Siberian antics and other observations

Of Men and...........

2010-11-18T14:50:00.000-06:00

While this isn't really related to the the Siberians, I think I need to vent.
Maybe I'm too independent, and too old, and set in my ways, and have lived by myself for too long, but, are all men like what I am about to describe?
Harry, normally works away from home from a week to 3 weeks at a time, That's great.
But, the last (seems like forever) month, he's been working from home.
I am not a drinking woman, but, if he doesn't get to the old way of working, he will surely drive me to drink!!
I swear I feel I need to tell him when I'm about to go to the bathroom, or when I'm about to sit and watch TV or anything.
He is constantly asking "What are you doing?" "How's it going?" "How are the kids?" "What's for supper?" "What are you cooking?" "How'd you sleep?" "Were you warm enough?" (I sleep better when it's freezing in my room.) The list goes on and on and on and on and... well, I hope you get the idea.
I've been cooking lots of things in the crockpot lately, because I've been bathing dogs this week.
He is CONSTANTLY opening the lid!!! I've told him today "DO NOT TOUCH", what does he do like ten minutes after I've told him that? He goes and "Just making sure the lid is on" Puleez! It's a wonder anything actually cooks in the crockpot!

He is constantly going out, and minutes later, coming back in. I think he needs to install a revolving door. And when he goes out and comes back in, he brings in more dirt and debris than the 10 housedogs do. I can sweep and mop the floor, and within 5 minutes he has dirtied it up again. When I come back in the house after being outside, I take off my shoes. Why can't he do that?

Oh, and the trash. He drinks a lot of beer. I mean, a lot. So, I set up a trash can specifically for all his beer cans. He came home one weekend, and I swear I emptied the trash 3 times in 1 day--for all HIS beer cans. And did I mention, it was I who emptied the trash? I asked him once, if he was trying to see how much trash he could CRAM into the can before he emptied it, and he said no, he didn't think the trash needed emptying yet. Excuse me, the lid has now fallen off the can, and you don't think it needs to be emptied?! What really gets me, is when I get the trash outside and he happens to be sitting there, he'll jump up and say, "Here, I can get that." Well no thanks Harry, I made it this far, I think I can make it the rest of the way to the trash bin.
And empty boxes. He leaves empty boxes in the pantry. He says he doesn't notice when he takes the last whatever it is out of the box. What? How do you not notice you have just emptied the box? And the trash can is, like, 3 feet away from the pantry.

Oh, and he feels he needs to inform me of the weather every 5 minutes. I watch the weather on the newscast each night, I know (sort of) what to expect, I don't need a minute by minute recount of the weather. I can look outside. And if the sun isn't out, he asks "Where's the sun?" I'll let him know the weatherman from the previous night said it was going to be cloudy. What does he do, whips out his little iphone and checks the weather. What does it say? The same thing I just told him.

He feels he needs to inform me of what he is about to do, or going to do sometime soon. If he has a specific project he has in mind, I wish he would not tell me about it, because of all these projects he has mentioned, 95% do not get done. He tells me when he's about to go mow the pasture. He'll go shortly. Well, his shortly is maybe 3 hours later. And when he does mow, he mows for 20 minutes, and takes a beer/cigarette break. Then mows for another 20 minutes and takes another beer/cigarette break. What would normally take maybe a day to mow, has now taken 3 days, for all the breaks he takes. Me, I just go out and get the job done, no breaks. For instance, when it's bath week here at the kennel., I get up, get the kids out, do whatever cleaning up after the kids needs to be done, and start bathing dogs. And usually do 6-7 without a break.

So, is it just me? Or all men so "needy" and "clingy"? Does your man constantly ask "What are you doing?" Or feels he needs to tell you his plans?

Calgon---take me away!

Thanks for letting me vent.
Maybe I need Dr. Phil?! But, I am open to any advice.

Sometimes it Pays to be a Beyatch

2010-09-14T16:27:00.002-05:00

About 3 years ago, I bought a Crosley Radio. It also plays phonographs, and cassette tapes, and has the ability to copy phonos or cassettes to CDs.
When I first got it, I copied several old phonos to CDs.
One night recently, I was unable to fall asleep, I had some Lady GaGa song in my head, and could NOT get rid of it, and thought I would play a cd in my Crosley radio. An instrumental cd, like Celtic Women.
Anyway, I found the cd I wanted to play, and could not get the drawer open to play the cd. It had been quite a while since I last used the Crosley, maybe a year or so.

The next day I found the phone number for Crosley and called. I get a recording informing me that it could be a 15 minute wait, and at the end of 15 minutes, leave a message, and someone would contact me within 48 hours. Well, hearing that irritated me. I wait the 15 minutes, and leave a message.
I then got on the computer to their website and filled out a form for them to contact me. And someone did. Rather quickly. I believe either later that day, or possibly the next via email.
In this email the person relayed information on how to possibly resolve the issue myself. (And the instructions were not helpful at all.) Also, in this email was information on how to send the unit back to Crosley for repair, as they do their own repairs. I would need to send $54.90 for parts and shipping. But, in the event that the unit was irreparable, they would send me a new one, at no cost to me.
They needed other info, which I replied with an email back to the original person answering my questions.
I didn't hear back the next day, or the next, or the next. A week had gone by, and still no response.
As much as I hated, I called the number, waited the 15 minutes, and left, a rather heated message.
I then found other modes of communication listed on the respondent's email, so I sent a typed fax to the number listed. Again, this letter was rather heated.
Well, I'll be darned, if I didn't get a response via email within hours.
And in this email, was an apology for the delay, and any inconvenience. And to top it off, they would wave the $54.90.
I sent out the unit on Friday, Sept.3. The following Monday was Labor Day. Crosley received my unit on Thursday Sept.6.
Today, I hear the UPS truck outside, and the only thing I could think of that should be coming would be an order from Ryan's Pet, that I just made online on Sat.
I knew that shouldn't be it, as my bank account did not have that charge showing yet.
Well, lo and behold, it is from Crosley.
A brand new unit!
Not even a week after they get my old unit.
So, sometimes it does pay to speak your mind.
And, those that know me, know that is what I do!
Especially, since I'm getting older and crankier!

s

The Little Counter Surfer Boy

2010-08-05T10:37:00.007-05:00

The newest addition to my furry family has turned out to be my troublemaker. His name, Apollo.
Case in point.
Throughout the week, I alternate nights with my kids and Harry's seniors to sleep in the house at night. Last night it was time for my kids. Now, normally, they're all pretty good, but, for some reason, Mr. Apollo has taken akin to creating havoc. And last night was one of those nights.
I had woken up about 2 in the morning and made a trip to the bathroom. While in there, I hear a noise that sounds as though someone is chewing on something that was not acceptable. I had toys out for them, but, this did not sound like one of those toys. It sounded like plastic. When I came out of the bathroom, I find little Miss Hope chewing on some sort of plastic. I get the chewed piece of whatever, to try to decipher what it was in its former life. It turned out, it was an empty black ink cartridge from a printer.
Now, I had this cartridge sitting on the table (far enough away, so I thought) waiting to take it to the big store for recycling.
Apparently, the dogs had other ideas. And I say dogs because, as I know how Hope can get herself into trouble without help, I knew someone else's paws had a paw in this.
And as it turned out, also had a face in it.
As you see in the pictures, it was Apollo, because he is one of two of my kids who counter surf. The other one is Emily. And while she counter surfs, she counter surfs for food.
And speaking of food, I found remnants of plastic all over the floor. What is this from, I'm wondering. Well, it dawned on me, it was the remainder of a loaf of bread that was sitting on top of the bread box, as the box had a full loaf inside. Somehow, I think Apollo had his paws on this as well, because I don't think Emily could have reached it. But, I may be wrong, but, I don't think so.
That was my early morning experience. Cleaning up bread wrapper, and mopping the ink from the floor. Bathing Hope and Apollo would have to wait.

A View of the New Arizona Law

2010-05-04T15:59:00.002-05:00

I know, this isn't Siberian related, but, I just have to vent.
I saw a story on the CBS Evening news last night, and that story just has me agreeing with the new immigration law in Arizona even more.
They did a short story on an illegal family from Mexico. Both husband and wife are unemployed, oh, and this just gets my goat. They have 10 kids, all born in the US.
What really got my goat, was, as reported, the husband and wife have been in the states for 15 years, and what REALLY got my goat, the wife does not speak English.
Excuse me? You've been living in the US for 15 years, illegally, I might add, and you can't take the time to learn to speak our language? And these 10 kids you've got while you and your husband are unemployed, whose been paying food, medical, etc. for them while you didn't take time to learn English and are unemployed?
And you want me to feel sorry for you because you have to move from Arizona to Colorado because the state is going to send you back to Mexico if they suspect you are illegal? And the only reason they would have a suspicion, is if you or your husband commit a crime.
The one bad thing I can see from this new law in Arizona, is other illegal immigrants will move to other states, taking advantage of their state programs.

Mona, the Life-Saving Siberian

2010-04-06T12:09:00.002-05:00

This was too cute, not to share.
I heard someone barking up under the lean-to. Took a peak out the window, and Mona is just carrying on. I thought she was probably barking at her roomie, or next door, but, she's looking out toward the
middle paddock-outside the runs. Of course, by then, a few others are barking (not sure they see what she sees). So, I go up there to see if she is seeing things, or if there really is something out there.
I get up there, and look just outside the runs, and don't see anything right away. Upon further investigation, I find that Mona has saved us from-----------the killer baby turtle!!

I picked it up, and took him/her up to the pond. When I left, it had not stuck its head out of the shell. Hopefully, it finds it way to the pond (only inches away), and stays away from the dog yard.
How it got there, is beyond me, because the dog yards are probably a good 200+ yards south of the pond.

And the Chase is On!!

2010-03-27T20:15:00.002-05:00

If you don't like sad endings, do not read any further.
There never seems to be a dull moment with 6 Siberians in the house.
Today was such a beautiful day, I had left the sliding door to the back patio open all day, so the dogs could come in and out as they wish, since I don't have a doggie door on the glass door. I often leave the door open to the back yard on nice days, and today was one of those days. Beautiful sunshine, hardly a cloud in the sky. The only complaint I had, was it was just a bit windy.

Anyway, this evening, I had just finished dinner, and was in the kitchen washing dishes, and cleaning up, when I heard the kids. I went into the livinig room, and at first glance, I see them doing their furniture olympics, which oftentimes the youngsters will engage. Within seconds, I realize this is not furniture olympics, but, who can catch the bird? Yes, a bird had flown into the house.
Not just an ordinary bird, but, a beautiful male cardinal!! In the house!!

Now, how to get said bird out of the house, safely. I'm watching him fly around, the dogs jumping around. He lands here and there, they try to jump here and there. This was not going to be easy. I manage to get the kids out the back door, one by one, so I can try to coax the cardinal out the front door.

I open the front door, and look for the bird. He has landed on one of the cedar beams in the living room ceiling. I go to get something with which to coax him, and upon returning, he isn't where I last saw him. Wow, did he manage to find his escape route that quickly?

I look high and low in the living room, down the hall, in the bar, in my bedroom, which is just off the living room. No cardinal. Wow, where's the Staple's button? You know, the one that says "That was easy."
I go through the house again, just to be sure, clap my hands, make loud noises, still no sign of the cardinal. Well, then.
I let the kids back in, and Emily and Katherine come rushing in, still remembering the chase. Everyone else, seems to have forgotten. They start to settle down, and Legend goes into my bedroom, which he often does, nothing strange about that, only this time, he comes back out within a few seconds, his head held low, and something in his mouth. Oh no!! He had found the cardinal! Apparently, I had not looked high and low---enough.

I can only presume the cardinal had hit a wall, or possibly a window or mirror and either knocked himself out or, well,if you've read this far, you know.

I said a short little prayer, told the cardinal I was sorry, I was trying to help him, and tossed him over the fence.
I just hated that. He was such a beautiful bird. I have a soft spot for cardinals, because I just think they are gorgeous, the males especially.

Is Free Really Free?

2010-03-25T14:59:00.002-05:00

This blog doesn't have anything to do with Siberians, but, it is an observation.
I had done outside work yesterday, while it was nice-before yet another rain storm.
I had done trimming, mowed all the paddocks (which took much longer due to the uncooperative mower--that's another story-maybe, along with the normal everyday stuff of taking care of the dogs. The last thing I want to do is cook something for supper.
Then it dawned on me, Sonic has a special-Buy a SuperSonic cheeseburger, get a free order of tater tots. Free.
Now, I don't know about you, but, when I see free, it means to me, I don't pay for it.
Obviously, Sonic thinks otherwise. (I should note, this is the same place I wrote on my Facebook page a few weeks back about the change debacle.)
I go to Sonic, after having put the dogs up, before the rain.
I order a Supersonic cheeseburger, with the order of tots, and a medium root beer.
The burger is $4.19, and the drink is $1.59, which puts the total, tax included, at $6.26, by my math. The girl's voice over the speaker tells me the total is $7.13.
Huh???
So, the girl skates out my order, I look at the ticket, and it has the burger, the tots, and the drink, with a combo discount of .99. I tell the girl, aren't the tots supposed to be free? She asks "Did you ask for the number 2?" I told her what I ordered, and told her, the tots should be free, and my math tells me the total should be $6.26.
She goes in, and I presume discusses it with the manager, and I get the difference back.
So, I guess with Sonic, it all depends on how you order, when it says something is
free.

3 Dog Night

2010-02-14T11:14:00.003-06:00

Originally, the phrase "Three Dog Night", would be made in reference to how cold it was.
At my house, that phrase takes on a whole new meaning. And it is now "Five Dog Night", as that's how many dogs sleep in my kingsize bed with me.
I have 6 Siberians, but, Apollo chooses to sleep on the floor. I guess I can't exactly blame him, as it is quite crowded in the bed.
Problem with all the kids, is they manage to get in bed before I do. If I could only train them to turn out lights, turn off the TV, check all the doors, etc. before going to bed, I MIGHT have a fighting chance of getting to my "spot" before they do!
For now, I usually just say "Can I come to bed?", and some (not all) will oblige and move to another corner or shift so I can squeeze in.
And that's just fine with me, cuz I love them and can only hope they love me half as much.

Lessons learned

2010-01-17T09:21:00.002-06:00

If you remember, I have 2 young pups, Apollo age 5 months, and Hope, age 4 months. I'm in the process of housetraining them, so they've been sleeping in crates, which, they voice their objection when at bedtime. The first night, Apollo must've screamed for about an hour, not really screamed, but, moaned, and cried and carried on. Hope, on the other hand, was quite good, and still is--what else would I expect? It's always the boys who are hardheaded! Apollo got me up that first night about 1 a.m., and upon going back to bed, he continued voicing his displeasure of the situation. Well, Hope decided at that time, she wasn't happy either.
The other night went much better. They slept until about 5 a.m. I let them out to potty, and let them back in, but, rather than putting them back in their crates, I thought I would leave them out, since we would be getting up in a few hours anyway.
Well, Apollo thought it was playtime, and hopped on the bed, where he began the olympics, and Mona laid him down, grabbed him by the neck, and softly growled at him. When she let him go, he just laid there on the bed and went to sleep. It was if Mona was telling the juvenile, "This is not an olympic arena, this is a bed where we sleep. Now, settle down!!"
You gotta love these older kids, they help with the discipline.
I'm so glad I have a king size bed, as 4 kids currently sleep with me, and when the youngsters are at the point that I can trust them through the night, I am sure they will join us on the bed, making it 6 Sibes, and me, on the bed. And the kids usually get to their spots, and I have to find a space between them. Can hardly wait for Apollo and Hope to join us. I may have to get another bed---for myself.

On another note, I took Apollo and Hope to Petco the other day for another socialization trip. Unbeknownst to me, the local shelter was having an adoption day there. Which was good, because the 2 youngsters have not seen any other dogs besides siberians. We walked into the store, and the adoption was at the entrance, not really the best spot, but, that was their decision. Well, Hope was taken aback, and did not want to go in, Apollo, on the other hand, thought he would let everyone know he had arrived, and barked at the strange looking Siberians. And barked. And barked, and barked some more.
We continue walking around the store, and Apollo had his nose EVERYWHERE. Hope was just walking right along. When it came time to leave. Hope did not want to go by those strange dogs. Apollo was quiet leaving, which was good.
It is apparent, that these 2 need more socialization around other dogs. And that's what I told them as well. If they were to be showdogs, they needed to get used to other dogs.
So, I see more trips to Petco in our future.

The New Kid on the Block

2009-11-08T08:14:00.002-06:00

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Apollo (Foxfire Dig's Lone Star) came to the USA from South
Africa, via Delta airlines. This is a pup that had been negotiated between Cheryl Battey and myself for about 4 years, and he is finally here.

I had to go to DFW airport and get the pup. I had been to Delta cargo a few times, many years ago, but, I don't remember it being as difficult to find as it was this time. I had an idea of where it was, and thought I would play it safe and take directions from Yahoo with me, just to be sure. As it turns out, the directions were of no use, and after driving around aimlessly for about 30 min., I thought it best to stop and get directions. Well, even all of DFW employees don't know how to get there. The person I had asked called Delta (thank goodness I had the number with me), and got directions. I could find American and Continental, but, not Delta. And as it turns out, Delta was right by Continental (which after driving aimlessly, is what I had deduced), but, getting there was a whole 'nother story.
Delta really needs to place their signs (of which I saw only 2) better.
I finally got there, and waited.
Apparently, I am not the only one with difficulty finding Delta cargo, as another lady had come in waiting for a 5 month parrot. While talking, the lady behind the counter had heard part of the conversation, and picked up that my pup was coming from South Africa. She then mentioned to me that I would need to go to customs. Oh great. I hope it is easier to find than customs in Houston. (That was a nightmare, when I picked up Legend). Thank goodness, Dallas customs is very easy to get to. But, before I could go to customs, I had to wait on paperwork, that came with Apollo.

Before I knew it, I heard a puppy in the holding area. I was hoping it was Apollo, and it was! But, the personnel at Delta would not let me past a yellow line. Let me tell you, Apollo was not a happy camper.

I made it to customs and back with no problem, and was ready to get my puppy. He had quieted down by that time. I got him out of his crate to see if he had to go potty (it was a good 24 hours. There was a 7 hour layover in Atlanta). And he is just so full of happiness. He is very social, and oh so happy.

After letting him stretch his legs, it was time to get him in the van for the ride back home. He was not happy, but, settled down after about 30 min.

He is 4 weeks older than the Emily/Victor pups, and plays nicely, except when it comes to toys. If he sees one of the other pups with a toy, he immediately goes and takes it away, even though, he may have a toy of his own.

He was not paper trained, but, quickly learned that papers are his potty area inside the kennel or expen inside. He's a pro, like the other pups. Making cleanup a much easier task.

Legend was not too keen on the idea, but, he has changed his mind, and is very good with Apollo. Katherine and Mona, on the other hand, think he is a toy, and want to destroy. So, until Apollo gets a little older, the two girls will not be playing with him. I was really quite disappointed, as, they play very well with Emily's pups, but, Emily is there to let Katherine and Mona know when they get out of hand. She doesn't protect Apollo, because he isn't her baby.

I'm hoping Apollo will be a star in the showring, and a star in the breeding program. But, I won't love him any less if it was not meant to be. I won't pressure him. It's time to be a puppy, and that's what he will be for now.

Sibe in the Box

2009-10-20T11:49:00.002-05:00

Here at Twister Farms, we have 7 paddocks, or separate play areas for the dogs.
One of those areas, we call "down south" because of the way it is situated on the property. In the south paddock, is a covered cement area with 4 runs, and in each of those runs is a platform, and a dog house-just like the runs set up under the lean-to.
At the moment, the runs are not being used yet, as everyone can fit under the lean-to. But, not for much longer, as puppies will be going down south when they are old enough. But, even with the runs not being used, we still use the paddock to put kids in to play.
Last night at playtime, I had Clint and Sarina down south, and all the other kids spread throughout the other paddocks. Most of the paddocks I can see from the back window of the house, and periodically, I take a peek, to make sure everyone is still where they need to be, and everyone is behaving---well, as much as a Siberian can!
I had peeked out occasionally through the evening, and things were cop-acetic.
At one point, I checked out, and did not see Sarina. I stepped outside, and looked and called, still no sight of Sarina. Clint is running along the fence, looking out, and I'm thinking, "Oh no, Sarina got out". But, we have cats that hang around the front, surely we would have heard something. So, I make my way to the paddock, and am still calling Sarina's name. By now, I'm getting a little concerned, that, yes, she did get out. When soon, I hear something coming from one of the doghouses under the cover. Still no sign of Sarina, until she pops her head up--like a Jack-in-the-box.
You see, the doghouses were turned up on their end, open end up. Apparently, Sarina jumped in one, and couldn't get back out again. When I called her name, she popped up again. Then go down, pop back up when I called her name.
I laughed harder than I had laughed in quite some time. It was just so funny to see.
And of course, it's moments like that, that I don't have a camera with me.
One of the many reasons I love this breed!!

1 life gone, 8 to go

2009-10-01T15:45:00.002-05:00

Today started off like any other day at the kennel, for about the first 3 minutes.
I had gotten up, and about 5 dogs (out of 10) that sleep in the house at night, wanted to go out right away. I open the door to let them out, not 30 seconds later, I see them chasing something. I thought a rabbit had gotten in the yard, which happens on occasion. Then I heard it. hisssssssssssss!!!!
A cat, from the many that had been "fixed", had gotten into the backyard. The dogs had it trapped in a corner--for about a split second, before it made a mad dash for the nearest tree. Where it sat for the next 2 hours. Meowing. And Meowing. That's right cat, that's how NOT to get the dogs' attention. And the dogs sat under the tree the whole time.
Meanwhile things need to get done. Sit there cat, 'cuz this is the dogs' time now.

After I had gotten the other kids out to play, I went inside to let Mama Emily out and feed the pups. In case you don't follow me on facebook, the pups have started eating real food. Anyway, as I go in to get Em, I can see her laying on the floor of the pen, and I see something black next to her. I thought, oh I guess one of the girls got out of the box. I go and open the gate to the pen, and ALL 3 pups had escaped the confines of the whelping box. They're only 3 weeks and 2 days old. They normally don't all get out of the box until after 4 weeks.
I can tell I am going to have my hands full with this crew.

Back to the cat in the tree. Once I got everyone put up after playtime, I told the cat, she could come down. She just meowed. So, I didn't bother her for about 30 minutes or so, thinking she just needed time to realize the coast was clear to make the escape, which she did. I didn't see her leave, but, I'm hoping she learned a valuable lesson, and won't try coming to the backyard again.

But Ms. Scarlett, I don't know nothing 'bout birthing no babies!

2009-09-11T10:33:00.007-05:00

Not true, I know a little, about baby puppies.
Emily finally had her babies, Tuesday, Sept. 9. 3 days past her due date.
One was natural, and the other two had to be surgically removed.
I thought she was going to have them Sunday, when I thought her water had broken.
Her temp. stayed steady at 99.2, but no babies that day, though I could tell they were ready. It looked as though they were playing tug-of-war or soccer in there! I had never seen anything like it. I wish I had a video of it to show you, it was too weird!
I have a camera set up in the kennel, where I can watch on a small television in the house.
Late Monday evening, I heard something from the monitor, jumped up thinking it was babies, but noone is in the box. Go up to the kennel, and Em is sitting by the gate of the whelping pen wanting out. I let her out, thinking she had to go potty, and she makes a beeline for the house. She wants to have babies in the house. I don't think so.
I had planned to take her to the vet that day as it was, because she was late, and I just wanted to be sure that things were OK in there.
We're sitting in the waiting room, and her water breaks, Oh great! I really don't want to be whelping puppies on the vet office floor. He finally comes to get her, gets her on the table, doesn't feel anything in the birth canal, so we take x-rays, and count 3 heads.
Give her oxytocin here at the vet's or wait until we get home. I opt to give her the injection at home. Give her the oxy at 10:15 a.m., and at 10:45 she has the first little black girl.
So, I call the owner of the stud dog, (cuz this is his first), and she comes over around noon. No more pups yet, which isn't uncommon for Emily. She usually takes up to 2 hours between pups. The vet calls around 1:15 inquiring as to progression. I tell him she's had one at 10:45 ( I hadn't realized it had been 2 1/1 hours since the first). And the vet advises giving her another pit shot, and if nothing give one more. Well, I only had one more shot to give, so I went to his office to get another dose. This is around 3. He advises that if she doesn't do anything by 4:15, I'd better think of other options, i.e. a c-section. Get home and give her a 3rd (total) shot, and by 4, still nothing, so we load up Mom and the one baby and head to the vet's.
He gets her prepped, and I ask to be inside the OR, which he obliged. Cuts her open, and proceeds to get the grey boy.
Moments later, comes this girl, (While checking the layout of the photos, I see they're all at the beginning of the blog. Not what I intended. Not sure how to change, so will leave as is.)
Thus far, everyone is doing great. The boy isn't as heavy as the girls, but, he's fat. It took him a little longer to figure out how to find the food bar, but, he's got it down pat, now.
While taking photos of the kids, my battery on my camera went dead, and while changing batteries, well, that's a whole other blog.

I should've stayed in bed.....

2009-08-11T17:25:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days where NOTHING seems to go right, no matter how trivial it is?
Today was one of those days.
I had planned to go to Paris today to mow my lawn at home. I knew I was running low on gas, but, thought I'd make it there. The prices are cheaper. Well, I didn't make it.
The low fuel light went on while passing through Honey Grove. Usually, I have about 30+ miles. I have never really tested, but, hey the stories on TV say sometimes you can go 60+ miles when the light goes on. Honey Grove is only 21 miles from Paris, I thought I could make it. Something told me I should probably stop and get a few dollars to make it all the way. I should have listened.
I ran out 10 miles outside of Honey Grove. Great. No gas can.
I get out and start walking-toward Paris, when I man in a small pick-up pulled along side me and offered help. He was too kind, because he drove me back to Honey Grove,
and we stopped at a convenience store. I asked if they had a gas can I could borrow. All they had was a one gallon can. Already with gas.
Ricky, as I later found out his name, and the pastor for Ravenna Baptist Church, drove me back to my van. Hung around to see if the gallon would get me started. As it turns out, it didn't. He drove me back to Honey Grove to a dollar store, so I could get a larger capacity can, get more gas, and drive back to the van.
Get the gas poured in, and voila! Success!! Mere words could not express my gratitude, as I had felt very guilty for taking up so much of his time. But, he was, oh, so kind, and said he hadn't anything planned.
Oh, and while we're pouring the gas in the van, it's lightly raining. I'm thinking what are my chances of mowing my lawn. As it turns out, not great. It had rained a little at my house, enough to make the grass to wet to mow, and began sprinkling yet again.
So much for mowing my lawn, guess I'll have to come back another day.
As I'm driving back to Celeste, I notice my left turn signal is not working. I have a burnt out bulb. No big deal.
Once I get back to Celeste, and take care of the dogs, I went about changing the bulb. I knew I had extra bulbs in the glove compartment. Double check. Yep, still there.
However, once I pull out the (what I thought was a burned out bulb), I notice I don't have the right kind.
Greeeaaattt. Make a trip into Leonard, and get the right kind. Come back to Celeste, and change the bulb. But, the signal still isn't working. Must be the back light (which I thought I had seen in on earlier), but upon looking very carefully, yes it is the back light. Oh great. How the heck do I change the bulb?
It doesn't exactly snap into place with a couple of wing nuts. It needs an allen wrench. Oh goody. I call Harry, and he lets me know where to find them. Ah yes, there the are.
He advised me, just a thought, he said, to possibly wait until tomorrow, given the karma today just doesn't seem to be very good for me today.
I think he's right.
Just one of those days.

There are still good folks out there

2009-08-07T17:42:00.002-05:00

Actually, I was conflicted on what the title to this post should be.
One title I had thought was: "I Am Such an Idiot", and I'll explain why I had thought that title would be more fitting.
I had gone into Greenville earlier, for groceries. I went to Wal-Mart, because I like the store, and it has more to offer than the local grocer in Leonard.
I get what I need, go out to the van, turn on the van to get the a/c going, because it's brutally hot out there.
Get the groceries loaded, put the cart in the corral (because I don't want to go on Judge Judy for failure to place the cart in its correct spot), and I go to Arby's for their 5 roast beef sandwiches for $5 deal. As I'm driving to the window, I realize, I don't have my wallet with me. Oh sh--. I left it in the cart at Wal-Mart. Get to the window, and tell them my predicament. Go back to Wal-Mart, and found the cart right where I left it, but, no wallet. OK, maybe I overlooked it in my van. Search the van, no luck.
I go inside to the service desk to ask if anyone had turned in a wallet in the last 20 minutes, and again, no luck. Great. I gave them a description of my wallet, its contents, and a phone number to contact me just in case.
In the meanwhile, since I'm in town, I thought I'd better stop at the bank and let them know what happened. I had to close the original savings and checking accounts, open others, so I can pay bills, and am told I will have to call any companies that make an auto-draft.
I'm on my way back to the kennel, going over in my head what cards and such I have in the wallet. And give myself a headache thinking of all the calls and such I need to make.
I get back to the kennel, and unload the groceries, and there is a message on the answering machine. It was the lady at the service desk at Wal-Mart, letting me know, that a nice gentleman had found my wallet, and by the description of the contents, it looked as though everything was still there. I was elated!!
So, I make another round trip to Greenville to retrieve my wallet.
Thus the title to the blog, there are still nice folks out there.
In the meanwhile, I still have to make several calls to change the account number for auto-drafts.
With my luck, had I waited a while to see if my wallet had turned up, before going to the bank, I would have never found it.
But, better to be safe than sorry.
Yes,Virginia, there are still good folks out there.
I just wish I knew who the gentleman was that was so kind and honest.
In the meanwhile, I will try my best to pay it forward, whatever I can do.

Naming the expected litter

2009-07-26T11:12:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to think of the names for the (hopefully) upcoming litter.
The sire's name is Ch. Wildwind's Strike Force, aka Victor and mom Emily is Myla's Bird of Paradise.
So far I have two names: DIG's Force of Nature, call name Ty (short for typhoon), and DIG's May the Force be With You. But, I need a call name for that. So, I found a website with a list of Star Wars characters, because, for some, this may be strange-- I have NEVER seen that movie. Yes, it's true. Never. I had only known a few characters, but wanted other ideas. Still haven't found a call name I'm real excited about, but, did find another registered name Legacy of the Force, and yet another, Force Unleashed.
So, I need call names for those as well. And if you know Siberians, like I do. I think Force Unleashed is very fitting!

The Great Escape

2009-07-26T10:40:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I was getting ready to leave Harry's to come home for the week. The previous night, I had pulled the van into the yard, shut the double gate, and left one window open in the van. I had gotten up early on Saturday put the dogs out to play, cleaned up runs (they weren't dirty, but like to have them hosed down periodically), gotten myself cleaned up, put the dogs up, and headed to the airport to pick up Harry.
We get back to the "farm", and I fed the dogs, and put them out to potty. Meanwhile, I've got my kids in the yard with the van, because it's so easy to load 'em up that way. They know which crate they go into. They were very excited, as they usually are, because they know we're going for a ride. They love to go places.
I get Harry's kids put up, and proceed to load up my kids. Did I mention they're excited? Katherine gets in her crate, and Mona gets in Emily's crate. She won't come out, OK, I'll put Em in Mona's crate. In the meanwhile, Katherine is just going berserk, and barking at something in the van. I look at where Katherine is looking, and there is Yeller (one of the farm cats) hunkered down under the platform on which Mona's crate is. Oh great! How the h--- am I going to get this cat out---alive? Did I mention Siberians are notorious for killing cats? Unless they've been raised with cats. But, all other cats are fair game.
So, I'm hollering for Harry to come out. HARRY! HARRY! Where the heck is he? I go in to see if I can find him. He's coming to the door. "Is everything alright?" (Heck no, did you not hear me screaming)I didn't say that, but, I was thinking it. Anyway, I tell him Yeller's in the van, can you help me get him out?
We get Emily and Legend rounded up into another yard. We coax Yeller out, while Katherine and Mona are still going berserk, because there's a cat in THEIR van. So close, yet so far away.
Great the cat is now out of the van, now to get him out of the yard. I open the gate, he doesn't see the gate, but where does he go? He gets through a small opening between the gate and the post of the other yard----where Emily and Legend are. Emily gets the cat, I'm thinking he's a goner. I hear Legend screaming (I thought he was excited), and I see Yeller has grabbed Legend. He's got a claw dug in him and he's got his mouth ahold of something, and Emily is still trying to grab the cat. Harry goes in, somehow grabs the cat, while the cat is trying to climb the fence. He's shouting "Grab the dog" Grab the dog!". I'm shouting "I'm trying" "I'm trying!" Finally, I just shout to the dogs "OUT" "OUT" and point to the gate leading to where the van is. Em and Legend finally get to the yard with the van. I shut that gate, get them in the van. Harry carries Yeller out. I check him over, don't see anything (I'm astonished). Harry sets Yeller down, and off he goes.
Did I say it's easy to get the dogs loaded when the van is in the yard? Maybe not!
Why/how that cat got in the yard, and into my van is beyond me. When earlier that morning, he was on the front porch.
This is not the first time I have found Yeller in my van, either. This cat has far more than nine lives, I swear!
The first time I found him in my van, it was 100+ outside. I had the windows cracked on my van. And I found him on the floorboard. I don't know when he got in there, or how long he had been in there, but, it's a wonder that cat didn't die then from heatstroke.

Needless to say, Harry has not seen Yeller since the "incident" yesterday. Probably won't for a few days.

EKP

2009-07-11T16:25:00.002-05:00

I made a short little film of the 2 kittens, here http://is.gd/1v5ZZ.
Hope you enjoy.
They are doing really well. One loves to cuddle, while his brother is content with playing, with anything.

update to stowaways

2009-07-03T10:39:00.002-05:00

Remember the story of the two stowaway kitties? We named one Paris, because we thought she was a little girl. Wellllllllll, upon closer inspection, she is a boy, and we've changed his name to "Round Trip", or "RT" for short. And despite his traumatic ordeal, or maybe because of it, he is quite the social boy. I found his "sweet spot" the other day, and whenever I play with him now, his head goes for the hand and wants his spot rubbed. He is actually more social than his brother at this point. Hopefully, we can get "Axle" to come around. Haven't found his "sweet spot" just yet, but, I'll keep looking.

Update on the sibes. I got a breeding on Emily yesterday, and will hopefully get another on Saturday, and come early Sept., we'll have some babies around here.
So, put your thinking caps on, and help with some names.
Daddy is Ch. Wild Wind's Strike Force (Victor), and Mom is Myla's Bird of Paradise (Emily).
Hoping for some nice babies with good structure and movement, and personality. I'm sure I'll get some reds, but, I don't want a whole lot of blue eyes. Bi-eyes acceptable.
When Emily is bred to Legend, they tend to throw more boys than girls, and more reds than greys. Now, we'll see what Victor has to offer.

stowaway(s)

2009-06-30T16:51:00.002-05:00

This isn't exactly siberian related, but, I think it is worth writing about.
I came to the kennel today, to earn a few extra bucks, because there are these things called bills that need to be paid.
Anyhoo, I walk out onto the front porch, and lo and behold are 2 little bitty kittens.

Before I continue with this story-a little background. About 8-10 months ago, I had taken in about 8 stray, feral cats in to the vet to get spayed/neutered. Whenever I could get one in a trap, I'd take it into the vet. Harry has a softspot for strays. But, he didn't want 100 cats to take over. You know how quickly cats can multiply. With the 8 cats, 6 were females. These cats must have spread the word that there was free food to be had here. I had seen a couple of cats, that I wasn't sure if they had been altered. I know of one big tomcat that I didn't take in, but, I had seen another tabby cat, and hoped it was a male. As it turns out, not a male.

OK, back to the original story. When I had seen the two babies, I called to Harry. Oh great! 2 more cats. Harry had an appointment to take Pikabo into Paris, TX this morning to Dr. Love. When Pikabo originally got sick about 3 months ago, his regular vet was not in, so I had taken her in to my vet (whom I absolutely adore). Anyway, it was time for a checkup.
But, before Harry could go, the 2 kittens had scrambled up into the back end of the Yukon. Oh great! He had no time to spend to try to get them out, let's hope they come out when he turns the key. Well, they didn't.
Harry had to stop in Honey Grove and get gas. Now, that's about 35 miles from Celeste. When he got out, he heard one of the kitties. Managed to get the kitty out. Took the dog out of the crate, she can ride in the back seat. Put the kitty in the crate. His name is now Axle. He takes him into Dr. Love for his first shots. Dr. Love thinks he's about 5 1/2 weeks old. But, where is the sibling?
He thought it probably fell out. He felt bad, as did I.

His Yukon is parked in the drive, and he's having work done on the house. The carpenter tells Harry, he thought he heard a kitten crying from the Yukon. So, Harry and I both go out, look under, around and listen for the cry. We don't hear anything.
Later, Harry needs to run up to the local convenience store, about 3-4 miles up the road. Gets whatever he needed, and comes back. He gets out of the Yukon, and what does he hear? The other kitten!! But, he can't get her out. She is on top of the fuel tank. So, he comes in to get me, he wants to hose her out, and needs me to try to snatch her when she comes out.
Well, it only took about 2 seconds of water coming through a hose, and that little kitty comes tearing out.
Do you ralize that kitty rode underneath the Yukon to/from Paris, a good 130 miles ROUNDTRIP. Sat there in the vet's parking lot about 45 minutes. Rode to/from the store and then decides to come out, well, forced to come out.
Meanwhile, it's like 95 degrees out today, and very humid.
Poor kitty, probably dehydrated and not knowing how the heck she got into the situation she was in.
Anyway, her name is now--Paris.

Is this just amazing, or what?

summer sunbathing

2009-06-28T14:45:00.002-05:00

What is it with these siberians? Today, of all days, they insist on going out about every 2 hours to sunbathe. It's HOT outside! When Aimee was alive, she would lay out there for hours (if I let her) and sunbathe. Most days I wouldn't allow her to do that, I would literally have to drag her in.
Now the youngster, Mona, has decided she must take up the habit. And of course, when 1 goes out, the rest follow. But, after about 15-20 minutes they've had enough, only to start the cycle over in about 2 hours.
We've started the graveyard shift at the kennel. Kids go out to play early morning, and are inside by 8:30 in the morning. Then they get a couple of "potty" breaks (5 min. or less) throughout the day, and their last playtime is usually after 10 at night. Still hot, but, at least dark. Now, when time comes for baths, I'll usually have them out around 3 or 4 a.m. while I bathe a few and blow them out. Thankfully, the neighbors don't hear the dryer--I've asked!

Then I have to find a somewhat cooler time to do the yardwork. Not easy to do, so I've ordered some of those chilling wraps. They should be here in about a week, and hopefully, they will help. Can't wait to check them out. I'll have one around my head, and around my neck.

On another matter, I had noticed with my riding mower, steering was getting difficult, to the point of having blisters while mowing. I discussed the matter with a friend of mine, and he mentioned that I probably needed to do some greasing, which I had never done. I got a lesson in greasing a riding mower, and probably saved a bunch of money on having it serviced. I like the fact that I can do some "manly" maintenance on certain items. My mother, God rest her soul, was very dependent on men. If something simple broke, she called for service, or myself to have it fixed. I loved my mother very much, but, what I didn't love about her was her lack of independence.

Well, until next time--stay cool.

Driving to nowhere

2009-06-01T18:51:00.003-05:00

Before I start, I feel I need to post a warning. Adult content, reader discretion advised!
Wow, what a day!
It started at 3 a.m., couldn't sleep.
Head over to Celeste to work at the kennels around 5. Get there, everything's fine. Get everyone out to play, and I proceeded to get started cleaning, prepping food, etc, etc.
I had dug up some of my iris's at home, and brought them to the kennel, to put in the cemetery (I hope they take).
Went in house to get some checks ready for depositing, and can't find my wallet. Tear apart the van, nope, not there. Oh crap! Did I leave it at home? Why yes, of course I did.
Now today, like every 4th Monday, I have to take Harry to the airport. Today, we also had to take a dog in to check his verility, so to speak. We had him bred to Emily a while back (4 times, mind you), and no babies. So, we had to wait for a "teaser" to come in season. We load up Knighter (the boy), and Toni (the teaser), and we take them to the vet, and I am to pick them up on my way back. But, remember, I left my wallet at home. So, we get to the airport, Harry gets going, I head back---all the way to Paris, then head back to Leonard, where the "kids" are at the vet's.
I've been driving for hours, and didn't get anywhere.
Oh, get to the vet's,and as soon as I get there, the receptionist informs me, I need to look for another stud.
Knighter has dead swimmers. Very few live. Bummer. Best moving dog at Harry's, and we can't use him.
I'm pooped, and still have lots of work to do.

Growing old in the heat

2009-05-30T15:14:00.002-05:00

Today it's 86 degrees outside, and it took me darn near 5 hours to do the yard work.
Now, mind you it use to take me about 3 hours, but, I'm discovering that with age, I get hot much quicker and need to take more frequent breaks. How I miss the days of my youth, when I could do all the yardwork at once, without a break, thus getting done earlier in the day.
I'd love to start earlier in the day, when it is a bit cooler (like about 6 a.m.), but most times the grass is damp from dew, and I don't think my neighbors would appreciate it much, either. But, the way I look at it, if they don't like me mowing/trimming at dawn, they can take me to the hospital after I've suffered a heat stroke!

Now the kids, on the other hand, have it made today. Staying inside in the a/c, and when they do venture out, there is a wading pool just inviting them in, and they do like their pool.
The girls also did their daily "furniture olympics", and now are resting.

We did have a little bit of a scare earlier, through my own negligence. I had finished the yard work, and was beginning another project, and the kids had to inspect my work (as they usually do), and as they go out the sliding back door, it dawned on me, I had left the door leading from the back patio into the garage---open---into the wide wide world. Emily, was the only one (thankfully) that noticed. But, much to my surprise, and nonchalance, I called her a few times and she came right back. Now, for any breed other than a Siberian, that's not so unusual. But, remember, these are Sibes I have, and when they have an open space in which to run, that is what they will normally do. But, Miss Emily ran over to the neighbors, around their house, and came right back. What a good girl!! I'm afraid if it had been Mona, or perhaps Katherine, I'd still be waiting-and waiting.
I've learned with these guys, not to get excited that they got loose, not to go running after them, and usually, they'll come back. Usually.

RSS feed

2009-05-29T16:10:00.001-05:00

Well, I think I got the RSS feed setup. As I said, I think.

On my opening page, left hand side, at the bottom, is the feed "chiclet".
I hope it works.

I found it!

2009-05-29T15:17:00.001-05:00

I found my first blog, and second! They were tucked away, and while still trying to figure this blog thing out, I found them. Don't ask me how, because I could never retrace the steps I took.

All I know is, while trying to find a way to set this up for a "live" feed, like I have on some blogs that I follow, I found my first 2 blogs. But, I still don't know how to set up the RSS feed.

So, if anyone can help, by all means, chime in, PLEASE!!!