An Award and Our Jewel, Wendy

While we're all staying inside trying to stay cool I thought I'd take today to give a heart-felt thank you to two bloggers who recently passed on the 'Sunshine Award' for my blog.  The first blog was Ruled By Paws which is written by Brooke who works with a guide dog.  Her blog is about her adventures with all her pups, Cessna, Canyon, Aspen and Rogue.

The second time the award was given to us, it came from brown dog cbr  which is a blog chronicling the antics of Hawk, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who is an easy going boy who loves to run and find adventure.

I really enjoy both blogs and hope you'll stop over for a visit and get to know them!

When you receive the Sunshine Award, you're supposed to answer seven questions about yourself.  Since I usually only follow rules when I absolutely have to, I've decided to change that up a little.

On July 3rd we celebrated 13 years with our girl Wendy, who is now almost 15 years old.  She was the second dog Carl and I got, and of all of our dogs, she has been with us the longest.  When I think of the years we've had together, and how embedded within our life she is I am humbled and grateful for that time with her.
 
So, today as a tribute to Wendy, I'm breaking the rules of the 'Sunshine Award' and am going to tell you seven things about her that you may not know.

1.  Wendy is our only dog that will 'speak' when you ask her to
2.   She never had an interest in chewing on bones, swimming, tennis balls or stuffed animals--In her younger days she was an energetic frisbee gal through and through.
3.  She is not a full-bred Golden and is mixed with Border Collie. (probably why she loves the frisbee)
4.  Wendy doesn't like the other dogs (or us) touching her while she sleeps.  She'll give a single bark and a harmless snap to remind us to leave her alone.
5.  Wendy is the very first dog we got from a rescue which means she has known every single dog we have ever fostered, adopted and owned.  She also has known the 3 cats we've had too.    
6.  She came to us with the name of 'Amber' which I changed to Wendy, my favorite character in Peter Pan.
7.  I knew the first time I met Wendy, that I really wanted her.  We didn't get to bring her home with us that night, and I was worried that the foster home wouldn't pick us to adopt her--They did, and the rest is history!

~Wendy and our First Golden, Tod~

So today, 

Here's to Wendy, 

the Jewel of Golden Pines, Cheers!!

Lessons From Wendy

I've previously mentioned how Wendy (who is more than 14 years old) had problems with arthritis this past winter.  She has still enjoyed going on walks, but she's staying closer to the house. When she does wander, getting her back to the house can take a little extra time.

Wendy has always been an independent, confident and high-spirited gal.   In the 13 years we've had her, she has never really seemed to want or need our help.  However, this seems to have changed in the past several weeks.  Wendy will now wait at the bottom of the steps and won't stop barking until we come to help her up the steps and into the house.

However nearly every single time when we start to help Wendy, she'll go up the steps herself.  She'll then look back at us as if she's saying 'never mind, I'll do it myself!'  

Todd seems to have adopted this same 'I'll do it myself' attitude.  When he wants something off the counter, like the green ball, he's decided that he'll just (try to) get it himself.  I guess he's been taking lessons from Wendy!

A Walk With Wendy

A cold, cloudy day where gloves are needed when out for any length of time.  The bird feeders are busy with visits from the chickadees, cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, and whatever else stops by for an easy meal.

We got a late start getting the dogs walked this morning.  At the very back of the pack was Wendy who unexpectedly decided she wanted to come along with us.  Because of her arthritis, she very rarely goes on walks with us anymore,.  Instead Wendy tools around the yard and will roll in the grass or just soak up an incredible world of scents that I will never know.  Eventually she'll go back to the house to wait for us to return. Carl and the other dogs were a little ahead of us, so I waited for Wendy who will sometimes decide to wander off in another direction.  At more than 14 years old, and having been with us the longest, she is the matriarch of the pack.  Because of her position, I really believe that Wendy feels that she is my equal.  Yes, she's indeed right about that.  This may explain why she pretty much goes where she wants to, does as she pleases, and returns to us when she's ready.

I found that this morning was a rare, special time with just the two of us.  She and I don't have many walks alone these days.  Several times, she stopped for a moment to rest.  I told her to take her time, and as she always does, she looked at me like she totally understands what I've said to her.  After all of our years together, I think she does.  Too soon our walk was over and we were back home.  A brief time to spend with my old friend, but such a special time, and one that we both needed. 

~Wendy in November~

Leader of the Pack

As with all dogs, there is a social system.  This goes for our dogs too.  In watching them I can see that it's actually pretty well developed.  I feel like there is an orderly relationship and 'communication' among them as they relate and interact with one another.  With Rudi gone, we knew there would be changes within the pack.  We don't force these changes, but let the dogs decide for themselves when and how these changes will occur.  It has been interesting to watch.  Rudi really kept everyone 'in line' and they followed her lead.  When one of the dogs didn't come when called, she'd chide them when they returned.  Even when she wasn't feeling well, they seemed to know what was expected of them.  After she passed, we had several days where there was definite discord and direction.  I really had to get after a couple of the dogs because they would wander off, or not listen when asked to do something.  There were a few brief squabbles and you could see that there was not a sense of unity among them.  

I knew things would settle down and eventually there would be a new pack leader.  Who would it be?  Well, we knew who it wouldn't be.  Within the group there are 'the followers' who are not really involved in the politics of the pack.  That is saved for a few of the others. 

The new comer to our pack, Reggie, is one of those followers.   

Wendy, (who came to us in 1999) at almost 15 years old is considered the matriarch of the pack. 

Even Todd has learned to give her that respect.  

   But at the top of the pack, is the fair and mischievous Carrie-Anne... 

Followed by Sheba who is very energetic, social, but can be bossy and dominant.  

She has often needed to be reminded of her place.

Then there's Josh.  Regal, proud, quiet and self assured.  

His confidence in himself often shows.  

While they could all fill that role,
if you think that our new pack leader is one of them, you're wrong.
The new pack leader at Golden Pines is...
Todd--Young and energetic and full of confidence,
he has us hopping and jumping to meet his every need!!  

But don't tell Charlie, he thinks it's him!
~Okay, I was kidding about Todd,
but as we expected, Charlie has become the new pack-leader~ 

But the cat, CC thinks it's her (actually it's her, but don't tell Charlie...)  

Whoever is 'in charge' of your household, whatever you're doing, 

I hope you're having a enjoyable day!

Rain here in northern Virginia today
and just as with the earthquake this week,
we may feel the effects of Hurricane Irene this weekend.   

Our Zoning and a Saturday Snippet

I'm so glad that the weekend has finally arrived! The week started out with a neighboring dental office enjoying a catered lunch that was meant for the office I work in--I'll end the story there and just say they felt it shouldn't be an issue, since "we" didn't pay for it...And the week ended with a visit to the Loudoun County Office of Land and Development to find out the zoning for Fred's property. (See the post, Paradise Lost) This then sent me traipsing the halls of the county court house (pictured) to see the plat information.  The good news is, is that the zoning (AR-1) only allows 1 house to be built on each lot.  So, the most we would see would be a total of 3 houses built.  The property in back of us that we are interested in, according to the plat information is accessed via, our driveway.  This is what we thought.  But if we're able to purchase 2-3 acres, it would include the access that would be changed.  We did hear from Fred's realtor yesterday and he wanted to know how much we were willing to pay for 2 or 3 acres, if Fred would do it. Our realtor told him we hadn't discussed that and did Fred just want to name a price?  She told them she didn't want to divide the 10 acre price because it was unlikely the 2 or 3 acres would be a buildable lot so it would have less value.  I guess this is why we have a realtor because the amount we were thinking was the price divided into the cost of the 10 acres and a little more...I wish I knew where all this was going to end up...

Today I do know where I'll end up.  The vets office.  Hamlet continues to be a concern.  The tumor as you know is very large, and became sore from Hamlet scratching it.  He continues to wear a tee-shirt, but is now sporting a shoe on his back left foot to keep from further aggravating it and a 'soft-lamp-shade' or e-collar to keep him from licking it--He looks like he's dressed for Halloween...I'm sure you understand why I'd rather not post a picture of him...But I'm going to ask about steroids today to see if that will help in reducing the size and providing some relief.  I know that there are side effects to taking this step, but something has to be done.

I'm also worried about Wendy.  I noticed on Tuesday she has somehow broken a lower tooth that looks like it may be becoming infected.  It was actually her that had an appointment this morning to see the vet.  But I had to change that because Hamlet needs to be seen a 'little' more than she does, and unfortunately they didn't have enough time to see both of them.  She doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort, but I feel just awful having to make her wait. 

Whatever your Saturday brings, I hope you're having an enjoyable day! I look forward to reading your blogs later this afternoon! 

Wendy & The Lost Boys

A few of you asked about the rescue stories of the Goldens that reside at "Golden Pines." Because my life has returned to boring, I will use today to tell you about one member of our crew named Wendy, who is our "top dog." Get comfy and I will tell you her story...

I had heard somewhere that when you get a dog, you should get your first one from a breeder and your second from a rescue--That's exactly what we did. Our first Golden, named Tod, came from a breeder. Because we thought Tod was perfect, it of course made us want another one just like him. But what came to us in the summer of 1999, was our introduction into rescue and a dog that was so unlike our first one.

She came to us at almost two years old, and her name was Amber. I didn't think the name fit her, so we changed it to Wendy who is my favorite character in Peter Pan. Little did I know at the time, how perfect and appropriate this name would become. Wendy, a border collie and Golden mix had been given up by her owners because of her exuberance and boldness; qualities of a Border Collie. She had so much energy, and ran everywhere she went. She also got into everything, was independent and jumped up on everyone!! She was so unlike our first Golden, who we thought could do no-wrong! I used to say that if we'd gotten her first, we may not have ever gotten another dog. At first Tod, who was so laid back and reserved was a bit overwhelmed by her antics. Wendy did not score any points with him when she chewed up a favorite bear that he'd treasured for a long time. But eventually everything came together, and we were a pretty happy little family. **This is a photo of Tod & Wendy**
Carl and I really wanted to "make a difference" so in the spring of 2000, we became a foster home for the Golden Retriever Rescue. For some reason, many of the Goldens coming into rescue at the time were young male strays that had been in a shelter. Because we have no children, these Goldens were placed with us. Wendy became the companion and mentor to what we would eventually call "the lost boys." These young rambunctious Goldens were the perfect outlet for Wendy who loved to run and play games! Her favorite thing was to chase and be chased. Being in touch with her Border Collie genes, a tennis ball was never interesting to Wendy; she adored the Frisbee, and never tired of catching and running after it.

I don't know where the time has gone, but it has now been almost 11 years since Wendy came to us. She is our only connection to all of the additions and subtractions in our household. She has been my constant companion on road-trips and walks, and sleeps at the foot of the bed. Wendy's loyalty, love, and dedication has had a deep impact on me. Many times I have sat with her and shared my dreams, secrets, fears and disappointments. Wendy always listens and seems to understand because the look that she gives seems to always find a way to reassure me that everything will be okay.

Wendy is no longer able to run and play like she used too; this winter has been a difficult one for her because she has developed arthritis in her hips. I have to admit that I have a hard time thinking of Wendy as anything but that young, crazy-wild-dog we adopted in 1999, especially because that spark, spunk and spirit is still very much there! I never would have thought that "Wendy" whose name came from a character that symbolized mothering, caring, loyalty, and undying friendship, would mean the same to our household as it did to Peter Pan and the Lost Boys!