Life (and money) going to the dogs...

As it's the weekend the blogging rules say I can go off (the photography) topic... so here I go.

:)

If you have been following the blog for very long you know I have (and love) my dogs. They consist if a small herd of miniature schnauzers.

Two dogs were intentional, the third (Cali) was a "rescue". She had been a breeder dog and at the time we brought her home was 10 years old and well past her usefulness for producing puppies.

Our goal was to make the rest of her years as pampered as possible.

The first year we had her she graced the cover of our Christmas card, and at the risk of being teased (deservedly so) for such a corny picture, here it is.



She is now 13 and like many "older women" she can't see or hear quite as well as when she was younger, she has a touch of arthritis, and has more gums than teeth, but oh is she loved.

Well, during the course of this week she became ill, had surgery, and is now home recovering quite nicely thank you very much.

It made me think about a previous post, "A Dogs Ten Commandments"... in particular number nine.

Here is that post:

Someone sent me a "Dogs Ten Commandments" and it made me think about my dogs and how essentially it's their world and they let me live in it.

It was not that long ago that I thought "dogs are stupid", you can't go away without either taking them with you or finding a sitter, you have to get up in the middle of the night to let them out, take them on endless walks, and don't get me started in picking up their "little gifts".

So needless to say, I was NEVER going to be a dog owner.

But seven years ago our daughters REALLY wanted a dog, mind you we had gotten them every pet you can imagine in an effort to avoid that very thing, but gerbils won't fetch, cats are too cool for people and goats, well they just smell way too bad and they hate it when you put ribbons in their hair.

I finally caved and got a miniature schnauzer as it's small and doesn't shed.

Well 30 seconds into dog ownership I realized the error of my ways. I loved my dog.

Two years later we got another schnauzer and just last year we rescued a third.

We put in a pellet stove and our first dog, Bonnie, can be found daily warmer her buns in front of the fire and has no problem letting me know when the pellets are getting low.

I got my wife this canvas (of Bonnie ~ Cali ~ Gracie) for Christmas because the last thing she sees every time she leaves the house are these three little faces peering out from between the fence posts begging her to stay.


People who don't have dogs will think the following is goofy (no pun intended, well, maybe a little), dog owners will appreciate it though (unless of course you are Michael Vick):

A Dogs Ten Commandments.........

1. Before you take me home know that my life is likely to last 10-15 years, so please be sure you are in it for the long haul.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me

3. Place your trust in me. I will always trust you.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment.

5. You have your work, your entertainment, and your friends. I only have you and any separation from you is painful.

6. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

7. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be wrong. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I’ve been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old.

10. When it is time for me to “go on ahead”, please stay with me. Don’t say “I can't bear to watch” because I won’t want to face it alone. Everything is easier for ME if you are there, because I love you so.