dog notes & stuff from my day

1 - Since Kate weighed Blue, I had to weigh Sedona... 10 pounds even. Just on track... actually a little under (by 1 pound) if you go by the 1 pound per week of age thing.
2 - Sedona did a number on her "abode" today... it was all sorts of crazy... took some time to figure it out, unravel it and Clorox wipe it to death today... whew, it did not smell springtime fresh, let me tell you!
3 - after much advice (thank you Mandy), I wrote to the nice family in New Mexico and officially offered Orion to them.. I wasn't ready, and am still not sure about being ready, but given that it's a very startling reality that I might be an apartment dweller again once I move to Oregon, it's much easier to find a place that will take 2 dogs.. less likely with 3. Tho I love him to pieces, I think he deserves a house, a yard and a family of his own. We'll see what the family says.
4 - Kota is never EVER EVER going anywhere. End of story. I HATE this whole placing dogs thing. It sucks the biggest balls ever! He's my shadow, and I'll be honest... he's so wrapped up in ME that I don't think he'd do well somewhere else. Just leaving him for four days with Nicole, he was depressed the whole time. Nicole said he stared at the door the whole time. Poor kid.

Took me 2 hours to get to work today... pissed me off thoroughly. By the time I GOT to work I had a headache... 1400mg of Ibuprofin to the rescue! :)

Sat and had lunch in the kitchen with LeAnna today, which was nice... young and sweet, but a nice girl. Found out a co-worker who has been married for 25 years is getting a divorce... I feel for her, but she's confident about it and happy with her decision to be her own person after all those years. Good for her.

Bills are still scary and overwhelming, but I'm going to make this work. I can't NOT make it work, so.... :)

Debating over whether to send an email to the Portland Operations manager to see if there's any opportunity at all to get a job in that branch.. doing ANYTHING. I'm trainable :) We'll see.

In the meantime, I'm starting to read the "training manual" for IRIS and SEB's... we'll see if my 'initiative' pays off... (yea right).

Off to feed the kids before they start gnawing on my ankles ;-)

day 1 a success

Welp, Sedona didn't kill the tarp. In fact, the worst she did was move one wall of the x-pen. YAY! We'll see how long I can stand it being there... it's quite an ugly sight in my otherwise lovely house, but it works, and that's what matters :)

Seems she's picked the guest room/day care room for her "accidents". I know that when I haven't seen her for a few minutes that I am almost always guaranteed a "door prize" if I go in the spare room. It's the room I have Kota and Rion in during the day while I'm at work (baby gated in... much to Rions dislike... as evidenced by the HOLES he's chewed in the plastic gate and the wood he's chewed off the frame of the gate! grrr!). Not sure why... maybe because it smells of dog, but *shrug* I really don't want to warden off that room, but I might have to. Little punk.

Working on table "stand/stay" with her... she gets better and better (aka less fighting) with every day. She didn't fight at all the last time I put her up. :)

Kota, as always, is my shadow... Sedona is Rion's shadow :) It's quite cute.

made some website updates over the weekend.... seems they're endless when you have a puppy and you like to take pictures. I wish i were better at photography. I really need to work on updating Kota and Rion's pages....

the new abode...

I've been toiling over what to do with the little miss while I'm at work... she's been in the big 450 crate I have but I've been wanting to move her into the x-pen, allowing more room etc. I just kept having these awful thoughts of her moving the x-pen to the wall and chewing the wall...

So this is what I did....

there's a cubby where my front door opens, and I hardly EVER use the front door... so... I put a big huge tarp down and folded it up at the sides (so as to take away access to the walls) and put the x-pen in the perfect little cubby... is it sightly? no. But it will do until she's a little bit older.

See photo illustrations below, as modeled by Orion and Sedona...





We'll see if it's a solution I can live with.... good thing not many people come to my front door ;-)

well of course it crashed, it wasn't a CORGI

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060828/ap_on_fe_st/bad_dog_driver_1

I read this news article today and laughed so hard..... what kind of idiot thinks they have a dog who could drive????

10 weeks old

boy is it ever hard to get stacked pictures of an uncooperative 10 week old puppy! here's my attempts at least... and since i can't get to my website right now to update pages, this will have to do ;-)

me and the tree

The tree and I had an altercation.. To look at me, you'd swear I lost, but really... the tree lost far more than I did... My trash can is filled with tree clippings.. Tho I do have this interesting bruise...

Weird tho, at first I thought it had to be a bite or sting, but now I'm starting to wonder if maybe I just got stabbed by one of the thorns on the tree... either way, weird. Tho i do look like I got into a fight with a cat.. ! LOL

Going to attempt stacked pictures of the girl tomorrow, since she'll be 10 weeks, and I like to do every two week pictures while they're young at least...

And because I haven't inserted my obligatory "oh my god it's cute" photo for a few days... Here ya go ;-)

a pending "tutor"

I called my vet today to find out about the cost of a neuter... it's $165.00 for a dog under 50 pounds. He has to have an exam and proof of rabies before they'll let him be neutered, but here's the coolest thing.... I can be there the whole time and everything! i can watch the surgery... I can be there as he's waking up. the price includes the pre-surgical exam, the IV cath, anethesia and pain killers. I'll call around and see what other vets prices are.... but i'm guessing that's about average. I forget what I paid for Ollie's neuter... Will have to check.
Poor Rion.. he doesn't know what he has coming. I almost feel bad ;-) Either way, if I keep him or if I don't, he needs to be neutered... we don't need him trying to breed his half sister ;-)

another Thursday done

The day started off with the most incredible storms... at one point I asked myself whether I was in the middle of a hurricane... the winds were incredible... the debris flying around was amazing... and the amount of rain that was coming down in sheets was.... amazing. The Element got a good "power wash" on the passenger side near home, and got another good "power wash" on the drivers side a little closer to work.
The day itself was pretty unremarkable... nothing to write home about... I am, however, listening more and more to co-workers stressing themselves out to the point of tears, and I'm resigning myself to the fact that I work in a hell hole and that I can't let it get to me that bad. They SAY things will get better at work, but when you're in a job that's just not a good "fit", there's no making it better... it's just a matter of time till another, more suitable position comes along. I do wish, however, that I could create a position in the Portland branch for me somehow.... hmmm
Been talking a lot to a guy at work... he's a lot of fun, but I worry too much I think. We've gone out and I had a great time, but I'm afraid of developing anything with him I think.... here I go again, being the uber worry wart that I'm known to be.
I killed a whole ass load of crickets this evening... My garage is infested with crickets (could be worse, I know) so I finally set loose with a couple of cans of RAID and just went to town... tho the part I didn't think of, was when I hit those suckers with the RAID, they start hopping ALL OVER the friggin place... which then had ME hopping all over the place to keep from having them hop on ME! Ewww! At one point I was balanced between the bumper of my car and a dog crate (I knew I have spare crates for a reason!) spraying the nasty little buggers. Found a crazy looking spider and sprayed the bajeezus out of it too... dont' think I killed it tho (damn). I need to have an exterminator come out and hit the garage... it's way more of a job than I'm built for... tho in order for that to happen, I'd have to clean the garage... which gives me the willies too... move a box and you hear the "click click click" of the crickets jumping and hitting the boxes... *shudder*
The two younger kids are in the living room enjoying Nylabones and Kota, of course, is here at my side... ahhh the loyal companion. :) At least I know HE loves his mama ;-)
Off to feed myself.

the picture that Kate sent...

I had to post it.... because OMG it's too cute NOT to!!!

Dems some guud lukin' dawgs

nose kisses to Gogo and Blue

8.1 pounds of puppy

She weighs in at a solid 8.1 pounds (doc thought she was more).. clean bill of health and took her shot like a pro (might have also helped that the vet tech put some Kong filling cheese whiz like stuff on the table for her to lick) and I'm going ot get a stool sample to take in to them this week....

Everyone there adored her (of course) and we had the whole vet staff in the room at one point mooshing over little Sedona-dog.

She was very curious at first... sniffing the table again and again....

(isn't that a pretty puppy?!?!?!)

Then she really started feeling at home...

The vet tech came back (and I should mention that she has a tri Pem at home) with her own camera to take pictures to show her family (she's never seen a baby Cardigan) and then came back with the office camera, so they could add her cute little mug to the screen savers on the exam room PC's :)

TOOO funny, she was.. sucking up all the attention... tho I do have to say... she did not appreciate being, ahem, lets just say "Violated". She thought that was far beyond cruel and unusual and wanted a note sent back to Grammas Carolyn & Mandy, as well as her mom. Can't say I blame her tho ;-)

OMG too cute

I just got a text message from Kate that had a picture of Gogo and Blue! It was SOOO cute! I had to show everyone in the office... Thanks Kate!

Once I get some money, I'm goign to take a weekend trip to Sedona and take the dogs... gotta get a picture of Sedona IN Sedona ;-) Sometimes certain things HAVE to happen :)

More later, I'm sure... busy day today.. dispatching for San Francisco AND Seattle...

networking

I talked to a girl from work today who moved here from Seattle to keep her job (why would she want this job after as long as she's had it!?!? She's been a dispatcher for Seattle and Portland for 2 years! Is she NUTS?) and told her about my desire to move to Portland. She said she had some contacts if I was serious, and that she'd call them when she got back from her vacation. Never hurts to know people who know people ;-) It will SUCK to leave this house, as I LOVE LOVE LOVE it... but if I can't love the rest of life here, why stay?

Hopefully someone she knows can hook me up... It would be great to be up in Oregon before the REAL fall comes...

Speaking of... I heard on the news today, the reporter say something to the effect of "with fall on it's way"... I about choked as I thought... "almost fall huh? and still over 100 degrees daily... when I think that 102 is COOL? Fall? no. not likely."

Ah I can't wait till I live somewhere that I can watch the leaves turn orange and yellow and red... and then again, see them bloom a bright vivid green in the spring...

Keep sending good job vibes... tho the next question is.... which credit card do i increase the limit on to cover THIS move ;-)

Off to feed the kids.

thunder and lightening...

Last night we had the most incredible thunder and lightening storm... accompanied with some rain :) I let the kids out to go potty, and was MOST impressed with how they handled the loud boomers. Sedona was goin' #2 when this HUGE flash of (close) lightening struck, and the accompanying thunder went off... she didn't stop her business... rather, her ears perked up and she tilted her head some and went about her way. Rion and Kota found it a great time to chase each other in the yard since it was so cool outside :)
The sirens and such that accompany a storm like that were taken in stride as well... Thank GOODNESS for not having scaredy-dogs.
Wish I had gotten pictures of the light storm... it was quite beautiful. I will miss the thunder and lightening of the desert when I leave... but there are so many other things I look forward to in Oregon :) (tho the feeling of being moldy from too much rain is NOT one of the things I look forward to! ;-) )

thus the name....

And THIS is the reason she is named "Baledwr Desert Sunset". Despite the houses which block the beautiful view, you can still see the beautiful colors of the Desert Sunset. I have ALWAYS loved the colorful sunsets here... So pretty :)

ramblings on a Sunday afternoon

There are downsides to having a three bedroom 2 bath house... and one of them is VACUUMING the stupid thing!! With three dogs and all this room, that allows for a heck of a lot of dog hair to vacuum!

Figuring out how to pay bills and still save some for puppy girls shots on Wednesday... save money for blue eyed boy to be neutered (Hopefully within the month) and start putting away for Sedona's "show fund" LOL

I need to run to walmart but I'm being lazy and don't want to put on presentable clothes.. nor do I want to deal with public, but I also do need essentials (bread, milk, butter). *sigh* Can I just not have a full time job but yet continue to get paid as tho I do?? ;-)

Off to change... must get food.

all passed out

Reminds me of a drunk returning from the bar....the dog food was what put her over the edge officer... it was the kibble!!

hot hot hot

just came in from watering down the rock.... why, you ask, would i water rock? Because I have three dogs, that's why! (*Peeee you!*)
Kota seems to have an upset tummy... pepto tablets to the rescue. He tossed his cookies this morning, and again while i was away getting my nails done... and he had runnies all day. Hopefully Pepto will help...
Rion badly wants to play with Sedona, and Sedona wants to chew her bone. Playing is FAR too unsophisticated for her, thank you.
Talked to mom on my way into Phoenix for my nail appt, and it seems they very likely won't be coming out for Christmas... I'm torn over how I feel about it. i was really excited to be able to spend Christmas with mom, but on the other hand, I was holding out applying for jobs until after Mom and John and the kids came for Christmas.
Seems I'll start looking for a job with a little more gusto now... I-5 corridor, here I come! With any luck, Sedona will be able to start her show career in the midst of family and friends :)
I updated Sedona's site again today... I need to update Kota and Rion's sites too... Appt on Wednesday (8/23) for her 10 week shots...Will also check into see how much it will cost to neuter blue boy. Neutering should help Kota's need to dominate Rion. Kota is top dog here now... and boy does he know it. But BOY do I love that dog. Despite the heart problem, I really got lucky with him... wasn't looking, and BOOM, a great dog just landed in my lap (almost quite literally!).
Sounds like little miss is bossing her big brother around... I shall go find out what those two twerps are up to... more later, I'm sure.

Auntie and Nephew... two very cute, very sweet dogs. Sedona at 8 weeks and Dakota at 3 years. I just love these dogs to death...
Couldn't get a good picture of the three of them. seems there's an issue with Kota and Orion... not anything big, but when forced to be near each other, Kota gets all growly and acting like a tough guy. I'm squishing his attitude into the ground before it escalates. I think he's more bark than bite honestly, but I don't want anything to escalate at all!

My gawd is she ever cute....

stars

I sat outside a bit ago... beer in one hand, and looked up to the stars. Same stars I was staring at a week ago... tho the company isn't quite the same. If it weren't for the fact that the bugs were creeping me out, I would have sat outside a while just to watch the sky...
Next summer... next summer it will be different. I will be different. You'll see. Quote me.

the job from h-e double hockey sticks

I sit here at work loathing the fact that I am sitting here at work... does that make sense? I dislike my job THAT much.
What do I do, you ask, that I hate this much? I am a dispatcher for a company that services OTHER companies phone systems... by training, I am an IT person, but I took this job to get myself out of California and away from the toxins of my ex. I thought I'd like it. I THOUGHT it would be a low stress, easy, admin type job. BOY was I wrong. It's riddled with stress day in and day out... hell, if you ask me. I was going hard and heavy on finding a new job, but then I realized in the last few weeks, WHY BOTHER.... I really want to move to Oregon anyway... why bother with a huge job hunt here when i don't want to be here anyway...
Going to Oregon last weekend really re-confirmed to me that I really want to be in Oregon and not in Arizona. I love the green trees... the fresh air... the mountains... the sights and sounds. My FRIENDS. I had the best time there with everyone... it moved me a few times... to the point of tears... to be around my friends again. I really didn't realize just how much I missed them all. Good people, those dog folk ;-)
Now that Kate and I share littermates, I MUST be closer to see her more often... Same with Carolyn having Phoenix. I MUST be there to see them grow and show (if they take that route). 'Doney' will be old enough to show in December, but likely won't show until January at the SoCal specialty, if I'm still here in Arizona. Portland, if I'm in Oregon. (wishful thinking).
Now to find a job that will take me to Oregon. I'm still looking into that work from home option... we'll see if that turns out to be a fruitful venture.... think good thoughts.

back on the blogger....

My last (and most loved and used) blog was deleted when my ex-fiance's girlfriend at the time (now wife) found my blog and harrassed him about the fact that he was still having 'affairs' with me.... really didn't need any of that jazz, so I continued my blogging privately, where no one could see. It's quite theraputic, you see, for me to blog.... I will likely keep anything 'super personal' privately held, but this will be for fun stuff...
Hoping to join the ranks of my blogger.com friends... Kate and Mandy :)
Puppy dog is doing well... she's past the sick phase of her transition, which is fabulous. I am giving serious consideration to getting a doggy door... thinking it might make potty training easier on me. She's doing well, but just when I think I'm safe, there's another present for me.
Tho she didn't wake me last night, which I appreciated greatly.
Thank doG it's Friday... I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to spending time with the dawgs this weekend... and I'm thinking it might be time to find Orion that forever home... as much as I love him, it's getting to be that time.