Last week the weather was brutally hot! Our dogs in daycare, who normally love "recess" time and taking walks, would pull us back inside to the a/c.
Next heat wave, we'll be prepared - here is a great recipe for dog pops. You'll need little dixie cups and milk bones.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
When a Dog's Owner Dies...
I've had the blessing of getting to know my human customers very well. They become somewhat like close friends to me. And I become somewhat of an extension of their own household. In this case, I'm writing about one of our regulars, who has been coming to daycare since 2006. His name is Rocky and he is a wheaton terrier. I love him dearly.
I also love his family dearly.
Rocky hails from one of the most beautiful areas in New York - and maybe even the U.S. He's from Scarsdale, NY. His home is gorgeous, his two sweet little girls are priceless, and his mom Lisa was just wonderful.
Lisa passed away last month of cancer. For the past year, my staff and I knew something was up, but we didn't ask questions. Lisa had started to lose a lot of weight, first off. Her voice became scratchy on the phone, and, eventually, when we'd go to pick Rocky up in the a.m., she was no longer seated at the kitchen table as she normally would be. She was a stay at home Mom, and the President of the Junior League of Southern Westchester County, NY. Very busy lady! In a world where the "rich" can easily dismiss the "rest of us" - Lisa was polite and kind, always. Rocky was her "first baby" and she had him years before the children came along.
A few months ago, I started seeing clear signs of a problem. Suddenly, there was a ramp added to the front porch. Then, I caught a glimpse of a wheel chair in her garage. Family and friends were buzzing in and out of her home each day. And then one day, I got an email from Lisa's husband Sean. It simply said "Lisa passed away this morning, funeral details to follow, thank you for everything you've done for our family."
I lost it. Totally lost it. I kept thinking of the children without their wonderful Mom, and of course, how on earth is Rocky going to process this?
Sean emailed me the funeral arrangements, and asked if I'd take Rocky the day of the funeral through the weekend. I, of course, said of course. I went to the funeral, and then went and picked up Rocky from his empty house, as everyone went to the cemetary afterward.
He greeted me normally - tail wagging, lots of rubbing up against my legs. When I saw what was around his neck, I couldn't stop crying.
It was an orange bandana. That may not sound important to you, but, it was to me. You see, every year for the holidays or for his birthday, I'd always give Rocky orange toys. He loves the color orange. You can put 10 toys in front of him, if none are orange, he won't bother with any of them! If one is orange, he'll snatch it up in a nano second. I often told Lisa how funny it was how he loved the color orange! (Such a typical boy color too!)
And that orange bandana - the first he's ever worn - was a sign to me, from Lisa. I took it as "keep loving my boy please!". I took it as "I know you love Rocky, as I do - here he is in his favorite color for you - remember me and be good to him." That's what I heard in my head, and that's what I will always do.
Rocky is a funny dog. He dislikes when men pass us in a car. He loves, however, when ladies pass us. I swear, sometimes I think he's eyeballing the cute ladies up and down as we are stopped at red lights. But if a man is stopped at a cross walk - or - God forbid, a man fills up my gas tank when we're at the gas station with Rocky in the car - he'll flip the heck out. Being a terrier - he's crafty, brave, loving, affectionate and silly. And very smart.
I hug Rocky extra hard these days. I tell him what a good boy he is. But I don't mention the words "Mommy" or "Lisa" - ever. The other day I went to pick him up for daycare, and he was sound asleep in his crate, lying on Lisa's blue fleece sweatshirt. More tears on my end. He's probably dreaming of his Mom, as he smells her scent from her sweatshirt. Personally, I don't think its the best idea to have Lisa's sweatshirt in his crate, so he can smell her still. But what the heck do I know? I just feel bad that he may be thinking she's coming home soon. He has big sad brown eyes, & I could just be projecting my own sadness for everyone in his home on to Rocky.
Prayers to Lisa - up in Heaven - Rocky is being loved still by all, and getting extra hard hugs as well. May you rest in Peace.
I also love his family dearly.
Rocky hails from one of the most beautiful areas in New York - and maybe even the U.S. He's from Scarsdale, NY. His home is gorgeous, his two sweet little girls are priceless, and his mom Lisa was just wonderful.
Lisa passed away last month of cancer. For the past year, my staff and I knew something was up, but we didn't ask questions. Lisa had started to lose a lot of weight, first off. Her voice became scratchy on the phone, and, eventually, when we'd go to pick Rocky up in the a.m., she was no longer seated at the kitchen table as she normally would be. She was a stay at home Mom, and the President of the Junior League of Southern Westchester County, NY. Very busy lady! In a world where the "rich" can easily dismiss the "rest of us" - Lisa was polite and kind, always. Rocky was her "first baby" and she had him years before the children came along.
A few months ago, I started seeing clear signs of a problem. Suddenly, there was a ramp added to the front porch. Then, I caught a glimpse of a wheel chair in her garage. Family and friends were buzzing in and out of her home each day. And then one day, I got an email from Lisa's husband Sean. It simply said "Lisa passed away this morning, funeral details to follow, thank you for everything you've done for our family."
I lost it. Totally lost it. I kept thinking of the children without their wonderful Mom, and of course, how on earth is Rocky going to process this?
Sean emailed me the funeral arrangements, and asked if I'd take Rocky the day of the funeral through the weekend. I, of course, said of course. I went to the funeral, and then went and picked up Rocky from his empty house, as everyone went to the cemetary afterward.
He greeted me normally - tail wagging, lots of rubbing up against my legs. When I saw what was around his neck, I couldn't stop crying.
It was an orange bandana. That may not sound important to you, but, it was to me. You see, every year for the holidays or for his birthday, I'd always give Rocky orange toys. He loves the color orange. You can put 10 toys in front of him, if none are orange, he won't bother with any of them! If one is orange, he'll snatch it up in a nano second. I often told Lisa how funny it was how he loved the color orange! (Such a typical boy color too!)
And that orange bandana - the first he's ever worn - was a sign to me, from Lisa. I took it as "keep loving my boy please!". I took it as "I know you love Rocky, as I do - here he is in his favorite color for you - remember me and be good to him." That's what I heard in my head, and that's what I will always do.
Rocky is a funny dog. He dislikes when men pass us in a car. He loves, however, when ladies pass us. I swear, sometimes I think he's eyeballing the cute ladies up and down as we are stopped at red lights. But if a man is stopped at a cross walk - or - God forbid, a man fills up my gas tank when we're at the gas station with Rocky in the car - he'll flip the heck out. Being a terrier - he's crafty, brave, loving, affectionate and silly. And very smart.
I hug Rocky extra hard these days. I tell him what a good boy he is. But I don't mention the words "Mommy" or "Lisa" - ever. The other day I went to pick him up for daycare, and he was sound asleep in his crate, lying on Lisa's blue fleece sweatshirt. More tears on my end. He's probably dreaming of his Mom, as he smells her scent from her sweatshirt. Personally, I don't think its the best idea to have Lisa's sweatshirt in his crate, so he can smell her still. But what the heck do I know? I just feel bad that he may be thinking she's coming home soon. He has big sad brown eyes, & I could just be projecting my own sadness for everyone in his home on to Rocky.
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| Rocky in skunk costume, 10/31/11. We sent him home like this, so his kids and family could see what a cute skunk he was for Halloween! |
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Cute idea for a canine birthday cake!
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| This was Boomer our special German Shepard Dog's Birthday Cake! |
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A Pool Day!
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| This is Jodi, she is a shepard mix rescue from North Shore Animal League in Long Island, NY! She has been with us since she was 5 months old, back in 2004. One of our oldest customers. |
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| Ginger, being demanding - I can say that, because it is true, and she's my dog. She's obsessed with swimming and fetching the tennis balls in the water. |
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| The Dogs, relaxing in and around the hot tub. My kind of day on the job! (pictured is Louis, my biz partner's husband, it is their home we're swimming at!) |
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| Manny & Ginger, gracefully swimming |
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| This is one of my favorite pool shots! |
Monday, June 4, 2012
"Bad Hair Day" #greatdogday
Bad Hair Day; Great Dog Day!
This is typical "me" in doggie daycare, normally at the end of the day. My hair's a mess, my jeans are covered in paw prints, my make up has been licked/wiped off, and I look a "hot mess" as my dog trainer Wanda would say!
But I don't care, the dogs don't either. As long as they're feeling the love, that is all that matters!
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| Left to Right: Ginger, Buddy, Chelsea, Baby, Jack, Allie (in red harness) and Beauty is up top! Only ones missing are Winnie and Lionel. |
This is typical "me" in doggie daycare, normally at the end of the day. My hair's a mess, my jeans are covered in paw prints, my make up has been licked/wiped off, and I look a "hot mess" as my dog trainer Wanda would say!
But I don't care, the dogs don't either. As long as they're feeling the love, that is all that matters!
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