It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

Santa and The Doxie Girls

Today I had a Santa picture taken with Suzie and Tina and also visited some light decorations.     I took a picture of Suzie and Tina myself along with the person who took the picture for PetCo but theirs was much better!  I did it for Joey since he loves the old girls so much.    Suzie has been having a very rough time breathing.   She's not panting, but her little chest is heaving and her breaths are very loud.   Even if she's under the covers, you can hear her.   I'm wondering if her medication should be increased back to one pill a day instead half a pill?

Today I realized, probably since I didn't have Joey with me, what a great and easy going dog Tina is and what a little stubborn stinker Suzie is.  :)   Joey usually always has Tina and I have Suzie so I can carry her around or whatever.    Today I had both of them and Suzie would decide she was done walking or didn't want to go a certain direction and she'd just stop whole horse!    Then, I stopped by the adoption event for a while even though I wasn't "officially" there and while I was sitting or standing and visiting with other group members, Suzie would whine and beg to be held non stop.   Meanwhile, Tina was totally laid back and would go where I'd go, didn't fuss a bit, and she'd  just sit quietly at my feet if I was standing up and talking to someone or sitting down.   Oh my gosh - Tina's the angel and Suzie's the devil!  I had always told people that I knew Suzie was the dominant one which everyone was surprised by because of Tina's weight.    Everyone thought she stole the food from Suzie, but UH NO - Suzie let her have it apparently.    It was really an eye opener.    When I told Joey tonight about it he was pretty blase and was like "I told you Tina's a great dog."  :)   And yes, she is.   Here she is getting some belly rubs from my friend Virginia. 

Baby Girl Tina with Virginia

Santa's Magical Kingdom

Tonight we then went to Santa's Magical Kingdom out and Eureka, which we do every year.    This year we were lucky enough to take Janet from our group along.   It's always fun to have a friend along with us!  Joey's at the age that I think he wants to act "too cool for school" so Janet and I were OOHING and AAAHING way more than Joey but he seemed to finally forget he's a jaded Tween.  ;)






The "Magic" Tree

 After we dropped Janet off and visited with her a while, we took a drive downtown and viewed the lights at Anheuser Busch.    We usually do that the night we decorate our tree, but we were a little late this year.    That's one of my favorite things to see - the tree in the center of AB that goes from gold lights, to gold & red, then to red and back to gold again.   I remember when my Dad first showed me I thought it was the most magical thing.   I now have a ritual with Joey where we go around the round about as many times as it took for us to see it change through all the colors multiple times.   I remember when  Joey was little and I figured out I could do that - it's such a small thing.    But the day I realized I could time my trip around the tree just perfectly and keep going around instead of leaving was one of my finest days as a Mother.    Nobody I had ever ridden with had done that so it had never dawned on me that it didn't need to be a fleeting moment.

AB At Night During the Holidays

Today was a really good day and tomorrow will be fun too.   We're lucky to be joining The Gateway Lo-Downs for another dog party.    We are so excited.   Unfortunately, a couple of our friends can't make it but I imagine the two sissies will still have a blast.  :)

Our Tree

Discombobulated

I love that word - unfortunately I have too many opportunities to use it!   Things have been sooooo quiet without Burton and Bonham.   I almost don't know what to do with myself with all the free time I have on my hands not having to go over to my neighbor's yard and get Burton back over here.   I have heard from both of Bonham and Burton's adopters and Burton was sticking to his new human like glue and Bonham had been renamed Rudi - as his new parents pointed out, it's a very good German name.  :)   I think it fits in great with the holiday season too!

I was feeling so proud of myself for having two fosters adopted in two days.    We humans are so weird - we seem to throw competition into the mix about everything.      In the rescue world it comes down to how many foster dogs get adopted, how quickly they get adopted, if they're ever returned and even who has a better adoptive family at the end of the day.    Prior to Burton and Bonham being adopted, I was feeling down and useless to our group because none of my fosters were going anywhere and they just seemed to be costing the group a whole lot of money.     So when Burton and Bonham were adopted I was feeling VERY proud of myself for a few days.     Then I hear through the grapevine that instead of someone being positive about my fosters being adopted right in a row, I was actually "dissed" for having three unadoptable fosters and a comment was even made that "one's about to die."    That's the kind of thing that makes me want to drag TRex along for some perfectly aimed urine streams of his! :)    Anyone who fosters knows that we don't choose dogs that are going to be with us a long time.    But when you foster senior dogs, it happens quite easily.   

I personally don't think Natsumi is unadoptable, she's just nearly blind.   She has had a ton of interest and there is someone out there that will give this sweet girl a wonderful home.   She is not a throw away dog, she did deserve to have her life spared and just because she's with me a little longer than others does not make me or Natsumi worthless or losers.    As for Suzie and Tina - I'm glad I've been able to give them a warm and loving home for the last year.   I'm glad I've been able to bring Joey and Tina together because they have a true human/dog bond.   And I'm glad I've been watching over Suzie making sure she's feeling well.    These two old girls deserve to be here just as much as any other younger dog.

Even though Natsumi hasn't been adopted and nobody adopted Suzie and Tina I like to think of them as amazing ambassadors for our group.   I always dress Suzie and Tina up alike, they're always looking especially cute and Natsumi is always getting tons of attention.    Even if they haven't gone to a forever home, they have brought our group a lot of attention and good will.

There's another awesome thing that's about to happen that's due to them being in our group.   Our group is getting a sizable donation and it's directly in relation to someone having been interested in Suzie and Tina this past summer.   True, the woman was a little high maintenance.   True,  she drove me a little batty because she decided not to adopt Suzie and Tina because she felt they were codependent and encouraging bad behavior in each other.   :)   BUT she nominated our group for the prize and I know she was very fastidious in getting our information and nomination together.    She'd also been with the company for some time and seemed like she was with the "in crowd" with the company.     We had been in the running for a couple of years to get one of these prizes but had never won.    We were just recently notified that we were winning and I think the award ceremony is next Thursday.   I know in my heart of hearts that  we won because this lady and I  corresponded about my two doxie girls.    Of course, not everyone agrees with me.    I can't wait to hear what the gift is!! :)    I wish I could attend the ceremony and take Suzie and Tina with me so they could accept the check.  ;)

A funny ...

A friend of mine, Lesa,  sent me this email to me and it cracked me up .... it's so "inappropriate."  :)

There were probably many, many times this year when

I may have...

Disturbed You,

Troubled You,

Pestered You,

Irritated You,

Bugged You,

Or got on your Nerves!!

So today, I just wanted to tell you…

Suck it up, Cupcake!!

Cause there

AIN'T NO CHANGES

Planned for 2011!!



Talk About Festivus!

Wow we had a seriously festive and Christmas-ey filled weekend.   Yesterday we attended Holiday Magic downtown which is such a blast.    Suzie and Tina ended up subbing for the two doxie boys that were adopted and we also took Natsumi.   Natsumi was a little star - people were asking about her even on Friday!   There were some people seriously interested in her and a couple took my phone number and email address.    One lady was so entranced with her she had her grand daughter come over and take some snapshots on her professional camera.    Someone also emailed me last night who wasn't even at Holiday Magic.    I put this pink bow in her hair and a bow in a dogs hair makes people go nuts!   There was someone filming the festivities and when they came over to our booth I said "Natsumi" in my high pitched voice and she immediately popped up and did her cute "hanging over the XPen" thing.   She was looking so cute and I heard the guys filming  as they were walking away "Now that's your money right there!"   There was a pet parade on the stage and on the way to the stage people kept stopping me so they could pet this teddy bear come to life.    Afterward  it was even worse, I was totally mobbed by people wanting to pet her!!   As Joey told Michel (the other volunteer manning our booth with us) that I was left behind because Natsumi was busy signing autographs for all of her fans. ;)  

JTK and my nephew Tristan went with us.   We had soooo much fun - it's really a cool event.   I heard rumors that starting next year it will be free!    I bought some a couple of Christmas presents, a beautiful dog bed and a wooden decorative bone that says "A spoiled Schnoodle lives here."  I also got two doxie ornaments and had them personalized with Suzie and Tina's names on them.     Michel bought some wonderful inserts for her shoes and JTK and Tristan rode the free rides.    We couldn't have had more fun.   One thing we didn't try out was the indoor skating rink.    Too fun!   We had a great time last year and we've been looking forward to going again for quite a while.

Suzie and Tina were a huge hit too because I dressed them in matching, Holiday dresses.   Who can resist two old dachshunds dressed kind of like Mrs. Claus?     They really do love dressing up.  I think with their previous owner that donning clothes meant a car ride or something similar.    They get SO excited when I put clothes on them and Tina usually RUNS with joy.   Seriously, Tina is one fast little tubby dachshund when she wants to be.     When they were introduced on the stage for the pet parade the emcee asked "Are they really 12?"    They sure are, I always say if it weren't for their grey faces nobody would believe they were as old as they are.

Today we put up our Christmas tree.    We bought it yesterday morning and let it settle before putting the decorations on today.   Joey has grown up so much.   He CARRIED the tree for me and he now regularly puts the angel on top.   It was just a few years ago that he could hardly even reach higher branches to put ornaments on.   ::sigh::    

In with our decorations, I found a great dog hat that I had to put on Cooper.   He hates it - it drives him crazy but doesn't he look cute?   My Mom came over to watch us put up the tree and she brought her dog Foxie Roxie with her.   I put these bells on her legs and her neck and she immediately kicked them off.   My Mom was horrified that I would put anything like that on her sweet and sassy old lady dog!    All dogs should be dressed up from time to time!

It was  a great weekend but I have to admit I'm worn out.   With Bonham and Burton being adopted, going to Holiday Magic and putting up our tree ... wow.   I need to go to work tomorrow to get some rest.  Ha Ha

Burton went to his new home last night

Burton with his Mom

WOW - two dachshund boys adopted in two consecutive nights.     I have to say, I was crazy about the woman who adopted him.     She was very sweet in her emails and her references just raved about her.    Then, last night she had this beautiful necklace that had the photo of her beloved Brandy who had passed away on it.    It was a stunning necklace - it wasn't a photo, but kind of an engraving/transfer on silver.    If anyone wears a necklace with the picture of their dog on it - they're a great person in my book.  :)

Alas, it was a very hard goodbye.  I cried all the way home.    He's got a big personality so his presence will be greatly missed.     As usual, the home he's going to will be better than the home I can provide him.    The Dad of the house is retired and will be home most of the time.   Burton has two playful Westies and a lab to share his life and energy with.     I'm a single Mom with limited resources so he will be very spoiled and not want for anything.  :)

I don't think I'm going to bring a new foster in for a while.    I've gotten way too attached to the last few that got adopted and I think I need an emotional break.   I'm thinking because I didn't have a job and I spent so much time with these dogs is one of the reasons.   Also, everyone knew that Burton was going to be especially hard to say goodbye to.   We had the experience of him being hospitalized for a week and surviving Parvo.     A couple of people had commented to me in the last months or so that an experience like that really creates a bond between you and the foster.     But you know, there's so much need.    A life or death notification might come across my email and I'll have to say yes to another foster right now instead of after the new year.

I know that my job was to literally save Burton's life.   If I hadn't gotten him out of the pound the day I did and didn't get him to the vet when I did, Burton would have never survived.   The amount of joy I have from that knowledge really helps slow the tears.   :)  I played a very important role in Burton's life and he's important in mine.    But part of my job is letting him go to a home where he will be THE dog instead of a foster dog as our director, Ellen, likes to say. 

PPPPPPTTTT to doxie boys!!

Today is Holiday Magic which we will now be taking Suzie and Tine to instead of Burton and Bonham.  :)   Natsumi will also be going and I believe someone might be interested in her.    Wouldn't that be amazing if she were adopted today???    Because of the change in cast of characters, Joey and I had to make sure we bought Christmas outfits for Suzie and Tina last night.    They are going to be so cute!!  I can't wait to get pictures of them.

Oh yeah, TRex is THRILLED that the doxie boys are gone.   He is just running around and playing and telling us to never, ever let any more male dachshunds into the house.  ;)

How'd that happen???

I went to meet one of the families interested in Burton tonight and they decided they wanted to meet Bonham too.    Guess what ??? They adopted Bonham tonight.   I'm a little discombobulated - I was sure they'd want Burton and I was going to have to hold off on making a decision until I met the other interested party tomorrow night.    Bonham is a little love bug and he just cuddled right up to the gentleman (John) and as he said - Bonham chose him.    They already have a rescue female dachshund name Greta so it's a great home.  I love it when dachshunds get adopted into a dachshund home.   They're one breed that really seems to love their own!

Of course, I cried.   I was completely unprepared - I really didn't imagine I'd be adopting a dog out tonight.   But they're a great couple and it makes things easy that Bonham chose them and now the other wonderful applicant may adopt Burton tomorrow night.

What am I going to do without a male dachshund in the house?   What has happened to all my carefully orchestrated plans of having a dachshund infested Christmas?  ;)   ::sigh::   I was thinking about it tonight and it'll just be best if Burton does get adopted tomorrow.   It's like ripping off a band aid - do it quick.   Bonham tonight and Burton tomorrow will decrease my mourning period.

I got a great picture of Saburo tonight and Tara was telling me all sorts of silly antics that he and his fur brother Tankerz are up to.  I love hearing these stories - it gets me through the day.    What was odd, though, is I actually teared up a little.   I hadn't met John and Carolyn with Bonham yet so it wasn't a residual cry from that.   I love Saburo, he's a great dog.   I'm so happy for him and I still miss him a little bit.

EEEEWWWWW

Here's a ridiculous picture of Burton from last night.   Yes, he was in the cat litter box.   Yes, his nose is covered with litter because he was poking around the nasty stuff before I got a chance to scoop it out.    Yes, he's bad to the bone.   And YES I do love my naughty boy Burton!

Happy Birthday Bonham!

According to Bonham's paperwork, he turns 5 today.   Hip Hip Hooray!     The day started with a wonderful rendition of "Happy Birthday To You" and it's ended with Bonham snuggling in Joe's room because he's broken out the electric blanket.   Man, do dogs ever LOVE electric blankets!   They actually have heated dog beds too - I'd love to get one of those.   But with the foster activity in my house, I'd end up with someone marking it and shorting it out.  ;)

It is also my niece's birthday - Happy Birthday Wendy!  I was just figuring it up and had convinced myself I'm wrong, but she's actually 30 years old.    I've always heard you don't feel old until you hear how old other people are getting - with my baby niece being 30, I offically feel old. 

To celebrate Bonham's big day JTK presented him with a bowl full of whipped cream this evening.  A homemade Puppy Latte if you will.    Bonham loved it.   These pictures are so funny - you can see how into it he was.   His tongue looks enormous and he looks so happy.    You can also see the whipped cream smeared all over his face.    Of course, before I could finish taking the picture he did a really good job of cleaning it up.   These pictures do not tell the story of just how messy he looked. 

When people adopt a dog or cat, they generally aren't lucky enough to know their actual birth date.   There's a practice that I love - it's when people celebrate their "Gotcha" day.    Meaning, they celebrate the day they adopted their furry family member and treat it as a birthday.   That is such a great idea - a perfect way to commemorate a very important day and a day worth celebrating.  After all, it's very similar to a birthday since it's the first day of a brand new life.

I have a couple of people interested in Burton.   I can't believe it, but I have two applications on him at once.   It's always difficult to figure out what to do but I do a much better job of letting people know what's going on.    Over the summer, I did an awful job of letting a family know that I had chosen a 2nd application to adopt a dog.    The home was clearly the better home for the particular dog and I just did not want to face telling the woman he wasn't going home with them.    She was really upset and emailed and called our director, etc.   I felt awful and I've learned my lesson.     We are just volunteers, but this is not a glamorous or easy position to be in.   :)   These days I always tell people if there's any other applications out there.    Usually, it really does work itself out on its own.   If I get two applications one of them often change their mind or they don't really like the dog when they meet them, etc.   It's not a very common instance for me to have to really decide what to do.

So far, though, both of these families seem great.   I haven't gotten through the references on my second application  but  the ones I called on the first one were fantastic.   It was funny, I called her sister for a reference and the husband answered and he misunderstood what I was saying.   He thought his wife was trying to adopt a dog and he kept telling me "Oh no, she's not going to adopt a dog"   And I kept saying, "Oh yes she is" because I didn't realize he thought I was talking about his wife.   Once we figured out what the other was talking about, we had a good laugh. 

This weekend is the Holiday Magic event.   It's in downtown St. Louis at the convention center.     We  went   last year for the first time and it was great fun.   I love Christmas and it's really beautifully decorated and filled with a lot of fun stuff to buy and look at.   Purina is there and they have their dog team and we get to have a Puppy Parade showing off our adoptable pets.     Last year one of my fosters was adopted by a convention center employee and so was the foster of one of my friend's.      We had so much fun - Joey and I are really looking forward to it again this year.

Happy Birthday Bonham - let this be the first birthday of many more where you're treasured and pampered  But most importantly, hopefully you'll always be dressed up on your birthday.  :)