How to Cut Your Veterinarian Costs to Almost Zero

BRINGING OUR DOGS BACK TO LIFE

Have you had to sacrifice your own luxuries, vacations, or fun because of the high cost of maintaining your pet’s health?  Have you noticed that these costs seem to be rising because your dog needs more trips to the veterinarian’s office?

As animal lovers and dog rescuers, we would do whatever was needed to ensure our pets lived a happy, healthy life.  But having to say good-bye to our precious furry friends never got easier, especially when they died too young. 

As a kid, we fed our dogs table scraps (which since has become taboo). Long before ‘pet food’ turned commercial, people rarely if ever, took their dogs to the doctor. They lived long, happy lives. So WHAT HAPPENED?  Pet food, that’s what.

Do You Need To Speed Up or Slow Down?

Every time I think things will start to slow down, they seem to speed up.  Why is that?  Maybe it is because I have more jobs than I can count on one hand and it is pure craziness.  Someday......I'll slow down but not anytime soon.  When I think of the alternatives, I wouldn't have it any other way!

As of this weekend, we are opening the doors to our new store.  But, in my craziness I forgot to take pictures so will post them next month.  Something really interesting is that people who are walking in/by to say "Hi" are commenting that they had no idea we had such a variety of art.  In our last store, it was displayed on the walls behind the jewelry showcases.  In the new store -- part of the store is set up as a gallery - and all the work is done by local artists.  

 



















A close friend of mine who used to live in our town moved away fifteen years ago and I have not seen her for seven years.  I miss her terribly and she surprised me this month with a quick visit passing through town on her way back from California.  It is wonderful to visit with old friends -- you have history and that cannot be replaced.

When You Stand on a Soapbox - What are You Shouting?

If I am going to stand on a soapbox and scream..... nine times out of ten it would be about animal abuse.  If I had the time and the means I would drive around town and look for dogs that have been left in hot cars so that I could rescue them. 


Last week I wanted to take my pups to the park for a nice cool walk in the shade but the cement en route to the park was too hot for their little paws.  They were ready for their walk, giving me those puppy dog eyes and jumping around in circles so I decided to drive them to the park.  I had already backed out of the garage when I realized I forgot their water.  When I got back to the car my little mini-dachshund, Star had LOCKED me out.  In her excitement, she had jumped on the door locks.  

How Do You Divide Up Your Time?

Do you have a hobby?  Do you want a hobby?  Do you think hobbies are important? Recently I was asked to answer the question, "Do you have a favorite hobby and why do you like it so much?"

First of all, the question implies that I have more than one hobby and that one should be my favorite.  I thought long and hard - about 2 minutes - and couldn't figure out what my hobby was so tabled it for awhile.  Over the course of a few days, I continued to think about it and nope, couldn't come up with any hobby I might enjoy.

The definition of hobby is 'an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.'

AHA! -- now we are getting somewhere.  

1 - I love to eat.  I enjoy cooking.
2 - I love mysteries and problem solving -- born a fixer.  
3 - I love to work and rarely stop to do anything else.

1. Turn your hobby into a business

Does Your Dog's Breath Make You Want to Run Away?

For those of you who like the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer and the heat that goes with it -- I hope you are seriously enjoying this one.  There is little I like about summer which I shared in my post this time last year.  For a smile, read 10 Reasons Why I Would Like to Skip Summer.  This year is no different except we are not having the wild fires on the North West Coast.
                                                                                                                                                                                       







What I do enjoy about summer is seeing the grandkids more often and watching them enjoy their summer activities. William loves to go fishing with his daddy and has learned all aspects of fishing including driving the boat.

When a Day at the Zoo Turns into a Horror Show

It started as a great idea.  I had no clue that my great idea would backfire and affect me for months - not in a positive way!

When I was a little girl, a highlight of my summer was a trip to the Detroit Zoo.  In later years my opinion of zoos did change as it began to bother me to see the animals caged rather than running free.  I realize that many of the animals in zoos are born in captivity and some have been rescued and given a new lease on life.

I certainly am not one who will rant and rave about this issue. I merely understand both sides.  But, I will probably never visit a zoo.  Ever.  Again.  I do realize that zoos have improved over the years and cages have been replaced with enclosed areas where the animals can roam freely but it still does not come close to what it should be and that is disturbing.

My husband and I have rescued over 30 dogs which made this subject close to my heart. 

Our children and grandchildren have grown up in rural areas so it was not unusual to see a bear wandering down the street and at times, arriving on your deck looking for garbage.

I heard about a "Game Farm" within three hours driving distance and imagined it would be a real treat for our grandchildren to see wild animals in their "natural" habitat.   The date was set.  It would be an adventure.  We loaded up three cars with everything we could possibly need.  Our lunch, umbrellas, granola bars for snacking on, sunscreen, bottled water, and some Frisbees to play with after lunch.

We were excited - young and old. 

Do You Have a Preference - Pointed or Flat?

Are you prejudice against certain dogs?  Do you stereotype them?  Do you believe some are smarter than others?

Our family has rescued over 30 dogs.  The other day it occurred to me that we have never adopted or rescued a flat-nosed one.  I asked my husband why and he simply said "I don't like flat-nosed dogs."  Come to think of it, I do prefer the long-nosed ones as well.

My question to you is this:  Dogs find us.  We must have some kind of internal magnet that draws the lost, the strays, the hurting to us.  So......how do they know we prefer long-nosed dogs? 

I did a little research to determine what differences there were between long and flat faced dogs.  Flat faced dogs often have breathing and respiratory complications which can lead to  health 

issues.  They are also more prone to infection, i.e. ear and eye problems.   It doesn't answer my question as to why only long nosed ones find us.  Do they SMELL us from afar?  And follow their noses?

Many of you have followed my rescue dog stories long enough to recognize many of these critters.  I have shared a few of their story links beneath their picture.  If you are a dog lover and want a laugh or a good cry -- here you go:

Abused Bernese "Charlie" was out of control
Now...two years later she is one of the best dogs ever

Making the Switch from Shepherdess to Formal Attire

This month, I don't have any earth-shattering news like last month's Fly On The Wall post where I shared how my memoir, Battered Hope, and my radio show Never Ever Give Up Hope were 'discovered' by Washington D C where I will be attending a gala affair in October to be recognized and awarded.

As a result, I have had several more requests for speaking engagements and am booked solid until February.  My head is spinning with excitement and I keep pinching myself to be sure this isn't a dream.

I ordered my gown on-line which was risky, but I couldn't find any formal attire in our small town.  It fits beautifully and hubby is making me a sapphire necklace and earrings to go with it.








This week, I am at my daughter's farm doing the house/dog/cat/sheep/goat sitting stint while she is traveling.  It is a wonderful time for me to play catch-up with my writing and on-line activity. Have you ever had a week to work without interruption?  To eat when you are hungry and stay up all night writing?  I rarely leave the property although a bit of cabin fever is threatening me.  Maybe I will venture out into the real world today.

Miss Daisy is the sweetest, most lovable goat

Rescue Dogs Make the Best Pets

My name is Star.  I am a long-haired 
mini Dachshund.  I was adopted by 
Carol  six months ago. 

I will try to paint you my story in 
words to the best of my ability.

It is hard to believe or understand why Mom had to jump through so many hoops to adopt us.  Finally after being awarded custody, her 14 HOUR journey to pick us up was hilarious. 
You can read about that here.

I have learned what heaven must be like since meeting my new parents.  I know they don't understand dog language, but they understand the language of dogs.  I do the best I can to tell them how grateful I am and try to show them what my life used to be like.  I was abused and neglected.  I moved into my new home with my "husband" Gunner. Mom and Dad are not sure if we are brother and sister, husband and wife or father and daughter.  I assure you we are husband and wife.  He is the father of my babies I had years ago.  

Is There Ever A Bad Time For Good News?

When everything seems to be going wrong do you quit?  Or do you think it may be going wrong because it is worth persevering?  I had to make this decision last week when I got THE phone call. Before I can adequately share that story please read this one about the two long-haired Dachshunds we were trying to adopt and why it was so important.....

The hoops we had to jump through trying to adopt these two dogs were much like the hurdles we encountered when adopting our son.  But these were DOGS.  I understand the agencies need to be sure their rescues are going to good homes but this seemed a bit over the top.  We had to send pictures of each room in our home and all parts of the yard. This was to determine if we had a dog friendly home.  We had to have several personal and professional references. Any vets we had previously used would need to contacted. This was a problem because after we switched to a raw diet for our dogs, we no longer needed veterinary services.  The only time we used a vet in the past few years was when Texas was attacked by the Bull Mastiff.

Rescue dogs are a breed of their own.  I believe they are fully aware that they were given away or thrown away or neglected.  They are the most loyal dogs; hands down.

Dogs - W is for Willow - Rescue Dog

Willow.  Part Shepherd and Part Husky?  Part Husky and Part Wolf?  We are not sure.  We also are not sure how old she is, but we do know that she is one of the most loving, gentle dogs -- ever!

It was Easter four years ago.  My daughter was home for the weekend and got the call from her hubby who was working in the Arctic North.  "Now, don't be angry with me but I got us another dog."  I watched Rochelle's mouth tighten and the air was tense.  She had three dogs and a cat and certainly did not want another one.  They argued about it for a few minutes.  When she got off the phone, it was clear she lost the battle and I had to agree with her.  

Willow and Lily, the Intimidator

Willow was her name.  It wasn't clear what mix she was and she had one blue and one black eye, kinda spooky.  She was rescued from near death as she had been chained to a dumpster and shot at, along with other dogs.  It was heart breaking to hear her story.  We weren't sure how a big dog, especially an abused one, would fit in the family of Louie, Lily, and Lola.