Big Brave Dogs

Brace yourself, folks! Here is a terror filled tale of bedtime gone horribly wrong.
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It starts out innocently enough. Every evening, the routine is the same.
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Bedtime, pups!

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(glowing green laser eyes optional with every greyhound adoption!)

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Runner, why did you stop? Why are you trying to run back downstairs?

Midnite, why do you look so scared? Is there something up there?

Beware! What is lurking at the top of the steps is not for the faint of heart. Please move small children away from your monitor before scrolling down the page.
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***SCREAM***
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Two dogs, one weighing in at 53 pounds and the other weighing in at 70 pounds, terrified of the cat they have co-habitated with for three years. She lies in wait for them every night, reveling in their terror. Hey- its a hobby.
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They do eventually run the gauntlet and get to their bed, but it is a nightly challenge.

Of Tubas and Odd Greyhound Diseases

This week brought two new additions to our household, a tuba and Runner's SLO diagnosis. Both unexpected, but only one unwelcome.

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As I've said earlier, both of my children are now attending middle school now. My son had taken up the saxophone a few years ago, but gave it up as it was not a good fit for him. He has told us many times over the past year that he had no intention of rejoining band. We were supportive, but told him if he ever changed his mind, that would be okay. To our surprise, he DID rejoin band and is now playing the instrument of his dreams - the tuba. Whodathunk? (translation - who would have ever thought of that?) The "home" tuba, the one that he practices on, has become a semi-permanent fixture in our dining room. I'm already thinking of ways to decorate it for Christmas. In all seriousness, though, it is so rewarding to see your children participate in activities they love.

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The unwelcome addition of the week was a final diagnosis for Runner. She has been losing toenails for months now, slowly at first, but now happening with alarming regularity. SLO is an autoimmune disorder typically limited to greyhounds, which causes their immune systems to reject their toenails of all things. I guess I'm glad that it targets the toenail and not some vital organ, but it is very painful for her and heart wrenching to watch her hold her paw out for me to wrap up after another one falls out. It is treatable, but not curable. So, now we are pumping her full of fish oil supplements and vitamin E trying to help her feel better. I am also on the market for shoes. For my dog. Yep. I said it. Shoes for my dog. Pictures to follow as soon as I find them.

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Another addition to the household will be arriving tomorrow, so that makes three! Stay tuned! (Yes, I DO know how cheesy that sounds!)

Who Turned on the Heat?

Until just a week or so ago, we had been blessed with a very mild and pleasant summer and now we are having typical August weather, you know, the kind where you can either drink a glass of water or inhale it. This weather drains the energy right out of me, making me want to channel Scarlett O'Hara and drink lemonade on the veranda while fanning myself. Unfortunately, that is not an option available to me as I don't have a veranda (just kidding). Our family has spent several evenings huddled around the air conditioner and fighting the dogs for the cool air. Even though our dogs raced in Florida, they are convinced that they would melt into a puddle of greyhound should they ever be forced to endure any temperature above 75 degrees.

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As we chill on these steamy evenings, we have been entertained by the sweet sounds of my daughter practicing clarinet for marching band. Midnite loves it when she sees the instrument case come out - she sings (howls) along with the music. I can honestly say I have the only dog in town who can hit the high notes in The Star Spangled Banner. Memo to self, though, don't take her to any sporting events - it might be potentially embarrassing! I will try to get a picture.

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In other news (yeah, I know, calling it "news" is rather exaggerated), look for a post in the near future where I bend the rules of nature and conduct a mad scientist type of experiment in my kitchen. It was an unfortunate day in my family when I first heard of a freak of nature known as the "kool aid pickle" or "koolickle". Long have I had a love affair with pickles, and as a child, I was even known to drink the juice from the pickle jar - despite my grandmother's dire warning that I would "dry up my blood". A kool aid pickle is a dill pickle whose pickle juice has been swapped for double strength kool aid. **I'll wait a minute while you all digest that fact** Yes, I did say kool aid - whatever flavor you wish. I currently have a jar marinating in the refrigerator. They are not disgusting. I don't know how to describe the flavor, but they are not disgusting. My plan is to make people try them and take their picture for their reactions.

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Hmmm. This may go down as the most random and disjointed post ever. Or not. Stay tuned.

Twister . . . . .

. . . . not just for humans, apparently.
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The kids went to bed without putting their game away. Midnite was intrigued.

The spinner is a little hard to manipulate without fingers, but she manages nicely.

Hmmmm. Maybe Parker Brothers needs to be notified that there is an untapped market for board games. Tell me this isn't a happy dog.

A New Toy - Memory Manager Software

I still haven't learned all of the cool functions on the Creative Memories Memory Manager software, but I like what I've learned so far.

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I took this picture of Runner two years ago, and it is one of my favorites - even if it is really dark and had the stupid date stamp on it. This is one of her best toothy grins.

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Here it is before:

And here it is after:
I was able to lighten it up and get rid of the date. In addition to editing pictures, the program also allows you to organize your digital photos. (My computer just heaved a HUGE sigh of relief). I look forward to posting more "improved" pictures in the coming days thanks to Creative Memories.

A Greyhound's Easter

A pictorial essay*

*No chocolate was ingested by any canine in our household. Runner did, however, try to convince it to hop into her mouth.

Decorating and Doggie 911

It all started so innocently.

We set out for Walmart after the basketball game to look for something to hang on either side of a picture in our newly painted dining room.

Sure enough, we found them. They were simple and perfect.

As soon as we got home, I hung them up. They looked just like I thought they would. (This space is still under construction, I have something special on order to put above the picture, too - much better than the weedy-looking things.)

Then, I thought, for added effect, I should light the candles and take a picture of that as well. Seemed like a good idea at the time, too. I lit one candle, and moved to light the second one. As I backed away from the wall, I tripped over the piano stool, which in turn fell on one of the dogs. She began to scream and yelp and ran away from us on three legs. Closer inspection revealed not one, but TWO cuts on two different paws. Fortunately, they were both shallow scrapes but they were definitely bleeding. Good for her that the first aid kit was well stocked.

Doesn't she look grateful?

Somehow, I don't think she fully appreciates my mad vet skills. Or my decorating attempts.

Grin and Bear It!

Some days, you just have to smile and hope for the best. This is Runner's best upside down cheesy grin, that I just happened to catch on film (can you still call it film if its a digital camera?) one day. What a long, long week this has been. Christmas is coming alarmingly fast and I just want to plant my feet and take some time to enjoy the season.

Some Days, You Just Need A Smile!