Spa Day

So here I am after a day at the "spa." My groomer (Bark 'R Boutique in Spokane www.barkrboutique.com ) added a bunch of new services and boy am I happy about it. Margaret rubbed sugar into my dry skin. Wow that felt good. Being a diabetic makes my skin really dry, so all that pampering made me feel wonderful. Ok, that stuff is normally for girls, but having someone massage my skin felt grrrrrreat!

Then there was the toenail clipping with a dremel tool, and teeth brushing. I really hate my teeth brushed but I do know it's supposed to be good for me. snarl. Then Mom bought me a new collar, which looks pretty snazzy. All in all it was a good day to be gone from home.

You know, both dogs and humans need pampering. Dogs especially need regular grooming and/or a "spa treatment." People should do the same or they start smelling like us dogs. I've been told that I stink sometimes, but you should smell some humans...wow...knock me down with the odor. At any rate, a spa day for everyone is always a good idea.

Interesting Experiences

So here I am, jammed in the doggy door to the garage, with a blanket stuck to my head. And it almost looks like I'm stepping out of Heaven into reality (all that bright light and stuff on my nice white fur). When I saw the picture I thought I must be losing it. But maybe not.

You know, we dogs have an uncanny knack for knowing things that you humans tend to miss.Did you know that Great Danes, for example, were once thought of as extremely spiritual dogs who could detect the presence of demons? Yep. My Mom's Newfoundland, Joshua could do the same. One day he paced in front of the television until she turned the channel to "Patton." Then he settled down and went to sleep- but the original channel was set to "Stepford Wives." Smart dog, I say.

I pretty much get along with everyone most of the time but there are a few people I don't care for. They just give me the heebie-geebies. It's kind of funny, but my Mom's friends who were once criminals or cops,and some Christians and relatives, seem to be fine around me. Others, not so much.

One night I was so worried about intruders that I laid down in front of the door! There were police all over the front yard with their flashing lights- and I just didn't want to take the chance, so I took my nap in front of the door. Let them come over the top of me. Good luck, I say. There is always more to a situation than you might think. The spiritual reality is pretty normal for us. So enjoy the blanket on my head and the bright light in the background, and know that it's because that's where I live most of the time: in a different realm.

Mom's Funny

Well, Mom is back to "normal", at least 99% of the time. But I have to tell you, she's a riot.

A few days ago she took me to the grocery store with her. I'm pretty sure she forgot I was in the car,'cause she was gone a really long time. She apologized to me, and said something about forgetting something or another. My legs were crossed from having to go pee, but other than that it was ok.

She told me that a few days after her hospital stay she put face cream in her hair. I didn't get to see that, but it sounded like something out of an old slapstick comedy routine. (Don't tell her I said that, ok?)

She put the paprika on a shelf by the telephone instead of in the cupboard where it belonged. Pretty comical that no one in the house noticed it there. When her brain came back, she moved it.

Of course, the people in charge of the house while she was "out" put all the bowls in the wrong cupboard. They also melted one of the plastic bowls in the dishwasher. It went from round to oval in one easy swipe. She had to fix those little things too. So, see? She does have more than one brain cell.

All in all, she is doing very well. Her brain is being restored and she only ties her shoes wrong every other day instead of every day. She's getting there. :)

Whatta Week this has been!

Well, Mom had a brain bleed...no, I mean a real one!

You know Dad's just not as good at giving me those shots as Mom is. She gets it right in the correct spot everytime. Dad, not so much. I think he jams it in there just to bug me. It makes me squeal.

So, for you crazy folks, it was quite the mess. She had to go to the hospital because she started to get aphasia (ephagia). Don't ask me how to spell it, I just know she had it. She could spell it, but she couldn't tell you what was happening. ??? She only knew she had something awful.
She told her friend and got some help quickly, so it wasn't too bad.
It could have been way worse.

As it is she's a little scattered these days. She isn't an invalid, but she does have her moments. Complete lockdown. It's very entertaining.

I definitely appreciate her when all is said and done- she's my friend. I don't want anything to happen to her.

Taking Care of Business

As you all know, I'm diabetic. Every morning at around 4 something, Mom gets up and gives me my shot with some breakfast. Every evening about 12 hours later, she gives me my shot with dinner. she is really faithful about it. I know she's helping me, even though sometimes it really hurts. She always takes care of business.

There are a lot of people who can't do that much work for even people, let alone an old dog like me. So I thought I'd ask you this- if a family member of yours got sick and needed shots everyday, would you do what was necessary to preserve their life?
What about an animal? If it was a normally healthy pet, would you help them or just put them down because it was inconvenient?

Life is full of unexpected turns. If humans don't help each other, or even help their pets, then there is a heart issue that needs to be addressed. The Bible says that the "tender mercies of the wicked are cruel; but the righteous (good) man takes care of his animals." If people can't take care of their pets, then they probably can't take care of each other either.

As a pet myeslf, I think that love is a two-way street. If Mom takes good care of me, then I will be there for her. Of course if a burglar has treats, he might get the TV before I bite him. That's fair, don't you think?

Too Hot In North Idaho

Wearing a fur coat is not good when it's 90 degrees outside. RileySue and I have stayed pretty much in the garage today where it's shady. Hot, but shady. Even when Mom went outside to water the plants, we just could't bring ourselves to go outside and walk with her. (Pant)

Today I heard on the TV that a Navy medic made a bomb threat against a high school. That would be like my vet making a bomb threat against a dog breeder. ??? What's the problem? What was going through his head?

He was only 22 years old (a little over 3 years old in dog years- pretty young). You know, young dogs ahould always get exercise, discipline and affection according to Cesar Millan. I think this kid probably got the exercise and discipline( well at least in the military you get that), but he obviously didn't get any affection as a puppy. I mean kid.

I think you humans need to watch out for that while raising your children. Don't forget to show them a lot of love and that life matters. It is precious and important- otherwise they could grow up aggressive. And of course then you'll have to retrain them behind bars. Not a good plan.

Peace and Quiet

At last everyone has gone home and the house is quiet again. Mom has had company since June pretty much nonstop. She has been ok with it, but you could tell she was freaked out about the dirt that everyone tracked through the house. RileySue seemed a little stressed too. Then there was me- I LOVE company. I get more pets and my friend Jerome sneaks me pieces of meat from his plate. I really like that.

I heard the other day that people are all angry over a man in our area who shot a grizzly mother who was coming after his children. Is that a little weird? I'm a herding breed myself, and I'd defend my family so why can't he? I love my cousins of other species, but if you mess with my family, I'll bite you. (No, I'll take you out). It's sad that he had to do it, but when it comes to family or danger, I'll chose my family.

One of Mom's friends had a black bear come through his living room window one night and he had to shoot it. Now my Mom loves bears, but if one comes through the window, it's time to act because it means they're not thinking normally. Most bears avoid people- unless something is wrong or like the grizzly it had cubs.

Now since I wasn't there I don't know if the man over-reacted (humans do that a lot, I've noticed) or whether an attack was imminent. But since both humans and bear were defending their young, I'd have to go with the human on this one.