Shadow Dancer

March 31, 2012 By Jodi

I always thought it would be cool to have a skylight in my bedroom, until I actually had one.

On those days when Mr. Sun is up well before he should be, everyone else in the room is up as well.

While the sound of raining drumming on the glass doesn’t bother me, it keeps Hubby awake.

For the first three years we lived here, we talked about purchasing some kind of blind to cover the window. But they’re very expensive and any time that kind of funding was available it seemed something more important came up.

Finally last year in desperation, I designed a type of skylight covering myself. (No, I can’t show you because Hubby says I should patent it.)

Did I forget to mention there’s a skylight in the bathroom attached to our bedroom as well?

Ooops, yes there is. But this skylight does not have a covering 1) because I wasn’t that ambitious and 2) the sun does not shine directly in our eyes when we are trying to sleep. Besides, I usually try to shut the bathroom door at night.

But sometimes I forget, or Hubby goes in there after me and doesn’t close the door. Yes, I’m going with that. Hubby does not close the door.

This was the case this morning, somehow the bathroom door was left open. The weatherman had predicted a ‘Wintery Mix’ for last night/this morning and lo and behold, for one magic moment in his life he guessed right. So while Mr. Sun rose, he didn’t shine because he was blocked by clouds.

Still as night gave way to early morning and dawn crept over the horizon, a vibrant, always vigilant chocolate lab looked up sleepily and saw something move on the side of the bed.

Ever the protector, she stood up and growled, which is when I opened my eyes and caught her…

I don't know what you are, but I don't like you in our bedroom.

growling at her shadow.

Follow-Up Friday

March 30, 2012 By Jodi

For those new to the blog, my follow-up Friday provides me with an opportunity to update or revise a post from the previous week.

You know sometimes you post about something and you need an update but it doesn’t warrant a whole blog. Or sometimes someone made a comment that really resonated with you. Yup, Follow-Up Friday baby! :-)

Where’d It Go? – Author’s Note:

Taxes done, filed, money received, money spent.

Enough said.

What’s Going On – Author’s Note:

I have to say the decision to have your dog wear a collar all the time is definitely a personal choice. For me the idea of my dog getting outside of the yard or running off on one of our walks is a real fear.

If you like your dog to wear a collar, but hate the jingle of tags, check this link out. Thanks to DogDaz for sharing, you all have probably already seen these, but they’re new to me. 🙂

What’s In A Name – Author’s Note:

Yup, you pretty much all agreed who the a**hole was in that story.

Don’t Talk To My Dog – Author’s Note:

I’m not sure if I was clear in the post. Sampson really, really wanted to get this woman’s attention. He encouraged her by rooing and prancing.

My bigger issue is the woman should ASK me, can I say hello? Unless your dog runs up to me and sticks his nose in my hand, I’m asking your permission to greet your dog.

Lexy over at Gone For A Walk had an idea for “You’re an idiot” cards, but for the life of me I can’t find the post to link it to. Instead I’m giving you a link to this post, “Rules To Live By.” I did find myself chuckling as I read it but mostly because I agreed with her, but the topic really is serious.

It’s Jet Here suggested a tee-shirt, I like that idea too. My tee-shirt would say, “Please Don’t Acknowledge My Dogs Without My Permission.” And on the back, “If you can’t understand these instructions, you’re a moron.”

Too harsh?

Disbelief – Author’s Note:

I’m still sad about Hailey’s plight today but there were some great comments that really did make me feel better. Have I ever told you, you guys are the best? Thank you so much for helping me feel better.

As for the training class I skirted out of, I talked with Sara today.

She did kick the little pittie out of the class at the break. The young woman will be going for private classes to see if they can help mellow Doylan out. Doylan is on her fourth home. According to Sara she has bitten her owner and the owner is giving her six months, if she can’t help her in that time frame she intends on euthanizing her. Sara felt that a room full of dogs is not the right place (at least right now) for Doylan.

The couple with the two yellow labs that kept repeating their commands? They’ve apparently been at this for three years and Sara says it’s like talking to the wall trying to make them understand. Honestly, that’s when I want to take the leash and show them how to work their dog.

By the way (BTW for all you texters,) I wasn’t the only person who felt the tension in that training room last night, my friend Teri said she felt it too.

That’s it from my end, I hope you have an awesome weekend and good luck to all the lottery players.

🙂

Disbelief

March 29, 2012 By Jodi

Did you ever have one of those days?

It started off fine, then a few harsh words from a co-worker and my mood had changed.

I went to my google reader to check out what my friends had to say and I found “Long Term Shelter Dogs : How Long Is Too Long?” at Talking Dogs Blog. The post made me weep and I feel so sad for this beautiful dog, Hailey that I’ve cried on and off most of the day.

Hailey

Eight years old and she’s spent all but two months of it in a shelter.

I tried to leave a comment on the blog saying I was going to check with my friend at Labs 4 Rescue to see if they could find a foster home for her but I’m having trouble commenting on some blogs so the comment isn’t showing up.

I asked Hubby at lunch, “Please can I get another dog? I just want to try to find her a good home.”

He said no and he’s right, like many of you we struggle monthly to meet our obligations. Another dog and all that goes with it just wouldn’t work right now.

But Hailey hung with me, darting in and out of my mind all day.

I couldn’t decide if I wanted to take Delilah to Obedience Class tonight or not. I waffled back and forth, finally desperation to see my friend and talk about Hailey pushed me out the door.

When I pulled into the Training Center the lot was full, we were the last ones in and it was packed. Fifteen dogs all told. And a number of them were new dogs.

I tried. I really did.

First there was the new beagle (I think) mix that went at Delilah, who naturally caught me off guard and went right back at her. The leash snapped my fingers and I lost my shoe trying to keep Delilah from chewing her up and spitting her out.

Then there was an excited pitbull mix that couldn’t seem to focus and kept going after other dogs around her. Sarah had her in the center of the floor, helping her to settle down and not react to the other dogs.

Depending on which way we were walking I had to Boston Terrier type dogs in front of me and two yellow labs behind me and vice versa. The guy working one of the yellow labs kept repeating his commands, “Sit, Sit, Sit, Sit, Sit, Sit, Sit” until I wanted to scream at him and say, some day you’re going to wonder why your dog doesn’t sit when you say sit!

There was a Doberman Pinscher who has been there before. The first time she was there Delilah wanted a piece of her. Just before the break the Dobie started getting vocal and I said to Delilah, “We’ll leave at the break and I’ll take you for a little walk.”

I know you get it when I say you could feel the tension in the room.

I’m sure it was me and my frame of mind, but I couldn’t take the chance of setting Delilah up to fail or lose the great progress she has made. So I left.

Oh and yes my friend from Labs 4 Rescue wasn’t there, so I still haven’t talked to her about Hailey.

Can you say anything to me in the comments that will help me wrap my head around a dog in a shelter for eight years?

I just can’t believe it.

Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Shadow Dancer