Monday | March 31, 2008

Pretty days...
I had planned to work on a blog entry, but computer-wise, nothing is behaving as it should. I've restarted the computer and router, but pages are slow to load and sometimes fail to load. It has taken forever to load these two pictures, views from our front door; I'm anxious to get outside now, as we have had THREE beautiful days in a row.
Will be back later. ~ Ann
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Here's Gracie, aptly named because she is a picture of gracefulness and graciousness:


Foxie and Morag are here for the day, as they often are, and Makalu, Shiloh, Timber and Max. Yes, and Spike the lizard.

Yesterday I forgot to feed Spike the lizard before we went out for Sunday brunch. However, she wreaked her revenge... when I returned and started to place her chopped greens into her terrarium, she spun around and whipped me with her spiked tail. All the lettuce went flying! I simply left it where it landed (all in Spike's enclosure), and she devoured it where she found it.

This afternoon I'm meeting with managers from a tourism business which promotes heliskiing and helihiking in our area. They have been purchasing my jams and jellies from a local outlet, and would like to form a "contract" to secure a steady supply. They have two separate facilities, so I can't anticipate whether they would like a few jars per week... or much more. I've decided what I would be ABLE to provide, so I will find out what they have in mind. It will be a lovely lunch meeting at any rate, being held at our local "Beanery" coffee shop.

Okay, onward and upward. Time to go play with dogs before the meeting. Ah, it's a living.

Thank you, my friends for visiting my weblog. ~ Ann

Posted by Ann at 10:05:18 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Friday | March 28, 2008

Pooped

Pardon the double entendre. We have a "full house" and I'm pooped. However, it's just what I want and what I love to do.

Later, I'll post some pictures. I tried to get everyone today, but it was difficult because the "real" work had to be accomplished. We have Mouse, Gracie, Taya, Buster, Belle, Beowulf, Chester, Foxy, Morag, Makalu, Shiloh, Molson, Pritchard, Smudge, Bailey, Max and Missy. Oh, and we have Spike the lizard, whose family "is owned by" Makalu and Shiloh. Most of my pictures suck. Tonight some dogs will go home, and on Saturday others will arrive. I didn't get a picture of Gracie yet, as she's in the indoor kennels, and I was outside with the camera.

I was invited to attend a short conference for women of my age group in town, so I have to run away. I'll come back and talk to you later this afternoon after I clip some doggy nails, brush some coats, and replenish water. Yes, and scoop poop, again.

Love, Ann

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Okay back now. The conference was quite nice; it is part of a grad student's research for a thesis. We filled out a survey which addressed health concerns specific to our area, and had a chance to discuss points (about wellness and availablility of health care) that were particularly relevant to women in our age group. There was even a light lunch offered.

The boarding dogs are having a sort of "siesta"... they really do gear down and rest for part of the afternoon. I'll adjust and load up some pictures now: Mouse (toy poodled),Taya (Caucasian Mountain Dog), Buster (Pyrenese cross), Buster, Buster, Belle (a rescued mixed breed beauty), Beowulf (Husky coyote cross) and Chester (handsome mixed breed), Foxy and Morag, two of my favourite boarder collies,Molson (Black Labrador) & Pritchard (ShihTzu cross), Makalu (gentle wolf hybrid), Shiloh (very special rescued dog) and Smudge (border collie crossed with... you can guess), Smudge, and playing together, Bailey (Appenzeller) and Max (charming retriever cross), Missy (gorgeous Yellow Lab) and, of course, Spike the Uromastyx.

Click on any picture to enlarge or print out, if wanted. I had these pictures organized by "rows" for identifying the individual portraits, but when I "Published" the blog, it didn't behave as I expected. I know you can figure it out.




This afternoon, Chico and her owner came for coffee. Chico didn't mind having her picture taken, even though her "Daddy" politely declined to have me take his photo.



I just came back indoors after throwing the ball (from the ball launcher) for our dog Lady, while the puppies Bailey and Max ran after her, back and forth. All of them are quite played out now.

Next step is getting supper together. It's Friday night, but we won't go out for Chinese... I'm making some here. I have roast pork with which to make sweet 'n' sour something, and all the fixings for fried rice. It'll be that simple.

Molson and Pritchard just went home, but they'll be back next week while their owners go on holiday. When the couple drove in, the cacophony of sound was UNBELIEVABLE, but by the time the vehicle was leaving, it was quiet again. We only have to go through that twice more this evening, as far as I know. It's still my dream job.

Talk to you soon, my friends. In the meantime, take care. ~ Ann
Posted by Ann at 10:24:09 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Sunday | March 23, 2008


Here are the boarding birdies. They share a cage and clearly adore each other. The cockatiel is Shamus and the budgie, Toohey.

It's quiet around here, which is fine. Even the boarding dogs all seem content until they spot a deer on the hill or a cat walks by the kennels. I've been outside for all the usual chores and petting and playing, and now it's siesta time.

The weather is changing... yesterday seemed like spring and I worked outside quite a bit, tidying the greenhouse and the yard. As well, I took my Dremel tool to some rock chips on my truck and then daubed paint on the spots to prevent rust. Today the weather sucks: there's a bitterly cold wind and there are a few snowflakes in the air!

Baked Gary a little cake for "Easter dinner" and am just generally relaxing. We didn't make any big plans. It's my sister's birthday, and I phoned to wish her a Happy one. I phoned Myrtle too, and found her feeling completely miserable due to a variety of symptoms; what a worry this is, and I will try to make plans to get there.

Might talk to you good folks later. Love, ~ Ann

Posted by Ann at 12:27:22 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday | March 21, 2008

Busy Easter weekend...

We have a truly "full house" this "holiday" time. It's Easter weekend and the end of a school break. Every kennel is full and there are a few guests in the house as well.

There's a first time for everything. In my 24 years of boarding pets, I hadn't had a lizard to care for:

This is "Spike", a young female Uromastyx . Spike is reclusive, but I propped her plastic rock house up and put her chopped lettuce under it, and in just a few minutes, she was grabbing her meal. It was fun to get a picture of her, but felt even more rewarding that she IS eating. I was worried, because as with many pets, the change of surroundings can be disturbing.

Another sensitive soul is Shasta, but she is fitting right in. She is an English Pointer, 11 years old. Shasta is an indoor dog, but no trouble in the house at all. She gets along with Lady, our dog, and Aurora (pictured last blog post) and other dogs who are in our home full or part-time.

As well, we have Missy, Buster, Makalu, Shiloh, Beowulf, Chester, Belle, Gracie, Max, Mocha, Molson, and Pritchard boarding, and our own outdoor dog, Buddy. That's just the other dogs.

We have a boarding cat, whose name I forget, but who comes to "Kitty", of course. The sound of us opening any tin of salmon or cat food will bring him anyway. We also have a cockatiel Shamus, and a budgie bird Toohey (named after the Aussie beer).

Wednesday after I was out for dinner with friends, I was sitting at the desk reading email, and wondering why the computer chair was squeaking. I would move, and it seemed to make a noise, and then I'd move again, and it wouldn't. I was just wondering where to apply the WD40 to this chair when I realized that Shamus the cockatiel was sitting on the bookcase beside me, chirping! I had been warned that he was an "escape artist", and sure enough, he had chewed off a twist tie from the door of his cage and liberated himself! It was uneventful to recapture him... since he declined to step onto a dowel, I gently placed a tea towel over him and returned Shamus to his cage.

Gary went to ski Jasper overnight this week on Wednesday/Thursday. He took the camera. There won't be too many ski trips left this winter, and Gary is happy to have found a friend in our town who is like-minded about skiing.

Gary at Knob Peak... you can see his tracks behind him. Next picture is looking downhill from Knob Peak. Third photo: rugged terrain looking south from the ridgeline at the top (you can take the chair lift only so far, then it's a hefty hike to the peak).

Will talk to you later! It's a beautiful day for working outside. ~ Ann
Posted by Ann at 08:44:34 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Sunday | March 16, 2008

Aurora & Pickles & Chico

Here is Aurora, whose family is having a little holiday during Easter and Spring Break.

As usual, click to enlarge or print.

Here is Pickles, another treasured visitor:


We went to breakfast, as usual, today, and to our delight, the owners of the diner had decided to start their buffet at 9 a.m.. I thought I was going to be able to devour much more than I actually did, but still, the eggs benedict were scrumptious and well worth the price.

During the week, we had a few "old pals" of the canine type, stay with us. Here is Chico, a "top dog" belonging to our dear human friends:

It's an "older" picture, I confess.

We also had Tika, who you've met, and other familiar ones come and go. At the moment, we're also boarding a cockatiel, a budgie and a gorgeous cat. We have Missy, Smudge, Pritchard, Molson and Buster outside at the moment.

I guess I'll run along. It's a lovely day... crisp but sunny. ~ Ann
Posted by Ann at 11:00:30 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday | March 14, 2008

Joey

This is the puppy that one of my chat friends has welcomed into her family:

This little whippet is, as you would expect, dainty as can be, and the astonishing colour "blue". Thanks for sharing this picture with me, P.

I've had a good week... a few dogs to groom and a few to board. I'm waiting for several to come for Easter break.

Today I got my hair cut and went to a "Daffodil Tea" which is a fundraiser for Cancer research. It's a light-hearted luncheon and time to visit, marking a dreadful disease that seems to lurk around every corner.

It's looking like Spring! So much snow has disappeared in the past week. I've finally ordered my perennials, trees and shrubs, and managed to keep the lot under $4000. I phoned to get a load of wood chips for paths and display areas around the yard. Today I visited with a friend who grows annuals, and we are "collaborating" on a big opening weekend in May. We'll have plant sales and "open our doors for the season" at the same time. Hopefully, gardeners will come back and forth while out and about, during those first few days especially. I'll send customers to Sarah and she'll send customers to me.

Sarah also had raspberries that she could share with me, from her freezer. I'm thrilled to have 15 pounds of clean fresh-frozen raspberries for jam making, so guess what I'm doing tomorrow?

Nothing else is different from usual around here. Thanks for stopping by! ~ Ann
Posted by Ann at 17:47:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Sunday | March 09, 2008

ah Sunday

Just got back from Sunday brunch with friends. We've been going to a different restaurant because the food is better; however, the seating isn't as comfortable and the coffee is dreadful. I wish there were more choices. This restaurant offers a breakfast buffet, but that doesn't start until 10 AM... and we don't want to start out that late. We want to dine at nine!

I'm determined today to compose my perennials and shrubs and trees orders. I've been procrastinating for weeks, nay, months! I feel that the winter has gone by very fast, and it hasn't been very long since I felt completely burned out from gardening and selling. I'm just now starting to feel enthused again about opening our wee Garden Centre for the season, and that is due to happen in less than two months.

Life continues as usual. I had a GREAT day for my birthday... I guess one is never too old to enjoy the companionship, accolades, gifts and good wishes. I hope that at times I can make others feel as appreciated as I felt.

I'll show you the ring that Gary asked his daughter to make for me. The setting incorporates a nail which comes from the shoe of a "true black" horse, which, in Eastern lore, is extremely good luck. I had asked Gary some years ago for a "horseshoe nail ring", but had envisioned an ordinary nail curled around my finger (I had one such ring in my youth, but lost it). Never had I imagined that art like this could be crafted from such a nail. Thank you both.

During the week, I had the privilege to care for quite a few dogs for other people. However, the only guest I got a picture of is Shelby, this fine and dainty black lab:

Click to enlarge and save or print out these photos.

Shelby didn't have to be confined full time, she was totally obedient for "recall". The only time she sat still, however, was when I lifted her up to take her photo, and she didn't feel quite secure on top of the dog house.

Five dogs went home last night, and we have just three boarding at the moment. Aside from a modicum of housework, I'm going to take it easy (again) today. I worked hard enough on my birthday when there were lots of pets to care for, puddles to play in (draining lakes!) and other things.

Take care everyone. Thank you for your friendship. ~ Ann

My website: AnnSchwartz.com . You can find pages of gardening links and pictures, pet gallery, links for frugal living and cooking, and more. Needs updating, but... oh well.
Posted by Ann at 10:50:32 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Thursday | March 06, 2008

I'm beat...

Today I groomed a large golden retriever, who I didn't photograph. He was gentle and smart, but so busy. I'd be grooming on one part of him, when suddenly he'd "swap ends", and if he could press his big head on my hand while I tried to work, he would do so. I'm exhausted, but thankful for the work.

This is another dog I groomed today. This terrier mix is named "HUPE", which means "horn honk" in German, I am told. When Hupe was born, he was so weak that he had to be bottle fed, and even his voice was unusual... when he learned to bark, he made the "hupe" sound. Hupe understands a lot of German, and I don't speak it, but we got along perfectly well. He even seemed joyful after his bath and clipping, and acted like a puppy. Here he sits on Gary's chair, awaiting his owner.

On Tuesday I fixed up this dog, who looks like a bearded collie mix. She was adopted from a shelter and has a most loving family now:

I've had two dogs to groom each day, all week. It might not seem like much, but with the other work, is perfect for me. I like this pace, and there's no way I'd trade it for working in a grooming shop in which I'd have to groom 6 dogs or more per shift. I will soon have to allow time to run the little garden centre and do my own gardening, and I'm starting to look forward to that.

Here's a beautiful girl who we boarded early in the week. This is "Whistle"

As usual, these pictures can be clicked on to enlarge them, and print out if desired.

Going to run along and finish putting supper together. Tonight, the meal is a medley of roast chicken and roast pork tenderloin in a curry sauce, with steamed vegetables and white rice.  Love you for reading my blog. ~ Ann

Posted by Ann at 17:33:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Monday | March 03, 2008

Mika & Rinka

Want a kiss?

We were privileged to babysit these lovely girls over the weekend. The rottweiller is "Mika" and the bullmastiff cross is "Rinka". They are both gentle dogs who get along well with humans and other canine guests, and Lady too, of course. They were allowed throughout the house, but could usually be found right on the warm porch on their beds.

The couple who own Mika and Rinka visited our area for the sledding. They reported that on the "Renshaw" was extremely busy on Saturday (with at least 200 sleds/snowmobiles), but on Sunday there were only about 80 sleds, and plenty of brand new powder. Our town treasures the business that all tourism brings. Thank you!

I'd better run along. Have two small dogs to groom today and a few boarders to attend to as well. Will try to pick this up again soon. ~ Ann
Posted by Ann at 07:55:44 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |