Tag Archives: Riggins

Doggie Happy Ending

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bob

Bob

I got myself into a real pickle during the holidays.  My goal was to wake up really early on Dec. 24th and head out to my folks.  I was stopping at my friend’s house on the way to drop off Morgan (poodle).  He had been with me but my friend’s neighbor was going to watch him for the next couple of days.  To get to my friend’s house I have to drive down a pretty busy street.  I was at a stoplight when a little dog came darting out into traffic and happily strolled to the other side.  He looked like he was in good spirits and stopped at everyone waiting at the bus stop and on the street to say hi.  I told myself that someone else would help him and then knew they wouldn’t so did a u-turn and headed back.

I knelt down a few feet away from the black and white scruffy terrier mix and he came right up to me.  Happy as can be.  While I looked around to see if anyone close knew him a mom and daughter came up to me.

Sparky

Sparky

“Do you like dogs?” the daughter asked.  It was hard to say no since I had two in my car and another in my arms.  “Yes.” I replied.  “Do you want ours?” she asked.  What????  Turns out the grandpa had gotten the family a chihuahua and pets weren’t allowed where they rented.  I gave them my card and told them if they still needed help after Christmas to call me and I would help find their dog a new home.

Meanwhile, I popped the scruffy dude, who I started calling Bob, into the car and drove toward my friend’s house.  Without much open during the holiday and not many options I left the stranded dog in my friends backyard with food and water.  I figured it was a better location than the street and I would come pick him up on my way home the next evening.  Of course Bob wasn’t happy about this and caused such a ruckus that my friends neighbor took him in for the night.

The evening of the 25th I picked up Bob and started a search for his family.  On the 26th I picked up Sparky, the homeless chihuahua.  Now I had two homeless dogs in my house plus my own and those I was sitting.  Bob was a charmer and was no problem at all.  He got along with everyone and was happy to hang out with me.  Unfortunately he had no collar, no chip, no one knew him, and there were no signs for him up in the neighborhood or online.  Luckily, he was so good at being a loving dude that the family who had watched him Christmas eve fell in love and ended up adopting him.  Whew … one down.

Sparky with friends

Sparky with friends

Sparky was another story.  That dude was trouble with a capital T.  He hated me and all the other dogs and would be really happy to kill us with his itty bitty sharp little teeth.  My first night with Sparky I was at my wit’s end.  He was a devil dog and I had no faith that he would ever be adopted.  He had never been to a vet so had no shots and was not fixed.  As a 6 month old he was still a puppy that could learn to socialize if he just wasn’t such an ass.  I sat down at the computer and pleaded my case to any and every pet rescue group that was out there.  I learned pretty fast that no one would touch him.  I was told over and over that I would have to get him fixed and foster him.  Given his current attitude and my lack of income this was just impossible.  I was really scared that I might have to bring Sparky to the shelter.  I knew he was screwed if that happened since he wasn’t really adoption material.  Who wants a tiny monster that wants to rip you to pieces living in their house?

I kept him in a crate in the hallway where he could see the action.  Then I ignored him except for a couple torturous bathroom breaks.  Chihuahuas like attention so ignoring them usually is not okay with them at all.  24 hours Sparky stayed in that crate with the door closed and locked.  Then I opened the door and he stayed in it for another 12 hours or so growling at anyone who dared come near him.  Dragon was pretty happy with the “let’s piss off Sparky” game which consisted of him slowly getting closer until Sparky reacted and then gleefully running back and starting all over again.  I continued to ignore him.  That evening Sparky very slowly came out of his cage and carefully came up on my lap.  After that he was my BFF and loved me and all the dogs in the house.  He figured out playing with other dogs was big fun and, unlike the others, he was small enough to fit under the bed for sneak attacks.

Jack

Jack

At the same time a few groups finally gave me some hope.  By working directly with one of their volunteers that was a friend of a friend Dogs Without Borders offered to get Sparky fixed.  That was a huge win and raised my spirits.  LUXE Paws actually found a foster for him but it was no longer necessary since I had gotten a call from a woman who was Sparky’s savior!  Sheila Choi of the Fuzzy Pet Foundation had contacted me and her group was willing to take Sparky on.  They would get him fixed, get his shots up to date, foster him and get him socialized so he would be ready to find his forever home.  They also do an extensive home check on any folks looking to adopt.  Their goal is to get the dog into a home where he/she will live the rest of their lives.  That is exactly what Sparky needed!  Since talking to Sheila I’ve done more research on her group and I’m extremely impressed with the work they do.  I highly suggest you check them out and, of course, donate to them if you are able.  I’m confident any donations will go to a good cause.  Something I can’t be so sure of for some of the other groups I contacted.

Baby

Baby

At some point during all this I took on two more dogs that needed homes.  This sweet brother and sister pair were orphaned as their human parents had passed away.  As a favor to my very good friend I took them in and kept them while we all worked on getting them homes.  Jack, a yorkipoo, ended up being adopted by Morgan’s folks.  Morgan’s human dad is named Jack and he melted when Jack dog jumped into his lap.  Baby, an Alaskan husky mix, is going to be heading to San Diego to live with a friend.  Until she is picked up she is hanging with my gang and enjoying her daily hikes with her new temporary pack.

Baby with friends

Baby with friends

At one point I had 7 dogs in my house.  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6, 7 (I feel like the count from Sesame Street should be laughing after that).  In case you were wondering that is waaaaay too many dogs to have in your house.  A couple of days ago I was driving down Mulholland on the way to the Laurel Canyon Dog Park and saw a dog walking toward me on the side of the road.  “NO!” I thought.  “NO NO NO NO NO.  I CAN’T DO IT.  NOT ANOTHER ONE.  NOT RIGHT NOW.  PLEASE.  NO.”  Lucky for me it was a coyote and I was able to leave him in his home … outdoors!

Just a note: Sheila of The Fuzzy Pet Foundation would be unhappy with me if I didn’t mention that you should never just hand over a pet that you found to someone.  Bad people who use the dogs for backyard breeding and/or bait dogs troll Craigslist, Facebook, and other places to find victims.  If you have a dog that has lost his home finding his/her original family should be the goal.  If this is not possible make sure the group or person you are giving the dog to will be (or will be the group to find) the perfect forever home for that specific dog and his/her specific needs.

Real Life Work Advice

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

Riggins and me doing a stress killing activity

Riggins and me doing a stress killing activity

Right now I’m a dog sitter but I used to be in the business world.  I held the title of VP in more than one company.  I’ve worked for big, giant, small, and tiny companies and feel like I’ve learned a lot from every single experience.  Yesterday I was talking to an ex-coworker and just hearing her corporate stories raised my blood pressure.  Corporate life isn’t for the weak.  I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned so if you are on your way to this kind of career you know what to expect … for real.

* The Boss doesn’t have to be nice.  The Boss doesn’t have to return your call or email.  If they do return your email they are allowed to do so with one word messages that you may find “short” or “harsh.”  The Boss doesn’t have to come in on time or work through lunch.  The Boss doesn’t have to ask someone to do something 20 times or wait 4 days for IT to fix his computer.  The Boss can tell you what clients he wants to see, how he wants to see them, and when.  Do you know why?  HE IS THE BOSS.  Getting annoyed or angry at these things is a giant waste of your time and energy.  If something happens and the answer is “He’s the Boss.” then shrug it off and move on.

* Men suck.  Ladies men in the work place can reach a level of asshatishness that is simply unbelievable.  It was announced this morning that GM promoted the first woman ever to CEO.  Not just the first women in GM history but the first woman in American automotive history.  We’ve come a long way but that doesn’t mean it was easy or that everyone is happy about it.  I know that is taboo to say but I honestly believe it.  Some men don’t respect women in these higher positions and many are resentful we are even there.  Even if that resentment isn’t something they are aware of.  My suggestion to you … learn how to stop yourself from crying.  Women cry.  We just do.  It may not even mean anything but we still cry.  It makes us look weak and allows men to take advantage.  Learn the tricks to stop yourself.  You will need it.  I’ve been screamed at in front of a group of my male colleagues for all our teams struggling to make goal.  I’ve been called a bitch to my face, behind my back, to my employees.  I’ve been told I was cold and that is why I have no husband.  That’s right … they don’t just keep it in the work place they will hit you were it hurts.  I’ve been told to use boobs to my sell more (which honestly isn’t bad advice).  I’ve had a boss who called me Wednesday simply because he couldn’t be bothered to know my name.  The list goes on and on.  These hurtful statements have come from bosses, co-workers and men I’ve been promoted over.   I always tell myself they have miserable lives at home and it has made them sad little men.  It helps!

* Don’t be a vendor.  Unless you are really good at sucking up and kissing ass stay away from vendor life.  Sure you can make a lot of money there but think about it long and hard before you make that step.  Once in a vendor life it is very hard to transfer back to the client side.  Choose your career steps carefully.  No matter how your marketing team wants to spin it that you are a “partner” to your client know that it is all (or mostly) BS.  You are a vendor.

*  Pack a lunch and get out of the office to eat it.   Lunch is your time out.  I don’t care if the kiss ass in the cubicle next to you is eating lunch at his desk.  Stand up and get out!  It’s not healthy to sit at your computer that long.  Don’t let those other people fool you.  They aren’t working.  They are on Facebook.  Everyone knows it.

*  Sales requires drinking.  If you are taking the steps into sales learn how to handle your booze.  You will be drinking.  Drinking to numb the pain of your unreasonable sales goals and drinking to bond with co-workers and clients.  Find a non-fluffy drink you can stomach a lot of and buckle down.  Bombay Sapphire and tonic is my choice.  All bars have it, it isn’t crap gin but it also isn’t stupid expensive.  Plus if your bartender is crap it has the ingredients right in the name.

* Find a healthy stress killer.  If you don’t find something healthy that drinking thing may get out of control!  Find something that helps you release and distress like exercise and then do it … EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Make time to do it.  If that means leaving work on time … then do that!  You are better off to your company if you are there for less hours and healthy than a basket case that works 20 hours a day.  You will feel pressure to stay longer hours, work when you get home, or check your blackberry before you go to bed.  Just don’t do it.  Believe me if you are getting  your job done you  will be fine.  Once you start to do these things it is very hard to stop.  Just don’t start in the first place.  You know that one person who seems to get away with everything?  You know how he does that?  HE JUST DOES!  Do your job.  Do it well but don’t let it take over who you are.

There you go.  Some cold hard truths for this chilly December day!

Shadow Sleeping Positions

09 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

photo (16)I’m exhausted.  I have no right to be and I have to admit the 2 hour hike in Griffith Park with Riggins and Asscher this morning didn’t help.  Still, considering what I’ve done, my sleepiness is way out of proportion.  I’ve decided I have Shadow to thank for that.

Shadow was dropped off Wednesday night by her dad for her one night stay with us.  Riggins and I instantly fell in love with the sweet girl.  1/2 Whippet, 1/2 Doberman, and 100% sweetie.  Her dad said Shadow sleeps in her own bed at home but she would love to sleep on my bed if I allowed it.  As we got ready for bed that night Shadow sadly curled up in her teeny tiny dog bed that I had placed on the ground near the foot of my human bed.  She looked up at me with such sad eyes I had no choice.  It was only for one night.  I invited her up to sleep with me.  Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, or any skinny dog with a needle nose, like to sleep under the covers so that’s what I let Shadow do.  I lifted up the covers and she buried her way down and plopped herself down next to (or on) my legs.  She was happy as a clam.  Eventually during the night Riggins decided he needed to be in bed too so he jumped up and settled in.  By morning the three of us were as snug as a bug in a rug.  I could hear everyone snoring.  Everyone but me!  Sleeping with a dog at your legs isn’t exactly restful.

Shadow’s stay got extended and the one night became four.  Each time I crawled into bed Shadow was right behind me.  I couldn’t say no now!  Shadow went home yesterday so last night you would think I would have had a great night.  Not so much.  I missed having my little leg warmer curled up next to me.  Sigh … I can never be happy.

I thought I’d share Shadow’s sleeping positions with you so you can understand better what I lived through:

1.  THE SHADOW CHAIR – This consisted of me curling up in an almost fetal position so that Shadow could snuggle up against the crock of my knee (aka under my butt).

photo 1 (19)

2.  THE LOTION LICK – Once in a while I’d try to lie down flat and if I did that Shadow would just lay herself flat against my leg putting her in the perfect position to lick off all the lotion I had just put on my legs.

photo 2 (18)

3.  THE SCISSORS – This was the teams favorite sleeping position.  I slept at an angle giving Riggins room on his human pillow and Shadow just enough room to nuzzle between my legs.

photo 3 (12)

4.  THE BIRTH – Self explanatory.

photo 4 (8)

Sweet dreams to all the human and dogs out there!

Above the Barre and Leash

05 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

photo (17)I just finished walking the dogs around the neighborhood and it was tough!  When walking multiple dogs one or more are going to get you tangled up in their leash.  When this happens I lift one leg up and over the offending leash (and sometimes dog) and then the other.  I credit Bar Method for my ability to do this with little trouble.  I feel like earlier in my life this little bit of stretching would have been a disaster and left me flat on my face tied up in leashes and fur.  Normally after a few minutes, the dogs get it.  “Oooooh,” they say to each other, “we all have to stay on one side of her.  Got it.”  Well not today’s gang.  They never quite figured it out.  Obviously not mensa members.  The extra leg lifts did remind me of a post I have been wanting to write.  The things I don’t like about Bar Method.

Gasp.

I know.  Don’t get me wrong.  I loooooooovvvvveeeee Bar Method.  It’s the bestest in the westest and you should definitely go to a studio and try it out right this second.  That being said no one is perfect so here are the things I don’t like about the exercise:

* Not getting corrections.  I’m always super annoyed when the teacher doesn’t give me corrections.  A lot of times I can tell I’m doing something wrong and fix it myself but a number of times I have no idea.  In arabesque (Butt exercise where you stand an arms distance away from the barre while your feet are turned out.  Lift one leg up to hip height while bending down over the bar.  Then push your chest back up in a cobra-esk pose. Finally do lots of little movements with that leg that is up in the air.  It’s my least favorite exercise because I’m pretty sure I look like a dancing hippo when I do it.) the instructor will tell you that the hip of your working leg (the one in the air) can be 2-3 inches higher than your other hip.  HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO KNOW IF MY HIP IS 2-3 INCHES HIGHER?  I can’t look back and see it.  Although I’ve certainly tried and in the process just look even sillier.   If the teacher doesn’t come and correct me I can guarantee I’m doing it wrong.

It annoys me just as much when I see other people doing it incorrectly and not getting “corrected” by the instructor.  I feel like if they are getting away with it so am I.  The difference between the exercises working and not working is being in the correct form and I need a lot of help to get there!

* Missed counting.  I’m pretty sure this is a pet peeve of anyone in any group exercise class.  The teacher tells you 20 more and starts counting then goes to correct someone or tell a detailed story about the muscles you are working.  In your head you have been counting this entire time and are almost done.  Then the instructor jumps in with “5 … 6”.  Whoa there lady.  We are on 18 … get it straight!

*  New instructors and instructors in training.  This is a totally unfair dislike of mine.  Teachers who are now my favorite where once new and, to be honest, I didn’t like them when they were new either!  Isnt’ that horrible?  New teachers are guilty of the missed counting worse than anyone else.  They also tend to make the exercises too hard.  That sounds ridiculous I know but there is a fine line between almost dead and dead.  While doing arm lifts if 99% of your class can’t maintain form because you are on set number 1,000 it’s time to move on to the next exercise.  I also don’t by it when they give me corrections.  Totally unfair of me especially since some of my best corrections have come from new instructors and more than likely they are paying super close attention to all their students since there is someone in the back of the room taking notes on them.  Still … I don’t buy it when they come by and change my position.  I think “fine I’ll do it this way for you but tomorrow I’m going back to the ‘right’ way.”

*  When I forget to bring water or when there are no clean towels.  The amount I sweat is almost comical.  Without water to dehydrate I may crumple up and die like a dead leaf.  Without a clean towel I’m going to make everyone and everything around me sopping wet.  It’s gross.  I admit it.

*  When an instructor doesn’t push me.  I NEED the instructor to make me push harder.  If it’s left up to me I would come out of that room looking and feeling like I didn’t do a thing.  I need that instructor to tell me to get back up on my toes for push ups, dare me to take an arm option during sit ups (usually this means to release your hands from the grip you have on your legs to keep you in position and force that work all into your abs), and tell me my leg can get higher (after all I have dogs to walk).

photo (16)*  Finally I strongly dislike when the instructor does both chair (Stand toward the barre with your feet hip distance apart.  Pull your body back so your arms are straight.  Sit down like you are sitting in a chair.  Except there is no chair.  There is just air and your burning thighs are what is keeping you in that position.  Then do a zillion little up and down movements.) and water ski (stand beside the barre with your heels together toes apart.  Lift your heels up as high as you can.  Walk you feet together so your heels are touching but your toes are still turned out.  Bend your knees as far as you can making a diamond shape with your legs.  Grab the barre and lean back while pushing your hips up.  Then do a zillion little up and down movements. It’s horrific.)  I know it sounds ridiculous as I just said I want to be pushed by the instructor but give me an f-ing break.  One of these exercises has me in tears.  Both of them together can easily be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

All that being said.  You should go try it out!

(Since there is a chance one or more of my instructors will read this blog I may be asking for it.  If they are reading then I can tell them the thing I love!  Anytime they say “at the barre.”  Pretzel at the barre.  Ab work at the barre.  Love.)

For the LOVE of Kids and Dogs

02 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

photo 4 (4)Per the Newell tradition we spent Thanksgiving up at my sister’s house.  She lives with her husband, two kids, and puppy in a small town named Oakhurst just south of the Yosemite border.  Riggins and I drove up Tuesday and stuck around having fun until we left on Saturday.  That means I spent a number of days with two kids and two dogs.  Here are a few of my experiences.

photo 3 (11)RIGGINS – One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is Riggins comes back being a cuddlebug for the next few days.  In general Riggins isn’t a cuddiler.  No one believes me since he becomes King of the Cuddles when people come to visit us but when it is just him and me (or him, me and a gaggle of other dogs) he spends his time sitting at the front door or laying in his secret spot in the living room.  It really isn’t that secret but it is where he goes to hide when he is about to get a bath or when he knows he is going to be put outside.  Apparently he doesn’t think I can see him behind a dinning room table.  At my sister’s house he has to prove that he is number one and to do that he spends all his free time in a humans lap.  My dad, mom, sister, brother-in-law, niece and I are all used as a place to snuggle up.  My nephew manages to stay clear of Riggins cuddles.  I suppose Riggins can’t pin him down long enough to make it worth his while.  When we get home the next few days are cuddle magic.  When I’m watching TV he will hop up on the sofa and instead of going as far away from me as possible he will come and plop down right on my lap.  I love it!

(Side note – Riggins always wants to cuddle in the early morning.  He will jump up on my bed and lay down so that his back is too me and look over his shoulder as if to say, “hey lady … here I am … get to the snuggling.” )

photo 2KIRA – Kira is my 4-year-old niece.  At least I think she is 4.  I’m really not sure.  Don’t judge me.  I had Riggins age incorrect for almost an entire year once.  I’m obviously not paying attention.  Kira and Riggins are BFF so every morning (early morning) Kira would come into her room, where I was sleeping, and jump in bed to snuggle.  If Riggins wasn’t there yet it didn’t take him long for him to join the party.  Kira has a twin bed so this is a very squishy situation.  Kira was quick to inform me that her and Riggins were going to sleep at the top of the bed on the pillow and I could sleep below them.  Because I’m a good aunt and was really tired I’d shimmy down until my head was below feet and paws and would try to sleep for a little longer.  One morning Kira stole the blanket I was using informing me that Riggins was cold and needed it.  Sigh!

Kira loves me.  I think it is because I always answer “what” to her “guess what” questions which are thrown at me all the time but seem concentrated in those early morning hours.   Sometimes they are mumbled in my sleep but I still always manage to say, “What?”  For example:

Aunt Wendy guess what?  What?  Did you know Riggins is really soft?  I did!

Aunt Wendy guess what?  What?  Did you know Riggins was your baby?  That’s right he is!

Aunt Wendy guess what?  What?  You have aunt in your name.  True.

Aunt Wendy guess what?  What?  Your sister is my mommy.  She sure is.

This goes on for a very long time.  Kira was also quick to point out when she saw me that I had white hair and that people with white hair are weird and annoying.  What can I say to that?

photo 1On Thanksgiving I put her hair in Indian braids but she demanded I use 5 different colored hair bands.  For people who don’t do little girls hair that is 3 too many.  One by one I asked her where the extra ones went expecting her to just bounce between both braids.  On the last one she pointed to her bangs.  Fair enough.  I whipped them up off her face and secured them with the 5th hair band.  A few minutes later I was putting on my make up and she decided she wanted some too.  I did what any good aunt would do and one by one handed her lipstick, blush and eyeshadow for her to apply to her teeny tiny face.  When we were both done I exclaimed we were beautiful while her mom told me that she looked like Cindy Lou Who as a hooker and this was not to happen the next day when family pictures were being taken.  During dinner, hours after her make up had worn off due to extreme play time, she leaned over to me and whispered, “Aunt Wendy.  Do I still have lipstick on?”  I lied and said yes and she smiled big and went back to eating.

photo 1 (17)LOGAN – (BTW I have to tell you I’m having a real hard time with my caps lock key.  You see the other day I cut my toe nails and somehow, I don’t know how, one of the clippings got under the caps lock key on my keyboard and now doesn’t want to work correctly.  Lesson?  Don’t cut your nails by your computer.)  My nephew is 6.  I think.  He is all boy … a very tiny boy.  He loves Legos and anything Lego-ish.  I had been informed that he wanted to take a hike so one day we went for a “hike.”  If I was being honest it was really a walk but both Kira and Logan explained to me what a long hike it was so I guess we will call it a hike.  At one point we went into the park where my sister and brother-in-law got married.  I pointed to the gazebo and asked, “do you know what happened there?”  After a few guesses that were incorrect I said, “your mom and dad got married there.”  WHAT??????  Logan and his sister could not believe it.  They ran up and explained to me where everyone stood.  Then Logan looked at me and with all honesty said, “I sure wish there was a TV in my moms stomach so I could have seen that.”

Later in our “hike” we went past a school and saw a blue heron on the field.  In no time at all Logan whipped out his binoculars for his sister and his pirate spy glass for him out of his backpack.  He then demanded we all crouch low so they could observe the bird.  At first I didn’t comply and instead stood back as they crouched behind some tall grass.  That was until Logan caught me and demanded not only that I get down but that Riggins sit down too.  After awhile I suggested they try to get closer so Logan careful went forward waving his sister on behind him.  They got to a fence and stood behind it watching the bird.  At one point the heron started walking …. away.  Logan broke his concentration and started screaming running back to me that the bird was going to get them!  A few steps later when we were all reflecting on the amazing piece of nature we had just seen he told me he wish he had a gun so he could have shot and eaten that bird.  I’m pretty sure you aren’t allowed to hunt blue herons but if you do I suppose eating them is the responsible thing to do.

photo 2 (17)CAPTAIN SHADOW – My sister’s family has a new puppy.  Captain Shadow.  If you have never raised a puppy you don’t know.  If you raised a puppy awhile back you have forgotten.  Puppies are nuts.  Captain Shadow was actually very well-behaved while in the house (he was a mess on leash since he is too young to go out much).  His only downfall was his need to chew.  Chew anything and everything BUT his favorite thing to chew is you.  Chomp chomp chomp.  Since he isn’t with his brothers and sisters anymore he hasn’t learned that difference between playful chewing and biting.  He doesn’t care.  He just knows he has puppy teeth and he needs to use them.  I don’t remember Riggins being like that.  Obviously I’ve forgotten.  I remember him chewing on things and destroying the apartment we lived in but I don’t remember him biting me.  My mom tells me I’m wrong.  I’m sure she is right and I’m just forgetting that my baby isn’t perfect.

Speaking of my baby, Riggins didn’t have much time for his young cousin.  He tolerated him until he was done tolerating him and then he told the kid to back off.  Captain Shadow did a pretty good job of giving his cousin distance when needed although it took him a couple of times to figure out not to go near anything Riggins was eating or could eat.

I, on the other hand, love Captain Shadow and was more than happy when he wanted to cuddle up next to me and keep me warm.  Soon he will be bigger than Riggins … we will see who the boss is then!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  Time to get ready for Christmas.

Caged Animals

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

photo 3 (1)I’ve known the old LA Zoo existed for a long time and knew you could wander around in it but never tried to find it.  That is until this past Monday when I packed up Asscher and Riggins and decided to figure out where this mysterious place was!  Turns out it was pretty easy to find since it is also the location of LA’s Haunted Hay Ride (as well as Shakespeare in the Park) and it was the Monday after Halloween.  Crews were all over the place breaking down the spookiness.

For those that know the park the old zoo is on the East side just above the carousal and Shane’s Inspiration (universally accessible playground).  That is once you walk around the small hill that is in your way.  It’s a quick 5 minute walk from the carousal 2 parking lot or a shorter 2 minute walk from the old zoo parking lot, if you are smart enough to find it.

The entire old zoo is now a super cool picnic area.  There is a big open grassy area and lots of picnic tables and trees.  It has to be the best family picnic location of all time.  There are big animal caves (used in the Anchorman movie) and smaller metal cages a little further up the path.  Behind the caves is an old shed with more cages.  It’s all a little spooky.  The area is supposed to be haunted but I couldn’t figure out by whom or what.  Riggins did try to put on his brakes heading toward the caves and tried to wiggle out of his harness and retreat back.  If I believed in ghosts I would say he was afraid of other worldly beings waiting for him to stumble into their world.  I don’t … so I’m pretty sure he just wanted to stay and snack on all the crap that the Halloween picnickers had left all over the ground.

You can walk around in the caves and many of the cages.  The dogs had fun going in and out so I assume it would be a blast for kids.  Of course the entire place kinda smells like urine.  Not animal urine mind you the human kind.  I’d suggest a hot bath for all when you get home.

photo 1 (2)Now for some history (according to my Google search, so I’m assuming others already verified all this information).  The old zoo was opened in 1912 and shut down in 1965.  Although there were many visitors the zoo had a number of problems.  Built on the wacky Griffith J. Griffith’s ostrich farm it had 15 animals for its grand opening.  There was continuous hubbub about how the cages were too cramped for the animals and made for poor living conditions.  During the war they weren’t allowed to feed the animals beef and were forced to substitute horse meat which caused all sorts of health problems (I suppose that means the zoo is haunted by pissed of animals).  In the 1930’s the park was expanded by work crews from the Work Progress Administrations.  Finally the city passed an $8 million bond measure to create a brand new zoo and the old zoo was closed in 1965.  Animals were moved to the new zoo a few miles up the road.

photo 2 (2)My goal on Monday was to go to the old zoo and then make my way up to Bee Rock.  It is supposed to be a short 2.5 mile hike (round trip) that has a decent amount of elevation but isn’t horrific.  From this area you are supposed to have a great view.  Sadly we went the wrong way and ended up on a little loop back to the parking lot.  I’m not one to give up so we went there again this morning.  Unfortunately we, yet again, went the wrong way.  I’m not great with trail maps and directions.  That makes Griffith Park a great hiking location for me.  I’ve read about people getting lost but I don’t see how.  Just get to a peak, any peak and look around.  You will see some part of LA and just need to head in that direction.  We walked up and up for quite a while (further than the 2.5 miles we were originally going to go) and finally turned around and headed back.  It looks like the trail would have eventually gone around to the front of the park (by the Los Feliz entrance) but we didn’t have that kind of time!

Here is the kicker.  This afternoon a dead body was found at Griffith Park.  The place is enormous (4,310 acres) so there is no way it was found where we were.  WRONG.  IT WAS FOUND RIGHT WHERE WE WERE.  Supposedly hikers stumbled upon the body just above the Old Zoo by Bee Rock.  AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!  I’m telling you it is only a matter of time before Riggins brings me a human hand as a present on one of our hikes.  Imagine if I had figured out the right trail?!?!?!

Self Binding Receiving Blanket – How-To

04 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Asscher and Riggins model.

Asscher and Riggins model.

I tricked you again!  This isn’t really a step by step how-to since those are boring to write.  Instead I’ll just link you to the ORIGINAL how-to that I used.  You are way better off getting instructions from that lady than me.  Believe me.

This past weekend I went to a friends baby shower.  I’m not good at baby showers.  I never have been but it has gotten worse in my old age.  I don’t know if it is all the pastels (this party theme was “Breakfast with Tiffany” since the mother-to-be’s name is Tiffany so the colors were pretty cool), or maybe the overwhelming scent of flowers everywhere.  Perhaps it’s the silly games (games at yesterday’s function were painless … we have gone to/thrown a lot of these and have all learned) or the claustrophobic nature of oodles of women crammed into a small space.  If I’m being honest the entire event just leads to me being sad.  If you are a single with no children woman, like myself, baby showers can be somewhat torturous.  Thank goodness all your friends are around and it’s a joyful occasion or it would be too overwhelming.  Me?  I head right for the booze in a “Don’t (Note cupcakes.)mess with me just pour the champagne sans orange juice before my jealousy causes me to go insane and dive head first into those carefully displayed cupcakes!”  That’s right mothers-to-be if you want to know what your single/no children girlfriends are thinking during the festivities its pure jealousy calmed only by the soothing love of alcohol.  I suppose I may be the only person on earth who feels this way but I doubt it.  Perhaps I’m the only one who admits it.  

Still … baby showers are a happy time and even in my state I can see how overwhelmed with joy the mommy is.  Plus a friend’s baby shower gives me a reason to get out the sewing machine and be crafty.  THAT I really love!  (There is a JoAnns opening in my hood this Friday … I’m giddy.  I’m not going to be in town for the opening which kinda bums me out.  I bet it will be fabulous.)

photo 2 (1)My mom had recently made some receiving blankets for a friend and told me about them.  She had me at “self-binding.”  If you have ever made a baby blanket of any kind you know the binding is a real pain in the butt!  This blanket is “self-binding.”  THAT is something to celebrate.  

My mom and I carefully picked out material.  Of course I headed straight for the dog themes, as if there was any other choice.  My mom asked if the guest of honor like dogs and I said, “sure … who doesn’t?”  Since I felt bad for forcing my theme onto my friend I also picked out one just for her.  Because of my dog obsession my friend would get two blankets.

When I was ready to get started on the blankets I watched this how-to video.  HOW EASY IS THAT?  It’s kinda brilliant.  Self binding … and the corners … loving it!  Oddly enough it was as easy as the nice woman in the video made it seem.  The blankets turned out great and I HIGHLY suggest you give this a try.  It’s super fun and the result is an amazing burrito baby blanket!  Not just for babies … you can make them for anyone.  My mom photo 3made one for my sister’s puppy!  I love anything that can be marketed to both dog parents and human baby parents.  They are the two craziest of consumer groups and are goldmine!

To finish off the blankets, and make it painfully obvious they were handmade by yours truly, I added a couple little tags safety pined to each.  Everyone loved them and since you are in charge of the fabric choices you can control the colors and theme. Creativity at it’s finest!

There you go!  Get to sewing.  I’m off to take MY babies (Riggins and Asscher) for a walk!

  

Scardey Dog

30 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

pizap.com13831847803531I love Halloween.  It is by far one of my favorite holidays.  At one time I’d say it was my absolute favorite.  I love getting dressed up in costumes and all the wacky fun that goes along with.  I’m a hard-core “make your own” costume type gal and always want to go all out.  When I first got Riggins I was SO excited to have another person to dress up.  At the time my boyfriend was already forced into couple costumes a dog just rounded out the theme.  Our first Halloween with Riggins we were living in West Hollywood.  THE WEST HOLLYWOOD with THE WEST HOLLYWOOD Halloween Parade (which isn’t happening this year I hear).  The city closes off Santa Monica Blvd. and it becomes a parade of fabulous wacky fun!  I had never had a chance to go but this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I put together not 1, not 2 but 3 (insert count laugh here) vampire costumes.  One for my boyfriend at the time, one for me AND one for Riggins.  He was so friggin’ cute.  We proceeded down to Santa Monica Blvd and it didn’t take too long before puppy Riggins was overwhelmed and I had to pick him up so he wouldn’t be stepped or stumbled upon by fellow partakers in Hollywood Halloween madness.  Luckily Riggins was still small because I carried him for MILES that night.  Bringing him was not the best of ideas.  I think it traumatized him for life.

Halloween contains three of Riggins biggest fears/hates:

  1. Children
  2. Crazy people in odd attire
  3. People coming up to the house
  4. People screaming

It is his own personal Hell.  I’ve tried to keep him in the back room during trick or treating hours and that went badly.  I tried to keep him on a leash and that went badly.  I tried to just push him out-of-the-way and that went badly.  Only the bravest of children will dare walk up my driveway and whisper in a shaky voice, “trick or treat” above the menacing barking of a giant black dog.  It isn’t uncommon for a child to stand on the sidewalk looking up at my house and think, “Screw that.  I don’t want that mini candy bar that bad” and just move on.

pizap.com13831850521331I’ve learned my lesson and no longer force Riggins into a costume he doesn’t want to wear (see list below) nor do I even open my door for Trick or Treaters.  It’s easier just to have Riggins bark at them with his hatred from behind a closed-door.  I put out a bowl of candy with a note to take a piece or two.  It is the honor system at my house.  I have faith in humanity and believe one nasty kid won’t come dump the entire bowl in his plastic jack o’ lantern and just call it a night.  The REALLY smart kid would just take the entire bowl.  That is if they dare to come to the porch of the evil barking dog house!

We all make sacrifices for our children.  I sacrificed Halloween for Riggins.  Tomorrow night we will be huddled together in the living room during the small child invasion, and I’ll give him treats and love to try and keep him from ripping down the door with his claws and teeth!

Riggins past costumes:

  • Dracula Dog
  • Broom to my witch
  • Champion wrestler (the year he had a small piece of his ear taken off — that piece is HUGE now due to a dog attack so he could really rock this costume).
  • I was a cat once and he was … a dog

Happy Halloween to all and beware of any black dogs crossing your path!

Happy Ending for Lab Animals

29 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

pizap.com13830707453031I like to live in ignorance.  It makes my life much easier.  I don’t want to know how the chicken I’m eating is raised, killed, or prepared.  In general I don’t want to see the face of anything I’m planning to eat.  If I had to there is no doubt I’d be a vegetarian.  I also don’t like to know what is tested on animals, what kind of animals, and the side effects.  Personally I think testing of certain drugs on animals can be life saving (for us silly humans) and I agree animal testing is an important step in some research.  Just as long as I don’t have to see it.  Testing things like eyeliner on animals?  That’s ridiculous.  I don’t want to purchase any make up that someone in the lab thought, “Hey … this may be toxic.  Before we let women slap it on their face let’s see if Fido reacts to it.”  All that being said animals that are used for experiments, even those I give my reluctant stamp of approval on, don’t have a good life.  In fact I dare say their lives suck monkey butt.

Last Friday the dogs (Riggins, Asscher, Miles & Lulu) and I headed out to go to the Laurel Canyon Dog Park.  We were almost there before I remembered it was closed on Friday mornings.  I grabbed my phone and clicked on my “DogGoes” app to see if there were any parks close.  There was one in North Hollywood, not to far away, that we had never tried before.  I decided to give the Whitnall Dog Park a shot.  When we got there the first thing I noticed was that the park was a muddy mess.  I knew that would make all the dogs happy and there would have to be baths all around when we got home.  Asscher (golden retriever) was in heaven.  It took her no time at all to get muddy.  Mud is her middle name!

pizap.com13830706460351Since it was so moist it was kind of crappy.  They seemed to be working on cleaning out the mud and putting in some sort of drainage.  If it wasn’t for the mud the park would be great.  It’s huge and there is small park just as big (actually it’s 1/2 the size but still way more space than is usually given to the wee ones).  The two parks don’t share a fence like most dog areas, so if you go to the small park just drive a bit further down the street to find it.  There is a lot of grass (swamp land) so I can see how, once dried out, it would be fabulous.  Best of all the people and dogs were nice.

I met this one woman who introduced me to her 3 dogs.  One of her dogs was an older beagle.  She told me his story.  (I don’t remember his name.  Let’s call him Bob.)  Bob had been a lab animal for years.  She adopted him about 2 years earlier from the Beagle Freedom Project.  I said he was a lucky dog and her response was that she was the lucky one.  She said the little dog had taught her so much about trust and love.  When Bob came to her he was very skittish, wouldn’t take treats out of her hand, and would be very hesitant to walk on grass.  He would only sleep on hard surfaces, probably similar to the feeling he had in his lab cage.  She had him sleep on the bottom of a crate and then slowly added towels one by one and then a pillow so that he would be more comfortable.  His dog siblings taught him how to be a dog since he hadn’t had that experience before.  Now he is in a loving home and gets to go to the dog park everyday!

According to the Beagle Freedom Project 96% of animals used in laboratory research are beagles.

“Beagles are the most popular breed for lab use because of their friendly, docile, trusting, forgiving, people-pleasing personalities. The research industry says they adapt well to living in a cage, and are inexpensive to feed. Research beagles are usually obtained directly from commercial breeders who specifically breed dogs to sell to scientific institutions.” – Beaglefreedomproject.org

Although most of their rescues are beagles they do help all animals that they can that are released by the labs, and even recently took in a couple of pigs!  All their rescues are done legally, which I like.  They aren’t suggesting violence or destruction of these labs but instead are there to work with them to help the animals on to the next phase of their lives.  The good phase!  This wonderful organization is always looking for people to adopt and/or foster.  They also have events to help raise money and will be happy to receive any tax deductible donation.  Just visit their site and friend them on Facebook page for more info.

(Pictures are of Riggins, Miles, Asscher & Lulu enjoying the dirty muddy park!)

 

The Great Escape

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I apologize for being MIA this week.  I’ve been recouping from the MOST STRESSFUL WEEKEND OF ALL TIME.  Let me tell you all about it …

Miles

Miles

This past weekend I had 3 dogs plus Riggins.  Chief an adorable and loving chocolate lab, Lulu a one year old energetic ball of crazy, and Miles the two-year old lab/golden mix aka “the runner.”  Friday night was like a battle ground.  Riggins and I were curled up in the bed in combat “hit the deck” positions trying to snooze while Miles and Lulu ran around wrestling each other ALL NIGHT LONG.  Saturday morning Chief showed up and we meet Giovanna, her husband and poodle Morgan at Runyon Canyon.  Everyone was pretty pooped out by the time we got home.  I had just enough time to shower and get dressed up for a fabulous music/comedy festival with my friend Dee Dee and her husband Jason.  The afternoon/evening was spent drinking Honey Badger shots (delicious) and listening to the genius of the friends of Tenacious D.  I tell you all this back story so you can understand that by this point of my day I was too pooped to pop!  Upon coming home I opened the back door and like a bullet from a cannon Miles was gone.  When I say gone I mean GONE.  Out the door, down the street, out of sight … GONE.

Dee Dee and I ran down the street like crazy people and she spotted him on a side street.  I came frantically running to get him (mistake I know) and he zoomed right past me and, once again, out of sight.  We did not see that little dude again for about 19 hours.

I ran.  I ran and ran and ran.  AND RAN.  Up and down the side streets of my neighborhood calling Miles name and suggesting we go get some food, dinner, snacks, treats, and any other food related word I could think of to make him pop his little head out again.  Dee Dee jumped in her car and started cruising the hood.  At one point she passed me and I yelled, “call Giovanna.”  Minutes later Giovanna and her husband Jack joined the search.  I was seconds … SECONDS … from loosing my shit.  I actually think I spent the next 24 hours in a state of shock.  How could this happen?????  How??????  I was mortified, terrified, and all other ifieds you can think of.

At one point I went back to my car and started cruising too.  At this time I knew I had to move forward with turning myself into the bad doggie watcher police.  I’m not one to shy away from taking blame and fessing up and it was time to do just that.  I called the DogVacay people who put me in touch with Natalie the Sane (I call her that because whenever I read a message from her or she talked to me she was the voice of sanity and reason).  Natalie’s title is “Trust and Safety Specialists.”  Can you imagine how stressful that job must be?  I have not been shy in saying I love DogVacay and would be happy to work for them beyond just being a host, but there is NOT ENOUGH MONEY ON THIS PLANET to do Natalie’s job.  I sent pictures of Miles to her for a flyer and brought Miles bed, blanket, and stuffed rabbit toy outside per her instructions.  I then covered the entire area with chicken.  Something Chief was happy of every time he walked by.  That damn bunny friggin’ mocked me for 24 hours.  Every single time I came home to grab more flyers or go to the restroom or check on the other dogs I would plead with the universe to have Miles sitting there cuddling with his bunny.  Nope.  Never happened.  That bunny just sat there perched on his fluffy dog bed staring at me.

Natalie the Sane emailed me over a “Lost Dog” flyer which I started printing.  I printed 40 at a time and anytime I came home clicked on “print” and picked up the ones that were ready.  I estimate that my friends and I hung about 160 signs and handed out about 20.  Aaaaaahhhh!  It was all so unnerving.

I had to get a hold of Miles mom.  Unfortunately she was out of the US and did not have cell coverage.  This meant not only could I not call her anyone that got a hold of Miles and read his doggie tags couldn’t call her!  Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!  I sent her a message via Viber (app that allows you to text and send pics to folks all over the world at no cost) and held my breath.  I couldn’t even imagine what I would have done if I had received that message.  Probably forced the poor soul with me to cash out on all his assets so we could afford to fly back to LA STAT!

Eventually my poor friends had to go home and to bed.  Jason was starting a new job on Monday and needed to prepare.  Giovanna was running 20 miles at 5 am the next day to get ready for her upcoming marathon.  Jack was falling asleep at the wheel.  That left me and the dogs to continue the search party.  I swapped out Lulu and Chief and walked the streets.  Around 3 AM Chief and I saw cops trying to settle down an agitated hooker eating her ice cream cone across from the local McDonalds.  I saw two cars in full “bust” mode with driver on the sidewalk and cops going through their vehicles.  Everything was pretty shut down about that time except for Jack in the Box.  I have a real problem with their new stoner commercials but they sure do know their customer base!

Around 3:30 AM I emailed Natalie and Miles Mom to tell them I had to go lie down.  I don’t know why I even tried.  I constantly thought I heard something in the backyard and just wanted it to be Miles so bad.  I may have slept for about 1/2 hour.   Giovanna texted me about 4:30 and asked how I was and my answer was “terrible.”  She cancelled her run and came back over to search with me.

The Search Party (the human participants). Jack, Giovanna, Martha & Dee Dee

The Search Party (the human participants). Jack, Giovanna, Martha & Dee Dee

And that is what we did … searched.  We walked up and down and up and down for miles then we got in the car and drove for miles.  Then we walked some more.  Her husband came to help.  My friend Dee Dee came back (she does not live close) and helped.  My friend, Martha, came over straight from the Getty where she had taken her art students earlier that day.  Even Asscher’s dad got in the car and drove around looking while Asschers mom kept checking the Pasadena Humane Society website for dogs that were turned in.  There was even another friend on her way to take up the night shift with me.  I can’t explain how lucky I am/was to have the support of so many great people.  I joke a lot that I hate people and love dogs.  These folks are definitely the exception to that rule!  I LOVE THEM!  They stepped up and every single one forfeited their time, energy and something important they had to do just so they could be there for me.

Dee Dee was the worker bee.  She would get it done come hell or high water.  Signs hung, signs walked into businesses, anything I asked she was on it in a heartbeat.  Her presence also stopped me from being arrested.  At one point we were in the car together and we pulled up beside a cop car.  She handed him a flyer and asked him to keep his eyes open.  The policeman was a douche.  He didn’t want to help at all and his only response (beyond telling us to go to the Pasadena Humane Society — yah yah genius we got that) was that the picture on the flyer was distorted.  I wanted to tell him if he wanted to see distortion I could ball up the flyer and shove it up his ass.  Luckily Dee Dee was there, more in control than me, and instead of going off in handcuffs we just drove away.  That guy is an asshat.  He was probably unhappy he didn’t have the night, ice cream hooker eating shift.

Jack was the lieutenant grinding away behind the wheel for miles further than I dared even think to drive.

Giovanna was my go to gal.  Giovanna let’s put signs in front of the church because people will be going there in a few hours.  Giovanna let’s put signs in front of McDonald’s because people will be going there in a few hours.  Giovanna let’s put signs by the parks because people will be going there in a few hours.  Giovanna let’s put 5 more signs on that pole that already has 3 just to be safe.  Whatever I said her answer was, “LET’S DO IT.”  She never once told me I was insane.  Which I, obviously, was.

Martha was my voice of reason and stabilizer.   Martha is a very good friend of mine and lives in Philadelphia.  She just happened to be here for this huge crisis and I am so thankful she was.  I had a one track mind … FIND MILES … FIND MILES … FIND MILES.  Everyone tried to stop me to take care of myself and all I could think was FIND MILES.  I refused to come home when they asked me to and refused to think clearly when they asked me to until Martha showed up.  Martha’s voice could cut through my crazy.  Not totally.  But a little bit!  Enough to stabilize me.

At one point the sun was just starting to go down Giovanna, Dee Dee, and I were driving around putting up signs.  At that point I was told that I wasn’t allowed to drive and we were all getting beyond pooped.  It was the first time we were all together in one car and then Dee Dee said, “there he …” AND WE ALL SAW HIM.  Lightening.  Running like a crazy dog.  Giovanna and I jumped out of the car and tried to calmly call him until we couldn’t see him anymore (which took about 5 seconds) and then he was gone again.

It was on now!!!  There was NO WAY I was stopping this search.  We had been amazed that in the HOURS of searching we constantly crossed over each other but none of us had even seen the dog.  Now we had seen him.  We just needed him to stop running so we could coax him home.

Sweet as sugar and as fast as a bullet!

Sweet as sugar and as fast as a bullet!

During this search Miles mom’s friend had been looking as well.  I alerted everyone, Natalie, Miles Mom, Asscher’s Mom, etc that we had seen him.  We all then focused on that one area.  I walked around in circles dropping piles of food in the hopes of keeping him close.  I’m sure the neighborhood skunks enjoyed that later in the night.  Circles walked and walked and walked by all of us.  Then I got a text from Miles friend “I found him.”  At the time Dee Dee and I was heading back to my car to charge up my phone and had just waved to Martha so we were all there.  I started to type back but then looked up and THERE HE WAS … ON LEASH!!!!!!!!!  I almost fell to my knees.  I’d say I was happy but I think I was just deep in shock.  The friends dog, Lola had found Miles.  They are friends and Miles was happy to come talk to her!  I scooped him up, controlled myself from kissing the poor friend and her dog, and ran him to the nearest emergency vet.

20+ hour of running had taken their toll on Miles paws.  All four were blistered and in bad shape.  The vet was wonderful and held him for a few hours to fix him up.  I picked him up at 1:30 AM Sunday night/Monday morning and brought him home.  His front paws were wrapped for a day and then I took the bandages off to heal.  He is still walking a little funny but all in all is back to normal.  He is his happy, loving, wiggle butt self again.

Miles isn’t allowed on the bed or sofa.  I made him sleep by me for the rest of the night on Sunday, cuddle on the sofa during the day Monday and nap on the bed with me.  I wasn’t allowing that little guy out of my sight!  I totally ignored the no bed/sofa rule!

I really can’t explain how horrible that entire event was.  To have a dog lost is heart wrenching to be in charge of someone else’s dog and have him go missing is unthinkable.  I can’t even imagine if he was a human child that I was watching.  Although I have yet to see a toddler who could outrun me let alone a locomotive like darling Miles can.  I’m so happy he is safe and I love him to pieces.  That being said I’ll be happy to hand him over to his mom tomorrow!  He stressed me out!

A couple of notes on this whole ordeal:

As usual DogVacay is amazing.  I am so happy they are always so helpful and thoughtful when I need them.

Signs work.  I had my doubts but we only knew the general area Miles was in because of the 3 calls we got.  2 of the folks said they saw a black dog running 100 miles an hour down the street with a smile on his face …. .THAT’S MILES!

If Miles would have lived here I have a feeling putting his bed and food outside could have worked.  It is something I would not have thought of.

If this happens to you I hope you have a group of brilliant and supportive friends like I do to help you!

All my guest dogs now have another tag with my name and number on it.

I called Miles vet (old and new), where he was adopted from (their info is on his chip) and Miles mom reported him as missing on a dog site whose web address Miles has on a tag on his collar.  Natalie called every vet/shelter in the area and faxed over our “lost dog” flyer.  Although these things didn’t actually help get Miles home they didn’t hurt.  I actually got calls from Miles vet and adoption agency checking on him.