Ann’s Weblog

Overnight, we got a considerable dump of snow… maybe 10 inches. This is not unusual for March, really, but we are starting to wonder how it could all be gone by, say, mid April or so. Last year I went to Kelowna on April 10 to get my order of trees and shrubs, and there was no snow, if I remember correctly. However, it DID freeze hard again after I got the nursery stock home, and some items perished in their pots. I believe I will leave my “pick up” date until later in April this year.

Most people we talk to are sick of winter. We live in part of the country which can be expected to have snow for six months; still, we get a bit weary of shovelling and blowing and pushing it around. I’m starting to lay awake nights thinking of the garden centre and gardening … really we have to hit the ground running to get all that done in the few frost-free months we do have. We still don’t want to call any other place “home”.

Here are a few wintery pictures for you:

From top left… snow on the arbour, snow on the bench, kennel, the snow shovels by the barbecue (and my cast-off ‘for sale’ truck sign), some of my perennial beds under snow, and Gary about to put the tractor into snow-ploughing duty.

We babysat the little black Havanese dogs this week, and our friends took my sewing machine out to Hinton for repair, as they were going for other reasons. I’m thrilled that the technician found something to explain why my machine was giving me such a problem, and the cost was very reasonable. I haven’t sewn with it yet, but look forward to having it available when the mood strikes!

Today I’m going to groom a matted cat who is brought here once per year. I phoned the client and asked if he could give us a couple of hours extra to clear the driveway. Otherwise, I don’t have a busy day planned; a few of the boarders who were scheduled to come will not be arriving… several families had their own reasons for staying home this weekend.

We have Ranger and Annie, Makalu and Shiloh, Scruffy, Axel, Emma, Teddy and Chico (dogs), plus Sam the cat, birds Toohey and Rufus, and Spike the lizard. I think if I were a millionaire, I would still want to groom and board pets; still, even having just a few boarders yields a better income than anything I am qualified for “away” from the house. And the work seems like about the only thing that doesn’t seriously challenge my self-confidence… who knows why even at MY age I haven’t figured out the source of a nearly-debilitating sense of inferiority, or the solution for it. I find joy in so many things… it’s a puzzle.

I guess I’ll run along, and maybe run the vacuum.

Take care, everyone. Thanks for reading my blog. ~ Ann

It has been installed for a couple of weeks now, and we were in possession of it for awhile before that. Gary chose and applied the lovely stain. Here is our new door:

It gives a facelift to the rest of the house. The house needs more work, but isn’t it always an ongoing thing? This solid fir door was created by a local artisan/carpenter, and if anyone wants to know more about it, please send a comment to this blog. Lady, my “prop”, dislikes the camera and looks rather put-upon.

We’ve been well, and we manage to keep occupied. There are months of winter left. Gary has gone to Sun Peaks for skiing, with our friend Rob. Though that resort is the one developed by Nancy Green Raine, she is now in Ottawa as a B.C. Senator, and not available as a skiing partner as she usually is.

It was very cold yesterday when Gary left, and warmed as the day went on. Now it is only -6˚ Celcius. The wind blew all night long while snow fell, so I awoke to drifts and a few more inches of the white stuff everywhere. Damn it, I will have to plow snow again.

Here is another picture of the little dog Murphy, who stayed with us a little while ago:

That’s Murphy asleep, and when disturbed by the sound of the camera. This is the “kennel” experience for many pets!

Most dogs who come here do not seem too traumatized. Although we’re aware that it is heart-rending to leave one’s pet behind anywhere, we treat the cats and dogs as if their stay with us is NOT punishment but a positive experience. However, just as with children and babysitters and daycare, if the primary caregiver apologizes and projects all their anxiety, it is hard for the pet (or child) NOT to feel anxious. When Gary and I act friendly and matter-of-fact around our “charges”, most adopt an attitude of ease and patience, simply waiting for their beloved family members to return. Most owners are happy to know that their pet did not suffer or sulk.

One little “feather in my cap” was the incident over Christmas holidays whereby a Belgian Shepherd who had survived a terrible car wreck was brought to us. We kept Sasha until some family members came to pick her up, which was just a matter of a few days. When the Coroner dropped the dog off, she explained that Sasha had stayed in the demolished vehicle for hours with her two deceased owners, finally extracted safely, and then had been placed in the Coroner’s van for quite some time, then driven about an hour to our home. When we met the dog, she looked like a wild animal, her eyes as big as saucers, looking from one face to the other with bewilderment and fright.

I placed a large dog bed in a corner of the kitchen (not isolated, but out of the way), and looped Sasha’s long leash loosely around a table leg… I didn’t want her to feel too confined but also didn’t want her to “make a break for it” when a door was opened. We didn’t know the dog’s name at that point, but kept talking to her, telling her that things would be okay, that she should eat and drink. I can’t recall now if we were able to make her eat anything but some beef from my hands, but she DID drink water and homemade broth, and that’s even more important.

My point to all this story is that, if we could put THAT dog at ease, we can “connect” with almost any. Some dogs clearly just prefer their personal space, and we can accomodate those as well. And even the occasional pet who mopes does survive our care, only to warm up to us, usually, on future visits. I accept it, and I don’t bother lying to owners whose pets take time to adjust.

I finally composed an order for trees and shrubs last week. According to the deadlines set by the wholesale nurseries, I am MONTHS overdue. In other years I have not done much better, and sometimes have taken even longer to make a list and fax it; this late ordering is not ideal, but usually leads to some very interesting substitutions in my order! Since I got that order sent away, two other wholesalers have phoned to ask if I need anything from them… it’s nice to be remembered, but I can only spend so much on our little “mom & pop” garden centre. I get excited for Spring once these orders are sent out… I still have perennial roots to order, for potting up and selling.

In our area, it’s the freight which destroys the potential profits. Last Spring I travelled to Kelowna to pick up my order of trees, and plan to do that again. This resulted in a huge savings in trucking costs, and since I made a marathon trip out of it, I didn’t have to stay overnight anywhere.

I guess I need to get on with my day. I want to catch up to some turns at “Lexulous”, which is a Facebook version of Scrabble. I’ve started many games at once so that I can play steadily for um, hours. However, it looks like I’ll have to plow the driveway, as I mentioned earlier; I’ve plugged the tractor in but am not very enthused. It’s still snowing!

Take care, all. ~ Ann

I guess if you’re reading this, you haven’t decided to quit checking my blog. Thanks to anyone who visits (with one exception).

Have been busy, of course, but I have two “dream jobs” in the two businesses. Have sometimes been pushed and stressed because there is SO much to do at this time of year.

It’s difficult to make a blog entry when I haven’t posted in quite a while. The days and weeks melt away so fast, and sometimes I don’t remember if I had breakfast let alone which pets I groomed (regardless of how I enjoyed them) or what trees I sold, even “yesterday”.

I’ll load a few pictures from the camera… I have not taken many pictures lately.

Below is a “late” snowfall, which in our area, is not such a freak event. It happened early in May, and people walked through snow to look at trees, shrubs and perennials for the season opening of Blackwood Gardens. Even this week, there has been new snow on the mountains above us and a chill in the air, especially evening, night and early morning. We have had few perfectly lovely days without rain, hail or strong winds, but who knows what the summer will bring… we could well be complaining about the heat.

I had an extremely busy weekend for the May long weekend… our Victory Day. There were 24 dogs boarding here at one point, but everything was pleasant and under control, and the canine (and feline) guests seemed content. I managed to snap a picture of a couple of them, Clover and Teddy. These were not the only two quiet dogs who were staying in the house, but that’s all the time I took for pictures.

We are taking care of my oldest daughter’s dog for part of the summer. It represents an extra bit of freedom for McKenna, and also some respite for Sh., who has been busy with university, work and other commitments.

I just got a phonecall from a friend in our town… a little dog has been found, and several people have tried to decide where he belongs. I told them to bring him here, and perhaps I can figure out which “Shih Tzu x Poodle” he is; I imagine he ran away from home during last night’s thunderstorm. Even if don’t know the dog, surely the rightful owner will check here (and our Town Office is aware, also) .

Gary has been busy also… so many horses to trim and shoe at this time of year. He has even been out to our friends’ farm in Alberta, where Gary took care of a number of Clydesdales. One sunny afternoon, our friend Rob volunteered to help put together a pipe and canvas shelter that Gary had picked up in his travels:

This shelter is very nice to have… it’s a “garage” for the riding mower and a few other items. I guess I’ll have to take a picture of the actual structure for a future post (it’s just an inexpensive thing from Canadian Tire, but a nice addition to the place!).

Blackwood Gardens has been moderately busy despite the unpredictable weather. I am nearly sold out of mature shade trees, and have only one apple tree left from the dozens I purchased. Folks seem to be finding satisfactory choices in perennials as well, and this year I purchased a few annuals from a friend to offer here. If a person is going to be in a “retail” business, these are nice products to offer. The whole scene fits so well with the Pet Hostel… all my work is at home and it’s enough.

One of my antagonists in “Chat” says that I shouldn’t expect other chatters to believe that I have these businesses, because nobody would bring their pets to “Bumf*ck Egypt”. I’ve had the Pet Hostel for 24 years and enough people DO bring their pets here… the business has paid for itself and more, year in and year out, except for awhile while I was getting back on my feet after personal strife. No, it has not made me wealthy, but why would anyone in Chat care if I’m working hard, or semi-retired?

Anyway… the little lost dog has arrived and I’m afraid I don’t recognize him. At the same time, I believe when the mystery is solved, I will know that I SHOULD have known who this one belongs to. It’s a small town and I’m sure I’ll find out by the end of the day; in the meantime, he is safe, warm and fed.

I had a little challenge last week… the infamous Mickey. Everyone who knows Mickey’s family says that the dog is vicious, and in the past when I’ve groomed him, he tried hard to bite me. I have so far managed to out-maneuver him. This year I had a new soft muzzle in his size. I picked up Mickey at his home and let his owner place him in the cab of my truck with the leash still attached. When I got home, I just led the dog to my grooming shop, lifted him to my table while the dog gave me the “Make my day” look, and slipped the muzzle on. Now, I wouldn’t say the the dog felt defeated or oppressed, but he seemed to resign himself to the grooming procedure without much fuss. I know that the muzzle probably prevented one bite, and we got the job done.

Because the man of Mickey’s family is in hospital, I asked the nurses if I could bring one very clean little dog to see him. The nurse remarked that she was amazed I could handle such a ferocious dog, but to come along. I took Mickey to see my friend, along with a bouquet of lilacs, and both dog and owner enjoyed a visit. After that I took Mickey home, led him to his own back yard… and as soon as I reached to take the leash off, the dog came AFTER ME with teeth bared and unbelievable temper! I guess at that point he was protecting his territory and family again, so I just left the leash on and told him to keep it for now.
This is Mickey avoiding eye contact with me and with the camera…

This is Pickles, and she has been here a few times, and fits in just like one of our own:

The dogs that I will groom today have arrived, and after lunch I have a matted cat to shave.

Take care, one and all. Thanks for visiting this blog. ~ Ann