Avocados in the Living Room?

Samson Says: to himself...Oophs, here they come, I hope they won't notice. I'm running outside......

Mommy: Oh, no! Honey, your avocados are on the living room floor. I have to have a talk with Samson. He's not a puppy, he should know better. 

Samson! Come in here this minute! 

Mommy: What's this on the floor? 

Samson: Don't know.

Mommy: Yes, you do know.

Samson: Do not.

Mommy: These were on the kitchen counter, how did they get here?

Samson: Fell off, maybe?

Mommy: Samson, you're a BAD dog! Who brought the avocados in here?

Samson: Gracie 2 did it. 

Mommy: Don't blame Gracie 2, you know she has no teeth. And what's that I see?
Samson: Teeth marks? 
Mommy: That's right and whose teeth might that be?
Samson: Soldier's!
Mommy: OK, this is it. You know Soldier was in the bedroom with the door closed. So those are yours, aren't they? You got bored, went in the kitchen, jumped on the counter and dragged the avocado bag all the way in here. Right? You are a BAD dog!

Samson: Sorry mommy. They looked just like my tennis balls.
Mommy: A likely story. I forgive you, but you must stop acting like a puppy now that you're grown up, OK.
Samson: OK. to himself...a dog can never have any fun around here. Initiative like mine should be encouraged, don't you think?


Thanks for visiting, have a nice day everyone!


Posted by Samson, the Samoyed Pup.

Rachael Meets a Skunk

You may remember Rachael, my friend who has dedicated her life to the welfare of animals. Rachael runs Sydney's Legacy, an animal education program, where she teaches children and adults about sharing our world with animals.

Every Thursday, Rachael volunteers with Orion, the great horned owl, at a wildlife sanctuary outside Los Angeles. Before that she hikes in the mountains around the sanctuary where Orion lives. 

Rachael working with a rescued raven.

When Rachael was hiking recently, she came around a bend in the trail and ran right into a skunk. They both stopped dead in their tracks and looked at each other.

 Bing Images

The skunk stared at Rachael and stomped its front paws into the ground, a sign of skunk distress. And, of course, we all know what's coming next.

Bing Images

Rachael said she was praying as the skunk turned around, ready to let her have it. There was nothing else she could do.  She was certain to get sprayed at that point.

Rachael with Angel and Soldier

But then something wonderful happened: The skunk turned around, stomped its front paws a few more times, then turned and headed off the path into the bushes. 

When I heard this, I told Rachael it just proves that animals are so much smarter than we think. The skunk knew Rachael cared and was not a threat. Even if the skunk didn't know all the good things Rachael has done for animals, he felt her energy and that was enough for him to reconsider spraying her and head for the bushes instead.

If you don't believe me, just look at the adoring looks Rachael is getting in the picture above. My dogs don't behave like that with people in general, but they know Rachael is a very special friend. 

To learn about Rachael, the animals at Sydney's Legacy, and much, much more, click here. To read earlier posts, click the tab for Sydney's Legacy at the top of my blog. 

Gracie's Birthday Video For Samson ~ You Have To See This!!!

Somewhere far, far away in Bloggy Land, there lives a little girl dog named Gracie. Gracie's mom's name is Bobbi and the name of the Blog where they live is called http://gracieownsme.blogspot.com


Once upon a nice day, Samson met Gracie in Bloggy Land  and before you could count to three, they were in LOVE. But that's a story for another day, today is for the story of the VIDEO that Gracie sent to Samson for his birthday. 

It came in an email that we couldn't open because the computer wouldn't let us. So, a bit later, Gracie posted it on her mom's Blog. 


We all watched the VIDEO together here and couldn't believe  how cute it was. Samson's daddy said: "That's BAD!" Which means that's GOOD!

 Samson watching the VIDEO.

It was a delightful present, one that we will never forget. Samson still can't get over it and is dreaming of his Gracie as he plays with his almost as cute Gracie 2.

Please go here and check it out. The video is at the end of the post. And if you want to fall in love with Gracie too, check out this post from her Diary.  


Samson Says: Thanks for visiting my Gracie, I know you will love her as much as I do. Have a nice day, everyone!

Foto Friday

Mission San Juan Capistrano, California, USA

From Archives

Thank You For Your Visits and Comments

Thank you all kind animal lovers who read my post for Be the Change for Animals. I knew without a doubt that every one of my blogger friends is also a great friends of animals. I was in a panic because I was so late in writing the post. I had no idea what to write. Then Soldier's story came to me and he pretty much told it from the pictures.

Rosalind Adams, a blogger friend from the UK, just commented that she couldn't look at Soldier's picture because he looked so much like a dog she lost two years ago. And Madsnapper Sandra has told me that Soldier reminds her so much of Max, a dog she and her husband had some years ago, and who was one of the great loves of their lives.

Years ago, I read somewhere that most of the dogs, the strays, the dogs in developing countries, in poor neighborhoods, and so on, are this kind of yellowish color. And ever since then I wanted a yellow dog. I think the average stray is somewhat shorter than Soldier and Soldier has a beautiful red color in the sun, but other than that.....

 Samson ~ Lapdog in training.

I am so glad to have Soldier in my life. He is the sweetest dog with women. When he could jump, he usually ended up in the lap of any visiting woman friend of mine. And of all the dogs I have lived with, he's about the only one who is a true lap dog. Who loves to snuggle and be petted. None of my other dogs really cared for that kind of nonsense. I'm working on Samson though.

Thank you so much everyone and have a nice evening. 

Be the Change for Animals

P.S. Late in the day, I found an open link list and posted it at the bottom of this post. I'm really excited!


I signed up with the best of intentions to participate in Be the Change for Animals event, but I didn't realize that there was a deadline for adding my blog to the link list of bloggers who are participating. I had, and still have, problems with Blogger, then there was the fire in the canyon, and finally over the weekend, I've had to help my husband with a  rush project. Phew! But I want to stand up and advocate for change for animals and the millions of pets that still are euthanized every year. So I will just write this post for my regular blog readers and anyone else who comes along. I will also comment on blogs from the link list.

I know all of you know the importance of adopting dogs from shelters and avoid buying dogs from pet stores because of they are often associated with puppy mills, and to spay/neuter your pets. So I wanted to stress another aspect of dog, cat, and any pet ownership, something that my friend Rachael always stresses in her animal education workshops: Getting a pet is a lifetime commitment. To illustrate, I picked out a ton of pictures of my beloved Soldier. Soldier would have been dead back in 2007, now he has had five years with us that must seem like heaven to him. This is his story:

Before he retired, my husband had a construction company and in 2007, a realtor friend of his asked him to look at some work that needed to be done on a house she was selling. The owner was moving to Florida. My husband decided the work was not for him, but noticing a dog tied by a chain to a doghouse in the yard, he asked what the owner planned to do with the dog. She told him that since she couldn't find a new home for him, he was going to the pound the next day. Then she told my husband the dog does not like men, and to not go over to him.

My hubby, sweet man that he is, went over anyway and the dog, whose name was Soldier and who had been trained to march in place for his food, was all over him. My husband took Soldier home. Because of work, my husband lived in Los Angeles at the time, while I lived here in the mountains. The first time I drove down and met Soldier, I was in love. 

Soldier has since become my 77 lb lap dog. I am so in love with him. Soldier, on the other hand, probably loves me back, but it's very clear what his priorities are. In this order: Food, Walk, Daddy. He will whine for any and all of these three, the only dog we've ever had who knows how to whine. 

Overall though, he's had a very happy life here with us. And here are some pictures of the five years he would not have had if he had gone to the pound (not only is he men aggressive, his is also food aggressive, and vet aggressive. He was seven years old at the time, not neutered, and missing both upper and lower front teeth from chewing on his metal chain, trying to get free, so not a happy prospect for adoption). Here are a lot of pictures of Soldier's life with us.

A sleeping Soldier is something to behold. This dog knows how to relax, a sign of a happy dog, I think.

Soldier is probably part German shepherd and is an excellent guard dog. He's getting a little hard of hearing now, but is still doing a good job.

Looking at him, you may think he's part lab, but he's afraid of water and has no idea what to do with a tennis ball!

When his back was severely injured last winter, he took it in stride and proved to be very, very tough.

After six weeks of resting and taking his medicines, he finally got outside and walked along the house. After that, it didn't take long for him to be back to longer walks. He's still on pain medicine, but only every other night or as needed. 

Soldier truly loves his walks and sometimes he has some adventures, like meeting the cows last summer. I'm not sure if that last picture is any indication of what he thought of cows

There's, however, no doubt about his feelings for Rachael. Soldier loves all women, but Rachael is clearly a big favorite with him.

Sometimes, a dog may not turn out the way you had hoped for and since not all of us can call on the Dog Whisperer to help us change things around, his wise words are good to keep in mind: Owners need to be trained, dogs rehabilitated. 
Since we have no children and know a few things about dogs, we were able to keep a dangerously disturbed Doberman, we named Sundance, for his entire life. We had to rearrange some of our own lives in order to do this, and we had our work cut out for us with Sundance, but ultimately I am so glad that we didn't give up on him and provided for him a reasonably happy life.


So in my effort to be a part of the change for animals, I want to stress Rachael's words: When you adopt a pet, it is a lifetime commitment. I understand that sometimes things in our lives are beyond our control, but usually we can find a way. Thanks for reading through all this ~~ it all comes from my heart.

Foto Friday

texwisgirl: a fence for you

Some Pictures and an Update

Thank you for all your comments, your caring words, and your concern for our well-being. Again, I am touched by the bloggy world and all you wonderful caring people that I have met through it.

This morning, I went to our Diabetes Support Group meeting, where we talked about the complications of this disease. Unfortunately, diabetes complications involves just about every part of the body. Most people know about blindness and nerve damage to feet and legs, but did you know even your nose can be subject to nerve damage? Not only can you go blind, you can also become deaf. Heart disease, sexual problems, kidney failure, stomach issues, depression and on and on. 

Unfortunately, many people with the most common form of diabetes, type 2, are diagnosed too late and complications have already, or will soon, set in. I feel lucky, if that's the right word, to have type 1, because I got diagnosed right away and started on insulin as soon as I had the first symptoms, which are severe with type 1. I'm sure that's one reason I'm doing well and have no complications after 22 years. My control has been up and down, but I am very vigilant and that may be another reason. So please make sure you are tested for this disease, which is now so very common. 

Sorry to be lecturing, but every time I go to the meetings, I hear about new problems that people have and I just have to spread the word as best I can.

Driving back home, I noticed that all wind turbines were off, even those on the other side of the highway, where it didn't burn. And at the exit, all these Edison (electric company) trucks were gathered. I'm sure they will have their work cut out for them in the coming months.

We are just fine, but I'm beginning to feel really tired now. The temperature here is 90 F today, so it was really wonderful that it was cloudy and much cooler yesterday. That alone, must have made a huge difference in putting out the fire. On TV last night they said it was 50% contained and full containment was expected today. I still saw small fires and spirals of smoke in the mountains.

After I was in the canyon, I stopped and got out of the car to take a few pictures of the damage and these two fire trucks, hiding in the bushes. There were still many fire trucks in the canyon, checking on flare ups, I imagine.

I had read some years ago that there are certain water spots in the canyon where helicopters can go and replenish their water. But I had no idea where these places were located. Then, as I stood there, a helicopter came and headed down with its water thing hanging below.

Since there are some buildings at this spot, I was pretty sure it was getting water there. And it did. I thought it was a lot of fun to watch and capture this with my camera. I tend to get excited about stuff like this. Hope you can see the blue helicopter hovering in the middle of the picture.

After it was done, it rose again over the buildings and the burnt out fields.

Looking small against the mountain, it flew higher and higher.

Until it crossed over the ridge and disappeared. 


So, to recap, I am tired, but fine. My hubby is still in his pajamas, so he's tired too. Other than that, all is well in our part of the canyon. The dogs are fed and we're having leftover stuffed bell peppers for dinner, so no one has to cook. Life is back to normal in other words.