Myra, I am so sorry...

“Dogs, lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you're going to lose a dog, and there's going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There's such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware that it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and the mistakes we make because of those illusions.”  - Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz and Trixie

Several nights ago, A friend of mine lent me a book,  A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz, a very famous writer.  It is about his first dog that changed his life in many ways.  So far the story is lovely and appears to be a non-stop read except to write this Blog.  Dean Koontz and I certainly have something in common, the love of a dog and the pain associated with it.  Both are unavoidable, and the first is unexpected, and the last is inevitable.

From a Facebook post that was forwarded to me on June 9: 

MIRA UPDATE: “Yesterday, we took in a female border collie whom a witness allegedly saw being beaten by an individual in McCreary County, Ky.  She was taken to Knox-Whitely Animal Shelter. After being sedated and transported – with a vet tech on board – to BluePearl in Louisville, she received immediate medical attention. We learned today that Mira, which we named her, had also been poisoned with antifreeze. Because of the severity of Mira's condition, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to wrap her in love and prayers as she took her last breath.”  The ArrowFund.org

Myra

Even writing this tears my heart out.  What pains me so much, is that Mira left this world and her last memory was being beaten to death and forced to drink antifreeze along with vile anger that someone had to harm her.  Many of us have held our loved one until the end of their loving life hoping that the last breath never came but it did and we all grieved, but Myra was alone and hurt.  When Dean Koontz and his wife knew it was "time" to cross for Trixie he wrote, “So there on her favorite couch, on the covered terrace, where she could breathe in all the good rich smells of grass and trees and roses, we opened for her the unseen gate, so she could walk again not on her now weak legs but on the still strong legs of her spirit, walk beyond that gate, an innocent into the realm of innocence, home forever.”

As hard as we try, there’s always more to do in rescue even as hard as we work, sometimes more.  It overwhelming and unbearable and it’s beyond my reasoning at times, and I do mean this.  I have seen so much of the ugly side of people that I did not want to see, but did.  The only solace is the man who harmed Mira was seen by someone and called the police, but nothing happened.  Because of the outcry of people who shouted for justice, he was later arrested on June 10, and he is facing a charge of animal torture causing serious physical injury and death, because some stepped in.  As in the Randy Sanders case in Indiana, who ruined Border Collies for over 40 years, until people stepped it did not stop.  This is not for everyone, but you can still help in other ways.  In the two cases above it was only stopped by people who fought for the lives of dogs, never seeing the dogs in the pain they are in but cared from a distance. Trust me, nothing can and will prepare you for that sight.

"This world is infinitely layered and Mysterious.  Every day of our lives, we see far more than we can comprehend, and because of our failure to comprehend disquiets us, we lie to ourselves about what we see."  Dean Koontz

I am so sorry to write this and as most of you know I wear my pain and hurt on my shirt sleeve for everyone to see and life is not always good in my world at the farm.  As I write this final script for this Blog, five of my dogs are laying under my desk because of a storm that is passing through.  They look to me to save them and I will, we all should, because there are many more...  Ken

Clancy's Dream

5 Kinds, Maybe 6...

As we all know, Border Collies will think and do more than we know or want.  Just when you have them figured out, they will out-think you, out-smart you and be one step in front of you.  I will tell you, there are degrees of "smarts" in them and some have a "1" on the "10" scale, and some have a "10" score.

Poor Doc, he is the most loving dog that there ever was and will love you to death, licking on you, trying to climb in your lap and making a nuisance of his affection, but I don't mind unless I'm trying to tie my shoes.  He will love you until he knocks you down, literally…

There are basically 5 types of dog personalities according to Linda Cole.

The Confident Dog, Clancy, He was a natural born leader of his pack. He’s a team player and more than ready to take charge of a situation. A confident dog can also be dominant. Training methods with this personality type could cause him to become more willful. This dog feels secure in his surroundings and has a self-assuredness that shows in his body language.  We if you knew Clancy, this fits him to a tee.

The Independent Dog,  Shepp, The independent personality is perfectly happy being away from the crowd. He needs to be given space, and trying to force him to do something he doesn’t want to do will backfire. You can easily lose this dog’s trust and respect if you expose him to heavy handed treatment.

The Laid Back, Happy Dog  Doc, He is always ready to greet everyone he meets, whether he knows them or not. He gets along well with other dogs and cats. Dogs with a happy personality that haven’t been taught basic commands, like sit or down, are apt to get into trouble for jumping up on people when they greet them. This dog can become overly excited, especially around children, and a large dog could scare them.

The Shy/Timid Dog, Meggie, she needs an owner who can give calm, consistent and patient understanding, with a sensitivity to his needs and feelings. A shy dog doesn’t like being in uncomfortable situations or around sudden or loud noises. Yelling and harsh training methods or discipline can cause this type of personality to shut down, and you risk losing his trust. Heavy-handed treatment can push this dog to become more insecure, fearful or aggressive. It’s important to give a shy/timid dog plenty of opportunities to succeed to help boost his self-confidence, and daily exercise to stimulate his mind.

The Adaptable Dog, Annie.  She is eager to please, and the easiest of the five personalities to train. Not as outgoing as the happy personality, this dog gets along well with other dogs, cats, and people. She’s perfectly happy to follow the commands of us, who she sees as his leader. This is an easy to control dog – cooperative, gentle and affectionate – that makes a great family pet. The adaptable personality would be a good candidate as a therapy dog.

Pain in the Butt Dog, this was not mentioned.  Who else but Dutchess could fill this spot  Funny how she doesn't fit in the 5 personalities, but you have to admit, she needs her own.  There is, nor will ever be another Dutchess.  She is literally one of a kind, and I don’t know if that’s good or bad… 

If you own a dog, you know so well that it can change your life depending on the type of dog you have from the above list.  When we first get ours, usually, we don't know their personality or what type of household we may get.  Our "Pain in the Butt" dog, Dutchess has certainly changed our household.  From knocking over the Christmas tree to getting on the table and the list can go on and on and does.  She is the smartest dog I have ever known and Thank God there is only one of her, and I love them all to death...

What kind of personallity does your dog have?

Ken

The Dogs of Dogwood Ridge

They ate what?...

Being in the dog world, I have seen many stories and seen dogs eat anything and everything.  I have experienced it here at the farm many times.  What amazes me is the effort that we go through making sure they have the best food that money can buy, and they turn their nose up at food that cost $60.00 a bag, but they eat sticks and poop with vigor and a smile.

I want more...

Many times I have had to make the dog throw up after ingesting something they didn’t need.  As we all know, Dutchess will eat anything, doesn’t matter if it’s eatable or not, just something that will interest her.  From the stories I have heard about some of her pups, they are like her Mom.  She will get on the table if we’re not around and she is the counter surfer champion, but she is not the only one.

Annie and Dahlia once ate two boxes of Baklava candy.  It was great going down, but they paid the Devel when it came up.  Dahlia counter surfed and pulled it down, and Annie was there to help her devour the goodies.  Neither dog had ever attempted to eat anything odd, and it’s a hard lesson but if they would only learn.

I have always worried about the things they eat, always worrying if it does not pass through and what to do.  Dutchess, the world famous dog disposal, had been given a solution of Hydrogen peroxide many times because of what she has gotten into.  After a while, I think she got immune to it because once it didn’t work.  It was a hot summer afternoon, and I had given it to her several times, and nothing had happened.  She had gotten into the garbage that was supposedly locked up and got some cooked chicken bones.  After about an hour, I told Elaine, we’re going for a ride in the car.  Elaine and Dutchess were in the back of the car, and we went on our curvy, hilly road.  Nothing happened in the car, but when she stepped foot on solid ground, she puked everything up, Dutchess gets car sick, and this was the answer that day.

Usually, it’s our fault when they get into things because we are careless and leave things out and it tempts them to no end.  Once we were having a Birthday party, and the table was set, and the cake was in the middle of the table.  Everyone was in another room because it was a surprise party and I went to check on everything.  Standing on a chair stretching out as far as possible, the dog was eating the cake.  Very quickly, I got the dog off the table, looked at the cake and said out loud, “now what do I do.”  Grabbing a knife, I cut the eaten part out, turned the cake around as where it was on the back.  When everyone came in, I confessed I had to sample a little, but a quarter of it?  Dirty looks from most but the dog was safe…

This is something we all face and dog proofing the house is always in order, but it’s hard to keep everything outside out of their reach.  Once, Clancy came to the house with a leg from a deer that he got from somewhere in the forest, still somewhat fresh.  Best food you can buy they turn their nose up but sticks, grass and anything else, always.  

If it comes to it, surgery is the only answer.  If you want to see how it is done, this is a very good and informative video.  

Blocked Intestine

Ken

The Border Collies of Dogwood Ridge

A Family Affair… Mostly…

This has been a week of family activity.  We usually do things together and discuss things and take the best option to complete the task.  Just this Saturday morning, I opened a big box that a good friend had sent me.  At first, I wondered what it was but soon found out.  The dogs were watching around me, and they were excited too. 

Dutchess just knew it was a box of Frisbees and Shepp knew it was a box of tennis balls.  Neither one was right, but to their surprise, they were both partly right because it was some of the same things they love, just a little different.

It is a GoDogGo Automatic Ball Launcher.   Everything was in the big box including some extra balls, and when I opened it last night, I put balls into the top and thought it would be pretty genital, so I turned it on.   Nothing happened, Dutchess frowned and I checked a few things, pressed some buttons and still nothing.

I had just got back from Louisville and needed to unpack so I figured I would work with it tomorrow.  Should be simple.  After going to the store this morning and putting things away, time to try the ball launched again.  

Note... Glasses above it...

Plugged it in, I put a ball in the shoot, nothing.  Checked the batteries in the remote, even turning them around, just in case, nothing.  I thought maybe there needed to be more weight on the ball shoot, so I added lots of balls that the dogs brought me, nothing. 

Tried the remote again and looked at the control unit on the back.  The lights were on, nothing.  I did see a switch and when I made a closer look… “Standby” was visible so I switched it, power now.  A piece of cake I thought.  ERRRRR - ERRRR - ERRRR came from the bowels of the machine turning its wheels, making noises and it seems to be doing something.  Looked at Abbie and said, “this appears to be a little slow.”

VAROOM it went.  At nearly 200 miles an hour it seemed, the first tennis ball went through the wine glasses in our wine rack.  

It surprised me so much I backed off.  Knowing I had to do something, I started looking for a switch.  VAROOM went the second ball hitting the fireplace and bouncing back through the house.  The dogs are loving it and the more it shoots, the more they bark and spin.  Heaven has arrived at Dogwood Ridge according to them.  VAROOM went another ball.  I grabbed the remote, punching every button, probably increasing the launch time.  What a calamity of tennis balls flying everywhere and always hitting one of Elaine's silly trinkets in the process.  VAROOM VAROOM went two balls.  Now it’s getting serious, very serious.  The  GoDogGo Automatic Ball Launcher had turned itself into the path of the dining room hutch that has our family heirloom of Royal Copenhagen of Denmark dinnerware that was designed in 1775 right in its bullseye.  Pricelessly is it’s the only word, trouble is mine.

With a belly nearly full tennis balls and having the power to go through concrete walls, I only had one choice, grab the launcher in a bear hug and run to the back door hoping not to cause too much more damage as I ran with the antitank weapon outdoors.  Once outside and safe, my world was better and only wondered what ramifications will follow.  Elaine came out to see us because of the shotgun sounds and commotion that floated through the neighborhood and look at me, then the GoDogGo and the happy dogs turning circles and barking and said, “Seems like everyone had fun!”   My brain kicked in and I said, “they had a ball.”  The glass hutch with the dinnerware was safe and untouched.  She broke the silence and only said one thing, “Why didn’t you just unplug it?”  Ken

Thank you Karen F.  You make their day... 

Note to self...  Never turn on a GoDogGo ball launcher inside the house.

The Border Collies of Dogwood Ridge

Clancy's Dream  

You get Attached…

A little over a week ago, I was sitting in my recliner, and one of my dogs was on my lap.  She was laying upside down, feet up in the air and asleep to the world.  This reminded me of a rescue dog that we helped because she would do the same thing.  Every time I stopped rubbing her head, her eyes would open, and she would paw at my hand, wanting more attention which she got.  Each one that we knew, we loved and remember each one.  This particular night, I had read some tragic news about a dog that has passed away that I had been following on social media.  It was a rescue dog that was with the foster parent that came to her in very poor health, and I watched the progress and then, the tragedy occurred.

“Tomorrow at 11 am, Eric and I pick up our new foster child!!!!!! He's through Camp Jean, and from the Pulaski Co Animal Shelter. Bringing home some homegrown roots! Bulleit is what we'll call him.”

He's a lover! Honestly, can't tell if he's dark red or black......  So bleached.

So far...... He only eats coconut oil. Not PB or anything else. He does also seem to be in a decent amount of discomfort from his neuter, and he threw up during the night. I hope he gets to feeling better soon. Good news: Not a single potty accident! Unless you count my lap in the car and then walking around Lowes with 💩 on my leg and arm..... I made a lot of friends.

Poor man hasn't eaten one bite (I've had him since Sunday), his sutures from his neuter are infected (I'll spare you the picture), he's been puking on and off the whole time, and he now can't even keep water down. He's skinny as a rail and weak as a cooked noodle. After puking consistently since 2am, the new foster boy was dropped off at at the vet first thing this morning. Praying he's on the mend soon.  I'm anxiously waiting for them to call Eric and let us know how he is.

Poor little boy passed away last night 💚😔💚 He got to spend his last day feeling just a little bit better. I'm sorry, little buddy.

“He was on fluids, antibiotics, and wormer. He was pulled from a rural shelter one week ago and neutered upon arrival. We have no idea what his history was, and the stress from the neuter didn't help. He was treated very aggressively but still passed.” 

Sometimes everything you do is in vain.  In a message, the foster and I talked, and something she said was so right.  “Just that it's just crazy how attached you get when you're trying to save someone.

And when you can't it's devastating. Especially when you don't expect it. You always feel like there's something more you could've done.”

“Then when he got the diagnosis I thought we had good hope with treatment. Although I knew how weak he was. So emaciated. He just couldn't handle it.

He was so great with everyone. He loved people. Especially men. We took him to Lowes Sunday, and he wanted to see everyone.

We gave him a good effort. I really thought he'd be ok. I was shocked.  I thought we'd made it past the worst.”

Run Free Bulleit... Run Free...

I never thought that in such a short time that you could fall head over hills over a dog and it could touch your heart and soul.  Every dog that Clancy’s Dream worked with, Elaine and I could have kept because we loved them.  I will tell you that giving up a rescue is harder than when we sold pups because we would investigate our future owners and felt confident that things would work out.  With our rescue dogs, most were abused in some form or another sometimes several ways.  They didn't know love, friendship, good food and some never had a warm bed.  I still go crazy thinking about the Sanders dogs and still can't look at the photos I took.

Thank you, Katy.  In just a few days you did everything you could to save Bulleit and hopefully give him a new home where they would love him and take care of him, something he never knew until you.  You showed him more love in just a few days than he probably received in his whole life.
People do this because there is a need, someone has to pick up the pieces, but make no mistake they are the unsung heroes, with hidden wings we'll never see.  Because of the unseen goodness they do, I am proud to know them.

“Hey…who is that?” a dog shouted as they all gather together at Rainbow Bridge, as the new human arrives.  “I don’t know their name." someone said, but Bulleit shouts, "but I do... she helped me when I was sick and loved me,” and it was revealed that the person was the rescuer that did everything in their power to help, and then many more dogs came to greet her because she helped them too…strangers no more...and the circle is complete... 
A stately and majestic Border Collie watched from a distance and smiled once again... 

It takes a great love to help a dog that can’t help themselves. Thanks to the Angel that helped Bulleit… May you meet your Angel at the Bridge…God Speed Bulleit… Ken 

Visit Clancy's Dream here.

My Vacation… or so I thought

As most are aware, Elaine's Dad went into the hospital for a couple of stents in one of his arteries.  While this is something I know very little about, I do know she has been gone over three weeks, some of it because of complications but things are better with him, and she is due home tomorrow.  At first, I was kinda lost with nothing to do, but after a few days, things got better, and I found I had some freedom that I usually don’t have.  Dutchess pipped up "Ding Dong the witch is"  "DON'T go there"  I said.

The dogs and I settled into our routine and felt comfortable doing what we liked to do.  Breakfast was a little different, the dogs love to eat with us and I would give them a small bite as I am eating but things were special now, we were on our own.  Each dog got a bowl of Cheerios with milk, Dutchess wanted some sugar on hers, but I put my foot down on that one.  The next day, she got Captain Crunch because she likes the Captain and wants his hat, problem solved.  I did notice that this month, our food bill is a little higher because we mostly ate people food and I didn’t have to take them out to the kennel, more time to watch TV and chill. 

We’ve got a few critters in the house because it’s easier to leave the sliding glass door open and I don’t need to get up when the dogs want out.  A raccoon, a turtle, and even a bat came to see us at night for a nightly visit.  The dogs loved it because they had something to chase and everyone wanted to play.  After much fun and frolick, everyone got tired, and we settled down.  The “critters” I’m sure are somewhere in the house because they seemed to like it here with all the food on the floor and even brought their friends. Hopefully, they'll come out of their hiding place before Elaine get’s home.

Just chillin... I can see clouds...

When we built the house, we put a garden tub in the big bathroom, one of those that is big and has jets that shoot water and makes you feel good.  We hardly use it because showers are quicker and easier but when Elaine left for Louisville, we found another use for it.  The dirty clothes backed up, so the big tub was the perfect place to store dirty clothes.  I thought I had a problem when the water accidentally got turned on.  Abbie loves the water, so she thought she had her own mini pond, somebody found a Frisbee and playtime was on…  All was good until the water jets got turned on and clothes and dogs got spinning in a circle.  "Idea!"… dirty clothes, water, and agitation add some dish soap, and the wash is no longer backed up.  Just hang it on the porch railing and clean dry clothes in a day or so.  Problem solved.  She will love this time-saving idea.

I was contacted via email, I won a national award.  I am proud to say that I am the distinguished award winner and the single one person who had bought more items on Amazon since the first of the year.  Elaine will be sooooo excited I’m sure, we have EVERYTHING we will ever need, I got a lovely email that I can show her, she will be so proud of me.

While Elaine was away, we were just a little lax in the things we did, but I know she loves housework and won’t mind to tidy up just a little.  Can’t wait to see her…  

Things I learned when Elaine got home…

You don’t need all this freedom, it can get you in trouble, trust me.

Cheerios and Captain Crunch gives dog diarrhea, don't leave it for Elaine.

Keep the critters out and the door shut and hope something is not hiding in Elaine's closet.

Never, I mean never put clothes, water, dogs, dish detergent in a garden tub and turn it on, Never ever.

If you can’t handle it, don’t join Amazon Prime, you have to pay for it…

Elaine does not like housework, remember this.  

Flowers do not always help.
I'm sleeping outside with the dogs.

This could go on forever...  Ken

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Clancy's Dream

The Border Collies of Dogwood Ridge

I don't have time again...

No, it's me this time, I’m retired and I don't have any time, it’s just that I have too many jobs and try to do everything in one day. One thing the Good Lord did not bless me with is patience, and I think he forgot Dutchess, too. Yes, this IS another Dutchess story and my screw ups, an update but if things get any more hectic, I'll lose my mind.  
As I have made it known, Elaine's Dad is in the hospital and has been for 3 weeks which means she has been gone.  She misses home, and I am going crazy.  Yes, I can watch TV when I want, eat what I want and just relax.  NO-NO-NO that's not happening.  I am on a mission to stay busy and get some jobs done.   Every night she is gone, I find myself doing more.  I use to start watching TV at 9 pm, now I'm still on the phone or working at my desk until 11 pm.  What's the deal!

 Dutchess always provides me with plenty of material for the blog and may even plan to do things just to get attention, because she loves the limelight.

If Dutchess could speak and she almost can, the first thing she would say is “I just don’t have time to do that.” The reason she would say that is because she has to;

Play Frisbee
Play Ball
Play Frisbee
Eat
Play Frisbee
Eat
Play Frisbee
Go Fishing
Jumping in other people's cars when they visit

There are many things that she doesn’t have time for; because she just wants to do other things, some of them she hates are;

Going to bed
Going to her kennel
Slowing down
And last but not least, mind me.

It's not that she really hates it, she just wants to do the things she wants to do.  There is no doubt that Dutchess is a free spirit girl. I think she is a layover of the early 70’s and would wear a headband if she could find one and I know she was a hippie in her past life.

You don't mind if I drop these off for a while...Do you?

One of the problems we had with her when she had pups, she would get bored taking care of them.  I can just hear her…"Heck, they have teeth and can walk, they should be able to find food for themselves, I do, you just have to beg enough, they’ll give in”. She always weaned her pups herself, when she thinks they are ready; because she wants to do other things.

Some days, I had to make her lie down and sit with her just to make sure the pups get some milk. She would give me the evil eye, and I can only imagine what she was thinking, but I usually win, usually.

You might win, but I don't like it...

She hates to go to bed or go in her kennel because the dogs usually stay out all day unless someone is coming over.   I will put all the dogs up because of Dutchess.  Once, just as the car door was opened, she went under the driver's legs to the passenger’s side of the car and tore open her (sorry Jennifer) McDonalds bag looking for at least one French fry. I was right there and did say, “I really do feed her” she took it in good strides, and we both laughed. She even got a few licks from her in case there were some crumbs still on his face.

One of the most amusing things I have ever seen her do was during a mating with Clancy (A little PG rating here). Elaine and I were taking a walk with the dogs, and as always, we have a Frisbee in hand. Well, Mother Nature took charge during the walk, and the deed was done, and as with dogs, they will stay this way for a period of time. Dutchess, seeing the Frisbee nearby decided she wanted the Frisbee and went for it. Well, Clancy could not see the Frisbee, nor wanted anything to do with it and was comfortable just to stay put. Off she went, pulling Clancy to the toy, his eyes getting bigger with every step. Fortunately, it was just a few feet away, and when she got there, she picked the Frisbee up and just held it in her mouth until they were finished, and in her mind, she wanted to be ready to play Frisbee.

Dutchess is an exquisite dog if she could tell it. She is just a free thinker and has a free spirit that wants to do what she wants to do and when she wants to do it. She is a leader and has never been a follower. I once saw her knock a gentleman down. He and his family were looking at the dogs just to get a feel for their personality. Dutchess was looking for a faster way to get to a toy, and he was in her way. This made perfect sense to her; but the only thing I saw was a problem, he took it in good stride and said, “she sure is spirited, ” and I agreed. Whew!

As I had mentioned, with Elaine gone, I must have lost my mind.  I've stained the floor, worked in the yard and at one point, tried to polish the bathroom vanity top, rather than purchase a new one.  I bought all the necessary materials and even a car buffing machine to make it easier.  Driving home I thought this would be a piece of cake.  Throw a little polish on the vanity top and turn the buffer on and wah-lah, new top but somehow that didn't work out.  As everything seems to go south, we now have a new vanity top along with new faucets and truth be known, I could have bought one with the new supplies I bought trying to fix it.

Elaine if you don't come home soon, my head will explode or we'll run out of money.  Dutchess could care less as long as I take care of her...  Somehow, I think I’m starting to act like Dutchess.  Don't leave your car door open.  Ken

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Clancy's Dream Inc.