Category Archives: Zoe

Anniversary

Posted on March 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

Twelve years ago today we adopted dog Zoe, a herder, Australian Shepherd mix, from a shelter. A few minutes on the road she popped out of the cardboard box at just six weeks of age, a 6-pound cotton ball, ready to tear the squeakers and filling out of any stuffed toy, no she does not have any stuffed toys.

Luckily my husband was driving. I tossed the box into the back seat, she sat on my lap and looked out the car window. She’s loved us and “her” car, my car with revved up orthopedic bed and cargo net, ever since. She only pops her head up at off-ramps and stop lights. She knows the ranch from miles ahead.

As she knows home. After two hip removals and growing her own hips, she deserves a home. It was fate that brought her to us. Someone had a claim on her and we were called the next morning and they said the family said no and we were next on the list. That’s why she’s Zoe. She’s an internal fighter when it comes to her own well-being and is so sweet to other dogs, humans, even cats so she’s something special.

Age five months, the cat parade. Me, Zoe, Meow Meow (a feral who had about 12 places to be fed but slept outside our door because as a pup Zoe was going out 8X per day) and a mockingbird who was chasing the cat. Yes, if you’ve watched or read The Princess Bride, Zoe and I were The Brute Squad. I doubt we could have taken Meow Meow’s lunch money….

Over the next few days after adoption we dealt with severe coccidia and hookworms, later I did two weeks of research on all kinds of hip treatments after her surgeon pronounced her, at 25 lbs, the worst case she’d ever seen.

I think she was sent to us for a reason, me to be “food wench” and disciplinarian and walker, and my husband, the long walker and fun guy. We got her hips done and did physical therapy for many months. It was only when she got her paws onto our counter and ate a pound of marinated steak I realized she was OK. Now she’s old and I have to “Otis” her to bed at night.

Congratulations to Zoe for 12 years with a family who loves you. Cheers! Dee

ps Thanks to responsible no-kill shelters everywhere. One of my four was a family “surprise,” a kitten at five weeks that I had for 13 years. The others are all from shelters and even the “broken” ones can make the best companions. Adopt. Spay/Neuter. Train. Love. Those are my rules. D

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Doors

Posted on February 27, 2016 | Leave a comment

I always see doors, even windows, as opportunities. Herding dogs see them as a hindrance.

Our old Zoe loves it when my husband is home on weekends. She likes to sleep with whoever is in bed, and the highest spot with the best view possible. If my husband has a blanket over the comforter, that is the highest spot. It’s only 5 a.m. for him right now. We’ve been out and Zoe’s been fed and I’ve “Otis’ed” her back up there, where she is content for now.

For the few years we’ve lived here the bedroom door has squeaked but I could leave it open a few inches to minimize noise from the kitchen and living room and allow Zoe to nose her way out to check on the rest of her pack, that would be me.

About a year ago he stopped at a hardware store determined to allow the door to flow freely and no longer squeak. It worked but the inches are no longer allowed as it opens all the way and I can’t let him sleep, so I have to close it all the way and Zoe hates that! She wants her pack to be together.

I’m sure they’re both sleeping soundly. It’s 7:30 now and I’ve things to do and will try to keep quiet. She misses him so I’ll give them some sleeping/bonding time together. Cheers, happy Saturday, Dee

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Posted in animals, editorial pets, Family, Zoe

Amazon

Posted on February 18, 2016 | Leave a comment

I am amazed at what we can get there. And of course we’re Prime so get free shipping. We get all our paper products online. Unfortunately my husband just ordered about 100 sticky spider traps with attractant that stinks. I figured if I left it inside it would invite every spider in the neighborhood so wrapped in a tall kitchen bag and left it out in the cold.

There is one thing I can not order on Amazon or find at any specialty store. Bright, sensitive, inquisitive kids who call on my dog Zoe in their pajamas.

When you ask a kid what he/she learned in school today and they say “nothing” that’s a kick in the gut, also wasted taxpayer dollars. Yes, as these smart kids grow older they’ll probably have a dog of their own and lose their fascination with Zoe. Now they call on her every visit to their grandparents. Last time we made graham cracker, vanilla Greek yogurt and berry parfaits for their whole family.

Between playing ball, throwing Zoe’s “Precious” and making her do tricks for treats, they talked to me about school. A is liking math and doing multiplication. C is learning about clocks and time and looked at the time in the kitchen and told me the time in California where my husband was probably in the shower preparing to go to work.

I sent a note and Spring flowers to the family as there was a death and a funeral, a sad reason for a visit.

A said she asked questions about the funeral. That’s a good thing. I asked where I could get two like their grandkids, no deal, not on Amazon or anywhere. I’ll have to settle for visits in pajamas several times per year. I love being “Aunt Dee.” To children and dogs alike, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Zoe

It’s About Everything

Posted on February 9, 2016 | Leave a comment

Yes, that’s life, as Frank Sinatra sang it. Many people concentrate on one facet, whether it be sports, math or English literature.

Youth is, indeed, wasted on the young. Older doesn’t necessarily mean wiser but in my case, it works. I had a great family and was taught so much.

When every experience from being bullied to volunteering for a soup kitchen line to cooking school, helping feral cats and adopting four rescues over the past twenty years, I had an education that rivaled my formal education and career. Yes, I also credit my two favorite priests, Fr. Cap and Fr. John, both gone now.

They wove meaning into the fabric of my life. I learned about how history and traditions make us who we are, to accept people we don’t know and, above all, respect, appreciation and honesty.

Through my parents, relatives, teachers and friends I’ve learned much. And my husband teaches me physics lessons while listening to country music on the car radio on long drives. Do you know what’s coming out of that smokestack? No, dear. I can tell by the color……….

Also, having a pet can make a difference. There’s a real responsibility and I’m shirking mine now as I’ve taken her out for “last chance” and she is not by my side. She wants me to lift her up to the bed for her beauty sleep. She’s gorgeous and just turned 84 in people years. She has no hips so cannot jump up by herself. If I slept 20 hours a day I might look that good.

A pet is a grounding experience, especially without a child. So is music, the written word, writing a blog or Haiku or poems.

My husband’s gone for work but I still read cookbooks and make my own recipes and wish for him to come home soon to try them. Yes, my hobbies are cooking, writing and shelter pets/feral cats (spay/neuter). I have had perhaps my last shelter pet, hopefully not, because a dog gets me out to walk and meet people and other dogs. Zoe is old but fine.

Life is about everything and how playing touch football on a dead-end street or softball in our back yard was so special as a kid. The neighborhood kids called on us early and asked for Dad. Mom said they had to wait until the end of dinner. Dad’s only rule was that everyone got to play and play fair. I remember one kid picking up his little brother and running him from first to second base, a tree, and home (we didn’t have that much space) and everybody won because were all the home team. Even toddlers got to play on Dad’s team.

Honesty, integrity, a sense of fairness for everyone, life is about everything. Cheers to you and your family, Dee

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Posted in animals, Cook Books, Cooking Utensils, dogs, Editorial, Family, Greece, Italy, loving life, Recipe Ideas, Scotland, truth, Zoe

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What Will I Do?

Posted on February 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

Of course I would be there. I’ve only had four rescued pets over the past 20 years. One was sent to me as a “surprise” that fell off the 7′ shelf upon which he was born. My brother smuggled him 3,000 miles away and I had to learn how to take care of a cat. He was a Burmese mix, a talker, and always got the last word in until heart disease and pneumonia had me hold him while he got the pink needle.

My Chani was a fighter. She’d bled out, a tile man helped me lift this 90 lb. dog to the back of my Jeep and she stood up five times. We were tougher at the shelter then home for  ten years while she learned to trust children and man. The clinic was great and has buttons to push and now a separate wing for dying animals.

My other cat loved a Corgi named Ein who recently passed, and I could not marry my husband with a cat, as he is very allergic to the feline species. Mick was about seven and had a back yard and tree house and loved it. I think the coyotes got him as all the neighborhood dogs would run away from home to see him and I’d get phone calls. I’d look out the window and say, yes he’s here!

Now my husband and I, after a year of marriage, went to adopt a dog. She’s an Aussie mix, a herder. She drives us nuts, staring at us for food, going out, her “precious” ball. She is a shelter dog but the first one we got to raise, train and be our own. My husband can’t deal with euthanasia but if we decide she is too ill to live we will need to be there together. He helped raise her, and must be there with me.

Today I pour a cup of water on a tree that was a favorite place for two neighborhood dogs. When my Chani died neighbors bought a tree for the park and we all poured water on it, I can now see it on Google Earth. I bring it flowers.

My dog is getting old and so am I. I don’t know if there’s a “next.” I can’t see it as my mother-in-law always expects Zoe to clean up crumbs and father-in-law doesn’t pay her any mind but knows she always looks out for him and his grandkids. Yes, standing on his place on the sofa, looking out until her herd comes home.

This is for Liam, thanks Wurli for being a good friend, Zoe and Dee

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Zoe is 12

Posted on February 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

Our pup lived a filthy existence before she left her “home” for the shelter before she should have been weaned, or spayed. We met her and asked for her and she had a hold at the shelter by someone else. We met other dogs but no-one like her.

The next morning we were called with a lift on the hold so she could be ours. She had an unfortunate name I’d gone to lengths to correct after we finally adopted her, she jumped out of the box at just six weeks and sat on my lap in the car and looked out the window.

Coccidia, hookworms, done asap, then double hip dysplasia several months later and she had to go through six months of surgery and rehabilitation. Before surgery she would roll down the hill if she felt threatened and just give up her tummy. No-one took it. She is a sweet, beta girl.

We have a herder. She’s still a pup in our eyes. I gave her three little glusamine/chondriotin/sea cucumber bits yesterday atop her food.

Yesterday our Zoe, Greek for life, turned 12 years old. She’s still great with adults, kids and other dogs. Kids call on her. She loves being in my car, and has a 4″ orthopedic bed in there with a net and dog bowls et al. On the highway she sleeps, and only pops her head up at an off-ramp or street light.

We’re going on 14 years of marriage and Zoe took a lot of work but turned into a really great dog. January is always a great month to say what we are grateful for. Dee

 

 

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Posted in animals, Editorial, editorial pets, Pet, Zoe

Prohibitions

Posted on January 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

I agree with many, starting with the Ten Commandments. Maybe fifteen but as Mel Brooks broke the tablet in History Of The World, Part I, I do not know that content.

So, I’ll add one of my own, “Thou Shalt Pick Up Dog Poop.” There’s been little snow this season so no reason to have to wear thigh-high boots to traverse through 4′ of snow covered with ice to pick up after Fido. As an irresponsible dog owner, you are littering, being a lemming (just because others do it doesn’t mean you have to so), and inevitably denying the privilege of my dog, and yours, to live here. That is unacceptable. We are responsible dog owners and always have an extra bag for you to pick up.

Saturday is my dog’s 12th birthday, yes, we had her at six weeks, or as Renee Zellwegger would say, she “had me at hello.” No, we’ll not have a party. She only had one, when she turned one year old after having both her hips removed, not replaced. She had to grow her own from cartilage.

Where we were living the dogs and their owners were so kind to this pup who had the worst hip dysplasia her surgeon had ever seen. Even when other dogs chased her before her surgeries, she just laid down on her back, exposed her tummy and because of her sweet, Beta personality they left her alone. No-one knows my name but everyone knows Zoe.

For that party I brought three hors d’oeuvres for the humans, and three for the dogs, plus water dishes and soda. This year I may make dog biscuits and deliver them to the dogs she likes most. Practically everyone in the neighborhood. May as well leave a bowl out!

As to other prohibitions I get tired of them as they are unnecessary and mean. You may not have any ornament on your door, a mezuzah or a wreath or a welcome hanging with bluebirds for Spring. You may not have a door mat. What? This is a land of snow and mud. Where am I supposed to leave my boots for 20 minutes to dry?

A woman has been burglarizing our homes for months now. What says that people don’t really live here? Lack of a door hanging (mine is on a Command strip so I didn’t put a nail there) or door mat. When my husband is away on business I like having a door mat and door hanger and a dog to deter trespassers. Zoe’s Beta so will bark but if I open the door, she will lick. It works for me. I just don’t open the door. “Down, Jezebel!!!” Enjoy the day. Dee and Zoe, Greek for “life.”

p.s. There are enough prohibitions in life. I prefer to live my life. Oh, they caught the thief last week and I hope the people she stole from will testify against her. She’s caught on surveillance video here and elsewhere.

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Our Girl

Posted on January 13, 2016 | 1 comment

Zoe took food from my plate tonight. She will be 12 years old end of the month, knows better and had a great meal this evening.

I had to call my husband’s mother to find out what to do with an errant child. She said to pull out Zoe’s cage and put her in it for a while. We’ll see about that. Right now she’s back in our bedroom and my husband is working and wearing headphones. Perhaps I’ll take away her bed.

She seems to know she did something wrong. She just has to not do it again. I don’t eat out of her bowl. She should not steal from my plate while I am eating. I love her and will be with her all her life but these are rules. I just took her comfy bed out from under her and didn’t “Otis” her to our bed. My husband has been on the phone and working so she’s been closed back there away from me, dog mom and food wench and taker-outer. Husband’s taking her for “last chance.”

I’ve closed the door to our office. The kitchen is closed, as is my work space. If she is mad at me for writing my first childrens’ book this morning this is no way to act. I am the food wench. Deal with it. Dee

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Places

Posted on December 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

Places I’ve lived, visited, places made and changed my life.

I was born in one state and lived there, except for a few years, until age 29. At least 12 places that included babyhood, childhood, school, college, and work.

Another state with two residences in middle school and high school. Another with two residences as an adult. Another state, two residences with my husband.

Another state for a few years with my husband and dog. Yet another for a few years with both dear ones.

That’s about 20 homes in my life. Oh, I must include one posting overseas. That makes it 21.

Visiting will take longer. I just wrote my grade school principal (they sent an email) and thanked him for the base of my education and my excellent teachers, mainly in music and math, and general education, people who inspired me to be smart and not be shy and sit in the back of the classroom.

I believe it is important to thank the people who shaped your life, parents, teachers, mentors. ‘Tis the season. Dee

ps Years ago I bought this hand-made door hanger with a moose, a bear and an evergreen tree. My husband hates it. This morning I went to storage and found our stockings and two jingle bell wreaths for the inside and outside of our front door. He is so glad I got rid of the moose! (shhhh, it is in our closet awaiting repatriation after Spring and July 4……)

pps It was difficult to be a girl and be seen to be smart those days, or be more successful than a boy in any athletic endeavor. It was probably tough for guys as well as they were A/V and seen as geeks. Small school, everyone tried to fit in. Luckily I had teachers who egged me on, and we keep in touch.

 

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Posted in dogs, Editorial, Education, Scotland, teaching, Zoe

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Eyes Wide Open

Posted on September 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

Yes, I got up early and before seven I peeked in to see the dog. I motioned her to come to me and she was looking at me but not seeing me because she was sound asleep, eyes wide open. Freaky.

There are thunderstorms going on but no rain yet, thunder is getting louder by the minute but she wants her beauty sleep!

As I wait for Zoe to come see me to go out then get fed, we said goodbye to a work friend. We’re glad to know him and he’s as old-school as me, writing a note thanking us for all we’ve done. He’s done more for us. He’s an author and I’ll be telling you about his new book. No, not selling it. This is not a monetized site.

Oh, it just started pouring rain. Zoe’s not going to like this but she should have awakened a half-hour ago. Darn. We’re supposed to have thunderstorms all day. She hates involuntary wetness but loves baths. By me, of course with our own system. My husband does 20 minutes of hard bathing. I do five minutes of dog massage. Guess who she loves? We’ll let you hang on that while I wake her and do the “two minute pee.” Here’s to our Best Friends, Dee

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