Teardrops will fall

The smallest of Allison's puppies, the little girl we called Sojo died Sunday night. She had been doing well, but then started losing weight for no apparent reason. She saw a vet and then spent two days at a specialist/emergency vet hospital in Richmond before coming home, apparently stabilized, but she died at home Sunday night. 

Her new name was Bertie and she was well loved by her adopter, by me, and by many others vicariously. This little girl had a rough start and we knew she had the potential for new or continuing problems. We all hoped that she would make it, but it was not to be. 

She was the sweetest little girl. I'm glad she had some time in a home where she was loved and nurtured. She developed a fondness for her owner's laundry basket. I'm sure it didn't matter whether the clothes were clean or dirty, it made a nice place to nest. 

She was sweet but she was also fierce. She could and would hold her own and mix it up with the bigger pups. We are all saddened by the loss, but we were enriched by her life more than we are diminished by her death. 

Allison cleaning her up after a messy bottle feeding session.

A song from one angel for another.

I have shed some tears today, but life in rescue doesn't stop. Grover got neutered today although he is no worse for the experience this evening. The young ones bounce back fast, especially the males.

And even on the worst of days, there is often some good news to be had. Here are a couple of pictures of Karma, adopted a year ago about this time.

I didn't get a picture of it, but River is finally learning to do the stairs so he can come up to my office and sleep with the others where it's warmer. He started going up on his own a few days ago and today finally walked down on his own in a controlled manner, as opposed to the out of control slide that he had been doing. 

Grover goes to town

Grover goes to the vet to be neutered on Monday, and is meeting potential adopters on Tuesday, so I figured I owed him a trip to town and that it had better be today.

We went to Lowe's first because I needed a few things. He was a little freaked out and barked a couple times, but he was sweet and a nice dog-owning couple stopped to meet him in the electrical aisle. We weren't in there long and then headed to Kroger, where he had to wait to the van. After that we went to Clay's mom's place to meet her and her cat. He was nice and sweet with Berta, less so with the cat, Portia. I don't think he had any idea what the cat was so he did what any German Shepherd would do, he barked at it. The cat wasn't overly scared by it, but I kept them apart. It was just something else he had never experienced. He loved Berta, however, and enjoyed some petting and attention for a while.

Then we drove out to Patch in Gordonsville to see Clay. There were two very well-behaved Goldens there, which he barked at, but he enjoyed more attention from some other customers there. 

That's it, then we came home and he got some yard time with Marshal and then River. Tomorrow he gets neutered. I always figured he'd be a short-timer here and that's good.

Meeting the cat.

He likes people better than cats He knows people better than cats.

His left ear was more floppy today than usual, I don't know why.

He enjoyed all the people we met. 

When the cold wind blows

The day started early when Clay nudged me and told that Serena was vomiting. I jumped up and reached for the flashlight and escorted the dog off her bed so at least she would be barfing on a hard surface that was easier to clean. She did so and then went on outside to continue if needed. When I came back to clean it up, there wasn't much except some pieces of cardboard. I'm thinking that our dog food must be pretty bad if pieces of cardboard seem like an acceptable substitute or supplement. But then I realized, this is Serena, who shreds and eats tennis balls. I often spot her chomping away at something I can never get away from her or even identify. She's hardly a connoisseur.

So we were up earlier than usual and the first pictures of the day were definitely taken in low light conditions. The snow had stopped but the wind was blowing so I modified the morning feed. I brought all seven dogs out together and let them into the shed one or two at a time to eat. After everyone had been through the rotation I figured we had all had enough outdoor time and we went back in for a long morning nap. Well, the dogs napped, I made breakfast and then went to the computer. 

The dogs continued to nap until I needed a break and the sun was shining in the middle of the afternoon. We all went out to the pasture together but the wind was blowing hard enough that it was blowing the snow. Even with the sun shining, there was no feeling of warmth to be had, so it wasn't long before I started making trips back to the house with a dog or two each time. 

Serena is the first to pack it in on days like this and Della isn't far behind her. Everyone was easy to get back in except Max and River. Max has a heavy coat and he's driven by forces not of this world, so he's always difficult to get inside. River has a short coat and no body fat, you'd think he would be the first one wanting back inside. But no, River likes to explore, and piss on, every tree, shrub, or branch within reach. The pup, Grover, will come in but he will also go back out if he thinks River might play with him so I sent him out in search of Grover a few times before they both showed up ready to come inside. 

I did the evening feed in pretty much the same way, feeding from inside the shed instead of carrying food dishes around to everyone's special spot like I usually do. We will do another outing before bed, letting everyone wander around until they are ready to come in. 

I saw Della squat a pee right here earlier. Yes, it's covered in snow, but it's the boardwalk.

So Max and Maya and stopping to sniff.

River and Grover

Marshal and Grover

River doesn't mind the cold it seems.

Marshal

Della does not care for the wind.

Serena was ready to head back inside after a short run in the pasture.

She is running very well again.

Marshal and Serena

I expect Grover to go to his new home next week after his neuter on Monday.

I've said that Grover only seems to have one play move, which is to stand up on the other dog's back.

Della wasn't impressed and still didn't want to be his friend.