Fibby

Unlike her elusive brother Tibby, who is a man of few words, my gal Fibby is a real chatterbox. She has opinions on just about every subject under the sun, which she freely expounds on all day and night. As smart as she is though, Fibby is often puzzled by the strange behaviors of the humans she sees on TV, and will wander around the house asking  "Why? Why? Why?". I never know what to tell her - we humans certainly are a strange lot. Usually we agree it's best to just cuddle up on the couch, and do some serious head scratching. That works out well for both of us.

Sparky

Older brother to Josie, Sparky was almost my first client. He was a robust, sturdy young man then - a real people person, especially pretty women, and never really cared for other dogs, and wasn't afraid to say so, if asked. Now Sparky is an elegant gentleman, old and slow, but just as handsome as ever. He keeps his strolls to a minimum, taking care of business and then turning back towards home. Still, he always has a happy wag for anyone passing by, but a word to the wise canine - do not attempt to sniff his butt, because he won't hesitate to tell you to back off!

Daisy & Nikki

After nearly two years of trying to work out our schedules, I finally won the jackpot - six fun filled days with these ultra adorable little girls. Let me just say, it was well worth the wait.

When my daughter saw these pictures, she was certain the Blue Fairy had gone to FAO Schwarz, passed her wand over two stuffed animals and whispered  "Now you are real dogs." I myself think that's entirely possible...

After the Incident

It was too horrific to talk about at the time, but the last time I took care of Buddy Boy, the remarkable little dog, he was attacked by another dog. We had just headed out for an early evening stroll through the neighborhood, and had only gotten around the corner, when a female black lab ( I know, right?) broke from her leash and oh, I don't want to go into details but it wasn't pretty. I managed to pull her off of him but not before she sank her nasty fangs deep into his thigh. I like almost all dogs, but don't mess with my Buddy!

Several hours later he emerged from the emergency vet shaved, stitched, and with a very unpleasant looking drain installed in his leg. Poor little guy! He was in the house for a week, recovering. This picture was taken on his first outing, outside of Peet's Coffee Shop, where he graciously accepted the good wishes of his very large fan club.

Josie

Josie is a rescued street dog from China, and who knows what she experienced before she was adopted, but I'm willing to bet it wasn't a lot of fun. When I first started taking care of her, I called her my little land shark. Out on our walks, everything would go in her mouth, and if it was inedible , she'd spit it back out. That's not  an issue for her anymore now that she can count on being fed regularly, and although at home she is happy and relaxed, out in the world she can still  be quite skittish. Any little thing can send her hightailing out of the park, and leave me trailing after her with shredded nerves.

Halfway through this last visit, she came home with a baby's pacifier concealed in her mouth. She carried it with her everywhere, from the couch to the crate to the deck, and maybe it's my imagination, but she seems to be much calmer. On our last morning walk, she saw three dogs walking toward her and turned to run. I said  "Wait Josie, it's just two Pugs and a Ridgeback, nothing you can't handle." For the first time she paused, considered the situation, and decided she probably could handle it. 

So now what, for Josie? Perhaps she'll decide to help others  - coming out with a line of Panicked Pups Pacifiers of her own.  Remember you read it here first...

Rainy Morning

Venus, Vashti and Bruno are hoping it rains all day. I asked Slidell if he agrees, but he's too busy running up and down the stairs after his ball to talk.

Just a Dream

Back here on Wool Street with my quartet of lovelies, I find I often have a reoccuring frightening dream that happens just before waking. In the dream, I see the kibble. I know the kibble is there. The kibble is rolling in the drawer, and yet, although the kibble is close, it does not satisfy. The kibble does not satisfy, and I am tormented by this. My discomfort rises to a level that I am forced to waken before I am ready, and then there is Bruno, sitting by his food bowl, impatient for breakfast, smugly aware that he has once again managed to invade my dreams. See how he laughs?