Hoss' Ear Dilema

Our puppy Hoss is now just over 9 months old, he's a big boy and still growing. One small concern has been that he has a floppy ear. This is probably partly because he is still growing but also because some German Shepherd have floppy ears, even though the preference is for pointed ears that stand straight up. Now just a disclaimer, I love him no matter what his ear look like, he is such a sweet guy and we have bonded very tightly, so whatever the outcome I will love him the same. That being said, every week when we go to our dog training class, the trainer always talks to us about the ears as does the vet tech that is there and everyone else. So this week, I went to the breeders website and found out that although they breed for the stand up ears, 1 in 75 dogs end up with the flops. They had remedies but they are only successful if done early in the development. Month 9 is the break point, so we are trying to do everything we can to help Hoss have perfect ears. The remedies are as follows:

The problem seems to stem from the fact that when dogs are growing, calcium is pulled from places like the ears to other places, like teeth and bones. It affect large breeds mostly and large males. You can almost watch Hoss grow. So we start with...

1. Beef bones, real ones. We get these from our local butcher and he loves them.
2. Good (aka expensive) dog food formulated especially for large breed dogs.
3. Calcium supplements, I drove all over looking for Knox gelatin capsules only to learn they don't make them any more, so tonight we disguised Tums and fed him a few, they are high in calcium.
4. This is where it gets interesting, bonding pipe insulation (the stuff they put around your plumbing to keep it from freezing) to the inside of his ears with surgical glue.

This is what it looked like at our house tonight and believe me, he wasn't happy as you can tell from the last picture, don't know whether he was ignoring me or if he was just tuckered from chewing his big bone to shreds. Either way, he looks like a man tonight, think Rin Tin Tin. I'll keep ya posted on whether we can keep the dang stuff glued to his ears long enough (at least 10 days) to give him an ear up.

The reward, a big cow bone!

The "bad" stuff, the adhesive and the stuff that sticks to the inside of his ears.

Pretty much done with me, I hope he will forgive me for this...

New Orleans, Again!

On my walk this morning...2 great places...

The corner of Royal and Saint Ann (love that!), this is where I found the great fortune teller a few years back, she's still here, so I will probably pay her another visit while I'm in town. She was amazingly accurate, and where better than the Voodoo capital...

This seemed like a great little place for a fun business, I would love to have the experience of living in the French Quarter for just a little while, Karen, are you up for it?

Stay tuned, more to come...

The "Dad" Adventure

Last weekend was pretty intense, Dad had been building a workshop with the help of friends, relatives and neighbors. On Thursday he was getting ready to put some boards up so he could finish the roof. My big bro Dan had just been by and told dad to call when he was ready so Dan could come and help him...famous last words - "we can do this" and attempt to do it they did...Dad and his neighbor Kent decided to just climb up the ladders with the board and somewhere in that plan something went horribly wrong. The board shifted, the ladders wriggled and they both fell. Dad got the worst of it hitting the concrete, the ladder falling on top of him and the board hitting him in the forehead. 30 something stitches later....

The call I got was that dad was in an ambulance, possible broken neck, almost decapitated, not looking good. I dusted off my frequent flier miles, hoped a United flight and got to Las Vegas and then Hurricane as quick as I could. Along the way, the news got better, no broken bones, no concussion, sending him home to heal. I arrived around 9:00 p.m. to an exhausted and worried mom, an ashen and pretty lifeless pa.

I spent the night and I don't think any of us slept much, every time dad made a sound, we were right there checking on him. It was miraculous though how quickly he bounced back. By the time I left on Sunday, he was up and around, eating, joking and pretty much being dad.

The blessings were that he wasn't hurt more than he was, that the neighbor wasn't hurt and is also doing well. That all 3 of my brothers plus some neighbors came together and finished the roof and that I got to spend some time just me and my pa, talking about life in general and what should be important. I am one grateful daughter for blessings that continue to be poured out on my parents of health and well being. Cats have nothing on my dad. And yes, I totally rocked his cinnamon roll recipe for him!

Funnest Week Ever!

Karen came to visit last Friday and it has been the most fun few days I've had in a really long time. Everyday was packed with stuff to do, starting bright and early on Saturday and everyday with long walks and picture taking excursions. Saturday we headed to Elbert for the annual Holiday Boutique and the secret recipe world famous baked apples. That night Karen treated me to a Murder Mystery Theatre and dinner in Denver. We had the best time, it was so fun! I don't know who thw guy in th red shirt is, just some drunk guy who jumped in the picture!


The rest of the days were filled with shopping, beauty makeovers, walks, talks, crafts and jewelry making - don't forget the FOOD!





We even celebrated Bruce's birthday by making a big dinner complete with a yummy carrot cake. It was such a fun time, just every single minute. I loved having her here with me. It was so HARD to take her to the airport and drive away today. I'm so grateful for you Karen, you are by best friend and my best sister. I love you so much and I am so grateful for the positive influence you are in my life, I am so happy that you came and spent some time with me, you filled me up and made me smile and made my heart sing and my spirit happy. You need to come back!

Lafayette, LA

That's pronounced Laugh-fee-et, ya'll. What a fun couple of days in the deep, hot, humid swamps of the southland! I flew into New Orleans and drove 2 hours west to Lafayette for a conference. I just loved how everyone called me Miss Ann, they are so polite there and I could listen to them talk forever! I must have some southern belle in my blood cuz I love that whole gentile way the south works, I love the way the ladies talk, the way the men take care of the ladies and the fact that fried chicken and biscuits is a daily meal.

One afternoon after the meetings were over I headed south to Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauce. Of course I was more interested in alligators, so I took a drive through the park there winding through the lagoons and gardens alongside the river and boy did I see alligators, I screamed every time I saw one, the hair on the back of my neck was at full attention.


While I was keeping a close eye on the gators, I took some pictures of the great oak trees covered in moss, I was walking backwards in the one picture and stepped on a piece of moss that I thought was a gator. Good thing I was the only one in the park because I let out a scream like I was dying! Talk about being a nervous wreck!

Further into the drive I came across this serene garden and the budda. The story of the budda is that it was stolen from a palace in Tibet and years later sold on the black market. Someone bought it as a gift for Mr. Avery, the Tobasco mogul and it has rested peacefully in the garden ever since. It was a very beautiful place and had it not been for the gators in the water, I would have stayed and meditated, but frankly I had a rough time closing my eyes and letting it all go while I was worrying about loosing a leg or something!


I wish I had more sunlight and a little more time to explore the area, I stayed until it couldn't see anything else and by then it was too late to get pictures of the Tabasco factory (it's just a big building anyway!) But I took this on the ramp at bird city just as I was leaving the island.

Fun trip and one of the gals I met at the conference offered to take me out on their boat into the swamps and the Gulf next time down, so that is one adventure I will be looking forward to and planning for, maybe in December!

F-18 Hornet

Hard to tell which one is the kid here. Me and my airport shadow, Ryan, got an impromtu tour "up close and personal" of an F-18 fighter jet yesterday. The pilot was awesome and took about 45 minutes just walking us around and through the jet answering all kinds of questions, it was a really fun experience capping off a nice flight over the tail end of the changing Fall colors.

Cavalia

Wow! It was an incredible show and an experience I will not forget. The horses were beautiful and amazing, and in true Cirque du Solei fashion you almost forget you are actually looking at real people and real animals performing on stage, it was just beautiful from start to finish. It started out with 2 babies (5 month old horses) walking the length of the stage (which was covered in sand). The lights were dim, and they just meandered across the stage like we weren't there at all, while a lady sang a haunting tune. From there the horse with long manes and tails, the beautiful costumes, then the thundering riders at breakneck speeds trick riding all the while the acrobats were swinging and tumbling from the rafters, WOW doesn't do it justice. We were 3 rows from the front, you could feel the wind and we definitely had sand in our hair by the end. It was incredible and even though you couldn't take pictures during the show, I did manage a couple.

Great Read

I really loved this book. It was especially timely for me since I just lost Booner. I finished it in the Doctor's office and had to wait to get outside before totally losing it, but it made me feel so much better about how everything turned out that day that Booner slipped away. Guaranteed if you are a lover of animals or if you just like a great story, you will like this book.

dedicated to my boonie moon dogger, may he be running free through the fields of flowers and tall grass.

The Big Easy

A few days in New Orleans is an experience no one should miss. The Beniets at Cafe De Monde, the Muffaleta's at Franks, pralines, Hurricanes, beads, and all the crazies on Bourbon Street. It was a blast!





If you're easily offended, weak stomached or "not quite jaded" Bourbon Street and the French Quarter probably aren't the place for you, at least not after dark. The music is incredible though and really, you can dance, stand, eat, or just people watch everywhere.

We took a break from all the voodoo and debauchery, caught a street rail and took a tour through the garden district. The homes were so incredible and right in the middle of it all is Loyola and Tulane Universities. Awesome! The home bathed in pink is a beautiful white mansion that went pink while we were standing there in support of breast cancer research, very cool!





The City has recovered nicely since I was there right after Katrina, I didn't get to go see the hard hit areas this time so I am hoping that they are recovering as well. It is such a unique and vibrant city, just totally fun and delightfult every where you go. And yes Tricia, the hot lead singer was still rockin' the joint! Even saw the dude with the pony tail.

This is the sun coming up this morning as I made my way home. I get to go back in December for a couple of days and I have my sites set on other areas to explore. But no doubt another trip to the Garden district mansions all decorated for Christmas will be on the top of my list!

The Sunset tonight

Was amazing!

The Spoon Bracelets

Karen helped me with the bracelets, this is the one I kept and she has one that is similar. We made some very cool ones for her Primary Presidents, but I didn't take pictures, so Karen you need to do that and put them on your blog! Anyway this was the result of a stop at an antique barn in Minnesota. Now I am on the hunt for more cool spoons or utensils to continue bending and creating. Who knew?

Crafty Place

I decided if I waited to blog about my craft room until it was completely finished, it would never happen, so here are pictures of the work so far. I love the table! But as you can see even at 8x4 feet, it's probably still not big enough for all my stuff! I bought the chairs for $20 at a garage sale and repainted them, YEA! The next phase is a Magnetic chalk board on the wall along with a framed jewelry hangar like I made last year. I also want to do shades to cover the front of the shelves at the back of the room, so I am hunting for the right fabric. I hope you enjoy and please send ideas if something sparks you!

Booner Moon Doggie 1/15/99 ~ 9/21/10

I lost my best buddy yesterday after a stroke that sent him spiraling downhill. I love this dog like most people cannot understand, he was a constant protector and companion, a big ray of sunshine, a sloppy wet kiss, a motivator, a loving friend, a special soul and a gentle giant. It is all very surreal as I cannot yet come to grips with him being gone. I just wanted to share some of my favorite Booner pictures. He is and always will be, simply the best...rest easy my sweet boy...