A boy, a dog, and a hot day

... Some our favorite reasons to love summer.

Poo Patrol-- Reporting for duty

Lately my life has been full of poo-- No joke!

Here, let me explain.

The last few weeks it seems stinkiness has been placed in my path from all directions. First, both my dogs went through separate bouts of nighttime horror that left an awful mess for me to find and clean in the morning. I have no idea what set off their systems nearly simultaneously, but it wasn't pretty.

Then there is my toddler who refuses to do anything in the bathroom other than play, play, and sing. And while I'm wise enough to hold off on cloth diapers until the morning poo duty is done, he has recently begun (it seems) waiting for the cloth to hit his bottom before making a deposit. Often, just moments after being released from the changing table.

Whyyyy???

The most recent addition to my constant clean up has been with our foster dog, Lotus. All has gone remarkably well with her-- that is until this week. All thankfulness that she is housebroken has now been doused. Following her spay surgery she has been a constant mess of upset stomachs and backward explosions. And thanks to daily rainstorms, I've been forced to coop her up in the kennel for the safety of our rugs. But even the few times I have whisked her outdoors, she refuses to stay off the deck which means I still have a mess on my hands.

Sigh

Who knew motherhood held so much... poo? It begins in infancy with leaky diapers and a shower of sprinkles every now and then, continues for the next few years with various degrees of messiness, and culminates with an attempt to potty train which means a wet bed and multiple clothing changes, then rushed searches for the nearest bathroom when they "gotta go" pronto. I've almost become desensitized to poo at this point-- almost.

It's a good thing that "daddy" was given the weak stomach and not I. Mothers need all the strength of stomach and nostrils that they can be given. It's part of the job description that poo, and vomit, and fluids you never imagined dealing with appear on your daily agenda. And on you. And even though I do wish all hands could be on duty right now, it's still nice to know I can handle it on my own if I have to.  

Still, I've been thinking... there has to be an upside in all this. Yes, tomorrow I shall buy stock in Bounty and Lysol anti-bacterial cleaner. I'm sure our house is solelyy responsible for soaring sales.

The latest PR project launches: "Bring 100 Home"

Talking with my favorite rescue coordinator recently, we began brain storming ideas. There are SO many great dogs dying in shelters here in Tennessee and rescues up North willing to take them. Transports are already scheduled every month. The only thing holding back rescuing more is a shortage of foster homes.

Why not come up with a new campaign with a goal to sign up 100 foster homes to save 100 dogs?

A few days later I created our website and quickly followed by launching the official start to the campaign "Bring 100 Home." 

You can read more about at "Local Campaign Launches to Save Local Dogs and 'Bring 100 Home."

And so begins the work ahead to reach this goal!

A home for Grace

We are a foster family again.

Despite weekend travels, pregnancy, a toddler who leaves me completely exhausted by days end, and the death of my father-in-law, we took on a temporary house guest. And her name is Grace.

We've fostered on and off in the past and because of my rescue connections found out that a transport is scheduled for this Friday. Tennessee is notorious for euthanizing pets, but it's only because there are so many homeless animals. And so few are spayed or neutered.

Around the same time as I learned this piece of information, I was browsing http://www.petharbor.com/ and noticed a high kill shelter in our area was getting ready for the week's list of unadopted pets. My eyes locked on a photo of an older yellow dog that was quietly laying with his nose between her paws in a metal kennel. At six years old, I knew she wouldn't make it out. Not even small dogs, purebreds, or puppies made it out safely very often.

I shot an email to my rescue coordinator and within days was driving home with a very happy Grace riding in the back of our SUV. And as luck would have it, she adored children.

In the beginning Grace basically ignored me but would strain to be near my son. She wouldn't overwhealm him, just be within his reach and watching over him. The sweet natured lab mix was housebroken and happy to do whatever we asked of her.

She may not be the youngest, but she has been one of the best foster dogs we've had. There are many benefits to age, including a level head and knowing when to run and play and when to take a nap.

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotion and exhaustion but Grace has enriched our lives. This Friday she will leave on the transport to NY state and hopefully find a new family quickly.

She certainly deserves it.

"Appy Mommy Day!"

Mother's Day 2011

6:30 am call from the event company.. Aparantly they forgot I'm off today
Breakfast shared with Maddox who always begs for my fruit AND his; what can I say? I unknowingly taught him to eat off my plate.
Quick kitchen sweep up of crumbs and things the dogs dragged in
Early morning bath for our bulldog while Maddox got fully soaked/covered in dog hair while still in pajamas
Quick change and off to the barn with my mini equestrian sidekick
Bareback horse rides
Bath for the horse and a hoof trim while Maddox fed her weeds and helped dry her off... while I was still washing
A walk with the dogs while Maddox called out "come! come!" to the canines
A visit to the car wash and much-needed cleaning and vaccuming of the mom-mobile
Stop at Publix to pick up diapers
Quick drive through McDonald's for an iced coffee refresher
Shower
Picked up Dad for lunch at Royal Tai (Who loves sticky rice? Two-year-olds do!)

Naps all around

How was your "Mommy Day?"

Easter bunny or not to bunny this Easter...?

A rescue rabbit, waiting to be adopted.



Today we stopped at our local feed store to look at pet food. We were greeted by the resident duck and overwhealmed by the number of chicks, ducklings, and baby rabbits being sold.

The feed store visit got me wondering... are baby animals really a good Easter addition?

Millions of rabbits (and ducks and chicks) are sold every year during the month of April. Right now, pet stores and feed stores all over the country are preparing by stocking up on baby bunnies for expectant children yet again.

But do bunnies make a good gift?

Cute as a bunny
Baby animals are  adorable, especially furry bunnies with their long ears and twitching noses. And while rabbits can make wonderful pets when spayed and neutered, there are a number of cautions and drawbacks to rabbit ownership.

Rabbit rescues often receive a wave of unwanted rabbits following the Easter holiday. According to The Bunny Rescue of Nashville, "Contrary to Eastertime hype, rabbits and small children aren't a good match. The exuberance of even the gentlest toddler is stressful for the sensitive rabbit. Children like a companion they can hold, and cuddle. That's why stuffed animals are so popular."

Children quickly lose interest in their pet rabbit when the bunny is reluctant to be held and cuddled like a toy. But being picked up is frightening and often uncomfortable to the bunny. Some rabbits end up neglected and forgotten.

Many new owners also don't realize what happens when rabbits mature. Rescuers warn that "If left un-neutered they will chew, spray or dig." Some even become territorial of their cage and will lunge and bite.
Rabbits are certainly not for everyone, so before buying a bunny ask yourself the following questions:

Rabbits are not "low-maintenance" pets. Are you ready to be the main caretaker? (cage cleaning, providing fresh water/hay/pellets/veggies daily, vet visits, exercise out of the cage, etc?)

Are you prepared for a pet that will live 10-15 years?

Rabbits must be neutered or they will mark your house with feces and urine. Are you prepared for this cost? Do you know a rabbit-savvy vet?

Rabbits should live indoors (for many safety reasons), as members of the family. Do you have room for a large cage and space for them to roam?

If after carful consideration you still believe rabbit ownership is the right decision for your family, please think adoption first. Some rescues will make families wait until after Easter to adopt, but there are too many unwanted rabbits waiting to find a new family.

Of dogs and children

The Three Amigos

As long as they know who's really in charge!