Charlotte's new friend

Charlotte has tried to tell me this should be 'her' blog since most of the important things happen to, or because of, her. Maybe I will get her a Blog like her BFF,Emma. We'll see. For now, Charlotte has a new friend at the house. Ava Gardner is a 13 week old Lab who is staying with me during the day. It took a week but finally Ava 'got it' and learned how to play. Charlotte is very happy, Nemo, not so much! Ava can do body slams and jump and roll with the best of them. Since she is already as heavy as Charlotte they are having fun in the yard, and unfortunately , in the house. Poor Charlotte lives with a couple of 'Old Poops' who only pretend to play for about 5 minutes. She has to rely on the 'company of strangers' when they come to visit if she wants to have any fun.

 Her days are now much more fun even though Ava does crash and burn after about 20 minutes of crazy puppy playing. That seems to be OK with Charlotte.

Not sure about this....

This morning Mom brought this dark colored puppy- I think it's black. Mom kept loving all over it and wouldn't let us, me and Nemo, in the kitchen. The puppy had food down all the time,Nemo and I were dying-- OMG! Of course, I am so smart I did manage to squeeze through the gate and try to get into her pen. I think I made too much noise and Mom came running in-she wasn't happy. No No Charlotte! I hear that a lot. Finally we all got to go in the yard. The little dog was friendly and even Nemo didn't mind. But I tried to play with her and she just didn't get it! So- I am not sure how this is going to work out or if she is coming back. I love to play with new friends, and tried to show her by laying down and rolling around in front of her. That usually works but she just wagged her tail.  She went inside and went to sleep for FOREVER! Then a nice man came in and took her away. Not sure if I will see her again. No big deal, I had an amazing weekend playing with all my friends! The pen is still in the kitchen-hmmmm.

My Alter Ego, Emma

Dear Emma,
Mom has shown me your latest blog and I am so jealous. Mom would have searched every inch of our house if she saw 'green' on my bed. I would have been stopped as a fledgling artist right away. She never let's me get away with anything. You go girl, and don't let them keep you down. Maybe your Mom will get herself some new paints and you can try again. I think you have real talent.
  Love, Charlotte

Charlotte's Bird

After a few months hiatus, here I go again. Shortly before Thanksgiving, I agreed to take in a parakeet. Kiwi is a petite bird, about 8 years old. Although I placed her cage on a high table, Charlotte's interest caused me to rethink the location. She was so excited by the fluttering and chirping she climbed the couch and tried to press her nose to the cage. This wasn't going to work. Finally Kiwi was moved to the bar, which is a built in, that is lovely, but only used during parties. My housekeeper was 'thrilled' about flying seed hulls all over the glasses and counter. Charlotte still maintained her obsession trying to jump up and peer over the edge of the bar to 'touch and smell' Kiwi. The bird seemed much happpier up there! Finally I found a solution we can all live with.Charlotte got her own viewing stand!

Sleepovers!

Occasionally there are special dogs, usually related to mine, that I offer to come stay at my home rather than visiting theirs. Sometimes it is great for the dogs but not so great for me, or for my 13 year old Bemjy. Here is Harley just getting warmed up shortly after he arrived. He never really tired out, although Charlotte did!!

Larry Powell, an amazing and unique man

Because I had just read yet another of Larry's online columns, I am moved to speak of a singular voice in the animal community. Formerly of the Dallas Morning News, with his own byline, he 'disappeared' when they decided to streamline their hard-hitting news coverage and dump anyone with compassion and a conscience. Larry has written about the the lack of care and concern so many in the public eye had for the welfare of dogs and cats on the streets and in cruel circumstances at home. He has given voice to those who had fought for better protection for our pets and for precious animals who had no rights at the hands of abusers. Now that he has his own column online http://www.readlarrypowell.com/  he has ramped up his efforts to bring together all in the animal loving and saving community. His column offers a forum for rescue groups, shelters, and individuals to put their lost causes, the injured, old and abused animals rescued from the streets, or from euthenasia, in front of thousands of individuals who may be able to give these animals a chance. People who would never have known about these situations if not for Larry. He has received many awards in the Dallas Animal Community, but this can not explain why he turns out his heartfelt, yet funny, and sometimes poignant column everyday. This is a selfless act from someone very special,  and for those who have not read his work, you will soon be hooked, and maybe run across that dog or cat you feel needs to be saved by you!
PS- Larry did not pay me to write this and would feel embarrased if he knew. Fortunately for him, no one reads this.

Fall is just around the corner...

Yes, I know it is still August, the hottest month in Texas, but yesterday morning it was 68! It felt like winter! True, I am desperate for something that feels cool on my skin, but it really did feel like a shift in the weather was coming. That will make today's 96 degree forecast more bearable. Don't worry by next month I will have stopped talking trash about the weather.
This has been a quiet summer by pet sitting standards. A downward shift in the economy always comes later to Texas, it seems, than the rest of the country. However, I have never, in 24 years, experienced a recession in this business until this summer. Business is off about 50 percent. My clients are all still with me, they just aren't going anywhere! Maybe I should get with a travel agent and offer cheap packages to my clients. Does this seem proper-Take A Vacation and keep your pet sitter employed!
  My own dogs and cats, 2 of each, eat a super premium, organic, holistic, human grade, very expensive food. They are high maintenance and would not appreciate, or eat, a lesser quality bag of kibble.
This is already too much ado about nothing, but I just realized I have not written about my own brood. Above from left to right my 2 dogs, Benjy and Charlotte, then my friend Melissa's girl, Penny, and  on top is Nemo, who spends half his week with me giving me 2 1/2 dogs technically. They are all doing what they do best. More about them next time.