Austin's travel tips.

Really run they till they fall over.

I know it's been a long time since I wrote, however, my human has hogged the blog. I decided the best thing I could do for all new travelers like I once was, is to put out a few tips.  My travels this summer made the dog I am today, confident, traveled, and yes loved by so many. 

1) Make sure you have your own bed, I don't see how humans can stand sleeping in someone else's bed.
2) Bring your own toys, just in case you need a little stress relief, you can chew and they don't care.
3) Choose your own suitcase. This way you can get all your treasures together when on the move.
4) Always keep an eye on your humans, if you haven't planted a chip in them, and you loose them, you will probably be very sad.
5) Be on your best behavior, act like you know what your human is saying. This gets them every time.
Last but by no means lacking in importance, play with your humans. One toy should be a ball. Tired is the answer to a great nap, always retrieve the ball till they are ready to quit.

I hope this helps all traveling dogs. Because of these tips, I am now the proud owner of two great humans. And the families we spent time with, think they are great trainers.  If only they knew.

Wag to you all.
Austin

Austin is growning up.

Everyday, Austin is one step closer to being a worldly dog. I watch as his world get bigger, a road trip with window privileges. Not losing his cookies on the trip. His wondering around behind John when work has to be done on the yard. Without a need to run. And staying in bed a little longer when his prior day was too hectic.

For me it's knowing this little spirit is my charge, or should I say our charge. We are his security and his care takers. We make sure the water is fresh in his bowl, he gets his heartworm medication and comes out of the sun when we know he is warm.

But in return he gives us, unending love, attention more than we want some days but mostly he makes us laugh. I know his spirit is ours and that we are his. He is now truly part of our family. He gives back more than he takes.

He is nothing like Timber and I am pleased he's not. I could never replace Timber and I know she is happy and at rest. She loved us and made us proud. She was an extension of us. Now Austin is learning the skills and because he has learned so much he will reap the freedoms Timber had. We are blessed again.

Great dogs take loving humans. Be a good human.

Carol

A year ago today.

Timbers spirit went back to the earth. She is still missed and I dreaded this day. I wondered how a pet, one of many that have traveled through my life, could affect me this much. Was it because she went through so many times of sorrow with me? I probably will never know.

Even in the last few months before her death, I knew it was going to happen. I tried to prepare myself. The end was still overly painful. Unlike my parents and loved ones that have gone before me, I don't believe four legged spirits join us after death. It makes it so final.

But today came without sorrow. Only great memories of a day gone by. A spirit that warmed my heart and will rest there throughtout my life. This is a tribute to loving pets. They are worth taking care of, loving and respecting. Time on earth is prescious. They are part of the family.

God Bless those who travel through my little blog.
Carol

I can ride.

My people and I go for a ride in this moving thing, they refer to as a car. I really wasn't sure I liked it. Mostly because I would lose my breakfast and you know, as a puppy I need that stuff. It's not bad eaten twice. I digress. Anyway, yesterday morning we went for a ride. That's what they call it. I started to get the sway to the left, sway to right and when to put my body in a hold position. All I have to do is watch the road. Once again, I realized how smart I am.

They say I have to get ready for my trip to Minnesota this summer. Whatever that means. However, I am willing to ride with them. Get it ride with them. I am overly cute.

Anyway, I was thinking, if I get to go with them, I don't stay home in my room. I can learn to ride.

Buff to all those reading my blog.
Austin

They say I'm growing...

But really, they are surely making my world smaller. I remember the first time I jumped up at the window sill in Carols paste em up room. I could spread out and see the world. I loved watching other creatures going by and John arriving home from golf.

But than it happened. I fell off. I thought it was a one time deal. But it started to happen more often. Awake and asleep. I can tell you that I acted as if I wanted to fall off. But between you and I really fell.

Such things as going under the table in the living room or running under the bed, it's getting harder. Growing up is hard to do.

I know that my people will make things right but until then I have to watch out for smaller openings and lower beds.

As always boof to all of you.

Austin

They call me Austin.

Today I weighed in at 15 pounds. Both my humans looked a little shocked. And yet smile when they talked. I came home weighing five pounds.

But first I want to tell you what I thought when I first saw them. I was safe and warm in my Greenville Pet Shelter. And everyday was the same. Love and food, but this day was different. I didn't see them right a way but when a little finger came through the gate of my kennel, I lifted my eyes and saw a sad face.

She looked at me and I knew I could help her. I had lots of love to give. She ventured on down the line and then he looked at me. It was a strong connection and I knew I was his. So did he. When she came back, she smiled and said something. The kennel was opened and I was placed, at five pounds and less then three months, in his arms.

At that moment, I knew he was gentle and kind. He hugged me gently, even though he was a large human. And he whispered, you are going home, and she will love you. They walked down the hallway and to the main entrance. I got my new red collar and a new bedroom.

I am now three months old and worldly. I have learned so much and know what he meant by home.

Truly yours

Austin

Austin surely rules.

In the two weeks we have had Austin in our lives, he has truly taken us to heart. From the five pound pup we brought home to now 12 pounds, he seems to grow in our hearts as the Grinch's heart grew in the movie.

The best and most blessed thing is that he's not only the little spirit that brought life back into my heart but also John's. I find him as attentive and loving to Austin as I am.

I came down with a dreaded cold, mostly due to working in retail. This means that John is truly the get up and take him out detail. He hasn't complained or given that dreaded big sigh that comes with....way too much work this Austin. So as I sniff my way to bed after work, he and Austin seem to go on with the daily work of training Austin to be the best dog ever.

I know now that I can release Timber's spirit and remember her with love, not mourning her loss. I am so loved and blessed.

This was the best event in 2010.

Carol

Austin is home.

First I must say that she is a he. Austin is a Cartahoula Leopard mix dog. We adapted him yesterday from the Greenville Humane Society.

Yesterday when John and I left for the adventure of 2010 we rode quietly. I'm sure we were both thinking that we had better be sure we were ready. I knew I was and yet I was just a little nervous. We never, ever, return a dog. The moment I put it in my arms, it was family.

Pulling up to the Humane Society was something I had felt before but only years ago; excitement. I held back the tears because I didn't know if Austin was present. As we walked the isle down to the puppy room, I worked so hard at not crying. Once we entered, this little spirit reached out to John, I wanted to view others, but every time I looked back, this little heart had stold mine.

Austin was coming home. With no more experience in his life than two and a half months old, he knew the heart strings to pull. We are once again blessed with a even tempered dog. The question is what was he mixed with and how big he is going to get. But once in love, that all seems unimportant.

What a great Christmas gift from such a great guy.

Carol

Austin is coming home.

This morning John said that he wanted to give me a new spirit, puppy. And was I willing to adopt a homeless puppy. I started to cry and I haven't stopped. Yes, I said. Was I dreaming, would I wake up as in other dreams and find it not real. I don't know but if this is a dream...I plan to stay here for a while.

You all know how hard this has been. But I wanted to make sure that John wanted it as much as I did. Or at least want it a little. See having a dog is a full time job in the beginning and both parties have to be willing to hide socks, find paper chewed up and the many pleasures a puppy will bring.

When John and I are on the same page, the puppy will have the best world ever. And now Austin will be coming home. I don't know who she is or what she is, but I know she is going to steal my heart when I see her.

No picture today. No picture needed.

Selfish Pool Owner

Staying with Eli, and of course his owner was the last stop on a busy vacation. By then we were truly brain dead and found ourselves watching what was going on and not participating.

However, the pool party turned out to be for the owner of the pool only. Eli was sure to take up the complete pool and regretted it not.

And he and his friend also had their way with the chicken barbecue. Maybe forgivable due to the dog kisses and attention. Even if it was wet. Smile.

Have a great day to all the dog lovers.

Carol

The world according to Timber

Timber seems to see life so much simpler than us humans. She enjoys a good road trip with the anticipation of putting her nose on the window and sniffing and wagging. With a treat to follow when she believes she had done well at riding. Usually she gets a treat when she has done her duty at the Timber stops along the road. But she is always looking for that just riding treat.

This week has been a little depressing for her. A trip to the vet after her ODS attach. But once again we were blessed to have a diagnoses that was treatable. Today, which is Friday, she is back on her feet and eating. Eating was something she was not doing. Scrambled eggs, peanut butter on bread, dog treats were the list of things she would consider. If your dog has the look of a stroke, please call the Vet, it maybe ODS, and it's treatable. If you want to look it up, Goggle Old Dog Syndrome. It will tell you what to look for. I know now that I will keep my eyes open and not jump to such conclusions as stroke.

With a wag of the tail, Timber says hi and looking forward to more blog posts. Because she knows she rules.

Carol

When your heart hurts.

Over the last few days, I thought I was loosing my Timber, she is 13 years old and I know the time will come when she will no longer be with us. However, even knowing this is not making it easy. Every moment I get with her is truly a blessing.

If you are not a dog lover, you can't imagine, as I can't with not having children. But believe me, when I say, loosing anyone or anything that you have taken care of is never easy.

We thought she had a stroke and her second one came this weekend. My heart sat in my throat, would I have to say good bye. Going to the Vet was so hard, would I leave with or without her. Would I come home to a dog dish that would not be eaten out of, or a bed not needed that sits in the corner of our bedroom. This was going to be hard. See I thought I knew the answer.

After the Vet took a few tests he told us that she didn't suffer from a stroke but from Old Dog Syndrome. It's like having vertigo and has lots of side effects, however, it was treatable and with time she would come out of it. It can be found by typing in Old Dog Syndrome in Google. I tell you this because when a dogs age hits 11 through 16 years, this is common. And I wish I had known about this, because I may have had it treated earlier.

Today Timber is still unsteady, a little nauseous, and her senses are really off, but I know that this too will pass. I prayed to St. Frances to watch over her, that I do the right thing for her. It looks as though we have still more time. Thank God.

God bless those who travel through my little world.

Carol

Zen and the Zog

As most of you know by previous posts that Timber is our English Setter that seems to rule our lives. But she is also my friend and often teaches me thing I should know as a human.

The other day as I was designing my new father's day card collection and loving every minute, keeping my eyes on my drawing board and neglecting the wash, I took a break. My break is usually a trip to the coffee pot only four feet from my office.

With just a glance out the door I noticed Timber lying on the deck and enjoying the view. Than I took a minute and looked at the view. Here she was taking a break from her job, which means she needs to make the squirrels and birds earning their keep.

I realized how little I enjoy the view. So, with a smile on my face I grabbed that cup of coffee, opened a lawn chair and relaxed with her. She didn't run or seem to be unnerved as she usually does when she is doing her job. We both just relaxed I finished my coffee and she took in the view. Once again she taught me, and I love her more for it.

God Bless those who follow or just visit.

Carol

Lessons from the Back Yard.

Timber, my eleven year old English Setter is always teaching me something. Today it was simple, patients. Her ability to sit and just wait for something to happen is a skill I don't have. She can sit for hours and watch the same plot of ground and then all of a sudden when she feels the timing right...chases a squirrel and usually get it. Not those gentle black or gray squirrels but those red ones that find it fun to harass her.

She has the ability to hold her humans accountable when we just happen out the door at the wrong time. I know what she is thinking, and it's never good. But then she gets back into position and sets a pose.

The other day I was designing up a storm and the pieces of paper glued down with such love were not drying fast enough. I found myself just a little impatient. Funny thing was with my grumbles and grunts, here she was laying in the sun lifting her head with dismay and surely saying, get a grip.

She not only is my pet, my friend, but often an example of how life should be. Taking one step at a time and savoring it.

The World According to Timber

One of the family I have not introduced, other than by name is our English Setter named Timber. She came to us over 10 years ago with the main objective to train us in. It didn't take long for her to achieve her goal. She never goes on furniture, only barks when it fits her needs and basically does everything right. Yes I said right.

I know it seems impossible for a dog to second guess her humans. But Timber does that on a regular basis. In the winter she will consider a cuddle with me, but when spring comes she has little time for us. Often when she is laying on the rug and John and I call to her she looks annoyed. I think she is saying to herself....it sure takes a lot of work to keep these two happy.

But one thing we know is that she loves us. Otherwise she would get tired of the hugs, and all the attention we demand. Her agility is slipping and she gets off the floor a little slower, she sleeps harder these days not unlike here humans.

Her favorite thing in the world is a riding. She would rather be in her vehicle than anywhere else. I know if you could ask her what she loves. We would come in second after a good road trip. It is good to come home to a wag of the tail, and a smile, yes a smile. She has unconditional love even when she feels she has better things to do.