Bumps in the Road

It’s hard not to let life’s challenges get in the way of our dreams. We constantly let road blocks keep us from achieving what we really want for ourselves. This is true with big goals and small goals. You have to stay true to yourself, don't let your dreams fall to the wayside. Work towards those goals no matter what life puts in front of you and no matter what other people say. Success is sometimes not giving up.

Denial? by Lori Sash-Gail

Denial is my best friend. When I was thirty-five years old, my father gave me the shock of my life: “You were always too tall to be a dancer.” I had danced for ten years, never suspecting!
When Edna asked me to train her toy poodle, Chablis, to become a pet therapy dog, I had my doubts. Chablis clung to Edna’s lap, shook when keys dropped, and shied away from people. How would she become accustomed to wheelchairs, walkers, banging, bumping, and rough petting. But I could never formulate the words “not suitable”. Instead, I sunk my head deeply into the sand. Seven months later, Chablis became a certified therapy dog.
I’m now training her sister. Chardonnay assumes the frozen-rabbit response to terrors such as laughter. I decided that she could take Chablis’s place in an ad. All Chardonnay had to do was let the model hold her. She behaved like a cross between a wild bird and an unhappy cat getting a bath. arms and legs extended straight out, screeching. Eventually, they got the shot, and by then I was the one who needed a shot. The assistant christened me the “poodle whisperer.” I never wanted to hear the word “poodle” whispered again.
With denial stronger then ever and now eight years out of shape, I still attend dance class. A question greets me: Could I do a doggie modern dance with my new, untrained dog for their concert?
“Sure,” I frothed at the mouth. “I’d love too!” (They said I was too tall for their other dances. Who told them?)

Copy Write: Dog People Do It Better by Theresa Mancuso, 2005

Watching Adidas & Max 6-23 & 6-24-2010

I had a chance to watch Adidas and Max for three walks. It was great seeing Max again, I missed him the last time I was there. He is such a happy little guy and I just adore how he jumps in the air and his ears flap wildly in the air. The first walk wasn't very eventful. But afterwords I sat on the couch to play with the animals and Sugar actually sat down right next to me and rubbed her head against my hand for a good two or three minutes before she ran away again. In the morning Adidas got into a fight with another dog that ran off a neighbors yard. It didn't last long, but Adidas was not happy with the other pup and Max barked his little head off and basically tied the dog up by running around in circles till the leash had the pups legs entangled. It was kind of a chaotic scene for a moment. But in the end everything was fine and no pup was hurt. It was hot early on in the day so I kept the walks kind of short so they wouldn't get overheated. The afternoon walk was hard for all of us, so I just spent extra time in the house with the pups. I really enjoy these pups, Adidas really should be 3 not 11 and Max is just filled with love.

Watching Punkin & Peanut 6-13 and 6-14-2010

Well it is the last morning with Punkin and Peanut. I fed them this morning and they both ate everything and then all the treats that I put down on the mat. I just put some more down but Punkin just ate all the new treats. I think I'll hold off on giving them anymore. But know Punkin is sitting next to my side making whiny barking noises. I think he wants attention, all be right back.... Peanut has been quite energetic this morning, I wonder if she knows mom is coming home and is getting excited. Peanuts energy is rubbing off on Punkin because he has been following her around all morning. Yesterday was another hot day, but I took both of them out in the morning and hung out in the yard with them. Thought it would be a good idea to get some outdoors time before it got too hot, and I think I was right. They then just slept the rest of yesterday away. Too hot to go outside unless it was absolutely necessary. They ate with no problem yesterday, I think they might be making up for not eating on Saturday. It's been a pleasure staying with these two. Peanut has this really cute personality that comes out when she gets happy and Punkin has cuddled with me for the last two days just making my days here quite enjoyable!

Punkin!

Peanut!

Chewie

Here are a couple of shots of the adorable Chewie I watched last week. The blog was put on hold because of the three other rugrats I was watching... but I just wanted to give a little taste of this feisty adorable pup to everyone.

Watching Punkin & Peanut 6-12-2010

Today was brutally hot and these two did not want to go outside and face the heat. We spent the day indoors, which was probably the best for everyone. Punkin is now following me around the house. Every where I go, he is... not that I mind, I find it endearing. Peanut on the other hand has rotated from three spots all day. Today wasn't a big eating day and neither pup touched their food, so luckily it was was medicine day and I wasn't stingy with the chicken or the pup-peroni! Being stuck inside I decided to work out a little, but the pups just curled up and napped as I sweated. Now it's off to bed for everyone (like they haven't gotten enough sleep today as is) and they are already snoring.

Watching Punkin & Peanut 6-11-2010

Day two watching these pups has been a lazy day in the Maryland heat. We woke up early and I had to tell them to go outside, they reluctantly went. Once they were done they ran right back to bed, so we "slept in". Peanut slept on the same corner of the bed all day curled into the blanket. She's a really precious little girl. Punkin has a lot of spunk, he stayed by my legs the whole morning but wouldn't stay still and was the first to finally get up. I fed the pups in the morning and they ate everything once again. I used their moms trick, kept the food fluffy and covered it with shredded cheese. I left them to run some errands for the afternoon. Early this evening we went for a little walk around the neighborhood. The plan for this evening is to watch some TV and the pups are already curled up and waiting for me to choose a program.

Watching Punkin & Peanut 6-10-2010

I stated watching two new pups today. I got here this afternoon and they were quite happy to see me. Punkin ran off and grabbed a toy and ran around the room with it as to show it off to me and Peanut ran up and wanted as much love as possible. It was a lovely afternoon so I went outside with the pups and we sat on the deck and enjoyed the sun. Punkin slept at my feet while Peanut curled up on the seat cushion next to me. It was a lovely afternoon. I fed them dinner around 8, when I got my food and they ate all of it while I was eating. I think they wanted to enjoy a nice dinner with me. Since then we have been lazing around watching TV. The first night with these two has been wonderful. I forgot my cord for my camera, so I will pick that up tomorrow to post pictures.