Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A Successful Week-end

We spent 4 days in Arcadia, Florida, traveling between Arcadia and Sarasota where we stayed with the gang at TuckerRidge. What fun we had.
Bindi did great at the shows. On Thursday she was Winner's Bitch for a point. Friday she was Winner's Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite over a bitch special. And she got another point. On Saturday., Bindi went Winner's bitch for another point, adding 3 points to her 10 making her total at 13. Only 2 more to go. We were not as fortunate on Sunday when another bitch showed up (and I am talking about the dog and the handler) to show specifically to this judge. Oh well. That's how it happens sometime. Too bad she did not get any points toward her championship as she only needs majors.















While we were in Arcadia, Bindi got to meet her new cousin, Pepper. Pepper lives with Nathan and Stacey and will start her show career in December. I think they knew they were related. They played and played and had a grand time together.

We also got to go to Marina Jacks for a walk, which wore the dogs out - which was our goal!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Finally... cooler weather


It's arrival is much anticipated here in Florida, especially when it arrives a few weeks early and has everyone believing that it will soon be replaced by the heat and humidity again.I am talking about cooler weather. Floridians have told me that the "change" happens on October 15th. I have been here 4 years and I have yet to see that happen, until this year. Thankfully, it has arrived a few weeks early.

Even the dogs sense the change. They are friskier, adventurous and wanting to be outside more. As with most week-ends this summer, we found ourselves out at the farm - only this day not as early as we normally arrive.

Eventually all the excitement seems to taper and the dogs stayed near as we tended the garden, putting in squash, tomatoes, lettuce and cucumber. One good thing about Florida is that plants grow year round. One bad thing about Florida is that plants grow year round. Nothing dies here, it just rots away.













For the first time in 6 months, we were able to stay out past 11:00 am and enjoy the outdoors.

Maybe Mother Nature has decided to grant Florida a wish and send the cooler weather to us early.

One can only hope.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A Rescue Story


Today, I was able to help transport a 13 year old Ridgeback out of a shelter in Miami and on toward her new home in Texas.
I picked Hester up in Vero Beach and transported her here to Charli Ritz in Orlando, FL. It was my first time helping and I felt extremely happy I was able to participate.
Hester's is a story that is all too common to the elderly owners. They pass and they did not make arrangements for their dogs. Hester was to be euthanized, but the owner did not leave specific instructions, so there was a hold on her... and Rescue got involved. After a little red tape, she is out and on her way to Susan Shepard in Houston, Texas. She will live out the rest of her life on a soft bed, with other seniors and someone that loves her.

A good day indeed.

Tempered only by the news that Diane Jacobson's puppy girl, Jesse, was found dead on the highway out in California. Diane was in an accident yesterday and Jesse bolted from the crash. They spent all day and all night looking for her - even spotted her - but then the sad news about an hour ago.

Rest in Peace sweet Jesse.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The most missed Season


Fall does not come to Florida. Not in the way I love and remember. No season comes to Florida except extreme heat and then a little cooling off. here is no snow. There is no color change. Nothing dies and then comes back to life. It just dies and rots and smells bad.

Really, I think fall is one of the parts of Michigan I miss the most.
The crisp morning air, the cool, yet warm breezes that brings the scent of fallen leaves and the smell of hay and other grasses. And in the right place, the smell of apples, cider, pies and caramel. Looking out your windows to see all the colors of fall - red, gold, purple, brown, orange, yellow. Going out in the cool air of the morning, but by noon, it was warm enough for short sleeves.

Every fall, usually in October, I made it a point to go travel to see the colors. Be it up in the
thumb area, along I-75 or around Higgins Lake, it was definitely something I did every fall. The leaves and trees never failed to deliver.


Another missed aspect are the cider mills. I remember arriving in Florida and asking if there were any here. Floridians had no idea what I was talking about. WHAT? A life of no cider and donuts ever? Ugghh. I can't imagine that. And let's talk about watching a football game in 90 degree weather. No thanks.

So on days like today, when the breezes come to Florida, I remember the fall up in Michigan and long to be up there if just for the season.


Saturday, September 11, 2010

Never Forget

The Day that Changed everything. September 11, 2001

I think, like the generation before us, this is the day that we will remember exactly where we were when the planes flew in to the World Trade Center Towers.

I remember where I was.

I was in my office at Sommers, Schwartz on the 9th floor of the Southfield Town Center when Randy Blau came in to tell me that a plane had flown in to the North Tower. The internet was useless. CNN. MSNBC and FOXNews were all jammed and there was no way to get any information. In a time where information is just a click away, it was eerily unsettling that we could not get it.

After the second plane hit the South Tower, we were let out of work to go home and be with our family. By the time I got home, a plane had crashed in to the Pentagon and Flight 93 had crashed in Pennsylvania and the North Tower had collapsed, soon to be followed by the South Tower. Terrorism had just reached American soil.

The United States had basically shut down. Planes were re-directed to the nearest airport and air travel was locked down. I can remember later that day looking up and seeing a single plane flying overhead - military plane - and wondering where it was going.

Here we are nearly 10 years later. Some changes have remained. The airline industry has not been the same. Fewer flights and more crack downs on who gets searched and what goes on a plane. Immigration has become a hot topic. Americans are less tolerant of the illegals coming in to this country. We are also trying to be tolerant of Islam and its teachings, unfortunately, we are having a hard time separating the radicals from the religion that teaches peace.

Other changes have occurred, too. American love for Country has returned. We are less tolerant of those that speak out against us, including our own fellow Americans. We also know who our true allies are and know who did not come to our aide in the time of need or in our fight on terrorism. Always in the back of our minds we think of this day and remember.

Do you remember where you were?



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Decisions


We have made the decision to pull Finn from the show ring for a little bit - probably until the end of the year. It was a hard decision, but I think a smart one.

In April/May, he got ill and lost an incredible amount of weight. He has yet to recover physically from that. His rear lost so much muscle mass and his drive has become non-existent. The tell tale sign was when he did so poorly in the Orlando shows and the Atlanta shows. He just did not compare, physically, to the other dogs.

Prior to his weight loss, Finn was doing fine in the ring. Like most show dogs here in Florida, we were putting the points on knowing that soon we would be searching only for those elusive majors. And then after the illness, his winning came to a halt.

Our plan is to show in Deland, show a day in Arcadia, exercise him and lure course him and let him gain back his physique. I know he can do it.

So, until he is back in the ring, we will concentrate on finishing Bindi and specialing her.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Bye Bye Brighthouse


For over 3 years we have suffered thru substandard internet connection, TV connections that sometimes go out for no reason and twice having our cable cut when Brighthouse could not figure out whose cable went where.

Enough is enough. Over the last 6months we have called repeatedly about out internet being intermittent. It would come and go as pleased for no apparent reason. We were given many, many excuses - like it was our router and we needed to hook up the computer to the modem. We were told that they did not have any issues in the area, so just re-set the modem. All of that was just a band-aid. The last straw was last week when once again, our cable was cleanly cut off at the pole and we went 2 days without cable or internet.

Today, AT&T gets installed. They have been here all week long setting up everything for the outside. Knocking on the door to let us know they are here. In just a few short hours, they will be broadcasting in to our home and helping our computers work faster and more efficiently.

Here is hoping for a smooth and productive relationship.


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Another Big One for Bindi





We traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for 3 days of shows and the hopes of showing we have a bitch worthy enough to be in the ring. Was her Best of Breed win just a fluke?

Friday was a heart stopper. Judge Gary Doerge pulled Bindi and another bitch, Sugar, out together and looked them over and then sent them around. Sugar misbehaved chasing Bindi. He then switched them up and sent them around again and this time Bindi messed up -and lost Winner's Bitch. She did get the Reserve win, though. Sugar went on to win the Breed, so that made it feel a little better.

Saturday was a judge that put up a very nice bitch. Bindi was 3rd in the Open.

Sunday, Bindi went dead last in the Sweeps class. Our hearts were sinking.

Until the regular classes. Judge Toddie Clark moved a lot of bitches around behind Bindi (who was first on the ring) and I am sure gave many owners heart attacks in the process - not to mention one professional handler who prematurely cheered from the sidelines prior to knowing just where Mrs. Clark was going to place the bitch she usually handles.

What a thrill. She won the hugely competitive Open class. All the other class winners came in and Toddie Clark sent them around one time and immediately picked Bindi. There was no back and forth. Bindi was her pick.

Another 5 point major.

Her 2nd major.

10 points to date. Only 5 more to go.

We came to Atlanta and we showed off a bitch that can compete






The hosts of the show were wonderful and the prizes were spectacular. Below is what Bindi took home on Sunday


Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Reflections of the last 4 years

Today is my 4th Anniversary.

2006 was a big year for me. Not only did I quit the best job I have ever had - or ever will for that matter - I left Michigan and moved to Florida and then I went to San Francisco and got married. Oh. And bought a house.

Big year.

Sometimes I still look around and wonder what the heck I am doing here. But then I come home and I know exactly what I am doing here. 3 dogs, 1 cat, a semi-refinished house and a husband that loves me and I love him. Life doesn't get any better than that. To think that I nearly did not make the move down here. Panic tends to set in when you are about to uproot everything you know and follow someone back to his home state and his home town.

It has taken me some time to feel this way. I think it was only this past year and a half that I started to relax and feel good. Partly because I no longer have the stress of working at the law firm I used to work at when I first moved down here. Boy did I hate that job. A bad job and bad employers can put your life so out of whack it's amazing. Now that I no loner work there, I am relaxed and finally happier since I have been here.

Now I look around and I pretty much have what I want. I have a great part-time job that has flexible hours and the majority of the work can be done from home. I have 3 dogs that I can spend time with and have fun with and I have a husband that is supportive and tolerant. I have friends down here in Florida that I consider to be true friends. I have met many wonderful and caring people and I am so much better knowing them and having them in my life.

I think I made the right decision.






Monday, August 23, 2010

Bindi's Best of Breed Win!


I can not believe that this was not my first blog when I decided to start blogging again. Shame on me.

We have been (in)patiently waiting and training and working with our young bitch, Bindi, to get her ready for the ring. To say she is a wild child is an understatement. She loves the ring and she loves the other dogs in the ring and most of all - she loves the food she gets. She will jump and pounce and play. We showed her very sparingly after the November supported shows - wanting to see how she progressed so we only entered her here and there. Oh, and to help with a major but I am sure that will go un-reciprocated.

In May it all started to come together. She was shown one day in Vero Beach and went Reserve Winner's Bitch in a nice class of bitches, and then went Best of Breed puppy (although she was not supposed to be in that - another long story).

And then came Orlando. Our own back yard, and 5 and 4 point majors for the girls. One could only hope.

Friday we got the biggest surprise of our lives. I was just excited when she got Winner's Bitch. That meant her first points AND the coveted major. And then a funny thing happened in the breed ring.

In the breed ring we have the #14 Ridgeback in the Country. We also have the #5 Ridgeback in the country and 2 other Specials that are Best of Breed winners on any given day. When the judge pulled Bindi out and then the other bitch all I could do was watch from the corner where I held on to Finn.

"Holy crap. Did my bitch just win the Breed."

Yes. She did. And a 5 point major. Wow. Words can not describe the feeling you have when all the hard work pays off. It was a thrill.

She didn't do anything in the Groups except get experience being in that environment and getting Matt seen. She didn't do anything the rest of the week-end, but for one day she was the best Ridgeback in Orlando and that's more than you can ask for.



Friday, August 20, 2010

The War on pet hair has met its match



I have wood floors in half of my house. I hate them. Period. Wood floors and Rhodesian Ridgebacks were not meant to co-exist. On any day, I can look across the floor and see dust bunnies, hair piles and dirt; even if the floors had just been swept. Broom and dustpan just do not seem to work. The broom scatters the hair all in to the air, the dustpan is not level enough to the floor to allow all of the sweepings inside and it's a major pain in the arse to sweep under and around items.

Say hello to my new little friend. The Swiffer Sweepervac. It took 24 hours for it to charge up, but when I used it the first time, I fell in love. Not only does it pick up dirt and dust, it also manages to get the hair, crumbs and other day to day items that fall to the floor. Lightweight, easy to push and manageable, this little vac makes taking care of the hardwoods very easy. No more do I have to haul out 5 different items for one chore. now all i do is put on a sweeper cloth, press the on button an away I go.

Thanks Swiffer. You have answered my prayers.

I recommend this to anyone with wood floors, ceramic tile, natural stone and other flat surface floors - not carpet - that have more than one dog!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Guest Blog from Adopt-A -Pet.Com

I was recently contacted by the Adopt-A-Pet people asking if they could put up a guest blog as well as a widget link to their site. Because it's for a great cause, I said yes. Please take the time to visit their site (link to the right) as well as the widget on the right side of this blog. The following is the guest blog from Adopt-A-Pet.com

What is Adopt-a-Pet.com
Adopt-a-Pet.com is the world's largest non-profit pet adoption website. We are like an ad agency for shelters and shelter pets. Sadly there are 4 million healthy adoptable companion animals killed in shelters each year due to overcrowding. We do our best to relieve that problem and put pets from shelters in the homes of pet seekers all over the country.

Our website
makes it easy for anyone with an internet connection to find descriptions and pictures of adoptable animals by location, breed, gender, age, size, and color. Over 9,000 shelters posts pets on our website displaying over 130,000 pets available for adoption at any given time. We also help volunteers connect with shelters, and currently host over 14,000 people listed in our volunteer database for shelters.

What Makes Adopt-a-Pet.com Unique:
- On our website, people can use something we call “Search Saver.” This feature will notify users by e-mail when a particular pet of their specifications in available for adoption. For example, I can tell “Search Saver” where I live, and what type of breed I am looking for. When that animal is available, I am notified the next time a pet matching my search is added on Adopt-a-Pet.com.

- As of this summer we have now made it easy for our visitors to find pets and then recommend them to friends and family via Facebook, Twitter and other social applications. We are calling the idea “Social Petworking.” Here is how it works; once you have searched and found a pet in need, on the pet details page simply hover over the button labeled “SHARE,” there you can send the pet details page to any of your friends. For more information visit this page http://www.adoptapet.com/socialpetworking/signup.


- In addition to dogs and cats, we now feature all kinds of pets for adoption, including rabbits, farm animals, ferrets, hamsters and other small animals, horses, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even fish. This was a major initiative that took many months to research and program into the site, and it is being well-received within the shelter community.

- By teaming up with the renowned street-artist Shepard Fairey, who designed the iconic Obama "Hope" image, we have available a number of stylish ways to promote pet adoption. Shepard was able to translate his work with Obama to an image that can be used to represent pet adoption support. Merchandise can be found at
www.muttslikeme.com

- We have begun blogging and created a Twitter Page along with a Facebook Page. Our blog is located at
http://blog.adoptapet.com/, there you can join our Facebook Group, or follow us on Twitter.

Common Questions About Pet Adoption


Q: Although there are millions of pets in shelters needing homes each year, many pet-owners-to-be don’t think about pet adoption when they’re looking for their new four-legged friend. Why do you think this is, and what can be done to turn that around?
A: Many people who want to get a pet just are not aware of how many great pets are available at shelters. They might also have the misconception that pets in shelters might be there because there was a problem with the animal. In fact, most pets end up in shelters not because of any problem with pet behavior, but because an owner died, moved, or simply didn't have the time or money to care for the animal. In some cases animals are lost and never found by their owners. These animals are healthy and very eager to please. Rescued pets are wonderful- just ask anyone who has one.

Some people are seeking purebred animals or puppies and think these animals are not available in shelters. In fact, nearly a quarter of all animals in shelters are purebred. Often someone buys an expensive purebred animal and then attempts to breed that animal to recoup their money. Often these animals are not placed in homes, and end up in the shelter. Puppies and kittens often up in shelters as well, but it is important to note that puppies require a lot of work and training and can be quite destructive (peeing on the carpet or chewing shoes). Puppies are great, but often people are much happier getting a dog who is older, and whose size and temperament is a known quantity.

Through Adopt-a-Pet.com and without even leaving their home, people can search all their local shelters and see pictures and descriptions of the pets available for adoption. This way, they can find the exact pet they want, call the animal shelter or rescue group, and get information on how to adopt that specific animal.

Q: What are the 5 most important things a potential adopter should consider when choosing their new pet?
A: We actually have a blog post on this highlighting the top 10 things we believe are important when adopting. Here are five, the rest can be located by visiting this page http://www.adoptapet.com/public/guides/permanentpets.html.
1. You need to make a real commitment to care for your pet for its entire life.
2. Verify in advance that you’re allowed to keep a pet where you live.
3. Never adopt a pet on a whim or because you feel it’s love-at-first-sight
4. Provide sufficient exercise and stimulation during the first few weeks, this will help the pet adjust.
5. Make any necessary modifications to your yard and fence to provide for your pet’s safety.

Q: What are 5 positive aspects of pet adoption, and why it’s a good option?
A:
1. When you adopt an adult animal, you can see his/her size and temperament. This helps ensure that the pet is right for you and your family.
2. It feels great to know you have saved an animal’s life and everyone you meet will give you kudos for that for years to come.
3. Adopted pets are very loyal and know they have been given a new home.
4. Adopting a pet can be an important lesson to teach your children-- both about the value of life, and also about civic responsibility and even recycling- in this case recycling a living and loving animal into a new home.
5. Choosing a mixed breed animal can help avoid many of the genetic health problems that have developed in purebred animals due overbreeding and inbreeding.

Q: If someone reading this isn’t in a position to adopt a pet right at this time, but still wants to help homeless pets, what are 5 things they can do to get involved?
A:
1. People can do Social PETworking and Twitter Critter! They can run a search on Adopt-a-Pet.com, find a pet they want to help get exposure for, and use the share tools on our site to post the pet link on their Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or other social network page. Or, they can email the link of a pet in need from our site to their friends.
2. They can place a link/graphic or even a search widget for Adopt-a-Pet.com on their personal website to encourage they users to see pets in need at local shelters. (hyper link "link" to our links page
http://www.adoptapet.com/public/links/index.html where we have graphics to be used as links)(hyper link "search widget" to our search module page http://www.adoptapet.com/public/searchtools/ which itself is a link from our links page)
3. People can add their info to our volunteer database (link
http://www.adoptapet.com/volunteer/signup) so shelters who need volunteers can find them.
4. People can search Adopt-a-Pet.com to find a local shelter, and make a cash donation to that shelter to help them with the costs of housing, feeding and medical care of shelter animals.
5. People can encourage other pet owners to spay or neuter their pet (link to our spay neuter page
http://www.adoptapet.com/public/spay_and_neuter/index.html) to help prevent unwanted births.




Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The new Ride



For months we had talked about the need for a new vehicle - not only to transport dogs and people, but also to get out from under the monthly payment of nearly 500.00. So, with great trepidation I put my beloved 2006 F-150 on Craigslist.... and sold it within a day for exactly the price we were looking for.

Deep Sigh.

Within a few days, we managed to find exactly what we wanted - a 2005 Chevy Astro van with low miles.


It's not a bad van afterall.


















Lots of room for the dogs and there is even dual a/c to keep everyone cool on those hot Florida days.

Of course pining for the truck I wasn't taken with the new van... until the first trip with the dogs. Then I knew the right decision had been made. Oh, that and not having to make that payment at the end of the month.

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Lazy Days of Summer

Summer in Florida is somewhat less than magical - at least in my opinion. The heat and
humidity make it impossible to stay out after the sun is up and by the time the sun goes down... you don't really want to be outside anymore. However, there are still gardens to weed, lawns to mow and dogs that need to run and play.

Beau, Finn and Bindi have spent many of these days out at the farm. It's the one place they can go where they can play with other Ridgebacks and run safely off leash and have a marvelous time. We usually leave for the farm early enough so that it is still cool and we are home by the time the sun makes its turn and the real heat settles in.

It has taken some time, but even Beau has started to play and run and swim now. I guess he is finally comfortable with the gang. It does my heart a world of good to see him off in the pond or running after the others than standing next to me with drool coming from his jowls.

As I watch them, it amazes me that the dogs of the farm - and there are many - readily accept my 3 in to their pack. I think it's because we have been going out there for over 2 years now and they feel that they know my 3 pretty well. There is always that initial growling and getting to know you and then they remember and it's off to the races.

For the most part, I get to sit under a shade tree and watch all of the action. After about 2 hours, the action slows down and that is when the baths start before we head in the car for home. Once at home, the afternoon is spent snoozing away and dreaming of the next time we visit the farm.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

The house is painted. The house is painted!


Over 3 years ago we moved in to this totally needs to be renovated house. Promises were made, promises were broken... all I know is that finally this house is being renovated. I am hopeful that one day it will actually be done. Of course it may be the day we are moving out of it, but at least it will be done.
We employed (actually, the business did) Matt's father's "ward" to do all the woodwork that needed to be done - and there was a lot. Rotten wood on a 60 year old house that was probably never really taken care of, especially in the past 30 years. Jay did an outstanding job. He may work slow, but he does a very good job.
The most maddening part of painting the house were the people trying to tell you that you really did not want to paint the color you had painted. Stick to your guns and stay with the color you want otherwise you won't be happy.
The above picture is the house right before we did the yard in 2008. The link below will take you to all of the renovation galleries we have done on the house to date. Next up? New heating and cooling units.