National Dog Day--Zuri

“I founded National Dog Day in 2004 to honor dogs, to give them ‘a day,’ to show our deep appreciation for the historical connection of companionship with one another – for their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work protecting our streets, homes and families as Police K-9’s, Military Working Dogs, Guide Dogs and Therapy Dogs,”  (Colleen Paige)

So in celebration of this day I introduce you to Zuri. I am sure if your a follower you have seen pictures of her throughout my blog. We got her October of 2012. She belonged to our neighbors. They decided to go on a weekend trip and just threw her outside to fend for herself. She kept crossing a busy highway to get to our house so we just kept her for the weekend until they returned. We left a note on their door telling them we had her. They returned and hours passed and they did not come to get her. I sent one of the kids over to let them know and they took her and put her in a kennel she was to big for that was soaked with urine and feces and put that kennel with her in it, in a shed outside. She was crying. One of my other kids talked them into letting us just keep her. She has been a joy to our family and would be lost without her. 

"Dogs never bite me, just humans"
--Marilyn Monroe

Just Tired But Still Smiling!

I am so tired today! My son did not go to school today and I forgot to turn off my alarm. I still woke up at 6:30 and just could not get myself back into a sleep mode. Logan ended up waking up around 8 or so. Lucky me I got to have a few text exchanges between Logans birth father and myself. I hope one day he will understand autism. Until then I will just have to keep preaching to him it seems. Logan goes for his surgery on Tuesday and his birth father has decided he wants to be present. This is fine and all but why after he has not been to see Logan since December? Why now? Logan needs routine and someone in his life regular and not to have a man that shows up whenever he can which is not often and at the worse of times. This is not only stressful for Logan but for everyone who participates in his care. His doctors, therapists, school teachers ets..I have no idea how much more I can explain this to his birth father. He just doesnt seem to understand. There is more to it but I spare you all the details. Unless I am asked of course. 

Anyways on to the happy part of the day! It so feels like it is the start of the weekend on my part. I do not know why I am hurrying it along. Logan has surgery Tuesday and he had a pre-op today. My son will have his tonsils and adenoids removed and another set of tubes put in. Needless to say I double checked with the ENT today to make sure he really needs this surgery and he told me it was very reasonable to be doing it so onward we go to slice and dice :-) I am trying to be humorous. I am really scared to death. I do not think I would be so nervous about it if he was "normal" but being autistic I think it may be more rough than anticipated or he could just surprise us all. 

We also stopped and got Logans new shoes with the build up and the new orthotics (the ones his physical therapist said he did not need) and after that we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings! I have never been there and it was my first time eating there. I have to say it was pretty good and will write a better post just about that in the future. 

I have thought I would give it a go and participate in the Family Photo Friday hop over at Thursdays Child
It is difficult for everyone to get into photos at once considering someone has to be holding the camera. I have decided to post pictures of what smiles we got today! We may not all be in ONE photo but we are in numerous, separately. 

 Yes our furbabies are family as well. Loki, Missy and Zuri

 Hey at least his finger was NOT in his nose

This was us today! The oldest was gone at a band concert for highschool graduation. WTF?? A graduation on a weekday?? Who knew?

Good, Random and Fun

This past weekend was of course Mothers Day and it has been all over the blogging world. It was not a huge deal here at my household. It never really is. My oldest daughter was on the road from a vacation she took with her dad to Disney World. My oldest step son was off with his mother but yet hanging out with his cousins. The day was spent visiting my mother (surprise visit)! To me those are the best. The unplanned. I of course was told I could do whatever I wanted because the day was about me. That did not turn out well. I have a hard time thinking about myself. I live for satisfying my family. To see them happy makes me happy so we just went with the flow.

The Good
We saved a life! We found this little girl under our house. We then took in the little girl and the mamma and fattening up mamma. 

So far the little girl seems to be doing well!

The Random
Here is a random shot I took with my camera. I was in the truck and we were stopped in traffic for just a second. Was not the best shot but kind of neat

The Fun
The fun was left up to my honey. Fun for me is getting to use my camera (even though I am not the best at it) but the physical fun was had by Eric and him going to the shooting range. 

haha I almost got hit by flying shell casings!


Joing the Fun 

Pesky Pet Hair

It is no secret that dog hair makes up part of our wardrobe and furniture! 

 We are proud owners of a white Siberian husky and an all white chihuahua and currently at this moment 5 little husky puppies (4 weeks old) 

Dog hair is everywhere! I sweep everyday and swear I find another puppy every time. Today was one of those days where the hair just got on my last nerve and my OCD kicked it. I had to get rid of it off of our furniture. Even if it only lasts a day...

Supplies needed:

1. Rubber Gloves

2. Static Guard

3. A vacuum or lint roller

I had neither of these but I can manage

Here is the couch before

Yuk that white hair is everywhere!!

So here is what you do, spray the static guard on the cushions and let it is sit for maybe a minute. Now you if you have a vacuum you can just vacuum it right up but of course mine died. Put on your rubber gloves and start rubbing your couch down in circles or straight lines just whatever works for you. Now you can vacuum up the hair that you pile up or just grab with the gloves like I did and here is what you come up with.

Yuk huh? Now look at my couch after

How cool is this?? 

This is so easy and fast to do and no dog hair!! Now go get to rubbing down your furniture to have it pet hair free for a couple of hours!! 

Adventures in Puppy Training

"First you learn a new language, profanity; and second you learn not to discipline your dogs when you're mad, and that's most of the time when you're training dogs." Lou Shultz

 Meet Rocky. Not sure his exact breed but I am sure he has pit bull in him. Not sure of his exact age but I do know he is young just by looking at his teeth and he still has that unforgettable, unmistakable puppy breath. Rocky came to join our household one week and one day ago. He was covered in fleas, dirty, ears were filthy, bloated with worms and very shy and scared. I have a huge love for dogs and anyone with a heart or soul can not resist big beautiful puppy eyes or that puppy breath. This pup needed a home and I was more than willing to try my hand out in the puppy thing. I knew my husband would be a little upset about bringing a new dog into the house so I waited until I got him and on my way home before I told him.. I also did this through text. I did not ask I just told him. He was okay with it once he seen him. (Goody)


So I get this big boy home and clean him up and get flea after flea off of him. Poor dog. He ended up having three baths within just a few days. Luckily with all that hard work I managed to make sure he is flea free and of course I can't forget the flea and tick meds I put on him. Thanks to my mother she lent me a crate to help with this whole potty training business and also to keep him from destroying or eliminating himself all over the house while we are gone. So we are home, he is introduced to the family and to Mable of course. We cant leave out our six year old basset hound. She likes him (at first) they play and get along pretty well and the first night of puppy training went over pretty smoothly.


First couple of days went as expected and very smooth then I guess when this pup got settled in I swear he turns me into the devil! I forgot how hard it was to potty train a puppy. I wish every puppy came already potty trained. Life would be much easier and there probably would not be as many homeless little or big doggies out there. I find myself cussing this poor puppy every step we both make towards the door after every accident and it seems those are getting more frequent. I blocked off the whole living room so that was the only room he would have access to so I could keep my constant eye on this sneaky little devil dog. Well once again he did good (for just a little bit). 


The common signs to watch for when a puppy has to go potty are as follows:
1. The puppy will circle and whimper
2. The puppy will sniff floors
3. Puppy will need to go out after eating and after sleep
4. Generally as a rule the puppy will not soil the place where they sleep


I guess I'm going to have to learn to read all the opposite signs of this?? Rocky will not circle or whimper. He wags his tail and just pees where he is at. I have not seen this dog sniff the floor one bit except to find some food, he would rather eat, play. sleep and then potty (If Im lucky). Rocky likes to pee in his crate. Grrr!!! What gives?  I realize it has only been one week but you would think he would start getting the hang of this thing and not give you that doggie grin while peeing on the floor. I think that is what makes me the most angry. I am beginning to think he likes to upset me and push my buttons, just like a child. So he goes to his crate if he does not potty outside..Now this is a whole other nightmare. This pup slams himself back and forth in the crate causing it rock back and forth and he cries and cries. I need the Dog Whisperer. Czear, where are you????


When this dog is not being such a pain in my rear he is fun. He does the normal puppy thing and he runs circles around the coffee table, plays really well with the kids and pesters Mable. Mable of course is not a fan of this home invader.  He is a good companion for Justin when he is out working in the garage, nice company for me and a decent foot warmer and not to mention a great guard dog. I have faith he will be the perfect dog if I can just keep my patience and my profanity to a minimum or he may kill me by driving me insane. Have you ever wondered why we drive ourselves mad for some satisfaction? Hmm...another topic for another day. 
In the mean time check out some links I have posted below of some inexpensive dog products I have purchased and have found works really well. I don't have a pet smart income I have a wal-mart income so these products work for us. 

Dog Shampoo
Flea and Tick Drops
Nail Clippers


I wonder how many times I say no in one day??