Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tag Archives: pets
8.12.12 Mojo, All Better
The dogs have been really missing their best friend, Mojo, because he had bone surgery on his leg and was not able to walk with us or play for what seemed like forever in dog days. But Mo healed quickly and he is now back to himself. So the girls and I went over for a little romp around the yard; but, no jumping and catching frisbees until we are sure that Mojo is all healed up. I think I have mentioned this before, but Louise does not smile for many other dogs (or people for that matter), but she always has a big smile for Mojo. I just love it when the dogs are content. It is so hard when an animal is hurt or sick for many reasons, but it is also frustrating because there is no way to explain to them what is going on. But I never really thought about the fact that there is no way to explain to my dogs, Lulu and Sofie, why they could not go over to play with their friend who they have walked and played with constantly their whole lives, until this event. They knew he was still there because they heard him bark from across the street and they saw him a few times when he came out his front door for a moment or two. It was kind of a funny waiting time until he was better. They missed him. We are all happy that Mojo is all better now.
8.11.12 Good Work, Girls; You Make Mommy Proud
I am so proud of the dogs. This week I have left them alone twice for increasing longer periods of time in the house, out of their kennels. First it was for about 2 hours. But today I had to go visiting and to dinner, and I knew that I would be gone a long time because I had to drive over an hour away. I locked the kittens and crazy Miss Kitty away so that they could not get into trouble; I gave everyone a really good snack (because I knew that I would be late for dinner); and I left (I don’t believe in making a fuss or they will fuss). I was gone 5 1/2 hours. This is a first for me 
and for the dogs. I have never left them unsupervised, out of their kennels for that long. On my way home I was envisioning shredded couch pillows, ala Wonderbutt, or chewed up pens with ink everywhere, or a dead cat (though Noel would more likely kill them before they would get her or Muffin). But, other than mauling me at the front door, they were great. This is so exciting. I hate to go out for more than maybe 3 hours when I have to leave them in the kennels, though I have left them as many as 6 hours. They probably just sleep, but I worry about stiffness and such, even though they can stand and turn around. I really want them to be able to be out, except at night, and that really is because they like to wake me up to play at weird times (which I attribute partially to the fact that they are not usually out at night when I am sleeping, but also because they are not allowed on the bed, so they need to get close to me somehow). This is a new phase at the zoo. Free roaming canines. I like it and I hope they keep up the good work.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.10.11 Get Off The Treadmill: Lessons From The Dogs
I don’t know about you, but some weeks it feels like no matter how far you think you are getting, you end up in the same place, This was suppose to be a quiet week at the zoo and I thought I could plow through work tasks, clean the house, take care of all the outside work, see some friends, but it has turned out to be anything but that. I know that I have been really busy, but I don’t think I am making any progress.
Everytime I finally get started with anything this week the dogs or cats are pestering me. I feel really bad because I wish the dogs would just settle down and not want to play and play and play. “Louise, Mommy has work to do, can’t you go play with Sofie in the back yard!” You know how well that works. I would think the dogs are over the we missed you so much thing already, but they are sooo needy. So it is up and down the stairs, inside and outside, snacks and treats. They are just wearing me out. And the cats, oh my goodness, I almost can not type this because Noel is in front of the screen chasing the cursor.
Maybe it is this head cold that I have and the animals want me to rest instead of work, I am not sure. But I really need to get something done. The truth is however that I should listen to the animals because they are wiser than me because they would never get stuck on life’s treadmill. They don’t worry about what they accomplished in the week, or the day, they just plain enjoy the moment. “OK, who has the TV remote? Enough with trying to get all this stuff done today. I am getting off the hamster wheel!”
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.9.12 Nine’s Adventure
Let me start by saying, he is fine. But I am very upset by the whole thing. OK, I will start from the beginning. Today was just one of those days that went from bad to worse. I am not going to get into all the human stuff that created a really bad day, but there is one piece that I will tell you. Friday, the Pest Control guy was suppose to come to do his yearly termite inspection but he never showed up. Today he was suppose to come at 3 pm and he showed up at 9 am. I hate when people do that, and if I did not have to have this inspection as part of my contract, I would have told him to go away until another day. Anyway, the same guy has been coming for years. He is a strange older dude and rambles on and on, and does not watch what he is doing (or where he tries to put his hands – but that is for a different blog). To do this inspection he mainly checks the garage and the outside of the house. When we went from the house to the garage, I told him to shut the door behind him, but I saw that he did not, so I came back and closed it. Around 9:30 am he finished his inspection after much to much chatter, yada yada yada, and then he went. I went back to work and at 11:00 am I got the dogs ready for their walk with Mojo. When I opened the front door, who is on the front steps but Nine! I never knew he was out and I never saw him exit. It was really hot out and he was panting terribly. On top of that, Mojo hates cats, so I was really worried that they were going to be rounding the corner any minute and all 90 lbs of Lab would see 9 lb Nine and go after him. I approached Nine cautiously but he ran (which I did not expect). Nine jumped the fence (it was a really nice jump actually) and scrambled into my back yard. I called Peanut and together we were finally able to wrangle him and get him in the house (before Mojo arrived or any other disasters befell him (like meeting a fox)). All the other animals in the zoo were very concerned about him and gathered around; they even let him eat a snack without trying to steal it from him (which is unheard of with this group). Panting cats are a very bad sign and he had me very scared for a few minutes. Ice cubes and paw washing cooled him down pretty quick and then he slept for the afternoon. You would think that taught him a lesson but noooooooo!!!! Not Nine the Adventurer. Whenever I am at the door now, guess who is trying to have another adventure.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.8.12 “In A Perfect World Every Dog Has A Home”
I stumbled upon this great animal pop artist, Dean Russo, on Facebook. Not only is his work incredible but the messages that he adds are just so on the mark. This piece, ” In a perfect world every dog has a home,” is such a wonderful battle cry. When I contacted DeanRussoArt, Megan told me that “amongst other ways he contributes to animal charities, Dean has a program of Affiliate Rescues that he closely works with and contributes to on a monthly basis since he has way too many requests to take on all of them.” Check out his colorful creativity and brilliant imagination.
Did you know that according to Angie’s List (Baltimore Edition August 2012), “5 million companion animals enter animal control facilities nationwide every year, and more than 60 percent die there.” At times, it seems like such an overwhelming problem, but I know that so many people and organizations are doing such good work to try and stop the tidal wave.
What do we do about the homeless, the abandoned, the abused? What can we do about the millions of dogs that are not properly taken care of, both pure breed and inter breed, that end up without someone loving them? This breaks my heart.
I guess you can see why the DogDaz zoo has 5 cats and 2 dogs currently (down from our high of 11 animals). I want to thank all the animal rescue organizations out there, all you tireless protectors, and voices for the voiceless. Thank you MJ’s Sanctuary for Louise, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue for Sofie, Last Chance Animals Rescue through the PetSmart Charities for Noel, Constance Kitty, Nine, and Stella, and thank you to the Anne Arundel County SPCA for The Muffin Man.
I wish I could snap my fingers and give every animal a home (actually I wish I could do that for humans too) Please remember that even $1 makes a difference. Really, it does. Ok, I will get off my soup box now. See what a picture like that can do to me.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.7.12 A Noon Dip
It has been so hot here in the Mid-Atlantic. The truth is it is not so much the heat as the humidity. The dogs and I try to go for a walk early in the day so as not to be out in the worst part of the heat, but that is not always possible because of my work schedule. 
We were lucky enough to be passing Louise’s bff Amy’s house around noon and she invited us to jump in her dog pool. Aren’t we lucky dogs! Sofie absolutely loves to lie in the water all the way to her head. She is like an alligator. Louise won’t lie down in it much but she sure likes to splash. They had a super time and it really helped them cool off.
My only trouble was when the three of them start to rough-house. I think I have told you before that Louise has been chewing on Amy’s ears since they were puppy’s together (they met when they were 5/6 months). I am not sure what that is about, but she always goes for her ears, like she is going to pierce them for her. Sofie tries to join in and it kind of seems like a gang up, but it is not. So the three of them come running to the pool at full speed and smash right into my knee, at which point, I hear it go….. ‘poop!’ I am Ok, but it knocked the wind out of me for a few minutes and I limped home. Nothing like 180 lbs of dog ( 70 lb (Amy) + 60 lb (Lulu) + 50 lb (Sofie)) sideswiping me at the same time. I wish Amy had a hot-tub instead of a dog pool. Wouldn’t that feel nice on a sore knee? (Well, maybe not in the summer heat.) Oh, and an added bonus was that Amy’s Mother rinsed them off with the hose before we left, so they were partially dry by the time we got home and didn’t smell terribly like ‘wet-dog.’ How wonderful is that!
A fun time was had by all – even me. They really do love when they see Amy. And I love when they spend 30 minutes in hard dog play and then sleep well for the rest of the hot day.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.6.12 You Know ‘The Look’
Have you ever sat there and looked at your child, or your lover, and just had this kind of stare that is just made up of pure love. You know that look; the one that says, no matter what happens at any other point in time, this point is perfect, and you are just the being that I want to be near. This is the look that I have for my daughter when she is just looking a certain way or doing something, that makes me feel warm and fuzzy and mommyish inside. That unconditional, no matter what, love and adoration. Well, that is how Louise and Sofie have been looking at me since I got home. I can not go anywhere without them of course attached to my side. But the looks… the I must be in your presence, you are the center of my being, kind of looks. Now, I really do not feel that I deserve this undying devotion. Come on, dogs, I just left you for 10 days, why aren’t you mad at me or something? Instead, they just want to kiss me and snuggle, and rub deep against me. There is so much that is said in a look. I think that is why the virtual world craves pictures so much. People really want to ‘look’ at things. They want to see the form and the movement. Even though we may be disconnected in space and time, beings want to look at each other. Ok, I know that people that do not have sight may not have this concept, but I bet (I don’t have anyone I can ask so I am guessing), that they have, in their own unsighted way, ‘the look’ that I am talking about. Come to think of it, Squash E Bear, when totally blind, used to tilt his head to me in that kind of ‘I love you and will follow you anywhere forever’ look. Look back at this picture of me, Lulu, and Squash and see if you don’t agree? I find it incredible that the animals can sit and stare at me that way. Noel does it too, but not Muffy, Kitty, or the others. Is it love? Is it obedience? Do animals look at each other that way? Do they stare at their young the way that I do mine? Sometimes, I guess I stare at the animals that way too. Like when I took this picture of Louise yesterday. She is watching Sofie on the other side of the deck with a rope toy. I was struck by her musculature, her calmness, and her beauty. I probably had ‘the look’ in my eyes when I took the shot. I guess maybe next time I will turn the camera around and see.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.5.12 Maddy & the Goat
I interrupt the daily zoo to bring you Madelyn Dawn, my most incredible 22 month old grandniece and the Goat. Children and animals have this unspoken way of understanding each other. I find it really interesting how animals know that young humans are different than older humans. Do they smell of innocence? Wonder? Newness? I love how this goat has focused in on her and it is as if they are having a secret moment. I observed once as Squash played with a little toddler who was positioned behind him and kept wanting to play with his tail (and what a beautiful furry tail it was). We were at a birthday party of a 5 year old, outside in a park and Squash did not know anyone. He laid in a down position, as he tended to do, and swished his tail one way, and the baby would reach, and then the other way, just as the child would grab for it. This went on for a really long time. The child was laughing and laughing. Coincidence, or thoughtful play, who knows? I believe that animals know that children are for playing. Hope you had fun feeding the goats, Maddy girl, sure looks like Nanny enjoyed meeting you.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.4.12 Noel Took Charge
Noel In Charge
The trouble with leaving Noel in charge of the zoo while I was gone, is that she actually took it very seriously. Here you see her taking over the dog bed in my office and forcing poor Louise to sleep on the floor. That is the trouble with animals of different species. They seem to boss each other around in funny ways. What I found really cute is that Louise actually listened to her and vacated the bed. Maybe it is an age before beauty thing; Lulu being the younger animal of course. I think that in my absence Noel was forced to deal with situations that she did not prefer; like having to be with people other than Mommy and actually being with the rest of the herd/pride. I noticed that she has been out more the last couple of days since I have been home. She was investigating ‘Syd,’ the platypus that I brought home from the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, for Peanut. Funny what happens to certain animals when you give then a sense of responsibility.
Maybe Noel will start being more social with the other animals now that she has been in the leadership role. I doubt it though. I do find it interesting that the dogs allowed Noel to be in their bed when they do not allow any other cats to even come close. They are really possessive about their spots usually. I have seen Sofie get extremely upset at Nine for trying to enter her kennel (she probably was protecting her lovey, Beaver, who was sleeping inside). The dynamics of my pack/pride are very interesting. When you change one thing, take out a member or add a member, even for a short time, the relationships seem to shift. Sometimes they come back to where they started, and sometimes, they don’t. I really hope the dogs don’t start standing on my desk and sleeping in Noel’s bed under the window. I don’t think I could deal with that.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.2.12 What leaving looks like.
Here is a sequence of Sofie and Nine watching me drive away. (How sad is that?) You can see the reflection of the car in the front door glass. This was the image I was left with on my way to the airport. Two of my goofballs snuggling and watching me go. Notice how Sofie is straining to see me over Nine in the last shot. It is so wonderful how close the animals are. Sofie had no idea that Mommy would be gone a long time. She just knew that I was leaving the house and getting into the moving thing without her. I have talked about separation before, but this trip was a really hard one for me and for the animals and humans. Probably because of the length of time (10 days). For me, my animals are a calming and life enhancing force. I miss my humans very much too, don’t get me wrong. I need my humans as a constant sustainable energy of love and comfort, but the animals, my need for their presence is different. They give me a sense of peace. They are my home. They are the earth force that seems to remind me to eat and take walks during the day. Having so many animals, there is always someone near by wanting something; pet me, feed me, let me out, walk me, play with me, scratch my head, hold me …. I adore my zoo. I find great comfort in the company of animals. So, this is what leaving looks like at the zoo. What’s it like at your house?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
