Posts Tagged ‘ Dogs ’

Two Years Ago

Two years ago today was one of the most painful I’d ever experienced.

Two years ago, on this day, is the day I lost my beloved labrador to cancer.

It had been exactly a week since he was first diagnosed. We thought we had a little bit more time before he passed.

walkies


That was taken about a month before the end. He got lazy in his old age, but on this particular day, he had enough energy to go around the block a couple of times. In fact, he was kind of annoyed with me that I was only going to take him around the block once and stopped dead in his tracks. Since I couldn’t really drag a 14 year old, 95 pound dog who didn’t want to go back home, I let him have his way.

On closer inspection, it looks like he’s smirking at me.

I’d always heard the phrase “died from a broken heart” in stories but never truly believed it. Two years ago today, I think a tiny piece did die.

2010
06/14
CATEGORY
Dogs
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Doggies are a Girl’s Best Friend

So back in 2004, I received the worst Valentine’s Day gift ever from my then boyfriend. What’s funny is that the general response I’ve received since posting that entry is this: NO ONE SHOULD EVER SEND CARNATIONS. EVER.

Normally Valentine’s Day makes me want to pull the sheets over my head and groan. The candy, the overpriced menus, the fake sentiment…I have to fight the urge to gag. (I think the feminine traits I was supposed to receive before the stork dropped me off got mixed up somewhere. I am kind of intrigued of being made up of “snakes and snails and puppy dog tails” – who doesn’t love puppy tails?) My mom often complains that I’m not a romantic and usually has to kick me out of the room whenever something horribly sappy comes on: “You’ve Got Mail,” “Kate and Leopold,” “An Affair to Remember,” or, worst case scenario, something on Lifetime Original Movies. >_<

However, I just realized that I get to spend tomorrow with someone special. Very special. Someone I know I love with all of my heart and would gladly die for.

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Tomorrow is an adoption fair at the Healthy Spot with Bill Foundation. I’ll be there for most of the afternoon, basking in huge amounts of love. Sure, he can’t actually say he loves me, but when I get that accidental head butt in his eagerness to give me a kiss, I know there’s love behind it.

Bonus! A second blog post will follow later today, as it is also New Year’s Day on the Chinese lunar calendar. That story will lean more towards bittersweet, as the person who is the focus of the story passed away.

2010
02/14
CATEGORY
Dogs
romance (or lack thereof)
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What I’m Thankful For Pt. 3

I’m thankful for having the opportunity to do volunteer work with Bill Foundation.  I almost feel guilty getting to sit with dogs for a few hours every other weekend because it’s something I really, really enjoy.

Bill Foundation has helped me get out of a dark place. After my Murphy passed away, I was exteremly lost. Being with dogs who needed just a little show of affection got me back on track.

Through this wonderful organization, I got to meet some of the sweetest dogs ever who have happily found their forever homes:

bill foundation

Day 361: bill foundation

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We’re currently hanging by a thread. The economy is slowly recovering, but Bill Foundation got hit just as hard as anyone. Recently some of our dogs were scooped up by another rescue organization, and some of our sponsors have been unable to donate as generously as they have in the past. Hopefully we will be able to pull through, but things are looking grim.

So I’m asking you all for a huge favor: if you can either open up your home as a foster parent or donate a little something, it would help a HUGE amount. (BTW, I realize that it seems all I do is ask for money on here, but it’s for a FABULOUS cause.)

2009
11/22
CATEGORY
Dogs
Giving Thanks
nablopomo
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Doggie Therapy

Every other Sunday of the month you’ll find me at the Healthy Spot doing volunteer work with the Bill Foundation. We set up, show some dogs, and try to find forever homes for everyone.

Sure, I don’t get paid. Sure, I get covered in dog hair, dirt, and grass. Sure, I get poo streaks on the front of my shirt (from somebody who stepped in a pile and then jumped on me). Sure, I get beat up in the puppy room (the space where everyone 20 pounds and under frolic) and come home looking like I ran through the blackberry bushes. Sure, I smell like a dog when I’m done. But you know what?

I am probably at my happiest when I’m with the dogs.

There are dogs of nearly every known breed that are up for adoption, from your scruffy mutts to purebreeds. Everyone has a different temperment but they all have one thing in common: they want to live with you and bask in your love.

Day 138If you have a ranch, please take Clyde home.

bill foundationThis goofball, Hector, is much cuter in person.

bill foundationMidge looks like a tough one, but deep down she’s a sweetie.

bill foundationHis name is Gizmo. It doesn’t get any cooler than that.

bill foundationStuart thinks he’s bigger than he really is.


We’ve got many more dogs who are hoping for homes, which you can find here. If you aren’t ready to take the plunge and adopt, there are other ways you can help Bill Foundation.

*cough*Like volunteer with me*cough*

2009
08/25
CATEGORY
Dogs
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Weekend Recap

bill foundation


Conrad, my favorite of the small dogs, has been adopted. Even though the family looks very nice, and has two other small dogs, I found myself a little bit on the low side because my baby has left me. The one ray of light now in being in the puppy room is that my other favorite, Clyde, is still there (I clung to him and gave him tummy rubs for most of the afternoon – bad habit, I know). And will probably be with me for a little bit longer, since he’s one of our harder dogs to place.

I’m getting ahead of myself. The weekend went as follows:

1. Friday night I had dinner with two co-workers in Manhattan Beach, followed by a dog-sitting gig.
2. Cancelled ukulele in favor of going to see Star Trek.
3. Watched a bit of Be The Marriage Saturday night.
4. Spent some time with the doggies at Bill Foundation on Sunday.
5. Spilled the beans to someone I have a crush on via email. Have I made a complete fool of myself? Probably.

My car settlement payment came through the mail! This means I can begin my car hunt in earnest (opposed to scanning and printing cars I find on dealer websites). Driving around town still makes me a little nervous (still have yet to get out of that 5 mile radius) but I have to say, I miss things that aren’t related to Culver City.

How was your weekend?

Side Note: It’s been brought to my attention that WordPress has been giving some of you a hard time when you make comments. I think I’ve got this fixed, but am not 100% sure. If you have any issues, let me know!

2009
05/18
CATEGORY
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In Loving Memory

I only met him once, and spent only a few hours with him, but I have to say that this was one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever come across:

Day 66: boodha and bella


The one standing, Boodha, passed away last Thursday. He had cancer, but he was a real trooper: apart from some struggles in standing up after a nap, he’d lumber along, happy as a clam.

Boodha was a German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix; I was a little bit nervous in meeting him because the temperment of both breeds is on the notorious side. He totally displaced any fears I had when he came up and gave me a doggie kiss – it was like having a big teddy bear come up to you and shower you with affection.

I got the text from my friend Irma this evening: I’ve been meaning to tell u something but haven’t had the heart to tell you. [Boodha] was put to sleep last Thurs. I miss him! So weird going to work w/out him there.

It’s funny how much of an impact a dog can have on you, even if you only spend a moment with each other. Boodha, I hope you can find Whiskey and Murphy up in doggie heaven; you all can share cancer stories. And little smokies.

2009
03/26
CATEGORY
Dogs
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Friendship Is…

…when you answer the phone around 22:30 PST (01:30 EST) because one of your best friends in NYC calls and you think someone’s died.

Or because (and I know Will can appreciate this) your best friend thinks she has a mouse living in her kitchen.

Due to the fact that my roommate goes to bed on the early side, I am now used to things shutting down around the house by 9:30 at the latest on weekdays. Anything that happens afterwards has me thinking that either someone died or I’m required to rush to a hospital. Which is why I panicked when my phone rang.

To kind of ease her fear on hearing that little scratch-scratch in walls, I shared some bits on how Will came across a mouse in his kitchen and nearly died* and my own unsuccessful attempts to get my lab to at least scare the mice in the house. I also warned her not to get those poisoned food pellets, because the mice will always die in inconvenient places (such as in the wall close-enough-but-not-at-the-vent; nothing’s worse than smelling rotten mouse for two weeks).

We ended with the conclusion that she should borrow a friend’s cat and that eventually she should switch out the cat with a chihuahua.

*I don’t know if Will nearly died, but it seemed pretty damn sure that he was close to having a heart attack.

2009
03/25
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K Thx Bye

Dear Murphy,

I miss you lots, but please stop leaving dog hair on my clothing. We’ve vacuumed the house twice already and you’ve been gone for nine months. I put some in your box as a keepsake, so there’s no need to add more.

And don’t try to blame the dogs from Bill Foundation, ’cause no one in the puppy room is that white with straight hairs.

Love,

Me

2009
03/23
CATEGORY
Dogs
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Unconditional Love



With a face like that, who wouldn’t love this dog?

At that moment, I didn’t. The little punk had just bitten me on the thigh while I was trying to get him a chew toy. That “smile” on his face is really just him trying to bite my phone while I was trying to take his picture.

However, when all is said and done, Conrad is still my favorite small dog out of the group.

2009
03/18
CATEGORY
Dogs
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Weekend Recap

It’s been a long time since a weekend has drained me so completely. I owe it to the amount of driving I had to do and the crazy summer-like weather.

I had cancelled my ukulele lesson for Saturday, which left me with a LOT of time on my hands. That’s fine, I can do laundry and watch the rest of The L Word.

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2009
03/02
CATEGORY
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