Where does the time go?! I can’t believe it’s Sept 1.

Seems like summer just started and now I can feel a bit of fall in the air. I don’t mind that- much cooler and my jewelry glaze is finally cooperating [lol].

Fee has decided that she loves the cooler weather and would like to live outside please. She and Maddie have major wrestling matches in the mornings and come in all wet and muddy. The grass is so wet now in the mornings, and they love to get right down in there and roll around! The boys take a more laid back approach (meaning they follow mommy around she doesn’t escape) and come in long before the girls are ready to give up.

I love the smell of wood smoke in the evenings and feel like one of the dogs as I sit near the window, nose up taking in deep, appreciative sniffs of air. [lol] Fall is my favorite time of year, and not just because I was born then (or maybe it is…if you are born in summer, is that your favorite time of year?) Fall makes me feel more alive, with the crisp air, the smells, and it certainly lends itself to baking, which I enjoy. The dogs like to bake too, well at least like to help clean up and eat any that aren’t deemed “people worthy”. (and I will do my best not to sample too many myself!) They love it when I make soup or stew and sit around the stove offering to sample a batch for me. Trav is quite spoiled when it comes to Mom’s chicken stew!

Enjoy this wonderful weather, it is great for walking the dogs or romping in the yard( ok, I have the pooper scooper in my hand, but mentally I am romping) and having a good came of catch (or in Fee’s case, “catch me if you can”)

Soon we will be on the road to Minneapolis, and will try to get lots of pictures to share. It should be a fun trip!

Have a good day,

Val
and the Avalon bunch

Today is Mac’s 11th birthday. He will get a lovely treat later and is doing pretty good (meaning he still gets into stuff and can irritate the h&## out of me). His sister Mira passed 2 years ago… today I miss her terribly.

I recently did a session on a lovely Beagle. She has cancer and her care-givers have gone an excellent route — using all of the natural and alternative methods available to them.

As I worked on Bonnie, her wonderful spirit came through so clear to me. Her early life had not been easy, and she so loved being where she was right now. She was in no immediate distress and the energy helped relax and balance her. She let me know that she was ok with how things were going for her. She appreciated all that her loving owners were doing, and truly did treasure each moment.

As I talked with Bonnie’s mother, I let her know all that had come through as I worked on Bonnie. We discussed options, and at some point agreed that Bonnie was right. She was fine. Yes she has cancer, but her spirit is in a wonderful place. She enjoys each day, loves her family and is happy with her life. In true animal fashion, she has no trepidation about going to the other side. It is just another level or plane of existence and she will still be around for her family.

Accepting her as she is, and allowing her to just “BE” will go a long way in helping, not only Bonnie, but her owners when the time does come that Bonnie must leave. We can support her with herbs, and homeopathies and energy work, but support is all we can do. It is Bonnie’s body and Bonnie’s journey that SHE has to see through.

I always encourage people to thank animals (or other people) who go through such hard times and remind them that the experience can bring something special into their lives. We learn as we go, and not all lessons are easy.

So today, I thank all those who have left me, those whose journey did not last as long as I would have liked. For what you brought into my life, I am… truly thankful.

Blessings and a Peaceful journey.

Val

Pat had to go to the police station last night to make a statement (he was so excited — what does that say about what we usually do?) He found out that the kid that was here was not in the crash. There are actually 2 stories that coincide…..

The kids in the crash were actually on the way to pick up “our” felon and his friend. These 2 were up the road at the new Wal-Mart breaking into cars! Police nab one of them, this kid runs. The driver of the crashed car was this kid’s brother (nice family) The crash (and his brother did flee the scene) and the “nabbing” happened at the same time.

Apparently the police are familiar with these kids. The kid at our house was 17, and after a quick trip to the ER, is now in Long Creek, our local JD.

It makes me really appreciate the gentle way the dogs kept this kid out of the house. If he would break into cars, who knows? He WAS drunk and trying to phone for help to come and get him, but what would he do wandering around a strange house looking for a phone!?

So that is the end of our saga….

Val
back to getting ready for the Regional.. .STOP RAINING , I have dogs to bathe!

Having a lovely phone conversation last night…checking up on impending arrivals, etc… dogs are outside wandering around. I am standing next to the kitchen sink where I can see out the window into the back yard. All of a sudden I see a shadow, then wings and say… “what the heck is that?!”

It was a turkey! It flew over the fence and into the backyard! It was huge. Well I hang up, run outside to see what the dogs were
doing, and they are just wandering around, not doing much of anything. I guess they scared the turkey off.

We have a flock that lives in the woods across the road but have never had them in the yard like that.

Who you callin’ a turkey!

Val

I’ve decided that living in this house and my body are very similar — I never know when there will be plumbing problems; things that are supposed to work, don’t work as well; there is always something that needs to be fixed; there are a lot more creaks and groans than there used to be; and it takes a LOT more money to make the outside look presentable!

Val

Wow, my human baby is 24 today!! Seems like yesterday I had 3 little ones under 5 years old [LOL]. Not sure I would want to do it again, but then when you are younger, you just do what you have to do.

It seems like I was more settled in my 20’s than my kids are. I think that’s a sign of the times. There is so much more for kids to do
these days, and everyone has a career, it seems that they all grow up a little later. Probably averages out, considering people live longer!

Glad I don’t have to party with him, (not that he would want his Mom hanging out with him and his friends) -my head is getting so stuffy and all I want is a nap!

Val

It’s really quiet here with Trav off visiting. He usually takes toys outside and Fee steals them, but she looks confused when there are
none out there.

Mac has no one to bark at him. I think he likes that, but he does wonder where the Pest is. [LOL]

It’s always interesting to watch the dynamics when one of them is not there. Fee would like to fill his shoes, but is too busy bothering Maddie and running around with giant sticks.

Fee reminds me of her great-great-grandmother (not sure if I got enough “greats” in there) Cher, our first Beardie. Cher loved sticks, but her passion was more to the tree limb length, the longer the better. Fiona seems to have that as well. I was afraid she was going to hurt herself with one, so I broke it, but she loves those biiiig loooong limbs.

Been busy trying to clean up after such a long weekend. I may have found my dining room table…YEA!

Val

As a breeder, one of the hardest things to do is to wait for that call….a dog you have bred is dying.

You were there when they were born, watched them grow and learn… smelled their little furry bodies, laughed as they surprised themselves with a new accomplishment.

Sometimes they stay but most of the time you send them off to new homes, fingers crossed that they live happy, useful lives.

Thistle was both of those. She went to live with wonderful friends who helped to raise her when we had a houseful. When I lost her mother, she came back to me. I worked with her and got her into the show ring, and while I had some help, she was the first Beardies I finished myself. She helped me through the pain of losing her mother, and worked on trying to be Queen (it never happened).

She had a lovely litter of puppies (thanks for Maddie, Thistle) and we all continued on. But I could tell she wasn’t completely happy. It happens to some dogs, ones who have been shown and taken here and there — they don’t take to being retired to a bunch of other Beardies that well. I knew where she had to go. I put a bug in their ear and let the Universe take over. I trusted it.

Sure enough, Cathy and Bill Pollari took Thistle to live with them and her son Lovejoy and Lionel the Bouv. I knew it was a match made in Heaven. After all, they never visited me here, but always came to see Thistle [G]. So she became Queen of their castle and ruled the 2 boys lovingly. I loved getting pictures of all of them lined up in their Halloween costumes or sporting new haircuts or bandanas. Thistle was a Mama’s girl — just what she needed.

Occasionally I would see Thistle again, but she was never that thrilled to see me, always keeping an eye out for Cathy. I always told her I wasn’t making her come back [LOL].

I love that she was that close to her mom Cathy and content and happy for the last years of her life. She was 13…. longer than I had her mother, and pretty healthy till the end.

We knew it wouldn’t be long. I had a session with her and immediately knew she was leaving soon. So hard, but at least I could start preparing myself (although it never matters — it still hurts). It’s not the same as living with one who is leaving. I have done that. You treasure them each day, make the most of each moment…..

So I waited, knowing it would be soon. Going about the day, taking care of the dogs and work, etc…. Maddie would keep coming to me, wagging, putting her head in my lap. She is a lot like her mom.

Thistle left this morning, surrounded by her family. She was just too tired to go on. She used to make this cute grunting noise when I rubbed her chest……. .

Rest easy Piglet… run with your Mom and those that went before you.

Ch Tolkien Thistlewool……… greatly loved.

Val

A ray of sunlight peeks into my bedroom and slowly teases me awake. I start to emerge from the fog that is my brain, and gently stretch my arms and legs. The birdcalls can be heard through the slightly open window, lilting and welcoming in the early morning.
I slowly get out of bed and do what needs to be done [g], then make some tea. It is quiet and meditative and the perfect way to start the day………

Ok, you MUST know by now that this is my fantasy way to wake up. I am not sure if I ever remember waking this way, but hey, a girl can dream! This is how it usually goes:

I start to surface from my sleep, realize it’s morning already and fake being asleep a little while longer. If Trav thinks I am awake, he will start wagging and then everyone will know “SHE’S UP”. Sometimes he will check on me by sticking his nose in my face and sniffing me. I just keep my eyes shut and breath slow. So when I’m ready, I get up, stretch my sore muscles from where some little girl dog bounced on me the day before (not naming any names — FIONA) and head for the bathroom. Heaven forbid I should shut the door! I might escape out the window then what would they all do?! I do what I need to do and stumble into the kitchen. Fee (who will give a polite little “yip” if I take too long) is in her crate, waiting for FOOD!!! Half asleep, I pick up bowls, dole out food and put everyone’s bowls in the proper places. (Fee in her crate, Maddie near her, Mac next to the kitchen counter, Traveler by the hall — do not vary — they will get very confused). I have to stand next to Mac, because he finishes first, and will go after Traveler’s food. Fee is done and waiting to be let out of her crate to clean all of the other bowls. (which is what Mac likes to do) Everyone finishes eating, Traveler barks and grabs a toy to take outside, Mac is running around barking (it’s a new thing, we don’t know why — he doesn’t even go out most of the time) and I try to get them all outside to start the potty dance.

So out we go (did I mention that I look lovely, with my bed head hair, pajama bottoms, t-shirt and old hoodie ?) and now we have to start the next phase…”HURRY UP” . Don’t you think they would know that they have to potty?

“HurryupgopottycomeonnowhurryupyouguysIneedmytealet’sgo! This is repeated as long as necessary. Sometimes Fee won’t go till I start to get the scooper out and pretend to clean the yard. It’s like a light goes on…. (oh yeah, I need to do something to help) and then she goes. The others wander, do their thing and then sometimes the girls will start to wrestle. OK, good, we are all set! In we go.

It’s not over. I make my tea, grab a bowl of cereal and sit down to watch the news(it sounds better then “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). Maddie picks this time (EVERY MORNING) to play “I’m better than you are because I have what you want.” It’s her favorite game. Maddie lays on the couch with a bone or toy and waits for Fiona to come and look at her. The two girls will start barking at each other over and over and over till they get distracted or I have a hissy fit. At some point the game moves to the floor where, at least it’s quieter, and they proceed to wrestle like they are trying out for WWF. Then one of them will come and stand in front of me, smiling, and the game continues outside.

Now all of this takes place in about an hour, sometimes a little longer depending on how long the game has gone on. It’s always shorter on Wednesdays. That’s trash day and Fee doesn’t like the trash truck noise, so she goes and waits in the closet and falls asleep. She doesn’t panic or anything, just waits patiently…

So, as I sit and ponder our morning ritual, I guess it could be worse……..wait, I’m thinking…no really, give me a minute. I guess stumbling into the day, loved and appreciated is ok. Laughing at things some people wouldn’t get, and being in the fresh air, seeing the sun hit the trees and grass, turning them into jewels is not a bad way to begin the day. Watching those furry bodies glide across the grass is so lovely to see, heads up, moving with purpose-it can be a joy all its own.

We all have our morning rituals…mine just involve four hairy, noisy, loving dogs who think they are smarter than me. But then I AM getting THEIR breakfast….. .hmmmmm.

Val

…a puppy named Fiona.

It is hard to remember when Fee WASN’T here (although I do seem to remember it being quieter!). She has invaded…. I mean, settled in nicely. Miss Fiona is so smart that it requires a new level of understanding just to keep up with her. This could be a bad thing.

She is quick to learn what the other dogs teach (like…let’s bark at Mac when he is into something, or hey, how about a hole right here?!) but does pick up many things on her own.

She will put paws up on whatever she can reach, just to make sure there is not some treasure that MUST be hers to investigate. Last night she decided it was 2 stuffed sheep on a stand in the living room and she kept barking at them — must have been something they said. You should have seen her eyes last night when Mac decided to clean a bowl left in the sink. They clearly lit up and her expression was priceless (”hey, I didn’t know we could do that!”) Alas, she is not tall enough for that yet.

She will bring us a toy and drop it at our feet, waiting for us to play. She loves to fetch (at least a few times before she moves on to something else) and doesn’t care what it is, as long as we throw it for her. If we ignore her, we get a one-bark warning [g].

She has learned that if people are eating and watching tv, you wait till they get up then check their chairs! Sometimes if you are lucky you find crumbs, and if you can flip the cushions, you may find all kinds of things! She got that in one day of watching Mac. It’s a public service.

After the initial “ignoring her very existence period,” Maddie has decided that Fee is hers. No sharing, no one else allowed to play with her, that’s it. They will wrestle and play for a while then stand in front of me with “that” look — we want to do this outside. So off they go outside to continue the game. Sometimes one of them will grab a stick or frisbee and wave it in front of the other (Maddie ’s FAVORITE game in the world). Again, this goes on for a while till they tire of that and then move on to the next thing…DIGGING. (That is not my favorite thing). Fee has taken to digging in a big way. She will come in with black face and feet, very proud of herself. They now have a “fort” way in the back yard that I MUST check out before they dig to China… or South Portland, whichever comes first.

Fee is doing well on the grooming table. She will stand and let me brush her and clean up what needs to be cleaned, do her nails and ears… all the fun stuff. I do a little stacking and she will hold for a few seconds — normal for her age. We also work on “stand” when she gets a treat, but I don’t think she has made the connection yet (although I always make sure she is standing first). Of course, Maddie is so smart that all I have to say is either “stand” or “fix your feet” and she comes running. LOL. Maddie has one of the biggest vocabularies of any dog I have had.

When we first got Fee, I tried not to do too many of the “oh she is just like her Dad” things. I wanted her to be her, not a copy of someone else. No worries on that count! She does do things that remind me of Traveler, but also Mac and Mira, and other times she reminds me of Gracie and Cher. Now some of them live here, some don’t, and Mira and Cher have moved on altogether, so it’s not like she can copy what they do. Fiona is truly a little bit of all of our Beardies. And then she is herself…. feisty, spirited, sweet, lovely, silly, and probably more than I bargained for.

But aren’t they all?

We are off to shows tomorrow and she will go along for the ride so to speak (poor dear can make it an hour before her food revisits — she won’t be happy about not eating in the morning). She has been doing a fabulous job at shows, learning to walk nicely on lead, greeting everyone, and showing an interest in just about everything. She hangs out in the ex-pen, watching all that goes on, a perfect little Beardie girl. It is good experience for her, hearing all of the hair dryers, the noise, the barking, and all that goes along with being a “show girl.” I think she will adapt to that easily, just as she has everything else….

Off to see what the Precious Gem is into now. Her newest thing is trying to get the lining off the box spring from under the bed. No chewing on chairs or getting into toilet paper for her anymore- she is moving on to bigger and better things.

Save me….

Val