I do not have any children, and in no way have I ever referred to my dogs as my children (very disrespectful….adore your dogs for being just that and do not try to make them little humans with fur). In my home we do however acknowledge Mother’s and Father’s day. We celebrate for we have no family close enough to have a family get together…usually something special is cooked….today for Father’s Day the Menu will be Eggplant Parmigiana and Macaroni (meat sauce…say NO to jarred sauce and make your own ;-). I will post images a little later as will I include the recipe.

To all the Father’s out there….Happy Father’s Day!!!!

Today found me finally going through some footage on the video camera....then playing around in imovie. Very amateur editing but I really have no clue as to what I am doing. The credits at the end, although I slowed them down once uploaded to You Tube it sped up...hopefully my skills will improve....that goes for the video camera as well ;-)Take a break, make a nice cup of tea and sit and enjoy the dogs.

A fast portrait created in corel Painter X. Digitally Painting Animals starts up again in July! Please contact Dee if wanting to commission her to create a lovely, one of a kind portrait of your beloved furry friend. If in the Atlanta are she can photograph your pet, or she can work from your images.

Sunday Morning, up at 8….since Mike is away for the week in Singapore it is my job to rush the dogs out the back door in the morning, all without allowing too much time for Niki to pee and poop along the way. Since her spinal injury she does not have the greatest control over her bowels, and her bladder.

Some of you may already know this, those of us with RA…well we are a bit slow in the morning. It takes a couple of hours for us to “unhinge”. Not only do I feel like the tin man from wizard of Oz in need of a good oiling, so too do I move like him. The dogs and I wander the yard….dogs do their morning thing, I make sure Niki’s bladder is completely empty having to do this twice for I cannot bend so early in the day (her bladder must be “squeezed” to make sure it is completely empty for bacteria can build up causing an infection.

Once inside I then can go do my thing All the while avoiding the mirror….as always my entourage has accompanied me down the hallway into the bathroom. The only thing on my mind is a nice cup of tea….I am not even sure if there is any caffeine in it for I had switched to green tea months ago. It helps with the “unhinging” process for I can wrap my hands around the warm cup. Once the water is up, stove on… me and my entourage wander back outside to fill the kiddie pool. Now, here in the Atlanta area we are still under drought conditions….I am not sure just how strict the county is currently enforcing the outside use of water for while I have followed the rules (with almost a full week of 90 something temp all you have to do is look at my lawn and weeds….dried brown mess….not to mention just how dirty my car is) I have been filling Niki’s pool just about every other day. Well worth any fines that may come my way for during the course of the winter she has lost so much strength and muscle tone. All of which I am uncertain if she can get back….but we will give it our best shot. As to if she is in discomfort….there are some days she moves a little like me. There is no yelping, or crying….just slow movement. I am really unsure if the county would have sympathy due to the fact Niki requires this in order to build her strength back up….or just to keep what she currently has. To view her walking in the water you see those back legs really moving, plus the sit, stand game we play (very tough to have her sit without floating…if she can touch the bottom of the pool….lots of concentration on her part she gets a click and treat). The movement is easier for her in the water, while at the same time it is so much more of a challenge for her… forcing the use of muscles she does not use on a daily basis.

Last summer when I introduced the pool to her she was not a happy camper…and the same this year. Refusing to go near it…..this morning I managed a few shots of her and the other two while I was filling the pool up. She was not happy….but since I had a few tasty treats she gave into sitting by the pool. As the pool fills… time for the birds….they want their feeders filled up. Yes, our wild life has us very well trained

Tea Time….water boiling away I pour the water into my cup and let it steep wile I feed the pups. Now, in my green tea I add a little milk….I know this has shocked some that have actually witnessed me doing this….I just like it that way. While sitting and enjoying my tea….my stiff hands slowly absorbing the warmth from the hot cup I spy the clock, the true testament of just how slow I move in the mornings, 9:45. I smile for I thought I had moved about in a speedy manner. My mind drifts to the fact that it is Sunday…I guess my age but I remember when stores were closed on Sundays, dinner was planned earlier in the day….you got to relax, eat dinner with the family….hmmmmm, sounds good to me. So. plans for the day….hanging out with the dogs, PT for Niki, depending on the heat and smog (bad air along with the heat) will determine how much out side time we get…then….relax.

Our little furry friend went home with his people last night. Dogs are pretty amazing….in all the years I have worked with animals most know when they will be going home, Ziggy is one of those dogs. He was very excited all day, and did not complete his dinner…something very much out of the ordinary for him. he likes his meals. He did not skip a beat having been dropped off….however once he saw his favorite people….home is where he wanted to be. If you go back and view the images of Ziggy when he first arrived you will see it was very difficult for me to get a good photograph of him….much better day four and when he left I must say he was such a little ham

He had Lots of things going on during his stay with us….play, exercise, training….walks, lots of walks. Not to mention three other dogs to annoy….I mean play with My two females adored him for about a day or so….then they treated him as though he had cooties….can’t say that I blame him, he was just a bit too interested in sniffing them….Niki once in while play bowed and ran a bit with him….Gemma pretty much ignored him. Now Rocky…all of my hard work paid off for in the end they were the best of friends. Last few days Ziggy was given a little more freedom in the yard and I got to watch them play tug of war with the frisbee. Now….I saw Rocky look at me once in a while to see if I was really paying attention….since Ziggy was dragging a light line attached to his harness….well he wanted to do his Golden thing and pick the end of the line up and take Ziggy for a little spin. Yes…I was paying attention…same thing when they played tug….I was there encouraging Rocky to play nice.

Each dog I work with I always learn a little something, that is the best part about working with canines….no matter how much experience a trainer can have those that are the most successful will take away with them just as much as the dog….maybe even more. Now, the tough part….working with his people. The dogs, piece of cake….people a little tougher to work with I state that only because most people make too many excuses as why they can’t do something…..or they can’t make the time for the dog….in the end it is up to how well I can teach the dogs people for after all my Job Description is that of Dog Trainer when really my job is that of teaching people

I have to admit I did so enjoy watching the little dog stand his ground. While yes, I worked with him to be behaved in the presence of larger sized dogs (no posturing, barking or whining) does not at all mean I did not admire his little dog attitude. Now, being vertically challenged myself I happen to understand completely

If it has been a while since you have done something with your furry friends, take the time to do so Summer Time Safety Tip: If you have a pool please do take the time to teach your dogs how to get in and out of your pool safely.

It was bound to happen…went through my files and realized I have not painted a pom. So… how could I resist with such a prefect model right under my feet (yep, I mean that literally). After completing the painting I brought it into PS and created a Pop Art Poster…just for color and fun. Digitally Painting Animals classes start up again in July. Gift certificates available for Fathers Day!