Here Piggy Piggy

I just have to tell you about my best friend, MB's brood.  Yes, that is a pet piggy.

She has a pig, a Rottweiler, and two blind kitty's.

Ruben is the pig.  He has only recently been adopted, but has had no trouble making himself quite at home.  He sleeps indoors. He loves to go outside and nap, play and root around, but he's white so he can easily get sunburned.

Pigs have the mentality of a 3 year old so they must be watched and they require lots of attention.  However, they also sleep about 18 hours a day.

When it becomes dark at night, it's like a trigger.  Ruben immediately lays down on his bed, pulls his covers over himself and doesn't wake up for anything until about 8:00 the next morning.  In this pic, he is napping beside his bed.  See his little feet curled up under his big body.

Yes, Ruben is considerably over weight.  His other family kept him inside all the time because they lived in the city where you are not suppose to have pigs.  Now he has a nice yard to run, play, nap and graze in. You should see him run.  It's a crack-up.

This is Abby the Rotty.  She and Ruben have let each other know that they are not interested.  She is an unbelievably submissive, sweet dog, but only to a point.  You don't want to make her mad.  Pigs have a bad trait in that they will push and push until they get themselves in trouble and then don't know how to get out.  Another reason why Ruben has to be watched.

This is little Stevie Wonder.  Stevie was born without eyeballs...hence the name.  He truly is a wonder and one of the sweetest, most loving cats I've ever met.  Being blind hasn't bothered him a bit.  He literally plays fetch with a crinkle ball.

Last but certainly not least is Blind Kitty.  There were lots of names, but that's the one that stuck.  We also call her Mommasita.  I don't know why.  She doesn't have eyeballs either.  She's a full grown, tiny kitty.  She was there first and not particularly happy about the others.

Everyone of these animals are rescues.  Thanks to people like my friend who open their hearts to provide these beautiful babies with their forever home.

Goodbye Sweet Ruby Sue

It's a sad day at our house today. Our beloved Ruby of more than 15 years is gone. She was the best dog in the world. She was extremely smart and so good. She was loyal and loving beyond words...truly a best friend!

We feel good that she had a wonderful life. She was raised with three kids who adored her and parents who thought of her as a gift from God. We were so blessed to have had her in our lives for such a wonderfully long time.

Go to heaven now Ruby Girl. There will be no more pain. Be with God where you will be able to run like the wind again. Find all your brothers and sisters. Find George and Lucas. They will guide you home. We love you and we will miss you terribly. Someday, we will see you again baby girl.

Holly's Garden Rescue Saves Barkley

Farewell to Barkley. Barkley is a Pomeranian/Maltese mix. He has been my father-in-law's dog for 3 years. Barkley's human mom passed away in February. Dad and Barkley have been living with my husband and me since. Dad has decided to move into an apt. and doesn't think it would be fair to Barkley to live in an apt. We can't keep him because we have four of our own furry children. I called Kathy from Holly's Garden Rescue and she not only came out and picked up Barkley, but she has already found him a wonderful home...in less than 24 hours. God bless Holly's Garden Rescue and it's dedicated staff.

Barkley's new home is in a more rural area, which is good for him because he has energy. He has a new 10-year old human brother that I know he will adore and worship. Plus, he has a new mom, and since he loves women, I know his new mom will be very happy with this little sweetheart. His new mom is a groomer and raises Poms. Can it get any better? I am so happy and grateful to Kathy at Holly's Garden Rescue for her immediate love for Barkley.

Holly's Garden Rescue is a San Diego, Calif. based non-profit (501c3) organization that specializes in saving small and special needs dogs. They would welcome tax-deductible donations to help them care for these animals and find them wonderful homes such as Barkley's new home. Please visit their website for more information.

Peggy Sue Pugster

Yey! Peggy Sue can open her mouth!

Peggy waiting with Papa for her turn to see the Dr.

Peggy and her Dr. Jennifer De Berry at Veterinary Specialty Hospital

Awwww! Poor Peggy Sue has been very sick. She has a disease called masticatory myositis, an immune disease that affects the facial muscles used for opening and closing the mouth. She has been on meds for about 2 months now and she can finally get her mouth open enough to chew and pant, etc., but when she tries to yawn, she still can't follow through. Her little cheek bones are more pronounced because the muscles behind them have atrophied. We went in for a recheck today, had some blood work done, and we're waiting to hear if she is handling the meds ok, insofar as her liver and kidneys are concerned. She'll probably be on these meds for a long time, if not forever.

I am so grateful to the Doctors at Veterinary Specialty Hospital for correctly diagnosing Peggy's problem immediately. And, thankfully, once they determined what they thought it was, there was a blood test that verified it. Unfortunately Peggy's titer for this disease was off the charts. The good thing is that because of that, they know what and how to treat her so that she can eat and be comfortable.

Christian the Lion

Holy Cow...a new year. I hope it's the best year ever...for all of us. I just came across this amazing video. I had to put it here for you and for me because it truly shows the ultimate power between man and beast. If you know me, you know I love animals. This video brought me to tears. How awesome! Please visit Christian the Lion for inspiration and the warm fuzzies.

LUKIE

This is my Mom's dog Lukie. He's a doll. I make this layout for mom to frame. The teal color is the color of her kitchen and the layout is going to be in the dining room. It's a little thank you for having me up to her house in Northern California. She and I had the best time together ever.

Peggy Sue Pugster Made The Big Time

Hey Everybody, Guess what!

Check it out. Peggy Sue has one of the highest rated Pug pictures on the Pug A Day website. How fun is that! She even has 13 votes and a comment. Yey, Peggy Sue!

http://www.pugaday.com/pug-of-the-day/05-24-2008/1109/

Ooops! Make that 14 votes and climbing.

I'm a proud mama!

Ms. Ruby Sue Pondering the Bees and Flowers in the Yard

I just look at this old girl and melt. What a good girl she is and what a faithful loving family member! It’s a glorious Spring day in San Diego and Ruby and I were in the yard taking a couple of pics.

It turned out to be a bit of a yellow day. Do-ya-think? I was trying to get a picture of a bee on this pretty flower. Not too bad for a novice! I bought this digital camera a year or so ago and I love it. My sis helped me pick it out...she has the same one. I was playing with the settings and working on this bee with different settings. This is the best pic I got out of about 10 pics.

I know you're wondering where the bee is in this picture. Bummer! He escaped! Kind of a pretty picture though.
Lemons anyone? These lemons are actually from a dwarf lemon tree that seems to be taking over a corner of the yard. I would never pull it out though. My son-in-law gave me this tree just before he passed at an extremely young age. Another day for that story. I love this lemon tree!

Roses are blooming everywhere. San Diego has the climate for beautiful roses. This particular bush is right outside my office/scrapbooking room window. It's a low window, so I can sit at my desk and be inspired with its beauty nearly year around. If anyone knows how to get rid of aphids without damaging the leaves, please please let me know. I get them every year. They love my roses almost as much as I do.

This is just a cute little place to look. I keep waiting for the wrens or maybe finches to take up residence. I think it would make a fun summer cottage...

Hey Honey, what do you think of our camera? It's so fun. Thanks so much for helping me pick it out. I've never regretted it. Let's not forget to take our cameras to Myrtle Beach and New Hampshire!

Ruby Sue

Let me introduce you to my oldest furry daughter, Ruby Sue. Ruby is usually very furry, but we shave her during the summer as in the picture. This old girl is 14 years young and still dancing like she belongs in a circus. She's a border collie/shepherd mix. She is a good girl and has always been the ideal family pet. She loves us beyond unconditionally. Even in her old age and with her hearing failing, she still watches over us as though her own life depends on it. She completely tolerates Peggy Sue Pugster who demands to dominate her. Yeah right! And, the cats...they are a wonderful source of exercise for her. Being the working dog that she is, she spends a few minutes each day rounding them up into corners of the house and then licking them. Poor kitties aren't crazy about this little routine, but seem to take it in stride. Ruby finds great joy in her daily dog work. She's in good health and will hopefully live another 14 years.

Peggy Sue Pugster

Here are some pictures of Peggy Sue Pugster. She's my constant. She brings me a lot of comfort. When I was 12, I had a Pug named Frankie. He was a darling and had some of the oddest behaviors. For example, he liked to sit high. He would sit on top of his dog house rather than be inside, even in the rain. He would sit on top of a mound of dirt while my dad was doing yard work. He would sit on top of chair rather than ever be on the floor.

Peggy likes to be high also, but not to such an extreme. Peggy's thing is to keep the other furry children away from me. I am hers and no one else is aloud the priviledge. She's very jealous of any attention I give to the others. Even Honey gets in the way sometimes. Fortunately she loves him too so she's more apt to want to be in the middle of a kiss or hug.

Peggy came to me through a terribly family tragedy. When my daughter's husband was killed in a car accident, his cousin gave her a 6-week old pug puppy in the hopes of easing her pain. Unfortunately, daughter was only 21 and had 2 babies. Having a puppy with 2 babies was just too difficult.

After having Frankie in my youth, I had always wanted another pug. I even cut a picture of a pug out of a magazine and put it on my refrigerator. It was there for years. Everyone knew I wanted a pug. When daughter asked me to babysit the little baby pug for a weekend, I leapt at the opportunity to cuddle and love with the little puglet. On the next Monday, she asked me how it went and I told her it was great...anytime...I'm available. She asked me if I would like to keep her and, well, there was no hesitation in my answer. Peggy Sue and I were meant to be together.

God works in wonderful ways.