“Get off your butt, move your mutt” …and join this blog hop! Join Pets Move to help track your progress!
Cello and I are joining the Resolve to Move Your Mutt Blog Hop hosted by Slim Doggy and Keep the Tail Wagging.
Cello and I resolve to get up, get out, and get moving each and every day (even on dreary days)!
No more napping!
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Rescue mission #2… 4 dogs in Kentucky in awful situations…
This past Saturday Brian and I took another road trip to pick up one of 4 German Shorthaired Pointers found abandoned in Kentucky.
The first, and eldest, “Eve” (Christmas Eve). Eve was found wandering, and thought to be a discarded puppy-mill dog. It was very obvious that she had been bred over and over again. Another volunteer from the GSP Rescue of NJ, Ally, kindly adopted this loving senior (assumed to be about 9 years old).
“The Three Reindeer”, “Prancer, Vixen, and Blitzen” , are three 1 year old litter mates, also abandoned in Kentucky. They were transported as well. Prancer and Vixen were picked up and being fostered by two other rescue volunteers, and we picked up Blitzen to foster.
Prancer has already been matched up with an approved adopter, has been renamed Belle, and will be moving into her new forever home!
Vixen is at her foster home and awaiting a forever home.
Blitzen (now referred to as Whiskey) came home with us, and will stay with us until tomorrow morning, when I will drive him to another volunteer’s home to be fostered closer to where the approved potential adopters they have for him reside. This will make it easier for meet-and-greets to be sure that Whiskey is matched up with the right family.
Whiskey has been such a joy to foster these few days. Despite his past, he is an affectionate boy who enjoys to give and receive love! He is just adorable!
Here are the “Three Reindeer” at our pick-up spot:
Here is Whiskey:
Both Vixen and Whiskey need some basic training, but are two beautiful and affectionate German Shorthaired Pointers. They are now in their foster homes, and up for adoption through the GSP Rescue of NJ. Pray that these wonderful dogs find their forever homes quickly!!
Thinking of a GSP? Think rescue! The National GSP Rescue lists regional GSP rescue groups across the United States and Canada. If you are interested in adoption, volunteering, or would like information on how to surrender your dog to rescue (Please do not surrender GSPs to a shelter or abandon them!!!!), please contact the group that covers your state or region. If there is no contact listed for your state, you can email the National GSP Rescue at rescue@gspca.org .
A GSP rescue will help match you up with the perfect GSP for your family!
UPDATE: ALL DOGS IN THIS POST HAVE BEEN ADOPTED!! YAY!
Cello is joining the Sepia Saturday Blog Hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie!
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German Shorthaired Pointers are often discarded, given up, abandoned, and returned due to their high energy level and strong hunting drive. Some are discarded by hunters because they won’t hunt, or they may be “gun-shy.” We have fallen in love with this sometimes misunderstood breed. ..So…Cello, Brian, and I have been volunteering for the GSP Rescue of NJ. We have made phone calls to vets for background checks and references, visited GSPs in shelters to evaluate them and offer the help of the GSP rescue, called potential adopters for initial screening, and to go over their application, and have done home inspections for potential adopters. Cello has even volunteered as a donation dog, wearing a donation vest and “working the crowd” with her cuteness at events such as the Ocean County Gunning and Decoy Show in Tuckerton, NJ. We recently decided we could help out a bit more…so we signed up to pick up and/or transport GSPs to their foster homes, and to foster a dog if needed. This past weekend, we were able to help two GSPs who were on the “urgent” list in Kentucky …they were scheduled to be euthanized. Here is the story of the rescue of Penny and Perry…
Meet Penny and Perry…
About two weeks ago, A regional GSP rescue group in the Kentucky area contacted the GSP Rescue of NJ about Penny and Perry because the rescue’s foster homes were full, and they would not have been able to save Penny and Perry from a kill shelter in Kentucky. Penny and Perry were found roaming in Perryville Battlefield State Park, in Perryville, Kentucky.
Penny and Perry were brought to a kill-shelter, and held for the required amount of days to see if their owners would come forward. No one claimed them after the hold-period was over, and they were placed on the euthanization list. We received an email from the GSP Rescue of NJ to see if anyone could foster these two sweethearts, or to help pick them up from transport. Two members quickly offered to foster. When I had seen the email, no one had responded to do the pick up and transporting, so Brian and I volunteered to do this. Just after the regional GSP Rescue group in the Kentucky area contacted the GSP Rescue of NJ, a woman in Kentucky came in to the shelter and adopted both Perry and Penny.
…But not even two days later, the woman returned Penny and Perry to the kill shelter because they were “too hyper.” The regional GSP rescue in the Kentucky area got back in touch with the GSP Rescue of NJ, and foster homes in NJ and pick-up and transport was again set.
Early this past Saturday morning, Brian and I took an 1hr and 45 minute road trip to pick Penny and Perry up from their Kentucky transport. I cried as soon as I saw them – – both were skin and bones, and severely dehydrated..but as Brian brought each one out of their crate to put a slip-lead on them, each dog stood up on their hind legs, put their front paws up to Brian’s chest, and kissed Brian with appreciation. These two dogs were so sweet loving!! It was heart-wrenching to me that no one claimed them in the first place, that they were returned to a kill-shelter by someone who didn’t understand the breed – -and that these two loving dogs were close to being euthanized!
Brian and I had no crates to transport them with , so I rode in the back of our truck with Penny and Perry…for an hour and 45 minutes, these dogs smothered me in love and puppy kisses. Here are some pictures from the ride home… and then when Perry got to our house.
We arrived back to our house with Penny and Perry, and walked them around the yard and provided plenty of water for them both. Penny’s foster family picked her up right away (I bawled my eyes out, as I had already became attached to these two wonderful dogs!!) Perry’s foster parents could not pick him up until Sunday, so Cello was going to have her first sleep-over!
We bathed Perry, gave him plenty of access to water, and fed him. Although extremely affectionate, Perry knew no basic commands, and did not have leash or house manners. Brian took Perry out on the street in front of our house, and I brought Cello out to meet Perry… both Cello and Perry were very happy to see each other! We walked them together down the street, and then back to our yard. When we were back inside our fenced-in yard, we let Cello off her leash…but Perry had already tried to leap our fence while on his leash, so we were unable to let him wander the yard off-lead. Luckily we had beautiful weather and were able to spend the day and most of the night outdoors. (Perry was not house trained, and had a bad case of diarrhea!) While outside, Perry saw other dogs, people, bikes, and cars go by our yard, and he did not once bark – he was such a good boy!! My aunt and uncle came to visit, and Perry greeted them gently, without jumping, barking, or being rough. Perry’s tail did not stop wagging from the time we picked him up from transport, until we saw him leave with his foster family!!
Perry
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Perry finally settled down and took a nap out by the lake!
When we came inside, Perry got a visit from my mom, who brought him over some nice treats to enjoy.
Perry immediately became attached to Brian – and became upset if Brian was out of his sight. …So Brain loaded up a crate with nice soft fluffy quilts and blankets, and put the crate right in front of our couch. Brian slept on the couch so that Perry would not be upset or alone. Perry did very well throughout the night. He was very content sleeping next to Brian, and whimpered each time he was about to have an accident (Brian ran him outside about 6 times that night due to his loose bowl movements). Overall, Perry did great!
In the above picture, check out the bottom quilt…my mom had given us some quilts and blankets she was going to get rid of so that we had some bedding for Perry. One of the quilts she gave us was mine as a kid (and has to be over 35 years old at this point!!) It’s a Life Savers candy quilt… but how cool/coincidental is that?!?!… LIFE SAVERS, and we are using it to help this GSP who would have lost his life if it wasn’t for the volunteers at several GSP rescues! I thought the Life Savers quilt was just too cool!
Cello was a polite hostess, and Perry was a great house guest. Perry’s foster family came to pick him up Sunday morning (more tears and sobbing on my part…!)
Both Penny and Perry need some basic training, but are two beautiful and affectionate German Shorthaired Pointers, and are now in their foster homes and up for adoption through the GSP Rescue of NJ. Penny has been renamed Casey by her foster family, and Perry is now referred to as Chester (short for Winchester) by his foster family. Pray that these wonderful dogs find their forever homes quickly!!
Thinking of a GSP? Think rescue! The National GSP Rescue lists regional GSP rescue groups across the United States and Canada. If you are interested in adoption, volunteering, or would like information on how to surrender your dog to rescue (Please do not surrender GSPs to a shelter or abandon them!!!!), please contact the group that covers your state or region. If there is no contact listed for your state, you can email the National GSP Rescue at rescue@gspca.org .
A GSP rescue will help match you up with the perfect GSP for your family!
UPDATE: BOTH PENNY AND PERRY HAVE BEEN ADOPTED!! YAY!
UPDATE ON “PERRY” (NOW CHESTER) on 02/20/2014: Here are some pictures of a very happy and healthy Chester at his forever home sent to me by his loving family!
Cello’s Canine Candy Canes
INGREDIENTS:
INSTRUCTIONS:
NOTES:
Garbanzo bean flour: Although a great alternative to grain-based flour, this flour is SUPER sticky and can be difficult to work with. Keep adding flour until dough is at a consistency you are comfortable working with. Allowing the dough to cool in freezer will help with handling this sticky dough.
Broth/Stock: No matter which stock you choose (Chicken, Beef, or Vegetable), be sure to check that it does NOT contain any form of onion, or onion powder
Food Coloring: rather than use artificial coloring, I chose an all-natural vegetable base coloring made from beet juice (India Tree brand vegetable colorants). Beet powder is also another great alternative to artificial coloring.
Yield: will depend on how long/thick you make each “worm” when you are twisting the candy canes. My batch made 15 candy canes.
Storing: Remember, these treats do not have any preservatives, so they will need to be refrigerated, or frozen for use at a later time. These canine candy canes will keep fresh for approximately two weeks in the refrigerator, or for about 6 months in the freezer.
JUST A DOG
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”
“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure and unbridled joy.
“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.
Because of “just a dog,” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog,” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a woman.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog,” just smile–because they “just don’t understand.”
~Author Unknown
I have a Smart-Board in my classroom. The projected background photo is always the latest-and-greatest adventure of Cello. The students enjoy watching for the picture to change, and always ask about Cello and her great adventures. After one of Cello’s dock diving events, I had set a picture of her jumping off the dock as my background photo. The kids were so intrigued with the idea of Dock Diving, the topic became a part of our daily conversations before and after class…so when it came time to teach the skill of creating and interpreting a line graph, I thought, “Why not incorporate something they are really interested in into the lesson for Line Graphs?”
During the lessons of line graphs, we talked about Cello and her dock diving, and watched videos of her jumping. The kids could not get enough! We created a huge line graph on our bulletin board, and the students learned to graph points as they recorded Cello’s dock diving results from her past 3 events on our big bulletin board line graph. To show the students just how long she was jumping, we used a measuring tape, and measured from one end of the classroom to the length of her longest personal-best jump to date ( 22′ 7″ ). The students were shocked, and then became very curious how far they could jump…hmmm…good idea!
The students made predictions about their jumps, then we took a trip outside to the track next Math period. We measured 40 feet of running space (the same distance Cello has to gather up her speed on the dock) to the sand pit area of the long-jump. Our principal came outside with us to be the official judge of the students’ jumping distances. The students ran as fast as they could for 40 feet, then jumped with all their might into the sand pit. We had so much fun that day! I recorded all the jumps of the students, and took pictures of them jumping, as the principal called out their scores. The next day we took their jumping results and made computer-generated line graphs using Microsoft Excel, displaying the student’s jump distances. They students were able to personalize them with color and background pictures of themselves.
After the computerized line graphs were complete, I held an Awards Ceremony in class. The principal called the names of the students, and shook each student’s hand as he presented them with participation certificates, and pinned them with 1st, 2nd 3rd, and so-on ribbons as well. We had ceremonial music playing in the background, thanks to my friend and co-worker, Grace, who pulled up the Graduation Song on her iPad! The students were so excited about their awards, and were glowing with pride as everyone clapped for each student as they received their ribbon! We took lots of pictures of both the students jumping, as well as the ceremony, and added them to our Line Graph Bulletin Board.
After all was said and done, one of the classes asked if I could bring Cello in to school so they could meet her. I shrugged-off the idea, and told them it was not possible…but they weren’t convinced. They took it upon themselves to go to the principal during their lunch period, and asked for permission…and he was so impressed with the effort they had put into the lesson, that he granted it! They came to class after lunch that day screaming with excitement about the principal saying “YES!” I sent permission slips home to parents, and Cello’s first day at school was planned!
Today, Brian followed me to school with Cello in his car, and when the students arrived to school, they met me at my class to go as a group to to meet Cello! The students got to spend about 20 minutes getting to know Cello, and asking questions. They gave Cello treats, made her do her “tricks,” and gave her lots of hugs and pets. In return, the students got lots of puppy kisses and tail wagging from Cello!
The principal also made a “deal” with the students of my math class… if they meet their homework goal, Cello will be permitted to attend their math class for one period as a “guest-student” as they do their class-work!
Here is Cello this morning waiting by the door with her school bag, ready for her first day of school!
I have so many wonderful pictures of the students engaged in this lesson, the bulletin board, students jumping, student generated line graphs, and the meet-and-greet, but am unable to post them due to the students visibility in the photos. You’ll have to trust me on this one- – it was a fun lesson that students could not get enough of…and so cool to have Cello at school with me!
Just a few days ago, on Thanksgiving, I began a running challenge that I accepted from fellow WordPress blogger and Delmarva Dock Dogs dock diving friend, Annie. This challenge is Holiday Streak! I really needed something like this to get myself up and moving again!
Around the same time I accepted this challenge, I came across a really cool pin on Pinterest… It was about a site called PetsMove.org. This site encourages people and their dogs – of all ages and fitness levels – to get out and get moving. Their motto is “Get off your butt, workout with your mutt!” (Love it!) The site offers goals, prizes and and a supporting member community. The site is free, has no intense or intimidating guidelines, and is really neat! I decided I would register myself and Cello to help record our Holiday Streak efforts. I also submitted Cello’s picture and bio to be considered for a spot in their Featured Dogs slide show. I just found out Cello made the slide show!
Check Cello’s full bio out at http://petsmove.org/slide/cello/ …then register yourself and your dog, and “Get off your butt, workout with your mutt!”
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Cello is also featured on PetsMove.org’s Facebook page!
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