Lesson Learned

I have learned a very valuable lesson.

*gross content warning*

At 4AM this morning Bonnie was whimpering and whining in her crate. This is atypical for her & in my sleep hazed brain I didn't ask myself "why". I just let her out of the crate and we headed down stairs. She did her quick dash out into the back yard and reappeared at the door. I was happy it was so quick.

Bonnie dashed back up the stairs and we went back to her crate. But she didn't want to get in. She whimpered at me and I relented. Whoosh, up onto the bed she went.

Mind you...I didn't turn on the lights.

So we snuggle up and then an odor began to permeate my brain. The smell is emblazoned into my memory. I remembered that smell from many a child's leaky diaper. My blood froze...

I flipped on the light switch to see my beloved Bonnie squatting. As my eyes adjust, I see the trail of ....well.....you know ....liquid brown.... EVERYWHERE!

I shrieked "BONNIE NO!" She looked at me with the most pathetic, sad & guilty look, one only a dog can get as they are hovering their squirting butt over your luxurious down comforter. She felt horrible but was overwhelmed by her distressed derriere.

I wish I would have scooped her up and taken her down the stairs. Instead I watched in horror as she leaped off our bed, I followed her, listening to the damage squirt out her backside and ooze all over our bedroom carpet, down the stairs, through the living room, kitchen, dining room, finally the back yard. Where she sits still.

I have to have the comforter cleaned, my quilt, sheets, pillowcases are in the washer. One pillow will need to be thrown out. I spent the better part of an hour cleaning the carpet.

The smell is stuck in my nose, my house, our bedroom, our bed.

Never again will I let a whining, whimpering dog into our bed.

When surveying the damage John said "Look at it this way, at least the stuff that soaked through to the mattress is on my side of the bed". Then he left for work.

The poor poor man...he knows he is toast.

He is the one who fed Bonnie the left over pieces of chicken from the store bought rotisserie chicken. I think dribbling the fat from the bottom of the container over her food may have been a tad to much for her gastrointestinal system. He escaped at an appropriate time...

Trial, New Friends, Daisy & Ranger

Saturday I had the privilege to be the timekeeper for the AHBA ranch trial at Fido's Farm. Janie Nafsinger was the judge. Janie came over from the Boise area with Jodi Darling. Jodi and Janie have a blog together called Gem State Herding. Jodi is the author of Hay Ewe Stockdogging . I also had the pleasure of meeting Jaenne who writes Kip & Mo. Last but not least Colleen who shares her adventures on Reena's Training Blog.

I learned so much as the timekeeper. I was able to watch everything and hear the judges comments. One thing I realized - Beth and I could do this. So I think I am going to take the plunge and enter a trial in the near future.

The weather for the trial could only be termed as completely schizophrenic. One minute it was sunny, the next hail, sleet or horizontal rain. The tent we were standing in did no good. We were freezing and soaked to the skin several times. I couldn't feel my nose after 11 am. Elsie Rhodes took pity on me and loaned me her waterproof chaps, because I foolishly only wore jeans with my boots.

After the trial I went with Jodi, Janie, Jaenne, Colleen to dinner and had a wonderful time talking 'dogs' over some great food and hard apple cider - YUMMY! I think I may take up their invitation to go to the AHBA trial at Janie's on April 4th & 5th in Calwell, Idaho. When I told them I didn't think Beth and I were ready Jodi laughed and told me "Get out there and suck like the rest of us!". Why not!

Saturday after the trial I picked up our newest foster dog, Daisy. She is an gorgeous 6 month old Border Collie/Aussie mix. She has the classic markings of a border collie with a short tail and loads of CURLS! Lots and lots of springy curls!! I can't wait to get some pictures of her.

Today Beth and I went back to Fido's. We spent some time working a nice group of lambs. We helped Sylvia move the lambs through several different pens, then move the ewes from the high pasture into the barn. In doing this Beth really impressed me with her restraint and how well she was listening to me. I am going to go back this week and practice on the trial course (before Chris breaks it down) and see if we really can do this. Beth has had only a little pen work and it will be a good thing for me to become more secure in this.

Today before we left for Fido's we had a serious incident with Ranger. I don't know if his nose is out of joint with the foster dogs, or there is something else wrong. I am very worried about him.

Edited Post 3/17/09 Removed this section (Update: Ranger's vet visit results posted in comments)

I would love to hear if you have ever had an experience like this with your dog. What happened? Was there anything physical wrong with your dog? What did you do to get past it?

Thanks in advance!

Guess Who Has a New Home?

ELF! Yes, ELF!

A wonderful family came on Tuesday to meet Abby. The family consists of Grandpa, Grandma and their adult daughter who takes care of them. I was concerned due to their age and lifestyle that Abby had too much energy and would overwhelm them with her hyperactivity. Meeting with Abby they were able to see she did indeed have the potential to drive them insane.

While talking to them Elf was very bravely coming to the doorway and peeping at them, then whoosh...gone in the flash.

Grandpa asked about the dog that was peering into the room. I told them a little bit about Elf and his history. I didn't hold anything back. Then Grandpa pulled out his wallet and showed me pictures of the border collie he just lost. He said Elf reminded him of her. Then grandpa slowly slide off the couch and onto the floor where Elf could see he wasnt a threat.

Remember Elf is terrifed of men and strange people - which makes this even more remarkable.

Elf slowly made his way over to him and his daughter. To make a long story short - Elf liked them both after a little bit of warming up.

Later we went for a walk with their German Shepherd to make sure they would get along. No issues. When we were on our way back - Elf saw Grandpa waiting for him at the drive way, he almost yanked my arm out of its socket so he could get to him. When we got close he zipped right behind him and stayed very close to his legs then he looked at the car and acted like he wanted to get in it with them. Grandpa was in love. The deal was sealed. Elf was going to them after they passed their home visit.

They are prepared for the housebreaking issues, the panic attacks and the extreme fear. They are commited to Elf and aware of all his issues.

I am so happy for Elf. He is going to be spoiled ROTTEN! I will be bringing him to his new home Friday where his new name will be McDuff (Duffy for short).



Goodbye Sweet Boy...

Ball Slaves

I looked out the window and thought, what a lovely time for a walk. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, there was a bright patch of blue in the sky.

When we arrived at the river it looked like this...

Within minutes, all the dogs were soaked to the skin.

They didn't care about wet fur. Like crack addicts all they care about is their next fix.

They are slaves to the ball...

I wish I could hear what goes on in their heads. Something tells me it would be like...

Ohmygawdtheballisgoingtoescapemustwatchtheball

evilballwillmakeitsgettawaysoonmuststopit

Thinkfastitisgoingtomakeabreakforit

Ohnoballisheadingforwatermustgetwet

mustshakewithballinmymouthoritwillgetawayagain

IGOTITIGOTITIGOTIT

GOTITAGAIN!

TOTALLYGOTITSLOWPOKES!

HAHAHAINYOURFACE!

Icanlookprettyevenwhenwet

RangersaidIwasugly

IdidntsayyouwereuglyIsaidyouwereaballhog

AtleastIdonthavemudallovermyfacelikeyoudoRanger

Shutupandwatchtheballoritwillgetawayagain

HAHAGOTITAGAINLOSERS!

I think I need to work with them on their communication skills.

Peeping Ranger

I enjoy a little time to myself in the morning without noses in my lap, nudging elbows, toys being dropped next to me or someone licking my toes. A nice cup of tea at my computer is a peaceful way to catch up with my blogging friends. After I feed the dogs their breakfast, out the door they go to do their business and get a little energy out of their systems.

This morning was snowy and cold. I had to forcibly push Abby and Ranger out the door. They were none to happy about it. Oh well, mom needs some quiet time...

So there I sit in my lovely home office at my computer desk, next to the window.

When I get this feeling....you know the one I am talking about. The back of your neck tingles and your skin crawls a bit. Someone is watching you...

We live in a large development and the houses are close - but my blinds are closed. Who could even see me?

I went back to reading....and tried to think of something else. Then I hear scratching, whining and wimpering. I grabbed the camera & slowly lifted the blinds.

I spy with my little eyes - a peeping Ranger.



Ranger is sitting on the whiskey barrel that I grow my tomato plants in beneath the window.

He wasn't alone



Hey Mom - let us in, it is COLD out here! Wait? Where did she go?



AH HA! There you are! LET ME IN!



Please MOM - we are FREEZING! My claws are turning BLUE!



Hey Ranger, maybe if I scratch on the window a whole bunch she will let us in?



I dont think this is working. She is laughing at us now...



Lets try a different strategy Bonnie. Why don't we go over here in the snow and look like we are freezing to death. Then she will have to let us in. Bonnie, look at the window and shake...



*sigh*