Ann’s Weblog

I don’t know why I’m glad that it’s Sunday, as it’s rarely actually a day of rest for me. I awoke at 6 a.m. as it was just starting to rain, and thought, ” Oh, okay, if it’s going to rain, there are things I have to do.”

Soon I was getting dogs indoors that would have been fine had it not rained (and who seem unwilling to use the shelter provided!), therefore I was glad that it hadn’t started to rain at 4 a.m.. I have kennels in our house and kennels in my grooming shop, and all of the outdoor runs have shelter, so everyone is A-OK.

Boarding this weekend are Bonnie and Goldie (again, not “still” from 3 weeks ago when I last blogged), and Shelby, Ranger and Annie, Lily, Duke and Duchess (again, not still), Pritchard, Buddy, Shea and Gizmo, Smudge, Muskwa and Tika. Those are just the dogs, in addition to dear McKenna, who belongs to my eldest daughter, and our own Lady and Buddy. Boarding birds are Toohey the budgie, and a cockatiel whose name I forget (who wouldn’t come even if I called), and we have a cat guest, Sam.

Bonnie and Goldie have been here many times. Goldie has a traumatic experience in her background, and is not as composed as most dogs. A few years ago, she was found tied to an old car in the “bush” in a remote area, where it was a miracle that she was found. A friend of a friend happened to find the big beautiful yellow dog, and gave her to her “forever” owner, who since, of course, has treated her like gold. Bonnie is her sidekick, and equally dear to us.

I confess that the above pictures are “on file” photographs, as must be evident by the autumn leaves and the SNOW! Left to right are Pritchard, with Molson, then Ranger and Annie.

I’ll run and get fresh batteries for the camera and see if any of yesterday’s shots turned out. I was unsure whether the camera was actually working…

Okay, I’m back, having ascertained that the camera actually WAS working yesterday afternoon:

Below is dear old Copper, who is a Belgian Shepherd of the Tervuran variety. His owners adopted him from a breeding kennel when he was young, and he has enjoyed a life of luxury and kindness ever since. He is patient with other dogs, cats, and particularly the little grandchildren in his family.

Every day, as I walk around the yard, there are new flowers in bloom. Some are lilies that I forget the names of, and occasionally, I’ll have forgotten that I planted them!

Pictured above, beside the lilies I can’t name, are Filipendula rubra (Meadow Rue or Meadow Sweet, can’t remember the common name), and Yellow Monkshood.

I have to run away again… doing “chores” at Jennifer’s farm this week. Will be back today, hopefully with new pictures.
~ Love, Ann

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