Animal Issues

Obviously, since my stream is full of photos about dogs and status updates about dogs and if JMP isn’t around, it’s all dogs all of the time.

Even the Petsmart clerk was taken aback by the 30 dog toys we bought a couple of weeks ago. She is very sure she’s never seen anyone buy so many dog toys at one time. (Which kind of scared me but hey, we’re those people now so I am just gonna go with it…)

The next level of being those people is happening tomorrow. We’re walking a 5k, with the dogs, to help raise money for Wright-Way Rescue (the shelter that brought us Skeeter and Lola.) It’s gonna be HELL because Skeeter and Lola aren’t well leash trained (Lola isn’t leash trained at all, when you get right down to it.) They both see crowds of dogs and think “off-leash dog park, let us go!!!!” so I have no idea what’s gonna happen when they’re in a crowd of people, and dogs, and we force them to walk with us. Thank goodness for harnesses and dual leash clip thingies.

Think good, happy thoughts — it’s gonna be wild, but also fun.

And if you like and have the funds, a donation would be very much appreciated. Too many dogs (and cats) are put down every year and I’m thankful for Wright-Way for giving us the opportunity to bring these two wild (and oh so cute) beasts into our lives (and yours.)

Back in the day, I could go hours without seeing Skeeter because she was glued to TW’s hip (and my bed.) She really only left TW’s side to go to the bathroom (and only if TW took her) or to occasionally play with one of the kids or go harass Koto. Really, she just stayed in the bedroom with TW.

Totally different story now that Lola is here.

Lola is not attached to TW’s hip, or to my bed. She likes both well enough but she is more likely to follow me and she prefers to sleep in the office while I’m working.

And Skeeter is attached to Lola.

Which means Skeeter spends most of her day in the office with me. I mean with Lola.

TW can walk through and neither dog moves. If I get up and leave the room, Lola follows — which means Skeeter also follows.

What a difference a showgirl makes.

We’re probably going to have to get another dog to keep TW company back in the bedroom…

I’ve written (bitched) extensively about Skeeter’s ability to destroy a dog toy in seconds flat. Even the ones touted to be INDESTRUCTIBLE are gone faster than it took us to buy them. We waiver between buying tough, “good” toys on sale and buying cheap toys for $1 at the dollar store.

Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

And then Lola came along.

The folks at Wright-Way said she loves “babies”. She likes to carry them around. When they walked her through the building, she’d “steal” a toy out of the bin and take it with her. The toys in her kennel weren’t destroyed when we were there… though I knew that didn’t mean much. Plenty of new toys for them to toss in before the people came puppy shopping.

Still, I was hopeful.

But, either Skeeter has taught Lola how to destroy a toy or she knew it all along. She’s not as quick as Skeeter but she’s definitely good at it. And, since Skeeter believes she needs all of the toys, a lot of fighting over toys happens. Not mean fighting, just… that’s mine, I want it, I’m not giving it up, tug, tug, tug type of fighting.

Of course Skeeter also collapses on the floor/couch/bed and throws a tantrum a three year old would envy when Lola will just NOT give up the toy Skeeter wants. (Which, as I’ve mentioned, is all the toys.)

I was getting kind of tired of seeing shredded bits and pieces of toys all over the house so I figured what the hell. Petsmart was having a good sale on toys (and treats) — 50% off on a lot of things. I figured it was worth a visit. And, the pups need some exercise. Two birds, one stone and all that.

Off we went. Lola didn’t get car sick (yay!) — it was less than what we think is her 20 minute car ride limit, so I’m not sure that it really means anything that she didn’t.

They had fun. They barked madly at some sort of beagle/hound-like dog. They were petted a whole lots. They really want a guinea pig and enjoyed scaring the parakeets. Skeeter loves cockatiels but the birds in Petsmart aren’t in an ideal place for Skeeter to look at them, so she had to settle for parakeets. I think Lola wants a lizard.

We came home with 30 new dog toys, some prairie dog treats, a huge bag of prairie dog bedding, 4 bags of treats, and 2 of the very big logs of dog food (that we cut up into pieces to use as training treats.) We spent less than we normally spend on a trip to the pet store and came home with tons more stuff.

One hell of a sale, I’m telling you.

We’ve been home two hours. The dogs have destroyed five toys.

Hell.

It wasn’t long after adopting Skeeter that we started talking a lot about finding her sister, “Abby”. It really became something we wanted to do after we had Skeeter’s DNA tested. We thought it would be cool to find out how alike (or different) Skeeter and “Abby” might be and maybe even find a way to let them get together to play. That would be fun, right?

So we started hanging out on the Wright-Way Rescue Reunions Facebook page but there was no sign of “Abby”. We started posting photos of Skeeter now, along with the photos of “Abby” and Skeeter (formerly Scottie) asking if “Abb”y was out there.

No luck, so far.

Then we adopted Lola (formerly Farrah) and we knew right away that we’d want to hear about her puppies — so we’ve continued to hang out on that Facebook page and I’ve been posting photos of Lola and Skeeter, in hopes of finding some of their family members.

Which is why it was super awesome when a comment appeared right after I posted a photo of Lola and Skeeter barking at raccoons while standing on the couch. The woman who fostered Lola when she was pregnant was asking if that was “Farrah”.

Yes! And then she went on to tell us things she knew about Lola.

… She’s an escape artist (we figured that out ourselves, lol.)
… Yes! She used to get car sick when she was with us!
… We used to call her Molly (which explains why she didn’t come to “Farrah” at all. lol)

It was so much fun to hear her talk about Lola and I’m looking forward to hearing more… she’s promised to tell us how Lola got the scar on her leg. Cool, right?

After spending months on that Facebook group and seeing just how hard it is for people to find the other dogs/families they are looking for, I just keep thinking there should be a better way. Those of us who want to meet or just chat or share info should be able to find each other, if both parties are open to it. But how can that be made easier, when the rescue group is already low on funds and their staff/dollars need to be focused on saving animals?

I don’t know. I just think it’s cool and technology should make it so much easier than it is. Right?

Abby… we’re still looking for you. (Born in April 2012, adopted in August/September 2012)

We’d also love to hear from “Farrah’s” puppies … the “D” Litter born in March 2013 and adopted in May 2013!
(This one is Dionne)