Gidget the Un-German Shepherd

Gidget has made some huge strides in the last week– she's now getting in the pool by herself, swimming laps, and catching a ball in the pool. We took some video Friday which includes Hattie getting pushed in the pool (heehee! I admit, I was the culprit...).

Citation for my dissertation

For anyone who is interested in reading more about my dissertation that focused on how people use dogs to help them cope with the death loss of a human loved one, here's the link to the citation:

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1606882881&Fmt=7&clientI%20d=79356&RQT=309&VName=PQD

It's hard to believe it's been two years since I finished it. I have been going through the huge stacks of articles recently for my new book about the same topic. And the information has continued to grow in this area. My hope is that we can continue see new ways to use dogs and other animals so that we can find many more of them homes.

Barks and Bubbles

Yesterday, I was invited to take part in Barks and Bubbles at our vet clinic here in Albuquerque, TLC Pet Hospital. They have been really good to me and unless I'm going there for an emergency (especially one with an uncertain ending), I enjoy stopping by the clinic. Barks and Bubbles was a dog wash event to benefit the Luvin' Labs Rescue. I had Joe go home and get Nestle so that she could get a bath. We didn't think she was dirty since she wasn't smelly or oily but she definitely looked fluffier when she was done drying! What was amazing was the number of people who showed up. A local country station was there along with a local BBQ caterer and several other vendors. There were lines of people at several times to get their dogs washed and it was just a great event for people who truly consider them members of their families plus a good fundraiser for Luvin' Labs. They had several labs there looking for homes. It was hard not to take one with us but I just needed to think of Gidget who is as much work as four dogs to remind me that there's a reason the city limits how many we can have. Hopefully, they all will find loving homes.

Life with Gidget at 10 1/2 months

I was on the phone recently with someone I work in the same field with and Gidget let out a bark. He remarked about my having a conversation with my dog and I said that was my 10-month-old puppy. He said, "That's no puppy!" to which I then told him she also was at the other end of the house barking at the garbage truck. That about sums up life with Gidget. She might only be 10 months old but she definitely has taken the world by storm. I'm not sure how it will go on Thursday morning when I attempt to take Gidget with Nestle to the vet for Nestle's follow-up appointment for her ear infection. Gidget needs her nails trimmed and hasn't been weighed in some months. I'm sure I'll be shocked when the scale reads more than 60 pounds. She continues to get taller and longer although her tail hasn't dragged on the ground recently. As I write this, Chaco is outside the shut back door eating his food (so the others can't get to it) while Gidget and Nestle stare at him. The door (which is mostly glass) is filled with Gidget's muddy paw prints from when she tried to get into the house and I made her stay out because not only had she gone in the pool, she then traipsed through the dirt. She likes to drink from the pool but only after she gets on the top step and then plays with the water. Honestly, I think I like her best when she snoozing because she at least looks innocent and isn't capable at that moment of ruining the floor I've just vacuumed. I can hear her playing with her ball behind me in the dining room. She is more the Labrador (ie, Nestle) than German Shepherd, wanting to play fetch for a good portion of the day. but when I see photos on Facebook of the many dogs who are euthanized because of well, stupid people, and overcrowded shelters who can't take care of them, I can let go of the muddy paws. I'd let them all in my house with their muddy paws if it meant they could have a chance at life.

Dogs, loss, and coping

Late this afternoon I posted on Facebook that I was looking for what people view as their symbols of hope. What is it that keeps them going? I expected a lot a variety in their answers and was surprised at what has been posted (so far) that all are living beings between children and dogs. I mean that I was surprised because I expected more variety in the answers. I think it goes to show how much the love, smiles, and licks we receive from children and dogs mean to us.

Daisy's Birthday

I admit that I have been procrastinating and not blogging here. I hope in the next two weeks I can get caught up. June 18 would have been Daisy's 6th birthday. It's still hard to believe she's not here with us in the same way now. On the fireplace mantle, I have her photo, her collar, and her ashes on one end. I was standing at them yesterday and feeling a little sad. Nestle came in the room first, followed by Gidget, and then came Hattie. They all wanted me to pet them which became very difficult since I only have two arms. Hattie kept trying to get under my arm. Having had Gidget now for seven months (who is what I call a rambunctious terror) has made me see how Daisy's life was a struggle from the beginning. She never had the energy that Gidget has. Outside of Gidget's stomach issues that she seems to have grown out of, Gidget doesn't have the illnesses Daisy had. Still, I miss her. She was part of our family (and still is). I know her time was limited with us and she had to move on but she was what I call "one of the original four." And I do know that if she weren't here, we wouldn't have Gidget who appears to bound for a long, happy life (fingers crossed). Death teaches us lessons that we don't always understand from where we are currently standing but I believe that one day, here or beyond, everything will make sense.