Does Your Dog Talk to You? If Not.....Why Not?

Any dog owner will tell you that anyone can learn the language of DOG very quickly.  All you have to do is learn to listen. They enunciate clearly.  Having that type of relationship with your fur friend is also difficult because you always know when it is time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge.  I believe they prepare us for their final good-bye.  

We have rescued more than two dozen dogs over the course of many years and it is never easy to say good-bye.  It doesn't matter if they were with us for a couple of years or close to twenty.  I dread the day each time as I realize it is getting closer.   But I will never allow my dogs to suffer by keeping them alive for my selfish reasons.  My dogs talk to me and if you are prepared to listen then you will be able to talk to them as well.

Rescue dogs make the best pets.  They communicate their appreciation of being rescued in a variety of ways.  Mostly you see it in their eyes but their actions speak louder than any human words.  Their constant need to have you in their sight or touching you while they sleep are a couple of ways they let you know how much they love you.  

11 Reasons Why You Should (NOT) Have a Dog as a Pet

Do you wonder whether or not you should get a dog?  You weigh the pros and cons and think about all the work....... I am sure there are circumstances where someone does not want to have a dog in their life, but I can't imagine life without a four-legged fur baby.  Some people have stated they will never get another dog when their dog passes over the rainbow.

I have rescued over 30 dogs and when one dies it is always devastating.  They can become such a major part of your life and member of your family.  But for every dog you may lose, there are hundreds of precious ones who need a home.  For the love of dogs everywhere......if you are wondering whether you should invite a dog into your life...here are some reasons to welcome this four-legged family member:

1.  You will no longer need an alarm clock.  Dogs have internal clocks with alarms that go off right

How Do You Say Goodbye to Your Furry Friend of 13 years

Each day we live with our furry friends, we love them more. Every day we grow to appreciate them more. Yet, in the back of our minds, we are fully aware that they have a short lifespan compared to ours and that the day will come when we need to say goodbye. It is never easy. No matter how many times we have to go through it, it never gets easier.

I have been rescuing dogs for many years and also have adopted some who have not been abused. Louis Vuitton was one of those. He came into our lives when he was a puppy. He was a gift to our daughter, Rochelle, for her 17th. birthday. The young man who gave Louie to Rohelle is now our son-in-law. She and her hubby have also rescued numerous dogs. I have shared many of their stories here. When Louie came into our lives, we had our beloved black Lab, Mercedez. Louie adored Mercedez as he did all the rescues we brought home.

I May Be A Small Dog But I Dream Big

I come from strong stock.  I may be small in stature but I have always dreamed big.  When I dream, it is not only what I think about when I am awake, but also when I am asleep.  If I set my mind to something, you better believe that I will do it.  I am a very determined character.  Here I am with my big sister, Mercedez who went away last year and I miss her so much.

Dreams Do Come True

Even when I was very young, I knew that I wanted to be a husband and father and I never gave up hope that I would meet the perfect girl.  When I laid eyes on that Mexican senorita, I knew she was the one for me.

When Your Energy is Spent - Can You Keep Going?

Ever reflect on recent activities and wonder how you managed to do everything you did?  That was my October this year.

Many of you will remember the recognition and award I was to receive in Washington D. C. as a Woman of Impact.  It will be an event I will remember the rest of my life.  I am honored to be on the cover and centerfold of the magazine Focus on Women, Sept/Oct 2015.  I will realize the benefits of this event and magazine for a long time into the future.  For this, I am grateful.

My hubby surprised me with this beautiful pendant he made for me for the event.  It is a 7.5ct Ceylon sapphire and diamond set in white gold.

How I physically made it through this month without falling apart is a miracle in itself.  On Oct 13, I left at 4:30 in the morning to catch the first ferry out of Dodge.  Starting out tired on this journey was not a "good" thing.  Once on the mainland, I had lots of errands to do before heading to the airport in Seattle around 9 P. M.  My plane didn't leave until 1 A.M. so I had time to kill and went to the movies. Opted for a scary thriller which made the walk back to my car around midnight a bit unnerving. Then back to the airport.  The plane was overbooked.  NO elbow, leg or moving room to get comfortable -- or SLEEP.

Where to Look if Your Dog Goes Missing

"Ma'am"  I didn't respond.

"Ma'am - excuse me, MA'AM?"  This time I turned, reluctantly.  I remember the first time I was called ma'am - I felt like someone's grandma.  Well, now I am someone's grandma so I better heed the call.

"Ma'am, you have some toilet paper hanging out of your pants."  Yup, sure did.  The restroom was full of women, probably chuckling under their breath, but one was kind enough to alert me as I was leaving.

This happened on the ferry headed to Rochelle's place to do the usual house/dog/cat/sheep/goat sitting.  The goats are gone. Rochelle was tired of herding them home on LEASHES - on a busy highway. She gave them to a neighbor with a higher fence around their property.

Rochelle and family were attending a wedding which was a two-day drive away.  I always appreciate having the solitude of her home to spend time writing and catching up with my on-line deadlines.
























Their newest addition to their family of six dogs is Rocky who I introduced to you last month.  He is only five months old and incredibly well-behaved, especially for a dog who was found wandering on

My Mini Dachshund Was Attacked

On January 6, 2012, I was walking my 15-year-old Miniature Dachshund, Texas. We were walking in a wooded area and my husband was about a mile away running our Black Lab, Mercedez.

I noticed a woman walking a Bull Mastiff that was not muzzled and was wearing a small collar. As they got closer, the large dog took three leaps towards Texas. She did not bark or growl. There was no indication that she was about to attack. She was no match for the woman who was walking her and pulled away easily causing her owner to fall. Molly, the large dog, grabbed Texas so quickly I did not have a moment to pick him up out of harm's way. He was in the mouth of this dog who violently shook him for a full five minutes.

My Dog Ate Dad's Teeth!

Remember Babe in B is for Babe?  When we brought her home she was about 8 years old.  We were able to learn a few things about her background.  She was a trained guard dog and only understood commands in German.  We had no idea what the commands were but certainly experienced her ability to protect us if she felt we were threatened.

We lived at the end of a road where teenagers liked to party late at night.  This disturbed Babe greatly and when she saw them coming she would run up behind them and smash the full weight of her body behind their knees.  They would totally freak out and didn't know what knocked them off balance but they stopped coming around.  Babe would nonchalantly walk away as if she was not guilty.

Babe - Our Dobie Lap Dog

My husband and I have always called each other Babe.  It would never occur to either one of us to name a dog Babe.  So how is it Babe was our loving pet for about ten years?

Babe and Mercedez

We had been out of touch with my husband's father for close to eight years.  We missed him but distance and circumstances prevented much contact.  In the spring of 1995, my hubby decided it had been too long and he needed to see his father.  He made the call.  Dad was thrilled and plans were made for hubby and son to go for a visit.

Only two weeks passed and we got the call from my sis-in-law.  "Dad slipped on the ice and hit his head.  He didn't make it.  He's gone."  

NO WI-FI? NO PROBLEM!

NO WI-FI?  NO PROBLEM!

This is the first time I will be involved in the A - Z Blogging Challenge and I certainly have been looking forward to it.  I have met so many wonderful people during the short time I have been blogging and especially during challenges - and look forward to a lot of insight about many soon-to-be new friends.

Within seconds of signing up for this challenge, I knew what my theme would be.  I asked a few friends what I should blog about in this challenge and all of them just looked at me as if I just landed from outer space and was asking directions.   It was hands down, no question about it -- DOGS.  But not just dogs, OUR dogs.  We have had enough of these family members to fill up this daily challenge.

I Ain't Dead Yet

Looking at my little Dachshund today, I can't believe he is getting so old.  It was just yesterday when he was a puppy.  He will be 18 years old this year and I know it won't be long before we will have to say good-bye.

I Ain't Dead Yet

In the evenings, he is pretty stiff.  When I ask him if he wants to go outside he just looks at me as if to say, "You're kidding, right?  I was just getting comfortable."

Too Late Or On Time?

If there is a stray that needs a home, I have to close my eyes and plug my ears because if I hear about it or see it, well...... you know!

I was about 40 miles from home and made a wrong turn in a residential area out in the country.  As I was turning my car around I saw her. Now, you have to understand that not only do I have a soft spot for all dogs – but red Dobermans – well, it's a no brainer. Probably the reason she caught my eye was she was a red Doberman sitting in a red wheel barrel in someone's front yard.

How Do I Tell Her About You?

This post is part of the 100 Word Saturday Write Tribe using the words How Do I Tell Her About You?

“You are so tiny!”  I looked into her soft brown eyes and couldn't resist picking her up.  She nestled into my neck and I knew we belonged together.

I also knew that my big eleven-year-old Doberman, Babe, considered herself Top Dog and it wasn't going to be easy to bring this little terror home.  

“How am I going to tell her about you?'    I asked looking into those soft eyes again.


I knew it wasn't going to be easy but it had to be done.  Babe would be gone soon and a puppy would help with the pain.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

Life And Death Decision - Dog Attacked

While walking my 15-year-old Miniature Dachshund, Texas, I noticed a woman with a Bull Mastiff that was not muzzled and was wearing a small collar. As they got closer, the large dog took three leaps towards Texas. She did not bark or growl. There was no indication that she was about to attack. She was too strong for the woman  walking her and pulled away easily causing her owner to fall. 

Molly, the large dog, grabbed Texas so quickly I did not have a moment to pick him up out of harm's way. He was in the mouth of this dog who violently shook him for a full five minutes. Molly's head was the size of my Texas. I did everything humanly possible to release her hold.  I screamed so loudly that I damaged tissue and was feeling ill.  I kicked her several times but she would not release little Texas. Finally, I gave her a hard kick to the groin and she dropped him.

She Had The Last Laugh

She was so little and frail. Her abusive owners deprived her of water and food. I picked her up and in her weakened state, she cuddled her shaking body into my neck.

Lily and family

“You poor baby. You need a good home.”

I gave her water and the owner got angry with me, “If you do that, she will pee!”

“I'm taking her home. You have no right being a dog owner.” I screamed.

Now, six years later she is healthy, happy and a mom of three Chiweenies - Chihuahua and Miniature Dachshund cross.

She had the last laugh.

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Can You Say 'No' To Those Soft Brown Eyes?

It caught my eye.  Normally, I scan the local newspaper and don't even notice the classifieds, but today was different.  She caught my eye.  

I May Be A Small Dog - But I Dream Big

I come from strong stock.  I may be small in stature but I have always dreamed big.  When I dream, it is not only what I think about when I am awake, but also when I am asleep.  If I set my mind to something, you better believe that I will do it.  I am a very determined character.

Dreams Do Come True

Even when I was very young, I knew that I wanted to be a husband and father and I never gave up hope that I would meet the perfect girl.  When I laid eyes on that Mexican senorita, I knew she was the one for me. She did not disappoint and we were able to raise a family together.