RESCUING MERCI....A WIRE FOX TERRIER RESCUE...

DUKIE BOY'S 3RD BIRTHDAY

2010-11-09T19:14:00.015-06:00

DUKE TURNS 3 YEARS OLD!!!

He loves his new froggie!

Merci grabbed Duke's present and "helped" him rip it open!!

This is a first - Merci has never known how to rip a

present open!! Duke was nice and "let" her!!

Duke was busy working on opening his other presents!! A green lizard... and a blue sheep and squeeks... for now... until I get the squeek out of it!!

Party is officially over and Merci didn't feel like helping pick up!! Go figure!!!

Instead... exhausted from all the present opening and birthday festivities... Merci decides to just lay down amongst the toys and paper..
That was hard work Mom!!

Here is some birthday video... Merci is singing happy birthday to Duke... ok I think mom egged her on just a little!!

Happy birthday my little Doodle boy... I'm so glad we could help you celebrate!!

At the dog Park

2010-10-08T18:11:00.005-05:00

Duke

Merci and Duke went to the dog park today and it was HOT!!

Duke found some water

playing at the park

Swimming season comes to an end

2010-09-21T20:12:00.008-05:00

Another "first" for Merci..

Swimming at the lake ....

Merci decided to give swimming a try this summer and loved it! She was a little timid at first but after seeing how much fun everyone else had in the water, her enthusiam shined and we put her in the water.

Merci on her first swim - it was shallow water and we kept her leash on her in case she got scared.

Then everyone joined in the fun! Clutch showed Merci how much fun it is in the water! (Duke still isn't too sure about it all)

Laura and Merci relax on floaties.

Merci and Clutch relaxing on the boat. I found this collapsible bowl for their water.

Duke had enough water for the day and was sharpening up on his social skills as he let everyone know who came near the boat, that they were welcome!

Talk about "dog tired"... Merci napping after a long afternoon in the sun and water. She uses her bed more for a pillow most of the time. I think she is just used to the ground from living at the mill.

Sweet dreams Merci...

EBAY GIVING WORKS

2010-07-31T06:44:00.001-05:00

MERCI'S NEWS FLASH!!!

YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF SOMETHING

BIG!!!

When you purchase or sell on EBAY, you can support Wire Fox Terrier Rescue!!

It is called....

EBAY GIVING WORKS!

Cheryl Collins with Merci, Nolan, and Maggie May right after she rescued them from the puppy mill in Nebraska. If this isn't LOVE, I don't know what is!

Merci asks on behalf of all of those who cannot... won't you all please support Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest and help others like us???

You can support Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest when you buy or sell on eBay with the eBay Giving Works program. Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest is part of the eBay Giving Works program (eBay’s dedicated program for charity listings) and you can support our mission when you buy and sell on eBay. Here is How:
Sell & Enjoy the Benefits

You can harness the power of 88 million people to help our cause when you list on eBay Giving Works for Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest. When ready to list your item:

1. Go to Spotlight on Helping Animals
2. Click on the Sell Tab
3. Find Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest in the list
4. Click on "Select this nonprofit"
5. You will be directed to eBay’s listing flow with our organization pre-populated as the beneficiary of your listing
6. In the "choose How you Would Like to Sell Your Item" section of the form, choose the percentage you would like to donate (10% to 100%).
7. Complete your listing and let the bidding begin!

Charity listings often get more bids and higher prices than regular eBay listings and you are helping to raise awareness to our cause. When your listing sells, it will automatically qualify for the eBay Giving Works Fee Credit!
Shop & Support Us

You can find whatever you are looking for on eBay and when you do, shop for items that benefit us. You can get a great deal and support Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest at the same time.
Search for Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest in Spotlight on Helping Animals and you will find a list of all items currently live on eBay with part or the entire final sale price going to our Rescue.
Make Us Your Favorite Nonprofit and give at Checkout
Designate Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest as your favorite nonprofit and you will be invited to donate $1 (or more) at checkout whenever you make a purchase on eBay with PayPal, making it easier to support our cause when you shop.
To designate Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest as your favorite nonprofit:
1. Go to our dedicated page on eBay Giving Works:
WFTRM Nonprofit Page
2. Click on the "Save as Favorite" button. You will be prompted to sign in to your eBay account.
3. Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest will automatically be saved in the My Favorite Nonprofit section of your Donation Account in My eBay.
That is it. Next time you shop on eBay, you can give a little extra to help our Rescue.
Simply Donate
If you are not ready to buy or sell but still want to support our cause, feel free to make a cash donation via PayPal through Donate Now on Spotlight on Helping Animals.

Merci says.... MERCI MERCI MERCI!!!

Finally .... An Update!

2010-07-30T07:17:00.019-05:00

MERCI UPDATE

I'm not really sure why I haven't posted in so long. I guess sometimes life just passes you by. Merci has had some changes in her life over the past 7 months. All good!

The winter was exceptionally long and cold for us in Minnesota. Seems like it started snowing and never stopped. I battled my asthma and Merci seemed just fine with no walks and going outside in her little yard to do her business.

January 20, 2010 - Merci's daddy just trying to keep up with the snow. No place to put it in her little yard!

Chris and I kept busy putting in wood floors in the upstairs bedrooms. That took us through to spring... then we tiled the upstairs bathroom shower finally. Projects, projects and more projects. Merci hung out with Grammie and tried to stay warm.

My dwarf iris came up in April, instead of their usual May appearance!

Sring arrived earlier than expected, so we opened up the cabin and then headed to Chicago for another reunion with Merci's furry family and lots of other wire fox terriers from rescue and combined it with going to Sarah's graduation. Merci is an excellent traveler in the car and loves to go on car trips!

Here is Laura with Merci's daughter.. Maggie May and her brother Murphy

With all the dogs and people, Merci found a quiet spot in the shade for her afternoon snooze.

This is Merci's friend from Rescue... Angel! What a sweet girl she is!!

I (Joy) was instantly surrounded by more WFT's than I could hold.

It was heaven on earth being surrounded by so many adorable foxies all at once! I got lots of kisses too!!

More rescue friends... I think Magic is on the left and maybe it is Zazoo of Buddy??

Sorry friends if I am wrong, but Merci wasn't much help in telling me who was who either!

For sure we know who this guy is!! This is Nolan!

He was Merci's mate for 5 years and they lived in a nasty pen together the whole time. They made lots of babies and Maggie is living proof of what beautiful offspring they produced. Nolan and Merci were happy to see one another, but they both are very quiet WFT's because of living in a puppy mill for so many years.

Here is Merci with her daughter, Maggie May.

Maggie has a beautiful backyard to explore. Dee, Maggie May's human mom took care of Merci for the entire weekend while we all went to Sarah's graduation festivities in Chicago. Merci was so happy to run and just be the foxie girl she was always meant to be! When you know the certain hell these mill dogs lived in, and you see their beautiful offspring being so happy and loved - it makes me think that something good can come out of something bad.

Special thanks to people like Cheryl, Maribeth, Mary and Kathy and many more fox terrier angels who save so many and nurse them back to health.

For me, the highlight of my time in Chicago was when I picked Merci up on Sunday morning after not seeing her for 2 days. Dee called for her in the backyard and she didn't appear. Then I clapped my hands and called her name and here she came running and gave me kisses and loves. She missed me and I much as I missed her!

We also realized that WFT Rescue is a very very small world! We found out that Maribeth who does WFT Rescue in Chicago has a son who graduated from Columbia College with Sarah! AND... they are good friends on top of it!!

Here is Sarah with her college roomie, Courtney, after graduation. They both graduated with honors and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.

The Seniors also had an art show. Here is Sarah with her senior collection at her first art show. She did very well and sold 9 out of her 16 pieces, 3 of which the college bought to keep!

Sarah explaining her pieces

BUT... Merci's biggest news is that she has an adopted brother now! We adopted Duke from Sarah and Gabe. He came home with us after graduation. There are other posts with Duke in them, he and Merci are good buddies and he really watches out for her.

Dukie relaxing... this is the crazy part... He hardly ever relaxes!

more to come on Duke!

MERCI TURNS 7 YRS. OLD 12/31/09

2010-01-01T14:49:00.004-06:00

MERCI CELEBRATES

With a New Year comes Merci's birthday! She turned 7 years old on New Years Eve.

The day started with a morning tickle session (on mom and dad's bed). Duke and Clutch came for the treats!! Everyone got their very own rawhide bone and the game of "Snitch" began.

Clutch turned 1 yr. old the day before. He is very brazen as all young pups are and stares Duke down (which Duke lets him know is very RUDE). I just let the two of them have at it, and minded my own business which was getting that knot off the end of the rawhide bone! (I succeeded eventually)

My mom sang Happy Birthday to me too! I helped her as I loovvee to sing along.

Here is a video of me helping mom sing Happy Birthday. (I know I have a much better voice... she is a little "pitchy"). I always practice singing when they watch American Idol on TV.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEE!!!

I hope all my friends have a very HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2010!!

lots of love... and wirey kisses....

MERCI

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MERCI

2009-12-25T11:25:00.007-06:00

Wishing all my friends near and far a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I have had oodles of fun the past couple days. People coming and going, LOTS OF SNOW in Minnesota!!!

This is Christmas morning in our backyard. The terracing is 36" so there is about 18" total of snow. My dad keeps my backyard area clear with the snow blower so I don't have to get all snowy in the snow banks.

And I got some presents too! Here is a video of me enjoying all the chaos of present opening. I think my family had every bit as much fun as I did!

Merci's Christmas Adventures

Co-Starring: Clutch and Duke (that's Sarah in the blonde hair - Duke's Mom)

Laura gave my mom and dad very special mouse pads. My mom cried when she opened hers as it had a collage of pictures of ME and my mom and dads other WFT, Zoey who went to the bridge last year. She loves us both very very much and I know we would have been great friends if she was still here with us.

My dad is a ham as he shows us his mouse pad with him and my mom on it.

Here are Clutch, me and Duke all having a fun fun time opening up presents. It was Clutch's very first time since he is not quite 1 yet, so Duke and I showed him how it was done!

This is Clutch opening his big cow joint. He loved it, so did I - he shared it with me.

Here I am with my soft toy and my yummy knotted chew bone. It was exhausting, so I fell asleep after about a 1/2 hour.

This is Duke. He was amazing! He is a MASTER PRESENT OPENER!! He just ripped that paper to shreds. I got the hang of it really fast after watching him!!

I hope everyone gets special cuddle time today with lots of tummy tickles, kisses, ear scratches, and lots of treats!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Love Merci... and her family too

The best of Merci

2009-12-11T19:38:00.029-06:00

Summer is over and it was time to find a picture for our Christmas card. What I found was lots and lots of pictures of my Merci. She thoroughly enjoys life. Summer at the cabin was fun, chasing chippies, boatrides, relaxing and just being loved.

Me and my Merci - last boatride of the summer

What more could a sweet girl ask for? She is my little doll. I look at her and just am so amazed at how far she has come in the 13 months since we adopted her from Cheryl.

Cheryl with Nolan (under her arm), Merci (hand on leg) and their baby girl....Maggie May (red leash)

They had just been rescued that week. It breaks my heart to see my beautiful girl looking so terrible.... but it gets better!!

Nolan and Merci reunited 10/10/09 - exactly 1 yr. after Nolan was adopted by Christine and Joe... The were constant companions that day.

**********************************

She is hardly without company either... Clutch and Dukie are her friends. She is quiet and puts up with a lot...... but then, they will push her a little too far and BOY! Does she let them know it... with a bark or a snip, she says hey... this is my home and you are the visitor.

This is Clutch - 11 mo. old Springer (Mitch's dog)

he is wild and crazy!!! AND

LOVES to PLAY... PLAY... PLAY

He's pooped out here!! Merci keeps him in his place!

This is Duke... a/k/a Doodles, Dukie Boy, Dukie McDukerson, Doo Doo, D Boy, Terror, Crazy "D"

He is Merci's "cousin" from Sarah and Gabe. He is very respectful of Merci and perfected the game of "SNITCH" with her. They are buddies!

When my mom gives loves, be rest assured she gives them to me first. If there is any left over - they you can get some! :) Yes, Merci is queen bee of her little castle!!

Me and my Mom at Sarah's in Chicago!

LETS TALK PLAY!!

Oh and the fun game of "SNITCH" - Merci invented it and I think if she could put a patent on it, she would. Of course, in the dog world - it would be as big as Monopoly!

How to play:

Her rawhide chewies are kept nose height in the pantry and when the pantry gets opened, she snitches one from the bag (mom lets her)... then Dukie comes up and snitches his... they both chew for a few minutes... then one gets up and the other runs and snitches their chewie for their own! Back and forth and back and forth they go... The winner: the one who doesn't fall asleep first!

After a hard game of "Snitch" Merci won this round!

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Here are some pics of my Merci - in all her simple beauty... enjoy :)

She loves the fresh air and the breeze in her face!

Sunbaths as the motion of the boat lulls her to sleep ***********************************

Merci on "Loon Patrol" as she spots 3 of them swimming in the bay

Hanging out in the kitchen while mom cooks

Cuddled up on my favorite bed

After being groomed - she gets embarrassed and hides in her crate

What a difference a year has made in both our lives. Lots of Wirey kisses and hugs to all our friends. Take time at this time of the year to reflect on everything beautiful in your lives. That is the greatest gift of all.

Joy & Merci

Dog Party

2009-10-15T21:07:00.003-05:00

Here's a video I took last weekend.., I had a new camera and as you can tell, need some practice but wanted to share some of the party video... Fun was had by all!

A Furry Family Reunion

2009-10-13T20:42:00.004-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I was in such a rush to get the pics up and online that I didn't say anything about the reunion..

Merci, Nolan and Maggie may were all rescued from a puppy mill in Nebraska Aug. 2008. Merci and Nolan were mates for the 5 plus years they were together and who knows how many litters they had together. I'm sure it was a lot.

Maggie May was the only surviving puppy of Merci and Nolan and was full of hook worms as they were when Cheryl Collins rescued them. Through Cheryl, they were adopted out..

Merci to Joy, Nolan to Christine, Maggie May to Dee. The reunion was about 3 strangers who have become 3 very good friends through the love of their adopted rescue dogs. It was about the love of two mates who are soul mates. It was about life after the mill. It was about sharing, caring, laughs and love.

As it turned out.... we also celebrated our 3 birthdays... all 3 days apart. Oct 9, 10 & 11.... what are the odds of 3 strangers adopting 3 dogs from the same family... and our birthdays are 3 days apart?!

Dee said it perfectly... Serendipity!

My First trip to the Cabin

2009-05-27T21:01:00.023-05:00

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ON HORSESHOE LAKE

This is me and my mom and dad on the deck at my cabin!

I had the best time over Memorial Day weekend! I got to finally go to the cabin for the very first time. I'm such a good traveler too! I just hop in my crate and sleep and when I get woken up, I'm ready to hop out and see where I ended up.

My very first ride on the boat with Laura!

I liked to look out at the boats and see what was going on. There were other dogs on boats too and I would hear them bark and get really excited. Then I got all pooped out and needed a nap after all the excitement. (really it wasn't me drinking wine)

Boating is hard work and it really cools off once the sun goes down. So when I started to shiver, they covered me with a beach towel and I was all warm and cozy.

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This is my big brother, Matt. He just graduated from University of Minnesota, Duluth last weekend. He was our captain today and he really knows the lake too. My mom and dad really relaxed when Matt took over. I did too because I knew he'd keep us safe!

This is my Grammie and Laura. Grammie loves me a lot. She has had lots of wire hair's too. Angie was her heart dog. She talks about Angie all the time. I like hearing the funny stories of all the mischief she would get into! (The view in back is of us leaving the bay where our cabin is.)

Sunday was all about fun in the sun... and it got pretty hot out too.. so they brought my water bowl along for when I got thirsty!

I'm sporting my mom's shades as she thought I was squinting too much! I look pretty cool, don't I? Joe Cool doesn't hold a candle to me!
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At the end of the day, I just plop down on the bench and bask in the sun with the breeze in my fur. Now I know why everyone loves the lake... you just kick back and relax and enjoy the beautiful trees and water. I can't wait to come back up next weekend for more of the same!

Stay tuned for more of Merci's adventures on Horseshoe Lake... coming soon!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-10T09:12:00.008-05:00

MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND

A friend of mine sent my mom a Mother's Day wish from ME!!! She loooovvveeed it so much, she wanted to share it with everyone!

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She and my dad had to leave me to go see Laura graduate from college. They were very excited. I'm excited too because she doesn't have a job and came home to live with us again. I love Laura, she found me on the internet at Cheryl's and told my mom about me. Laura came to Cheryl's with my mom, dad, and Grammie to adopt me. She takes very good care of me and I love her a lot!

Laura Christine Jorgenson

2009 Graduate of Winona State University

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry

ME AND LAURA

My Auntie Joan came to my house and took good care of me. We went to garage sales and she walked me around the ponds too (that is one of my favorite places). There are ducks, geese, turtles, beavers, and deer too. I took her on my secret trail. We had lots of fun together.

Mom and Dad made it back in time for me to celebrate Mother's Day too. I know you have all seen pictures of my daughter, but it's Mother's Day and I love to show everyone how beautiful she is. This is my Maggie May.

Maggie May - 1 yr. old

Wishing all the Mom's - even the furry ones a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Love, Merci

Playing Country Club... Ahh this is the life!

2009-05-07T21:55:00.018-05:00

It was a beautiful day outside on Sunday ... the sun was shining... mom and dad were outside working in the garden..

(ok so this isn't their actual garden... but mom's is really pretty too when it's in bloom)

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WELCOME TO CLUB MERCI

Where only the most spoiled dogs get their bed brought outside to lounge in the sun. And don't forget the ice in the water!! Oh yes, my mom thinks of everything!! I was even so lazy that she moved the water bowl just close enough so I could just lay their and lap it up! Ahhhhh this is the life!!The only thing missing was my cabana boys... Must have to talk to mom about that!

Here I am taking a bit of a siesta. Dreaming of dog treats (cause I can't have any right now because my tummy is still healing those nasty ulcers)
Laying around and lapping water is hard work... Mom gave me about 15 minutes and then I had to roll over... didn't want to get any lines from my harness (mom is silly sometimes)! I heard there was a pool somewhere too but she said it needs to get warmer outside first....

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April has been a stormy month

2009-05-02T07:50:00.011-05:00

It's been awhile since our last posting as Merci has been a very sick dog. We've spent a lot of time at the vets and then at Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Service. We wanted to get her into the University of Minnesota, but it would have taken 4 days and frankly poor Merci didn't have 4 days to spare.

Since we adopted her, she has had tummy issues and we've dealt with vomiting, gas and bloating. Finally she has been diagnosed with IBD - Irritable Bowel Disorder and after spending 3 days in ICU, she has come home. The doctor said it is from all the years of bad nutrition and hook worms. She is on 4 medicines and special dog food and then will start Prednisone therapy in 4 weeks after the ulcers have healed.

Our girl is bouncing back quickly. She has a spring to her step and pranced on her walk this morning. Chris and I are amazed at her progress thus far. Prayers have been answered and we pray her for her continued progress so that she can live the healthy and happy life she so richly deserves.

Merci also got her first professional cut since we adopted her. Here are pictures of her right after her cut. She smelled so good and it was amazing how white they got her fur.

Merci wondering what is with the camera and all the special attention!

Merci and her mate, Nolan, were in the puppy mill together. On April 27, Miss Maggie May - their last pup (and the only surviving one of 7 in the litter) turned 1 year old!!

Here is the birthday card that Merci and I sent to Maggie May on her birthday! Happy Birthday to you Miss Maggie May Gatins!!

She sure is a little beauty. We are so happy to have a connection with Maggie May and her mom. They are very special and Maggie May is so lucky to be cared for and loved by Dee (and her wire brother Murphy too).

Nolan Need your Prayers and Support!!

Here is Merci with Nolan at Cheryl's right after they were rescued. Merci, always being the mom, cleans Nolans ears.

Nolan lives in Illinois with Christine and Joe. He is their gentle giant. Nolan has been very ill too and goes in for his Endoscopy on Tuesday. He has been vomiting blood and has chronic diarreha. My fear is that Nolan has many of the same issues as Merci. We pray and hope they find the cause of his issues and are able to start him on the road to recovery along with Merci

WE NEED TO STOP PUPPY MILLS!!!! These animals suffer while they are there and from the abuse, they suffer even after being rescued.

Merci says: "Merci Beaucoup for reading my bloggie and praying for Nolan" We love you Nolan, prayers and lots of wirey kisses and hugs from your sassy little lovebug, Merci!! xoxoxoxo

A BIG WIREY WELCOME TO MY NEW FRIENDS!!!

2009-03-07T14:48:00.012-06:00

MERCI BLOSSOMS IN THE SPRING

In honor of the warmest day so far this year, here my mom's latest attempt at getting me to pose as little spring flower. My dad is kinda in the picture and he had to hold me because I felt so silly. I'm really glad they had a good laugh at my cute expense! In the past week I've walked 5 miles! Oh how I am so ready to say goodbye to snow and cold and hello to warm and wonderful!

I also want to give a big wirey hello to my new friends Sally, Penny, Poppy, Patches, Alasandra, Asta, Agatha, Archie and Butchy and Snickers oh and Chance!! It is so fun to see and read about so many fun furry friends! We're getting around to visit each of you as time permits so you'll be hearing from us soon!

Mom has been very busy with my dad tearing out bathrooms and now remodeling them (2 at once) so she has been a little slack at posting. But she took the day off today and has been blogging like a crazy woman :)

Mom is super excited for spring like me because (1) she hates snow and cold and suffers horribly from icky Asthma (2) we have a cabin on a lake (which I've yet to see since she just adopted me in November 2009) and (3) she is a perennial buff and has a triple tier perennial garden in the backyard. Upon inspection through the snow, tips of her dwarf Iris, Coral Bells, Dianthus, and Daisies are all showing green. She split a bunch of lily bulbs last year and moved them all around the garden, so it will be like little presents popping up all over this year!

Plus she put in 2 new perennial gardens at the cabin and that will be so fun for her and my dad to see what came back this season and how many friends came along for the ride. (that happens a lot when you split them if they have trailing roots)

Mom keeps telling me that I'll love going on the boat just like Zoey and Dukie boy did. She knows I don't like water much, but they have a special life jacket for me by "Outward Hound" (modeled by Duke) to wear so If I do decide to jump in the water, I'll be safe. Here is a picture of my best friend Dukie. You've seen other pics of him but I think this one is really silly. He loves the breeze in his face when he is on the boat.

SUPER DUKE! Enjoying fun in the sun on Horseshoe Lake.

Stay tuned for more updates as soon as my mom can figure out where she put her camera as she has only spent the entire day trying to find it. And yes, she looked in the garbage, refrigerator and laundry room.

Tuesday Mornings with Merci

2009-02-17T07:24:00.002-06:00

Thought the title was fitting. Merci is being a totally lazy girl this morning. I literally had to pull her out of bed onto my lap and coax her into going downstairs! I think she has this internal calendar going and knows that Tuesdays and Thursdays are my early day to leave for work.. She is now busily chewing on a rawhide - I take them away from her when I'm gone at work as I've heard too many horror stories about dogs swallowing them and vets finding them -

The beautiful long stem roses Chris and Merci gave me for Valentine's have seen their better days, but I'm going to eek them along for at least one more day until all of them are so droopy I can't tell what they are!

It's a short one today as my ride is on it's way and Merci just walked to the door for one last go at it before I leave...

Another Tuesday ....

Click on the Feed the Animals Link

2009-02-12T18:13:00.005-06:00

ME AND MY BFF- GINI

(we've known each other for 48 years) WOW!!!
My best friend. Gini, who is as much if not more of an animal lover than I am, sent this link to me back in December. I click on it everyday at work. For each person who clicks on it (and they'll send you a daily reminder if you want), each click adds an amount to help pay for animals in shelters that need food.

Gini is another rescuer!! She is amazing and has such a big heart. She lives in Texas and has rescued a Katrina dog. Boudin had heart worms when Gini started fostering him. She paid for all his medical bills and he is all healthy now. Many months after Katrina was over and the clean up was all done, she received an email or a call (I don't remember which) that Boudin's owner was looking for him... Gini was so sad because she and Boudin had formed such a great bond with her other dog, Blue. She emailed photos etc. to Boudin's owner and said how much she loved this great dog. He decided that the best thing for Boudin was to stay permanently with his foster Mom and the rest is history. Boudin is as happy as ever and so is Gini... She also has many cats that she loves and cares for.

So, make Feeding the Animals a daily reminder for you and help feed those in need. There are so many!!

Thanks to Gini for sharing this link!!

Valentine's means expressing your Love

2009-02-10T19:08:00.013-06:00

Be Mine.........Love Merci

I was talking today with some co-workers about exercising and diet and how good it is to start doing it at an early age because when you get to be my age, it just gets harder and harder to take it off blah blah blah.... we all know the story... We take care of our cars, kids, and ourselves...

Well I starting thinking that it is the same for our pets... Puppy mill dogs haven't had the luxury of being well cared for with any type of maintenance plan really... Cheryl and Dr. Frost got them going on the right track, and even though this economy has affected us all - don't forget that your dog can't pick up the phone and make an appointment!!

When we rescued Merci, I took all her records from Cheryl and I know both Cheryl and Dr. Frost did so much for her. I did make an appointment with my vet, who I think the world of, just for a "get to know you visit." (check out their website)

http://www.pvph.net/

Dr. Jim Nelson of Prairie Village Animal Hospital was so glad to meet Merci. He had been through a lot with us when Buster and Zoey were sick and he and his staff are like family to us. He gave Merci the once over, observed her and said she was in pretty darn good health considering everything she'd been through in the last 6 years. What he did suggest was that we do a series of base line blood tests including thyroid testing just so that we know what we're looking at.

Her bloodwork came back fine, but at least we have some inital findings that if anything does happen to her, we have something to compare against. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! We started this with Zoey too at age 4 and we were glad because at age 6, her enzymes were very elevated and it pointed to kidney disease. ]

It's important to START YEARLY BLOOD WORK AT AN EARLY AGE TO ESTABLISH BASELINE VALUES. Baseline values are then compared and can then determine if your dog is experiencing kidney failure problems or possibly some other disease.

I did feel a "bulge" on one of Merci's sides before her exam. I asked Dr. Nelson about it and he said that he felt it too... BUT, his advice was feel the same place on the opposite side and see if you feel anything there... If you do, then all is well.... if you don't, then your animal should be see by a vet. Thankfully Merci's bulge had an exact match on the opposite side. She's just a little pudgy!

EXERCISE!!! Now that spring is coming around, do yourself and your dog a big favor and get out and enjoy the fresh air and both of you can reap the benefits of a nice walk. It's also a great time to encourage good leash habits and in some instances, get them accustomed to their surroundings and odd sounds of cars, trains, buses... etc...

I've found that Merci led a very sheltered life and everything is new to her. It can be very intimidating to a rescue dog, but with some gentle leadership and coaxing, she has become a great walker and loves seeing what is new around her!!

PLEASE be sure to vaccinate for Heartworm and Lyme's disease. My sister lost her beautiful black lab to Lyme's disease and it was devestating to her and her family. It is so preventable. Heartworm goes without saying!! I know that everyone involved in rescue is as passionate about these things as I am, but it never hurts to spread the word!

HEART INFECTED WITH HEARTWORMS

IT'S AN UGLY PICTURE, BUT IS PREVENTIBLE!!
Oral health... we've all smelled the awful dog breath. I admit, I'm not good at brushing her teeth. Did I tell you she has the biggest and longest canines I've ever seen? I can be petting her under her chin and catch my hand on her canines hanging down... Chris thinks she is part vampire dog lolol.... I'm starting slow with Merci just because everything puts her into a tailspin...

I've been taking my finger and just running it along her gums when she is tired. Next week, I'm doing the toothpaste teaser... let her sniff it and lick it and see where it goes from there..., I'll keep you posted.. Bad teeth lead can lead to other health issues....and they can't do it themselves!! Remember... dog toothpaste only... human toothpaste can make them very sick.

Happy Valentine's Day to all !!

Thinking Back

2009-02-07T00:25:00.005-06:00

Once again, sleep eludes me. All the years of being a mom and listening with one ear open, I've become a terribly light sleeper. We fell asleep watching the news and the TV woke me up at 11:30 p.m. Let this be my lesson to fall asleep without my ear plugs in!! As I left the warm covers, Chris was snoring softly and Merci was in a deep slumber on her chair nestled in her big blue blanket. She lifted her head as I got up, but I gave her a kiss on top of her head and told her she needed to go back to sleep. So I blog with a cup of hot tea hoping it will make me sleepy again.

I got a pop-up on my blog about adding gadgets yesterday morning. So I took a peek at those and think when I have a spare minute, I might try working some of those in to the blog to add a little more interest. I'm not the computer saavy person Gini or my girls are, but I'm working on it..... slowly.

I thought about Zoey a lot yesterday, and realized how far I've moved forward in such a short time. Part of this came from a conversation I had with a man that my mom and I met with yesterday to discuss the possibility of a reverse mortgage for her. He lost both his schnauzers last fall about the same time I lost Zoey. He is still greiving very hard, and while it was nice to hear him talk about his experience with life and loss, it conjured up all kinds of memories that I work hard at supressing because of the pain. We talked about how these dogs are our kids. He told me he didn't think he could ever love another dog and how did I learn to love Merci. I never really thought about how to love her. I told him that you don't love them the same much like anything else in life. I love my children dearly, but I love each one uniquely. It is the same with Zoey and Merci. I loved Zoey so much that when I lost her, part of me died. I never wanted to feel that pain ever again. I still don't. I was angry at my girls for finding her, contacting the breeder, saving money to help buy her, and making me feel guilty for getting divorced and feeling like I owed this to them! I told them that when I lost my first wire hair, Penny, at age 21 that I would never have another wire. But I held that 8 week old bundle of fluff in my hand, and smelled her puppy smell mixed with cedar chips and it was all over. I told them right there, and my mom was my witness - "You'll go off to college in 5 years and I will be the one to take care of her by myself and I will be the one heartbroken when she goes!" And so the story goes... They did leave for college, I did love and care for her, and in the end my heart was broken when I held her as she took her last breath. And somehow through it all, I found my way to Merci.

I'd sit at work those first couple of weeks after we lost Zoey, and look at the rescue website and read about all of Cheryl's dogs. I had them practically memorized. As I read all the bio's on the dogs, I kept going back to Merci. I admit that I felt sorry for her as I read about her Legg Perthies and the operation she had on 9/4/08 to correct it. You could see her shaved, shrunken leg with its scar and it pulled at my heart. BUT, it was that look in her eyes with her head slightly cocked that did it. It was the face of an angel and I swear it looked right at me and this little voice said - she is the one! Well maybe there wasn't a voice, and I tried to be fair and open minded. I forwarded the link home, to the girls at school, and to my mom as well. I just said in the subject line: CHECK THIS OUT!!

I came home from work 10 days later and heard that music "I'm in Love with a Girl" playing on the computer downstairs. I walked downstairs, and found Chris at the computer looking at the website, wiping tears as he did so. I didn't say anything to him right then. Just walked back up and starting fixing dinner. He came into the kitchen and looked at me and said, I think I'm in love with Merci.

Sarah, my youngest, called me and we talked about all the dogs. I told her I was quite smitten with Merci. She told me NO!! You need a younger dog, one that is in good health. You just went through too much lately with how sick Zoey was and you don't need anymore vet bills right now. She had a point!

Laura gave me her two cents worth as well. This is what I wanted. She thought they were all adorable, but agreed with her sister that if we did get another, it should be a young, healthy one. Not a crippled almost 6 year old. She felt sorry for Merci ,and also brought up the point of how you could adopt Merci and not Nolan. They were mates and the best of friends. It showed them together on the website and how could you possibly split them up! She had a point!

Mother called me and said she loved looking and reading about all the dogs on Cheryl's site but she felt that Merci was perfect. A little bit older, and she needed us as much as we needed her. She told me she keeps Merci's picture up on her computer all day. Her comment was, well when you drive to Iowa, I want to come along!

I didn't know I'd decided I even wanted to do this yet!! I still wanted to only love my Zoey girl. I wanted to hang onto that. Looking back, I was scared that if I ever got a different dog, it would somehow diminish what I felt for Zoey.

After many weeks of long discussions and tears, the application was filled out and submitted. Kathy came to visit and a week later we had an appointment set up to go to Iowa. So much for waiting until after the first of the year to make any decisions.. Nolan was adopted and Merci was all alone now.

Ike and Merci were the first to greet me as I walked in the door. It was nirvana!! All those precious babies I read about playing and running around. I sat in her house taking it all in. Ike was crazy and cute as a button. Danny Boy definitely the alpha male and crazy!! Ziva who had just been rescued took a shining to Chris. Chelsea was a bit shy and took her time to get close. Cassie was still recovering from getting spayed but she was so sweet and loving. Her last puppy was still there and was already spoken for. He'd be going to his forever home the next day. Little Lizzie was so pathetic. She was up to 12 pounds. Skin and bones and just had been back to Cheryl's for a couple of days and wasn't ready for adoption yet. It was an experience I'll never forget.

I tried to give each dog a fair chance for those next 2 hours. I brought bags of treats and new toys for all of them and they were excited!! Through it all, Ike was the most playful but Merci would come by to be scratched. I asked Cheryl if it hurt her to pick her up and she said nooo... Here you go and she picked up Merci and handed her to me. I sat with her, and pet her, and we got to know each other. She was very shy but in a sweet, polite way.

We had plans that night and a 3 1/2 hour drive back. So a decision was to be made. I wanted to take 2 home but Chris said only 1 for now.. I looked at Laura and said which one? ... Merci - Mother? .... Merci Chris was my wild card!! I didn't see him spend much time with Merci and he was quite smitten with Ike... He said, I really like Ike, but there is something special about Merci.... So Merci it was. Cheryl held her one last time and handed her over. She had been Merci's mom for 3 months and had given her a new lease on life. She had her leg operated on and nursed her back to health. Merci looked sad and unsure as we took her from the only person who had ever shown her any kind of love. I was as unsure as she was, and nervous as any new mom could be. And so the journey began and the blog was started shortly thereafter...

I'm sleepy once again, enough babbling for one night! I did good, only got teary a few times thinking back over all this - but it's good for the soul...

Morning Update with Merci

2009-02-05T07:03:00.004-06:00

Finally the promise of a little warmer weather starting today! I think Merci already senses it as she took her sweet time outside this morning and is getting a little bolder by the day expanding her territory... this time in the neighbors yard under their big pine tree which is on a hill. Now mind you, I'm in my nice flats for work without the luxury of a fur coat like missy! Two deer were out on the hill keeping their eye on us but they didn't seem to bother Merci who was on to some other scent! They made their move and Merci looked up and pulled on the lead and by the grace of god and some balancing on my part I slid down the hill with the grace of a figure skater doing a little turn at the end! I should have taken a bow and if there were judges they'd either be laughing hysterically or giving me a 10.0!!!

Catasrophe diverted, Merci tugged me back to the house where she ran to the treat jar.

I'm loving my new laptop that Chris bought me last weekend. As I sit with my coffee and he reads the paper, Merci hangs out in her bed with a chewy. The sky looks to be clear today and the snow is slowly melting. I can hardly wait for April and look in my terraced gardens out back for any perennial tip that has made its way to the surface..

"DOG Meets PIG"

2009-01-11T19:24:00.010-06:00

With all the kids home from college also came Duke (Sarah and Gabe's dog) and Beethoven (Matt's guinea pig). Beethoven had been staying downstairs with his friend Alpha and the dogs really were not that much the wiser about the little guests until Laura decided to see how the dogs would react to the pigs.. So she brought Beethoven upstairs to see what would happen...

Mr. Dukie McDukerson, being the dasterdly devilish dog that he is thought Beethoven would be a tasty morsel much like everything he finds. But Beethoven didn't like that much and squeeled (yes, like a pig)! Of course, Duke thought this was a game and became quite playful, so we quickly distracted him with a football (as pictured above).

Merci checking Beethoven out! Merci and Beethoven just hanging out!

Now, Miss Merci, being the loving mother she is, started whining when Beethoven squeeled. So, Laura took Beethoven to Merci's bed and it was an instant bond between Dog and Pig.. Merci treated Beethoven as if it was one of her long lost babies and licked him and nudged him with her nose. She then turned circles in her bed and plopped down and scooted Beethoven right over to her tummy. It was so sweet, and I know she was the best mom to Maggie May (a/k/a Zurie). But it was sad too, even though Beethoven has gone back to school, she still goes to the stairs to the lower level and cries. Chris and I brought Merci downstairs tonight to show her that the pigs had left. As I blog, she just lays down in front of where their cage was kept.

I also spent a couple of hours grooming Merci yesterday.... what a difference a bath and a little clip clip here and there makes... I had to hand clip her face. She totally freaked out from the "buzz" of the clippers. She was fine with them on her body and legs but would not let either Sarah or I get near her face. I figured she has been through enough in this life, so with a little TLC and sweet talk, she laid down in my lap and let me work my wonders with her... what a beauty she is!!

My first trim from Mom - I was pretty
good but told her to keep it kinda long
since it is freezing cold outside!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR MERCI!!

2009-01-02T12:20:00.004-06:00

Merci brought in the new year by celebrating her 6th birthday on 12/31.

It was a rather small affair - only Chris, Joy, Gabe, Sarah, Grammie, Duke and Merci - The adults celebrated with filet mignon while Merci and Duke each got a beef flavored chew. We played games and toasted in the new year together with Merci on my lap! What a difference a year makes for my girl!

I've noticed so many changes in her recently - the best being that she seems much more sociable. She comes up freely for loving pats and reassurance. She has the treat jar down pat and will not move away from it when she's been a big girl.

The morning routine being 15 minutes tickle time on mom and dad's bed is expected each morning. She loves to try and get her collar away from me before I can put it around her neck! The interest in love and play is coming together and it makes me so happy for her. I watched her lay in her bed on New Year's Eve chewing away on her rawhide - very content. She's never had that before and I'm so glad Chris and I were able to open our hearts and home to this sweet girl.

Since she refuses her joint medicine, I've had to resort to crushing it up and putting it in a tablespoon of beef or chicken baby food. It is her special treat and she loves it.

Potty training is still an on-going process with her. Finally she will pee by the side of the house but refuses to "be big" on our property. She will still take to the rug to relieve herself when she gets the urge, and so we just keep plugging away.

Matt brought home the guinea pigs from school and we showed them to Merci. I think she thinks they are her puppies. She wanted to pick one up in her mouth, but we quickly stopped that. Whenever she hears a dog cry on TV, she will cry too or bark!! So silly, but it just shows us how much she misses her babies and Nolan too. She loves other dogs and I'm thinking of enrolling her in a dog socialization class somewhere just so she can make some friends. Duke will go back to school on January 15 with Gabe and Sarah, so she will have some adjusting to make again. We noticed she moped around a bit at Thanksgiving when Duke went back.

Though I miss my sweet little Zoey terribly, Merci has brought a certain "joy" into our lives these past few months and we look forward to a wonderful, fun year with her exploring the cabin and lake life this summer. There is still so much for her to experience in life.

Here is to a happy, healthy 2009 for all our friends - furry and otherwise!! Special thanks again to Kathy and Cheryl for all their fabulous efforts with Wire Hair Rescue. We love you guys and are grateful beyond words for all you do to bring people and animals together!!

Happy New Year!!!

2008-12-17T18:43:00.005-06:00

Christmas Visitors Arrive!!!

(Laura playing with Mac (left) and Merci)

It was an exciting evening tonight when Gabe came over with a new friend for Merci to meet... his Wire Hair who is 13 yrs. old - MAC....He is a big wire hair - weighing in at approximately 35 lbs. He is so shaggy and if he went "Baaa" instead of barking, I wouldn't be surprised!! Merci was so excited when they came through the door!

Gabe and Laura with Mac and Merci

Duke joined in the festivities and there was only one small casualty - Dukie was so excited he jumped up and hit his head on the side of Sarah's and she got a bump... nothing a frozen bag of peas didn't take care of!

Duke, Merci, and Mac

(You try getting 3 dogs to pose at once!)

Catching up with Merci

2008-12-11T13:26:00.002-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY MERCI!!

As the season gets busier, I got sicker and sicker and sicker.. So I haven't had a chance to update Merci's blog lately. Since feeling better and getting Christmas in order, I decided that Merci was a little stinkpot and was in desperate need of a bath.

She did so much better this time around!! I didn't have to take a bath with her! LOL... And she smells so good now. I even invited her on to our bed this morning for a 1/2 hour tickle session which she thoroughly enjoyed :) Her feet are finally coming clean - I thought they were permanently stained from the mill. But with scrubbing and clipping, they are finally looking almost all white and certainly like she has been a lady of leisure living the life in a loving home (just the way it should be!!)

With the weather being so cold, Chris and I deemed it necessary to turn the blow dryer on her. (mistake!!) She didn't like it one bit. Chris held her against him and I held it away and on low and she calmed down a bit and was dry in no time - and can you say SOFT!!! What a looker she is!

Chris was walking her in the morning early this week by the ponds and his boot was untied. He bent down to tie it and she jerked and off the leash came. He ran for a good 5 minutes and finally caught up with her.. Lets just say.... WHAT BAD HIP??? She can surely run with the best of them and had us fooled completely. Chris got his morning workout and everyone was happy when they arrived home (yeah right!!).

Life is good and Merci makes it all that much better. She is a little gem and I'm so happy to have her in our lives.

Friday Night is Nyla Bone Night!!!

2008-11-21T18:21:00.004-06:00

Merci has been waiting all week for her Nyla bone! I told her Friday night when mom and dad relax, she can have her treat. She sniffs at the counter everyday where I keep it. Here is the video of her chomping away on it. We thought it would give her a good half hour of fun... yep.. pretty much gone in 10 minutes!! She's got a set of jaws on her!!