Welcome and Thanks!

***** A Notice****** Thanks to so many for coming to this blog over the past year and becoming such great blog friends. I have learned much and laughed often. Yet as the author of 2 blogs I have often felt... well... disjointed. In an effort to marry the 2 sides of my life, and to hopefully continue on in my relationship with you the reader, I am now combining my blogs into 1 new one. I do so hope that you will join me here. I just love hearing your happy voices as often as I can! See you soon......................
www.rachelshorsesandhounds.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Oliver Report

Poor Oliver! As many of you know... Oliver was neutered yesterday and continues his convalescence at home. He lost his "mojo" baby, yah. A mojoectomy!

Remember Oliver today as he recovers and thank the doggies in your life who have already taken one for the team... oh behave baby!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wordy Wednesdays

" Every puppy should have a boy."
-Erma Bombeck

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A Time Out!

I recently gave myself a timeout! Not a vacation really because too much work was involved to call it that. No, it was really just time away. I had a lovely time in Georgia and Tennessee, visiting with family. The pups stayed behind with Dad, and I hear they missed me.While away though, I took the opportunity to do a little pleasure reading ... and what a pleasure it was! The book "The Art of Racing in the Rain," by Garth Stein, was fabulous! The story is about a racecar driver and his struggles with a terminally ill wife and some pretty evil in-laws. The twist however is that the entire story is told from the prospective of the family dog, Enzo. Enzo is something else with his obsessive desire for thumbs and a longing for a tongue that will form words.Enzo learns from watching TV and much observation of human activity. Writer Garth Stein has really crafted something special in his observations of dogs and Enzo can make you believe (if you ever had a doubt,)that there is much more going on inside a dog's mind than we will ever know. The story is funny and touching but not the least bit contrived or predictable. I loved it and would love to recommend it to all my fellow doggie lovers too. I have read that Patrick Dempsey (a race car driver/enthusiast himself,) has picked up the story and is working to bring it to film. That is funny, because the whole time I was reading I was picturing Dempsey as the lead character Denny, even before I knew about the project. So I would love to discuss the book with ya'll. If you have read it already or plan to read it in the future... let me know what you thought. I found it thoroughly entertaining and easy to read, and I bet ya'll will too.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wordy Wednesdays


"If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them."
-Phil Pastoret

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Dogs about town.


As Oliver sleeps the Dog Dayz of Summer away, it rolls by WAY too quickly! We are spending WAY too much of it at Lowe's too, (lots of home renovations before it gets cold again!) One good thing about Lowe's though... I almost always see dogs. These two were there a couple of days ago with their owner, who was looking at paint. What sweet dogs and great companions for shopping!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wordy Wednesdays


There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy.

-Ben Williams

Monday, July 6, 2009

The Party's Over!


The 4th of July has come and gone and it was a blast, (get it... a blast... funny.) Our family spent the day with friends and enjoyed hamburgers and baked beans and cupcakes and cobbler... oh my! We felt like the pups should stay back this time just for the sake of peace of mind. Although none of them show aversions to loud noises, (hunting breeds shouldn't, but you never know,) we felt the occasion would best be put in the "better safe than sorry" category. Our beloved Dalmatian, Maggie, used to have such a horrible response to the 4th because of the LOUD fireworks. She would absolutely come unglued! So, we wanted to make the 4th a bearable, if not pleasant experience for the pack. Of course conditioning is the key, so we gave special treats to mark the day... Cheetos! (I know they are not that healthy... we don't judge here :) ) We made a little game of getting the Cheetos before we left for our celebration and it looked like this...
Ruby is about to "speak" for a treat. We also made sure everyone had plenty of exercise to tire them out and the little one went in his crate for added security. We don't know if any of our neighbors shot off fireworks, but everyone looked relatively calm and relaxed when we got home. At our friend's house however... this little guy came ready for the party and completely undaunted by the unfolding events...
This is Scooter and he is one of the most laid back fellas I have ever met! He lives in a retirement community with his Dad Harry and visits his Mom in a nearby nursing facility, often. Harry says the ladies at the nursing home love him so and practically jump out of bed to touch him. That's the miraculous power of a dog... no? Scooter wasn't scared of those nasty fireworks and he made sure to protect Harry from them! Good boy Scooter. It was a great day for all, human and canine alike, and we look forward to another celebration next year. Hope ya'll had a great one too!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Wordy Wednesdays


"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."

-Roger Caras