"There might be bugs on some of you mugs, but there aint no fleas on me!"

Although a decision could not be made when I first met the litter, it only took a few days until I returned .... I knew I wanted a boy. There is something a little easier about the whole spay / neuter process with having a boy... sorry guys... but its the truth. Not only easier for the pup, but on the pocket book too... I know... if you have to worry about vet bills you should not be getting a dog... but if you can budget a little bit where possible, whats wrong with that!?!

Seriously... i like boy puppies better... they are known to be a little "suckier"... which I like... (something to be said for human boys too... :-) maybe something to do with Buddy... I don't know, but I decided on a boy...
The owner was wonderful - I'll call her "V" - she hurried off an email to me first thing Tuesday morning and alerted me to the fact that "another family was coming around 5:30 to choose a puppy", "not certain which one they were after, but wanted to make sure you got the one you wanted!" My plans were to be there between 6 and 7 ... "schedule revision!" I bolted from the office at 2:30 and made it to the farm at 4:50 pm! She was not even there yet - but shortly after five, V pulled in, waved at me and rushed to grab the two little boys I was interested in... I assumed I would have at least a good half hour alone with them on the front lawn....but lo and behold; not 5 minutes after a short frolic with the pups - a large red van careened up the driveway, braked, doors flew open, the couple tumbled out with an eight year old fast on their heels... all three racing towards the helpless pups!

I had not made a decision yet... what do I do? I could see that the little blond one was leaning towards my other half and he in turn was leaning towards him... meanwhile, noticing my panic stricken face V calmly asked the family "You didn't mention which one you were interested in?"... without taking a breath they exclaimed "the blond one"!

Resembling a scavenger shopper at a K-Mart flashing light sale, I calmly fumbled for the little red collar from my Coach bag (Note of caution - little pup has taste in handbags!) and slipped it gingerly over his head while announcing firmly... "Sorry, I believe this one's taken!!!"

Snagged !! Too close! I felt like i was eight.... battling over marbles with the other eight year old! Too bad, Jake is mine and he comes home August 9th :-)

Max (the little black one I was also fond of, will go home with the family..... thank heavens, or I might have ended up with both of them!)

Note to self...

Note to self:

Stop perusing puppy sites... or you will find what you're looking for!

Yes, I think I have found him. (or "them")

After a struggle trying to determine the right breed... Black Labrador Retriever or a Golden Retriever, I have found the perfect mix... "Otis", a philandering Black Lab, found a willing Golden Retriever (her name escapes me) - to "enjoy an evening with him". As a result, six adorable little puppies arrived on June 4th....

I could not resist - I read the ad, and knowing I was going to Ottawa on the weekend, I completely convinced myself that "Lakefield" was on my way! Just up the road, just around the corner, about 5 minutes out of my way!

It turned out to be 45 minutes out of my way; but certainly worth the trip. I drove up the driveway and was greeted by this lovely golden retriever - announcing to the home owners that yet another visitor was here!

As she carefully poked around her puppies, it was as if she was nudging them to tell them to "wake up.... someone is here to adopt you, so be on your best behaviour!"

It was a little sad too... the mother reminded me of Ann-Margret in "Who Will Love My Children"!

I have to admit, I am extremely proud of myself - I actually walked away without making a decision right then and there. (i think the owner was a little put out - she drove from her cottage with Mum and 6 pups in tow to meet me - but she was wonderful - very accommodating and answered alot of my questions)

As I reluctantly drove out the drive way - (with my little ribbon still in my handbag) it was difficult - should I or shouldnt I - I had ample time to think on the drive to Ottawa. I know "I" will be the major caregiver in this adventure - but there are two of us at home, so thought I would get some additional input... the only response was "black - boy" and "Y" - we'll make a trip up on Tuesday evening....

I'm almost there... but I'm leaning towards the blonde boy....I will decide on Tuesday - Bailey (blonde) or Max (black)

Anyone interested in helping me make that decision, please feel free to comment!

Friendly Neighbourhood Loo!

Prior to building this house..... the land was a plush carpet of green grass, flourishing shrubs of various sorts, flowering weeds and a forest of towering pines and spruce. Last April when we broke ground, I'm sure nature's little creatures wondered what on earth was happening to their homeland... they likely felt like the people of the war torn country's - devastating earthquakes, bombs and fire threatening their very being.

The one solitary creature that seemed to harbour no resentment or show the least amount of fear was the neighbourhood cat. I call him Morris. Dirt everywhere - mounds of new earth, dirt and gravel - ripe for depositing his waste around every corner.

Now that the house is built, the grass is in and work continues in the back gardens ... Morris still thinks this is his paradise... Each morning I sit with my coffee and book on the deck and watch begrudgingly as he saunters through the yard - glancing at me as if to say, "thanks for your hospitality" ... he is plotting his next dropping spot...

Part of my morning ritual is a stroll around my new front garden - watching the shrubs and blooms settle into their new home... and each morning my blood pressure rises ever so slightly when I come across a dozen or so neat little paw prints weaved through the freshly groomed flower beds... hrrmmph... what to do... I cant catch him in the middle of the night with a quick spray of the hose...

The web search begins...and within minutes, EUREKA!! ... my Gardening Idol - Mark Cullen has the solution! - A recipe to end Morris' foray into my garden - or rather, the local Kitty Loo!

Simple... normal ingredients... quick and easy - Thank you Mark Cullen!

I'm off to the kitchen to seek out my blender!

Mark Cullen's cat repellent recipe *
· one garlic bulb
· one onion (smelly)
· one tablespoon of Tabasco sauce
· one litre of water

Mix the ingredients in a blender and pour it on. Repeat after heavy rain.

Be warned Morris... your lavatory is soon to be demolished!

*http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/home-garden/blog/markcullen/

I will let you know if there are any kitty prints in my garden tomorrow morning!

Not ready yet...!

It has been a little over 3 months since Buddy left this earth...and admittedly not a day goes by that I don't think of him - sometimes along with a few tears. A space has been dedicated in my yard where he will be remembered... between the three lilacs that grace the side of the yard with a peaceful view of the lake...it is comfortable there, and I know he appreciates the view.

It seems that every other day a puppy will cross my path - a news story, a small child walking with his friend in the park, or a fuzzy friend flailing out of a truck that rumbles down the country road....ears flopping, tongue wagging and that look on his face that tells you... this is the life!

Sunday evening, while dining at the Golf Course, "Tent Style", I could hear a dog announcing his presence out the back of the tent - I did not pay too close attention until I went to leave - I caught sight of her through the back of the tent...and what a beautiful sight she was! A lovely golden retriever about 3 years old... I had to stop. Just gorgeous...the right size, soft and loving... she licked my hand (she could probably taste the chocolate dessert I dared to have! (busted!) She cuddled up beside me as if to say "I'm so happy you stopped to say hello.... let me lean on you awhile!" and she did.

Reluctantly I left... knowing her master would be along shortly to take her home...I am still thinking of her - I think I'm ready.

I continue to peruse the websites that appeal to the weak at heart... Rescue Shelters, and tacky want ads - I frequent YouTube, specifically for "funny dogs" videos, just to get my fix.

Some of the shelter ads are quite amusing - people desperately trying to convince you that this dog would be perfect for you, and you and you! It appears they have hired marketing guru's to assist in their efforts to "get rid of their puppies"

Well the owner of this little fellow almost has me hooked... his name is Rosco... but that can be changed....

It would mean a trip to Pennsylvania... what a coincidence, I will be there in 4 weeks...

no, no, no... not yet...I'm not ready... or am I?

Garden Dilemma

After a visit with my bestest friend last weekend, I have my plan for my garden... well at least I thought i did. I found some design ideas on the web and after carefully reviewing and plotting and "listing" with her I set off in search of "shrub deals"....shrubs and a few blooms no later than the end of June..... and another good hunt in September for more shrubs - this is the plan.

I really had no idea what i was looking for - the names would sound familiar, but once i saw the plant, it was not what i expected... after getting "so exciting" on finding a "Cotoneaster"... my heart sunk when i actually saw the photo of the would be grown shrub... hmmph... not quite what i was looking for...

a few bargains here and a few splurges there....i have what i call a "start" on my gardens. A peony - an award winning peony to boot!, a few boxwoods and Eonymous, a Sand Cherry and hosta's already in.... a Wigelia, some Veronica, and Lily of the Valley waiting patiently on my deck to be meticulously placed in just the right spot... i will retreat to the garden for awhile this morning.

Buddy - Old & New

Buddy - Old & New, originally uploaded by missmuffett101(Marlene).

An old dog, with a new haircut.
This is my Buddy.
One does not realize the impact a dog can have on your life. My dog was my companion, my confidant, my therapist, a friend, and I miss him terribly.
When you bring a dog into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow it, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.
Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures --jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information.

Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details: the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig.
Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.
You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.
You will learn humility. At times Buddy would look at me and I felt shamed... He felt such joy and love with my presence.. He did not see the flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only his wonderful companion. Or maybe he saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway. If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend.

Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your beloved dog will go down a trail that you are unable to follow....you will need to find the strength and love to let go...

We only borrow our pets for a short while... it baffles me how fast that time goes. During those brief years they give us all their love, every inch of their heart and spirit until one day there is nothing left. That young puppy of yesterday now wakes up stiff and lame, grey muzzle and cloudy eyed.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again. *

Buddy... December 1993 - March 2008 - Forever in my heart.
*labrynth, absent friends