Wolf (by Tambako the Jaguar)
Monthly Archives: July 2012
7.11.12 Making the Bed with Nine
When you have a million animals they all seem to help you make the bed, especially the kitties. Someone always seems to be under the covers or hanging on to a moving sheet. It is a challenge to ever be able to come into my room with the bed as I left it. First there are always little foot prints that are dotted across the once tight nicely pulled blanket. Then there are tunnels where covers once were flat. The pillows seem to actually just be a raised sleeping platform for some. Then there are the toys, yes cat toys, that appear to now be a permanent fixture on top of the bed. This is insane! I love clean sheets. One of the best feelings in the world is sliding into that nice tight clean sheeted bed for the first time right after it has been changed. No crumbs yet. No cat fur. No dander. No hair balls.
And I would not trade the animals for the world, but will someone tell them it is MY BED!
(Did I tell you about the time I found Sofie’s lovey, Beaver, on my pillow? Dogs are not allowed on my bed. Now that was interesting.)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tuesday’s Pika
Glover’s Pika (Ochotona glover)
This cute species is one endemic to china (can not be found anywhere else in the world). A small mammal that lives in rocky clefts and can be found tucked in the crannies of village walls. [x]
7.10.12 Kitty Goes to the Spa
I have to take Peanut to her 3 day college orientation in New York this week. It’s about 5 hours away (actually she is going to school about 15 minutes from where I grew up – isn’t that cool). I talked V and K8 into coming with us since they’ve never seen NYC. The 7 animals must stay home of course, so we had to make creative arrangements. The dogs will be spending the week with 5 of their dog friends at Sonja’s house, the dog sitter. This way the can stay cool and safe and play at the same time. I have never kenneled any of my animals overnight, it just makes more sense to me to have them stay in a house with someone. One of K8’s friends is going to house sit for us to take care of the cats (and the house, of course).
We have a dilema though because of Miss Constance Kitty and her peeing problem. We did not want to leave someone to have to deal with the damage she can do on a daily basis if not watched and carefully managed. So she is going to a private kitty spa (aka much to expensive boarding kennel). OMG This place is amazing. I had to tell the sales girl on the phone to stop giving me the ‘how wonderful we are’ chatter and just tell me what it was going to cost. They have 3 different choices for cats: regular, deluxe. or even a suite. I could not believe they asked me if I wanted them to give her special tuna treats and bottled water every evening. Heck, I don’t even get tuna treats! I decided on the deluxe kitty condo (2 floors) with litter on the lower level and sleeping on the upper. I got her the deluxe because she is going to be there for a week and it has a window to see the world (and I hate doing this so I feel guilty, etc etc). Peanut says that Miss Kitty won’t want to come home. It is hard enough for us, the owners, to take care of all our animals at this point because of certain, shall I say ‘idiosyncrasies,’ so this seemed like the best solution.
Dogwood Acres Kitty Condos
Now I remember why we haven’t gone away together as a family in a long time – who can afford all the animal care?
Years ago, when we had the Guinea Pigs, we used to sneak them into the hotels with us and then just never let maid service clean the room. We had some well-traveled piggies. Those were the days when the zoo was up to 11 animals but it seemed more manageable for some reason. Dog went to dog sitter, we had a house/cat sitter, and piggies came with us.
Tuna treats and bottled water – really?!? I was waiting for the Spa to offer her the evening massage rubdown for an extra $1.000. Oh boy!
PS – My sister wanted me to tell any would be robbers that the house sitter carries a gun! Just saying.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
7.9.12 Those Darn Ducks
Duckie and Luckie (2 local ducks) were sunning on the dock. Lulu saw them first and decided to give chase. The ducks flew into the water just out of easy dog reach. Sofie started to swim towards them, but decided that maybe it wasn’t the best idea. I don’t let the dogs in the river often because of concern for bacteria etc., but at 110 degrees in the shade I figure they really needed the swim. Our daily walks are getting shorter and shorter and earlier and earlier because of the heat wave. This was a nice adventure.
Ducks are kind of funny creatures. They appear to be smart enough to stay safe but they sure are funny and like to tease the dogs. I have not seen any ducklings yet, which I usually do by now, so I am concerned if the heat is even effecting them.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
7.8.12 Antipodes
I have this hole to China theory that I brought up in yesterday’s blog and wanted to explore. As you can see from Louise’s photo, I caught her digging (notice the lovely line of dirt on her muzzle). My mother always said that if I keep digging in the yard, I would get to China – and when you are little, you do not question your Mother’s logic. But now I am big, and Mommy is not here to defend her 1950’s logic, so, where do you end up if you dig a hole through the earth’s core and come out the other side from Maryland, USA. Well, for me, it would be in the middle of the India Ocean it appears. You would need to be in Argentina or Chile to dig to China. Wikipedia has this great page on Anitpodes, basically the opposite sides of the globe. I never gave it much thought until today. So, Louise and Sofie, as you dig your holes, just be aware, that you are not going to get to where you think. But you may get cooler in this heat when you dig your shallow pits and lie in them.
Try this really neat site to find your location’s opposite: If you dig straight down
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
7.7.12 ‘I’m Bored!’
Lounging on the deck is such a relaxing experience. K8 took some great shots of Sofie, just being Sofie. Looking pretty, checking out what is around her, and showing that she is not very interested in lying quietly. Sofie is one of those dogs that gets bored. You have to always have something for her to do, or she will create something, like dig a whole to China (which is our very North American term for digging through the earth to the other side, which for us, is China we think – but is it really?) Since we were out of power for so many days, I went to the only open supermarket and picked up a few new dog toys. Each dog got a supposedly indistructable stuffed toy (Lulu got a fish and Sofie a turtle). Turtle lasted about 1 hr before her stuffing was everywhere (she is pink, so I figured it was a girl turtle). Fish actually held for about 2 days (he is yellow). He is half stuffed now (and of course I did a ‘squeeker-ectomy’ once opened by the girls). Then I also bought them each a new ‘Bo-Bo,’ I only see Lulu’s so I assume Sofie’s is lying empty of stuffing somewhere. It kept them busy for a little while and to me that is wonderful. We still walk in the 107 degree F heat (about 42 Celsius) and then they sleep it off for awhile too. Ah, the life of a dog in suburbia. Wish I had time to be bored with you Sofie!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 