the yawning dog ranch

Smokey verses 4 Black Labs!

2011-02-03T08:40:00.002-07:00

Seems like a fair fight...

Nice While it Lasted

2010-11-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Kit is cute as a button but a button with a destructive streak. Last time she was here another dog taught her to chew on the outside wall of the kennel. I was just expecting more of that this stay. Alas no, she found something new to chew on. The caulk that I installed last month to make the outside runs easier to clean. Nice while it lasted. I am going to have to remember to keep putting Kit in this particular kennel every stay!

Just a Bit More Food than Needed

2010-11-01T14:01:00.006-07:00

This is Maggie Mae and this is her food. Not a stay's worth of food, a day's worth of food. I measured it out, 10 cups total. I was told half a bag in the morning and half a bag at night along with the 3 treats in each bag. They even dated each bag for me. I poured those first 5 cups and thought to myself, if this little thing with zero percent body fat really eats that whole bowl she must have a tape worm the size of a boa constrictor!

When she took 5 meals to eat 5 cups, I had a new and better measurement of what she eats. I asked about the enormous bags of food; they were just worried about her running out. I found myself just having to do the math: she was supposed to stay 7 days,so 70 cups of food, that is actually enough food for 35 days!

Six Pack!

2010-10-14T12:09:00.005-07:00

And try as I might, I can't get them all in one picture. Also difficult to do, get them back into the right kennels in the right sets.

I did however manage to get a photo with none of them in it.

Be a Dog, Smell a Butt! You Will Be So Much Happier!

2010-10-04T07:59:00.002-07:00

I would often shouted that advice at a beagle named Scooter. He never did take my suggestion to heart. Dog personalities really do vary. You get from All Dog, to All Human, and, for me, sometimes all in the same weekend.

All Dog
These are my players, all speed, happiness, and no manners or steering. They will smell everyone, early and often. They play or try to play with everything on four leg and sometimes even me. They ofter won't take 'No!' for an answer to a request to play, that is when I have to play referee.

All Human
These are the dogs that think they are people. They have a slightly panicked look when they end up in my kennel. They look at me and in their eyes I see that not only are they people, they consider themselves to not be Dog-People either. I know that look, my mom has it everytime my labs got near her.

All Human can be overcome. They just need to relax, smell a butt and be a dog! If you can get a All Dog to pester All Human into playtime they will get it.

I have watched this change happen over and over again. From freaked out and cowering at my feet to running, wrestling, leaping, sniffing, and wagging with the pack. It is a joy to behold. Only I wonder what they think when they get back home. Do they look at their owners and think, "You are great on the petting, scratching and sitting with stuff and the letting in and out and feedings are great but, heck, you are just not all that much fun."

It might explain the dogs that drag their owners from the car to kennel.

Special Orders! I Don't Get Them!

2010-10-03T19:42:00.002-07:00

As I have said before, if you are feeding your dog and it takes more than three ingredients or three steps, you are working too hard. I remind you that your dog considers a dried up cat turd on a hot sidewalk to be a rare and wondrous delicacy.

People keep telling me that their dog is a picky eater. I find that to be impossibility. Dogs by nature will eat anything, most often things that they never should have tried. Like my dog that once barfed up a piece of leather with a brass rivet in it. That is when I figured out what happened to my boat shoes.

Universally, the extra treat added to the dog food for these finicky eaters is something that is all protein and fat: Chicken, eggs, cheese, or hot dogs. I even had a dog that came with bologna. Dogs, as a rule, should only eat dog food. It is designed to give them all that they need everyday of their lives. Giving them all this extra is only throwing off the balance of protein, fat and minerals. Besides, that extra stuff tastes great and can only make dog food less appealing.

So, if your dog won't eat and the vet says their is nothing wrong with them. Let them get hungry. I have learned that no dog will hold out not eating for more than 48 hours, no matter how mad they are about being in the kennel. Then add lots of exercise to work up an appetite. Or, and this a drastic measure, get a second dog. Nothing like competition for the food to make one more interested in breakfast.

Or drop them off here. Between the playtime work outs and all those other dogs looking at their food, I rarely have a picky eater with a full bowl for long!

Three Days Off!

2010-09-30T13:43:00.003-07:00

I am getting pretty spoiled not having to hit the door by 7am. I am making up for it by digging in and getting the kennel into shape. Really, just a fluke that I have exactly the right amount of time for the caulk to cure falling when I finally get my car back to go buy the supplies, with the right weather to pull it all off.

I caulked the new concrete, this should make it easier to clean and I also water-proofed the concrete. I am hoping this makes a world of difference on my ability to get sun-baked poop off the concrete. Oh the stuff, I never used to think about.

The kennel will be 8 years old this November and it is showing the wear and tear of non-stop dogs. Now, that the website is done, I hope to get back to designing a new, better kennel. Once that is up and running, the old one is going to get a makeover!

What's in a Name?

2010-07-24T10:37:00.006-07:00

Just like the Harley motorcycles, dogs named Harley come in many different Models.

I had a Miniature Pincher and a Chihuahua named Harley at the same time last weekend.

I have a Boxer, a German Shepard, a Roitwieller, a Shitzu, and a Pomperanian. Those are just the ones I remember off the top of my head. Last time I worked on my database, I had about 48 different Harleys and I haven't even tried to type in any dogs from this year.

Buddy is another popular name, along with Sadie, Smokey, Magie, and Roxy. There are two different Boxers named Roxy but, they have never been here at the same time. So getting two Buddy's, both Dachshunds, is some new and unusual and really a bit of a pain keeping them straight and in the right kennel!

The Art of Drumming Up Traffic for Your Blog By Commenting on Mine

2010-07-08T12:46:00.002-07:00

There is more to getting people to read your blog than to just post a comment asking to view your blog.

The best way to get my attention and that of readers is to post something witty, funny or insightful. If your posts are consistently interesting, not only will I search out who you are, so will my readers.

Really, what you post makes a difference. I wish you well with your blogging!

Miss Bailey

2010-07-08T07:19:00.006-07:00

Miss Bailey is shy of the camera.

Miss Bailey is afraid of the brush, so I have to let her molt in this heat.

But she is not shy or afraid of the big dogs.

To a point, anyway.

So, Miss bailey gets some time alone and the big kids get to keep on wrestling.

A Good Workout for Both of Them

2010-07-06T06:49:00.004-07:00

Ike getting what he usually dishes out!

2010-06-27T15:19:00.007-07:00

At first, it was just Ike and Tobit. I was trying to get the shot of Tobit mounting Ike's head like a furry Russian hat but, Ike wasn't letting her get into her favorite position.

Then Belle got in on it.

Then BB and Millie joined in.

The girls had even had him down and surrendering.

Kissing to make up.

Belle and Tess = Tessie and Anti-Tessie

2010-06-26T07:51:00.003-07:00

Belle is a slightly subdued version of Tessie. She jumps but, not non-stop. She barks but, mostly at the chickens and not the other dogs. She wants back in her kennel, FIRST! but, doesn't need to go in every kennel. She runs like the wind and in that respect, she shows me that Tessie is starting to get old.

Tess, however, is the exact opposite of Tessie. She is old, sedate, quiet, and willing to stand with me in the shade and get petted.

Tess was recently abandoned on and adopted by Belle's owners. One lucky dog, now.

What is really disappointing to me: Belle and Tess go home today and Tessie is coming on Sunday. I would love to get these three girls together!

Finally, I have a system that works!

2010-05-09T07:08:00.009-07:00

It is very long and convoluted but, everyone gets out and no one gets hurt.

First, the cast of characters:

We have Zoey and Kale, they are a perfect match and are having a good time together. They would, could and should play with the Big and Bouncies that we have this weekend. Only, Puppy plays WAY too hard and I am worried about a Little Bit getting a little bit smooshed.

Under the title of Big and Bouncy, we have Lily, Puppy, Prudence, Emma, and Oakley. Two Lab mixes, a Boxer, a Standard Poodle and a Labradoodle, respectively. They are all getting along, famously.

Then there are Tequila and Mikki, these two are giving me gray hairs and I really don't need anymore of those. Tequila is a Pitbull and is showing too much fence aggression to ever be let out with anyone else. It is just as well, because Mikki is so old and arthritic that I can't risk having him hit by another dog. Mikki is in such bad shape, he can't get out the dog door. I actually thought I was going to have to take this dog to the vet to be put down because he wouldn't even stand up for the first day. Talked to the owners and it turns out, I have to get Mikki to stand up and move or he will just lie down all day, making his stiff joints even worse.

That is when I came up with my system:

Step one, lock Tequila in the outside run.

Then let Puppy, Lily, Prudence, Emma and Oakley out to play. Try to get them all on the back portion of the play yard and close the gate. (Biggest hold up in this process is waiting for Puppy to pee. Either that dog has the largest bladder or the smallest urethra, 'cause he takes much to long to finish peeing.)

Go back in the kennel and walk Mikki out the door and through the gate to the play yard. Let Tequila out with her brother. Keep Lily, Puppy and Tequila from fence fighting at the gate.

Let them all play for at least 15 minutes.

Put Tequila back in her run.

Walk Mikki back through the gate and into the kennel. Feed him his special combo of dog food and chopped up hot dog. Grab Tequila's special bowl, that keeps her from eating too fast and throwing up. (Will have to get a picture of this bowl and find out where they got it, I know a number of dogs that need this device)

Go back outside.

Give Tequila her food in the outside run.

Put all the Big and Bouncies back in their runs.

Let Zoey and Kale out, and stick them on the far side.

Let Amos and Dillan out. I don't have a picture of these guys, a Shitzu and a Chiuhuahua. They are truly the rarest of all breeds, a small dog that comes when called. A wondrous treat for me. Only, they don't get along with the other two little bits.

All of this takes about 45 minutes, minimum, so I am thankful that this mismatched set of dogs showed up after my husband is off from school.

Puppy VS Toddler!

2010-04-20T05:45:00.002-07:00

And the Tails Tell All, Again.

2010-04-11T12:59:00.004-07:00

This is a happy Great Pyrenees' tail.

And this is an unhappy Great Pyrenees' tail.

It was my goal to get Attila to raise her tail to at least half-mast before the end of the weekend. No luck, that dog is just seriously freaked out, all the time.

I Think I Know What Muffin is Made Of!

2010-04-11T12:55:00.003-07:00

I have always wondered about Muffin. I and his owner has always suspected Great Pyrenees but, he has quite a bit of yellow and black in his fur allong with the white.

Well, I had two Great Pyrenees along with Muffin and I think the tails tell the pedigree.

That is definitely the same tail.

Mourning an Old Friend

2010-04-02T06:53:00.005-07:00

Some good friends of ours have lost their precious dogs, Pecos. He was a real sweetheart and I can just picture him napping in the sun on the sidewalk in front of their house.

I thought I'd share a few Pecos stories.

I haven't gotten to babysit Pecos lately. As he got older, he went to Grandma's house and got even more spoiled than staying here. I missed him but, I can't really blame him, Grandma's house is where I would want to stay.

The first time Pecos stayed here, while the grown-ups were getting him tucked in, their kids piled out of the car. Can't blame them, my front yard was strewn with a large assortment of toys left by my kids. In turn, my kids piled out of the house and the rest is history. They were matched sets for ages and are still good friends.

The first time, I was invited to their house, I managed to scare everyone brainless. I let myself in the gate, did some scratching on Pecos and walked up to the front door and knocked. No one has ever gotten to the front door without Pecos announcing their presence, before. I was greeted with, "You have a great future in cat burglary in Helper."

You will be greatly missed, Pecos. Say "Hi!" to my girls when you get to Doggie Heaven!

One Day These Dogs are Going to Scare Me to Death

2010-03-28T06:09:00.008-07:00

A normal Sunday starts with me heading out to the dogs around 7:30am. Weekdays, it is around 6:45am but, for the weekends I try to give my neighbors a bit of a break.

Today, I was out early because someone needed to drop off at 7 am. Out in the cold and the dark, I open the door, flip on the lights and just hit the first kennel. Unlatch, open, pull the door, let small and fluffy Mona out into the cold and dark. I turn and finally LOOK at the rest of the dogs.

YIKES! Diesel is down and twitching! Oh My Lord!!!!

"Diesel! Diesel!! Diesel!!! Diesel!!!

By now I have gotten into his run and have my hands on him. He leaps up and looks as equally freaked out as I do.

"Geez, dog, you almost stopped my heart just then!"
"Hey Lady, I was in the middle of a dream, you will stop my heart waking me up like that!"

Really, I could live happily ever after with less of these little aerobic workouts for my heart. Oh, and just after all this happened. My early drop-off called, they decided to have breakfast before they came over.

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks...

2010-03-25T12:53:00.002-07:00

Yet, they have no problem picking up bad habits.

Tessie like to jump, up and down, up and down, all day long (I will assume all night long, as well). She has passed this hobby onto at least 3 other dogs. Luckily, none of them show her tenacity of doing it non-stop.

She also likes to empty her water dish as soon as she has had enough to drink. She has painted the far wall of my kennel with dirty water spots. She passed this one onto a Cocker Spaniel whose name I can't remember. I do remember thinking that I hoped he saved this trick for my kennel and didn't "Try this at home."

Sunny, a miniature Lassie dog, likes to stand on his crate and bark. Every other little dogs that shows up with a crate when Sunny is here, joins him on the roof top.

Shane, a really big yellow lab, likes to sing. We call his howling, 'doggy opera'. He tends to get the whole group going with it. His preferred position is butt in the kennel, head half out. I bet the acoustics of the kennel sound perfect to him. One weekend, his passed on his gift of song to a Shitzu the smallest, fluffiest coyote you ever heard. The owners were greatly amused by this. All I could think was, "Gee, I hope your neighbors find it just as funny."

But this month, the bad habit being passed on and on is peeing on thy neighbor. I used to only have this problem with Flip and Gunny. Now, Booker, Smokey and as of yesterday, Diesel, has taken this up. At least Diesel is still acting the gentleman. He only pees on his neighbor's outside run and he has been hitting the empty run next to him rather than peeing on the girls.

Everyone is Afraid of Something

2010-03-12T13:45:00.003-07:00

These two, yes there are two Miniature Pinschers in there, are scared to death of me. Which is why Dotie is not in the picture. They wouldn't come in when I tried to put the door in, I had to lock them in from the outside.

On the other hand, I am scared to death of these two. Actually, not so much the tan one, it is black one that is mean. I have to go in with an extra door in my hand to make sure she doesn't get anywhere near me. Letting them in or shutting their door at night is an aerobic workout for me. My heart rate is right up there where my trainers were always trying to get it.

Just Not Getting Along

2010-03-10T13:39:00.004-07:00

It hasn't been much fun down at the kennel this week.

No one, including me, wants to play with the puppy, Bella. She is just all bounce and no manners.

Grace, the black lab, comes out of her run with her hackles up and never does put them back down. I don't know what she is afraid of, she is the biggest dog here.

Blue wants to sniff and follow every dog around but, growls and gets mad if anyone tries to do the same to him.

Blue wants to play ball, over the weekend, so did Sadie. Only, they can't let anyone else play ball. It gets very ugly very fast if any other dog makes a play for the tennis ball. For the past five day, whenever a tennis ball appears out of the melting snow, I pitch it over the fence.

Tessie seems to want to run with Grace and even seems willing to play, that is until Grace actually tries to engage her. Then Tessie growls and wants to go in.

Poor Grace hasn't had anyone to play hard with since Winchester went home.

And back to Bella, she really gave the pair of pugs, Jack and Jill, a hard time. Just her size but completely freaked out by her. They unfurled their tails so far back, they were giving themselves a wedgie.

Well, the puppy went home, the Pug relaxed and curled up their tails. Tessie is still 'thinking' about playing with Grace. And maybe, just maybe, there are no more tennis balls in the play yard.

There is a Real Disadvantage to be Low to the Ground in Snow

2010-01-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

Snow Dreads!

Forget Corn Mazes, The Dogs Have a Snow Maze!

2010-01-28T14:57:00.003-07:00

I only had 2 big dogs and they did a decent job knocking down the snow into a firm pack that you don't sink into anymore. But they did all that hard work only on the back half of the play yard. I kept all the little guys on the front side with me. I noticed that they were only running back and forth infront of the kennels where I had shoveled the snow away (so the gate would open). So I started stomping around and making them pathways through snow so they would have some where to go.

I had to re-stomp all the paths for little Rocky to use today. Only, he really does prefer to inside.

That show Determination!

2010-01-24T09:16:00.003-07:00

Watch Harley chase and chase after Booker and Copper. He is driving through snow deeper than he is high to keep up. And to make the job even harder; when a dog is that low to the ground with snow that deep, they tend to pick up their own weight in snow dreads hanging from their bellies and bottoms.

BB's Back!

2009-12-23T13:13:00.003-07:00

Haven't seen her for ages.

Hee,hee, BB's got back, too.
I think since her cousin dogs went home, she is getting all the snacks.

I have noticed some of my regulars have 'thickened up' once they got out of the puppy years. Booker, Diesel and BB are starting to pick up some pounds. All these dogs are what I call "furless wonders". Their coats are so short it is more like velvet than fur and are no good for hiding extra weight. Very much like skinny jeans on humans, every pound is on display.

Personally, no one is getting me near any kind of mirror that lets me see my rear!

A New An Usually Way to Screw Up Fetch!

2009-12-08T14:54:00.002-07:00

Really, I had thought I'd seen them all. Starting with my own dogs, who played a very limited game of fetch. I throw the ball, one dog gets the ball and then proceeds to chase the dog, that didn't get the ball, while continuing to retain the ball in her mouth.

Jasmine has come up with an equally hard way to not play fetch. She will bring the ball back, but she insists on dropping it behind me. Whenever I attempt to move it forward, to a position that I can kick it from, she darts in and grabs it. I was getting worried that my toes would land in her procession and not the tennis ball. GAME OVER!

Large and In Charge

2009-12-02T07:05:00.002-07:00

I had Scooter back this week. He is a bit bigger than last visit. I'd put him at about 2 and a HALF pounds these days. He had no trouble getting in and out of his run once I put the logs in for him to climb up and out on.

On of the other moms commented that he didn't seem intimidated by all the big dogs and all their barking. Funny, I was pretty intimidated all week with all the barking and jumping. The crowd I had over Thanksgiving was just draining me dry. So much barking, Tessie jumping straight up and down, Harley jumping straight up and down, only higher, and Maki, Booker, Nuray, and little Maggie and Rosie barking their fool heads off. Being inside the kennel was painful. Outside wasn't much better. But with all that, she was right. Little Scooter wasn't frightened by all the noise and action at all. He wasn't afraid of the big dogs that came up to his run. And when he did get outside with Tessie, Rosie, and Maggie, he chased those dogs away with his attentions.

As I explained to that mom, Shitzus are always 'Large and In Charge', they have no idea of their actual size and seem to be born with the innate knowledge that they rule the universe. How so much confidence can be packed into such a small body, I do not know, but it is true.

Enthusiasm for Dogs Runs in the Family

2009-11-30T16:05:00.003-07:00

That high pitch squeal you are hearing is the baby's ultimate sign of approval and delight. All dogs are greeted by this sound. Live or on TV. Even the little yellow lab logo we have on our computer's login screen can bring that sound out of her.

For me, it brings on goose bumps, makes my eyes roll back in my head and makes my skull feel like it is splitting down the middle. The ad for Disney's new Christmas Buddies with all six of its 'cute as can be' yellow labs is particularly painful.

Seriously Misread That Situation!

2009-11-29T17:27:00.002-07:00

I just got stared down and out of my own kennel. I went out for the dinner shift only to be greeted by my kennel's NEW owner. A rather large hound that was not going to let me anywhere near HIS kennel. Every time I stepped past the chicken house, I was greeted with teeth and growls. I took this warning very seriously and called for 911 for Animal Control to come out.

I got two of Helper's finest in no time. They got a similar greeting from the dog. We settled in to wait for Animal Control.

Once she got here, armed with only a 'dog stick' and a bag of treats she bravely approached the kennel building. She was greeted to a dropped and wagging tail and a licked hand. What the?!!

I was really frightened of that dog and all he did was wait for her to put the leash on.

Ha, ha, I have to laugh at myself, I really misread that dog's body language.

Once Again, Crossing that Fine Line Between Love and Stalking

2009-11-22T14:35:00.004-07:00

Let's just say that Goofy has issues. He has a thing for little dogs. His usual technique is to follow them around the play yard barking at them. The little dogs ignore him for the most part and just end up with a spit covered back.

Little Scooter isn't allowed out with the big dogs, yet. Goofy can't leave him alone. Whenever Scooter reaches out to Goofy, he gets a big lick or a little nibble. Goofy is in love. Scooter is either going to be greatly relieved when Goof goes home tonight or he is going to be lonely.

Live Action of the Live Action!

2009-11-22T14:29:00.003-07:00

First they run. A few laps to get warmed up. Ellie will join in on the running part.

Then there is the wrestling, which both Ellie and I try to avoid.

Perfect Match!

2009-11-22T14:27:00.003-07:00

They might look like they are killing each other, but they have been at this for more than a day and half already. These two should sleep for a week when they go home.

I Thought the Whole Concept was that it Kept Your Hands Free for the Remote!

2009-11-18T07:30:00.001-07:00

Dog Snuggi!

I saw this at Walmart in Price.

Looking for Gifts...

2009-11-18T07:27:00.003-07:00

I have recently seen some really odd dog or dog based gifts this year. I thought I would share.

Dog Mugs! That the handle is the dog's head. This is a tad to close to picking them up by the ears for me.

I lost one of my favorite dogs.

2009-11-14T17:15:00.003-07:00

Her owner just called to tell me that Dusty won't be arriving 7am on Monday. I am about as upset about her as my own dogs dying. She was my all time favorite. She had been coming here from the very beginning. My husband just told me that she was the very first dog that he had to babysit because I had taken the kids to see my parents. That must have been spring break 2003 or 2004.

Dusty is the yawning dog you see that the top of this blog. The name 'Yawning Dog' came from one of my dogs that yawned so big it was like a lion in the circus: you could put your whole head in there! But my dogs are black and never show up good in a picture. So, Dusty became the model for my blog.

I am going to miss her more than I can say.

Silver Lining to the Recession...

2009-11-14T10:25:00.004-07:00

I have had so many new dogs this year! As the regular clients take fewer vacations, I get a crop of newbies each weekend.

This week we have:NEW DOGS!

Skulli and Jack, all bounce and happiness. I am still bruised all over, yet somehow delighted about it.

Winchester in action! If I could only, always have Jack to not play back with him.

Bear! I greeted him with, "Bear!? more like Wolf!" Turns out I was right. He is half wolf.

So new dogs and new breeds, as well, this year.

Bear is a HUGE lovebug in more ways than one.

The picture doesn't do him justice. He has gorgeous slate gray fur and golden brown eyes.

So much for this year.

2009-11-14T10:15:00.004-07:00

I give up. Trying to make a 6 foot high inflatable blue dog for the Helper's Annual Light Parade has now come to an end.

I attempted to blow him up yesterday and one blower is just not going to be enough, that plus the fact that he is pretty mutant looking has me giving up. I have wasted enough precious nap time working on him and nothing around the farm or yard got done while it was still warm.

Facing making the signs out in the cold is also another reason why...NEXT YEAR!

Gonna fix my husband's pants, turn my son's broken snaps into button holes and buttons and pack up the sewing machine, empty the dining room of project materials in time for Thanksgiving dinner and spend nap time sorting out the basement.

Play Time!

2009-11-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

As you can see, many weeks of many big dogs has turned the play yard into a dust bowl.

Winchester is Playing!

2009-11-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to see Winchester playing with another dog without the horrifying noise. Morning came and I realized why there was no noise of protest from Winchester. When he plays with Jack, Jack doesn't play back. Just what Winchester has been looking for in a playmate. One that doesn't even try to win.

Maybe it will work!?

2009-11-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

I was left this list of instructions for how to house train a puppy. I just read it in slack jawed awe.

Now, I know I did everything wrong with house breaking my puppies, so this isn't a criticism of the program or the effort involved in sticking to it. It is just a reaffirmation that maybe I should not get a puppy again, rather I should adopt a dog that has already been house broken. It is, however, an admission of defeat as I had little or no chance of actually following this plan.

The puppy did better with the plan than I did. Every time I came in, he would come out of his box and pee for me. Now, if I was a bit faster, I might have gotten him to the outside run in time. I still have a chance. He is due back for Thanksgiving and with a whole week, I know he can have me trained up just fine.

PIDDLE HAPPENS!

2009-11-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

Puppies Welcome!

I will play ONLY if I get to win!

2009-11-11T16:08:00.004-07:00

Winchester has a bit of a problem when it comes to playing with the other dogs. Namely, he just doesn't know how to do it!

He postures for play, perfectly. He wags his tail and seems good to go. Only he is only 'good' when his paws are on the other dog or he is doing the mounting. As soon as the other dog gets anything near 'top', the most godawful sound comes out of this dog and attempts to split your skull down the middle. It is bad on me and the other dogs are just plain confused by it. Stewy and Rocko tried over and over again to play with Winchester, but he just never got the hang of it.

If you happen to be a work, turn the volume down...low.

I have worked it out!

2009-10-21T06:51:00.001-07:00

Sally, Cai, and Tinkerbell on one side.
Blocker, Buttons and Tessie on the other.

Everyone seems to be getting along.
Sally can take whatever Tink dishes out.
Call me impressed.

I am finally getting to clean the concrete mess up.
There was no way I was going to bend down and pick stuff up around Tink.

Not a Good Day at the Ranch

2009-10-19T20:36:00.003-07:00

I hate days like these. I really dread going down the kennel to let the dogs out. It is just no fun this week. Everyone has been here a bit too long. Sally is going on her second week, as is Cai. Tinkerbell still hasn't gotten the hang of playing well with others. She makes all the right moves to get a dog to play with her, but then she quickly drops the charm and lunges at them. Good start, bad follow through. Cai and Sally and even Blocker have all started growling while playing, so my nerves are shot, reacting to everyone like a fight is about to break out. I end up cutting play time short, whenever it stops looking and sounding like play time and that is probably making matters worse.

Making the mix work even worse, over the weekend, was Tobit. She is a little thing, but usually she is right in the middle of everything, trying to control the other dogs. That would be the Heeler in her, trying to be in charge. This time, she was the new kid and she didn't take well to the position. I even had to keep her by herself for the first day. When she did finally play with the others, she was butting in whenever two of them were wrestling, barking the whole time. That kind of thing just ups the energy level and makes everyone just that much more unstable. The poop didn't even get scooped for a day as I wouldn't take my eyes off them.

Tobit went home and things quieted down for about 30 minutes until Simon showed up. Simon has a one track, ball oriented mind. Everyone else wanted him to wrestle and not play fetch. This was not a match made in heaven. He started to get so nuts about his ball, that he chomped down on my hand, ball inside, as I reach back to throw it. So much for fetch. He also possesses a high pitch bark that you can feel damage your hearing. He went home today, only to be replaced with Tessie.

I couldn't have picked a worser combination. I love Tessie to bits, but her constant barking and jump just makes my life miserable. Especially, when I have a kennel full of newbies that have never been around her. She has Tinkerbell wound so tight that she is all over me from the moment I let her out. Cai and Sally are also jumping all over me. I have more bruises than I want to count. They are kicking the bleep out of me each playtime.

I am holding out hope for Wednesday when Smokey arrives. A big dollop of big, dumb and happy might just pull this group back together.

Another Name That Just Doesn't Fit!

2009-10-18T08:28:00.003-07:00

Too little, this time!

Tinkerbell is a Bull Mastif. Now, you could go for the irony angle, funny to name something that is going to be so big and so lumbering after something so tiny, and dainty that it can fly. But, I believe this falls under the same force of dog naming that brought me, Snoopy, Tiffany, Britney, and Pepper Ann.

They let the kids name the dog.

Sorry That I Forgot the Camera, Again!

2009-10-02T17:12:00.002-07:00

First, there was Maggie trying to mount Rocky. Now, having a girl mount a boy is not really that unusual. It is more of a dominance play than anything sexual. But, in this case, we have a 120+ black lab trying to mount and equally over weight pug. I had to say to myself,"Girl, where are you going with that?!"

I knew where Rocky was going with it; happily back in his own run.

Then the boys got into it. Booker had Lucky on him, Shane mounted Lucky, and Muffin decided to join in. A four dog, dog train is really quite rare. Now, if Maggie had only tried to do to Muffin that she had tried to do to Rocky AND I had my camera...I know that $10,000 would be mine.

Big, Dumb, and Happy - My Favorite Breed of Dog

2009-10-02T12:15:00.001-07:00

I do I ever have a load of them.

Booker, Smokey, Muffin, Lucky...they have been at it for days. I try not to freeze as I dodge their endless wrestling match. Usually, I know that playtime is winding down when the wrestling and running stop and everyone starts to just wander around on their own. Not this group, there is no stopping or even slowing for them. I am frozen through and risking shattering on impact as I have to get into the middle of the dog pile to get anyone back into a kennel.

Smokey went home and has since been replaced with Maggie and Shane. Maggie is a bit too old to handle the kids and has made that perfectly clear. She even got through to Booker to leave her alone, but Shane is putting on his puppy suit and joining in, big time.

It is both nice and odd to see Muffin playing. He has always been a bit of a loner. I think the thyroid supplements have done him a world of good.

I call him, Cory.

2009-09-29T14:06:00.004-07:00

I thought about making a big stuffed animal, but cardboard sounded easier. ha, ha.

I am putting together a silent auction item for St. Anthony's Carnival. I have a doggie backpack and what better way to show it off than on a dog. I had planned on leaving him a lovely shade of brown cardboard, but now I have to papermache him to cover up his one side that is showing that he was born of a diaper box.

Whenever I get him done, he will have his back pack, 2 toys, a travel dog dish, and gift certificates from The Ranch and from John McCurdy for dog training.

Getting Along Much Better This Weekend

2009-09-26T06:53:00.003-07:00

I have a threesome of big and bouncy, BB, Amica, and Booker. They are a good match for personality, speed, agility and even color. That is a bit of problem, I almost fed Booker, BB's food. And it is hard to tell who you are yelling at when they speed by.

Booker is still playing too rough, but the girls are more than willing to put him in his place. I think they are going to be a good influence on him.

Booker's owner sent a squirt bottle of water for me to use on him, when he acts up. Funny, I just bought myself one last week to try on the nuisance barkers. The lady that runs the animal shelter recommended it. I still think it seems a bit mean, which probably explains why the bottle is still in its bag in the back of my husband's car. Now, I don't have any problem dumping an entire bucket of water on dogs that are fence fighting, but squirting them still seems too harsh. I haven't even tried it on Booker, I keep forgetting his bottle in the kennel.

Or, maybe, it is just that I love them all the more when they are terrible.

Duke and Laura

2009-09-25T10:12:00.003-07:00

I haven't had these two in years now. I was shocked by how old they had gotten. Watching the dogs get old is a bit harder with having lost my two old dogs this summer.

It seems that Laura still likes her tennis balls. She was even willing to chase it a short distance. No more of her high flying leaps to catch the ball on a bounce anymore. Laura has not changed in shape at all as she has aged. I wish I had film of her snatching a ball out of the air, while get that fat butt at least a couple of feet off the ground. She had air time like Michael Jordan.

Now, naps seem more important that tennis balls.

So Sorry to Disturb You!

2009-09-24T06:49:00.002-07:00

I headed out for the bedtime shift about 9pm, last night. I went directly into the play yard to let Duke and Laura out. They are my only guests, at this time. They weren't outside, they didn't come outside when I arrived, they didn't come outside when I called, so I stepped into their kennel and looked inside. Too cute, they were asleep piled on each other. Laura, finally, did get up. She walked to the dog door, stuck her head out, and glared at me. I could tell that stepping out into the cold and dark was not something she was going to do.

I ended up giving them their bedtime biscuits and going to bed myself.

Not a Paid Endorsement

2009-09-20T08:29:00.004-07:00

I guess we all have to say stuff like that these days.

I didn't buy these things and the company didn't send it to me. An owner sent them along with the pills to put inside and the dog to put the whole thing inside.

Over the phone, I was surprised to hear that they were having trouble getting their dog to take his thyroid pills. Funny, they usually just love those little liver flavored thyroid pills. I found out why he was so reluctant to take his pills; these were the regular old, not good tasting, human thyroid pills. They are also so tiny, you would never be able to tell if you got them down or just lost them on the floor.

These pill pockets have been a god send. I am really impressed. I have always used peanut butter on my dogs, but this seems even easier. I will have to check the price, though. Could get expensive if your dog takes them every day. Though I did figure out that you only need to use half of each to get the pill down.

I couldn't get Buddy the dachshund to take his pill at all yesterday and even with all my experience, I couldn't get his mouth open for a stuff it down technique. I decided to borrow one of these pockets and that pill went straight down. I think I am sold. I might just keep some in stock. Definitely beats that empty feeling in your stomach as you are considering prying open a doberman's mouth each morning.

Ha, Ha, Ha - I Solved One Problem and Made Myself a Whole New One

2009-09-20T07:16:00.004-07:00

I decided to try again and see if I could come up with a mix of dogs that would play together without any growling.

Tessie, Booker and Rocko on one side. So far so good.
The newbies and the shitzus on my side. Looking good.
Tippy and Tank and Booker, staying in their runs for now. (Much barking out of complaints)

The newbies, Butch, Bella, and Chumbs, seem to be getting used to the place. Bella has stopped giving herself a wedgie and was actually wagging her tail. Buddy, the antisocial dachshund, came out into the play yard for the first time all weekend. I even saw him wag his tail. Rambo and Dorie plus Butch and Bella seem to be a hit. They are having a great time. I get to stop being in Referee mode for the first time in days and get the poop scooped. It really needed to get done.

The play yard is clean, the dogs are having fun, except the guys that haven't had their turn outside yet. Time to switch. Okay, maybe too much fun because I can't get any of the 5 into thier runs. The newbies were easy to put in last night, they were pretty freaked out and ready to go anywhere that had less dogs. Not today. Trying to get 3 dogs, all that don't want to be in, into one run is nothing short of chaos. Especially, when one of them is a lab puppy. (you can't steer puppies)

I finally caught the shitzus and then I got Chumbs in, then grabbed the puppy and Bella just walked in like, "Gee, all you had to do was ask."

I Hate Weekends Like This

2009-09-20T06:18:00.003-07:00

I just don't get why the dogs aren't getting along this time. They really should be a good match for each other, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. As of last night, everyone is getting to play only with themselves. Play time is taking twice as long and no one is having any fun - including me.

Tippy can't play with any little dogs, his owner warned me that he will "go after" anything smaller than himself. Good to know, and nice that I didn't have to figure it out on my own.

I was planning on Booker and Tip wearing each other out. They play okay for awhile then suddenly Tippy turns on the aggression and Booker looks worried. I haven't come up with a technique to stop this behavior and I never saw it on The Dog Whisperer. My only choice is separation.

But Ziggy showed up and I figured three in a dog pile should spread the energy out. Nope, Tippy and Booker teamed up on poor Zig. Ziggy gives up and heads for his kennel. We had a bit of peace and fun after that as Lucinda and Booker were whipping around the play yard.

But now the bad behavior has spread. Rocko is tormenting the new guys. Tippy can't be with anyone other than his brother Tank. And Booker has become as aggressive in his play as Tippy, so he is soloing also. Booker and Tessie are barking non stop at each other, so they also have to be separated.

I am actually having to let each dog out alone, like all the other kennels do.

I am starting to dread playtime.

Another Game of BB Fetch

2009-09-17T13:07:00.003-07:00

Turns out that Tippy plays fetch very much the same way as BB does. That is that I throw and they keep the ball. It really does limit the time we get to play fetch unless I can find another tennis ball to throw.

Note the paw pinning the ball to the ground.

Not Exactly Living Up to Their Names

2009-09-17T13:03:00.002-07:00

This is Rambo. Not really as scary as his name.

This reminded me of White Fang. A few years ago, I had just had a weekend of dogs not getting along and I look at the calendar for the next weekend and there is a White Fang scheduled to come.

Geez, the last thing I need is another bruiser of a dog.

White Fang, turned out to be small, white, and fluffy and clearly a threat to no one.

I also have a teacup poodle named Spike.

Maybe they will grow into their names?

Not Exactly Traveling Light

2009-09-17T12:54:00.003-07:00

These guys are much smaller than the size of their combined 'stuff'.

I have to laugh at the owners sometimes, they are worried about how their dogs are "very spoiled." Like they are the only ones. People who are worried about leaving their dogs tend to over do..the toys, the bedding, or the food. On a rare occasion, I get too much of all three.

Rarely, does the over packing last more than a couple of stays. As soon as the humans are more comfortable with the dogs hanging with me - the less stuff, the less fluff, and the less extensive the food supply.

Rambo and Dory, here, take the record for the most toys. Their kennel looks like a Petsmart threw up in it. Much in the same way, my living room looks like Toys-R-US barfed all over it.

Things are getting worse with Smokey

2009-09-06T06:22:00.001-07:00

My attempts to save my own hide and caused her to be even more aggressive in demanding my love and attention. She has no taken to chomping down on my arm to get me to stay. Lucky for me it has been cold enough to wear a jean jacket.

I still can't get her to interact with the other dogs. She has Boudins mounting her and she still is only focused on me.

Two more days of this...ugh. She is not having a good time and I am getting quite the assortment of bruises. So ready for this long weekend to be over.

Something is Up...

2009-09-04T20:03:00.001-07:00

With Amica and Teenso. Teenso won't go in the kennel unless she is the first one in the kennel. I am having enough problems with dogs going into the wrong kennels. I don't need the hassle of having to get them to load up in order.

Can One Actually Be Loved to Death?

2009-09-04T19:58:00.002-07:00

This will be the weekend to test the theory. Smokey, all 100+ pounds of her, loves me. And it has definitely crossed that fine line between love and stalking.

She is all over me, rubbing up against me, jumping on me, covering me with slobber. She shows absolutely no interest in the other dogs, just me. I am trying all my dog whisperer tricks of pushing her with my thighs like another dog would do to move her. I have tried turning my back on her, which is supposed to mean 'I don't want to play' in dog body language. All that got me was a big strafe down my back. Earlier, I was able to hold her off for awhile by carrying around the pooper scooper and the pan.

Tonight, I just gave up and saved myself. I stuck her and the other big dogs on one side of the gate and hung out with the little dogs.

Eeekkk! Snake!

2009-09-03T08:29:00.003-07:00

I managed to get scared brainless by the same snake, twice. I mean once is to be expected, but when you know he is there and you are actively looking for him, to be jumping and squealing like a little girl for a second time is just embarrassing. Sorry, didn't have the camera with me for a picture.

I was headed down for the lunch time playtime and was carrying two buckets of hot water. I was about to step onto the concrete step of my kennel when it moved. There was a 5' gopher snake lying in the grass against the concrete. He started moving about as fast I was jumping and squealing. He headed under the peach tree and I opened the door and headed for the safety of the kennel building.

After carefully checking on my way back out the door, I let Tessie out for her playtime. I quickly went around the corner to make sure the snake hadn't headed into the play yard. I couldn't see him, so I figured he was still in the deep grass under the peach tree.

So, playtime is over and I am headed back into the kennel. I need to clean a couple of runs. I now know there is a snake and I am looking for the snake. Not until he moved again did I see him. He was curled up on the concrete right next to the door. More jumping and squealing from me, more fleeing from him. I think he will be finding a new warm spot to sun in.

I do hope he gets back to work on the mouse population. I spotted a mouse in my kitchen this morning. We got the house sealed up good about 5 years ago, so this is the first mouse in ages. This is a bad sign for the mice to be looking for winter homes this early. Long, cold winter ahead of us? I definitely see mouse traps in my future.

The Fires are Giving Us Some Beautiful Sights

2009-08-31T08:17:00.003-07:00

We had an orange moon last night, too bad it was just past half full. Should be even better tonight. And this morning, I was treated to a red sun rise. Can't say that I have seen that before.

I have hit the wall.

2009-08-30T07:31:00.001-07:00

I can no longer recognize my doggies. I think I know dogs that have never been here or I know I have never seen dogs that I have babysat before.

Somewhere about the 6 year mark, the dogs have all started to run together.

Sad, really, I pride myself on knowing my wards.

Maybe it is just a third kid thing. Like my mom, I can't get my own kid's names right anymore.

Ugh!

2009-08-29T09:06:00.001-07:00

Got my facebook link to show up, finally.

Couldn't just paste back in my old version of my blog, the software said it wasn't compiled right.

So, back to old color scheme.

Oh, well, that was ugly

2009-08-29T08:23:00.001-07:00

I think I need to check out that "webpage design for dummies" book, again.

I hate that green backgound on the side, but I can't get rid of it at the top. I can't move the picture to the left to save my life, and I have no idea how to get the text where I want it.

Maybe I will just go back to the old version for now.

Wish me luck!

2009-08-29T07:20:00.002-07:00

I am going to try to reset my template settings on this blog.

A couple of years after I started, they came up with much easier ways to change how your blog looks; without you having to be a expert in HTML. I was going nuts trying to figure out why I couldn't put a facebook link on my blog. I figured it out. I need to be on the new and easier system.

I have no idea what the page is going to look like after this.

One of My Better Ideas

2009-08-28T06:39:00.002-07:00

I don't remember coming up with it, but putting a gate and dividing the play yard was really a great idea.

This week I had 4 little bits and 2 big and wild things. So, big on one side, little on the other. I hung out with the littles.

I could claim that I was just worried about Zig and Ike running over the little guys as they wrestled with complete abandon, but you all know, I was saving myself from a hit and run just as much.

Ike thinks I need to be included in the play. "Really, my feeling are not hurt, I am just fine doing nothing." Ike doesn't like my excuses and doesn't take 'No' for an answer. Zig went home just before dinner last night. Ike with no one to play with was going to be a very bad thing. I lucked out Ike's parent's train was on time. Yeah! for everyone.

So few dogs and no combination that will work, ugh!

2009-08-22T06:39:00.003-07:00

The Back to School slowdown has hit the kennel. I even had two morning with no dogs to get to sleep in all the way to 7am. The baby decided to get up at 6:30 on one of them.

This weekend the kennel is half empty, yet it is going to be more work than normal. I can't get these dogs to get along.

Booker just wants to play, but Chance is afraid of him and reacting aggressively. So, that combo is out. Chance's sister Jasmine, the weiner dog, hates everyone and can't be allowed out with anyone but her brother. Poor little Lucy, new to all of this, is completed freaked out and staying in her run, for now. That leaves Scooter and Harley. Scooter is a Westie and not neutered. He thinks he is in charge and all of my attempts to disavow him of this idea have not worked. He might be playing with Booker, but it looks and sounds like a fulblow assault accompanied with a wagging tail. Talk about mixed messages.

So, poor Booker who can play with anybody, actually can't. It will be just him and me and a tennis ball this weekend. I will stick with just family groups for the rest. That means two separate playtimes for each playtime. Very few dogs, less money, and more work...this weekend is just not working for me. At least they are mostly just here for the weekend.

Empty House

2009-07-24T08:49:00.003-07:00

This the first time in years that I have come downstairs and not had a dog to let out.

We had to put our other dog down. This one was even harder to do. She was still getting around, but it was obvious that the pain meds weren't really working.

What is making this so much harder is that I have 3 older dogs in the kennel this weekend. They are gimping around and one keeps falling off her legs, just like my dogs. It is breaking my heart.

I was thinking that if wasn't for our new baby, this house would be very empty when school started next month. I haven't been home alone since 1995.

And before you ask...not looking for a dog right now.

Boys! PLEASE!

2009-07-18T08:09:00.003-07:00

Stop overestimating the inherent value of your own urine.

No one wants it as much as you think they do.

I have two pee-ers here this weekend, Smokey and Sparky.
One big, one little, same volume of pee.

Smokey keeps peeing to his right and hitting Tessie's kennel.
Sparky will pee to either side and is nailing both Smokey and Cleo.

If they just would pee on just each other, I would consider it justice. But why do they need to include the girls.

Walls, I need some, walls. Maybe someday. Meanwhile, got to hose down the kennel, today.

I haven't had to vacuum up spilled Cheerios in about 7 years.

2009-07-18T08:03:00.002-07:00

First, because we haven't had a toddler in the house in that many years.

Second, because I have Labradors, the floor cleaning system of the dog world.

Miss you even more, 'Nertia, as I have to waste all these wonderful doggie treats the baby is launching off the high chair.

More than ten years ago, with the first baby in the house, 'Nertia claimed that precious space under the high chair for herself. She was already doing a decent job at training this baby to feed her right off the tray, when we lost her.

My other Lab was born with a thorough "child avoidance" sense. She only patrols after the high chair has been vacated. Her eye sight is now so bad, she is really missing out on all the delicacies that are hitting my dining room rug.

Dog Heaven

2009-07-16T07:47:00.003-07:00

I have said this one before.

I do believe there is a dog heaven. Where all the squirrels are slow, the tennis balls taste like Filet Mignon, and everyone gets their own couch.

If we are really good humans, I believe we get to visit our dogs there.

And if you are extra special, they will even let you up on the couch.

One of my dogs died last week. My husband asked if there was anything I wanted to bury with her. I had the funnest image come into my head. Our couch in an enormous hole in the ground with my dog in her usual spot with a pillow under her head. To be on the couch was just never enough, she also had to have a pillow.

A Rose By Any Other Name May Smell as Sweet, But Dogs Tend Not to Come When Called By The Wrong Name

2009-07-16T07:40:00.002-07:00

I have a bad case of being my own mother lately. My big sister left for college when I was 10 years old and my mom has been calling me by her name ever since. I noticed that I, too, have been calling the baby by her big sister's name, but now it has spread to the dogs.

Poor Booker, I just kept calling him Ziggy. Ziggy was the dog in than kennel before Booker. Now, I try to justify it with the facts that Ziggy and Booker are really pretty much the same dog, personality wise. When trying to stop myself from using Ziggy, I managed to come up with Blocker. He is also big and black like Booker, but I think that was just my feeble attempt to yank a name out of my head that was even somewhat close to what I needed.

Chance has been Rascal for at least half of his stay. Cleo, however, has gotten her name back. Last stay, I called her Chloe all week.

Found a Dog

2009-06-27T13:11:00.002-07:00

Well, I did everything I could. Last night, I called the police and had the Helper Police keep an eye out for her. I also attempted to look for her at her house and at her Aunt's house.

This morning I called the Animal Shelter and notified them to call me on any 'found' dog calls.

My next move was to call Barter Bar on Monday so that pretty much everyone in the county would know about Sugar. I wasn't as worried about coyotes or cats getting her as someone finding her and deciding to keep her.

After that, all I get to do is worry. And we all know how good I am at that.

As I wasn't sleeping last night, I was telling myself the she is not wandering around. She may have wandered away from me, but once it was dark, she probably is hunkered down somewhere waiting for morning.

I think I might I have been right about that and not just trying to talk myself into some sleep.

Sugar was found in the parking lot of the building across Main Street from her house. Gee, I almost parked there last night. Her Aunt thinks that since she has been scolded so many times for being in Main Street that she was headed home but afraid to cross the last road.

Yeah, all's well that ends well.

Lost a Dog

2009-06-27T06:18:00.002-07:00

Just not what you want to realize just as you are putting the dogs to bed and it is getting to be full dark.

She is just the littlest thing and cute as a button sitting in her dog bed. At dinner, I had just been thinking that I needed to get a picture of her sitting there.

I am just in shock and so upset. As you can imagine, the owners are even more upset. The lady that owners her drove home last night to look for her. Her daughter, who was also out of town, drove back from Wendover to start the search and her actual plans were to head out to Elko today.

After talking to the owner, I got her home address and I tried there for the dog, no luck.
That was about 10pm and at 1:20am, they called and asked me to check their daughter's house as well. Yup, that was me wandering around 4th Avenue in my PJs.

I have contacted Price Dispatch and they let the Helper Police know. I have been trying to call the radio stations, but it is Saturday, crazy early, and there just aren't any real people there.

I don't know what else to try.

If you see a dog so small it could be a kitten...Sugar is a teacup poodle, all black, only 5 months old, won't come if called, no more than 8 inches tall and about 2-3 pounds. Call me, she is missed.

Two Tobits!

2009-06-26T07:09:00.003-07:00

I have had 2 Buddies, at the same time. And two Roxies, both Boxers at the same time. And more than one Harley, but two Tobits, that was really unexpected.

The kids liked the grandparent's dog's name so much they used it on their dog.

I understand it is from the Bible.

Just Not Goofy's MO

2009-06-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

Goofy might 'love' me, but he usually isn't that big on dogs. He doesn't play with the other dogs, he doesn't really react to them either. He usual interaction is to latch onto a small dog and follow it around endlessly while barking at it.

Yes, Goofy does often cross that fine line between 'love' and 'stalking'.

For the most part, the little dogs just completely ignore Goofy. They do end up with a Goofy spit covered back but otherwise not put out by Goofy's attention.

For the first time, Goofy has attached himself to a big dog, Shilo. Goofy has never picked on someone his own size before.

And is he ever attached. I have also never seen him so focused. So focused that I was able to comb out all of his underfur off his rear end without him even noticing me.

Maybe just too big.

2009-06-13T09:51:00.002-07:00

I noticed the other day that Cai has scraped up his back. He must be doing it as he goes in and out his dog door. I tried sanding off some rough spots, but in the end, I just covered the plastic trim with duct tape. I wish I had thought of it sooner.

Really, I thought I bought the perfect doors for the kennel. Then, again, I also thought my dogs were big dogs. I have had to rethink my definitions of both 'big' and 'little' as applied to dogs.

If I ever get to build a new kennel, the doors will be higher and lower. I have a couple of logs that I put under the doors to make ramps for the little bits, so I think closer to the ground is important. And I have more than one of the extra large variety of dogs, so taller is essential.

Everyone is having fun, including me!

2009-06-13T09:34:00.006-07:00

Since the girls that were not getting along went home, things have been running pretty smoothly. I have the big guys on one side of the play yard and the little bits on my side.

Maki hasn't completely gotten over being the "little" dog in the pile when playing with Cai, but Diesel is completely unfazed by the size difference. He is just happy whenever a dog will keep playing with him.

I tried and tried to get the money shot of them leaping up at each other, but no luck.

I even got Pug to come out and play with Tiger. Pug had been acting like she was old and pitiful for the first 3 days. Now, I think she was just being wise and staying away from all the craziness over the weekend. She is practically a puppy again, playing with Tiger. Missed the pictures, of course.

Silent Night?!!

2009-06-11T07:11:00.003-07:00

Tuesday night was like everyother night before it. I close all the dog doors and then I give a bedtime biscuit to each of the dogs, either one of mine or one their parents sent.

Then I say "Good Night!" to each of them by name.

And when I am about to leave and turn off the lights, I say, "Night, Night doggies! Be good doggies and don't bark, I will see you in the morning!" Then I step out and close the door.

Been saying the same thing for just shy of 7 years now.

When I stepped out that door on Tuesday, I was met with something that hasn't been heard around the kennel in weeks - SILENCE.

It was really lovely.

I know it won't last, there is a Beagle in there, but it was both nice and surprising.

A Perfect Storm of Dogs

2009-06-09T12:04:00.011-07:00

Really, I can't come up with a worse combination of dogs than the one I have now. If you have any desire to lose your hearing, feel free to stop by, the barking is nothing less than spectacular.

I have Tessie and until yesterday I had Jinx. Neither of these dogs comes with an OFF switch. Jinx barks all the time and when Tessie is not barking, she is jumping straight up and down. Which of course, just makes all the other dogs bark.

Tessie's barking has been a problem from day one. The only time she stops barking at the dogs that are playing is when I throw a toy for her. She doesn't bring them back so I try to load up and keep throwing them. Her constant barking at dogs that are wrestling is like a circle of people yelling, "Fight! Fight!", it just isn't going to lead to anything good.

But Tessie comes here all the time and frankly me and most of the dogs are just plain used to her.

Well this weekend, between Tessie's leaping and Jinx's yipping was Keisha, barking right along with them. Then the Glitter Twins showed up, Jasmine and Jake. Two yellow labs that no one wants to play with because just one of them is too much playing. Tessie's constant motion has the puppies in a frenzy and Keisha is revving up right along with them.

If you watch the Dog Whisperer, he always talks about the 'energy' level of the dogs. Let's just say that this much barking and jumping, the energy level in the kennel is at 11. And high energy in dogs is, frankly, unstable. So I have a full kennel of fur covered nitro...one wrong touch and this place is going to blow.

When I first let the dogs out into the play yard, the energy is at its highest and worst. Sometimes they shoot out of their gate like madmen. Diesel had a problem with this. He has calmed down since, but at first I would let him out, lock him on the far side of the play yard and let him run it off for 5 or 10 minutes before letting him in with the other dogs. If I just let him out into a crowd he would being playing but at such an intensity that to the other dogs, it would be an attack.

So, the trick to defusing this situation is first, who can play with who, and second, in what order can you let them out.

I have all these nutty dogs and some of them are of the extra large variety. I have to say that I am mostly focused on Cai, the Irish Wolfhound and on Maki, the Mastidor (Mastif-Labrador). Maki is clearly not used to being the SMALL dog in the pile. Maki was really getting picked on fir a while. Keisha on one side, Cai on the other, when Jinx darts in a bites her on the ankle. Now, Maki doesn't even see Jinx, who is the size of a pound of butter. He thinks Keisha did it and growls at her. "Break it up, break it up, everyone back in their own rooms". First things first, Jinx is not coming out anymore.

I was thinking that the puppies, who are a perfect match for Maki might also do well with Cai. Everything just might work out. Nope.

Let out Cai, let Bella out but not Jinx, let out Keisha, get the tennis racket to defend myself, let out the puppies and Maki, let out Tessie last as she HAS to go in everyone kennel if she is let out sooner.

I am so worried about the big and bouncy, that I total missed the girls working themselves into a tizzy. Of all the dogs, it was Keisha and Tessie that went at it. Looked bad, sounded worse, no marks on either of them.

Okay lets try again.

Let out Cai, let Bella out but not Jinx, get the tennis racket to defend myself, let out Jake and leave Jasmine in the kennel obsessing over Tessie, let out Maki and try to keep her off me, let out Tessie last. Stuff them all on the other side while trying to keep Jake and Maki off me.

Latch the divider gate for the play yard and let out Keisha and Jasmine.

Spend playtime throwing balls to get Tessie to stop barking and fencing with a tennis racket to defend my personal space from Keisha and Jasmine.

I just keep asking myself...so, when are they all going home?

Eeekkk! Bees!

2009-06-03T13:31:00.003-07:00

Really big and fuzzy and just plane weird because they are so darn big, bees.

They seem to love the Locust tree I planted last year. When I bought this half dead, barely a stick of tree, on sale last year, I had NO idea what I was getting. First, it has grown like crazy. The trunk is already more than 2 inches across. Second, who knew about the wild purple flowers? Last year, I got them in the spring and again in the fall. I am getting my shady play yard back, finally. After losing that huge peach tree, we were all baking in the sun out there.

Both the BIGGEST and the LITTLEST!

2009-06-03T13:29:00.001-07:00

Cai and Jinx, marvel at the shear range of dogdom.

This weeks visitors

2009-06-03T13:22:00.004-07:00

Littlest to Biggest

Jinx

Jinx's BIG sister, Bella

Tessie, who never lets me get a picture of her.

Ellie-Belly, she no longer requires a belly rub to get back into her kennel.

BB, doesn't she look mean in this picture.

Shadow, who just might be afraid of his own shadow.

Cai, short for Mordecai, short for nothing else. He is the biggest dog, ever, at The Ranch!

Action Figures!

2009-05-25T08:14:00.005-07:00

LIVE ACTION!

Cast of Characters

2009-05-25T08:07:00.002-07:00

Buddy

Emma

Roxie

Teesha

Dexter

I missed the photo and the joke.

2009-05-23T10:38:00.004-07:00

Maybe I am only firing on a couple of my pistons because it took me until the dogs had been here for more than a day to get the pun of their names. Arrow and Bo. I wrote it on the calendar and didn't notice it. Arrow and Bo. I wrote it on their paperwork. Arrow and Bo. I called them by the names. I finally reversed it as I was trying to get them to go in for dinner, Bo! Arrow!

Bow and Arrow, too funny. Funnier since I was so oblivious. I love a good pun, I adore funny dog names, I love to laugh at how stupid I can be some days!

Arrow got her name from the picture arrowhead marking on her forehead. I missed the photo for all of you. Maybe next time they come.

Yet Another Cold and Wet Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-23T10:30:00.003-07:00

I am equally shocked and pleasantly surprised when we get nice weather for Memorial Day or Halloween.

But it is still a good day at the Ranch, as Butch finally has someone to play with. Lucky and he are a pretty good match, I only wish that Ziggy hadn't cancelled out. Luck and Butch are getting plenty dirty, wet and worn out, but three in a dog pile is something to watch.

I will stick the camera in my coat and try to get some footage.

Until Lucky showed up this morning, Butch had been trying to play with everyone else. Teesha seems to want to play for about 30 seconds and then she seems to want to take a chunk out of Butch. Butch is unaware of this change in mood. Butch wants to play with Roxie, the boxer, but she seems to have a sore leg. She would have been a good playmate, but she started holding her back leg up just last night. I am trying to determine if it is the leg or the paw, but she is still mobile enough not to let me have a good look. Emma, the white lab, is too old for this stuff and is sticking to playing with Dexter, the cocker spanial. Dexter is avioding both Lucky and Butch as too big and bouncey for him to play with. And little Buddy, the dachshuad, never plays with anyone but his brother Ziggy and they just had a big fight and are spending some time apart. Another talk with the owners over that one, coming up.

Harley, Harley, Harley...

2009-04-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

There seems to be an excess of Harley's this month. I had 2 this past weekend and will have another one this coming weekend. Buddy is a really popular name, Coco is another. Sadie and Maggie for the girls, but Harley seems to be the most popular dog name of all.

Whenever, I finally finish typing in all of my client info into the new database, I will have an actually name count for you. I hit 429 dogs and over 300 owners, at the time the computer died. I have to get back into typing in 20 dogs a day and finish the last foot or so of papers on my office floor. Oh, yeah and then pickup this year's papers out of the kennel.

Oh, yeah, this has been really encouraging....

Not a Conversation I Want to Have

2009-04-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, I am going to get to tell an owner that their dogs are welcome here. This is not something I enjoy saying, but I cannot tolerate any aggressive dogs.

I know I will tell the owners and I know the dogs won't be back because I control those things. This isn't maximum security and I can't put other people's kids at risk.

I have been separating these two dogs from the other dogs. They get a whole play area to themselves. They play pretty rough with each other, but at least they are getting some exercise and aren't spending the entire playtime fence fighting the other dogs at the gate. They have been doing that with their neighbors in the kennel. I put dogs next to them that won't take the bait and fight back.

Until yesterday, this was going to be a pretty simple conversation. I would just ask the owners not to bring them again. Now, I have to tell them that I truly believe that one of the dogs will eventually injure if not kill their other dog. This is where I lose control of the conversation. This is when owners become deaf and can't hear me. No one wants to hear criticism of their kids, and I think it is worse to hear bad stuff about your dogs. When an owner does listen to my advice and sees the problem, I stop worrying. I am hoping that these owners are realists.

What happen yesterday? I was putting the big group of dogs away first.

See, I could never get the big group of dogs that all get along to go to the far side of the play yard. Someone would always stay behind and I would have to put them back in their kennel to let the two aggressive dogs out. This meant that one dog got too short of a play time AND had to put up with the two idiots fence fighting at his kennel. So, I switched it around. Two trouble makers get the big play area and 9 dogs share the small side.

So, small side dogs go in first. As I was trying to sort that group out, I heard the other two growling. They play very rough and growl quite a bit when playing so I wasn't actually alarmed. Then I hear a more distinctive growl and out of the corner of my eye I see the puppy shaking something in her mouth. It is gray and fluffy and I freaked. I really thought that one of the smaller dogs had somehow squashed through the gate and gotten in with this monster. Not that we have anything small and gray at this time. It was a large, ratty, knotted rope that I hate because BB gets it and hits me with it. My heart was beating so fast. Not the aerobic exercise I want to get, but it did make me much more attentive to these two playing.

The younger and smaller one is very aggressive over toys. The tugs of war are play on oneside of the toys and just plain war on the other. I also noticed that the puppy is food aggressive to the older and bigger dog. The puppy is a smaller breed and will never be as big as she sister, but the size of her aggression doesn't have those limits.

Not looking forward to it, but it is a conversation that must be had.

Last Day for My Poodles!

2009-04-29T09:37:00.002-07:00

Well, they are not really MY poodles, but they are here quite a bit and for long stays. Now that they are going back home to their REAL owner, I am not going to get to see them.

See, Grandpa and Grandma have been babysitting the grand dogs during a divorce. They head back to Dad this weekend.

No more ricocheting around the kennel, two fluffy projectiles, as I try to make it to the dog door and remove it. No more Fetch with Max. He brings the ball back and lets me take it out of his mouth each time. You do have to throw to where Max decides to run to, or he can't find the ball, but that is a small price to pay for a dog that does all the work in a game of Fetch.

I wish I had the camera last night. They were both staring at me with dog biscuits hanging half way out of their mouths. It would have been a lovely portrait.

At least, I get to keep BB.

Bad Case of Blog Neglect

2009-03-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

I really have been just awful with keeping up with this blog. I was hoping to get back into it after I finally finished the taxes. Alas, this is not going to happen.

I finally started working on the database for the Ranch. I have is set up and am spending all of my precious nap time trying to get all the info typed in. In the end, I hope that the regulars won't have to fill out paperwork anymore. I will print it out for them.

The pile of papers stemming back into 2000, was about 4' tall. I have already entered 420 dogs. And that is only 2008, 2007, and 2006. I have this year's and about 2' of old stuff to go through. I am dying to find out what the grand total of dogs is going to be.

On top of that project, I am going to go for a Small Business Administration loan for a new building. I am working on the plans, and notes already. I hope to get them out to some contractors in about a week. Then, I can crank out the financials the bank needs. So no blogging for awhile. But if this works, no having to say "Sorry, we are full" all the time.

If anyone has a contractor they can recommend or names that I should avoid (I know one of those already) let me know.

I Hate Spring!

2009-03-22T15:42:00.002-07:00

And no it is not because the temperature just decided to head back into winter.

This happens every Spring and every Spring it catches me off guard. When am I going to remember and be prepared for this! Once again I find myself pacing around the play yard asking the dogs, "Have you all lost your furry little minds!?"

And the answer is YES they have.

It is Spring and the dogs have all had the volume turned up on their aggression. I have dogs threatening to dismember each other that would normally have a grand ole time together. Ugh, I hate Spring. Big or little, male or female - it doesn't matter. There has been more growling and snapping in the past week than in the past 6 months.

I had a policeman tell me there are more dog bites in the Spring than in the rest of the year. I believe him. I am the one that was completely terrorized by a Shitzu this weekend. She was very small and very mad and was not going to let me open her door. I persisted, I just couldn't leave her stuck inside all day. I used the tennis racket technique I got off the Dog Whisper, and kept her at bay while I pulled the door. I had to laugh at myself later. My heart was beating so hard and I was so scared of such a little dog.

Everything is funny as long as you make it back out of the run with everything intact.

Poor Biscuit

2009-03-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

She spent a long weekend with me, completely freaked out.

This is her second stay and I have made no progress on winning her over.

Her owner tells me that she hasn't been the same since her sister dog, Allie, died.

She is completely adorable and I would love to love on her, but she won't come near me. She won't even come out anymore.

She does have one of the oddest habits I have never seen before in a dog - storing her blanket in her dishes. Each morning, I would fish her blanket out of her water dish. I couldn't figure out how or why it was in there every day until Monday morning. Just as she finished her breakfast, there was all this noise coming from her kennel. I head over only to watch her finish tucking her bright green blanket nicely and completely into her food dish. It stayed there until she got picked up that evening.

I guess I should have stopped messing with her interior design efforts.

Driving me to Drink?

2009-03-03T10:45:00.001-07:00

We had Whiskey and Midori here for the weekend, but Tequila canceled out.

I also have a Bourbon, a Kahlua, and now two Boozers.

I, too, almost went this route. Years ago I said that if I ever had 3 Labradors, a black, a brown and a yellow, I would name them Guinness, Harper, and Bud.

Happy to Come! Happy to Go! That is what we like to see at the Ranch!

2009-03-02T10:32:00.003-07:00

I love that dogs run down to the kennel, dragging their owners the whole long way.

I love to see how excited they are to see their owner's again, no matter how short the stay was.

Today, I am just going to be so happy to see them all go home. Just as happy as I was to see them all arrive. They have been a fun and happy group, a bit barky, but that is just to be expected. It is just that the level of physical abuse heaped on me has passed 'beyond the call of duty' and into the realm of 'cruel and unusual punishment'. Ugh.

I explained about Maki and her fist of steel. I can't keep this dog off me to save my own life. Not for lack of trying, mind you. I can't get out of petting her. So I try to keep her paws off me as best I can. Unfortunately, she leans into me when I pet her. Maki has a unique ability to shove my kneecaps off the front of my legs. Ouch.

Then there is Blue. He tries to sneak in a petting or two when I am working on Maki. Blue is a bit mouthy - he tends to put his teeth on my hands. That is a no-no in my book. So he has been getting the Dog Whisperer - tisshhh and a touch. This is actually working on him.

Midori, Midori, Midori...speed and stealth are her weapons. She can nail me with a flying leap of love and be gone before I have ever even see her. What is really unfortunate is that she has an uncanny knack for landing her leap directly on my bruise. Double Ouch!

Diesel usually only hits me on his way out of his kennel. I try to let other dogs out first so he will focus his "shot out of the gate" energy on someone who can take it. It doesn't always work.

The others, Whiskey and Sadie, have not come in direct contact with me all weekend.

Knock Down, Killed and Eaten!

2009-02-28T10:19:00.001-07:00

I make jokes about that all the time. Knock Down, Killed and Eaten! is going to be my obituary. All in fun, until Sunday when I actual thought it was going to happen.

Dogs bite. That is just a fact. They bite other dogs, they bite people. They bite for good reasons, bad reasons, and sometimes no reason at all.

I have been bitten 5 times in 6+ years.
A Rottweiler on the thumb
Something small and fuzzy that I can't remember on the back of my hand.
A Teacup Poodle on my lip, ouch.
A Pomeranian through a work glove and my finger nail, bigger ouch.
And now a Boxer on my forearm.

Statistically speaking, verses the shear number of dogs that stay here, not too bad.

The first and the fourth, I got breaking up a dog fight. Not really unexpected.

The second and third were out of the blue, stroke of lightning kind of bites. The dog is frightened, lunges out. They are fast and over just as fast. The dog was afraid, he made me stop and now it is over. These kinds of bites can come from any dog, no matter how well behaved. Freak a dog out, and he will chomp on you once and be done with it. Most of the time, the chomp is just a snap - no contact. Often, it will be more of a warning shot over the bow. Most dogs will lunge and snap to miss just to warn you off.

The fifth was a dog declaring his territory with the intent to really hurt me. We had trouble with this dog from the moment he arrived on Friday. He and his daughter were just fine when Mom and Dad were still here, but shortly after when my dog sitter went to let them out, he lunged at her hand on the gate. She called me and I told her, 'If you don't feel comfortable, don't let them out."

Maybe I should have taken my own advice.

When I got home on Saturday, I let all the other dogs out for dinnertime play. When I went in, I made a point of feeding these two dogs last. That basically lowers their status in the pack. I found them to be both very submissive when I went in to feed them. And even quite lovey. They were all over my hands, licking my gloves. I thought that their 'time-out' had mellowed them.

So, I went back out and let just those two have some playtime. The female came out, no problem. She came up to me for some petting and went on to explore the play yard. The male would not come out of his run. This is a first for me. He stood in his outside run with the gate wide open and was barking at me, defending his territory. I have never seen any dog be that defensive about the kennel space. Most dogs don't even care if other dogs go into their runs.

I just let him alone. I did my usual with a skittish dog, no eye contact, no direct movement toward them. He did eventually come out, but would always run back in. I was thinking that made them easy to put away. And that night they were.

Sunday breakfast, he is pretty much over the territorial stand in the run and is out with his daughter. He eventually goes back in on his own, but I can't get the female to go in. I am not really up for grabbing a shoving this female in. So, I am trying to get her to approach the kennel by petting the male. This works after awhile and they are both back in. No sign of aggression this time, at all. Just defiance of going in, but that is a pretty typical response to the end of playtime. I was actually thinking that she might be afraid of the male and that is what is holding up her going in.

Sunday lunch, I take my camera down to get a picture of this dog barking out an open gate, but he never does it. Everything is fine until I try to put them away. He is already in and the female is running around anywhere but in. I try to tempt her over with loving on the male, again. This is going well until he gives out one of his 'This is MINE' barks. I pull my hands away before I even finish the thought process. Good thing, he was going for me, big time. He wasn't going for a warning shot over the bow either, he was aiming to maim.

I was backing away and realizing that I had to control him or he would get me, all at the same time. I grabbed for his collar, and landed the grab. Thank, God! I started dragging him back to his run and as I shoved him in, he turned and bit down on my left arm. I just kept shutting the gate and he had to let go as it closed.

My husband heard the commotion and ran down to help me out. We got the female into a different kennel and called it good. We put everyone else away, fed the puppies their lunch, and I called the owners to ask them if someone could pick up their dogs. They said they would come home and get them. I can't tell you how relieved I was to hear that. Most people can't come home early and I would have been stuck with a dog I couldn't let out or dare to even feed or water.

All of this happened before I would even look at my arm. I find that the adrenaline can carry you pretty far, until you see the blood. Don't look, that's my advice, if you need to get something done before you freak out. Turns out that my arm only has a very nasty bruise. I feel that I should write a letter thanking the Lands End company for my winter coat. It saved my arm. Had this been summer, that dog would have taken the meat off the bone.

Once again, never a dull moment at the Ranch

Maki, Maki, Maki

2009-02-27T10:09:00.002-07:00

If loving you was just much less painful.

Maki is my one and only Mastidore - half Mastiff, half Lab.

So she is big, her paws are huge.
She is playful, that is the lab.
She is determined and a bit pushy, that is the Mastiff.
And she is the most confident and secure dog on the planet.

Let me explain.

When not running and wrestling with all the other dogs, Maki wants loving. She will demand it by jumping up on me, or just putting her paw on me. Getting a love tap from Maki is comparable to being hit by a velvet covered brick. I keeping putting her paws down while I launch into 'ear nuggies', 'collar scratchings' and her favorite 'rub the fuzzy butt'. (You can win over any dogs with these three maneuvers.) But this is never enough for Maki, all petting sessions end in her stretched out on the ground awaiting a tummy rub. I am a bit hesitant to drop to the ground with this many big and bouncy dogs just waiting to include me in the wrestling. But not Maki. As I start in, all the other dogs show up. Sniffing and smelling, even stepping over Maki. It takes a very secure dog to stay in the most vulnerable of positions and let other dogs sniff them. Maki is only mad because I can't keep rubbing in the middle of a dog pile.

Feast or Famine?

2009-02-26T09:59:00.002-07:00

I had 2 days off from doggies this week. The puppies went home at 9 am on Monday and I didn't get any new dogs until about 9 am on Wednesday. That was two mornings with only baby and kids to deal with and two nights of not having to trek out into the cold just before bedtime. Maybe the recession does have its silver lining?

My business has been way off since December, but I am not usually totally empty. I have had a number of weeks when there is only one dog here for days at a time. That is boring and unprofitable for me, as well as boring for the dogs. So, the downturn is even hurting the canines.

But my empty and briefly, totally clean, kennel is once again stuffed to the rafters.

Everyone showed up yesterday, 4 reservation and 2 emergency drop offs, total of 9 dogs. Mostly all big dogs, mostly all Labrador or bit of Labrador. With so many big and bouncy dogs, the play is pretty intense. I mostly try to stay out of the way, with little luck. I am desperately trying to protect my left arm from impacts with even less luck. (I got bit last weekend, but that is another post)

I will try to get some pictures today.