Lanie's Treat

Did Lanie get a cheeseburger for her (belated) birthday present?

Yes.

Are there pictures?

Just one.

Just Look at the Camera!

Seizing a moment of warmth and sunshine, I dragged an allergy-ridden and grumpy Drive off his couch and onto the front lawn for some snapshots. He was... uncooperative.

Not. Interested.

Hang on, I've got this itch...

Seriously, Mum, my allergies are killing me!

What are you doing? Is that cheese?

I guess I can smile for some cheese.

Now give it to me.

Happy Saturday! I hope to take Lanie out later for some special "Mommy Time" and a belated birthday treat or two. If it's a holiday weekend where you are, stay safe and have fun. If not, stay safe and have fun anyway.  And again this weekend, join us on the Pet Blogger Hop!

Lanie, Age Twelve

I can't believe it.

I forgot Lanie's birthday.

On May 1, 1999, six pups were born unto one "Rancho Kimme Gal." Among these, a red brindle female with an overbite registered as Texlan Sensation, 59B-80673.

 In the late fall of 2005, I saw this picture. 


"I need that dog," I told my husband / enabler. At the time, we had only Drive and we'd only had him for six months or so. I read the sad little story of Lanie's abandonment and surrender. I studied her overbite and funny, folded-over ear. I repeated, "I need  that dog."


"Aren't you supposed to convince me that dog needs us?"


"She does. But you don't know her, you know me. And I'm telling you, I need that dog."


The moment she was available for adoption, we put Drive and our little girl (no little boy at the time) in the truck and drove three hours without making so much as a phone call. "We're here for Lanie," we told them.


"Really?"


"Er, yes?" They led us to the kennels out back and I passed any number of sweet, sociable animals. But I knew why I was there. We stopped in front of Lanie's kennel. Huddled and miserable, she took one look at us and barfed up several meals' worth of kibble. From the kennel worker there was a palpable air of We are never going to get rid of this one.


The whole situation suddenly seemed ridiculous to us, I guess. Husband and I started laughing uncontrollably as we asked if we could take her out for a walk and let her meet Drive in the yard. "Really?"


Outside, she ignored us and Drive completely, a striped mass of depression and disinterest.


"We'll take her," we said.

"REALLY?!" 


Yes, really and forever.


Lanie walked into our home, trampling over our hearts on the way, and peed on one of the couches. She then hoisted herself onto the other couch, flipped onto her back, and was home.


She's insecure and clingy, demanding and noisy, conniving and demanding. She's never more than five feet from me, if she can help it. Her big brown eyes follow me around the room. "I'm right here," I tell her all the time. "It's okay."

She's twelve years old. Yesterday she ran laps around me, leaping in the air and throwing up clods of grass and mud. She steals food and picks the trash and howls for attention. She is one of the sweetest and neediest creatures I've ever met, and I was right. I sure do need this dog.

We'll have a celebration for her this weekend.

Sunshiney Wednesday

What's over there?

Old Dog, New Trick

We're alive! Barely. You should see the storms of pollen outside, following a week straight of rain. I'm just going to cut myself some slack about the whole didn't-post-for-two-weeks thing.

You know, since we got back from Greyhounds in Gettysburg, Drive has changed. He's been my best friend for six years now and I think this is the first time I can honestly say that an event has changed him. Before this, if I suggested we go somewhere he would graciously allow himself to be shut in the car and wait patiently until we arrived. (He does recognize McDonald's, though. That gets a reaction from him.)

Now? When it looks like I might be putting on clothes suitable for the outside world -- and I still don't know when he learned to differentiate, but he can, I swear -- he starts wagging his tail. Should I venture into the bathroom and brush my teeth or put on makeup, he starts grinning and the wagging gets more enthusiastic.

At this point, if I go anywhere near my shoes or keys I will be attacked.

He wasn't like that before.

Even if I'm just taking them outside for a quick walk, Drive stares at whatever vehicle is in the driveway and whines piteously. Take me somewhere, he cries. Anywhere. Just let me in the caaaaaar!

The obvious and easy solution has been to take him along on more errands. It's working for both of us, I think.

We're joining in the Pet Blogger Hop again this week. Welcome!

Sleepy Saturday Blog Hop

    There may be rumors circulating that I almost never pass up chance for cocktails. This is true. While in Gettysburg, I was pleased to combine my love of dogs with my love of drinking, and attended a couple of social gatherings in the hotel ballroom. If you think attending a cocktail party with a few dozen dogs in attendance is a noisy, messy proposition, you need to spend more time around greyhounds. 

 

 

The atmosphere with greyhounds in attendance is so relaxing that even Chester Hoover, world-famous party animal, was inspired.

Charm

 I think I'm inspired to go back to bed myself!

If you're visiting from the Blog Hop, welcome!

Wordless

Ki-lee Dreaming

Greyhounds in Gettysburg

Drive and I have safely returned from our very first greyhound convention!

We attended Greyhounds in Gettysburg with my friends Sharon and Karen and stayed at the absurdly dog-friendly 1863 Inn. I was thrilled to reconnect with some old friends and to meet some of my dog-loving friends for the first time. But I know you aren't here for my sappy adoration of the pet-loving and dog-blogging community. You want pictures!

Too bad. I want to say first that I owe a lot of these friendships to Life With Dogs. The crew over there works semi-tirelessly to keep us amused, and through that site and its fan page on Facebook, I've met some of the pet world's best, friendliest and funniest. I don't get out much, but when I do it's usually to get together with folks with whom I have a love of dogs and Life with Dogs in common.

Okay. Now here are a few pictures.

Drive, at the hotel. This is actually the first day there. He's pretty mellow.

I think most of the cars in the hotel lot were decorated.

Bunny, who has a more extensive and fashionable wardrobe than I do.

Zoe the whippet. My plans to smuggle her home in my bag were foiled.

Chester, who is NOT a fat greyhound but a chocolate lab.

I was honored to meet Lilac, a grand dame of 15 and a half years.

Drive and Charm became close, cuddly friends on the trip.

Charm's coy look. She's just breathtaking and so sweet.

How's this for mellow? He's a yard away from a table laden with barbecued chicken and ribs.

You can meet Bunny and Lilac (and their sisters) over at Tales and Tails. Chester shares his deep chocolate thoughts at For the Love of Chester. You can find stunning pictures of Zoe and her family at Dogs Rock.

I'll have more tomorrow. Or maybe Wednesday. Lanie is demanding a lot of my time to make up for leaving her at home, but she doesn't seem to have suffered much as her Dad was here overcompensating. ;)