The care and keeping of souls

     Do animals have “souls”?   Technically, people and animals consist of the working parts of the body and the powerful mind. I’ve always marveled at what makes us  the essence of who we are,  though.  What gives us emotions and a conscience, or lack of one?  Is it the soul?  If you’re religious and depending on who interprets it, the Bible implies all living creatures have souls.  Heaven isn’t given an absolutely clear description, for how can anyone know it’s truth until they have passed on…  but in the bible, animals are mentioned as present in the afterlife.  For me, Heaven would be no place to be if there were no animals.  Many would argue Jesus didn’t die on the cross for the souls of the animals.  I say many animals are more loyal, loving and giving and worthy than some people walking this earth. Animals have been making survival possible for us humans in so many ways for all the years humans have existed, whether working in the fields, as food, as companionship, transportation and protection.  …. seems to me only fitting that a kind and loving God would feel they deserve the afterlife, too.   

      I have loved and taken care of animals since I was old enough to pet the family dog.  As a child, having the restraints of living in a suburb,  at various times I managed to tend to a pigeon, a goat, our dogs, our cats, a few parakeets, some fancy silk mice, a hamster or two.  My parents allowed what was reasonable at our residence but I knew as an adult I wanted to be able to do much more.  The logical career choice for a kid such as myself  would be  veterinarian. It was indeed listed on any school papers where we chose what we’d like to be when we grow up.  That all changed when I had to take one of our cats to the vet to remove bee bee’s someone had shot into her hind legs.  I tried staying with them for the procedure but the excising made me nauseous and woozy.            Onward! 

     I landed in Connecticut at the age of 19 with an old abandoned race horse that I adopted on Staten Island. He was around 28 at the time and had two more good years in a pasture on my Aunt’s horse farm just up the road from This Old House.  From there,  after college and while working in a law firm I met and married my husband and together  we built our first small horse farm and our family.  We currently live on our third farm, so I’ve been taking care of horses on a daily basis for the past 30-plus years. 

     While living on a farm can seen romantic, it’s a heck of a lot of work and dedication to something you love. Every single day, without exception, regardless of weather,  the responsibility demands that you get up and out in the morning to feed and water the animals.  Their living quarters needs to be mucked and fresh bedding laid down.  They are turned out into pastures if they’re lucky or at the very least, paddocks.  Then, whatever you’ve got going on during the day, you need to return to feed them again in the evening, refresh waters if needed, check for any cuts, scrapes, etc.   Horses need grooming, regular trims or shoeing from a farrier, they need exercise. It’s a lot to take on and requires real dedication.. and love! 

   We have dogs and used to have cats too, most of you are familiar with their necessary care.  We’ve also got a coop full of chickens, something I decided to set up here about 7 years ago.  Chickens aren’t as much work as the horses, but they still require daily care. Their feed needs to be replenished, their water cleaned out and refreshed. I clean out the coop about once a week, unlike the horses daily stall cleaning.  Their chicken yard needs to be raked to stay fairly sanitary – no easy feat with chickens, they are messy.   I let them out to free range occasionally, but not always. Coyotes and hawks  are a big problem around here.  

   Often I’m asked by family and friends… aren’t you tired of having to do all that work all the time? Every. Single. Day?   The answer is complicated.  





 Yes.. there are days when I really don’t want to trudge up the muddy or snowy or frozen hill in the early morning hours to tend the horses.  There are cold winter nights when I don’t want to leave the warmth of the fire or the family holiday gathering to bring in and  feed the animals.  Having fibromyalgia means there are days when every muscle in my body aches and the last thing I feel like doing is mucking those stalls, lugging those water buckets, throwing that hay.  But these animals I have here on this farm have taken care of us over the years.  They have been my therapy in troubled times, they have been dependable, sturdy souls who did what we asked of them, and sometimes that was a heck of a lot.  We are all middle middle aged now, the horses and myself.  They deserve to be cared for properly, they earned it.  

     If you think animals don’t have emotions, then you’ve never really spent time or developed a relationship with one.  Do you define intelligence as the indicator of the presence of a soul?  It’s proven Dolphins have a language they use to communicate with each other.  Dogs can be taught an amazing array of communicating and they certainly display emotions such as happy, sad, frightened, lonely,  jealousy, exuberance, pain, even loss.  Gorillas have learned sign language to communicate with humans, and that they do.  These are just some example of what I believe are evidence that animals have souls, whatever that may mean. 

I call our little crew the geriatric ward now.. 

Coady and Lacey are mini horses, both have been used as therapy horses in nursing homes, rehab facilities, back in the day.   Lacey was a driving horse for myself and a good friend for years as well. Many a mile did we cover in our little carts, Lacey at the helm taking us through the meadows and woods.  The photo below was taken at a carriage driving demonstration. Most days our attire was tee shirts and jeans.  We’re both a little chubbier now. 


    

 Lacey is aging well, but Coady has cushings disease.  He requires a daily pill to help manage the symptoms.



    
    Opie is my Steady Eddie.  He came to us at 8 years of age and is now 21 years old.  We’ve gone on many a trail ride, and when the going gets rough – like a big scary bridge to cross or a stream to get through, we can count on Opie to be the first to walk across and let the other horses know it’s OK to move forward.  He can be a little stinker, not wanting to work more than he has to, but he’s always honest and for the most part, predictable. I can put the tiniest babe in the saddle and walk them around the ring knowing he’ll keep his head down and just do his job.  He’s aging well, except for an eye condition that occasionally requires two sets of ointments to clear the cloudy. 



 Max, my daughters horse, is another Steady Eddie – with quite the accomplishments under his belt.  He didn’t come to us until he was 18 years of age.. having already traveled parts of the country as a show horse for several other owners.  K had three great show years with him and then he colicked, bad.  We opted for surgery to save him and he did survive the ordeal, but it was clear retirement was the best thing for him.  So, we brought him home to recover and enjoy the good life here on the farm.



Since his surgery Max has trouble keeping weight on, so we keep him warm in winter and feed him plenty of good quality feed and hay and he grazes in the fields during the day.   It’s the least we can do for all he has given us over the years and continues in his light work on trails and in the ring. 




  The girls in the coop aren’t much trouble, and the fresh eggs they provide are wonderful. If you’ve never had fresh eggs off the farm, you’re missing something. Go seek them out and taste the difference for yourself. Right now, in the middle of winter! go figure… some of mine are molting.  I have a cozy coop heater in their hen house, so they are able to stay warm when the temps get real low and their water doesn’t freeze. 




  My little pack of dogs… they are my best buddies. They follow me around the house throughout the day, and if I’m up at the barn and they aren’t outside in the dog yard watching me work, they wait for me to return at the side door.  When I’m working at the computer, they are all around my feet.  If I’m in the kitchen, they lay in the sun spots at the sliders and listen for the sound of wrappers crinkling or refridge door opening or treat jar cover clanking.  They mope when we are away on a mini vacation (which isn’t often… because FARM) and they rejoice when we return even from a half hour errand.  They bicker among themselves but never harm each other, and are often found snoozing together  in a tight little circle. 







Ben, the largest by far, is not the boss.  No, the littlest of them all calls the shots.  That would be the white fluff, Bailey. 

 Miss Sally is my most recent rescue.  As she as matured her front legs have become extremely twisted.  It is a deformity, a result of either some very poor breeding or just crap luck. She manages well, runs like the wind and loves to go for walks.  But when sitting or standing still, her little front legs constantly give out so that she is usually laying down rather than sitting or standing.  The vet assures me she’s not in pain, it’s more painful for us to see than for her to live with.  For now, at least, that appears to be the case. 



     Frasier is a momma’s boy – he’s very jealous when I pay attention to any other creature,  his most favorite place to be is on my lap, and he is fiercely protective of me, even more so than the dane, Ben.  He gives me this face when I leave on errands….


 He is very definitely my best bud. 





     So, would I let the horses down at this stage of the game and try to dump them off at an auction or find that ever elusive “retirement” home and hope someone else won’t use then and abuse them in a way that is so undeserving of all the service they have provided us?  Nope – it’s not an option.  This geriatric crew is here to stay and as long as I’m able, I will trudge up the hill and out to the coop and tend the little  chicken flock and dog pack I have here because I love them all dearly, they are family.  I wish all people who took on the responsibility of a pet or livestock would understand and honor the responsibility and go the distance in caring for them throughout their life or at the very least, hand them off to someone who will. 

   Do these animals have souls despite the fact that their intelligence doesn’t match our own (and with some people I question that very thing) ?  Their soul is as real as that of any human if you ask me.  If there are no animals in heaven, then heaven is not place for me.  

Till soon, friends – 




I believe

       I’d like to thank each of you who drops by this little blog space, some of you have been visiting with me here for more than seven years!.. and we’ve become good friends.  While this blog’s traffic isn’t as big as it used to be, I still find the writing and sharing a rewarding experience.  I also love to read about your families and traditions, your pets, your recipes, your tips and tricks and your way of life in another part of the world we live in.  
     Who knows.. someday when I’m gone, my children and grandchildren and maybe even greats might  look over this blog to find some of my recipes or my thoughts on a subject or to reminisce about the homes we’ve lived in, the animals we’ve loved, stories of their own adventures too. 
       I love this time of year.  Even though the chores on a small farm are greater due to the weather issues, life does slow down a little in a good way, especially at night.  At This Old House we tend to hunker down in the man cave or the family room with  a seasoned wood fire crackling in the fireplace.   We settle in for meals together at the table and  are sometimes joined by the kids and their significant others.  There’s just more of that togetherness and less -out and about-.  
 
     Now that the kids have places of their own, more often than not it’s just the guy and I, and the dogs.  I miss the noise of a family all living under one roof, but the quiet has it’s blessings too, and so I focus on those and look forward to the ruckus when the kids do visit.  We are so very lucky that both of our children live near home. 
    Speaking of ruckus, our newest canine member of the family, Miss Sally – has been with us now for about six months.  We absolutely adore her and she absolutely adores her bones.  Sally is a crazy mix, a real Heinz 57.  The best guess is Corgi, Basset, Dachshund, Tennesee Treeing Hound.  All that rolled into one makes for a pretty odd looking dog –  notice the shape of her little front legs – very stocky legs, but also very deformed.  The vet assures us she’s not in pain and she gets around just fine – runs right along side the big dogs without a care in the world.   I hope that will always be true.  
      Our Family room – Christmas is coming, how I love this holiday – baking and cooking and wrapping and giving, some of my favorite things to do for others.  I love traditions that bring families together, things that remind us it’s not all about “those crazy men in Washington “-  Do you know that is an actual Santa line from the original Miracle on 34th Street movie?  Some things never change! 
     My wish for all – Whatever your struggles, I hope you find resolutions,  peace in your heart and mind. May we all experience better health and prosperity in all it’s forms,  may there be more good will and less anger among us all. 
    

Summer’s swan song and the K List

   We’re squeaking out every ounce of  seaside enjoyment we can get at the cottage, dancing in between work and farm responsibilities and the need to soak up what’s left of the summer that sort of wasn’t.  The weather has been odd – kinda wet, kinda cool, kinda cloudy.  While I don’t appreciate hot humid days because they truly make me wilt, some of that heat would have been appreciated. 

 If you’re a woman looking for a kayak that is stable, versatile in quiet and slightly choppy or running waters and easy to maneuver, I strongly recommend the Necky Manitou Sport- love my little red Ruby. She’s accumulated quite a few scratches along with the miles on her plastic bottom but so far nothing seeps through- I hope I enjoy many more years with her.

 Not for nothing here.. but I think it should be an unbroken unspoken rule –  If you’re the fisherMAN, you’re also required to actually touch the fish you catch to get it off the hook.  No squeamishness allowed.    

Just sayin. 

 My mom has gotten a few week long stays in, when weather was agreeable, and entertained friends on occasion as well.  One of the most rewarding things for us is that my mother can enjoy this little place too. Having grown up in a similar small seaside community of which she has many fond memories,  (Cedar Grove Beach, Staten Island – now defunct)… she introduced us to the notion of such a place, and is also part of the reason we were able to acquire Stella when we did.  

Ask me how much we love marshmallows toasted to the extreme… 

We accounted for all family and friends living in Florida – I hope all your loved ones are safe too.  seems IRMA was not quite as horrendous as it could have been, although there is much damage and work to repair in the forecast.  The VI’s were hit the hardest – I cannot imagine what lies ahead for them as they rebuild – in some cases their entire island.  For a location that depends so heavily on tourism, what a double blow to their economy. 
 I’m waiting for a sign from one dear blog friend, Sally – to be sure all is well there too…
Update:  Sally and family are fine – still no power several days in.  
                                     
 At last weekend’s farm market I bought a dog lead for my Sally girl from a really awesome vendor – Elliot of the WashAshoreStore.   Elliot reclaims washed-shore items like boat rope and refashions them into dog leads, etc.   Sally’s is pink… 
 Eliot seen below at market working a new lead.  Her beautiful dog lay patiently at her feet the entire market.  She and her mom have been rescuing and adopting out unwanted dogs for many years – good, good people.  Browse her online store, buy your pup a new lead, this one will last a very long time and it’s upcycled – good for the environment. 
  Meanwhile, back at the ranch… I’ve been asked many times what kind of dog Sally is, mostly because she’s such an odd combination of body part sizes.  I don’t think she’s a dog… I call her our house elf, AKA the terrorist.   
                                       
Leaving you with a recipe I just found on facebook…. Looks like an easy-to-make crowd pleaser – a great pick-on for football season, cottage season, holiday gatherings, a meal all by itself,  you name it.  Has some healthy qualities too…  and a gluten free suggestion for those (like me) attempting to go gluten free. 

Broccoli Cheese Balls…  



*this is NOT my recipe or photo – found on recipetineats.com
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped soft cooked broccoli (well drained) (~400g/13 oz raw broccoli) (Note 1)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Colby or Tasty cheese are my usual)
  • 2 shallots / scallions , finely sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Black pepper
  • Olive oil spray
Garlic Lemon Yoghurt Sauce:
  • 2/3 cup plain yoghurt
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ garlic clove , minced
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (adjust to taste, depends on fat % of yoghurt used)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 200C/390F (all oven types).
  2. Line tray with baking / parchment paper. (Note 2)
  3. Place all ingredients (except oil spray) in a bowl. Mix well to combine, mashing up the broccoli as you go (like when you are cooking mince).
  4. Scoop up a heaped tablespoon, then press in firmly. Flick out into your hand then form into a ball. Place on tray. Repeat with remaining mixture – should make 15 – 18 balls.
  5. Spray with oil then bake for 25 minutes, or until the surface is slightly crisp and golden.
  6. Serve with Lemon Yoghurt Sauce – it also goes great with ketchup!
  7. Sauce: Mix ingredients together then set aside for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
Recipe Notes
1. This can be made with fresh or frozen broccoli. If using fresh, you’ll need 1 giant head or 2 medium heads. Ensure the broccoli is cooked until soft so it is easier to “mash” and mould into meatball shapes.

Chopping and cooking fresh broccoli: Cut the florets off the broccoli then break up into medium pieces. Cut the thinner stem into about 2.5cm / 1 inch pieces. If you want to use the thick main stem, peel the outer skin (which is tough) then cut into 2.5 cm / 1” x 1cm / 2/5” batons. Boil water in a large saucepan (or do this step in a steamer). Plonk the stems in first, cook for 2 minutes. Then add the florets and cook for 3 minutes, or until soft. Drain well.

2. Storing: Cool then place in an airtight container. For a quick reheat, use the microwave, or otherwise reheat in the oven. These also freeze well once cooked. Can be made ahead, form balls, then refrigerate (not freeze), then bake later.

3. Pictured in the photo in post with: Lemon Rice Pilaf and quick sautéed kale (tear off a few handfuls of kale, rip leaves off the tough centre stem, tear into bite size pieces. Saute in a bit of oil with a handful of pre shredded carrots (I always have Just Veg from Woolies on hand), season with S&P and finish with a sprinkle of crushed almonds.

4. GLUTEN FREE OPTION: Sub breadcrumbs with 3/4 cup almond meal.

5. Nutrition is for 1/3 of the recipe which is a meal size serving (for an adult). Gluten free option: increases to 387 calories, carbs decreases to 17g.

 Till soon, Friends – 

The K List

   Pickles wrapped in bacon – Yuck, right?  Nooooo.. it’s the bomb!!… Seriously, try it.  All you have to do is grab a jar of your favorite dill pickle – either the little whole ones or the long slices… and wrap them in bacon – maple bacon especially! … bake them in a  425 oven in baking dish of your choice until bacon is done – about 20 minutes or so.. ovens vary. oooh man, are they good.  Make a dip of your choice to dunk them in, even better. 
 Little Sally is part of the family now, all the dogs get along, although there are the occasional sibling jealousies.  And K’s new pup, Rex is just a love bug – already adored by us all.  For a brief little while I said to myself several times a day….. What.. Did you DO!?…. but I’m over it.  I just love her, and so does the husband (BIG bonus right there).   I think I can say for certain though, not doing a puppy again. Adult dog adoptions only from here on out. 
 We’re having dinner tonight at my daughter’s condo…
we’ll get to play with this adorable scruff too. 
In between farm and work related chores and errands, we’ve been scooting
down to the shore for dinner and a swim…
I have a little plaque down there on the wall that reads..
The Ocean Fixes Everything 
I do believe it’s true. 

 Isn’t this a cool idea?… bird bath – glass top, sand and shells – BOOM
Awesome seaside table for porch/ patio/sunroom..

  I just finished a great read – well written, fascinating true story.  I highly recommend it for all my book loving friends –  Thanks, Hilary.. for the recommendation.   I’m looking for the next great read – what’s on your nightstand? 

Salty Dogs

 Yesterday was one of those sweltering July days here in New England.  The humidity is what gets me, bleh.   I took Frasier and Sally down to Stella in hopes of a swim, but when we arrived – the low tide was the lowest I think I’ve ever seen it.. .and believe it or not – walking all the way across the cove to the other side would only get me less than waist deep.  So, only wading – no swimming.  We did that anyway.
 
Our beachfront consists of sand and muck and seaweed, oyster and clam shells. Lots of rocks too.  Water shoes are necessary to get out into the water to swim.   Frasier likes the water and will walk around in it shoulder deep –  Sally?  Not so much.  She was in my arms when I snapped the pic below and she continued to “paddle” until we were back up on the grass.   Here you can see the high tide mark – the dark coloring along the stone, steps and seawall.  The difference between low tide and high tide in the cove, in a matter of hours!.. is 6 feet.  That’s amazing to me. 

 M Jr. came down for supper and went clamming to enhance the meal..

K showed up after work too and together they began our next project  – clearing the many rocks that have accumulated on our little tiny beachfront so that the water can push in more sand when we want to walk out to swim or  sit in a chair there.  There are two oyster beds on either side of our little stretch of “beach”. That’s where we’re putting the extra rocks – they fortify the oyster beds. 
  While Jr. was clamming, he pulled up this little guy – whom we tossed back in the ocean after taking a few pictures…  His body is about the size of the palm of your hand, so he was a BIG hermit crab. 

 Little Sally is getting used to cottage life too –   (who remembers Blueberries for Sal? One of my favorite childrens books)  She’s got salty breeze-naps perfected. 

  Meanwhile, back in Tr*mpland, the mysterious ties and lies deepen.  I don’t even know where to begin here, so I think…. I won’t.   Drip   Drip    Drip…..

 It’s a new day, all. Let’s make it a good one –  thanks for stopping by.

Another installment of the K List

  .. .meaning this that, and the other too. 
   Little Miss Olivia Penny Sally Maddie Scout is doing just fine.  Even though I had her name tag engraved OLIVIA… I’m not feeling it.   I  also gave her too much credit for being potty trained so soon in life- silly me.  Now that she’s comfortable here… yeah.   So.. the REAL potty training is in full force.  The great news is she sleeps through the night without having to go out – and without messing in her crate.  Bonus!   I do believe in crate training, it’s not cruel, it’s not dangerous, and it’s not to be abused or it can be all of the above.  I only use the crate for over night and when I have to get busy somewhere else and need her to be safe and not in a potty zone. For the most part she has the run of the house with the other dogs. 
   
The dogs are getting use to her – here they are under my desk in the little bed a bought for her because she likes to hang out there when I’m working… they kicked her out and took over, but at least their butts are allowed to touch.  Progress! 

   I saw something beautiful on pinterest or facebook… a sea glass artist who makes beautiful creations from sea glass, shells, sand and windows.   Mine is much more simple but I love it regardless.   I bought an old window at a junk shop for $5, took some of my  shell and sea glass collection and scored a big vase full from a friend,  and in two hours time put this together and will hang it in my dining room window as soon as the husband has time to help. It’s heavy and I don’t want to risk not securing it well enough.  Better to be able to blame him if it falls (kidding!!  but not really!!).  This is a super inexpensive craft you can do – cost me $16. total – and what a gorgeous accent to anyone’s home.  
      As I’ve said before, I’ve been trying not to delve into the political state of things lately, but some things can’t be ignored.  I have a good friend who is a decent man, an intelligent man… who loves all things Tr*mp.  How those two realities co-exist is beyond my comprehension.   He believes all negative news is fake news and repeatedly tries to defend him no matter what the obvious offense.  It astounds me, how anyone can love him.  LOVE him, not just tolerate him because -agenda-.   He thinks the government deserves what they’re getting from Tr*mp and to be honest?  The government and the media had lessons to learn.  They’re learning alright.  But to who’s expense.  Ours, in my opinion.  This is the leader of the free world, supposedly.  This isn’t just a lesson.   My friend has said over and over again there are absolutely no truths to any of the inklings that the Tr*mp team and Russ*a had any collusion whatsoever regarding our election.   While this will not get him arrested… it is the tip of the iceberg.  It is.. truth.  Is it illegal?   I guess not.  But the son of the President was willing to work with the Russ*ans, felt comfortable doing so… do undermine our election.  That’s enough sleeze for me.  If you’re a Tr*mp supporter and you’re reading this.. you would be SCREAMING if it were Chelsea Cl*nton.    First… lets stop all the hypocrisy.  
     One thing I’m pretty confident is the truth….  Tr*mp is a master manipulator.  He knew how to play what would be his base by using the distrust and fedup attitude of many towards our government.  The downside to that is, he got in and I don’t think he every really believed he would.  His own good friend, Howard St(rn said he had hoped his friend wouldn’t win the election because he didn’t think he really wanted the job.  He was too thin skinned for what would come with it, he would miss is old life, his mental health would be in serious jeopardy.  NO  KIDDING. 
 45 himself said he misses his old life.   So.. what are we getting?  A bitter, self-absorbed bully narcissist who’s missing his old life and saying FU to whatever and whomever isn’t riding along on his magic carpet with high praise for his majesty.    The POTUS works for us, we don’t work for him. He’s forgetting that very important aspect.  If he were a corporate exec, he’d be fired by now with all that hideous twittering and false facts.  
   We the People deserve so much more.  The world stage demands so much more.  What damage will be done…   and oh how I hope I’m wrong about all of it. 

The Family that Hays Together.. Stays Together

   Sunday here on the farm was Hay Day.  Those two little words invoke pure happiness (oooh, the sweet aroma of fresh cut hay, and  hooray for a full loft of hay for the horses!)…. and it also invokes heavy sighs and eye rolls (allergies, a lot of heavy lifting and tossing and sweat.)  
    This year, our kids’ significant others joined in and I gotta say, both have proven once and for all they are in-law material. Kidding!.. but really not! 
    Decent feed hay around these parts now costs $10 per bale- and those aren’t the big bales.  By making our own hay, we have saved about $4000 to feed our horses this year – well worth the sweat equity and seed cost last year. 

  Have I told you lately how much I love my kiddos?    And while we aren’t a full working farm in the way many of our ancestors may have been- more of a farmette  compared to the previous occupants of this land, despite the work it takes to keep the place up and bring in the few crops we manage – it’s a good life, a reaffirming life.  I appreciate every single day we get to do this.  
Meanwhile.. back at the house – little Sally  AKA  Scout, Maddie, Olivia, Penny…. is doing just fine.  The other three dogs are accepting her slowly and she is just a love bug.   Now, if we could only decide on a name that suits her….. 
 

She’s here! And what a gem!

  
      We’ve had a busy 4th of July weekend here – all good!  Little Sally arrived via transport from Georgia on Saturday in New Haven – at a rest stop along the city’s shore containing about 275 thousand food trucks with half the population of the city in attendance – with 25 parking spots.  I’m kidding, but not really.    
   Our new little girl was exhausted, and so very happy to get out of transport and into someone’s lap.  I will say the transport used was wonderful – they really give a damn about the dogs and treat them very well while in the very stressful environment they are in. My son came with me to pick up, and a shout out to him for being very kind despite his mother’s embarrassing tears of happiness. 
 These are the girls of Grateful Doggies Freedom Transport.  They bring shelter dogs from up and down the East Coast to their forever homes.   They left Georgia on Friday morning – driving through the night, picking up pups along the way, delivering them  to their adopters at various stops along their route.. it’s exhausting work and they do it anyway.  Amazing folks.

 Right after this picture was taken she peed about 2 gallons directly on that shirt.  She had been holding it in for a loooong time, apparently.    Did I mention  how much I love my son?  
 Sally (although we’re still not set on the name) is doing very well, we adore her already. She’s super friendly, smart as a whip, loves dogs and people. 
Frasier and Bailey have made it clear she’s not allowed on the bed.
They aren’t either… clearly. 
I need this shirt…. 

 We spent the 4th at the cottage –  Stella has proven to be a great family gathering place, it’s a beautiful thing, just what I hoped for…   

      That’s my dad in the photo below – M picked him up at the nursing home and we had a nice visit.  There are times when we feel  not-so-great about him living in a “home”, but  at the end of the day, it is without a doubt the right place for him to be.  At the time of his last heart attack, he wasn’t taking care of himself, hadn’t cooked for himself in years, hadn’t cleaned his little house in years, wasn’t doing his laundry, wasn’t taking his meds properly, and his driving was unsafe.   We had been maintaining his property for him for years, trying to give him as much independent living time as possible.   If you read here often, you know our relationship is a tough one.  Living here with us is just not an option – he’s lucky we do what we do.  But.. I admire this in him – he has made a decent life for himself at the home, and that’s where I feel good about the decision to place him there.   First of all, it’s a good one – clean, updated, friendly knowledgeable staff and lots of activities for those who are still fairly active.  He has made friends and has a social circle. He is now the president of the residents association, and joins in the activities.   All is well that ends well.

 And because I gotta be me… how about that Christie fella closing down NJ beaches on the weekend of the biggest beach holiday of the year, beaches that hard working tax payers of the state pay for,  only to open one up JUST FOR HIS FAMILY for the 4th weekend.  His answer to questions by reporters as to how he could do that was basically this… “I’m the governor, I can do that. If you want to become governor you can do it too!”    Wow dude.. talk about saying FU to your people.   I’m pretty sure he doesn’t plan to run for anything ever again.  
  If a picture says a thousand words….   
  
   Till soon, friends – thanks for stopping by. 

Reaching out, taking in…

    So.. last weekend we had another adoption event –  64 dogs out of 69 found homes.  That’s no easy feat, considering each adopter is screened thoroughly before they can take their dog home – by their vet references, and personal references, and approval from Landlord if there is one.  Connecticut has some very generous folks, I’m proud to say. You know the reputation New Englanders have –  cold, snobby, aloof?  I don’t see it, I see generous people.  


   My favorite dog at last weekends adoption event was Ollie, an American bull dog mix. He would have come home with me if not for my 180 lb. horse, Ben. He has hit the jackpot with a wonderful home and sibling. It’s a beautiful thing. One of my favorite fb sightings are the after pics of shelter dogs in their new homes, finally the life they deserve. I’m so grateful to know the people who are cogs in the wheel that together make these things happen . Life lessons- think beyond just your own needs- Surround yourself with positive people, reach out to help whatever cause that holds meaning for you, it doesn’t have to be monetary, it can be actions, deeds- and your life becomes that much more rewarding.




      This morning was another stunner… the mist coming in off Long Island Sound traveled a few miles upland and landed in our fields… the scent of sea air was intoxicating…  another life lesson – (can you stand me this morning?..lol… )

    Enjoy the little things.. notice them, take them in, don’t let them pass by you unappreciated.   I had a conversation recently with a photographer friend. We were talking about picture quality and how so many people don’t really see the beauty that is all around them, and you can tell by the way they take a picture.  It’s not even about the subject.. because there can be beauty in a simple, simple shot.. like this one below.. it’s just a hay field and misty blue sky, nothing dramatic, no clear subject.  Look closely at all the nuances, there are many layers if you truly –see-.

  Have a good day, All –  and as always, thanks for stopping by.

Another Dog Day With the Big Bunny

   I love talking to dog people. I mean real dog people.. the kind who know their dog is one of their family members, sometimes one of their most cherished.  Usually, genuine dog people are also good citizens, caring individuals in more ways than dog ownership.

   Yesterday, we held a photo shoot at a PetValu a few towns over. For a $5. donation to our organization, with all proceeds to benefit shelter dogs,  you got a photo of your dog or kids or both with the Easter Bunny.  We have some return customers, I love to see them… and several are rescue dogs that were adopted out by our rescues in previous years.  How wonderful to see the dogs and their families thriving.  The dogs are so much more confident and happy now that they have lived in a loving home. We witness them when they come to our events, scared and bewildered.  To see them rehabilitated by the reassurance of love… is heartwarming.

 We’re holding another fundraiser – SPAY IT FORWARD CT –   We are helping Connecticut shelters with spay and neuter costs so that they can afford to spay/neuter the dogs in their shelters. This gives the dogs an advantage to help them get adopted… and it reduces the unwanted litters born out of irresponsibility by owners. Local Veterinarians have also joined our cause, donating discounted or waived  fees to the spay and neuter program.   If you’d care to donate, click on the link above.  Every donation, no matter how small it may be, helps those dogs find a better life.