Ann’s Weblog

From what I understand from my chat friends, “Women’s Day” is recognized around the world. In my favourite chat room, gals from Australia, New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., U.A.E., Canada and India were all giving each other this greeting!

Has been a busy couple of days. I don’t know how people who have grooming shops in cities can keep up with business and life. At any rate, I like the pace here, quiet some days and moderately busy most days. Usually, our lives are not TOO hectic… well, not at this time of year, at least.

I must say… Rob’s dogs have both found good homes. Although it might be thought that the two dogs would be happiest in a new home together, it’s a lot to expect, to find someone to take TWO medium large dogs. At any rate, Levi, the rottweiler cross, went to a large acreage back in his home town, therefore Rob’s daughter can visit from time to time. The golden retriever went to a home in Valemount, where he will live with people who were some of my first customers in my boarding business… in 1984! They too are great folks.

It’s quieter today around here… EIGHT dogs have gone home since Friday night. Next weekend will be a blast, because it is school spring break here; lots of families are planning to spend some time in warmer places! Still boarding at the moment are Meena, Nelson, Teddy and Chico.

Yesterday I groomed three small dogs. I didn’t take a picture of “Scruffy”, who is here often for short stays, and I was asked to groom him while he was here. That was my pleasure.

Here are Oreo and Zoe. Oreo is always cheerful, and Zoe is sweet and gentle also, but nervous around the camera:

I just got back from regularly scheduled Sunday brunch with our friends. My birthday was well celebrated there; I so enjoyed all the friends who were there. There was another small crowd at a nearby table who were marking another gal’s birthday. Eventually, a trayful of shots of Bailey’s appeared at THEIR table and the drinks were passed to all the adults. I considered saying, “Hey, it’s MY birthday, too!”, but then I thought that might look childish, and I’d feel compelled to prove this by showing my driver’s license. As it turned out, yet another tray of shots appeared and were passed to other patrons, and when the waitress came to me, I quietly pointed out that it IS my birthday as well. So she gave me TWO shots of Bailey’s! That very nicely wrapped up our breakfast visit, though even after that, a large piece of cheesecake with a candle in it was delivered to EACH of we “birthday girls”. What a lot of attention! I had to take my dessert home, as I was full, full, full.

Gary is on his way home from Ft. St. James, where he was trimming dozens of horses. We’ll dine out at the pub this evening.

I’m about to tidy up in the house a little… I get kind of careless about housework when my good man isn’t home. And I’m afraid that when he IS home, he does a great deal of it before I get to it! …. it’s a blessing that I do not take for granted.

Today I get to board the Uromastyx “Spike” again!

I know, I know… it looks like EXACTLY the same picture as posted elsewhere in my Blog, but it’s not! She or He is back for a few days, over spring break. Later, I’ll get Makalu and Shiloh to stay as well, even though Shiloh is needing a new home soon… see earlier post.

So… hope you are all well also. Take care, talk to you later. ~ Ann

This is how I’m going to cope with writing my blog until we get the new keyboard. I’ve composed this text on my laptop, sent it to the other computer, and can now post something that makes sense (at least as much as usual!).

A week ago, I cleaned the Mac’s keyboard too aggressively, and now some keys do not work. I’ve gone through the whole processes of blaming self, and the expense of ordering a replacement. It is not very amusing to try to do anything without the space bar, the “a” key, the “v” key, and “shift”… it’s hard to spell “uromastyx” and “Revelstoke” and many other words I wanted to use.

Lucky for me, I can still copy and paste, so I will attempt to accomplish this small task. I particularly wanted to post pictures of “Spike”, the Uromastyx (lizard).

Spike has seemed hale and hearty while with us … she basks on her rock, eats with enthusiasm, and shows more animation than she has in past visits.

This is her daily meal of lettuce, shredded carrot and, today, her vitamin supplement. It’s fascinating to watch her dine, as she chooses which bites she wants. Who’d have guessed I could get so much out of babysitting a lizard?

I haven’t got around to taking pictures of the bunny, and Makalu and Shiloh, who belong to the same family as Spike. Perhaps I will get to that tomorrow.

We have an amazingly full house today… beside the aforementioned, we have Chico, Teddy, Raina, Sasha, Bailey, Charlie and Axel.

I had a relatively quiet week. Gary was skiing with friends Rob, Ruth, and Dennis in Revelstoke and Golden. They had a good time, though there is not enough snow for GREAT skiing.

Pictured are Dennis, Ruth and Rob at the top of “Kill the Banker” at Mount Revelstoke, a run that Gary said should be named, “Kill the Skier”. The other picture is of some ice climbers… the tiny dots at the bottom of that phenomenal rock face.

It’s a beautiful clear day today, somewhat colder than it has been in the last week. While Gary was away, I couldn’t start the tractor. The day after we got a new lot of snow (and winds that made it drift to fill up our driveway), I got out the walk-behind snowblower, and that solved the problem of making the road passable again.

One last word… if I have spelled something wrong, I may not be able to fix it too easily, without sending myself another whole email. So be patient please!

~ 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

********************************
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