One Less Worry...

Pet ownership for all. A life strategy, a boon to health and longevity.

Last year, in an issue of Woman's World, a story of great human interest, caught my eye. It's world changing view was most compelling and now a reality, serving the needs of the pet owning military family. Pet ownership, in the military, was becoming problematic. Where does puppy go when orders for deployment have arrived?

A pet owning military couple was leaving home for a long period of time. They were frantic. Their precious rescue needed long term care, for at least six months, but this couple could not find anyone to help. The dilemma of pet care became an almost untenable problem.

The cost of kennel care was out of the question as would renting an apartment with a pet sitter near the military base. Leaving their pet in a shelter for months on end might result in accidental euthanasia, with the possible staff changes, missing paper work confusing those employees of their unique long term puppy arrangement with the shelter. When extended out-of-state family came to their rescue, the couple realized their plight had been solved. But what about others in their situation, they wondered? Soon after, a unique philanthropic enterprise was born out of their desperate circumstance. Dogs on Deployment (DoD) was created.

Foster pet care for military families can now be awash in drippy sloppy doggie kisses and wagging tails. Love and companionship are there for the asking. ... DoD is now the wonderful result for military families in need of temporary pet care during their military careers.

Love expands our world not diminishes it. DoD has opened the doors for pet ownership for all, in many unique ways. It's a loving bridge like no other with family pets being the winners, having two families to love and care for sweet boy or girl. Society stands to gain in immeasurable ways, in each and every match. As of 2018, DoD has matched over 1200 pets with 25,000+ registered family volunteers/pet sitters. It is a testament to the incredible depths of love, kindness and fortitude of the human spirit that exists everywhere. And Woman's World told the story. 

 

There was the story of a man who found a hungry, homeless dog hiding, one day. A 'furrever' love story was born. Man and beast became one heart. ... Finally, there was the heartrending story of an emaciated little pup who ran into a house, one very cold night. The front door had been left ajar. A caring neighbour closed it, soon after, a kindly gesture by any standard. Hungry and scared the pup waited. The next morning the homeowners, upon discovering 'Suzie' downstairs in their living room, wondered if a crime was being committed. Was the criminal still inside? A quick look at the security video showed the little creature running into their house. Everything now made sense. The home invader had been a member of the abused, abandoned and starving club. 'Suzie' now has a family to call her own. She bonded with her twin, immediately, along with mom and dad and baby sister, a love story like no other. I shed more happy tears.

Dogs and cats are the magical creatures of the earth, there to love and be loved. When they are lost, neglected and abused, hopefully, loving humans come to their rescue, time and time again. Dogs are the greatest therapists in the world. They heal and make us human! And Woman's World is always there to share these beautiful animal 'love' stories with us!

What Momsey Thinks

Deceptive practices abound with wording, the accomplices for the 'organizations' with whom we do 'business'. The scandal in the make-up and grocery aisles seem to be progressing well. Hopefully we are paying close attention 'cause the costs are ours to bear, each and every time.

Many of today's creams, lotions, and other 'fluid' products (ketchup, applesauce) are dispensed in plastic, rarely glass, containers, in sculptured shapes, masking the true weight of the contents locked inside. Though we are receiving the weight of the products, as marked, the contents are difficult to access so much of it gets discarded unless we do the 'water' dumping test, adding it to remove the last little bit.

We are bombarded by glamorous looking products, in all manner of shapes and sizes. But product dispensing from these containers is nearly impossible, a cunning maneuver to force us to buy sooner than the volume on the label might indicate. Looking inside, we realize the manipulative touch of fraud lurking there. The raised, sometimes detailed bottoms or complicated pumps of some of these dispensers are present making total product removal next to impossible. Why was that done? The intention here is to make us buy product more often because the viscous product inside is totally inaccessible. The total weight is as stated but we never seem to 'get it all.' Fraudulent, misleading or what?

Social media bestows upon us our value system, it seems, our intentions, failures and successes, too. Then we walk our children, dogs and with each other as we talk on our phones. Is that quality time? What is the distraction? The outdated phone I own is years old yet does one very intriguing thing: it allows calls to be made and received, the purpose of such a device. Newer phones are costlier versions of call centers and tiny computer and camera wonders. 

We feel compelled to being available at all hours of the day and night to others while depriving those closest to us: our children and pets, most often, with little to say. Sleep and mental acuity suffer as we wait for the calls that will change it all for us. Have we've lost control?

Finding a good guy in a bar is possible. As a cocktail waitress and teacher-in-training, it happened. Get off the phone then look him/her in the eyes. It's the eyes, then the voice, that tell the human story. Guys come in all shapes and sizes - just like us. (And guys, please stop holding us to an impossible standard. If you're not a 'premiere' candidate then do not expect us to be.) 

Close your eyes and listen to his heart. Appearances are nothing to brag about. We did not create that standard, whatever it is. Makeup, a good hair cut, a smile and a sharp presentation changes everything. . But take heed: what's mom like? Does she mom love you at first sight? If not, keep on walking. Wasting your valuable time and your life is not worth it. This is not an audition. Next?

Buy a 'greeting' card for any reason. It is a solitary reminder of a life lived with people we care about. Cards today come in a vast array of 'reasons'. Take note! They are rewards like no other. They fit nicely into our lives, these personalized reminders of joy, comfort and love, from those who care. They are better than comfort foods without the calories!. .... 

Postcards, too, are a quicker snapshot on life, with a view attached! (A book in the making??) Postcards are an incredible imprint we can revisit whenever we like. Though texting and email are modern day tools of instant communication, they cannot compete. Pen and paper rule. They always have and always will for me. They are everlasting gifts to us. I still have those first 'love letters' of a different generation - 49 years old - fresh and real. Writing those we love, care about and think highly of, is a gift like no other. We all want and need to be valued and wanted.

Then there's fake news. It's everywhere not just in those places we think. Its pervasive grab hopes we will allow ourselves to be duped into thinking a certain costly way. But the truth wins always even if it takes time . No problem. I can wait!

"We're Doomed"

As we spoke outside, surrounded by her lush garden, my daughter's (alias daughter-in-law) tomato plants and other herbal entities were flourishing while others had not. Too many in a pot, not enough rain this past summer, cold temperatures or something else? I asked her what she thought. Why was this happening? Even she did not know. Oh my, I remarked. ... If you do not know, we're doomed.

From the time I first met this winsome young lady, as a university grad, I knew there was something brilliant, wise, glamorous and special about her. She stood apart from everyone I knew or had ever known. We bonded immediately, if not sooner. After a few months of her dating my son, I asked her to marry me. We laughed. My intentions were made clear. I wanted her in my life!

Over their 9 year marriage, this incredible young woman, one of three such dynamos I belong to, has shown remarkable qualities of courage, patience and stamina. Kindness is second nature to her. She is now a most sought after French Immersion elementary school teacher, with a masters degree, on maternity leave.

Her 20 month-old miracle arrived last year after a very challenging journey, lasting years. He is a bundle of boundless energy and love, teaching all who dare to learn from this little professor, the miracle of miracles. He is continually doing, thinking and being, in love with life. His parents are teachers of the most incredible funny kind. The world does not have enough funny in it. I am in awe of them.

Mom took an extra long maternity leave. The love of her life finally debuted. Each day, this remarkable mom sets up different centers of learning. While sitting in his car seat, recently, the door to the truck was left open. We see a toddler human holding a book, turning the pages with complete abandon while smiling and glancing at the people surveying him. He acknowledges his people then smiles. He knows stuff. He just does.

My 'daughter' thinks about everyone while worrying less about herself. Even when under the weather, she carries her burden with grace and aplomb. How does she do it? . ....'Molly' dresses as if meeting with professionals. A day at the beach seems like a photo shoot to her. Every occasion is treated special. Where did you get that, I seem to ask more frequently. She buys deals at unlikely places and looks like a million dollars in the process.

Our first meeting was timeless. A brief introduction turned into a 2-hour visit which ended with me saying, “I think I'd better go now. My son won't tolerate this much longer." This was not a play date for mom.

My 'daughter' makes glamour look easy as she embarks on her mission to re-invent learning. She could be a Vogue magazine model in pyjamas while looking glamorous. She works hard to enhance her students' learning. She's a gem. She possesses wisdom beyond her years and smiles whenever we meet. She endeavours to help at every opportunity and makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing - at all times.

One day, as she was leaving for home, I commented on her heavy bag. It seemed more than she should be carrying. I threatened to tell her mom. “But you are my mom” she replied. What more can I say?

In a Moment of Horror!

Emerson, the former rescue 'pup', had arrived late that afternoon for his nearly two week hiatus with his cousins and me.. I was happy to see him, always am. After a brief but intense play session outside as a new hockey player on staff, pushing the 'egg puck' here and there, the unimaginable happened. It was an ambush like no other. Mr. Wiggles was pounced upon by his diminutive cousin in a shocking moment of horror.

The blood curdling scream by our Wiggler was like nothing I'd heard before. He was being attacked, pulled off the stairs, as we were about to enter the house. (We had done this trip many times before). My Wiggler offered no resistance or retaliation, thankfully. Had he done so, the outcome could have been worse; he, the yellow retriever, at 77 pounds, Emerson, the beagle, at 33.

I grabbed our Wiggler, separating both dogs. I hadn't been able to reach Emerson. He had been too fast for me to grab. His lightening quick action had almost thrown me off the stairs. Not bad for an ol'e bag such as moi.

Indoors, I checked our Mr. Wiggles for signs of the brazen attack. Nothing. The next morning, I noticed diluted circular blood stains on a freshly washed sheet used to cover the dog beds when 'company' visited. Probably from his gums, I surmised. Nothing to worry about. His mouth seemed clear anyway. Hadn't he been grabbed by his neck while offering no resistance?  Where was this blood originating?

Our Mr. Wiggles was an innocent never expecting 'others' to submit to him. Just wanted to play, never biting, growling or fighting. I was puzzled by it all. Blood but no wounds. Hmm. Later that morning, I noticed yet another blood spot, next to the trio, in an irregular, jagged much larger circle. What was I missing? What was wrong with me? Another more thorough exam of Wiggler's lower body, near his front legs, revealed the shocking truth of the previous evening's unexpected sustained attack. Wiggler's chest wall had been punctured, exposing a hole within the cavity, surrounded by concentric red circles. The call was made and a emergency run followed.

Hearing the the word 'major' to describe the surgical event performed on our sweet boy, Mr. Wiggles, the next morning, rocked my world. I had been fooled.The magnitude of this surgery was now my new reality. Two violent minutes of 'combat', two nights before, had torn open Mr. Wiggles' chest wall! Dead tissue was removed with healthy tissue stitched into place. Sutures and staples, back to back! Two weeks of recovery ensued, leash walking only, painkillers, as needed and antibiotics, till done.

An especially guarded watch on our powerful 'innocent' little Emerson was now in play. His parents would know, eventually. They had been away for 6 days when the truth was told. Sadly, I could no longer care for their baby. I now had one of my own to protect!

As I pondered the attack, one important fact rang true. There was no blame game here only the evil spirit that lay hidden, dormant,  deep inside 'my' 33 pound rescue. Emerson had been left intact from the beginning- nearly three years now. When scrolling down a website page, one evening, years earlier, his dad made him ours. Shared custody resulted.

Modern thinking has made early neutering a mistake for some dogs. The procedure is now being given a review. Leaving the reproductive system  intact to mature longer made sense to me. But I worried about changes beyond that 'window of opportunity'. Two earlier indoor dog attacks, within the last two years, still vicious and unexpected in their nature, were reminders that biology is always the master. 'It' never left. This latest attack had been the worst. A line had been crossed that could not be ignored.

Soon, Emerson will be spayed. It's as non starter. His dad made that decision, in a heartbeat, 2 days after the news. I'm glad. Having puppy here makes my heart sing. His care is the best, a service beyond compare. I will look froward to the altered ego of an animal that had been, from the start, thrown into chaos because no one dared to care or understand him. He's home now with a future full of sunshine, promise and frisbees!

An Encore 'Purr'formance

The love in my life died in February of this year. She was my 'just a cat', a term often used to describe cats as life's greatest annoyances and mistakes. (This blog is being repeated from that earlier time.) Her daily perilous drop in weight, then, from her evil hyperthyroid disease coupled with issues of internal bleeding - gums and bladder,- dramatic loss of precious fatty tissue and potassium while losing valuable body temperature made my decision an 'easy' one. Her doctor's look, that painful morning, ended any optimism I had.

That morning had begun as usual with her jump on to the floor looking for fresh water, contained in  two ceramic bowls. A bowl of the Greek yogurt that usually started her day appeared. Her habit of moving these bowls while testing the water with her paw made it a messy place, quite often. Her stainless steel bowl had been replaced with a new ceramic 'sink', an immovable heavy container. She drank often and this I knew was not good. Her night time ritual of munching on her prescribed dry food always gave me hope. But recently she took too long to eat her soft foods and it seemed to end up in her water, it seemed, hence another round of ongoing fresh cold water, otherwise known as room service. A long walk to the 'toilette' to see her dad, that sad morning, was a peaceful end to a miraculous love story. I miss terribly.

From the beginning, Tiggy had a fighting spirit. That quality made her suffering look like another challenge in her life. In the end, her tenacity was replaced by the suffering I could see. We could no longer hope for a positive outcome. Her meds had become a burden to administer. She could not swallow easily. Her cloudy water bowls gave clear evidence to that. Her body was a skeletal frame with a thin layer of skin and soft fur enveloping it. She had stamina so characteristic of my family. She'd earned the right to die. 

My life now has a chunk missing from it. After finding her 16 years earlier, on the shoulder, in -25 weather, my life would never be the same. I was about to fall in love with a snappy little girl. She had 'spoken' to me that frigidly cold morning. I looked up and there she was. I had a duty to her. 

 

How could anyone do such a thing? But the web is full of horrible people doing all sorts of despicable things to oh so innocent animals. The online world attests to the horrors of animal abuse. Our Tiggy was found, just in time. She had spoken to me half an hour before she would have died. I listened and a love story began.

Over the years, she would enter the room of our two retriever dogs only to be greeted by a cacophony of jumps and barks. Her visits seemed to say, “ I live upstairs guys. Would you like to play with me.” Not really they seemed to say. ... Occasionally, she would linger, then sneak to drink from their large water bowl, the size of a small sink, big enough in which to bathe. Was it better? Comparisons were important to her. She ran outside, one morning, then was noticed, hours later, on the kitchen balcony. I remembered thinking how beautiful this stray was until I noticed she was ours not an intruder. Upon opening the door to let her in, she ran upstairs to the place she'd called home for years. Outside was better from a safe distance, she soon realized.

In her later years, we'd meet and nap together in her room on a bunk bed. She welcomed the company. I needed her, too! She'd sleep in the crook of my knees and stay there till it was time for me to go. She liked it that way. Resting her small head near the quartz lamp, near my computer station, seemed to make her feel safe, warm and secure, too. I liked it. A magnet cover beneath her special bed helped healing. All in all, everything humanely possible that was available and made sense, was tried. Food was always number one! My 'daughter' deserved that much.

Tiggy's entry into life was a loathsome event. But she would leave it surrounded by love, all around. Someone had hated this innocent newborn, weighing a pound or two, that fateful -25 morning. Humanity was on show that day - from both sides. Thankfully, I won that debate! My precious little pea is gone but never to be forgotten. How I miss her so! My heart aches.

On Being Human

Chocolate milk in mashed potatoes? It was a busy Christmas day. New people were visiting. Too many chefs in the kitchen. The wrong container of milk was given as the hot potatoes were being mashed. Stopped, just in time. A new recipe had almost been born.

Then there was the thyroid pill for a slow thyroid condition of our female Retriever. Another female on thyroid med? This time a dog? Oh my. ... Anyway, as I held this pill for her, I walked over to the sink to fill up a glass.(But she drinks out of a bowl!) and presto into my mouth it went. I was on thyroid med, too, but my dose was much lower then hers. A quick pick me up for me, today, perhaps? I worried. Phoned poison hot line, just in case. They could not help. Then who? Drank alot of water, I was told, to flush out the mistake. Absent minded professor?

I had phoned to check on something after my sweet boy, Emerson, had just been picked up after 13 days at summer 'camp'. His master answered to the delight of eating cukes with his 'buddy', along with watermelon and a half grape. I stopped in mid-conversation. Had I heard the unthinkable? Was Emerson now in the throes of renal failure? Would he be the exception to the rule? (He was) He'd been given a half grape, accidentally, by a loving someone. An unsettling mistake that could have resulted in a health crisis did not. We were shaken. Grapes are a forbidden food for all dogs for reasons unknown. Never do it!

The forbidden list of foods for dogs is endless and includes grapes, chocolate, onions and raisins (made from grapes) to name a few. In the wild, animals will eat what they find and instinctively know what is safe, otherwise, death would come calling, often. All would become extinct and eventually there would be no animals left on earth. But in the civilized world of man - us - they eat what we give them. Into the bowl the food is poured then eaten by our trusting animal companions. If we are not paying attention they can be harmed. The rules are endless but we must know them. We are their parents, after all.

After moving the cage towards the patio doors - its new winter location - we guided Sally, our very young, precocious two-year-old retriever into her bed. We were going out for an hour or two. Upon our return, I noticed red fabric strewn about near her rigid 'babysitter'. What was that, I wondered? A fool of a pet owner had helped Sally create the newest twist on in-house fabric re-design. This cute, youthful puppy had re-threaded one curtain panel into a pile of red fluff, through the cage's metal bars using her ingenious brain. Was she learning to crochet? Doubtful! The curtain panel was gone, another victim of puppy 'play'!

The faster we engage, the greater the chance mistakes will happen. In many instances, we are speed demons. Slowing down helps us to ponder then act. Actions do have consequences, as we all know.

Keeping anti-freeze, or washing fluids, in the open, in the driveway, is very problematic. Does the  chemical fluid linger where 'nosy' pups or children wander? In any event always be thinking of consequences. Leaving a plastic ladle in an empty soup pot, while heating on low, does not a positive outcome make. After decades of making pea soup, borscht, beef barley and the iconic chicken soup in this large pot  it was ruined, now coated in liquid plastic. Mistakes do happen. Our children and pets help keep us on our toes. Learning lessons is the final outcome.

Most Delicious Breakfast Detours

Today, breakfast was served later than normal. I had been finishing a novel, something I hadn't done in years. Saturday's morning ritual would be delayed, somewhat. Newspaper or magazine articles had been my modest operandi of late, a way to learn and be entertained. My most cherished gift was a newspaper my dad brought in when I was hospitalized as a teen. Sometimes reading was far more important than eating.

My husband had left to mow the grass, that morning, a time when breakfast might have been served. It was the weekend. Schedules were relaxed. I waited for him to return but after an lengthy stay with his Mr. John Deere, I began to cook.

The bag of broccoli florets stared at me, as I retrieved the eggs from the fridge, that Saturday, giving me the idea to include these powerhouse gems in his morning meal. He did not need to know everything and he enjoyed vegetables, anyway. I began to lop off the tops of the broccoli then added them to the pan, slowly, as the oil slowly heated. A slight sauteing was all that was required. The eggs were added slowly and methodically agitated in the pan as they coagulated. A fashionable omelette was made. On other occasions, brussel sprouts have been an exciting addition, a side dish like no other. Cutting them in half helps the heat reach the center more quickly thus retaining the bright green coloured without overcooking.

Even cold pizza can be a new version of breakfast. Simply removing the top from a slice of the carb crusted base can be the beginnings of a new omelette with added veggies. Thinly sliced mushrooms, and mixed greens, perhaps, can add nutrient value before the day begins. Making waffles is an easy way to have a sandwich with cheese, veggies, leftover protein or seafood for that customized breakfast touch.

Making home fries for breakfast is an easy step made easier using the Phillips Air Fryer. Brushed on oil with added spice mix makes delicious happen quickly. Do more than needed and freeze the rest. Delicious, in mere minutes. I always use turmeric, the brain spice, in all my marinades and spice rubs, soups. Then there is ginger powder, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper, too, along with granulated onion.

Some foods and spices are simply irreplaceable. Should be a part of our medicinal 'cupboard' called the kitchen for every meal. Then we have cream of wheat, red river cereal and oatmeal, the cereals of my youth, and the heartiest detours of all.