May 19, 2013

White Dog sat on Steve's lap after he finished his schoolwork and said, "We need an Easy Sunday. It has been a long week for you, it is hot outside, and it would be nice just to hang out with nothing to do except snacking, listening to music (singing along when we wanted to), and day dreaming under the gentle breeze of the fan."

The White Dog Army, who has obviously been paying too much attention to the meetings being held at our house, called for a vote. Oso made a motion in favor of Easy Sunday, and was seconded by YoYoMa. There was no discussion, and the motion passed unanimously.

So, with the wishes that you too experienced maximum Sundy-ness, here is the WDA version:

May 18, 2013

White Dog and the rest of the White Dog Army were so very excited when Dragon's mom sent us a little message saying that Phoenix was now ready to find a forever home. Candace saw her photo from a small dog rescue on Facebook and fell in love with the little Shih Tzu girl who had lost an eye. "Just like you did when you saw Quinn's photo, right momma?" Puff asked. "Just like that. Dragon and Sen-ge and Zoe and Thurber were destined to have a new little sister."

Candace has resisted the pull to add to their pack because of busy schedules and yes, a bit of fear of taking on yet more responsibility. But when she read Phoenix's story of being injured so that her eye had to be removed and her previous owners' disregard for her care, Candace and Gregg both knew that they had time and room in their hearts and home for this special pup.

The WDA and all of their friends cheered them on. We started putting together a new baby basket and watched for news of the arrival date. Gregg and Candace are wonderful dog parents and there was no doubt that their application would be approved without a moment's hesitation. They made plans to travel to get her. Candace's exchanges with the people at the rescue were encouraging.

Then the other day, Candace shared the news that Phoenix's adoption had hit a stumbling block. The message she received from the rescue, "Hi Candace, I wanted to update you on Phoenix... She is become more and more fearful of people since her injury. She is fine with us but just goes ballistic with my volunteers, even if they give her some space and are gentle with her. I think that the best thing for her right now is to wait before being adopted. She nipped at one of my volunteer today. She has long brown hair like her previous owner and she is terrified of her. Another of my volunteers is a trainer/pet sitter and she is willing to foster her for awhile and help her get over her fear of people." This message left her heartbroken.

The WDA has encouraged Candace not to give up hope; that Phoenix just needs a little more help overcoming the trauma before she is ready to come home to Dragon and Sen-ge and be part of her family. The rescue did not say Phoenix is not adoptable. YoYoMa suggested they just keep a dialog going so that little girl will know that someone who loves her is waiting and will patiently give her the time she needs to be truly ready to come.  Then he looked at me and asked, "Remember, you told me that you felt like I was never coming home? When the rescuer kept saying I wasn't ready? You were so afraid that I would NEVER come to be part of the Army. I bet Candace feels like that."

Nuka had a good suggestion for Candace as well: "Send Phoenix a toy/treat basket and one of your t-shirts so she can dream of the perfect forever home waiting for her. that way, when the time comes, she will already be comfortable with your scent." "Great idea!" White Dog applauded.

"Their hearts are already connected. Like mine was to yours, momma, when you first saw my deathrow photo and moved heaven and earth to bring me home. I knew you would do it...and Phoenix in her heart knows Candace will soon bring her home, too."

We ask for a little positive Power of the Paw to help calm Phoenix's fears enough so that the rescue feels she is ready to begin a wonderful new life with our friends...as an Honorary White Dog.

May 17, 2013

Happy 1st Gotcha Day, Oso, The Fearless!



White Dog said, "It is kind of funny that we didn't even know we needed another white dog in the Army until Oso walked through the door a year ago as calm as can be like he owned the place...and now I cannot imagine The White Dog Army without him."

There is no doubt that the arrival of Oso The Fearless was a coalescing moment in the WDA. Maybe it was his nonplussed steady confidence. Maybe it was his assumption that of course everyone would love him and accept him. Maybe it was because he respected all of the others and did not try to push his way up the ladder. Maybe it was just the Power of Six.

For whatever reason, Oso (Oh, ANOTHER White Dog) is allowed to cuddle up to each of the WDA. He alone can shove his nose into the coffee cup during the boy's morning coffee club meeting, nosing out both YoYoMa and Quinn...and is met with patience as he drinks his fill of the cream tainted with a hint of coffee. OAWD snuggles into Michael's lap and gets up ultra early to supervise Steve as he does his homework. He is Quinn's mini-me and Nuka's walking buddy at the Park. He is our Master of Fen Shui as he drags the dog beds around and rearranges things to suit his sense of what feels right before he naps or turns his modified space over to Quinn.

None of these things we knew we needed, but now...life simply would be wrong if he were not a part of our family and hearts. We are SO glad that the tech at the City Shelter asked an acquaintance of ours "how to find the Eskie people" when Oso was surrendered for being "too old at 12  to make the transition to his family's new house" and we are forever grateful that Joyce brought us together...but I suspect that if Plan A had not worked our calm fearless boy had a Plan B and a Plan C that would have brought him here...after all it WAS meant to be.

So from Steve, Siku Marie, The Mighty Quinn, Nuka Angel, Puff The Magical, YoYoMa, Michael and your momma who loves you with a special piece of her heart that belongs just to you, Little Man, we wish you a Happy First Gotcha Day...we are blessed you are forever ours.

White Dog and the rest of the White Dog Army are Thankful this Thursday for a week ending in celebration and happiness. Quinn, The Other White Dog, is finally back at the top of his game and feeling balanced and well-enough to be playful. So often he is nipped at by the imps of old age and dragged around by the manic seizure monster, that good days, especially a string of them, make us ALL wag with glee. 
Here Quinn demands Steve's attention for a game of catch my paw.

The pink of the top of TOWD's head is his attempt to try life as a strawberry/platinum blonde. After enjoying a nice juicy berry, he crowded too close to YoYoMa as he reached over Quinn's head to gobble down HIS berry from Steve.

Quinn and Nuka sneaked off to share some secret plot but when asked , both innocently replied  "Nothing, momma!"

Friday our celebration continues as we party to mark Oso The Fearless--Oh, Another White Dog's-- first Gotcha Day Anniversary with the White Dog Army. Since he is, in many ways, Quinn's "Mini-Me," White Dog has allowed TOWD to plan the Event. Quinn has some fun adventures and surprises planned and tells the WDA that he will be there, healthy enough to mark the day appropriately. Please be sure to stop by and leave our Little Man some god wishes.

The White Dog Army wishes you something for which to be Thankful every single day.

May 15, 2013

White Dog and The White Dog Army 
Wonderful World Wednesday

White Dog and the White Dog Army know that nothing brings home the beauty and wonder of this planet better than looking at our blue marble from space. Something is hardwired into every terrestrial creature that makes our souls leap at the sight of our home from a distance--where political boundaries, hatred, and careless disregard become invisible.

I, a child of the compelling original pictures of the first moon walk, studied Aerospace Engineering because of that view and the promise it holds (still). No one is untouched by the view and the WDA believes maybe if we all took more time to consider the perspective of Earth from space or our position in the sparkling night sky's galaxy of stars, maybe just maybe we could find a common ground to love our planet and those who live here.

Chris Hadfield, the Canadian commander of the International space station, must share the feelings of the WDA as well. He used his time in space to create a video that reminds us in a fun but haunting way just how wonderful our world is…and how awesome the human potential is when we work together. Watch and see if you agree.

Real Life 'Major Tom' Performs David Bowie's “Space Oddity” From Actual Space 
By Good News Network Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Canadian commander of the International Space Station used his down-time in orbit to create a music video that has attracted 10 million views on YouTube with its rendition of the famous astronaut pop tune, David Bowie's Space Oddity.

"Ground control to Major Tom" is the renown opening line of the song that was written and performed by Bowie in 1969, the release of which coincided with the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Earlier this year, Chris Hadfield recorded the first space-Earth musical collaboration from the International Space Station (ISS) with his tune I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing), a project with Ed Robertson of Canadian rock group Barenaked Ladies.

In both songs, Hadfield can be seen singing on board the space station with our planet floating outside the window
.

May 14, 2013

White Dog came running in. "Oso is not going to make it to his first Gotcha Day on Friday if he keeps that stuff up!"

I heard Steve come in the backdoor. He had Oh, Another White Dog in his arms and a look of concern on his face.

"There's a story here, I can feel it," I said.

Puff and Oso on the top of the 50" stair case. Oso stands about 10" at the shoulders.

"Your Little Man just took a high dive off of the top step of the deck," Steve reported as he clutched said Flying Wallenda to his chest. "He landed on his head."

"I checked him over and he is kind of scuffed up but I think OK," as he thrust the 12 lb. fluff ball into my arms. "See what you think."

The White Dog Army gathered around as Steve went to get a basin filled with warm soapy water so we could wash off the dust, dirt and seedies that formed a path along Oso's face and neck showing how he landed. While he did that I felt along his ribs and legs and feet and back. I moved his neck back and forth.  All seemed fine.

We washed him clean and parted furs to make sure there were no cuts or scrapes and found none. OAWD's eyes were tracking well and he was hearing perfectly (the whispered, "Do you want a treat?" got not just Oso but the entire WDA, including deaf Nuka, wagging).

Steve pulled back our Little Man's gums to make sure he had not cut himself inside his mouth as he landed, but there was no blood or tenderness inside his cheek on on his tongue. "Wait," I told Steve, "turn his head and open his mouth again."

Our boy HAD managed to chip off a piece of a tooth, near the front so it was easy to see that the nerve was not exposed and the tooth not loose. "Not completely damage-free," I said.

"Oso, you are giving dad grey hairs," I chided Steve's special supervisor. To Steve, "I think he is all right but I am going to give Dr. Julia a call just to be safe." Steve held his boy and petted him; the WDA waited to hear what our wonderful vet had to say.

"Thank God for those thick Spitz skulls," Dr. Julia said upon hearing the story. "Watch to make sure he doesn't have a concussion, bring him in if he starts vomiting, no meds or pain killers for 24 hours, and try to keep his wings clipped! The tooth sounds like a chip and short of cosmetic dentistry Oso is going to have to live with a funky smile." "Really?" I asked, "Canine cosmetic dentistry? There is a market for that?" She laughed, "You would not believe what you can do to your pets if you have enough money. Check in with me tomorrow, he may develop some bruising or a limp from the trauma but it sounds like time will be the best doctor."

Hearing Dr. Julia's release from worry, the WDA turned on their sibling. "WHAT kind of crazy stunt was that?" White Dog demanded. "You could have been seriously hurt!" "Really, do you think we want to celebrate your first Gotcha Day visiting you at the vet hospital or worse," Puff scolded. "You nearly gave dad a heart attack," said Quinn, "I saw his face when you launched yourself!"

"All right every one, Oso gets it. Let's just be glad he is not hurt," Steve defended still hugging the acrobatic boy who snuggled into Steve's arms deeper and yawned..

May 13, 2013

White Dog came out from behind the chair (her napping den) when she heard Steve's quiet, "Oh my!" Quinn and Oso, his ever faithful kitchen helpers were already in the room, heads in the refrigerator.

Seems the thermostat or some regulator had gone haywire and everything in the frig was frozen. For the most part, this was not a huge problem but fresh fruits and veggies took a major beating...including the nearly 2 lbs of strawberries, juicy and just perfectly ripe, that we had just purchased.

"Change of dinner plans," I joked. "LOTS of steamed veggies and we will have to think of something to do with the berries because they will be mush when they thaw." Steve fussed around a bit and seemingly fixed the freezing although he is not saying more than "I've made some adjustments, looks good, but we will see."

After dinner of assorted steamed vegetables topped with some of the wonderful leftover dips from Sunday, Steve announced that he had the perfect use for the defrosted strawberries...smoothies for every one! He pulled out the blender and pulsed in the fruit, some cream, and a touch of vanilla. The White Dog Army lined up at their bowls for their shares. When Puff decided she only wanted a taste, Oso and Quinn both volunteered to lick her bowl clean. YoYoMa pushed his bowl all over the kitchen as he licked again and again to make sure there were no escaping vapors of deliciousness.

Settled and full, Nuka let out a giant belch. "Her way of announcing that the WDA has the problem under control," Steve interpreted.

May 12, 2013

White Dog and the White Dog Army were there for the birth of Paws To People this Mother's Day afternoon. The first ever Board of Directors was seated with the promise to further funding of comparative studies research in cancer, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and other catastrophic illnesses that take too many lives and break too many hearts.

Congratulations to the new Paws To People Board of Directors: (l to r)
L, Katie, Me, Gregg, Candace, Rebecca, and White Dog (standing in for Josh).

Building bridges to cures will save pet and human lives.

The White Dog Army is planning a photo session that will showcase the Four-Legged Directors of the Board (a MUCH bigger group). They will Walk by our sides and keep us focused on ridding the world of these disease monsters. ThIs group consists of The White Dog Army; Lucy; Daisy Mae; Maple; Buddy, the cat; Dragon; Sen-ge, Zoe; Thurber; and (soon we hope) Phoenix; as well as the Roske Seven, led the the powerhouse Zim the chihuahua.

Now THAT will be a photo that speaks to the power of the paw!

May 11, 2013

White Dog and the rest of the White Dog Army asked to see the menu for tomorrow's historic establishment of Paws To People, the charity we have started to fund comparative studies research as bridges for cures to human and pet catastrophic diseases. "Sweet One, it is a business meeting, with motions and voting and dry parliamentary procedure. This is not a party."

"Why not?" she challenged. This is an incredible milestone and years from now you will want to look back and have photos of the joyous moment that began the successful history of Paws To People, a major instrument in helping to rid the world of cancer, and seizures, and diabetes and more."

"Why not, indeed?" the Others joined in. "Food and Celebration seems like a great way to start the journey." They convinced me that Sunday's event deserves to be special and filled with the community that comes from sharing a meal and a congratulatory toast.

We spent the rest of the day and evening putting together dips and dippers that will create a table laden with fresh veggies, fruit skewers, sweet potato chips, crostini, tortilla chips, bread, and vanilla wafers. When Steve returned home from work, the White Dog Army split supervisory tasks between the two of us and directed the preparation of five savory dips: salmon (all of the Army fought to be on THAT team); spinach and white bean; feta and sun dried tomato; spicy pumpkin; and peppercorn Parmesan. At YoYoMa's insistence we did a blueberry cheesecake dip for dessert.

"Is this what you had in mind?" "I asked the WDA as I wiped smudges of samples off of furry chins. "One more thing," Nuka suggested and then whispered in Steve's ear. The girls hoped in the car with Steve and headed out on a mystery mission to return a short time later with a case of sparkling apple cider.

"Something for a congratulations toast," Puff explained. Thank dogness Becks had room to keep the cute little bottles chilled in her refrigerator as ours was packed to the brim. The WDA surveyed the work and wagged their approval. All were tired but full and happy as we headed off to night walks and then bed.

They are ready to wait patiently while business is conducted and the Organization becomes an official corporation with a Board of Directors and By-laws, but the minute P2P is real, the WDA plans to break loose and lead the celebration of new hope and fellowship...in the best White Dog Army tradition, with yummy noshes and hugs all around.

May 10, 2013

White Dog looked back as we drove down our street. The White Dog Army, en masse, was with us on this bright and lovely morning as we headed out to run a few errands and spend some time on maneuvers at the Park.

"What is the next size larger vehicle?" WD asked Steve. "I think we are at the breaking point." Steve refocused his gaze to the inside of the car and laughed. Pumpkin, a Dodge Caravan, holds the White Dog Army nicely.

Usual seating is that Nuka and Quinn share the far back seat. Puff takes the middle seat (the other is folded down) to create a padded bed area. YoYoMa and Oso share the floor cushion. White Dog rides in a special co-pilot carrier attached to the console on in the front. Everyone has personal space and room to sit or lie down.

Quinn is a wild card when we go on road trips; a lot depends on his mental condition and his level of timidness. Most times in recent months, TOWD walks us to the door and then stays behind to guard White Dog Ranch. Happily, today Quinn was the first in line to go along.

By default, when TOWD stays home, Nuka gets the entire back seat to herself. This is a privilege she has come to jealously guard--warning off any of the others who might want to sit beside her. And today, she forgot that Quinn has a rightful claim to half the seat.

Nuka stretched out her full length and in short order had squeezed our gentle Quinn right off of the bench seat. He tried to work with her by compressing himself to less and less room so that she could lie down in HER way but it was about ownership not just comfort.

Quinn clambered off the seat to accommodate his sister, nearly choking himself on his leash and causing a domino effect of upset White Dogs as he took Oso's space, who shifted in Yo's. The poor Quinn was getting nervous about his decision to come along.  

When Steve pulled over to adjust things, poor Quinn nearly decided to just walk home. Fortunately with a bit of repositioning pups on the floor and refastening leashes, the boys, all three, found spots that allowed for peaceful sharing of the bed without disturbing Nuka or Puff who were both unremorsefully refusing to yield.

Steve climbed back into Pumpkin and sighed. "On to the Park!" White Dog cheerfully proclaimed and under her breath to Steve, "maybe on of those mini school buses?"

Steve, my car loving once fancy car driving saint, looked over WD's head at me. "You are cooler now than you ever were in the Mercedes," I crooned. "A good looking guy in a car full of fluffy White Dogs? Hot stuff!"

Nuka was now loudly snoring, just to add insult to her impudence.

P.S. thank you all so much for your kind and wonderful encouragement for Paws To People, you will never know just important your words are to us. You give us strength to keep fighting and the courage to hope even when it seems to be very dark. Thank you for your continued support. Once we get the IRS charity authorization we will add a donate button, but we beg that you understand we cherish your commitment to the battle to end catastrophic illness and your faith in The White Dog Army in itself; although donations will be appreciated and applied to research as promised. With our humblest thanks and love...