Gone Drivin'.......

Ever just want to get away and go driving ?   Try taking the dog.   This is Jamoka, known as Moka to his friends, and here he is driving / protecting his Daddy's truck.    Moka was a Lab / Pit Bull cross , or that was my best guess.   He found me when I was living in Springfield , IL , walking in a park with my other three dogs.   It was the time of the IL State Fair and I was just sure that someone had lost this magnificent boy.  I took him to be vet checked, got his shots, heart worm and flea treatment then took him home.  Ran fliers everywhere for him and adds in the newspaper.  No one ever called.  One family came to look at him to adopt but Moka made it clear to me he had already found his home and had no intention of going anywhere.
So he stayed.  But not before he enjoyed cross country travel.   His Daddy was living in New Jersey and drove to Springfield to pick him up.   From there they drove back to New Jersey where he lived for nearly a year.  He was privy to going to work with Dad at the prison , as well as long hikes in the parks.   Moka's favorite wild "toy"  was turtles.  I recall a story his  Dad told me of one turtle Moka brought back to him.  The head was inside his mouth along with most of the shell.  To his Daddy's horror, he saw it was a snapping turtle.  Moka , being a gentle soul, never harmed these animals.  He seemed to be treasure hunting and sharing.
Moka adored riding ... anywhere.  He was hurt if he didn't get to go along.   Didn't matter if it was a fast trip to the store or a drive across country.   He made a great theft deterrent as his deep bark and low growl told would be evil doers to stand back from "His"  truck.   I deeply enjoyed pointing things out to him through the window and seeing him look and bark at various cows, pigs, deer, or dogs that flew past and we drove.  
Moka has gone now but he holds a very special place in my heart.  I can still see his brindle tail wagging when I would come in the front door,  see him fetching a toy to exchange for cookies, and laying his beautiful head on my lap, looking up at me with intelligent eyes and saying  "I love you Mommy"
What a dog !!  He is so missed.   May your days be filled with rides in the truck, turtles, and endless swimming.  Know that your Daddy and I hold a place right next to us for you still.


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Gone Fishin'.....................

Grace's latest sport is fishing.   For all you men out there who want to have a pal to take along who does not talk while you are waiting for them to bite,  here is your girl.     One morning I had just fed the fish in the 44 flat back hex tank when Grace leaped up on the arm of the chair and stared into the tank.   She was fascinated to see those tiny creatures swimming so close , yet so far.   Wet nose pressed to the glass, she waited, when one swam up to her she tried to bite them though the glass and was delighted to see them swim quickly away.   She found this to be a much better vantage point than when she was on the floor, two front paws pushing against the tank and me yelling  "Oh No Grace !"  as she nearly pushed it over.
Like all other creatures she encounters, the fish like her.   They come right up to the glass , teasing her.   The Mollys are the worst.  They like to play in the bubble stream and it drives Grace wild.
Of course, I have to clean nose prints off the glass every day now that she has her new sport and I am thankful she likes to be involved in the fish feeding.
Thinking she might like bigger fish, I took her to the lake.   Well, no one told her one has to get into the water... like taking a bath... to find real fish.   So that game was out.   However when the boats went by and the waves made the wake upon the shore she delighted in the sounds and I encouraged her to catch the "creature"  that lurked beneath the water.  Of course there are so many new smells at the lake for a dog whose true business is with her nose. 
For as many years as I have had dogs I have taken them to lakes and rivers.   A peaceful place, usually quiet with any people there trying to escape the hustle of life.   When Trigger would go fishing on private lakes, I would let him off lead and he would go visit each person on the bank.   Early on he had discovered that often people carry wonderful smelling liver as bait and when he sat quietly and stared at them they would smile and offer it to him.   He acted as a patrol dog when we would camp on the rivers edge all night.   The coyotes would often visit and he was ever the one to alert with barking and growling of any intruder to the camp site.
You like boats?   Well so do dogs.   From the John boat to the cabin cruiser, my "kids" have ridden many.   Willingly jumping in and staring over the edge into the vast nothingness as one drove along.  My Doberman, Echo used to love to stand on the bow, the water splashing her face and the wind blowing her ears back as the boat drove across the lake.
From the back woods rivers to the big lakes, taking your pup with you can make the experience much nicer.  A dog tends to lighten the mood, give you a pal to chat with while you sit, someone to confide all your secrets to, and a constant guard of you and your valuables.    Fishing and dogs is a natural combination bringing delight to both dog and human.


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Amazing Grace

Meet Grace .
A foster beagle with personality plus a whole lot more.  I was given this dog on Good Friday and was trying to think of a name.  The Sandy Hook school shooting had been on the news.   Feeling sad as I watched the little faces of the children while I held the latest love in my arms, I saw the face of Grace.    A beautiful blond haired, blue eyed smiling child.   The name touched me and I looked down and called the new pup Grace. 
 This sweet pup came to me as a "dump" on the city streets.  She was being feed by many and just ran loose for months.   Each breed of dog offers it's own challenges and strengths and my first thought upon seeing her was ... "Beagle.. oh my"
Needless to say she has stolen my heart with her whimsical ways and high level of intelligence.   She is a service dog candidate and learning quickly.   Some dogs want to learn, others play, and a few please every moment of their day.
After we got past the explanation of why we don't bay at everything in the city limits she progressed rapidly.  Daily she astounds me with reaching far beyond her limits to learn.   She loves to "find"  treasure for me.   One day it was a huge turtle walking on the other side of the fence in the brush, other days it is a cat hidden in the long grasses that line the front fence.   Every day we play "squirrel tag".   Not familiar with this game?  I'll explain.   Grace invented it.   She used to run full blast to the back fence and chase the squirrels off their feeders , sending them scatting up the trees.   Soon she decided that was not fulfilling to her.   She began to watch them from the back step.   Waiting till they were busy eating then slowly sneaking down , inch by inch, raising her paw and pointing in a stock still position called  "Whoa" .    I thought to myself, this dog is part Pointer.   Showing her high degree of intelligence, if there was a squirrel on a feeder the was a bit farther from the trees, she would make her way to the side lot (adjacent to the main and fenced)  and slowly stalk from over there.   In essence coming up behind the busy squirrel.  With this method she was able to get within feet of the feeder.   As she made her way the last few feet I would see her turn her head away when the squirrel looked at her, only stepping forward when he looked away.   I truly believe the squirrels enjoy this mentally stimulating game.    She never catches them, I don't think she intends to.   The little guy scampers up the tree and will look down at her flashing his tail.   Since the squirrel never "barks"  at the dog , I believe they are not fearful of her.
"Tag"  is a wonderful source of exercise and endless amusing mental stimulation.
It has been quite awhile now that Grace has been  "Amazing"  me.   She comforts me when I am sad, hurrying to my side from a sound sleep before I even know I am needing her.   She cuddles with me in bed, keeping me safe and cozy with her velvety soft ears.  Her awareness of my mental state, whether it be happy or sad, and her willingness to share and comfort makes her a fantastic candidate as a service dog.  Gentle and loving people of all ages she fits in well with every encounter.   Grace offers me a lot of material to write about.   Every day she will bring laughter to me and when the cold beagle nose presses firmly against my nose, her staring into my eyes with that soulful look asking "What are we gonna do today Mom ?"     I can't help but smile and say  "I don't know yet Grace but whatever it is will be fun with you !"


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Fly Chasin' .....

Meet Spike....
Purebred Toy Fox Terrier.... been through pure Hell.
One of my Foster Kids,  he came to me as a lost cause.    Normally a courageous breed, Spike's former owner had worked hard to whittle him down to a quivering yelping mass of dog.    I saw in his eyes his spirit was still alive so I worked to find his strengths.
His fears were simple..................... Everything.   Noise, movement, touch, new things, old things in new places.  We started small,  he loved to eat.   So all his food came from my hand.  From there we moved to working for food.  Learning to signal for going outside, showing excitement when I did, staying close when I spoke loudly, and following.   Once those were mastered we worked on much harder skills.   Touching and moving him was one of those.  He yelped when picked up, positioned, feet touched, held, nearly anything.   His tummy grew and so did his self esteem as we gathered our new "tricks" about us.   He learned how to use steps, sit, down, come, and ride in the car.   Soon we were well on our way to a modified version of the original boy.   Being eight years old, he was sort of set in those patterns and when I added another foster dog he started to bloom.
Show and tell taught him so much.   Pack behavior brings a dog back to its roots and often is the only hope for those so severely traumatized.  Spike has developed into his own little man now.  We still work every day on new things and old.   He hates the leash on his neck but the harness is getting him to walk better.   He was very afraid of the doggie doors , in fact he had to be carried outside and a person stand with him while he walked about two feet away to do his business then raced back.   Once I showed him the squirrels feeding on the back fence he began to realize leaving my side was not so much terror.  Now he can come in through the dog doors and will race to the back fence when let out alone.
His favorite and best exercise is fly chasing.   As I said, I encourage all things a dog is good at, and he is good at this.    His little ears stand up and he watches then ... SNAP... he grabs it mid flight.
I heap praise upon him and he falls into my arms for cuddles and kisses.   I am not sure if Spike will ever regain his former glory before he was abused, but I do know I am giving him a chance to open his spirit again.    I hope someday a loving home takes this fine little gentleman in to further cultivate his growth and love. 


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Days Gone Bye.............

Days Gone Bye....................
For many years I have had my own dogs , foster, and stray.   From a very young age I found dogs and I had a real connection.    We seemed to be able to read one another through a secret language.  Fearless and maybe stupid, every dog I saw was a new friend when I was a child.   My parents greatly discouraged this becuase , as we all know , not all dogs love all people.   I quickly befriended all the neighborhood animals, dogs  and cats.   People began asking me to pet sit from the tender age of 10 and I was greatful for the time to spend with my favorite animals.
Not having a pet of my own , I would spend endless days walking, playing, and trying to teach the dogs in our area new tricks.   Soon I had all the dogs that were thought of as "toss asides"  doing tricks for their owners.   As years went by and I headed to college I vowed to get my own dog.  Living off campus I found my first puppy drowning in a river.   I named him Trigger.  A mix he surely was of dubious decent.   Mom looking like a Lab / Shepherd,  Dad being the neighborhood wanderer,  Trigger grew to a compact 20 pound boy.    Never more did I love a dog.  Still in college and wanting the dog to be with me, I worked hard at his manners.  Soon Trigger was coming to all my college classes , sitting quietly on the floor at my feet.    People marveled at how stable this dog was.    He had a genuine love for all people and a knack for knowing when someone was up to no good.  He protected my car and me on long walks at night through campus and enjoyed all the luxuries of close relationships with people.
Back then I had no idea how to train a service dog, let alone what one was, but he was my first role model.   In all things, this first dog and our close companionship taught me so much of what I know today.   Named after a childhood neighbors dog whom I also adored, Trigger showed me the value of patience and positive reinforcement.   He taught me courage comes in small packages and never to give up.   Trigger has long since taken his trip over the rainbow bridge but he left behind a legacy to all others.
I never hem my dogs of today in.  I allow the creativity of each one to flow naturally and encourage all forms of communication.  Thus the dogs learn.   From the abused , fearful, laid back, willful, or aggressive, they all learn how to "talk"  with me.  Our unspoken language lets them grow and flourish into the best they can be.   Soon their strengths are revealed and their self worth grows producing the very best animal to share one's life with. 


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