The Dog Lady Blog

Sunday, December 25, 2011 :

"...a day so beautiful, an affront to the typical holiday snowy visage..."

Look what we saw on our hike today:

posted by Katherine # 8:23 PM 0 Comments

"...would it be better to not know you're going to die, like every other species?..."

I have received a few new requests to take in more dogs in need. One person is offering $500.00 if I take her now-institutionalized father's two dogs. I simply cannot take in any more dogs, despite knowing I might be their last chance, until I relocate my Sanctuary or find an Angel Investor. Certainly there is someone who believes in my work--as a rescuer, rehabilitating and rehoming, or offering true sanctuary to the Misfits.

Many times I've watched the dogs I've taken in/rescued/given sanctuary to--whatever--sleeping peacefully on cushions, covered in blankets, finally relaxed into the moment. For almost twenty years I've taken in dogs that were out of options. If they hadn't made their way to me, they were screwed. That's why I'm adding "retirement" to my mission statement regarding animal rescue; old dogs in new digs! It hits every rescuer when they are faced with an old (therefore typically) unadoptable dog. He or She might be a fantastic dog but often with elderly animals we're dealing with dental/ear/heart/occular/renal issues. Often, though, all an old dog needs is caring attention. Some dogs, like "Papi", experience a rebirth of sorts:

This is my Love, Papi.

Ensconced on deep cusions, blankies and as he relishes now.

He's O-L-D but is spry, alert and engaged.

Papi has a very mysterious story which I'm writing as an essay.

Nothing fancy needed here (even in veterinary terms, Papi

proved easy to treat) but the obvious. The day he was rescued I

thought I'd be euthanizing him the next day, but I wanted him to eat,

and most especially enjoy, a last meal so I gave him 40 mg of

Prednisone. What the hell? I know it's a super-human dose

but Papi could barely stand, let alone walk

and if a non-prescribed megadose of a base

steroid boosts his blood pressure/eases his pain/increases his appetite,

well...THAT'S the way to go out, right? Feeling good, enjoing a nosh,

WALKING along a peaceful path. It's how I hope to go out.

However, 24 hours later, Papi decided he felt SOOOOOO good

(that Pred bump pumping through his system!),

he was going to stick around afterall!

Today was not a good day to die.

15 months later...

Papi is my Prince Consort, or at least my John Brown

He hates it when I leave on errands.

He waits for my return at the top of our steep drive

and as I descend, chases my truck all the way home

to our camper! When I get on the roof of the camper

(to resecure the tarp covering the holes!), he paces back and

forth at the foot of my ladder, fussing all the while.

Is he actually "grateful" to me for helping him recover, to heal?

Or does the sort of separation anxiety that Papi experiences, spur him

forward, adding an element of physicality to his neurosis,

actually keeping him healthy and moving?

posted by Katherine # 4:42 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 :

"...one step forward, two steps back--but at least i'm moving..."

Our energy bill--it's brutal--with a "message":

"DISCONNECT NOTICE".

We received a bit over $700.00 in donations after

WHAS ran their story on Save That Dog.

Only $9,300 we need to borrow, until the Raffle

gains momentum. Then there was the phone bill,

Dr. Loftus' bill, Mr. Bagshaw's H2o delivery,

dog food and laundry, $215.00 is left and Donnie

needs a dental. I still owe Shively Animal Clinic $427.00.

I'm sending them a monthly payment of

(at least) $50.00

Starting...NOW:

November.

The bill originated May 31.

Donnie warming his toes on the radiant heater

The very first day of artificial heat source.

I hate to do it but it does have a magical impact,

especially coupled with blankets and big cushions!

A place for older dogs...

Faithful companion Harvey.

He belonged (?) to someone for 14 years.

Then he came to me (do the circumstances really

matter?) and within two months he preferred me to his

people of 14 years. I always warn people that 9 out of 10

dogs do this and not to take it personally.

I know how to talk to dogs--

--if they let me!

A place for different dogs...

I am a lightening rod for antagonists.

I am an Outsider and Outlier and I cannot

apologize for something I am grateful to understand

and live amidst.

A place for the forgotten...

Pops.

This is my Miracle Dog. He loves living here so much

that he refuses to become infirmed again!

Look at him, lounging on velvety fleece over deep

foam sofa cushions. They were a gift from the Cloud Family

after they bought new furniture. A better dog bed?

There is none! They're at least 5 inches deep and despite

being 20 years old, they are LUSH.

Mr. Big here is a connoisseur of LUSH.

I hope his fast adaption of the good life is because that's

what he had before staggering (literally) into my life...

...where he now, still, thrives.

posted by Katherine # 1:22 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 :

"...i hate ticks..."

It's blurry but who wants to see an engorged tick in HD?

I found this parasite earlier today, lolling on the floor.

Into a bottle of Isopropyl alcohol it went, a quick demise.

The Frontline TopSpot wannabe is scandalous.

Obviously, it does not work.

Regardless, NEVER smash these fat ticks;

they are full of eggs and all you're doing is releasing them.

They're very hardy and true parasites. Dispose of them as

directed, in alcohol, treating as a biohazard because the little

bastards are disgusting carriers. Bloodsuckers.

The rains are going on forever

But I love the rain and for the most part, it makes for

quiet dogs and better writing. Unfortunately, the ticks LOVE

the rain and 74* days in November. The cold spells make them

aggressive in their search for a warm host.

They're much more lethargic, though, than in Spring/Summer.

They take a lot longer to blow up.

Sid didn't get out of bed until 3:30pm

Why? Because it poured rain all morning and what sane

creature would want to go out in that?

Siddy savored the coziness of my bed and probably the

only reason he got up this afternoon was because he had to tinkle.

Amy

She always has something to add to the conversation.

posted by Katherine # 1:51 PM 2 Comments

Friday, November 11, 2011 :

"...when you're in the trenches rescue work never ends..."

People often ask me where the dogs I rescue come from. Everywhere. They also ask me how I take a bath if I don't have running water. Outside. And if I'm ever lonely living only with dogs. Never.

Rescue boots donated by J.P

and, of course, my socks are tucked in my pants because

THERE ARE STILL TICKS!

John Kemple, Woodworker, hand initialed

These are "scratchers", for humans but also for dogs.

John made these by hand for me to offer them to people who

donate to Save That Dog Sanctuary!

How was YOUR bath tonight?

I heated a 20 quart pot of water on my camper stove.

Then I sat on a step outside in this lovely 35mph wind,

with a 16oz SOLO cup as my "dipper".

I've lived without running water for over 14years

but I've saved over 2,500 animals!

Those lives have been worth the sacrifice of indoor plumbing.

Percy and Siddy

Everyone needs a friendly smooch sometime!

Percy congratulating Siddy for his on camera work today

when the news station came to do a story on us.

One of my quotes on a Save That Dog Sanctuary t-shirt

Also:

"We become responsible for what we have tamed."

"No act of kindness is ever too small."

"If you need a friend, get a dog."

posted by Katherine # 11:11 AM 0 Comments

Monday, October 31, 2011 :

"...who doesn't love dogs?..."

I love when they sit quietly, mutually absorbed in whatever it is they see...

Amy Jo and Donnie, on the steps of the porch attached to the camper.

I don't remember what they were looking at but these are two of the more "vocal"

dogs. Seeing them sitting there, so pensive and precious and for a

change, so completely QUIET.

I held out the choices: toaster waffle or Pop-Tart.

He chose the waffle--it had fake blueberries in it!

I don't try to touch his hand or make "friends". Cute, but wild.

It's still fun planning his menu...

Even old dogs like Harvey still love a good ball!

He's a true doll, so sweet and affectionate. He's only here for awhile

or at least until his home of 14 years gets a new place, a job, a life...

Harvey looks like he's fussing at the ball, doesn't he?

It seems to be a very "Snoopy" gesture: "Meh."

Our recently donated video camera...

what's left of it. Daisy decided to shoot some footage but she bit

down too hard on the record button and decimated the camera.

I hate these kind of discoveries.

This is Finn. Finn loves swimming pools. Even EMPTY pools.

Eventually "Finny" shredded this pool, turning it into a kind of plastic

mulch that took forever to clean up. Finn just layed there and watched me.

Gabe, so handsome, so gallant, so retrieving!

Adopted by an elderly widow in Charlestown, he keeps her company,

her 24/7 unconditional companion. She has a huge family who are in

and out all of the time so Gabe is in Heaven!

posted by Katherine # 1:13 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, September 3, 2011 :

"...september..."

It's here. Already. Time flies inconceivably past us, beyond "flying" as we know it. It is extraordinary, how fleeting this moment is. Like this one here. Just thirty minutes earlier, the sun was shining and then boom!

We really need rain. Lots and lots of rain.

Otherwise our 130 acre woodland won't be as vibrant this Fall.

Do you see my swing in the photo? Relax your eyes.

It's there.

"My Girl Friday" is on KET tonight..."

"...you never miss the water till well runs dry..."

I watch everything in closed caption; it's amazing what you miss and learn.

Meeting Ikey, serendipitously

It was, I think, a Friday around 6pm and instead of taking the

usual left off our exit, I turned right. There they were: a small

group of people surrounding an elegantly spotted Pit Bull.

I pulled in beside both their vehicles,

anticipating weird/ugly/oh-please-be-something-else attitude

but to my utter surprise IT WAS ALL GOOD.

Ikey is living in his new home. I love a happy tail!

It can only get so hot, and then it's Dog overboard...

It's a wonderful life here for misfits.

Finn is cool in every capacity.

posted by Katherine # 10:24 PM 0 Comments