A Turd is a Turd is a Turd



My paw on the mouse

I’ve been surfing the web and reading other dog’s blogs. One is a provocative website written by some pit bulls rescued from the Michael Vick case.  One dog, Grace, has been blogging since her rescue in 2007 or 2008 which you can read at

vickdogsblog.blogspot.com. 

 Now they have a pretty sweet life. And I appreciate the emphasis on the present, not the past. But, it made me think about Mr. Vick, someone with a vague resemblance to a human being.

 

Not to say he doesn't have his supporters! But then so did Hitler; (as you know, throwing out Hitler’s name always helps solidify whatever argument you’re making!)

Well, you may like Michael Vick and think he’s a swell guy and great football player; but there’s no guarantee that he’s going to treat anyone better than he treated these dogs, many of whom he killed in a gruesome manner.  There is lots of research on animal abusers and the likelihood that they abuse others, domestic partners, elders, children, etc. And in this dog’s opinion, he deserved to go to prison. Remember the cartoon titled “Jury of his Peers?” 

A Jury of His Peers

So kudos to Grace and the rest for going on to have a good life after encountering that waste of skin. Thanks also to the rescuers and all those others working to end cruelty towards animals. The best revenge IS living well.

And why is the Humane Society of the United States now working with this sadist who is doing public announcements since he is supposedly reformed? Face it, the reason he stopped is because he got caught. 

 You Michael Vick are a turd, turd, turd. No offense to any fine turds out there.

Tootles,
 

Barcelona

 

Addendum to Whippet 2012 Nationals

Here I am on the car trip. Was hoping to get some driving experience, but no dice. My feet don't reach the clutch pedal or the brake.

Wood You Believe It?

I'm breathless as I write this. I almost CAPTURED A GROUNDHOG! Here's how it happened:

The other night I casually padded into the backyard, then caught a glimpse of a huge, lumbering shape.
 Instantly my drive for "prey" kicked in! I dug my toes into the turf, propelling my lithe, muscular body into warp speed. (I'm practising my descriptive writing skills here).

As I leaned in to nab the varmit, I clamped my teeth onto its tail, allowing me a first delicous taste of the creature (hmm, a fruity essence with definite woody tones as you might guess.)

As I moved in for the kill, she/he managed to waddle quickly under the hole in the fence. And....I had been so close!

This creature has been eating squash and bean shoots from the garden, taunting me regularly but always escaping under the back fence. I think there's actually an entire family back there. I was ready to pounce and end the vegetarian's voracious binging.

Now I feel like Wiley Coyote. I guess there is always next time. Wish me luck..

Toodles, Barcelona

Whippet Nationals 2012

Whippet Nationals

Goodness, it’s the middle of June! And I’ve written one single post since April. I guess I’m busy living life and running out of time to blog about it.

Whippet Nationals is the annual meeting for the Whippet breed through the American Kennel Club. What an experience, there were whippets everywhere! Brindle whippets, black whippets, fawn, tan, cream, sable, every color of whippet you can imagine. And the whippet items:  whippet coats, collars, pictures, tiles, pillows, magazines, note pads. One of my humans bought both Kobe and I new coats, new collars and purchased lots of whippet swag.

 At first, all those dogs barking around me got me feeling a little anxious. I was surrounded and began to have flashbacks from my crowded and chaotic first home.

But then I said to myself, “Barcie girl, you were a Show Dog. You know this world; take it in stride. After all, you were a star!”

So when Wrap (Whippet Rescue and Placement) held their Parade of Rescues the final day of the Nationals, I confidently took my turn around the ring and listened calmly while my biography was being read. And heavens, most of the other rescue dogs had stories that were very, very dark. Made me feel like mine wasn’t all that bad.

Afterwards, each rescue dog received ribbons and a bag with some trinkets; toys, blankets, a ribbon honoring each of us as WRAP rescues.

Afterwards I slept for 2 days. That whirl of travel and excitement just wore me out. And Kobe? Here he is in his new duds, looking very “man about town.” That’s what we brought him from Nationals; he gets way too crazed around other dogs to come along.

 Well, I need to 'wrap' this up (chuckle) so until next time..

Toodles, Barcelona

My Dog's Therapist

Yes my dear audience, I have been reading My Therapist’s Dog, by Diana Wells. The author sees a therapist after several major losses in her life. She takes care of her therapist’s pet and finds that the dog serves as another part of her therapy. Well, I have thought of myself as a therapist for the two goof balls that "own" Kobe and I.  They have both been to plenty of therapy I know, although that's the norm in Ann Arbor.

I for one have had my share of loss and trauma. Just imagine, your owners die, suddenly the police, the neighbors are there and all of us whippets are wondering, “What will happen next?” As tough as it was at our old home, living with minimal human attention and being the youngest dogs in the pack, it was still home and familiar. I had my "peeps" you know? My homies, my friends. So when they split us up it was very very lonely. I eventually went to a foster home, where I did adore Bobbie, my foster mom. I am hoping to see her at Whippet Nationals.

When they came to adopt me and I was reunited with Kobe, we were both ecstatic! We jumped over coffee tables and couches with joy! He is a knucklehead but I don't know what I'd do without the old boy. Kobe is my only connection to the past.

Whether the past was good or bad, we still miss it. As I say as a therapist, "All change is loss. And loss must be mourned." Now if I could only get some clients! Any takers out there? Of course I am not going to fuss about silly details, such as a license, training or a degree. 

Next blog, a full report about my day at Whippet Nationals and the wonderful souls who run WRAP, the rescue group. That's all for now!

Tootles,
Barcelona
 

Change Change Change

Kobe and I were visiting when our grandparents moved from the old homestead to a senior apartment. It was a sad day for all; although I didn’t shed any tears I tried to provide emotional support (meaning that I made myself available for petting).

I can relate as I, too had a big life change. Our owners died (first the lady, then the man). After Mr. S. passed away, someone discovered us and a convoy of cars took us away from our house. We were all hungry and thirsty since a few days had passed. Suddenly, we were separated, I got spaded and Kobe was neutralized. Later on there were baths, nail trimming, all of that. The people were sweet to us, but so much chaos and change!

I ended up with a very nice foster lady named Bobbie and stayed at her house for a time. (She adored me, but that is par for the course you know).

Since being adopted, Kobe and I have discovered many new and wonderful things:  squeaky toys, learning to lick off spoons, barking at other dogs through the picture window, having our very own beds, riding in the car. Naturally there are some downsides, like going to the vet, nail cutting, having to follow commands and all that.  

So, Grand-mère and Grand-père, take it from me. As painful as it is to leave your neighbors, the house where you have been nearly as long as you can remember and your city; a new place will eventually be like a comfortable old shoe. Here’s my advice:  embrace the future, something good comes with every change.

Toodles, Barcelona

American Whippet Club Nationals 2012: What shall I wear?

Guess what? The American Whippet Club Nationals 2012 will take place in Huron, Ohio.That's a mere hop, skip and jump from where Kobe and I live. WRAP (Whippet Rescue and Placement), our fabulous rescue organization will have a slideshow of rescued dogs at their table. Not only that, WRAP is having a parade! The parade will feature rescued whippets and we each get a turn in the ring along with a two paragraph biography.

Now I'm not sure if we are actually going. After all, we are dogs who don't really get along with other dogs. I guess that might preclude attending an event full of other dogs and staying at a hotel with hundreds of other dogs. But, we'll see! I'm hopeful! Now I'll decide what I'm going to wear...

Toodles, Barcelona