Ann’s Weblog

I promised that I would publish pictures of my Great Dane guest.

I’m surprised that the pictures give little indication of this dog’s enormity; he is about 200 pounds and VERY tall (I’d go measure him right now, but he’s sleeping peacefully). Otis also looks THIN in the photo, and he is most certainly NOT thin; his ribs and backbone do not show when he’s standing; he’s in GREAT shape. He obligingly crept up onto the sofa when I asked him to, and though he mostly covered the breadth of TWO cushions, he still doesn’t look so big in the photos. I guess nothing looks that large when it’s folded up! He is a gentle giant.

The medium-small dog who lives with Otis was rescued/adopted from a BEACH in Mexico about a year ago. The family named her “Chica Bonita”, and this sweet gal had a litter of puppies very soon after arriving in Canada at her new home! The owner took some care to tell me a few of the dog’s idiosyncracies, but she, too, has been a model guest. After a day in our home, I could see why the family fell in love with her and removed her from an uncertain, feral life.

We have what we consider to be a “full house” in the Pet Hostel at the moment. Most of the canine guests are accustomed to sleeping indoors at night, and so that is how we care for them here. There are more dogs coming before and for Christmas, and most of the ones we have now are going to be gone. There’s something new every day around here, and it’s a delightful business to me.

Aside from the kennels keeping me busy, I have Raggedy Ann doll orders to fill. I have most of the five bodies made (two still need their torsos stuffed), and about half of the clothing. I’m running out of time, but I might be able to complete the dolls by Monday or Tuesday and send them by expedited mail. I have not promised these dolls for Christmas/Hannukah delivery, but that’s what I’m aiming for.

Thank you, dear reader, for being interested in my weblog. Will try to write again soon. ~Ann

Because my husband Gary needs to gain some weight, I have been making him some milkshakes and “smoothies” to supplement wholesome meals. We’ve experimented with several kinds of yogurt, and, because Gary’s not lactose intolerant, I’ve used milk, cream and ice cream in some of these culinary creations. I add frozen berries and/or bananas, and then whey powder and flax oil for their health benefits.

Many months ago, I bought flax oil from our local health food store. After mixing it in a salad dressing, I decided I didn’t care for the taste of it very much, and the bottle ended up, forgotten, in the back of the fridge until Gary suggested that he should have flax oil in his health regime. So… OUT came the oil, and I’ve been adding it to the shakes, all the while convinced that it nearly spoiled the lovely creamy fruity taste of those treats.

This afternoon Gary picked up the bottle of flax oil from the fridge (I assume to either read whether it was organic, or to decide if we should BUY more soon)… and noted that the “flavour” that I’d chosen was GARLIC and RED PEPPER! I’d been adding this savoury blend to all the lovely smoothies and other concoctions!

Certainly led to some understanding why the flax oil seemed too strong to add to the sweet drinks!

So… this was the laugh of the day, on myself.

Thank you for stopping in.

~Ann