Category Archives: Pet

A New “Me”

Posted on January 11, 2009 | 4 comments

Jim and his dad spent some time alone together this weekend, as did his mom Margie and I. It’s been a tough few months for us and it’s been good to get up to the farm to see the folks, watch the stars, listen to the coyotes, hear real quiet in the countryside, and gain peace through all that.

It was great to see the birth of billy goat and his more fragile sister. When we left this morning it was 27 degrees and there was frost all over the car windows. I asked Jim if he had a scraper (an ice scraper/brush combo that us Northerners always have on hand, the stouter, the better) and he said, “What?” They were nursing as we left early this morning then mama goat was sending them back into the dog igloo. No news today about Tuffy and her expected delivery.

Margie and I had no plans but always cook and talk. This weekend she gave me “happy hair,” made an appointment with her hairdresser as a Christmas gift. A month ago I had a city gal take four inches off my hair, and while I don’t often even dry my hair, a few times in my life I’ve gotten highlights. Very subtle but a lift for the spirit as well as banishing some grey.

This gal, Helen, then asked if I wanted some style and I said “yes!” So now it looks great but I need to learn what to do with it. I guess you could call it a bob, a tad longer in the front and layered a bit. Her highlights and cut are great, but now I have to figure out what my hair decides to do with it and whether I want to fight it or not! Then, how.

It was a very nice gift after a tough few months with Mom’s death and all. We made it home in record time, I drove the entire way and Jim and Zoe slept. Yes, I set cruise control for the speed limit every time it changed on the long spurts. The town revenue collectors aren’t going to pull me over for speeding.

No word on any new goats. Tuffy is toughing out her delivery. She was called Scruffy when they got her but has evolved into a good-looking goat. Let’s wish her well. Dee

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Weekend in the Country

Posted on January 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

It was in the 70’s yesterday before a cold snap came in overnight. It’ll be in the low thirties tonight. Chilly out there now. The young bulls in the close pasture are feeling frisky.

The two kids found a dog igloo in the “maternity ward” and have been making use of it in the wind and cold. Jim’s dad brought in a second igloo and Jim put hay in both to keep them warm tonight. They’re nearly 48 hours old and moving around well, still unsteady.

We’re expecting more babies tonight. More fun than watching TV! We have outdoor furniture set up for the peanut gallery for later.

Yesterday we took a tour of the new property about an hour away, a large spread where Jim’s parents are going to build a ranch and home to move to in the next 5-10 years. It is truly a different life than I’m used to.

Zoe’s having a ball, asking to go out every 20 minutes because there’s a squirrel or something else to see. She hangs out in the living room or back bedroom looking out the windows and barking at every car that drives by. She’ll be bored in our loft starting around noon tomorrow! Yep, we’ll leave first thing to get back home.

It’s been a good weekend, spending quality time with the folks. Talk to you from the big city, Dee

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Down on the Farm

Posted on January 9, 2009 | 3 comments

We decided to drive to Jim’s folks yesterday for the weekend. Arrived in the dark, grabbed a bite to eat and were sitting around the table chatting when I heard a noise out back and went to check it out. I grabbed Jim and his dad just in time to see “Bossy” the goat deliver two kids.

The little girl, born second, had a tougher time, and Jim’s dad had to help her breathe. She couldn’t get the hang of nursing so at 2:00 a.m. I heard bleating very close by and found Jim’s mom, just home from her nursing shift, feeding the little one calf colostrum with any number of means at her disposal.

I checked on them at seven this morning and both kids were standing, and we just checked on them again and they’re still quite unsteady on their feet but are both nursing. So I got to see two goats born, and help feed a farm animal in the kitchen!

Zoe was going nuts! Photos were taken at night from outside the pen so they may not be very good, or even the ones I wanted. Last week Jim upgraded me to new iPhoto/iLife software that I don’t know how to use yet. Plus I’m on my laptop without large monitor or keyboard so am somewhat handicapped by these issues.

Cheers from the farm! Enjoy your weekend. Dee

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Zoe

Posted on January 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

Warm fur at my side
No, I won’t walk without you
Our morning routine

* * *

During the winter I don’t like to turn on central heat, so Jim usually folds a quilt in half and places it on his side of the bed (and may take out his safe oil-warmed heater). Zoe likes to be on the highest and comfiest place possible, so she goes to sleep with Jim, the night walker.

Around 4 a.m. she comes alongside me, with all four paws touching me or her entire back along my legs. That’s to make sure her early morning walker cannot go anywhere without her knowing about it.

You’ve see photos and recently, brief video clips, and she looks like a fox but really she’s a herder except we sissified her by making her a “city dog.”

When we named her at six weeks (already spayed) coming home from the shelter we made rules. No sofa, no bed. Then at five months she had trouble walking and we found out she had the most severe case of puppy hip dysplasia our vet (Val the Vet, our cousin) had ever seen. Zoe got the first hip removed, not replaced, at six months and looked pitiful with her entire hindquarters shaved. We were told to baby her only 48 hours then make her walk. I let her up on the bed so she wouldn’t have to wear an E-collar (lampshade) because she was so lame. That way I could make sure she wasn’t biting at her stitches at night.

Val saved her first hip and showed us. The bed thing continued. I did a lot of research and consults and in TX or anywhere an Aggie is where to go! At nine months she had her right hip excised, and I asked that only that quarter be shaved as the razor burn bothered her more than the stitches the first time. They said she’d look strange. I said she’ll look strange anyway!

She has come leaps and bounds from that time and will turn five around the time of our 6th wedding anniversary. A couple of years ago we finally got a king bed (great because Jim’s 6’4″ and between the two of them they leave me very little space) but it’s high and our bedroom has concrete floors where she slips and slides while running or jumping. The solution was runners, 2′ x 6′ on either side of the bed with rubber backing. Also a rubber-backed rug in the bathroom. So Zoe vaults into bed sometimes starting in the bathroom (I have to crunch up to give her space), launches herself from the runner itself when fully awake, or sits by me and whines until Ms. Otis gets out of bed and starts the elevator. Yes, me lifting a 40 lb. dog up to bed. And when I leave for even 15 minutes during the night because I can’t sleep, she takes over my pillow. Another name for her is The Usurper.

Yes, sometimes, rarely, I have to lift her up, but only when she is really tired. Remember that this pup grew her own hips from cartilage and can now run and jump up. Pretty amazing girl and she loves people and other dogs, even cats as a pup. I’d watch out for guinea pigs, hamsters and bunnies, though. She might play roughly with them.

So I was awake between 1:00 and 6:30 this morning and checked my email, blog and news. Went back to bed at 4:00 and thought of the haiku poem and had to get up and scribble it out. That’s your gift for the day. Dee

p.s. She’s right here awaiting dinner, going out and Jim coming home for dinner. It’s ten-minute lasagne (prep time) tonight.

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Commercial Cloning of Dogs

Posted on January 1, 2009 | 3 comments

Apparently it’s been done, and the mitochondrial DNA produces dogs with slight variations on their cloner’s characteristics and demeanors.

In a fantasy world I would love Zoe’s sunny personality to persist into the future, not her obstinate nature or severe hip dysplasia. But if science perfected the dog, where would be the individuality and what makes us love them and them love us?

While I know nearly every facet of Zoe’s mind, she amazes me every day. As she’ll turn five years old this month, I can guarantee she doesn’t know this of me. She is surprising, enthusiastic, loving and very happy, and we call her the “Hipless Wonder” among other names, including “Runty Mutt” and “Noodlehead.”

Zoe should never be cloned, not because of her physical deformity or mentally stubborn characteristics but because she is an individual and should be respected as such. No, she doesn’t wear clothes, only her own fur coat. She is treated well, goes out often and gets the best of food (frozen raw food and organic chicken broth).

While she is the apple of our eyes, another family might not be the right “fit” for everyone. We love our dog dearly and wouldn’t want any dog to go through two hip surgeries where her original hips were removed and she had to grow her own. She can now run fast and corner like crazy through trees and leave bigger dogs at a loss.

She is a challenging mutt that herds and is very determined to get her way. Cloning? No way. Now the cloners would say she’s not perfect. I’d have to say that Zoe is perfect … for us.

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El Paso II

Posted on December 27, 2008 | 2 comments

My hombre braved the big mall and crowds and traffic, just to make it to the Apple Store to buy new video software. En route home I asked him to stop at the store and pick up milk and honey. He called from the store.

That was the first time he left home today, nearing 5:00 p.m. Three things I asked him to do today: replace a pendant light bulb I really need to cook by (and I had one on hand) that I couldn’t reach; walk the dog; and go to the store for two things.

Upon returning he walked the dog and stepped in a dog mess because there have been no bags out here or irresponsible owners or holiday caretakers don’t give a darn about picking up after their pooches. That really irks me, that people don’t pick up. He’s just had me wash everything he was wearing (yes, Val the Vet) and just took a 30-minute shower while dinner is in the oven.

I really don’t want to write something nasty about all of the people who make our lofts work, but so many things were left undone before they took off for the holidays. Simple things like doggie bags and paper towels and toilet paper for residents and their guests during a long weekend, in the public areas.

This is our second Christmas here, out of five. During the latter portion of the week, we basically were meringue mushrooms sitting on a chocolate hazelnut buttercream yule log cake, so far. Now we have a weekend but are still getting over this cold we got from different places starting at Thanksgiving. Personally, I’m working on pneumonia and am sitting up, here, in the middle of the night so as not to fill my lungs with fluid. ‘Tis time for drastic measures, Whole Foods beckons for Wellness Formula.

Even though this is a semi-transient locale, some of us actually stay here for the holidays. I’m even learning how to make latkes. So we need the people we pay to prep this place when they close things down.

Anyway, my cowboy Knight in Shining Armor took a bullet tonight. He’s picked right up and started all over again and looks forward to dinner. Yes, this man in near middle age has never changed a diaper in his life. I’ve done at least a few hundred. Icky stuff is out there. Cowboys deal with the situation, make their peace and go on with life.

Hopefully my Jim will be able to, as all he did was essentially step in a dog patty (and he grew up on a dairy), grow from this experience and see what mothers and cooks and veterinarians and nurses and others go through every day, without whining.

Yes, he’ll get a good dinner this evening: ham with grainy mustard and honey; scalloped potatoes and a salad. And we care for all the people who make our lives easier, pleasant and interesting. Hope you enjoyed the sales today – I stayed away. Dee

ps He’s watching Alton Brown on dips, loves the science of it, not the cooking. OK, he’s redeemed, except he did wash his leather driving shoes in the shower and they may never recover. D

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Little Ray of Sunshine

Posted on December 22, 2008 | 2 comments

That’s what Sunnegga means, and was.

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When her folks were away, when she had ACL surgery, she was my little angel. Now I can place her photo on our frig with our other loved ones, including her human “sister” Annie. Jim and I loved Sunni. I took care of her at home or she came to stay with us and she was a lovely guest dog.

Now I know why yellow Labs are close to my heart. Zoe’s an Aussie runty mutt but I’ve always wanted a Sunnegga. You’re going on the frig, Sunni! With all the people and dogs that I love. Miss you guys. Take care, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Pet

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 20, 2008 | Leave a comment

Zoe grew out of her jingle bell collar so it was given away. I will not make her pose for a photo for you or make her wear reindeer antlers. So all I can say is enjoy this season, with family and friends. Cook a few healthy things but make them taste good. I’ll be around and probably writing about this and that, and you can catch up as one of your New Years’ resolutions. Cheers! Dee

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The Cold That Keeps on Giving

Posted on December 18, 2008 | 1 comment

Jim left for work this morning, only to come back seconds later for his dress coat (why, when it was 77 degrees today?) Then he came back again in a minute, only to get undressed and back in bed, where he’s been for the day. I’ve got it too, have had some version of this cold since Thanksgiving weekend.

I made lunch and took a trip to the store, checked up on a neighbor, RSVP’d to a holiday invitation and ran laundry, and also brushed out the dog, who looks very fluffy and clean. Jim just ordered pizza so I wouldn’t have to make it myself. Hopefully after a good night’s sleep we’ll be better tomorrow.

Top Chef should be on (missed it last night) shortly and I’ll check it out. I’ve been missing it more often than not this season. Delivery pizza overlooking the city, which we haven’t been able to see for the past couple of days due to round-the-clock fog.

Between the Big Three bailout and choice of religious leader to provide the inauguration invocation, it’s been a very political day. Jim’s watching Jim Lehrer in bed and I’m overlooking the lights and putting my random thoughts together on your behalf.

Nanny says it’s going to take much longer than two hours to peruse her books and notes regarding becoming a great cook. If she has the time, I’ll make the time. Don’t worry, you’ll hear about it! Keep that stove and oven working! Dee

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Gus

Posted on December 17, 2008 | 1 comment
Gus for Dee and Jim's Wedding

Gus for Dee and Jim's Wedding

I’ve only had cool shelter dogs, ones unsuitable for rescue but who worked for me. But Jim and I cared for Gus when his folks, our friends, went out of town. He’s the dog who taught me how dogs bisect the space so that no-one can go anywhere without them knowing it.

Gus was a Lab/Golden cross, black as night and smart. Sweet, too. MB trained him to go to the VA and meet with retired soldiers. When he was too old for that, he took up swimming to keep his legs and hips in play.

Last October when they moved to Texas, we drove up for lunch one day. Gus was standing in the new garage, whining and crying to say hello to his old pet-sitter. He died two weeks later.

While no-one can ever replace The Gusinator, our friends are getting a new Lab pup early in the new year. They will be fantastic dog parents once again, after they see their children at the holidays.

Congratulations and keep not cooking, MB! Craig’s the chef there. We cooked several July 4th burger fests at the park together on my Smoky Joe grill. Cook away. Snow shouldn’t keep one from the grill. Dee

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