Rescue me...

I love animals. I really do! I have a West Highland Terrier, he is kind of like my hyperactive toddler dog. Kind of? No, he is actually my hyperactive toddler dog. It is like having a three year old in the house again. We had planned on getting a pair of Westies and having puppies grace our home occasionally, but about a year after we got Angus, we were shocked to discover he was actually a puppy mill puppy. We bought him from what we thought was a reputable local purveyor of pets, not an actual breeder, but we got papers for him and thought all was on the up and up. Turns out not so much. We thought we had to choose a hypo-allergenic dog for my daughters allergies, so we looked and looked until we found our perfect puppy. Well, I love my dog, but any thoughts of breeding went right out the window. He is all terrier, but we couldn't risk passing along any undesirable or dangerous traits to a batch of pups. So, we settled in to life with one dog. Occasionally, I would check Craigslist or the local paper for dogs, I volunteer for my local shelter as a foster family for kittens and cats, but never really happened upon anyone I felt I had to add to the fam. Until now. Then I found her. I went to meet her and do the paperwork yesterday and she is perfect. I can't wait to bring her home! I wonder what Angus will think.....

Childhood memories, Indian food and Mitch Hedberg...

Since the sun is bright AND shiny today, I thought I might lunch on the veranda. Actually, it is more of a shabby deck, but, nonetheless, food just tastes better out there. I thought the sun might sprinkle my lily-white legs with a few more freckles. Plus, I felt that I might need a little Vitamin D, so out I went. As I was eating my mattar paneer, a strange event unfolded neath my footrest. A squiggly little lizard-type thing rushed across the blazing deck boards. He found a shady spot under the steps to the top level, and I got a good gander at him. He seemed relieved to have found the arctic zone as he swished his tail about, looking all cute. When I was a kid, I would not have stopped until I OWNED that lizard. I would have emerged from under the deck, covered in mud and muck and spider's webs with a tiny lizard gingerly, but firmly, between two fingers. I always save glass jars and margarine bowls, even now, and I know it harkens back to a day when I always needed a habitat for some new "pet". I digress. As I watched, I started to suspect that the tail-swishing wasn't exactly a gesture of relief, but possibly one of attraction or aggression, often with the male of the species it is difficult to distinguish between the two. (* Life Lesson Alert #1) Another little lizard emerged from 'neath the deck and my little friend proceeded to chase the newcomer. Again, not sure whether it was love or hate, but I appreciated my observer status in the whole episode. Somewhere inside still lurks the kid who used to be, because I wanted to drop my Indian food and give chase. But, ya' know, it was kind of fun to just sit and let it all unfold! Here's to the miniature dramas unfolding all around us. Next time you get the chance, take a moment and LOOK AROUND. You never know what you may see. Or remember...






"In England Smoky the Bear is not the forest fire prevention representative. They have Smacky the Frog. It’s just like a bear, but it’s a frog. I think it’s a better system, I think we should adopt it. Because bears can be mean, but frogs are always cool. Never has there been a frog hopping toward me, and I thought ‘man, I’d better play dead. Here comes that frog…’ You never say here comes that frog in a nervous manner. It’s always optimistic. Hey here comes that frog, all-right! Maybe he’ll come near me so I can pet him, and stick him in a mayonnaise jar, with a stick and a leaf, to recreate what he’s used to. And I’m pretty sure I’d have to punch some holes in the lid, because he’s damn sure used to air. Then I can observe him, and he won’t be doing much in his 16 ounce world."
-Mitch Hedberg