of the others got their turn. I put Calypso up front since she likes to zing around the yard full speed and never wants to stop. Figured Id put that energy up in front with Juno and see what came of it. I was pleasently surprised... that girl is a NATURAL!!

Juno does well up front, is very smart, very responsive on her commands but the poor girl cant keep another dog from turning around if they want to. Shes way too small to control anybody. But Calypso, little Cali, shes so tiny and the perfect match for Juno!

They took right off and Calypso did great on listening, being observant and showed excellent intelligence right from the start. I dont think it will take any time for her to learn her gee and haw. Shes already got her line-out command down and this was only her first time in lead!!

Our summer kiddie pool worked out great to cool the dogs down when we got back. The temp was only up to about 60 and doing a quarter mile wasn't enough to overheat anyone. I didn't have them pull the rig at all but used the motor the whole way. Was fun to see them stretch out and also put me at ease that I could control them if they were getting too hot or wanting to go faster.

We stopped a few times at some nice shady areas along side the road but for the most part everyone wanted to be on their way. Lessons from last year were still on their minds as I didn't see too many harness bangers. All were very calm and relaxed when stopped. Really nice to see that especially with it being our first four wheeler run.

Ichabod took full advantage of the pool on our return. He laid down in it, sat in it and drank off and on while staying firmly planted in the pool. I have seen dogs enjoy our pool before but Ichabod took his enjoyment to a whole new level!

The Evolution of the Dog Yard

Brushing duties were enforce last night. I decided to save my office floors from the furry experience that they have been subject to over and over since it started getting warm. Hermes was really needing a good brushing and since his coat was coming out so easily I was able to take out just about all of it. I will watch him later on as his neck fur sheds out and his hind legs. Those areas are usually the last to go. Griffin is still holding onto his...

But since Hermes is so shy and very sensitive to any part of his surroundings he learned another level of trust last night. Its hard to relax with babies running all around, males posturing every so often and gruff comments from me to keep the peace while the boys circled around each other hackles up. Ichabod was a bit of a pest as I was finishing up. Ive never seen his back so fully up in defense. I had no idea what started it but since I didn't hear a scuffle I suspect he was trying to work his way in for some extra brushing.

Remus took offense to this and kept him at bay which in turn put Spock on edge towards Remus and all three were having their own separate standoffs until I said something. Fortunately Mercury, who is extremely jealous of my attention, stayed out of it and remained in his house. Meanwhile all Hermes wanted was to get out of the way in case something were to start but after I brushed him again he started to calm down. The other boys did too after Ichabod realized no one was going to open a hole for him to come closer and moved on.

It was so amazing to see the dynamics of all the dogs as they settled in and even more amazing to learn about Remus through his continued interaction with me. I couldn't quite understand this guy when he first came here... he always wanted to be near me, always desperately desiring my attention, leaving me with confusion over why this could be. The only thing I can figure is that he didn't get enough attention as a pup and now is flat out desperate for contact.

Hes learning the rules of when to approach me and when not to but when he had his turn at brushing last night, oh lord, was he in HEAVEN!

I could tell it was just what he wanted and while his first few lessons of brushing a few days ago on how to sit still, that the brush could feel really good if he relaxed were a little hard to pick up. This time around I could tell he was trying really hard to remember what worked so I wouldnt turn him away. Since hes nearing the end of his shed he will have to be turned away more often as the other dogs get my attention but hes learning that as well.

When I was brushing Hermes, who's turn it was right after Remus, I had to push Remus away quite forcefully before he realized his time was up. Remus, always thinking of ways to get closer to me, laid his head on Hermes back and gazed up hoping his eye contact would change my mind and give him his turn back. When that didn't work he pawed Hermes as if he was trying to get him to move but did so in the most loving way...

After a while he gave up and laid down a few feet away which prompted Hera to lay down close to him which was followed by Gemini who laid down next to Hera. Aquila was not far away, as always, as we slowly developed a sort of powwow around Hermes. It was a feeling that Ive rarely experienced in the dog yard before with so many of the dogs jockeying for a higher status. Seems like all are knowing their place right now and being very content to remain within it. I hope this ease lasts a long, long time though I know its probably limited as the babies are growing, developing and will start working through their own pack hierarchy.

Last night Hera was incredibly jealous that Remus wanted my attention so badly. I can clearly see that she is desperate to claim him as her life-mate and most of the time he is happy to oblige. But there are times when he wishes she would leave him alone so he can monopolize his time with me.

Hera is very protective if I have to put Remus in his place she is always right there in case he needs defending. Which I have to then put her in her place and remind her that the discipline still comes from me, that I will not be challenged and that our rule of no dog interceding in the enforcement of the rules is still in place.

I learn lessons through the dogs every day, discover new insights on life and Hera showed me another facet of the nobility of dogs that night. She is there to defend him, no question but when he comes to me for attention she does not go into jealously mode (as humans sometimes tend to do) and direct anger towards the other party. Instead she focuses more intently on Remus and tries desperately to change his mind about wanting to be with me. Its such a pure and honest reaction that isn't misguided in the least...