What a weekend!

Wow, where do I start...

It didn't seem like much was happening in the dog yard this weekend but we got a LOT done on the rental. I'm happy to say that the end is now in sight and its very encouraging to see the other side of this steep, steep hill.

We are still on the hunt for land but the vision for that is getting clearer every day. By next month we will set out on an overnighter to scout some of the areas that have caught our attention. This is all very, very exciting!

The rental is looking really, really good after I cleaned up our mess and hauled off another load to the dump. I was loading up the old toilet into the back of James' truck and started laughing (nearly dropped the thing!) when he said, "Holy crap!" I guess he didn't think I could lift it! : )

The foster dogs have been settling in well and getting used to our daily routine. The Pharaoh sisters are a trip! They were a bit too talkative when they first got here but we worked that out quickly and they are much more settled.

I'm still having a minor problem with Shine but its not too bad now. In a few more days she shouldn't have to be told to stay quiet and will patiently wait for me to come around with her food as the other dogs do.

I had a bit of trouble with her and a fight that broke out with Juno. It was nothing really serious... Shine is very interesting in that shes really skittish but seems to have a ton of energy that adds to her jittery trait. Her sister, Vixen, is let off to run loose with the other dogs with no problem but Shine seems to trigger the other dogs into taking her down when she zips around the yard like lightning!

Its something we are all going to have to get used to and before long I'm sure the rest of the pack will see her as a fun thing to chase and play with but not to attack.

Vixen is a LOVE! She is very smart and loves her belly rubs! I believe she works well in harness but I haven't run her in my team yet. Soon I hope...

Olive is also getting along well and socializes very well with the others. Her high energy is still a bit of a concern and she tends to trip me up while I'm doing chores. She wants attention so bad but she needs to learn proper etiquette on how to ask for it. Shes getting there... Id really like to see her go to an active home, preferably with children who can keep her energy levels well entertained.

Stripe is still having trouble with socialization but is doing well. Ive had to run him around the yard a few times before feeding to get him to go into his house so he can be hooked up and eat. He handles well after hes tied, loves to be pet but is really unsure of trusting me while hes loose even after being here this long.

Madeline is also on the same level and I hope that this summer, with some runs on the four wheeler, I can get them both to come out of their shells or find out what they need to allow me to help them adapt better to life in general.

The other thing that Ive been working with is my new cell phone ringers. Ive had a dinosaur phone for a long time and we finally upgraded to Alaska Digitel (a far better company than ACS for multiple reasons) and I finally have an updated phone!

My main ringer is Griffin barking, James' personal ringer is Spock barking (its only fitting that he gets the lead dog's voice!) and my mom's is Juno talking! Which, for those of you who have met Juno in person and heard her wonderful voice knows how much of a real crack up it is! I cant help but laugh when my mom calls. Its going to be interesting getting a call from her when I'm in a more public setting! : )

Griffin and Calypso are having their time in the house today while Spock, Juno and Gaea are outside in the dog yard. Gaea is still having trouble being quiet and is protesting yard life but shes getting the hang of it... slowly...

Ive got to get back to work and prep Riverboat Discovery's 2009 order... getting over $2000.00 of stock ready in two weeks is no small feat! And that's at our wholesale rate! It may be close to $3000.00 this year... we shall see...

If you have guests in town be sure to swing by there for a visit. Even if your not planning on taking the tour their gift shop is quite impressive!
www.riverboatdiscovery.com