Lynne's Letters

Eric's School/Basketball Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:27:00 +0000

ROAD TRIP!

Eric is going to play basketball at a junior college (El Camino) in California this summer. He'll live with my sister and her family, help drive her two kids to activities to earn his keep, and hopefully get some basketball exposure. We'll see what happens after that. The two of us are driving there on June 5th so he'll have his car out there. I'll stay for a few days and fly back. What's nice is that a good friend he met at Mizzou this year lives in Manhattan Beach, just a few miles from my sister, and will be taking a summer class at the same junior college. Plus my whole family lives in the area, so he's excited to have that sense of family that he didn't have for so long. And yes I'm jealous!

My Blind Date Wasn't Blind

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Fifteen years ago today, I went on a blind date.

I'd gone on them before, always leaving disappointed.

And discouraged.

"You never know," my mom said. "How will you know if you don't go?"

Fine, I'll go.

He wasn't blind...which was a plus.

It was love at first sight.

For him.

Okay, for me too.

And it only got better.

And then it got worse.

And then it got better again.

And then we got married.

Ten years later.

But still.

I'm glad I went on that blind date.

Fifteen years ago today.

I love this man.

P.S. Thank you Jan and Scott for setting us up :)

Before (Abuse and Neglect) and After (TLC): Dog Rescue Transformations

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:10:00 +0000

BEFORE AND AFTER

Over the years I've collected Facebook pictures of rescued dogs and turned them into before and after collages.

Before - abused, neglected or tortured by evil subhumans

and

After - cared for by loving angels

I know some of these are hard to look at, but bear with me, because

THEY ALL HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS!

And don't miss the pictures of my friends' dogs and their amazing stories at the end.

Someone called Stray Rescue to report a dead dog (below). Randy and his team arrived to find he was actually alive, but barely. His story was shown on the media, and Former St. Louis Blues President John Davidson and his family adopted him! Read Pearson's Stray Rescue story

The following dogs were either fostered or adopted by my friends:

Randy, from Stray Rescue, found Normm in an area known for dog fighting. Normm's leg, swarming with maggots, was so infected and neglected for so long that it ate through the bone. His leg had to be amputated, but he recovered...

...and now goes to the doggie daycare where I work. He doesn't even look like the same dog. I love this picture of him. He looks so happy. To really get a grasp of Normm's transformation, you need to read Normm's rescue story. It's incredible.

Run, Normm, Run!

I made this collage:

My friend Sandy (right) adopted Normm. (By the way, can you believe Sandy is 67?)

My friend Lynn adopted Olivia, whom Randy had named Our Little Girl. Read Olivia's rescue story

but be forewarned that Randy titled it "One of the Worst Days I can Remember." A group of us planned to attend Olivia's abuser's court hearing a few weeks ago, but it was postponed. Olivia even has her own Facebook page called Friends of Olivia.

Olivia is now thriving and gorgeous. She goes to the doggie daycare where I work, and I absolutely ADORE her...she is the biggest goofball! Here she is with her brother Cabbage, also from Stray Rescue.

Photo by Lynn

My friend Kelly's foster, Dakari, had mange so bad that her skin bled when touched...

...Now named Gabby (left), she's living the good life with her brother Dink

Gamble (below) was in bad shape when Randy found him. My friend Nancy took him home as a foster and fattened him up to become a beautiful boy! Sadly, after being with her for a few months he was found to have prostate cancer. He became a permanent member of their family, and was spoiled and loved until the day he died. (Love you, Gam Gam!)

After Gamble died, Nancy fostered this puppy named Destin. I don't remember his story, but obviously he was neglected and starved...

...and here he is after only a few weeks with her. He's since been adopted by a family.

Nancy's newest foster, Handsome Harry (sweetest thing ever)...

Another one of Kelly's mange fosters, Cool Hand Luke (Luke)...

...and after, with his adoptive family

Peeps (below), found on Easter, had been stabbed in the side and her neck sliced open. (Yes, people really do this.) She was fostered by my friend Sally and is on a trial visit with a potential family. You can see one of her scars in the picture below, but she's healing beautifully, and is so friendly.

My friend Kathleen's dog, Aylen, was found by Randy barely able to sit up.

Kathleen adopted her and spoils her rotten. Here she is with her brother Charlie, also a Stray Rescue dog.

To all my friends who foster and to all the angels who rescue, THANK YOU from the bottom of MY heart...and THEIRS.

Will - One Month Old

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Take a Guess

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:18:00 +0000

Can you guess what these are?

Some are soooo easy; some you'll have no clue.

1.

10.

11.

12.

13.

ANSWERS

1. Pillow

2. Nest

3. Salt and pepper shakers

4. Placemat

5. Flower from a dogwood tree

6. Branch from our newly planted trees to block out the neighbors

7. Hose

8. Strawberry

9. KC

Is she not the cutest thing EVER? Even though she grabbed my camera lens hood and was eating it...

10. Stella

11. Rock in our new backyard. (Makeover reveal post to come, as soon as the pool is uncovered! Woot woot!!)

12. My daily habit of Red Bull on ice

13. Cotton ball in my glass dome

So how'd you do?

Our Easter Grandbaby!

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:20:00 +0000

LOOK WHAT THE EASTER BUNNY BROUGHT US!

Our first grandbaby!

William "Will" Christopher

7 lbs, 8 oz.

21 inches

10:43 a.m.

March 31, 2013

Eric Basketball News Article - Creve Coeur Patch

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:26:00 +0000

Here's the article about Eric from Creve Coeur Patch's Gregg Palermo. He's been following Eric since last year at Desmet.

Link to article on website

Breaking:Snow Causes Leaky Roof At Parkway North »

Sports

Eric Moeller Looking At Florida Gulf Coast University, Other Schools To Reboot College Basketball Career

The De Smet Jesuit graduate is looking for a new college hoops home after an attempt to walk on at the University of Missouri didn't work out.

By Gregg Palermo
Email the author
March 22, 2013

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On Friday Florida Gulf Coast University will take on Georgetown in an NCAA tournament matchup one day after Belmont battles Arizona. In the back of his mind, Eric Moeller knows that he could have found himself suiting up in one of those games having been recruited by FGCU and Belmont. Instead, the 6-11 former De Smet Jesuit big man is on the sideline, itching to get back into the game.

Moeller turned down scholarship offers last spring from mid-major programs for the chance at being a preferred walk-on at the University of Missouri. He'd redshirt this season to build strength with the goal of going on scholarship at some point down the road.

At a basketball camp for kids last summer, Tigers Laurence Bowers and Tony Criswell said they were impressed with him. But at some point, something went wrong with those best laid plans and he found himself still at school in Columbia, but without a team.

He declined to get specific in a phone interview earlier this week about exactly what happened, but said that "things weren't going well." He said he wasn't kicked off the team. Missouri Head CoachFrank Haith confirmed Moeller's exit last October in an interview with Patch, while saying he thought Moeller still had "a good basketball future."

"I made the wrong decision," Moeller said of the choice to go to Mizzou. It's nobody's fault," he said, admitting that he got caught up in the idea of being in a big time college basketball environment.

In the time since, he's been in the gym working out, getting "a lot" bigger and stronger. He's kept in touch with his former De Smet Jesuit teammates and coaches on their run to the state finals, and that the team's loss against Rockhurst brought him back to his own memories of losing last season's district final in an upset to Parkway North. He said he's been texting Jimmy Barton and Nolan Berry about not taking playing for granted.

And he's on the trail looking for a new hoops home, carrying a full four years of eligibility and a hunger for the structure which comes with being on a team.

Over the winter break, he visited UC-Santa Barbara and liked it, except that they're out of scholarships for the coming season. He checked out Eastern Michigan University over the weekend and said he has an offer there, as well as one from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he'll visit sometime after spring break.

A decision will likely come in late April so that next spring, he can fulfill a dream of saying he played in the NCAA tournament.

"I was meant to play," Moeller said. "I miss it everday."

A Hiking We Will Go...Even in the Snow!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:06:00 +0000

The forecast called for snow and lots of it. I thought for sure Donna, our fearless leader, would cancel the hike scheduled for the next day. But she's a "neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow" kind of girl. She's also part Indian, and lived in Wyoming. And hunts. And hikes barefoot.

Three layers of pants, three shirts, a jacket, two pairs of socks, a face mask, hat and gloves later, I walked out the door at 7:30 a.m. and into...

Nothing.

After all the hoopla about how much it was going to snow, it hadn't done anything! But I was ready if it did.

It did.

My hiking partner for the day was Homer. Homer is very LARGE.

He filled up my whole back seat.

He's also very cute

And very friendly

It started snowing on the drive there

And kept snowing.

It snowed hard! I was glad I had my face mask (balaclava) on

There were about 10 diehards who showed up to hike. The dogs stayed warm with coats Donna provides, and they loved being in the snow.

I took this picture...

Same pic in color

And this I took in our lane on the way home from the hike

12 inches of snow in all.

It was a good day. I survived the hike.

And Homer got adopted.

Dog Rescue Takes Teamwork!

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:09:00 +0000

Yesterday I got to help save a puppy. She had only a few days left at a rural Missouri shelter before being killed due to lack of space. With our little "crew" of rescuers, transporters, and fosters on Facebook we did it! We saved a life.

Look at this face...

Isn't she adorable? She's a 12-week-old husky mix.

It felt good to be part of the reason she's alive, but it's crazy how much teamwork is involved...for ONE dog.

First, our Facebook friend Aimee saw that this puppy was in danger. Aimee routinely checks this particular shelter's website for dogs in danger of being killed. She notified us on FB that time was up for this pup.

Another friend who operates a rescue agreed to be responsible for vet care and post the dog on its website...IF someone offered to foster.

My friend Kelly (of course) offered to foster. Usually the foster gets to name the dog. Hence, Olivia.

Another friend, Becky, offered to drive the puppy from the shelter to an animal hospital closer to St. Louis, where the dog was treated and given vaccinations.

Kelly had to work, so I picked the puppy up from the vet, took her home for a bath and then to Kelly's.

The foster (Kelly, in this case) gets the hard/fun job of potty training and snuggling a puppy or adult dog and watching it thrive. She socializes it with other dogs and people, takes it for spay/neuter (or I take them since she works) and then finds it a good home through adoption events or the rescue's website.

I love that everyone helps in whatever way they can:

Aimee has a toddler, so her role in rescue is limited but crucial. She is a crossposter and is the best plea-er / beggar around. She is relentless and refuses to let a dog die on her "watch." I'm sure her family and friends are maxed out on dogs.

No dogs would be saved, of course, if it weren't for the rescues who agree to take on a dog and its baggage, which could include thousands of dollars in medical bills. SO PLEASE DONATE, especially to small rescues!

Without fosters, the rescues couldn't save dogs from shelters. With only so much space in their own homes, where would they put them?

Transporters drive the dogs to their destinations. Sounds menial, but with dogs being saved from all over the country or in this case the state, transporters are essential.

I wish I could do more, because it's the most gratifying feeling in the world knowing a life was saved because of something I did. I can't imagine how fosters must feel.

Maybe some day...

Once You Go Mac...

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:37:00 +0000

Since I'm a workin' girl now - and with the help of 18-month 0% financing - I've decided to splurge and buy myself a laptop! I'm so excited!

I've had my first generation iPad for two years now, and although it's served me well, it was time to upgrade. The iPad was great for entertainment...Words with Friends, reading books on the Kindle app, and looking at my emails, but as far as productivity, I was frustrated by its limited capabilities. I'll still use it, but as far as Facebook, responding to emails, blogging, and editing pictures, I have found the computer of my dreams... a MacBook Pro.

I got the 13" screen because it's smaller and I can hold it in my lap or easily tote it to a coffee shop, and of course less expensive. The i7 processor was a must for me. It is SO fast, which is good because I've gotten impatient in my old age. I'm not sure why I chose a Mac over a PC, especially since I heard Mac takes some getting used to although I didn't know in what way. Since I have an Apple iPhone, I figured it couldn't be too hard to adapt. I'm so glad I went with a Mac! (Someone told me "Once you go Mac you never go back." Haha) The adjustment curve is due to learning the few finger swipes it takes to control the cursor via the trackpad, which was easy because I already "swipe" with the iPhone. I wouldn't mind getting a book or taking a class to learn more about the different functions, but I've got the basics down. The only con is the inability to increase the font size, which I've read on forums is a major issue.

One of my complaints about not having a laptop was that I'd have to go upstairs to use the desktop computer. I know...woe is me. But it feels so isolated up there. Right now I am sitting at my desk in the family room with my dogs on the couch and happy they can see me, the light is pouring in through the sliding glass door next to me, I'm being productive by writing on my blog, and I couldn't be happier.

I know it's not things in life that make a person happy. But you have to admit...they do help.

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:26:00 +0000

Time for an update...

For Christmas (I know, I'm behind) we went to California.

The annual Moeller Classic basketball tournament is always fun...unless Eric is on the opposing team

While visiting, we went to a pet store for something to do, and the owner let Eric hold a tarantula!

I love this pic...

Our family Christmas card

The back had a cute picture of Julie showing her belly. She's only got about 8 weeks left!

And speaking of babies...

Guess who else is having one?!

OH MY GOSH!

Brian and Marlys!! Remember them?!!!

She had been having stomach problems for a while, feeling sick, etc. I know it sounds crazy, but a gastroenterologist visit led to them finding out she was 5 months pregnant! I'm so excited! And it's a boy... due May 22nd. So we've got two new babies coming very soon.

It's hard to believe this boy arrived 19 years ago...

Happy Birthday E

From boys to dogs...

My friend Kelly loves to foster mange puppies because of

the dramatic changes after some TLC and medication.

This is Cool Hand Luke when he was rescued...

And here he is in his new home

Her latest Stray Rescue puppy, Dakari, has to wear a shirt because her skin bleeds from barely touching her. I can't wait to see her after some Kelly TLC.

The sagging neck is all fluid. So sad :(

And here's my spoiled baby waiting for a cup of tea.

I'm just loving my new room, can you tell?

The latest news? Yesterday my nephew Mark was discharged from the hospital. He'd been having trouble swallowing, and after not eating for a few days my sister took him to the ER for answers. It turns out he has two ulcers on his esophagus. They're not sure of the cause. Could be from antibiotics he'd been taking for chronic sinus infections or he just inherited my family's awful acid reflux problem (thank you Krista, Ryan and Eric).

Such a trooper!

He had lots of visitors, including former Dodger pitcher Joe Moeller, who brought him a Dodger cap!

Oh wait, that's just his grandpa. :)

Until next time!

When Larry Finds Out the Name of My New Dog...

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:26:00 +0000

Larry is not fond of my pit bull obsession. He doesn't think they're cute. He's afraid of them. He thinks they're all mean and they all bite. Still...after two years of me volunteering at Stray Rescue.

But I thought he'd feel differently when he found out the name of my new enrichment dog...

Ferrari

When I told him my new dog's name is Ferrari, you know what he said?

"Is she red?"

Sheesh. It's hopeless.

I Need Another Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:44:00 +0000

The Stray Rescue enrichment program director emailed me with a list of dogs looking for a buddy, but I've been procrastinating about taking on another one since Combination went to foster.

The problem? Each time I go to the shelter it breaks my heart. I couldn't feel the heartache before because I was busy planning my next outing with Combination. But since taking a break after he left, I feel less stress. No pressure. No guilt. No dog waiting for me. Waiting for me...his only friend, his only chance at going on a hike, to the park, or to the pet store to pick out a toy. His only escape from the monotony of two 10-minute walks a day and a reprieve from the crowded, noisy shelter. His only chance to climb in my car or on my lap and pretend for the day that both belong to him.

If I don't hear 200 barking dogs, I can pretend they're not crying out - pleading - day after day for anyone walking by to take them home. If I don't see them spinning in anxious circles or curled up on a tiny, thin towel trying to stay warm, I can pretend they're not worried or cold.

If I don't go, they don't exist.

But without grateful wet kisses and happy tail wags, how will I fill my soul? How will I know once again the satisfaction of teaching a dog to walk nicely on a leash, sit for a treat and other skills needed to prepare for a forever home?

There's nothing quite like the love of a dog.

I need another buddy.

New Master Bedroom Reveal!

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:34:00 +0000

Our house is almost finished, but I'm tired of waiting to show you what has been done, so here we go...

The two windows on the left are where our old bedroom was. We extended that room out to the bush on the right in the picture below.

View from pool area (before)

Master bedroom before

Our master bathroom is on the right...

and was TINY!

During construction

New master bath

Walk-in shower - which Eric loves, by the way, because he doesn't have to bend down

I love our cork floor!

New bedroom, but in this picture the bookshelf wasn't framed yet

Reading room attached to the bedroom (before bookshelves, on both sides of entrance to bedroom, were framed)

Here the bookshelves are framed...

Chandelier in the reading room

I love the reading room because we put an electric fence under the carpet so the dogs can come in the reading room with me, but can't go into the bedroom. They have to either come in from the outside or I carry them through the inside.

You can see the dog bed in the background :)

Only the fireplace mantel isn't finished

Walk in closets

And my favorite thing?

The little ironing board that swings out. I love it! I just plug in my iron, and wah-lah!

Notice the bulldozer in the backyard on the left?

Yep...new project.

Backyard.

Stella says Happy New Year, Everyone, and may you always have projects to work on.

Sigh.

None of this would be possible without my mom. She designed and decorated everything! Thank you, thank you, Mamacita!! It's beautiful and I love it.

Make it Quick! Random News

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:51:00 +0000

The guy who robbed us in the middle of the night and stole my purse last November got 8 years in prison. Ours was one of three houses he robbed AND he had a prior arrest.

I'm reading Fifty Shades of Grey. Not my typical read. It's, um...interesting.

Stella will be 10 tomorrow

I still work at The Watering Bowl

(That's KC lying down in the front)

Rum Chata, a sweet dog I took on a hike a few weeks ago got ADOPTED!

I went to my 30 year high school reunion a couple weeks ago in California and had a blast.

Me and Megan

Me and my good friend Kevin

Saw this adorable puppy at PetCo in Redondo Beach

And this girl and her "beagle in a basket"

We stopped to talk with her, and she rescued him from a shelter the day before being killed. He is now a therapy dog at nursing homes and hospitals. How cool is that?!

Eric has a girlfriend at school named Allie

He brought her home last week for the Cardinals playoff game. On their way home, Eric got pulled over for going 90 (I know, I know!). The officer said, "You better have a hell of an excuse for speeding." Eric said, "I really don't." The cop said, "Get outta here" and let him go. Twenty minutes later, after they'd decided to switch drivers, Allie got pulled over for going 82 and got a ticket. :(

Cards won this game

We find out the gender of our grandbaby on November 15th

(Cutest little belly! Julie is 17 weeks)

I gave Combo a bath before taking him to an adoption event

He did great at the event, especially because I shared my yogurt

Most of the time he wanted to lie upside in my lap like a baby

And the best news EVER???

The day after the adoption event, COMBO WENT TO A FOSTER HOME!!

It wasn't from someone at the event. I just hope he behaves, especially because the family has kids ages 15, 13 and 6 months. I heard he was very gentle with the 6-month-old, who has Down Syndrome, and seemed to know she was special.

Good luck to my boy!

"Leave It" Challenge and My Crazy Dog Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:36:00 +0000

My Stray Rescue friends and I have a Facebook page with about 90 members where we share pictures, exchange advice and sometimes vent. The posts range from funny to downright bizarre (think dog poop). We get together for Happy Hour once a month with a turn out of 20-30 people. Several members are seriously involved in rescue, so just about every day someone on our page is saving a dog from death who is about to be euthanized due to lack of space in a shelter or rescuing a dog tied to a tree in a backyard without food, water or shelter. We all pitch in by contributing money, offering to transport, foster, or knock on someone's door with an offer to pay for a neglected dog, with some made up story about a dog once loved who looks just like theirs. We've driven around searching for each other's lost dogs and cross posted for dogs found. We've done it all. I LOVE our group.

I also love the Star Thrower story, which epitomizes what we do and the fact that we can't save them all (See bold type):

Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

Besides saving dogs, we also have a TON of fun on our page. Here's an example:

One member posted a picture of her foster dog performing the "leave it" command with his absolute favorite treat in the whole world....

Pizza!

Huber - Pizza Leave It

Next thing you know, everyone started posting their dogs...

Scarlett - Lion's Choice Hamburger Leave It

Banker - Popcorn Leave It

Hannah - Cheese Leave It

Canada - Cheeto Leave It

This is my favorite!!! Ellie - Double Paw Hot dog Leave It

Aries - Milkbone Leave It

Gamble - Turkey Leave It

Huber (again) - Cheeseburger Leave It

Wojo - Cheeseburger Leave It

Murphy - Marshmallow Leave It

Stella - PBJ sandwich crust Leave It

Vinnie - Double Paw Meatloaf Leave It

Sydney - Pretzel Leave It

Even Combo participated...

Combo - Beefy Treat Leave It

And then it started getting a little ridiculous....

Lisa - Carb Leave It

Etta - Milkbone Leave It with a little help from Photoshop

(Apparently Etta hasn't quite mastered "leave it," but her dad didn't want her to feel left out)

There you have it...my crazy dog friends.

Catching Up...and BIG NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:20:00 +0000

We have some catchin' up to do! Two weeks ago - on September 8th, Larry and I celebrated our 5th anniversary by going to Lake of the Ozarks. Just us and the dogs. It was the first time in 15 years that we've gone by ourselves. Usually we're entertaining family or friends and driving kids around in the boat. It was nice not to have to be anywhere. We shopped, ate, and took the dogs out on the boat. They loved it.

View from the condo

Stella

The girls chillin'

Co-captain extraordinaire

Guess what I wanted to do the night of our anniversary. Have a nice romantic dinner? Nope, I wanted to watch the Mizzou football game. Not surprising, for those who know me.

Speaking of which...two weeks ago we went to the Mizzou football game for Parents' Weekend. It was nice to see Eric. I'm actually starting to miss him. I can hear my dad now..."Excuse me, we must have a bad reception." Ha! I really do though. He is having the best time at school, and the only reason he'll come home to visit - if he ever does - will be to see the dogs. He misses them.

Brian and Eric

We saw his dorm room, which he said he spent an hour cleaning before we got there. If that's true then I'd hate to see what it looked like beforehand. He has his own room but shares a bathroom with Ryan Rosburg. He said he doesn't spend a lot of time in his room. I can see why...it's small and depressing. A lot of his friends from Brentwood go to Mizzou (Larry says it's Brentwood on steroids) and are in a dorm near his, so when he's not in class, working out, or playing basketball, he spends a lot of time with them. He tells me he's getting all A's so far, so hopefully he'll keep that up.

E with his friends from Brentwood, who go to Mizzou, siblings Patrick and Caroline

What else...

My enrichment dog still hasn't been adopted, so we continue our "play dates." He gets so excited when he sees me at the door to his kennel. He knows he's in for some F-U-N fun! We do different things when we go out...

Like hiking

to the park

and playground

Out to breakfast

and ice cream

(But not on the same day. He's trying to watch his figure.)

Looks like he ate strawberry ice cream! Not sure why this pic makes his face look so red.

I opened my trunk to get something and he jumped in. He is such a goofball

I made this collage for Stray Rescue's website to add to his bio

Our room addition is slowly coming along. Everything is here and ready to be installed...the bathtub, light fixtures, bedroom furniture, you name it. The plumbing and electricity is done. I think drywall is next.

The biggest news of all????

I'm going to be a grandma!

Julie and Billy are pregnant and we are so excited. We can finally stop treating our dogs like babies. Oh wait...that'll never happen. But next March we'll be on to the next phase in our lives as grandparents. It's hard to believe I've known Julie since she was 14 and now she's 28 and soon to be a mom. So neat. We can't wait!

"I'll always be your baby" ~ Stella

My Precious, Kind, Intelligent, Beautiful, Sweet 12-Year-Old Niece...

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:18:00 +0000

...who may or may not have told me to write that...flew from California all by herself to stay with me for five days.

And even though we did nothing but

EAT

SHOP

PLAY WITH DOGS (There's no visiting Auntie without visiting Stray Rescue!)

AND VISIT THE ARCH

We had the BEST.TIME.EVER.

Stella is still recovering.

Thanks for the memories, Mayse. I love you.

(All pictures were taken with my iPhone and edits were done using the Camera+ app. Collage was made with the Diptic app)

Combination, and Why I Do What I Do

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:45:00 +0000

Xylaphone, my previous enrichment dog, is being enriched by someone else. I was temporarily co-enriching him with someone who plans on eventually fostering him.

My new enrichment dog, Combination (http://strayrescue.org/adopt/combination), is the best. I fell in love the first day we met. He's been at Stray Rescue for six months. I don't know why he's still there! He's perfect. Well, except for one thing. He thinks he's human. He insisted on sitting in the chair next to me at lunch.

"Don't mind me. I'll just sit here and watch you eat while I starve."

"Antlers would taste much better with the elk attached."

"LOL, that was a good one, Lynne!"

"A little more sunscreen on my back, if you don't mind. My age spots are starting to form cartoon characters."

"The carpet you can have, but don't even think about taking my ball."

One thing that cracks me up is that right when we pull up to the shelter to go back after our day out, he pretends he's asleep!! It's hilarious. That's him on the left (below) as we pulled up. He's such a faker! I love his personality, his smile, and his temperament. He is smart and attentive. I take him to obedience class, which Stray Rescue provides for the enrichment dogs, and he's learned "shake," "down," "stay," and not to jump on people as they approach him. He loves people so much and just wants to be pet, but we're working on the jumping.

Combination would love a forever home, but he's happy just to have been rescued. Randy Grim found him with these chains and padlock around his neck and needed bolt cutters to get them off.

One would think Combination would despise humans since that's who abused him. But like all animals, he is forgiving, and wants only to love and be loved in return.

Some say that I'm obsessed or that I do too much for the dogs.

Call it what you will.

But read this...

...and at least you'll know why.

Lynne

Month in Pictures ~ June

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:30:00 +0000

Not much happened in June

Work

Lifeguard "Kevin" on duty

Lauren filling up the pools

Hot temps

Stray Rescue Enrichment Meetings

Randy (right) enjoying the wine and appetizers

An hour before the above meeting, Randy rescued this skinny mom and pups in the 111 degree weather. Three of the babies died but these six were saved. The mom is soooo friendly.

New Enrichment Dog

My new enrichment dog's name is Xylaphone, so named because you can see his ribs. I took him to PetCo since it was too hot to do anything outside. Shopping wore him out, so he laid down in the middle of the store. He's sweet and easy going and is 5 years old. I hope he gets fostered or adopted quickly. He'd be such an easy dog.

Need to fatten him up!

Bedroom addition continues

Reading

I've read 26 books since January. Here are the titles, author and my rating.

Molokai (Alan Brennert) 4/5

The Legacy Letters (Tuesdays Children) 4/5

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School (Kathleen Flinn) 5/5
When God Winks at You: How God Speaks Directly to You Through the Power of Coincidence (Squire Rushnell) 3.5/5
I'm Still Standing: How One Woman's Brushes With Death Taught Her How to Live (Kelly Standing) 4/5
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity (Katherine Boo) 3/5
Sin and Syntax (Constance Hale) 3.5/5
Don't Put Me in Coach (Mark Titus) 2/5
I Thought You Were Dead (Pete Nelson) audio 5/5
Out of Harm's Way (Terri Crisp) 4/5
Mom Energy (Ashley Koff & Kathy Kaehler) 3/5
Biblioholism: The Literary Addiction (Tom Raabe) 5/5
Spare Change (Bette Lee Crosby) 4/5
A Space of My Own: Inspirational Ideas for Home Offices, Craft Rooms and Studies (Caroline Clifton-Mogg) 4/5
Help for Writers (Roy Peter Clark) 4/5
Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient and then Turned 16 (Moshe Kasher) 4/5
A Mother's Journey of Love, Loss and Life Beyond (Jennifer Scalise) 5/5
How Not to Write (William Safire) 3.5/5
Fumble Rules (William Safire) 3.5/5
Junk English (Ken Smith) 2/5
Grammar Girl's 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know (Mignon Fogarty) 3.5/5
The Glamour of Grammar
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (Susan Cain) 4/5
Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me (Jerry McGill) 4/5
Giant George: Life With the World's Biggest Dog (Dave Nasser) 4/5
Through These Veins (Ann Marie Ruff) ~ currently reading

Until next time...!

Nothin' But Air(ic)

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:59:00 +0000

This one's for my family...it's all about Eric.

The first week of school and basketball was tough for him, but he's gotten into the swing of things and has learned to at least keep up.

He and Ryan get along well except Ryan never eats because he has to lose weight. Eric: "You wanna get something to eat?" Ryan: "Dude, we just ate an hour ago." Eric is always hungry, and the dining hall closes at 6:30, so he spends $25 to have food delivered every night.

Eric said that when the team goes out together everyone comes up and talks to them. "They're not regular people there, mom, they're like gods."

After Eric missed his ride to Columbia last night with Ryan because Eric went to the movies, then called me at 9:30 p.m. and said, "How am I going to get to school?," and eventually paid a friend to drive him there; and last week wrecked his car which now needs a whole new engine because he ran over a sign in the middle of the street, I said to him, "Feel free not to come home next weekend." Yeah, I really did. Larry said it was mean. I thought not.

The car is still at the shop waiting for us to decide what to do. We think the hassle of driving him around, him using our cars and relying on others for rides may not be worth any potential lessons learned.

The dirty laundry Eric brings home every weekend never includes socks. This weekend I finally asked him why. He said, "Mom, I take off my uniform and socks after practice, put them in a bag, and two hours later they're back in my locker...just like that." Oh jeez.

One of his teammates missed class one day and the next morning the whole team had to get up at 4 a.m. and run sprints and suicides. That should be a nice wake up call to show there's no "I" in team.

The turning point in accepting the pressures of college basketball may have come when he signed about 50 autographs at camp last week. I'm pretty sure he loved it. But apparently he needs to work on his signature, because "all the guys teased me about mine."

Kids at camp

He sent me this pic with the caption "First injury of the year." Turns out it's just shin splints, but he had these last year and could hardly walk. What helped was good inserts in his shoes. Need to put that on my list of things to buy. Along with a new engine.

training room

Lynne

My First Two Weeks at Work

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Working with dogs all day is HARD WORK!

I've got bruises from them jumping on my legs

My back kills me from bending over to pet them

and bathe them (Chloe post-bath)

Trying to keep peace among 92 dogs is challenging...

and for one minute spurts, boring

(Only one minute...I'm not kidding)

But with Westies like Chloe and Dobermans like Cooper

Boston Terrier's like Sophie

Bloodhounds like Duke

Rottweilers like Fields

Cairn Terriers like Holly

chocolate labs like Brighton and Bailey

Shihtzus like Lily

St. Bernards like Rio

and his brother Jack

and of course my all time favorite...pit bull puppies like Zeus

Does it surprise you that

I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT?

Abacus update - Remember my enrichment dog? Last week I took him to his new foster home and he could not be happier. He gets along great with his three new dog siblings too.

He loved his new pool and thought it was funny to chase me with the hose.

Yay Abacus!

My Enrichment Buddy - Abacus

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Stray Rescue started a new program called Rehabilitation and Enrichment Program (R.E.P.). Volunteers are assigned to dogs who have been in the shelter for over a year or who are doing poorly in the shelter - losing weight, spinning, etc. - or in the case of the dog I was assigned to, both.

To help make the dogs more adoptable, volunteers are asked to spend at least five hours a week with their dog, take them on outings, to training class, and on overnight visits if possible. The hotel near the shelter offered to let us use their rooms for overnights with the dogs if we can't take them to our homes. Blues hockey player Barrett Jackman is a huge Stray Rescue advocate, and since he leaves for the offseason, he's offered his St. Louis home (with a caretaker) for that as well.

I was assigned to Abacus. He is labeled "staff approved volunteers only." That means only certain volunteers are allowed to walk him because he humps and nips people and bites at the leash. He is crazy. He's not mean or aggressive, he just has so much energy that he doesn't know what to do. In his "apartment," he jumps up one side and down the other in a sort of rhythmic fashion.

The first time I tried to get him out of his apartment he bit me in the upper thigh as soon as I opened the door. My heart was absolutely pounding and I slammed the door shut. How am I going to enrich him if I can't even get him out! But I love a challenge and was not about to let him intimidate me. So I opened the door again and let him know who was boss. He jumped and jumped and tried to run out. But I stood tall, blocked him with my legs to prevent him from escaping, and demanded that he "SIT!"

And he did.

As soon as I leashed him and walked him out he was an angel.

We got in the car and headed to the park. Apparently the water looked inviting because he jumped right in. I still had him by the leash, so I fished him out and he gave me a look like, "What'd you push me in for?!"

After hanging out at the fountain, I gave him an antler to chew on; he loved it.

See the halter he has on in this picture? He had it on because if a regular leash was used, he pulled so hard that he choked himself. And rather than having to take it off and put it on twice a day for his walks, they left it on 24/7. His skin was rubbed raw under his legs. I insisted it be taken off, and it was. Stray Rescue is amazing and they do a wonderful job, but with so many dogs, sometimes a special advocate is needed. Which is why I love this R.E.P. program!

Even though he looks happy here, he's so much happier without the halter.

For a few days in a row I picked him up and took him to the park. We practiced loose leash walking and he did great. If he strayed from my side at all, I gave him a little tug and he walked right next to me. He looked up at me so proud that he was behaving. He honestly reminds me of a 6-year-old with ADHD.

Yesterday I took him to a restaurant called Luvy Duvy's, where the servers bring dogs a plate of food and bowl of ice water. I could tell he'd never been to a restaurant. He wiggled his whole behind and wagged his tail, jumping on the table and knocking chairs over like a bull in a china shop. He acted friendly and wanted to say hi to everyone, but until I get to know him better I have to keep him close to me.

It took 15 minutes for him to settle down.

Using his bacon, cheese and chicken platter, I worked with him on "leave it." At first he wondered why in the world I would leave a perfectly good piece of bacon sitting on the ground, so he thought he'd help out by trying to pick it up. He finally figured out that if he did leave it he would eventually get to EAT it!

The server, who knew I was a Stray Rescue volunteer, came over later and said my lunch was free and that the owner wanted me "not to give up on the dog." It was so unexpected that I got teary.

I showed Larry this picture and he said, "He is not a cute dog." Okay, well maybe not in the typical cute dog sense, but I think he's adorable.

We piled back in the car after lunch. He laid down, so I thought he'd go to sleep, but as soon as I stopped at a stop light or stop sign he shot up in the seat, like "Do I have to go back to the shelter already?!" I wanted him to relax, so I drove up and down the highway and stroked his sweet head while he slept.

Poor Abacus just needs someone to love him. If I can be his little bit of heaven by showing him love until his forever person comes along, I will do that for him.

Gladly.

Lynne

I'M A WORKING WOMAN...GONE TO THE DOGS

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Guess who got a job? Moi. I interviewed yesterday at The Watering Bowl (TWB), a doggy daycare and boarding facility, and was hired on the spot. My friend Donna knows the owner. They had 78 (78!!) dogs running around. When I walked into the yard, all 78 of them came up to me and either sniffed me or jumped on me. It was so funny. There were two Great Danes, a mom and son, who were as big as horses. They had every kind of dog you could imagine...Bull Dogs and Dachshunds and Chihuahuas and Golden Retrievers and Pit Bulls! I think I'm going to love it.

Google Image (not from Watering Bowl)

WHO let the dogs out: Me! Me me me me me...meeeee!

WHAT I'll do: Walk around while the dogs play, monitor them and prevent play from getting too rough, give baths to dogs whose owners want them cleaned before picking them up, check dogs in and out at front desk, feed dogs who need to be fed three times a day, clean poop and pee from yard, take pictures (at least two of each dog) and post on TWB Facebook page.

WHERE: In South County - about 20 minutes away without traffic. Could be 30 or 40 with traffic. They're opening a new place in Brentwood in three or four weeks, so hopefully I'll get to work there since it's closer to me.

WHY I got a job: Eric just started college, so I need to at least help him pay for it. He'll have to get a loan if he doesn't end up getting a basketball scholarship. Jason was accepted yesterday into Washington University School of Business Master's program...and it is not cheap. My tuition reimbursement from Wash U. would have come in handy just about now :( Too bad I quit.

WHEN: I start tomorrow 1:30-8:30. I told him I only want to work part-time, but I think it's going to be between 25-30 hours a week.

HOW much: $8/hour (brutal) and HOW am I going to go on vacation with Larry and go on our cross-country motorcycle ride and go to Lake of the Ozarks with friends and spend the winters in Florida: Win Powerball.

Our Month in Pictures - May

noreply@blogger.com (Lynne) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:34:00 +0000

I hope your head doesn't spin when looking at these pictures....it was a busy month!!

Here we go...

I went hiking with my friend Donna. We took her dogs this time instead of Stray Rescue dogs. They needed some fun too :)

This is her dog Funny Bone. Donna adopted her from Stray Rescue and kept her name. She's hilarious. She wanted to sit on my lap, and she's not exactly a lap dog, as you can see...

Donna and her pack. And she has two more at home!

Her son's dog Newton, who is visiting for the summer, and Funny Bone

My Stray Rescue friend Kelly had a doggie playdate at her house. A neighbor came over to see what the heck was going on

I went on a Stray Rescue hike and was paired up with Bitberger. I've never met a dog with more personality. He was an absolute riot. He sat in the front with me on the way to the trail

Donna took this of us on our way there. Ha!

Bitberger after the hike. He was sprawled from the back seat to the front

A random pic I took of a St. Bernard in the back of this little car. It was so funny

I went with some Stray Rescue friends out to lunch. The shelter encourages us to take dogs out for a few hours or for the whole day, so we took Shaq with us. That's me with Shaq. He's awesome!

We took them to a place downtown called Luvy Duvy's. Every dog gets his own special plate. Check out this feast of bacon, cheese, chicken chunks and chips

Another lunch date with Stray Rescue friends and shelter dogs

My friend Kelly has 7 dogs right now - 4 of her own and 3 fosters. I try to take her fosters out when I can since she works full time. This is Huber. I love him. And he loves the water. But I didn't let him go in.

(Conway Park)

I took this adorable picture of Huber, and Kelly submitted it to SR to be his bio pic on the website. They changed it right away and he has some people looking at him tonight! I hope he gets adopted. He's such a good boy.

My friend Donna got in the middle of a dog fight (her own dogs) and we took her to the ER. She ended up having stitches in her ankle, back of her leg and in her hand. She is one tough cookie. And so am I...I watched while they cleaned and stitched her wounds and didn't even faint.

I hooked up my friend Katie (hi Katie!) and her husband Jeff with a new rescue puppy. Is he not the cutest thing you've ever seen?! They named him Johnny Cash. Not sure if they'll call him Johnny or Cash. Most of their dogs have had musician names - Crosby, Garcia, Marley, Nash

Why does my dog think she's allowed on the table?

And in the serving tray?

Stray Rescue renovated the shelter and look how cute the new bathroom signs are...

Custom vending machine

My stepdaughter Julie's friend Jen got married. I've known her since she was 14.

Julie's friend Gina's dad (Jim) and Larry masquerading at the wedding reception

And last but not least, Eric's graduation, which was held in this beautiful cathedral

You can see Eric's tall self in the back

Checking his diploma to make sure he really graduated...

Yay!!! He did it!

Krista, E, and Me

Graduation dinner with Krista, Brian, his wife Marlys, Alyssa, Eric, Jason and Larry

Oops, one more thing..

Eric played in the Missouri All-Star game. They lost in the semi-finals, but it was an honor for him to be invited to play. #10

I forgot to say on the other post that the night before Eric was leaving to go to Mizzou, Phil Pressey called and asked if Eric could pick him and Alex Oriakhi up from the airport at 8:00 the next morning and drive them to Mizzou. So somehow Phil Pressey sat in the back seat of Eric's Jetta behind 6'9" 240-something pound Alex and 6'11" Eric for the hour and 45 minute drive. That must have been an interesting ride.

Was that a whirlwind, or what?