Four-Legged Terrors First Car Ride

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.
Dave Barry

From dumped to adopted.  Indy has a new home!

Man, we've got to get a truck!  If you live in the country, a truck is a tool not a luxury!  I've come to this conclusion after a harrowing trip to Hubler Vet yesterday hauling the stray pups in a crate in the car.  Actually, two of them were in a crate and I held the little one.  The howling was ear-splitting, bone jarring intense.  I fear my ability to hear properly is forever diminished.  I always thought it was bad hauling the wieners in the car but they can't hold a candle to the mind boggling journey I made with the pups. 

Looking into Gypsy's eyes, one sees an old soul.

The four-legged terrors (blue heelers: a courageous and tireless worker, an intelligent and athletic companion and a loving and playful family pet.) were at their very worst.  Taking them in one at a time, they got their first puppy shots and were wormed.  So far, so good. 

Then it was time for dipping them to kill fleas and ticks.  Not so good.  The little one (Pickles-a beautiful 7 lb. baby) was no trouble.  Then it was time for Indy (10 lbs.) to be baptised.  Bad, bad, bad.  I heard Berta yell  _ _ _ _! Never a good sign.  Indy had come up biting, all teeth and mad as a hornet!  Next was Mischief (10 lbs.).  Again, snapping and mad.  Cujo deluxe (the movie, remember?). And then........total silence.!

As they huddled together in the crate, giving us mean looks, I was amazed at the attitude adjustment.  I wonder if a little dipping might work on some people I know?

Stacey and Berta were so impressed with the little fellows, Indy now has a wonderful new home with Stacey where he can learn to be a happy productive working dog (it's in their DNA you know).  Becky wants to make a lap dog out of Pickles; so he and Mischief (named him that for a reason) will stay here with their mom (Gypsy).  And to think, several of my neighbors wanted to just knock them in the head because they were strays.  No way would I allow that!  "Do No Harm".  Other peoples junk is my treasure!

Mischief gives Pickles a kiss.  Watch Out! 

It has long been a dream of ours to have a "no kill" animal shelter for all kinds of critters.  We've always said, "if we ever have enough money to care for them properly (food, shelter, vet bills, and toys aren't cheap), this is one thing we really want to do.  It seems we have unexpectedly got a jump start on our dream.  I sometimes have more compassion for animals than people.  Of course, animals love unconditionally without asking for anything in return except food and shelter. They know  you don't bite the hand that feeds you.  Can humans be so well trained? I think not.  I never want to end anything with a negative thought, so here's a positive one for you; and besides I got to go scoop poop.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. 

Roger Caras

Nature's Rebirth At Harmony Acres

"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. 
Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?" 

Edward Giobbi

Spring! Spring! Spring! If the March winds don't blow me away, I will dance in the yard to the tune of Spring. Yes, I really do dance in the yard but I'm fully clothed nowadays.  It's time for my inner child to emerge and my imagination to take wing. The long months of winter are just a memory now.  I wanted to share with you how it looks at our home when Spring is in the air.  Here are a few pictures:

The front porch is cleaned off to a certain degree so now we can prepare to paint soffet a medium grey and the porch poles white with our new trim going up in a white also.  Replacing shutters this year too.  I like to call it "my beautiful porch-in-waiting".  Big plans for little porch!

Rock Garden coming alive.

Baby's Breath will be dried this year for floral arrangements.

And the puppies are growing like crazy.  They eat like it's their last meal every time.  Kind of pitiful.  Mom still dropping by to check on them and have a bite of their food and water.  One of our neighbors stopped by today (a different one from last week) to see if her puppy (a sister to my boys) had come a callin.  It has gone missing.  Becky called on her way out of our neighborhood at 7:00 a.m. this morning to say she saw the pup running with it's mom if anyone came looking.  And they did.

I don't have a favorite but the smallest of the three boys.........

Got so carried away with the pups, almost forgot to show you my salad garden planted in the fire pit.

Our hearts and prayers go out to those in Japan who are suffering and homeless, those who have lost loved ones and those who have loved ones missing.  Also, deep appreciation for the rescue workers and those brave souls who are still trying to save the world from a devastating nuclear accident.

There is an endless net of threads throughout the universe...
At every crossing of the threads there is an individual.
And every individual is a crystal bead.
And every crystal bead reflects
Not only the light from every other crystal in the net
But also every other reflection
Throughout the entire universe.

A Little Kindness

 "Until one has loved an animal,  a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

 Anatole France

Well, it's happened again!  A stray dog dumped three of her young puppies in our yard and left.  The pups and I waited all day for her to come back but she didn't.  So...........just before dark, I chased them down, one at a time, and moved them to the back half of our fenced in back yard.  There just happens to be an unused dog house and plenty of room for the little orphans to play. They were really hungry and thirsty.  As everyone knows, we have a passion for helpless animals.  Nothing melts my heart faster that a homeless ball of fur (all of our animals are adopted or strays).

Becky was as taken with the little darlings as I was.  We discussed second jobs and possible pay raises to care for three more mouths to feed (we already have six cats, three dogs, a lovebird and a fish) and the vet bills for shots, frontline, heartworm pills and other long term expenses (including a higher fence as they grow).  God just keeps blessing us!  He will provide a way.

Shifting gears now, the weather has been so cold lately that outside garden preparation has been tough.  We had a frost Sunday morning and the temperate was 29 degrees.  I don't know about you but welcoming Spring with the North wind freezing my tush off is not my idea of fun.  However, my indoor herb garden is making some headway despite my urge to give it a drink too often. I know, it looks a little weak.  Maybe some sunshine will help us both.

Thanks to Pushka (outside kitty), the day lilies I planted in a pot are not doing so well.  She dumped the plants out and is using the soil for a litter box.  Oh, well.  She is just a kitty and has her own way of doing things.  She and Gracie (other outside cat) weren't too thrilled with the new pups. I think the cats may be suffering from anxiety due to the arrival of the puppies.

Last night David and I discussed the necessity of yearly maintenance on my beloved lawn mower.  If I am good to it, it will be good to me.  So, the next time I go to town, I will need to buy oil, filters and new blades.  It will be a little expensive but a lot cheaper than buying a new mower (not in my budget for a while).

The time has come for me to see what adventure awaits me today.  The simple life is not necessarily a dull life.  And remember: a little kindness goes a long way for animals and humans.

Just a reminder:  Daylight savings time begins this weekend.  We Spring forward an hour. Does that mean I lose an hour of sleep?  Gee, thanks!

Each day, awakening, are we asked to paint the sky blue?

Need we coax the sun to rise or flowers to bloom?

Need we teach birds to sing, or children to laugh, or lovers to kiss?

No, though we think the world imperfect, it surrounds us each day with its perfections.

We are asked only to appreciate them, and to show appreciation by living in peaceful harmony amidst them.

The Creator does not ask that we create a perfect world; He asks that we celebrate it. 

Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com