Growls in the Dark

Last night, as I was taking the hounds out for the last pee time before bed, I discovered where Maddy and I fall on the "fight or flight" reflex.  I take them out individually on a leash, in the fenced-in back yard so that they won't run, since they have a night-time snack before bed.  While out with Maddy, we were near the fence, close to the baby barn and all of a sudden there was loud growling and snarling coming from the trees behind the baby barn.  There is a small stream over there, and I could hear something running in the woods towards us. 


It was pitch dark out, just the lights from the patio.  The immediate thoughts that ran through my head (after "what the h%&* it that!) was how high is the fence now that the snow is piled up, did I shut the gate, and let's get the heck out of here!)  Maddy didn't seem phased by it, other than tail and ears up straight and a few louds barks, that said "this is my %*(%$# yard".  I never did see what it was, whatever it was never came into the light.  At the same time, I heard a ruckus in the house; Miss Veil had obviously heard something and was putting up a stink.  At the time, I didn't think much of it.  I just wanted Maddy to do her thing and go inside. So, after everyone had their snack and I got ready to go to bed, I went into the bedroom, which happens to be on the same side of the house as where all the excitement was, and Veil was on the bed, but not in her usual spot.  I said get over and she didn't budge, I patted the other side of the bed and immediately discovered why she was over there.  Apparently, she got a little too excited and not being able to see out any windows on that side of the house,  her bladder got the best of her.  I can't really fault her for that, since I probably came close to doing the same thing when I heard the noise outside!

Memories

 Miss Veil here today...I thought I would show a few pictures of the dogs that lived here before me.  I know that they had Mama's heart and are still there in corners kept just for them, but I'm not jealous...they just made it bigger so that even though they passed on, there was room for the rest of us to fill it up.

Miss Holly

Miss Holly left us much too soon.  She was only 4 and a half years old. At 3, she tore her anterior crutiate ligament and while waiting for surgery, she developed Immune mediated hemolytic anemia, which is a disease where your body fights against its self, killing its own red blood cells.  We almost lost her the first time but she fought hard and had one good year in remission before it started again.  We tried to fight it again, but the medication to help her was just too hard on her body.  I regret making her hang on as long as I did the second time, I was selfish and wasn't ready to let her go.

Tuff

He was a character, unlike any I've seen before or after.  I think it may have come from being bottle-raised and the only pup in his litter who survived.  His mother did not want anything to do with him, and he was in danger around her.  He really had no idea he was a dog. At 5 months old and 39 pounds when we adopted him, he was a handful.  He had a head like a brick and a heart of gold. According to him, I belonged to him.  Tuff developed diabetes later in life and I had to test his blood-glucose and give him insulin injections, twice a day.  He became so used to it that he would go lay on his bed and hold his elbow out so I could get the blood for the reading.   He left us at 10 years old after getting pneumonia.  I was with him at the Atlantic Veterinary Hospital until the very end.  As much as I hated to lose him, I have no regrets.  He had a great life, a life that many in the beginning said he would not ever have. 

They really become good friends.  Holly was good for Tuff, she taught him alot of things that he didn't learn as a puppy. 

They both taught me a lot.  I think they would be pleased that we didn't shut the door on bringing other dogs into our lives.  So - then came the greyhounds.

Happy Saturday!

We got out for some fun in the snow this morning.  It was above freezing so I let them go without their coats on for a little while.  The first two pictures would have been great, if not for my tendency to cut of their heads!

Beckett looks a little crazy in this one.  He gets some wild looks on his face when he is running, that you don't realize until you actually capture it in a photo!

Did you say "cookie"?

Veil may be small but she is a powerful runner.

Maddy takes a break in the snow.  Maybe it's a good thing her bottom doesn't touch the ground when she sits.

I hope everyone takes time to have some fun this weekend!

Up and at 'em

I really, really wanted to sleep in this morning... I woke up once at 5:30, realized it was Saturday and happily went back to sleep until 7:15 when I jumped out of bed like a shot having woken up to that familiar sound of a hound throwing up.  Apparently Maddy's stomach didn't like breakfast being an hour late and retaliated.  Nothing like that to get you going, especially when the yellow bile is hitting the beige carpet.  Add cleaning that up to the to-do list.  Anyway, it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny morning and we got out to enjoy some sunshine.

Winter 2008

I came across these pictures from 4 years ago and I realized that the deer haven't been to visit like this since.  That year was also the only winter that no dog was in residence. 

We definitely had a LOT of snow that year, I think they could have walked over the top of the 5 foot fence.

I kind of see a familar face in this one...

Tag - we are it...

We've been tagged by the wonderful Miss Bunny to answer some questions, about ourselves.  Miss Veil agreed to be interviewed with me, so here we go:

1.  Describe yourself in seven words.
Miss Veil: Diva, sweet, fast, devilish, smart, beautiful, sassy.
Me: This is hard - I don't really know what to say.  I hope I'm kind, funny and thoughtful.  I know I'm a worrier, shy and cautious. Above all I'm an animal-lover.

2.  What keeps you up at night?
Miss Veil: Not much, but if someone else has stolen MY spot on the bed - no-one is going to sleep until I get it back.
Me: See Veil's answer above.

3.  Who would you like to be?
Miss Veil: I'm pretty happy being myself, although Bunny (with all her beautiful accessories) and Beryl (with her new boyfriend) seem to have it going on to.
Me: I'd like to be me, but just with more time to spend on the important things.

4.  What are you wearing right now?
Miss Veil: Nothing not even a collar.
Me:  Sweatpants and a hoody.

5.  What scares me?
Miss Veil: All types of flying insects, from bees to houseflies.
Me: The thought of my loved ones getting hurt or sick, oh, and public-speaking.

6.  The best and worst of blogging?
Miss Veil: I enjoy meeting new friends and hearing about their lives but I'm sad if one of them is having a hard time.
Me: The best thing about blogging is the friendships that are made all over the world, people that you would never have gotten to know otherwise, and the worst, would be that I don't always have time to comment on posts as much as I would like to.

7.  What was the last website you visited?
Miss Veil: Bunny's blog to see the questions.
Me:  The Weather Network.

8.  What is the one thing you would change about yourself?
Miss Veil: I wouldn't mind being a little bigger but other than that I'm like me fine the way I am.
Me:  I wish I was better at time management.

9.  Slankets, yes or no?
Miss Veil: No, but I do love my sweaters and blankets.
Me: I had to google it to see what it was, but definitely no.

10.  Tell us something about the person who tagged you.
Bunny and her Mom really made us feel welcomed into this world of blogging.  I have to say they make us want to do better and that's a good thing!  We feel lucky to be able to call them friends.


Now we’re supposed to name eight bloggers to participate in the challenge but it’s all in fun, so if you haven't already been tagged and would like to participate, consider yourself tagged! We would love to hear your answers too!

The Chair

Big boys can curl up in chairs too.

This chair was Tuff's favourite spot...the first time Beckett curled up in it, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  For two totally different breeds of dogs, Beckett does alot of little things that remind me so much of Tuff.

Playtime?

It's another cold weekend, and the hounds are getting cabin fever.  Even with boots and coats, a feels-like temperature -30 C this morning makes wee time a quick "in and out".  Last night, they all went out together and ran around on the snow covered deck for a few minutes to burn off a little energy.  It's funny how different playtime is when all three are together, or when  it is just Veil and Maddy, Veil and Beckett or Maddy and Beckett.  Maddy seems to have the best social skills when it comes to playing and will run around and chase or be chased without any nipping or barking.  She and Beckett have a great time together, and Veil is on her best behaviour when playing with Maddy.  Veil will bark and nip at Beckett when they are running together, and if all three of them are out, Maddy seems to try and keep the other two separated by running between them.

I have been looking back at old photos (pre-digital age) for my "Leap Year Memories"; and I think there is something to be said for those photos in the shoe boxes or envelopes, that you can hold in your hand. 

Tuff used to love the run in the snow, and believe me, you got out of the way when he was barrelling towards you. 

Leap Year Memories

No, you aren't seeing things.  This month, I'm going to post a few pictures from the past, to honour those "hounds" who started me on the path to being a crazy dog lady  This is Tuff (left) and Holly (right).  February 29th, 4 years ago is the day that Tuff passed away from aspiration pneumonia.  He was ten years old.  Holly had passed over the bridge before him from complications due to Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.  Since it was leap year then and leap year again, it has been on my mind lately.  They taught me many things, including patience, unconditional love and forgiveness. So I hope you will not mind my sharing a few pictures or stories from the past this month.