Mama's Boy!!

Today was one of the longest work days I've had in awhile [8am - 8pm]... Every break that I get is generally spent at home hugging, kissing & walking pups - every now and then i get the "pleeeeease take me with you" face from one of my own dogs - today it was Tilden. This dog will make you melt.

First stop was Loki... a 7 month old brick house of a pit bull puppy who lives with two chihuahuas and was THRILLED to have big dog company! Lots of jumps, licks, snaps & side swipes... which my boy handled like a pro, and I finally got an excellent walk with the both of them.

Next was Madison & Sadie aka The Golden Girls... Tilden loves them. All three walked together great [i'm going to pat myself on the back here for controlling 3 retractable leashes], sat patiently when i was on clean up duty, passed several other dogs just fine, and gently greeted a couple of toddlers who were out walking with their grandparents. People watched and were impressed... as was I. The girls are always well behaved, but I was very proud of Tilden.

I was nervous about our next stop, as Tilden has never met this group of dogs before... and when I say group I mean: 3 Jack Russells, 2 Boston Terriers, and an Italian Greyhound. The energy was high, to say the least... but Tilden, was a star!!



Found myself needing a pick me up - hellooooo Peet's. While ordering I noticed a woman and her small dog standing aside my car. I was afraid that Tilden would start barking if he hadnt already but when I went out and asked I was told "No, not a peep, I didn't even know he was back there". Wow Tilden! I had to pinch myself.

Final stop was with Edgar and Zowie, my seniors. Tilden is so respectful of them... I'm always amazed at how well he's able to read other dogs and adjust himself accordingly. He knows that Zowie doesnt want to be bothered with him, and he knows that Edgar is fragile [Edgar doesnt even know he's fragile, ha!]

So all in all... Long day... but well worth it! I love when I'm able to incorporate Tildens socialization and training with work.

Happy Halloween, Happy Fall... Happy Autumn!

Tuesdays with Morrie [sort of...]

Tuesdays with Morrie is one of my favorite books, and believe it or not, I'm not an avid reader [or maybe i'm just one of the few who actually admits it] - so for me to read a book a second time, there has to be something very special about it. For those of you who are not familiar with the book, it's a story of the relationship between an elderly professor [Morrie], a former student from nearly 20yrs back and the time they spent, the lessons exchanged, and the tuesdays they shared... in Morries last days.

The past few days I've been caring for "My Seniors", Edgar [11] and Zowie [15]... I usually write in a journal or sketch odd little pictures while visiting with them, today I decided to take a book, Tuesdays with Morrie... and then it dawned on my how fitting of a selection I'd chosen [except for the fact that these pups still have incredible health!]. I've only been sitting for them about 4 or 5 months... but these two have already left a huge impression on my heart. It's hard to accurately explain.

This was my last morning with them, until work calls and their dad leaves town again. I remembered that my camera was in the car... grabbed it, played around with some settings that I don't normally use, and with a little help from iPhotos editing features, this is what my little canon cranked out:















this last one is my favorite...

"Beat the Bark"

...this morning was my last day with edgar & zowie [aka "my seniors"]. it was bittersweet, as i know that i'll have them again soon - but they started and ended my day on such a perfect note these past 3 weeks... i'd gotten used to it. zowie is always sooo excited to see me when i come [me = food] that she does this little dance then begins barking like mad [she's got a louddd bark for such a little, older, girl... its the aussie in her] until i feed them. so we developed a game i call "beat the bark" where i have to get in the house, put my stuff down, grab and organize the mail, grab edgars bowl, make it to the kitchen and scoop both of their food before she starts barking. hmm, put it this way - calone: 2, zowie: 20 easily... i finally stopped counting :)

but anyway... i love them... and i just wanted to share that!!

the current roster here on vanowen street: inca, sydney, bam & stimpy. more stories to come soon!!

[this is zowie while 'in the zone' for a treat]

my perfect day.

after catching up on some much needed rest, i was awake bright and early to enjoy a walk with my dogs, have my coffee, catch up on some e mails and still make it to and from my first clients house without getting stuck in traffic. i treated myself to breakfast at jinky's cafe in sherman oaks, then made it to my 2nd clients house and i was thrilled that he actually seemed happy to see me. background: this is a new client [a shepherd mix cutie named kingo] who did not want to let me into the house the day prior... it took a lot of patience, a lot of treats and i suppose a bit of bravery on my part. but we're buds now...sort of :/

at this point its 11am and already 72 degrees - what a compliment to an already excellent morning.

i came home to hang out with my pups for a bit before heading over the hill to take care of april, and tina's new addition austin. this was my first time meeting little austin and he couldnt be more perfect. for tina and just in general. we speculate that he's a pomeranian crossed with shiba inu. he's sweet, polite, adorable and has the most precious freckles. i took a few photos but they don't do him justice - i will include this one tho, because i thought it was funny! mid yawn photos always crack me up!!



round two for kingo was going to be a dog park trip - but i got a call from his dad asking me to bring him to a film set location in downtown la. i checked the time and asked if he was ready for him within the hour... he was... some of you will know why this was so important - it means i'd be able to beat traffic!!!!! lol... and thats huge.

on the way back i stopped by the seniors [zowie & edgar] house to do a favor for their owner... immediately i remembered that i had my camera and that a previous blog entry promised photos... so here they are!! zowie the aussie is 15 [you wouldn't believe it]... edgar the greyhound is 10... both are so happy and are in excellent shape which isn't a surprise given their owner who takes excellent care of them!! its really a good life!





and last but not least...... tonight..... buckley!!!!! he's always a bunch of fun!!

Senior Love Pt.II

...beginning tomorrow morning -- Edgar & Zowie for at least 2 weeks. Photos to come... I really love those guys!!

76 degrees today!

I believe its still winter, tho you'd never know it here in SoCal...
Anyway, one of the other members on the German Shepherd msg board that I belong, runs a pretty cool blog and this was one of her posts that caught my eye. Perhaps one of my chihuahua or greyhound clients might be feeling crafty!!

http://abbyk9.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-make-dog-blanket.html

Take care and have fun in this great weather!!!

Senior Love

...its so interesting how my last entry was celebrating Tildens 3rd year of life... and today, I can't wait until the silly boy is 10!! or 12 even!!

I had the pleasure of meeting a new client this morning with a 15yr old aussie/beagle and a 10yr old greyhound. The 15yr old (Zowie) immediately took me back to my B-boy! she was so happy and sweet and lively - you'd never guess she were 15! i only met her today, but i can definitely imagine what her puppy face was like so many years ago. Its amazing how they return to their youth. Its hard to think that B is no longer with me... over half of my life I spent with him... and the most special time was my last year with him. He became such an easy dog who just wanted to be loved. Seniors don't ask for much - but they GIVE so much in return! I was talking to Tina on my way home today... I told her that my next dog is going to be a senior. I don't want to think about Gia leaving me... but depending on how soon it is, I'll either match Tildens age with the newly adopted dog, or just go right ahead and shoot for 10. They're always the last to get adopted... its the least I can do really!