On Dogs and Homes

In preparation for the wonderful day that I adopt my beautiful shelter pup, I've been reading all kinds of books and magazines about dogs and dog health. Now, keep in mind, that I grew up with having a dog. I think I can name every pet we ever had, and what happened to them: Cinders (cat), ran away when I was just over 1 year old. Spook (daschund), hit by a car when I was about 3. Cricket (mutt), we gave away in favour of keeping one of her pups. Tiger (Cricket's pup) died of old age at about 15. Topper was next (lab/shep cross), died of old age at 12. But even with all that practical experience, I think I should be up-to-date on all things doggy.

So yesterday I went out and bought this months' 'BARK' and 'Animal Wellness' magazines. So far I've enjoyed the read, and the stories from other dog lovers are great. Alot has changed in the way people treat their dogs and facilities and programs for pets now abound. Heck, even some hotels are dog friendly now!!!! Wow!!

One of the stories I read in 'BARK' magazine, made me think of the homeless guy that was visiting Sierra last week. The story in the magazine is about a womand named Lori Weise, who co-founded North Hollywoods' Downtown Dog Rescue. She has gone into some of the scariest and most dangerous neighbourhoods to help not only homeless dogs, but people. I guess in N.Hollywood, many low-cost housing places tell people that they have to make a choice...a roof over your head, or your dog! Alot choose to remain with their dog..perhaps the only thing that has every truely loved them. So Ms. Weise has helped take some of these dogs in for vetrinary service, licensing (if you don't have an address, you can't get a dog license), etc. She is doing amazing work GOOD ON YOU MS. WEISE.

This leads me back to the homeless guy. Now, I don't live in N. Hollywood, not even in the USA. I live in Canada in one of the most beautiful, progressive provinces our country has to offer. Why don't we have places like Downtown Dog Rescue? Or do we, and nobody really knows about it? I know we have our SPCA's, Pounds, and Shelters, and a few non-profit organizations, but do we have anyone that specifically deals with dogs of the homeless? Whether or not the guy who was visiting Sierra was part of her first family, I wonder if things would be different for him if he could have a dog, even a small one.

Look what having one has done for me; gotten me off my butt to finally buy a town house, something I should've done years ago, but was always discouraged from (that's another story). It's made me read up on dog nutrition, dog friendly places, even which parks allow dogs off leash. Having Sierra in my life has also made me calmer, my headaches ease up when I'm with her, she is a true joy in my life. So think what having all of that might mean for this homeless guy. Maybe a pup in his life would give him the motivation he needs to find a job and get a home, after all, the pup needs to eat. Maybe a pup is just what this guy needs; a little pure love to help get him back on track.

Sierra is mine, I hope this guy finds his.

How Odd!!

So I went to see my beloved pup at the shelter today. I only had half an hour for lunch, so decided to go and play with her for a bit. We had a great time, as I was leaving, I see this guy walk through the gate of the shelter and directly to Sierra. I think; HOW ODD!. Usually people come to the reception area first. I was in the reception area and I could hear her barking...not a happy bark, but a bit of a distress one. So I walk back out and see this guy at her dog run. Naturally, being her den mom, I walk over to see what this guy is doing. She doesn't pay any attention to him, she sees me and is jumping and running around (at the fence). Then this guy askes if she can go for a walk. I tell him to talk to the people at reception. Then tell him that I'm going to be adopting her soon.

He talks to me for a minute about how he can't have a dog right now, and coming down to see the dogs is the only joy he gets now. Anyways, I say goodbye to my pup again, and this guy and I walk away. I go back into reception and he leaves. Turns out this guy was pushing a shopping buggy...homeless.

Makes me wonder if he was Sierra's guardian before she was found as a stray. He didn't say anything about that, but I got to wondering later when I remembered her barking, etc.

I'm so happy I'll be able to adopt her. I've already gotten her food bowl, and a tug-of-war rope, plus a couple other little things.

I've been reading up on the RAW diet, also asking around. Looks like for her size I'll have to feed her around 8 cups of food a day. 4 in the morn and 4 in the evening (although if I feed her kibble, it's only a third of the amount...lots of fillers). She's older and not quite so active (not that she doesn't want to be). This is going to be a great learning experience...for both of us.

Wish Me Luck

The Sierra Chronicles

Wow!! what a day. I went to look at some town houses, now that I'm in the market. What some people are selling.....amazing. I looked at one place today that is listed at $312,000.00. A 3 bedroom town house. The place was filthy, the basement unfinished, the people who currently own it drilled holes through the walls on the 2nd foor so they could put TV and compter wires through to another room. The rooms weren't even beside each other...so you have these wires that run over the doors and across walls, with huge drill holes completely through the headers of the door ways.

Needless to say, I'm NOT buying that one.

All of this comes about because I am going to adopt Sierra. And we both need a place to live. I was telling my brother about her today and how she is with me, he said; "she chose you". And you know, he was right. It took her about a day to decide. Our first walk together was nice, she was companionable. Day two, she was just so great. I sat on a park bench and she comes up and puts her head against my stomach so I could scratch her. Totally unbidden, she just does these things. She loves to cuddle too.

Today I went out and bought her a ceramic food bowl, vinyl placemat (it has paws and bones around the edge), a tug-of-war toy and a portable water bowl. It's waterproof and folds up so you can carry it in your pocket when you go hiking. I'm going to try it tomorrow, see how it does. It's really exciting, having her in my life. She is my motivation to finally get off my butt and buy a place of my own. That in itself is exciting.

I plan to put her on the bones and raw food diet, so I've been reading the book by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, who developed it. Makes sense to me. This will be an interesting endevour.

Wish me luck!

Living with Paroxsymal Hemicrania

When I was diagnosed with Paroxsymal Hemicrania, I thought, great, at least the medication works, and I can see properly and hey, the headaches have subsided. But living with it...that's something else. What's it like? Well, say, you're walking along having a great day, feeling good, when suddenly, BAM, you feel like someone just hit the side of your face with a bat. Sometimes it feels like someone is crushing my head between their hands. It hits fast, sudden, and hard. Sometimes I can feel it come on, but not often...I just suddenly have trouble talking. Not because it affects my throat, just that the pain is so piercing, I need to concentrate on calming it down.

From what I understand, there is no known cause and no known cure for Paroxsymal Hemicrania, just that it could suddenly go away altogether, or go into remission for up to 18 months. Oh Joy!!

I've discovered something about the medication I'm on. If I've had to take it early in the day, I can't even have a glass of beer 12 hours later. Not only does it make me dizzy, but it eats my stomach. I've also discovered that work makes the headaches worse, could be the stress. But walking the dog makes it a bit better. Sunlight and red neon hurt the most, even red exit signs can hurt. I hope I don't have to deal with this for the rest of my life.

What puts me off most, is that because it's rare, no doctors really think of it, so they give you all this medication for other stuff, as they 'practice' medicine.