Our Very Special House Guest!

Yesterday was a great day, because our great volunteers, Eileen Gotke came out to walk our dogs and Sharon Griswold, the dog whisper and owner of "Rover Misbehaving?" came out! And I am proud to report that Annie Oakley, with the help of Eileen working with Sharon—Annie is a much improved dog.
Thank you, Sharon and Eileen! We love y'all!

Today has been great, too, but tonight's post has to be short because of our very special and important house guest.

This morning I went over to the Lodge and had a fun visit with Kinky and The Friedmans. And rumor has it, from a very good source (me) that "my girlfriend," Sophie, is fixin' to get a new "hairdo" next week. And remember you heard it here first.

Around one-thirty today the dogs started barking outside, so Tony and I went outside to see who it was. Within seconds we were shaking hands with David, the nice man, who had adopted our Nellybelle, a while back, and his dear friend Chelsea. "We're here to adopt a dog," David said. So we took off walking, to show them our dogs, as David bragged about what a great dog Nellybelle was and how smart she was, which made us so happy for her. "She's the smartest, sweetest dog that I have ever had and..."

An hour later we had an adoption! Chelsea adopted Belle Starr's playmate, Harry Reasoner, and Harry could not have been happier about finding his new forever home, but poor Ms. Belle Starr whimpered and cried like a baby, when Harry left their dog pen. Here is a picture that I took of happy Harry Reasoner with Chelsea.

Right after they left with Harry, Tony and I had a quick discussion about who we should put with Belle. Minutes later we introduced Belle to Pilgrim and they liked each other, but in my opinion,  Pilgrim played a little too rough with her, because he was so much bigger. Here is a picture of Pilgrim and Belle playing with Tone.

An hour later, after watching them closely, Tony returned Pilgrim to his pen and we took Belle up to our trailer, so she could spend the night with us, because we think that she is too young to be outside by herself. And, here is a picture of Ms. Starr in our front yard after meeting our old "assisted living" dogs.

Early this evening Frank Mason, Kinky's friend and The Friedman's official babysitter, came over to visit with us and his big heart melted as he played with Belle inside the trailer. T. took this picture of Frank and Belle.

And here is picture of Belle Starr, that I took, of her taking a nap under a chair.

Before Frank left, I went out to my writing cabin and grabbed one of my favorite stuffed dog toys for her to keep her company tonight in her crate, while Tone carried a large dog crate into the trailer, so she could sleep in it tonight, because our house is not "puppy-proofed."

The reason tonight's post is short is because Tony volunteered to "babysit" Belle while I wrote this tonight and it is now my turn to "babysit" her. Here is a picture that I just took of her—sound asleep, as I type these final words. Isn't she adorable! If you know anyone who is looking for a smart pup please tell them to call us.

Y'all have a great evening!

Life Is A Ball!

Today was not so good, but it turned out okay. This morning I was fine until Tony came home from the Old Timer, because that is when I called Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic to check on Little Ann, the mama of her cute, little pup that we named Belle Starr.

After greetings, Dr. Craig Janssen told me that he needed to talk with me about Little Ann, because she was very sick. He told me about Little Ann's condition and I teared up. He said she was dehydrated, extremely anemic, her stomach had twisted, her kidneys were shutting down and she had a bad case of heart worms. "I've already started treating her, but it's not good, because....Nancy, she is in such bad shape I know she isn't going to make it. I really think we should put her out of her pain as soon as possible." And, I sadly agreed with him.

When I hung up the phone I burst into tears, even though I knew it was best for Little Ann not to suffer, but I felt like I had betrayed her, because when we unloaded Little Ann and her precious puppy at Hoegemeyers, I told them as we walked inside, "Don't worry, girls. You're just getting checkups and shots and we will pick you up tomorrow. Everything is going to be okay..." And, I feel like I lied to them and deceived them.

After I told Tony and Kinky about Little Ann, they were sad, too and they tried to cheer me up. "I just need to be alone and cry about this," I said. "I'll be okay." Well, that turned out to be another lie, because I cried the entire time that I tried to do my paperwork and take care of business.

Later this afternoon we took off in Trigger to fetch Belle Starr and bring her home. After Susan, their sweet office manager, told us they had wormed Belle, given her a bath and her first puppy shot they brought the newly orphaned pup into the lobby and handed her to Tony. And she looked precious. In fact everyone in the lobby told us that she was adorable and way too cute.

I held Belle in my arms and kissed her, as Tone drove us home. "Tony, why don't we put her and Harry Reasoner together and see if they get along?"

"I was thinking the exact same thing. Harry is so sweet. I bet it will work."

When we arrived at the ranch Tony stopped Trigger by Harry's pen. "Nance, take her inside her and Little Ann's pen and I'll get Harry." When T. walked inside Belle's pen holding Harry, both of their tails were wagging wildly, so we let them sniff each other before letting them down on the ground and it was love at first sight! As we watched them run around the pen and play together, we started laughing at them and then we took out our cameras.

Tonight in loving memory of Little Ann, a great dog who I loved, I put together a cute, short two minute video, of Belle and Harry Reasoner, two of the sweetest dogs that were rescued from the streets of Kerrville and San Antonio, by caring people, playing together for the very first time and I have titled it Life Is A Ball! I hope that you will enjoy it and that it will make you smile as it has me.

Bless Little Ann, who I hope is now in a better place. Rest in Peace Little Ann. You were a great dog and I promise you that we will find Belle a great home.

Y'all have a great evening!