The Countdown Starts

The Sierra Chronicles.

I went out today looking at town houses for poochie and I and may have found one. It has 3 bedrooms and a small fenced yard, nice little kitchen, and one of the best bits...it backs onto a green belt. Forest everywhere, trails of all kinds. Just right for an adventurous pooch and her guardian. Now my parents tell me they've heard of a couple places near them going up for private sale. I'll find out sometime next week, I hope one of them is in my price range. So I'll wait a bit on making my decision.

In the meantime, May 10th is the official day I adopt Sierra. This is proving to be the longest month in my personal history. Waiting isn't always hard, but for this puppy it is. So to help me feel better, I bought her her walking harness this past week, it's called a Sensi-ble harness. It goes around her chest and front legs, and snaps on at her underbelly. It's the same as the shelter uses for her. Today I bought her a 42" circular sleeping pillow at Costco for only $20.99. I'm amazed that they could have something that size at such a low price, considering that if you went to a pet store for one like it, you'd be paying almost $60.00 if not more.

Today on the trail we were sitting on a bench having a rest when these 2 women (Mom & daughter?) walked by with a 1 1/2 yr old dog. Can't remember what mix, but border collie and something seems to stick. Anyways, the dog decided to come see Sierra for a visit, they started playing while I spoke with the Mom & daughter. It was really cute watching the two play; Sierra outweighs and out-sizes the other dog, but played only as rough as the other one. While all this was going on a guy with what looked like a shepherd, collie, wolf cross walks by. His dog isn't on a leash. It runs up and starts to go after the younger dog, Sierra jumps off the bench, stood in front of the younger one and was ready to attack. I've never seen her like that. She is so protective. The Mom & daughter commented on how amazed they were that Sierra just jumped up to protect their dog. Of course all the OOHH's and AAH's started. The other dog walked away with it's guardian, the guy never even appologised. Didn't put it on a leash either.

Wonder if they will be on the trail tomorrow.

In the meantime, Wish Us Luck!

Dogs: Our Heros, Our Lifesavers

I guess another name for this blog could be 'Ode to a Dog'.

Another blogger, All Things Repeat, was kind enough to comment on yesterday's blog about how dogs can be true motivators and lifesavers for us.
A.T.R., I'm so happy you have your miniature american eskimo to help you through the hard times. Your comments made me think of others I know who's love of a dog, not only helped to give them direction and focus to their lives, but in some cases helped them to keep going day after day.

One of these people is a collegue and good friend. She was at a very difficult point in her life and, I can't remember how, but she found this lovely little teddy-bear pommeranian. That dog is so much a part of who my friend is. My friend had dreamt or been told of an angel coming into her life, I'm not sure if she was skeptical or not, but after she found and adopted Chloe (the pom.), she found out the dogs' name had previously been Angel. This cute, cuddly little dog, is kind of stand-offish at first. It took almost a year of working in the same office for her to trust me enough to cuddle in my arms and fall asleep. I don't blame her, she was there for my friend (her Mom), I was just an aunt. My friend had another dog, Sully, her and her husband adopted. Sully was some kind of poodle mix with a wonderfully gentle nature. He used to come with them to work too. Sully and I got on so well, that my friend asked that if anything happened to her and her husband, sould I take care of Sully. Naturally, I was happy to agree. Thus I became Sully's God Mother...and he my Dog-son.

Oops, I'm getting off track. The point of all this is that Chloe helped my friend through her hard times, and even continues to monitor my friends' health by sniffing her breath.

Another friend of mine has a few dogs. One in particular helped her to keep going. This friend was (at one point in her adult life), suicidal. The care of the dog, the unconditional love this dog gave, the non-judgemental attitude of the dog, kept her going, even when the love of her family failed. Now, that's a strong influence, whether we realize it or not. I mean, if your family fails where a dog succeeds...
Maybe it's just that judgemental thing. Dogs don't comment on the conversation you are having with it, they never tell you what they think is best for you, they never degrade or abuse you. All they do is listen, and like A.T.R. said, lick your tears away, with love that comes from somewhere so deep within and without, it's impossible for me to fathom.

I know I may offend a few people by saying this, but I truely believe it's no coincidence that dog spelt backwards is God. I don't mean that dogs are the personification of God, just that God in the infinite wisdom it is, said "humans, as a species, need something that will teach them love, pure love. They need something they can see and interact with everyday, something that also protects them. I think I will create an animal with all these qualities, to remind humans there is a God".

Oh, the picture at the top is one I took when Sierra and I were out for a walk in a canyon. I wanted to get a picture of how high up we were. We were a few feet from the edge, there were no clouds nor mist when I took the picture, and yet when I opened the picture on my computer, there was this funky cloud. Hmmmm....makes you wonder.

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